Kickstarting 2023 By Making The #SwitchToStrong With Pantene – Are You One Of Them?

 

2022 was truly a year of new beginnings. And after everything that we’ve done this year, the only way is up with the many opportunities you can continue exploring to make you braver, bolder, stronger. And Pantene serves as the perfect partner in letting you make the #SwitchToStrong.

With its Hair Fall Control Shampoo, you will get to enjoy hair that is not only frizz-free, but is also able to nourish and moisturize your hair all the way from its roots, providing you with as much as 10x stronger hair versus hair fall – allowing you to face every new day hassle-free.

Thanks to its Pro-V formula made up of Vitamin B5, antioxidants, and restorative lipids, so many others have been making the #SwitchToStrong – and you can be one of them, too.

From the experts themselves

Celebrity hairstylist Renz Pangilinan has long been partnering with A-list celebrities, ensuring that he is able to give their hair the best care that their crowning glory they deserve.

A master of the craft, Renz has gone places and has learned many tricks of the trade. And in the midst of his long hairstyling journey, he always comes back home to his main and top recommendation – Pantene – to give every single client 10x stronger hair, keeping their clients’ hair protected against hair fall, all while looking pristine for photoshoots and events.

“There is never a dull day at work and in making sure that all my clients look dazzling from head to toe. That being said, will always be my miraculous go-to and recommendation for forever healthy and lagkit-free hair,” says Renz.

Posing for the camera? Make it hassle-free!

The world has long opened up once more, allowing everyone to do the things they could only dream about two years ago, whether it’s planning dinners or traveling with friends – but what good is it when the photos you take as souvenirs captures your hair at its less-than-fine days?

Not the case with model and actress Kylie Verzosa. As someone constantly in front of the camera, having her smooth locks cooperate is a must at all times – luckily, she found Pantene, from whom she has been able to since enjoy hair that’s 10 times as strong versus hair fall.

“In making the switch to miraculously strong hair all day everyday, Pantene shampoo is and will always be key,” she shares.

The shampoo of the stars

Unsurprisingly, even one of the country’s biggest names has Pantene to thank for keeping their hair in tiptop shape. As someone who juggles being an actress, vlogger, performer, and host, with many photoshoots and other activities on the side, Sparkle Artist Gabbi Garcia lives one busy life – one that does not always grant her the time to take care of her hair.

But with Pantene, all these worries came to a halt; even giving her hair 10 times the strength it needs to keep her facing her days head-on, with any worries about hair fall vanishing entirely.

“While things can get pretty exhausting and busy, I do have Pantene to thank for being with me in all the miraculous moments I encounter in life, keeping me and my hair feeling lagkit-free and beautiful through it all,” is all Gabbi has to say about Pantene.

You’ve heard from those who’ve made the Switch to Strong. And as we are at the dawn of yet another year, one with many new opportunities awaiting, why not make it one of your goals too?

Be sure to make the #SwitchToStrong and enjoy frizz-free and ten times stronger hair against hair fall with Pantene Shampoo! Pantene products are available in all leading retailers nationwide, and online through Shopee and Lazada.

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Carbon Insetting: Capturing and Storing GHG Emissions to Mitigate Climate Change

A new report by the UN Environment Program (UNEP) emphasized the need for the world to reduce 45% of emissions within the next eight years in order to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030. Transformational change across industries, governments, and society as a whole is key to making this a reality.

However, rampant deforestation doesn’t help this situation as trees that absorb carbon dioxide and regulate climate are being cut down. In the Philippines, data shows that over the last 100 years, around 10 million hectares of forests were lost due overexploitation, extensive agricultural and infrastructure expansion, and the growing impacts of climate change. As of 2020, the country’s forest cover is at 7.226 million hectares or 24.2% of the total land area, far from the ideal percentage of forest cover for tropical countries which is 54%.

There is no pathway to 1.5°C without a near immediate halt to deforestation and significant restoration of forests and natural ecosystems. 

