How can you see your Future in Futureyou.Ph

FutureYou.ph is an online career exploration tool that helps plan and create future, under your terms which is specifically targetted to students incoming in college, Deciding what to do with your life is always a difficult experience. With FutureYou.ph you can explore what jobs are out there and the educational pathways to each job.  FutureYou.ph aims to provide you with all the information you need to be able to get the right opportunity where your passions, skills, and interests can be turned into a great job and a great future.

guest speakers in FutureYou.ph event

I'm glad that something like this was developed although I'm not sure if there was a web app that was made before this but this is going to be a revolutionary and a great help for seeing the careers and courses that our country has to offer.

With it's design a high school student will now have a better picture of what he or she would like to pursue in the future using up-to-date and reliable information.

You can check www.futureyou.ph for updates on the online app.

The World’s Best Gamma Camera with CT Scan is now in Manila Doctors Hospital

Manila Doctors Hospital partners with Siemens in bringing the world’s best xSPECT system to the Philippines and in Southeast Asia - the new Symbia Intevo which provides physicians with the ability to not only image disease, but also to leverage the high resolution to see the unseen for more confident interpretations. Its unique quantitative capabilities provide the ability to monitor and adjust treatments earlier by accurately measuring even small differences. To support patient safety and increased efficiency, Symbia Intevo was designed to administer the lowest dose while imaging patients faster than ever.

Symbia Intevo is the world’s best Gamma Camera with CT Scan and the first system of its kind in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia to allow easy, accurate and reproducible quantification, making treatment follow-up possible. Faster and more accurate cardiac imaging The increase in demand for faster myocardial perfusion imaging has been one of the key trends in nuclear medicine. With Symbia Intevo, cardiac imaging becomes 75% faster and more comfortable and accurate than ever before. The innovative IQ.SPECT makes cardiac imaging 4 times faster for patient comfort and improved image quality. Molecular Imaging is now Quantitative Accurate and reproducible quantification supports physicians’ ability to more confidently interpret clinical images, enabling early modification of treatment and potentially reducing the cost for skeletal such as assessment of bone graft function and retention, hip joint replacement follow-up, assessment of meniscal pathology and grading and follow up of renal osteodystrophy.

The scanner may also be used for other applications such as infection, inflammation, lung perfusion, renal cortical mass, liver and autoimmune disease.Through this latest acquisition, Manila Doctors Hospital in its thrust to provide world-class quality and affordable healthcare to its stakeholders aims improve patient well-being, reduce costs and increase productivity. Symbia Intevo may give physicians the ability to make progress in diagnosing and treating the most challenging diseases, and to make more accurate treatment decisions.

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One of the leading centers of health and wellness in the Philippines, MDH is a Metrobank Foundation healthcare affiliate. The Foundation actively supports the Hospital’s operations and provides funds for a wide array of social services—which includes subsidies for in-house charity patients, surgical missions, outreach programs and health-related interventions, projects in adopted communities and schools—and research. MDH is certified as an ISO 9001:2008 institution and recognized as the first private hospital in Asia to be accredited by Accreditation Canada International.

Filipino investors optimistic on pensions, but based on some risky assumptions – Manulife Survey

The majority of Filipino investors are satisfied with their government pension – but that sentiment is based on specific assumptions and a cash-dominant approach to retirement working out, according to the latest Manulife Investor Sentiment Index.*

Two-thirds of respondents said that they are confident that their government pension would be enough to meet their needs upon retirement – the highest level of all surveyed markets. In contrast, across all surveyed markets the proportion of confident investors was less than 40 percent, and as low as one-in-ten in some markets.

While such optimism seems positive, the survey shows it is based on some risky assumptions. First, investors expect their retirement income to be relatively high, at 92% of their current income – the highest estimate among all surveyed markets (Asia average 69%). Second, they expect their retirement expenses to be relatively low, at just 61 percent of their current income, at the lower end of surveyed markets (Asia average 66%). Third, nearly all (95%) said that in retirement they expect to rely on private healthcare – by contrast, in every other market only a minority expected to rely on private healthcare (Asia average 38%).

“Filipino investors have high estimates of their retirement income. Even if these turn out to be right, they may not be enough to cover their actual costs,” said Ryan Charland, CEO of Manulife Philippines. “Today, people generally expect their retirement to be active, and that means expenses will likely be much higher than what many realize. In addition, healthcare tends to cost a lot more than people expect. In Asia healthcare costs have risen about twice the rate of inflation over the past 10 years. Of course, it’s even more expensive if you go private.”

