DULDULAO DOT NET This Day & Beyond

Category: Advocacy

  • Good sleep for better health

    Good sleep for better health

    While many problems in sleeping are commonly attributable to aging, it may not be the case anymore, according to the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM).

    In a global press release, WASM says that in a research, “approximately 50 percent of older adults report difficulty sleeping. But sleep problems in older adults are less a result of aging itself and more related to other conditions that may accompany aging.”

    These conditions include respiratory disorders, changes in sleep cycles or rhythms, medical and psychiatric illness and increased medicine use. Thus, these conditions may result to sleeping disturbances that would eventually lead to “less quality of life, depression and anxiety, slower reaction time, memory problems, issues with balance and vision increasing risk of falls, and even death,” the press release noted.

    Which explains why, in this year’s celebration of “World Sleep Day,” an annual event that focuses on the celebration of sleep and a call to action versus important sleep-related issues, WASM chose the theme “Good Sleep, Healthy Aging” in order to elicit attention on common sleep disturbances among older adults. The group said that “getting a good night’s sleep is possible at any age—and it is vitally important for overall health.”

    Just like the rest of the world, many Filipinos also suffer from sleep problems. Their conditions or sleep complaints are no different from Americans, French, Germans, or even the Chinese, Japanese, Indians or Indonesians.

    That is why here in the Philippines, Uratex, the brand known for making quality foams and mattresses, continues on its advocacy in helping Filipinos get that good sleep by coming up with superior bed products.

    And in relation to the celebration of World Sleep Day 2013, Uratex will support a major sleep symposium mounted by the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine happening in the country.

    Prior to the event, the two sleep medicine specialists—Dr.Teofilo Lee-Chiong Jr., M.D. and Dr. Deborah Bernardo—were introduced by Uratex to the media today via a press briefing.

    Dr.Teofilo Lee-Chiong Jr., M.D., is a Professor of Medicine at the National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado, USA and has authored or edited several books on sleep medicine and pulmonary medicine. He is the Chief Medical Liaison at Philips Respironics and is a member of various sleep associations in the United States. He graduated from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center.

    Dr. Deborah Bernardo, on the other hand, is also a graduate of the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, and a Fellow of the Philippine College of Physicians, Philippine Neurological Association and the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine. She trained in sleep medicine at the National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado and is now the Head of the Comprehensive Sleep Disorders Center and Chief of the Neurology Section of St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City.

    Together, the two sleep experts will talk about how Filipinos can get their good night sleep plus other ways in order to achieve good sleep regardless of their age and benefit from it in order to live healthy lives.

    For more information on superior bed products and other sleep solutions provided by Uratex, visit their website, www.uratex.com.ph or call their consumer hotline at 888-6800.

    Reference: Richard Mamuyac

  • 25 years of “Hapee” moments

    25 years of “Hapee” moments

    If the toothpaste you use makes you think of “happy” moments that elicit a “smile,”chances are you are using hapee toothpaste.

    Not too many people know that 25 years ago, when Lamoiyan Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro decided to challenge the multinational companies in the tough dental care market, he actually thought of using “Smile” as a brand name.

    “Initially, the brand I chose was Smile because when you brush your teeth, you are supposed to smile. When you frown, it becomes difficult to brush your teeth.

    And when you smile, you look happy,” Dr. Pedro shared.

    However, it turned out that the brand “Smile” already belonged to a multinational company. When they went back to the drawing board, Dr. Pedro figured that the best alternative is the word that describes the feeling of people who smile—happy.

    “But I thought ‘happy’ did not seem suitable as a brand, so I changed it from ‘h-a-p-p-y’ to ‘h-a-p-e-e,’ and it became ‘hapee,’ ” Dr. Pedro said.

    Dr. Pedro also said using hapee gives the brand good recall because it is familiar to all households in the Philippines and all over the world. “When you say ‘happy,’ people already know it, so the word was chosen and the rest was history.”

    Indeed, the 25-year journey that followed for Lamoiyan Corporation was historic to say the least.

    Dr. Pedro, started as a supplier of aluminum tubes to become a world-class toothpaste maker. He forged on, not minding the tough competition from the better-funded and well-entrenched multinationals.

    By plunging into the business head first, Filipino consumers had an alternative toothpaste, one that is affordable and truly Filipino.

