Green Footprints Movement: A Call For Green Advocates

When we moved here in Las Piñas 4 years ago, a lot of things were different from what we were used to. Aside from the fact that we moved in a condo where it is more quiet and safer as there are securities compared to the residential house situated in an overcrowded and busy Barangay in Tondo, the practices here are different. One thing is that they do not use plastic bags, they use brown bag or eco-bag instead. I am not sure whether it's just here in our community or is it also practiced in the whole city, but garbage are segregated accordingly.  

Honestly, it takes a lot of getting used to these practices at first but come to think of it, these practices are environment friendly and is something that we would greatly benefit from. Besides, I'm a mom I serve as role model to my kids thus I should portray exemplary practices. I also taught them to always turn off the lights, electric fan, television and any other electronic appliances when they are not in use. Simple tasks, but I know it could make a difference especially now that we are facing climate change.

In line with this, the leading air conditioning and refrigeration solutions provider Concepcion Industrial Corporation (CIC), through its subsidiary Concepcion-Carrier Air Conditioning Company (CCAC) has launched the Green Footprints Movement. This advocacy aims to strengthen their commitment to a sustainable future by driving greater awareness and understanding of climate change and global warming among consumers and other stakeholders, and enabling access to green choices that will enable consumers to reduce their environmental footprint. The launch was held last March 10, 2016 in Makati City and I am glad that I get to be part of it.

According to CIC Chief Executive Officer Raul Joseph Concepcion “As the most encompassing environmental issue facing us today, climate change must be everyone’s agenda”

CCAC’s Green Footprints Movement calls out to the public to become green advocates.

“We want the public to be able to connect their everyday actions and decisions with its environmental impact. This consciousness, we believe, will lead them to make environmental impact an important consideration and value in everything they do or use.”  shared Harold Pernikar, Jr., CCAC Director and Head of the Consumer Solutions Group. 

The Green Footprints Movement is a testament to CIC’s long-standing commitment to the environment, having led its industry in exercising responsible stewardship by employing best green practices and conducting their operations in a manner that safeguards the environment.

Concepcion Industrial Corp., through its subsidiary Concepcion-Carrier Air Conditioning Co. (CCAC), takes its commitment to the environment a stepfurther by launching the Green Footprints Movement,an advocacy campaign that seeks to galvanize the general public into action towards reducing their environment footprint. Event attendees include (from left to right)Manila Fashion Observer blogger Christine Dychiao;Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Assistant Director Dr. Eva S. Ocfemia;celebrity host and World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature-Philippines National Ambassador Marc Nelson; Concepcion Industrial Corporation (CIC)Chief Executive OfficerRaul Joseph A. Concepcion, Concepcion Industrial Corporation (CIC) Executive Vice President for Business Development Rafael C. Hechanova, Jr., and Concepcion-Carrier Air Conditioning Company (CCAC) Director and Head of Consumer Solutions Group Harold Pernikar, Jr.

“Environmental health and safety is and has always been a key core value of CIC, and this is evident in the way we manage our business,” stated Concepcion, who noted how the company has leveraged on technology to create green facilities.

CIC was the first Philippine manufacturer to convert its refrigerators to use environment-friendly refrigerants back in 1995, and is once again leading the industry for its air conditioning solutions. Ninety-six percent of their air conditioning products have already been converted to using environmentally responsive refrigerants, and they expect to make a 100% product conversion within the year.

 “As we enjoin people to commit to reducing their collective environmental footprint through the Green Footprints Movement, we believe we can create a significant impact towards creating a better, safer environment for the next generations.” said Concepcion.

At the event  I get to show my support by signing on the Green Footprints Movement pledge wall. I bow to be more responsible in terms of recycling and garbage disposal.  

We all have a responsibility to our environment. Let's do our part and support the Green Footprints Movement. Let's start NOW!

We Want Safe Cities: Time To Shed Light on Neglected Issues

"Hey Sexy!"

