Del Monte Philippines

Are Filipinos at Risk of High Cholesterol?

Saturday, August 13, 2016

     Filipinos love to eat. It's already a part of our culture. We love to throw parties, eat out, and dine in with our family and friends over good food. Sometimes we forgot that we need to watch what we eat especially if one has or have health-related disease. Most of the delicious food that we eat contains high calories and fats. If we always eat fatty food, chances are we will have high cholesterol levels.

     The number of Filipinos with high levels of cholesterol has greatly increased, results from the 8th National Nutrition Survey show. In 2008, 31.3% or 1 in 3 Filipino adults had borderline to high cholesterol. The latest survey in 2013 by the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), however, shows that the prevalence has alarmingly spiked to 1 in 2 Filipino adults. The FNRI’s latest data reveals that 46.9% of Filipinos aged 20 and up today have borderline to high cholesterol. Sharing with you below the highlights of Del Monte PATACSI Foundation Day launch below.
Are Filipinos at Risk of High Cholesterol?
Factors for increase cholesterol levels

  • Poor dietary choices
  • Stress
  • Physical inactivity 
  • Experts also link high levels of cholesterol to the top non-communicable disease (NCD) killers in the Philippines which include diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cardiovascular diseases. 
  • Cardiovascular diseases alone account for 170,000 deaths in the Philippines each year, making it the leading cause of mortality among Filipinos. 
Are Filipinos at Risk of High Cholesterol?PATACSI President; Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa
“The rising prevalence of high total cholesterol today is alarming. We need to make people more aware of the situation and do something about it” said Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, Assistant Scientist from the FNRI. “Having high cholesterol levels means being subject to greater risk of heart disease and other illnesses. A switch to a healthier lifestyle is a major step in keeping these diseases at bay.”
Curbing cholesterol levels

     As a response to this major health issue on high cholesterol in the country, Del Monte launched Heart Smart 100% Pineapple Juice and Orange Juice Drink with Reducol, which is an ingredient that is clinically proven to help lower cholesterol. Studies have shown that plant sterols and stanols, the main components of Reducol, significantly lowered bad cholesterol levels among clinical trial participants. 
Are Filipinos at Risk of High Cholesterol?
Product Manager for Del Monte 100% Pineapple Juice; Benedict Ong
     The Philippine Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons (PATACSI), the specialty organization of all certified thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons in the Philippines, is partnering and supporting Del Monte in this advocacy to increase awareness and help prevent the continuous rise of cholesterol in the country.
Are Filipinos at Risk of High Cholesterol?
image from sunspotscreative.com
     According to Mr. David Peele, President of Avoca Inc. and makers of Reducol, “based on various clinical studies conducted, Reducol has been proven to be safe and effective in lowering cholesterol levels,” In the Philippines, Del Monte Heart Smart is the only Reducol-fortified food product or drink, containing 1 g of US-FDA approved Reducol per serving. Based on the results of clinical studies, two servings of Del Monte Heart Smart per day may help reduce cholesterol levels in eight weeks.

Healthy lifestyle still the key

     Though Del Monte Heart Smart with Reducol reduces cholesterol levels, a healthy lifestyle remains vital to optimize benefits. “To best manage cholesterol, it is still important to have a healthy regimen which includes a healthy diet and constant exercise” said PATACSI President Dr. Michael Baccay. A diet consisting of fruits and vegetables, whole grain, fat-free and low-fat milk products, fish, legumes (beans), and lean skinless meats can help prevent spikes in cholesterol. 
Are Filipinos at Risk of High Cholesterol?
JOINT EFFORTS AGAINST BAD CHOLESTEROL Del Monte Philippines Inc hosted on July 8 a symposium on the management of rising bad cholesterol levels among Filipinos. The symposium took place during the 56th Foundation Day of Del Monte’s partner, the Philippine Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons’ (PATACSI). Among the symposium’s speakers and panelists are (from left) Dr. Michael Baccay, PATACSI President; Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, Assistant Scientist from the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI); Clars Guerrero, Marketing Director for Del Monte Beverages and Fruits; Paula Ceña, Product Manager for Del Monte 100% Pineapple Juice; Benedict Ong, Assistant Product Manager for Del Monte 100% pineapple juice; Sheryl Sanchez-Mallo, Regulatory Affairs Scientist of Del Monte Research & Development Team; and David Peele, Avoca Inc. President.
     The 56th PATACSI Foundation Day held last July 8, 2016 in Crowne Plaza Galleria serves as the official kick off for the partnership between Del Monte Heart Smart and PATACSI in addressing and creating awareness on cholesterol management in the country.
Are Filipinos at Risk of High Cholesterol?
Del Monte Heart Smart in Pineapple and Orange Juice Flavors
     Del Monte Heart Smart is available in all leading supermarkets and groceries nationwide at Php 26.00 SRP for 240mL cans and Php 82.00 SRP for Orange 1 Liter Resealable Tetra Pack.

