WHAT HOME BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING IS VITAL IN HYPERTENSION CONTROL

Last May 35, 2018 Pfizer partnered with Philippine Heart Association, and Philippine Society of Hypertension discussed how important it is to have a Home blood pressure monitoring
and it's effectiveness rather than a hospital monitored patients. Because if it's on hospital it always higher due to some environmental matters.

Philippine Heart Association, Philippine Society of Hypertension and Pfizer Collaborate to further manage the condition in the Philippines

Hypertension represents a major burden in Asia. With a high prevalence rate but poor level of awareness  and control reported in many countries in the region . Home blood pressure monitoring HBPM has been validated as accurate and reliable measure of blood  pressure that can help guide hypertension treatment as well as identify masked and white-coat hypertension. Despite its benefits, there has been limited research into home blood monitoring in Asia.

THE VALUE OF HBPM

In a nationwide survey conducted in 2013, it was indicated that despite a high treatment rate of 75% among adult patients diagnose with hypertension , adequate blood pressure control rate was low at 27%.
Dr. Jorge A. Sison , PHA President, in a discussion held at Edsa Shangrila recently validated that “there are several factors that contribute to the current hypertension burden in Asia and the Philippines.  This includes the current diet that Filipinos eat… , restaurant and processed food, sugar drinks, ect., the relative physical inactivity, increasing rate of smoking and increasing number of people who are beyond the ideal weight. This is only in addition to one’s inherent genetic disposition to develop hypertension.
 There is a growing acknowledgement for the role of HBPM to evaluate and guide management of hypertension. Aside from simple tool for measuring blood pressure . HBPM is also recommended by guidelines to obtain reliable BP recordings because readings are taken in an environment that approximates ones daily activities and exposure.” Home Systolic BP (SBP <135mm Hg and Diastolic BP (DPB) <85mm  Hg are typically considered normal.”

Hypertension control initiatives

Dr.  Alberto Atillano, PSH  President said, “High blood pressure is a silent killer. It is the number one contributing risk factor for global death, causing many cardiovascular complications”. He furthers says that people  often don’t know they have high blood pressure because there are no symptoms. In line with PSH participation  in the global initiative  called May Measurement Month, which is  spearheaded by International Society of Hypertension. He further shared how local society is reaching out to all Filipinos to encourage screening for hypertension.

Working togethe

Pfizer is committed to advancing collaborative efforts to reduce the mordibity and mortality associated with a wide range of chromic diseases , not just for hypertension, for people to live better, healthier lives.

According to Pfizer Medical Manager and internal medicine specialist  Dr.Grace Brizuela ‘ Our efforts to positively impact patient outcomes would not be possible without our partnership with organizations like iPHA and PSH. By collaborating on common objectives to advanced public health and supporting programs that create solutions for communities and shareholders.

Pfizer strengthens its commitment to help improve the lives of the patients  we serve.
Supporting experts in research and other scientific undertakings to advance the understanding of disease, such as the one shared  by Dr. Sison on the HOPE Asia regional initiative is one of the many ways by which Pfizer commits to society in improving the lives of patient.

Global experts tackles the benefits of Blockchain on PH Business

Last May 28-30, 2018 , Global experts tackles the benefits of the new form of technology which is called the Blockchain. This has the potential to change the way people do business. Being a newly relative new concept, Blockchain remains an arcane concept to many local businessman and company executives, particularly those who are not tekkie savvy.

As such many questions are floated around business trades. How can blockchain help improve the way we do business?  Will blockchain technology prove to be a boom for Philippine Commerce? Is our country ready for it?

Thats why a 3 day forum was done with the theme "Transforming Businesses and Industries with Blockchain Technology",

The forum was such as success helping entrepreneurs and corporate decision makers to find and try the right blockchain  solution for their businesses, particularly in the light of the fact that aside from Fintech, bookchain solutions can be implemented into gaming, supply chains, logistics, digital identity, and much more.

The first day of forum was devoted to two pre-conference bootcamps. One is a whole day workshop on "Ethereum and Smart Contract Development" which is designed especially for software developers , tech experts and blockchain enthusiasts who wish to get into coding in Tthe blockchain platform Ethereum.