The survey highlights that Filipino investors have a high degree of reliance on their government pension, with only one in five owning an additional, private pension plan. Instead, many expect to fall back on other, less assured, largely cash-forms of income, notably savings (which they expect to make up 37% of their retirement income) and inheritance (12% of their retirement income) – in both cases the highest reliance of any surveyed markets. This cash-dominant approach to retirement is reinforced by the finding that, on receiving their pension, Philippine investors plan to deposit nearly half into the bank, the second-highest level of all markets (Asia average 35%).

“We know that Filipino investors like to hold cash and are among the most cash-heavy investors in Asia. The latest survey shows us they also plan to be Asia’s most cash-reliant investors when retired,” said Mr. Charland. “Keeping cash in the bank provides minimal returns, which may not even keep up with inflation. Their retirement optimism would have a sounder basis with a more balanced portfolio, especially given that retirement today can last 30 years or more.”

*About Manulife Investor Sentiment Index in Asia
Manulife’s Investor Sentiment Index in Asia is a quarterly, proprietary survey measuring and tracking investors’ views across eight markets in the region on their attitudes towards key asset classes and related issues. The Index is calculated as a net score (% of “Very good time” and “Good time” minus % of “Bad time” and “Very bad time”) for each asset class. The overall index is calculated as an average of the index figures of asset classes. A positive number means a positive sentiment, zero means a neutral sentiment, and a negative number means negative sentiment.
The Manulife ISI is based on 500 online interviews in each market of Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore; in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines it is conducted face-to-face. Respondents are middle class to affluent investors, aged 25 years and above who are the primary decision maker of financial matters in the household and currently have investment products.

The Manulife ISI is a long-established research series in North America. The Manulife ISI has been measuring investor sentiment in Canada for the past 15 years, and extended this to its John Hancock operation in the U.S. in 2011. Asset classes taken into Manulife ISI Asia calculations are stocks/equities, real estate (primary residence and other investment properties), mutual funds/unit trusts, fixed income investment and cash.

About Manulife
Manulife is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Clients look to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Funds under management by Manulife and its subsidiaries were approximately C$637 billion (US$597 billion) as at June 30, 2014. We operate as John Hancock in the U.S. and as Manulife in other parts of the world.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

RC Jamacan Patties Next to Movies in Market Market

This is a treat for me and my friends when we visited the RC Jamaican Patties just next to the movie theaters in Market Market when we were scheduled to taste the Jamaican Patties that they have. Let me describe the place first, aside from it being a convenient place to hang around when your waiting for your friends or waiting for the view time of the movie that you'd like to see you can also somehow have this small touch of Jamaican colors when you enter the store, I've posted the photo below to give you an idea of the space and how it looks like.

And for the staff, I can say that they're okay and providing good customer service to the clients. I guess you can probably tell from their picture below.

I also got pictures of the Jamaican Patties itself but since they all look the same, I only posted one which is one of my favorite the Beef Granade.

So here are the Patties that we were able to try:

BEEF ROYALE

All-beef ground filling, all-time favorite

BEEF SUPREME

No chili, juicy, ground all-beef filling with tomato sauce gravy

BEEF JERKY

Extra hot, all-beef juicy ground filling with tomato sauce gravy

BEEF GRENADA

Detonates in your mouth & only for the brave, spicy all-beef ground filling, lots of chili

CHICKEN ROYALE

All-chicken ground filling

CHEEZE BURST

Loads of melted cheese with all-beef ground filling, a sure winner!

And here's the menu from the pictures I took. 

You can also check their site: www.royalcaribbean.com.ph for more details.

FREE Facebook na raw ulit sabi ng Globe!

Ayan, tingnan mo nga naman ang pagkakataon. Look what MVP did to the competition.

This is what I can say one of the best things in competition pero ano naman ang mga nasasabi ng ating mga kababayan tungkol dito.

Yes may mga positive at negative na mga reactions ang mga customers ng kanya kanyang network. May mga Manang Bola at Nostradamus din sa kanila na hunuhulaan na ang mga panggagari. At siyempre kayo din na nakakabasa nito ay may sarili ring palagay sa Big Announcements ng mga higanteng kumpanyang ito. Kung maganda man para sa inyo oh hindi ito ay pwede namang ipahatid ito sa kanila lalo na ngayon na mas maganda na ang ating technology kumpara dati na monopoly pa ang telephone service at wala pang internet. So I guess what my point for now is to make use of it. Kase, sino ba naman ang ayaw ng libre lalo na kung tungkol sa data connection natin nowadays na kung saan mas lalong naging mobile na ito dahil kaya na natin magkaroon ng communication sa ating mga mahal sa buhay, mamahalin pa lang o dating minahal sa pamamagitan ng mga smart phones na mas marami na rin ang may access at mas nagiging affordable na rin. Kaya minsan, maganda rin ang naidudulot ng competition para sa ating mga consumer. In the future, sana mas madami pang dumating.

