Sunday, June 30, 2019

HDI Admix continues to provide outdoor media advertising services




For more than 25 years, transparency and bringing value to their partners has been the driving force behind HDI Admix.

HDI Admix began as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) project initiated by one of our founding units HDI Stopovers.  This CSR project paved the way for the construction and maintenance of waiting sheds for the Filipino commuters so they would not have to wait for the public transport under the scorching heat of the sun or under a heavy downpour of rain. 

The “malasakit” that inspired this initiative became an inspiration for HDI Admix’s unparalleled service and be one of the country’s leading outdoor media advertising companies.

Since then, HDI Admix has successfully established strong partnerships with many of the country’s leading companies, brands and agencies, having worked with over 200 businesses in a variety of industries.  The company has helped create business growth for brands by providing them with new channels to run their advertising campaigns, many of which have become buzzworthy and notable marketing programs. 

They have also been at the forefront of innovation for outdoor advertising, continuously challenging the industry to evolve and reach new heights and offering fresh ways for companies to promote their brands and earn the trust of the public.

While recent events have placed HDI Admix in a challenging position that aims to put in question these key values, they stand firm in assuring their valued clients, partners and stakeholders that the company shall continue providing the service that they rightly deserve.  They remain devoted to fulfilling their commitments in the same way that they have consistently done for many years since their inception and will always be there to help their valued customers find the most cost-effective out-of-home advertising solution. 

The company’s services include billboards, banners, transit ads and digital LED ads in key areas of Metro Manila, and also include concept, activation and event services to make it easy to bring outdoor advertising concepts to life.

For inquiries, contact our Sales Team representatives, Joan De Guzman at joandeguzman@hdiadventures.com or +639185042891 or Jose Cuento, Jr. at  josecuento@hdiadventures.com or +639285068406.



Friday, June 28, 2019

Reef monitoring system vital for reef conservation and management





Palawan, Philippines — Sulu Sea, the richest reef region in the world, is home to 505 coral species and yet we know little about its reefs. With tourism booming exponentially in the Palawan islands, fishermen immigrating from nearby regions, and the seas warming, how are our corals coping? Which anthropogenic threats affect our reefs the most? Will corals in the Sulu Sea survive the warming waters? These questions seem basic yet no coral reef monitoring system is in place to help answer them.



Dr. Wilfredo Licuanan with his team of research assistants from the De La Salle University Br. Alfred Shields FSC Ocean Research Center (DLSU-SHORE) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines recently embarked on consecutive reef research trips to Tubbataha, Cagayancillo islands, Honda Bay, and Taytay, Palawan. This collaboration between DLSU-SHORE and WWF-Philippines, under a grant from WWF-Singapore, is called Designing of Monitoring and Evaluation System for Coral Reef Resilience and Fisheries Sustainability in Northeast Palawan through Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) or Network of MPAs.



The project kicked off with a week-long navigation in Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park where 10 previously established coral monitoring stations were surveyed, including the ship grounding sites of Ming Ping Yu and USS Guardian.



In 2013, the grounding sites of the two vessels left fields of rubble, an environment where little to no coral could recruit. Upon consistent monitoring, Dr. Licuanan found that some plots, specifically in the USS Guardian are recovering. “Our projections on recovery rates at the USS Guardian site appears accurate. The impact plots should look like how it was before the grounding in four years. One Ming Ping Yu plot is also doing well,” expounds Dr. Licuanan.



In June, the research team established monitoring stations in Arena atoll, and Cawili, Calusa, and Dondonay islands, all part of the Cagayancillo group of islands 178 nautical miles off the coast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan and approximately four hours away from Tubbataha. 






“The Cagayancillo reefs are interesting as most sites we visited have coral cover levels of oceanic reefs and atolls yet also have the diversity of inshore fringing reefs,” says Dr. Licuanan. During his surveys, he also observed that the corals in the Arena atoll are most likely prone to temperature fluctuation because of the surge of warm water from the lagoon as the tide changes. This brings him to a hypothesis that Arena might have climate-resilient corals. “I suspect it will be tested in the next few weeks as the seas are expected to get warmer in the region,” he adds, “I wish we can revisit those reefs sooner.



