BlueWater Day Spa announced the addition of some of the country’s most well-loved actresses to its roster of brand ambassadors as well as the launch of an exciting new service.
Recharge my Skill with Tropical Swells Surf Camp
I love to swim as this would always be a breather to me. Other than water sports activities, I tried scuba diving lesson and did wind surfing.
Intel Showcases New Technology – Enabled Experiences
Intel Philippines unveiled a series of new devices and technologies that will transform the way technology is consumed in the Philippines and deliver a new technology-enabled experience.
Innovation showcased in the Philippines for the first time include the 6th Generation Intel Core processors that power a broad range of computing form factors, as well as the Intel Curie module which provides real-time sensor data and will enable consumers to experience technology like never before.
Technology adoption within the local community is rising, with over 46% of the population now connected online. At Intel, we are proud to be at the heart of this increasingly connected society as we help create new possibilities and innovations to empower Filipinos in realizing their potential and capabilities through our technology.
Intel’s best processor ever – The rapid growth in technology adoption continues to drive demand for better performing, more efficient devices that help users do more. As the nature of technology shifts to adopt to the needs of consumers Intel’s efforts bring to life even more experiences for its users.
The 6th generation intel core processor, Intel’s best processor ever, deliver enhanced performance and new immersive experiences at the lowest power levels ever. These enhancements include a new quad cor intel Core 15 processor that offers up to 60 percent improved mobile multitasking.
The 6th generation Intel Core processors also enable amazing experiences for the user. Devices can now utilize WiGig and intel WiDi features for wireless display freedom, Intel RealSense Technology and Windows Hello for password-free log-ins, and the integration of intel RealSense and Cortana for more immersive interactions with virtual assistants. More tha ever, these experiences will redefine technology consumption and creation in the years to come.
Hopeless cases no more Immunotherapy drug for advanced stages of lung cancer and melanoma now in the Philippines
The spark of hope has never been brighter for Filipino patients with advanced stages of lung cancer and melanoma. MSD in the Philippines, a leader in oncology research and development just introduced immunotherapy, one of the most innovative cancer treatment methods to date.
One type of immunotherapy called immune checkpoint inhibitors is a form of cancer treatment that prevents the interaction between the immune system’s T-cells and the tumors. When tumors and T-cells interact, a protein found in the tumor called the Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) deactivates T-cells so they become incapable of recognizing and destroying cancer cells. Through immunotherapy, this interaction is blocked so that T-cells can detect and ward off the cancer cells.
In the Philippines, the anti PD-L1 immunotherapy drug Pembrolizumab received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of advanced or metastatic lung cancer and melanoma after failing first-line treatment. In a media roundtable symposium held March 17 in Manila, Dr Gerardo Cornelio, Cancer Institute Head of St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City shared that “Pembrolizumab has the potential to become an integral part of cancer treatment. It has and will be tested across a broad spectrum of cancers.”
Burden of Disease
Cancer is one of the most challenging diseases and annual cases are expected to rise to 22 million within the next two decades. In 2012 alone, there were 14 million new cases reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) with 8.2 million cancer-related deaths. A significant contributor to this statistic is lung cancer, which is the top cause of cancer mortality for both sexes worldwide.
Sadly, incidence from the Philippines is not far off from the global data. According to Globocan 2012, Iung cancer is the second most common cancer in incidence and mortality among Filipino men and women.
As for melanoma, a skin cancer whose risk factors include sun exposure, fair complexion and genetics, around 300 Filipinos are affected annually. Though melanoma is not one of the most common cancers in the country, early diagnosis remains a challenge for most patients.
The good news is that for many cancers there have been significant breakthroughs – from prevention to treatment options – however, the unmet needs remain high.
Durable responses, lower toxicities
Clinical trials have shown immunotherapy’s efficacy in the treatment of advanced lung cancer and melanoma. According to a study published in LANCET, Pembrolizumab showed superior overall survival with less high-grade toxicity for previously treated, PD-L1-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Results of the trials showed that the most common side effects for lung cancer patients receiving Pembrolizumab were decreased appetite, fatigue, nausea, and rash.
