Global publisher Scholastic Asia taps Mayani to extend aid, supports community library for Baseco

The world’s largest children books publisher Scholastic Asia has launched Project Aklat at Pangarap with agriculture marketplace Mayani to provide relief assistance and push community literary among the children of 196 indigent families affected by a massive fire breakout in Barangay 649, Baseco. 

Core to the initiative is utilizing Mayani’s community campaigns expertise and its platform for the online giving of food packs sourced from local farmers, after which free books were donated by Scholastic Asia upon meeting the total target food donations. 

The endeavor also drew the support of volunteer group No One Left Out, outdoor advertiser HDI, and Sto. Nino De Baseco Parish, who led the on-ground relief distribution.

“As Scholastic celebrates its 100 years, it’s in our roadmap to strengthen initiatives that will promote learning and reading. We’re active in partnering with organizations with the same goals as ours when it comes to giving back to the community. Every Filipino child should be able to be given a chance to strengthen their love for learning and eventually live a life that they've built for themselves in the future. We are happy that Mayani sees this eye to eye with us.” ~Jane Tiongco-Aguirre, General Manager for the Philippines of Scholastic Asia

Scholastic is known to be the publisher of the children’s favorites Harry Potter and Clifford the Big Red Dog. They are an active partner of schools in the Philippines in strengthening student reading proficiency through their word class and effective Literacy Program, Prime English and their remarkable numeracy program, Prime Math.

“One of our platform’s broadened use cases is empowering our customers to give back to causes that they personally care about. As an impact-driven organization, we open our platform for a multitude of partners to anchor their social drives on and tap other value points in our ecosystem.” ~JT Solis, the Co-Founder and CEO of Mayani

Over one metric ton of fresh produce and chicken, as well as 500 books and technology-enabled learning materials have been donated via the project. The books have been turned over already to the Baseco children’s community – an effort that will complement their alternative learning programs.

The campaign was also given boosting by Mayani’s billboard collaborator HDI. 

“We truly value education and holds this strong belief of promoting grassroots literacy as a top priorty.” ~Raoul Buencuchillo, HDI Adventures’ President

How to Avoid Dry Skin: 7 Hydrating Foods to Try This Season

 

Letting your body become dehydrated is one of the fastest ways to get dry skin. These conditions occur because the skin contains around 30 percent of water, which contributes to its plumpness, elasticity, and resiliency. A well-hydrated skin can help promote healthy-looking skin.

There are many different ways to ensure your skin is well hydrated, such as using the right skincare products for your skin type and consuming foods that support skin health.

If your skin looks dry, flaky, or irritated, it may be time to take a moment to evaluate your hydration and eating habits.

7 Water-Rich Foods to Try This Season

Every day, make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of fluids, which include beverages such as tea, milk, and coffee. Your skin will also thank you if you eat a diet rich in antioxidants such as vitamin A, C, and E.

Wondering where to get started? Here’s a list of water-rich foods you can try this season:

1. Watermelon

Watermelon is a fruit high in water content (more than 90 percent) and contains minerals and phytochemicals such as lycopene, vitamin C, and beta carotene – all of which can support skin health. In fact, compared to tomatoes, strawberries, or guavas, watermelon offers a good amount of antioxidants. You can enjoy watermelon year-round as a snack or blend it with other ingredients for a delicious, refreshing smoothie.

2. Orange

Fruits come in a variety of flavors, like sweet or sour, and they also have different textures. Oranges are always good to have on your grocery list or your fruit bowl at home. Like watermelons, they contain a lot of water (80-89 percent) as well as vitamin C. You can take oranges anywhere and even peel them without a knife.

3.  Vegetables

Our parents often tell us to eat our vegetables, but did you know that veggies also contribute to our skin’s health? Certain vegetables have high water content, such as spinach (90-99 percent) and carrots and broccoli (80-89 percent). Try incorporating these into your everyday meals.

4. Yogurts

Has it ever crossed your mind that in addition to supporting your digestive health, yogurt also contributes to your fluid intake? One portion of yogurt contains around 80-89 percent water.

5. Pickles

Pickles are usually seen as a relish to complement a meal and as flavor enhancers. Did you know that they also contribute to the overall water content of your food? Pickles contain more than 90 percent water. This volume comes from the fermentation process that often includes adding other forms of liquid and seasonings to help maintain or increase its water content.

6. Fruit and vegetable salads

Establish a new habit, such as serving salads as appetizers before your main course. You can try a fruit salad, vegetable salad, or a combination of both. In addition to improving your appetite, salads that contain fresh fruits and vegetables also contribute to your fluid intake. In fact, lettuce, commonly used in salads, contains more than 90 percent of water.

7. Soups

Soup is another appetizer you can add to your meals. A bowl of warm soup before dinner could help ease your digestive system, making it ready to receive the main course.

