by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 18, 2018 | Events
Top implant surgeons from Asia: James I-Sheng Huang from Taiwan, Sok Chenh Chhean from Cambodia and Gary Brillo from Manila were recently featured as key speakers at the 27th Philippine Academy of Implant Dentistry (PAID) Annual Convention and Induction Ceremony at the Okada Hotel Manila. Convention theme was “Honing Skills towards a Wider Horizon.”
The implant experts share their knowledge and expertise on dental implantology and the latest developments in the field. Also at the convention was PAID president Dr. Levy Louie Villaruel (seated at the center).The convention was co-presented by Straumann, the world’s leader in implant, restorative and regenerative dentistry, exclusively distributed by GT Industries in the Philippines.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 16, 2018 | Business
Citi, the country’s leading foreign bank, remains positive about economic growth in the Philippines despite current global market volatility. At a series of mid-year outlook events, Citigold clients heard expert views on the current market environment and implications for investment strategy shared by Citi and guest speakers.

Manoj Varma, Consumer Banking Head of Citi
Citi’s consumer banking head Manoj Varma opened the sessions and explained the importance of understanding risks and opportunities when investing. Varma said, “Citigold clients look for trusted advice and up-to-date information, especially during times of market volatility.”

Ramon, Tejero, Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Inc. (CFSI) investment product head
According to Ramon Tejero, Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Inc. (CFSI) investment product head, market data shows that we are in the midst of the second longest and third strongest equity bull market since 1970. Recent market volatility has been primarily caused by rising interest rates, potential trade wars, and geopolitical tensions.
“Despite market concerns, there appear to be opportunities in technology, financials, healthcare, and industrials due to continued earnings growth in these sectors,” said Tejero.
The economic climate in the Philippines
In the Philippines, Citi believes the country’s economic growth momentum will be sustained in the coming years. Citi forecasts GDP will grow by 6.8% in 2018 and 6.7% in 2019. A primary source of growth will be the government’s infrastructure program.

Citi Philippines consumer banking head Manoj Varma (2nd from right) joined speakers who shared their expertise with Citigold clients at the 2018 Mid-Year Market Outlook (L-R): Kelvin Lam of Allianz Global Investors, Anis Tiasiri of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Julian Tarrobago of ATR Asset Management Inc., and Ramon Tejero of Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines Inc.
However, businesses and consumers are showing cautious optimism on the back of ongoing inflation concerns. Citi expects inflation to top 5.3% in the third quarter of 2018 before declining to below 5.0% in the following quarter.
“Investors can focus on diversification across asset classes and geographies and income themes while watching out for tactical opportunities,” concluded Tejero.