Clinical trials also showed that Pembrolizumab has superior anticancer activity in patients with advanced melanoma who failed previous therapies. In terms of safety profile, Pembrolizumab showed a lower incidence of treatment-related adverse events compared to chemotherapy. .
Biomarkers play a key role in patient response
The expression of a certain biomarker in patients’ tumors played an important role in their response to Pembrolizumab. Biomarkers are proteins found in a patient’s tissue, blood or fluids that can help determine the outcome of a patient’s disease or response to medication. Clinical trials have shown that if a patients’ tumors express the biomarker Programmed Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1), patients are more likely to have a better response to the drug.
Hope within reach
“Addressing the rising incidence of cancer is indeed a tough road to embark on. MSD has been dedicating its resources to developing innovative oncology medicines. Pembrolizumab propelled our research efforts to understand of the role of the immune system and the PD-L1 pathway in cancer treatment” said Dr. Beaver Tamesis, President and Managing Director of MSD in the Philippines.
With this immunotherapy finally available in the Philippines, cancer patients need not equate being diagnosed with advanced or metastatic lung cancer or melanomas a death sentence. Thanks to this breakthrough in cancer medication, patients in the Philippines and abroad have a ray of hope and confidence in what used to be a hopeless case.
McDonald’s new corn cup option for Happy Meal and Kung Fu Panda 3 toys
McDonald’s has a new treat for Happy Meal fans and it’s more than a new set of awesome Happy Meal toys. It’s a timeless favorite among Filipinos and a fun snack for kids and adults alike – corn!
Sosro Fruit Tea for a refreshingly new taste to enjoy this summer
When the going gets tough, the tough get chilling! Today’s go-getters are a multi-faceted and diverse group of people who juggle deadlines with dates, and handle bosses and buddies. These are the young people who redefine coolness by showing others that being cool is not a one-size-fits-all sort of personality—it’s a state of being that anybody can achieve.But how can we stay cool and chill despite the hustle and bustle of our daily lives? What with summer looming around the corner, the sun’s heat can make it extra challenging to keep cool. But what if we told you that keeping cool was as simple as opening a bottle and letting yourself#TasteTheChill? Sosro Fruit Tea, the millennial go-getter’s preferred real tea drink, has officially launched in the Philippines just in time for one of the most-anticipated seasons of the year—summer
Originally from Indonesia, Sosro Fruit Tea was brought to the Philippines by Reddimart Multi-resources, Inc. in 2015. Known for their refreshing blends of real fruit flavor and authentic tea goodness, Sosro Fruit Tea has quickly become synonymous to a chillaxing time for many tea-drinkers. Available in Freeze, Apple, Strawberry, and Guava, Sosro fruit tea is perfect for anybody at anytime that is looking for a quick way to re-energize and chillout on-the-go.#TasteTheChill with Freeze While having established itself as the chill fruit tea drink last year, Sosro Fruit Tea begins 2016 with its #TasteTheChill campaign which encourages drinkers to stay chill both figuratively and literally using their hero-product Sosro Fruit Tea Freeze.Sosro Fruit Tea Freeze represents the cool and collected millennial who knows how to effortlesslymix work and play. With its one-of-a-kind blend of Strawberry and Grape plus its unique icysensation, Freeze is the perfect drink for staying cool.The #TasteTheChill urges Sosro Fruit Tea patrons—affectionately termed “chillmates”—to have a bottle of Freeze and let its enjoyable and refreshing icy taste invigorate them.
Just in time for the summer season, Reddimart held the Sosro Fruit Tea’s official launch at The Palace Pool Club with the theme ‘Warm Summer Nights.’
