Google, in collaboration with the country’s pioneering parenting resource and community Mommy Mundo, is launching the “Internet Awesome Parents” webinar series. It aims to equip parents and guardians with the knowledge and tools of educating their kids about internet safety and digital responsibility.

The series will begin on September 15, 2021, 8:00 PM via the Mommy Mundo Facebook page which will be streamed as well on Google Philippines’ Facebook account and YouTube channel. The topics that will be discussed are grounded on Google’s Internet Awesome Parents, an educational resource that encourages healthy family conversations on how to best take advantage of technology in a safe, fun, and productive way. The webinars will run for three consecutive weeks until September 29.

“As a mom to a digital native, I am able to see firsthand how kids nowadays are inevitably becoming more exposed to technology and the internet. Especially now that their usage is hinged on their academic needs and digital social interactions, it is all the more important that they learn to use the internet responsibly,” says Bernadette Nacario, Country Director of Google Philippines. “At Google, we are committed to enabling families and communities to help make the internet a safer place for children and raise confident explorers of the online world.” 

Each episode will be hosted by parenting experts. Play advocate Gabby Roa Limjoco will lead the discussion on September 15 about “Teaching your kids to be better netizens,” which will be followed by “Ensuring your kids’ safety online” on September 22 by Dr. Michele Alignay, a pioneering advocate of digital media well-being and parenting. The last session on September 29 will be about “Setting boundaries with technology for your kids” led by homeschooling champion, Joy Tanchi-Mendoza.

Janice Crisostomo Villanueva, Founder of Mommy Mundo, says “Mommy Mundo is glad to partner with Google in this initiative to help empower parents about digital responsibility. The safety of our children will always be our top priority and this applies even in their online explorations. At a time when it is essential to teach them how to use technology independently, it is equally important to teach them how to become kind and smart stewards of the internet.”

Be one with the parenting community in raising responsible digital citizens. Tune in to the “Internet Awesome Parents” webinar series beginning September 15, 2021, 8:00 PM, on the Mommy Mundo Facebook page, and Google Philippines’ Facebook account and YouTube channel. Join the conversation by using the hashtag #InternetAwesomeParents.

Coming through! The return of the iconic and long-awaited crowd favorite comfort snack is finally here! The McDonald’s Twister Fries is making its way back to the spotlight and we know you won’t be able to resist these delicious, perfectly seasoned, crispy, and golden curly fries! 

With the Twister Fries making a comeback to McDonald’s stores on September 15, you’ll be able to get the same great-tasting fries you love and missed. Savor the flavor and let it fill your tummy when you order it on its own or as an add-on to your McDo favorites like the Big Mac or Coke McFloat.

As all good things come to an end, the Twister Fries will be available for a limited time only and will be retreating backstage before you know it. So don’t miss your chance and be sure to make the most out of this glorious comeback! Level up all your McDo meals with this mouthwatering snack, which will be available in Regular and Sharing sizes!

What are you waiting for? You already know the drill! Get McDonald’s great-tasting Twister Fries you love before it’s gone! Order it now via McDonald's Take Out, Drive-Thru, McDelivery, Grab Food, and Foodpanda!

For more information, follow McDonald’s Philippines on Facebook to stay up to date on all McDo announcements.

 Everyone wants beautiful hair. It’s one of the first things people see when they meet us. But your hair shouldn’t just be beautiful, it should be nourished. 

Nourished versus Beautiful

Nourished hair goes beyond first impressions. It’s not a façade, a front, or a pretty cover-up for something lifeless and unhealthy. Nourished hair is healthy hair. Nourished hair is great to look at, but also great to touch and smell. Nourished hair is healthy hair.

To check if your hair goes beyond beautiful, you must trust your senses. Your senses are nature’s gift to you so you can find the best of what your surroundings has to offer. It’s a good thing that your senses are always available to you!

Sense The Nourishment

You can check if you have nourished hair is just 3 easy steps!

Step 1: See the signs of nourished hair – volumized, bouncy, and shiny. Take a spin and look at it from all sides. It should be picture-perfect from all angles!

Step 2: Smell the fragrance from your locks with every inhale. Your hair should smell fresh and clean. It’s even better when it has scents from nature that make you hair even more alluring!

Step 3: Feel the texture of your hair as you run your fingers through it. Nourished hair is smooth to the touch and sways freely. Sway your hair and feel how every strand moves with life. 

It may sound like nourished hair is hard to achieve, but it’s a good thing that there’s a haircare regimen designed to help you – Herbal Essences bio:renew!

Nature-Nourished Hair

Once you’ve experienced nourished hair, you won’t settle for hair that’s just beautiful. Take it from Andi and Megan who tried the 3-Step Sense Check themselves. 

