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/.
 

Announcing the official Philippine National Volleyball Team lineup for the 2019 SEA Games

Philippine volleyball fans, are you ready for this year’s SEA Games in Manila?

The Philippine national men’s and women’s volleyball teams have released their official line-ups for the games, featuring a pool of talented professional and competitive players. Here is a look at our Volleyball representatives eyeing a podium finish in the regional meet.

MEN’S NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL TEAM
Joining the men’s national volleyball team are talented players who have made their mark in the sport. Headlining the team is a powerful trio collectively known as BAE (a playful acronym of their surnames), and their team captain John Vic de Guzman.

Men’s national volleyball team captain John Vic de Guzman is a stellar pro athlete with the PLDT Home Fibr Ultra Fast Hitters. He shot to prominence through his winning collegiate career, leading De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde to an NCAA championship in Season 92, as well as earning the MVP honors along the way.

Bryan Bagunas is a collegiate MVP and Japan-based pro player. Bagunas led the Bulldogs to two UAAP championship runs and finished his storied collegiate career with two MVP titles. The 6-foot-5 athlete portrays his power on the court through his long wing-span and powerful spikes, taking his talents not only to the Philippine national team, but also to the Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler volleyball club in Japan.

Alnakran “Ranran” Abdilla is a standout pro from Tawi-Tawi, Mindanao. He is a BS Criminology graduate from DLSU-Dasmarinas, where he helped the team win three national championships from the Private Schools Athletic Association, two from the National Capital Region Athletic Association, and three from the Universities and Colleges Athletic Association. He currently plays in the Premier Volleyball League for the Philippine Air Force, in which he also serves as an airman 2nd class. Folks in his hometown of Bongao revere him as a hero and a role model for the youth.

Marck Espejo is the country’s first ever “Mr. Volleyball,” proving himself a force to be reckoned with. Espejo’s crowning achievement is winning the Most Valuable Player in Ateneo de Manila University’s three consecutive championship seasons from UAAP Seasons 77 to 79, along with Rookie of the Year, Best Attacker, Best Server, and Best Scorer awards.
Together with Bagunas, Abadilla, Espejo, and De Guzman, the Men’s National Team, coached by Dante Alinsunurin, is completed by these talented players:
Francis Saura – Philippine Air Force
Kim Malabunga – Philippine Air Force
Ricky Marcos – Sta. Elena-NU Bulldogs
Esmilzo Polvorosa – Cignal HD Spikers
Jessie Lopez – Philippine Air Force
Ave Joshua Retamar – Sta. Elena-NU Bulldogs
Rex Intal – Cignal HD Spikers
Mark Alfafara – PLDT
Jack Kalingking – Philippine Navy
Joshua Umandal – PLDT


WOMEN’S NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL TEAM
The star-studded and jam-packed women’s team is headlined by the best and brightest volleyball stars of this generation. Led by Coach Cesael delos Santos, the team hopes to earn home court advantage as they look to bring back the glory days of Philippine volleyball. Some of the headliners are:
Aby Maraño
A champion professional and collegiate MVP, women’s national team captain Aby Maraño plays with a burning passion under the mantra Beast Mode Don’t Care, or BMDC. Maraño shot to fame in her college days playing for the De La Salle University Lady Spikers, where she helped the team win an impressive three consecutive UAAP championships, earning two MVP awards along the way. Maraño has also had a successful pro career thus far, winning six championships in the Philippine Super Liga, five of which were with the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers. With this dazzling resume of accolades under her belt, Maraño will be looking to lead the team in dominating the field at the 2019 SEA Games this November.

Alyssa Valdez, affectionately known as “The Phenom,” is one of the most popular athletes of her generation. She’s best known for her time as a star player of Ateneo de Manila University during her college days, where she unceasingly led her team to two UAAP and two Shakey’s V-League championships, as well as numerous individual awards for her amazing play, including three MVP awards. Valdez has also been a standout in donning the Philippine tri-color in international tournaments, as well as in her pro career, leading her current team the Creamline Cool Smashers to two Premier Volleyball League championships in 2018 and 2019.

Majoy Baron is another champion pro and collegiate MVP.  She is truly unpredictable when she starts hitting it out on the court. She led the De La Salle University Lady Spikers to three consecutive UAAP championships, where she also won individual awards because of her commendable performance. Baron’s pro career is also flourishing, helping take the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers to five PSL championships, including the recently-concluded 2019 PSL Invitational Conference, in which she also won MVP. Baron is not new to international volleyball tournaments—just recently, she was named the Best Middle Blocker in the ASEAN Grand Prix held in Thailand and the Philippines.

