EVENT | Athena and Brianna Goes To Barbie's You Can Be Anything Day!

Back in the days, I can play freely in and outdoors unlike these days where crimes are happening left and right making me paranoid to even let my kids out. However, some things remain the same, just like the toys and games I've loved as a child and now by my kids especially my 2 girls. Yes, I'm talking about Barbie! When playing with my Barbie dolls, my imagination soars high up to the sky. I get to make my own story and pretend to be anything I want to be. No wonder why Barbie is the planet's favorite lifestyle icon when it comes to exploring different career paths not just by little girls but grown ups too!

In fact, a quick Google search will tell you that she has held over 130 careers in the span of more than 5 illustrious decades. She has been an astronaut, a surgeon, a veterinarian, an athlete, a pop star, even a presidential candidate at least 5 times. To think that doesn't yet include the hundreds of other jobs and identities that millions of creative young girls around the world have imagined and assigned to her in the comfort of their playrooms throughout the years.

This 2016, however, the tables have been turned; the spotlight is now focused on every young girl and their limitless potential with the introduction Barbie’s You Can Be Anything campaign.

Formally launched to Philippine media last April, the You Can Be Anything Campaign is both a celebration of potential and a challenge on the limits of the imagination of young girls. It is a movement to empower little ladies to pursue and live out their dreams, whatever they may be, and for the adults to encourage them on their journey. It is for these young minds to realize that whatever scene that they can conjure and choose to play out inside the four corners of their room can translate into real life; that the glass ceilings they may encounter on their later years are meant to be shattered and that the only thing standing between them and their goals is the limit of their imagination and determination.

To further extend this message, Richprime Global Inc., the exclusive distributor of Barbie in the country, in partnership with The SM Store and Toy Kingdom, turned sparks into candy-colored flames thus they set up the You Can Be Anything Day at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium last May 29, 2016. 

I wouldn't dare to miss this event, so last May 29 we dressed the girls up and went to SM Mall of Asia Atrium for a gateway of imagination. The venue was laden with multiple interactive booths featuring a range of professions young girls freely tried out.

Athena and Brianna experienced creating with their hands at the Doll-icious Bakeshop, where they can design their own cupcake or cookie using the rainbow selection of frosting and toppings available. Afterwards they munched on their own creations with delight! There was also a Barbie Artsy Studio where kids can use their creativity in drawing and coloring. 

All these 2 girls did was pose, smile and run around haha

For the more outgoing and expressive girls, they grabbed the opportunity to be a news anchor doing their prime time spiel at the B-TV News Room. They even got to bring home a copy of their news spiel record as a memento.

And of course, any Barbie event wouldn't be complete if there wasn't anything dedicated to beauty and fashion. The Barbie Pink Salon and Fashion Closet is present to cater to the more kikay (but still equally brilliant) bunch.

For the first time Athena and Brianna got to try face painting, they both chose butterfly!

Athena liked her butterfly face paint a lot!

Other kids got to try wearing make up and outfits then have their photos taken.

A short program and interactive fashion show serves as the cherry on top of the fun. Barbie Brand Ambassador also strut the catwalk with Barbie apparels. Andi Eigenmann and her daughter Ellie also graced the event and they tried different booths too!

Would have loved to let this 2 join the fashion show but they are too shy. This photo was taken after the program. 

"We're looking at this event as a jump-off point to young Filipina girls," explains Ms. Liza Yao, Managing Director of Richprime Global, Inc. "We want to inspire, and have them see that they can be anything they set their mind to and further beyond that, just like Barbie."

It was indeed a fun and interactive day, I'm sure everyone enjoyed it kids and adults alike! I hope kids get inspired to be like Barbie and do whatever it takes to achieve their dreams. Thanks Barbie! 