Megan shares, “Rainy days are still ahead but I’m still feeling fresh — especially my hair! Keeping my hair looking good, feeling good, and smelling good are all the checkmarks I need to make sure that my hair is nourished!”  No matter the season, you can count on having nourished hair if you consistently use Herbal Essences bio:renew.

Photo Courtesy of @meganbata

Andi has a similar experience, “With Herbal Essences, my hair is nourished and doesn’t just look nice, it also feels and smells nice! And everything else follows. I step outside and no matter how sunny it can get, even with my long curly hair, I still feel fresh and light!” She proves this as she shows off, smells, and touches her luscious curls doing the 3-Step Sense Check.

Photo Courtesy of @andiegengirl

Nourished Hair Awaits

Every bottle of Herbal Essences bio:renew contains real plant essences, certified by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, one of the world’s leading authorities on plants, that’s why it can deliver on its promise of hair nourishment.

This is why Andi has trusted the brand for the past years, “Finding a good shampoo & conditioner isn't just about having good, beautiful hair, it’s also about giving my hair the nourishment it deserves.” Megan has also been enjoying the switch, “Suuuuper in love with Herbal Essences White Strawberry and Mint with its fresh fragrance and how it leaves my hair looking beautiful and really smooth to the touch.”

Experience the Herbal Essences bio:renew difference and #SenseTheNourishment when you try the 3-Step Sense Check, too! Shop Herbal Essences in your variant of choice (White Strawberry and Mint, Golden Moringa Oil, Argan Oil of Morocco, and Coconut Milk) through the official P&G stores on Shopee.

Panasonic, as part of its global campaign to spread the anti-Covid technology of nanoe^TMX has recently donated nanoe air purifiers and nanoe^TM X generators that have been verified to have inhibitory effects on the novel coronavirus to the City of Mandaluyong for use in City vaccination centers.

(L-R) Communication & Product Planning Manager Francis Serrato, Mandaluyong City Health Officer Dr. Alex Sta. Maria, Panasonic Air-Conditioning Philippines CEO Masaru Toyota, Mandaluyong City Mayor Menchie Abalos, Life Solutions Group Country Head Yosuke Tanaka, and SM Vice President Christian Mathay.

The social good initiative was welcomed by no less than Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” Abalos and City Health Officer Dr. Alex Sta. Maria last September 3, 2021, at the SM Megatrade Hall vaccination site. Panasonic representatives, Masaru Toyota, Panasonic Air-Conditioning Philippines (PACPH) President & CEO, Life Solutions Group Country Head Manager Yosuke Tanaka, and Communication & Product Planning Manager Francis Serrato were present during the turn-over.

“We truly are grateful to Panasonic for providing our city’s health workers and our Mandalenyos with the gift of safety and protection brought by the nanoe and nanoe^TM X anti-Covid technology,” Mayor Abalos said.

The Mandaluyong City Health Officer, Dr. Alex Sta, Maria added, “With the nanoe^TM X generators and nanoe air purifiers, we can all breathe a sigh of relief as we enter our vaccination sites with a little more confidence in knowing that we have added layers of protection against Covid.” 

“We in Panasonic truly believe that we all must do our part, to act together to protect ourselves, our families, and most especially our front liners, our doctors, nurses, and health workers against the pandemic. Our nanoe^TM X technology has been proven to help improve air quality we breathe indoors, said Masaru Toyota.

Yosuke Tanaka added, “In the next few months, Panasonic will continue to reach out to a number of LGU vaccination sites to help make these areas safer not just for doctors and health workers but also the vaccinees as we act together against the pandemic.”

To find out more on how one can protect their homes, offices, and other areas against the resurgence of COVID-19, check out https://www.panasonic.com/ph/nanoe/

 As the world finds itself preoccupied with the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors have come to address and shed light on an equally critical pandemic that has been affecting the world, including roughly 18M Filipinos – that is Obesity. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the worldwide prevalence of obesity nearly tripled between 1975 and 2016. Statistics from 2020 showed that 39% of adults, are considered obese – almost two out of every 5 persons.

President of the Philippine Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity (PASOO) and obesity expert, Dr. Mia C. Fojas mentioned that in the Philippines, as far back as 1999, obesity was already one of the country’s most serious health concerns. 

It was relevant then and even more so today

 “It has taken years to recognize obesity as a disease with almost 40% of the population of Metro Manila at this point being either overweight or obese,” revealed Dr. Fojas.

“There are so many complications attributed to obesity, including metabolic, mechanical and even mental diseases, hypertension, diabetes, thrombosis, dyslipidemia, and many others,” Dr. Fojas added. The PASOO president stressed the relevance of obesity awareness in light of Covid-19, “Obesity is known to impair normal bodily function and to confer harm or morbidity especially now in this pandemic. Obesity is one of the comorbidities that can worsen a patient’s condition.”

