by Penny Angeles-Tan | Apr 10, 2023 | Health Tips
Oral care is an essential aspect of overall health and well-being. Maintaining healthy oral hygiene not only ensures fresh breath and a beautiful smile, but also plays a critical role in preventing gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health issues. This is where Luster, the leading teeth whitening kit brand in the Philippines, comes in.

Luster’s teeth whitening kit consists of 4 gel pens that contain carbamide peroxide, which helps produce the chemical that makes teeth whitening possible. The LED mouthpiece further enhances the process by speeding up the whitening process, so you can achieve the best results in as early as 7 days. While teeth whitening is an excellent way to enhance the appearance of your teeth, maintaining healthy oral hygiene is just as important.
Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping your teeth and gums clean to prevent dental problems, such as cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Here are some tips to maintain healthy oral hygiene:

Brush Twice a Day using Luster Foam Toothpaste
Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is crucial for removing plaque and preventing tooth decay. Brush for at least two minutes and use a circular motion to reach all surfaces of your teeth.
Floss Daily using Luster Charcoal Floss
Flossing removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth and under the gumline, where a toothbrush can’t reach. Floss daily to prevent gum disease and keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Use Luster PAP+ Mouthwash
Mouthwash can help kill bacteria that cause bad breath and prevent gum disease. Choose an alcohol-free mouthwash and use it after brushing and flossing.
Limit Sugary and Acidic Foods
Sugary and acidic foods can erode tooth enamel and increase the risk of cavities. Limit your consumption of these foods and drink plenty of water to rinse away any harmful acids.
By incorporating these oral hygiene practices into your daily routine, you can prevent dental problems and maintain a healthy and confident smile. Luster’s teeth whitening kit is an excellent addition to your oral care routine, giving you the extra boost you need for a brighter and more confident smile.
In conclusion, oral hygiene is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Incorporating Luster’s teeth whitening kit into your oral care routine can enhance the appearance of your smile, giving you the confidence to take on the world. Remember to brush, floss, use mouthwash, and limit sugary and acidic foods to maintain healthy oral hygiene. Try Luster’s teeth whitening kit today and achieve a healthy and confident smile!
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Apr 9, 2023 | Events
Mariveles, Bataan – Riders and bike enthusiasts from Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Manila, and other parts of the country, join today’s Ride for Valor, a bike-for-a-cause to raise funds for the maintenance of the Bataan Death March markers and other World War 2 heritage sites. The ride coincides with the commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), also known as the 81st Anniversary of the Fall of Bataan and the start of the Death March.
Mike Villa-Real, first vice president for marketing and communications of the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB), said the event, organized by PVB in partnership with the Department of National Defense, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, Provincial Government of Bataan and Wartime Heritage Guild-Philippines, aims to preserve the legacy of Filipino and American soldiers who fought for freedom and democracy during World War 2.
“The Bataan Death March is a somber reminder of the bravery and selflessness of Filipino veterans during the Second World War. It is an essential part of Philippine history and culture, and the Ride for Valor is an important way of honoring the veterans and preserving their legacy. Plus riders get to learn more about this historic event as they will be traversing the actual route of the Death March,” he said.
The ride is open only to fully vaccinated cyclists and all types of bikes with brakes. Villa-Real said the event starts at 2:30 a.m. from the Kilometer Zero in Mariveles, Bataan, to Capas National Shrine in Tarlac. The non-competitive bike ride will have four pitstops: Mt. Samat, Balanga Provincial Capitol’s The Bunker, San Fernando Train Station, and Angeles Museum. Giveaways will be given in selected pitstops.