Citi Philippines Retail Bank head Rene Aguirre (right) welcomes clients to the 2018 Mid-Year Outlook along with Citigroup Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines president Lester Cruz.
“The world is indeed shrinking and when, where, and how we invest is largely influenced not only by domestic factors but also by global market events,” said Rene Aguirre, Citi Retail Bank head. “As trusted advisors, we help our clients grow and protect their wealth. In recent months, 10 new investment products have been launched and digital innovations continue to be developed, such as the recently unveiled next-generation Citi mobile app.”
For more information, visit www.citibank.com.ph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 15, 2018 | Business
Essilor’s Eye Can Succeed has once again bagged awards from yet another prestigious award-giving body, the 2018 Philippine Quill Awards held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom.
Essilor’s Eye Can Succeed, which received the merit award for Communication Management under the Corporate Social Responsibility category, aims to help Filipino senior high school students achieve better sight by providing free eye check-ups and giving free eyeglasses to those in need.
The Eye Can Succeed campaign is a program launched last year by Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF), the philanthropic arm of Essilor which is committed to eliminating poor vision and providing underprivileged people the opportunity to live a better life through better sight.
The Philippine Quill Awards is presented by the local division of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), and honors dedication, innovation and passion of communicators on a global scale. For more information, visit Essilor’s website at www.essilor.com.ph, and follow @EssilorPH on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 14, 2018 | Discounts, Sales, and Giveaways
Lazada, the country’s leading online shopping and selling destination, is set to launch its biggest series of Flash Sales this August 15, dubbed as “Wild Wednesday.” With big discounts of up to 88%, these deals will be spread out among three Flash Sales which will happen in the morning, at noon, and at night.
Over 100,000 Items Up for Grabs
Don’t miss the chance to buy some of Lazada’s novelty items such as umbrellas and necklaces for as low as Php 39. Top tech items such as power banks, wireless mouse and electric drills are also up for grabs, for up to 50% off.
Some of Lazada’s bestselling beauty products will catch your attention too. Among these include Precious Pad Nature’s Lemon Spa and Noni Soap for just Php 25, Aztec Clay for Php 39, and Ever Bilena’s City Romance Liquid Lipstick Beauty set at over 60% off.
Over 300,000 Flash Sale Fans
“Lazada has been working closely with its brands, sellers, and customers to provide the best online shopping and selling experience. For our sellers, Wild Wednesday is a great opportunity for better visibility and store ratings. With over 300,000 visitors each flash sale, the platform really is a wild win for everyone.” said Lazada CEO, Ray Alimurung.
Nationwide Free Delivery
It doesn’t stop at discounts. Lazada will also offer nationwide free delivery for any flash sale purchase this coming Wild Wednesday. Mark your calendars and gear up for the wildest Wednesday online shopping has ever seen. Visit www.lazada.com.ph or download the Lazada mobile app for free today to join the hump day fun.
About Lazada Group
Launched in 2012, Lazada is the number-one online shopping and selling destination in Southeast Asia – present in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. As the pioneer of the eCommerce ecosystem in Southeast Asia, Lazada has about 350,000 sellers and 3,000 brands serving 560 million consumers in the region through its tech-driven platform, supported by a wide range of tailored marketing, data, and service solutions.
Lazada offers the widest range of products in categories from consumer electronics to household goods, toys, fashion, sports equipment and groceries. Focused on delivering an excellent customer experience, it offers multiple payment methods including cash-on-delivery, comprehensive customer care and hassle-free returns through its own first and last mile delivery arm supported by approximately 100 logistics partners. Lazada Group is majority owned by Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE: BABA)
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 8, 2018 | Lifestyle
TechnoMarine declares there is truly no time to wait, as it dares you to be part of its campaign.
TechnoMarine’s “No Time To Wait Tour” celebrates creativity, individuality, and drive.
Join TechnoMarine and drop by a participating store on the scheduled dates for a chance to be featured online and shared across social media channels to inspire, motivate, and encourage people to seize the day. Plus, you can definitely expect an afternoon full of excitement and awesome prizes from TechnoMarine.
Those who are keen to own a TechnoMarine watch can trade in any pre-loved wristwatch – any brand in working condition at participating branches – for a 40 percent discount on all TechnoMarine watches!
No Time To Wait Tour
Catch the TechnoMarine “No Time To Wait Tour” at the following branches and on the following dates:
- August 11, 2018 at Edsa Shangri-La Mall in Mandaluyong City;
- August 12, 2018 at Greenbelt 3 in Makati City;
- August 18, 2018 at Trinoma Mall in Quezon City;
- August 19, 2018 at SM North Edsa Main Wing in Quezon City;
- August 25, 2018 at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City;
- and lastly on August 26, 2018 at SM Megamall.
The video booth and trade in is time bound and can only be offered within 1:00PM to 6:00PM in each stop.
TechnoMarine timepieces inspire a carefree coastal resort spirit with their use of water-inspired elements. A bright mix of colors and premium components let urban souls dream of international destinations while sporting watches by innovative designers who enthusiastically develop each collection concept.
For more information, follow @TechnoMarinePH on Facebook and Instagram.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 7, 2018 | Advocacy
Uratex, the country’s leading sleep specialist, partners with philanthropists and society personalities Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Kaye Tinga for the company’s ongoing CSR campaign, Project 50, which aims to provide a total of 2,500 mattresses to 50 public hospitals and nursing homes nationwide.
As brand ambassadors, Prieto-Valdes and Tinga chose four hospitals where 200 mattresses were donated under their names. One of their beneficiaries was the Ospital ng Makati. Other recipients of Uratex include:
As the leading manufacturer of quality foams and mattresses in the country, Uratex is committed to education and health advocacy, rehabilitation programs, community service, and volunteerism. Robert G. Cheng/Uratex Foundation serves as the CSR arm of the RCG group of companies.