Jia Morado is an award-winning pro MVP and former college standout who has previous experience representing the Philippines in the SEA Games. During the recently concluded 2019 ASEAN Grand Prix, Morado made noise by setting the pace for the national team during its five-set victory against Vietnam. Netizens praised her outstanding performance, with some describing her playmaking as a “game changer.” Her pro career with the Creamline Cool Smashers has seen incredible accomplishments so far, with two Premiere Volleyball League championships playing for the club.
Completing the promising women’s national volleyball team in the 2019 SEA Games are:
Rhea Dimaculangan – Petron Tri-Activ Spikers
Ces Molina – Petron Tri-Activ Spikers
Eya Laure – Foton Tornadoes
Kalei Mau – F2 Logistics Cargo Movers
Mylene Paat – Cignal HD Spikers
Jovelyn Gonzaga – Cignal HD Spikers, PacificTown-Army
Maddie Madayag – Choco Mucho
Mika Reyes – Petron Blaze Spikers
Dawn Macandili – F2 Logistics Cargo Movers
Kath Arado – Generika-Ayala Lifesavers
Cheering as Sambansa in the 2019 SEA Games
Now that we know who will represent the Philippines at the SEA Games this November, don’t be shy to show your support! Both the men and women’s teams have been busy preparing with the help of various organizations and companies such as Rebisco, and they will need all the support they can get from their Filipino fans as our players look to play their best against the top talent of Southeast Asia and bring home the gold.

The volleyball tournament of the 2019 SEA Games will be held from November 28 to December 10 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Sports Complex, Manila.
For more info and updates on the Philippine national volleyball team, follow Rebisco Pilipinas on Facebook (facebook.com/RebiscoSambansa/), and on Twitter and Instagram at @RebiscoSambansa.

Online bullying remains prevalent in the Philippines, other countries

One in three young people in 30 countries said they have been a victim of online bullying, with one in five saying they skipped school due to cyberbullying and violence, according to a new poll released today by UNICEF, the United Nations organization working for children’s rights.
In the Philippines, latest national data show that cyberviolence affects almost half of children aged 13-17. The prevalence of cyberviolence for males (44 per cent) is almost the same for females (43 per cent).
One-third of cyberviolence experienced by Filipino children are in the form of verbal abuse over the internet or cellphone, while a fourth are through sexual messages. More females received messages of sexual nature or content than males. However, twice as many males than females reported having their nude body or sexual activities, whether real or falsified, shown on the internet or cellphone.

Violence against children, in all forms including online bullying or cyberbullying, has devastating effects on the physical and emotional wellbeing of young people. This can create lasting emotional and psychological scars, even physical harm. It is particularly challenging to address since children are vulnerable and have easy access to the internet, making them easy targets of online violence.

In the UNICEF U-Report poll conducted in June 2019, almost three-quarters of young people from 30 countries said that social networks including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter are the most common platforms for online bullying. Being connected online means that school no longer ends once a student leaves class, and neither does bullying.

The U-Report further revealed that 32 per cent believe that the government is mainly responsible in addressing online bullying, 31 per cent said that young people are responsible, while 29 per cent said internet companies. These show that opinions are equally divided on who should be responsible for ending online bullying – highlighting the need to involve children and young people in the shared responsibility.

UNICEF is calling for urgent action to implement policies that will protect children and young people from bullying – both online and offline. Addressing the problem requires action from all of us.
Establishing and equipping national helplines to support children and young people in reporting violence is a concrete step. Training teachers and parents to respond to and prevent bullying will ensure the safety of children and young people, particularly the most vulnerable ones.
Gathering better data about the online behavior of children and young people, and how criminals are using the internet, will guide policies and action plans.

UNICEF is also urging social media and social networking service companies to improve ethical standards and practices in collecting and managing information of children.

SaferKidsPH Program brings together a consortium of child rights advocates collaborating with the government, civil society, and private sector

Online child abuse is the leading cybercrime in the Philippines. New technologies, such as live streaming, are putting more Filipino children at risk of sexual abuse.

 #SaferKidsPH consortium members at the ceremonial signing: L-R: Atty Albert Muyot, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Philippines; Ambassador Steven Robinson AO, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines; Julia Rees, UNICEF Representative, a.i.; and Sam Chittick, Country Representative of The Asia Foundation.

Australia is committed to advancing the rights of children and protecting them from exploitation, abuse, and violence. That is why the Australian Embassy in the Philippines has initiated the SaferKidsPH Program, a six year, AUD 8 million (PhP 298 million) commitment.

