Smurfs Happy Meal Toys: The Lost Village

Delight your kids with a fantastic adventure with McDonald’s new Smurfs Happy Meal toys! Collect all eight (8) Smurfs Happy Meal toys in vibrant colors for a fun playtime experience. Each toy features a specially designed Smurf house and two unique Smurf friends, including favorite Smurfs characters like Papa Smurf, Brainy Smurf and Smurfette, so you can complete your own Smurfs village.

These adorable Smurfs Happy Meal toys are now available in all McDonald’s stores nationwide starting March 25. Each toy comes FREE with every purchase of a McDonald’s Happy Meal! Customers can choose from a Cheesy Eggdesal or 1-pc Chicken McDo during breakfast hours and 1-pc Chicken McDo, 4pc Chicken McNuggets, Burger McDo or McSpaghetti during regular hours. Happy Meals come with a choice of fries or corn and orange juice for a delicious treat!

Make your playtime extra magical with the latest McDonald’s Happy Meal collection. Share photos of your Smurfs village on McDonald’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/McDo.ph, or tag @McDo_PH on Twitter and Instagram.

LOVE YOUR HAIR WITH NOVUHAIR

At times when people sees us too stressed out either at work or going through our personal lives, We would be advised to calm down and “Let our hair down”, this idiom’s meaning is to allow yourself to behave much more freely than usual and enjoy yourself.

To give us much more reason to be carefree, we must be confident on how we look and feel. Take time to take care of your appearance and take extra attention to your hair. Hair is considered as our crowning glory, hence, it is pertinent that we start with it. Here are a few tips in maintaining a healthy hair.

· Observe good hygiene all the time – regularly wash your hair to remove dirt and grimes.

· Be extra careful whenever combing your wet hair – your hair is vulnerable to breakage during this period.

· Use towel to dry off your hair after shower – Using hair dryer can cause damage to your hair; if you must use the heat then do so sparingly.

· Eat the proper nutrition- Our hair is also dependent on what we eat. Iron-rich food and protein strengthens your hair.

· Have enough sleep – Lack of sleep can cause hair loss. Sleeping allows our hair to repair and regenerate. Changes in our sleeping patterns have shown to affect our body’s immune and hormone function, as well as our physical and mental stamina. Our hair is very sensitive to these changes within the body.

· Pamper your hair - Give your hair a proper massage with the nutrients it needs

Novuhair, nature’s answer to hair loss is made of 19 Natural ingredients which includes herbal components such as moringa oleifera, panax ginseng, virgin coconut oil and the natural essences of rosemary and peppermint. 

Novuhair nourishes the scalp and hair by increasing the flow of nutrients and improving blood circulation to the scalp. Novuhair also helps hydrate the scalp, maintain the hair’s natural luster and prevent early hair graying, hair dryness and itching. #LoveYourHairwithNovuhair

Novuhair Topical Scalp Lotion, Shampoo and Conditioner are available in all Mercury Drug Stores and other leading drug stores nationwide. For more information visit www.novuhair.com, like the brand’s official Facebook Page at Novuhair Official, follow it on Twitter at @NovuhairNatural and on Instagram @novuhairofficial. You may also call the Novuhair hotlines at 4136570 and 09228830575 and order online at Lazada and regaloservice.com.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: PCARI Scholarships Program

The Philippine-California Advanced Research Institutes (PCARI) Project is a capacity-building/technology-generating collaborative initiative designed to upgrade to global standards the research, development and innovation capabilities and competencies of the faculty, students and staff of Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs). The PCARI Project is a new approach that will enhance their skills and expertise through scholarships, training and research partnerships with top-notch research universities in California, USA, initially, with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and the University of California Berkeley (UCB) in the areas of health innovation and translational medicine (HITM) and in information infrastructure and development (IID). 

The PCARI Scholarships Project will support Master’s and Ph.D. degrees, and postdoctoral studies with the PCARI as funding agency and DOST-Science Education Institute (SEI) as implementing agency. 

The objective of this Project is to develop the critical mass of scientists, technologists and innovators in Philippine HEIs capable of generating and translating technologies into innovations that will address societal problems. Scholars under this project will have an opportunity to interact with the elite researchers of the University of California and will be part of the top talents in the country who are active in fundamental and applied research relevant to the country’s socio-economic development and the long-term competitiveness of the Philippines. 

PRIORITY FIELDS

Health Innovation and Translational Medicine
Information Infrastructure Development


SCHOLARSHIP OFFERINGS

Degree Programs (Local/Foreign)
Master’s Degree Program with Thesisor Project
Full Ph.D. Program
Sandwich Programs for Master’s and Doctoral Degrees
Non-Degree Programs (Local/Foreign)
Postdoctoral Study Award


GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

-Filipino citizen
-not more than 45 years old
-degree in relevant disciplines
-research proposal aligned with PCARI priority areas


PRIVILEGES

Tuition and other school fees
Transportation Allowance
Living allowance/Stipend
Dissemination/Conference Attendance Grant
Book Allowance
Travel/Medical Insurance
Application and Other Fees
Thesis/ Dissertation/ Special Project Grant
Startup/Research Grant (For IIID Degree Programs)


Inquire now!

Commission on Higher Education-PCARI Project
Project Management and Coordination Office
Telephone No. (02) 352-5591; 376-1758
Email: info.pcariproject@ched.gov.ph

DOST-Science Education Institute
Telephone No. (02) 837-2071 loc 2389
Email: sei_pcari@yahoo.com.ph

Application Guidelines and form are available for download below.

CHED-AO-No.-02-Series-of-2015-Scholarships-Project-Implementing-Guidelines
PCARI Scholarships Project Announcement
Scholarship-Application-Form  

Be a hero with McDonald’s new DC Girls and Justice League Happy Meal toys

Have an action-packed playtime experience with McDonald’s new DC Girls and Justice League Happy Meal toys. The set features iconic characters from the world-famous superhero franchises, including Superman, Batman, Hawkman, Wonder Woman, and Supergirl. Plus, gear up with exciting accessories like the Hawkman Mask, Wonder Woman Tiara, and Supergirl Headband.

Collect all eight DC Girls/Justice League toys, free with every purchase of a McDonald’s Happy Meal! Customers can choose from a Cheesy Eggdesal or 1-pc Chicken McDo during breakfast hours and 1-pc Chicken McDo, 4pc Chicken McNuggets, Burger McDo or McSpaghetti during regular hours. Happy Meals come with a choice of fries or corn and orange juice for a delicious treat!

Bring out the hero in you or your kids with the latest McDonald’s Happy Meal collection. Share your superhero bonding experience on McDonald’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/McDo.ph, or tag @McDo_PH on Twitter and Instagram.

Novuhair Salutes All Women

In celebration of International Women’s Month this March, Nutramedica Inc., encourages women to speak their mind and know their rights. Be it in society or otherwise, women have excelled over the years, creating a sense of socio-equality that every female across the globe shall be proud of.

This years’ theme is “Be bold for change”, a very subjective manner of approach to the present era where women are called to lead and influence. Novuhair calls for the same thrust.

Novuhair empowers the female population by improving their appearance thru self-help ideas on social media. Channeling their self-esteem and confidence to exude.

Nutramedica Inc. itself is being led by a formidable woman, Sheila Mae Velilla, CEO & President. Ms. Velilla built the company from scratch, exerting much effort in product development and exemplary business & marketing acumen. Founded in 2004, Nutramedica was one of the first companies to market virgin coconut oil (VCO) in the Philippines. Today it is known for its comprehensive range of oral and injectable pharmaceutical lines, food supplements and cosmetic products.

At present, Novuhair has been awarded by Watson’s as the leading Medicated Hair Care Brand in the country for five consecutive years. The effectiveness of the product speaks for itself.

Novuhair is made with 19 natural ingredients that include moringa oleifera, panax ginseng, virgin coconut oil and the natural essences of rosemary and peppermint and almost 100% natural.

Novuhair nourishes the scalp and hair by increasing the flow of nutrients and improving blood circulation to the scalp. Novuhair also helps hydrate the scalp, maintain the hair’s natural luster and prevent early hair graying, hair dryness and itching. It also penetrates deep to rejuvenate the hair follicles, provides optimum nutrition to help combat hair loss and/or thinning of hair, improves blood circulation in the scalp which contributes to the stimulation of hair growth.

Novuhair Topical Scalp Lotion, Shampoo and Conditioner are available in all Mercury Drug Stores and other leading drug stores nationwide. For more information visit www.novuhair.com, like the brand’s official Facebook Page at Novuhair Official, follow it on Twitter at @NovuhairNatural and on Instagram @novuhairofficial. You may also call the Novuhair hotlines at 4136570 and 09228830575 and order online at Lazada and regaloservice.com.

Pinoy students continue to make math, science history in 2016

The country’s young wizards continue to pen their names in the history books. 

Following a record-breaking 614 gold, silver and bronze medals from international science and mathematics competitions in 2015, our national contingents netted a total of 821 medals in 2016, up 33.7 percent from the previous mark.

At the Youth Excellence in Science (YES) Awards—an annual event organized by the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) that recognizes students who win gold, silver and bronze medals in world science and mathematics contests—Secretary Fortunato de la Peña presented the medals to the awardees from Metro Manila and nearby provinces. The ceremony was held on 1 February at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila. 

Of the total tally, 446 come from the national capital region, while 375 come from the other regions.

Philippine Science High School – Main Campus garnered the most number of international medals with 60, followed by Grace Christian College and St. Jude Catholic School with 37 apiece. Three other schools had 20 or more awardees, namely, De La Salle Santiago Zobel (23), Dr. Yanga’s Colleges, Inc. (21), and Makati Hope Christian School (20).

De la Peña proudly shook the hands of each of the awardees whose historic feats symbolize “a promising future” for the country.

“I cannot contain my joy, not only because this is a proof that Filipinos are doing much better in the fields of math and science; but this is a proof that our future is very promising,” he said.

Aside from the number of awardees, the Secretary highlighted the notable victories last year, in particular, the country’s best finish at the prestigious International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), where the team brought home the first two gold medals in history, along with two silvers and two honourable mentions. De la Peña also noted the wins and the successful hosting of the 5th ASEAN Plus Three Junior Science Odyssey and the 23rd Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum Side events in the Philippines last year as great signs of improved competencies.

In his keynote message, De la Peña also remarked that the more honors the country reaps, the more Filipinos believe in the value of science and technology in the development.

“Providing solutions to different national issues and problems remains a daunting task but we firmly believe that the S&T sector has a great role towards our progress,” he added. “You have all the skills and knowledge, and we at DOST believe that the future of this country is in great hands and minds.”

Meanwhile, top YES Awardees Farrell Eldrian Wu of MGC New Life Christian Academy and Kyle Patrick Dulay of Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Main Campus—the two IMO gold medalists—shared their stories before their fellow medalists and urged them to continue to pursue excellence. Likewise, Hillary Diane Andales, who received a Special YES Award for winning the Popular Vote Award and finishing sixth at the 2016 Breakthrough Junior Challenge, addressed her peers to not be afraid of failures and repeats.

Call for Proposals: Asian Try Zero-G 2017-2018

The Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) is inviting proposals for the "Asian Try Zero-G 2017-2018", an educational program organized by Kibo-ABC of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) that allows everyone to suggest simple space experiments for astronauts to demonstrate in zero-gravity or weightlessness conditions.

Kibo-ABC is a collaborative program established by the Space Environment Utilization Working Group (SEUWG) of the Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF), which aims to promote Kibo utilization in the Asia-Pacific region. It invites its member countries, one of which is the Philippines, to submit experiment ideas that JAXA Astronauts can perform in the International Space Station (ISS).

Proposals should be unique, novel, and informative, and should have never been done in the ISS/Kibo.

There are 2 categories for the Try Zero-G program: Category 1 is for students under 18 years old, and Category 2 is for young scientists and engineers, ages up to 27 years old. The categories have been in place since 2015, to create more innovative ideas from a wider audience.

This year, Astronaut Norishige Kanai of JAXA ISS crew will perform the selected proposals aboard ISS Kibo module.

For the complete guidelines, visit or download the file at http://issstream.tksc.jaxa.jp/iss2/documents/guidelines_call_for_proposals_asianTryZero-G_2017-2018_NC.pdf.

For information on past experiments, visit http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/kuoa/tryzerog/index.html.

To know more about the onboard items that can be used for the experiment, visit/download the file at http://issstream.tksc.jaxa.jp/iss2/documents/available_onboard_items_NC.pdf.

Proposals maybe submitted to DOST-SEI through email address aprsaf23sei@gmail.com.

Deadline for submission of applications is on April 7, 2017.

The selection result will be announced on JAXA web site (http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/kuoa/).

DOST-SEI announces 2,196 qualifiers under JLSS program

A total of 2,196 third year college students passed the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute’s (DOST-SEI) 2016 Junior Level Science Scholarship (JLSS) Examination administered nationwide on 16 October 2016 and in areas affected by Typhoon Karen on 13 November 2016. There were 7,102 third year students in various S&T courses who took the examination.

The JLSS is a scholarship program of the DOST-SEI under the Republic Act No. 7687 or the “Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994”, Republic Act No. 10612 or the “Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013”, and the Merit Scholarship Program.

Qualifiers of this scholarship program will get to enjoy a 2-3 year S&T scholarships. Those who qualified under RA 7687 and RA 10612 will be entitled to subsidy in tuition fee and other school fees, monthly living allowance, book allowance, among others, in the last 2 or 3 years of their undergraduate studies. Scholars under the Merit scholarship program will likewise receive the same benefits except for the pro-rated monthly stipend based on the scholar’s family socio-economic status.

The implementation of the JLSS supports the goal of the DOST-SEI to substantially increase the number of scientists and engineers needed to boost economic productivity and knowledge creation in the country. Meanwhile, the R.A. 10612 supports the execution of Section 8 of the K to 12 law by providing a pool of scholar-graduates which can competently teach science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the basic education.

“The program is aimed at producing more science, mathematics and engineering human resource, which we still lack. It is also important to have content-rich teachers in these critical fields to help us develop stronger science and mathematics foundations among our youth,” Dr. Josette T. Biyo, SEI Director, said.

Upon graduation the S&T scholars will be required to render service to the country, preferably in their home region, for a period equivalent to the number of years they enjoyed the scholarship. The RA 7687 and Merit scholars are expected to work along their fields of specialization while those under RA 10612 shall serve as STEM teachers in any public or private high school in the country. 

Dr. Biyo believes that by fast-tracking graduates in STEM courses, the JLSS under RA 7687, RA 10612, and Merit Program will strengthen the country’s science and technology; and hopes to inspire more scholar-graduates to pursue a career path in science and mathematics teaching.

The new JLSS scholars will get to enjoy the scholarship effective the First Semester of AY 2016-2017.

Click here to view the list of qualifiers.

Get smart and stylish this holiday season with Acer

Today’s generation of technology-oriented individuals will spare no expense to go and achieve their dreams in the swiftest of manners. And they will even do it in style.

Go chic and stylish this holiday season as global tech titan Acer unleashes its latest holiday promo for people who love to #GoSwift and in style and go beyond trends. Acer offers cool freebies every time you buy your favorite Acer laptop, 2-in-1, All-in-One, or projector until December 31, 2016.

For the stylish set, imagine having the best laptop around and wearing a good-looking watch at that while inside your favorite coffee shop and you’ll surely grab attention. The smart Acer Liquid Leap Active Smartwatch is just for you, not just to keep you abreast of time but also as an attractive personal digital companion. Its   1-inch OLED (128 x 32) touchscreen display is a joy to look at, and is perfectly compatible with Android 4.4 systems and above, iOS 7 and iOS 8 and Windows 8.1. It is IPX4 waterproof certified and a full charge can last you 5-7 days. Just buy any Acer laptop with i3 processors or Acer 2-in-1 devices and this nifty gadget worth P850 is yours for free.

The Tomiko DigiBox is a cool addition to your home entertainment system and when watching your favorite TV shows and movies in superb digital format. And pairing this with an Acer projector or desktop makes it a truly excellent multimedia combination. The Tomiko DigiBox supports 1080P high-definition video, comes with a Multimedia Playback function (MPEG 1/2/3/4, MKV, MOV, JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG) and multiple OSD language, with Auto and Manual Search Functions and powerful program edit capabilities. Best of all, you can get this home entertainment buddy worth P1,200 absolutely free when you buy Acer projectors or Acer All-in-One desktops with i3, i5 or i7 processors inside.

For those who want uninterrupted power and not lose their productivity at work and/or at play, just buy Acer desktops with i3, i5 or i7 processors or Acer Veriton desktops with i3 and i5 processors and get the Emerson UPS worth P1,400 for free. The Emerson UPS guarantees constant and non-stop power during outages for your desktop with high reliability, protection from power surges and overloads and best of all, the Emerson UPS comes in a compact and lightweight form factor. From hereon, no more worries about losing important work in your Acer desktop just because the electricity went out.

Or if you want a cool, light and groovy bag to carry your laptop around safely and securely, just buy qualified Acer laptops (Celeron and Pentium-powered) and you can get the Acer laptop bag worth P300 for free. You’ll get peace of mind knowing that your precious Acer laptop is with you all the time inside your green-and-black Acer laptop bag that you can carry anywhere.

To get the Acer Liquid Leap Active Smartwatch, Emerson UPS, Tomiko DigiBox, or Acer laptop bag, simply buy the qualified Acer products from any Acer participating stores and fill out all necessary information in the Promo Claim Form. Present this together with the Official Receipt, cut-out of Box Serial Number, plus two (2) valid IDs at any authorized Acer redemption area.

When claiming via email, simply submit a clear scanned copy of the Promo Claim Form, Original Receipt, Cut-out of Box Serial Number and two (2) valid ID cards to aphi.promos@acer.com. Follow up on your claim via email through (02) 815-3388 local 100.

Other authorized Acer redemption areas are the Acer Service Center along 1651 Paz Guanzon Street, Paco, Manila, Acer Service Center along F. Cabahug corner Almendras Streets in Mabolo, Cebu City, and Acer Service Center at the ground floor of Ateneo de Davao University, 8016 Roxas Avenue, Davao City.

For more about the Acer holiday promo, #GoSwift and in style and other Acer Philippines’ products, go to www.acer.com.ph, follow Acer via Twitter (twitter.com/acerphils) or www.Facebook.com/AcerPH.

Christmas and More at Club Balai Isabel

Christmas time is here once again! Christmas a we know is the most celebrated holiday among Christians all over the word.  And we Filipinos are known to celebrate it the longest number of days.  As soon as the 'ber month set in that's when we begin to hear christmas carols being played all around - on the radio, shopping malls, jeepneys, tambayans, among others.  Houses and establishments likewise started to decorate to complement the festive mood.

Christmas is the most awaited time of the year for friends and families to gather, celebrate and of course eat together.  Even as we do it within our homes or at outside eating places.

Christmas came in early with my group of blogger friends as we gather to enjoy the year-end at Club Balai Isabel in Talisay, Batangas.

Club Balai Isabel is a favorite place for us because of its lovely scenery, comfy accommodations and delicious food.  Located right at the shores of the world-famous Taal Lake and overlooking across is Taal volcano.  Its a great place to relax and enjoy their various amenities.  Other than taking a dip in their refreshing pools, there are also water sports activities like kayaking and sailing.  What I like most is the personalized body massage you can have right at the comfort of your own room. You can also opt for a boat ride and be brave to go up near the volcano's crater either on horseback or on foot.

There are many rooms and villas you can choose depends on how many you are in a group.  Fully-equipped with queen-sized and single-beds; there are also cooking options and kitchen utensils that are available; flat screen televisions; set of basic toiletries; complementary coffee/tea and drinking water.

Our group stayed in a 2-room villa with loft that served as additional room, can fit at least 14 persons; with three (3) toilets and bath; with complete amenities and our very own veranda overlooking the Taal Lake.

While enjoying our stay, we also feasted on the best of their local and international cuisines.  Famous in this area of Batangas is the "Bulalo" (boiled beef shanks) and the Crispy "Tawilis" ( a small fish that can only be found in the water of Taal Lake.

And because its the festive season, Club Balai also has special something for the holiday season, the "Lakeshore Buffet" beginning on December 16.  After you hear "simbang gabi" at the Spousal of Mary and Joseph Chapel (located within the premises of the resort), take time to feast on their dishes especially prepared by Terraza Cafe.  And on December 31, join them in the New Year's Countdown and be amazed with the fireworks display.

As a preview of the upcoming love month in February 2017, Club Balai Isabel also has its "Romantic Dinner for 2" offering a full course meal composed of pumpkin soup, imperial garden mango salad, Belmont steak, chocolate volcano and home made ice cream and a choice of red wine.

There's more than just a holiday staycation at Club Balai Isabel. For more details follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

@mommygiay

NOVUHAIR’S INFORMATIVE TRUTH ON HAIR CHEMICALS

We may not be aware that we are unknowingly putting harmful chemicals on our hair thus resulting to general conditions such as migraine, nausea and skin rashes. The symptoms may be quickly attributed to stress but if you look closer to that hair product you’re using, you’ll be surprise to find the culprit.

Popularity does not equate to safety, some popular brands sold in the market are loaded with mildly toxic chemicals that may be harmful in prolonged use.

Novuhair, Nature’s answer to hair loss, gives you the lowdown on these chemicals to help you with your choices.

Myth: Shampoo must produce lots of lather in order to properly clean your hair.

Truth: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a compound that helps shampoo and other cleaning product in producing foam and bubbles. Though it may effectively remove hair build-up, it can also strip off essential oils that is needed to keep your hair healthy.

Myth: Parabens has an anti-bacterial compound benefits that outweighs the harm.

Truth: Parabens are basically used to prolong the shelf life of hair and cosmetic products mostly for its antibacterial purpose. Symptoms that are related to over exposure to parabens are Atopic Dermatitis and Rosacea. Further studies also show that use of products with parabens accelerate skin damage and aging related to sun exposure.

Myth: My hair smells terrific! I love the perfume scent on my hair product.

Truth: A nice whiff of perfume might not be harmful but the fragrance that is mixed in your hair product might have come from harmful substances from highly toxic ingredients which can lead to Allergic reactions and mood swings. That perfume is better off somewhere else.

Myth: Hair products that promise straightening and smoothening effect use non-toxic Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate as a natural preservative.

Truth: Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate is a substance used in making your hair soft and bouncy, although it is considered natural preservative, also releases formaldehyde which can lead to skin and eye irritations. Prolonged use may also affect your immune system.

Use of some of these chemicals combined may also result to hair loss and other hair problems, thus, it is important to be an informed consumer. A lot of new products have saturated the market hence, read the labels for fine prints before buying.

Novuhair, nature’s answer to hair loss is made of 19 Natural ingredients which includes herbal components such as moringa oleifera, panax ginseng, virgin coconut oil and the natural essences of rosemary and peppermint. Novuhair nourishes the scalp and hair by increasing the flow of nutrients and improving blood circulation to the scalp. Novuhair also helps hydrate the scalp, maintain the hair’s natural luster and prevent early hair graying, hair dryness and itching.

Novuhair Topical Scalp Lotion, Shampoo and Conditioner are available in all Mercury Drug Stores and other leading drug stores nationwide. For more information visit www.novuhair.com, like the brand’s official Facebook Page at Novuhair Official, follow it on Twitter at @NovuhairNatural and on Instagram @novuhairofficial. You may also call the Novuhair hotlines at 4136570 and 09228830575 and order online at Lazada and regaloservice.com.

HACK THE CLIMATE PUSHING FOR CLEAN TECHNOLOGY IN LEYTE

In the commemoration of the 3rd anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan, Hack the Climate will stage its first ever Clean Technology Hackathon and Training happening in Palo, Leyte and Tacloban City. It is part of the 8th NICP ICT Summit 2016, in partnership with the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), DOST Region 8, Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas Campus, Seed4com, Move.ph, Millenia Suites, ThinkLab and Unionbank of the Philippines. 

Hack the Climate is a climate change themed Hackathon that is formed out of the desire of a two Princeton University College Students, named Michael Lanchanski and Jacob Scheer to help the Philippines in their battle for climate change through Technology and Innovation. With the help of their Filipino counterparts, Elaine Cedillo, Diego Jose Ramos and Rizzel Jill Dy, Hack the Climate was born in June 2013. 

“Hack the Climate in Leyte is our 5th since we started and we hope that we can bring this project across the country” said Elaine Cedillo, the lead project coordinator for this leg. “Hack the Climate is more than just a hackathon, it is our advocacy. Educating the students and young professionals about the adverse effects of climate change while challenging the developers to create a solution for climate change adaptation or mitigation, and through that, the participants are empowered to do something to help our environment,” she added 

THE CLEAN TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS AND THE HACKATHON

This year’s Hackathon is dubbed as “Hack the Climate Cleantech-Loban” and it will be a three-part event. They will be launching their first solar e-Learning facility for Alternative Learning System and a Solar Night Lamp assembly livelihood training program for the out-of-the school youth and partner NGO’s, plus a conference – hackathon about Climate Change Mitigation and CleanTech.

Philippine Toy Library located at Palo District 1, Barugo Leyte with more than 100 learners and at Pambujan, Samar with more than 90 learners will be the beneficiaries of an e-Learning set-up consisting of laptops from Huawei Philippines powered by solar panels which will be donated by Unionbank of the Philippines through their Go Beyond CSR. The Solar Night Lamp that will be produced during the training will be donated to a fishing community in and around Tacloban. 

The hackathon, a coding marathon, happening on November 9-10, 2016 at Philippine Science High School in Palo, Leyte, involves a specific theme where participants will be creating web or mobile applications, or hardware solutions. The conference happening simultaneously with the hackathon features speakers to educate and enlighten the audience to what is happening with our environment and how it affects each and every one of us, and different technologies which can be used to help in creating solutions.

Clean Techloban is supported by the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation, Inc. and the OML Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation, Inc. and organized by Redwizard Events Management. For more information you may log on to http://hacktheclimate.com/ or like their facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/HackTheClimate

Get Your Free Coffee from Where's Marcel

McDonald's Grand Halloween Family Fun Day 2016

Kids and the whole family look forward to Halloween year on year because of playful trick-or-treats, creative costumes, and fun activities.

This year, McDonald’s celebrates Halloween bigger as it holds the Grand Halloween Family Fun Day for the second consecutive year in Cebu and for the first time ever in Manila. Kids and kids-at-heart are welcome to join the Fun Day at J. Center Mall, Mandaue City, Cebu, on October 22, 2016, and at the World Trade Center Metro Manila on October 29, 2016.

The whole family can bond over exciting games and activities such as the Magic Kingdom Show and over their favorite McDonald’s meals during the event.

Tickets are available in all McDonald’s restaurants in Metro Manila and in Cebu. Kids who will sign up will get their cape, pumpkin bag, and a hat to complete their overall Halloween look! They will also enjoy their Happy Meal with 1PC Chicken McDo meal.

For more details, visit the McDonald’s Grand Halloween Family Fun Day event page for Cebu and Manila on Facebook.com/McDo.ph.

Share your and your kids’ eye-catching and spooky costumes and cherished bonding moments by posting them on Facebook, or tagging @McDo_PH on Twitter and Instagram.

Novuhair Supports Alopecia Areata Awareness in Celebrating Inner Strength

September marks the month-long commemoration of Alopecia Areata awareness worldwide. Alopecia areata is a condition when hair loss occur due to faults in the immune system attacking the hair follicles which results in partial or total loss of hair on the head and other parts of the body.

Leading this year’s celebration in the country is Alopecia Philippines, a group founded by singer and songwriter Abby Asistio in 2012. She has been championing the cause of empowering citizens with this condition.

Abby is no stranger to alopecia, having been diagnosed with alopecia areata since she was four years old. Abby’s decision to come out in public with her condition was a major turning point in her life. 

On September 2012, Abby decided to start an online campaign in time with Alopecia Awareness Month by inviting family and friends to pose with the double “A” (inverted “V”) sign using their fingers on the photo sharing site, Instagram. It quickly caught on and Abby was overwhelmed by the response from netizens, with over a thousand photo contributions to date.

This paved the way for the beginnings of Alopecia Philippines. It aims to raise awareness about alopecia and correct common misconceptions and perceptions about it, provide encouragement to people afflicted with it, and create an online support community for them. 

Inspired by Abby’s honesty and courage, men and women, kids and teens from different walks of life began sharing their own stories and struggles living with alopecia. What started out as a group of ten is now more than 300 members strong and its Facebook page – Alopecia Areata Awareness, draws followers from all over the world.

Novuhair has been supporting the cause for Alopecia Philippines through Abby Asistio. Abby have been using the brand continuously since March 2013 and she has only praises to share using the product.

Nature has provided a safe and effective answer to hair loss and scalp disorders. Novuhair is the only topical scalp lotion in the market that has the highest concentration of natural ingredients, FDA-certified and ACD-compliant. Novuhair is a homegrown, proudly Philippine-made product that is globally competitive.

Novuhair Topical Scalp Lotion, Shampoo and Conditioner are available in all Mercury Drug Stores and other leading drug stores nationwide. For more information visit www.novuhair.com, like the brand’s official Facebook Page at Novuhair Official, Instagram: @NovuhairOfficial and follow it on Twitter at @NovuhairNatural. You may also call the Novuhair hotlines at 4136570 and 09228830575 and order online at Lazada and regaloservice.com.

Abby Asistio Alopecia Awareness Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/18z01PGOW0w

Brown4Good: A Better Health Among Filipinos

The Department of Agriculture, in its continuous effort to promote responsible rice consumption that aims to help achieve rice self-sufficiency, increase the income of farmers, and promote better health among Filipinos, the Department of Agriculture (DA)launched on August 30, 2016 the #BROWN4good challenge. The #BROWN4good challenge is a social media propaganda that aims to encourage more Filipinos to eat brown (unpolished) rice regularly in order to get and give the following goodness:

1. Personal goodness. Brown rice has more proteins, antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals compared with white polished rice.  Thus, it would make the consumer healthier.

2. Goodness to the farmers.  Farmers could double their income because they will be able to directly market their rice to food establishments and retailers.  On the other hand, consumers would be able to buy it at a lower price.

3. Goodness to the country.  Brown rice has 10% higher milling recovery, thus adding 10% to our rice volume.

4. Goodness to others.  For every challenge completed DA will feed one less fortunate Filipino with brown rice.

The Department of Agriculture also encourages the support of different government agencies to take part in the promotion of unpolished rice, particularly the #BROWN4good challenge through the following:

1. For government agencies' staff  to eat brown rice and start their #BROWN4good challenge networks among their families, friends and colleagues.

2. Make brown rice (cooked and raw) available in their cafeterias.

3. Serve brown rice instead of white rice during events, forums, seminars, trainings, conferences, feeding programs, and other similar activities.

4. Promoting the #BROWN4good challenge to their clientele through quad-media and other services

To take on the #BROWN4good challenge, cook at home or order brown rice from your favorite food establishments, snap a photo of the meal, post it on your social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), caption it with #BROWN4good and#(your region), and challenge family and friends to do the same.  For every hastag of #BROWN4good quoted per region, DA will donate a cup of raw brown rice to help feed less fortunate Filipinos in different charities nationwide.  To be counted, however, the account and post must both be set to Public.

SUN LIFE’S #liveBrighter Campaign: Millenials For A Financially Prepared Generation

The new generation of workforce, the Millenials, wants to grow with a company that respects their individuality while being part of a noble cause. Such opportunity is possible when one becomes a Financial Advisor. This is a door that Sun Life (of Canada) Philippines, Inc. opens wider with a recruitment drive called #LiveBrighter. It aims to present the profession as a career choice for Millennials who wish to have the time and resources to pursue their passions as they advocate financial foresight and planning.

“Millennials are known to be slashers as they juggle a lot of things live travelling, blogging, and other passion projects on top of their regular 8-5 jobs. It sounds very aspirational but how can they sustain this in terms of time and resources?” said Sun life Recruitment Manager Fin Bernardo. “With that in mind, we see that the profession of a Financial Advisor is a perfect fit for their lifestyle,” added Bernardo.

After introducing the Financial Advisor in popular culture thru its engagement with Cinema One’s Single/Single, Sun Life dishes out the #LiveBrighter Sessions. This is a series of meet-ups to show how a Financial Advisor lives up to the demands and rewards of the profession. It aims to reach more Millennials and send them the message that their dream job is just here all along.

Guided by the core values of a Sun Life Financial Advisor- caring, professional, inspiring, and winning - #LiveBrighter Sessions will give a taste of the benefits one can enjoy in choosing this particular career path. More than the chance to earn unlimited income, it also provides perks such as all-expense travel and the freedom to work with an unbridled schedule.

With more Filipinos keen on getting insurance and investment products, the possibilities for new Advisors are endless. “We need more Financial Advisors to educate Filipinos on the importance of preparing for unexpected life’s events and offer them solutions that let them have Money For Life,” explained Bernardo.

Choose to #LiveBrighter now. Register to the next #LiveBrighter Forum by visiting bit.ly/LiveBrighter.

About Sun Life Financial

Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. is a member of the Sun Life Financial group of companies, a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun Life Financial and its partners have operations in key 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 March 31, 2016, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $861 billion. 

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

Philippines' makes mathematics history, nabs 2 gold in 57th IMO

It is the biggest news that is nearly three decades in the making.

The Philippines, long-time participant in the most prestigious mathematics competition in the world—the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)— has finally nabbed not just one, but two gold medals, marking the first time in 28 years that the Philippines claimed the top prize.

Young math wizards Farrell Eldrian S. Wu of MGC New Life Christian Academy and Kyle Patrick F. Dulay of Philippine Science High School – Main Campus, both veterans in the IMO and other international math competitions, scored 30 and 29 points, respectively, to secure the first ever set of gold medals in history for the country.

Aside from top prize, the country also brought home two silver medals courtesy of Clyde Wesley S. Ang of Chiang Kai Shek College and Albert John Patupat of Holy Rosary College. The two silvers add to the five silver medals collected in years 1989, 2010, 2014 and 2015. Ang and Patupat won silver and bronze, respectively, in last year’s IMO.

Meanwhile, Shaquille Wyan Que of Grace Christian College and Vince Jan Torres of Sta. Rosa Science and Technology High School both finished with an honourable mention to round out the best finish of the national team.

With the victory, the Philippines already leaped into top 17 of the world rankings, up from 36th out of 104 last year. 

Science Education Institute Director, Dr. Josette Biyo, congratulated the team for “finally claiming the elusive gold medal.”

“Words can’t describe how the science community takes pride in the achievement of our national team. This is something that is brought about by intense dedication not just by the students but also the coaches, the parents and all the entities that gave their support for this endeavor,” said Biyo.

Biyo thanked the Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP) for its untiring effort in selecting, training and guiding the team throughout the process.

“We are very grateful to MSP, especially to Team Leader Dr. Richard Eden and Deputy Team Leader Dr. Louie John Vallejo, and all its officers and members for their immeasurable effort for this historic feat to happen. This is their victory as much as our students’,” she said. 

The IMO is the toughest and most prestigious mathematics competition in the world. Participants are faced with six “extremely difficult” problems, which are answered in two days. The Philippines started participating in the IMO 1988.

“We have been setting historic records year after year since 2010 and it’s tempting to expect our performance to get even better than this. This is an exciting time for us in the science and education communities,” added Biyo while promising continuous support for international participation in science and mathematics competitions. 

Brunei tops international ASEAN science lab competition

For the first time in five years, Brunei topped the ASEAN Plus Three Junior Science Odyssey (APTJSO), cutting short the four year streak of consistent top winner Philippines.

Topping the 5th APTJSO, held at the University of the Philippines – Los Banos, are Teo Siang Jun, Mohammad Ariff Zikry Mohammad Haziq, and Haji Ahmad Nizam Noor Manina from Brunei Team A.