Obesity Prevention Awareness Week Webinar, a call to knowledge and action

As obesity is truly a health concern, Proclamation No. 162 known as the Obesity Prevention Awareness Week was signed on August 21, 1999 by then President Joseph Estrada. This is observed every first week of September with PASOO as the mandated lead agency.

In line with its commitment to drive change in diabetes, obesity and other chronic diseases in the country, Novo Nordisk Philippines, conducted a media forum with a multi-disciplinary group of key opinion leaders in the field of medicine and health & wellness in observance of Obesity Prevention Awareness Week.

As part of Novo Nordisk Philippines’ the Body of Truth obesity advocacy campaign, the program was designed to shed light on the truth and dangers of obesity as a disease as well as the ways by which Filipinos can come together to stem this silent pandemic even beyond lifestyle changes and exercise. 

Experts on this program include the President of the Philippine Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity (PASOO) Dra. Mia C. Fojas, radio personality, talk show host and multi-awarded physician Dr. Bles Salvador, life and fitness coaching couple, founders of FITFIL challenge, and former coaches of The Biggest Loser Philippines Jim and Toni Saret, and was moderated by the Senior Medical Manager of Novo Nordisk Philippines, Dr. Cyrus Q. Pasamba.

Obesity is a disease

One of the key learnings discussed was the hard truth that obesity is a disease. Dr. Fojas mentioned that obesity is known to impair bodily functions, causes characteristic signs and symptoms, and confers harm or morbidity. It affects 30% of Filipinos nationwide and afflicts 40% of Filipinos in Metro Manila.

Probed further on the matter of how obesity is diagnosed, the PASOO president said, “It is not just the weight, it is also the waist circumference that correlates well with mortality and morbidity, like hypertension and other illnesses associated with the disease.” 

Beyond the body mass index (BMI) of 29 from the World Health Organization and International Obesity Taskforce for Asians, it really is the waist circumference threshold of 90 cm for males and 80 cm for females that are the key determinants for obesity diagnosis, even beyond the weight and the height of an individual. 

Dr. Bles Salvador furthered the discussion when she cited many patients’ concerns and ailments that trace their roots to obesity, and stressed that if left untreated, is indeed life threatening.

“We even have 13 types of cancer identified that are all associated with obesity, and even under the findings of the Center for Disease Control that at the start of the pandemic 78% of those diagnosed with COVID were found to be obese.” according to Dr. Salvador.

The bottom line is that having obesity increases one’s inflammatory markers, lowering immunity and resistance to diseases and comorbidities including insulin resistance, hypertension, diabetes, metabolic, and mechanical issues. 

Women and obesity 

One of the questions raised was if women, more than men, are prone to having obesity. 

For Dr. Fojas, “Physiologically, women are engineered to store more fat, having less muscle mass and more abdominal fat to protect internal organs.”

Dr. Salvador, an OB-GYN, spoke of her experiences where patients approached her for common diagnostic procedures because of recurring infections or a variety of ailments like diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, gynecological cancers, as well as infertility only to find out that most were rooted in weight issues and obesity. 

“Women have fat-friendly hormones like estrogen and progesterone which really respond to adipocytes and fat cells,” added Dr. Salvador.

One of the more troubling observations of Dr. Salvador was the impact of obesity on family life wherein sufferers cannot join activities of their children, are subject to inadvertent hurtful words, and other stresses. In the course of her practice, she has created a formula wherein she would advise patients to lose ten pounds, adjust their lifestyle, and if needed, take proper medication to see and sustain marked holistic improvement. 

Movement is key

Dr. Cyrus Pasamba of Novo Nordisk Philippines mentioned that due to the various lockdown permutations for the past 17 months, more and more people are suffering silently from obesity or “quarantine fat” as they have limited opportunities to move, to go to the gym, and often rely on high-calorie fast food deliveries. 

Coach Jim and Toni Saret stressed the importance of movement, how we in this pandemic must strive to consciously find ways to be physically active to prevent and control obesity, and to increase our immunity to fight Covid-19.

Coach Jim Saret explained that our bodies can only take in enough calories per day and anything we do not burn will be stored as fat, so over time fat accumulates, and we gain weight. 

“Lifestyle is a big factor, and, in this pandemic, we need to be more conscious about moving because we are consuming a lot of calories but move less as we continue to stay home more.”

Coach Toni added, in this pandemic “Our metabolic and fitness age has surpassed our biological age because of our sedentary locked-at-home lifestyle. Movement and exercise defy this metabolic aging process.”

The prevention and cure for obesity

When one is starting to gain weight, PASOO president, Dr. Fojas advised to first target a 5 to 10-percent weight loss to achieve ideal BMI or waist circumference and to consciously live a healthier lifestyle. 

This of course can be done by healthy diet and exercise.

