Global toilet sanitation problem leads to 443 million missed school day

     According to a study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), children around the world miss an estimated 443 million school days each year because of diseases caused by poor sanitation and hygiene practices, including using unsanitary toilets. Simply put, this number of sick days is equivalent to all grade school and high school classrooms in the Philippines being empty for one month. This sanitation-related concern hinders the children’s learning and significantly reduces their quality of life.

     Illnesses due to poor toilet sanitation include diarrhoeal disease and parasitic worm infections which can lead to nutritional deficiencies, physical and mental stunting, and death. Every day, millions of children in rural communities and urban households nationwide are exposed to these health problems by using dirty toilets populated by disease-carrying germs.

Global toilet sanitation problem leads to 443 million missed school day

     According to Dr. Luisa Efren of the Philippine Public Health Association (PPHA), the simple act of proper toilet sanitation can help prevent the spread of these germs. However, children continue to be at risk from these deadly diseases because many households still use ordinary laundry bleach to clean their toilet bowls, which is not enough to kill all toilet germs.

“A toilet that looks clean to the naked eye may not necessarily be free from germs and bacteria. So, it is very important to properly sanitize all surfaces using a germ-kill expert with proven efficacy in eliminating bacteria, and not just any ordinary laundry bleach,” Dr. Efren warned.

     For the past three years, Unilever Philippines through its germ-kill expert brand Domex, has been working with UNICEF and PPHA to champion the One Million Clean Toilets Movement. This advocacy program aims to educate Filipinos on proper toilet hygiene and the need for sanitized household toilets to keep their families safe against disease-causing germs.

     On November 13, World Toilet Day, join the One Million Clean Toilets Movement in the fight against disease causing germs to save lives, one clean toilet at a time. To learn more about Domex and how you can stay safe from disease with a germ-free home, visit Domex Philippines on Facebook. 

     You can also help the 1 Million Clean Toilets Movement fight against disease by spreading awareness on the sanitation issue caused unsanitary toilets. Watch and share the “Sick Days” video below to help keep your family and friends germ-free.

REFERENCES:

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/wsh0404.pdf

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs330/en/

https://www.unilever.com/sustainable-living/the-sustainable-living-plan/improving-health-and-well-being/health-and-hygiene/toilets-of-tomorrow/

Buy More, Fly More Campaign Launch

     Are you a frequent Robinsons Supermarket shopper? Do you love P and G products as much as I do (almost all of our household items are products of Procter and Gamble), or you always love to travel every month, perhaps? If YESSSS is the answer to the questions above, then I have great news to all of you :)

     I was invited to the launch of BUY MORE, FLY MORE! campaign. This is not an ordinary contest because three giant names in the industry partnered together to bring this awesome promotion to their loyal customers. To know more about the mechanics, scroll down below now!!!

Buy More, Fly More Campaign Launch

Mechanics:

1.) In a single transaction, every P500 worth of at least 4 different P&G participating brands in Robinsons Supermarket is equivalent to 1 sticker.

Buy More, Fly More Campaign Launch

2.) Collect 12 stickers and get a Cebu Pacific GetGo card with 2,600 points (GetGo card P150 membership fee waived) *2600 points is usually equivalent to a one way-trip to Cebu.

Buy More, Fly More Campaign Launch
Promo Mechanics

3.) Open to all Robinsons Supermarket shoppers.

4.) Maximum of 12 sticker redemptions per day per shopper.

5.) Sticker card, stickers, and GetGo cards are redeemable at the customer service of any Robinsons Supermarket branch where purchase was made upon presentation of valid receipt.

6.) Sticker card, stickers, and GetGo card are non-convertible to cash.

7.) To claim their GetGo card customers must surrender the sticker card with 12 stickers to the Robinsons Supermarket customer service.

Buy More, Fly More Campaign Launch
GetGo Card

8.) Participating brands: Safeguard, Olay, Head and Shoulders, Pantene, Pampers, Ariel, Tide, Downy, Joy.

Buy More, Fly More Campaign Launch
Participating brands: Safeguard, Olay, Head and Shoulders, Pantene, Pampers, Ariel, Tide, Downy, Joy

9.) Promotion period: November 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016.

10.) Redemption period: November 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.

11.) Promotion excludes wholesale transactions.

    “Buy More, Fly More” is an exciting new campaign being offered by P&G, Robinsons Supermarket and GetGo, Rewards by Cebu Pacific. Shoppers of P&G products in Robinsons Supermarkets can now earn GetGo points, which can be redeemed into flights. The promo runs from November 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016. Terms and conditions apply.

Buy More, Fly More Campaign Launch
Cebu Pacific General Manger for Loyalty Division- Nik Laming, P & G Country Brand Manager for Shopper Marketing - Clarence Lim and Robinsons Supermarket General Manager- Jody Gadia

     Now there are more reasons to shop in Robinsons Supermarket and to hoard my favorite P & G products. I don't travel a lot but if there's an opportunity and a chance to FLY FOR FREE, why not?! Enjoy shopping at Robinsons Supermarket and have a chance to fly to your dream destination from GetGo and Cebu Pacific.

 To know more about Buy More, Fly More Promo

visit: www.robinsons-supermarket.com.ph 

Good Times!~

'Mas Creamy Sarap Polvoron' from Red Ribbon

     One of my favorite Filipino desserts comes in a small plastic packaging filled with milky yummy goodness. I'm a fan of that powdered milk sweet dessert that no doubt everyone loves. Everyone has that one special food item that brings memories of home. Arguably for Filipinos, this is the classic Polvoron. Here's great news from Red Ribbon, one of the biggest bakeshops in the Philippines, introduces its Classic Polvoron—a delightful treat that bursts a melt-in-your-mouth sweetness and creaminess, leaving an aftertaste that’s sure to make Filipinos grab for more.

     According to Zinnia Rivera, general manager of Red Ribbon, the Classic Polvoron offers just the right amount of sweetness, with more “creamy sarap” goodness. “The creamy taste of Polvoron has an empowering taste that brings Filipinos back to their childhood years,” Rivera said. “Since adults enjoy the rich, creamy taste of Polvoron, they now share their all-time favorite treat to their children. With Red Ribbon’s Classic Polvoron in place, children and adults alike will find our creamy variant more irresistible.” 

'Mas Creamy Sarap Polvoron' from Red Ribbon

     The Red Ribbon Classic Polvoron comes in singles, pack of eights (8s) and box of 16s. The price ranges for each pack is P10, P73 and P143, respectively.

     Rivera added, “What’s best about our Classic Polvoron is its sweet, creamy taste that’s perfect for mothers who want the best sweet treat for their kids’ recess or for the ates and kuyas out there who are looking for that sweet ending after a scrumptious meal.” 

     Aside from the Classic Polvoron, Red Ribbon also boasts its other Polvoron flavors. This includes the Pinipig Polvoron, which bursts with the same creamy goodness complemented by crunchy pinipig bits; and the Peanut Polvoron, which contains flavorful real peanut bits mixed with powdered milk and lightly toasted flour and butter. For families who want to taste all three flavours, they can opt to purchase the Assorted Polvoron Pack.

     Rivera said, “We’re making it easier for Filipino families to enjoy all our Polvoron flavors in one pack at an affordable price.”

     “Red Ribbon’s Polvoron products are popular delicacies that never fail to delight Filipino families,” Rivera added. “For its part, Red Ribbon Bakeshop will continue to innovate its products by improving the taste and design. We will continue to make great-tasting confections that are guaranteed to delight families regardless of the occasion.” 

     Now on its 36th year, Red Ribbon continues to make each celebration—whether small or grand—even more special. To date, the popular bakeshop chain now has over 300 stores nationwide.