For more information about Del Monte Heart Smart, log on to www.delmonte.ph

Del Monte Juice Drinks New Summer Flavors

Monday, June 13, 2016

     Would you believe if I tell you that I don't drink carbonated drinks? Yes, I've tasted sodas for only a couple of times and those were during child hood days. I don't like the taste of carbonated drinks, it's like I'm gulping an alcoholic drink that it hurts my throat. My alternative to sodas are iced tea and juice drinks and of course, water!

     Great news to juice drink fanatics. Del Monte Philippines recently launched two new exciting flavors to beat the heat even though summer is bidding goodbye. These new refreshing blends will surely be a hit in mealtimes- Del Monte Juice Drink in Pineapple Pomelo and Pineapple Lychee. Details below :)
Del Monte Juice Drinks New Summer Flavors
     As the summer heat kicks in, quench your family's thirst with the new refreshing limited-edition flavors of Del Monte Juice Drinks- Pineapple Pomelo and Pineapple Lychee! They are made with real fruit juice, so you can taste the real fruit goodness in every sip. Your family will surely love the sweet fruitiness of these exciting summer blends down to the last drop.
Del Monte Juice Drinks New Summer Flavors
Del Monte Pineapple Pomelo and Pineapple Lychee Juice Drinks
     These two new flavors are only available for the summer, (I hope they make it available throughout the year) so make sure to stock up to make your family's summer outings, merienda and mealtimes more fruitfully refreshing. Del Monte Pineapple Pomelo and Pineapple Lychee Juice Drinks are available in 1 liter tetra pack in all leading supermarkets for only Php 65.00
Del Monte Juice Drinks New Summer Flavors
Del Monte Juice Drinks in Four Seasons, Pineapple, Mango, Pineapple Orange, Pineapple Pomelo and Pineapple Lychee
     But if you're not into these kind of flavors, there are other range of juice drink flavors available like Four Seasons, Pineapple, Mango, and Pineapple Orange. These delicious flavors of Del Monte Juice Drinks are made with real fruit juice and contain 100% of your daily Vitamin C needs!

Have you tried the limited edition flavors? What's your favorite Del Monte Juice Drink flavor?

Good Times!~

The power of coming home

Sunday, December 20, 2015


     From the small side streets to the country’s major highways, it’s almost a given nowadays for people to experience traffic—with a 30-minute ride turning into a nightmarish 2 hours, especially during the dreaded rush hours.

     Because of this, hardworking employees lose precious time. They get home too late for dinner. Worse, they would inevitably have less energy for family bonding. Consequently, family members seem to have less time to catch up on each other’s lives.
The power of coming home
     Such is unfortunate because according to a study conducted by Debra Manchester MacMannis, the author of the renowned “How’s Your Family Really Doing?”, family dinners play an important part in the development of both children and teenagers because the presence of a parent is pivotal in building them up to be better individuals. The study showed that sharing meals as a family has been found to give kids a boost in the classroom, improve language skills, increase communication, and overall promote better adjustment of kids.

     With a keen understanding of its employees and their needs outside of work, Del Monte Philippines launched an important corporate initiative--COME HOME TO FAMILY WEDNESDATES-- through which the company encouraged its Manila-based employees to leave the office no later than 6:00 PM at least once a week so they can have ample time to travel and make it home in time for family dinners. 

A testament to its success

     With the program in place for over a year now, Del Monte employees have consistently shared pleasant experiences resulting from the initiative.

     “At first there was a bit of hesitation from the employees. It was weird being asked to go home early for Wednesdates,” Gladys Chua, Accounts Payable Supervisor, shared, “but when we complied, we realized it had very positive results. By going home earlier, I realized I can avoid the traffic a bit, so I can get home in time to cook food for my son. Cooking for him and sharing our Wednesdates dinner has become some sort of mini- tradition for us now.”