The fitness and wellness couple Coaches Jim and Toni Saret echoed this by saying, “Exercising is just moving.” They advised everyone to move more, even while sitting down. This principle will be the focus of the interactive Body of Truth 8-Week challenge and community to be launched in the Body of Truth Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/BodyOfTruth ) on September 13 to help people kickstart their health journey.

“What if exercise and diet are not enough to address the issue,” asked Dr. Pasamba, since obesity as a disease has been proven to have farther reaching complications if not diagnosed early. 

Coach Jim acknowledged this and mentioned that they have been advising people to seek medical advice prior to engaging in any diet or fitness regimen.

Dr. Fojas added, “Normally, people approach fitness experts first on matters of weight. However, there is a need for people to consult their doctors first, as all doctors are qualified to assist, diagnose, and manage patients especially on matters concerning the prevention and management of obesity.”

In addition, Dr. Fojas stressed that there are instances when medication is needed especially for morbidly obese-classified patients. There are medicines, like over-the-counter ones and injectable GLP-1 Receptor Agonist drugs, among others, that can be prescribed by endocrinologists. These are options used to treat the disease.

In the end, the right knowledge, information, and treatment are key to beat obesity. These can be done by healthcare professionals who are able to provide the right diagnosis and proper guidance. They are the very same experts who will pave the way so we can all beat obesity as one community.

For more information on obesity and the chance to join the Body of Truth 8-Week challenge, please visit www.facebook.com/BodyOfTruth.  

Running low on funds on your PayMaya account? Worry not, because adding funds to your go-to e-wallet is now easier than ever as PayMaya expands to over 90,000 cash in touchpoints nationwide – the most extensive network offered by an e-wallet in the Philippines.

To make your cashless experience hassle-free and even more accessible, you can cash in for free at 55,000 of these touchpoints – including your BPI online banking (via linked account), your go-to Ministop branch, and your trusted Smart Padala agent. 

Adding to PayMaya's nationwidest network of cash in touchpoints are top supermarkets and leading establishments, including 7-Eleven, Robinsons Supermarket, Robinsons Department Store, SM Hypermarket, SM Supermarket, SM Department Store, Landers, Super8, Southstar Drug, Bayad Center, Easymart, EC Pay, LBC Express, No Brand, Palawan Pawnshop, Posible, RD Pawnshop, Savemore, Shopwise, The Marketplace, among others. These establishments also allow PayMaya users to cash in to their accounts for free for a monthly aggregate amount of up to P10,000.

Meanwhile, you can also choose to cash in to your account from the comforts of your home using online channels like mobile banking via Instapay, or by linking any Visa, Mastercard, or JCB card to your account. 

 "We are breaking the barriers to digital payments adoption and usage by offering the most extensive cash in channels. With this unparalleled network plus our free cash in offer, we are making it easier for Filipinos to embrace digital payments," said Shailesh Baidwan, President at PayMaya Philippines.  

Once users fund their PayMaya accounts, they can now utilize safe and convenient digital payments for their everyday transactions. They can use their PayMaya to purchase their daily essentials at any of the over 360 brands featured on the PayMaya Mall, on their favorite shopping sites, or their go-to establishments. They can also access and pay 600 billers on the PayMaya app or send money even to those without a bank account through Smart Padala.

PayMaya is an end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cut across consumers, enterprises, communities, and government. Through its enterprise business, it is one of the leading payments processors for "everyday" merchants in key industries such as retail, food, transportation, utilities, and eCommerce.    

Embrace your spark for beauty that lights up. 

Clocheflame All Around Flush Multi-Use Gel Mousse Pigment Full Set

Meet the All Around Flush by Clocheflame—Multi-use color that gives your face an effortless glow. This All Around Flush has a one of a kind gel-mousse texture that’s formulated like a serum and blends like a dream. Packed with ingredients your skin will thank you for: antioxidant vitamin e, collagen for intense hydration, grape seed oil for a softer touch, mango butter for long lasting smoothness and SPF for extra sun protection. 

The All Around Flush comes in four unique juicy shades that will give you color that glows from within. These shades are not usually seen in the local market, and Clocheflame takes pride in curating something that’s inspired by you and the warmth that you bring for a beauty routine that’s made for you and good to you.

All four shades are also meant to be mixed and matched. Just do whatever suits your mood: a sheer glow or a rich flush – just like watercolor but for your face!

Cruelty-free, formulated without any harmful chemicals like paraben, and proudly made in the Philippines.

For only Php389, you get 10ml per tube that can last up to 6 months OR longer. Usually, a few dots go a long way; depending on your use.

I prefer getting the complete full set for only P1,167 today! 

See it for yourself. Look as good as you feel and feel as good as you look with the All Around Flush. 

Make sure you don't miss the discounts up to 20% OFF on September 9 and 10% OFF from September 10-12 on 9.9 Super Shopping Day.  Check out Clocheflame now on Shopee! 

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.