"Psst! Ms. Beautiful!"

"Hi Beh!"

These are just some lines I hear on the street every morning as I walk my way home right after taking my son to school. Actually this isn't new to me anymore as I've experienced hearing these things way back my younger years. I always question myself, "what do these guys get out of it?" "does it make them feel like a real man?" and so on. Some men would defend that it's just a form of compliment, but in reality it's not. It's making women feel uncomfortable, uneasy and afraid... well in my case. But am I doing anything about it? No! I just shrug it off my shoulder and try to walk fast as possible because of the fear that something worst might happen if I react against it. I know a lot of women has experienced it but chooses to keep quiet that's why this incident keeps on happening over and over again. 

Little did we know these occurrence is considered as a form of sexual harassment, yet this issue has been long neglected.

This is why the LGU partnered with UN Women to implement the Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces Global Initiative. Quezon City is the pilot city in Metro Manila to be one of over 24 cities around the world in the programme to stop street harassment and sexual violence against women and girls (SVAWG) in public spaces with funding from Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (AECID).

To shed “light” on the issue the LGU and UN Women held back-to-back events last March 7, 2016: (1) A press conference at the QCX Museum, “Presentation of the First-Ever Data on Sexual Harassment and SVAWG in public” (2) Lighting the Ways To Safe Cities. where 1000 supporters released sky lanterns to light up the Quezon City skyline and called for safe cities where women are free from fear and free from all forms of street harassment and sexual violence. Both events were to commemorate International Women’s Day (#IWD2016) as well as to kick-off the celebrations in March as the National Women’s Month.

The Press Conference launched the research on “How Safe are Women in our City Streets? – A Baseline Study on Street Harassment and Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls in Public Spaces” and according to the research, three out of five women have experienced a form of sexual harassment while commuting in Metro Manila. The research reported that eighty-eight percent (88%)of women aged 18-24 years, have experienced some form of sexual harassment in their lives, but more than half do not report or do anything about it. 

Whether due to shame or fear, women traditionally ignore and keep silent about catcalls, wolf-whistling, stalking, repeated harassment for their numbers, male public exposure, rubbing or groping (panghihipo) inside the MRT/ jeepneys, even bearing indecent language being yelled at them by men as they walk by.Women experience all these forms of sexual harassment as they move about in the city, using public transport, terminals, markets/malls, and even just walking home in their own neighborhoods.          

Photo Credits to Pat Buenaobra 

During the press conference Glaiza De Castro was revealed as the new celebrity supporter of UN Women Safe Cities. according to her "We know about it, we are offended by it, but we don't know how to prevent it."

Photo credits to Pat Buenaobra

The evening’s grand assembly was a visual spectacle where supporters of women’s right to safety in the city banded together to celebrate the spirit of community fighting to stop street harassment of women. Hosted by PTV4’s Good Morning Boss talents, Jules Guiang and Karla Paderna, the event was graced by musical performances from Cooky Chua, Bayang Barrios and Glaiza de Castro.

The Quezon City Local Government just passed amendments to the Gender and Development Code increasing penalties for sexual harassment and sexual violence against women in public spaces to a range of one to five thousand pesos (Php1,000 to Php5,000) for the varying severity of offenses.

Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice Media Launch at SM North Edsa

Photo credits to SM City North Edsa

SM Supermalls in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, DC Entertainment and licensing representatives Pacific Licensing Studios (PLS) in the Philippines, have worked in conjunction to present a touring mall event themed as "Choose You Side". 

Batman vs. Superman.... Whose side are you on?

I made my choice last Saturday, March 12, 2016 as I attended the Media launch of Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice Launch at SM North the Block.

Guess whose side I chose...

#Superman!

I came in wearing blue together with other #TeamSuperman and for #TeamBatman supporters wore black. 

SM North The Block was impressively designed as the Dark Knight's Gotham City sitting side-by-side to the Man of Steel's Metropolis. It gives a Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice experience walking through the amazing displays set up at the event. 