     Walter Conti, Del Monte’s Customers Activation Manager, along with his wife and kid, has religiously spent Wednesdate with the family since the initiative was first launched. “We bond better now, and all of uslook forward to it. Along with encouraging us to go home early at least once a week, we also get proposed recipes from Del Monte Kitchenomics that we can prepare and share during our Family Wednesdates. We also enjoy taking pictures of our dinners together and posting them online.”

     Ryanne Villanueva, Del Monte’s Demand Management Head, is also a mother to a five year old. Having always relied on her nanny to prepare dinner for them, she shares that she’s able to personally prepare dinner for her child at least once a week. Sometimes, he even helps her out in the preparation. “It increases our bonding moments from the time we prepare to the time he goes to sleep,” she says. “It’s the type of policy that I think every other company should have. From the workforce perspective, work hours are deliberately maximized so employees can get out before 6:00 pm. In fact, I wish it wouldn’t be just Wednesdays, but everyday if possible. If we can do it on Wednesdays, we should be able to do it on other days.”

     “The advocacy may have started as a Del Monte Tomato Sauce campaign, but we at Del Monte Philippines are very deliberate about walking our talk.” Eileen Manuel-Asuncion, Group Head for Marketing explains. “When the campaign launched, we knew we cannot advocate once-a-week family date nights for Filipino families without deliberately espousing the same among our employees. Soon after, we implemented the 6:00 pm lights out at the Del Monte Manila offices. By 6:00 pm every Wednesday, everyone has to be out of the office so they can get home in time to be with their families.”

     As Del Monte employees can attest to, coming home to have dinner with the family—despite the challenges nowadays--is possible. Down the line, Del Monte hopes to do its part in helping strengthen family bonds over good meals across a broader scale--one Filipino home, one Filipino family at a time.

The Dangers of Sick Days

Saturday, August 22, 2015

     I always worry if Kenzo is showing signs of fever. I can't focus on what I'm doing and I can't even sleep at night. I became paranoid and keep on checking his temperature from time to time. He was confined in the hospital once, and I'm always praying that it won't happen again. Since Kenzo is already a pre-schooler, I don't want him to get sick because he will be absent in class. When kids skip school due to illness, they miss more than just a class – they miss opportunities for growth

     More and more Filipino children are contracting viral and bacterial disease because of weak immune systems, a recent clinical study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism reveals. This growing prevalence of infection in school-age populations is particularly urgent because a single sick day may affect many different facets of your child’s life, including time-sensitive activities like going to school to attend classes.
The Dangers of Sick Days
     Multiple sick days are likely to set back your children’s education, as well as their overall development and growth. Classes are typically dependent on very specific timelines, and whenever schoolchildren get sick, they miss valuable lessons that may prove to be crucial later on in the school year. This compromises the pacing for their growth as individuals. It can be very hard for students who are often absent to get back on track.

     With school in full swing, it’s important to make sure that your children are kept safe from infection. Thus, there is a strong need for better ways to give children the nutrients they need to stay healthy.

     Thankfully, parents have an easy, enjoyable way to help protect kids from infection and keep them in school – pineapples.
The Dangers of Sick Days
A serving of pineapple a day helps strengthen immunity

     Just what do canned pineapples have that make them our children’s new disease-fighting sidekicks? As studies show, a lot actually!

     The said clinical study checked the possible effects of canned pineapples as a practical immunity booster. A nine-week randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 98 elementary school students in Paco, Manila. The students were divided into three groups. Two of the three groups of children were regularly served Del Monte Pineapple Tidbits. The third group served as the control group and was not given any canned pineapples. 

     Only the groups who took regular servings of Del Monte Pineapple Tidbits had an increased resistance to disease and infection, with those taking two servings (140g per serving) demonstrating higher granulocyte production. 
The Dangers of Sick Days
Del Monte Pineapple Tidbits
     Granulocytes are key components of white blood cells and are important players of the immune system. They are the fighter cells that detect and kill disease-causing viruses and bacteria. Finally, a healthy solution that’s tastier than most!

     The results show that adding 2 servings of canned pineapples to your children’s daily diet goes a long way towards protecting them from sickness. Giving children #DMPineappleADay is a quick, easy, and delicious way of strengthening their immunity, while supplying much-needed nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin B2, fiber, and manganese. 

     A stronger immune system can help prevent children from missing out on many opportunities. With this, children will be able to fight off infection, keep attending classes, and make the most of their precious time in school.

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