The Philippine Beat

Baskin-Robbins brings scooping happiness to Bonifacio High Street

2016-10-03T22:02:00.001+08:00

Please click here to read the post on my new domain - philippinebeat.com

Gabay Guro's 9th year continues to give tribute to our dear teachers

2016-09-19T15:25:00.001+08:00

Please click here to read the post on my new domain - philippinebeat.com

Tea lovers, get ready for Starbucks Teavana!

2016-09-15T20:10:00.001+08:00

Please click here to read the post on my new domain - philippinebeat.com

Watsons' Kiss Aging Goodbye campaign helps women fight aging signs

2016-08-10T11:16:00.000+08:00

Please click here to read the post on my new domain - philippinebeat.com

New Starbucks cards feature Manila, Cebu and a special edition Siren card

2016-07-28T08:04:00.000+08:00

In celebration of its 3rd anniversary in the Philippines, Starbucks is launching on August 8, 2016 two (2) beautiful Starbucks cards that will showcase the rich history of the Philippines plus a Special Edition Siren Starbucks Card.

The two Philippine-themed Starbucks cards are the Manila Starbucks Card (available only in Manila) and the Cebu Starbucks Card (available only in Cebu).

Manila Starbucks Card

Cebu Starbucks Card

Inspired by “Summer Night in Manila,” the Manila Starbucks Card design focuses on the iconic Philippine commuter jeepney travelling the busy city at night. The colorful and intricate designs on the body of what is dubbed as the king of the roads in Metro Manila represent the vibrant culture of the Filipinos. For those in the queen city of the south, the Cebu Starbucks Card features the exquisite scenery of the Marcelo Fernan Bridge and Mactan Mandaue Bridge as if viewed from the hilltops of Cebu that are decked with the Sinulog flower.

Both cards are available starting August 8 for an initial load of only PhP 300 each. Both cards also come with matching tumblers.

Aside from these two cards that portray Filipino culture, Starbucks is also releasing a Special Edition Siren Starbucks Card highlighting the Siren as the heart of Starbucks. It tells the story of Starbucks rich heritage, representing the brand’s loyalty to its roots as it evolves. This card is also available for an initial load of PhP 300 starting August 8.

Special Edition Siren Starbucks Card

A Starbucks Anniversary Treat

As an anniversary treat, customers who activate any of the featured qualified Starbucks Cards with at least PhP 1,500 from August 8 to 10 will receive a complimentary Starbucks mini green apron card carrier or any Grande handcrafted beverage.

Note: Qualified Cards are Manila Starbucks Card in Metro Manila, Cebu Starbucks Card in Cebu and Special Edition Siren Starbucks Card in all non-Metro Manila and Non-Cebu stores.

Also, from July 26 to August 1, customers who reload their My Starbucks Rewards account through www.starbucks.ph/card with at least PhP 1,000 will earn three (3) complimentary Beverage Stars.

Authentic Vietnamese casual dining at Annam Noodle Bar

2016-07-11T14:38:00.001+08:00

The portal to a Vietnamese casual dining experience is in Metro Manila. Located in the Eastwood area, Annam Noodle Bar (Annam, for short) is right in the hustle and bustle of the residential and commercial area.

Annam's origins are in Singapore (surprisingly!) where it is called Namnam Noodle Bar, after its owner Chef Nam Q Nguyen or Chef Nam. Here in Manila, known as Annam, the noodle bar's concept is based on the original Namnam in Singapore -- trendy Vietnamese cuisine. Annam is also the first franchise outlet, a clear sign of confidence that it will appeal to Filipino foodies.

Just looking around Annam, it was not hard to notice the merging of the old-world concept and the new. I learned this was done on purpose by the interior designers. The counters, where orders were being taken and prepared, looked somewhat like our old carinderia-style eateries in downtown Manila with food displayed behind glass. Even the tables were placed close to each other to give that tight, communal seating feel.

