How to attract good luck this new year

How to attract good luck this new year

Marites Allen, Feng Shui master

Marites Allen, Feng Shui master

When it comes to ushering in good fortune, Feng Shui can help you prepare for the positive energy that the Year of the Pig brings.

2019 Year of the Pig

Feng Shui expert Marites Allen says that it isn’t that hard to practice. The more you do it, the better you get. Here are some tips on how to attract good energy, fortune, and luck this Chinese New Year:

Wear colors that symbolize the element of Fire or Metal.

New year, new you at SM Woman

New year, new you at SM Woman

Dress in red, pink, and orange, but don’t forget to add colors that represent Earth – yellow, ocher, or brown – to balance out the flows of inner energy. Shop for fashionable clothes in lucky colors at The SM Store.

Eat food that is dominant in colors red and white.

siomai

Siomai photo taken from Marina Bay Sands website (www.marinabaysands.com)

Among hundreds of lucky food, dim sum is one of the luckiest as it translates into having prosperity and good family life. Indulge in Chinese dining at SM’s one of many buffet or Chinese restaurants, and family Dining Deals from January 21 to February 5!

Reimagine your office space.

office storage boxesRelieve stress at work and eliminate negative energy by applying Feng Shui techniques in your workspace. Clean out the clutter and tidy up your desk Mari Kondo-style by organizing them in storage boxes, which you can buy at SM Home.

Say hello to accessories.

Feng Shui does not only apply to clothing, but also to various accessories such as jewelry, handbags, shoes, and many more. At SM’s Prosperity Bazaar, you can find lucky fruits, plush toys, and trinkets that are perfect for decorating personal spaces until February 5.

Witness a dragon dance.

Dragon and lion dance

Dragon and lion dance

Who would want to miss a signature lion dance during Chinese New Year? At SM, families can watch Prosperity Performances like the Lion and Dragon Dance and Feng Shui Master, as well as the Chinese Character Parade to add excitement to the festivity. Catch it on February 2, 3, and 5!

Scan & Share Your Luck.

Scan QR codes in participating SM malls and shake your luck away with the Digital Hongbao where you can win special prizes. Scan as much codes to redeem more gifts until February 5! Check out SM’s Facebook Page for more info.

For exclusive news about SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com and its Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts: @smsupermalls.

Automated healthcare at its finest

Automated healthcare at its finest

Top executives of Manila Doctors Hospital and Maxicare Healthcare Corporation recently gathered together at the 2nd floor of Manila Doctors in Ermita, Manila to inaugurate the newest Maxicare HealthHub, a one-stop health hub that utilizes cutting-edge technology to streamline the process of going for a medical consultation.

Maxicare Manila Doctors HealthHub

The new Maxicare HealthHub at the Manila Doctors Hospital offers members a convenient and time-saving way of getting their LOA (letter of authorization) and has a fully digitized system to manage patient queueing and gather initial vital signs quickly and accurately.

The Maxicare health pod offers members a convenient and time-saving way of getting their LOA (letter of authorization). It is a fully automated system that manages patient queuing and makes the gathering of initial vital signs quick, accurate and hassle-free.

A new-generation of self-service, the Maxicare HealthHub is an HMO-owned healthcare system especially designed for members to access their benefits in a most relaxing and convenient way.

Leading the inauguration were Maxicare president & CEO Christian Argos, medical vice president and medical director Erlinda Tiuseco, vice president for marketing Artemio Rillo, vice president for operations Sylvia Stolk, customer experience consultant Rihard Vanags, and Manila Doctors Hospital president Elizabeth Dantes, vice president and assistant medical director Dr. Nelson Abelardo, first vice president and hospital director Dr. Hian Ho N. Kua.

The Maxicare HealthHub is located on the 2nd floor of Manila Doctors Hospital in Ermita, Manila. Drop by anytime between 8 AM to 5 PM.

maxicare logoMaxicare Healthcare Corporation:

One of the pioneers in the health maintenance organization (HMO) industry was established in 1987 by an esteemed group of doctors and businessmen with the vision to deliver a better healthcare system.

Three decades later, Maxicare has progressed into becoming the No. 1 HMO* in the country, continuously providing comprehensive healthcare programs via its wide network of medical providers and strengthened customer support.

