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Discover pocket tales of Filipino romance in latest anthology series Sari-Sari Stories

by | Aug 12, 2024 | Business

Bookshelf PH launches the first Sari-Sari Stories collection, the Romance Edition at SM Aura Book Nook on August 14, 2024 at 4PM.

“Pabili po isang maikling kwento. ‘Yung tingi lang po.”

The quintessential sari-sari store is an embedded Filipino culture you can’t miss. Every barangay surely has this neighborhood fixture where a variety of goods are sold. Beyond being a go-to store where we buy chichiryas, instant coffees, and last-minute ingredients, the sari-sari store serves as an invisible string that ties communities together. It is where community stories, often chismis, are shared.

Paying homage to such a heartwarming culture, publishing house Bookshelf PH launches the first edition of its ongoing anthology called “Sari-Sari Stories: Romance Edition”. Just like the sari-sari store carries a variety of items, the books in the Sari-Sari Stories series will present various themes in each edition–from romance and family to other Filipino-centered stories and culture. For this Romance Edition, we present a diverse selection of love stories, each one a reflection of the different facets of Filipino romance.

From chance encounters and deceitful hearts to enduring love against all odds, the anthology promises something for everyone. Readers will find themselves immersed in narratives that range from sweet and tender to passionate and intense, each one leaving a lasting impression.

“We Filipinos love the feeling of kilig,” Monette Quiogue, Managing Partner of Bookshelf PH says. “Romance is a genre we naturally gravitate to, and there is no shortage of love letters and stories written by aspiring Filipino authors. Sari-Sari Stories: Romance Edition proves how each of us has a story to tell and that love can be found in the most mundane or even unexpected moments.”

A collection of four stories, the anthology showcases diverse voices and unique perspectives on various themes. Like colorful snacks and drinks from a sari-sari store, you’re in for an unexpected treat to satisfy your kilig cravings.

“Love is a universal experience and the diversity of these stories is what makes this collection rich,” Michelle Dulinayan, Managing Editor says. “We have stories about Filipino LGBTs, stories that romanticize modern haranas, and stories of love and dreams amidst ruins and heartbreaks.“

Bookshelf PH invites everyone to join in celebrating this literary milestone. The book launch featuring the four Filipino authors and the faces behind publishing the anthology is on August 14, 2024 at the SM Aura Book Nook.

Join the Sari-Sari Romance and feel kilig to the books by downloading the SM Online App then visiting this link to register: https://bit.ly/SSSRomance-Launch. The anthology is now available for purchase, print and ebook at Bookshelf PH’s website.

Let’s take a trip to the sari-sari store, and together, discover heartwarming tales and treats for our romantic souls.

Impressive Growth of Cat Food Sales in Indonesia’s E-commerce

by | Aug 12, 2024 | Business

Pet ownership and the demand for premium pet products have surged in Indonesia, driving significant growth in the pet food market. Shopee dominates the market with Royal Canin leading the cat food category, reflecting consumer preferences for both quality and convenience.

In Indonesia, the pet ownership rate has been growing steadily as the country’s economy is advancing rapidly, driven by the increase of urbanization and industrialization. As a result, the pet population in Indonesia grew by a remarkable 75.7% between 2017 and 2022.

The rising trend of pet humanization has led to greater demand for premium pet products, particularly in the pet food category. This can be seen as the Indonesian pet food market grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% from 2021 to 2026.

Pet Food Market Overview

According to research by Magpie E-commerce Intelligence, the cat food market in Indonesia reached IDR 470.1 billion, with 30.7 million products sold between January and May 2024. Wilhendra, CEO of Magpie, noted, “The highest increase in the Pet Food category occurred in May 2024, with the GMV increasing by 33.56% from the previous month.”

Market Share by E-commerce

In the pet food market, Shopee dominates with a 74.1% share, followed by Tokopedia (18.7%) and Lazada (6.87%). Shopee significantly increased its market share by 47% in May, while Tokopedia saw a 12% increase during the same period. “Compared to other e-commerce platforms, it shows that Shopee is preferred as the one-stop-platform for people to buy pet products,” said Wilhendra.

Cat Food Market Share by Brand

The top five brands account for over half of the sales, with Royal Canin leading the cat food category with a 17.2% market share. Cat Choize follows with 12.5%, and Me-O holds 9.6%.