Carbon offsetting vs. insetting

One of the primary drivers of deforestation and the loss and degradation of habitat and biodiversity is agriculture. As such, stakeholders linked to agricultural and food value chains are uniquely placed to generate change and take action towards reversing these trends in the landscapes where they produce and/or source from. 

One thing that food and beverage companies can do is to initiate reforestation efforts e.g.  tree planting and growing efforts within their own sourcing landscape. Reforestation programs can be classified into two broad categories: offsetting and insetting. With carbon offsetting projects, companies plant trees in a location/s different from where their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions originate and unrelated to their value chain to compensate for their climate impact.

On the other hand, companies with carbon insetting projects apply, for example, agroforestry principles and take a forest restoration approach by reforesting areas within their own supply chains and immediate surroundings where their raw materials are grown and harvested to remove GHG from the atmosphere. 

Lanao del Sur Reforestation Project

Fulfilling its role as Kasambuhay ng Kalikasan (partner of the planet), Nestlé has launched the Lanao del Sur Reforestation Project in partnership with One Tree Planted and EcoPlanet Bamboo as part of its carbon insetting efforts. This aims to plant and grow 2.5 million native bamboo seedlings and 1.2 million indigenous forest trees across 5,000 hectares in Lanao del Sur by 2024. The project aims to sequester an estimated 4.1 million tons of CO2e over a 10-year period. 

This reforestation effort supports Nestlé's goal to plant and grow 200 million trees by 2030. It also forms part of the company’s plan to scale up actions in regenerative agriculture and deploy natural climate solutions to absorb greenhouse gases and contribute to achieving Nestlé’s Net-Zero target by 2050.

“We are restoring the natural landscape from both the bamboo side as well as indigenous trees to help bring the forest back," said Sam Wilde, VP of Forestry EcoPlanet.

At the same time, Nestlé continues to help farmers plant coffee trees in Sultan Kudarat province also in Mindanao and train them in the basics of regenerative agriculture. These activities are part of the Nescafé Plan, a long-term program to assist smallholder coffee farmers in growing yields and incomes, and eventually become agripreneurs attaining a quality of life beyond subsistence. 

Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje said: “By accelerating and consolidating reforestation actions, Nestlé will contribute to the Philippines' sustainable development objectives through the protection and management of our environment and national resources.”

“Two thirds of the world’s emissions come from the very activity that gives us food - agriculture.  Clearly, regenerative agriculture and reforestation are courses of action we must take to help achieve net zero GHG emissions,” said Nestlé Philippines SVP and Corporate Affairs Head Jose Uy III.

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BDO Announces Banking Schedule For The Christmas And New Year Holidays

 

Select BDO branches will be open to serve clients on shortened banking hours or until 3pm on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. They will also be open to serve until 4pm on Dec. 30 and January 2, which are both non-working days.

On Dec. 25, and January 1, all branches will be closed. Regular banking hours will be observed from Dec. 26 to Dec. 29, the bank said.

For quicker branch visits, BDO encourages clients to book their visits in advance or do their transactions through BDO Pay or BDO Online Banking for convenience. To create an account on these mobile apps, visit www.bdo.com.ph or call BDO Contact Center at (02) 8631-8000.

To see which branches are open on said dates and for more updates, visit www.bdo.com.ph/branch-updates.

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The 12 Rs of Christmas: Here’s how you can make this Year’s Festivities more sustainable

With Christmas just right around the corner, there is a certain buzz of excitement in the air. Everyone is busy sprucing up their houses with holiday decorations, buying gifts, and planning get-togethers. While it is the most wonderful time of the year for most, it may not always be as wonderful for the planet.

The holiday season generates the biggest volume of garbage in the country, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). As Christmas parties and gift-giving start to pick up, it’s good to remain mindful of the amount of waste we produce. Make your celebrations more meaningful by observing ways to lessen your impact on the environment and doing more for the planet. Start today by practicing the 12 Rs of Christmas!

1. Remember – Remember that this season is not all about spending on material things and expensive gifts—it’s about giving time to the people you love the most. Take this moment to reconnect with them, with yourself, and maybe even with nature.