Food is displayed behind glass, typical of old-style Vietnamese food stores

Rows of spices and an old neon sign reminiscent of how advertising used to be in the 60s and 70s

And yet as I looked around at the decor, I saw the modernity in the lighting and decor. Industrial-looking light fixtures, beautiful murals on walls, and a giant TV screen on one wall, with what seemed like a Vietnamese documentary on loop, adorned the place.

A mix of the old-world and the modern world

Annam is a health-conscious person's kind of cuisine. A lot of the dishes combine ginger, cilantro, star arise, lime, cloves and cinnamon - spices that are known to have some medicinal benefits. A huge plus is their NO MSG policy in all their dishes.

I was so happy to see a mommy and beauty blogger friend, Shen. She has been so busy with mommyhood that I haven't seen her in a while. We took a table beside other bloggers and chose our dinner.

It was a good decision to order different dishes and share among ourselves. I was actually relieved I did not have to eat one whole dish by myself since I try to limit my dinner portions already and I wanted to try out as many dishes as I could. Here are the dishes we ordered:

Small Plates - These are dishes served in small portions. Perfect as appetizers or for those with small appetites.

A must try - Crispy Imperial Rolls, PhP 200

Caramelised Chicken Wings with Shrimp Paste, PhP 200

Green Papaya Salad with Beef Jerky, fresh herbs and peanuts, PhP 250

Hanoi Pho - A collection of rice flour noodles (called pho in Vietnamese) with intense broth boiled over 24 hours, garnished with fresh herbs and spring onions.

Pho Australian Beef Steak Slices, PhP 320

Viet Desserts - Favorite Vietnamese desserts, both hot and cold. The two that we tried below are popular must-try's. Watch out when biting into the Crispy Fried Banana. It is quite hot on the inside but definitely a yummy treat.

Crispy Fried Banana with Coconut Sauce and Sesame Seeds, PhP 180

Chilled Dried Longan, Lotus Seeds,
Water Chestnut, and Seaweed Dessert, PhP 180

Besides these 2 categories of dishes, they still have 2 others:

1. Banh Mi (or Viet sandwiches), usually toasted baguettes stuffed with savory meats, chicken pate, mayonnaise, hot chili peppers, pickled carrots, daikon, cucumber, and fresh cilantro.

2. Other Noodles - Other classic Vietnamese noodle recipes from Southern and Central Vietnam

Don't forget to try their Viet Coffee Ca Phe. Viet coffee is dark roasted and brewed using top-grade coffee beans. I would have loved to try their coffee but I do not take coffee after noon (it keeps me awake). Just a note for caffeine-sensitive people -- Viet coffee is VERY STRONG. I think it is even stronger than our local barako coffee so be forewarned, haha!

You cannot miss their unique beverage concoctions either. You can have Iced Soda Tamarind Drink with Peanut & Sesame Seeds, Freshly Pressed Sugarcane Juice with Kaffir Lime Leaves, Lychee-Pandan Iced Tea, Pineapple-Coconut Lime Iced Tea, Lemongrass-Ginger Iced Tea, or Mekong Fresh Young Coconut.

And there's more to love. There are value meals at different times of the day.

From 10AM to 2PM, there is a value lunch set (for a limited time only!)

Click to enlarge image

From 2-5PM, it is caphe (break) time with a Banh Mi and Dessert at lower prices.

Click to enlarge image

About Chef Nam

Chef Nam's story is quite unique. His first 7 years of life were spent in Saigon but his family had to escape to Denmark in 1979 during the Vietnam War. Despite growing up in Scandinavia, his parents kept their Vietnamese traditions, culture and food.

Chef Nam

Chef Nam began his culinary journey at the Copenhagen Culinary Institute. He joined the Grand Hotel in Oslo, Norway in 1997. He then moved to Michelin-star Le Canard Oslo. Two years later, Chef Nam joined New York’s premier Scandinavian restaurant, Aquavit, before he transferred to The Lighthouse, a concept in Singapore by the Les Amis Group, where he honed his fine-dining French cuisine. During his tenure from 2000 to 2002, Chef Nam picked up a Rising Chef of 2002 award at the World Gourmet Summit that year. His other culinary experiences include Raffles Hotel International in London and Bali’s The Legian Hotel. His last work experience before putting up Namnam Noodle Bar was with the award-winning luxury hotel, The Sukhothai Bangkok as Executive Chef.

