Category: Advocacy

  • PICC, Metro Parking renew car park partnership

    PICC, Metro Parking renew car park partnership

    The Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the country’s leading and biggest event venue, and Metro Parking Management (Phils.) Inc., an ISO-certified car park management and consultancy firm, recently renewed its partnership for another 2 years through a contract-signing ceremony.

    Metro Parking’s main responsibility has been to ensure the safety and security of all parked vehicles within the PICC grounds. Despite many parking spaces around Metro Manila under its management, Metro Parking still displayed the utmost in professionalism and expertise with regard to car park management, earning PICC’s satisfaction with its performance.

    Seen in photo are PICC General Manager Atty. Renato Padilla (L) and Metro Parking Management (Phils.) Inc. President, Richard Fong, in a firm handshake after the signing ceremony.

    REFERENCE:

    Richard Mamuyac
    09283274911

  • In pursuit of true excellence both in world class products and unmatched service to its customers

    In pursuit of true excellence both in world class products and unmatched service to its customers

    It was in 2007 that GanoiTouch Philippines, Inc., the authorized exclusive distributor of Gano Excel products in the country, was established. Thus far, its objective of achieving true excellence—both in world-class products and unmatched service to its thousands of customers provided by the company’s leaders—is well on track.

    The Chief Operating Officer of GanoiTouch Philippines, Inc., said that for the past 5 years, the company was relentless in pursuing excellence not just in the executive level and within the rank-and-file,but also distributors, leaders & product outlets.

    “We believe that excellence is about meeting the standards of quality performance and continuously exceeding and surpassing them. There is no second-guessing here when it comes to our mantra of excellence, and the people of GanoiTouch Philippines know that,” explains COO Leo Esteves

    In order to achieve true excellence, GanoiTouch Philippines provides continuous training at all levels, from the new recruits up to the leaders, and even conducts training for personnel of official product outlets. He said that the strategy is to make all GanoiTouch empowered and independent as well.

    Esteves further notes that regular training will hopefully motivate the employees and the distributorsto work hard in order to succeed. “Regular feedback on their performance is also a must so we could monitor their success orassess and even assist them on key performance areas where they need improvement.”

    The past 5 years for GanoiTouch has also been a true test of the company’s stability. It also helped that the parent company, Gano Excel, is a hallmark of stability, which contributed in portraying GanoiTouch’s stature in the Philippine market as a solid and stable organization that Filipinos can rely upon in building not only their financial goals but also mental and physical health through its superior ganodermalucidum-based products.

    Gano Excel, based in Malaysia, plants, manufactures, markets and distributes its wide range of products made of ganodermalucidum, a type of red mushroom touted to be better than ginseng, as its main component. At present, Gano Excel products are available in 65 countries, including the US, Canada and most parts of Europe and of course, the Philippines.

    Despite its success during the past 5 years, Esteves claims that challenges for the business remain. The fact that the company operates its business under a “multi-level marketing or MLM” strategy, commonly known as “networking,” remains one of them. However, he is not a bit worried.

    “GanoiTouch’s networking business is absolutely legitimate, fair and sustainable. We have never been complained about because we provide real and effective products that are proven around the world, and that’s a fact. In fact, I can see the company’s continued growth and become one of the top networking companies in the country,” he said.

    He said that there is no other direction for the company but to grow. “Gano Excel is continuously expanding its plantation of ganoderma and upgrading its manufacturing facilities in order to manufacture more products and make them world class yet affordable.”

    Among its most popular products among Filipinos are the PIOIR Coffee and Chocolate, the Tongkat Ali, Ganoderma and Excellium. He even hinted that Gano Excel is currently testing possible additions to its product lineup but declined to specify.

    For the Philippines, Esteves also confirmed that sustainability plans are already in place, specifically in relation to company and brand visibility in other areas. “We have to make sure that we are actively present in all major areas in the country, yet we will make sure that our inventory will be able to meet consumers’ and distributors’ demands and expectations.”

    Succeeding in the business is already in the horizon, according to Esteves, and counts on 3 factors—world-class quality products, a stable and successful global company that’s built to last and finally, a legitimate and fair business that’s sustainable for life.

    And to honor their most exemplary performers that contributed to the success of the company during their 5th anniversary, GanoiTouch Philippines, Inc. is throwing a glitzy and glamorous bash entitled “In Pursuit of True ‘Excel-lence: Faster, Higher, Stronger.” This 5th year celebration of GanoiTouch Philippines, Inc. will be held this coming March 23, 2013, 1 p.m., at the Aliw Theater located at the CCP Complex, Vicente Sotto Street, Pasay City.

    To make things even more exciting, a brand new Toyota Innova is up for grabs during the anniversary raffle.

    “This grand anniversary celebration is our way of saluting the leaders of GanoiTouch Philippines, Inc. for helping develop excellence not only in mind, body and soul, but also in health and in wealth. Our goal to enrich people’s lives and provide hope and economic stability through better health as provided by our superior products and legitimate income opportunity will definitely remain for the years to come,” explains Esteves.

    To know more about GanoiTouch Philippines, Inc. and how it can enrich your life, visit www.ganoitouch.comor call 706-3137/706-3152.

    Reference:

    Ms. Ana Manansala / 0917-583-5958

  • Lamoiyan kicks off advocacy program to mark 25 years in business

    Lamoiyan kicks off advocacy program to mark 25 years in business

    Filipino-owned Lamoiyan Corporation kicked off recently its advocacy program dubbed “Project Silver” as part of its 25th anniversary celebration themed “Giving Hope, Sharing Hapee Smiles.”

    Hundreds of residents of Barangay 73 at the PNR Compound in Caloocan City received free medical and dental services last March 3 through Lamoiyan Corporation’s community project, “Adopt-a-Barangay,” which aims to increase the awareness in promoting proper oral care and in treating head lice.

    “Starting this month, Lamoiyan Corporation is celebrating its 25th year in the business. Project Silver is actually one way of thanking our consumers for all the years they have been supporting our company. So it is but right that we do a medical-dental mission like this to really give back to them what we have received for the past years,” Lamoiyan Corporation Assistant Vice President for New Business Development Peter Paul Ang said in his message.

    During the event held at the community’s covered court, residents participated in the oral health education, diet counseling, lecture on head lice and tooth brushing drill led by teams from both Lamoiyan Corporation and the Kalookan City Dental Society.

    The people also benefited with free distribution of toothbrush and toothpaste, fluoride application, tooth extraction, and anti-lice treatment and shampoo.

    Based on the survey of the Department of Education, toothache and lice infestation are among the top three reasons why public school children absent themselves from their classes mainly because of ignorance or inability to buy toothpaste or anti-lice shampoo.

    Given that these problems still exist, Lamoiyan Corporation, according to Ang, is firm in its resolve to find a solution to these problems through its very own products—the first Filipino-made toothpaste Hapee and Licealiz shampoo—which are made affordable yet world class in quality.

    “We are very thankful to Lamoiyan Corporation for choosing our community as one of the beneficiaries for their anniversary outreach campaign. It’s really a big help for my constituents. We are very Hapee indeed,”Brgy. 73 Chairman Joven Llena said.

    For its part, as a trade partner of Lamoiyan Corporation and in helping select the community to adopt for Project Silver in their area of distribution, Fast Trax Corporation (FTC) Supervisor Hans Castro stressed: “We are also Hapee to be part of this very meaningful and noble project. It’s really an honor for us to be a partner of Lamoiyan Corporation in its continued commitment of serving the Filipino people.”

    Executives from Lamoiyan Corporation, members of Caloocan Dental Chapter and Fast Trax Corporation are shown in photo during the Caloocan medical-dental mission of Lamoiyan Corporation. Shown are (2nd from left) Dr. Marie Cielo Cajiuat, President, Caloocan Dental Chapter; Edmundo Morales, Sales Director, Lamoiyan Corporation (3rd from left); Richard Lee, President, Fast Trax Corporation (5th from left, wearing red shirt); Frank Malamug, Professional Marketing Consultant, Lamoiyan Corporation (extreme right); Peter Paul Ang, Assistant Vice-President, Lamoiyan Corporation (2nd from right); Dr. Ariel Go, Past President, Caloocan Dental Chapter (3rd from right); Hon. Joven Llena, Brgy. Chairman of Brgy. 73, Caloocan City (4th from right); Hon. Edgar Erice, Vice Mayor Caloocan City (5th from right); and James Lim, Customer Development Officer, Lamoiyan Corporation (6th from right).

    FTC, being the exclusive distributor of Lamoiyan products in Metro Manila, and other 17 regional trade partners of the toothpaste manufacturer, are set to conduct other medical-dental missions in 24 more communities nationwide until June of this year.

    “We are just beginning with a single step. Hopefully with this project, more and more people will become aware of proper hygiene, be it keeping their teeth or hair clean,” Ang said.

    Reference: Nadine Tan

    0917.5837125

    AMPR Publicity and Communications Inc.

  • 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