COVID-19 Update: Newfound discovery makes some dishwashing liquids effective home disinfectant.

In response to the global coronavirus pandemic, Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) commissioned the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) to look into other options for disinfecting homes and workplaces. This was undertaken to mitigate global alcohol shortage, and cope with the sudden surge in demands of alcohol disinfectant at medical facilities as well as home and workplace environments.

Lab studies conducted by METI/NITE have proven that some cleaning actives also known as surfactants, when used at the right levels, can be effective against SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19. Test findings by Japan’s NITE have confirmed that there is a significant reduction in the virus count on items or surfaces that are exposed to a surfactant diluted to 0.05%-0.2% for twenty seconds to five minutes.

According to the review committee of experts, these seven types of surfactants are commonly found in household products like dishwashing liquids.

-- Sodium linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (0.1% or more);
-- Alkyl glycoside (0.1% or more);
-- Alkylamine oxide (0.05% or more);
-- Benzalkonium chloride (0.05% or more);
-- Benzethonium chloride (0.05% or more) (newly added on May 28, 2020);
-- Dialkyldimethyl ammonium chloride (0.01% or more) (newly added on May 28, 2020); and
-- Polyoxyethylene alkylether (0.2% or more)

With this research confirming more accessible ways to disinfect your homes and workplaces, dishwashing liquids containing these ingredients can benefit Filipinos and serve as a reliable substitute to alcohol-based disinfectant. This would mean convenience and better value for money given the product’s multi-purpose use of disinfecting various items, not just in the kitchen but other household items as well.

Japan METI/NITE recommends the solution ratio of one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid mixed in 500ml water. To sanitize, wipe all items or surfaces with a cloth soaked in this solution. Ensure to squeeze excess liquid out of the cloth to prevent the liquid from dripping. Wipe firmly in one direction to prevent spreading dirt and virus. Leave the items or surfaces to rest with the mixture for about five minutes. Then, wipe off the soap solution with a cloth soaked in water. Finally, wipe dry all items and surfaces with another clean cloth.

To learn more about the research findings, visit this link:   meti.go.jp/english/press/2020/0529_001.html

Follow Joy Philippines’ official Facebook page at fb.com/JoyPhilippines for more updates on Joy.

INDOOR SUMMER FUN AT TOY KINGDOM

With more kids staying home this summer, it’s the perfect opportunity to take a break, rest and spend some quality time with the whole family.  Stay at home and let Toy Kingdom bring the fun into your doorstep with their wide variety of amazing toy finds now available for purchase at Lazada.

Little chefs will love the Kid’s Dough Cooking Set, Ice Cream Set and Motion Air Sand Deluxe Cookie Maker. Ryan’s World Treasure Chest, on the other hand, will surely thrill the little pirates.

Keep your kids’ minds creative and inspired with games from Cogo in city and farm themes. Board games like Uno, Monopoly, and Pictionary Air are great for family bonding and fun; while table games like Air Spring’s pinball shoot and air soccer will keep kids active and sporty.

Tech-savyy kids, on the other hand, can also enjoy an ultimate home entertainment experience with Toy Kingdom’s PS4 mega pack and various home video games.

Experience an enjoyable summer fun at home with these toys from Toy Kingdom. Check out these amazing finds and more available at https://www.lazada.com.ph/ and wait for your items to be delivered right into your doorsteps. Also, don’t forget to stay home to help in the fight against COVID-19.

For more updates visit www.toykingdom.ph and follow ToyKingdomPH at Facebook and Instagram.

#SalamatSaAlaga: Lactum 3+ pays tribute to a mother’s love and sacrifice during difficult times

It goes without saying that being a mother is no easy feat, especially so amid the ongoing pandemic. There are many strong women - from medical professionals and pharmacists, to policewomen, and government and volunteer workers - who have been called to duty to serve the needs of their countrymen in these trying times.

Lactum 3+ honors the selfless love and strength of moms, taking care of their families and serving their fellow Filipinos in these trying times. 

Honoring their heroic heart for the nation, Lactum 3+ and 6+ releases a Mother’s Day campaign video that pays tribute to mom frontliners as they continue the fight against the health crisis and share their healing care that is felt at home to every Filipino in need.

Directed by filmmaker Pepe Diokno, “Alaga” is a heartwarming video told in a perspective of a child and showcases gratitude to the endless love and selfless sacrifice of moms. The campaign film features footages shot by real moms that take viewers through moments shared with kids with a poignant narration that recognizes how mothers display their touch of alaga even in difficult times.