Photo credits to SM City North Edsa

During the event there was a not-to-be-missed fashion show as they also launched their collection of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice branded limited edition apparel and accessories in collaboration with Penshoppe ; and a collection of trendy watches from Axis by Newtrend. 

Aside from the fashion show, fans of LEGO including my son Tristan enjoyed the immersive  play area set up by the LEGO group, alongside the display of their Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice product line and an exclusively created LEGO mosaic featuring the two iconic Super Heroes. 

Before the event ended we were all excited as they revealed the incredibly detailed 1:1 scale replica of the Batmobile, then afterwards a lot of picture taking took place. 

The event will be toured around 12 Supermalls across the country.

And the Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice film opens in Philippines on March 26, 2016.

Watch out for it!

Children at the Crossroads: Windows to Healing in Mindanao

Amidst the hustle and bustle in the city life, little did we know that there is a growing outcry for war with our co-Filipinos in Mindanao.

War is not clean, war is not easy. War does not involve only armed combatants. War affects everyone: men, women, especially children. Armed and unarmed.

Thus, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) feels the need to take action and in little ways spread the awareness and open the hearts and minds of people who have limited knowledge and experience about the Mindanao conflict.

A child walking along the road of displaced families. A five-year old boy in Camp Afghan by the side of his grandfather, a combatant of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces. Children praying at dawn by the side of their makeshift tents along the highway. These snapshots were captured by the lenses of the celebrated photographer, Jun de Leon, as he visited Maguindanao, days after the Mamapasano incident in January.

Entitled, “Children at the Crossroads: Windows to Healing in Mindanao,”  Jun de Leon’s photographs with stories by An Alcantara was put on display from March 7-8 at the Fisher Mall, Quezon City. 

This exhibit is the 3^rd of the series of exhibits and people from the media, students and mall goers were able to witness the Opening Program of the exhibit which aims to raise awareness on the effects and impact of armed conflict in the Bangsamoro on children.

The exhibit was laid out in crossroads formation and was composed of 28 photographs. The exhibit also featured a 10-minute video capturing the faces of children, the scenery, and the people who speak about the conflict outside and within.

They are planning to show the exhibit and reach as many people as possible, and plans to take it to as many cities across the country at the soonest possible time.

This exhibit is organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), in partnership with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Fisher Mall and URC Jack ‘n Jill Puff corn.

Updated: Sunday Funday at the Kids On Bikes Ph 2016

Hi Mommies, remember my post about the Kids On Bikes PH 2016? Were you able to attend the Opening last Sunday, March 6? We did, and it was a lot of fun! Actually, days prior to the event all my 3 kids were excited about it.  It could have been a great bonding for the whole family, however I was only able to bring Athena since Jaear had to work on some stuff at home that day. Nevertheless, I was pretty sure that Athena enjoyed our mommy and daughter Sunday bike date. 

Kids On Bikes were also graced by my fellow Mommy Bloggers
Lhyzie and Richelle

Usually on Sundays we wake up late, but that Sunday we woke up early since the Registration started as early as 8AM and we still have to travel from Las Pinas to SM Mall of Asia. More than Athena, I was excited for this because I want to encourage my kids to have a healthy and active lifestyle. Every weekdays we are confined indoors and don't really have time for some active playing outdoors, so weekends' really are the best days for it.

When we arrived, the Open Grounds of SM Mall of Asia was already filled with colorful balloons and banners, parents and children anticipating the fun they'll have that day, of course that includes us!

Upon registration, we were given our Race Kit which includes, Singlet jersey race shirt, a wrist band (baller), Race number sticker and Kids On Bikes water jugs. Then the fun begins!

Athena is just 3 years old so I was expecting a bike with training wheels, but I was surprised to know that those kind of bikes are not really good for beginners. The bikes they have there was called "Strider Balance Bikes" they literally don't have pedals. Children move along by pushing the ground with their feet. Strider balance bikes are more conducive for learning as it focuses on the fundamentals of balancing, leaning, and steering without the distractions and complications of pedals or training wheels.