Cat Food Market Share Overtime

From January to May 2024, the cat food market was primarily dominated by Royal Canin and Cat Choize. Cat Choize saw a significant increase in February and March, surpassing Royal Canin but they regained the lead in subsequent months. Kitchen Flavor has shown steady growth, indicating promising potential despite its smaller market share.

Cat Food Top Brand on E-commerces

On Shopee, Royal Canin leads with a 15.86% share, generating IDR 55.28 billion in revenue. Cat Choize and Me-O follow closely behind in this competitive market.

On Tokopedia, Royal Canin is also the market leader with a 26.37% share. Cat Choize holds second place with a 15.94% share, while Me-O and Life Cat are in close competition, separated by only 0.32%.

Top-Selling Cat Food Products

Me-O’s top product is the Me-O Canned Cat Food Seafood Platter, which generated IDR 31.75 billion and sold nearly 2.24 million units. The Cat Choize Cat Salmon 800g is in second place, followed by the Royal Canin FCN Hair & Skin 2kg in third. “Consumers tend to purchase Me-O and Cat Choize products in smaller quantities but more frequently, whereas Royal Canin buyers prefer larger package sizes,” stated Wilhendra.

Thumbnail picture source: Freepik

Comprehensive Guide and Capacity Building Program Announced to Combat Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities

by | Aug 12, 2024 | Business

The Capacity Building Programme for Reducing Recycling-Related Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities (CaRMPAC Project) will be officially launched on 16 August 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. This significant regional initiative is designed to address the pressing issue of marine plastic pollution through targeted capacity building and implementation strategies. In conjunction with the launch, the outcomes of Phase 1 of the project have been published, including the Situation Assessment Reports and Technical Guidelines for six key ASEAN cities, which aimed at preventing plastic and resin pellet leakage from recycling facilities.

The Capacity Building Programme for
Reducing Recycling-Related Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities (CaRMPAC
Project) will be officially launched on 16 August 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
This significant regional initiative is designed to address the pressing issue
of marine plastic pollution through targeted capacity building and
implementation strategies. In conjunction with the launch, the outcomes of
Phase 1 of the project have been published, including the Situation Assessment
Reports and Technical Guidelines for six key ASEAN cities, which aimed at
preventing plastic and resin pellet leakage from recycling facilities.

Publication of Situation
Assessment and Technical Guidelines

Phase 1 of the CaRMPAC Project
focused on a comprehensive situation assessment and the development of
technical guidelines, which aimed at preventing plastic and resin pellet
leakage from recycling facilities. This phase covered six key ASEAN cities: Pattaya,
Nonthaburi, Hanoi, Iloilo, Manila, and Vientiane. The situation assessment
revealed critical factors contributing to plastic leakage. That resulted in the
creation of technical guidelines and manuals tailored to each city to
improve recycling process and practices to prevent plastic leakage across both
formal and informal sectors. The outcomes of Phase 1, including the Situation
Assessment Reports and Technical Guidelines, have been published and are
available for free access here.

Launching Phase 2: Capacity
Building Programme

Following the successful completion
of Phase 1, Phase 2 of the CaRMPAC Project aims to expand its reach to
additional cities and countries, including Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City,
Bandung, Davao City, and others. Over the next 24 months, this phase will address
the capacity gaps identified in Phase 1, with a particular focus on informal plastic
recyclers and relevant city government regulators. The objective is to promote
responsible recycling practices and sustainable plastic management through
enhanced training, increased awareness, and improved regulatory support.

The CaRMPAC Project is being implemented by the
Asian Institute of Technology’s Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the
Pacific, with support from the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic
Debris of ERIA and the ASEAN Secretariat.

Philippine Veterans Bank Celebrates 32nd Anniversary with Unveiling of WWII History Wall

by | Aug 12, 2024 | Business

Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) on its 32nd anniversary unveiled a new World War II History Wall at its main office in Makati City. The WWII History Wall is designed to pay tribute to the valor and sacrifice of Filipino veterans of World War II, who are also the original shareholders of the bank.

Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) on its 32nd anniversary unveiled a new World War II History Wall at its main office in Makati City. The unveiling recently held at their main branch in Makati was led by Mayor Abby Binay.