    “We introduced good quality toothpaste at affordable prices so that many Filipinos can afford to brush their teeth regularly. We found out that a lot of Filipinos, especially those in the provinces, could not brush their teeth because toothpaste and toothbrush are expensive. That dream pushed us initially and we were not afraid to face the multinational companies because we believe there is this need to help Filipinos, especially those belonging to the poorest of the poor,” Dr. Pedro said.

    From day one, Dr. Pedro said they have kept their corporate mission that is to improve the quality of life by bringing essential products within the reach of the common people. The pursuit of this goal brought 25 years of happy moments not just for him but also for those who shared the journey with Lamoiyan Corporation.

    “Every year we survive the competition thrown at us and we celebrate each happy moment. Every day that I wake up I consider it a happy moment, thanking God for giving me another day. There are so many challenges and difficulties in this world but it really depends on how you look at life. For me, we are so blessed as a country and as a people. We are

    fortunate here in Lamoiyan Corporation and we tell the world that yes, we can survive and we can compete with the best of the best in the world,” he said.

    Through the years Lamoiyan Corporation has gained the services of so many wonderful people, including the hearing-impaired that make up about 30% of the company’s total workforce. They receive equal opportunities. The company also ensure that proper attention and training are given to equip them for work and life outside of work. “I call them angels sent by the Lord. When I see them, I’m happy because they were provided by the Lord.”

    “We have very good experiences with the hearing-impaired, always among the top performers with 6 or 7 of the Top 10 performers of the year coming from them. It is very rewarding and fulfilling to provide jobs to those who are not as fortunate as us. At the same time we are able to promote better relationships and a culture of compassion and harmony inside the company. This, I think, is what makes us different from the world and this is what we believe is making a difference for the glory of God,” he added.

    Dr. Pedro believes these “happy” moments and a positive outlook are instrumental in building Hapee Toothpaste and Lamoiyan Corporation. From its humble beginnings 25 years ago in a small facility in Paranaque City, Lamoiyan Corporation now boasts of creating over 30 flavors of hapee toothpaste.

    The company also expanded its operations to include household and personal care segments through brands like Kutitap, Dazz, and Licealiz.

    Beginning this year, Lamoiyan Corporation is set to introduce quality and affordable products to other countries.

    “We are very bullish about 2013; we believe this is the year when we will grow faster than before. This is the year where we will probably also explore exports into other countries, particularly in Southeast Asia, by the grace of God. We will again be facing the multinational companies so hopefully we will gain some footing (there) in the very near future,” Pedro said.

    Lamoiyan Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Cecilio K. Pedr0

    Who knows? In the next 25 years, probably the rest of world will also get to experience the happy moments that hapee toothpaste brings to every household.

    To know more about how Lamoiyan Corporation gives hope to Filipinos and shares hapee smiles, visit www.lamoiyan.com or www.facebook.com/LamoiyanCorporation.

    Reference: Nadine Tan

    AMPR Publicity and Communications Inc.

    0917.5837125

  • Villar Foundation Partners Anew with DZRH in Cleaning up Manila Bay

    Villar Foundation Partners Anew with DZRH in Cleaning up Manila Bay

    The Villar Foundation is continuing its partnership with DZRH’s ‘Makabagong Bayanihan Manila Bay Clean Up.” Last year, MISIS Cynthia Villar, Managing Director of the foundation, inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) represented by radio station DZRH in its Manila Bay Clean up drive.

    “The Villar Foundation together with students and other volunteers conduct weekly clean up also. This clean up with DZRH is in addition to those. The more partners we work with, the better it will be for the environment,” said Villar. The last clean up of the foundation with DZRH was on August 25 last year.

    The clean up covers the entire stretch of Manila Bay. The Villar Foundation will take charge of the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat & Eco-Tourism Area (LPPCHEA), the same site where they do their regular clean up.

    Also known as the Freedom Island, LPPCHRA is accessible from the Coastal Road. The target area will be the open beach areas facing out to the Manila Bay.

    “We are pleased with the improvement that we are seeing at LPPCHEA. The number of truckloads of garbage that we are getting here has considerably decreased and we attribute that to our consistent clean up efforts,” cited Villar.

    The Villar Foundation will be joined by at least 1,000 volunteers from schools, barangays, NGOs, socio-civic organizations, and other private individuals and groups.