CAMELLA AWARDED AS READER’S DIGEST MOST TRUSTED BRAND FOR THE 5th TIME

CAMELLA WINS FIFTH READER’S DIGEST MOST TRUSTED BRAND AWARD - Camella, the flagship brand of Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc., has been recognized, for the fifth time, as Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand (Property Developer category). The group received a Gold Award, a distinction signifying that it has excelled significantly higher than its competitors based on the results of the Trusted Brand Survey. Receiving the award from Reader’s Digest Advertising and Retail Sales Director Sheron White (second from left) are: Vista Land Chief Marketing Officer Red Rosales and Camella Managing Directors Mary Lee Sadiasa and Ric Pallesco

Reader’s Digest  recognized Camella, the flagship brand of Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc., as the Most Trusted Brand under the Property Developer Category for the 5th time.

During the awarding ceremony organized by Reader’s Digest Asia-Pacific at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas, Pasig City recently, Camella was handed a Gold Award, a distinction signifying that it has excelled significantly higher than its competitors based on the results of the Trusted Brand Survey conducted by global research company Catalyst.

“Emerging as ‘Most Trusted Brand’ for five years in a row is a validation that Camella is successful in its mission to provide its home buyers not merely residences but upgraded lifestyles in its communities,” said Camella Managing Director Mary Lee Sadiasa, who received the award, together with Vista Land Chief Marketing Officer Red Rosales and Camella Managing Director Ric Pallesco.

“We owe Camella’s success to the trust and loyalty of our stakeholders. Rest assured that we will remain steadfast to our mandate of making quality homes attainable for every Filipino. Camella will continue to innovate to give the best living experience to our homebuyers,” added Camella President Jerylle Luz Quizmundo.

Camella received the ultimate seal of consumer approval after survey participants, composed of Reader’s Digest subscribers, and randomly selected consumers, gave Camella high ratings on six attributes: Trustworthiness, Quality, Value, Understanding of Customer Needs, Innovation and Social Responsibility. The consumer polls, in which 7,500 individuals were selected as participants, were conducted across five markets in Asia, namely, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Camella has redefined home development in the Philippines by creating ‘communicities’, innovative master-planned city developments, where Filipinos can raise and nourish their families and their tomorrows, with vast properties that offer community structures and commercial establishments closer to a city than a mere residential village. It is one of the leading fully integrated property developers in the country that caters to affordable to mid-income segment of the market. To date, the group has built more than 300,000 homes and maintains a powerful presence in Mega Manila and 36 other key provincial destinations and 95 cities and municipalities, indisputably the real estate brand with the widest geographic reach.

For more information about Camella, call their hotline at 02-Camella (226-3552) or 09178576494. Keep up with the latest Camella information, news, events and announcements through www.camella.com.ph. Like “Camella Official” on Facebook and follow “@CamellaOfficial” on Twitter and Instagram.

International Thyroid Awareness Week Celebration + Things To Know About Thyroid Disorders

“Catching Butterflies: Spotting the Symptoms of Thyroid Disorders in Children” is the theme of this years' International Thyroid Awareness Week Celebration which was culminated by Merck Inc. and ETC 2nd Avenue at the Fisher Mall Event center last May 28, 2016. The butterfly theme was chosen to represent the thyroid, which is a butterfly shaped organ found at the base of our necks. 

Little did we know, millions of Filipinos are affected by thyroid disorders, yet very few are aware of them. In a study conducted by the Philippine Society for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism in 2012, it showed that one in 11 Filipino adults has goiter, and around one in 12 Filipino adults suffers from some form of thyroid disease. Around 8 in every 1000 children worldwide are affected by thyroid disease but only a handful get properly diagnosed and treated.

The “Catching Butterflies: Spotting the Symptoms of Thyroid Disorders in Children” event aims to increase the awareness of the thyroid and the disorders that can affect children and adults. This is because if thyroid hormone imbalances are left undiagnosed and untreated, they can have harmful effect on a child’s brain development, growth and physical maturity. The awareness campaign showed that thyroid disorders are treatable with early screening and proper treatment.

During the event, a panel of experts from the Philippines Society for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, the Philippine Thyroid Association, and the Iodine Global Network conducted a talk on how to recognize and treat thyroid disorders. They also conducted a Free Doctor's Consultation and Thyroid Screening.

