Double Dragon increases leasable space with Hotel 101-Fort

Property development firm DoubleDragon Properties expects to raise its profile in the industry with Hotel 101-Fort that will increase its total prime leasable space to 1.2 million square meters by 2020.

DoubleDragon president Ferdinand Sia (right) with chief investment officer Hannah Yulo at the grand launch of DoubleDragon’s Hotel 101-Fort 

DoubleDragon chief investment officer Hannah Yulo says the company’s latest development, to be managed by hospitality subsidiary, Hotel of Asia, Inc., occupies a 1,224-square-meter lot and has 28 floors of hotel rooms. The hotel will have a total of 609 rooms, all offering utmost privacy and security. The property’s five basements have 179 parking slots.

A three-level podium offers commercial areas on the ground and second floors for specialty retail shops and restaurants. On the third floor are well-designed amenities that offer convenience and comfort, such as the gym and pool.

Each room is carefully crafted and planned for efficiency, including maximized ceiling heights, well-distributed light courts, large low-E double glazed windows, hallway clearances and natural ventilation.

The property also incorporates barrier-free designs for ramps, handrails and toilets, making it easily accessible for people with disabilities (PWD).

DoubleDragon intends to increase its total number of hotel rooms to 5,000 by 2020, under the brands Hotel 101 and Jinjiang Inn.

Another DoubleDragon’s target for 2020 is CentralHub Industrial Centers, Inc., an industrial leasing subsidiary offering standardized multi-use warehouses for commissaries, logistics, and cold storage facilities. Through CentralHub, the company is targeting to offer initially 100,000 square meters of industrial space for lease by 2020, with 30,000 square meters to be located in Tarlac and the rest spread out to other parts of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

For its network of nationwide community malls under the CityMall brand, DoubleDragon expects to build 100 malls in provincial areas with close to 700,000 square meters of leasable space.

DoubleDragon’s Metro Manila office leasing portfolio includes the DD Meridian Park in the Bay Area, the first phase of which is now complete, and the 41-storey Jollibee Tower in Ortigas, set for completion by end of 2018.

For more information, visit www.doubledragon.com.ph.

foodpanda launches exclusive Mother’s Day deals

Treat the special women in your life to a great meal this Mother’s Day

Mothers play a significant role in society and in our daily lives.  Indeed, these selfless and determined women are our best cheerleaders and will never give up on us! And there is one special day,  every second Sunday of May, when we express our gratitude for their sacrifice and unconditional love – Mother’s Day!

Why not take that upcoming day to cherish her? Treat the ladies of the month to a delectable food experience without leaving the comfort of your home – since it is the small and daily things that truly count! Ditch the traditional gimmicks and celebrate your love for food at home by ordering something hot and fresh straight to your doorsteps.

foodpanda, the on-demand online food delivery service in the country – available in Manila, Cebu and Davao, offers the easiest delivery of your favorite food and cuisine from over 400 restaurants, be it American, Italian and Japanese. In a few easy steps, you can order whatever you’re craving! 

And to honor every mom this Mother’s Day celebration in the most special way possible, foodpanda has partnered with top restaurants on their platform to deliver hot-off-the-stove items for that special woman in our life. 

Rolls Republic.

Why not order and give your mom a sushi-roll ‘bouquet’ whose beauty she can adore before eating? Using foodpanda application will give you a 10% off on flower rolls in Rolls Republic for the whole month of May! No doubt that these rolls will show how your mama rolls for you!

Down To Earth

Given that these ladies are the most down to earth and busiest person, why not give her a tea for stress and anxiety? Down to Earth, the restaurant where everything is organic and natural, offers 20% off per bottle in Wild Hibiscus Tea and Kombucha Tea for the whole month of May to all foodpanda users – a perfect way to literally drink her way to to calmness and relaxation. 

Racks

If you want to go traditional with simple lunch, Racks created Blue Plate that will surely rock this sweet celebration. foodpanda users get to enjoy lunch specials cheaper than dining in – a sure combo to ignite old and create new memories with your mom!

Yabu: House of Katsu

The authentic Japanese Katsu restaurant, Yabu, is another way to treat your mom on this special day and a great way to say I ‘Yab-U’ to the special lady in your life. The house of katsu will be offering free delivery from May 1 to 19 for orders with PhP 200 above. 

Nothing else can be better than showing your love with food! This Mother’s Day, when it is time to celebrate the most unconditional love and purest relation of all, all you have to do is order in from your favorite restaurant on Mother’s Day weekend and reminisce all the best golden memories of life with her, while foodpanda will take care of the rest to prepare and deliver the food you love right in front of your doorstep. 