ATAT Motorcyle Club Turns 12!

ATAT Motorcycle Club (ATAT, as formally registered in the SEC, stands for Any Time All the Time) will have its 1st official long ride for 2014 this weekend( September 26-28, 2014) to Baguio as it commemorates the new set of officers for the year 2014-2015 with President Charlie Carlos Ride. ATAT was founded on friendship in 2002 when three long-time friends Kiko Bernardo, Teddy Lim and Elton Ong decided to get together after realizing their passion for motorbikes. From there, the group of three started to grow and had many impromptu rides —at any given time, at a moment’s notice, with a “drop what you are doing and let’s ride!” kind of attitude. Together with another long time friend Alberto Matias the group decided to name the group ATAT — which, in the vernacular, describes someone all too eager and impatient to do something. Together with Benjie Ladra, Myke Torres, Kevin Chua, and Jimmy Chan pioneers in ATAT, the group started to grow in numbers. Reaching a high of 45 members at its peak. Now on to its 12th year, ATAT Motorcycle Club has established itself as one of the premier motorcycle clubs in the country. At present, the club has 24 members and despite their busy schedules, their friendship has evolved into a deep sense of camaraderie and a brotherhood of passionate riders.

The members consists of : Elton Ong, Benjie Ladra, Abet Matias, Marc de Joya, Charlie Carlos, Raymond Hallare, Vince Mercado, Felix Luakian, Mervin Pullon,Francis Varela, Paolo Vialu,    Rei Lagamia, Mayie Capinpin  , Oliver Jimeno, JC Villanueva, AJ Maralit, Aaron Macalinao, Jevis Aguila Marketing Manager at Granstar Motors, the local distributor of Aprilia and  Lawrence Macalinao “We have been riding for a long time, and unlike other sport-bike riders, ATAT members really push and ride hard. We have made it our advocacy to ride hard on the track, not on the streets, to promote safe riding,” said Marc de Joya, General Manager at Ducati Phils.

Follow their ride schedule and adventures by liking their Facebook  as ATAT Racing Team  heads on to Clark International Speedway this October 4 & 5 and witness the much awaited 4th leg of the Ducati Cup 2014 and Any Time All the Time Motorcycle Club (ATAT MC)

BUM Equipment and G.I. Jane

Last Monday, September 22, BUM Equipment unveiled G.I. (Girl It’s) Jane collection named after one of its youth brand ambassador Jane Oineza, who is fresh from her successful third finish in a recently concluded Pinoy Big Brother All In Edition, a hit reality show of ABS-CBN Channel 2.

BUM’s move to provide Oineza with a collection named after her does not just spotlight the young star’s crowd-drawing potentials, but as an inspiration to the youth of today to be uniquely strong and brave amidst any criticism.

There are two categories for this particular collection—The Statement Shirts and the Skater Tops with Skirts.

Jane Oineza’s Statement Shirts Once there was this quote that perfectly describes Jane, “It’s hard to be yourself in a world that wants you to be like them.” But when she was just one of the housemates, she was brave enough to hold onto what she strongly believed in. Thus, the statement shirts were born.

The statement shirts texts will read: ‘I am Misunderstood’, ‘I’m Real’, and ‘I am Stronger’, respectively and are all printed on black shirts. These speaks of Oineza’s transformation for the past months, which truly defines ‘who’ she is as an individual, as a young talented celebrity. Oineza, being a youth brand ambassador is a reflection of a young woman who is brave enough to face all the critics and stay true to herself, no matter what.


This collection will be the first one to come out in the market on the said mentioned date and can be purchased at all BUM boutiques nationwide.

Jane’s Skater Tops and Skirts

Being a young lady, apart from being a celebri-TEEN, she prefers the preppy look. Jane is the ideal image who projects that aura of a ‘privileged’ lifestyle. She stays simple and fresh-looking with her choice of clothing combining it with the accessories without overpowering her real personality, that’s what she is.

As young lady who just blossomed after celebrating her 18th birthday inside the PBB House, Jane Oineza along with BUM, a thriving brand apparel is launching three variants of skater tops and skirts under the

G.I. Jane collection as well.

