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Thursday, January 28, 2021

The Medical City and Robinsons Hotels & Resorts take Healthcare and Hospitality to a whole new level

Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR) has partnered with The Medical City to provide a seamless and convenient healthcare experience for every Filipino with its Hotel and Travel Care Packages. The Hotel Care Package 1 is recommended to those who plan to have their ECLIA Serological (antibody) test from The Medical City. This antibody test is a highly sensitive and specific chemiluminescent immunoassay test intended for identifying individuals with an adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2, indicating recent or prior infection. And since the result will be released within 24 hours, the patient has the option to wait for the results in the comfort of Summit Hotel Magnolia and Go Hotels Ortigas Center, which is 20 minutes and 8 minutes away, respectively, from The Medical City.

For only P4,200 net per person (single occupancy), enjoy an overnight stay in a single room with high-speed Wi-Fi, international and local TV channels. Packed breakfast is included. Just add P2,200 if you wish to stay for another night.



Package 2 (three days/two nights) is priced at P10,000 per person (single occupancy). Stay for two nights in a single 
room with full board (packed meals), high-speed Wi-Fi connection, and international and local TV channels.


This package is ideal for those who are required to take the RT-PCR test, which is considered as the gold standard for 
confirming the presence of SARS-CoV-2 since the results will be released after two days. Just add Php2,300 net per person (single occupancy) to include private car pickup service from the airport to hotel or hotel to the airport. This package is designed for OFWs, seafarers, and balikbayans, who are required to undergo a swab test (RT-PCR) and have to wait for their test results and clearance to be able to return home.

Under the new normal, Robinsons Hotels and Resorts has elevated its standard of hygiene and cleanliness protocols with the “Circle of Clean” seal. Based on the World Health Organization (WHO) and Department of Health’s new normal protocols, Circle of Clean provides a worry-free stay experience for RHR guests from pre-arrival to post-departure touchpoint implemented in all Go Hotels and Summit Hotels and Resorts around the Philippines.

In times of need, you can always count on your go-to hotels to do what they do best — hospitality. Hospitality is making your guests feel like they’re home.

To avail of the Travel Care Package, call Robinsons Hotels and Resorts at least three days from date of arrival.

For inquiries and reservations, please contact: RHR Happy to Care Hotlines: 0917 888 7788; 0998 888 7788; + 632 8397 0111; Go Hotels Ortigas Center: +63 (2) 8 531 3585 ; +63 (2) 8 531 3591 ; +63 998 840 1719; Summit Hotel Magnolia: (02) 8 705-6300; 0998-840-3677. Email: reservations@summithotels.ph | reservations@gohotels.ph

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Quarantined for a year (literally!) and how I spent my 2020

It's official! We haven't gone out of the house (literally!) for a year already as of this day. This is because we believe that the most effective way to keep you safe from the virus is to stay at home and avoid exposure at all costs. Since I am considered high-risk and my mom is a senior citizen, we'd like to take the necessary precautions as much as we could. 

Since I had been working from home, I had the option not to go out of the house. The only adjustments that we need to do were our grocery, bank transactions, and errands. Luckily, companies and stores were able to adjust immediately and now have online services available thus, it was easy for consumers like me to fulfill these responsibilities through the use of technology and mobile apps.

Is this for real?  

When I tell my friends that we REALLY do not leave the house, they have a hard time believing and they keep on asking if I was okay and what it feels like to be stuck at home all the time. To answer this question -- Yes, I am okay and you can say that I am a happy quarantined individual (if there is such a term. LOL!) I have made this decision voluntarily and whole-heartedly and I am grateful to have this choice for me and my family. 

After all, 2020 is an unforgettable year. It was a rollercoaster ride and truly life-changing. However, I don't think it is 100% bad but rather it was a wake-up call to teach us important lessons in life. Being stuck at home, made me realize what truly matters. The safety and health of my family is my top priority. 

It is not a bed of roses

I remember one night during the early days of the lockdown, I was crying as I was just so scared and lost. When I think about our situation, there was no end in sight. I was disappointed and anxious. I had mixed emotions. But then I prayed and thought about what I really wanted for me and my family. Then, I realized that as long as we are safe and healthy and we have our basic needs (food, water, shelter, clothing, air) then we will be okay. I don't have to worry about other things for now. 

These are some of the lines and quotes that I held on to while dealing with this crisis. 

"2020 is not the year of thinking about your dreams or plans, but just to ensure that you stay alive"

"Look for the bare necessities. The simple bare necessities. Forget about your worries and your strife. I mean the bare necessities. That's why a bear can rest at ease. With just the bare necessities of life." - The Jungle Book  

Since I was able to let go of my worries, I became productive again. I was able to channel my energies to something more positive. My life did not stop while I was stuck at home. Instead, it just had another route, and here's how I spent my 2020:

  • Be part of the team behind high-impact online events like the HR Summit Global with 10,000+ participants and World Gratitude Summit with 15,000+ participants from 40+ countries globally. Since live events are not allowed during the pandemic, the conduct of online events was one of the major changes that we had. 
Check out the World Gratitude Summit highlights below. :) 

 

  • Val and I founded Bacolod Food and Supply Sourcesan online community created to help address the needs of our local community during the quarantine. It was a venue where members are encouraged to stay at home and opt for alternative ways (e.g. delivery service to source their needs like groceries, food, and medicine. We also had local sellers and suppliers as members whom we were able to support their business through online transactions. To date, we have over 8,600 members.  
  • I was able to co-author the book, To the First Woman Who Loved Me with Sha Nacino, Bro. Bo Sanchez, Kat Aristorenas, etc. It was a special Mother's Day tribute where I shared a story all about my mom. The book features 42 heartwarming and inspiring stories that will rekindle treasured moments with your mom. 