Just head to foodpanda website or download the app (available in AppStore and Google Play) to savour these dishes while chilling in the comfort of your home with your mother and the rest of the family. Bonus? Among the wide range of foodpanda restaurants, you will  discover  discounts from select partners as well!  

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About foodpanda:

foodpanda is dedicated to bringing food lovers around the world their favorite meals from curated local restaurants. Since its creation, the on-demand food delivery service has grown to more than 27,000 partner restaurants in more than 190 cities across 12 Asian and Central Europe countries globally. foodpanda is active in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan, Taiwan, Philippines, Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Romania and Bulgaria. It belongs to Delivery Hero, worldwide leader of the food delivery industry. For more information visit www.foodpanda.ph.

How it works:

Through the foodpanda website or via the new iOS and Android apps, customers can enter their address and view a curated list of restaurants serving their neighborhood. Once they have found their meal of choice, they can place an order in the comfort of their home or office, paying online through foodpanda’s secure platform. The order is then carefully prepared by the restaurant, picked up by the foodpanda rider and delivered straight to their doorstep.

Follow us on:

Facebook: foodpandaphilippines

Twitter: foodpanda_ph

Instagram: foodpanda_ph

Converge ICT & FTTH Council Asia Pacific brings the 13th annual FTTH APAC Conference in Manila 2018

Converge ICT, the pure end-to-end Fiber Internet provider in the country, together with FTTH Council Asia Pacific is proud to bring the 13th annual FTTH APAC Conference 2018 on May 8-10, 2018 at Shangri-La at the Fort, Makati City, Philippines.

Gathering all the companies active in the Asia-Pacific telecoms market and the over 600 senior executives participating this year is no easy task. Yet, this annual conference will serve as the meeting point for the region’s top operators, solution providers, and vendors as well. 

Now is your rare chance to position your company as a market leader and take advantage of this event to build networks, partake in open discussions, and be aware of the latest regional market trends and technological disruptions.

Key topics to discuss:

• The importance of fiber to the network edge for future proof telecom networks in the Philippines.
• Digital services as a critical economic platform for the country and a launch pad for innovation.
• Designing win-win partnerships between the Philippine government, carriers, “over the top” players and non-traditional investors.

What are the entertainment and connected living needs of the Philippines? 

What are your visions for the future of telecommunications and entertainment in the country? 

This event is hosted by the Republic of the Philippines Department of Information and Communications Technology, the Philippine Cable Television Association, CONVERGE ICT, together with leading Philippines ICT companies.

About Converge ICT

An ISO-Certified company, Converge ICT is the fastest growing fiber Internet and other digital consumer-centric services provider in the Philippines today. 

Their premium products and services run through the first pure end-to-end fiber Internet network in the country. Whether you are at home, in your business, or in the corporate world, Converge is the brand of choice!

BALDWIN CHAM VELASCO, Finance Executive and aspiring Philanthropist.

“You are defined by three things: your passion, your words and your loyalty. In business, I always believe that a man is as good as his words. Business is not about scheming or going under the table, but rather, strategizing and being successful through merits and keeping your promises. Loyalty and trust are earned through time and lost in a minute.  Business is an opportunity to create relationships wherein all stakeholders are happy, in the ideal world. When faced with inevitable challenges, strive to stay positive, optimistic and endure. Failures create opportunities for us to become better versions of ourselves. Everything is about having setting a goal and achieving it, if circumstances do not lead you closer then it, then it only derails you. Always have a grateful heart and a purpose. These are the principles that I try to live by in business as well as in life."

As said so eloquently by the successful Executive Vice President of Filcredit Finance & Capital Development Corporation, Baldwin Cham Velasco, who has been with the company since May 2012.  In just a span of 6 years, Velasco now manages a portfolio close to PHP500 million and manages all aspects of the financing company.

“I ensure the maximum recovery and collections of all regular, remedial, delinquent and bad accounts through negotiations, compromise, amicable settle and legal remedies.  I make sure to exhaust all means necessary to collect through amicable settlements while maintaining good relations and proper documentation for the maximum security of Filcredit,” said Velasco.

Filcredit Finance and Capital Development Corporation (Filcredit) is a finance company that has been offering financial products and services since 1990. Filcredit provides a reliable source of working capital financing to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).  The company continues to further reinvent itself and is now diversifying their products, including micro financing in its financial offerings.  Composed of a team of highly-skilled professionals, Filcredit’s goal is to help companies better manage their cash flow so they can focus more on production, sales, business development, and of course, increase their bottom line.

As with any financial company, Velasco admits that constant creativity and resourcefulness are very important aspects which are needed to successfully manage the company’s treasury and renegotiate with the company’s non-cooperative accounts and convert them into cooperative compliant ones. 

