Study Shows OTC Lozenges’ Effectivity Against the COVID-19 Virus

     Some OTC throat lozenges may be effective against COVID-19.We know your over-the-counter throat lozenge can relieve a sore throat and can help manage a pesky cold or cough. But can they take the wind out of the sails of the dreaded Covid-19 virus?

     The question got a fresh look recently after researchers at Microbiology and Immunology Institute of the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, found that throat lozenges containing a combination of Benzydamine Hydrochloride (BH) and Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC) may have a virucidal effect against Covid-19 and help reduce the risk of viral transmission.

Study Shows OTC Lozenges’ Effectivity Against the COVID-19 Virus
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Product Review: DHC Vitamin C 60 Days Supply

     We are now on the second year of this pandemic and most of us have adapted the new normal way of living. I presume that you already mastered the basics when it comes to Covid-19 safety protocols and have strictly imposed these in your homes. The pandemic has taught me a lot when it comes to health and wellness and one of them is making sure that I take my daily dose of vitamins and supplements.

     My number one vitamin on the list is vitamin c. This immune booster and powerful antioxidant can neutralize harmful radicals in the body. It helps heal wounds faster, fight coughs and colds to name a few that's why there's always a supply in my stash for a month or two. Having that said, I've tried different brands of vitamin c even before the pandemic that I also shared here on the blog. For this review, let me share my current brand of vitamin c from one of the favorite Japanese brands in the vitamin and supplement department, DHC (Daigaku Honyaku Center)- a Japanese manufacturer dealing in cosmetics and health food supplements headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. More information about DHC Vitamin C and my thoughts after using it for more than a year now below.

Product Review: DHC Vitamin C 60 Days Supply

COVID-19 Antigen Test Kits Now Available at Watsons

     Recognizing the importance of widespread testing, Watsons will sell FDA-certified COVID-19 antigen test kits with a price range of P399-P500 at select stores in Metro Manila starting October 25 and will be available in all stores nationwide by November 25. The testing kits are for administering by medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, and medical technologists and will require medical prescription. 

     The required specifications set by the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) are at 80% sensitivity and 97% specificity and these test kits can deliver at least 95% sensitivity and 99.2% specificity. "As more people head out to work, school and gatherings, Watsons knows that antigen test kits are important in helping reduce transmission," said Maita A. Santiago, Watsons Philippines Customer Director.

COVID-19 Antigen Test Kits Now Available at Watsons
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Product Review: Mikrozid Surface Wipes

     In this time of uncertainty, it’s comforting to know that there’s one thing you can trust in keeping you safe, anytime, anywhere! Thanks to Mikrozid- the trusted surface wipes used by hospitals worldwide. I'm surprised that it kills Covid 19 virus in just 15 seconds! Yes, you’ve read that right! For a clean freak and OC mom like me, disinfection is an everyday thing even before the pandemic that’s why I have different kinds of wipes at home.

      I’ve tried different brands before and nothing compares to Mikrozid!!! This surface disinfecting wipes is heaven-sent and music to my ears when I saw that it kills coronavirus in just 15 seconds!!! I have to emphasize this because my family’s health is non-negotiable and I have to repeat this over and over again for those who are neglecting the virus. Hear, hear that proper handwashing and effective surface disinfection are a must these days!!! More information about Mikrozid Surface Wipes and my thoughts about this brand after the jump!

Feature: Mikrozid Surface Wipes

Everything You Need to Know About Pregnancy and COVID-19

     The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench into the plans of expecting mothers all over the world. The regulations, policies, and approaches surrounding pregnancy significantly changed in a few months, making several would-be mothers feel troubled and confused.

     But don’t worry. There are guidelines in place that will help you manage your pregnancy and ensure that you and your baby are kept safe. If you’re an expecting mother or knows someone who is, here’s a quick rundown of the key things you need to know about pregnancy and COVID-19.

Everything You Need to Know About Pregnancy and COVID-19
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Love Your Heart: Hope for the Failing Heart

     Hello dearies! How's everyone, how's your heart if I may ask? February is the month where we celebrate Valentine's Day and many of us celebrated the 14th day with love, flowers, and chocolate. We always associate our hearts when we speak of this day because of the emotion or feeling that we feel towards our family, friends, and special someone. But have you ever thought about how your heart health these days?