2. Refuse – Holiday shopping can be tiring, so when you sit down to take a break at a cafe or restaurant, make sure to refuse anything unnecessary such as plastic utensils or cups. It’s also best to bring your own reusable shopping bags for your purchases.

3. Reduce – With all the get-togethers during Christmas, reduce your food waste by only preparing and cooking food that you and your family or friends can finish. This also applies when ordering food delivery or dining out. Don’t forget to take home your leftovers and store them properly as well!

4. Recover – If you have more free time during the holidays, why not declutter your home and go through your storage to recover old forgotten items? Instead of throwing these away, think of alternative ways to use them again or look for places where you can donate them.

5. Rethink – Rethink your usual choices and buying habits. This year, choose to support small enterprises that make their products locally, or those that use sustainable materials. Reusable and/or recyclable items are great, too. Of course, make sure to purchase items that are of quality so they can last longer.

6. Reuse – You can always reuse old wrappers, scrap papers, and newspapers to wrap your gifts and add your own design for a more personal touch. When it comes to Christmas decors, ornaments from previous years can still be used again or better yet, you can craft your own decor from items you find in your house.

7. Rewrite – After wrapping your gifts, it’s time to put your well wishes on your holiday cards for your family and friends. For a more customized feel, rewrite your messages on cards that you can make with scrap or recycled paper. Did you know you can also use seed paper for this so the recipient can plant your card after reading your note?

8. Regift – The concept of regifting is sometimes frowned upon, but it’s definitely one of the most economical and sustainable ways to give this holiday season. Rather than keeping unused gifts in storage, it’s much better to pass them on to people who can use them better.

9. Repair – A good project to start this Christmas is to look for slightly broken or damaged items sitting in your house and repair them (or have them repaired if you aren’t too much of a handyman). Instead of discarding old electronics and furniture right away, you can try giving them a second life.

10. Repurpose – Speaking of giving things a second life, you can also try repurposing things like cardboard boxes, Tetra Pak cartons, and plastic bottles into many useful things such as storage boxes, organizers, and even plant pots.

11. Recycle – The things that you cannot reuse or upcycle at home must be recycled to prevent adding more to the country’s growing waste generation rate. You can check out recycling facilities near you.

12. Responsible – Each one of us must be responsible for our waste, so always remember the 3Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle, in that order. Reduce what you can, reuse items that you can, and properly segregate your waste before sending them out to waste collectors and/or recyclers. To find out how you can take action, visit https://www.nestle.com.ph/csv/planet/being-kasambuhay-for-the-environment.

As Kasambuhay for Good, Nestlé Philippines aims to shape a waste-free future through its initiatives to tackle plastic waste in the country, including developing the packaging for the future, increasing collection and recycling efforts, and driving new behaviors and understanding through solid waste management (SWM) education. It is also the first multinational fast moving consumer goods company (FMCG) in the Philippines to achieve plastic neutrality, collecting and diverting 62 million kilos of plastic away from the environment since August 2020.

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Red Ribbon’s Holiday Gift Box Is The Perfect Way To Share Love This Christmas!

 

One great way to give love this Christmas is with sweet Holiday treats and Red Ribbon’s got the perfect gift to give to family and friends – the Red Ribbon Holiday Gift Box! It includes 8 pieces of assorted delicious Ensaimadas – Cheesy, Ube Cheese, and the NEW Choco-Caramel Ensaimada!

The NEW Choco Caramel Ensamaida is a sure hit during your Holiday get-togethers! Topped with rich chocolate shavings and filled with creamy caramel that will surely satisfy chocolate lovers! Available for a limited time only!

Red Ribbon’s best-selling Cheesy Ensaimada is perfect with your warm chocolate drink. Soft baked bread topped with sweet buttercream, sugar crystals, and generous cheese strands.

Enjoy the combination of favorite Pinoy flavors with the Ube Cheese Ensaimada topped with cheese and sweet buttercream and sugar and filled with ube halaya – the perfect treat for this season.

Surprise your loved ones with the Red Ribbon Holiday Gift Box available until December 31 for only Php 339.