In photo shows Uratex executive vice-president Eddie Gallor; Kaye Tinga; Tessa Prieto-Valdes; Uratex CEO and president Natty Cheng; and Ospital ng Makati division for medical services director Robert So.
For more information, visit https://www.uratex.com.ph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 3, 2018 | Advocacy
The Design Center of the Philippines celebrated recently World Industrial Design Day 2018 with the one-day event Designing Wellness at Robins Design Center on Meralco Avenue, Pasig City.
The annual World Industrial Design Day (WIDD) is an initiative of the World Design Organization, of which the Design Center is a member. It spotlights a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and underscores the role of design in achieving the objective. For 2018, with the focus on UN SDG Number 3, holistic health and well-being were highlighted.
In partnership with Robins Design Center, Designing Wellness featured talks, workshops, and exhibitions at the Schema, Perchand La Europa showrooms.

On-Off Group strategist Leo Lallana challenges participants to come up with creative solutions as they are instructed to apply Design Thinking in different activities. (Photo by JC Lucas)
Leo Lallana of On-Off Group facilitated a Design Thinking workshop that taught participants to “fail forward” and to come up with solutions tailor-fit for pain-points of businesses.
Participants were presented with different challenges during the workshop. One challenge asked them to come up with designs that took into account the insights of their chosen partners. Activities emphasized empathy and the active seeking of innovative solutions to problems at hand.

Reimon Gutierrez imparts his art philosophy to participants of the Life By Design workshop. (Photo by Paolo Quiocho)
Reimon Gutierrez talked about his philosophy of art as a tool for self-discovery in his Life by Design workshop. He encouraged participants to “visualize wellness”, helping them with the process by instructing them to describe various objects given to them.

Melanie Go discusses the modern built environment and the holistic farming practices of Holy Carabao Farms. (Photo by Paolo Quiocho)
The second part of the event, Design Talks, featured talks by homegrown design champions.
Kicking off the series of talks, Melanie Go explained that building biology “addresses the ecological nature of the building – a step forward in harmony and balance with nature” and made the home “our third skin.”
“These homes are meant to protect what’s going on inside and what’s going on outside. We should think about the home as a living organism,” Go said.
A co-founder of Holy Carabao Farms, Go said the well-being of the soil, the animals and the people involved were top priorities in the practice of holistic farming.

Jenica Dizon, COO of Waves for Water Philippines
Waves for Water Philippines director for operations Jenica Dizon emphasized the importance of immersing one’s self in the source of the problem he/she wanted to solve. She encouraged her audience to help effect change while doing what they were passionate about.
“It’s really hard to advocate for health, for wellness, when people don’t have basic needs,” Dizon noted as she talked about how her passion for aquatic activities evolved into her advocacy to provide clean water for everyone after she saw the plight of indigent communities. She showed the audience the water filter that Waves for Water provided communities to make water clean.
Arooga Health founder Dominique de Leon and Innovable, Inc. chief design officer Christina Guanzon stressed the need for accessibility of design, particularly in relation to their respective advocacies, mental health and a safer world for everyone, able-bodied or not.

Dominique de Leon, Founder of Arooga
“We don’t have convenient access to mental health care,” De Leon lamented as he discussed the impetus for Arooga Health, an online application that champions improved mental health policies in the workplace. “Hopefully, together, we could design a future that we’re all excited to see,” he said.

Christina Guanzon, Founder of Innovable, Inc.
“In designing products, you have to design for any possibility,” Guanzon said. She said, as a hearing-impaired person herself, the difficulties she faced in a world that was mainly accessible to differently abled individuals served as the inspiration for Early Action Response System (EARS), a device that would enable deaf wearers to detect threats in their environment.