The event was not only educational but also fun-filled, aside from the beautiful decorations there were also many other activities that both children and parents enjoyed together. 

There was as on-the spot art competition.

Butterfly face painting

 Butterfly Cookie Art. Took home some for the kids and they liked it!

There were also butterfly clay art, dance performances, Hypo- Butterfly and Hyper-Butterfly Mascots and so much more. How I wish I brought the kids along, I'm sure they would have loved it! 

ETC 2nd Avenue also had a booth where attendees took their photos on the photo wall, posted it to their social media accounts using the hashtags #thyroidawareness and #wearebraver, have it printed at the booth and instantly win a prize. I participated and won a Flawless Stem cell Cleanser, yey! 

There are a lot of people who may have thyroid disorders, but aren’t even aware until it is too late. It is important to have one’s thyroid checked as early as possible, especially if there is family history of the disease, or during pregnancy. Prevention, proper information and early detection will always be better than cure that comes too late.

Here are some important things you should know about Thyroid Disorders:

1. What is Thyroid? 

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located at the base of the neck. The thyroid produces and stores thyroid hormones, which are essential to the normal development of the body, as well as its normal metabolism and function. Thyroid hormones affect practically all systems of the body, from the brain, to the heart, to the stomach, the reproductive system, etc.

2. What are the difference between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism?

• Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone. Thus, metabolism is slowed. Patients typically complain of weight gain (even without increasing appetite), cold intolerance, chronic fatigue, sadness/depression, slowed speech patterns, slow heart rate, dry/brittle hair, constipation, and menstrual irregularities.

• Hyperthyroidism is when there is too much thyroid hormone, and Symptoms are typically opposite that of hypothyroidism. Patients will note weight loss, sweating, insomnia and irritability, fast heart rate and palpitations, hair loss, diarrhea, and menstrual irregularities.

 3. How can thyroid disorders be diagnosed?

Diagnosis is made by a physician based on the results of blood tests- TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and thyroid hormone levels in the blood.

4. How to asses your own Thyroid?

Facing a mirror, lift your chin up and inspect your neck. Swallow, and if you see a mass at the base of the neck moving up and down, you may need to consult your doctor for goiter.

Also be aware of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, so you can consult a doctor when you note you have them.

5. How can hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism be treated?

• Hypothyroidism is treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

• Hyperthyroidism is treated with anti-thyroid drugs, which lower the level of thyroid hormones in the body.

6. Should children be screened for Thyroid problems?

Parents should be aware of the symptoms of thyroid disorders so they can bring their child to the doctor. If they notice mood and behavior changes, difficulty learning, and other signs, consult a doctor.

7. Should pregnant women undergo screening for thyroid problems?

It is recommended that women get screened for thyroid disorders if:

• previous history of thyroid disorders, thyroid surgery
• above 30
• family history of thyroid disorders
• previous history of pregnancy loss or difficulty getting pregnant
• living in iodine deficiency areas

8. How can Thyroid disorders affect pregnant women and the unborn baby?

Thyroid disorders, if untreated, can lead to negative outcomes for the mother and child. Conditions like eclampsia and placenta previa can occur. Furthermore, the child might have developmental abnormalities, especially with mental and cognitive abilities. Children with mothers who are iodine deficient or hypothyroid can have lower IQs.

Ask your doctor about thyroid screening if you are pregnant.

9. What type of foods are good for the Thyroid?

People are encouraged to take iodized salt, to avoid iodine deficiency, the most common cause of goiter.

10. Is Thyroid Disorder hereditary?

There is a hereditary component to thyroid problems. If you have a relative who has thyroid disorders, you should regularly have yourself checked.

The event is organized by Merck Inc. in collaboration with ETC 2nd Avenue for the International Thyroid Awareness Week Celebration

Merck is the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company with headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany. Merck is a leading science and technology company that works to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions.