by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 14, 2021 | Medical
Take my word for it, you DON’T want to get sick with COVID-19. I am one of the lucky ones who can say that I survived COVID-19. I was also lucky enough that my case was relatively mild because I was allowed to isolate and quarantine at home. It was mild in that I didn’t need hospitalization, and I could still smell and taste but since then I have had to endure constant headaches and I have had difficulty sleeping.
I read somewhere several years ago that when you have a headache you should grab fistfuls of your hair and tug and release. This massages the scalp and eases the headache. You can just imagine how often I have done just that to ease the pain.
It has been several months now, and I still get headaches every day. I don’t like taking meds so when that happens, I just take a nap in hopes that it will go away when I do. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. An ice bag or cold compress on my nape or on my head sometimes works.
It didn’t occur to me that those were COVID-related until my sister told me earlier that in COVID survivor support groups many have mentioned that they are still experiencing those symptoms today.
How it began
On June 19, 2020, I had to bring one of the carpenters working on our house to East Ave. Medical Center because one of our dogs playfully nipped him. It wasn’t a bad scratch, but he was scared of getting rabies and no matter how much we assured him (and showed him the records) that all the vaccinations of our dogs are complete, nothing would appease him, so I felt I had no choice, I had to bring him to the animal bite center. The additional expense and high-risk exposure to COVID-19 but I didn’t feel that I had any choice.
We were at the hospital for at least two hours and I even had to walk a couple of blocks to BPI sometime in between because the hospital did not accept debit card payments. The whole time we were there I tried not to think about the possibility of catching COVID-19, but I knew it was a possibility. Even before the pandemic I didn’t really step out of the house unless it was absolutely necessary, which was twice a month grocery and medicine runs, occasional convenience store and bakery run, and going to work (twice a week) or events (occasionally).
Since the pandemic started and everyone was in quarantine, going to work and events were no longer necessary, and I rarely went out. We even had supplies delivered whenever possible.
The following day I had a general feeling of malaise and thought I was just tired. The day after that I couldn’t get up at all. I had chills, a very bad headache, a raging fever, and the sniffles. For fear that it could be COVID, I decided right then and there to isolate myself. My family would occasionally peep into my room and check in on me. They would also bring me food. I don’t recall losing my sense of smell or taste, but I do recall that I ate everything given to me. In my head, all I could think of was that I needed to eat so that I would recover quickly.
I took an RT-PCR test
One week later I decided to go to St. Luke’s to get swabbed. Two days later and the results came out.
Upon receiving the results, I immediately informed our barangay, and they scheduled a visit from QCESU (Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit) so that everyone here at home could get tested, too. Thankfully, they all tested negative.
Even before I got the results, at the recommendation of my doctor I isolated myself for two weeks. Since I am the household kusinera this meant that I had stopped cooking for them since June 21, but I continued to prepare my own food. Isolation was not so difficult to do since I have my own space in the house, and we made sure to sanitize often and not work around the kitchen at the same time. It was lonely but I was ok.
I was still experiencing chills, weakness, and headaches and had to rest often, but I didn’t allow this to stop me from working. Thankfully, working from home means that I could pace myself so long as I go things done on time.
I took a second RT-PCR test
At this point, I had already been in isolation and quarantine for three weeks. I was required to do another swab test and to my dismay, this is what it said.
Another two weeks in isolation for me. Sigh. Afterward, I took the antigen test and was cleared of the virus and was positive for the antibodies. I wanted to donate but couldn’t as I am anemic.
In the five weeks that we were in quarantine I don’t know how we would have survived if not for the kindness and generosity of our neighbors and our BHERT (Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams). My cousin a few houses down offered to do our grocery shopping for us. The owner of the carinderia a few houses closer would message me the menu and then would bring over food on credit so that we wouldn’t have to cook and worry about payment. Our next-door neighbor would bring over food in trays for dinner or snacks, particularly those that she felt my mom would enjoy. Even dog food was delivered to us by the nearby pet shop. They don’t normally deliver, but they did for us. We got through this all with their help and the prayers of our family and friends.