Niña Terol, Chief Fireball and Co-Founder of Kick Fire Kitchen
“To all the designers here, we encourage you to make design inclusive even on the basic level,” Chief Fireball and co-founder of Kick Fire Kitchen Niña Terol said during the fireside chat she moderated.
“We are proud to be at the forefront of sparking the much-needed conversation in ensuring that the physical, mental, social and psychological dimensions of an individual and the community are top priorities in designing wellness,” Design Center of the Philippines Executive Director Rhea Matute said.
The Design Center also partnered with the Saint Brother Jaime Hilario Institute and the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies of the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde in the recent PWD Entre-ployment Expo 2018.
With a grant from the Embassy of the United States in Manila, the expo promoted equality in employment opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Rhea Matute, Executive Director of Design Center of the Philippines
Design Center set up an institutional booth at the Henry Sy Hall in De La Salle University that featured its key services of the agency. It also facilitated a workshop, Do the Dough, that taught the 27 participants techniques they could apply to homemade air-dried dough to create various products that they could sell for a profit.
“The Design Center believes in accessibility as embodied by our accessible design services,” Matute explained. “We hope to continue playing an active role in the advancement of employability of Filipinos, regardless of their conditions.”
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 1, 2018 | Business
Discovery Country Suites has been shortlisted along with some of the world’s best hotels for Haute Grandeur’s Global Hotel Awards.
Haute Grandeur is an independent award-giving body that recognizes the best hospitality experience from across 7 continents, 172 countries, and 90 categories.
To be awarded by Haute Grandeur, different factors are taken into consideration, such as rooms, food & beverage, service, overall hotel facilities, location, ambiance, design, unique guest experience, online presence, guest reviews, among others.
Discovery Country Suites

As a part of The Discovery Leisure Company’s roster of hotels and resorts, Discovery Country Suites provides a calm respite for its guests with their picturesque view of Taal and its trademark outstanding service.
As a seven-suite manor home, one of the things that separate Discovery Country Suites from most hotels is its exclusivity. Those who enter the property can immediately feel the distinctive feeling of home. From the personalized service, elegant suites, a signature experience of wine and cheese at sundown, to the sumptuous dishes of Restaurant Verbena, a stay at Discovery Country Suites is a unique experience in itself.
Being shortlisted for a prestigious award is already an honor for Discovery Country Suites, but excellence has always been imparted in their roots. Guest ratings are an important part of winning the award, which is why guests are encouraged to share their honest feedback through various travel websites. Winners will be announced on November 1, 2018.
Discovery Country Suites is located along 300 Calamba Road, San Jose, Tagaytay City, 4120 Philippines.
For inquiries and reservations, call (02) 5298172, email re**********@***************om.ph or visit http://www.discoverycountrysuites.com.
About Discovery Country Suites
The Suites

With seven elegant and unique suites that radiate the feeling of home with the view of Taal Lake and Volcano right at its window, Discovery Country Suites offers a relaxing stay for guests looking for a Tagaytay getaway.
Dine in at Restaurant Verbena

Inside the property is Restaurant Verbena – serving up fresh dishes and staying true to its country contemporary cuisine tied together with the “Service that’s All Heart” Discovery has always been known for.
With so much to explore in Tagaytay, Discovery Country Suites neighbors some of the country’s best golf courses, flower farms, spa resorts, and concept restaurants.
Stay up to date and follow us:
- Facebook: /DiscoveryCountrySuites
- Twitter: @DCSTagaytay
- Instagram: @discoverycountrysuites
About Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards
The Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards was established as an independent and unbiased initiative to honour the very highest achievements from across the global hotel industry in 2014, recognising exceptional contributions by outstanding hotels with Marinique De Wet as CEO at the helm.
This prestigious Awards system is exclusive to the Haute Grandeur brand, and considered without equal because of its method. Unbiased results are guaranteed by placing emphasis on quality feedback from guests, rather than quantity of votes by a panel of judges or general public.
A wealth of experience and thorough understanding of the global hotel and spa Awards industries result from 10 years’ hands-on experience in operations – including her role as Managing Director of two highly successful international luxury hotel & spa Awards brands, and Editor of numerous industry-related publications.

