by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 8, 2021 | Health and Wellness
It is in great times of uncertainties where the Filipino resilience has always triumphed. The world is made to witness that even in the face of tragedies and calamities, Filipinos will endure with big smiles on their faces — and this is what inspired Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) to create an anthem that would resonate with this unfailing spirit.
‘Dugo’y Pagtibayin’ by Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) is a reminder to Filipinos that it is through our individual hope and strength that makes the collective power rise amid this most trying time. Through the power of music to soothe the soul and with no less than Sarah Geronimo behind the song, this gives the melody a deeper meaning of how this nation can keep moving forward dahil sa lakas ng Dugong Pinoy.
“Sulong dugong Pinoy, pagtibayin ang dugo natin.”
Sarah is a believer in the power of music to uplift spirits, “For me, mahalaga ang music lalo na ngayon na may pinagdadaanan tayo. Music is very powerful; it’s the language of our soul … Iba yung nagagawa niyang pang-boost ng morale.”
With her soulful performance of the song, Sarah brings to life the meaning of dugong Pinoy with her every lyric that shows how a nation’s strength is fueled by Filipinos who do not get weakened nor get tired easily.
“Nung nalaman ko po na gagawa ako ng bagong kanta for Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+), I got excited. I know that it is going to be meaningful,” shares Sarah Geronimo.
Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) put together this LSS-worthy and inspiring music video with the goal that as Filipinos start to go out of their houses more to serve their families and the nation, the more that they need to keep their blood health in check as one of the ways to keep the body healthy.
Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) asks the nation, “Do you know how to maintain your blood health?”
The ‘Dugo’y Pagtibayin’ music video raises the awareness on maintaining healthy blood to help keep immunity at its peak. Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) takes the action to educate more Filipinos to take charge of their health by sharing these three ways on how to maintain one’s blood health:
Exercise regularly.
Among the many benefits of exercising, when it comes to blood health, any exercise that can get the blood pumping even as simple as walking is already beneficial to the body. The more the body moves, the more blood will be pumped around it. Good blood circulation helps the cells of the immune system to move freely so they can function efficiently.
Manage your stress.
Experiencing constant anxiety and stress can affect blood circulation. However, with the looming uncertainties brought upon by the current situation, it is inevitable to feel stressed – but this can be managed. Stress buster activities and behaviors like yoga, meditation, listening to music, or safely spending time with the people you care about can help you feel calmer and more in control of your life. Managing your stress better is one way to help improve your blood flow.
Taking Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+).
If you’re running on a hectic routine whether you’re just at home or out for work, taking Multivitamins significantly helps when the food you eat isn’t able to provide your body the nutrients and minerals it needs. Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) contain vitamins and minerals that help to replenish iron stores and increases red blood cell levels in the body. Recommended intake is one to two capsules daily, during or after meals, or as prescribed by your doctor.
Being proud to have a Dugong Pinoy means that you take charge of your overall health. Start by looking after your blood health to help keep your immune system at its peak.
If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 5, 2021 | Business
The COVID-19 pandemic did not prove to be a barrier to excellence in this year’s submissions to the Asia Young Designer 2020 (AYDA2020) competition. If anything, it may have even helped the students in coming up with innovative and empathic designs.
The theme for this year is FORWARD: HUMAN-CENTRED DESIGN. It reflects the need for designers to provide practical and socially conscious design solutions for a rapidly growing population in a globalized world. It encourages our students to create designs that transcend beauty – designs that also respond and empathize with the needs of the humans the spaces are being designed for.
More than 400 entries were received this year and so many designs were so inspiring that our judges had such difficulty trimming them down. After reviewing all the boards and design statements and much discussion, they were able to choose the top 10 in Architecture and Interior Design.
AYDA2020 Panel of Judges
Every year, notables in the Architecture and Interior Design industry are brought together to assess the works of our talented students and to award the prize and internship opportunities. Here are our judges for AYDA2020:
In Architecture:
- Ar. Leo Pariñas, President & CEO of LPPA Design Group (Head Judge)
- Ar. Boon Che Wee, Director at GRA Architects Malaysia
- Ar. Ana Mangalino-Ling, Partner & Associate at JSLA Architects
- Ar. Nina Bailon-Arce, Partner at Arce-Bailon-Arce Architects
- Ar. Ma. Benita Regala, Department Manager at Housing Technology Development Office National Housing Authority
- Ar. Eduardo Casares, UAP Chairman Committee on Commissions
- Ar. Renato Heray, UAP National President and Owner of RAH Architecture and Landscape Corporation
- Ar. Richard Garcia, Vice President of Visionarch
In Interior Design:
- IDr. Cara Marcelo, Founder of CMM Interior Design and Consultancy (Head Judge)
- IDr. Chat Fores, Founder of Chat Fores Design Studio
- IDr. Fendarie Su, Founder of Santa Fe Interior Architecture SDH BHD
- IDr. Cynthia Almario, founder of Atelier Almario
- IDr. Ivy Almario, founders of Atelier Almario
- IDr. Michael Pizarro, Founder of Michael Pizarro Interior Design
Architecture Top 10
BALSAHAN by Joana Marie L. Ramirez of Mapua University
Capipiza Fish port is already the ‘known’ fish port in Tanza Cavite, which is far from the facilities of Navotas Fishport the Countries’ premier fish port of the Philippines. The income level of this community is lower than many other groups engage in the urbanized cities. Also, in many cases, these people are below the poverty line. The income annually depends only on the seasonality of fishing. The earnings are distributed in an uneven pattern, which often inhibits savings and leads to indebtedness.
To address the problem in line with architecture, the fish port will be designed which will help them not only to provide additional income sources, rather to function as a sustainable market too.
The project “COMM[UNITY]” is designed to act as a means of sensing challenges and problems faced in the urban landscape by creating a space that promotes creativity and innovation using street culture as a bridge to unite the people. Street culture transcends social classes, communities, cities, and even borders.
This gives it the unique ability to fill in the gaps by leveraging diversity thus creating equal opportunities.
In response to the current pandemic, Ecopod was designed to provide a sustainable alternative additional educational space to schools in need and to enhance existing opportunities for temporary classrooms, providing a temporary space that is genuinely intended for teaching and learning which can be built alongside existing schools, in parking lots, or any area available.
Ecopod is a combination of the word “eco” which means not harming the environment and “pod” which is another term for the small social bubble. Ecopod is a sustainable structure that is designed for smaller groups to limit interactions and practice social distancing inside a room.
Derived from the words eskinita meaning “alley” and kita or “profit”, the project aims to create a centralized street market unit by taking advantage of the space above the road. It aims to give a platform for street vendors and blooming small businesses to grow especially amidst this pandemic.
ESTERO RECYCLING HUB by Napoleon Marion Clarke F. Mui of the University of Santo Tomas
The community of Estero dela Reina consists of informal settlers that have no proper means of disposing of their waste. Some are seldom visited by garbage collectors due to the fact that they are not considered as legal residents, hence adding to the pollution of the waterways. Consequently, they are forcibly trying to be relocated which can threaten their already existing culture along those canals. The recycling hub aims to provide both a sustainable solution for their living problems as well as be a structure that relates to their existing bond which is the kanto culture.
The concept for this project is taken from the existing conditions that are present in their community: informalities and random arrangements that make them socialize with one another. One of the things that makes people participate more is by making them comfortable through the familiarity with the informal environment that they are already used to.
The triangle homes are homes which means a place of emotional needs, like family and relationships that everyone can build up. Home and house are different from each other, house is a place, home is we can feel loved.
The simple idealization of what the human needs are one of the keys for the structure to be possible. How it can bring the on-grid to off-grid? The idea for the simple design is an off-grid. The location of the design is an on-grid.
Hu-mangrove project is a prototyped floating structure that grows and expands its numbers, creating a self-sustaining community as time passes by. Each floating pod will cater to up to 20 to 30 family dwellers. It has mixed-use spaces for living, working, and livelihood activities. The project has modular types of unit that depends on the number of families.
These units will suit and fit the different cultures and lifestyles of every family of the neighborhoods. The community has a flexible platform at the center that can convert into different spaces depending on what the community needs, which serve as social, recreational, working, educational, and commercial use.
Project N.O.A.H. (Nurturing New Onset of Architecture for Humanity) will give them the new concept of living in the future. The idea of the whole project came from the famous Bible story of NOAH’s Ark that in disasters such as storms and floods, Lives had been saved by building an ark. Evolving the concept from the Bible’s story, I have come up looking forward to what our future can provide.
Silong is a regenerative development that represents “pag-asa” or hope. Inspired by the sunrise as a symbol of longing, the development is full of bright, vibrant, and natural colors also of bamboo, the main building material used. The overall idea is to strengthen the community bubble and to find ways for the community to commune and interact, not only with each other but more especially with nature.
Silong is intended to be a shelter, whether a housing facility, an evacuation center, or a place of activity. Ultimately, it is meant to be a continuous experience between the natural and the built environment, eliminating the notion of boundaries.
Creating a new place to cater to Divisoria vendors and people with no class barriers, a platform that welcomes people from different backgrounds to discover and to interact while reducing carbon dioxide emissions using algae.
The Cube embraces informality as it encourages foot traffic bringing more vibrancy to our city and encourages our urban setting to become a more people-oriented and more walkable city. Treating vendors as people, not problems by providing a dignified space by proper planning.
Interior Design Top 10
Bagasse Mountain Resort is a sanctuary of wilderness and wellness in Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental, Philippines. The resort explores the relationship of neuroscience and interior design to give emphasis on spatial memory to create sustainable, corporeal, and human-centered design considerations.
Starting from this perspective, a reflection is proposed on how memory as a tool and measure of human knowledge can offer solutions to problems in sustainability and hospitality.
BAKHAWAN by Ryan Japhet A. Gablines of the University of San Carlos
The concept takes inspiration from the reverberation of a Badjao’s tambol. With each tap is a call that we need to listen to and channel it through spaces. From circular forms, the design was morphed by connecting the circular spaces with organic pathways, which reflects the rich culture of the Badjao and the sea.
The circle which symbolizes the community also resembles wholeness and unity (Adams, 2013). Surrounding the entire space are growing mangroves, which serve both as a home for marine ecosystems and a natural barrier against strong tidal waves (Lugo & Snedaker,1974).
As buildings continue to rise, public spaces such as plazas are reduced and neglected. Considering the high land values and bid rents of the plaza complex, decision-makers and real estate developers increasingly try to fill the complex with business establishments, but in the process, they also try to destroy, remodel and block the landmarks surrounding it to maximize land use.
Complejo de Plaza is about incorporating and considering the important components of an urban open space that can improve the social community and provides a significant contribution to the economy and environment.
Kabagtao is a new rise of a developing community that is for the people who reside near the bodies of water. It is derived from three Bisaya words, namely: “Kabag-ohan” which is new, “Lutaw” for floating, and “Tao” for human beings.
A combination of three concepts and resulting in a new approach that is built within the currents which mainly is for the purpose of a new future civilization.
MEMORABILIA by Jazzy Caroline Q. Kho of the University of Santo Tomas
Memorabilia, coming from the Latin word memorabilis, is an English term that means “matters or events worthy to be remembered”. Memorabilia, located in Pampanga, Philippines, is a memory care facility for people who have Alzheimer’s disease. It aims an eco-friendly insight for the patients to feel.
The design is a domesticated environment that recreates a friendly Filipino neighborhood to help treat or ease the patients’ memory loss. The concept of this design is to give off a village type aura where each patient lives in a calming Filipino neighborhood, whilst the theme of these houses are patterned to when these patients were in their teenage years.
PARAISO: THE ECO-SITIO by Renzo V. Montenegro of the University of San Carlos
Paraiso: The Eco Sitio aims to integrate members of the informal waste sector formally into the waste management system and provide them with socially inclusive opportunities. It also aims to empower them and provide them with income improvement which can also accompany the developing waste sector in the country by establishing recycling and material recovery facilities.
This project will help acknowledge the informal waste sectors’ contributions and provide proper ranks for them as they have the capacity to improve and develop our waste management system. This will not only help alleviate them out of the poverty line but also help with the environmental crisis in the country.
PIERIDAE CANCER CARE CENTER by Alyssa Len A. Rodriguez of the University of Santo Tomas
It is proven how cancer diagnosis could provoke an existential crisis and a number of difficult emotions including anxiety, fragility, fear, and disconnection. The concept of the Pieridae Cancer Care Center provides a blueprint that aims to alleviate the death sentence, by negating the negative effect of receiving one.
The center avoids tropes of institutional or hospitality interiors and instead focuses on a sense of domesticity that is flexible enough to accommodate people of all ages, gender, and backgrounds. The center, in the overall aspect, highly democratizes the luxury of comfort. Located within the premises of PCSI (Philippine Cancer Society Inc.) and with the help of other local cancer support organizations, the center will respond to the need for cancer caring centers in the Philippines.
PUNTA SALAG: SILOY ECO-RESERVE by Ynes Sofia A. Manguerra of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
Punta Salag is a combination of 2 terms that stem from some of the biggest influences of the Filipino roots. “Punta”- a Spanish term for “Point”, and “Salag”- a Cebuano term for “Nest”; when combined together, the elegant phrase translates to “Point Nest”- creating the name “Punta Salag”.
Punta Salag is an eco-reserve that is located in the small town of Alcoy, Cebu. The municipality is home to one of the most unrecognized yet beautiful birds that are endemic to the island of Cebu, the Black Shama. Locally, the bird is referred to as the Siloy.
PUYANAN by Lauren Ghenrich L. Khoo of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
Puyanan is a Cebuano term that translates to “Habitat” or “Circular Dwelling” in English. This Pavilion will be housing all of Cebu’s culture, history, and heritage, for users to experience and enjoy. The aim of this is to give its users the ultimate retail experience and hopefully, together with, have a part of Cebu instilled in them — for them to bring culture from one home to another.
TUKLAS by John Earo J. Roque of the University of Santo Tomas
A library and center for Kapampangan culture slot into the ruins of the abandoned Gabaldon School building built in the 1900s makes up Tuklas. A dedicated space for the community where people can gather, learn, and reconnect to their roots.
The establishment is chosen for its rich history and its accessible location from notable Schools in the province of Pampanga.
Winners of AYDA2020
Each of the top 10 finalists a cash prize of ₱10,000 plus opportunities for internship. On top of that, recipients of special awards receive additional prizes.
The Gold Award recipient will receive a cash prize of ₱50,000, internship opportunities, and will also represent the Philippines in the upcoming regional competition where he or she has the chance of winning the Platinum Award and be declared the Asia Young Designer of the Year.
The Silver Award recipient will receive a cash prize of ₱30,000 plus internship opportunities.
The recipient of the Best Green Innovation Award will receive a cash prize of ₱10,000.
The recipient of the Best Colour Choice Award will receive a cash prize of ₱10,000.
The recipient of the People’s Choice Award will receive a cash prize of ₱5,000.
The Best Mentor Award is given to the mentor of the Gold Award winner. He or she will receive a cash prize of ₱10,000.
The award for Best Supporting College/University is given to the school with a finalist and has sent in the most entries. They will receive a cash prize of ₱10,000 plus paint vouchers worth ₱10,000.
The award for Best College/University is given to the school of the Gold Award recipient. They will receive a cash prize of ₱10,000 plus paint vouchers worth ₱10,000.
Special Awards
The recipients of the Best Colour Choice award are:
The recipients of the Best Green Innovation Award are:
The People’s Choice Award is garnered from votes made by their supporters on Facebook. They are:
The Best Supporting College/University goes to the school of a finalist who has sent in the most entries to the competition. In both Architecture and Interior Design this award was given to De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
Major Awards
The Silver Award is given to the finalist who placed second in their category. They are:
The Gold Award is given to the finalist who placed first in their category. They are:
Paul John Jandoc and Margaret Therese Hagad will represent the Philippines at the upcoming regional competition where they have the chance to win the Platinum Award and get declared the Asia Young Designer Award for the Year!
The Best College/University goes to the school of the Gold Award winner. At the same time, the Best Mentor Award goes to the mentor of the Gold Award winner. They are Ar. Tim-Paul Villanueva of the University of Baguio in Architecture and IDr. Karol Ann Antonio of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in Interior Design
Congratulations to all the winners! You make us all proud.