“I lead a very lean organization while ensuring to manage the treasury of the company the best way I know how.  I create various business solutions and remedies for various SMEs to ensure their continuous survival and further grow their business through financial partnering.  I am very passionate of this and I believe that in business, as well as in life, there should always be a win-win solution, regardless of the situation,” added Velasco.

And to always achieve a win-win solution for both parties, Velasco says that it is crucial for people to always maintain good professional relationships with everyone around them, most importantly their banks and other financial institutions they are in business with.  This way, their line of credit will always remain to be a viable option, should the need arises.

Velasco is in the business of managing relationships and as with this kind of business, relationship, being the operative word, is all about honesty, transparency, and trust.  These three key traits comprise the secret to his success and continue to be the driving force to his management style.

“I truly believe that my success really stems from these three innate qualities – being honest, transparent, and being trustworthy.  I always try to incorporate these in the work environment that I am in and manifest itself in how I work with people and vice versa. By championing these traits, whether it be in the workplace or with my clients, I find that when the trust has been established, the sense of security is increased and people start feeling more empowered, thus leading to more productivity and a better outlook on life.  Yes, over time, these priorities may change but what should never change, is my personal commitment to be as open, honest and be as transparent as possible, with the people I work with, and this I feel has made all the difference,” said Velasco.

As an aspiring philanthropist, It is Baldwin’s passion to also help the gay community and is a donor at the Sustained Health Initiatives of the Philippines, focusing on empowering HIV-positive occasional or habitual drug users who want to change by providing them with medications, assistance, counseling and other interventions that would help them have better lives. 

Baldwin Cham Velasco took up Master of Arts in Psychology, Major in Industrial Organization, as well as Bachelor of Arts in Management.

Bong Tan : Every Bottle of Tanduay is Made from Green Intentions

Tanduay president Lucio “Bong” Tan, Jr. has been actively supporting grassroots sports. Beyond sports, Tan is also passionate about green initiatives. He himself was on top of the transformation to a zero-waste facility of Absolut Distillers, Tanduay’s alcohol distillery based in Lian, Batangas. The facility bagged numerous environmental awards, including the prestigious Green Apple Awards, an annual international campaign to recognize, reward and promote environmental best practices around the world. Absolut Distillers is the only local distillery to have received this award up to this day. The company likewise has since been a recipient of awards by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for their outstanding environment conservation practices.  

“We understand the need to lessen our impact by making our operations cleaner and greener. We do not just want to make the best rhum in the Philippines, but we want everyone to know that our rhum is made with good intentions and we hope to improve our operations year after year,” Tan continued, adding that, they have started investing in solar energy as a cleaner alternative as well. “We want our consumers to know that every bottle of Tanduay that they drink is made from green intentions and green energy.”

The Tanduay president further shared that the concern for the environment sprang from the knowledge that the distillery industry is considered as one of the dirtiest. “Before we took over Tanduay, there have been cases filed against its practices pertaining to pollution. We said, let us clean up first. We started investing in technologies that we are using in our Absolut distillery in Batangas in order to reduce our carbon footprint. It was a long process, and we did it.” 

Now, Tan would like to bring public attention to a project he started in 2011 to protect what little is left of the old Boracay. The island has been noted as one of the world’s top destinations, but it has encountered controversy lately due to the amount of pollution that has been plaguing the once-pristine paradise. There are talks of a government shutdown to tourists in order to rehabilitate the natural landscape.  Tan pioneered the project “Roots for Boracay” to save the last mangroves in the island. “When we first got there, we already saw the amount of solid waste that lay among the mangroves. Before we started reforesting the area, we needed to have it cleaned up,” Tan revealed.

He noted that if the mangroves have not been cut down indiscriminately, the problems being faced by Boracay today would have been much lesser. There would be no need to set up expensive artificial waste treatment facilities for the island’s recovery, as the mangrove roots will naturally filter water waste. According to him, Boracay is far from any of his business interests, but the need to respond to an impending crisis was what drove him to act. 

“It took awhile to bring together the various people who will help us in our quest to get hold of the right to implement our project to clean up and re-plant in order to stop the continuous degradation of the mangroves in that area of Boracay,” Tan further related.     

But Tan had the right man on his side to make sure his visions will be realized. Gerry Tee is the chief operating officer of Absolut Distillers. He is the same person with whom his father Lucio Tan Sr. entrusted the green transformation of the Batangas alcohol distillery. With the help of Tee, they engaged the Tan Yan Kee Foundation led by Philip Sing to gather a 200-strong workforce that began the clean up efforts in Barangay Manoc Manoc, where the mangroves are located. They have gathered four truckloads of garbage by the time they finish cleaning the mangroves area.