Maxicare has:

  • more than 1.2 Million Members,
  • more than 56,000 affiliated Doctors,
  • more than 1,000 affiliated Hospitals and Clinics,
  • 3,800 Dental providers,
  • 8 Primary Care Centers and 13 Helpdesks,
  • 9 Satellite Offices,
  • 5 Exclusive Wings.
Seafarers’ mental health take center stage at SM

Seafarers’ mental health take center stage at SM

Over 25% of the world’s seafarers show signs of depression, according to the International Maritime Charity Sailor’s Society (IMCSS). Stress, harassment, bullying, fatigue, loneliness, and isolation from family can easily impact their mental health, which makes seafaring the second-most at risk profession worldwide when it comes to suicide.

To shine light on the issue, Gregorio Oca Leadership & Development (GOLD) Foundation, in partnership with SM Global Pinoy, the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), and International Seafarers Welfare & Assistance Network (ISWAN), held the “Kumusta, Kabaro?” Day at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.

“Kumusta, Kabaro?” is a comprehensive mental health program launched by GOLD Foundation to raise awareness of the maritime community and the general public about the struggles seafarers face during their repeated departures from home.

With the theme “The Seafarer Community for Global Mental Wellness,” the project aims to deliver hope and to promote mental wellness among Filipino Seafarers. The event was also held in celebration of World Mental Health Day and was attended by over 500 members from the maritime industry and their families.

“Ang issue ng mental health ay kailangan nating pag-tuunan. Hindi na ‘to isang bagay na kailangan natin i-deny,” (The issue on mental health needs attention and we can no longer ignore this) said Marissa Oca, chair of the Gregorio Oca Leadership & Development (GOLD) Foundation.

Atty. Noli Partido, AMOSUP Legal Department head, also pointed out that the issue on mental health is something we need to look at closely. “We need to act on the issue and come up with preventive and relevant steps to take care of our seafarers’ mental health,” Partido said.

The event consisted of various talks and inspirational messages from different maritime groups, the Department of Health (DOH), and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Psychotrauma Clinic. It also included Zumba exercises and other wellness activities.

“SM believes that the seafarers’ mental health is a serious concern that we need to focus on. We fully support the maritime industry’s advocacy in raising awareness about the issue,” said SM Global Pinoy program director Glenn Ang.

SM Global Pinoy is the program of SM Prime Holdings that supports the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers and their families. It aims to give back and honor OFWs and their families through exclusive services, perks and privileges in its 31 SM Global Pinoy Centers nationwide.

To know more about SM Global Pinoy, you may visit www.smglobalpinoy.com or www.facebook.com/smgpc. You may also e-mail in**@***********oy.com.

Shop2Give for the kids

Shop2Give for the kids

Shop2Give #forthekids and fill your carts and shop for your favourite Unilever products on Lazada from now until October 17, 2018!  A percentage of all proceeds will go to the children of UNICEF.

shop2give unilever lazada

Shop for Unilever products at Lazada by going to lzd.co/shop2givePH from now until October 17.  Happy shopping and enjoy your Unilever products.

Giving our parents the care they deserve

Giving our parents the care they deserve

Our parents play the biggest part in our development and are always with us every step of the way. After providing us with the best life, it is time to give back.

Our parents deserve nothing but the best, and health comes first.

It is true that as the age of an individual increase, the health care costs can increase as their medical needs become more demanding. And because of our growing expenses, we need to find the best way to provide the best health care in the most cost-efficient way possible to our senior citizen parents.

Maxicare Prima Gold

maxicare prima goldMaxicare Healthcare Corporation, the country’s leading healthcare provider, offers a solution with their new Maxicare PRIMA health card.

Maxicare PRIMA Gold health card offers high-quality, reliable healthcare coverage for our senior citizen parents and to other elderly members of the family.

Maxicare PRIMA Gold offers great value for money to senior citizens. With a one-time membership plan, members enjoy a full year of outpatient consultations, laboratory and diagnostic procedures with exclusive access to all Maxicare Primary Care Centers (PCCs) and all conveniently located MyHealth Clinics.

Additional values include coverage of pre-existing conditions of the members as well as emergency room coverage of up to Php 20, 000 per year in Maxicare-affiliated hospitals nationwide.

PRIMA Gold can be easily purchased from

  • the Maxicare Online Store www.shop.maxicare.com.ph,
  • the Maxicare Facebook page (www.facebook.com/maxicarehealthcarecorporation),
  • Maxicare Primary Care Centers (PCCs),
  • Maxicare affiliated agents and brokers or
  • from the Maxicare Tower Direct Sales.

Payments can also be made through leading partner banks, just call the Product Inquiry Hotline (632) 789-7777 for details. After the membership’s confirmation, an electronic Card (eCard) is going to be sent to the member’s email while PRIMA card will be delivered a few days after.

With Maxicare PRIMA Gold, we can give back to our parents or grandparents by ensuring that they get the love and care they deserve.