Marinique de Wet, CEO
As a solutions-driven and insightful individual, she identified the need for an absolute transparent rating system due to industry concerns with existing systems in recent years.
“I wanted to improve existing global Awards concepts to offer a more alternative system, where participants are guided on how they can improve on their existing service levels as part of the recognition process”, shares Marinique. “Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards is focused on fairness and transparency that form the basis of any credible Awards system.”
The Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards promise to raise service delivery levels by means of awarding only the very best in the industry. It aims to focus on hotels that do not want to win the “average” award and celebrates the very best in hotel experiences across 7 continents, 172 countries and 90 categories. Participating hotels are generally seen as the benchmark in the industry as they create awareness about the value and importance of constantly raising the bar of excellence.
The value of a Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Award is powerful in terms of its ability to boost marketing and promises to have a direct impact on guests perceptions and revenue. It provides the much needed inspiration that hotels look for by identifying role model properties across all continents in order to further raise their current levels of service delivery to even greater heights.
The annual Awards Gala Ceremony where winners are revealed, is not only the most dazzling event of the year on the luxury hotel industry calendar, it also highlights the values of leadership, hard work, dedication, ambition and success. This event takes place each year in a different exotic location and offers hoteliers in attendance a new networking opportunities.
The Haute Grandeur Global Hotel AwardsTM provide travelers with a trusted source of Award winning properties to choose from when booking their holidays or business trips, knowing that our winners have been hand-picked and rewarded for overall excellence on many levels. The Awards aims to be regarded as the largest & most trusted Awards initiative in the world with a rating process that is transparent and fair.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jul 30, 2018 | Health and Wellness
Our parents play the biggest part in our development and are always with us every step of the way. After providing us with the best life, it is time to give back.
Our parents deserve nothing but the best, and health comes first.
It is true that as the age of an individual increase, the health care costs can increase as their medical needs become more demanding. And because of our growing expenses, we need to find the best way to provide the best health care in the most cost-efficient way possible to our senior citizen parents.
Maxicare Prima Gold
Maxicare Healthcare Corporation, the country’s leading healthcare provider, offers a solution with their new Maxicare PRIMA health card.
Maxicare PRIMA Gold health card offers high-quality, reliable healthcare coverage for our senior citizen parents and to other elderly members of the family.
Maxicare PRIMA Gold offers great value for money to senior citizens. With a one-time membership plan, members enjoy a full year of outpatient consultations, laboratory and diagnostic procedures with exclusive access to all Maxicare Primary Care Centers (PCCs) and all conveniently located MyHealth Clinics.
Additional values include coverage of pre-existing conditions of the members as well as emergency room coverage of up to Php 20, 000 per year in Maxicare-affiliated hospitals nationwide.
PRIMA Gold can be easily purchased from
- the Maxicare Online Store www.shop.maxicare.com.ph,
- the Maxicare Facebook page (www.facebook.com/maxicarehealthcarecorporation),
- Maxicare Primary Care Centers (PCCs),
- Maxicare affiliated agents and brokers or
- from the Maxicare Tower Direct Sales.
Payments can also be made through leading partner banks, just call the Product Inquiry Hotline (632) 789-7777 for details. After the membership’s confirmation, an electronic Card (eCard) is going to be sent to the member’s email while PRIMA card will be delivered a few days after.
With Maxicare PRIMA Gold, we can give back to our parents or grandparents by ensuring that they get the love and care they deserve.
Maxicare PRIMA also comes in another variant, the PRIMA Silver for individuals aged 0-59 years old.
Maxicare’s Primary Care Centers are located in the following areas:
- W City Center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig;
- Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City;
- Centuria Medical Makati in Makati City;
- Chinese General Hospital in Manila;
- Makati Medical Center in Makati City;
- St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City;
- St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig; and
- The Medical City in Pasig City.
MyHealth Clinics are located at
- Festival Supermall in Alabang;
- Robinsons Cybergate Mall in Cebu City;
- Filomena Building in Makati City;
- Robinsons Mall in Manila;
- Shangri-LA Plaza in Mandaluyong City;
- SM North Edsa in Quezon City; and
- Venice Grand Canal Mall in Taguig City.
For more information
- Visit www.maxicare.com.ph
- Facebook – www.facebook.com/maxicarehealthcarecorporation
- Product Inquiry Hotline (632) 789-7777
- 24/7 Customer Care Hotline (632) 582-1900
- 24/7 Customer Care Mobile (63) 918-889-6294; (63) 917-594-2680
- Provincial Toll Fee Number: 1-800-10-582-1900 (PLDT, Smart and Sun); 1-800-8-582-1900 (Globe, TM and ABS-CBN Mobile)
Maxicare Healthcare Corporation: One of the pioneers in the health maintenance organization (HMO) industry was established in 1987 by an esteemed group of doctors and businessmen with the vision to deliver a better healthcare system.
Three decades later, Maxicare has progressed into becoming the No. 1 HMO* in the country, continuously providing comprehensive healthcare programs via its wide network of medical providers and strengthened customer support.
Maxicare has more than 1.2 Million Members, more than 56,000 affiliated Doctors, more than 1,000 affiliated Hospitals and Clinics, 3,800 Dental providers, 8 Primary Care Centers and 13 Helpdesks, 9 Satellite Offices, 5 Exclusive Wings.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jul 27, 2018 | Health and Wellness
Losing weight requires a lot of dedication and hard work and may involve physical and emotional costs. It is hardly surprising that many prefer the easy route by taking weight-loss supplements. While almost all weight-loss supplements are marketed as beneficial for the body, some may actually be harmful to one’s health.
Nutrition experts debunk certain claims about weight-loss supplements and reveal possible health risks.
Myth #1:
Weight-loss supplements are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Truth: The US FDA does not have the authority to review dietary supplement products for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed. It only steps in when a “dietary supplement” is found to contain harmful substances.
Myth #2:
Weight-loss supplements alone are enough to lose pounds.