 The trainers for the workshop are Harpreet Singh Maan and Adly Abdullah, CEO and CTO respectively, and co-founders of Blockchain technology who have done great  job and shared their crops so well.

While the 2nd Workshop was devoted solely for the member of the press dubbed as the "Media Blockchain Workshop. " The workshop was so effective in helping media understand and have a better appreciation of the Blockchain technology is , its challenges , risk and opportunities. With their partner Ms. Amor Maclang , globally awarded band architect, risk, crisis and reputation strategist, marketing and communications innovator and co-founder of GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications Inc.

I happened to attend the opening of the formal conference last May 29th and with the launching of the Blockchain Association of the Philippines (BAP) the very first official blockchain related association in the country.

Among'st what I covered is the Unionank Chairman Justo A. Ortiz together with the top Global Banking and Finance experts who was a part of this movement of Blockchain technologies.

The last day forum forcuses on exploring the role of blockchain on disrupting , enhancing and creatiing new business opportunities in established businesses verticals and involves major technology giants such as IBM, SAP and Microsoft.

The panel discusssions on blockchain for social good leaded by Daniel de Gruijter, of Incitement, as well as Paolo Magnata from the UNDP, as well as the look at how blockchain can be applied to the Entertainment, logistics, energy , commerce, healthcare and even govt sectors.

AweSM weekend experience at SM Supermalls

SM celebrates six decades of providing awesome experiences for Filipinos

An exhilarating 60 years and  Awesome decades of trends and transformations that makes SM one of the top companies in Southeast Asia.

From its first shoe store in Carriedo, Manila, opened by Henry Sy Sr. in 1968- the SM brand has come a long way as it celebrates 60 #aweSM years with a host of 60-themed discounts, deals, and sale events from May to October in Sm malls nationwide.

Continuing to excite and delight its various customers, SM brings to everyone a  feast of visual attractions, fun experiences, and interactive activities, featuring innovative technology to make mall going more memorable and extraordinary.

The #AweSM launch party gather SM partners, tenants, celebrities and valued stakeholders who have been part of SM’s journey from a one store operation to one of  Southeast Asia’s largest integrated property developers.

“For six decades, SM has become part of the lives of every Filipino family – from a kid choosing his new pair of school shoes at the SM store, spending your first paycheck on groceries at SM markets to treat mom and dad, SMDC enabling a young couples to acquire a home of their own, to sharing a fun weekend with the whole family at the SM Supermalls”, says Steven Tan , SM Supermalls” says Steven Tan, SM Supermalls Chief operating Officer.

Apart from the launch party at the SM Mall of Asia this May 21, mall kickoff events are set to treats mallgoers  on May 25 at SM  lanang Premier.

On the weekend of May 25 to 26, customers will get to indulge in fun summer eats and dining deals in SM malls across the country, with exciting promos that celebrate the number 60, such as pay only P60, pay P60 less or pay only 60%.

For more info about #AweSM 60 years, visit SM Supermalls Facebook page or check out www.smsuper malls.com.

For exclusive news about SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM’s official  social media accounts of Facebook, Twitter , and Instagram and get all the insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through SM’s viber public  chat. Tweet your thoughts, upload and share your AweSM moments at SM , then use the 60th anniversary #AweSMoment.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

SureTayo makes online shopping more secure and convenient

Powered by Dragonpay, SureTayo offers a person-to-person payment service for safer online transactions

Have you ever gone shopping online and worried that you may not receive your item after paying for it? Or if you are a seller, have you ever lost a customer because they didn’t want to pay before receiving their order?

Dragonpay Corporation, the pioneer and market leader in alternative payment solutions, recently launched SureTayo, an innovative person-to-person payment service that makes paying and receiving payments between individuals who do not know (or trust) each other safe and convenient.

Owned and operated by Dragonpay Corp., SureTayo performs the role of a trusted third party who will hold on to funds until both the buyer and seller are satisfied with their transaction.