The WWII History Wall is designed to pay tribute to the valor and sacrifice of Filipino veterans of World War II, who are also the original shareholders of the bank. This feature will be a standard addition to all PVB branches nationwide.

The Makati branch, situated in an area historically significant for being a strategic target during the war, will reflect local WWII history through this installation.

“As we celebrate this important milestone, we honor the enduring spirit and immense contributions of our nation’s heroes to our society,” said Mike Villa-Real, First-Vice President of Philippine Veterans Bank.

He adds that the”History Wall embodies Veteran’s Bank’s continued commitment to remember our veterans and learn from the profound impact of their bravery.”

As an Authorized Government Depository Bank, PVB continues to serve government-owned and controlled corporations, government agencies, and local government units, aligning its operations with the needs and aspirations of the Filipino people.

Philippine Veterans Bank is a commercial bank owned by Filipino World War II veterans, established in 1992. The bank serves as a tribute to the veterans who fought for the country’s freedom and now plays a crucial role in providing financial services to both the public and private sectors.

As it marks its 32nd year, PVB continues to uphold its mission of contributing to the nation’s economic development while preserving the heroic tales of its founding shareholders.

For more information, visit www.veteransbank.com.ph or contact PVB at (632) 7902-1600.

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Your skincare products may be making your sensitive skin worse. Now what?

by | Aug 11, 2024 | Business

Careless skincare manufacturers focus on hot new ingredients that may harm your skin. Don’t fall for the marketing hype when you see those untested chemicals.

Over 60 percent of all women report having sensitive skin. That’s an absolutely shocking number — but many skincare brands don’t seem to care.

The next time you’re out shopping for a lotion, salve or balm, take a look at what’s being advertised. To many people, if they see an extract named after a flower, leaf or tree, it gives the impression that the product must be “natural” — and natural means healthy, right?

In reality, those extracts and isolates are just chemicals — and they’re totally untested. Skincare brands don’t have to prove that anything actually works, or even that it’s from the source that they say it is.

The problem is particularly pressing in the Philippines, where rampant air pollution and powerful sunlight are constantly assaulting exposed skin. The ultrafine particles (UFPs) produced by our endless traffic gridlocks have been shown to cause skin inflammation and other issues.

In an environment that’s already so challenging, can your skin take yet another hit from harsh skincare products?

A problem with many layers

Skincare products all include several types of ingredients, such as surfactants, preservatives and humectants. Each of these ingredients can potentially cause issues.

Take sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) for example. The surfactant, which can be made from natural coconut oil, makes cleansers foam up nicely in a way that makes users say: “Ahh! Fresh, clean skin!” That’s why a huge number of skincare brands use SLS in their products.

But SLS causes skin irritation in many people, which may only appear hours or days after usage. Worse, SLS has been found to be frequently contaminated with carcinogens, which can damage skin and even cause cancer.

And SLS isn’t even the active ingredient — it’s just part of the supporting cast.

But most consumers aren’t familiar enough with what’s on their skincare product’s label to know what to avoid. And so many skincare brands feel free to continue using problematic ingredients.

A new trend toward sensitive-friendly products

However, many people — and their dermatologists — have now caught on to the idea that a seemingly meticulous skincare routine can cause more harm than good.

That’s why some leading-edge brands have started focusing on sensitive skin friendly products. After all, with over half of all people reporting sensitive skin, it’s clearly a large market.

One recently launched brand, Croia, has worked with Philippines-based laboratory to assemble ingredient lists that are scientifically proven to work well with sensitive skin conditions.

“I’ve personally struggled with sensitive skin, and eczema, my whole life,” says Erika Castro-Morrison, Croia’s co-founder. “My whole family has. I got really tired of having to second guess my skincare routine.”

Both eczema and acne are widespread among Filipinas. Croia’s before-and-after testers have shared images with the company of their progress after using the milder topicals that the company offers.

For now, Croia is offering a collection of 5 products, ranging from the mild retinol, acne cleansers, toner, and moisturizer.

Croia is also trying to solve problems specific to the Filipino market, like that ever-present air pollution. Methionine, one of the ingredients in the Amino Acid Cleanser, is an amino acid already found in your body, and has been proven to help prevent damage from pollutants.