Truth: Weight-loss supplements cannot substitute for healthy eating and regular exercise. Many weight-loss supplements’ labels include a disclaimer that they do not guarantee a specific weight-loss benefit, that individual results may vary and, to get the most benefit, they must be combined with proper diet and exercise.
Myth #3:
Supplements like Hoodia, green tea and bitter orange aid in weight loss.

hoodia, green tea, and bitter orange
Truth: Green tea, bitter orange and the African herb hoodia have not been scientifically proven to burn fat. In fact, hoodia has not been studied in humans. It is also unclear if it curbs appetite. Green tea contains a fair amount of caffeine, which may result in some weight loss initially, but it will not burn fat. Too much caffeine can affect the heart rhythm and disturb sleep. Bitter orange has synephrine, an alkaloid found in plants, that can be dangerous to health as it increases heart rate and blood pressure.
Myth #4:
“Natural” is safe.
Truth: Some weight-loss supplements containing “natural” ingredients like herbs comfrey or kava may be harmful to the liver. Claims that “natural is safe” is not always true.
Safety depends on the supplement’s chemical makeup and what it does to the body, how it is prepared and the dosage used. Also, while an individual supplement may be safe, the combination of several products may be risky. If you are under medication, it is best to consult your doctor first before taking any weight-loss supplements as they may affect the efficacy of your medicines.
While some supplements may result in weight loss in the short term, they may have long-term adverse effects on the body, which may not be able to handle the stress of dramatic weight loss or process artificial food and supplements. They may be unsafe for those with existing medical conditions or those who need to lose a lot of weight.
If you feed your body the right kinds of food, avoid unhealthy snacks and adopt other healthy habits, you should be able to rebalance and reboot your metabolism naturally. Nothing beats fresh and good food to improve health and promote healthy weight loss.
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