From Left to Right (Caezar Ian Monzon – Customer Support Manager, Ken Abadiano – Marketing Manager, Roberson “Dick” Chiang – CEO, Tisha Corros - General Manager, Iris Kwong – Business Development Officer)

How SureTayo Works

An online merchant can sign up as a seller at www.suretayo.ph and after verifying their account, he will receive access to his online dashboard that allows him to issue an invoice to an interested customer.

Once a buyer receives the invoice, he can click the link and select his preferred payment method – and because SureTayo is powered by Dragonpay, the buyer now has access to over 15,000 physical partner locations, online banking and mobile payment channels.

These include options like online banking at most of the major local commercial banks, physical ATM payments, over-the-counter (OTC) cash payments at banks and retail establishments (supermarkets, groceries, department stores, courier centers, remittance centers), and electronic wallets or credits (Dragonpay Credits, Coins.ph, PayPal, GCash).

After payment has been made, SureTayo will safeguard the money while notifying the seller, who can now deliver the item. Once the item has been received by the buyer, he or she can notify SureTayo, who will now release the payment to the buyer.

This simple and secure process leads to TLC for both buyers and sellers – Transaksyong Legit at Convenient!

“SureTayo was created to address the concerns of online buyers and sellers in the Philippine setting. A lot of shoppers here don’t have credit cards or even bank accounts, so how do you get them to shop online? How do you ease their worries that their money might go to a fraudulent seller? And for online retailers, how do you gain the trust of buyers? How do you make payment more convenient for potential customers?” said Robertson “Dick” Chiang, the founder and chief operating officer of Dragonpay.

“SureTayo offers the answer to these questions as it allows sellers to offer all these payment channels to their buyers while at the same time, acting like a third party for transactions to ensure that money is only released once the buyer and seller are happy with the transaction,” shared Mr. Chiang.


Dragonpay CEO Robertson “Dick” Chiang explains how SureTayo works.

For buyers, they have peace of mind knowing that their money is secure until they get that much awaited shipment. They will not have to worry that their money might be going into the hands of a bogus online seller. Plus, paying for an item is much more convenient as they can settle payments through over 15,000 physical partner locations, online banking and mobile payments, remittance centers, groceries and so much more.

For sellers, transactions are also made more secure as they will be paid on time after shipping products to their customers. Customer trust and confidence will also rise for the seller as SureTayo gives them access to major industry players and commercial banks as payment channels. Along with credibility, these payment channels make their business more accessible and transactions more convenient. 

SureTayo’s simple dashboard also allows sellers to track orders and payments, helping to streamline their operations.

And to top it all off, for a limited time, registration for SureTayo is completely free, along with the transaction fee!

Fantastic Sign Up Offer

Aside from free registration, SureTayo is also offering online sellers an irresistible deal with the SureTayo Summer Getaway Promo, created in partnership with GetGo, Cebu Pacific’s Lifestyle Rewards Program.

At the SureTayo Summer Getaway Promo, each seller who signs up from April 25, 2018 – June 25, 2018 will get the chance to win 25,000 GetGo points. One lucky winner will get the chance to enjoy rewards like trips to local destinations like Cebu, Davao and Puerto Princesa. For the full promo mechanics, please visit the SureTayo Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SureTayoPH.

Raffle winner will be drawn on June 26, 2018.

With SureTayo, buying and selling online is now safer and more convenient.

For more information on SureTayo, visit www.suretayo.ph.

JobStreet.com: Fresh Graduate Hiring Shows Shifts in Demand and Preferences

MANILA, April 18, 2018 – Employers now claim that aside from an applicant’s attitude or work ethic, they also place more consideration on communication skills and analytical thinking as top considerations when hiring fresh college graduates. This inclination toward interpersonal and 21st century skills has emerged as JobStreet.com Philippines, the country’s largest online job portal, conducted a survey involving 503 employers from various parts of the country in February 2018 as part of its annual Fresh Graduate Report.

These results reflect a marked shift compared to 2015’s top determinants which are experience-based qualifications—on-the-job training, extra-curricular activities, and part-time work experience, which now see themselves in the bottom ranks.