If you wish to have a printed copy of the book, you may order via this link or if you want  the ebook version, you may order via this link.

 

  • The year also opened up another passion project for us as we launched our official Youtube channel. This time, our Youtube channel will feature DIY tips, tech and gadget reviews, instructional materials, and game streaming. Thus, the content will be slightly different from the blog. Hope you can support us in this too by subscribing to our channel. 
  • We also had a Disney-themed Christmas tree and organized a Christmas Lighting Event. This is going to be one of our family traditions every December 8. 
  • Completed "Simbang Gabi" for the first time where we attended the Manila Cathedral's online mass every 4:30AM for 9 straight days. 
  • Had a Virtual Noche Buena with Family 
  • Started affiliate marketing with Involve Asia and this has been exciting and rewarding. You may read more about it, here.
  • Became part of the support team for the Virtual Speakers Association International, which is one of the top professional speakers' associations globally. 
Of course, It was not all work and serious stuff, I was able to finish a lot of Kdrama series too. (LOL!)

Anyway, why I am sharing this post with you? Well, I hope that no matter how bad the situation is, how things don't go on as planned, or how feeling hopeless we are, we learn to focus on what is truly important to us. All other stuff is a bonus. We don't have to dwell on our problems instead embrace them and face them. I don't mean that we have to stay positive all the time. That's just plain toxic. 

But what I mean is learn to accept your problems and do something about them. If I got so depressed and simply focus on my fear and anxiety, then I wouldn't be productive. I might even end up losing my job because I can't work right anymore. Cry if you have to but make sure that all those tears wash away the pain, worries, and fears. Be strong! This will all shall pass. 

Wishing you the best this 2021. 

Davao City Water District is now available in GCASH

While everyone is encouraged to stay at home, bills payment has been one of the major concerns during the quarantine. Thus, a lot of companies especially utility companies offered online payment services to address the needs of their customers. 

Unfortunately, this is not the case for all. There were still some companies including the Davao City Water District that do not have the online option thus, customers are still forced to go out in order to pay while waiting for the availability of online payment options. 



But the good news is the long wait is over ---> Davao City Water District will be available on GCASH starting January 26, 2021. This means that DCWD customers can now pay their bills online.  


To pay, just open your GCASH app, under PAY BILLS > WATER UTILITIES, and look for DAVAO CITY WATER DISTRICT. Then input the following:
✅ Account holder’s name
✅ 9-digit DCWD account number
✅ Payment amount
✅ Working email address
✅ Valid mobile number

If you don't have GCASH yet, you may download the app via this link: https://gcsh.app/r/r7p8nsm

Please note that there will be a Php 10 convenience fee for every transaction. The Payment date will be on the same day as the payment was made thru Gcash but the posting and sending of electronic official receipt will be 2 working days after payment was made.

Friday, January 22, 2021

10 Work from Home Essentials To Improve Your Productivity this 2021

We’re all finding it a little difficult to swing back into the rhythm at work after the holidays. After all, the current work-from-home setup makes it even trickier—you have to deal with distractions such as an inviting bed, loud neighbors, and clingy pets.

Still struggling to maximize your efficiency at home, even with months of working remotely under your belt? This new year, use a few key products to make working from home a breeze! Check them out below. 


1. Mumuso LED Desk Lamp - Great lighting wakes you up and gets you in the zone—plus it brightens up your face for work video calls. This sleek lamp features three adjustable levels of brightness.


2. Papemelroti Planner - Stay on top of projects and deadlines with a planner. This pocket notebook, which is made of 100% recycled paper, features monthly spreads printed in black and white.

3. Hydro Flask Water Bottle - A tumbler full of your power drink of choice—whether a coffee, smoothie or even just water—will get you through the day. Choose an insulated one to keep your beverage hot or cold for hours.

4. Socone Seat Cushion - You spend most of your day perched on your office chair, so make it as comfortable an experience as possible. This soft, comfortable cushion can be used on the seat or back of your chair.

5. Soundpeats Desk Organizer - A cluttered workspace muddles up your brain. Organize your desk so you can clear your head and work on your deliverables more efficiently. This storage box features a 9-piece pen holder, 3 storage compartments, and a drawer.


6. Akari Extension Cord - 
Got lots of gadgets to charge and only one outlet in your working area? An extension cord is a lifesaver! Choose a product with different sockets, such as this one. It has 3 gang universal sockets, 2 gang multi-purpose sockets, and a 3-meter wire.