8. Smoothies or Protein Shakes

Shakes are a great, convenient way to improve your fluid intake. You can customize them depending on your taste, so if your favorite fruit is not on this list, you can blend your own ingredients and even add protein powder. Many fruits are not only high in water content, but they also provide fiber.

If you haven’t done so, try an exotic, tropical fruit at least once. Durian is a local favorite in Southeast Asia and provides vitamins C and B and lots of potassium.

About Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.

Herbalife Nutrition (NYSE: HLF) is a global company that has been changing people's lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers high-quality, science-backed products, sold in over 90 countries by entrepreneurial distributors 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.

Panda Express® Brings New Honey Sesame Chicken Entrée to Town

To sweet beginnings and savory dishes. Panda Express®—the world’s largest American Chinese dining concept— is welcoming the New Year with a new entrée: Honey Sesame Chicken.

Available for a limited time only, Panda’s Honey Sesame Chicken is made with thin, crispy strips of all-white meat chicken raised without antibiotics and tossed with fresh-cut string beans, and crisp red bell peppers. It is coated in a delicious honey sauce and topped off with sesame seeds.

“Honey Sesame Chicken is inspired by a Cantonese dish that is traditionally made from a whole chicken with honey marinade and brushed with honey sauce when it’s fresh out of the fryer. It offers a richer flavor profile with toasty sesame seeds in each bite.” ~Chef Jimmy Wang, Head of Culinary Innovation at Panda Express

Starting January 29, 2022, Honey Sesame Chicken will be available across all Panda Express stores for dine-in, take out, and delivery through order.pandaexpress.com.ph, GrabFood, and foodpanda.

What are you waiting for? Try the new Honey Sesame Chicken while supplies last. Available at SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, DD Meridian Park Pasay and SM Grand Central in Caloocan.

To get more information about Panda Express, visit www.facebook.com/PandaExpressPH/ (Facebook) and @PandaExpressPH (Instagram).

 
GrabFood is a trademark owned by Grabtaxi Holdings Pte. Ltd.

foodpanda is a trademark owned by Emerging Markets Online Food Delivery Holding S.a.r.l.

About Panda Express
On a mission to inspire better lives, Panda Express® is the largest Asian dining concept in the world. Family-owned and operated since 1983 by co-founders and co-CEOs Andrew and Peggy Cherng, Panda Express is best known as a trailblazer for creating a wide variety of industry-first recipes, including its best seller the Orange® Chicken and award-winning Honey Walnut Shrimp, which have defined the category of authentic American Chinese cuisine. Each entrée at Panda Express, including the Wok Smart selections, is thoughtfully crafted with quality ingredients and inspired by bold Chinese flavors and culinary principles. The restaurant brand has more than 2,300 locations and has introduced American Chinese cuisine to twelve international countries. Powered by this global family of associates, Panda Cares®, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express, has raised more than $282 million and dedicated countless volunteer hours in bettering the health and education for over 13 million youths, as well as supporting communities in need since 1999. Visit www.facebook.com/PandaExpressPH/ (Facebook) and @PandaExpressPH (Instagram) for more information.

Count your luck and celebrate Chinese New Year at SM Supermalls!

It’s going to be a prosperous 2022 as SM Supermalls celebrates the Year of the Tiger with fun-filled events and activities for its shoppers! Whether you choose to stay home or safely shop at SM Supermalls, there are exclusive CNY deals for everyone to enjoy!

Lucky Dining Deals. Kick off the festivities with an abundant gastronomic feast with discounts and promos from January 16 to February 2. Shoppers can enjoy Lucky Eats Deals of as much as a 22% discount from participating tenants. For your convenience, you can easily shop via the SM Malls Online app where you can arrange for delivery or pick-up, or by calling our SM Customer Care hotline at (02) 8876-111, 0917-876-111 or 0908-876-1111. You can also have your fill of your favorite food while safely dining at Chinese New Year-themed indoor and outdoor Lucky Eats Dining Spots.

Lucky Red Finds Bazaar. Boost your luck and find all the lucky red items from SM Supermalls’ partner tenants and affiliates in this Chinese New Year-themed pop-up market. 

Lucky Tiger Park. Families will be treated to a dazzling Chinese New Year experience featuring an outdoor set-up with lighted 3D tiger art installations, Chinese lanterns, and Drive-Thru Lion and Dragon Dances and Fireworks Displays to welcome the year of the Tiger!

Lucky Paws. Show off your pet’s best CNY-themed costume and get a chance to win pawsome prizes when you submit photos of your pets online or take them to select SM Supermalls Paw Parks.

Lucky Forecasts. When it comes to ushering in good fortune, SM Supermalls knows how to help prepare shoppers for the positive energy this new year brings. By scanning the QR codes, you can check out your 2022 Chinese zodiac brought to you by Feng Shui expert Ms. Marites Allen. Plus, you can also get a chance to win exciting prizes and SM vouchers!