Furthermore, when respondents were asked to rate particular qualities they observed on their fresh graduate hires, factors such as task management efficiency, leadership potential, customer empathy, and analysis of situations averaged the lowest. These ratings further reflect the preference of employers in hiring candidates who have already developed interpersonal and 21st century proficiencies despite being new to the workforce.   
Top School Preferences Maintained

But despite these marked changes, employers maintain their opinions on a topic most find traditional: the schools where the hired applicants graduated from. This year, when asked if they have reasons for sourcing employees from particular institutions, employers pointed out that they believe in the schools’ reputation of producing quality graduates and eventual employees.

The top three most preferred schools by most employers surveyed are Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of the Philippines, and Ateneo de Manila University. The inclusion of two schools outside of Metro Manila — University of San Carlos (#8) and University of Cebu (#9) also marks the first time tertiary institutions not located in the National Capital Region make their appearance in the top ten list since 2014 .

Increased salaries, opportunities

The report also indicates that fresh college graduates can expect an abundant job market this year. In the last quarter of 2017 alone, employers were bullish with 52,149 jobs available to fresh graduates—a 10% increase from 2016’s 47,339.

The national average salary for fresh graduates remains to be attractive at nearly Php20,000. The average of Php19,785 in the last quarter of 2017 shows a slight increase from 2016’s Php19,437.

According to JobStreet.com, law graduates remain to be the best-paid among the lot, with an average monthly salary of Php27,355. This is followed by fresh graduates who take on roles in public relations/communications, with an average monthly salary of Php24,675, and those who specialize in creating content (i.e. content writer, foreign language content translator, and junior technical writer), with an average monthly salary of Php22,446.  Thus, the highest paid are more aligned towards content and communication-related jobs.

“This shows that more and more employers are opening their doors to fresh graduates, presenting a significant shift in what employers need in these increasingly digital world,” concludes Philip Gioca, JobStreet.com Philippines Country Manager. 

A new crop of fresh graduates: K-12

It has been five years since the K-12 program was implemented, and the first batch of graduates from this systm are set to join the workforce this year. The survey revealed that 25% of employers are willing to hire, while 40% are indefinite about hiring K-12 graduates. The 40% indefinite employers said they are still evaluating or will eventually hire pending definite timelines.

 For employers who are open, the survey affirms this as a number of industries have been identified as the most willing to hire K-12 graduates: BPO, manufacturing, professional services, retail, and machinery and equipment; for entry level jobs in administrative, customer service, sales and marketing.

With this non-committal attitude of employers, Mr. Gioca advises the newest entrants of the job market to be more discerning and strategic on their career planning. “There are indeed employers that are receptive to hiring them, but they have to contend with two factors: One, that not all employers are accepting of K-12 graduates as of the moment and two, they will have to compete with fresh college graduates, which employers may favor more, for the same jobs they are eyeing,” he pointed out.

In terms of salary, K-12 graduates may find themselves sufficiently paid, as 50% of respondents said that they are willing to pay their K-12 fresh graduate hires more than the minimum wage.

Improving lives by improving sight by Bringing vision care programmes to Marawi

Essilor Vision Foundation and the Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists. Inc. (IPAO) join hands to provide vision care solutions to Marawi’s communities in need by 2020.

When the armed conflict in Marawi erupted last year, the residents were forced to leave their homes and livelihood to avoid being involved in the chaos; many of them were wounded and lost loved ones during the escape. Now that the battle has finally ceased, the citizens are faced with another concern: how will they start their new lives when all that remains are rumbles and ashes?

Rehabilitating Marawi will take months and maybe even years. In an effort to help restore the once beautiful and diversified communities, Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF) and The Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists, Inc. (IPAO), created an advocacy campaign entitled, Marawi 2020 with the aim of bringing eye care to the people in need, and ultimately to give them hope for a brighter, clearer tomorrow.

Marawi 2020 campaign is one of the many programs spearheaded by EVF, the philanthropic arm of Essilor, world leader in ophthalmic optics. EVF is committed to eliminating poor vision and its lifelong consequences, and to providing underprivileged people the opportunity to live a better life through better sight. Last year, EVF ASEAN also launched the Eye Can Succeed campaign in the Philippines, which helped over 10,000 senior high school students to perform better at school by providing free eye check-ups and prescription glasses to those in need. The foundation established in Singapore in 2014 also organizes charity events in neighbouring ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.