Annam is located at Unit 1880-4 Ground Floor, 1880 Building, Eastwood Ave., Eastwood City, Libis. By end of 2016, we should be seeing another Annam outlet in the Resorts World Manila area.

Find Annam online here:
Website: www.namnamnoodlebar.com
Facebook Page: facebook.com/AnnamNoodleBar
Instagram: @AnnamNoodleBar

Plan your vacation with Singapore Airlines and MasterCard during their Midyear Travel Fair this July 2016

2016-07-02T08:15:00.000+08:00

You can now see the world on ridiculously affordable prices as Singapore Airlines and MasterCard, together with SilkAir, the airline's sister carrier, launch the largest nationwide Mid-Year Travel Fair from July 8-31, 2016. By availing of this promotional deal, you also get a chance to win a trip to Germany or South Africa. But I am getting ahead of myself....be sure to read till the end.

Singapore Airlines has always been one of my favorite airlines. When I was still in corporate, if I had a choice, this airline was top of mind in my choosing which airline to take. They had a very good safety record and customer excellence was par excellence. It was always a pleasant experience flying with them. Now, this experience is going to be even more affordable to travelers.

First things first so we get this promotional deal right.

This is going to be open to KrisFlyer AND MasterCard members only.

If you are not yet a KrisFlyer member it is so easy to be one. Just go to krisflyer.com, register some details, and you are a member. As for being a MasterCard holder, most everyone with a credit card is, anyway.

Walking around the Singapore Airlines exhibits at our blogger event, this caught my eye -- PREMIUM ECONOMY CLASS. That's an entirely new class recently introduced in all Singapore Airlines flights! When you travel, especially on long haul flights, it is those little extra touches that make flying a lot more tolerable and pleasant...like more leg room, a larger display screen, calf- and foot-rest, priority check-in, and extra baggage allowance. Those are just some of what you get from Premium Economy!

The Premium Economy Class. My favorite feature? 35kg baggage allowance!!!

The Awesome Promotional Deals

When Singapore Airlines prices its flights, the rates are ALL-IN! That means no invisible costs, no surprises. What you see is all you pay. And....I was told that these promo deals still earn KrisFlyer miles that can count towards your next trip!

Promo Period: July 8-31, 2016
Travel Period: Covers all-inclusive, round-trip flights out of Manila, Cebu, Davao and Kalibo from July 8, 2016 to March 31, 2017

Imagine, for as low as US$ 180, you can already fly to Singapore (I am sooooo tempted!). And rates are even better when you book for two because on some destinations, rates are even lower for Two-To-Go.

ECONOMY CLASS promo rates (Click to enlarge)

PREMIUM ECONOMY promo rates

BUSINESS CLASS promo rates (Click to enlarge)

Singapore Airlines also announced it will be flying TWICE DAILY to San Francisco and Los Angeles beginning Oct. 23, 2016.

How to Book Your Tickets

There are several ways to book your flights:

1) Online via singaporeair.com using your MasterCard credit card

2) The Singapore Airlines and SilkAir ticket offices

3) SIA Reservations at 756-8888, SilkAir Cebu at 6332-505-7871, SilkAir Davao at 6382-227-5301, SilkAir Kalibo at 6336-500-7226 or any participating travel agent

4) At the Singapore Airlines booth during the Travel Madness Expo on July 8-10, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center.

Be a Winner Twice Over with a Chance to Win Travel Packages

This promotional deal on economy, premium economy, and business classes makes you a winner already. But there's more!

You might just be a winner the second time around because with each promotional ticket you buy, you automatically earn raffle entries where you get the chance to win these prizes from MasterCard's Priceless Package:

* A pair of Business Class tickets to Dusseldorf, Germany

* A pair of Premium Economy Class tickets to Cape Town, South Africa

The number of raffle entries earned depends on the ticket class:

Economy Class - 1 raffle entry
Premium Economy Class - 5 raffle entries
Business Class - 10 raffle entries

Start planning your vacation because these promo deals will go like hotcakes when it is launched in a few days.

