Nestlé Philippines’ ready-to-drink products are now starting to use paper straws. This initiative is done to become one of those who have committed to a “waste-free” campaign.
130 metric tons of plastic straws in a year will be eliminated from this move as it claims to be the “first of its kind and scale”.
“As the world’s largest food and beverage company, Nestlé envisions a waste-free future in which none of our packaging, particularly plastic, ends up in landfills, the oceans, or as litter,”
– Nestlé Philippines chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki
“Shifting to paper straws is a critical step towards plastic neutrality, and one of many we are taking to address the urgent, and at the same time complex, plastics challenge,” Marzouki added.
One of the global commitments of Nestlé Philippines is to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025, and this move is a good start.
As the completion of this shift is expected to be done by the end of the year, they’ve started with some of its 180ml and 200ml ready-to-drink brands to use paper straws while some 110ml and 250ml packs are currently on the pipeline for transition.
Paper straws that come with the packaging are food-grade quality and were made without plastic or wax, making it fully recyclable, Nestlé Philippines said.
Ground zero of the COVID-19 pandemic, China has officially granted the first invention patent to a candidate of its domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine.
“#China has approved its first #COVID19 #vaccine patent, which has been developed by PLA infectious disease expert Chen Wei’s team. Earlier, the phase 2 trial of the vaccine candidate found that the vaccine is safe and induces an immune response.”
– State-affiliated media China Global Television Network (CGTN) said in a tweet
Named as ‘Ad5-nCoV’, the vaccine is co-developed by Chinese biopharmaceutical firm CanSino Biologics Inc., which is led by Chinese military infectious disease expert Chen Wei.
The research involved 320 “healthy volunteers” aged between 18 and 59. 96 individuals participated in Phase-1 clinical trials, while 224 of which in Phase-2 trials. China said the results indicated that the vaccine “effectively induced neutralizing antibodies in the volunteers and demonstrated good ability of a substance to trigger an immune response.”
According to the vaccine developer, the grant of the patent further confirmed the vaccine’s “efficacy and safety and convincingly demonstrated the ownership of its intellectual property rights (IPR).”
It also said the patent will strengthen the international market’s trust in Chinese-developed COVID-19 vaccines. The paper cited documents published by China’s National Intellectual Property Administration saying that the patent was issued on August 11, 2020.
Last week, President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia has developed the first vaccine offering “sustainable immunity” against the coronavirus. The first batch of the vaccine is said to be ready for use in two weeks, according to local media reports last week that quoted Health Minister Mikhail Murashko.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his Independence Day speech on Saturday that India is now ready to mass-produce its own COVID-19 vaccines after Indian scientists gave the green signal. According to Modi, three coronavirus vaccines are being tested in India.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in Wuhan, China in December 2019, has already affected more than 180 countries globally and claimed at least 700,000 lives. The US, Brazil, India, and Russia are currently the worst-hit countries.
We have all wondered why our Hogwarts letter has not arrived. Well, here’s something that might cheer you up.
H&M just made the best decision in incorporating the famous school in the Harry Potter world, Hogwarts, into their kids clothing line.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will have the most trendy and well-dressed little wizards and witches with:
Hogwarts hoodies in preppy prints
Hogwarts T-shirts in soft cotton jersey
Hogwarts Long-sleeved sweatshirts
Hogwarts Jersey tops
Hogwarts Short tops
Every kids dream is to study Divination, Broom-flying lessons, Potions and of course Defense Against The Dark Arts wearing the Hogwarts logo in their house colors.
What are you waiting for? Spot this latest KIDS collection starting at PHP 349 in stores today.
Hop on now because the Hogwarts express is ready to go.
The Liberty Shrine Project or Balay sa Kagawasan is soon to rise in Mactan in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan in the year 2021.
This Lapulapu Memorial Shrine and Museum is a tribute to the leader and our favorite hero of the ancient Mactan community who fought for freedom battling Magellan and the Spanish armada, the brave Lapu-Lapu.
The Liberty shrine is one of a kind because unlike other shrines, this is inspired by the pre-colonial Visayan ruler’s balay which is the community center and the seat of government during the old times and the ancient boat, sakayan.
What to Expect?
Open space or atrium at the center will house the new Lapulapu monument.
Permanent exhibits on the left chamber
Open hall for seasonal exhibits or gatherings at the right chamber
Social events space at the front of the edifice
Environmentally-friendly shrine with it built on stilts above the water
The Lapu-Lapu City Government is currently clearing now the land use before the project implementation.
This endeavor is also in fulfillment of a provision in the Republic Act No. 5695 (1969), the legal basis of the Liberty Shrine: to build a Liberty House which shall feature “important personages, places and events, including laws, customs and traditions in the history of this nation before and during the coming of Magellan.”
Our seafood cravings are to the roof right about now. Being stuck at home clearly didn’t help. Luckily for the people in the south, there’s a new restaurant that offers fresh seafood straight from the pond to your pan is now open.
Located at General Luna St., Carcar City, Dianne’s Seafood House offers you shrimps, scallops, tuna, squids, and many more. Our seafood addict hearts are shaking.
Eating seafood has never been classier with elegant chandeliers, lounge areas and a large space for a more comfortable dining experience.
Dianne’s Seafood House is a classy yet cozy restaurant that will feed your eyes as you feed your stomach.
Fresh Seafood & More
Freshly caught seafood is the best. No contest. Which is why Dianne’s Seafood House offers you the ‘Pond to Pan’ experience. The enormous pond is right beside the restaurant. It is clean, aerated and well maintained so you will have no worries there.
They also offer a lot of appetizing meals such as and cakes.
Safe Dining
Safety is a priority in the restaurant with complete sanitation requirements for the new normal. Before entering, you will be asked to use the outdoor sink for handwashing, screen rags, alcohol, and temperature checking. There will also be a registration for contact tracing.
You don’t have to worry about social distancing because the place is spacious enough.
Function rooms & Lounge
They also have function rooms that can accommodate up to 50 people, and a small terrace on the outside. You can also opt to just relax on their lounge or sit and talk with your friends.
Dianne’s Seafood House in Carcar City is definitely more than just a gastronomic seafood experience, but also a destination where you can enjoy the relaxing and peaceful ambiance of the restaurant.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
Best sellers:
Calamari and shrimp w/ special sauce
Baked scallops
Chopsuey
Menu:
Function Rooms:
Package A
Php 8,000 consumable
Good for 20-30pax
Package B
Php 10,000 consumable
Good for 30-50 pax
Package C
Php 15,000 consumable
Venue extendable to Garden Area
Good for 50 pax and above
Note:
All reservations and agreement are made upon, and are subject to the Terms and Conditions of Dianne’s Seafood House.
All package is only up to 4 hours. Additional Php 1,000/hr charge for succeeding hours
Sound System and projector are for rent for Php 100/hour
Exact location: General Luna St., Tulay, Poblacion 3, Carcar City– approx. 2 hours away from the city.
BY BUS: From the South Bus Terminal. Look for the one heading to Carcar City, and ask the driver to drop you off at Carcar City rotonda. From there you can ride a tricycle to Dianne’s Seafood house. The place is relatively new but residents are already familiar with the place.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Dianne’s Seafood House” in Carcar. Large parking space is available.
On Thursday, August 13, Cebu City has been designated as a regional site for the next bar examinations. This is according to a notice from the Supreme Court en banc.
According to the Supreme Court (SC), the proposal was favorably received by the law school deans and have expressed their full support.
In a survey conducted in February 2020, the Philippine Association of Law Schools showed 89 percent of the respondents were in favor of having Cebu City in becoming a regional site for the next bar exams.
For the SC, regionalization is crucial now more than ever, what with the anti-coronavirus restrictions that have limited movement between provinces.
Though the only confirmed venue is the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila, the final venue in Cebu City is yet to be announced.
Law graduates coming from Visayas and Mindanao have the option to take the test either in Manila or in Cebu City.
However, bar exam takers should be expecting an increase in their application fees to cover the costs.
On August 14, 2020, the new hemodialysis treatment facility officially opened at SM Seaside City Cebu in Cebu City. This will be operated by Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).
According to Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, this is the “real” Private Public Partnership (PPP) because it is not aimed to gain profit but to purely service people with compassion. This project is a joint-initiative of public sector and SM Group.
Sec. Dino said that the expenses in the dialysis sessions would be covered by PhilHealth, and if Philhealth can no longer provide (given the 90-session limitation of Philhealth), the Malasakit Center could cover the excess of its costs.
Mayor Labella wrote to Secretary Francisco Duque on July 2 for the granting of the machines and it took only a month for its approval.
The event was also attended by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia of Province of Cebu; Mayor Edgardo Labella of Cebu City, Dr. Gerardo Aquino, Chief of VSMMC, and representatives from SM Malls and Private Sector.
This project aims to protect the dialysis patients against COVID-19 since these groups of people are considered individuals with co-morbidities and are vulnerable to the disease.
Face shield is a must for workers starting on Saturday, August 15.
Secretary Silvestre Bello III of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued the order as an additional protection to the workers against the COVID-19. Guideline for certain order is still in the process.
Aside from face masks, all workers are also required to wear face shields in their workplaces. No face shield means no work as any worker who refuses to follow will not be allowed entry on their companies. Employers, on the other hand, will face administrative sanctions in failure to implement the policy.
Bearing in mind that there will be a greater demand for the face shields, the Department of Health (DOH) suggested a retail price for face shields of between ₱26 and ₱50.
The COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) also warned establishments in Cebu City that they could face closure if found to have violated quarantine protocols.
On Friday, Lapu-Lapu City Junar “Ahong” Chan announced that the city will be ready to transition from the current general community quarantine (GCQ) to the more relaxed modified GCQ (MGCQ), should the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) decide to downgrade the city’s classification on August 16, 2020.
Mayor Chan said the data from the Department of Health – Central Visayas (DOH-7) show that the COVID-19 cases in the city have significantly decreased “as a result of their massive contact tracing and the effort to isolate those who are suspected of having contracted with the virus.”
Moreover, the mayor mentioned that the residents have already developed awareness about the COVID-19 and the measures to prevent from infection such as the wearing of face masks, physical distancing, and limiting their movements to essentials.
Mayor Chan also said that a part of the shift to MGCQ is to prepare hotels and resorts in the city to embrace the new normal in accepting local and foreign guests, this includes aligning and ensuring the safety and health protocols mandated by the IATF, DOH and the Tourism, Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (TCHAC).
As of August 13, 2020, Lapu-Lapu City has a total of 2,027 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 1,275 recoveries and 73 deaths. Active cases are now at 679, with an impressive recovery rate of 62.90%.
The Philippines ranked 4th in the World Health Index, a ranking of healthiest and least healthy markets across the globe that was revealed during the recent global health survey commissioned by the A.S. Watson Group, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer.
Over 5,500 consumers across 10 markets in Asia and Europe aged 15-60 participated in the survey from November to December last year to share their thoughts on a wide range of health topics.
The Netherlands topped the healthiest market list, followed by Singapore, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Malaysia, Mainland China, Ukraine, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand.
The World Health Index 2020 in the A.S. Watson Global Survey shows the Philippines as the fourth healthiest market.
Other takeaways of the survey:
Happier People are Healthier. 91% of the respondents believe that smiling and laughing have a lot of health benefits. Yet only 66% smile enough due to stress. By generation, Gen Z smiles more and are happier than the more mature groups including Gen Y, Gen X, and Boomers. And Gen Z tends to consider themselves as healthy.
Family and Health are by Far the Most Important Aspects of Life. When it comes to ranking the importance of life aspects, Family (87%) and Health (84%) top the list, with Wealth and Love (33% and 32%) in the third and fourth with a wide gap.
Malina Ngai, Group COO of the A.S. Watson Group and CEO of A.S. Watson Asia and Europe believes that “if the survey was being conducted two months later in February this year, I am sure this result will even be more pronounced with people putting family and health at the very top priority in life.”
Credible Information Matters. As fake news and information flood the internet and social media, consumers nowadays tend to seek health information from credible sources. The research revealed 61% still commonly see a doctor when feeling unwell and 43% go in store to get OTC medication. Yet only 15% of respondents turn to pharmacists for advice.
The A.S. Watson Group believes that more and more people will seek for the help of pharmacists as they are reliable, professional, and easily accessible. Watsons Philippines has a strong network of 1,436 pharmacists nationwide. More than just dispensing medicines, the pharmacists are patient advocates ensuring that the right medication is given through review, implementation of prescription, and detection of therapeutic incompatibilities.
How to Stay Healthy. To lead a healthier lifestyle, over 80% of the respondents believe that enough sleep, a healthy diet, and regular exercise can keep them healthy. But 40% of them fail to do so. More and more people (60%) are interested in taking vitamins and dietary supplements to improve their health.
At the A.S. Watson Group, 1 billion shoppers bought health products last year and sales for the health category increased 11% year on year. The insight from the Group shows that there are more and more people are investing in their health and well-being with vitamins and supplements booming globally at a 12% growth year on year.
In the Philippines, Watson’s health business is growing at 18% year-to-date, with vitamins experiencing a phenomenal 132% growth versus last year. Clearly, more Filipinos take a proactive approach in ensuring they stay healthy and protected especially in this time of global health crisis. With this, Watsons expanded its product range for vitamins and health essential related products to further meet the people’s needs
Need some health information? Go to your Watsons pharmacist. Watsons Philippines has a strong network of 1,436 pharmacists nationwide. They are professionally trained on healthcare and a reliable source of opinion to alleviate pressure on public health system.
Let’s all stay healthy and happy. Watsons Call & Deliver ensures safe and convenient access to medicines and personal care essentials. The expanding Watsons hubs where customers may contact have dedicated riders allowing the customers to stay safe at home.
