health – Jellybeans in the City

Discover Birch Tree’s ‘Cowmustahan!’: Nurturing Kids Through Fun Lessons

Birch Tree Fortified Choco understands the importance of creating meaningful connections and instilling valuable life lessons in children in today’s fast-paced world. To meet this goal, they are delighted to introduce “Cowmustahan!” – a captivating YouTube series that seamlessly blends entertainment and wisdom, all while sipping on a glass of delicious Birch Tree Fortified Choco. Join this enchanting journey of discovery as we explore the heartwarming tales of its characters and the profound lessons they impart in each episode.

Meet Berty and Mama Betty: The Heart and Soul of “Cowmustahan!”

More than just your typical children’s show, “Cowmustahan!” invites you into the enchanting world of Berty, a curious, playful, and kind baby cow, and Mama Betty, the nurturing, empathetic, and cheerful mom cow. Together, they form the heart and soul of the “Cowmustahan!” Series. With each episode, they share valuable life lessons that resonate deeply with Birch Tree’s target audience – parents who want to provide their kids with both wholesome nutrition and engaging entertainment.

Valuable Life Lessons with a Smile

Every “Cowmustahan!” episode unveils a unique lesson that will bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart. Whether it’s teaching the importance of helping out in the house, the joy of being a good friend, or the spirit of perseverance, Berty and Mama Betty offer insights that resonate with both the young and the young at heart. Alongside these feel-good moments, Birch Tree Fortified Choco acts as the enabler of optimism and good vibes through its nutritionally fortified goodness and delightful taste.

Birch Tree Fortified Choco: The Star of the Show

Of course, the star of the show is Birch Tree Fortified Choco itself. Birch Tree Fortified Choco is here to rescue your kids’ taste buds with that touch of sweetness and delight that cuts through the monotony, making every sip an adventure in itself.

But this delectable chocolate milk drink is not just about taste; it’s a nutritional powerhouse too. Packed with immunity-supporting nutrients and energy-boosting ingredients, it’s the perfect way to keep your kids going and growing, all while enjoying their favorite chocolate milk.

Be Part of the “Cowmustahan” Community

Check out Birch Tree’s various social media accounts for delightful updates regarding “Cowmustahan!” and Birch Tree Fortified Choco:

Be a part of the “Cowmustahan” community and share the joy of life’s little lessons together with fellow parents who appreciate the importance of raising well-rounded children.

Are you ready to embark on this heartwarming and delicious journey with Berty and Mama Betty? Don’t miss out! Watch the “Cowmustahan!” Episodes on YouTube and join in on the fun and valuable life lessons while sipping a glass of Birch Tree Fortified Choco. It’s the perfect combination of wholesome entertainment and nourishment for your little ones.

Details provided in a recent press release.

Hydration Matters: 9 Reasons Mature Women Should Stay Hydrated

As we embrace our mature years, our bodies undergo various changes that make it crucial for us to pay careful attention to our hydration. Hormonal shifts, physiological transformations, and an increased risk of certain health conditions emphasize the necessity of staying adequately hydrated. Menopause, a significant phase for many of us, brings about hormonal fluctuations that can impact our hydration needs and presents challenges such as hot flashes and night sweats. Additionally, aging often leads to a decreased perception of thirst, putting us at a higher risk of dehydration.

Understanding Our Unique Needs

One of our primary concerns as mature women is bone health. With advancing age, the risk of osteoporosis and fractures rises, making optimal hydration essential for supporting bone density and joint health. This, in turn, helps mitigate potential risks associated with weakened bones. Moreover, many of us grapple with chronic health conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Proper hydration plays a pivotal role in managing these conditions, aiding in blood sugar regulation and blood pressure maintenance. Inadequate hydration can worsen the symptoms of these conditions and impact our overall well-being.

Urinary tract issues also become more prevalent as we age. Dehydration significantly escalates the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and can worsen the discomfort associated with them. Hydration is critical in maintaining urinary tract health and preventing recurrent infections—a concern that often becomes more pronounced with age. Given these compelling health considerations, let’s adopt a proactive approach to staying hydrated and understand that hydration is an integral part of maintaining a healthy and fulfilling life.

9 Reasons Why Hydration Matters

Now, let’s delve into the 10 essential reasons why prioritizing hydration is crucial for us, as mature women, to lead a vibrant and healthy life.

1. Preventing Dehydration

Dehydration can lead to a range of health issues, and we, as mature women, are more susceptible to it. Adequate hydration ensures our bodies have enough fluids to function optimally and helps prevent the adverse effects of dehydration.

