by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 15, 2020 | Business
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought uncertainties and disruptions in the lives of most Filipinos, including businesses nationwide.
When the National Government mandated all business establishments to implement COVID-19 Prevention and Control Measures to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) complied and implemented immediate and essential changes in its operations in order to ensure the safety and well-being of its people.
PCPPI created a playbook that contains action points, policies, and procedures, and served as a primary guide to the company’s “new normal”.
“This playbook aims to help our employees, or our Bravehearts, get and stay on track. It offers easy-to-read tips and measures as we return to work and live under the new normal. This also reminds us to continue caring for ourselves and one another. I hope that with this playbook, our employees will be able to re-build their momentum and work with renewed strength, so we can help sustain our organization and continue its growth during and beyond the new normal,” PCPPI President and CEO Frederick Ong said.
PCPPI believes improving one’s health and well-being is fundamental in the country’s fight against COVID-19. This playbook is also meant to promote mental health awareness through effective people management.
“Aside from educating and enforcing the new working protocols that both the government and science prescribe on the new normal, that includes frequent hand washing, social distancing, and wearing of face mask/shield, in PCPPI, we understand that our employees’ health and welfare start mainly with self-care and their mental well-being,” Ong added.
The company encourages its employees to practice self-care. Their own health and well-being must come first before anyone and anything else. The playbook also provides mental health care tips, as mental health is as important as physical health, especially during this time of a pandemic.
It is important to stay socially connected while physically distanced. Here are PCPPI’s pieces of advice in mental health care:
- Maintain connections with friends, family, and loved ones. Leverage on technology.
- Develop coping skills.
- Seek medical and professional help when needed.
Embracing changes
PCPPI welcomed changes through three interdependent focus areas in the playbook. The first focus area dubbed “Great to be back”, highlighted the importance of getting the correct information and guidance on the new normal; the second focus area called “Great to be Pepsi” talked about setting the right mindset as employees embark on the new normal; and lastly, the “Great for others” focus area is about taking action for others and the environment.
The company also conducted a series of webinars on COVID-19, with Dr. Yvonne Ferrer of DLSU Department of Pharmacology; and on Stress Management for employees to deal with the effects of the pandemic, work-from-home set-up, and preparing them for the new normal.
“It is our goal to maintain a healthy balance to support our employees, the community, and the business. The company is committed to remaining responsible in delivering our obligations in service to the Filipino people,” Ong added. “Let us make it a social responsibility to look after ourselves, customers, families, friends, organization, community, and the environment, all pulling together to move forward.”
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 15, 2020 | Business
Cliché as it may sound, life has to go on but be it not forgotten that we can’t continue ignoring our body’s natural rhythm. Our individual uniqueness has equipped us with varied energy set up. While others may need more sleep than normal, some are designed with more sensitivity to asymmetries in daily routine. Ignoring our bodily-sent warning signals to slow down may cause health problems later on.
Fortunately, the prowess of the universe works in different mysterious ways, and more often than not, destiny is one of the words that the brain can essentially define. NOVUHAIR®, 2019 leading natural hair loss treatment (Euromonitor Passport Data October 2019), partnered with one of the country’s top Feng Shui Experts Master Hanz Cua.
Backed up by 15 years of practice, Master Hanz is the 9th expert to join the brand’s roster of VIP Coaches this year, working closely with the NOVUHAIR® Team in spreading the brand’s advocacy campaign in celebration of its 10th successful year in the market.
Dubbed as Novuhair’s Feng Shui VIP Coach, Master Hanz supported the launch of its “10.10 NOVUHAIR® LUCKY DEALS” at Lazada which runs from October 10-18, 2020. Avail of up to a 20% discount on NOVUHAIR® products.
Read more at https://bit.ly/3diTZtw.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 13, 2020 | Business
People have been strictly observing hygiene practices and social distancing as their first line of defense against COVID-19. However, there is more you can do to protect yourself and your family against the threat of this pandemic, especially with hospitalizations, lab tests, medicines, and the financial impact that these can make.
AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, has expanded its Global Health Access (GHA) insurance product to now include medical coverage for epidemic and pandemic illnesses such as COVID-19.
This is on top of the other high-tier GHA healthcare benefits, including access to AXA’s global network of top-rated hospitals and medical practitioners, concierge, international emergency medical assistance, road ambulance transport, and 24/7 Health Support. GHA also offers convenient cashless payment options within a network of over 1,400 hospitals and clinics in the Philippines and over 9,000 hospitals worldwide.
Moreover, customers may avail of a new GHA plan option, Gold Lite Plus. Like all existing GHA plan options, the Gold Lite Plus Plan provides a full spectrum coverage from common illnesses to life-threatening diseases including pandemic illnesses such as COVID-19.

Rahul Hora, President and CEO of AXA Philippines
“As we continue to face a global health crisis, it is imperative that we take care of ourselves and our families. With AXA Global Health Access, including the new Gold Lite Plus Plan option, we are providing an enhanced way for individuals and families to have access to the best treatment and healthcare service,” said AXA Philippines president and CEO Rahul Hora.
Through the Gold Lite Plus Plan, policyholders can avail of up to Php100 million for inpatient and outpatient treatments of up to 15 visits per year at a maximum of P1,000 per visit.