     A healthy heart is important if you want to live a longer life but there are factors that can lead to heart failure especially if you are living with unhealthy lifestyle. But the good news is that heart failure can be treated and even prevented. To raise conversation and awareness, AstraZeneca Philippines hosted a webinar to discuss the latest developments on heart failure. A panel of experts from the Philippines and around the world discussed how the approval of AstraZeneca’s Dapagliflozin as a treatment option can make a difference in the lives of thousands of Filipinos. Know more about this promising brand that "gives hope for the heart" below.

Love Your Heart: Hope for the Failing Heart
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Covid-19 Essentials: Panasonic nanoe™ X Air Conditioners

     Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corporation (PMPC) announced today a new breakthrough confirming that the inhibitory effect on the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) by the Panasonic Air Conditioner with nanoe™ X Technology was certified by Texcell*1, a global contract research organization. Texcell verified 91.4% of the inhibitory effect on the novel coronavirus in the space of 6.7m3 in 8 hours.

     In September 2020, Panasonic has verified, in collaboration with Texcell, the inhibitory effect of the nanoe™ X Technology with the benefits of hydroxyl radicals on the novel coronavirus in a small test space of 45L using the nanoe™ X generator. More about these promising air conditioner offerings after the jump!

Covid-19 Essentials: Panasonic nanoe™ X  Air Conditioners

1,000 Clorox Disinfecting Wipes to be Received by 5 Hospitals Around Metro Manila

     How do you stay productive? During this time, being productive can mean that you are trying out a new dish you have been planning to cook for a long time. You could be working at home, baking, binge-watching a tv show that you’ve been wanting to watch or you could be cleaning your house from inside-out. 

     We are in a situation where staying in can be for our own good and the welfare of others. But what happens to those who are on the other side of the spectrum? Our frontliners are working day and night risking their lives to serve their purpose. They are our new world heroes.

1,000 Clorox Disinfecting Wipes to be Received by 5 Hospitals Around Metro Manila
Lung Center of the Philippines

Panasonic nanoe X technology

     We are all waiting for this pandemic to be over. It has been 8 months since we stayed at home and followed strict health protocols and sanitary measures in order to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. But as the saying goes, life must go on that's why we are now trying to cope with this new normal way of living.

      While we treat homes as the safest place we can be in during these challenging times, now more than ever is the time we should pay closer attention to the air quality in our residences. If you're a clean freak like me, I bet that you are now thinking of investing in an air purifier and great news because Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corporation (PMPC), the manufacturer, importer, and distributor of Panasonic products in the country announced weeks ago that, in collaboration with a global contract research organization Texcell*1, Texcell has verified the inhibitory effect of the nanoe™ X technology with the benefits of hydroxyl radicals on the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Sharing more information about this technology below.

Panasonic nanoe X technology

New Normal Learning at Home

     Parents know this: we thought we knew what it meant to be academically responsible for our school-age children. This involves regularly coordinating with children’s teachers in school, providing financial support for their academic requirements, and making sure they participate in extra-curricular activities. This was a system a lot of parents have become attuned to until the COVID-19 pandemic happened.

     Since the imposed community quarantine, life at home drastically changed. With the opening of a new school year, parents grapple for ideas on how to systemically operate their households while their children stay at home. As schools send out engaging virtual assignments to students, parents scramble on figuring out how to balance their household chores along with learning how to manage their children’s home-school education. And all these activities entailed embracing a new perspective on active parenting.

New Normal Learning at Home 

Stay Safe, Say No To Fake!

      This pandemic has caused so much stress that many of us are experiencing fear and anxiety. Many people lost their jobs, closed down their businesses, got depressed, and a whole lot more. We are still in a tough battle with the unseen enemy. Aside from everyday struggles and battles, different stressful news related to the virus have been circulating in my Facebook newsfeed recently.

     While we are trying our best to protect ourselves and our families against the virus by following government protocols like social distancing, handwashing, and wearing a face mask, I've read a news about fake 'Made in Taiwan' Face Masks that's made in China and now are being sold in Philippine shores. It's alarming because the proper wearing of face mask is one of the defense against the virus but now that fake China products are here, there, and everywhere, how can we be so sure that we are protecting ourselves and our loved ones? Sharing more things I recently discovered and why we need to be more vigilant in this difficult time.