Order now by visiting the Red Ribbon Bakeshop store near you; go to the delivery website; call their delivery hotline #87777; download the Red Ribbon app (available for Android and iOS) or order thru Grab and FoodPanda.

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Shop for all your favorite Brother products at the New Concept Store in SM Fairview

Brother International Philippines Corp. recently opened the company’s fifth concept store in the Philippines at SM Fairview, Quezon City on December 9, located at the 3/F Cyberzone.

Glenn Hocson, President of Brother International Philippines Corporation, was there to greet the media and formally invite customers to visit the store and enjoy the brand’s products. He was joined by Rolando Raval, Chief Operating Officer of Upson International Corporation, the largest retailer of IT products.

“The Brother concept store is part of our commitment to giving shoppers an improved shopping experience. They can see the complete range of products, interact with the different features, and get recommendations from our experienced staff,” said Glenn Hocson.

Hocson adds that the new store is part of Brother’s growth, and commitment to make IT products more affordable and accessible as the Philippines marches into the digital age.

“Brother International Corporation Philippines and Upson have a strong relationship that has lasted for more than 20 years. These two brands have lifted each other up and have a beneficial partnership that will endure for many years more. We are always here to support Upson’s expansion and growth, and we know we can count on them with our own growth endeavors.”

The concept store will carry the complete range of Brother products, which includes printers, scanners, labeling machines, cutters, and sewing and embroidery machines. Shoppers will also enjoy special holiday promos and discounts.

Aside from the SM Fairview branch, Brother concepts stores are located in Gaisano Mall, Davao, SM City North Edsa Annex, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, and SM City Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija.

For more information on Brother products, and to find the nearest store near you, visit the Facebook page  or call the Brother Helpdesk Hotline at (02) 8 581-9898.

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Enjoy Christmas Festivities At The New Central Park In Filinvest City

 

Some of the best cities in the world to live in are rated based on their beauty, walkability, community spirit, and activities, such as dining, arts, and culture. In the Philippines, leading real estate developer Filinvest Alabang, Inc. envisions just that for Filinvest City, a township development that is designed to provide modern conveniences amid lush, green landscapes in a modern central business district. And now, Filipinos have a go-to leisure destination right here in the country with the opening of Central Park in Filinvest City.

Central Park is the newest development in the crown jewel of Filinvest City, the Spectrum District. The park is an approximately 1-hectare property that offers a public gathering place for a diverse community – office workers, families, and tourists alike, and is made up of the sprawling Great Lawn and lush Botanical Garden where people from all walks of life can take in the great outdoors this holiday and all year round.

Even before the pandemic, this impressive green belt park system connecting the entire city has always been a part of the master plan for a future-ready garden city. And soon at the center of Filinvest City, an iconic mixed-use development will rise creating a seamless connection to the Central Park– blurring the lines between private buildings and public parks for the community to converge and enjoy.

On top of that, Filinvest City’s annual holiday tradition is making a much-anticipated return. With the theme, “Come Together For Christmas”, families and friends can spend time with one another, create lasting memories, and rekindle their sense of childlike wonder this holiday season and beyond.

As the Christmas destination in the Metro South, Filinvest City offers a series of fun and exciting Christmas festivities at Central Park. Families and friends can catch the Fireworks Display every Friday at 8 PM until December 16, 2022, and groove to the melodious sounds of renowned OPM bands including Ebe Dancel, Rivermaya,  Lola Amour (December 2, 2022), The Itchyworms (December 9, 2022), and Franco and Urbandub (December 16, 2022).  

Of course, Filipino Christmas is not complete without delectable dishes to truly enjoy the holiday festivities. Thankfully, Eats by the Park is open from Friday to Sunday from 4 PM to 9 PM where diners can select from a wide variety of food concessionaires and eat al fresco. And if they’re lucky, some might even catch and take a picture with Christmas characters at the park every Sunday until December 18, 2022.