Before the month ended, DLSU-SHORE and WWF-Philippines organized a reef assessment training in Puerto Princesa with delegates from the Tubbataha Management Office, Western Philippines University, Palawan State University, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, Office of the Provincial Agriculture, Office of the Puerto Princesa City Agriculture, Provincial Environment Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Smart Seas Philippines.



This collaboration with concerned stakeholders and academic institutions is key for establishing a reef monitoring system in the region. "Working with local people to effectively manage MPAs entails having a common understanding about the situation of the marine environment in the area.  Science plays a significant part to achieve this.  As experienced in the past, research results help explain better the local observations and insights, thus creating a platform for meaningful conversations,” shares WWF-Philippines Project Manager Marivel Dygico.

           

For Dr. Licuanan, monitoring reefs is a necessary step after the three-year natiowide coral reef assessment project. “Monitoring allows us to generate information that we can act on and potentially save corals. Assessments are useful only for writing obituaries for nature.”








About WWF



The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 6 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.



WWF-Philippines has been working as the 26th national organization of the WWF network since 1997. It has been successfully implementing various conservation projects to help protect some of the most biologically-significant ecosystems in Asia.


Friday, June 21, 2019

LYDIA's Lechon : Celebrates 55 years of Lechon goodness!



From being the star of the table in every Filipino celebration, the true Pinoy staple lechon has become a go-to dish, perfect for everyday meal. Household names like Lydia's Lechon serves the succulent dish in different recipes. “We want our patrons to enjoy Lydia's Lechon in different ways,” said Ms. Lydia De Roca, the woman behind Lydia’s Lechon. 


Lydia’s Lechon started out as a small stall in Baclaran during the ‘605 serving its famous original boneless lechon stuffed with seafood paella. Now with 25 stores, Lydia’s Lechon keeps up with the ever-changing food cravings of the Filipinos by expanding its menu to include more local favorites to enjoy for dine-in and delivery.

This month, Lydia's Lechon introduces the following Pinoy Classic Bowls: Pinakbet & Pork BBQ Classic Bowl,Lechon Sisig Classic Bowl, Lechon Paksiw Classic Bowl, Kare-Kare Classic Bowl and Dinuguan Classic Bowl. 









Lydia's Lechon is working on all these new offers and more as they gear up for its 55th anniversary celebration. ”We are excited to bring you more surprises, especially now that we are on our 55th year of bringing everyday lechon happiness to everyone," added Ms. De Roca.

*All new menu items will be available in selected Lydia's Lechon stores starting july 15, 201 9.

For inquiries, you may contact Lydia’s Lechon at 939-1221 and 939-4665 (Quezon City); 85 12987 to 89 (Baclaran); Globe 0917-5380304 or 0917-8202989; Smart 09189675213. For more information, visit www.lydias-lechomcom.


Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Payments for Herbalife Nutrition Products Now Accepted through Bayad Center’s Over 30,000 Touchpoints Nationwide



MANILA, Philippines - Premier global nutrition company, Herbalife Nutrition recently announced that payments for its products are now accepted through Bayad Center branches nationwide, following a recent signing of the memorandum of agreement between Herbalife Nutrition and Bayad Center executives. This new initiative allows for Herbalife Nutrition members to make their payments through Bayad Center’s 30,000-plus touchpoints all over the Philippines.



“This is a landmark project for Herbalife Nutrition, as we celebrate 25 years in the Philippines this year," said Sridhar Rajagopalan, Senior Director and Sub-Region Head for the Philippines of Herbalife Nutrition. “It coincides with our city-by-city campaign to reach out to more Filipinos         nationwide, while striving to ease the way of doing business for our customers. With Bayad       Center’s auto-posting payment feature and outlets in cities and towns across the country, our             members have a reliable and convenient partner to support their businesses.”



Bayad Center is the country’s biggest and widest multi-channel payment platform. A subsidiary of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), it is the pioneer and market leader in the outsourced bills and bills collection payment industry.