Follow Singapore Airlines here:
Website: singaporeair.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/singaporeair
KrisFlyer website: krisflyer.com

Masflex celebrates 25 years in the Philippines with a wide range of cookware and kitchenware

2016-06-24T18:33:00.000+08:00

When a brand celebrates 25 years of existence in the Philippines, you know that not only are they here to stay but that they have grown and expanded throughout the years to provide even better options for their customers.

At a recent celebration of Masflex's 25 years of cookware and kitchenware innovation in the Philippines, I feasted on the wide variety of cookware that was laid out in a long table to showcase just how much Masflex cookware and kitchenware has already evolved since its humble beginnings in 1989 when it began with chrome organizers and nonstick fry pans with wooden handles.

That day, I arrived at the event quite early. Perfect! I had a lot of time to myself to check out the different cookware collections Masflex had developed over the years as well as personally meet Nancy Reyes-Lumen, Masflex's brand ambassadress, whose name and face is very well known in the culinary industry and who, as we all know, comes from the famous Reyes clan that owns The Aristocrat restaurant. She actually approached me to say hi just before the event formally started (see why the early bird catches the worm?). :-)

With THE Nancy Reyes-Lumen

Nancy Reyes-Lumen is the perfect Masflex Ambassadress. She fits perfectly into Masflex's ideal for an ambassador -- one who has a genuine passion for cooking and can relate to the wide demographic base of Masflex's consumers. That's not all. Nancy brings in even more to Masflex that makes her really shine. She is a home-maker, grandmother, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, multi-media personality, singer (Yes!!! And I have a video to prove it!), band member, home cook, restaurateur, commissary operator, food writer, editor, food stylist, food show host, lecturer, Filipino food advocate, healthy food advocate, food researcher and a true blue cook -- all rolled into one. To top it all off, she has also been a loyal user of Masflex cookware and kitchenware so her endorsement cannot get any more authentic than this.

Nancy showed us different ways to use Masflex cookware to cook easy-to-prepare dishes. With some dishes, she was assisted by her group of "nanay cooks" and for others, select celebrities came up on stage to help her. I really enjoyed listening to her. I think her experience in front of the camera makes her so bagay (suited). She is funny, very casual and intimate, and her advice is super solid!

Enjoy one of Nancy Reyes-Lumen's videos. I'm putting it here so I do not forget the steps when I try it out.

Here's one for Braised Mechado

And look!!! Bloggers even got to do Pancake Art!!! Can you guess what that is?

Using several Masflex crepe pans and plastic icing containers filled with batter in different colors, bloggers tried their hand creating pancake artwork that are candy to the eyes and yummy to the tummy.

In 25 years, Masflex has come up with a wide range of cookware that takes advantage of the technology of the times.

In 1996, Masflex added the colored non-stick cookware line. Today, you can go with their basic non-stick cookware or opt for their higher-end forged aluminum cookware with Daikin Japan non-stick coatings such as Ceramic, Marble or Stone.

Ceramic non-stick cookware

Up close -- forged technology -- a marble coated pan

Marble line of cookware

In 2006, Masflex introduced induction cookware as induction stoves came into the market. Masflex is the first to have a complete line of induction-ready cookware -- from frying pans to sauce pans, casseroles, stock pots, woks and more specialized cookware such as crepe pans.

Induction-ready cookware

Ten years later, in 2016, Masflex introduced the Diamond line of cookware from Korea. We know how hard diamond is. Imagine that this cookware line has FIVE (5) layers of diamond coating!!! That provides superior non-stick performance! Aside from that, the handles of this diamond line comes with a Thermochromatic Heat Sensor on the handle -- a first in the Philippines and serves as a guide to the cook when the pan is at optimal temperature to start cooking.

A pan with a 5-layer diamond coating

Now, Masflex also offers aluminum cookware that comes in both basic (3mm) and premium (5mm) encapsulated aluminum bottoms. This aluminum line is extremely durable, light, easy to clean and has a rich shine.