I count myself blessed for surviving this pandemic and I pray every day that my family and friends stay safe and are spared.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 13, 2021 | Bon Appetit
I love tikoy. I say that every year and every year I mean it. I am the happiest gal in the block whenever my friends would send me tikoy on Chinese New Year. Over the years I have been receiving less and less … I’m lucky if I receive even one small one! The emotional side of me thinks that I must have fewer friends than I used to, which is possible since I have kept mostly to myself for almost a decade now. On the other hand, the logical side of me realizes that times are just hard and it has struck everyone, not just a few.
photo credit to interaksyon.com
If you go to the grocery or any Chinese store and check out what tikoy they have available you will probably see every color of the rainbow as they now make this in different flavors.
Affordability is subjective. If you have the cash to spare it is affordable, but if you live hand to mouth or paycheck to paycheck then it may be a luxury you will opt to forego. Or … hope that one of your Chinese friends would bless you with a tikoy.
My favorite is the brown tikoy, which is made with brown sugar.
How to make your own tikoy
It really isn’t difficult at all. You need three ingredients: sugar, water, and glutinous flour. By default, the tikoy will adapt the color of the sugar so if you use white sugar it comes out white. To mix it up you could add food color (which is what I did to make my tikoy red) or add flavor.
Tikoy recipe
Chinese New Year cake
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time1 hour hr
Course: Snack
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: Chinese cooking, sweet cake
pan
mixing bowl
whisk or spatula
steamer
- 2 1/4 cups water
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 c glutinous rice flour
Preparation
Combine the water and sugar in a pan. Turn on the heat and mix until the sugar is completely melted and you have a thin syrup. Set it aside and cool down to room temperature.
Sift the glutinous flour into a bowl. Add the syrup into the bowl a little at a time while mixing. Make sure there are no lumps.
Oil your baking pan/s well. Alternately, you can line your pan/s with wax paper as removing the cake from the pan when it is cooked is not always easy.
Pour in the batter a little over 3/4 of the way up.
Cooking
Prepare your steamer, make sure it is already steaming before putting the pans in.
Place the pans in the steamer and cook for an hour. If you have a cheesecloth you will want to cover the pans with it before putting the lid of the steamer so that no liquid will drop into the batter.
Resting
Remove the pan/s from the steamer and leave it out to rest and set. Don't get tempted to pry it off. It will shrink as it turns cooler. This will take around 2 hours.
Once you have removed the cake/s from the pan, put it in a container and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, longer is better. like overnight.
In the morning the tikoy will be ready to slice, fry, and serve. 🙂
The usual way of serving tikoy
The no-brainer way to serve tikoy is fried.
- Cut the tikoy into thin slices.
- Beat an egg in a bowl and dip each slice to coat before frying.
- Lightly oil a frying pan and fry each piece on both sides. You know the tikoy is ready when the center is soft and the egg coating is browned.
- Serve and enjoy.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 10, 2021 | Business
BDO NETWORK BANK MSME. Sobra ang pasasalamat ni Lulu Saquing sa BDO Network Bank Kabuhayan Loan dahil nakatulong ito para makabili sya ng van na ginawa niyang rolling store sa kanilang lugar sa Cagayan Valley.
Malapit na ang February 14, may ka-match ka ba?
Kung ikaw ay may negosyo, may perfect match ang BDO Network Bank para sa iyo at sa business mo.
Ngayong February, may libreng BDO Life insurance kapag nag-avail ng BDO Network Bank Kabuhayan Loan!
Ang libreng insurance promo ay open sa lahat ng nag-avail ng Kabuhayan Loan mula February 1 – February 26, 2021, na may edad 18-69 years old. Puwedeng mag-loan mula Php30,000 hanggang Php1,000,000.