The bikes are only limited so it was a first come first serve basis, but as I've mentioned on my previous post that you could also bring your own bike. We didn't bring our own bike but we were able to score one and Athena just got lucky because she got a Pink Bike, Pink is her favorite color so she was very happy. Haha! Before the race officially began, I already let Athena bike along with other kids her age. 

After the registration, they officially opened the program with a few talks from the organizers including safety measures to be observed. "Gio" (Growee's mascot) was also there, and together with the kids they did some stretching and warm up exercises.

The Race then began starting off with the Fun Ride for kids ages 3-5 years old.

It was then followed by the Bike Relay for kids ages 6-8 years old 

together with their 2 family members.

 During the race, you won't see any tension from the participants all you can see is their smiles and laughter as they enjoy the moment.

In between the race, there were organized parlor games. 

There were also installed trampoline and inflatable play pen with balls within the area which kept Athena and other kids entertained aside from biking. 

The Main race for kids ages 9-13 years old started around 11AM, in this category  “The Biker Kid Of The Year” was hailed. All the other finalists will again compete on the Finale which will also be held at SM Mall Of Asia on April 9, 2016 together with the other finalists from the upcoming leg of Kids On Bikes PH which will be held on the following dates and venues:

• March 19, 2016 at the (Ayala Alabang Country Club)

UPDATE: The road to Kids On Bikes Ayala Alabang Leg is closed. For the second leg, they are redirecting the bikes and gearing up for an Easter Sunday bike race at UP Diliman Campus grounds.

• March 27, 2016 at the UP Diliman Grounds
• 

So if you missed the fun during the first round, you still have the chance to join. Nowadays, whether we like it or not kids are leading an increasingly sedentary lifestyle; they tend to spend more of their time indoors either playing with their gadgets or watching TV.  As parents we should lead a more active lifestyle by encouraging them to play outdoor sports and engage in other physical activities. That's why I am really thankful that Unilab organized activities such as this, they are reminders that being active and healthy is fun. And,in order for our kids to be able to do this, they need to have the right physical make up - they have to be tall and tough. As the slogan of Unilab's Growee vitamin says, "It’s not enough for them to be just tall, they have to be tough as well with strong bones and strong muscles" and our kids can get it from daily intake of Vitamin D!

So Mommies make sure that the vitamins you are giving your kids have Vitamin D. Give them Growee! It not only has CGF for maximum height, but also Vitamin D for strong bones and strong muscles. With Growee, "kids are not just tall, they’re tough as well".

Growee is available in all leading drugstores nationwide at the following prices: Growee Drops 15mL at P80.49, Growee Syrup 120mL at P146.90, Growee Syrup 250mL at P267.40.

Read here to know how to join the next race: http://www.shesthemom.com/2016/02/family-time-kids-on-bikes-ph-2016.html

Be Naturally Beautiful with Vitamin E!

2016 is a year for all natural, we get all serious whenever we see another DIY video on YouTube to achieve a more natural makeup, hair- do, or even a fashion OOTD. Looking natural is the way to go, achieving this looks, makes you look younger and effortlessly beautiful. Gone are the days when you put on so much blush on and foundation to cover up your blemishes, this years, trend is all about, less is more. It’s the same issue for our skin, sometimes we get so addicted using so many products on our skin. In belief that it’ll make our skin more radiant and smooth, but that’s not always the case. Using less skin care products can be healthier for you, using a skin care product that will give you all the benefits that your skin really needs.

Vita-E is SRP P14.00 per soft gel capsule, available at Mercury Drug and all other leading drugstores nationwide.