For more information about the Asia Young Designer Award, visit the website at https://www.youngdesigneraward.ph/ and the social media accounts as follows:
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 4, 2021 | Business
Cleanway Environmental Management Solutions, Inc. (CEMSI) North Plant has been awarded ISO 45001:2018 certification in recognition of its occupational health and safety management. Priority is always given to the safeguarding of health and safety protocols in the workplace. Such prerequisites are imperative in the production, logistics, and systems at work especially when handling, treating, and disposing of hazardous industrial and medical wastes in this time of the pandemic.
ISO 45001:2018 Certified
This certification focuses on a preventive program requiring intensive employee protection and collaboration from the management team. The ISO 45001:2018 offers amendment in the High-Level Structure (HLS) through its standardization of structure, definition, and terminologies thereby facilitating simplified integration into other management systems like ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. It has an increased focus on the context of the organization and its risk recognition. More so, wider recognition of individuals covers not just permanent employees but also subcontractors and suppliers.
While the legal and regulatory compliance guidelines address all phases of the PDC cycle, the certification further requires greater involvement and commitment from the top management team. This ensures that health and safety is part of the company’s integral strategic planning.
“CEMSI takes pride in its commitment to the international standards in handling and treating hazardous waste. Our certification for ISO 45001 is a testament to a greater effort to fulfill our mission for the people who take care of the environment. This builds more confidence among our partners as we take health and safety standards to a higher level,” said Jose Exiquel Esguerra, Managing Director.
“ISO 45001 is a set of standards developed to guide the company towards a goal of curbing unsafe practices within the workplace. Having it is both an honor and responsibility. The certification increases awareness of all aspects of health and safety which is timely in this time of the pandemic. We show to our clients and to other stakeholders that the business is safe at all times with a heart and concern for its employees and partners,” said Antonio Celajes, Regional Operations Head for Luzon under the Operations Division.
Cleanway Environmental Management Solutions, Inc. (CEMSI) is the country’s first fully-integrated hazardous waste treatment plant for industrial and biomedical wastes. It opened its first plant in Silang, Cavite in 2004 followed by its southern Philippines facility operating in Leyte Industrial Development Estate (LIDE) in Isabel, Leyte. Recently, the northern plant operations opened in 2019 with a treatment facility in Capas, Tarlac. CEMSI holds certification on ISO 9001:2015 for the quality management systems and ISO 14001:2015 for environmental management systems.
For inquiries, send us a message at in**@**********om.ph or at +63 (917) 830-3023.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 29, 2021 | Health Tips
As Work-From-Home (WFH) becomes the new normal, the realities of performing work and home functions simultaneously may feel like a never-ending cycle. While everyone is trying their best to get a knack for winning in this situation, managing this new lifestyle stressor is not easy for all women, and coping might even be more difficult for working moms.
Pressures build up over time and if unaddressed, it can result in chronic stress that may also affect your blood health. If you notice yourself experiencing symptoms of prolonged fatigue, lack of energy, and lack of motivation, it is time to reassess your lifestyle as you may be experiencing a case of iron deficiency anemia.
Healthy blood leads to a healthier immune system
Ang Dugo Mo, Kamusta? — is the question that Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) wants every Filipino to have for themselves and their loved ones. Iron Deficiency Anemia is a common case in Filipino women and those with chronic medical conditions. And most of those who have it have learned to function despite experiencing its symptoms.
When the body has iron deficiency anemia, it is unable to produce healthy red blood cells which store and carry oxygen to the other parts of the body. The risk of not addressing this condition may take a toll on the immune system and the body can be more susceptible to illnesses and infections
Small lifestyle changes to boost your blood health and immunity
Incorporating small healthy changes into your current WFH situation can help improve your blood health. Here are three easy ways to add to your daily schedule to fight iron deficiency anemia and keep your immunity healthy.
Perform quick 12-minute exercise routines daily
There are plenty of workout routines available online that you can complete in under 15 minutes. But if you still find those taxing, just keep in mind that the goal is to have your heart rate up a little, so think of it as working out efficiently by exerting the right amount of effort.
This can be as basic as going up and down the stairs, jumping rope, or even just walking around the house for 12 minutes. If you want more intensity, you can try high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with short but intense bursts of activity with short break periods.
Moderate exercise routines when done daily can boost your immunity. Plus, it also helps boost your energy for the day.
Help your body fight off iron deficiency anemia with Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+)
Proper diet and nutrition help keep the body healthy. Going for nutritious meals over processed ones and choosing food rich in iron like red meat, beans, dark green leafy vegetables to add to your diet can benefit your body positively. But for those who are running on hectic daily schedules, monitoring a balanced diet might be a hard commitment to make.
Taking multivitamins daily can help the body get the nutrients and minerals it needs when your food intake won’t be able to provide them.
Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) is an iron supplement with vitamins and minerals that helps replenish iron stores and increases red blood cell levels in the body.
It has ferrous gluconate, a type of iron salt that allows better absorption of iron in the body, Folic acid, and vitamin B12 which are vital for the production of red blood cells and during pregnancy. It also contains Vitamin C which helps improve iron absorption, and copper sulfate and manganese sulfate that helps in the metabolic processes of blood cell production.
Get quality sleep
Sleep is vital to having a strong immune system and while everyone is aware of this, not all are keeping close tabs on their sleeping routines. The National Sleep Foundation released sleep-quality recommendations, which include:
- being able to fall asleep in 30 minutes or less,
- waking up for five minutes or longer not more than once a night, you fall back asleep within 20 minutes, and
- are asleep 85% of the time you spend in bed.
If you’re guilty of not meeting these recommendations, try to change up the way you get ready for bed.
- Create a healthy sleep routine by going to bed and waking up at the same time daily to train your body and mind on a schedule.
- Free yourself from your phone or tablet at least one hour before bedtime so your brain won’t be stimulated.