Villa-Real said participants may ride at their own pace, adding there will be a 12-hour cut-off during the event. He noted that the event implements a “No Helmet, No Ride” policy to ensure the safety of the participants. Villa-Real also said a mechanic will be available to help those who encounter mechanical difficulties while roving marshals will be present to keep track of the riders’ progress. Support vehicles are allowed, but riders should only ride in the vehicle if they choose to drop out of the event.
The Bataan Death March is one of the darkest chapters in Philippine history, where around 80,000 Filipino and American soldiers were forced to march more than 100 kilometers in grueling conditions by Japanese forces in 1942. Thousands of soldiers survived but many also died due to starvation, dehydration, diseases, and the brutality of Japanese captors.
The markers serve as reminders of the tragedy and heroism that occurred during that period.PVB is a private, commercial bank owned by World War 2 veterans and their families. With Its new Charter signed into law, the Bank’s ownership now includes Post War Veterans and AFP Retirees.
Ride for Valor 2023 is supported by Without Limits PH, Traqs Philippines, OneLGC, AIR21, Salgado PR, Panahon.TV, and the Integrated Waste Management Inc, Neo Zigma PH, Hotel Sogo, The Oriental Hotel-Bataan, AFAB, Booster C Energy Shot, and Fitbar.
For more information about the event, follow Ride for Valor on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RideForValorPH.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 30, 2023 | Advocacy

Jollibee Group also released its first-ever global sustainability report which details the progress it has made toward the pursuit of its sustainability pillars of Food, People, and Planet.
The Jollibee Group launched last March 16 its Global Sustainability Agenda dubbed Joy for Tomorrow, which aims to further strengthen the company’s commitment to sustainable business practices.
While Jollibee Group has made significant strides over its 45-year history in various social and environmental projects, it is now purposely integrating all its sustainability efforts into a more cohesive framework that unites the Jollibee Group community, including employees, business partners, suppliers, vendors, and other stakeholders, toward a set of shared sustainability goals.

Dubbed Joy for Tomorrow, Jollibee Group launched its Global Sustainability Agenda with 10 focus areas, namely Food Safety, Food Quality, Nutrition & Transparency, Employee Welfare, Farmers Livelihood, Community Support, Good Governance, Packaging & Recycling, Waste Reduction, and Energy & Water Efficiency. Each focus area will showcase initiatives and goals that are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
With Joy for Tomorrow, Jollibee Group stays true to its mission of bringing the joy of eating to everyone, acknowledging that this mission extends not only to its customers and stakeholders today, but also to future generations. The company recognizes that it must use its global scale, resources, and expertise to help usher in a more sustainable future for society and the planet.
“Our challenge in Jollibee Group is how to sustain our success while creating a positive impact on our society and planet. As one of the fastest growing restaurant companies in the world, and with our vision to become one of the top companies in our industry, we recognize that we have a significant role and responsibility in impacting positive change,” said Jollibee Group President and CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong.
The Joy for Tomorrow Sustainability Agenda centers on three pillars namely Food, People, and Planet. These pillars consist of 10 focus areas: Food Safety, Food Quality, Nutrition & Transparency, Employee Welfare, Farmers Livelihood, Community Support, Good Governance, Packaging & Recycling, Waste Reduction, and Energy & Water Efficiency. Each focus area sets goals and initiatives that contribute and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
According to Jollibee Group Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer Pepot Miñana, Joy for Tomorrow is the company’s roadmap for achieving the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. “It’s a call to action for everyone in Jollibee Group, amid pursuing our sustainability pillars of Food, People, and Planet. It is our commitment to future generations to preserve and improve natural resources from which they can benefit,” Miñana said.
Serving food that people trust
Jollibee Group prioritizes food safety and quality to maintain the trust of its customers worldwide.
In 2022, the company conducted over 15,000 Food, Service, and Cleanliness (FSC) Audits across its stores worldwide, while over 125,600 online training hours were devoted to Food, Service, Cleanliness & Condition. Moreover, 100% of its stores, commissaries, and logistics facilities have undergone rigorous Quality Management audits. The group also achieved a global Net Promoter Score of 82, exceeding the industry benchmark of 50, showcasing customer satisfaction and loyalty for the various brands.
Helping make people’s lives better
Jollibee Group recognizes its invaluable role in fostering an inclusive work environment for its employees, partners, farmers, and communities.
In 2022, women made up 59% of management positions and 51% of the total workforce. Through training courses on Unconscious Bias, Inclusive Leadership, and Anti-Discrimination, the company educates its employees on the value and benefits of a diverse and inclusive workplace. As a measure of high employee engagement, the group achieved the 70th percentile of Gallup’s Q12 percentile ranking.
Outside of the organization, Jollibee Group Foundation’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) has enabled over 700 smallholder farmers across the Philippines to deliver their produce directly to Jollibee Group. Today, the white onions, green bell peppers, tomatoes, calamansi, ginger, and other vegetables that the company uses in Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Mang Inasal products come from FEP farmers.
Treating the planet responsibly
In terms of environmental sustainability, Jollibee Group focuses on the key areas of packaging and recycling, energy, water, and waste.
By the end of 2022, Jollibee Group manufacturing sites in the Philippines achieved a 21% reduction in energy use ratio, a 23% reduction in water use ratio, and a 38% reduction in waste, with almost 50% of waste now being recycled versus the company’s 2020 benchmarks. On the store level, each solar panel installed reduces about 3-7% of consumption from the grid.
Progress over perfection
“We understand that assessing our impact is a continuous process of ambition and refinement. We will track the success of our strategies over the coming years, and periodically review our material topics and stakeholder engagement process. We will set agile goals and targets to help us significantly impact society and the environment more meaningfully,” Tanmantiong said.
Apart from establishing a unit dedicated to sustainability and the appointment of a Chief Sustainability Officer as part of its Executive Team, Jollibee Group also instituted an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Council to ensure that its business operations are aligned with the sustainability goals.
“Our Global Sustainability Agenda represents our belief system in conducting business more ethically. As a global food company, we are responsible and deliberate with our actions and their impact, and we are making our sustainability measures the way of the future,” added Miñana.
Find out more about Jollibee Group’s Sustainability Agenda by visiting https://jollibeegroup.com/sustainability/
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 23, 2023 | Food & Beverage
MANILA, Philippines. March 23, 2023. – Panda Express® is finally bringing its signature dish The Original Orange Chicken® outside Metro Manila. The world’s largest American Chinese dining concept has made its way to the Land of the Brave and is opening its first store in Tanza, Cavite on March 24 —marking its first location in South Luzon.
Panda Express invites all hungry Caviteños and Caviteñas to visit its maiden branch in the province located at SM City Tanza, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, to experience the mouth-watering bold flavors of its wok-cooked dishes with Chinese and Sichuan influences.
“We are thrilled to open our first restaurant in Cavite and in South Luzon as we continue to expand in the Philippines to make it more convenient for our guests to enjoy Panda Express’ world-famous American Chinese dishes,” said Doug Stalgren, Vice President of Panda Express International Business Development. “We can’t wait to welcome our fans on the opening day.”
From entrees to appetizers to sides, Panda Express offers a variety of scrumptious menu choices cooked with fresh, quality ingredients every day that leave its guests wanting more. Among them is Panda’s top seller, The Original Orange Chicken, which is prepared with crispy boneless chicken bites wok-tossed in its signature sweet and spicy Orange Sauce.
In time for Lent, the new branch also offers meat-free options for Christians and Catholics choosing to abstain from eating meat during this period. Some of their meatless options include:
- Honey Walnut Shrimp: One of its award-winning entrées, this dish is made with large tempura-battered shrimp wok-tossed in a honey sauce and topped with glazed walnuts.
- Savory Shrimp: Another beloved shrimp recipe, this dish is inspired by the flavors of Hunan cuisine. It features premium, juicy shrimp, stir-fried with onions, green beans, and bell peppers in a savory sauce that adds a beautiful burst of color, textures, and flavors.
- Kung Pao Fish: This Sichuan-inspired dish is a close cousin of another classic American Chinese staple, Kung Pao Chicken. It’s a divine combination of lightly breaded, crispy boneless fish, a variety of freshly-cut vegetables, and peanuts, all tossed in a savory sauce.
- Eggplant Tofu: A good source of protein, this entrée is made with lightly browned tofu, eggplant, and red bell peppers tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce.
Deals and treats await Panda Express guests with the first 30 customers in line during the opening day able to receive free Panda Bears. Exciting freebies also await those who will visit the Cavite branch via dine-in or take-out from March 24 to 26.
Panda Express SM City Tanza is also available for long-distance delivery via GrabFood, Foodpanda, and order.pandaexpress.com.ph.
Panda Express is also going full speed ahead with its expansion this year with a new drive-thru branch in the pipeline, which is expected to open in Pacita, San Pedro, Laguna next month. This will become the first Panda Express store to have a drive-thru lane in South Luzon.
For more information about Panda Express®, visit www.facebook.com/PandaExpressPH/ (Facebook) and @PandaExpressPH (Instagram).
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 21, 2023 | Advocacy
Fujifilm Philippines, one of the most trusted leaders in imaging solutions, continues its commitment to enhancing healthcare in the Philippines by conducting health outreach programs in various parts of the country.
Masahiro Uehara, Fujifilm Philippines President, said the Japanese company will partner with local government units to provide free medical consultations and diagnostic tests to communities using their innovative medical equipment. These include the FDR nano and FDR GO Plus for tuberculosis screening and X-ray.
“As part of our corporate social responsibility and commitment to adapting to the changing times, Fujifilm Philippines is taking action by implementing social initiatives to aid Filipinos and local government units. Through these outreach programs, we want to show our dedication toward the betterment of communities,” he said.
Uehara noted that Fujifilm Philippines will first go to Majayjay, Laguna to kick off the outreach program and provide medical assistance to around 300 individuals.
“Majayjay is committed to providing quality healthcare to its citizens and its commitment makes it an ideal site to launch our health outreach program,” he explained.