ATC Healthcare International Corp. searched for the best ingredient that gives a more beautiful and fit it into one convenient capsule of Vita-E. Vita-E contains 400 IU of vitamin E, a known antioxidant that effectively protects the cells against free radicals and gives our skin a beautiful, youthful and effortless glow. Free radicals are molecules that harm cells and contribute to the development of conditions such as stroke and cancer which Vita-E helps to prevent. These antioxidants are also essential for the maintenance of healthy skin by protecting it from UV-induced damage. 

Vita-E works from the inside making you feel and look great. Not only that Vita-E is essential in maintaining the functions of our heart, blood vessels, and nervous system, Vita-E also gives all around protection for a healthy immune system. Take care of what’s beneath and be naturally beautiful with Vita-E. Vita-E is recommended to be taken one capsule per day. 

Vita-E is SRP P14.00 per soft gel capsule, available at Mercury Drug and all other leading drugstores nationwide.

TrisoPure Baby Wash Review + Giveaway-Closed!!!

February has been a very busy month for me especially because I already started working from home, yes I'm officially a work at home mom so you see I had to deal with lots of adjustments. Anyway, I'm glad to have finally found time to blog again and for starter, here's a product review and a giveaway!

Last month, I received a TrisoPure baby wash gift pack from Pediatrica. As a mom, I have an endless quest of finding the right products for my kids so I'm totally fine with trying out different products as long as they are safe. And, TrisoPure is gently formulated for baby's skin so I'm confident it's safe. Though Brianna is already 2 years old, no longer a baby she's now a toddler (but I still call and treat her like a baby) and being a toddler means being more active which makes her more sweaty. Since Brianna turned into a toddler, we got used to using a scented baby wash for her, so the only concern I had at first is that Brianna might smell "maasim" after an active play since TrisoPure is fragrance free. Nevertheless we used it the very next day.

TrisoPure comes in a transparent glass like bottle, so everything is visible from the outside. The baby wash itself is also transparent, I'm not sure though if it's the bottle or the solution that has a pink tinge. So after getting Brianna wet with water, I poured an ample amount of TrisoPure baby wash on my palm, applied it on her body and rinsed it off with water. Unlike other baby wash, TrisoPure is easy to rinse and doesn't leave a greasy feeling. It was late in the morning when I bathed Brianna, and then all she did the whole day was just play, eat and all the usual toddler stuff. Came late afternoon, I checked on her and as usual she's "pawisin" she doesn't smell fresh already but the good thing is that she's not "maasim" either. We've been using TrisoPure everyday for almost a month already and so far Brianna didn't experience any skin irritation or allergic reactions, so there's really nothing to complain about. 

Based on our first hand experience I can definitely recommend TrisoPure baby wash for newborns to toddlers, but always remember that babies are different, not because it worked for us doesn't mean that it will be the same with others. In case of irritation or suspected allergic reaction, please discontinue use and consult a doctor.

So what are the ingredients of TrisoPure?

TriSoPure Baby Wash contains glycerin and panthenol, which maintains the skin’s natural moisture. It is also enriched with chamomile extract to soothe the skin.

TrisoPure is dermatologically tested and designed to clean baby’s skin with its mild solution. It is gently formulated at pH5 to match baby’s skin pH thus it is safe for everyday use. It is also hypoallergenic and soap-free.

TrisoPure baby wash is So Clean. So Gentle. So Pure!

TriSoPure Baby Wash is available in 170 ml for Php 155.00, 400 ml for Php 308.00  and is available in Mercury Drug, Rose Pharmacy and other drugstores nationwide!

Alright so you made it to the last part of my review which means, you too can get a chance to try TrisoPure Baby wash from Pediatrica that I'm raffling off to 5 winners! Winning is super easy, just follow the steps and earn raffle entries from the rafflecopter below.

Update: Please do all the Mandatory steps to qualify. I have added 1 more step to make the promo more exciting. Good luck to all! This contest is for Metro Manila residents only. Don't worry non MM residents, I'll be having another giveaway soon!

a Rafflecopter giveaway