7. Lotus Activewear Wrist & Ankle Weights - If you’re finding it difficult to fit workouts into your busy schedule, sneak them in while on the job. With wrist and ankle weights, who’ll ever know? Each pair of this hypoallergenic, antibacterial set weighs 0.5 lbs.

8. Buzzbee Mini LED Speaker - A bluetooth speaker helps you connect with your colleagues better on weekdays, and relax more on weekends. This product boasts of a working range of up to 10m and a working time of 5 hours.

9. Bostanten Blue Light Glasses - Remember to take care of your eyes—you spend more or less eight hours in front of the computer screen for work, after all. Blue light lenses prevent eye strain and aid in better sleep, thanks to a coating that filters harmful light emitted by digital screens. 


10. Plextone Diffuser/Humidifier - 
Enjoying the chilly weather? Don’t forget to use a humidifier to improve air quality in your working space. This also works as a diffuser for all your favorite relaxing scents. Its aesthetically pleasing design would spruce up your desk as well.

Check out more authentic products at the lowest prices on https://shopee.ph

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Maxene Magalona Calls on Filipinas for Herbal Essences’ Plant Power Revolution

With the rise of the plantito and plantita trend last year, Filipinos have definitely fallen in love with plants not just as decor but also as a holistic part of being able to go through 2020. 

Now that the new year is here, the need to incorporate the power of plants into your daily habits is crystal clear. Plant-powered products like Herbal Essences have definitely proven their position in the haircare game – with its power of plant-based ingredients and plant power solutions, it can give you the best version of your strands. Herbal Essences recognized how more and more people are taking interest in nurturing plants. 



So, to celebrate the powerful impact of plants, not just on the surroundings, but also on how people take good care of their hair, the brand concluded 2020 with the #PlantPowerInEveryShower giveaway. Check out the amazing foliage and poses from some of the best entries for Herbal Essences #PlantPowerInEveryShower giveaway.




Alexandrea shared on her Instagram post that the absence of hair care treatments has made her notice how dull and dry her hair is. “Thankfully, I discovered @herbalessencesph on @lazadaph, and it miraculously changed the way I take care of my hair. After weeks of usage, my hair looked and felt hydrated, smooth, and shiny. Not only that, but I also received a lot of compliments on my hair — what I use, and how I take care of it. My answer is simple, Herbal Essences Coconut Milk! I truly appreciate that it does not contain harmful chemicals that damage one's hair! This will surely bring the #PlantPowerInEveryShower.” 

Though 2020 has enhanced the growing community of plantitos and plantitas, taking care of plants have since been a lifestyle for many. The #PlantPowerInEveryShower giveaway has unfolded numerous entries that showed how modern Filipinas are living testimonies of the plantita life, and it’s more than just a tita thing. 

Plant Power Revolution with Herbal Essences Last December 21, 2020, Herbal Essences held an insightful live stream on their Facebook page with Maxene Magalona, and the Principal Scientist for Scientific Communications of all P&G’s haircare brands across Asia-Pacific, Saint where they talked about three main points on how humans have benefitted from the power of plants: In the home, for the body, and in the shower. 

From her first plant to now a collection of foliage inside her home, Maxene shared how plants have brought an element of life and uplifted her spirit when she faced tough times. Now that more people are invested in giving back to nature, Maxene shares she’s delighted with the piqued interest, “When we take care of ourselves, our hair, our skin, it's just like how we take care of our plants. We need to take care of our well- being as well, starting from our hair down to our toe. That's why I’m grateful for Herbal Essences because it puts me into that good mood [whenever I take a shower]. 

Saint also demonstrated a quick experiment where he applied the Herbal Essences White Strawberry & Sweet Mint Shampoo to one side of a leaf. He proceeded to blow-dry the leaf to visualize how damaging heat can be to the hair. In just seconds, the bare leaf side immediately dried up, while Herbal Essences protected and kept the other side look untouched. You can watch the rest of the Plant Power Revolution via this link

More Filipinas are investing in a more holistic and sustainable self-care by investing in products like Herbal Essences that don’t sacrifice with the overall experience in the shower and still have minimal impact on Mother Earth. Be it with their moisturizing conditioners or their fragrant natural shampoos — you’re not only going to feel fantastic with your plant-powered shower experience and satisfied with your hair condition, but also grateful for making Mother Nature proud. 

Herbal Essences is the real deal when it comes to clean beauty and product transparency in the hair care game. As the leading naturals hair care brand, all the high-quality botanicals and REAL plant extracts used are harvested sustainably and responsibly through various partners from all over the world. Their partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, ensures that when they mention a plant on each bottle label, those ingredients are really there. It’s plantastic

Taking care of your hair is just as much of a commitment as having plants. With Herbal Essences, you’re sure to experience the plant power not just as decor but also in the shower. Give yourself the chance to experience the best of nature and science by starting your clean beauty journey this 2021 with Herbal Essences #PlantPowerInEveryShower. You can shop online through the official stores at Lazada or Shopee.