Ang maganda rito, mapapalago mo na ang iyong negosyo, ma po-protektahan mo pa ang sarili mo, dahil may Free Accident Insurance coverage up to Php100,000 at hospitalization benefit of P500 per day!
Para sa detalye, bumisita sa pinakamalapit na BDO Network Bank branch, o mag-send ng private message sa BDO Network Bank PH Facebook page.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 10, 2021 | Business
As Galaxy Racer, the fastest-growing eSports Organization in the world acquires a majority stake in the Philippines’ rising powerhouse eSports and Gaming Agency, DreamFyre Group.
MANILA, Philippines, Tuesday, 02 February 2021 – The Philippines’ rising powerhouse eSports and gaming agency, DreamFyre Group, announces a majority stake acquisition by Galaxy Racer Holdings Limited, the fastest-growing eSports organization in the world.
This move by Galaxy Racer paves the way for DreamFyre to boost its local operations, and fast track expansion into two other South East Asian markets, targeted within the year. The deal will also enable DreamFyre to better service local Filipino Gaming Content Creators and Pro Players with more robust and global career development portfolios.
“The vision of DreamFyre has always been to become a global eSports and gaming agency, to bring Filipino talent onto the global arena; and with this infusion of funds, support, network, and resources by Galaxy Racer, we’re sure to be able to bring that vision into reality in a much shorter time frame. DreamFyre is incredibly pleased to join the Galaxy Racer family.” Says DreamFyre CEO Mitch Esguerra.
With this acquisition, GXR DreamFyre, with a rapidly growing exclusive reach of more than 70 million across social media platforms, will now be able to connect Filipino Content Creators and Pro Players into a global advertiser base. This takes the local eSports industry to a whole new level, as the joint operations of both companies now span across 22 countries.
“DreamFyre’s portfolio will now continually grow as we boost local operations and expand to new game titles and markets, especially that we’re enabled by Galaxy Racer to create better offers to the Content Creators and Pro Players that have trusted us from the start,” Esguerra added.
GXR DreamFyre’s eSports teams, including 2019 Top 13 Finalist for PUBG ECL Korea, 2019 ECL PUBG Finalists, and 2020 National Interschool Cyberleague (NICL) Valorant Tournament Top 4, the UE Esports Warriors, now known as DreamFyre Team, will surely be a group to watch out for in the next global eSports tournaments.
“This acquisition in DreamFyre further reinforces our plans for building a complete ecosystem around eSports, entertainment, lifestyle, and content. GXR DreamFyre will benefit from Galaxy Racer’s international experience and resources and we are committed to this acquisition to fund the growth and support the vision the founders have set for GXR DreamFyre.” – Paul Roy, CEO Galaxy Racer.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 9, 2021 | Bon Appetit
Welcome back to my kitchen. 🙂 For dinner today I took a look at my stash of Purefoods Ready to Eat Viands and after a lot of thought, I decided to do something different with the Purefoods Beef Pares.
Beef pares brings back a lot of memories for me. It is one of those dishes that late-night denizens are wont to enjoy – it is served quickly and every bite is flavorful and filling. For many years my husband and I would drop by the pares restaurant not too far from our house after a gig just to grab a bite before heading home. But while it is quick and easy for us, the patrons, preparing it takes a lot of time. This is one reason I am quite thankful that Purefoods decided to produce this line – for doing the slow cooking for me.
Quick and Easy
On its own, this ready to eat viand is simple itself to prepare. Whether you heat it up on the stovetop or the microwave, just put it in a container and heat up for 8 minutes and you’re done! All that is left is to serve it then scoop a serving over hot rice. This package is good enough for four people.
Extending the dish to feed more people
There are seven people in my household and if I served this dish as is then Not everyone will really get to eat (especially since half the family eats twice as much!) so, it was time to once again get creative in the kitchen. Aside from the beef pares I had garlic, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and dangmyeon (Korean glass noodles). I decided to make japchae. With the addition of the noodles, this dish can now feed twice as many people.