Hypertension Need Not to Lead Strokes with Pharex

     My father is hypertensive and got this health complication when he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. It's one of the comorbid diseases that my father is dealing with right now. According to his doctor, this condition should be treated seriously to prolong the life of the patient. Anyhoo, I'm sharing with you this short article about hypertension and why as early as now, we should be vigilant in treating this life-threatening disease. 

     More than 1.56 billion people worldwide are expected to have hypertension by 2025, making the disease more alarming to healthcare providers. However, most people diagnosed with the condition have no signs nor symptoms of the disease until they reach its life-threatening stages.

Hypertension Need Not to Lead Strokes with Pharex
blood pressure monitor and maintenance medicine for hypertension

     According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every five adults with high blood pressure—a more general term for hypertension—is unaware of his or her disease, making prevention to deadly consequences such as stroke more difficult than ever.

     “Hypertensive patients may experience frequent headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds, but these signs won’t occur until their blood pressure rises to its peak,” said Dr. Amado Nazal, medical director of Pharex Health Corp. “When left untreated, their high blood pressure may cause them serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke.”

     About eight out of ten people who had their first stroke are diagnosed with hypertension, which is responsible for worsening the quality of lives of some 14 million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

Hypertension Need Not to Lead Strokes with Pharex

     “You can have high blood pressure for many years without symptoms surfacing every now and then—what people don’t know is that the disease comes like a thief in the night,” Dr. Nazal said.

     He added, “This makes regular monitoring of blood pressure all the more important. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important whether you are already hypertensive or not; the challenge comes recognizing the disease and taking action before it leads to stroke.”

     Uncontrolled high blood pressure may trigger excessive pressure on a person’s artery walls, damaging the blood vessels and the body’s organs. This is why Pharex HealthCorp., the most prescribed unibranded generics, emphasizes the vital role of lifestyle change in keeping high blood pressure at bay.

     Dr. Nazal said, “The first step to achieving lifestyle change is to set an appointment with your healthcare provider. If you suspect that you have hypertension, nothing comes more important than having your blood pressure checked to address it immediately.”

     Furthermore, prioritizing lifestyle modifications such as quitting smoking and staying physically active will go a long way in preventing high blood pressure and its complications.

     “Hypertension is both preventable and treatable, only if you follow the right treatment procedures as prescribed by your doctor,” he said. “When you’re at home, it is best to cut down on salt, eat a balanced diet, and avoid harmful use of alcohol. More importantly, taking your medication to curb hypertension will help you minimize it.”

     For hypertensive adults, there is an abundance of high-quality medicines at very low prices that they need to adhere to. If patients will not comply with their medication, Dr. Nazal said that “their quality of life will pay the price.”

     He concluded, “Non-compliance to your therapy will cost so much more. Once hypertensive patients learn how to control their blood pressure, it will be easier for them to go back to their normal lives without the fear of having stroke or other chronic diseases.”

Bonding with Kenzo at the Res|Toe|Run Rumble Yard Event

     Can I say that I'm lucky because I have bonding time with Kenzo everyday at home? Since I'm a stay-at-home mom, I have all the time in the world to spend quality time with him. I've seen him grow physically, emotionally and mentally. The experience of seeing his actions everyday is pure bliss. But there are times that we get boring, doing the same stuff everyday. So when the need to unwind and relax outside the house arise, we go out and chill in the mall. There are so many ways on how to spend quality time with your family and kids, sometimes the best venue- inside your favorite malls!

     Weeks ago, I was invited to have a unique bonding time with Kenzo. This bonding time is something that the whole family can do. Shoe shopping, anyone? Yes, buying a pair of shoes is a bonding where time will be well spent. I've realized that choosing the style of foot wear that I'll buy for my son will be more exciting if he's inside the store with me. There are times that I do the shoe shopping alone hence I've bought the wrong size and he doesn't want the style. With this kind of bonding, I've seen how Kenzo responded to different shoe styles. With this, he's able to show me what's inside his mind. More highlights of the event below :)

     Res|Toe|Run is the country's first and only restaurant-inspired multi-brand shoe shop: a Shoetopia for Shoeaholics, designed to satisfy one's infinite appetite for shoes. The product mix is divided into 3 categories:

RES represents the comfortable casual footwear line; 

TOE is composed of toe-flaunting sandals and flip-flops; 

RUN is made up of active and athletic-inspired shoes.