During the event, Fujifilm Philippines will also turn over medical kits, including sphygmomanometers and thermometers, to the local government of Majayjay to augment the local health centers’ medical instruments.
“We are committed to providing medical assistance to communities in need. At the same time, we look forward to launching more programs that will benefit more Filipinos,” Uehara added.
Pivoting to healthcare
Fujifilm Philippines started its Medical Systems business in 2012 offering five of its pillar products including the Digital X-ray Systems, Computed Radiography Systems, Medical Informatics, Dry Imaging Printers, and X-ray Imaging Films. The introduction of these products paved the way to establish Fujifilm Brand.
In 2013, the business expanded to include Ultrasound Systems, Dry Chemistry, Digital Flat Panel Detectors, Endoscopy Systems, and Digital Mammography Systems. Fujifilm then became one of the most competitive brands in the market as it continuously increases its installation around the Philippines.
Moreover, with FUJIFILM Corporation’s latest acquisition of the Diagnostic Imaging-related Business of Hitachi, Ltd in 2021, Fujifilm Philippines now offers a comprehensive product lineup covering CT, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound systems, endoscopy, in-vitro diagnostic systems Pictures Archiving and Communications System (PACS).
At the height of the pandemic, Fujifilm Philippines helped healthcare workers identify and monitor COVID-19 patients through a mobile X-ray system called the FDR Go PLUS.
Another innovative medical instrument is the FDR nano, a mobile device for high-quality X-ray imaging. Unlike the traditional mobile X-ray, which is around 500 kilograms, the FDR nano only weighs 90 kilograms. Its compact design makes it easy to use and ideal for confined spaces.
Uehara said Fujifilm Philippines is dedicated to developing new technologies to produce exceptional products and facilitate the treatment of patients.
‘Never stop’ campaign

Besides health outreach programs, Fujifilm Philippines will also conduct basic photography training for young adults highlighting Fujifilm’s mirrorless cameras and Instax. The training will be facilitated by Ms. Jam Ramos, an instructor at the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation (FPPF) and a part-time multimedia teacher.
In 2020, Fujifilm Philippines launched the Fujifilm Online Academy, where professionals provide free photography, videography, and vlogging training. Fujifilm will also put on display its various camera products including mirrorless cameras and Instax to provide a hands-on experience for the participants.
As part of its “Never Stop” global brand campaign, Fujifilm offers a diverse selection of products and services, such as Healthcare (medical equipment and pharmaceuticals), Materials (data storage media, electronic materials, sensor films for touch panels, film for LCD monitors, inkjets, and graphic systems), Business Innovation (office printers, digital production printers, and business solutions) and Imaging (instant photography/Instax and advanced digital cameras).
Established in 2012 as a sales subsidiary of Fujifilm’s regional headquarters in the Asia Pacific, Fujifilm Philippines is committed to promoting sustainability and addressing social issues through developing innovative products, services, and technologies.
For more information about Fujifilm Philippines, visit www.fujifilm.com/ph.
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