“When situations are tough and things get scary, we always run to our moms and rely on them to be at their best. That is why this Mother’s Day, we want to say thank you to the mothers who show panalo parenting even in these times as they devote their time and health to help the nation, all while caring for their kids away from home,” said Lea Sarmiento, Senior Product Manager for Lactum.

Among the mom frontliners featured in the video is Kristine Frances Bustamante, a nurse in Camarines Sur who shares how the lockdown has limited her time spent with her kids. She says, “My usual work finishes before lunch time so I can eat together with my kids. But since lockdown, I had to stay in my work area to avoid risk of exposure to my kids. When I get home, no hugs or no kisses for a while.”

Another supermom, Aures Queen Trecho who is a bank teller, shares how she is responding to her duty to serve. “Currently, my daughter is being taken care of by my cousin because I am a single mom. I am aware that during this time of crisis, I still need to work and at the same time, take necessary precautions to not get so I can continue my duties.”

Sarmiento adds, “We recognize the fight that these mom frontliners are bravely going through for their children, their family and the nation. At Lactum 3+6+ and the entire Mead Johnson Philippines family along with our Reckitt Benckiser colleagues around the world, we are fighting alongside them as we continuously provide readily-available access to highest quality hygiene, wellness, and nourishment in cities and provinces so families will be safe and assured in these tough times.”

In support of families affected by the pandemic, a P50 donation will be made for every Lactum 3+ and 6+ purchased online. For the list of online partners, visit Lactum 3+ and 6+ official Facebook page. Watch the touching Mother’s Day video on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LactumPhilippines/videos/265270744855878/) and YouTube

Per DOH-FDA-CFRR Permit No. 0584 s. 2020.

A mother’s love for children with disabilities

Mothers Donna Lim, Alex Arroyo and Juliet Brecino are great inspirations for many families across the country. These women have been helping parents wade through the high waters of raising children with disabilities as they, too, are raising children with disabilities of their own. And doing so is certainly not made easy due to the COVID-19 pandemic that pose a threat especially to these children who typically have challenged immune systems.

With the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon and other parts of the country to contain the spread of the virus, disruptions to daily routine became an inevitable reality for countless Filipinos.

   (Mommy Donna with her daughter Desly)

One challenge that Mommy Donna is currently experiencing is ensuring that the daily routine of her daughter Desly who is on the autism spectrum, stay as consistent as possible, because any changes to their day-to-day activities can affect the behavior of her daughter.

“If they notice that something is not part of their usual routine, they become worried. It may even upset them,” says Donna.

To mitigate this, she has been helping Desly understand that they have to change the way they go through their day so that they can stay safe and healthy.

      (Mommy Alex with her daughter Aria)

On the other hand, with the “new normal” demanding cleanliness more than ever, the challenge for Mommy Alex is getting her daughter with special needs, Aria, to practice proper personal hygiene. This is why her family has been diligently following ECQ rules, so that Aria can learn by example.

“We definitely follow ECQ rules strictly. We stay at home and we only go out for essentials, and if we do, we ensure that we are wearing facemasks, face shields, and even gloves sometimes. And the moment that we get home, we disinfect. We take a shower.”

               (Mommy Juliet with son JM)


Strictly following ECQ rules is a must in order for children with disabilities to avoid getting sick. Aside from this, parents must also ensure that these children are eating healthy, just like what Mommy Juliet is doing with her son JM who is visually-impaired, whose passion is signing Broadway songs and joining singing contests.

“I make sure he eats vegetables and I always give him vitamins,” says Juliet.

As the world celebrates Mother’s Day with this global health crisis in the background, these moms are focusing on the most important thing – the health, safety and well-being of their children, showered with the kind of love and care that only a mother can give.

Knowing the important roles that they play in the lives of their children, Donna, Alex and Juliet are doing everything they can to protect their loved ones.

Their selfless dedication to motherhood is something that should be celebrated, which is why, this Mother’s Day, SM Cares honors all mothers, especially those who are raising children with special needs.

“SM Cares understands the challenges of parents – especially mothers of children with disabilities. Their immense love and sacrifice for their children is something that we truly admire. We wish them the best of blessings, especially for this year’s Mother’s Day celebration,” said Engr. Bien Mateo, Head of the SM Cares Program on Persons with Disabilities.

To know more about SM Cares, you may visit http://www.smsupermalls.com

Resourceful Filipino volunteer uses Brother sewing machines to produce PPEs for frontliners

 As the Philippines undergoes its enhanced community quarantine to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19, many Filipinos are stepping up and helping out in any way they can, serving as an inspiration to many others to also do their part for everyone in need.