Stay Safe, Say No To Fake!
image from pixy.org

Covid-19 and Immune System

     We are still battling with the unseen enemy, COVID-19 and you may have heard from the very start of the pandemic that a healthy body is one of our weapons against this viral infection. It's mandatory to strengthen the immune system and there are micronutrients that we need in order to 

     The world as we know it has changed due to the sudden onslaught of a viral infection, with the COVID-19 pandemic bringing economies to a standstill and keeping us in our homes for an unprecedented period. This new reality we are facing has made us more conscious of our habits, and it is crucial now more than ever to be diligent with proactive efforts on health and safety.

Covid-19 and Immune System
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How to Cook Kinamatisang Manok for Your Family

     It has been more than 100 days since quarantine and for us who stayed at home for the longest time (unless we need to go outside for work or essentials), discovering a new hobby or skill became an achievement. I know some are not used to staying at home for three months but those who enjoyed this quarantine made a lot of bonding moments with their loved ones through baking or cooking. As we adapt to the new normal way of living, safety precaution must be observed at all times that's why in order to practice social distancing and minimize contact from the outside world, shopping online is still the best option when buying essentials.

     Did you know that you can purchase groceries via PayMaya online? Yes, that's how convenient to have a PayMaya app installed in your mobile phones especially now that we are avoiding the risk of cash handling. We do our weekly grocery of ingredients like fresh produce, meat, and other food items through online stores and use PayMaya as our payment method. Speaking of cooking, there's one recipe that we enjoyed cooking over and over again because it's made of simple ingredients, easy to cook, and healthy. Sharing the recipe of Kinamatisang Manok after the jump.

How to Cook Kinamatisang Manok for Your Family

Product Review: Product Review: Puritan's Pride Vitamin C-1000mg with Bioflavonoids and Rose Hips

     It's time to build a stronger immunity for the new normal and one way of boosting the immune system aside from eating healthy, doing physical activity, getting enough rest and sleep, is by taking your vitamin c. How’s the supply of your vitamin c brand so far? I’m sure that it’s always out of stock because there’s a big demand in the market nowadays. I had a hard time purchasing our usual brand that’s why I decided to look for another brand and I stumbled upon Puritan’s Pride on Shopee.

     ⁣Puritan’s Pride Vitamin C 1000 mg Bioflavonoids & Rose Hips is not your ordinary vitamin c as it boosts the immune system to help protect you from⁣ illnesses while stimulating the production of collagen in your body which results to a more supple, firmer, and younger-looking complexion I bought a second bottle because my husband takes this too. Will I recommend this brand after taking it for two months until now? Read more information about Puritan’s Pride Vitamin C after the jump!

Product Review: Puritan's Pride Vitamin C-1000mg with Bioflavonoids and Rose Hips

5 Safety Tips in The New Normal

     Welcome to the New Normal- the most used and abused word in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to star.com.my, "new normal" means a new way of living and going about our lives, work, and interaction with other people. It's an adjustment that we have to do and follow daily as long as the world has not found a cure or vaccine for COVID-19.

     Basically, this "new normal" is all about safety and how we are going to protect and prevent the spread of the virus inside our homes and in the community as we shift from strict to a more relaxed quarantine here in Metro Manila. We are given a new set of rules, do's and dont's, and protocols that will keep us safe at all times as we go on with our lives starting today until the world declares that we won this war against COVID-19. There's no need to panic because everyone is doing their best to keep themselves and their families safe in these trying times.

5 Safety Tips in The New Normal

Feature: PayMaya Negosyo

     As we enter the 'New Normal', more and more Filipinos are resorting to other means of income. One of the highly recommended is starting your own business at home by selling online. I presume that some of you have experienced shopping online and in times that we are urged to stay at home because of the pandemic, online shopping is the most convenient way to shop for goods and services.