“Addressing online sexual exploitation and abuse of children is a global concern. SaferKidsPH reinforces our commitment to support the Philippine government’s efforts to address this complex form of human trafficking. SaferKidsPH will also work with the private sector and the community to develop the best solutions for a safer online environment for every Filipino child,” says Ambassador Steven Robinson AO, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines.
The program will provide grants to the Australian Federal Police, and the UNICEF-led consortium, which includes The Asia Foundation and Save the Children Philippines.

“Filipino children have a massive presence online. One in three Internet users is a child. While the Government has been trying to respond to the demand, breadth, scope, and agility of the technology — not to mention the extreme accessibility of digital platforms — there must be more that we can do together to protect our children,” says Julia Rees, UNICEF Representative, a.i.
The National Baseline Survey on Violence Against Children shows that nearly one in two children aged 13-17 experienced cyber violence.  Atty Albert Muyot, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Philippines said the involvement of local government units, and community members, both adults and children, are key to protecting children from online sexual exploitation. “Children especially those in deprived situations are at risk of falling prey to online sexual exploitation. We need to increase public vigilance to prevent and reduce incidents of OSEC by strengthening child protection systems at the local level,” says Muyot.

The Consortium will support the Philippine government’s national plans, including the National Response Plan to Address Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children led by the DSWD Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography, and the Philippine Plan of Action to End Violence Against Children led by the Council for the Welfare of Children.

Sam Chittick, Country Representative of The Asia Foundation said this consortium combines the networks and expertise of  UNICEF, Save the Children and the Asia Foundation together with the Australian Embassy to ensure that the voice of Filipino children navigating the justice system in the Philippines is heard, and together we can help break down barriers to access to justice.”

Aligned with the government’s goal to end violence against children by 2025, SaferKidsPH will involve children, parents, schools, local groups, businesses, and media to promote online safety. It will strengthen investigation, prosecution and adjudication of cybercrime cases. It will also improve services to protect children in target hotspots.

Star Athlete Kianna Dy and Celebrity Chie Filomeno Share Insider Info on their Daily Routines

MANILA, Philippines — September 2018 — If you thought that there’s nothing in common between volleyball star Kianna Dy and celebrity Chie Filomeno, then you’re in for a surprise. Read on to find out some unique facts about them, plus their secrets on how they manage to look effortlessly cool and fabulous everyday. Pro-tip: they even have a common beauty tip they both swear by!

The Athlete: Kianna Dy

Aside from being a skilled volleyball player, Kianna Dy is certainly on the rise to becoming one of the most popular internet stars. However, it’s not that surprising anymore since she’s proven to be an ultimate all-around girl! Find out what we mean, by reading some exciting facts about her!

 

1. Kianna is up and about by 5:00 AM in the morning!

Twenty-four hours do not seem to ever be enough for Kianna Dy -- her days are almost always busy, so she is immediately up once her alarm sets off at 5 in the morning. There are times when she even has to shuffle between training in the court and attending events!

2. She starts her daily routine by taking care of her hair

“After a tiring morning of training, I always look forward to my long bath because after feeling dirty and sweaty, I get to finally pamper myself. My daily routine actually starts with my hair. I wash off all the oil and sweat with Head & Shoulders Supreme shampoo and conditioner. Afterwards, I continue with my skincare routine, which is not complicated at all. I just cleanse, tone, moisturize, and apply sunblock.” It’s a pretty straightforward routine from Kianna herself, but it is a tried and tested one that she swears by. Kianna continues, “I don’t feel the need to switch it up because when you find something that works and is perfect for you, then you stick to it, right?”

3. She goes for the “no makeup” makeup look

Her makeup routine highlights her natural features as it revolves around patting on a light foundation, keeping those sleek eyebrows in check, and swiping on a nude lippie! It’s a super simple routine for a girl who’s always on the go.

4. She is a total book geek!

Kianna also loves her alone time where she can relax and just be herself. What people don’t usually know about her is that she is 100% a book lover! For her, reading motivational books helps keep her head in the game. Plus, she deems it necessary to have even just a little bit of quiet time a day where she can just simply read and unwind.

5. She’s the next vlogger everyone should look out for!

Kianna now vlogs! She shares that she finds fulfillment when she is able to capture the moment to make it last, and she also likes sharing bits of her life with her followers to connect with them in a more personal level. Check out “Kim Kianna Dy” on YouTube to have a glimpse of her life.

The Celebrity: Chie Filomeno

Chie Filomeno is certainly one of the up and coming celebrities in the industry today. She is known for her dazzling dance moves and bubbly personality. She has also been coined as the 2018 “Summer Body Goals” by ABS-CBN Lifestyle too! Read on to know more about what else this trendy girl has to offer

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1. Chie Filomeno never lets a minute of her time go to waste!