     Res|Toe|Run is bringing into the country a whole new world of shoe shopping experience with its wide array of heritage and alternative footwear brands. Res|Toe|Run aims to expand its reach to Filipino families everywhere with 50 stores this 2015 and the launch of its collection of Kids brands through the kids’ Rumble Yard. 

Bonding with Kenzo at the Res|Toe|Run Rumble Yard Event

     The Res|Toe|Run Kids Rumble Yard officially launched the store’s kids category last October 10-11, 2015 and is held at the Activity Center of Robinsons Magnolia. With the aim of introducing the kids brands available in store, they made this family-bonding activity that run for two days. It's a  playground-themed event that was open to public and to media, celebrities, and online personalities.

Bonding with Kenzo at the Res|Toe|Run Rumble Yard Event
Kenzo in front of the activity area

     Kenzo and I had a blast during the event. Res|Toe|Run’s kids brands set up fun and exciting booths for boys and girls to explore, create, and enjoy at the Rumble Yard. “The overall idea of the event is to represent each brand’s personality.

• DC gives the cool and hip vibe
• Native will awaken their creative side 
• People Footwear offers excitement and thrill by creating a buzz
• Flossy and Faux Pas are both for the young girls who love to bring out their princess side

Bonding with Kenzo at the Res|Toe|Run Rumble Yard Event

     The event was an enjoyable moment not only for the kids but for the entire family as well. The Res|Toe|Run Kids Rumble Yard is created for kids to have a special time to bond with their parents through fun and exciting games and activities. Family bonding and spending time with the kids is very important even in simple activities like this. That's why when they invited me and Kenzo to the event, I said yes. Looking for a pair of shoes with my son is a bonding that's so awesome. We enjoyed searching for the perfect pair of shoes.

Bonding with Kenzo at the Res|Toe|Run Rumble Yard Event

     Apart from the booths, the event also hosted a one-hour program that is absolutely engaging such as the Faux Pas Pin the Jams, People Footwear’s Spell it, Win it!, Native’s Twister!, DC Shoes’ Longest Breath Challenge, and Flossy’s Prints Matching game. Families also go home with keepsakes at the Res|Toe|Run photo booth.

Bonding with Kenzo at the Res|Toe|Run Rumble Yard Event

     Kenzo enjoyed the tattoo booth, he asked me if I will allow him to have this design on his arm. He wanted Spider Man but it will take more time to do that so the artist just tweaked the design.  It's still cool and Kenzo liked it!

Bonding with Kenzo at the Res|Toe|Run Rumble Yard Event
Brands they carry include Native and People Footwear

     More than just a go-to shoe store for the latest hard-to-find footwear selections, Res|Toe|Run seeks to offer the widest array of shoes for each member of the family. With its Kids collection in tow, Res|Toe|Run plates up a delectable footwear menu for just about everyone. I'll share with you Kenzo's OOTD wearing DC shoes soon. Thank you so muc Primer Group of Companies for having us :)

Bonding with Kenzo at the Res|Toe|Run Rumble Yard Event
Twinning with Kenzo wearing our oh so comfy People Footwear sneakers

     Res|Toe|Run is owned and operated by Primer Group of Companies. They have 40 stores nationwide as of this writing and will be opening their new branches in Robinsons Galleria Cebu and Newport Mall this November and Eastwood mall this December. 

For more  information on Res|Toe|Run's latest offerings,

Like them Facebook: ResToeRunOfficial

Follow them on Twitter: @ResToeRun

Follow them on Instagram: @restoerunofficial

Good Times!~