 “In our own little way, we aim to help the people of Marawi find hope despite everything that happened.  Through this advocacy campaign, we wish to boost people’s confidence in seeing life more clearly. Better vision in life lets them know that it is never too late to start anew, to brush off the ashes and hope for a brighter future,” shared Dr. Emelita Roleda, general manager of Essilor Philippines.

With the help of volunteer optometrists from IPAO, the campaign will provide all residents with free eye checks and corrective glasses, if needed. EVF and IPAO also aim to create sustainable access to vision care services by creating an Eye & Vision Clinic at the Department of Health (DOH) Hospital in Marawi City. Furthermore, the program aims to help local optometrists re-establish their practices by providing them livelihood to recover from their losses.

For more information about the Marawi 2020 advocacy campaign, visit Essilor’s website at www.essilor.com.ph, and follow @EssilorPH on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Essilor Vision Foundation

The Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF) is committed to eliminating poor vision and its lifelong consequences, and to providing underprivileged people the opportunity to live a better life through better sight. Its outreach programs aim to bring healthy vision to the most marginalized populations throughout the world, focusing in particular on children and women.

EVF in Singapore was established in 2014 with the objective to unify Essilor’s philanthropic activities in Southeast Asia in order to help address the global issue of uncorrected poor vision which affects over 2.5 billion people around the world. EVF in Southeast Asia has since provided eye screenings to over 355,000 people and given more than 100,000 a pair of spectacles. EVF in Singapore has collaborated with many like-minded organizations in Southeast Asia and has the mandate to:
• educate the general public about healthy vision and the critical role it plays in improving the quality of life;
• create strategic partnerships in order to ensure we reach the right populations in need;
• provide screenings, eye exams and spectacles to those who cannot afford them otherwise;
• support capacity-building initiatives to create sustainable vision care infrastructure

For more information visit: http://seasia.essilorvisionfoundation.org/   


About Essilor
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 reported consolidated revenue of around €7.5 billion in 2017 and employs approximately 67,000 people worldwide. It markets its products in more than 100 countries and has 34 plants, 481 prescription laboratories and edging facilities, as well as 4 research and development centers around the world. For more information, please visit www.essilor.com. The Essilor 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: ESSI.PA; Bloomberg: EI:FP.

Basic Essentials for Men on the Go - Tech guy needs to be vain Sometimes.

Basically, for a tech guy like me - I always  bring a lot of stuff in my bag. I have my phones, my camera for special events and my laptop. I bring it almost everyday because checking emails has been a routine.

Tech guy needs to be vain...sometimes!

For men  who's on the go, these are some of the basic stuff  that you need to have. I was told that you still have to look good and smell good every time you go out. specialy with the kind of weather we have, its very important for some grooming. usually you  get items that you need  in the  malls but sometimes you can buy great stuff online. It's were you can sit comfortably  anywhere, anytime  and browse through online without any hassle and avail unique and affordable items.

Top of my list are.

.

A pair of aviators - you need a good eyewear not only to protect your eyes from the harmful uv rays, its very helpful while I'm driving and protection from the pollution. It's also a great way to polish your overall  wardrobe. The right style of sunglasses really flatter a person's masculinity.

Summer Button Down - something with a bit more color shows confidence and  that uses louder colors in the context of a conservative pattern. The shirt doesn’t have to be pink or even involve pink, but it also doesn’t have to be blue.

Sneakers -  comfortable and well made, with a cotton upper, a cushioned footbed that relaxes your feet, They come in a range of all colors.

Sandals - men consider a leather version to somehow look a sense of masculinity. would happily  embraced this go-to hot-climate footwear while looking very stylish.

Summer shorts - should be to go for something  more adventurous. They can be paired with the basic button-downs to create  summer outfits.

Summer Masculine Scents - your wardrobe wouldn't be complete without a good kind of scent.

These are My Top Summer Haves that I may not forget to have .

Sharing my promo codes of Shopee for those who stumble and see my blog.