2. Supporting Heart Health

Proper hydration plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy heart and circulatory system. It helps in ensuring that our hearts can effectively pump blood throughout our bodies, supporting overall cardiovascular health.

3. Improving Skin Health

Hydration is like a natural fountain of youth for our skin. We benefit from adequate hydration as it helps maintain skin elasticity, reducing dryness, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.

4. Boosting Cognitive Function

Staying hydrated is essential for optimal brain function, including concentration, focus, and memory. We can enhance our cognitive abilities and maintain mental sharpness by ensuring we are well-hydrated.

5. Aiding Digestion and Metabolism

Hydration aids in digestion and helps maintain a healthy metabolism. Properly hydrated, we can enjoy improved digestion and efficient absorption of nutrients, supporting overall digestive health.

6. Alleviating Joint Pain

Hydration is key to maintaining healthy joints and reducing the risk of joint pain or discomfort. We can find relief from joint pain by staying adequately hydrated, which lubricates the joints and supports mobility.

7. Enhancing Energy Levels

Proper hydration is a natural energy booster. We can combat fatigue and maintain an active lifestyle by ensuring we are sufficiently hydrated throughout the day.

8. Regulating Body Temperature

Maintaining a consistent body temperature is important, especially for us. Hydration helps regulate body temperature, making it easier to cope with temperature fluctuations and changes in weather.

9. Promoting Overall Well-Being

Staying hydrated is not just about addressing specific health concerns—it’s about promoting overall well-being. Adequate hydration ensures we can enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle, supporting our physical and mental wellness.

Opting for Clean and Safe Hydration with Healthy & Pure Purified Water

For us, ensuring clean and safe hydration is of utmost importance. That’s why we should choose Healthy & Pure purified water—a brand that prioritizes our well-being through a rigorous 8-step purification process.

Healthy & Pure leaves no stone unturned in their pursuit of providing the highest quality water. The process begins with a thorough bottle inspection and quality control, where production personnel carefully examine each bottle for any damages, debris, or liquid contamination. It’s a meticulous examination, ensuring that the containers are pristine before the interior bottle sanitation begins.

Next, it employs sterilization techniques to achieve 100% bottle disinfection. High-pressure water rinsing and steam are used for bottle disinfection and sterilization, ensuring no human touch is involved to prevent any form of contamination. The water then undergoes multimedia filtration to reduce unwanted solids like silt, clay, algae, and other microorganisms, meeting the safe drinking water standards.

One of the crucial steps is activated carbon filtration—a proven standard for removing organic chemicals that contribute to objectionable odors and taste in drinking water. Following this, the water undergoes reverse osmosis, a technology that removes over 99% of unwanted contaminants, ensuring the water meets the highest drinking water standards.

The purification process also includes ozonation treatment, one of the most efficient processes for disinfection and reduction of organic and inorganic pollutants. The water is further treated with ultraviolet water disinfection, eliminating all bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms.

Finally, Healthy & Pure maintains a fully automated filling and capping process, ensuring every bottle is filled with purified water, ready for us to enjoy.

Now, to experience the pure and safe hydration provided by Healthy & Pure, simply visit its website to place your order. Choose from various bottle sizes, including 5-gallon, 1000ml, 350ml, 500ml, and 250ml, and have clean, safe, and refreshing water delivered to your doorstep.

You may also course your orders through its hotlines:

Landline: 8710 5869
Mobile: 0922 812 4233

Healthy & Pure is also available selected supermarkets and grocery stores in Metro Manila including South Supermarket, All Day Convenience Store, JP Plaza, Ever Supermarket, Welcome Supermart and Landmark.

As we navigate the beautiful journey of aging, prioritizing hydration becomes an essential step in maintaining a healthy and vibrant life. By incorporating healthy hydration habits into our daily routine and choosing Healthy & Pure purified water, we are ensuring a higher quality of life. Let’s stay hydrated, and in doing so, stay healthy and embrace each day with vitality!

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature.

Sun Life Philippines welcomes Sarah Geronimo as brand ambassador

Sun Life Philippines recently announced that Asian Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo has joined its esteemed roster of brand ambassadors. Sarah, along with her husband Matteo Guidicelli, a long-time Sun Life brand ambassador himself, will be at the forefront of Sun Life’s latest campaign, titled “Partner for Life.” This campaign highlights the significance of having someone who can help us achieve our financial goals, live a healthier life, and be the best version of ourselves.