Rajagopalan together with Bayad Center President Manuel Lorenzo Tuason led the contract      signing. Plus, executives from both companies who worked on the details of the partnership were also present at the event.



“We have more than 30,000 payment touchpoints that Herbalife Nutrition members can easily access as the touchpoints of Bayad Center are available nationwide. With the recent launch of the Bayad Center App, Filipinos now have the convenience of processing not only bills payments, but also other products and services. The Bayad Center App is secure, on-time and hassle free. You can now process payments and more at your fingertips with the Bayad Center App,” Tuason concluded.



About Herbalife Nutrition

Herbalife Nutrition is a global nutrition company whose purpose is to make the world healthier and happier. The Company has been on a mission for nutrition - changing people's lives with great nutrition products and programs - since 1980. Herbalife Nutrition offers high-quality,        science-backed products, one-on-one coaching with an Herbalife Nutrition Independent Member, and a supportive community that inspires customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle.

Herbalife Nutrition’s targeted nutrition, weight-management, energy and fitness and personal care products are available through its Independent Members in more than 90 countries.

Herbalife Nutrition supports the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation, a non-profit organization that       assists community organizations focused on providing good nutrition. Herbalife Nutrition is also proud to sponsor more than 190 world-class athletes, teams and events around the globe.

Herbalife Nutrition has more than 8,300 employees worldwide. To learn more, visit IAmHerbalife.com.

Essilor asserts its continued fight against myopia at 22nd Asia Pacific Optometry Congress in Manila



Essilor, the world’s leading ophthalmic optics company, has affirmed its commitment to tackling the growing myopia epidemic as the platinum sponsor of the Asia Pacific Optometry Congress 2019 held in Manila, Philippines. Acknowledging the importance of Essilor’s powerful mission of improving lives by improving sight, the Congress dedicated one whole day to discuss ways for eye care professionals to better manage childhood myopia. This was the first time that a myopia management symposium of this scale was held in the Philippines.

The four-day Congress hosted by the Asia-Pacific Council of Optometry and the Optometric Association of the Philippines, brought together 28 renowned speakers from over 22 countries to explore the latest advances in optometry. During the myopia symposium, some of the industry’s top eyecare professionals with myopia expertise shared their experiences and best practices in managing their patients’ myopia progression with different solutions available today.

The prevalence of myopia is increasing at an alarming rate. As of today, more than two billion individuals are diagnosed with myopia. By 2050, five billion or half the world will be affected by myopia and nearly one billion will suffer from high myopia.

Myopia, also called near-sightedness or short-sightedness, is a vision condition in which people find it difficult to see distant objects clearly. High myopia (-5.0D or more) is associated with a higher risk of serious eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataract, retinal detachment and myopic macular degeneration (MMD)—which can even lead to vision impairment or blindness later in life[1]. However, when detected early, myopia can be managed with the right solutions, substantially reducing these risks.

Myopia impacts not only individuals, but also communities and nations. It may impact learning and development – as 1 in 3 children can’t see the blackboard (or whiteboard) clearly, affecting their academic performance[2]. It also affects socio-economic development – the global direct cost for lost productivity due to vision impairment from myopia is estimated at $392 billion[3].

Children and myopia
A major cause for concern is that more children are getting myopia at younger ages than before, particularly in Asia, where studies suggest rapid increases in the prevalence of childhood myopia, affecting 80 to 90 per cent of young people in some major cities[4].


Even in the Philippines, myopia prevalence (-0.50D or more) has been steadily increasing each decade, with nearly 40% of the overall population currently being myopic, predicted to increase to nearly 50% by 2030 and 60% by 2050[5].

Despite the magnitude of this challenge, the science of myopia is still young and awareness of the long-term adverse effects of myopia is low. A recent Essilor survey has shown that only five to six per cent of parents in the United States and China are aware of any form of solutions to manage myopia[6]. This growing prevalence among children has been associated with factors such as increased near work activities and less outdoor time, which are consequences of rising educational pressures and urbanization.

The Department of Health (DOH) has issued an alarm on the rising number of children in developed cities like Metro Manila and Cebu who are suffering from myopia[7], mostly rooted from their constant use of electronic gadgets. DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo noted that the gadgets are being served as “babysitters” to the children to keep them occupied.