“To protect Boracay, it is important to go down to its roots. In this case, we seek the last frontier of Boracay – the mangroves. It is where the fish and other sea creatures get nutrients, it is where life starts. Without the mangroves, the island would also cease to exist, as it protects the island from typhoons. The beautiful fine white sand will go back to the sea because their roots are the ones holding the island together,” Tee explained.

He added that aside from building the infrastructures and replanting mangroves, the mission of the project is to showcase that part of Boracay that is often neglected, so people can know what it takes to protect the beaches that tourists love so much.    

The project had partnered with the local government unit, the DENR and concerned non-government organizations to come up with a sustainable development in the area which involves the locals, educating them about the importance of the mangroves to their island. “So much has been cut down to make way for real estate, others cut them down for firewood. A portion is also dying out, because a road development cut off water supply. With Roots For Boracay, people have begun to understand what needs to be done,” said Tee. 

The Tanduay executives underscored that it is not about the company, which has also instituted other environmental campaigns in partnership with the Tan Yang Kee Foundation such as The Canopy Project, which replants trees in the denuded forests in the North. “Boracay is only part of the market for Tanduay, we are more concerned about our legacy. It is not about Tanduay, it is about the locals – their subsistence, their livelihood, and their existence. Tanduay is just there as a vehicle to raise awareness,” Tee said.  

They cautioned that if the lack of concern for the environment continues in the name of profit, Boracay will not be the only one. “If Boracay is closed down, people will move on to Palawan. This has happened before, just look at how Matabungkay deteriorated,” Tee admonished. “The issue is lack of awareness, and we are trying to address that with our project.”  

They said that the plans of shutting down Boracay will hurt a lot, but from their perspective of what they have seen in the mangrove forest, it could be a one-step-backward, two-steps-forward situation. “It is about moving forward, and we can all help in our own little way, by doing things like picking up a cigarette butt and not throwing your garbage just anywhere,” Tee said.  

“It was a directive from the Chairman, Mr. Lucio Tan to follow the concept of sustainable development, where we do not profit at the expense of the environment. We make sure that everything we do is about reducing our carbon footprint and become more independent from the environment where we do not use to dump our waste,“ Tee further shared. 

Ammunition in Battling Hair Loss - Choose Natural

Day-to-day, you rise up and there are tons of things to do like go to the office, finish paperwork, and go back home. This might be what you call your lonely and humdrum life. 

Everyday is a struggle for you. Your only defense against pollution, sleep deprivation and daily grind is to look best. With this, you can’t go to the battle ground unarmed. 

Tragically, your ammunition of beauty products is mostly made of hazardous chemicals; you win some, you lose some. Sooner or later, they shall take a toll on you. 

Don’t just go with the flow. Change your direction. NOVUHAIR can show you the way, hence, it is dubbed as nature’s answer to hair loss. 

All its natural ingredients are scientifically proven to help promote hair growth. This way, you have no reason to go back to your old ways. 

Alter your regimen now if you can’t change the routine and finally admit that it’s time to part ways with chemically-laced products you keep in your vanity kit and say hello to NOVUHAIR. You can never go wrong with nature. Choose natural!

Now, you can optimize your NOVUHAIR experience with NOVUHAIR 3-in-1 pack (topical scalp lotion, herbal shampoo and conditioner) and enjoy an extra 200ml. bottle of NOVUHAIR Herbal Shampoo for FREE exclusive at participating Watsons stores nationwide! 

 DOH-FDA CCRR No. 1040 s. 2017

Abby Asistio shares the promo

Watch her Novuhair Confidence Vlog here.

Avail NOVUHAIR 3-IN-1 NEW YEAR PROMO PACK exclusive at the following participating WATSONS stores nationwide: 

• SM Mall of Asia 1, 
• SM Megamall A, 
• SM Megamall A3 DaimaruS
• SM North Edsa Main 2, 
• Fisher Mall, 
• SM City Fairview Mall 1
• SM Makati Mall 3, 
• SM Makati Hypermarket, 
• Oriental Gardens Makati, 
• Market! Market!
• Robinsons Place Manila, 
• SM San Lazaro Supermarket, 
• SM San Lazaro Mall 1, 
• Savemore Laong Laan 2, 
• SM Sta. Mesa Mall 3, 
• SM Sta. Mesa Centerpoint 3
• SM Masinag, 
• Savemore Rempson Marikina, 
• SM Taytay Rizal
• SM Marilao Hypermarket, 
• SM Pampanga Annex, 
• SM Pampanga Mall 1, 
• SM Clark Mall, 
• Savemore Dinalupihan, 
• Waltermart San Fernando Pampanga
• SM Southmall 5, 
• SM Bicutan Mall B-2 Hypermarket,
• Festival Mall, 
• Orofino Bldg. Dona Soledad
• SM Sta. Rosa Mall, 
• SM Sta. Rosa Supermarket, 
• Waltermart Sta. Rosa, 
• SM Calamba, 
• Waltermart Cabuyao
• SM Bacoor Mall 2, 
• SM Dasmarinas Mall 3,
• Premier Plaza Mall Silang Cavite,
• Waltermart Trece Martires, 
• Kadiwa Cavite Hypermarket, 
• Lumina Point Cavite
• SM Lipa Mall, 
• SM Lipa Supermarket, 
• Wjaltermart Tanaunan, 
• SM Batangas Mall 1, 
• Waltermart Nasugbu
• SM Lucena, 
• SM Naga Mall, 
• J.S Arcilla Bldg. Tabaco
• Ayala Center Cebu
• SM Davao Mall 1

For inquiries, call 413-6570 or 0922-8830575, visit NOVUHAIR Facebook Page (Novuhair Official) or website at www.novuhair.com.  

Planting for the planet by Pioneer Adhesives Foundation, Inc.

In its continued commitment to preserve and protect Mother Earth, Pioneer Adhesives Foundation, Inc. (PAFI) in coordination with the local government unit under the leadership of the Municipal Mayor Leonila P. Montero spearheaded a tree planting activity called Planting for the Planet in Panglao, Bohol last November 23. 

PAFI Executive Director Martina Spakowski welcomes the volunteers 

and gives a few reminders, before commencing the tree planting activity.

Over a hundred volunteers composed of Pioneer Adhesives, Inc. employees and business partners rolled up their sleeves and planted 200 seedlings in the beautiful island of Panglao. 

A Pioneer volunteer gently places a seedling into the ground.

Each volunteer is tokened with a stainless steel reusable straw to further promote environmentalism and the refusal of single use plastics.

Volunteers sign a tarp with an image of a tree; 

one name per leaf as a mark of their participation in the activity.

This tree planting activity, which was a meaningful part of the Pioneer Adhesives National Conference, is just one of the many initiatives the foundation has under its environmental campaign “Our Earth Our Responsibility”.

NOVUHAIR turns favor with Holiday bash promo

So you’ve got your festive outfit set and the fancy gift wrapped for your “monito” or “monita”. All that’s left undone is a party season-perfect hairstyle. 

The fresh out of the shower look can be seductive yet temporary. Blame it to tropical climate, it can spoil your appearance, besides making you feel sweaty and stale. The heat and humidity brought about by extreme weather condition, likewise, dries out the locks easily and make it more fragile. 

Adding damage to your delicate strands are the chemical contents of various products on hand. From shampoo to conditioner and hair treatment, down to styling goods to groom it to your liking, their harsh synthetic materials jeopardize the natural oil and luster of your mane.

Because you are what you eat, the fate of your crowning glory is in the plate. Your diet must have the correct balance of vitamins and minerals to supply hair with all that it needs to become shiny and strong. So don’t overindulge, especially this time of the year when gastronomic feasts are spread almost everywhere you go. Be careful on what you take in, thinking that it’s also what you feed your ‘do.

Even stress can wear off the beauty and health of the tress. And that’s exactly what you should avoid this Yuletide season. Never put pressure on yourself just to please everyone. Just take it easy, let your hair down and party all night long. 

In this time of gratitude, NOVUHAIR makes everyday “a good hair day” for its valued patrons like you with its Christmas and Year-End Promo. 

Get an extra NOVUHAIR Herbal Shampoo 200 ml. worth P1,040 for FREE if you buy a NOVUHAIR 3-in-1 pack at participating WATSONS stores nationwide (DOH-FDA CCRR Permit No.: 967 s. 2017).

Packed with 19 natural ingredients—mostly standardized herbal extracts, essential oils and co-factor nutrients—NOVUHAIR Topical Scalp Lotion does not only help prevent the hair fall malady, but also aids in stimulating hair growth. NOVUHAIR helps prevent hair loss, improve overall appearance, promote nourishment and rejuvenation. It is clinically-tested and proven safe and effective.

Opt for the best with this Christmas and Year-End promo. Whether it’s a luxury gift for your loved ones, or a self-indulgent treat for you, NOVUHAIR has the perfect gift to inspire and keep you party-ready this Holiday season, while providing you with the ultimate styling result.