    According to her, the days following a typhoon, are usually the period when most garbages have been collected from the area since wastes from as far away as Cavite are being dragged by the storm surge in the area. And the garbage takes weeks or even more than a month to be collected.

    “Clean up plays a big factor but in the long run, we really need to discipline the people and make them aware of the consequences of their indiscriminate throwing and dumping of garbage. The immense flooding that we have experienced in recent years should send a clear signal already of the environmental degradation of Manila Bay and other waterways in our country,” added Villar.

    As per the MoA, MBC or DZRH will lead the Manila Bay Cleanup project along the coastline of Manila Bay from Navotas to Bacoor, Cavite “to help promote any and all efforts in relation to the promotion of sustainable ecosystem of Manila Bay”.

    The clean up activities will take place from 7am to 11am onwards and the garbage collected will be turned over to appropriate government solid waste collector in the area.

    “The Villar Foundation and DZRH agree that this is a joint cooperative undertaking, but more importantly, it is a major public service activity that shall help contribute to the promotion of a livable, healthier and ecological sustainable Manila Bay,” cited the MoA.

    Villar has been vocal about her strong support for the protection of Manila Bay. To recall on March 16 last year, she filed a petition for Writ of Kalikasan against a Manila Bay reclamation project that is seen to cause catastrophic flooding in the area. The Supreme Court granted her petition and issued a Writ of Kalikasan on April 10.

    “We will continue to support campaigns or drives to protect Manila Bay and neighboring areas including LPPCHEA. Moreover, we will continue to oppose projects that will cause damage and destruction to the bay and nearby cities,” cited Villar. If carried out, the Manila Bay reclamation project that Villar is opposing is seen to cause severe flooding in numerous barangays — 11 in Parañaque, 37 in Bacoor and 17 in Las Piñas.

    For more details about the projects and programs of the Villar Foundation, please visit www.villarfoundation.org or follow www.twitter.com/VFoundationInc.

    Reference: Richard Mamuyac

  • Pagpapailaw ng Christmas Tree, hudyat ng Kapaskuhan sa Tutuban Center

    Pagpapailaw ng Christmas Tree, hudyat ng Kapaskuhan sa Tutuban Center

    Sa gitna na malamig na simoy ng hangin, ginanap sa Tutuban Center, ang paboritong shopping hub ng bayan, ang taunang pagpapailaw ng kanilang Christmas Tree na matatagpuan sa Open Parking area ng naturang mall. Habang ang mga tao ay matiyagang naghihintay na mangyari ang kaganapang ito, mararamdaman ang excitement ng bawat isa at nang ibigay ang hudyat para sa simula ng countdown, lahat ay nakangiting nag-aabang sa mga mangyayari. At sa sandaling magliwanag ang daan-daang mga ilaw ng higanteng 35-talampakan na Christmas tree, lahat ng mga taong nakapaligid sa Christmas tree ay nagsigawan sa tuwa at pumalakpak bilang pasasalamat na ang pinaka-masayang bahagi ng taon ay nagsimula na. Ang tradisyonal na pagpapailaw ng Christmas Tree sa Tutuban Center ang siyang pinaka-tampok ng bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng Bonifacio Day, na gumugunita sa tapang at kabayanihan na ipinamalas ng isa sa mga pinagpipitagang bayani ng bansa, si Gat Andres Bonifacio.

    Makikita sa larawan sina (mula kaliwa) Inigo Cruz, JM Lagumbay, Yayo Aguila, Tutuban Properties, Inc.’s Business Unit Head Ms. Gina Villamor, VP for Special Projects Mr. Stephen Yap, Tenant Relations Manager Mr. Chris Sioson and celebrity twins Kenny & Toffi Santos.

    Reference: AMPR Publicity and Communications, Inc.

    (+632)7061971

  • Local hog and poultry industry cries foul over BOI decision

    Hog and poultry producers in the country are up in arms over a recent decision by the government allowing a Thailand-based agribusiness company to operate a multi-billion peso integrated facility in the country.

    “All our hard work, blood, sweat and tears will be put to waste if the Thai company is allowed to operate here. It will not only kill the business of local producers who worked very hard for many years but will also be detrimental to the national economy,” a local producer, who requested anonymity, said.

    The Board of Investments (BOI) released a decision recently allowing Charoen Pokphand (CP), a large agribusiness enterprise and Asia’s largest swine and poultry producer, to put up Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines Corporation (CPFP).

