Now that the world is opening up again after being put on an extended pause due to the pandemic, we can expect our days to be a lot busier. Already, Zoom meetings take up quite a sizeable chunk of my workday, along with other tasks needed to churn out the outputs need to support my company’s goals. Soon, I might have to return to the harrowing commute from my home to the office and back again. Sigh!
At the same time, the kiddos will also be returning to some form of classroom learning, which means that they will depart from the relatively less-regulated learning environment to a more structured one in school. For the young ‘uns who have grown used to learning from home, going back to school (literally!) will be quite an adjustment.
The reshaping of our lives that this shift to the New Normal requires should not hinder us from taking care of the family’s mental health, though. Now, more than ever, we need to factor in activities in our day that give us a respite from our run-of-the-mill tasks as well as some enjoyable moments that add up to happy memories for ourselves and the family.
Fortunately, these kinds of activities are easy to find at Plays.org!
Who would have thought that, as a Gen X’er who grew up hearing a near-constant admonishment from my folks about playing computer games back in the day, I would be advocating for online games as a form of self-care?
However, we really shouldn’t discount the various benefits that online games bring to the table. Check out these Plays.org games that are big hits with my fam:
Welcome breaks from the daily drudge.
During my well-deserved coffee break, I like to indulge myself in a bit of low-stakes fun with Space Adventure: Pinball while my little ones can let off some steam after school with an exciting beat ‘em game like Adventure Time: Break the Worm.
We discovered the joys of casting our games from our laptop to our large-screen TV so that the family members can all take part in trying to best each other at the Tetris-inspired Tetra Blocks. On the other hand, educational games such as Garfield Sentences provide a fun way to supplement the kiddo’s school learning.
For minds that are too wound up to doze off, playing Neon Invaders, a throwback to Space Invaders, or a few rounds of Classic Solitaire would provide a sense of accomplishment that serves to round up the day and get us in the mood to sleep.
Plays.org is a website that houses thousands of free online games. These highly enjoyable pastimes can be accessed any time of the day using our desktop or mobile devices. Plays.org users are not required to register to be able to play, eliminating the need to keep track of yet another set of login credentials. Plus, since the games are web-based, downloading an app is also not required, thereby saving us some more of that precious storage space in our devices.
Another plus factor of Plays.org is that the site does not serve online ads so you won’t have to deal with irritating commercial interruptions nor the risk of exposing the little ones to advertising.
Ready to engage in some fun family playtime at Plays.org? Be sure to check out its newest games. You can also browse through its entire game catalog posted in the site’s footers.
When the five-month-old son of Marissa Santos had recovered from measles, more commonly known as “tigdas,” Santos thought that that would be her son’s last encounter with the measles virus. Six years later, Santos’ son started to show symptoms of a rare and serious complication caused by measles—subacute sclerosing panencephalitis or SSPE. Santos says she hopes parents can take advantage of vaccination to help prevent measles and SSPE among their children.
Measles is a serious and highly contagious viral respiratory disease. The symptoms of measles include high-grade fever, rashes, and the three C’s—namely cough, conjunctivitis, and coryza. Measles can result in serious complications even among previously healthy children. The virus that causes measles can mutate and cause fatal complications.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2018, more than 140,000 people—most of them children under five years old—died of measles. This was despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine against the disease. According to the WHO, before the measles vaccine became widely used, major measles epidemics happened around every two to three years. Measles led to an estimated 2.6 million deaths per year.
In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) reported in 2020 that about 2.4 million children under the age of five are susceptible to measles. The DOH also reported from 2008 to 2017, that there had been a decline from above 80 percent to below 70 percent in the first dose of measles vaccine in the Philippines. The DOH had declared measles outbreaks in 2014 and 2019. As with the cases of some countries, outbreaks happened despite attempts at wider immunization coverage.
A complication of measles
(L-F) Dr. Anleyn Reyes, Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist; Dr. Marissa Lukban, Pediatric Neurologist; Ms. Marissa Santos, Mother & SSPE Advocate and Ms. Diane Medina, Celebrity Mom & Host during the “Baby Come Vax: Mga Bakunang Nalaktawan, Panahon nang Balikan” online forum.
Sharing her story in an online forum, Marissa Santos said that at five months old, her son, Jan, was hospitalized because of severe fever and convulsion following his measles infection. Because Jan was exposed to measles at an early age, Santos received advice from a pediatrician that Jan no longer needed to be vaccinated against measles.
Santos said that Jan had recovered from his episode of measles infection and spent the next five years living a normal life. But at six years old, Jan began having twitches and seizures. At times, Jan would suddenly drop things that he was holding in his hands. His head would suddenly drop or he would be in a daze. Both Jan’s mother and teacher noticed, too, a decline in Jan’s performance in school.
Worried, Marissa brought her son to an expert in pediatric neurology in the country, Dr. Marissa Lukban. In 2002, 7 year-old Jan was diagnosed with stage 2 subacute sclerosing panencephalitis or SSPE, a rare but progressive, disabling, and fatal brain disease.