Though black in theme, the Skater Skirts comes in three designs; black skull print, white skull print and diamond pattern print. While G.I. Jane skater tops are spandex long sleeves with accentuations to differ one tops from the other. These items can be bought in pairs or can be bought separately.

The said girly-themed collection will soon be available in November this year. Also, these will be exclusively available in all SM department stores.

Jane Thoughts on these Collections.

“I am excited with the collection. And it truly is me. It spells out who I am on and off camera,” Jane shares.

The collections are something that any young lady would grab and own several pieces because of its message and the design. The G.I. Jane collections do not just reflect Jane’s personality but can be identifiable by any female growing up in the world of ‘peer pressures’ and stay committed to her ideals and do not conform to the standards dictated of the ‘world’ around her.

“I do hope that even with the line of clothing via BUM, I can be a living testimony to girls out there to standout and not just be one of the many girls corrupted by any sort of ideals.”

To know more about BUM latest collection-- G.I. Jane, visit its social media accounts such as Facebook,
Twitter, and Instagram via @officialbumph or visit its official website www.bumequipment.com.ph.
Mobile: +639177842605 / +639063515418
E-mail: info@bnlmultimedia.com
Website: www.bnlmultimedia.com
Phone: +632-3865570

Maria Leonora Teresa!

Directed by Wenn Deramas which is known for Directing the Comedy Blockbusters that we've seen and has been a brand director in Comedy now tried Horror for a change.

with script written by Keiko Aquino, Maria Leonora Teresa is a horror-drama for the entire family and is centered to the interconnected lives of the three mothers who lost their individual daughters to a brutal accident. This unimaginable tragedy left their mothers Faith Julio and Stella with indelible and unbearable grief. To cope up with their pain, they seek professional help form a doctor who offered them dolls who look exactly like their deceased daughters. Peculiar as it may be, the mothers accepted the doctor's offer for they will do anything and everything to keep the memories of their daughters alive.

"This was the very first horror film that I ever directed and I am so excited," reveals Direk Wenn.

"Sometimes we have to be careful of what wish for because it just might come true. Maria Leonora Teresa shows us how far mothers are willing to go for the love of their children. In the end acceptance will set us free and we all have to face our fears at one point in our lives or the other." Direk Wenn added

Maria Leonora Teresa is a part of Star Cinema's on-going 20th anniversary celebration and it is currently showing in cinemas nationwide.

You can also check:
http://twitter.com/StarCinema

http://facebook.com/StarCinema
www.StarCinema.com

Philippines’ first BPO Choice Awards celebrating the voice of the BPO Industry.

The Core Productions, Inc.,represented by its Busines Development Director, Juan Paulo Galinato, together with ePM, a full service training and professional certification company with headquarters in Singapore and Malaysia, represented by its Managing Director and Founder, Mr. Allan Puyan, presented the first industry and awards night that revels the voice of the IT-BPO industry at the International Centre InformationTechnology (ICITE) Auditorium.The BPO Choice Awards 2014 is the first awards night where IT and BPO professionals can nominate and vote for their peers, managers, companies, and celebrities in different award categories through the online voting platform, BPOChoice.com. The core mission of this awards event is to celebrate and promote the workersand organizations in the industry who are responsible for the significant economic contribution to the country.

The BPO Industry is a huge economic driver that has completely changed the business landscape of the Philippines. The continuous increase in the size of the industry, with a targeted 1.3 Million filipinos employed by 2016, the industry has paved the way for the establishment of Small and Medium sized enterprises, development of more real estate projects, and demand for retail products and services. In addition, the IT-BPO industry have provided jobs to over 900,000 Filipinos currently handling a multitude of processes outsourced from around the world. Through The BPO Choice Awards 2014, this growing market will be properly represented and will help

The campaign is supported by its esteemed Media Partners such as Teledevelopment, BPO Career Hub, 97.9 Natural FM, 105.1 Crossover FM, BusinessWorld, BusinessMirror, JobsDB.com, PinoyExchange.com, “We’re very happy to finally introduce The BPO Choice Awards 2014 to the public. It’s the perfect time to create a campaign for an industry that is often misunderstood and misrepresented but has done so much for the economy of our country,” says The Core Production, Inc’s Business Development Director, Juan Paulo Galinato,  “I encourage everyone in the BPO industry to support this advocacy. This platform is made and designed for you.” BPOChoice.com is the web voting platform where participants can register for free and gain access to the nomination and voting features. Voters may nominate and vote from the following categories:

BPO Company Of The Year BPO Choice For Movie Of The Year
BPO CEO Of The Year BPO Choice For Actor Of The Year
BPO Manager Of The Year BPO Choice For Actress Of The Year
BPO Employee Of The Year BPO Choice For Song Of The Year
BPO Choice For Group Artist Of The Year
TELEVISION BPO Choice For Female Artist Of The Year
BPO Choice For TV Network Of The Year BPO Choice For Male Artist Of The Year
BPO Choice For Female Celebrity Of The Year BPO Choice For Sports Team Of The Year
BPO Choice For Athlete Of The Year

Winners will be announced during the ceremony to be held at the Newport Theater in Resorts World Manila on December 13, 2014 with telecast at ABS-CBN News Channel on December 20 and 21, 2014.

Himig Handog 2014 Finals Night this September

Watch out on September 28, 2014(Sunday) for the country's biggest songwriting competition "Himig Handog Pinoy Pop(P-Pop) Love Songs 2014" at the Araneta Coliseum and will be hosted by Kapamilya Stars Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Robi Domingo, and Alex Gonzaga.

A mix of veteran and amateur Filipino composers were part of the top 15 finalist and which will also be interpreted by some of the brightest recording stars in the country which are listed below.

Aside from the grand prize there will also be special awards in the said event and Fans can still continue voting on their prefered platform such as MOR 101.9 for "MOR's Choice" by texting MORHHSONG<1 to 15> to 2331, Himighandog.abs-cbn.com for "online Choice for Favorite Interpreter", TFC.tv for "TFC Choice," via Starstudio Magazine's September issue for "Starstudio's Choice;" and through the "Himig Handog" album itself for "Star Records Listeners' Choice." "Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs" CD is available on all record stores nationwide for P299 and can also be downloaded for P25 per track.

Several Universities also participated on making the MTV'S of the finalist songs which are aired on MYX Skycable as well.

Tickets are available in ticketnet.com.ph or you can call 911-5555

Project: First Home Book Launch

We might be familiar of Reality TV's about home renovation similar programs and you might be like me that always gets amazed of the transformation of the homes from ordinary to awesome, or sometimes even starting from scratch but this time we'll have our own version of it which is in a form of comprehensive guidebook that teaches first-time Filipino homebuilders how to build a house from the ground up. Last September 10, 2014 it had its formal bookstore launch in Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street, Taguig. The book, “Project: First Home – everything you need to know to build your house from scratch” is written by John Aguilar, creator and executive producer of the Philippine’s longest-running real estate and construction TV show Philippine Realty TV. The foreword is written by renowned Architect Felino “Jun” Palafox, Jr.

"Project: First Home” takes its inspiration from the same-titled series on Philippine Realty TV where Aguilar documented the construction of his first house – from design phase, construction, all the way to the finishing and furnishing. Chapters include advice on how to find the perfect lot; tips on how to secure a home loan; finding and hiring the design and construction teams; preparing for the design phase with the architect; going through the construction proper; finishing; and interior design. Special chapters also discuss the major construction materials that are used including a chapter dedicated to green and disaster adaptive home designs against typhoons and floods.

The book also features industry expert collaborators interviewed by Aguilar that include Arch. Jun Palafox for architecture; Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Undersecretary Danilo Antonio for property acquisition; Ivy and Cynthia Almario, and Philippine Realty TV host Tessa Prieto-Valdes, for interior design; and Maritess Allen for feng shui, among others. Aguilar, who is a first time author, shared that “When I built my house, I wished that I had a book that would guide me through the entire house building process,” he said, “so I wrote the book for people to have a guide through the complexities of it all since building your home is one of the most important things you will ever do in your life.”

Also launched was the downloadable digital Ebook version which contains bonus interactive tools, videos culled from the Project: First Home series on Philippine Realty TV, and links to important websites of government agencies, suppliers, and organizations. Present at the book launch were the expert book collaborators and industry partners that include Architect Jun Palafox, BPI Family Savings Bank’s Vice President and Product Marketing Head Noel Altamirano, and representatives from Cemex Philippines who were given plaques of appreciation for being the book’s content collaborators.

The book was written in partnership with major sponsors BPI Family Savings Bank and Meralco, with minor sponsors Cemex Philippines, Jackbilt Industries, Phelps Dodge Philippines, Cypress Bomanite, and Megabuild 101. “Project: First Home” is now available in all Fully Booked and Wilcon Depot branches nationwide. The Ebook is also available for download through the Buqo App.
For inquiries and bulk purchases, contact Second Wind Publishing at Tel. (02) 621-4635 or email info@philippinerealtytv.com. Visit www.PhilippineRealtyTV.com for more information on the book and airing schedules of Philippine Realty TV.