Sarah Geronimo as Sun Life’s newest ambassador

Aligning Values and Empowering Filipinos

“We are delighted to welcome Sarah Geronimo to the Sun Life family. Her values align with ours, and we are incredibly excited to have her as a partner in furthering our advocacies on financial literacy, health and wellness, and sustainability,” said Carla Gonzalez-Chong, Chief Client Experience and Marketing Officer at Sun Life. “Sarah’s journey as an empowered woman taking control of her career, businesses, health, finances, and advocacies is truly inspiring. Her continuous eagerness to learn and find support from her loved ones makes her a perfect ally of Sun Life in encouraging more Filipinos to pursue their own version of a brighter life.”

Captivating Thematic Video and Heartfelt Jingle

As part of the campaign, Sarah and Matteo have collaborated with Sun Life to create a thematic video that embodies Sun Life’s promise of being a Partner for Life. Their genuine support for each other shines through in the video, which will be aired on national television and showcased on Sun Life’s social media platforms (@SunLifePH on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok).

Moreover, Sarah lends her voice to the new Sun Life jingle titled “Kasa-Kasama,” a delightful duet with Inigo Pascual, who co-wrote the song and is also part of the Sun Life family. The jingle serves as a lighthearted yet heartfelt tribute to one’s Partner for Life and will be shared through Sun Life’s social media channels and played on select radio stations nationwide.

Digital and On-Ground Activities to Promote Financial Security

To further amplify the campaign and encourage more Filipinos to secure the future of their loved ones, a series of digital and on-ground activities will be organized.

Sun Life’s Advocates

“I am happy and thankful to be part of the Sun Life family,” expressed Sarah.

In addition to Sarah and Matteo, Sun Life has Piolo Pascual and Donny Pangilinan as clients and advocates of financial literacy and health and wellness.

“We are grateful to have the support of our brand ambassadors in advancing Sun Life’s purpose,” stated Gonzalez-Chong. “We feel privileged that they have chosen to partner with Sun Life to help more Filipinos pursue lifetime financial security and live healthier lives.”

About Sun Life

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization that provides asset management, wealth, insurance, and health solutions to individual and institutional clients. With operations in numerous markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Bermuda, Sun Life manages total assets worth $1.36 trillion as of March 31, 2023. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. is listed on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE), and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Details provided in a recent press release.

Sun Life Foundation and Save the Children Philippines collaborate for “Project SUNBRIGHT”

Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation), the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines, and Save the Children Philippines have joined forces to launch “Project SUNBRIGHT.” This initiative aims to reduce and prevent malnutrition among children and pregnant or lactating mothers by promoting exclusive and appropriate complementary feeding.

Project SUNBRIGHT is set to benefit 600 individuals in Muntinlupa City, including parents with infants or children under two years old, teenage mothers, caregivers, health service providers, and pregnant and lactating women. The project’s objective is to determine the causes of undernutrition among these groups and prevent them by promoting optimal “Infant & Young Child Feeding” (IYCF) practices, capacity-building of health service providers, and using Socio-Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) strategies.

Empowering the Community through Advocacy

Through Project SUNBRIGHT, community groups among pregnant/lactating women and other stakeholders will be strengthened to promote IYCF. The project aims to enhance existing efforts to promote breastfeeding among beneficiaries who have children of breastfeeding age to minimize or eliminate malnutrition among Filipino children.

Lourdes Pambid, Program Manager for Urban Health and Nutrition of Save the Children Philippines, expressed her gratitude for the partnership. “Working with the Sun Life Foundation for this project has been truly fruitful and productive. They are very receptive of the project’s goals and have strong support for civil societies. Through this collaboration, we are able to provide a wide array of interventions that promote breastfeeding as well as enhance existing efforts through strong advocacy of the practice,” Pambid concluded.

Education and Awareness

Project SUNBRIGHT aims to bolster existing efforts in publicizing nutrition concepts and programs that prevent or reduce undernutrition through an education drive that will train participants on Republic Act No. 11148 or the “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act,” maternal, newborn, infant, and young child nutrition, Kangaroo Mother Care, essential intrapartum and newborn care, and management of moderate to severe acute malnutrition.

Sun Life Foundation’s Efforts to Promote Health and Well-being

Kristine Dianne Millete, Executive Director of the Sun Life Foundation, emphasized that the initiative is anchored on “Health,” one of the organization’s pillars. She added, “The Sun Life Foundation is proud to have Save the Children as our implementing partner in this important endeavor to promote health and nutrition for mothers rearing up their babies. With this collaboration, we look forward to enhancing existing efforts to promote breastfeeding among the beneficiaries who have children of breastfeeding age in an effort to minimize or altogether eliminate malnutrition among Filipino children.”

Aside from Project SUNBRIGHT, the Sun Life Foundation continues to work with various organizations to promote health among its beneficiaries. One notable initiative is the Sun Life Barangay Health Stations, which provide basic healthcare in remote areas.

About Sun Life

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2022, Sun Life had total assets under management of CAD1.33 trillion. For more information, please visit http://www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Details provided in a recent press release.

Header image by jcomp on Freepik

#HealthIsWealth: How your physical well-being impacts your finances

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of good health. As people have become more health-conscious, they have begun to recognize that taking care of their bodies can have a significant impact on their overall well-being. Along with this increased focus on health has come a greater understanding of the ways in which our health can impact other areas of our lives, including our personal finances.

Studies have shown that there is a strong link between good health and financial stability. For example, individuals who suffer from chronic illnesses may face high medical bills and a reduced ability to work, which can impact their income and savings. On the other hand, those who prioritize their health may be more productive at work, have lower healthcare costs, and enjoy a better quality of life overall.

Given the importance of good health to our financial well-being, it’s no surprise that many people are seeking ways to improve their health and wellness. From adopting healthier eating habits to incorporating regular exercise into their routines, individuals are taking steps to protect their health and their finances.

Let’s explore some of the ways in which your health can impact your personal finances, and reasons to stay healthy in order to maintain financial stability.

Medical expenses

One of the most obvious ways in which your health can impact your personal finances is through medical expenses. If you have a chronic illness or injury, you may have to spend a lot of money on medications, doctor visits, and other healthcare-related costs. Even if you’re generally healthy, unexpected medical emergencies can quickly add up, leading to a significant financial burden.

Lost income

If you become ill or injured and are unable to work, you may lose income, which can impact your ability to pay bills and save money. This is especially true if you don’t have paid sick leave or disability insurance through your employer. Even a short period of lost income can be difficult to manage, so it’s important to have a financial plan in place in case of illness or injury.

Productivity

Your health can also impact your productivity at work, which can have a direct impact on your income. If you’re frequently sick or fatigued, you may not be able to perform at your best, which could lead to missed opportunities for promotions, raises, or bonuses.

Lifestyle choices

The lifestyle choices you make can also impact your personal finances. If you eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep, you may be less likely to develop chronic illnesses that can lead to expensive medical bills. On the other hand, if you smoke, drink excessively, or engage in other risky behaviors, you may be more likely to experience health problems that can impact your finances.

Long-term planning.

Finally, your health can impact your ability to plan for the future. If you have a chronic illness, you may need to save more aggressively for retirement or plan for the possibility of long-term care. Additionally, if you’re in poor health, you may not be able to work as long as you had planned, which could impact your retirement savings.

It’s clear that your health and personal finances are closely intertwined. By taking care of your health and planning for the unexpected, you can ensure that you’re in the best position possible to manage your finances and achieve your financial goals.

Recently, Sun Life held a series of Sun Talks, the first of which dwelt on “Unlocking Your Health Goals.” This talk was designed to help attendees understand the importance of good health, and to offer practical advice on how to improve their physical and mental well-being.

One of the key takeaways from the Sun Talks was the importance of balancing mental, physical and social well-being in order to maintain financial health. Sun Life’s Affinity Partnership Manager Health & Accident Team Francesca Tolentino and Financial Advisor/Sales Manager Garett Maralit shared their personal experiences and financial health journeys to drive home important points and provide inspiration to their audience.

Another key theme of the Sun Talks was the importance of self-care. Many of us lead busy, stressful lives, and it can be difficult to find time for ourselves. However, taking care of ourselves is essential for our overall health and well-being. Getting enough sleep, taking time to relax and unwind to spending time with family and friends can help us stay physically and mentally healthy.

The Sun Talks also addressed the importance of financial planning for health-related expenses. Good health is closely linked to financial stability. By planning ahead for medical expenses and saving for unexpected health-related costs, individuals can protect themselves and their families from financial hardship in the event of illness or injury.