According to Dr. Lukban, SSPE occurs in 0.5 to five cases per million population worldwide, although these figures depend on vaccination rates.
SSPE may occur when the measles virus mutates, Dr. Lukban said. Unrecognized by the body’s immune system, the virus enters the nerves, reaches the brain of a patient, and remains dormant until several years later when it reactivates.
Symptoms of SSPE include involuntary muscle movements, seizures, and behavioral changes including diminished performance in school. With less than five percent of cases having remission, SSPE patients often eventually become unable to swallow, speak, see, hear, and interact with others. The last stage of SSPE is characterized by coma or long coma.
“’Yung nightmare sa akin no’n, sinasabi ni Dr Lukban, was that there was no cure [The nightmare for me then was when Dr. Lukban said that there was no cure for SSPE],” Santos said.
Marissa and Jan had joined a support group in the hope of finding a cure for the disease. However, after ten years of enduring SSPE, Jan died in 2014 at 25 years old.
Measles vaccine as form of protection against SSPE
While a cure for SSPE has yet to be discovered, the best protection against this disease remains to be vaccination against measles.
Based on the Philippine General Hospital’s experience and citing Dr. Aida Salonga’s (2002) work, Dr. Lukban reported that from 1999 to 2001, there were roughly 18 to 20 Filipino children admitted in PGH with SSPE each year. But increased vaccination efforts since 1998 led to significantly lower measles cases. In 2002 to 2006, Dr. Lukban noted that the number of admitted cases decreased to 10-15 new cases per year and more recently down to 1-2 cases per year.
“Vaccination is a protection against getting measles at ‘pag hindi ka nagka-tigdas, hindi na magkaka-SSPE. Kumpletuhin lang po ang MMR vaccine at dapat po may booster [Vaccination is a protection against getting measles and if you haven’t had measles, you will not have SSPE. Complete the MMR vaccine and there should be a booster],” said Dr. Lukban.
Dr. Lukban also warned that high vaccine coverage needs to be sustained to prevent future measles outbreaks and SSPE cases. In the Philippines, there have been reports of measles outbreaks in 2014 and 2019. There is a likelihood that SSPE cases may increase in the following years.
“Nagkaroon tayo ng campaign in 2004 pero bigla nating napansin na umaakyat na naman at nagkaroon ng ilang outbreaks, which only shows na talagang dapat kapag may programa, dire-diretso [We have had a campaign in 2004 but we also noticed that the cases increased and there were outbreaks, which only shows that if there is a program to vaccinate against measles, the program should be consistent and steady,” said Dr. Lukban.
The importance of continuing vaccination amid Covid-19
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, parents have been fearful of bringing their children outside their homes and have opted to postpone their children’s vaccination. Manpower and resources in public health have also been focused on the COVID-19 vaccination.
Dr. Anelyn Reyes, an infectious disease specialist, estimated that one in two children is not being vaccinated. According to DOH, the national vaccination rate in 2021 was at
48.5 percent. Dr. Reyes also cited a study that indicates three to four Filipino families are hesitant to have their children vaccinated due to misinformation on social media and lack of knowledge about vaccine safety. The online forum entitled Baby Come Vax: Mga Bakunang Nalaktawan, Panahon nang Balikan is an activity under the Vax My Baby campaign–a vaccine mobilization campaign aimed at improving routine immunization amid the COVID-19 pandemic under the partnership of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, Metro Manila Development Authority, and GlaxoSmithKline Philippines, Inc.
When it comes to everyday household essentials, it’s almost always tempting to go for cheaper alternatives to save money. It may seem easy to dismiss an item as “Pwede na” and “Nakasanayan na kasi” without giving much thought on its safety and quality.
This may especially hold true for your LPG tank, but did you know that something as volatile as this product goes through so much to make sure that you and your loved ones are safe?
Every step of the way, Isla LPG, the company behind Solane, constantly checks that each tank is safe from leaks that may cause massive fires and explosions, while ensuring that valued customers get their money’s worth. With proliferating fake and substandard LPG tanks in the market, knowing that authentic and trusted LPG brands like Solane go through tedious security and quality checks means you have one less thing in the house to worry about.
Here’s how Solane tanks come from the plant and reach your homes, ensuring you get the LPG safety and quality you paid for:
Plant Operations
Safety starts at the source. Solane makes sure that its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) products are compliant with quality standards. LPG storage facilities and pipe systems within the plant are also inspected to ensure that they are at par with local and global safety standards, ensuring that there will be no contamination and leak in the workplace.
Refill and Distribution
Before any distribution takes place, Solane ensures that all trucks that carry Solane products are checked and inspected to make sure that they are compliant with safety standards.
Now what happens to the empty tanks and how do the replacement Solane tanks look smooth, clean, and rust-free? When empty LPG tanks are unloaded from packed trucks that come from distributors, Solane LPG tanks are cushioned from impact to prevent damage that may cause leakage.