Maxicare PRIMA also comes in another variant, the PRIMA Silver for individuals aged 0-59 years old.

Maxicare’s Primary Care Centers are located in the following areas:

  • W City Center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig;
  • Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City;
  • Centuria Medical Makati in Makati City;
  • Chinese General Hospital in Manila;
  • Makati Medical Center in Makati City;
  • St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City;
  • St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig; and
  • The Medical City in Pasig City.

MyHealth Clinics are located at

  • Festival Supermall in Alabang;
  • Robinsons Cybergate Mall in Cebu City;
  • Filomena Building in Makati City;
  • Robinsons Mall in Manila;
  • Shangri-LA Plaza in Mandaluyong City;
  • SM North Edsa in Quezon City; and
  • Venice Grand Canal Mall in Taguig City.

For more information

  • Visit www.maxicare.com.ph
  • Facebook – www.facebook.com/maxicarehealthcarecorporation
  • Product Inquiry Hotline (632) 789-7777
  • 24/7 Customer Care Hotline (632) 582-1900
  • 24/7 Customer Care Mobile (63) 918-889-6294; (63) 917-594-2680
  • Provincial Toll Fee Number: 1-800-10-582-1900 (PLDT, Smart and Sun); 1-800-8-582-1900 (Globe, TM and ABS-CBN Mobile)

Maxicare Healthcare Corporation: One of the pioneers in the health maintenance organization (HMO) industry was established in 1987 by an esteemed group of doctors and businessmen with the vision to deliver a better healthcare system.

Three decades later, Maxicare has progressed into becoming the No. 1 HMO* in the country, continuously providing comprehensive healthcare programs via its wide network of medical providers and strengthened customer support.

Maxicare has more than 1.2 Million Members, more than 56,000 affiliated Doctors, more than 1,000 affiliated Hospitals and Clinics, 3,800 Dental providers, 8 Primary Care Centers and 13 Helpdesks, 9 Satellite Offices, 5 Exclusive Wings.

Myths and facts about weight-loss supplements

Myths and facts about weight-loss supplements

Losing weight requires a lot of dedication and hard work and may involve physical and emotional costs. It is hardly surprising that many prefer the easy route by taking weight-loss supplements. While almost all weight-loss supplements are marketed as beneficial for the body, some may actually be harmful to one’s health.

Nutrition experts debunk certain claims about weight-loss supplements and reveal possible health risks.

FDA approvedMyth #1:

Weight-loss supplements are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Truth: The US FDA does not have the authority to review dietary supplement products for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed. It only steps in when a “dietary supplement” is found to contain harmful substances.

Myth #2:

Weight-loss supplements alone are enough to lose pounds.

weight loss with supplements

Truth: Weight-loss supplements cannot substitute for healthy eating and regular exercise. Many weight-loss supplements’ labels include a disclaimer that they do not guarantee a specific weight-loss benefit, that individual results may vary and, to get the most benefit, they must be combined with proper diet and exercise.

Myth #3:

Supplements like Hoodia, green tea and bitter orange aid in weight loss.

hoodia, green tea, and bitter orange

hoodia, green tea, and bitter orange

Truth: Green tea, bitter orange and the African herb hoodia have not been scientifically proven to burn fat. In fact, hoodia has not been studied in humans. It is also unclear if it curbs appetite. Green tea contains a fair amount of caffeine, which may result in some weight loss initially, but it will not burn fat. Too much caffeine can affect the heart rhythm and disturb sleep. Bitter orange has synephrine, an alkaloid found in plants, that can be dangerous to health as it increases heart rate and blood pressure.

Myth #4:

all natural ingredients“Natural” is safe.

Truth: Some weight-loss supplements containing “natural” ingredients like herbs comfrey or kava may be harmful to the liver. Claims that “natural is safe” is not always true.

Safety depends on the supplement’s chemical makeup and what it does to the body, how it is prepared and the dosage used. Also, while an individual supplement may be safe, the combination of several products may be risky. If you are under medication, it is best to consult your doctor first before taking any weight-loss supplements as they may affect the efficacy of your medicines.

While some supplements may result in weight loss in the short term, they may have long-term adverse effects on the body, which may not be able to handle the stress of dramatic weight loss or process artificial food and supplements. They may be unsafe for those with existing medical conditions or those who need to lose a lot of weight.

If you feed your body the right kinds of food, avoid unhealthy snacks and adopt other healthy habits, you should be able to rebalance and reboot your metabolism naturally. Nothing beats fresh and good food to improve health and promote healthy weight loss.

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