  

Chie’s day usually starts pretty early. She wakes up at 6:00 AM to get ready for work and prepare for Showtime to meet her 8:00 AM call time. There are even times when she immediately has to go straight to another taping or shoot afterwards. To get through her jam packed days, Chie simply makes sure to get the most out of her shower time with Head & Shoulders Supreme, which easily provides her with a good hair day all day everyday.

2. Our trendy girl is in love with her furbabies!

During Chie’s free time, she loves to bond with her family and lovely furbabies (a.k.a. her dogs). She is now a mother of five dogs, and she sets aside the time to walk her pets and play with them in the park. This also serves as her stress reliever and it makes her feel happy and calm at the same time.

3. Even as a young girl, she knew she was meant to race!

So how did Chie get to love racing? When asked, she shared this adorable story, “When I was a kid I wasn’t playing much with Barbie dolls. I actually had Hot Wheels and massive toy cars. There was even a time when my mom thought I was a tomboy when I was younger because I was very boyish and I didn't have that much female friends. Given that, I learned driving secretly when I was 13 years old (sorry mum and dad)! Right then and there I knew that I was made to race. When I realized that, I tried out for Vios Cup and luckily, they wanted me in the team! WOOHOO! Dreams really do come true!”

4. Her advice: “Step out of your comfort zone!”

Growing up, Chie always loved to challenge herself. She always had this urge to continuously improve, and do things that are out of her comfort zone. This applies for surfing, cooking, and many more.

Being confident enough to face what the world has to offer is just one of the things that Chie wants to influence her followers to do. She also added that the best way to feel confident is to know that you have the best partner with you. “Here’s a little secret: I get a boost of confidence whenever my hair looks good. I guess I’m pretty lucky to have luscious hair and that’s all thanks to Head & Shoulders Supreme for making it happen. We all have our best friends, and Head & Shoulders Supreme happens to be mine!” she explained.

Finding Common Ground for Hair so Luscious

As these two striking personalities can attest to, the best hair care routine doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right formulation, you can get an effective way to keep your scalp dandruff and itch-free, and get that luscious, soft, and smooth hair.

Head & Shoulders Supreme contains Scalp Actives (Micro Zinc) and Argan Crème to deliver rich, intensive scalp moisture, and combines it with unique ingredients depending on what variant you choose--Honey for smoother hair, Orchid Perfume for additional moisture, and Avocado Oil for colour protection. The result is a shampoo formulation that provides better hair and scalp benefits for #HairSoLuscious.

Head & Shoulders Supreme shampoo and conditioner is available at Php150 SRP per 170ml bottle in all major supermarkets, sari-sari stores, drugstores, and convenience stores nationwide, as well as on ecommerce at http://www.lazada.com.ph/head-and-shoulders-official-store/.

For more information about Head & Shoulders, visit www.headandshoulders.ph, and follow Head & Shoulders on Facebook.

Just Arrived!!! Lúcido-L Hair Make Supplement

One of Japan’s top ladies’ hairstyling brands and Singapore’s no.1 ladies’ hairstyling brand is now available in the Philippines.

Presenting! Lúcido-L Hair Supplement is the answer for your soft, manageable, beautiful hair. It will lessens the hassles and reverses the damage brought about by other hair treatment products.

According to Hirotsogu Ohashi, General Manager for Mandom Philippines Corporation, Lúcido-L, “aims to provide long lasting, moisturizing treatment by restoring your hair’s natural moisture retaining system.” At the recently concluded launch of Lúcido-L, Ohashi explains, “The main reason for split ends and curls’ falling flat is due to lack of moisture in our hair.”

Healthy hair should have the ability to retain moisture. This is where Cell Membrane Complex, or CMC, plays a vital role. A CMC-like ingredient is present in all Lúcido-L products.

How does CMC work?

Ohashi says, “CMC exists among cuticles and cortex cells to help them bond with each other, and also works as a path to transport water to cells.  When CMC is lost due to hair damage, cuticles and cortex cells break away, reducing the water-maintaining ability of the hair.”

Hirotsogu Ohashi, General Manager for Mandom Philippines Corporation

Lúcido-L Hair Treatment Oil is recommended for permed hair and helps maintain a soft, bouncy look. It softens and smoothens by repairing dry and damaged hair while you sleep, as CMC-like ingredients fill up the damaged strands.

Lúcido-L Hair Styling Milk is for girls who want pretty, tamed hair all day long. It contains Hyaluronic Acid that coats and deeply penetrates hair strands, keeping them soft and tangle-free. Lúcido-L products have a light, fruity-floral fragrance.

Lúcido-L Hair Make Supplement is exclusively available at all Watsons outlets.