You can find more details about Masflex on these sites:
Website: www.masflex.com.ph
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/MasflexCookware
YouTube channel: MasflexCookware

Experiencing the Watsons challenge to take the Switch Test

2016-06-20T10:41:00.000+08:00

Question: If you could save up to 80% on body lotion, 60% on body scrub, and 55% on a hair iron, would you switch brand?

I would likely consider it strongly. After all, as a mother with a large family and a limited budget, little savings here and there mean I can use the savings for other things or just keep it for a rainy day.

Watsons also aimed to answer this question as they conducted switch tests in major cities around the country with unbranded booths and making customers try out two products per category -- a Watsons brand and a leading competitor. So we could experience the Switch Test ourselves, they also made us go through several brand tests at a recent event.

I went through 3 brand tests: for a toothpaste, a body scrub, and tissue.

I chose A - the bristles were softer and shorter (easy to reach teeth at the back)

I chose B - the grains were finer and smelled better

I chose A - it was stronger and harder to tear

It was so amusing that my friend Noemi and I chose exactly the same product samples. This isn't the first time we have chosen the same things (or even worn the same color of clothes), haha.

Christian Bautista and Tessa Prieto-Valdes, two of Watsons' ambassadors, chose some bloggers onstage also to try the tests, including some additional products like a hair iron.

Christian Bautista, a Watsons ambassador, talks about the Switch Test

Trying to tear tissue apart. He chose B because it was softer. It tore apart more easily vs A though.

Trying the body scrub. She chose A because of its scent.

Trying out the hair lotion. She chose A as it ironed her hair better.

Testing lotion. She chose A because a small amount went a long way.

It turns out that all the A's were Watsons products while the B's were leading brands. The bloggers, including us, chose a mix of A's and B's but it really did not matter. Because this was the point.

If you chose A, lucky you! Your first choice was also the more affordable Watsons brand!

If you chose B (the leading brand), that was okay too because it meant you had personal reasons to prefer it. However, you also had the choice to select Watsons products which were up to 80% cheaper on some items! This switch can happen if the difference between both brands is not so wide, making it easier to switch to the more affordable one.

The Watsons team and ambassadors

In the end, there are times when quality trumps savings. But really, does it have to be one or the other? Can't one have the best of both world and have both quality AND savings? Watsons products say they can give you both.

Check out some of these Watsons brands that we tried during the Switch Test.

Watsons Milk & Salt Scrub

Watsons Slim Soft Charcoal Toothbrush

Watsons Velvety Tissue

Watsons Whitening Mulberry Lotion

About the Watsons Brand

Watsons is Asia's leading health and beauty retailer, currently operating over 4,800 stores and more than 1,400 pharmacies in 11 Asian and European markets, including China (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau), Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

You Can & You Will: A campaign that gives women the power over cervical cancer

2016-06-19T08:24:00.000+08:00

Did you know that...

* Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Filipinas?

* 7 Filipino women die DAILY of cervical cancer?

* 2 out of 3 Filipinas diagnosed with cervical cancer may die within 5 years?

While that may sound like a death sentence, IT ISN'T.....if we know how to harness our power over cervical cancer.

A Quick View of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop and spread in the cervix, the entrance between the vagina and the uterus. Persistent infection, brought about by human papillomavirus (HPV), a cancer-causing virus, causes cervical cancer. HPV infections come and go. Some clear up spontaneously. However, when the immune system is weak, HPV infections may persist and eventually develop into cervical cancer.

Who are at risk?

HPV is transmitted primarily via sexual intercourse and skin-to-skin genital contact. Those most at risk are young girls who had their first sexual experience at a young age; those who have given birth multiple times; have or have had sexually transmitted diseases; have HIV or has a weakened immune system; a smoker; used oral contraceptives for 5 years or more; and those who rarely or have not yet had any pap smear. The thing about this type of cancer is that it is a silent killer. By the time it manifests, the woman is usually in the late stage of cancer already.

The World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (WHO-SAGE) recommends that young girls get protection through HPV immunization before their first exposure to HPV through sexual contact. For older women, the risk of persistent HPV infection increases with age and is highest when a woman is over 66 years old.

Screening for early detection allows treatment to start much earlier when cervical cancer progression can be arrested. It is also so much less expensive than cancer treatment, which easily runs into hundreds of thousands of pesos at the very least, not to mention its significant impact on one's permanent health and well-being.

Using your Power over Cervical Cancer

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has always pushed its advocacy to create cervical cancer awareness and it is doing it again in 2016 with its "You Can & You Will" campaign.

Cervical cancer survivors, including the mom of Andi Manzano (a well-known TV host and actress), as well as OB-Gyne doctors, are encouraging Filipinas to wield our power to protect ourselves as well as our dreams through early screening (recommended starting age is 21 years old) to detect cervical abnormalities and to go for regular gynecological checkups and doctor consultations.

The Q&A portion with the doctors was very educational for me. Here are additional, important things to remember, including the myths around cervical cancer.

* You CANNOT get the HPV virus by using public toilets. It is only transmitted via sexual contact or skin-to-skin genital contact.
* Wrong use of sanitary pads and pantyliners DO NOT also cause you to have the HPV virus
* Even boys/men need the cervical cancer vaccine because they can be HPV carriers or get infected by their sexual partners. HPV is associated with penile cancer.

To know more about cervical cancer, visit the Power Over Cervical Cancer Facebook page (www.facebook.com/POCCPh) and the Pangarap Mo, Protektado YouTube page (www.youtube.com/ProteksyonPortal). These sites contain information and short films that convey how to protect one's self against vaccine-preventable diseases like cervical cancer.

McCormick introduces its noodle and seasoning mixes

2016-06-16T09:32:00.000+08:00

Every time I hear the word "McCormick", what comes to my mind are the rows upon rows of green spice bottles in the supermarket and in our kitchen. We grew up with McCormick's different spices which my Mom always bought. So.....being invited to a McCormick event got me excited....

Yes!!! McCormick launched a new product (and it wasn't a new spice!). Can you guess what?

McCormick Noodle and Seasoning Mixes

Five favorite Asian dishes became the inspiration for McCormick to develop noodle and seasoning mixes that any of us can whip up in our own homes.

Each seasoning mix comes in its own large pack which already includes all the ingredients you would need to whip up the dish including the noodles. No need to go out to the supermarket for them. The cooking process is easy because it can be done in 4 steps and completed in just about 30 minutes. You have the option to add other ingredients to make the dish suit your personal preference.

Here are the 5 seasoning mixes:

1. Laksa - This is a Singaporean dish which combines Chinese and Malay cuisine. It is made of rice noodles or rice vermicelli served with chicken, prawn or fish in a spicy soup. When I think of laksa, I think of the coconut milk-based one (this McCormick variant is coconut milk-based) but I found out that there are also laksa dishes that are tamarind-based.

Click to enlarge image

2. Chap Chae - This Korean dish is a favorite even among Filipinos. Made from potato noodles, it is stir-fried in sesame oil with vegetables. Sometimes, beef is added. It is also flavored with soy sauce and sweetened with sugar.

Click to enlarge image

3. Birthday Noodles - A popular dish usually ordered from Chinese restaurants on special occasions like birthdays, Birthday Noodles are made from wheat noodles plus a sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and shrimp stock. Meat and vegetables are added to your preference.

Click to enlarge image

4. Pad Thai - A Thai dish, this is a stir-fried noodle dish usually seen as a street food and served in casual eateries in Thailand.

Click to enlarge image

5. Palabok - Our very own Palabok cannot be missed, of course. Made from rice noodles, it is usually topped with a very thick orange sauce flavored with shrimp and smoked dried fish (called tinapa).

Click to enlarge image

The event would not be complete without all of us actually trying the dishes. We all got to taste each of the 5 dishes, made from the seasoning mixes.

Dishes made from McCormick noodle and seasoning mixes

Working couples and busy people can have these Asian favorites without spending too much preparation time. McCormick has leveled up beyond just providing the spices which they are famous for. Now, they are making the dining experience extra special as well without much hassle.