Cupping the overall second and third places are two teams from the Philippines., represented by the Phillippine Science High School Central Visayas and Cagayan Valley Campuses. Philippines Team A composed of Jose Benjamin dela Cruz, Mark Ely Namoro and Hannah Keren Duque of PSHS-Cagayan Valley Campus landed second overall champion.

Coming third is Philippines Team D composed of Francis Jether Siao, Joseph Karl Salva Jr. and Sean Dominic Abella from PSHS-Central Visayas Campus. 

The APTJSO is an annual educational competition in the field of Science and Technology for young gifted students who are 13 to 15 years within the ASEAN Plus Three Region. The competition is designed to carry on the overall goal of the competition to develop the gifts and talents of young individuals in the S&T fields and to nurture future scientists and engineers within the APT region. Component contests of the competition are project pitching, laboratory skills assessment and poster presentation.

On the other hand, the Philippines dominated the competition in terms of medal haul as it snatched 15 medals from the different component contests in the competition. Chinese Taipei scoured 9 medals while Brunei got a total of 7 medals. 

In the Laboratory Skills Assessment, a competition that tested their adeptness in conducting experiments, Brunei got the gold medal, followed by Philippines and Chinese Taipei. 

In the project pitching category, where the students gave proposals on how to mitigate the effects of the climate change in the rainforest, Team Apitong got the highest award. Group Apitong is composed of Jose Benjamin dela Cruz of the Philippines, Dong Rui of China, Chalernphon Neugleuthai of Laos, Nguyen Phuong An of Vietnam, Alexandra Parrthena Papadopoulos of Sweden, Sieng Sunhan of Cambodia, and Ismail Muhd Adiib of Brunei. They are followed by Group Anahaw composed of Aisyoul Khorni Muhammad Hazim of Malaysia, Tran Minh Huyen of Vietnam, Pawarisa Sittichai of Thailand, Sithiktiya Chey of Cambodia, Chen Meng-Fu of Chinese Taipei and Francis Jether Siao of Philippines. Group Almaciga obtained the third place, composed of Baek Ji Hun of Korea, Bajan Dionela Jitka Quinagoran of Philippines, Ko Wei Ting of Chinese Taipei, Moe Hnin Oo of Myanmar, Mahammad Amin Abidah Syahmina of Brunei, and Somavattey Im of Cambodia. 

China netted the poster presentation, followed by Indonesia and Korea. 

Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary for Science and Technology Services Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara expressed her congratulations to the winning teams, prodding them to use their knowledge, learnings and experience from the APTJSO to pursue a STEM career and contribute to society.

“The energy, determination, and enthusiasm you have showed in this competition is a good fuel for the measures you want to take in taking on climate change by the horn,” she said during the awarding ceremony. 

UPLB Chancellor, Dr. Fernando Sanchez, Jr., on the other hand, reminded the participants how big an issue climate change is as well as their roles in being part of the solution to the said problem.

“Climate change is no longer something theoretical that may happen in the future, but a serious issue whose devastating effects we have clearly observed and experienced. It is also now an issue which many of our scientific minds are noew trying to find solutions to,” he said.

Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute Director Dr. Josette Biyo, meanwhile, was elated with the landslide medal haul of the Philippines. 

“You have made your mark not just as gifted individuals but as citizens of the planet. Your ideas have been heard and we hope that this activity has urged you to become disciples of science,” she said.

A Father's Day treat from McDonald’s for all Dad's

Filipinos have countless reasons to thank their dads on Father’s Day – for going the extra mile to make everyone laugh, for nights spent working on school assignments, and for the secret fries and sundae treat when mom was away. For all their hard work, dads deserve this one day in a year to take it easy and just relax. 

On Father’s Day, June 19, from         3-5 PM, McDonald’s will treat dads to free 1pc Chicken McDo for every Happy Meal purchase. This promo will be offered exclusively in all McDonald’s stores in SM branches and is valid for front counter transactions only. For complete mechanics,visit

 www.mcdonalds.com.ph.

Planning to treat dad to Chicken McDo on Father’s Day? Share your special moment by using the hashtag #PaChickenMcDoForDad and tagging @McDo_PH on Twitter and Instagram.

Below is the complete list of participating McDonald’s stores:

1. SM Aura                       25. SM Manila
2. SM Bacoor                     26. SM Marikina
3. SM Bacolod                    27. SM Marilao
4. SM Baguio                     28. SM Masinag
5. SM Baliwag                    29. SM Megamall
6. SM Batangas                   30. SM Muntinlupa
7. SM BF Paranaque               31. Sm Naga
8. SM Bicutan                    32. SM North EDSA
9. SM Cabanatuan (STO)           33. SM Novaliches
10. SM Cagayan de Oro            34. SM Pampanga
11. SM Calamba                   35. SM Rosales
12. SM Cauayan                   36. SM Rosario
13. SM Cebu                      37. SM San Jose del Monte
14. SM Clark                     38. SM San Lazaro
15. SM Daet                      39. SM San Pablo
16. SM Dasmarinas                40. SM Santa Rosa
17. SM Davao                     41. SM Seaside Cebu
18. SM Fairview                  42. SM Southmall
19. SM General Santos            43. SM Sta. Mesa
20. SM Iloilo                    44. SM Sucat
21. SM Lipa                      45. SM Taytay
22. SM Lucena                    46. SM Trece Martirez
23. SM Mall of Asia              47. SM Valenzuela
24. SM Makati