With the varying health needs and budgets of Filipinos in mind, Sun Life offers healthcare and life insurance packages to help you better cope with life’s emergencies:

SUN Fit & Well. Offers critical illness and life insurance benefits until age 100 with bonus disease prevention programs.
SUN Senior Care. Addresses the evolving life and health protection needs of seniors.
SUN Cancer Care. Enables you to live a healthier life and helps you to be financially prepared so you can be in control should cancer strike.
SUN LifeAssure. Provides protection benefit against any of the covered critical illness conditions.
SUN Healthier Life. Provides protection benefits to help you get through any stage of a critical illness.
SUN First Aid. Provides cash benefits so you can worry less about costly medical bills due to hospital confinement or surgery.
SUN Maiden and SUN Maiden Plus. Provide life insurance coverage to secure your loved ones future against life uncertainties and health protection benefits that can help cushion the financial impact caused by any of the covered female-specific illnesses and surgeries.
SUN ICU Protect. Enables you to live a healthier life as well as ensures your financial health is well-taken care of should any life-threatening conditions happen.

The Sun Talks on “Unlocking Your Health Goals” offered valuable insights and practical advice for individuals looking to improve their health and well-being. By taking small, achievable steps towards our health goals, practicing self-care, and planning ahead for health-related expenses, we can ensure that we’re taking care of both our bodies and our finances.

In line with its commitment to help Filipinos live healthier lives, Sun Life also launched GoWell Studio, an on-demand holistic wellness platform which houses top-notch content such as follow-along exercise programs, guided meditation sessions, various masterclasses, short courses, and healthcare awareness and education.

It also holds various health and wellness symposia in partnership with healthcare and pharmaceutical companies, as well as sports events, to spread information on the importance of health.

Those who wish to know more about Sun Life’s health and accident insurance products are encouraged to consult a Sun Life advisor or visit sunlife.com.ph.

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2022, Sun Life had total assets under management of CAD 1.33 trillion. For more information, please visit http://www.sunlife.com.

Images by Lifestylememory on Freepik

Sun Life and Donny Pangilinan team up to promote health and financial wellness

There’s no question about it: it’s Donny Pangilinan’s time to shine. The young star has projects left and right, numerous billboards that sport his charming smile, and a fandom that is incredibly supportive of his engagements.

Donny is making the most of the opportunities coming his way. However, the glitz and glamor of showbiz can easily distract from the reality that it all comes with hard work, commitment, and even sacrifices. The busy schedule and daily pressures can take a toll on one’s health, both physical and mental, and Donny knows this all too well.

It’s a good thing that he grew up knowing just how important it is to take care of his body and mind, having been an athlete from a young age. He has raced in triathlons and competed in basketball tournaments, among others.

“Health has always been a top priority for me,” he says. “One important thing I’ve learned is to plot not just your work schedule but also your workout schedule. Don’t just revolve your work around your workouts. They must revolve around each other.”

He also makes it a point to protect his mental health. “It’s essential that we find a safe space to express ourselves,” he muses. “At the same time, we must also listen to others and be present for them when our capacity allows it.”

Donny reaps the fruits of good health in more ways than one. Apart from being physically and mentally well, the discipline and drive he has developed also extends to his finances. At only 25 years old, he has already invested in real estate and recently secured a health insurance plan.

“I don’t splurge anymore,” he shares. “I’m very hands-on now with my savings. I do still have moments when I treat myself and invest in memories through traveling or experiences, but I make sure that a big percentage of my money goes to savings and investments.”

Donny recognizes that others, especially those from his generation, may not have the capacity to secure their finances just yet and are still working hard for it. “I encourage them to avoid comparing their journey with others because everyone is on their own different road. Instead, find a group that will motivate and inspire you. Surround yourself with people who will help you reach those goals,” he advises.

It is this levelheadedness about building his own brighter future that Donny was selected by Sun Life Philippines to be its health ambassador specifically for the younger generation.

“We’re excited to have Donny on board because we share the same advocacies,” said Sun Life Chief Client Experience and Marketing Officer Carla Gonzalez- Chong. “Moreover, he is both a credible and inspiring model for the youth. We look forward to working with him as we strive to help the Gen Z secure their future.”

Donny is currently at the forefront of the digital activities for Sun Life’s new health campaign, where participants will not only get to learn how they can protect their health but also have a chance to win exciting prizes. He will also be a part of the Sun Life Cycle PH, which will be held on April 23 at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite.

To learn more about the #SunLifeWheelOfLife campaign, please visit www.sunlife.co/WheelOfLife.

Details provided in a recent press release.

Grab your limited-edition Polland Special Tikoy from Shopee today!

With the Lunar New Year just a few days away, you may have hounded your Chinoy friends to send you some tikoy, am I right?

More widely known as Chinese New Year because most of the traditions surrounding it originated from China, the Lunar New Year marks the first new moon of the lunisolar calendars traditional in countries such as China, South Korea, Singapore and Vietnam.

