Upcycling, donations sustain fashion industry facemask donation efforts

Fashion designers recently rallied and volunteered to fabricate personal protective equipment (PPE), and donate these to frontliners in the fight against COVID-19. Recently, social media has been abuzz with tutorials, calls for fabric donations, and requests for logistical assistance to get the PPEs to their intended recipients. To address limited materials and manpower, fashion volunteers turned to upcycling.

Upcycling, or the creative use of waste or by-products to produce something that is useful or of value, has helped keep people safe in these trying times. Furthermore, anyone can do it, as upcycling can be done with materials found in your own homes.

On a larger scale, partnerships between corporations and volunteers have also been integral in getting PPEs to the frontlines. One example of such a collaboration is between Pilmico Foods Corporation and Mich Dulce, a well-known fashion designer and founder of the Manila Protective Gear Sewing Club.

Pilmico, the food and agribusiness unit of the Aboitiz Group, will be providing materials, specifically flour sacks, that the Manila Protective Gear Sewing Club may upcycle for their PPE production. The company will be donating the excess flour sacks that were unused in their packaging to the Sewing Club and to other cooperatives who may need them as a base material for their masks.

According to the Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness journal of Cambridge University, masks made with the flour cotton sacks are best used by ordinary citizens who are their respective households’ runners for errands and supply. Another advantage of making these reusable masks is reducing medical waste, as single-use masks should be immediately discarded after use. While unsuitable for high-risk exposure, these masks will address the shortage so that more N95 and surgical masks will be allotted to those who need it more.

"As more data begins to come out about the importance of wearing masks to slow the transmission of COVID19 between individuals, we saw a good opportunity for Pilmico to work with other stakeholders in this fight against the spread of the virus to upcycle our flour sacks and create facemasks that can be used by everyone to keep themselves safer. This should also help to plug the current shortage of PPE's that we are seeing in different parts of the country" said Tristan Aboitiz, Pilmico President and CEO. “Aside from this partnership, Pilmico also continues to provide medical supplies and make food donations nationwide to various frontliner groups. We want to ensure that, especially, during times like this, we are doing what we can to ensure the advancement of the communities we operate in and the various stakeholders therein” he continued.

Currently, Pilmico is also rolling out a Flour Sacks to Face Masks program which aims to provide these raw materials for cooperatives, as well as teach them how to produce the face masks."We have to do what we can to pitch in during times of crisis," Aboitiz urged. “One of those things is to increase the access of Filipinos to tools that make people safer."

About Pilmico

Pilmico Foods Corporation is the integrated agribusiness and food company of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV). Comprised of four divisions: Flour, Feeds, Farms, and Trading, we are well-positioned at the beginning of the value chain. Our businesses add value to one another, and ultimately to our customers; providing guidance, consistency, and results. In its journey moving forward, advancing business and communities is how the Aboitiz Group will drive change for a better world, with Pilmico creating Partners for Growth

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PILMICO.officialpage/

Help displaced creative workers through Open House’s live online entertainment

COVID-19 has robbed many workers of their livelihood, and this is no less true in the performing arts sector, where live performances have been cancelled to secure the health and safety of both audience and employees. With a number of freelance workers in the industry in urgent need, the most vulnerable of them displaced and deprived of the protection of the state due to the contractual nature of their work, Artists Welfare Project, Philstage, SPIT, Third World Improv, the Theater Actors Guild, and Ticket2Me created the online fundraising project Open House.

With Open House, you can stream live online classes, shows, and workshops featuring some of the industry’s biggest names for FREE! But everyone is encouraged to donate suggested amounts in the form of tickets to simulate the tradition of live theater and help raise funds for the project. Viewers may click on to http://bit.ly/DonateOpenHouse to donate. All proceeds go directly to production workers like dressers, stage managers, lighting and sound technicians, stagehands, musicians, and more through the Artists Welfare Project.

Every P2,000 donation to Open House will go a long way in supporting a displaced worker in the performing arts community and his or her family for one month during the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

Catch this exciting line-up from the comfort of your home while giving to a great cause! On March 31 from 4-5PM, theater legend Audie Gemora shares valuable insights on song interpretation; while musical director and composer Rony Fortich teaches aspiring thespians how to deliver a great audition on April 1 from 4-5PM.