Follow McCormick Philippines and find even more inspiring recipes and ideas.
Website: www.mccormick.com.ph
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/friendsandflavor

June-July 2016 Starbucks Card Collectibles: Vivienne Tam and Scales

2016-06-15T13:37:00.000+08:00

Two awesome, must-have Starbucks cards are available: one was released this June and another is coming in July.

Vivienne Tam Starbucks Card

The Vivienne Tam Starbucks Card
Available July 1, 2016 with initial consumable load of PhP 1,000

Vivienne Tam is a fashion designer based in New York City. She is of Chinese descent, born in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

By David Shankbone - Own work
CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15074409

Vivienne designs Eastern-inspired clothing for celebrities and fashionistas globally. Her Eastern-inspired style has also found its way to fashion accessories like bags and Vivienne has even designed several of the HP Mini's cover and look with matching mouse. Now, she has placed her signature stamp on a Starbucks Card as well so this is a sure collectible!

The Vivienne Tam Starbucks card will be available in all Starbucks stores in the Philippines by July 1, 2016 for an initial consumable load of PhP 1,000. (Note: Limited to 2 Vivienne Tam cards per customer per day)

The Scales Starbucks Card

The one released last June 7 was one that my two girls and I had to have. We seem to have this affinity with anything sea-related, haha. In my case, I already have previously released cards that had something to do with the ocean - the Surf Wave card and the Siren card. Now, taking inspiration from the Siren, Starbucks has come up with the Scales card that features special blue fish scales that reflect back different colors as light hits it when you move the card in different directions. I love it!

Get this one while stocks are available. You can get it for an initial consumable load of only PhP 300. (Note: Limited to 2 Scales cards per customer per day)

Scales Card
Available with initial consumable load of PhP 300

My other sea-themed cards: Wave Starbucks Mini and Siren

Meeting DOH Secretary Janette Garin up close

2016-06-08T22:22:00.001+08:00

Knowing how busy Cabinet secretaries are, I accepted an invitation to be one of the bloggers to meet and greet Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Janette Garin. It was probably one of her last acts under the Aquino administration but it was good to know what health programs were carried out under her watch and which ones she will be endorsing to the incoming administration.

A little background on Sec. Garin

Sec. Janette, I found out, is a native of Leyte and married to an Ilonggo. A kababayan!

Although a physician by education, Sec. Garin comes from a political family. She began with campus politics, then SK. After one term in politics, she decided to pursue her medical studies and fulfill her dreams as a doctor. But after medicine, she helped her husband's campaign in Iloilo. A few days before the election, one of the candidates had a stroke and she was pushed as a substitute candidate. She became a Board Member of Iloilo.

Her plans to do full medical practice was interrupted when circumstances again pushed her to run for Congress. She was elected Representative of the 1st District of Iloilo for 3 years (2004-2013). In that time, she was a large part of the Magna Carta for Women, Cheaper Medicines Law, the Responsible Parenthood, and Reproductive Health Law

In 2013, she was appointed Undersecretary of the DOH. When then DOH Secretary Ona left DOH, she was appointed DOH Secretary. She served in this position for 19 months under the Aquino administration.

A Review of DOH's Health Programs

Sec. Garin filled us in on the different programs of the DOH, starting with a history of health reforms of the department (Fig. 1). She said that under different administrations, the health reforms were very similar but were just called different names. But under the Aquino administration, they focused on 3 main reforms: Financial Risk Protection, Access to Quality Health Services, and Attainment of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Fig. 1

Financial Risk Protection

Sec. Garin showed a slide on DOH budget from 2012-16 and how much of the budget each year was utilized (Fig. 2). It struck me that the 2016 DOH budget was significantly higher than all previous years at around PhP 120-B (more than double that of 2015). Unfortunately, the year is not yet over so we still have to see what key projects the increased budget was for and if the budget utilization will be as high as previous years at an average of over 80% and that the premium subsidy for indigents will be a healthy ratio to the budget.

