MANILA, Philippines – Living a more active lifestyle is a promise people often make to themselves. However, we can’t always force ourselves into things. Hitting the gym, jogging daily, or going vegan, may not be for everybody.

But who knows, the key to the right kind of active lifestyle may be something you’re not even aware of.

To help you out, we made a list of cool places to discover for a healthier, happier you.

Jump into parkour at Ninja Academy

Assassin’s Creed, Baby Driver, BuyBust, and to some extent, Spider-Man; the art of “moving to overcome obstacles in an environment” is all the rage these days.

Well, did you know that Southeast Asia’s biggest parkour facility is here in the Philippines? Through their intense training sessions, Ninja Academy has made it its mission to “introduce, cultivate, and inspire movement back into people’s lives.”

Behind the flashy jumps, vaults, and flips, parkour is a whole body workout that’s not only effective in helping you shed those calories but is also as fun as it looks.

Unleash your inner samurai at Sugawara Budo Philippines

Yes, samurais exist...and they’ve been training quietly in the Philippines since 1998.

Unlike Karate, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, and the other competitive martial arts you often see nowadays, Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu is a martial art that forgoes belts and tournaments. Instead, it’s focused on training practitioners with efficient moves and swordsmanship designed to incapacitate opponents on the battlefield.

You can learn all about this at Sugawara Budo Philippines. But warning, don’t expect to fall in line and practice kicks, punches, and forms in unison. Here, the sessions are one-on-one. And before you can even start, you have to swear an oath, as the ways of Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu are religiously guarded.

Move on up at Climb Central

Indeed, there’s always going to be another mountain. But now you won’t have to travel far because Climb Central is taking it indoors and into the heart of Metro Manila.

With 750 square meters of climbing space, Climb Central is literally a place where everyone can make the climb. They have walk-in entries and programmes designed for adults, teens, families and children, and even corporate groups.

Paddle up at Saddle Row

Indoor rowing is more challenging than it seems. It’s a workout that exercises both your upper and lower body, challenging them to work in sync.

It’s now growing a steady cult following, and you, too, can check out what the fuss is all about at Saddle Row.

If rowing is not your sort of thing, Saddle Row also has cycling classes that you can sign up for.

Stay cool as you keep on moving

So are you ready to go on your fitness journey? With all these options, there’s no need to fret!

But now that you’ve got a cool head though, don’t forget, your body should be just as cool as you keep on moving.

Remember to keep hydrated, bring a towel, and wear clothes that let your body breathe whenever you work out. Also, don’t forget proper hygiene. Take a shower, bring extra clothes, and use a reliable deodorant like Rexona Ice Cool + Anti-Stain to keep your body protected all throughout.

What other cool workout alternatives would you recommend? Share it with us in the comments section! – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – From Cleopatra to Michelle Phan, women (and men) have looked up to gurus for their makeup skills or innovative ideas on beauty.

It’s no different for today’s beauty aficionados – apart from a little something we call Instagram.

Influencers run the gamut on the social media platform, providing beauty tips, makeup or skincare inspo, and product recommendations. According to a report by Meltwater, 65% of teens discover and buy beauty products through social media and influencers. Instagram has made these gurus more influential than the A-listers, thanks to their comparative relatability.

Instagram has also made brands more accessible, giving companies a chance to interact with their consumers more closely and organically. Brands are now just a DM or comment away. 

Flatlays, shelfies (photos of makeup or skincare shelves), and glowing selfies make it even more enticing to buy. From contouring to highlighting, several notable beauty trends made their rounds on Instagram before taking off into the mainstream. 

Fluffy, brushed-up brows

Get the look with Sunnies Face Lifebrow

Bright, long-lasting tints

Get the look with Happy Skin Kiss & Bloom Water Lip & Cheek Tint

 Matte nudes

Get the look with Maybelline Sensational Liquid Matte Lip Tint

 Beach-flushed cheeks

Get the look with Colourette Coloursnap

However, social media is constantly evolving, and as Gen Z-ers enter the scene, candid photos are preferred over carefully curated ones. Aesthetic seems to be making way for authentic. For instance, #freethepimple eschews unrealistic beauty standards in favor of embracing the skin you’re in. 

Instagram’s accessibility has given the once-exclusive industry a chance to diversify beyond traditional definitions of beauty. Netizens are demanding to see this from brands by clamoring for more shades suitable for a wide range of skin colors. 

And it seems like it’s working – see Fenty Beauty’s debut launch of 40 foundation shades and Too Faced’s expanded range after complaints from customers. 

It’s easy to dismiss Instagram for being a hotbed for self-centered posts. But it’s becoming a platform for a much-needed beauty revolution too. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – When we think of dehydration, what often comes to mind is the sun, the sweat, the rigorous activities. In the Philippines, where heat is all year round, it is during the peaks of summers when staying hydrated becomes a top priority.

However, once this peak subsides and as we interchange between our “regular” hot weather and the cold air of the rainy season, many make the mistake of thinking that dehydration is no longer a threat.

“Sweating in this rain? Are you kidding me? Summer is over,” some may even say. But no matter what the temperature is, your body sweats. It’s just how it's built. 

In fact, your sweat may just be evaporating faster in cool dry weather. This leads you not to notice the water your body is losing, and thus increasing your chances of dehydration.

This is just an example of how you’re getting dehydrated without you knowing. Here are other reasons and what you need to know to defeat dehydration, no matter the weather.

The stress cycle

Stress causes dehydration, and dehydration causes stress. It’s a chicken-and-egg cycle.

According to HuffPost, stress causes your body to pump out stress hormones. When this happens continuously, your glands get exhausted. This negatively affects the hormones that regulate your body’s level of fluids and electrolytes.

Conversely, if you’re feeling less productive, finding it harder to concentrate, and struggling to analyze tasks at hand, you may already be dehydrated. 

These are the findings of a study conducted by the Exercise Physiology Laboratory at the Georgia Institute of Technology. According to the study, not only does dehydration cause problems in attention and complex processing, but it can also cause mood changes and general muddled thinking.

Traffic, commuting, and crowds

After a long day’s work, you’re still not out of the woods. The stress of your daily commute can also dehydrate you. 

Public transport – via train, bus, or jeep – keeps you on constant alert mode. Whether it’s racing to catch a ride, holding your possessions close to you, or waiting for the next stop. Furthermore, being in crowded spaces for prolonged periods of time can make things worse. Crowds mean more heat, and heat makes you perspire.

Drivers are not safe either. Driving through Metro Manila on a rush hour is stressful. Many also forget to keep hydrated during these long drives.

TGIF (?)

Looking to blow off some steam? It’s natural that one looks for a night out with friends — doing pub crawls, drinking alcohol, feasting on street food and pulutan.

This kind of fun, however, is notorious for causing dehydration. In fact, you don’t need to be hungover to be dehydrated. Even casual drinking can deplete your body’s fluids. 

Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it makes you urinate more. Normally, when you consume fluid, hormones send it to your body for circulation. But when you drink alcohol, it goes straight to your bladder. 

As this happens, because of the alcohol, your cells shrink, pushing out water. 

This explains why you feel skinny in the morning after a night of partying. No, it’s not because of your diet. You just lost your water weight. Tsk tsk.

Chillin’ is a villain 

You know what also makes you lose water in your body? Air conditioning. Yep, AC’s cool you to the point of making you too dry.

Air conditioning lowers air humidity. This causes water loss from your lungs and reduces the moisture in your skin. And dehydrated skin is “less flexible, duller, and can’t repair itself effectively.”

Furthermore, your office jacket? Those extra layers may absorb your perspiration when you do physical activities. This can alter your perception of how much you’re actually sweating.

So take note, lounging around the office does not make you immune to dehydration.

Keeping hydrated

The technique to stay hydrated is closely keeping in tune with the needs of your body. If you feel thirsty, go on and drink. Likewise goes if your mouth or skin is becoming a bit dry. Drink as well if you’re feeling too stressed out or having a hard time thinking and concentrating.

Keep away too from snacks with high sodium content as salt absorbs moisture.

There are isotonic drinks designed to keep you in top form. Gatorade Ion, for example, is specially formulated with maximum hydration in mind. It packs ions while keeping low levels of sodium to help defeat dehydration anytime, anywhere. It also uses no preservatives nor any artificial flavors and colors.

How do you keep yourself hydrated? Tell us in the comments section below! — Rappler.com

Visit the Gatorade Beat The Heat Facebook page for more details on how you can stay hydrated.

MANILA, Philippines – As Globe Telecom’s Chief Information Officer, Pebbles Sy-Manalang is one of the leading figures in the local tech industry. But back when she was a computer science fresh grad, she was hesitant to pursue a career in tech. 

“To be honest when I graduated, I was worried kasi iniisip ko noon ayoko maging (because I was thinking I didn’t want to become a) developer. I did not want that to be my career. 20 plus years ago when I graduated, support lang yung IT (IT was just support),” she revealed in an interview during Globe’s Innovation Forum last July 25.

Thanks to a mentor, she changed her mind sometime during her 17 years with the company, switching from product to IT. “Nag-shift yung industry. (The industry shifted.) Technology became really pervasive. Now I think that’s the best place to be, it’s the best role really. You’d be hard pressed to find a company like Globe, where our people are exposed to the latest and greatest technology.” 

It’s an ever-evolving industry, but it’s also notorious for its backwardness in terms of inclusivity. We’ve got female executives aplenty – the Philippines has consistently performed well in the Global Gender Gap Report– although Pebbles still believes we need more women in the industry.

“I don’t think people are surprised that there are women in executive positions, it’s more women in tech specifically. That’s where we all need to work harder. I’m trying to get more involved in other organisations and really encourage more women in technology,” she adds.

STEM has always been labeled as a traditionally male-dominated industry, but another factor may be that men tend to apply for jobs even when they don’t fully meet the requirements. Women are hesitant to do so because they’re more afraid to fail – their failures are remembered longer than men’s.

For all this, however, Pebbles doesn’t believe in giving women roles just to improve the ratio. After all, a job should be merit-based. But she does believe in women helping women. 

“I wouldn’t differentiate how I would advise a female or a male student in terms of how they plan their career, but I will encourage other women to mentor other women. There’s a lot of education that needs to happen in making sure that women understand that they have the same rights, that they have the same opportunities,” she says.

And what better way to do that but to start them young? Globe has a couple of small initiatives lined up with a few schools. Plans include embedding coding classes in public schools and enhancing university courses so graduates are better prepared to join the workforce. During the two-day Innovation Forum, Globe also hosted Coding for Kids, a programming boot camp for children of Globe employees. 

With the boom of digital transformation, a lot of opportunities await everyone, not just kids. Reaching a certain age doesn’t mean losing the ability to pivot. It’s all about spreading awareness about those opportunities and enabling people to take them. Pebbles advocates for continuous learning, particularly now that information is readily available. 

From cloud migration and 5G to going paperless, Globe is at the forefront of the local digital transformation. “The reason why I’ve been championing the forum for many years is I want to continue to drive the culture of innovation in Globe, which is really what made us and took us to where we are today,” says Pebbles. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – “Once you start with yourself and gain that self-awareness, that’s already empowerment in itself,” said Stephanie Chung, Co-founder and CEO of eCompareMo, when asked what advice she could give to those looking to take control of their credit.

In a roundtable discussion held last July 30, experts from various financial institutions shared their thoughts on the credit landscape of the Philippines. 

The discussion answered questions like: Why is it so hard to build credit when you have no credit? What must one do to maintain a good credit standing? And, what are financial institutions and other services doing to make credit more accessible?

READ ALSO:

Getting #rejectED sucks, here’s what you need to know about the credit process

ROUNDTABLE: No application, no rejection...no problem?

Included in the panel were:

• Ginbee Go - President, BPI Family Savings Bank
  

• Aya Laraya - Founder, Pesos and Sense; Co-founder, Ronin Group of Companies

• Stephanie Chung -​ ​ Co-founder and CEO, eCompareMo

Vince Rapisura, social investor, university lecturer, and host of #UsapangPera, moderated the panel.

It all boils down to education

All the experts agreed that what’s most crucial when seeking to apply for credit is for people to educate themselves.

“I know it’s boring, it’s hard...but it saves a lot of headaches later on,” said Aya Laraya of Pesos and Sense.

As a survey conducted on the Rappler and eCompareMo sites shows, the majority of respondents that have applied for loans have been rejected once or twice. This rejection has led them to be discouraged from future applications.

The mix of misconception (as many already fear using cards) and the actual trauma of rejection gives us an idea of why financial services have such low penetration rates. 

Chung says that for people to fully grasp financial inclusion—or access to financial services—the market must be educated. “[We need to] educate people in order for them to realize what it is, what it can do to empower them.” 

This education must take a 360 approach. It is countering misconceptions and teaching people the benefits of having access to financial services. It is making them aware of what one has to do during the application process. And, it is teaching them how to responsibly use cards and loans once they have them.

Application and access

Being aware of the application process is a step in preventing rejection.

Chung states that most of the time, people get rejected because of the lack of application requirements. According to her, many banks don’t have the manpower to go through all applications. To reduce the load, applications with insufficient requirements get automatically rejected.

These lacking requirements may be as simple as failing to submit an ID or other simple paperwork.

Ginbee Go, president of BPI Family Savings Bank, says as much as possible they provide advice so their customers may get easier approval the next time around. She suggests that customers shouldn’t also be afraid to build relationships with their branch of account.

“Having a relationship with a bank is one way which you can build history. So if you have a deposit account, you know the branch manager or the relationship manager, and you’ve been a client of the bank for quite some time, then the bank will be able to lend you given what they know about you.”

It also helps that people assess first what they are applying for. An example would be online services such as loan calculators. This will help them see if they could manage down payments and monthly amortizations before applying.

eCompareMo is also readily available online, removing the need to go to a bank just to inquire. You can go online, compare rates from different banks, then decide whether you want to apply or not. 

Responsible use

Owning a card is a different journey altogether. It requires a mindset change.

For the panel, though understandably, many may have heard horror stories of people going into debt or other cases of mismanaging credit cards and loans, the landscape is now advanced enough for consumers to find guidance when they need it.

For one, financial education is now abundant and heavily teaching people to use credit cards for convenience and not as “extra cash” for splurging. Cardholders must be aware, responsible, and capable enough to pay their remaining balance at the end of every cycle.

“If you cannot pay the full amount, pay more than minimum so that you don’t get bogged down,” says Chung.

Secondly, as mentioned above, tools are now readily available to guide you towards taking better control of your credit. 

Educate yourself and be knowledgeable about the products and services you are availing. This awareness is the key to prevent your applications from getting rejected and further empower you financially in the future.

This roundtable is just the first of Rappler and eCompareMo’s #RejectED series. Stay tuned in the coming months for more topics to guide you towards financial freedom. — Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – We’ve all experienced untimely cravings for food – during an all-nighter for a project, a late-night shift, or even a binge-watching session. 

Being ‘hangry’ – hungry and angry – is unpleasant not just for you, but for the people around you. And it’s particularly difficult if you’re doing something for work or school. 

Hunger hinders you from giving a project your all. It’s scientifically proven that when your tummy is satisfied, you’re less stressed, better able to concentrate, less prone to mistakes, and more productive. When you’re busy doing things you love, you need food that can power you up to do your best. 

You need to listen to your body’s cues– it’s important for your interpersonal relationships and psychological and mental health too. 

Late-night munchies are about to become a thing of the past, however. GrabFood recently announced that it would now be operating 24/7. 

“With our expanded operations, GrabFood has become a more reliable partner for hungry eaters in the Philippines, catering to a wide variety of palates through its extensive restaurant choices,” says GrabFood country head EJ dela Vega. 

GrabFood has expanded exponentially in the past year, with 62% choosing GrabFood as their most used app for online food delivery. The data also saw an increasing trend of late-night orders. 

Now, customers in at least 20 areas, including Manila, Makati, Quezon City, Pasig, Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas, Marikina, Muntinlupa, San Juan, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Mandaluyong, Malabon, Pateros, Navotas, Taguig, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue can enjoy GrabFood services even during the wee hours of the morning.

With the launch of its 24/7 operations, Filipinos have access to over 1,000 restaurants any time of the day, whether they’re looking for budget-friendly comfort food or finer dining options. Customers have a variety of merchants to choose from, including favorites such as McDonald’s, KFC, BonChon, Bully Buffalo Wing Bar, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Mister Kabab, and Ersao.

And they haven’t forgotten milk tea! You can get your fix from Chatime and Happy Lemon any time you want. 

But don’t starve your wallet while filling your tummy. Use the promo code GUTOMGONE to get free delivery for orders worth P400 and above until August 23. For other promos from McDo, KFC, Cha Tuk Chak, and more, check out this page. 

Don’t worry, your GrabFood riders are still protected by no-cancellation and reimbursement policies. Clearer policies on no-shows are also in the works.

“I actually think of Metro Manila as a city that never sleeps. We have very booming industries, such as the BPO industry. A lot of Filipinos no longer live in 9-5 lifestyles. And hunger can happen to anyone, anytime. We wanna beat that hunger and bring back productivity,” adds EJ. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – “Feed the cats, reply to emails, receive shipments, process stocks, serve customers, maintain the neatness of the bookstore, reply to emails, serve customers, feed the cats, reply to more emails, and close the bookstore for the end of the day.”

This is what a typical day for Kenny Leck, owner of BooksActually, a small, independent bookstore along Tiong Bahru, is like.

It may sound simple enough and what’s probably every book lover's dream come true. But BooksActually carries more than just books, it also carries the heavy responsibility of promoting and nurturing Singapore’s literary culture on its shoulders.

Read more about Kenny Leck and BooksActually: https://www.rappler.com/brandrap/travel-food-and-lifestyle/235035-kenny-leck-living-book-lover-dream-independent-bookstore – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – To celebrate Buwan ng Wika, Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading super app, and a proud supporter and enabler of Filipino small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), has launched #GrabNakakaLOKAL Festival, a celebration that brings together local businesses and its super app services, GrabFood, GrabExpress and GrabPay. 

“We want to do more. We want to take more responsibilities and see how we can use our platform and technology to create Grab for good for all Filipinos. And we’re starting with the SMEs,” said Brian Cu, Grab Philippines president. “SMEs are considered the backbone of Asian economies, making up 99.6% of businesses in the country. Yet, they contribute only a fraction of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”

Cu also shared that Grab aims to put at least 1000 more SMEs on the map to allow businesses to be discoverable in-app.

Some of the enterprises featured at the fair were Aysees Sisig, Nathaniel’s buko pandan, Ate Rica’s bacsilog, La Paz Batchoy of Liezl’s, Empanada Nation, Bulalugaw, Uncle Moe’s Shawarma, and Cow Wow’s sausages.

“We wanted to bring Ilocano dishes in Manila because there’s a lot of Ilocanos here and we saw its potential. People no longer have to travel to Ilocos. Their empanada now is just one Grab away,” said Ellice Chew, owner of Empanada Nation.

Asked how Grab has helped them build their business, Chew said that they were able to reach more people through GrabFood.

Meanwhile, Ate Rica’s bacsilog franchisee, Gregory Chen, shared how he decided to promote Filipino classic silog dishes.

“Lagi ko siya kinakain noong college. Nag stick siya even until graduation. So, nung nalaman ko na nag-fa-franchise na siya, I grabbed the chance (I have been a fan of Ate Rica’s bacsilog since college. It stuck with me even until graduation so when I heard that she opened it up for franchise, I grabbed the chance),” he said. 

Grab helped Chan’s business bounce back when he took the chance and signed up for GrabFood. 

Aside from food enterprises, #GrabNakakaLOKAL Festival also featured Filipino craftsmen and businesses in partnership with Karton, an alternative online shopping platform dedicated to local businesses like Auro Chocolate, Natural Balance, The Green Tummy,Bebebalm, Lick Iced Tea, and Foodsource.

The GoLokal team of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was also present to highlight Filipino crafted, designed, and produced products that span from different regions across the country.

The #GrabNakakaLOKAL Festival will run until the end of August, every Friday and Saturday at  Central Square, Bonifacio Global City and The Market by Sugbo in Mandaue City, Cebu. 

“We have always been inspired by the power of technology when used for good, and we at Grab, would like to harness that asset to empower more Filipinos to live better lives every day,” said Cu.– Rappler.com  

Go to #GrabNakakaLOKAL Festival and pay using GrabPay to get 15% discount on all food and Karton concessionaires and participate in NakakaLOKAL MVP, Grab’s in-app challenge where you can win tours, flight tickets, and more. Tap the Challenges tab for the mechanics.

MANILA, Philippines – Photography – both as a hobby and a profession – doesn’t come cheap. Photographers invest not just on the camera itself but on the multitude of accessories that come with it. This includes the lens, flash, tripod, trigger, filters, and more that sometimes cost as much as a camera body. 

This is why they also choose premium and heavy-duty tools like camera bags to protect the lens and other expensive items as well as the batteries that they use to power the flash and trigger to name a few.

And photographers are very particular about batteries. We asked some of them to share with us what they look for in a battery and why these qualities are important.

It should be able to last through a shoot

“I’ve tried using batteries that ran out of power midway through the shoot, wasting the client’s time,” said Ian Handog, freelance events photographer. 

Losing batteries in the middle of a shoot is one of the things that a photographer wouldn’t wish even on their competitors. It breaks the momentum of both the subject and the shooter. Studios and other suppliers are also usually paid by the hour, so any moment wasted will cost the client. 

If you want the client to put in a good word for you and more importantly, get commissioned for another project in the future, this is something you should avoid by simply using premium batteries.  

It should be safe enough for my gear 

“I don’t really trust cheap, generic batteries because I’ll never know when it might backfire on me,” said Alecs Ongcal, Rappler photojournalist. “I’ve invested a lot on my gear and of course, it deserves the best treatment and accessories, too.” 

It might be tempting to settle with cheaper batteries for quick shoots to save money. But it might actually cost you more in the long run when they end up damaging your gear. Repairs are more expensive and time-consuming than buying high-quality batteries. 

It should be able to keep up with me

“[It’s important to be equipped with long-lasting batteries] so you don't need to think about it when capturing unexpected events during a shoot, especially if you're a photojournalist or an events photographer,” said Kevin Baybay, events photographer. 

Unlike those set in a studio, some shoots require photographers to be on-the-go. They also have to be always on or else they might miss an important moment. The last thing they would want to do in the middle of an important part of an event is to replace dead batteries.

The photographers’ brand of choice

For these photographers, Energizer batteries meet all of these requirements. It’s reliable and helps them save in the long run because they don’t always have to buy extra. 

“Energizer lasts longer than most brands,” added Ian. 

Photographers can go for Energizer Max which has been proven to last longer than other batteries. They can also opt for the more powerful Energizer Max Plus or Energizer Lithium for more demanding shoots. – Rappler.com

Energizer Max, Energizer Max Plus, and Energizer Lithium and other Energizer specialty batteries are available at all leading hardware, supermarket, and convenience stores nationwide. To learn more about Energizer batteries, visit https://www.facebook.com/EnergizerPH/.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Body fat isn't always to blame for unnecessary weight gain. Coupled with exercise, proper diet, and the right boosters, fat can be one of our best sources of energy. Below is a press release from LeGARDE.]

MANILA, Philippines – Contrary to popular belief, your body fat is not the enemy. It is in fact an essential part of one's wellness journey. An average person has about 2,500 calories of carbohydrate reserves — stored mostly in the liver and the muscles — to use for all kinds of energy-needing functions. When your body requires more energy, it will burn stored fat in a chemical process known as metabolism, and while fat provides you with the energy that you need, it also helps in regulating your body temperature, reduction of inflammation and blood clotting, and brain development.

Fat is the densest of all the nutrients that provide your body with caloric energy. With 9cal per gram, fats give you roughly twice as much energy and calories as proteins and carbohydrates. This energy is used by the body to perform significant functions like blood circulation, regulation of hormones, cell growth, and digestion. Calories that are not immediately metabolized are stored in the body as fat making it your largest reserve of energy.

However, fat cells can increase and decrease depending on the amount of fat that the body is storing. If you have more fat versus what you actually use, your fat cells will expand, causing you to gain unnecessary weight, thus, making it difficult for your body to produce the energy you need for low- to moderate-intensity activities, endurance exercises, and even for simple functions such as walking. Even when you are at rest, your body remains extremely active using energy to power all the processes required to sustain life. Which is why finding the right energy regimen is important to support your lifestyle — both day in and day out. 

The right regimen doesn’t always have to be a daunting exercise routine. Fun activities like dancing, gardening, and walking can help you burn as many calories as an afternoon at the gym. You can also get more from your body by aiding your food diet with everyday booster like LeGARDE Carnipure L-Carnitine Supplement. Made with Carnipure, which is a grade of L-Carnitine that may convert stored fat into a source of energy, LeGARDE may help you and your body to keep going throughout the day. 

Visit www.legarde.com.ph for more details. Follow Legarde L-Carnitine on Facebook and @legardeph on Instagram for more exciting news. – Rappler.com

[Editor's note: The Estate Makati will occupy the last parcel of prime real estate in the famed Apartment Ridge of Ayala Avenue. Below is a press release by Federal Land.]

MANILA, Philippines – Foster + Partners is known as the architectural firm behind many iconic structures around the world. This group led by renowned British architect Norman Foster, well-known for his sustainable, modern, and innovative designs, has engraved its marque in major cities, such as London with the Gherkin, New York with the Hearst Tower, and Hong Kong with the busiest airport in the world, the Hong Kong International Airport. 

The Hong Kong International Airport is considered one of the most ambitious construction projects of modern times. Characterized by a lightweight roof canopy, naturally lit spaces, and seamless weather-resilient design, this hectic airport forms a spectacular gateway to Hong Kong, in a location that can be unforgiving at times. 

Foster + Partners was tapped by STRC, a joint venture between Federal Land, Inc. and SMDC, to design its first residential development in the Philippines – The Estate Makati. The collaboration with Foster + Partners to create this iconic luxury residential project is quite fitting, given that The Estate Makati will occupy the last parcel of prime real estate in the famed Apartment Ridge of Ayala Avenue. 

Infusing the same approach with their previous works, and keeping in mind the discerning lifestyle of its future affluent homeowners, Foster + Partners designed The Estate Makati in a cruciform shape, thus allowing utmost privacy and exclusivity. The living spaces are arranged radially, which ensures every apartment is a true corner unit with panoramic 180-degree views of the city.

Foster + Partners infused a unique combination of function and form. Each unit truly stands the test of time with its double-slab technology, which provides a seamless space without columns, and offers possibilities to completely reconfigure the flat without having to disrupt the neighbors above or below. 

Furthermore, common areas of The Estate Makati are meticulously designed using only the finest materials. Residents will be transported to their home in the sky from the lush driveway and grand lobby, where guests can be entertained in pocketed areas surrounded by beautiful landscaping, to expansive private lifts. Thoughtfully designed amenities, such as the sky garden, pool, and fitness center, are made available for residents to enjoy. A parking facility is readily equipped with electric vehicle charging needs.

With Foster + Partners’ fusion of technological firsts and cutting-edge concepts in its overall architecture and features, it is without a doubt The Estate Makati will become an icon in fine condo living. – Rappler.com

For more information on The Estate Makati, visit www.theestatemakati.com, or email contact@theestatemakati.com. 

MANILA, Philippines – When I graduated from college some years ago, I was dead-set on finding a job in publishing. I wanted a job doing the one thing I knew I was good at – writing.

Now that I’m a few years older, however, I’ve lost that single-mindedness. I find myself thinking, ‘What do I really want to be doing my whole life?’

I know I’m not alone. No one is immune to this uncertainty – whether you’re a high schooler choosing which course to take, a college grad unsure about which way your career should go, or a seasoned cog in the machine wondering if this is all there is to life.

At least 53.7% of Filipinos feel the same way, according to a Rappler survey commissioned by Globe. To help Pinoys achieve some clarity regarding their path in life, Globe Postpaid partnered with Bianca Gonzalez for #PaanoBaToLive. Panelists during the event included Solenn Heussaff, Saab Magalona, and Atom Araullo. 

During the event, everyone shared misgivings about where their life was heading with fellow attendees. Thysz, who works for YouTube, and Vera, who does HR, were both complete strangers to me. We were in different industries and life stages. Yet we all had one thing in common. At some point, we all faced a crossroad: to stay where we are, or to go another way. But we weren’t sure which option to take. 

Bianca summarizes this with a question: “Whatever phase you’re in, how do you fully embrace where you are and make sure you move forward to be your best?”

The decision won’t come at the snap of a finger. There’s no metaphorical lightbulb moment. This decision-making is a long process. Take your time mulling over what you really want. Don’t just jump blindly into the unknown – that rarely works, says Atom. 