It is a time when families get together to wish each other good fortune, happiness and health. Among the traditions that made its way to our country are wearing red clothes, the festive Dragon Dance, the much-anticipated gifting of ampao – red envelops containing money, and the exchange of Nian gao, which is more commonly known as tikoy.

Nian gao translates to “sticky cake” but it also has a similar sound to the Chinese term for “higher year.” Eating some tikoy during the Lunar New Year therefore symbolizes raising oneself up in the new year. It is also produced in a circular shape, the same shape as money, which is said to attract wealth.

The term tikoy, on the other hand, is the Filipinization of the name tike in Hokkien which translates to “sweet pastry.”

Tikoy is traditionally made with glutinous rice flour, sugar and water. It can be sliced thinly and served as is, but we Pinoys love to dip the slices in egg then lightly fry them until the the outside is slightly crisp and caramelized while the inside is deliciously chewy.

Its lucky connotation and its appeal to the tastebuds make the tikoy a highly sought after delicacy especially at this time of the year.

The good news is that you won’t have to harass your Chinoy friends for some tikoy. Getting some for yourself is easy, thanks to Shopee!

Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. With its wide product assortment supported by integrated payments and logistics, it makes it so easy for shoppers like us to find and get what we want and need.

Take our collective enthusiasm for tikoy, for example. By housing the online store of Polland Hopia, Shopee makes it so convenient for to buy our favorite tikoy but also discover new variants that appeal to Pinoy palate such as: White Sugar, Brown Sugar, Ube, Strawberry, Pineapple and Buko Pandan. These tikoy variants are priced at Php125 for small (600 grams) and Php200 for medium (1.2kg).

But don’t stop there! Polland also made limited-edition tikoy that will surely tickle our fancy such as:

Mini Lucky Tikoy (Php100). A 300g white sugar tikoy topped with an intricate strawberry detail for “HOK,” the Chinese character for luck.

Fish Tikoi (Php300). A 350g meticulously handpainted fish-shaped white sugar tikoy. Fish is traditionally served during Lunar New Year because the of how the Chinese word for fish rhymes with the Chinese term for “leftover”. Eating fish during Luna New Year is said to attract bounty such that you will have a lot leftover at the end of the year.

Heart Tikoy (Php100). A 350g strawberry tikoy shaped into a heart. Everyone loves a good mash-up and this tikoy serves as an adequate segue from Lunar New Year on February 12 to Valentine’s Day on February 14.

The sheer variety of tikoy that you can have on your table is sure to add more color and life to your Lunar New Year celebrations.

How about adding more luck into the mix by including Polland’s claim to fame? Since the 1960s, Polland Hopia has been producing deliciously authentic flaky-crusted mung bean cakes, known here as hopia. Aside from the classic Mongo Special (made with yellow mung beans), Polland Hopia expended its hopia repertoire to include Black Mungo (made with black mung beans), Ube (made with purple yam) and Hopia Baboy (made with wintermelon chunks and pork). With their lucky round shape and snackable size, they make for a welcome addition to your Lunar New Year spread or snack stash.

Here’s an idea: how about gifting your pals (especially your Chinoy friends) and wishing them fortune, health and happiness in the Year of the Ox with Polland Hopia products?

Let me know how it goes!

Gong xi fa cai, foodies!

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature article.

Not yet done with shopping for your Valentine’s Day treat for the fam? Check out this post on Valentine’s Day gift ideas available on Shopee.

Get started on your wellness journey with Sunlife’s GoWell Studio

We’re halfway through the first month of the year and if you haven’t gotten around to making good on your New Year’s resolutions to live healthy, here’s a good place to start.

GoWell Studio is an on-demand holistic wellness platform launched by Sun Life Philippines as part of its commitment to help Filipinos live healthier lives.

In this site, you can find top-notch content such as follow-along exercise programs, guided meditation sessions, various masterclasses, short courses, and healthcare awareness and education. These will be led by some of the country’s leading fitness coaches, doctors, allied health professionals, and educators.

Got a question for a specialist? Using the platform, you can look up from a directory various experts from whom you can seek personalized health and wellness advice. The line-up includes Ginastica Natural Philippines Founder Mark Cupino; Bukodon, Yin and Vinyasa Yoga Instructor Anna Manalastas; Myotherapist and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner Filbert Tan; Pilates Coach and Animal Flow Instructor Trisha Buhat; Founder of Awake.ph and Modern-day Kriya Yogi Neil Salang; Sound Healer Coach Yeyette San Luis; World Kettlebell Club Strength and Conditioning Coach Tim Ayson; Alab Pilipinas, UP men’s basketball, and Petrogazz Angels Volleyball team’s Strength and Conditioning Coach Chappy Callanta; and Sports Performance Specialist and F45 Functional Strength Coach Andro Amador, among others.