    CPFP has been given the green light to build a P2.32-billion integrated hog facility that will produce 3,647 metric tons of slaughter hogs, and six huge poultry farms, with an annual parent stock capacity of 25,453 heads producing 21,847 metric tons of chicken.

    “What we are complaining is that CPFP, a foreign company, was given the license to operate a facility in our country with multiple tax incentives, including tariff-free importation of feeds and equipment. Local producers were not given these same incentives at all,” the local producer said.

    With these tax perks, CPFP will get a 6% to 10% pricing advantage over local poultry and hog producers, a huge disadvantage already because of the fact that chicken and pork are two highly price-sensitive commodities.

    And once the CPFP facility is operational, its production output will bring about a flood of low-priced poultry and meat products in the local market, according to the local producer. This will kill the business of backyard, small and medium-scale hog and poultry producers. Even corn farmers, who have all waited for real substantial government support and subsidy, will be affected by the tax-free feed importation granted to CPFP, not to mention massive loss of jobs.

    “The government is supposed to protect local business from the entry of foreign companies and unfair competition. With the (BOI) decision, the government is effectively killing the local industry, aside from causing the loss of jobs to thousands of Filipinos who depend on the local agribusiness sector in order to put food on the table,” the local producer lamented further.

    The local producer even invoked the protection guaranteed by Section 1, Article XII of the Philippine Constitution for Filipino businesses, which provides for the State to “protect Filipino enterprises against unfair foreign competition and trade practices.”

    “We can accept if our business was wiped out by natural disasters like typhoon or floods. We can easily rebuild it but the impact of this development is far worse than any natural disaster, and I don’t believe we can ever recover from it,” the local producer said.

    Reference: Richard Mamuyac

  • GoodAh!!! partners with VIVA

    GoodAh!!! partners with VIVA

    VIVA Entertainment, Inc. owner Vic del Rosario, Jr. sealed partnership with iconic food brand GoodAh!!!, the quick service restaurant (QSR) chain that pioneered the all-day, all-night, “25-hour” food service concept in the country.

    Del Rosario, Jr., popularly known as “Boss Vic,” decided to buy into GoodAh!!! and contribute in growing the brand further. He sees GoodAh!!! opening more branches to give the new generation of Pinoy fast food diners the opportunity to enjoy great-tasting, Filipino comfort food.

    Shown in photo are (L-R), Timothy James Yang, President of GoodAh!!!; Vicente Del Rosario Jr., VIVA Entertainment, Inc. owner; and GoodAh!!!directors Richard Yang, Jose Antonio Soler and Andrew Mendiola, during the contract signing.

    For more information about GoodAh!!!, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/goodahopen25hours

    Reference: Alona Basa

    AMPR Publicity and Communications Inc.

    706.1971

  • “The Future of Education” conference set on Aug. 28

    Vibal Foundation, the non-profit arm of Vibal Publishing House, Inc., and the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) are inviting educators, students, scholars, publishers, and policy makers to the forthcoming “The Future of Education” Conference slated on August 28, 2012.

    The conference, scheduled from 7:30 am to 3 p.m, will be held at the SMX

    Convention Center in the Mall of Asia complex, Pasay City. It has a prestigious roster of speakers including Department of Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC; CEAP President Fr. Greg Bañaga, LitWorld Executive Director Dr. Pam Allyn, who will talk about “Universalizing the US Common Core State Standards”, Philippine Normal University President Dr. Ester Ogena who will discuss “A New Culture of Teaching” and Vibal Publishing House President Mr. Gaspar A. Vibal who will give a presentation on “Life-long Learning”.

    This momentous gathering will discuss the present state and future directions of Philippine education at the height of global innovations in learning. It is also a ground-breaking venue for Filipino educators to cull insights, experiences, and issues relevant to coping with dramatic digital transitions in education around the world.

    Locally, the latest manifestation pertaining to the digital shift is the adoption of tablet education and e-textbooks by different major schools all over the

    Philippines. Starting out as a pilot class or experimental program in pioneering schools like Foundation University in Dumaguete and La Salle Green Hills in Mandaluyong, the practice has now expanded to full implementation across different learning institutions, not only within Manila but also in the provinces.