For inquiries, please call 413-6570 or 0922-8830575. You may also visit www.novuhair.com or Novuhair’s Facebook page – Novuhair Official.  

Never let lose a strand of your patience

Have you ever experienced a day wherein nothing seems to go well, that no matter how you try to choose the right path, you keep making the wrong turn? Just like having a bad hair day, no matter how many times you comb your hair, it just would not budge.

Life can be challenging at times but there will always be a way to resolve these challenges and come out victorious. Having this in mind will be easy to keep your patience and continue to move forward.

Just like losing strands of your hair due to factors beyond your control, you too can do something. 

Eat healthy – Eating the right food can alter your mood. Having low-level of folic acid in your body can cause anxiety, hence, food such as asparagus, avocado, salmon, and almond are recommended to fight stress hormones.

Stay calm – Listen to comforting music and reading feel-good stories can help switch you to a calm mood.

Exercise – Exercise releases endorphins that can relieve you from stress and anxiety.

Supplement –Taking in Vitamins such as B-complex can alter mood swings.

Don’t let your stress factors contribute to your hair loss. Letting yourself succumb to anxiety will definitely show up to your follicles and this can lead to more hair loss.

Hectic schedules and pressure from work, not to mention the pollution and filth outside easily make you feel unease and, at times, irritable. Slow down a bit, have fun and relax. There’s no better way to begin with your mane. 

Tip 1:  The stroke of a comb can give you a soothing feeling while, at the same time, help unleash the natural oil of your hair.

Tip 2:  Stay away from getting pigtails, hair weaves, braids and tight hair rollers, which can pull and stress your hair.

Tip 3: Avoid perming, straightening or coloring because they contain toxic chemicals that could cause damage to your locks.

Tip 4: Choose natural. Use NOVUHAIR topical solution. Apply liberal amount on to your scalp and hair. Massage it gently for -10 minutes to help permeate deeply from root to tip. NOVUHAIR is packed with 19 natural ingredients that help promote growth, nourishment and rejuvenation of your tress.

NOVUHAIR is available at Mercury Drug and other leading drugstores nationwide. 

For more information, please contact hotlines 4136570 and 09228830575 from Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm or visit www.novuhair.com

Discover Why Chemical-based products for hair loss might not work for.you

Desperate times call for desperate measures. When you’re losing tufts of hair or seeing bald patches on your scalp, it’s but natural to feel the need to do something about it. 

Will you tell a friend or go immediately to a doctor? Will you hide the “shame” under the guise of a wig? While it’s quite hard to decide, there’s no way but people still find themselves falling in line over-the-counter (O.T.C.). And what’s on their hands? Chemical-based hair loss products. Here are some of the reasons why they impulsively buy these items:

a.)   They claim to be effective.

b.)   They say the healing effects are felt quickly.

c.)   They are widely available.

d.)   They appear to be cheaper.

e.)   They claim to be safe.

Sounds tempting, though, be wary enough that once you delve into the nitty-gritty of these products available to allegedly promote hair growth, you’ll see why they may not exactly be a perfect fit. These are some of the negative possibilities when you use chemical treatments:

1.    Serious side effects like tightness in the chest, difficulty in breathing, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), and swelling of the hands and feet. These are actually some of the possible side effects of the hair loss drug Minoxidil, which is said to cease hair loss and promote hair growth.

2.    Most chemical products say they can “treat” alopecia, but reading the fine print will lead you to discover that it actually just slows the progress of hair loss. Little is said as well about these chemical treatments actually promoting hair growth.

3.    These products or “treatments” usually contain a variety of chemicals that may or may not cause allergic reactions. It pays to check the labels. Some chemical-based products may actually be presenting the side effects as the main effects. Let the internet help you on your personal research.

There may be safer and effective alternatives out there, but NOVUHAIR is a stand out among the rest. It has 19 natural ingredients—standardized herbal extracts, essential oils and co-factor nutrients that work in synergy and have been clinically proven to help stop the progression of hair loss, aid in stimulating hair growth, and reduce excessive hair shedding. 

NOVUHAIR is available in the Philippines at Mercury Drug and other leading drugstores nationwide, Seafood City supermarkets and other Filipino/Asian stores in the USA and online at www.novuhair.us and at BeeOrganic in Kuwait. International online orders are also possible through regaloservice.com. For more information, you may visit www.novuhair.com or contact hotlines 4136570 and 09228830575.

Don’t make yourself fall as the next victim of the trap. Be smart; choose natural. 

Ten things that make “The Long Road Home” totally worth it

National Geographic Channel has premiered a new series titled, The Long Road Home. The show is based on Martha Raddatz’s bestseller of the same title. The show chronicles the events of April 4, 2004 when a platoon was ambushed in Sadr City, Baghdad, in an attack came to be known as “Black Sunday.” 