On the journey in or out of Central Park, visitors will be greeted by glittering lights and Christmas installations from 6 PM to 9 PM until January 6, 2023. Residents and visitors can also create their own holiday photo cards by taking snapshots with the larger-than-life Christmas tree, Christmas vignettes, the beautifully decorated Filinvest City Christmas Standee, or the life-sized Belen. They can also opt to take curated shots of the Dome with Stars or the Christmas Tunnel.

For a meaningful celebration, guests can also attend Simbang Gabi at the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, situated along the gardens of Filinvest City’s River Park near Festival Mall starting on December 15-23, 2022 at 7:30 PM.

Beyond the holidays, Central Park has been offering various amenities for the residents and employees in the area. At the park, they can avail of a bike repair station, a children and adult play area, a wireless charging station, and Moovr, an app-enabled e-scooter sharing service. As they partake in any of these activities or more, they can also take in or take photos of the road art that surrounds the park. Central Park will also offer more amenities for the community to enjoy soon.

“We always make it a point to make every year a most meaningful one, and this year’s Christmas celebration has been taken up a notch. I’m glad that we can celebrate as one big community together again and that we’re doing it here at the newest gathering spot, our Central Park. We’re excited to create more community activities here at the newest convergence space in the south–from concerts, festivals, sports, to other related open-air events,” Don Ubaldo, first vice president for Townships, shares.  After the pandemic and lockdowns, Filipinos can look forward to coming together for the holidays and all year round to soak in lush greenery, fresh air, and special Filipino touches at Central Park and more must-see spots at Filinvest City.

To know more about this thriving community, visit https://filinvestcity.com/. For more updates, follow them on Facebook @FilinvestCityOFFICIAL and Instagram @filinvest_city.

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Conti’s Is Set To Be Your Next Breakfast Spot

Breakfast is often regarded as the most important meal of the day. There’s at least one very good reason for that. It’s the first after several hours of no food intake through the night. Therefore, it provides the nourishment needed to recharge the body and prepare it for the demands of the new day. Aside from that, breakfast likewise gives other essential nutrients that help maintain good health.

But not everyone is getting the right breakfast. Some don’t even get any breakfast at all. The reasons may include lack of time to prepare, a limited menu at home, and a pantry that isn’t well stocked for a variety of dishes.

Fortunately, there are excellent options to get the right breakfast and start the day optimally. At popular homegrown food chain Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant, there are several choices for dine-in, takeout, or delivery that are sure to delight different tastes.

Lovers of classic Pinoy dishes will get their rich and tasteful day starter with any of three favorites. The Homemade Beef Tapa Strips crackles with its perfectly crispy strips.   Mom’s Garlic Longganisa is an excellent pick-me-upper with its potent mix of sweet and spice. Both are served with fried rice, eggs, and atchara or pickled ubod.

A new addition to the breakfast menu is Adobo Omelette Fried Rice. Conti’s’own version of Omurice, it’s a delicious twist on a classic featuring fried rice mixed with adobo chunks enveloped in a silky scrambled egg mixture and topped with garlic aioli. To complete the meal, it’s served with fresh salad on the side. An alternative is the Chorizo Omelette Fried Rice filled with chorizo sausage bits.

For more health-conscious diners who still want a lot of flavors, there’s Salmon Belly in Olive Oil. This Norwegian-style dish boasts mouth-watering salmon belly strips in seasoned olive oil and is served with lemon rice, eggs, and pickled ubod.

Another international-style breakfast option is Conti’s Berry Brioche French Toast. It features a hearty mix of brioche French toast slices, mixed berries compote, crispy bacon and egg, and is topped with a light drizzle of honey and a dollop of whipped cream. A filling offering that’s perfect for those who want a lot of textures and flavors without feeling super heavy in the tummy. 

If you love a good breakfast or brunch, then you’ll love this line of delectable and delightful treats from Conti’s. Truly delicious and satisfying. You’ll find that special something that not only starts your day right but takes your mornings to the next level.

To know more about Conti’s Bakeshop & Restaurant visit http://www.contis.ph/ or check out the Facebook (@contisph), Instagram (@contis_ph), and tikok (@contisph) pages. Other pages bearing the name and images are fake. They do not in any way represent the brand.

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