Meant to emulate the balmy evenings of summer, the launch was a multi-sensory experience thatfeatured music, décor, and laser lights to really stimulate the senses—just like Sosro Fruit Tea.Throughout the night, the venue radically transformed for “Chill 20”s wherein The Palace Pool Club will become a cool and icy haven with snow, cool hangouts, and blue lights. Aside from introducing Sosro Fruit Tea Freeze to public, another highlight of the night was the announcement of Sosro Fruit Tea’s newest celebrity brand ambassador, Sofia Andres.Just like Freeze, Sofia is the perfect chillmate with her cool and fun-loving attitude. In fact, Sofia will be featured on billboards that showcase her in her Ice Goddess garb encouraging chillmates to#TasteTheChill themselves. As the sunny weather approaches, arm yourself with a Sosro Fruit Tea Freeze to #TasteTheChilland stay refreshed so that your summer season will be one cool adventure!
Created in 1997 by Indonesia’s Sinar Sosro—pioneers of the world’s first bottled ready-to-drink tea—Sosro Fruit Tea finally reaches the Philippine shores via Reddimart Multi-Resources Inc. Thenumber 1 manufacturer of tea drink in Indonesia, Sosro Fruit Tea’s invigorating flavors are nowchilling at SM Hypermarkets, Landmark, Sta. Lucia Grocery, Tropical Hut, Hi-Top Supermarket,Walter Mart, Pioneer Center, and other leading supermarkets. Know more about Sosro and otherexciting treats from Reddimart by visiting http://reddimart.ph/.
Tutuban Center launches Tutuban Center Home Club
Tutuban Center, Manila’s bargain shopping destination, recently established the Tutuban Center Home Club (TC Home Club) as part of its community development activities.
TC Home Club seeks to empower women of today, especially the underprivileged ones living within the Tutuban Center community and nearby cities with little or no education, to gain the confidence of facing challenges in life when raising a family. The club will seek these mothers and reach out to them by providing a venue for trainings and seminars to help them develop and discover specific skills they may have to become a possible source of livelihood.
The 3-hour training sessions started last February 5, 2016 and will run every Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. until March 11, 2016 at the Tutuban Center Food Court located at the 3rd floor of Tutuban Center Centermall and at Tutuban Center TMX exhibition center.
During the initial session, the mothers underwent training sessions to learn how to become a massage therapist, barista, manicurist/pedicurist, haircutter, or even how to make sweet treats like “pastillas.” Training was provided by representatives from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority or TESDA. Attendees were also handed out TC Home Club shirts, ID cards, and other peripherals, including eco-bags.
Next training sessions will teach women from different backgrounds how to become entrepreneurs, cosmetics/make-up application, even vital tips on parenting and other important topics.
To join TC Home Club, participants must show a Barangay Clearance, ID and duly accomplished TC Home Club registration form at the Tutuban Center Marketing Office located near the Tutuban Center Food Court. Also, this event would not be possible without Smart Communications, Inc., DKT Health, Inc., Torque Philippines, Robinsons Supermarket, Department of Health – Commission on Population, TESDA, Kalye Negosyo and HBC.
“We hope more women will join our training sessions because it will definitely help them be more self-reliant as they face life’s challenges. We invite them to attend because they will definitely learn here. And if these initial sessions prove successful, we can hopefully extend this program for the whole year,” says Ms. Sylvia Tecson, Vice President for Sales and Marketing of Tutuban Properties, Inc. (TPI).
Tutuban Center is located along C.M. Recto Avenue in Manila and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 12 midnight. Visit our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TutubanCenter, follow our Twitter and Instagram accounts @TutubanCenter for more details.
Jollibee Launches it’s Newest Campaign Ad on Valentine’s Day
Capturing the country’s largest fast food chain’s enduring love affair with generations of Filipinos, Jollibee’s four new made-for-digital videos are now available for viewing online in time for Valentine’s Day celebration. To tug at viewers’ heartstrings are stories inspired by real-life experiences that all show how Jollibee has played a meaningful role in the lives of Pinoys.