- Establish a relaxing bedtime routine like reading a book, meditation, or drinking tea to put you into a state of calm.
Consider these small lifestyle changes an investment in your health. When you maintain healthy blood, it keeps you less vulnerable to getting illnesses and infections. Taking Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) helps regulate your blood iron, so you won’t have to worry about experiencing symptoms of iron deficiency anemia.
If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 26, 2021 | Lifestyle
Leveraging the available digital tools and platforms to bridge their services to more Filipinos, mostly those that are in the far-flung areas, PCSO, in partnership with Minedomain, Inc., is set to launch ‘Birthday Panalo,’ a free and easy-to-use application with an entertaining game which will allow Filipinos to celebrate important dates in their lives, like anniversaries and birthdays, with exciting cash prizes.
Made for Filipinos, by Filipinos
Designed with Filipinos in mind, the Birthday Panalo app banks on the deep-rooted culture of Pinoys in putting value in commemorating special dates like birthdays and anniversaries.
Seavor Choy
While millennials are the main audience targeted with the launch of the app, Seaver Choy, Minedomain Inc. IT officer shared that ease of use is one of the main factors their team considered in developing Birthday Panalo to make it enjoyable for users across various age groups.
“We want the millennials to love this game so we went for what millennials want most — ease of use. We only put in the necessary elements for users to be able to do what they need to do fast and immediately,” he said.
“We focused on the user experience when we were developing by having iterating designs that had constant user feedback. Birthday Panalo has gone through multiple design changes based on different user feedback across different groups,” Choy added.
The core group which made and designed the Birthday Panalo app was an all-Filipino team composed of professionals from the country’s top universities including De La Salle University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and the University of the East.
“Birthday Panalo app was built with resilience and celebrations in mind. We made it fun and easy to bet but still overly secure,” Choy furthered, assuring users that the personal data and information they input within the Birthday Panalo app are protected according to industry standards.
Choy noted that the Birthday Panalo app has been tested by local and international cybersecurity companies like GLI, Bolton Labs, and Mantua, among others, to ensure that the app has the needed safety measures in place to avoid leakage of user data.
“Internally, we are also certified when it comes to how we operate and how we maintain the application,” Choy said.
Celebrations made even more rewarding
Within the app which carries design elements signifying Filipinos, ‘Kapanalo’ or users of the app can place a bet on a three-part number combination consisting of a month, a day, and a year. If the same combination gets to be picked during daily draws, a user can win as much as P100,000 as a cash prize.
After downloading the app, users can easily sign up using either their mobile phone or email address verified through a one-time password (OTP) sent by the app. Once done with the registration process, users can proceed to participate in draws for as low as 10 pesos which they can pay via mobile wallets like GCash and PayMaya. Winners of lucky date combinations which will be notified via the Birthday Panalo app may claim their prizes at the PCSO main branch in Mandaluyong City, or have them credited on their respective mobile wallets.
The Birthday Panalo app will soon be available for free download via the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Kapanalo from all over the Philippines can also look forward to playing the Birthday Panalo game in select PCSO outlets nationwide in the coming months.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 25, 2021 | Bon Appetit
Purefoods Ready to Eat variants
Purefoods Ready to Eat Viands has 9 different variants and I decided to start with something easy … Pork Humba. For those who are unfamiliar with Pork Humba, it is a sweet and savory dish. This (in my opinion) makes it a perfect filling for siopao, as it will be reminiscent of Pork Asado.
Siopao (sometimes called steamed dumplings) is best known as a Chinese snack, often served with noodle soup.
It’s as easy as 1-2-3
Purefoods Ready to Eat Viands: Pork Humba
Purefoods Ready to Eat Viands are truly easy to serve. it only takes less than 10 minutes to feed our family.
- Take your selected Purefoods Ready to Eat viand from the freezer.
- Thaw it out in the chiller or drainboard.
- Open the package and pour its contents into a pan and heat for 8 to 10 minutes.
It’s that easy! Usually served with hot rice. 🙂
This was the recipe provided by HomefoodiePH and Purefoods for Humba Pao:
Ingredients:
- 1 pack Purefoods Ready to Eat
- 6 pieces store-bought cua pao, reheated to package instructions
- 6 tbsp. chopped peanuts
- 3 tbsp. coriander (wansoy) leaves
Instructions:
- Slice humba into 1/4 inch thick slices. Reheat in a pan with the sauce.
- Assemble by placing a few slices of humba in the pao and drizzling with humba sauce. Serve with peanuts and coriander.
That recipe makes 6 servings.
What I ended up doing
I didn’t have any cua pao and I didn’t want to have to go to the grocery just to buy some. But I did have the ingredients to make siopao buns, so that is what I did. This is the recipe that I used.
Siopao bun
This is the recipe for making just the buns without the filling. You can fill the buns with any kind of food really. It could be savory, or sweet, or both!
Prep Time1 hour hr 32 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: bread, bun, siopao
Servings: 12
Author: Penny Angeles-Tan
mixing bowl
measuring spoons and cup
Rolling Pin
rolling mat or board
steamer
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tsp dry instant yeast
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 tbsp oil use a neutral oil
- 1 kalamansi (juice only)
- a little more flour for dusting when kneading
Prepping
Combine the water, yeast, 2 tbsp. sugar, and salt and mix. Make sure that the milk is not too hot or the yeast will die. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. You will know the yeast is alive and ready if it bubbles up.
In a mixing bowl combine the flour, baking powder, remaining sugar, oil, and kalamansi.
Pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture and mix until fully blended. Knead until it turns into a dough that is smooth and not sticky.
Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and set it aside for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
Assembling the pao
After an hour, take the dough out of the bowl and put it on your rolling mat or board and knead it a little more then roll it into a log and divide it into 12 equal (or as equal as you can make them) parts, and set them aside on a tray or mat without touching each other. You can roll them into balls for easier handling later. Cover with a cloth until you need them and let them rest for 30 minutes. The dough will rise even more.
Take one part and knead it and make a ball. Dust it with flour and flatten it with your palm then roll it into a flat disk (circle) making sure the center is thicker than the sides as the middle will hold the filling.
Place 1 to 2 spoons of the filling in the middle of the disk and then gently lift the edges to the middle in folds and then pinch and twist.
Take a small piece of baking paper (or waxed paper) and put the bun on it. This will prevent the filling from leaking out. Place the assembled bun on a plate or tray until you will cook it.
Repeat from step 2 of "assembling the pao" for the remaining dough balls.
It's time to steam
Place your steamer on the stove. Make sure there is water underneath or it won't steam. 🙂 Turn it on and wait a few minutes before putting the buns in
In the steaming tray place enough buns without touching. Keep in mind that the buns will still expand. It is likely that not all the buns will fit in one layer so you will need to either put another layer or just cook a second or third batch. Steam your buns for 20 minutes then turn off the stove and let the buns sit in the steamer for another 5 minutes before removing them.
Notes
- You can fill these buns with anything you want. Keep in mind, it is really just bread. 🙂
- If you are cooking more than one layer of the buns, keep in mind that they will not cook the same because one layer will be hotter than the other. In my experience, the buns at the bottom "blossom" better than the ones on the upper layers.
This recipe is based on research from 2 or 3 recipe sites and I adjusted based on my available ingredients and the amount of effort I was willing to put into it. 😀 This is loosely based on the pita recipe I followed last time but instead of grilling the bread, I steamed it. This is the first time that I made this so while I got it to cook and taste the way it should, I couldn’t get the right technique to pinch it closed consistently, hehe. The next time I make this I will most likely fold the buns into cua pao instead of siopao. 😀
How does the Pork Humba taste?
The Pork Humba ready to eat viand tasted just like pork humba should … savory and sweet at the same time. The meat was just the right level of softness and was anything but tough or dry.
I will confess that instead of thawing it in the chiller or drainboard, I decided to put it in the pot frozen and thaw it gently on the stove in low heat.
I also decided to cut it up with scissors in the pot, instead of cutting it on the board with a knife. This was because I didn’t want to waste any of the sauce.
I didn’t get to use all the humba when I made the paos so what was left I set aside I intend to eat tomorrow for lunch. 🙂
Feedback from the fam
Purefoods Ready to Eat Viands: Pork Humba
They loved it! They loved the flavor of the humba and the combination with the siopao bun (phew!) Now I have one more new recipe to add to my repertoire. Thanks for the assist, Purefoods! And thank you, HomefoodiePH for the recipe suggestion. <3
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 24, 2021 | Food & Beverage
The concept of ready to eat meals is not new to us, another name for it is “frozen dinners”. The difference, I suppose is that while most frozen dinners as we see them in foreign movies are full meals made for one person alone, Purefoods Ready to Eat meals are made for families.
But this is also a reflection of how Filipinos enjoy sharing meals with family or friends. I know of very few Filipinos who cook full meals for just one person. We always tend to cook so much that we are eating the same thing for an additional meal or two. 😀
Purefoods Ready to Eat variants
Purefoods Ready to Eat variants
At present, there are a total of nine (9) variants … each one a standard Filipino dish and (as the packaging says) it has already been slow-cooked to give us, the consumers, the softest, juiciest, most delicious viands in minutes what would usually take us so much time to prepare … because “love takes time”.
I was able to get every variant (except the beef caldereta which I just photoshopped in the picture above to complete the set) and I will try to cook and review each one every day. In our house, there are quite a few people so I have to really think about what I will cook every day and how to stretch it, given how expensive meat and vegetables are.
Also, I am quite handy in the kitchen so I will quite likely do more than just put these babies in the pan, heat, and serve. 🙂 Watch out for what I cook up in the coming days.
Purefoods Ready to Eat viands are available at http://themall.sanmiguelfoods.com and at some supermarkets and groceries. Prices vary depending on the viand you purchase.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 24, 2021 | Health and Wellness
2020 has revealed a lot of things that most people haven’t given much attention to before. It’s crazy how from one year you never knew you’ve been embarrassing yourself in front of people by just scratching your scalp repeatedly because of scalp itch and dandruff. Now, we have a name for this – itch-uations. How does it feel to finally be in terms with the fact that you’ve been having itch-uations even before it was a thing? Embarrassing, right?
That one time you were on a video conference call to present and all eyes were on you. Remember that last meeting with your crush? Oh, and that meetup that you recently did with your friends.
Do you know what those moments all had in common? You were scratching your scalp, subtly yet it’s still noticeable. Itch Nakakahiya!
But it’s time to forget all those awkward itch-uations. Leave them all behind and look forward to big moments without the itch. Because you can free yourself from itch with every use of Head & Shoulders!
As the world’s #1 shampoo, Head & Shoulders products are clinically proven to help fight and protect the scalp against scalp germs that cause dandruff. Formulated with active ingredients to fight the causes of dandruff and itch, and with continuous use, you can be sure that dandruff is not going to turn up anytime soon. You’re sure to start 2021 dandruff-free, itch-free, and free from the subtle yet long-lasting embarrassment of itch-uations.
And now it’s time to embrace your past itch-uations because you’re not alone in this fight against dandruff and itch. Here’s a much-needed push for motivation! Let’s hear it from the many people who’ve dealt with itch-uations just like you, and their promises for a cleaner, dandruff, and itch-free scalp.
Cole shared that his scalp went through a lot last 2020 — awkward brushing, dandruff problems, and on top of that finding the right shampoo was also a struggle. But, lo and behold, Head and Shoulders came to her scalp’s rescue which made her commit to dandruff-free and clean hair.
Check more of these scalp defining moments and testimonials in the comments section of the Head & Shoulders Philippines Facebook and Instagram posts.
Here’s a shocker — itch-uations are actually very common, and you’re not the only one dealing with them. So, stop letting your past haunt you because Head & Shoulders got your scalp covered and to save you from the embarrassment of possible itch-uations. Here’s to dandruff and itch-free new year with every use of Head & Shoulders!
Don’t let your scalp waiting, checkout Head & Shoulders now via Lazada or Shopee.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 23, 2021 | Bon Appetit
Someone once asked me if we (the family) have considered going vegan and I told them that my family will eat anything I prepare (so they say) so it often depends on what I end up cooking.
Lately, I’ve been trying out different ways to cook tofu, as those of you who follow my blog can tell. 😀 My latest attempt is a dish I like to call Tofu ala Bistek. Bistek is the Filipino word for Beef Steak. The process is not quite the same but the end result is.
Tofu ala Bistek is best served with warm rice. Enjoy!
Notes:
- Cutting up the tofu into strips was my choice because I wanted to make sure the marinade would really seep in and I wanted it to look like meat slices.
- Using pancake syrup adds that little bit of sweetness the dish needs but you could try using sugar or honey, I suppose. Feel free to experiment!
- You can marinate the tofu for less than an hour, of course, but note that it will be more flavorful the longer you keep it in the marinade.
- I wouldn’t suggest marinating it overnight as the tofu might crumble or become too salty. I cannot be sure of this, of course, as I have never done that myself. 😀
Tofu ala Bistek
A new take on a Filipino standard.
Prep Time1 hour hr
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese, Filipino
Keyword: filipino, tofu, vegan
Servings: 4
Calories: 142kcal
Author: Penny Angeles-Tan
- 500 grams firm tofu
- 1/3 cup light soy
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 4 tsp pancake syrup
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced or grated
- 1 onion, sliced into rings
- oil for frying You want to use a neutral oil like vegetable oil
Prepping
Place some paper towels on a cutting board and put the tofu on top of it and cover with another paper towel. If you have a cast-iron pan or any heavy pan, place the pan on top of the paper-covered tofu and just let it sit. The weight of the pan will press out the excess water while you work on the marinade.
In a bowl combine light soy, rice vinegar, syrup, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Mix and set aside.
Remove the heavy pan from on top of the tofu and remove the paper towels. You will notice that the towels are now wet from the water that was pressed out of the tofu.
Slice the tofu into thin slices (not too thin or it will just crumble!) and arrange them flat on a shallow dish or tray and pour the marinade on top. Cover and set aside for up to an hour. If you are like me and you tend to forget if the waiting time is long then cover the dish/tray and put it in the ref while it is marinating.
Time to cook
Place your skillet or shallow pan (a wok would also do nicely!) on the stove and heat it.
Place oil in the pan and once hot enough place the marinated tofu (only) flat and leave it alone to brown for a few minutes. Don't get tempted to move it around or the tofu might crumble. Allow it to brown and set. Do not throw away the marinade as you will need it later.
After a few minutes and the bottom is browned, gently flip each piece and brown that side, too. You can tell that the tofu is ready to flip when it starts to shrink a little and look puffy like a pillow.
When both sides are browned, take your sliced onion and scatter the rings on top. Pour the marinade over everything and cover for about a minute.
Your dish is now ready to be served and eaten. 🙂
If you try this recipe, please make sure to tag me on social media @slvrdlphn with the hashtag #slvrdlphnrecipes. Let me know, too, if you come up with a tweak that would make this dish different but still delicious!
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 20, 2021 | Health and Wellness
On days when life gets in the way, it is easy to lose track of yourself. Even when it is frustrating, choosing the easy way out of situations can feel like the best decision when you’re stuck with no options. But even if life throws you a curveball, you’re still able to get back on track — stronger than before. And if you can put your best foot forward again to face the new normal in 2021, your hair definitely can too!
Pantene’s newest digital video empowers women to toughen up by starting stronger and get that extra boost of confidence by taking care of themselves.
It features familiar scenario women can definitely relate to — those times when you feel like you’re losing yourself to a point that even your hair looks like it gave up. Split ends start to pop out and the damage is apparent, and you’re so tempted to take a literal shortcut by chopping off your locks.
Pantene Long Hair Solutions Total Damage Care Shampoo
Now cutting hair short isn’t the only solution to hair damage, you can look forward to stronger days ahead with the new Pantene Long Hair Solutions Total Damage Care Shampoo. It has Pro V with Japanese Rice Oil Essence, specially created for long hair needs to protect your hair from having split ends and prevent hair damage even before it happens.
Rice Oil Essence has 50x Anti Damage Benefit, so you can say goodbye to hair damage and split ends even before it happens. Pantene’s latest video brings the message of empowerment reaching and encouraging numerous Filipinas to keep growing their hair out, here are some tidbits from Filipinas who are now committed to stop with the short cuts and grow their hair long in 2021
If you’re running on a hectic routine whether you’re just at home or out for work, taking Multivitamins significantly helps when the food you eat isn’t able to provide your body the nutrients and minerals it needs. Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) contain vitamins and minerals that help to replenish iron stores and increases red blood cell levels in the body. Recommended intake is one to two capsules daily, during or after meals, or as prescribed by your doctor.
![COMM[UNITY] by Kim Russel Manjares of Lyceum Of The Philippines University – Cavite](https://i0.wp.com/slvrdlphn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Kim-Russel-Manjares-150x150.jpg?resize=150%2C150)
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Derived from the words eskinita meaning “alley” and kita or “profit”, the project aims to create a centralized street market unit by taking advantage of the space above the road. It aims to give a platform for street vendors and blooming small businesses to grow especially amidst this pandemic.
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The triangle homes are homes which means a place of emotional needs, like family and relationships that everyone can build up. Home and house are different from each other, house is a place, home is we can feel loved.
Hu-mangrove project is a prototyped floating structure that grows and expands its numbers, creating a self-sustaining community as time passes by. Each floating pod will cater to up to 20 to 30 family dwellers. It has mixed-use spaces for living, working, and livelihood activities. The project has modular types of unit that depends on the number of families.
Project N.O.A.H. (Nurturing New Onset of Architecture for Humanity) will give them the new concept of living in the future. The idea of the whole project came from the famous Bible story of NOAH’s Ark that in disasters such as storms and floods, Lives had been saved by building an ark. Evolving the concept from the Bible’s story, I have come up looking forward to what our future can provide.
Silong is a regenerative development that represents “pag-asa” or hope. Inspired by the sunrise as a symbol of longing, the development is full of bright, vibrant, and natural colors also of bamboo, the main building material used. The overall idea is to strengthen the community bubble and to find ways for the community to commune and interact, not only with each other but more especially with nature.
Creating a new place to cater to Divisoria vendors and people with no class barriers, a platform that welcomes people from different backgrounds to discover and to interact while reducing carbon dioxide emissions using algae.
Bagasse Mountain Resort is a sanctuary of wilderness and wellness in Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental, Philippines. The resort explores the relationship of neuroscience and interior design to give emphasis on spatial memory to create sustainable, corporeal, and human-centered design considerations.
The concept takes inspiration from the reverberation of a Badjao’s tambol. With each tap is a call that we need to listen to and channel it through spaces. From circular forms, the design was morphed by connecting the circular spaces with organic pathways, which reflects the rich culture of the Badjao and the sea.
As buildings continue to rise, public spaces such as plazas are reduced and neglected. Considering the high land values and bid rents of the plaza complex, decision-makers and real estate developers increasingly try to fill the complex with business establishments, but in the process, they also try to destroy, remodel and block the landmarks surrounding it to maximize land use.
Kabagtao is a new rise of a developing community that is for the people who reside near the bodies of water. It is derived from three Bisaya words, namely: “Kabag-ohan” which is new, “Lutaw” for floating, and “Tao” for human beings.
Memorabilia, coming from the Latin word memorabilis, is an English term that means “matters or events worthy to be remembered”. Memorabilia, located in Pampanga, Philippines, is a memory care facility for people who have Alzheimer’s disease. It aims an eco-friendly insight for the patients to feel.
Paraiso: The Eco Sitio aims to integrate members of the informal waste sector formally into the waste management system and provide them with socially inclusive opportunities. It also aims to empower them and provide them with income improvement which can also accompany the developing waste sector in the country by establishing recycling and material recovery facilities.
It is proven how cancer diagnosis could provoke an existential crisis and a number of difficult emotions including anxiety, fragility, fear, and disconnection. The concept of the Pieridae Cancer Care Center provides a blueprint that aims to alleviate the death sentence, by negating the negative effect of receiving one.
Punta Salag is a combination of 2 terms that stem from some of the biggest influences of the Filipino roots. “Punta”- a Spanish term for “Point”, and “Salag”- a Cebuano term for “Nest”; when combined together, the elegant phrase translates to “Point Nest”- creating the name “Punta Salag”.
Puyanan is a Cebuano term that translates to “Habitat” or “Circular Dwelling” in English. This Pavilion will be housing all of Cebu’s culture, history, and heritage, for users to experience and enjoy. The aim of this is to give its users the ultimate retail experience and hopefully, together with, have a part of Cebu instilled in them — for them to bring culture from one home to another.
A library and center for Kapampangan culture slot into the ruins of the abandoned Gabaldon School building built in the 1900s makes up Tuklas. A dedicated space for the community where people can gather, learn, and reconnect to their roots.
Each of the top 10 finalists a cash prize of ₱10,000 plus opportunities for internship. On top of that, recipients of special awards receive additional prizes.
The Best Supporting College/University goes to the school of a finalist who has sent in the most entries to the competition. In both Architecture and Interior Design this award was given to 
“CEMSI takes pride in its commitment to the international standards in handling and treating hazardous waste. Our certification for ISO 45001 is a testament to a greater effort to fulfill our mission for the people who take care of the environment. This builds more confidence among our partners as we take health and safety standards to a higher level,” said Jose Exiquel Esguerra, Managing Director.
There are plenty of workout routines available online that you can complete in under 15 minutes. But if you still find those taxing, just keep in mind that the goal is to have your heart rate up a little, so think of it as working out efficiently by exerting the right amount of effort.
Within the app which carries design elements signifying Filipinos, ‘Kapanalo’ or users of the app can place a bet on a three-part number combination consisting of a month, a day, and a year. If the same combination gets to be picked during daily draws, a user can win as much as P100,000 as a cash prize.
The Pork Humba ready to eat viand tasted just like pork humba should … savory and sweet at the same time. The meat was just the right level of softness and was anything but tough or dry.
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