Empty tanks are thoroughly checked for their authenticity, condition, and suitability for refill. Authentic Solane LPG tanks have a requalification date on the side, which indicates the date the tank is due for maintenance. Tanks that are found to be one month before their requalification date are removed from the refilling process and are re-inspected to ensure cylinder integrity.
Once clean, cylinders are refilled. Cylinders will then be double-checked for leaks and fitted with a biodegradable seal that has a unique serial number. Filled cylinders will be then tested based on their weight and safety. The cylinder weight must be exactly the sum of the tare weight, which is the weight of the tank when empty, and the LPG content.
Delivery
Solane’s safety and quality check does not end with the distribution of LPG tanks to authorized showrooms and outlets. Each delivery Solane makes to your home comes with a 7-Point Safety Check, an exclusive and free-of-charge service made for your safety.
Solane’s well-trained riders conduct the 7-Point Safety Check to ensure proper ventilation, correct type and secure connection of regulator, o-ring and hose, as well as the flame quality.
Solane riders can also conduct the ‘Timbang Challenge,’ where the tank will be weighed in your presence before installation. If you purchase Solane LPG tanks at authorized distributors, these stations are equipped with accurate weighing scales to verify the content weight you purchased.
Solane urges consumers to exercise vigilance in protecting their kitchen and home by trusting only safe and trusted kitchen fuel like Solane LPG. Fake and substandard LPG tanks do not undergo stringent safety and quality measures, making them prone to leaks which may cause explosions and fires.
From the moment LPG tanks are filled at the source to the time they are welcomed to your homes, Solane makes sure that each tank will fully serve its purpose down to the last flame and not end up as a threat to you, your hard-earned property and your loved ones.
To order Verified Solane LPG, you may send a message to 0918-887-5555 or the Solane Facebook page, or place your order through the Solane app.
Gone are the days when people believe August as a ghost month. And for Lumina Homes, August means celebrating its anniversary with its growing number of homeowners. You can say that it also marks the start of its long Christmas giveaways, beginning with this awesome 50% reservation discount during Shopee 8.8!
Here’s the step-by-step guide to claim your discounted e-voucher:
Browse through the available or featured home reservation e-vouchers;
Read the e-voucher description and chat with the seller to inquire about Lumina Homes projects location where you can use the e-voucher;
Choose your preferred e-voucher and click “Buy Now” or “Add to Cart” and pay for the e-voucher through Shopee Pay, GCash, or credit card.
The Lumina Homes Expert will receive a notification of the sale, then he/she will contact you to schedule an online appointment for marketing briefing and completion of documents.
Times are changing, and the ease of reserving your new home only gets more and more appealing, at least when you’re dealing with Lumina Homes.
Choose your preferred location, whether you’re in Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao. The projects are available in over 50 key cities and municipalities in the Philippines, such as Rizal, Bulacan, Bataan, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Cagayan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Albay, Sorsogon, Iloilo, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Agusan del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, and Davao del Norte.
Is stepping into your home your 2022 Christmas wish? This Lumina Homes x Shopee 8.8 could be your sign to fulfill that goal and more! With Lumina Homes’ beautiful houses and modern community centers, right away you’ll definitely feel that you belong.
DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-147555 Series of 2022
Here’s how to get Php500 off when reserve your own Lumina home online:
One great thing that came about with the new normal is the convenience of shopping for our groceries online. Here are some tips so you can really maximize your budget and time on your next digital shopping journey with MetroMart – the #1 online grocery delivery service in the Philippines.
Make a list
Just like a physical trip to the store, go into the shopping platform with a plan, and stick to it. Try writing down all your meals for the coming week so you know all the ingredients you’ll need. If you come across something you like but can’t buy yet, don’t worry, just click the heart or like button and you can add it to your wishlist for later!
Save through sales
Try to schedule your checkout time when there’s a sale. These are usually during payday periods like the 15th and end of every month. Check out featured items on sale in MetroMart’s “Payday Specials” to score a big bargain. In this way, you not just save with your online shopping by foregoing the gasoline and transportation expenses, but you also get more savings on your groceries and essentials.
Buy in bulk
Take advantage of the wholesale and retail prices of supermarkets such as UltraMega, that’s now also available on MetroMart! Re-stocking for your home pantry or for your sari-sari store is now 1, 2, easy, and just a few taps on your phone. Especially with the wide selection of items with budget- and retailer- friendly prices from UltraMega Supermarket. You can also avail FREE Delivery for orders with a minimum spend of ₱1,000 until August 2.
Pay and get more discounts
All customers of MetroMart have a wide selection for modes of payment on their online shopping. These include Cash on Delivery, via e-wallet through GCash, or via Debit/Credit cards with leading banks nationwide. Even more promos and discounts will be available through the different modes of payment availed by the customer.