Here are ten great reasons why “The Long Road Home,” National Geographic’s ambitious series that brings to Technicolor cutting-edge life the harrowing yet inspiring events of April 2004, should be your next TV addiction.

1.    It’s based on a painstakingly researched true story. Based on the New York Times best-selling book by internationally acclaimed journalist Martha Raddatz, “The Long Road Home—A Story of War and Family” is about Black Sunday in April 2004. Currently ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent, Raddatz book was praised by The Washington Post as "a masterpiece of literary non-fiction that rivals any war-related classic that has preceded it."

2.    Black Sunday would change the way the American military saw Iraq: from a simple peacekeeping mission to a fight against domestic insurgents. Soldiers from the US 1st Cavalry Division of Fort Hood, Texas were ambushed in Sadr City, Baghdad, with eight making the ultimate sacrifice that day and over 65 seriously wounded.

3.    It shines a light on the heroes behind the scenes. “With The Long Road Home…[we’re] going to shine a light on the sisterhood formed by their wives on the homefront as they [rallied] around each other awaiting news of their husbands’ fates,” says National Geographic Channel executive vice president and head of global scripted programming and development Carolyn Bernstein.

4.    The staff behind the series is a powerhouse in itself, with screenwriter, showrunner, and executive producer Mikko Alanne adapting the book’s events for TV. Direction is provided by Emmy winners Phil Abraham and Mikael Salomon, and the series’ executive producers are Mike Medavoy, Mikko Alanne, Jason Clark, Benjamin Anderson and Edward McGurn. For National Geographic, Carolyn G. Bernstein is executive vice president and head of global scripted development and production.

5.    The feels you’ll get are going to be too real. Book author Martha Raddatz, according to the New York Times, went back “…and painstakingly reconstructed the event from every conceivable angle — including the thing that he said/she said reactions of soldiers in Iraq and their wives in Fort Hood, Tex. Some of those wives would receive the most dreaded kinds of visitors after the battle. Not since the Vietnam War did the First Cavalry suffer so many casualties in one day.”

6.    Much care has been taken to reconstruct the events as closely as they happened. Talk about bringing you there: In addition to consulting the author herself for the show’s production, NatGeo brought in two US Army veterans who survived the ambush: Eric Bourquin and Aaron Fowler.

In addition, the responses to the book alone have been overwhelmingly positive. From Goodreads to Reddit, even those who admit not to reading about military history have been touched by the story of “The Long Road Home” and have had their eyes opened by the harsh realities of military operations; in a Goodreads review, “Gregory” writes about how the 1st Cavalry Division had neither tanks nor armored Humvees despite their general, Peter Chiarelli, begging for these to protect his people—and how he was rebuked in public because the provision of such would “send the wrong message to the Iraqis.”

7.    The series stars Michael Kelly (“House of Cards,” “Taboo”); Jason Ritter (“Parenthood,” “Girls”); E.J. Bonilla (“Unforgettable”); Kate Bosworth (“Superman Returns,” “Blue Crush,” “SS-GB,” “The Art of More”); Sarah Wayne Callies (“Prison Break,” “The Walking Dead,” “Colony”); Noel Fisher (“Shameless”); Jeremy Sisto (“Suburgatory,” “Law & Order,” “Six Feet Under”); Jon Beavers (“NCIS,” “Gotham,” “The Fresh Beat Band”); and Darius Homayoun (“Tyrant”), among many others.

8.    Not too long, not too short: just right. This eight-part series reflects the eight hours that saw three desperate yet deadly rescue missions launched to save the soldiers in the ambush.

9. It’s history in the making: National Geographic gives viewers a unique perspective of the toll war takes on soldiers and their families. The literary genre of creative nonfiction comes to life in a gripping and intimate way, pushing the boundaries of entertainment and education closer together in a new and exciting way.

Follow the action of the battle on two simultaneous fronts—the chaotic, terror-filled streets of Sadr City, where a group of inexperienced young soldiers faces an unexpected and unimaginable attack with bravery they never knew they had, and the home front at Fort Hood in Texas, where family members, desperate for news of their loved ones and fearing the worst, discover their own courage and determination as well.

10. You can take the show with you, wherever you are. No soldier fights alone—and you won’t be missing a thing with the Fox+ app, available for iOS and Android devices, which gives you access to this brilliant series. Don’t miss a moment—not even when stuck in the everyday Carmageddon of traffic.