Actress Missy Maramara and London-based actor Joaquin Pedro Valdes host the special One Night Stand cabaret, Bedroom Voices, on the evening of April 1, featuring performances by TV and theater stars Kim Molina and Jerald Napoles, Ang Huling El Bimbo’s Reb Atadero and Tanya Manalang, Himala: Isang Musikal’s Vic Robinson and actress Rissey Reyes, with special participation of Miss Saigon’s Red Concepcion and Aynrand Ferrer.

Check in with the Open House Facebook page for even more programs from April 2 to 8. Catch Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s ballet barre class, storytelling for kids with actresses Melody Remorca and Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, SPIT’s COVID-Chismis show, Theater ATBP quiz night with Reb Atadero and Tanya Manalang, a voice class by Karla Gutierrez of the Philippine Opera Company, and the launch of Philstage Roundtables featuring an all-female lineup of theater directors: theater first lady Menchu Lauchengco – Yulo, Red Turnip Theater’s Jenny Jamora, Rak of Aegis director Maribel Legarda, Ateneo Blue Repertory’s Missy Maramara, and University of the Philippines’ Jose Estrella, as moderated by ANC’s Lexi Schulze.

This will be followed by another Philstage roundtable, featuring sound designers Arvy Dimaculangan, Glendfford Malimban, Jethro Joaquin, Teresa Barrozo, and TJ Ramos, as moderated by actress and host Issa Litton.
Ampalaya Monologues will also have a special program, along with Stephen Viñas conducting a theater jazz workshop. Closing the week will be the first TAG Live! presentation of the Virgin Labfest favorite “Ang Goldfish ni Prof. Dimaandal” starring award-winning actress Sherry Lara, Chrome Cosio, Peewee O’Hara, Mosang, Wenah Nagales, and Paolo O'Hara, as directed by Roobak Valle. A talkback will follow after the performance.

The show must go on – without leaving anyone behind! Enjoy everything Open House has to offer at home, and lend your support to those who truly need it.

Donation opportunities may be undertaken anytime. Just click on the Ticket2Me link: https://bit.ly/DonateOpenHouse. For more information, go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/OpenHouseFundraiser, Twitter @openhousefunds, and Instagram @OpenHouseFundraiser.

World Vision Shares Ways to Help Children in Dealing with Stress during the COVID-19 Outbreak

Children around the world become vulnerable to risks posed by the current COVID-19 outbreak. Besides possibly contracting the virus, children may likely be affected by other harmful factors such as disrupted education, loss of income for parents due to the enhanced community quarantine, and other negative triggers to their emotional, social, and physical well-being which can result to great amount of stress for young people especially the school-aged kids.

 “Children are not exempted to the effects of this pandemic especially those who are directly affected and currently living in the most vulnerable and poor conditions," says Rommel V. Fuerte, National Director of World Vision Philippines, a child-focused NGO. "As long as there is an avenue for us to help these children, we will not stop in ensuring that they are safe and healthy," added Fuerte.

Although there have been low cases of COVID-19 among children based on latest reports, we could not be complacent as children still become extremely vulnerable to the cascading impacts of this emergency.

In light of the glaring need to safeguard children from the lingering threat of COVID-19, World Vision suggests eleven (11) ways to help children cope with stress.

Help children find positive ways to express disturbing feelings.

Encourage a caring environment around them.

Make opportunities for children to play and relax.

Keep them close to their parents and family.

Ensure regular and frequent contact (via phone and video calls) and reassurance.

Keep regular routines and schedules or help them create new ones.

Educate them about the situation and give clear child friendly information.

Demonstrate to children how they can keep themselves safe. Social distancing and sanitation practices like proper handwashing protects them from not only COVID-19, but also numerous diseases.

Avoid spreading rumors and fake news.

Support activities for children during home isolation/ quarantine.

Manage your own emotions well and stay calm.

Meanwhile, World Vision calls the public, to pitch their part cooperating with the preventive measures and guidelines enforced by the Philippine government and supporting the collective health emergency efforts against COVID-19.

With the growing number of cases nationwide, the number of health facilities and health workers in the country may not adequately accommodate the overwhelming number of patients admitted, thus the need for augmentation of facilities and proper protection equipment among the medical front liners, especially in the public hospitals.

To help address this challenge, World Vision commits to support at least 100 health facilities with basic health facility disinfectant kits and provide medical front liners, including barangay health emergency response teams with personal protective equipment.

World Vision also looks into providing families with sanitation kits that include bath soaps, alcohol, face masks, toothpaste and toothbrushes.

To know more on how to support frontliners, and the families not fully capable of protecting themselves from the COVID-19 outbreak, visit World Vision’s donation page at https://wvph.co/covid19.

World Vision also calls on everyone to pray. Together, we can pray for wisdom, peace of mind, resilience and hope as we face this outbreak as one nation, one humanity.

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, their families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

HERBALIFE NUTRITION : Boost the Body’s Immunity Through Nutrition

By: David Heber, M.D., PhD, FACP, FASN – Chairman, Herbalife Nutrition Institute

(Grabbed from Dr. Heber's Facebook Page)

The 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has taken the world by surprise with its highly infectious nature and mortality rate.

What’s most concerning is that while we know that COVID-19 is part of a large family of viruses that include Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV), there are many traits of this virus that we have yet to uncover, such as the dynamics of transmission. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it could take up to 18 months for the first COVID-19 vaccines to be made publicly available.

Only an approved drug can treat or cure, or prevent the transmission of, COVID-19 and other diseases.  In the absence of any vaccine to date, we are left with practical prevention measures, such as maintaining proper hygiene, wearing a mask when necessary, or maintaining social distancing.  It may also be useful to keep our bodies strong, so that our immune systems function well.

After all, our immune system is one of the most effective forms of defense against viral infections. There are two categories of immune functions in everyone’s body – the innate immunity which prevents diseases from entering the body and adaptive immunity which eliminates or prevent the growth of pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, in our body.

However, increasing the body’s immunity is not as straightforward as it sounds. There remains much about the immune system that researchers are still working to understand, but what we do know is the tangible connection between the immune system and nutrition.

How nutrition impacts the body’s immune system

To understand how nutrition and diet affect an individual’s immune system, we need to delve deeper into the role of epigenetics – the study of biological mechanisms that switch our genes on and off.

While the idea of epigenetics might seem complex, consider the example of honeybees. Despite having the same DNA sequence, honeybees produce three different organisms – workers, drones and queens – and this is dependent on the diet that the larvae are fed. This demonstrates that while all worker bees are born with the genetic ability to become queens, the workers’ diet ultimately affects how their genes are expressed and manifest physically.

In the same vein, while all humans are 99.9% genetically identical, epigenetics make us unique by the different combinations of genes that turn on and off – which explains why some of us have red hair and others black, or why some of us have darker or lighter skin, for instance.

What we eat, where we live, how much we sleep, how we exercise, and even who we live with, all causes chemical reactions that can alter our health status. Added to the mix is our microbiome, which are the microorganisms we depend on to protect us against germs, break down food for energy, produce vital vitamins and bolster our immune system.

The largest part of the immune system - approximately 70% of it – is located near the intestines, which monitors the intake of food and how the body uses it. This makes it critical for us to consume a balanced diet with the right vitamins, minerals and nutrients while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This requires more than just changing the intake of one or two nutrients but involves balancing the entire diet to ensure that there is optimal nutrition intake at a cellular level.

Four essential groups of nutrients to help individuals strengthen their immune system

1.    Protein

Also known as the basic building blocks of the body, protein allows the body to manufacture antibodies that it requires to defend against invading viruses and bacteria. To ensure that we have sufficient levels of protein in our diet, we can eat more healthy protein foods such as fish, poultry, lean meats, soy foods and low-fat dairy products.

2.    Vitamins and phytonutrients

Vitamins A and C, as well as phytonutrients are key players in immune system health. As one of the biggest immune system boosters, Vitamin C encourages our body to produce antibodies that fight diseases. It is essential to maintain a daily intake of vitamin C as the body does not produce or store it. Vitamin A supports the health of our skin, tissues of our digestive tract and respiratory system.

Phytonutrients, which are found in vegetables and fruits, reduces our body’s oxidative stress, which may weaken its ability to fight off illnesses. A number of phytonutrients have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, fight inflammation, lowering blood pressure, and boost the overall health of our immunity system.

3.    Probiotics and prebiotics

The digestive system plays a central role in supporting immune function. The intestinal tract is the main route of contact with the external environment and is a pathway that contains microbiomes that aids digestion as well as the absorption of nutrients. Having the right gut bacteria has been associated with benefits such as weight loss, improved digestion, healthier skin, and most importantly enhanced immune function, although research in these areas is not conclusive or universally applicable.

Studies have shown that probiotics, which are ‘good bacteria’, are useful in maintaining the digestive system, and prebiotics, types of fiber that the human body cannot digest, serve as food for these probiotics.

4.    Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA and EPA, are healthy and essential types of fat which can be found in food such as chia seed and supplements such as fish oil. Omega-3 fatty acids may enhance the functions of immune cells, which plays a large role in both the innate and adaptive system that responds to infections.

Nutrition is no substitute for an effective drug, and it won’t prevent you from contracting COVID-19 or other diseases.  Maintaining a strong immune system, though, is something all healthy people can do.

About Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.

Herbalife Nutrition is a global company that has been changing people's lives with great nutrition products and a proven business opportunity for its independent members since 1980. The Company offers high-quality, science-backed products, sold in over 90 countries by entrepreneurial members who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle. Through the Company’s global campaign to eradicate hunger, Herbalife Nutrition is also committed to bringing nutrition and education to communities around the world.

For more information, please visit IAmHerbalifeNutrition.com.

Herbalife Nutrition also encourages investors to visit its investor relations website at ir.herbalife.com as financial and other information is updated and new information is posted.

Ayala donates N95 masks for PNP health workers, other front liners

Ayala Foundation, representing AC Health and the rest of the Ayala group, visited the office of P Lt Gen Guillermo Eleazar, deputy chief of operations of the Philippine National Police, yesterday, to turn over 1,000 units of N95 masks for use of health workers and other front-liners of the police force. 

N95 masks are a much-needed resource for health workers, and health workers stationed at PNP-affiliated hospitals and clinics stand to benefit from this donation.

Earlier this week the Ayala group, under the leadership of AC Health and Ayala Foundation, distributed over 10,000 N95 masks for health workers from public hospitals in Manila, Quezon City, Laguna,, and other partner institutions that are working round the clock to fight the spread of COVID-19.

Among the recipients were the Philippine General Hospital and San Lazaro Hospital in the city of Manila; the Philippine Heart Center, the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Quezon City General Hospital, and East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City; the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City; and health workers in the Province of Laguna. 

Said Gen. Eleazar: “Iyong mga ibinigay sa ating face masks ay malaking tulong dahil ang PNP ang nasa forefront na ginagawa ngayong paglilingkod sa bayan.… Ito ay magsisilbi sa aming inspirasyon, knowing that we are being appreciated and being taken care of by organizations na katulad ng Ayala Foundation.” (The N95 masks are a big help, because the PNP is at the forefront of this public service initiative. This will serve as an inspiration to us, knowing that we are being appreciated and taken care of by organizations like Ayala Foundation.)

Gen. Eleazar is the commander of the Joint Task Force composed of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Fire Protection. The joint task force oversees the implementation of the guidelines set by the Interagency Task Force on COVID-19 led by the Department of Health.

Representing Ayala Foundation and the Ayala group were Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan and Senior Director for Corporate Communications Cel Amores.

Maranan said: “Sa ngalan ng Ayala Foundation at ng Ayala group, kami ay nagbabahagi ng N95 masks bilang tulong sa ating mga kapulisan. Sana ito’y maging karagdagang proteksyon sa kanilang pagsisilbi sa ating taong bayan.” (On behalf of Ayala Foundation and the Ayala group, we are distributing N95 masks as an assistance to our police force. We hope that the masks will provide additional protection for our police officers and health workers as they serve the public.) 

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Photo Caption

Police Lt Gen Guillermo Eleazar (center) formally receives a donation of 1,000 N95 masks from AC Health and the rest of the Ayala group, as represented by Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan (left) and senior director for corporate communications Cel Amores.

About Ayala Foundation

As the social development arm of the Ayala group of companies, Ayala Foundation envisions communities where people are creative, productive, self-reliant, and proud to be Filipino. Ayala Foundation's main program areas are Education, Community Leadership, Suitable and Sustainable Livelihood, and Arts and Culture.

For more information, visit www.ayalafoundation.org

Look who goes GREEN?

Mayor ISKO MORENO threaded an impoverished area in Manila while growing up.  As the elected City Mayor of Manila, more popularly known to Filipinos as Yorme, he never wavered amidst adversities hurled at him for taking several steps in making a better version of the city he fondly calls his home and crowning glory.  Bold and fearless, Yorme puts his heart and mind in anything he does - “Believe in yourself! You’ve got nothing to lose.”

Yorme recently signed Ordinance 8607 declaring the permanence of Arroceros Forest Park dubbed as the “Last lung of the City”, home to 61 tree varieties and 8,000 ornamental plants. The new ordinance forbids the cutting of trees and dumping of waste within the park. Part of his plan is to allocate P1 million solely for its preservation and maintenance away from urbanization and all these efforts stem from his greater plan to make Manila a “Green City”.

Yorme firmly believes in the power of nature. It’s no secret that he advocates on using natural products. No wonder, early this year Yorme became the newest brand ambassador of NOVUHAIR, Nature’s Answer to Hair Loss. Watch the full video at https://youtu.be/udvLJKXesYE

Want to try NOVUHAIR?

NOVUHAIR UNBOXING EXPERIENCE PROMO

In line with our 10^th Anniversary celebration, here’s the chance to win a NOVUHAIR VIP Gift Box! Find out what’s inside the box. 10 VIP winners will be randomly chosen via electronic raffle per week for 1 month. NO PURCHASE REQUIRED!

It’s so easy. Visit https://web.facebook.com/NovuhairOfficial/videos/300441577602930/

Let’s GO GREEN!

World Vision urges the world to focus on those who are invisible and most at risk from COVID-19 pandemic

A united global effort is needed to help prevent COVID-19 from having a massive destructive impact on the lives of child refugees, migrants and the very poor, warns aid agency World Vision, as a pandemic is declared by the WHO (World Health Organization).

World Vision health specialists are urging governments not just to focus on the impact of the virus on its own citizens, businesses, travel and trade, but to rally to support war-torn and poverty-affected countries where coronavirus outbreaks will potentially cause misery.

World Vision International president & CEO Andrew Morley warned: “The WHO’s pandemic declaration is a signal for us to work together to scale up the response internationally.  While most countries and citizens will be focused on protecting themselves, we mustn’t forget those - especially children - living elsewhere as refugees, as displaced people and in places where there are few doctors, nurses and hospitals. Our primary concern is for children, many of whom in Asia have already been impacted by loss of family livelihoods, school closures, and health systems under strain.”

World Vision in the Philippines has conducted awareness campaigns on COVID-19 in various rural areas where many families have limited means to get information.

World Vision in the Philippines has conducted awareness campaigns on COVID-19 in various rural areas where many families have limited means to get information.

In the Philippines, World Vision national director Rommel V. Fuerte pointed out how the country has been coping from succeeding emergencies in the past months. “Thousands of people are still reeling from the impact of the multiple earthquakes in Cotabato, volcanic eruption in Taal and typhoon in Bicol. In Marawi and other fragile areas of the country, thousands of children are still displaced. We also remember the children living in poor and highly urbanized areas who are most vulnerable in these times,” Fuerte shared.

“World Vision lauds the coming together of different stakeholders to combat fear and the further spread of the virus and we continue to pray that we will get through this as a country and as a global community,” he added.

World Vision is already hard at work distributing protection equipment and supplies in Asia, where the virus outbreak was first recorded, as well as rolling out health advice and psycho-social support to children, their caregivers, and communities.

“COVID-19 is highly infectious and will spread easily in places where there are unhygienic conditions, crowding, and where health services and monitoring are weak,“ said World Vision International’s head of Health and Nutrition, Tom Davis. “This means that countries hosting high numbers of displaced people where there is a severe lack of doctors, nurses, community health workers and hospitals need special and urgent support.”

While wealthy countries typically have 2-12 hospital beds per 1,000 population, in the poorest countries it is as few as 1 bed per 10,000. There also can be a lack of oxygen, ventilators, and intensive care units. In refugee camps, this kind of medical support is commonly not accessible and death rates from COVID-19 may be higher than the 3.4% reported so far and which come from countries with more advanced healthcare systems.  Infection rates may be higher due to cramped living conditions and poor hygiene, Davis warned.

Davis also warned the domino effect for children could be catastrophic when guardians and income earners fall ill or die creating vulnerabilities for desperate children that range from dropping out of school, to being forced to work, beg or enter the sex trade to survive.  Also, as health systems shift resources to caring for the burgeoning number of adults who are sick with COVID-19, routine child health and nutrition services may be put on hold or under-resourced. 

World Vision calls on all concerned individuals and agencies to support the government-led efforts to contain the spread of the virus and mitigate the risks, and to heed health leaders' constant advice regarding the pandemic.

For more updates and information, like and follow World Vision in the Philippines on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit their official website www.worldvision.org.ph.

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, their families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.