“You have to let go little by little. It’s only when you have a clear idea why you need to make that leap, is when you make it,” he adds.

Chasing your dreams requires a little pragmaticism. Saab says, “Na-roromanticize ‘yung kung ayaw mo ‘yung ginagawa mo, e ‘di mag-quit ka. Pero hindi madali, ‘di ba? Do your research first. Hindi pwede 'yung thinking na, travel, wanderlust, ito gusto kong gawin. Girl, back to reality. Kailangan may balance yan.”

(The thinking that you should just quit if you don’t like what you’re doing gets too romanticized. But it’s not easy, right? Do you research first. You can’t just go, I wanna do travel, wanderlust. Girl, back to reality. There has to be a balance.)

A lot of us hesitate to go after our dreams due to fear of failure. But cliche as it may sound, they’re all learning experiences. And no matter which path you take, you’ll end up facing failure in whatever form anyway – so you might as well take the risk. Don’t carry that what-if with you your entire life.

“I’ve tried so many things. I don’t think I’m the best at any of them,” Saab confesses. “I learned from all of them and I apply it to whatever I’m doing now.”

And is it failure you’re really afraid of, or what other people might say? 

“These people are not just haters or enemies. They can be your parents. They can be telling you, ‘You should stick to this career.’ You let people’s opinion define your reality. But only you know how far you can push yourself,” says Solenn. 

Atom adds, “Our journeys are different. Whatever anyone else achieves is their own thing. Pero ginagawa mo ba siya for you (Are you doing it for yourself)? Or to show others you’re good enough?”

And who knows, failure can help you rethink the path you’re on, and realize your true purpose. 

“Sometimes when you’re not good enough, baka ‘di ka talaga para d'un (maybe it’s really not for you). Maybe you’re supposed to be on a different path. And that’s not bad,” says Saab.

I know that’s easier said than done. These days, there’s even more pressure ingrained in us to succeed because of all the #humblebrag posts we see online, be it about a job, family milestone, or even a vacation. It’s impossible not to compare yourself – and your suddenly trivial achievements – when you see these posts.

But Atom says you get to define what success means to you. Don’t use other people’s achievements as benchmarks for what you should achieve. Set your own standards for success. Whether you find fulfillment in becoming a CEO or being a homemaker is entirely up to you.

Of course, everyone wants to succeed. But at the end of the day, enjoying and learning from the process is more important. Atom says, “Don’t be afraid of mediocrity. Not everything is about being the best. In this hyperconnected world, we’re all pressured to be the best in everything we want to try. You can just enjoy it for yourself.” 

Planning the future with ThePLAN

To gear yourself up for owning life’s challenges, check out Globe Postpaid’s ThePLAN, which offers a bigger data plan, double Globe Rewards points, affordable calls and texts to all networks, and more. Check out ThePLAN here. 

Meanwhile, get empowered with inspiring content, master classes, exclusive events, and more with Globe’s Lifesmith here. 

What’s your next step to owning life? – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Last August 29, at the Tower Club Makati, the National Resilience Council (NRC) held a memorandum of agreement signing for its Adopt-a-City program. Two partnerships were established during the event: between SM and Naga City, and Megaworld and Iloilo City.

At the heart of the NRC’s Adopt-a-City campaign are public-private partnerships between local government units (LGUs) and corporations. The goal is to promote disaster resilience via resource-sharing and the establishment of prevention systems, especially during the typhoon season. 

This entails helping cities be “properly equipped in times of emergencies and disasters and to prepare them in terms of immediate recovery after unfavorable occurrences,” according to the NRC. 

“What we really wanted to emphasize is that this is not just SM’s initiative. This is something in which everyone has to come together. The purpose of this NRC is to get all LGUs and private sectors together,” Hans Sy, SM Prime Holdings’ Director and who also serves as the NRC’s Executive Committee Co-Chair for the Private Sector, pointed out.

“Addressing disaster resiliency is not just the government’s responsibility alone. It is only with both sectors where we will find positive results,” Sy added.

Both being coastal cities, Naga and Iloilo are both disaster-prone.

“Naga City is often visited by typhoons...When there are floods, it is a major concern.” Naga City mayor Nelson Legacion expressed in a mix of English and Filipino. “This [Adopt-a-City program] will help us moving forward, especially with our major thrust in making our city more prepared.”

Ongoing and upcoming programs

Naga City is the second city SM has adopted (the first being Cagayan De Oro), while Iloilo is first for Megaworld.

Ongoing plans for Iloilo under the Adopt-a-City partnership include putting up a command center for disaster risk reduction. This center will house the city’s fire station, as well its emergency vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances.

“This [partnership] came in at a very opportune time because this will help us prepare for our command center, and also, at the same time give us the necessary capacity to make sure we lessen the risks during disasters,” said Iloilo Mayor Jerry Treñas.

Naga City also has a public safety and disaster resilience center in the works. Its design is currently being finalized. 

Apart from this, its LGU is conducting trainings involving as many sectors of the city as possible. They are using modules from NRC on leadership and governance, as well as on science and technology. Ateneo de Manila and Ateneo de Naga are also part of this effort.

By working closely together with the LGUs, the NRC aims to establish baselines where the cities can start in terms of resilience efforts. Moving forward, the public-private partnerships will be integral in concretizing the lessons they’re gathering into specific policies and programs for the LGUs.

The NRC and SM

The NRC’s efforts and initiatives are based on the four priority areas of the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction. These areas are Understanding Disaster Risk; Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance; Investing in Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience; and Enhancing Disaster Preparedness for Effective Response and to “Build Back Better” in Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction. 

Founded in 2017, The National Resilience Council was established through a partnership by the DILG and with the Carlos P. Romulo Foundation, SM Arise Philippines, Manila Observatory, Zuellig Family Foundation, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation.

The Adopt-a-City campaign is their flagship program.

“We’re hoping that, in fact, through this initiative, we will be able to convince – as SM has already taken the lead – the private sector to incorporate disaster resilience not as a CSR [Corporate Social Responsibility] option, but as part of their core business values cycle,” said NRC President Antonia Yulo Loyzaga. “SM has proven, time and again, that they’re in the lead as far as this is concerned.” – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – More often than not, when you compare yourself to others, you become unhappy. But you probably can’t help but do it.

The idea that there will always be someone better than you or has achieved more than you makes you feel down. And as if the pressure you’re already putting on yourself is not enough, people would also judge and say things that will make you ask yourself – do I really have what it takes?

So, you turn to the Internet for advice. Instead of helping you get a better grip on life, you just feel even more confused and overwhelmed from the conflicting messages.

The truth is, you only need one piece of advice – “Find your way”.

For the reigning Miss Universe Catriona Gray, the way towards your goals isn't always clear but you just have to keep walking. Life, after all, is a journey.

“When you know yourself and love what you do, nothing can stop you,” she says in the latest BDO commercial. 

Finding your way starts with knowing yourself. Know what you’re good at and what you can still improve on. Identify your values so that making decisions will be easier for you.

If you don’t like where you are now, you can always change it. What’s important is that you know where you stand.

And it’s true what they say, life is short. If you’re waiting for a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.

That’s what Catriona did. She continued seizing the moment even after failing to bag the Miss World 2016 crown. She represented the Philippines once again in Miss Universe 2018 and took charge by training with a handpicked team who loved and supported her. She made sure that she was prepared for the pageant and competed as her most authentic self.  

Catriona stays confident in finding her way because she’s backed by lifelong partners that help her achieve her goals and aspirations.

BDO is one of them.

True to their philosophy, “We find ways”, BDO has been helping Filipinos find their way to make their life goals come true.

With Catriona as their newest brand ambassador, they hope to inspire and find more ways for  Filipinos to achieve their goals in life.

Watch their latest video here.

– Rappler.com 

[Editor's note: Learn more about how Flowerstore.ph's changed the flower delivery game. Below is their press release.]

MANILA, Philippines – Nothing speaks of happiness more than a hand-delivered bouquet of fresh flowers. Flowerstore.ph holds and lives by this belief and is taking it to a whole new level with its fast-growing e-commerce business. Founded only a year ago in a co-working space in Makati, the young startup started operating in Metro Manila and has recently expanded to Metro Cebu and Davao City. With its affordable prices, it is disrupting the entire flower industry and is now on a self-proclaimed mission to deliver happiness to millions of people in the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia. 

Flowerstore.ph began with a simple, yet ambitious idea: to make sure that anyone can afford to send flowers to their loved ones. While traditional flower delivery services offer bouquets above PHP 1,500 with prepaid payment methods only, long delivery times, and extra shipping fees, Flowerstore.ph does the exact opposite: they offer budget-friendly bouquets from only P399, multiple payment methods including cash-on-delivery and comprehensive customer care including free same-day delivery. 

Through this customer-centric approach, Flowerstore.ph has rapidly become the largest online flower delivery service in the Philippines. The focus on affordability and efficiency is reflected in their humble origins. 

Flowerstore.ph started with just 2 florists. Today, the company has over 100 team members, most of them working out of its warehouse in Makati, and delivers hundreds of bouquets every day across the metro areas of Manila, Cebu, and Davao. It recently launched operations in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam with the goal of replicating the success in the Philippines and ultimately become Southeast Asia’s number one shopping destination for flowers and gifts. 

What is their secret to success? 

“Our company philosophy is centered around the belief that ordering flowers should be both affordable and effortless,” says Saul Molla, CEO of the company.  

By ensuring all orders can be delivered for free within the same day, Flowerstore.ph allows people to send flowers as last-minute gifts in case they forgot about a special occasion. Of course, customers also have the option to schedule delivery on future dates to prepare for special occasions in advance.  

Apart from popular seasonal days like Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day, flowers are typically sent for a variety of occasions, such as anniversaries, the birth of a baby, graduations, house warmings or funerals. According to Flowerstore.ph, the most popular reason for sending flowers is to give it as a  birthday gift, which is why they have introduced special gift bundles with birthday cakes. 

No matter the occasion, flowers remain to be one of the most popular choices of gifts. “Flowers resemble love and care.” Cheak, one of the florists, explains, “This is why we often choose flowers to express our love and concern for people we care about. They can help you express your feelings in ways that words cannot.“ Indeed, flowers look beautiful, they smell amazing, and they are guaranteed to put a smile on the face of whomever you’re sending them to.   

It’s great to send flowers to cheer someone up, to show a random act of kindness, or to apologize but sometimes it’s an unusual or more personal “just because” moment that makes for the most special occasion to send flowers. 

Flowerstore.ph prides itself with high-quality flowers and offers a fresh flower guarantee to all customers. Unlike traditional flower shops that typically restock only at the beginning of the week, Flowerstore.ph gets daily shipments from premium suppliers to ensure that customers receive only the freshest flowers.  

All their flower arrangements have a uniquely modern design making them look gorgeous and elegant. Flowerstore.ph has a variety of signature products that are very affordable, yet highly instagrammable mirroring its millennial team.

While the majority of the flower shops in the country center their promotions around popular days like Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day, Flowerstore.ph takes a whole different approach. It organizes monthly campaigns, flash sales, and special deals throughout the whole year with regular discounts of up to 50% off. So it is highly possible to catch an amazing deal if you regularly check their website and follow their social media pages.

The easy-to-use interface of the website makes the whole ordering process extremely convenient and hassle-free. 

You just need to select your preferred product, add it to the cart, and proceed to check-out. To pay for your order you can, of course, use standard prepaid options such as credit card, Gcash, Paypal or bank transfer. Flowerstore.ph even offers cash on delivery and has pioneered a new payment method: cash pick-up from the sender. With this method, a rider collects the payment from you and another rider delivers the bouquet to your recipient! 