Another key feature of the new plan option is health screening or executive check-up coverage of up to Php20,000 per year. Customers may also choose to use part of this benefit to reimburse their over-the-counter vitamins (up toPhp2,500). In addition, this health plan covers up to Php7,500 per night for inpatient daily accommodation charges in the Philippines or regular private room for international hospital accommodations.
Have enhanced world-class health coverage against pandemic illnesses and other diseases anytime, anywhere with AXA Global Health Access. To learn more, visit www.axa.com.ph/health-protection/global-health-access.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 12, 2020 | Health and Wellness
As attractive as they look like in a pot, aloe vera plants have been hailed as a natural ingredient with many positive skin benefits for thousands of years. Aloe vera leaves are full of gel-like texture that are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fatty acids.
Aloe Vera also contains enzymes that repair dead skin cells, while moisturizing the skin. It is rich in vitamins C and E which are nutrients that improve the skin’s elasticity, for a firmer and youthful look.
Back in 2018, the rise of aloe vera gel tubs has taken over the Philippine beauty community. Aloe vera’s ability to soothe and provide hydration to the skin boosted its popularity in the ever-humid country. And now aloe vera is proving to be an effective ingredient not only for the skincare world but also for the hair care industry.
Experience Plant-Powered Showers with the Benefits of Aloe Vera
In its raw form, aloe vera can be used as a mild cleansing agent that gets rid of dirt and product build-up, while leaving hair smooth and with more volume. But if you’re not into rubbing plant leaves on your hair, you can also experience #PlantPowerInEveryShower with Herbal Essences Bio:Renew blend shampoos that contain real aloe vera, kelp, and histidine. It hydrates each strand to provide frizz control, adds shine, and nourishes dry hair — making hair soft, manageable, and smelling great.
Herbal Essences Bio:Renew shampoos are crafted with an amino acid called histidine, which acts as a superfood for the hair trapping and neutralizing the elements that can cause damage in the hair — such as pollution, sun exposure, and even shower water. With the power of aloe vera, and other plant-based ingredients, Herbal Essences Bio:Renew shampoos are pH-balanced and free of parabens, silicone, and colorants which make it color-safe to use for color-treated hair to bring out its natural beauty.
Clean Beauty Transparency in Every Bottle
Transparency and sustainability are at the core of Herbal Essences Bio:Renew. As a catalyst for clean beauty, Herbal Essences continues with its mission to provide safe and non-toxic hair care options. And with the continued commitment to ingredient transparency in every bottle, all the high-quality botanicals and REAL plant extracts used are harvested sustainably and responsibly through various partners from all over the world. So, when they put a plant on our bottle label, it means it’s truly in there. Plus, all other plants and mineral ingredients undergo limited processing, which ensures a minimal blow on the carbon footprint.
It’s never too late to join the clean beauty community this holiday season. Treat your scalp and hair with the best of nature and science in a bottle.
Shop the Herbal Essences Bio:Renew range through Lazada or Shopee and experience #PlantPowerInEveryShower.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 10, 2020 | Business
Palacio de Memoria has recently expanded its unrivaled curated collection of Euro-Filipino art pieces in its museum, shedding light on the landmark contributions of Christianity to the world from time immemorial.

Camille Lhuillier Palacio de Memoria General Manager
“We are the third-largest Catholic country in the world, and our religion is an important part of our history and our identity as Filipinos. Aside from their artistic merits, we hope the new pieces in our museum will help enlighten people about our Christian cultural heritage,” says Palacio de Memoria general manager Camille Lhuillier.
With the easing of the community quarantine, it is a good time to drop by the museum because there are fewer crowds which gives more time to look at and appreciate the new art pieces. Moreover, people may also find some comfort in the religious museum amid the pandemic.
The majority of the museum’s ecclesiastic collection dates back to the 14th century and spans across time until the 20th century. Among the new must-see items at the Palacio de Memoria museum are unique portraits showing religious figures in interesting and considerable variations from the conventional figurations, particularly those of Christ, the Virgin Mary, different saints, and other iconographies.
Museum visitors can also find paintings depicting religious life, including the 17th-century painting from Spain showing the martyrdom of Saints Fausto, Jenaro, and Marcial of Cordoba, as well as an oil painting dating back to the 17th century Flemish-Spanish school portraying the scourging of Christ.
Also part of the newly curated selection is ivory icons of ethical provenances, such as the Madonna and Child sculpture from 18th century Portugal and the Crucified Christ figure encased in a wooden frame. Museum-goers may also see reliquaries of venerated individuals including the apostles and various saints.
Moreover, Palacio de Memoria’s museum collection extends to church artifacts like furniture, altarpieces, and other items used in a liturgical ceremony. Collection highlights include a wooden oratorio with a tableau of the Holy Family in polychrome terracotta, a two-seat choir stall from 18th century Portugal, a wooden processional cross from Spain, and a bishop’s chair from Bolivia with a depiction of relief of Archangel Michael and the Blessed Virgin along with its wooden frame.
With all these, Palacio de Memoria’s Christian heritage museum unifies the educational and devotional functions of the pieces’ ecclesiastic history all in one place.
Aside from the new pieces, the museum will also soon serve as a chapel where religious gatherings such as an intimate wedding or baptism can be held.
Palacio de Memoria is located at 95 Roxas Boulevard, Tambo, Parañaque. Tours are also available upon request. For more information, visit https://www.palaciodememoria.com or follow @thepalaciodememoria on Facebook and @palacio.de.memoria on Instagram.
You must be logged in to post a comment.