     Do you have an online shop or planning to start an online business but having second thoughts on how to manage your payment system? Here's how you can give your business a much-needed boost in as fast as 24 hours! Introducing PayMaya Negosyo- an app that enables merchants to quickly and easily receive QR and online payments from their customers. This comes in perfect timing, as more customers shift to online payments due to the pandemic. My sister is an online seller and one of her concerns now is how to include contactless mode of payment as most of the customers prefer online fund transfers. Whether you have a physical store or an online shop, PayMaya Negosyo App ang Kasama mo #MagNegosyo! Sharing more information about PayMaya Negosyo and the reasons why you should download the app now :)

Feature: PayMaya Negosyo 

Lysol Donates P36M to Philippine Red Cross for COVID-19 Battle

     Germs are everywhere and frequently found on objects and surfaces that can be passed around. The most common are bacteria and viruses that cannot be seen by the naked eye. With the threat of viruses rising every day, it's important to clean and disinfect your homes to #BreakTheChainOfInfection

     Lysol Philippines has partnered with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for Disinfect to Protect, a joint mission to ensure everybody is protected from illnesses, by breaking the chain of infection. Through the endeavor, the disinfectant brand will donate P36 million to boost mass testing in support of government efforts, bring it to the most vulnerable groups, and encourage Filipinos to sanitize their surroundings to protect them from disease-causing germs.

Lysol Donates P36M to Philippine Red Cross for COVID-19 Battle
L-R: Lysol Disinfectant Spray, Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Lysol Hygienic Automatic Toilet Cleaner

6 Tips for Building Immunity

     This year has brought so many twists and turns that it is only May but we already seem to feel exhausted. But if there is one good thing that is the result of all the developments that have taken place, it is that we have chosen to focus on the things that are really important to us, such as our family and good health. As we now turn our attention toward making good health a new way of life, you can count on Watsons to be with you every step of the way.

    In the next few months, there will be changes in the quarantine guidelines. It will be modified, intensified, or reduced depending on the number of COVID-19 cases and the new normal will take place. Wearing a face mask, social distancing, washing, and sanitizing hands frequently are the first line of defense against the virus but there's a lot more to do especially on building your immunity.  Here are a few recommendations from Watsons on what you can do at home to help keep your immunity strong and your family healthy.

6 Tips for Building Immunity

Feature: FarmFetch Same Day Vegetable Delivery

     With the increasing number of Covid 19 cases here in the country, it looks like we are still staying at home in the coming months unless there is a very urgent matter or thing to do outside. This pandemic urges everyone to stay at home, stay healthy by building strong immune system and make frequent handwashing a part of our daily life. Aside from taking Vitamin C, one way of boosting our immune system is eating vegetables every day and we are glad that we don’t need to go outside to replenish our stocks at home because there's FarmFetch.

     FarmFetch is a farm-to-table SAME-DAY DELIVERY service that makes it easy for people to get their vegetable supply in just an hour via GrabMart. There are two options available with 5 kilos each of clean, fresh, and carefully picked vegetables. Sharing more information on how to order your favorite veggies at FarmFetch store below :)

Feature: FarmFetch Same Day Vegetable Delivery

4 Best Things To Do in Singapore (After Pandemic- 18 to 24 months)

     Singapore will always have a special place in my heart. The first country that I've been to thrice in a span of ten years- 2008, 2016, and 2019. I lived there for three months in 2008, joined the Safeguard Science Discovery Tour with my son last 2016, and had a short vacation with my family to celebrate my son's birthday last June. There are so many things to do in Singapore. Shopping at the famous shopping spot- Bugis Shopping Centre, eating and drinking to your heart's content at Hawker Centers, exploring Lion City from day to night to watch different attractions and many more!

     However, all of these will be put on hold if you are planning to travel this year. According to health experts and travel authorities, it would take up to 18 to 24 months for the travel industry to recover, and traveling will never be the same again. There will be a lot of changes- expensive plane tickets, additional requirements aside from passport and visa, long hours from boarding to departure for necessary checks, and the list will go on before reaching your destination. Let's face reality and still hope for the best that this pandemic will be over soon so that we can all travel safely once we are really back to normalcy. Sharing 4 Best Things To Do in Singapore based on what we did last year :)

4 Best Things To Do in Singapore (After Pandemic- 18 to 24 months)
Me and Kenzo serving you some mandatory tourist photo :)