Sugarleaf Makati and Jertie’s Kitchen Tie Up for The Green Guide To Eating Right, A Healthy Food Preparation Workshop Series

In another of its signature fun, learning-filled media events, Sugarleaf Organic Market and Café Makati recently launched another healthy food preparation series dubbed The Green Guide to Eating Right workshop series running from October to February 2015 to be held at the Makati Café in MEDICard Lifestyle Center. 

Well attended by friends from the media and blogging community, attendees got a sneak preview of vegan dishes included in the four workshops.  Sugarleafer Angelo Narciso Songco emceed the event while vegan and gluten-sensitive resource speakers Jertie and Jaclyn Abergas shared their story and knowledge in healthy yet affordable and practical healthy cooking.

In tandem with Jertie's Kitchen, Sugarleaf invites all to any or all of our four exciting workshops from October to February 2015.  Each class stands on its own and builds up your stock knowledge on healthy vegan food prep.  P1500 per person per workshop. P1300 for early bird, senior citizens, students, pairs  and groups.  Attend three and get the 4th at 50% discount!  Contact Angelo on 0917 8039 055. Pay P1300 one week before each class at Sugarleaf Makati or deposit to Healthy Eats Inc. checking account  number 0012 4002 7660 (Union Bank World Center branch) to avail of early bird rate.  Please bring your deposit slip which will be collected upon registration.

18 October–Eating A Plant‐Based Diet On A Budget

We all know that we need to eat more fruits and vegetables, that’s a fact.  In this workshop, we’ll teach you five easy-to-prepare plant-based dishes that’ll incorporate more of these nutrient dense food into your existing diet.  Demo menu includes coconut fried rice, corn and tomato stew, basil pesto, minestrone, chow mein, lettuce wraps, Thai vegetable stew plus bonus recipes!

22 November–Noche Buena Vegan Feast

Eat heartily this Yuletide season without the guilt with these plant‐based versions of your favorite festive dishes!  Demo menu inludes ginataang halo-halo, paella, "chick"pea sopas, arroz Valenciana, macaroni/fruit salad, casserole and Christmas dessert!

10 January 2015–Lose Holiday Weight with Green Smoothie*

Had a little or way  too much fun during the holidays?  Don’t worry, we’re here to help you get back to your old self–or maybe even better!  Green smoothies will help you slip back into those skinny jeans without having to jump and down.

7 February 2015–Love, Chocolate

Love is in the air!  And chocolate definitely rules this month.  Let us teach you new plant-based chocolate dishes to romance your lover (or would-be lover) – mostly sweet with a savoury dish as well.

Sugarleaf and Jertie's promise another info-filled and yummy series complete with handouts, hearty samplings of at least five recipes, bonus recipes and tips.  Angelo of Sugarleaf shares “After a long hiatus, we are happy to have partnered with Jertie who shares our commitment in promoting a heathy and sustainable lifestyle.  After four separate series over the past three years, we’ll hold another four part food preparation class–not completely raw anymore as healthy can be cooked!  With the promise that all ingredients are easy to find and affordable!”

About Jertie’s Kitchen

Jertie Abergas and her sister Jaclyn have always believed great-tasting nutritious food should be accessible to anyone and everyone.  And more than that, everyone should be able to make it easily without burning a hole in your pocket.  Eating a plant‐based diet should not be any different.  Neither should it be complicated, intimidating and boring!

A lot of people hesitate to commit to a plant‐based diet because they believe it to be difficult and expensive to create.  Me and my sister Jaq want to debunk that misconception!  It can be expensive, especially if you always go for the high-end option but most of the time it’s as affordable as it can get.  In The Green Guide to Eating Right workshop series we’ll show you how affordable plant-based dishes can easily be prepared even by those who’ve never stepped into a kitchen before.  And the great thing about this workshop, you don’t need lots of fancy equipment.  You just need a toaster, a rice cooker or a pan with a stove.

When my sister Jaq became vegan, she pressured me to create vegan pastries she can eat.  I felt inspired and added it to my line-up of home-baked goodies.  Then, almost at the same time I found out I was gluten‐intolerant and tweaked my products to include gluten‐free and vegan items

Since then, me and Jaq have devoted ourselves to sharing their plant-based and gluten-free lifestyle with the people we meet and those interested.  We strongly believe people need to start taking charge of their health and not wait until it’s too late.