During the exclusive media premier held at My Cinema in Greenbelt 3, members of the press were treated to an advanced viewing of 4 heart warming “Mga Kuwentong Pilipinong pinasarap ng Jollibee” videos.
Jollibee Global Brand Chief Marketing Officer Francis E. Flores said, “Every Pinoy can relate to the TV ads as they are based on real stories from our customers. They depict the everyday lives of Filipinos and how they express their love to their families, and the role that Jollibee plays in making each memory more memorable.”
The stories are told through the eyes of a real-life and long-time store manager, who through 22 years have seen more than her fair share of families bonding at Jollibee, which has served as a happy second home for most Filipinos. This is captured in the omnibus video which ties all the stories together.
The “ALMUSAL” video features an old couple who regularly gets breakfast at Jollibee, getting the same meals as part of their daily morning routine. The story takes a bitter sweet twist as the husband carries on the breakfast tradition with their daughter when the wife passes away.
The “TAGPUAN” video features a young boy who got lost in the mall and was found by his mom at Jollibee. The story capitalizes on accounts of real moms’ precautionary practice of telling their kids to go to the nearest Jollibee store if they get separated at the mall.
Emphasizing how Jollibee’s influence is strongest among kids, the “JABEE” TVC features a toddler who’s first word is “Jabee” (baby talk for ‘Jollibee’), and he utters this line all throughout the day, signifying his fondness for the brand.
Ianco Dela Cruz, TVC Director, said, “It is really quite a challenge to be able to capture the different kinds of bonding moments that Filipino families have shared inside Jollibee stores throughout the years. Lucky for the team, we had a wealth of personal experiences to draw from, coming from real customers through the years who have made lasting memories in a Jollibee store. We, the cast and crew, hope that these Jollibee videos bring you on a journey to be closer with your families.”
Express the love with Shell V-Power Nitro+
One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon is a piece of architecture that was built to please a queen. According to stories, King Nebuchadnezzar had the Hanging Gardens built to take the homesickness of his queen, Amytis, away.
Since history began, showing love has come in various forms of grand gestures to sweet nothings. And every February, mere mortals take on a whole new level to express their love to the queens and kings of their own, who can take you at the heights of bliss. If love is expressed to people who can bring you your heart’s desires, love should also be expressed to the faithful partners on the road– your car.
This February, Pilipinas Shell encourages motorists to go all out and express their love for their most trusted road companion by giving it the care it deserves and by filling it up with Shell’s premium performance fuels, Shell V-Power Nitro+. Shel V-Power Nitro+ fuels are designed to fight gunk and corrosion, the two performance-robbing threats that can hamper an engine’s performance.
“For us at Shell, vehicles are not just machines that bring us to our destinations, but rather they are important companions that give every motorist an exciting and memorable experience on the road. This is why we continue to share the passion of motorists in taking care of their vehicles,” said Anthony Lawrence Yam, Vice President for Retail at Pilipinas Shell.
To support the Filipino motorists’ testament of love for their vehicles, Shell carried out a week-long celebration for their customers that started last February 8 and will culminate on Valentine’s Day, February 14. In the event called the KissCar Cam Challenge, car owners are encouraged to show their love for their cars for a chance to win special prizes, including a trip for two to the most romantic city in the world, Paris, France. Motorists from different key cities in the Philippines joined the challenge and showed their affection for their cars through kissing and hugging their vehicles.
And because there are more ways than one to show love, Shell hosted a date night that exhibited love in its many artistic forms. In an early celebration of Valentine’s Day, the #LoveMyCar Date Night gave the guests a romantic experience with music and poetry. Maximizing the power of words, Shell invited spoken word artists to perform original and beautiful pieces that transported the audience to a unique story-telling experience.
If love can be expressed through words and music, the greatest display of all is through action. The same can be said for giving your vehicles the grand display of affection it deserves.