Buy for your special someone
Did you know that you can order your groceries with MetroMart and then get it delivered to another address, even when you’re out of town or abroad? This would be especially helpful if you want to get fresh vegetables and food for your family, but they’re in a different location. What’s really cool too is that MetroMart has expanded to new locations throughout the Philippines like in Davao, Bicol, Cabanatuan, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Palawan, and Pangasinan. The big convenience of online grocery shopping is definitely for every Pinoy!
Try new things, love local
Sometimes, you just never know what kind of food you may want to try or what you’ll suddenly need for your home. Never fear, just go straight into your MetroMart app and order right away! Apart from the leading supermarkets, MetroMart has other specialty stores in different categories like hardware, toys, novelty items, pet care, food products, furniture and medicine. It’s a great way to check out and support new brands by awesome Pinoy entrepreneurs, all in the comfort of your home and on your smartphone.
Stay tuned for lots of upcoming promos, discounts and sales events at MetroMart this 2022. Carpe diem and carpe discounts, happy shopping!
MetroMart is the #1 online grocery delivery service in the Philippines. Our grocery partners include Robinsons Supermarket, S&R (with or no membership card required), Landmark, The Marketplace, Shopwise, All Day Supermarket, Merrymart and over 500+ specialty store retailers like Pet Express, Baby Company, Toy Kingdom, Toys R Us, National Book Store, Office Warehouse, Southstar Drug and AllDay Rx. Customers can order from their favorite stores on the MetroMart app and have it delivered to their door in less than 2 hours! For more updates on MetroMart, like and follow us on Facebook at https://facebook.com/MetroMartPH. Order groceries online or download the app via https://bit.ly/DownloadNowMM.
A VACCINE EXPERT reinforced high vaccine coverage and the suitability of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) as crucial strategies to reducing overall pneumococcal disease burden in the Philippines.
Pneumonia is the leading cause of death of children below five years old in the Philippines. Globally, around 672,000 children die from pneumonia every year. This is equivalent to a child dying every 47 seconds.
Dr. Olakunle Oladehin, a vaccine expert and current Regional Vaccines Medical Lead for GSK, stressed the importance of high vaccine coverage to ensure success of a vaccination program especially in the current context of the pandemic.
“Even if we have the best vaccines, we will not be able to see its full impact if vaccination coverage is low. It is critical that every country strives to revive its vaccination uptake against diseases like pneumonia,” said Dr. Oladehin in a scientific lecture with local healthcare experts last July 7.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), childhood immunization fell to 48.5% in 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary focus on COVID-19 vaccination as a response. The DOH has continuously ramped up its routine immunization activities including implementing the Chikiting Bakunation Days from April to June.
“I commend the determination of the Philippine government to bring back its immunization rates coming from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr Oladehin.
Meanwhile, Dr. Oladehin also reiterated the importance of ensuring that a given PCV should protect against relevant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the Philippines, a type of bacteria that causes pneumonia and other invasive diseases.
“To achieve overall protection, the choice of PCV should address the most prevalent strains in the local landscape,” said the vaccine expert.
In 2020, the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) of DOH reviewed the use of PCVs in the country, coming from a position statement issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019. The mandate of HTAC is to undertake technology appraisals by determining their clinical and economic values in the Philippine healthcare system.
In its report, HTAC recommended the use of PCVs protecting against 11 important strains which accounted for 48% of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD) cases found in the Philippines namely 1, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F. The recommendation was based on local surveillance data from the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) from 2012-2019.
Majority of these strains are highly invasive, and it is imperative that a given PCV should have evidence of being able to protect against them, Dr Oladehin said.
“Invasive pneumococcal strains like 18C and 4 can destroy living tissues or spread to many organs of the body through the blood, increasing likelihood of death,” Dr Oladehin zeroed in during his presentation.
Currently, there are three PCVs pre-qualified by the WHO—PCV13 and 2 kinds of PCV10: PHID-CV and SIIL- PCV. The two PCVs that were reviewed by HTAC—PHID-CV and PCV13—are suitable to address the 11 strains in the country.
Backed by real-world evidence and experience of being used in National Immunization Programs (NIP) across the world, both PHID-CV and PCV13 are included in the Philippine National Formulary (PNF) and can be procured for use under the Philippine’s own NIP.
Details and photo of Dr. Oladehin provided in a recent press release.
Are the heat and the humidity of the metro getting to you? Do you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city? Or do you feel bored to bits while stuck in your room as you work from home?
It may be high time for you and the fam to take a break from the daily grind and hie off to a quick getaway for a much needed change of scenery.
That’s what Hubby and I did this last weekend. Together with the kiddos -#ExhibitA and #ExhibitB – we went off to a mountain adventure to Timberlands Highlands Resort for some family bonding time and well-deserved R ‘n R.
Here are 8 reasons why you should, too!
1. You won’t have to travel far to get there.
Timberland Highlands Resort is a sprawling property located within Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal.
Thanks to the ever-reliable Waze app, we were able to reach the resort in less than an hour from our home in Pasig (not counting our lunch stopover in Marikina).
If traveling by car, it’s also around 40 minutes away from the Batasan area in Quezon City, and a little over an hour away from the cities of Manila and Makati.