“The Long Road Home” begins with the special two-hour premiere “Black Sunday” on November 5, 2017 at 10:00 p.m., with regular new episode telecasts every Wednesday at 10:00 p.m. on National Geographic and every Sunday at 10:00p.m. for the weekend primetime replay.

National Geographic is seen on Channel 41 (Skycable), Channel 141 (Cignal), Channel 62 (Cablelink) and Channel 153 on (GSAT).  National Geographic HD is seen on Channel 195 (Skycable), Channel 240 (Cignal) and Channel 331 (Cablelink).

SM commits to a better tomorrow at SM City Trece Martires solar system launch

Photo shows (L-R) are senior vice president for marketing Jonjon San Agustin; SM vice president for operations Lisa Silerio; SM Supermalls president Annie Garcia; Mrs. Aiza de Sagun, representing Trece Martires mayor Melendres de Sagun; Solar Philippines president Leandro Leviste; executive assistant Vincent Bae; engineer Ernesto Cenizal; and regional operations manager Dominador Caringal, Jr.

SM Supermalls marked another milestone in its pursuit to make each day better for all at the launch of SM City Trece Martires’ solar system, held in Trece Martires City, Cavite. At the ‘switching on’ ceremony, SM highlighted that the solar system rollout all over the country was only part of the many sustainability programs SM has been doing for years.

The SM City Trece Martires solar facility houses 2,914 solar panels capable of generating 0.5 megawatts of electricity, enough to fully charge 130,000 cellphones, light up 15,500 10-watt LED lamps, run 4,500 30-watt electric fans, and provide power to 300 households. The use of solar energy promotes clean air and saves the environment by helping reduce carbon footprint from electricity produced from combustion of fossil fuels.

Other sustainability programs of SM include the ‘Trash to Cash’ recycling markets in SM malls, and the integration of transport terminals in malls to mitigate traffics for cleaner air. With disaster risk reduction taking center stage on sustainability, SM has been building ‘resilient’ malls with water catchment basins to help manage flood-prone areas.

SM Prime, alongside UNISDR and ARISE Philippines, also hosts the Top Leaders Forum. The theme for 2017 is ‘Business for Resilience – Towards a Resilient Philippines.’ As a private sector conference aspiring to find concrete measures to make businesses more resilient against disasters, the Forum this year underscores invaluable collaboration between the science and technology community and the private sector towards global disaster preparedness.

SM, in partnership with Solar Philippines, first ventured into renewable energy in 2014 with the launch of its first solar system in the Philippines at SM City North EDSA – the first mall in the country to promote solar energy. SM Mall of Asia then launched its solar facility two years after. This year, SM has announced expansion of green programs with more solar systems in eight more malls.

At the helm of SM’s partner in promoting eco-friendly shopping in the country is Solar Philippines Founder, Mr. Leandro Leviste. Leading the largest developer of solar rooftop power plants in Southeast Asia, Mr. Leviste was recognized in the Forbes Magazine 2016 30 under 30 Asia, a roster of young game-changers, entrepreneurs, and social leaders who are under 30 years old.

With SM’s solar system rollout and other green programs, SM continues to go beyond mall development and management as it integrates environmental sustainability into its operations to ultimately support communities for a better tomorrow.

For exclusive news about SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through SM’s Viber Public Chat. Tweet your thoughts, upload and share your photos about your memorable moments at SM, then use its official hashtag #EverythingsHereAtSM.

Celebrate the gift of long-lasting memories with HP Sprocket

Christmas is always a wonderful time for celebration where families can create memorable moments and unforgettable memories. And what makes it more exciting is the tradition of gift-giving where everyone receives something from their loved ones.

This Christmas, show your love and affection with the HP Sprocket, the perfect gift to loved ones as it helps make sweet, fleeting experiences last by wirelessly printing images from any smartphone device onto durable and glossy photo papers.

With HP Sprocket, you can take a snapshot of a special moment with the family as it is happening and instantly print it out by simply connecting your smartphone to the portable printer via Bluetooth. You can also look back on a special moment in time by grabbing your favorite photo from any of your social media accounts and printing it with the HP Sprocket.

You can even give it a creative and personal touch by editing pictures with cute frames and charming stickers via the HP Sprocket app which you can download from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Its specialized HP ZINK Photo Paper can transform images into 2x3 smudge-free, colorful photos that you can share with friends and family. It can also be used as stickers to decorate spaces with your favorite memories by easily peeling off the back of your printouts.

So what are you waiting for? Surprise your family and dearest ones with the best Christmas gift of HP Sprocket that helps hold on to captured moments much longer. Shop for your HP Sprocket at www.lazada.com.ph/hp-sprocket-official-store/ and enjoy a pack of HP ZINK Photo Paper to start printing.