Access to the GoWell Studio may be enjoyed exclusively by Sun Fit and Well, Sun Senior Care, and Sun Cancer Care policyholders simply by registering in the GoWell website (gowell.com.ph).

“We take pride in GoWell Studio’s team of highly credible experts and carefully curated content, all of which a member can access in the comforts of his own home,” Sun Life Chief Marketing and Client Experience Officer Gilbert Simpao said. “Taking care of ourselves remains crucial now that we are still in the middle of the pandemic. We invite everyone to become members of GoWell, Sun Life’s community that promotes holistic wellness through a fit and active lifestyle, healthy eating, and living a healthier life.”

Those who wish to know more about Sun Life’s health and accident insurance products are encouraged to consult a Sun Life advisor or visit sunlife.com.ph. For more about Sun Life’s health and wellness initiatives, visit gowell.com.ph and follow @SunLifePH and @GoWellPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Details provided in a recent press release.

Pinoy Bloggers take on The New Normal

It has been more than three months since the pandemic has essentially turned our worlds upside down.

As we waited for quarantines to be lifted and restrictions to be loosened, many of us found ourselves willing time to hurry up so things can get back to normal.

But we can’t really go back to the way things used to be, right? Not when the threat of COVID-19 or any future communicable health risk still looms.

Hence, the emergence of The New Normal. While businesses re-open and people are more frequently moving about, the following principles still apply:

Increased importance of personal hygiene
Practice of physical distancing
Focus of all activities in the home
Transition of most interactions to digital

To help ease the way towards The New Normal, several Filipino bloggers have taken it upon themselves to broach topics relevant to the transition. They create content to guide, inspire or entertain as we all grapple with the changes to our way of life.

Keepin’ Fit and Healthy

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is the value of one’s health. We have seen how this viral infections has wreaked havoc, not only on one’s physical well-being, but also on one’s finances and social interactions. Also, keeping fit has become challenging for many with exercising outside the home and in the gym no longer among the options available. It is no wonder, then, that bloggers have chosen to dwell on how to maintain one’s health and fitness during this time.

Ces Dimalanta of Manila Millennial, for instance, guides her readers on how to conduct a COVID-19 self assessment using FightCOVID.app.

Prevention is better than cure so it’s good that we continue monitoring ourselves if we develop symptoms, but at the moment, there’s just so much strain on medical workers and doing a self-check is the least that we can do to help. – Manila Millennial

Dale Palisoc of The Little Binger, on the other hand, shares a list of free apps and websites on home workouts that can help his bingers to keep on track with their health goals.

We spent every single day at home because we are restricted and it is not safe… But you know what it is not healthy to stay stagnant. We still have to keep on moving. The big question, however, is how to do it? Especially now that gyms are closed and it is terrifying to jog outside… – The Little Binger

Home is the place to be… stuck in?

The home emerged as the safest place to be in, but, as most of us discovered, it is not always the most comfortable or the most entertaining. People who are used to going out and having a social life now find themselves isolated. Families who used to just see each other at dinnertime or on weekends now spend the whole day in each other’s company. The problem that arose from these scenarios is how to while away the time while “stuck” at home? These bloggers may have just the answer.

Nicole San Miguel of Living Beyond Style, Wendyflor Palomo of Wendyflor.com and Mikhaela Adarve of Youthsoloartsy.com, all give their own takes on how one can make the most of the time at home resulting from the quarantine.

Community quarantine may be a disorientating experience, especially for those of us who are used to spending most of our time outside the house. But, it’s also essential to look on the bright side, while channeling our energy into some productive activities. – Living Beyond Style

Beyond my motherhood duties to my two sons, I have come to appreciate the time I have: to do things I have always wanted to do but never got to, because I have always put them aside. – Wendyflor.com

Don’t forget to smile and be positive regardless of what situation you are in. One creative hobby helps us a lot to be more productive and manage our mental health to lessen the stress level. Despite the current situation, it always good to remember you got the passion to do things right and be the right person to deliver results to continue your undeniably creative hobby. – Youthsoloartsy

How can we get our hands on those food!

Anybody who knows me also knows that the enjoyment of good food is central to my happiness. When the community quarantine was implemented, my foodie friends and I worried about our favorite restos, and rightfully so. The restaurant industry was among the most badly hit by the pandemic and the resulting lockdown with the reduced clientele, lack of manpower and rising overhead costs putting a huge strain on their finances.