Essilor also emphasized the important role that parents play in ensuring the vision health of their children. To delay onset of myopia, children should be encouraged to minimize near distance work and spend more time outdoors. Taking regular vision or outdoor activity breaks during near work can help. With regard to the usage of various electronic devices, it's not the digital devices as such, but the fact that digital devices are used at shorter distances than books, as near-work has been shown to be a significant risk factor for developing myopia. Children should be encouraged to maintain an optimal reading distance from the screen, which is the distance between the elbow and the fingers.
When detected early, myopia can be managed—substantially reducing the risks of long-term eye diseases. Regular eye examinations are key to early detection of myopia in children. The sooner a child's myopia gets detected, the earlier the child will gain access to myopia management solutions and proper eye care.

To detect and manage myopia in children, it is critical for parents to know that regular eye exams s by an optometrist are as important as basic health screening. It is important for children to have regular eye checks, once every six months. Even if a child has been screened for myopia in school, it’s a good idea to take them for an eye check if they are squinting, having headaches or complain of blurred vision.

Addressing media at the Congress, Dr. John Ang, President, The International Vision Academy, Vice-President, Education & Professional Services Essilor Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Russia, and Africa, said “As eyecare professionals, we have a common responsibility to present myopia management solutions as an option to manage myopia progression in children. We need to act fast, and we need to act now to be able to reduce


associated long-term visual health risks, because once myopia progresses, you can't turn back time. That’s why driving the conversation at forums such as this Congress is critical to ensuring that we reduce the impact of high myopia in the future decades.”

Mr. Kovin Naidoo, Senior Vice President of Inclusive Business, Philanthropy and Social Impact, Essilor, said in his keynote address, “We’ve already seen that the statistics for the burden of myopia are alarming, and the level of high myopia and associated complications are only going to increase further. To reverse this trend, it is critical to consolidate efforts amongst the public sector, healthcare professionals, NGOs, inclusive businesses, social enterprises and private players.”

“Together, we need to adopt a comprehensive approach to improve accessibility, drive research and innovative product development, educate eye care practitioners, build coalitions and partnerships, initiate early intervention programmes at schools and effect policy change,” Naidoo added.

Essilor’s fight against myopia

Research has already shown that a number of different solutions could help in slowing down the progression of myopia in children. Myopilux® is a range of ophthalmic lenses developed by Essilor, and is designed to both correct myopia and help slow down its progression in myopic children. This non-invasive solution has successfully helped more than one million myopic children in Asia over the last eight years.

Myopilux® Max lenses have slowed down myopia progression by up to 51 per cent compared to other regular single vision lenses[8]. Myopilux® was presented at the Congress with live demonstrations on the proper use of Essilor’s products.

Essilor also recently pledged its support for the publication of eight highly-anticipated white papers by International Myopia Institute, which cover a range of topics deemed essential to advancing clinical knowledge and practice relating to stemming the expanding impact of myopia. Last year, Essilor rallied the eyecare professional community in Asia by supporting the first-ever National Myopia Convention in Singapore and Global Orthokeratology and Myopia Control Conference (GOMCC), the first conference in


Malaysia to focus on myopia management. In the Philippines, Essilor has engaged all optical clinics nationwide to provide information on myopia management and Myopilux.





About Essilor:
Essilor International is the world’s leading ophthalmic optics company. Essilor designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of lenses to improve and protect eyesight. Its mission is to improve lives by improving sight. To support this mission, Essilor allocates more than €200 million to research and innovation every year, in a commitment to continuously bring new, more effective products to market. Its flagship brands are Varilux®, Crizal®, Transitions®, EyezenTM, Xperio®, Foster Grant®, BolonTM and Costa®. It also develops and markets equipment, instruments and services for eyecare professionals. Essilor International is a subsidiary of EssilorLuxottica. The EssilorLuxottica share trades on the Euronext Paris market and is included in the Euro Stoxx 50 and CAC 40 indices. Codes and symbols: ISIN: FR0000121667; Reuters: ESLX.PA; Bloomberg: EL: FP.


For more information, please contact:

Essilor:
·         Shilpa Yalamanchili             |          shilpa.yalamanchili@essilor.com
+65 8223 5406

ComCo Southeast Asia
·         Matthew Escosia                  |          matthew.escosia@comco-hq.com 
(63)908 882 8694

·         Rachel Syfargo                    |          rachel.syfargo@comco-hq.com
(63)917 805 5051


AVON's new Free As A Butterfly watch is a purposeful gift for the strong women in your life

AVON’s Free as a Butterfly watch supports NGOs that empower abused Filipinas. For just P899, you can help women achieve the freedom to live a safe and healthy life.


AVON is continuing its mission to help end violence against women and girls with its latest addition to the Free as a Butterfly collection, a special butterfly watch.

In line with the company for women’s #Stand4Her campaign, the watch raises funds to help female victims of abuse. As an advocate for women’s freedom to live a safe and healthy life, AVON is taking concrete measures to address the issue of abuse, which continues to hold many women back from achieving their full potential.

A gift with purpose, the Free as a Butterfly watch is a perfect token for the strong women in your life. F it for anyone, whether it’s your mother, sister, spouse, or friend, the watch is symbolic of empowerment, resilience, and beauty.

At just P899, the watch supports AVON’s partner NGOs committed to supporting women and girls who have survived different forms of abuse. P100 of every piece purchased goes straight to helping empower these women. 


The fight against gender-based violence is just one pillar of #Stand4Her, a movement by women, for women. With this platform, AVON is also working to provide more earning opportunities for women, raise awareness on breast cancer detection, and help women feel more represented, celebrating each one’s unique brand of beauty. 



If you want to learn more about our partner NGOs, do not hesitate to contact them: Luna Legal Resource Center for Women and Children in Davao at (082) 222-3448, Gender Watch Against Violence and Exploitation (GWAVE) in Dumaguete at (035) 422-8405 or 0915 259 3029, Women’s Care Center. Inc. (WCCI) in Manila at (02) 514-4104 or 0999 577 9631, and Ing Makababaying Aksyon (IMA) in Pampanga at (045) 323-4750.

Learn more about Avon's Stand4Her and join us as we make a stand fm women today by checking out this video: httpzllbit.Iy/AvonPH-Stand4Her.

Don't have an Avon Representative? Visit www.avon. oh or like and check out Avon Philippines on Facebook to find out how you can shop your favorite Avon products!


About Avon

For 130 years Avon has stood for women: pmviding innovative, quality beauty products which are primarily sold to women, through women. Millions of independent

Representatives across the wand sell iconic Avon brands such as Avon True Color and ANEW through their social networks, building their own beauty businesses on a full or part-time basis. Avon supports women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship and wellbeing and has donated over $1billion to women’s causes through Avon and the Avon Foundation. Leam more about Avon and its products at www.avonwoddwide.com.

#Stand4Her Follow us! 



OPPO Reno launches in the Philippines



MANILA, Philippines JUNE 2019 In a gathering of creative leaders, trendsetters. and tastemakers last June 19, 2019, OPPO Philippines officially launched the much-anticipated Reno series. Literally a canvas brought to life by creativity, One Canvas Events Place in Makati City set the stage tor the launch of the new flagship smartphone series, comprised of the OPPO Reno and the OPPO Reno 10x Zoom.

Pre-orders tor the Reno start on June 15 until June 20, and it will officially be available locally in 500 select OPPO stores starting June 21 with an SRP of P26,990. Pre-orders for the Reno 10x start June 21 until June 30 and will initially be available in 100 select OPPO stores on July 1. The Reno 10x Zoom will retail for P45,990. The Reno series will be available through Globe, Smart. Lazada and select OPPO concept stores.