    One of the purveyors of digital learning is Vibal Publishing House, which has, to date, deployed 18,000 e-textbooks at the start of the 2012-2013 schoolyear. As an innovator in the industry, Vibal has produced the latest version of the etextbook called ePub 3.0, which makes it possible for e-books to come embedded with audio and video clips and enables true user interactivity. Students can answer self-scoring quizzes and generally benefit from the enhanced user experience for more effective learning.

    The Future of Education conference is also a fitting prelude to the CEAP

    National Convention to be held from August 29 to 31, 2012 also at the SMX

    Convention Center.

    To register for the Future of Education conference, please go to http://www.vibalpublishing.com/future-of-education.html

    For questions, please call tel. no.: +63(2) 712-9156 to 59 loc 343 to 344 or fax: +63 (2) 4168460. Email questions and feedback to inquire@vibalpublishing.com.

    Reference: Arvin Ligon

    AMPR Publicity and Communications Inc.

    706.1971

  • An Environment-friendly and Economic Approach to Desalination

    With water fast becoming almost like liquid gold, especially in drought-prone regions like coastal areas with growing populations, an obvious solution is to take the salt out of seawater. After all, desalination technology has been around for thousands of years already.

    Tantalizing as desalinated water sounds, the energy costs in producing fresh drinking water out of seawater have made it rather unpalatable—until now.

    “Until recently, seawater desalination was a very expensive water source solution,” said Jose Antonio Soler, president of Solerex Water Tecnologies, Inc.

    Drinking seawater straight is a bad idea. You may think you have expelled the salt by urinating but you are actually losing more water than salt. Seawater contains roughly 130 grams of salt per gallon. With desalination, this technology can reduce salt levels to below 2 grams per gallon, which is the limit for safe human consumption.

    Currently, between 10 to 13 billion gallons of water are desalinated worldwide per day. That’s only about 0.2 percent of global water consumption, but the number is increasing.

    Aristotle’s efforts

    Though Greek philosopher Aristotle envisioned the idea of removing salt from seawater through the use of “filters” arranged consecutively, he was not the first one to do it. The first duly recorded desalination practice was done by collecting freshwater steam out of boiling seawater. Sailors back in around 200 A.D. practiced desalination through the use of simple boilers in their ships. It was that simple.

    However, in today’s environment, desalination on a large scale has become unbelievably expensive because of energy requirements. This meant that only countries rich in oil but lack enough water supply are those that can afford “thermal desalination.”

    But advancements in technology saw researchers working on filters to take out the salt from seawater, just like how Aristotle saw it. The technology, which employs the use of “membranes,” now called “reverse osmosis,” needs a smaller amount of energy and costs around half the price of current saltwater distillation techniques used today.

    Energy is the key

    But even with membranes, large amounts of energy are needed to generate the high

    pressure that forces the water through the filter. In the 80’s and 90’s, the technology required about 14 kilowatt-hours of energy to produce 1,000 liters per cubic meter of desalinated seawater. However strides in energy recovery have decreased the energy requirement from 4.8-5.5 kilowatt-hours to 2.5-2.75 kilowatt-hours to produce 1,000 liters of desalinated seawater.

    An island resort development, Balesin in Quezon province is currently enjoying the savings from installing the new generation Solerex Desalination Units introduced by Solerex Water Technologies whose water brand, Crystal Clear, is the leader in the home and office water delivery market. “All our Desalination Units now are equipped with PX Pressure Exchanger, an energy recovery device that basically recycles pressurized water that does not pass through the RO filters back into the high pressure loops at a 98% efficiency, reducing the amount of energy required by 60 percent,” shares Soler.

    Hotels, resorts and communities that rely on producing their own water will benefit from the maximum savings and reliability as the energy recovery unit is built to last a lifetime – of no less than 25 years. “As a result the PX technology offers the best economic solution to all stakeholders,” Soler adds.

    For more about Crystal Clear and Solerex Water Technologies, Inc., visit www.crystalclear.com.ph or www.solerex.com.ph.

    About Solerex Water Technologies, Inc

    Solerex is a recognized leader in the Reverse Osmosis Technology in the Philippines where it has the largest base than any entity. It is a local firm that has been responsible for the design, full or partial fabrication, erection and/or assembly of the majority of the seawater reverse osmosis desalination plants currently installed in the country today.

    Reference: Joel Navarro

    0917.8165635