Some notes:
When slicing the Purefoods Ready to Eat Beef Pares I would recommend doing this frozen so that the meat is easier to slice into strips and none of the sauce is wasted.
I used onion, carrot, and mushrooms, but really you could add any vegetable you want. Some commonly used ingredients for japchae are leeks and broccoli, and some like using bell peppers.
Technically, I could have used any kind of noodles like canton, bihon, or sotanghon, but I like dangmyeon the best. Sotanghon and dangmyeon are both vermicelli noodles but sotanghon is made from mung bean flour while dangmyeon is made from sweet potato flour. Dangmyeon turns into glass noodles that are thick and kinda sticky, which is what I like about japchae.
The package I bought was 500 grams and for this recipe, I only used 300 grams but I cooked all of it anyway. From personal experience I’ve noticed that usually when there is just a little bit of the dish left there is usually a lot more meat than noodles so I just add the remaining 200 grams to the leftovers, heat them together, and I just add japchae sauce.
This is the japchae sauce I used. I think I bought this and the noodles from Landers but they might also be available at other grocery stores, I just never really looked. You could also add this sauce to the beef pares japchae to make it more flavorful, but I would recommend trying it without first.
As a finishing touch, you can sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on your noodles.
Purefoods beef pares is a savory-sweet dish which made it perfect for making japchae. It takes the guesswork out of having to make a japchae sauce and sourcing exotic ingredients … or buying a bottle of japchae sauce. 😀
Even though I am calling this a “level up” dish it is actually effortless to make! In less than 20 minutes I was able to feed my family! And, as my sister likes to say, it is a complete dish in itself. 🙂
Yum, yum! Prepare this yourself and enjoy! We did. 🙂
Beef Pares Japchae
This dish is a fusion of Filipino and Korean
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time12 minutes mins
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Filipino, Korean
Keyword: japchae, noodles, purefoods ready to eat
Servings: 8
Author: Penny Angeles-Tan
chopping board
knife
peeler
large wok or pot
- 1 pack Purefoods Ready to Eat Beef Pares frozen
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 large onion, cut into strips
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 can mushrooms, pieces & stems
- 300 grams vermicelli noodles I used Korean glass noodles aka dangmyeon
- oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
Boil water in a pot. Once it is boiling place the noodles in and boil it for 5 minutes.
Rinse the noodles in cold water and set them aside.
While still frozen cut up the beef pares into strip-size and set aside. I would recommend putting it back in its original container so that none of the sauce is wasted.
Peel and chop the garlic, onion, and carrot. If you bought whole mushrooms just slice them thinly.
Cooking
On medium heat saute the garlic for about 30 seconds, add the onions. After a minute add the carrots and mushrooms and simmer.
Add the beef pares, mix, and simmer for another 8 minutes.
Add the noodles and mix until all the noodles are covered in the sauce of the pares. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Turn off the heat and serve. Your beef pares japchae is ready to eat!
Purefoods Ready to Eat Viands is available at all leading groceries and supermarkets. The price varies depending on the variant that you get.
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.
“This acquisition in DreamFyre further reinforces our plans for building a complete ecosystem around eSports, entertainment, lifestyle, and content. GXR DreamFyre will benefit from Galaxy Racer’s international experience and resources and we are committed to this acquisition to fund the growth and support the vision the founders have set for GXR DreamFyre.” – Paul Roy, CEO Galaxy Racer.
Technically, I could have used any kind of noodles like canton, bihon, or sotanghon, but I like dangmyeon the best. Sotanghon and dangmyeon are both vermicelli noodles but sotanghon is made from mung bean flour while dangmyeon is made from sweet potato flour. Dangmyeon turns into glass noodles that are thick and kinda sticky, which is what I like about japchae.
This is the japchae sauce I used. I think I bought this and the noodles from Landers but they might also be available at other grocery stores, I just never really looked. You could also add this sauce to the beef pares japchae to make it more flavorful, but I would recommend trying it without first.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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