Imagine being that close to your staycation destination!
2. It’s your escape back to nature.
Surrounding the Timberland Highlands Resort property are lush greenery with the Sierra Madre mountains as a backdrop.
With this high altitude and its situation away from the busy cities, the area boasts of fresh air and a cooler climate. As is typical with other green spaces, the area is conducive to outdoor activities and socializing while promoting both physical and mental well-being.
3. You can engage in revitalizing physical activity.
One of the physical activities that the fam can do together is taking a leisurely stroll through the path surrounding the property. Doing so brings you to various vantage points to appreciate the surrounding mountainside.
After your invigorating walk, you can all take a dip in the swimming pools to cool down. One is an infinity pool that lets you enjoy the view while taking a swim. The kiddie pool, on the other hand, features a slide and cascading water, guaranteeing lots of fun time in the sun for the little ones.
Adult Pool
Kids Pool
Chillin’ at the Pool with #ExhibitB
Diving in.
If the weather does not permit outdoor activities, you can always engage in physical exertions indoors, thanks to the resort’s well-equipped gym (which got a thumb’s-up from fitness buffs Hubby and #ExhibitA).
Gym
Gym
Did you know that the resort used to be known as Timberland Sports and Nature Club? The indoor sports facilities it was famous for – such as the basketball court, badminton court, table tennis and indoor rock climbing areas are still here for guests to enjoy.
Basketball Court
Badminton Court
Table Tennis
Indoor Rock Climbing
4. The kids are sure to have a great time.
While all the grown ups are exercising and getting into sports, the kids can play and entertain themselves near the pool area, thanks a wide space they can run around in, and kiddie-sized chairs and plush seats. Here, they can learn a game of chess, challenge themselves with Jenga or even spot a mascot or cartoon character handing out treats.
Recreation Area near the Pool Bar
Entertaining games like Jenga
Kiddie-sized chairs and comfy plushy seats
Blippi handing out cookie treats
5. You can settle down to a relaxing retreat.
After your very active day, you can wind down and relax in your well-appointed accommodations. The hotel has 70 fully air-conditioned rooms which can all accommodate two adults and two children sharing the bed with their parents, making the hotel perfect for a family retreat.
The Deluxe Twin is a 35-sqm room situated in the main building, furnished with comfy twin beds.
The Deluxe King, a similar-sized room furnished with a king bed and features a fitted bath tub, is also an option.
At the newly renovated building annexed to the main hotel, you can find the 32-sqm Premiere Deluxe accommodations.
Premier Deluxe Twin
Premier Deluxe Twin
Premier Deluxe King
Premier Deluxe King
All hotel rooms are equipped with a safety deposit box, flat-screen TV with cable channels, Wi-Fi connection and a work desk. (The latter two, in particular, were very helpful during our first day there as I was doing remote work. I was able to log in to three consecutive Zoom meetings, and was presenting in two of them with nary a dropped call or frozen screen.)
Note: Mobile phone signal may be spotty in the room and at some other locations within the hotel so I would suggest logging your devices into the hotel WiFi. That way, you can be reachable via online messaging to your work colleagues and family members (if you want to be reachable, that is, hehehe!)
Other room features include toilet and bath (with hot and cold shower), dental kits, bath items such as soap, bath gel and shampoo from Aum Spa, a minibar, a coffee/tea set and bottled water.
Hot and cold shower
Dental Kits
Toilet with bidet
Minibar and Coffee Set
The fam loved the crisp linens and the blackout curtains that helped us get a restful slumber after our activity-filled day.
6. Dine with a majestic view at Ridge Cafe.
Of course, any weekend getaway wouldn’t be complete without a gastronomic adventure, wouldn’t it?
Fortunately, the hotel two in-house restaurants, one of which is Ridge Cafe. It has an elegantly appointed interior dining room, as well as an al fresco area which boasts of grand view of the surrounding mountains and overlooking Metro Manila.
Every weekend, foodies can look forward to a sumptous breakfast buffet which includes:
The makings of classic Pinoy silogs such as Corned Beef with Potatoes, Tocino, Longganisa and Tocino (just add the Garlic Fried Rice and a sunny-side up egg from the Omelet Station)
Locally-grown fresh produce for salads or fruit desserts
A variety of freshly baked breads, including four types of pan de sal (regular, ube, cacao and malunggay).
Continental breakfast choices such as cereals, chicken nuggets and breakfast sausages
Kiddie treats such as mini pancakes and cookies
On weekdays and for other parts of the day, guests can order ala carte from a menu that includes Appetizers, Sandwiches and Burgers, Pastas and Noodles, Salads, Sushi, along with main courses and desserts.
Curious about the foodie possibilities here? I’ll tell you more about our dining experiences at Ridge Cafe here, here and here.
And should you fancy a drink while hanging out at the pool or viewing deck, you can always get refreshing beverage from The Pool Bar.
Butterfly Pea Lemonade
Fresh Mango Juice
7. It supports local industries.
Timberland Highlands Resort recently partnered with local merchants in showcasing sustainable and home-grown products. These include brands such as Zarah Juan, TÙ by Modern Filipiniana, Gourmet Farms, Engkanto Brewery, Alab.Mnl, Lakan Lubi, Circa 1740 by Timplado, Better Snacks PH, Tu’ka Spiced Vinegar and more. Their wares are all prominently displayed and available for purchase in the Live Love Local corner in Ridge Cafe.
These are also great for souvenirs or pasalubong to your city-bound friends and relatives.
8. The management and staff are all geared up to provide you with a memorable stay.
All of these are just the tip of the iceberg, as they say, because more exciting developments are in store for guests and visitors, as envisioned by resort’s management.
These include additional restaurants and other exciting renovations (which will be revealed in due time!)
Zeon, Director of Operations. He’s also got great things planned for the hotel. Watch out for them!
Ranuka, Executive Chef. He’s gearing up to bring more exciting cuisines for hotel guests to enjoy.
Stephen, Sous Chef. He’s keeping the kitchen staff in tip-top shape.
Moira, Pastry Chef de Partie. She’s whipping up new kinds of breads for guests to enjoy.
The resort also helps local communities by sourcing its manpower from nearby areas, upskilling and retooling them to provide world-class service to guests.
Derek, F&B Manager. He oversees the dining room staff to bring you a great dining experience.
Rey, F&B. He also taught me how to add a background to your Tiktok video (thanks, Rey!)
Josh, F&B.
Jona, F&B
They’re always ready to give you a hand, so when you see them around, be sure to say hi!
Rom, Housekeeping. He gives quite an animated tour of the hotel room.
Analyn and Marlyn, Housekeeping. These friendly ladies will keep your room spic-‘n-span.
Edison, Kar and Genie, Front Office. Count of them for your queries about the hotel.
JR, Lifeguard. He also takes care of the gym and guided me on a tour of the indoor sports facilities.
Thanks to the above reasons, my family and I had a fun, restful and memorable stay at the Timberland Highlands Resort, so why don’t you treat your family to one, too?
Book your room via Klook today and use my code JELLYBEANS to enjoy great savings!
For more details, visit Timberland Highlands Resort’s website, call +632 8891 8288 or +63 918 9799863 (calls are entertained between 9am and 6pm) or email reservations@timberlandresort.com.
Check-in is at 3pm while check-out is at 11am.
Timberland Highlands Resort is located inside Timberland Heights, Barangay Guitnang Bayan II, San Mateo, Rizal 1850 Philippines.
In accordance to COVID-19 safety guidelines set by the Department of Tourism and the local government, the following safety practices are in place:
Observance of minimum public health standards such as wearing of face masks, maintain physical distance and frequent handwashing
Requirement for guests 18 years old and older to present proof of full vaccination or a negative result of a swab or saliva-based RT PCR test, taken within 48 hours prior to check in
Guests below 18 years old should always be accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent or guardian
To know more about Timberland Highland Resorts’ latest updates and offers, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.
Check out my other posts about Timberland Highlands Resort:
Airbnb is on the hunt for the world’s craziest spaces — and will help foot the bill to build them. Whether it’s the next boot, UFO house, or giant potato, the first-of-its-size US$10,000,000 OMG! Fund is seeking ideas from existing and aspiring designers, architects, DIYers, and makers from around the globe. The fund’s $10 million will help finance 100 of the craziest ideas, giving 100 people an opportunity to turn them into actual Airbnb OMG! Category listings, which are Airbnb’s collection of the most unique homes.
Starting today, anyone with an out-of-this-world idea can submit an application at airbnb.com/omgfund. One hundred people with the 100 craziest ideas will receive US$100,0001 each to make their creations possible and, ultimately, bookable. Ideas will be judged by an expert panel for their originality, feasibility, the experience the space will provide guests, and sustainability.
The fund is shaped in part by the growing trend of flexible living that has emerged in the past two years. As part of this shift, Airbnb guests are craving more unexpected spaces that become the destinations themselves, and Airbnb Categories, which launched last month, provide a new way to search for these spaces. More than 30,000 unique listings across the world were added to Airbnb in 2021 and the OMG! Category – which has one of the highest rates of engagement among guests browsing Airbnb – showcases the craziest amongst them, making it easy for guests to discover these listings in places they wouldn’t have otherwise looked.
Hosting on Airbnb provides powerful economic benefits to Hosts. In 2021, all Hosts total earnings in the Philippines reached US$37.7 million, providing locals with important income during the pandemic2. Additionally, nights booked at unique properties increased globally by over 49 percent from 2019 to 20213.
“When the Idaho Potato Commission retired a six-ton prop potato, I took it off their hands and spent $32,000 transforming it into an Airbnb,” Airbnb Superhost OMG! Fund judging panelist Kristie Wolfe said. “I went from making $13/hr to seeing $208,0005 in earnings in less than three years, and leveraged that income to bootstrap my way through additional listings that allow me to express my creativity and connect with hundreds of people in the process.”