Those who were able to pivot their operations to be viable by making their food available for pickup or delivery stand a chance at surviving in The New Normal.

Plus, for those who are not used to cooking their own food, having tasty and easily accessible food options will make the quarantine restrictions seem not as harsh.

Since the start of the quarantine, I have featured noteworthy dishes from these establishments which can now be enjoyed at home. If you have time, do check out my posts on Fresh Takes on Filipino Food for Araw ng Kalayaan and Extraordinary Sushi for International Sushi Day.

So, what’s next?

Through all the difficulties we faced due to the pandemic, we are buoyed by the hope that someday it will end. When that day comes, we need to be prepared on what do do.

Ivan Jose of Ivan + Khris’ Travels gives advice to would-be travelers on how to travel safely and hassle-free.

Practice social distancing as much as you can. When exploring city centers and parks, take cycling tours instead of walking tours or bus tours. Cycling presents the least risk of coming into close contact with other tourists. Plus, cycling is great for your health at any time! – Ivan + Khris’ Travels

GV Caplas of Wandering Good Vibes presents a 30-day challenge to her readers to divert them from their worries and anxieties.

#30DayNewNormalChallenge aims to help citizens face this New Normal phenomenon. This will allow us to just live day-by-day unaware that we have adapted positively with this universal change. – Wandering Good Vibes

Karla Obispo of Travel with Karla, on the other hand, provides a playbook on how to be a decent person in the time of COVD-19 which I think still applies into The New Normal.

There are many ways on how to be a good citizen in the time of COVID-19. I hope you choose to be one. – Travel with Karla

Navigating the way into a new set of circumstances, norms and environments as a result of COVID-19 may seem daunting, but be assured, your blogger friends are with you ready to share what we can to guide, inspire or entertain you into The New Normal.

Many thanks to my fellow bloggers for contributing to this post!

Photo Credits:
Header photo by Sarah Killian on Unsplash
Health and Fitness photo by Cathy Pham on Unsplash
Home Life photo by Tanaphong Toochinda on Unsplash
Food photo by Victor He on Unsplash
Beyond photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

How to boost immune system to fight off COVID-19

Legande Inc. recently had a 2.5 hour long live session with Dr. Ryan Nico C. Padua, internal medicine – cardiology, about how amazing our immune system is. As we all know, times have changed and we are now living a new normal where we stay at home as much as possible to combat an unseen enemy in the form of COVID-19.

COVID-19 is a form of a virus that is transmitted from person to person via droplets in the air or through an object touched by an infected person. This virus gets into our system via our eyes, nose, or mouth. This happens when you either inhale air where there are droplets from an infected person or when you touch something and then touch your face. A person touches their face about 20x every hour on average. This is how easily you can be infected when you come into contact with someone or something with the COVID-19 virus.

So, how can you boost your immune system so that it can help you fight off COVID-19?

Drink 2 cups of water every hour. It may sound a lot but it has been proven that COVID-19 thrives on parched throats. Keeping yourself hydrated not only helps fight off COVID-19, but it also helps to keep you hydrated and your internal system running on full speed.
Eat a balanced diet. This means the Go, Grow, Glow food chart should be followed. Avoid eating highly processed food such as those that come in plastic packaging or have a long shelf life. It’s best to eat natural, organic, or those that are high in fiber like oatmeal.
Avoid or cut down on vices. Smoking, drinking alcohol, and using illegal drugs can lower down your immune system.
Exercise and getting enough rest. You need to move your body to get your blood flowing and to stretch your muscles. However, you also need to get enough rest which means you need to sleep long enough that when you wake up, you feel refreshed, not tired.
Enzymes and probiotics. Enzymes and probiotics can help foster the growth of good bacteria to fight the bad ones. They also help in preventing disease-causing bacteria to do damage in the body.

Legande Inc. offers Life Enzymes. Life Enzyme works better than most vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements. Enzymes speed up blood circulation, digestion, detoxification, and healing which are all necessary for the body. Legánde’s Life Enzyme contains 150 all-natural whole fruits and vegetables as well as medicinal fungi and ancient Chinese herbs which underwent a 1-year fermentation process. This slows down aging and aids in the relief of digestive disorders and boosts energy.

You can purchase Legánde’s Life Enzyme via www.Legánde.com or visit them at Suite 406, West Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Center, Ortigas Center, Barangay San Antonio, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines, 1605 when the quarantine is over. You can also check their Facebook Page to send them a message.

Product details and images provided in a recent press release.

Header photo created by jcomp – www.freepik.com