“From regular maintenance checks, to simply keeping it in pristine condition, the vehicles that take us to exceptional destinations and give us exciting experiences on the road deserve it all. As we enjoy our road trips, we encourage motorists to continue to express their love for their cars by filling up with Shell’s premium performance fuels that are designed to protect engines from gunk and corrosion, Shell V-Power Nitro+.”
About Shell quality fuels
Providing Filipino motorists with the latest technological innovations that meet the more stringent emission standards, all Shell quality fuels in the Philippines have been Euro 4-certified since January 2016. All Shell quality fuels were developed to meet increasing energy demand and supply challenges by delivering smarter products and cleaner energy, smarter infrastructure, promoting smarter use, and by developing new energy sources while addressing the impact on the environment, through cleaner burning-natural gas and advanced fuels and lubricants technology.
Hitachi to host “Hitachi Social Innovation Forum in the Philippines
Hitachi Asia Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd (TSE:6501, “Hitachi”), announced that it is hosting a “Hitachi Social Innovation Forum in Philippines Last February 12, 2016 at New World Makati Hotel. The aim of the forum is to discuss the need for sustainable to address the challenges facing the Philippines and the region.
Mr. Arnel Paciano Casanova, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippines Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), will grace the event as guest of honor.
Through hosted exhibition and business seminar, the forum will showcase a broad range of solutions in Hitachi’s “Social Innovation Business”, which combines infrastructure and advanced information technologies. Customers, business partners, and major stakeholders in the Philippines will be able to have a better understanding of Hitachi’s key business fields such as information and telecommunication systems, power systems, healthcare, and transportation.
The Social Innovation Forum will provide an opportunity to discuss technological answers to various issues particularly in the Philippines. The keynote speaker will be Mr. Hiroaki Nakanishi, Chairman & CEO of Hitachi will explore global mega trends that requires Social Innovation and how Hitachi’s expertise can drive these opportunities.
Delegates will also be hear from Hitachi speakers Mr. Mitsuhiko Shimizu, General Manager of Hitachi Asia Ltd. Philippine Branch, Mr. Alistair Dormer, Global CEO of Hitachi – Rain and Chairman of Hitachi Rail Europe, and Mr. Alireza Aram, Senior Vice President of Energy Solutions Company. They will share their views on the Philippines market growth and upcoming challenges, and introduce some of Hitachi’s solutions to meet the market needs of urbanization from the view of Energy Management, Urban City Development, and Public Transportation supported by Information Communication Technologies.
This is the third Hitachi Social Innovation Forum to be held in Southeast Asia (SEA), following successful event in Singapore in 2014 and Myanmar in 2015. Hitachi is placing increasing emphasis on SEA as it aims to increase its overseas sales ratio from 45% in FY2013 to over 50% in FY2015 under its “2015 Mid-term Management Plan”. Asia is one of the most important market for the Hitachi Group, and the Company is aiming to increase its revenue in Asia(excluding China) from 989.9 billion yen in FY 2013 to 1,100.0 billion yen in FY2015. To further expand its Social Innovation Business in this region, Hitachi is planning a series of upcoming Social Innovation Forums in other Sea countries in FY2016.
Mr. Ichiro lino, Chief Executive for Asia Pacific, Hitachi, LTd. said, “Throughout our long history in Asia, Hitachi has been working closely with various countries to support the region’s long-term development.For the Philippines, this began 86 years ago when we supplied hydro turbines to Davao. We are very excited to see the country’s rapid economic growth particularly in recent years, driven by strong government support. Through the Social Hitachi Innovation Forum held in the Philippines, we hope to showcase successful examples of Hitachi’s Social Innovation Business and how these can contribute to the Philippines and this region.”
Hitachi aspires to drive Innovation together with all of its stakeholders in ways that make positive contributions to society and seeks to inspire a world that provides safely, comfort and convenience to people throughout the planet, as well as for future generations.