Additionally, SM Supermalls has also prepared other activities and promos for everyone to enjoy until February:

• Lucky Plants.  Attract good luck all year round with lucky plants in your home! This Chinese New Year-themed green market in select SM malls features floras that are considered lucky like the lucky bamboo, money tree, Jade plant, mandarin orange tree, orchid, bamboo, and bonsai.
• Lucky Finds on SM Deals. Check out CNY exclusive offers from SM Supermalls’ tenant partners and affiliates from Buy 1 Get 1 deals and 50% discounts. 
• Lucky22 vouchers. If you opt to stay at home during these festivities, don’t worry about missing out on these exciting deals because SM Supermalls has got you covered. SM Malls Online will be having Lucky22 vouchers– a special voucher offering a 22% discount on food and non-food items for stay-at-home shoppers like you!  
• Lucky in Red Pick-up at Curbside Promo. When you pick up your order at SM via SM Customer Care Hotline, SM will be giving away Php 200 worth of SM GCs on February 1 for those decked in red! So wear something red or drive by to pick up the items you’ve ordered in your flashy red car! This promo is for the first 22 customers only, so be sure to get there as early as you can.

Enjoy all these and more when you celebrate your #LuckyDaysAtSM this Chinese New Year! So, increase your luck and safely celebrate with SM Supermalls as it welcomes the Year of the Tiger with wishes of prosperity, health, abundance, and continuous good fortune!

For #SafeMallingAtSM, you can follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms.

 

Are you ‘G’ for a healthier lifestyle?

The new year can be perfect time to achieve lifestyle changes for a fresh start. One of these changes may be committing to working out regularly to sweat off all those extra holiday gains.

At-home workouts have become more convenient during these times. To accompany you on your fitness journey, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. launches G No Sugar. It is the newest no sugar hydration drink from PepsiCo’s line of beverages. G No Sugar helps you stay properly hydrated throughout your activities for the day. 

“G No Sugar is the healthier option to our well-loved brand, Gatorade, to cater to those who choose fitness. It is the same sports drink that helps with the hydration process, minus the sugar.” ~Frederick D. Ong, PCPPI President and Chief Executive Officer

Aside from being sugar-free, G No Sugar has no calories, so you can drink it regularly without worry. It is naturally sweetened with Stevia and is available in the refreshing flavors of Citrus Quench and Blue Bolt. On top of that, it has Gatorade’s formula of the right amount of electrolytes to keep you properly hydrated throughout the day.

The minimal calories in G No Sugar, roughly 2 calories per serving, complement your nutritional needs so you don’t have to strain your body from working out too much. 

G No Sugar comes in 500ml bottles and is available in different supermarkets nationwide. 

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) is the exclusive manufacturer of Gatorade and other well-known beverage brands like Pepsi, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Sting, Tropicana, Lipton, Aquafina, Premier, and Milkis.

About Pepsi Philippines

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) is the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages & snacks in the Philippines, with a relationship spanning 70 years. PCPPI is a listed company in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE: PIP) with Lotte Corporation which is a holding company of Lotte Chilsung Beverage, one of the biggest beverage companies in South Korea as the lead shareholder co-managing with PepsiCo. PCPPI manufactures and sells well-known food and beverage brands: Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Sting, Premier, Sips, Milkis, Let’s Be and Aquafina. It has established 14 manufacturing facilities across the country, serving more than 700,000 outlets and providing employment through its extensive distribution network.

 

PCPPI is committed to create a positive impact on society with programs focused on environmental sustainability, nutrition, education, and livelihood. For more information, visit www.pepsiphilippines.com.

UnionBank clients can now seamlessly do direct cash-in to their Shopee and Lazada wallets!

Surely, buying essentials online has never been this easy! Shopee and Lazada buyers can now easily cash-in, in real time from their UnionBank accounts. Customers also enjoy discounts and added benefits with their online purchases, for every top-up transaction.

UnionBank clients can now do their online shopping more conveniently through the country’s major e-commerce giants Shopee and Lazada -- by directly cashing-in their e-wallets. This new option opens another channel for Bank customers to do their online transactions seamlessly.

This was made possible with the collaboration of tech savvy ShopeePay, Lazada Wallet and UnionBank, combining the power of three digital leaders. 

“These partnerships are timely especially now at a time when e-commerce and cashless transactions are exponentially rising. This ensures Filipinos can participate in the headwinds of innovation and a better, more seamless customer experience as a result.” ~Erika Denise Dizon, UnionBank FVP and Head of Fintech Business Group

Here’s how it works. To cash-in your ShopeePay using UnionBank Online Banking, go to ShopeePay Wallet, select Cash-in, enter the amount, select online banking as the payment method, and choose UnionBank. You will then be directed to the Bank’s online banking to confirm the transaction.

For Lazada Wallet, click the wallet icon on the upper right portion of the homepage. Select the cash-in button, enter the amount, and select “Add UnionBank account” in the Cash-in Methods page. You will then be directed to the Bank’s online banking site for confirmation of the transaction. Then enjoy shopping!