One such inspiring story is that of volunteer Rod Jean Claire Dullano, who shared how they relied on Brother sewing machines to produce a number of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and facemasks for medical frontliners.

Photo from Rod Jean Claire Dullano

“Your products have been so helpful to us,” said Dullano in her e-mail to Brother Philippines. “Thank you so much for your great effort in making quality machines for us. God bless you.”

Brother Philippines is truly honored to power meaningful efforts such as Dullano’s, and we salute everyone giving their time and dedication to help our country’s frontliners in these challenging times.

If you are using our sewing machines or any Brother product to help in the fight against this crisis, please do send us your stories at marketing@brother.com.ph. We would like to thank you personally and share your story with the world.

For more info and updates, you may visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BROTHERatyourside/. For any inquiries or concerns, please call the Brother Helpdesk Hotline at (02) 8 581-9898, through the toll-free line at 1-10-BROTHER, or send an e-mail to
helpdesk@brother.com.ph.

SM Cares celebrates Earth Day 2020

In line with the 50th celebration of Earth Day on April 22, SM Cares has partnered with Earth Day Network Philippines for a social media campaign that aims to promote eco-friendly and sustainable practices among Filipinos.

SM Cares’ #LoveEarth campaign is a social media initiative centered around the message of “Healing the Earth” that calls for positive change in behavior and mindset in caring for the environment. The campaign encourages individuals to be more appreciative, mindful, and moderate in their consumption of Earth’s resources such as food, water, and energy, even while staying at home for the period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Through this campaign, we want to encourage everyone to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle and work together toward caring for the only planet that we all call home, even in our own little way,” said Liza B. Silerio, VP of Corporate Compliance of SM Supermalls.

#LoveEarth campaign supports Earth Day Network’s recently launched digital campaign Earthrise, a youth-led digital movement whose goal is to mobilize organizations, communities, and individuals all over the world on Earth Day to demand immediate action on climate change from the world’s leaders and policy makers.

Earth Day is an annual celebration led by the Earth Day Network that puts the spotlight on issues that are affecting the environment. First held in 1970, Earth Day was the result of a need for a unified response against various environmental problems like pollution and resource depletion. Today, the event is considered the biggest environmental movement in the world, with millions joining celebrations every year.

For this year’s celebration, Earth Day’s theme centers on climate action. “The enormous challenge – but also the vast opportunities – of action on climate change have distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic of the 50th anniversary,” Earth Day Network says in its website. “Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable.”

The #LoveEarth campaign is just one of the numerous ways that SM is promoting sustainable living among Filipinos, and the company has other programs aimed at helping care for the environment. These are the Regular Trash to Cash Recycling Market that is held every first Friday and Saturday of the month; daily water recycling systems, and environmental campaigns such as the Green Film Festival and Green Retail Agenda, just to name a few.

To learn more about the #LoveEarth campaign and other environment initiatives by SM, visit the SM Supermalls official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/smsupermalls/.
 

When bills payment becomes a chance to help

Faced with even more uncertainty and restrictions brought about by the enhanced community quarantine, many strive to keep extra care of not just physical health but also their finances, especially since emergencies could be just waiting around the corner. CIS Bayad Center reminds everyone that it’s also important to take smarter routes to better managing your bills and other finances while still contributing to those affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

Spend only for essential goods
As a wise consumer, it is best if you make sure that essential goods are always first in your to-buy list. Prioritize buying your needs more than your wants, but in consideration of others, never hoard or try to take much than what you need.

Allocate for health budget
Keeping yourself and your family healthy is a must.  It’s best to allocate for immune-boosting supplements, on top of your maintenance medicines if you have any and potential medical expenses. This budget preparation will get you covered in case of emergency, especially at this time of escalating threats to global health.

Prioritize paying bills on time
Although many utility and loan companies extended their due dates for bills payment in consideration of the challenges posed by the crisis, it is still better if you pay on time. This will give you less headache about mismanaging your budget, and avoid your unpaid bills to pile up later down the road.

Have some regard for the less fortunate
Donate to the collective relief efforts and help those who are not able to weather the crisis as well as you can.  Every little effort goes a long way, and Bayad Center is giving the paying public the chance to help fellow Filipinos and communities affected by the pandemic via the “BAYADnihan, Tulong-tulong para sa Bayan” campaign.

As simple as settling your monthly financial obligations at any Bayad Center branch or through its mobile app, your payment becomes more meaningful because a portion of it will be donated to One Meralco Foundation. This “BAYADnihan” campaign covers transactions done from March 1 to April 30, 2020.