Fig. 2

Most of the poor and 5.8M senior citizens are now covered by PhilHealth (Fig. 3). However, Sec. Garin explained that the 100% coverage in the slide can be a bit misleading since there are those who do not fall under eligibility under the present scheme where a family member designates beneficiaries. Once a beneficiary reaches 21, or gets married and has children, he ceases to be covered by PhilHealth unless he also becomes a member and designates his family as beneficiaries. She plans to recommend to the next administration that PhilHealth membership be made individually.

Fig. 3

Access to Quality Health Services

DOH is defining certain health care services such that there is no competition among clinics, district hospitals, and tertiary/specialty hospitals by aligning the service delivery network (Fig. 4). The "gatekeepers" or primary health facilities are the barangay centers, urban health centers for direct patient care. LGU hospitals are for the basic hospitalization. Tertiary/specialty hospitals are for the more complicated health services needing specialties. Instead of competing, the aim is to make them complement each other.

Fig. 4

DOH under Sec. Garin also set up the HFEP Management Office. This is meant to ensure that the DOH plans continue from one admin to another. This office will allow continuity of all programs and coordinates all involved offices including IT, HR, patient matrix, etc.

She also mentioned that, nationwide, drugs is a big problem. Drug rehabilitation centers are now being put in the regions to decongest Bicutan and to ensure that these drug users are rehabilitated and returned to society.

Finally, Sec. Garin is a huge believer in utilizing valuable assets in the medical field who were underused before but are being deployed now (Fig. 5). DOH is now making use of public health associates (nursing graduates who did not pass the board) who work side by side with licensed nurses and doctors. Even during rapid nurse turnover, public health associates carry institutional memory with them that will help health centers while they are still trying to augment the gaps. DOH is also crafting a TESDA course where public health associates train for skills needed in countries abroad looking for professionals for senior care. Universal health care (UHC) implementers, doctors who did not pass the board, are also being utilized in the medical industry. DOH also highly encourages these UHC implementers to retake the board. In 2015-16, DOH also focused on deploying midwives, dentists and medical technologists to augment those from the provinces.

Attainment of MDGs

Sec. Garin enumerated several areas that addressed health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs):

* Maternal mortality ratio has dropped from 129 in 2010 to 114 in 2015.

* Fully immunized children (covering rotavirus, IPV, dengue, PCV 13, influenza) has risen to about 90% of those in the school-based immunization program

* While HIV-AIDS cases are on the rise, there is also an increase in anti-retroviral treatment. There are now 40 testing centers and 22 satellite clinics nationwide. Because of regional testing centers, more are being tested locally instead of having them go to Metro Manila. Being sensitive and discreet to protect those who may test positive, many of these tests are done as part of a blood drive which includes tests for other conditions like Hepa B or Hepa C.

* Introduction of vaccines against dengue, polio (Inactivated Polio Vaccine), cervical cancer, measles-rubella-tetanus-diphtheria, and rabies (full dose) to the greater public. Previously, this was only available in the private sector.

* DOH has now shifted to buying maintenance medications (Metoprolol, Amlodipine, Losartan, and Metformin) for diabetes and hypertension. DOH is also starting to look at mental health drugs and cancer drugs (cancer of the breast, leukemia, childhood cancer, prostate, stomach, colon).

* DOH has provided the flu vaccine to 2.1M indigent senior citizens

* Creation of a DOH Academy, a competency building unit established May 2015. It is linked to Ateneo School of Government, UP courses, and potentially, Lee Kuan Yew University in Singapore where trainings count as credits towards masteral units or continuing education credits.

* Hospital scorecard (cleanliness, availability of medicines, availability of human resource, service delivery network, and PhilHealth utilization) -- a performance measurement tool to incentivize improvement of quality of health services and guide performance-based budgeting. A team evaluates and hospital gets funding based on scorecard.

While Sec. Garin is in transition now as part of the turnover to the next administration, it looks to me like all these programs are already set in motion so that the next DOH Secretary just needs to continue what has already been started. I am looking forward to a much better health care system for our country in the future.

Some of the bloggers with Sec. Janette Garin

Slides courtesy of DOH.

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