Applications will be reviewed by a judging panel of boundary-pushing design authorities, an architectural expert, and an Airbnb OMG! Category Superhost:
Iris Apfel, incomparable and irreverent centenarian style icon
Koichi Takada, founder of Sydney-based international studio Koichi Takada Architects, known for emotive design inspired by the natural world
Bruce Vaughn, Disney alum, and Airbnb’s VP of Experiential Creative Product
The $10,000,000 OMG! Fund opens today for a period of 30 days, through July 22 at 11:59 am PHT. The 100 fund recipients will be selected by the panel over the next several months, with the intent of having their newly-constructed spaces complete next year. To apply, visit airbnb.com/omgfund.
Note:
1For more information, including a list of eligible countries, see the Official Rules.
2According to Airbnb data of Hosts earnings in 2021
3Kristie Wolfe’s income represents Airbnb earnings from January 2019 to May 31, 2022. Like Kristie, every Host’s experience hosting is unique. Host earnings vary widely depending on many factors, including availability, price, acceptance and cancellation rates, occupancy rate and the demand in the listing location. Globally, the median earnings for an OMG! Category Host active between Jan 2018 and May 2022 was over $48,000.
About Airbnb
Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to 4 million Hosts who have welcomed more than 1 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer one-of-a-kind stays and unique Experiences that make it possible for guests to experience the world in a more authentic, connected way.
Details and images provided in a recent press release.
The first half of the year is already done, and if you’re doubting your effectiveness at your job or your impact to your work, maybe you should set aside some time for reading and re-motivating yourself.
Check out these books that will provide you with fresh knowledge and insights to get you all fired up and raring to work!
Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 by John C. Maxwell
Much of any business’ success depend upon its leaders. By outlining the principles for empowered and empowering leadership, John C. Maxwell’s book has changed the way leaders see themselves.
This thoroughly revised and updated edition packs in new leadership insights and best practices that he has gathered since the first edition was published in 1993 to help guide and inspire a new generation of leaders on their challenging but ultimately rewarding journey.
What Are Your Blind Spots? by Jim Haudan and Rich Berens
Even the most well-intentioned and competent leaders can be led astray by seemingly benign assumptions that can ultimately harm or derail the enterprise.
Authors Jim Haudan and Rich Berens refer to these old ways of thinking as “blind spots.” By identifying and overcoming blind spots identified in the book, leaders can learn to welcome and adopt new and forward-thinking practices that will propel their organizations towards growth.
In a series of transformative meetings between a career-driven young woman and her wise respectable mentor, mirroring and building on the interactions between the co-authors Ron Price and Stacey Ennis, arise lessons on cultivating influence fed by both character and competence.
Interestingly, the fable also tackles gender dynamics in the workplace.
The Innovation Navigator by Tucker J. Marion and Sebastian Fixson
Business leaders agree that innovation is the key to survival and further growth and in many companies, it is a top strategic priority.
Tucker J. Marion and Sebastian Fixson showcases the different modes that innovation can take and guides readers on how to take advantage of each mode’s inherent pros and cons. The book also walks through ways to effectively shift between modes or employ multi-mode strategies to foster innovation.
Your Invisible Toolbox by Rowena Crosbie and Deborah Rinner
According to authors Rowena Crosbie and Deborah Rinner, we all have two sets of the tools: while the first toolbox contains the technical skills, devices and equipment necessary to perform our roles, the second one – the invisible toolbox – contains the tools necessary for human interactions.
The contents of the second toolbox figure prominently in many workplaces, especially now that the business environment is not only a global one, but a multi-generational one as well.
Oftentimes, in business, the path from Point A to Point B is not as simple or straightforward as we would like.
To be able to move forward, Mark Samuel encourages readers to engage themselves in a true transformation, removing old mindsets and replacing inefficient behaviors with new ways of thinking and more desirable habits to bring about a highly productive culture that breeds business success.
Leading Loyalty by Sandy Rogers, Leena Rinne and Shawn Moone
Customer loyalty does oftentimes seem like an unreachable dream given today’s volatile market situation.
Authors Sandy Rogers, Leena Rinne and Shawn Moone dove into the results of the Franklin Covey studies that show how “campfire stores” achieve revenue and profitability goals thanks to fiercely loyal customers and the employees that prioritize the happiness of those customers.
Technopreneur Guy Kawasaki reflects upon his life and his many adventures (or misadventures) in the a series of vignettes.
Some may be light-hearted, others may recall actions with lasting consequences, but all served to inspire and build him up to the person that he is today.
Marty Neumeier tells the story of a young CEO as he is faced with the demand to turn the company around, otherwise he loses his job.
As the story progresses, his journey illustrates the principles of agile strategy, a way of building business that is more collaborative and produces quicker results.
We see it more and more often: large companies – behemoth enterprises – are crumbling to the ground in light of declining revenues and business growth.