Bayad Center employees are also taking part in this endeavor and voluntarily pledging a part of their salaries to raise more funds, which will be used in giving out food for the homeless and underprivileged families who suffer most due to the health crisis and the imposed quarantine.

The biggest and most trusted multi-channel payment platform in the Philippines, Bayad Center remains committed to making payments convenient and accessible, and more meaningful, while encouraging Bayanihan as one of its responses to the ongoing crisis.

Project Ugnayan beneficiaries reach over 7.6 million people in Greater Metro Manila poor communities

Project Ugnayan, the fund-raising initiative led by top business groups in cooperation with  the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), reached over 7.6 million people in the vulnerable communities of Greater Metro Manila.

“As we close, we wish to reiterate our wholehearted thanks to all our generous Donors for making this project possible. By coming together in a Bayanihan spirit so quickly, we were able to create a program of this scale and importance. This unprecedented assembly of so many of the country’s  corporations and business families coming to the assistance of the most vulnerable in our society illustrates and speaks of the heart and generosity of the business community.

Our special thanks go to the 10 Bishops of the Dioceses in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna, as well as to Caritas Manila under the leadership of Father Anton Pascual, and the network
of Parish Priests, Volunteers, and Barangay Captains who distributed the gift certificates door-to door in the lowest income communities of Greater Metro Manila. We appreciate the swiftness and
efficiency of their work under very difficult conditions and over very long hours each day,” said Project Ugnayan Lead, Fernando Zobel de Ayala.


"We are grateful for this opportunity to be part of this business community effort to help people in a time of crisis. This is a movement we should nurture as we prepare to let people return to work and to re-start our economy in the post-quarantine period.” said PDRF Co-Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.


“The unity in diversity demonstrated by Project Ugnayan reveals the private sector’s serious commitment to help our country recover from the lost economic momentum because of the pandemic. We are proud to be part of this extraordinary collaboration of industries which will prove most valuable in getting the economy back on track,” PDRF Co-Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

According to Father Anton CT Pascual, Executive Director of Caritas Manila, the initiative earned praises from Archdiocese of Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo, San Pablo Bishop Buenaventura Famadico and other Prelates of the Suffragan Dioceses of Manila. The Prelates thanked the businessmen and private organization who collectively help to make Project Ugnayan possible.


“The true spirit of Easter is about hope and has special significance in these difficult times. We thank all the generous benefactors of Project Ugnayan for this opportunity to fulfill a great mission of compassion for our vulnerable brothers and sisters. Your gifts have warmed their hearts and uplifted their spirits,” Father Pascual said.


Caritas Manila’s Project Damayan, the project’s main distributor of emergency cash through P1,000 supermarket gift certificates has so far reached 1,070,854 families or 5,354,270 people. It is on
target to deliver gift certificates to 1,366,495 families or 6,832,475 people by Wednesday, April 15 (the original end-date of the Enhanced Community Quarantine).

ABS-CBN’s Pantawid ng Pagibig has reached 238,854 families or 1,194,270 people through food packs delivered through Local Government Units. They will reach a total of 631,921 families or 3,151,605 people by the end of their program.

ADB and the Government’s Bayan, Bayanihan has delivered food packages to 13,370 families or 66,850 people through the Philippine Army and DSWD. ADB has provided funding to reach 80,000 families or a total of 400,000 people.

Jollibee’s FoodAID program delivers ready-to-cook chicken to low-income families from its commissary through a network composed of Don Bosco, Caritas Manila, and the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilya ng Pantawid (SNPP). So far, they have delivered to 199,491 families or 977,455 people. They are targeting to reach 500,000 families or 2,500,000 people by end-April.


“In sum, Project Ugnayan and its Partners have reached 1,522,569 families or 7,612,845 people in just over three weeks. This number will rise as all deliveries have already been programmed by the partners,” said Fernando Zobel de Ayala.


The donors of Project Ugnayan are (in alphabetical order): Aboitiz Group, ABSCBN/First Gen, Alaska Milk Corporation, Alliance Global Group & Megaworld, AY Foundation & RCBC, Ayala Corporation. Bench/Suyen Corp, Bonifacio West Devt Corp. Carmelray Group, Cathay Land, Inc, Cebuana Lhullier, Century Pacific, Coca Cola Philippines, Concepcion Industrial, Consuelo "Chito" Madrigal Foundation, Inc., Daiichi Properties, DMCI Group of Companies, Dowell Container and Packaging Corporation, Far Eastern University, First Life Financial Company, Focus Global, Inc., Global Food Group, Glorious Commercial Exports, Inc., Gokongwei Group of Companies/Robinsons Retail Holdings, ICTSI, JAKA Group 1, Jollibee, J.P. Morgan, Kawit Prime Holdings, Inc., Leonio Group, Mercury Drug Corporation, Metrobank, Mumuso Group, National Grid Corp of the Philippines, New World Hotel, Nutri-Asia, Oishi/Liwayway Marketing Group, One Meralco Foundation, Penshoppe, People R People, PepsiCo/PepsiCo Foundation, Philippine Racing Club, Inc, PLDT/Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, Puregold, Ramon S. Ang & Family, RRK/Lee Jeans, Shang Properties Inc, SM/BDO, Sta. Elena Construction, Sugar Junction Inc.. Sunlife of Canada, Super Prime Holdings, Inc, Supreme Steel Pipe Corp, The Alpha Suites Inc., Unilab, and Wilcon Depot.

Celebrate Holy Week At Home with Superbook

Are you looking for ways to celebrate Holy Week with the entire family during the enhanced community quarantine?

Good news! Chris, Joy and Gizmo will help you travel back in time to witness the awesome stories and miracles of Jesus!

Superbook Reimagined will air on ABS-CBN every 6:00 a.m. from April 9 to 11, Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday. It will feature Jesus’ miracles in “Jesus Heals the Blind”; Jesus’ victory over temptation in “Jesus In the Wilderness”; and Jesus’ teaching about prayer in “Teach Us to Pray”.

Superbook will also air back-to-back episodes on Yey!, ABS-CBN’s kids channel, from April 6 to 12, every 7:30 a.m.

Superbook is an award-winning Bible-based animation series that teaches children timeless moral truths and life lessons through the adventures of Chris, Joy, and their robot friend, Gizmo!


For more SuperNews, follow Batang Superbook on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Make your own facemask in a few easy steps!

In times like these when COVID-19 is affecting all of us greatly in every way, it’s more important than ever to not only be safe from disease and healthy, but also to be resourceful and practical.

With the right tools and materials, it’s very easy to make your own basic protective gear. Did you know that with some spare cloth, a printer, and a sewing machine, you can sew your own facemask? Now there’s no need to worry about disposable facemasks—you can quickly craft your own for light everyday use and supplies of surgical masks can go to health workers and frontliners who need them more.

Here’s what you’ll need:
Outer fabric (20cm x 80cm)
Inner fabric (20cm x 80cm)
Band (2m)
Printer
Sewing machine/sewing tools
* The above measurements are good for three masks.
* Soft-textured material, such as gauze, is preferable.
* You can add your own embroidery or lace.

SIZE CHART

Size
Finished size
Length of ear band

For babies (9 months – 3 years)
8.5cm x 12.5cm
29cm x 2 pieces

For children (5 – 9 years)
11cm x 14.5cm
31cm x 2 pieces

For adults
13cm x 17cm
35cm x 2 pieces

Instructions:
Sew the outer fabric together.
Cut two pieces of the outer fabric according to the attached pattern, which you can print for accuracy. Place the pieces together right-side in, then sew them with 1cm seam allowance. Press-iron edges and topstitch. Don’t forget to reinforce the stitches at the start and end.

Do the same for the inner fabric.
You can decorate the mask at this step.

Sew the inner and the outer fabric together.
Place the inner and outer fabric together right-side in, then sew the top and bottom. Press-iron edges and topstitch.
Then turn the inner fabrics right-side out. Press-iron and topstitch.

Make the elastic band.
Sew the inner mask layer. Fold one edge three times and stitch. Do the same for the other side.

Assemble the elastic band by cutting it according to the measurements in the size chart plus 3cm seam allowance. (You’re free to adjust the measurements as needed.) Insert it through the edges of the mask and tie a knot to secure them.

Iron the mask to finish it!

You can also watch this video to see how everything is done:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/liWJIJWHqCw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>.

And you can download the patterns and instructions here: http://bit.ly/BrotherDIYFacemask.

Other notes:
You can use any pattern and design you want!

For better results, tighter stitches, and a more durable mask, you can machine-stitch it with reliable tools such as Brother Sewing Machines.

Brother Philippines stands with the nation in its fight against COVID-19, and supports all efforts to combat the spread of the virus and heal the country.

For information and updates on Brother products, customers may visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BROTHERatyourside. They can also call the Brother Helpdesk Hotline at (02) 8 581-9898, or through the toll-free line at 1-10-BROTHER or send an email to helpdesk@brother.com.ph.