Local creative icons gather for OPPO Reno


The local music scene's crowd favorite IV of Spades who was also present as official RENO brand ambassadors, treated the attendees with a live show of their hit songs. Additionally, also present at the creative affair were The Reno Collective headliners: contemporary artist Dex Fernandez, film director Treb Monteras, photographer Magic Liwanag, plus fashion-forward sibling duo Daryl Chang and André Chang. The Reno Collective was curated to shed light on what the Reno series embodies and values: creative freedom and artistic expression, taking shape in all forms and aesthetics. The brand collaborated with many artists from different facets of art all housed under The Reno Collective to help bring to life the campaign’s vision to spark creative inspiration.




At the event, notable artists Dex Fernandez and Treb Monteras unveiled their commissioned artworks depicting their own dehnition of creativity with the OPPO Reno series through a series of art installations that integrates the highlight features of the phone: 10x Hybrid Zoom, Wide Angle and Ultra Night Mode. The immersive art installations enabled the guests to test the different key features of the Reno 10x Zoom smartphone much to their delight.

A thrust in photography: bridging the creative gap from all focal points 

Photography is the series’ main thrust, and is the most obvious tool for creativity and artistic expression. The lineup‘s cameras are bound to defy limits: the Reno comes with a 48MP plus an additional 5MP PDAF; while the Reno 10x Zoom takes it a step further with OPPO’s first full-focallength triple camera system featuring 48MP(IMX586), 8MP(wide angle), and 13MP(telephoto). The Reno 10x Zoom also features the much-talked about 10x hybrid zoom and 60x digital zoom the first of its kind in the smartphone industry, allowing users to bridge any gap that limits their creativity. 

Both units are also equipped with OPPO's iconic Ultra Night Mode 2.0, Color Mapping. 4K Video and Dolby Atmos speakers. The Reno 10x Zoom is even accompanied with Audio 30 and Audio Zoom to capture rich and tme-to-life audio output.

With larger AMOLED screens that completely do away with the notch. this series allows for a full panoramic and immersive view that makes the most of their screens 6.6-inches and 6.4-inches on the Reno 10x Zoom and the Reno respectively. This notohless design innovation is made possible by the exquisite new pivot rising mmera.

Creative inspiration delivered in peak performance


To defy any limits against creativity, the Reno series is powered to aid and inspire the creative soul in you. The Reno 10x Zoom delivers peak performance through its Snapdragon 855 chipset while the Reno runs on the Snapdragon 710. Both units carry 25668 ROM and feature VOOC 3.0 fast charging which allows low-voltage fast charging while gaming or streaming video, without emitting excess heat or limiting performance.

OPPO’s Reno series is a breakthrough in smartphone technology, indeed an innovation that allows OPPO to assert itself as a leader in the tech industry. Big things and new opportunities are bound to be made creatively with the OPPO Reno, opening a whole other wor1d of artistic possibilities brought about by this ultimate creative tool and the newfound creative freedom it grants.

The pre-onder for the Reno starts from June 15 to June 20, and it will officially be available starting June 21 in 500 select OPPO stores for P26,990. Those who pre-order get a free Rock Space Muse Bluetooth Speaker worth P2,499. Meanwhile, pre-orders for the Reno 10x Zoom starts from June 21 to June 30 and will be initially available in 100 select OPPO stores on July 1. Reno 10x Zoom will retail for P45,990. Those who pre-order will get a free Gimbal Stabilizer worth P5999.

The Reno series will also be available through Globe and Smart starting July. Lazada will also be offering exclusive pre-orders from June 21 to June 30. The Reno will be available through Home Credit at 0% interest in 9 and 12-month installment plans. The series will also be available via Metrobank at 0% interest with Reno payable in 12-months and Reno 10x Zoom in 24 months.

About OPPO

OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since launching its first smartphone “Smiley Face” in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology in 10 years. Today, OPPO provides customers with a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series, ColorOS operating system, as well as internet services such as OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO operates in more than 40 countries and regions, with 6 research centers worldwide and an international design center in London. OPPO’s more than 40,000 employees are dedicated to creating new experiences and greater value for customers around the world.


Century Tuna’s “Saving Our Seas” continues to champion Plastic Circular Economy and strengthens efforts in Reef and Coastal Clean-up

After its successful run in 2023, Century Tuna, the country’s no.1 tuna brand, continues to lead the charge in marine conservation in the Ph...