In this book, Joseph Jaffe outlines the four key pillars that will transform ailing companies from ailing to thriving, from obsolescence to relevance.
The Art of Preventing Stupid by Matthew Neill Davis
Matthew Neill Davis’ Preventing Stupid Method is all about solving common problems before they become insurmountable roadblocks.
By quickly identifying, categorizing and prioritizing the business’ threats and weaknesses – forward-thinking risk management – business leaders can devote more energy towards maximizing opportunities as they appear.
Author Nick Powills showcases how his childhood experiences of struggling with his weight and getting bullied by his peers all propelled him towards being a successful entrepreneur later in life.
While the old wisdom is to keep personal and professional lives separate, the author instead proposes transforming painful memories, harsh lessons and old disappointment into motivation, coupled with the strong foundation of family and friends, into the strength and courage to pursue business success and personal fulfillment.
With a wealth of enriching and informative books waiting for you, I’m sure you’re raring to get into reading them. However, if you are concerned about the space you will need to store your growing library, or being able to bring your books wherever you go, getting a Kindle just may be the perfect solution for you.
Kindle is a line of portable and wireless electronic reading devices (e-readers) produced by online retailer Amazon.com. They make use of a display technology called electronic paper which produces a sharp screen image that resembles text printed on paper, ensuring an easy and comfortable read.
It is advisable to have a Kindle, specifically for reading, instead of relying on your other personal mobile devices because:
It is purpose-built for reading with a glare-free display that reads real paper, even in direct sunlight. You can also adjust its brightness to let you read comfortably – indoors and outdoors, day and night.
A single battery charge lasts weeks, not hours.
You get less distractions as you can highlight passages, look up definitions, translate words, and adjust text size—without ever leaving the page.
Ready to get this new nifty reading device for yourself? Check out your various options below!
Ready to shop for your books and Kindle devices? The good news is that you can enjoy great discounts on your Amazon.com purchases during Amazon Prime Day!
On July 12 and 13, 2022, Amazon.com will hold a mega summer sale offering lots of deals on its myriad of products, exclusively to Amazon Prime members.
To take advantage of the awesome deals that await you during Amazon Prime Day, you need to be an Amazon Prime member.
You can also enjoy these exclusive benefits:
Fast and free delivery. Get two-day, next-day or same-day delivery to a US address for millions of items.
Prime Video. Get access to fresh movies releases and original award-winning Amazon productions.
Prime Reading. Get access to a rotating catalogue of e-books and audio books including one free pre-release book every month from editor’s picks.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Level C Media, Penguin Group Portfolio, Harper Collins, Business Publications Corporation, Inc., Ideapress Publishing, Greenleaf Book Group, University of Toronto Press and McGraw Hill Education for the advanced copies of the books mentioned here.
With all your other expenses and payables, you might be putting your dreams of having your own home on hold.
While that is a valid decision, you might be missing out on some of the benefits of home ownership, such as:
Establishing equity. As you continue to pay your mortgage, the value of your home increases.
Greater control over expenses. You might be right in believing that your house amortization will eat a huge chunk from your monthly budget. However, this amount is fixed (unless you choose to change it) and has a finite period to pay. That means you can plan for your expenses. Plus, it also builds your fiscal discipline by accustoming you to setting aside a large part of your income for your house payments. In contrast, paying rent never ends and is also subject to price increases depending on your landlord.
Strengthening your credit. Demonstrating how you are able to fulfill your monthly payments helps strengthen your credit over time, making it easier for you to get financing for other items in the future such as a car loan or business loan.
And thanks to Lumina Homes, affordable houses and lots for your dream home are within easy reach!
Can’t decide among Lumina Homes’ Adriana, Angeli, and the other beautiful houses? Maybe this extended 10% discount on reservation fee this July will help make up your mind!
Angeli Single Firewall
Adriana Townhouse
Save up to P1,500 when you reserve your Lumina Home house and lot unit via Shopee 7.7 Mid-year Sale from July 1 to 9.
Here’s the step-by-step guide to claim you discounted e-voucher:
Browse through the available or featured home reservation e-vouchers
Read the e-voucher description and chat with the seller to inquire about Lumina Homes projects location where you can use the e-voucher
Choose your preferred e-voucher and click “Buy Now” or “Add to Cart” and pay for the e-voucher through Shopee Pay, GCash, or credit card.
The Lumina Homes Expert will receive a notification of the sale, then he/she will contact you to schedule an online appointment for marketing briefing and completion of documents.
Whether you’re in Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao, there’s a Lumina Homes community waiting for you. The projects are available in over 50 key cities and municipalities in the Philippines, such as Rizal, Bulacan, Bataan, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, La Union, Cagayan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Albay, Sorsogon, Iloilo, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Agusan del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, and Davao del Norte.
DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-145712 Series of 2022
Here’s how to get Php500 off when reserve your own Lumina home online:
![[PHOTO 1] Dr-Oladehin-Lecture](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52228651826_720fc45de4_c.jpg)
Jellybeans in the City 