Aside from creating great‐tasting food, we teach health and cooking workshops and offer health coaching.  We know how difficult it is to transition and want to support other people in their own journey towards health.

Contact: Angelo Narciso Songco, co-owner, head of marketing, business development and media relations, Sugarleaf Organic Market and Café G-2F MEDICard Lifestyle Center, 51 Paseo de Roxas corner Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati

Tel (63 2) 812 7323 Email: ansongco@yahoo.com

New World-class Surgical Training Center Opened in The Medical City

Premier health institution The Medical City (TMC) officially opens today its state-of-the-art multi-disciplinary training center that will provide surgical expertise and the ideal environment for skills acquisition for healthcare professionals.

The Center for Advanced Skills, Simulation and Training Innovation or CASSTI welcomes practicing clinicians, fellows and residents from TMC as well as from other training institutions,

Operating Room (OR) nurses and technicians, and medical students. Consultants or physicians who desire to strengthen and refine their clinical and surgical skills are likewise welcome to enroll in CASSTI’s courses. CASSTI is a collaborative initiative among TMC and key industry stakeholders who will be involved on a per course basis. The Center is headed by

Dr. Deogracias Alberto G. Reyes,

TMC surgeon and associate professor at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Reyes is supported by course directors composed of specialists from the Departments of General Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, Breast Surgery, Gynecology, Head and Neck Surgery, Orthopedics, Airway Management, Intensive Care, and Stoma Care.“CASSTI is changing surgical learning by allowing trainees to learn in a controlled and safe environment. This offers physicians and trainees the ability to assess and achieve proficiency through simulation and an ideal learning environment that is pace appropriate and structured with expert supervision,” says TMC President and CEO Dr. Alfredo R.A. Bengzon.

The CASSTI infrastructure is comprised of experts backed by technology that embody the present and future of surgical and medical learning. The center’s advisory committee is composed of six directors of various TMC medical departments and international experts led by Professor Sir Alfred Cuschieri, a world-wide authority on minimal access surgery. Prof. Cuschieri is a professor of surgery at the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa and Chief Scientific Advisor to the Institute for Medical Science and Technology (IMSaT), Universities of Dundee and St. Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom.

“CASSTI was brought about by the need to effect a change in medical and surgical training. The traditional Halsteadian mindset of ‘see one, do one, teach one’ is not ideal as it does not give the trainee the opportunity to achieve mastery before patient contact,” adds Dr. Reyes. The center was envisioned to address this need for change along with issues of patient safety and quality healthcare and to provide clinical and surgical skills responsive to world developments and standards of care. While minimal access surgery has become a requisite in general residency training locally, there is a gap that needs to be filled when it comes to this kind of training. In the global scene, simulation training has been integrated into general surgery training programs using inanimate models, animal phantom models, and virtual reality. The main feature of CASSTI is simulation training.

Given its track record in minimally-invasive procedures such as robot-assisted and laparoscopic surgeries, TMC is in the position to uplift the level of medical care through CASSTI. According to Dr. Reyes, surgical simulation is a mode of training which is promising and may be effective. Technical errors in the simulated environment do not have clinical consequences and do not involve morbidity or mortality. CASSTI trainings are carried out in a controlled and safe environment. A procedure can be deconstructed into its critical steps for more structured and purposeful learning. The center’s simulation environment guarantees minimization of error thus achieving a greater level of patient safety. Plus, the ability to repeat and train in the skills laboratory makes training pace appropriate, responsive to the individual’s learning aptitudes and schedule limitations. CASSTI’s facilities include endoscopic stations, virtual reality room, simulation room, teleconference capability for live surgery transmission to ASSTI and remote locations, animal laboratory, lecture rooms, video editing stations and a research room. The center makes use of equipment for simulation which includes alternative inanimate simulator box, inanimate simulator box, and virtual reality simulator.

CASSTI offers short courses that run from two to five days and post-graduate certificate courses that will run from one to three months. Plans to offer a certificate course and a Master’s Degree in Minimal Access Surgery are underway. CASSTI is located at the lower ground of The Medical City in Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City.

For the list of courses and other inquiries, you may call 988-1000 or 988-7000 ext. 6801.

About The Medical City

The Medical City is a tertiary care hospital with over 40 years of experience in hospital operation and administration. Its world-class health care complex serves some 40,000 in patients and 400,000 out-patients annually. TMC has a medical staff of over 1,000 physicians who are established experts in their various fields of specialization. This core of professionals is complemented by a 2,200-strong human resource complement, engaged in allied medical, administrative and support services. TMC is accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), the world’s most prestigious accrediting body for international health care organizations.

