Month: March 2022

1 out of 4 or 25% of Filipinos, aged 15-49, is revealed to have experienced some form of violence during the ongoing health crisis. This includes verbal abuse, which has become a hidden battle faced by most women on a regular basis.

Verbal abuse can often be confusing not just for the survivors but also for the abusers because it manifests differently—gaslighting, judging, blaming, name-calling, condescension, and verbal threats, among others.

According to the  Gender Watch Against Violence and Exploitation (GWAVE), verbal abuse often contributes to psychological abuse experienced by women and can be penalized as a violation of RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.

“Violence in the homes is not ‘away pamilya’ and is everybody’s concern,” says GWAVE Executive Director, Sheema Bajana-Samson. “People should be vigilant and watch out for signs of abuse through what is heard verbally and body language as well.”

GWAVE is one of many non-government organizations and independent agencies that helps rescue survivors by offering legal assistance and rehabilitation.

“We have survivors also accompany their fellow survivors in hearings, and they do home visitations to other survivors as a form of moral support towards each other.” continues Bajana-Samson. “We’re happy to share that we now have a number of survivors who are emotionally and psychologically ready to become advocates themselves.”

In celebration of International Women’s Month, and the advocacy to build a better world for women, Avon sounds the call to #SpeakOut, take a stand and be more self-aware to help others fight verbal and other forms of abuse. Based on a global study of more than eight thousand women in eight countries, including the Philippines, found that one in five women are consistently subjected to verbal abuse by an intimate partner. Nearly two in five respondents aged 25-34 are experiencing potential signs of verbal abuse within their relationship – the highest amongst the age groups.Avon Philippines PR and Communications Head, Marion Limlengco wants to encourage more Filipinos to join dialogues and be more aware of this silent battle that has been affecting more women than actually perceived. “Filipinas are very resilient women, but it turns out, there are some of us who are going through such invisible battles and we don’t even know it. That is why we are tapping a platform where we can freely discuss this issue with no holds barred while still centering on positivity and freedom of expression.”

Avid podcast listeners can also look forward to collaborations with popular popcasts such as

• Adulting with Joyce Pring, (March 25 via Spotify)
• Camp Confidence Radio Podcast with Ayn Bernos and Rizza Lana-Sebastian, (March 30 via Spotify and YouTube)
• The Eve’s Drop Podcast feat. Delamar Arias, Monica Francesca Tobias, and Gelli Victor with special guest, Ms. Universe 2015 and Avon Intimate Apparel ambassador, Pia Wurtzbach (March 30 via Spotify)

Everyone is also invited to catch Avon’s collaboration with the livestreaming app, Kumu, where viewers can enjoy talks, performances, and fun challenges—all to foster awareness on verbal abuse and raise funds in behalf of Avon’s partner organizations that help abuse survivors. Here’s the full lineup:

• #SpeakOut Dialogues with Women (March 25 via@kumunityheroes)
• #Speakout Kumunity Challenge (March 28 to April 3)

In the first two months of 2022 alone, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) announced that fire incidents have already increased by almost 13% compared to the same period last year. In addition, back in 2020, data from BFP also showed that open flame due to torch, unattended cooking, and electrical connections are the main causes of fire accidents.

Like other threats and risks of loss in any unfortunate events such as natural calamities, impacts due to fire and negligence mishaps, thousands of lives and millions up to billions worth of properties are being lost every year, and the need for a financial tool arises to make financial impacts less severe.

“Damage caused by fire is insurmountable. It affects the lives and livelihood of many Filipinos, regardless of their economic status in life. Unfortunately, our kababayans in the marginalized sector can experience bigger risk and more profound impact. Backed by our commitment for financial inclusion, we also want common Filipinos to be able to afford protection and security as a part of their financial plan. It is crucial that they have access to basic security requirements to cushion the blow of disasters that may happen,” Cebuana Lhuillier CEO and President, Jean Henri Lhuillier said.

As the country observes the annual Fire Prevention Month, here are some tips from the BFP to make sure that your house is safe from fire:

1. Unplug appliances when they are not in use

Unplugging items when not in use not only reduces your electricity consumption but also cuts down the chances of a fire. Excessive electricity flowing through appliances like TV sets, computers, and a lot more – or a possibility of power surge can be a source of conflagration.

Make sure to always unplug your appliances when leaving the house.

2. Never leave flames or heated appliances unattended

Always be cautious of any excessive flames that you may use like lighting candles or cooking. Always keep an eye and one step ahead if anything goes wrong. Much better if you can install fire alarms or have fire extinguishers ready, nearby.

3. Keep flammable items away from things that can be a source of fire

Proper storage of different items and supplies can prevent a fire incident. Ensuring that flammable items are stored in the right place and are far away from a source of heat, can save you from a possible accident.

4. Declutter

Too many things cluttered in an area can give fire plenty of space to spread faster. By decluttering certain areas in your home, you’ll be able to minimize the risk of spreading fire, minimize your loss, and save your home in the event of a fire.

5. Check your electrical wirings regularly

Pay close attention to any visible faulty wirings. This can damage your appliances that can eventually lead to a fire incident.

Always remember that prevention is always better than cure. Knowing these fire prevention tips could save you and others from a devastating event.

“This Fire Prevention Month, it is important to raise awareness about fire safety and prevention. Apart from being ready when a fire incident happens, it is also important that common Filipinos have a safety net in case it happened. This is our main mission for our microinsurance product, ProtectMax. This product offers comprehensive coverage at a more reasonable cost,” First Vice President and Group Head of Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers Inc., Jonathan Batangan mentioned.

To lessen the risk brought by fire and other natural calamities, Cebuana Lhuiller offers ProtectMAX, an affordable microinsurance product designed for individuals aged 7 to 70 years old with Death Benefit, Accident or Sickness Emergency Cash Assistance, Accidental Dismemberment and/or Disablement, Murder, and Unprovoked Assault and Residential Fire Reconstruction cash assistance.

For as low as P50, get a total coverage value of up to P61,000.00. Each certificate is valid for four (4) months from the date of issuance and can be availed up to a maximum of 5 certificates per insured in a year.

To know more about Cebuana Lhuillier ProtectMAX, visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch or just log on to www.cebuanalhuillier.com. Avail ProtectMAX now in almost 3,000 branches of Cebuana Lhuillier, nationwide.

Retail clients of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) can now send money from their Peso or US Dollar account to a foreign bank account via BPI Online and BPI Mobile app with BPI Outward Remittance. The product was recently launched to complement bank transfers done in person, giving clients more convenient options to send money to family and friends abroad.

With BPI Outward Remittance, the Bank will enable more clients to fulfill international wire transfers in just a few taps for needs such as educational expenses, medical expenses, foreign travel funds, subscriptions, and insurance payments.

“We at BPI continue to innovate and reinvent our products and services to make everyday banking more convenient for our customers. With the BPI Outward Remittance being available in our digital channels, our customers will be able to enjoy fast and convenient international fund transfers anywhere, anytime,” said Reggie Cariaso, BPI Head of Corporate Banking Strategy, Products, and Support.

BPI Outward Remittance ensures secure fund transfers of up to $10,000 with SWIFT global payment innovations (SWIFT gpi), an advanced payment method using modern digital tools for traceable and swifter cross-border payments. Clients will simply need to fill in their sending details, receiving bank details, and beneficiary details via BPI Online or BPI Mobile app.

The product offers affordable overall charges and competitive foreign exchange rates in multiple currencies including USD, AUD, GBP, EUR, SGD, HKD, and CAD. It also provides a fast and reliable turnaround time of one to three banking days for transactions with no discrepancies.

For more information about BPI Outward Remittance, visit https://www.bpi.com.ph/bank/services/send-money-abroad.

By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population may be facing water shortages. According to World Wildlife Fund Inc., this pmay get worse considering the current consumption rate worldwide.

On World Water Day, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI)—the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country—is urging the public to participate in water conservation efforts to reduce any unnecessary water usage.

“Water is a fundamental right. This is the reason we strictly manage our water consumption and water wastes. We need to integrate water conservation methods to improve global water security. We encourage the public to use water responsibly as this is a shared responsibility that we need to take seriously,” said PCPPI president and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Frederick D. Ong.

Last year, PCPPI reported a six percent reduction in its 2020 water usage. The company saved around 369,000 cubic meters of water which is equal to more than 147 Olympic-sized swimming pools. From 2019 to 2021, the company has reduced its water use by 11.5%.

To bolster its water stewardship initiatives, PCPPI monitors its water consumption in its operations and has devised ways to improve its water recycling to minimize wastage. It also continues to strengthen its host communities’ involvement by partnering with local government units for its adopt-a-river program.

Everybody can join this water conservation movement, even while at home. Here are some tips on how you can efficiently use water and save money on water bills, too.

Prep your food wisely

Practice rinsing your fruits and vegetables in a basin of water instead of under running water. Do this and save up to 10 to 15 gallons of water every year.

Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator overnight. This is better than placing it under flowing tap. When boiling vegetables, make sure to use only enough water. This allows you to still get adequate nutrients from them. Use your rice wash to water the plants.

Run full loads of laundry

If you want to wash your laundry with ease, soak your dirty clothes in water for at least 20 minutes to remove the stains. It is also advisable to run a full load of laundry to maximize the water used—it’s energy-efficient, too. You may then recycle the laundry water and use it to clean your garage, pathways, bathroom floors, or your pet’s cage.

Check for leaks

Regularly check for pipe leaks. If you see signs of molds or foul smells, it’s best to ask for help from an experienced plumber to inspect your plumbing system. Leaks occur in toilets, too. Try adding a small drop of food coloring to your toilet tank and wait for a few minutes to test for leaks. If the water in the bowl changes its color even without flushing, then it’s leaking. Getting rid of leaks could save a household 10,000 gallons of water per year.

Shower and brush your teeth responsibly

When washing with soap or shampoo, turn off the faucet to prevent water waste. You can also work on reducing your shower time by finishing your bath routine quickly. If possible, use a bucket and a dipper or get a water-saving showerhead.

It is wise to brush your teeth and rinse using a cup of water. Running the tap while toothbrushing uses up as much as six liters of water every time.

Save water when cleaning outdoors

Use a pail of water and a broom rather than a hose to get rid of stubborn dirt on your sidewalk, driveway, or parking lot. To add, use recycled laundry water. It has the same cleaning effect for outdoor dirty areas as with clean tap water.

Turn off faucets

Need we say more? Turn off all your faucets at home when not in use.

There are still so many ways to conserve water and to ensure global water security. The world is changing and it is only fitting that we change our ways, too, because this fact remains: Water is life.

Duty Free Philippines Corporation’s (DFPC) outlets at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1 and 3 Departure areas will resume operations on 17 March 2022, as international travel in the country gradually returns to normalcy under Alert Level 1.

“After a long hiatus due to the COVID 19 pandemic, we are happy to announce that departing international travelers at the NAIA T1 and T3 can now enjoy their duty-free shopping privileges,” said Vicente Pelagio Angala, DFPC Chief Operating Officer.

The pandemic has gravely hit DFPC due to the global travel restrictions and lockdowns prohibiting Duty Free’s primary market, i.e., the balikbayans and foreign tourists, from entering or departing the country. DFPC’s arrival stores only resumed operations last year with the easing of travel restrictions. Now that more travelers are leaving the country, there has been an increased demand for DFPC to reopen its departure outlets.

The DFPC’s T1 and T3 departure stores will be open daily, from 7 am to 10 pm. To

 learn more about DFPC’s programs and services, visit www.dfp.com.ph or

@dutyfreephils on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Purefoods Deli Breakfast Sausages are made with a unique blend of seasonings and spices to delight your meal, whether for breakfast or even snacking. If you love to add bacon to just about everything, then it’s time you give Purefoods Deli Beef Bacon a try! Prime cuts of beef cured with spices and smoked to perfection for a more delectable and premium bacon experience Available in supermarkets nationwide and at https://thehub.sanmiguel.com.ph.

Are you ready to celebrate summer?

If you’re still prepping to have that summer body, Salmon HQ is your best friend. If you’re looking for delicious treats that are good not just for the heart but also for your body, Salmon HQ has everything from pasta to baked sushi and naked salmon cake to offer.

Here are some of their best sellers that you need to try at least once in your life.

Hokkaido Oysters 

Imagine eating oysters that are as big as the palm of your hands? AWESOME right? This is what Hokkaido Oysters are all about. 

Oysters are a rich source of vitamin D, copper, zinc, and manganese. These micronutrients, in combination with calcium, are thought to be key to slowing or even preventing bone loss in older women due to osteoporosis. Additionally, dietary sources of these minerals are thought to be more effective than supplements. Salmon HQ’s Hokkaido Oysters will definitely have you slurping this awesome goodness with the biggest smile on your face. 

Otoro and Chutoro

This is the most desirable part from the inside of the fish’s belly. Because it is the fattiest part of the fish, it practically melts in your mouth. It also lends sashimi a sweeter taste. Because of its rich and highly sought-after nature, otoro can be a bit more expensive than other parts of the fish – but certainly worth every penny.

Chutoro straddles both types of tuna and so it provides both a meaty and a fatty texture for a real celebration in your mouth. Don’t expect to eat a lot of chutoro when enjoying tuna – it makes up such a small amount of the fish that it takes a whole fish to make one chutoro sashimi! This is why it’s a must have!

Sushi Bake or Baked Sushi

A sushi bake is basically a deconstructed sushi roll, with all the elements you love: tangy sushi rice, seasoned crab filling, and spicy mayo to top it off. Salmon HQ makes it better by playing around and adding more to its offering so you’re constantly surprised with the taste. Some of the flavors you need to try are the Crunchy California Maki, Takoyaki, and their ultimate best-seller, the Aburi Scallops Salmon Ebi.

Premium Salmon Cake

Salmon is the only dish that you can eat raw and it’ll be so good you’ll want more. The good thing is that it is good for your body and for your heart. One of the top health benefits of eating salmon, either raw or cooked, is that it is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids help the body in several ways, including: Improved brain function. Decreased risk of cardiovascular problems, like heart attack and heart arrhythmia.

So, what are you waiting for? Order yours now via their Salmon HQ Facebook Page or better yet, book them for your next event, Zoom meeting, or celebration. Everyone will definitely love you if you bring food from Salmon HQ.