The Medical City is located along Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City. For more information about The Medical City and its services, call (+632) 988-1000 or (+632) 988-7000 or email at mail@themedicalcity.com, or visit www.themedicalcity.com.

URATEX My Home Event With Team Kramer

The family who sleeps and takes a good sleep is happier, healthier, and does more bonding activities.  Uratex, the leader in foam manufacturing in the Philippines and the designer and producer of premium mattresses, emphasizes this point in its My Home Event slated last September 04, 2014 at SM Megamall.  During the occasion, Uratex also introduced Team Kramer as their newest brand ambassadors.

In partnership with SM Home, SM Store, and SM Megamall, Uratex showcased its newest and elegant and comfortable beds, their different kinds, and how they service the needs of each family member. A quality good night's sleep on one of Uratex’s mattresses or its variations can help dad become more motivated, mom more energetic, and the kids less stressed and yet still enthused and excited about life.

Sleep is essential for all peoples, regardless of age, and a good rest is vital especially for a family. 

1.       Dad and mom need to be productive for their workplaces and nurturing to their kids.

2.           The children, meanwhile, have to deal with school challenges, peer pressure, changes in perspective, and their own emotional and inner growth.

3.       Their older brothers and sisters who are working will have to confront work deadlines, demanding bosses, and romantic relationships where they have to give more of themselves.

Sometimes, every family member just might find himself or herself hard-pressed to keep up with the challenges they are facing.  An average of six to eight hours a day is the requirement, according to physicians and other medical experts.  Now, if each family member were not to get his required rest that night, tensions just might arise within the family, inadvertently causing them to get on each other’s nerves.

 Sometimes, every family member just might find himself or herself hard-pressed to keep up with the challenges they are facing.  An average of six to eight hours a day is the requirement, according to physicians and other medical experts.  Now, if each family member were not to get his required rest that night, tensions just might arise within the family, inadvertently causing them to get on each other’s nerves.

 Uratex Philippines, which has grown immensely in 46 years from a modest company to the foam leader in the country, has always kept the family’s welfare in mind. Perhaps being a family-owned company is one of the reasons behind this.

Another is the company’s constant research and development who sees to it that all its clients receive the excellent foam that they deserve and enjoy the quality sleep that they need.

 A big king-size bed is ideal for the family.  While helping to ensure the intimate bond between the father and mother, it can on occasions transform to become the ‘happy healthy playground’ of the kids.  Stories can be read, the events of the days can be recapped, or a favorite DVD marathon with a late midnight snack can bring the family even closer together. 

Uninterrupted sleep and quality foam that can provide rest to the body is part of the service that Uratex provides, thanks to its passion for excellence that characterizes its products. Innovations such as the “Quali-5 Cellular Technology” make sure that the Uratex foams produced by the company are of high and world-class quality.  The Quali-5 Cellular Technology shows the company's strong adherence to quality; its quality assurance through its ISO-9001 certified facilities; world-class equipment; superior formulation and process engineering technology; and usage of best raw materials.

The Airlite is best for family members who want a cooler sleeping environment. The more flexible and portable sofa beds are recommended for those who prefer a little more me-time, watching their videos or chatting with friends and colleagues while lying down on their leisure time.

  Sofa beds also come in handy when visitors visit the home; these guests can stretch out on the sofa beds, enjoying meals and the conversation.

Dad and Mom enjoy their own special ‘couple time’ with the Hamptons Collection, with its trademark plush comfort that encourages a more leisurely demeanor, can help create a more romantic mood in private. The Hamptons Collection comes in five models: Royale, Prestige, Mystique, Premiere, Elite.

 Regardless of the model they choose, each family member can find the Uratex mattress that fits him or her – and with it, enjoy a luxurious sleep that will recharge them the next day and probably add a rosier outlook.

Uratex’s other products help induce this high-quality of sleep for the customers. Uratex pillows have different types, sizes and functions that will suit your need and preferences to help you achieve a great sleep. Meanwhile, the hyper-soft mattress enhancer adds that extra comfort to every bed, enhancing the relaxation for each family member who uses it, inviting him or her to unwind by sleeping in a cradling position.  Mattress and pillow protectors help keep the mattress and pillow clean and fresh.

Uratex is always sensitive to the needs of its customers and alert to provide the personalized kind of sleep solution that they need.  This is one reason why it has been winning the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands awards the past six consecutive years. Winners like Uratex are chosen based on their trustworthiness and credibility, quality, value, understanding of customer needs, innovation, and corporate social responsibility.