Flowerstore.ph wants people to re-discover the love and delight that comes with the act of giving and receiving flowers by providing world-class customer experience and affordable bouquets. It is set on a path to reinvent the culture of flower gifting in the Philippines. 

Head over to Flowerstore.ph and send happiness to your loved ones! – Rappler.com

CEBU, Philippines – IXS, an NTC-licensed internet service provider operating since 2012, is joining the September shopping fever with a special and limited offer.

For only P19,000 per month (VAT exclusive, enterprises can now avail of a 10 MBPS dedicated fiber internet connection. It comes with 100% Committed Information Rate (CIR). 

The offer is open only to the first 9 subscribers. Promo is valid until October 29, 2019.

For more information, email connect@ixs.ph or call (032) 3532262. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Gabay Guro chairperson Chaye Cabal-Revilla recalls the story of a young girl who had to stop schooling because her family was strapped for money. Her sick dad was in dire need of an operation, and the only option she had was to earn money dancing in seedy clubs. 

But in a turn of events, she got a scholarship from Gabay Guro. She used the allowance she got from the program to take care of her dad and used education as a tool to improve her family’s life. 

Now, she’s a teacher. 

This is just one of Chaye’s fondest anecdotes as the chairperson of Gabay Guro, PLDT-Smart Foundation’s flagship advocacy project and education arm. Gabay Guro aims to hone the skills and improve the welfare of Filipino teachers nationwide to help in nation building.

Last September 3, Gabay Guro held a press conference for the celebration of its 12th anniversary. On September 22, the group is holding Teacher’s Fest, an annual Grand Gathering for thousands of teachers from all over the country. 

The event is set to be headlined by stars such as Aegis, Angeline Quinto, Christian Bautista, Eat Bulaga BakClash, Eat Bulaga Broadway Boys, Edward Barber, Erik Santos, Gabby Concepcion, Ian Veneracion, Jaya, Jay-R, Jayson Dy, Jed Madela, Jona, K Brosas, Klarisse de Guzman, Kyla, Kuh Ledesma, Martin Nievera, Maymay Entrata, Moira dela Torre, Piolo Pascual, Pops Fernandez, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Zephanie Dimaranan. The event will be hosted by Jose and Wally and Dimples Romana. Teachers can secure tickets to the event by checking out Gabay Guro on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Aside from its annual tribute, Gabay Guro’s pillars include housing and educational facilities, scholarships, trainings, livelihood programs, and broadband connections and computers.

Under their latest core pillar, Innovation, Gabay Guro will also be launching an app. The Gabay Guro app will contain a curation of DepEd- and CHED-approved teaching materials and lesson plans. Teachers can create an online community in-app, with which they can share best practices. The beta version is set to launch on Google Play and App Store this September 22. 

Gabay Guro started in 2007, born out of the brain drain problem. Because of less than ideal working situations, teachers were opting to work as overseas Filipino workers. The teacher to student ratio was 9:1. 

The volunteer-powered group partnered with DepEd to equip teachers with financial, educational, and moral support. Teachers are also taught soft skills, with programs such as personality development, leadership training, and financial literacy.  

In its 12 years thus far, Gabay Guro has held training programs for over 60,000 teachers, built 47 classrooms, and provided over 1,770 scholarship grants.

“Gabay Guro is not just a program, it’s a movement. Nakakahawa ang kabaitan (Kindness is infectious). If you’re able to influence others in a good way, there’s a ripple effect. Andaming buhay na nagbabago (A lot of lives will change),” says Chaye. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines  – As a kid, I hated vegetables. No matter how hard my mother tried to explain that squash is good for the eyesight and that broccoli promotes healthy skin, she still couldn’t get me to eat them.

I thought I was the only one who didn’t like the taste. But as I grew older, I found out that it’s more common than I thought. In fact, it’s a universal problem. 

Luckily, there’s a type of vegetable that’s not only delicious but also contains key nutrients needed by growing kids – beans!

Beans may be one of the most neglected food items but it sure has a myriad of health benefits. 

They fit into several food groups: carbohydrates, protein, and vegetables. 

The USDA Food Patterns classifies it as part of the vegetable group because of its high nutrient content. In fact, beans have such a unique combination of nutrients that they’re called a ‘nutritional powerhouse’ that should be a part of every kid’s breakfast. 

Here’s why beans are the next superfood you should add in your kid’s diet.

It’s beneficial for your child’s gut health

Beans are rich in fiber which is important in maintaining a healthy gut. It works by improving intestinal barrier function and increasing the number of healthy bacteria. Food that’s high in fiber also help reduce the risk of gallstones and kidney stones. 

It’s a healthier source of protein 

Since beans have low cholesterol, it’s a healthier source of protein. Getting the right amount of protein is especially important during childhood and adolescence because their body is developing and demanding lots of nutrients to support their growth. Lack of protein may result in health issues such as poor concentration and fatigue. 

It supports your child’s rapid growth

Beans contain folate also known as vitamin B-9 that is good for the heart. Studies have shown that people who consumed more folate had fewer strokes and heart attacks than those who consumed less. Just like protein, adequate folate intake is particularly important during childhood and adolescence where there’s a period of rapid growth. 

It keeps your child’s bones healthy

Manganese is an essential nutrient found in legumes and beans that is required for the normal functioning of our brain and nervous system. In adults, consuming food with manganese also helps support bone mineral density when combined with calcium and zinc.

It strengthens your child’s immune system

Has your child been frequently catching colds and cough? Beans are rich in iron, which is a fundamental element for normal development of the immune system. Low iron intake may result in iron deficiency anemia. A study says that anemia is most common in infants aged 6-11 months (56.5%), followed by children aged 12-23 months (41%). 

Indeed, beans provide a wide range of health benefits.

With a recommended 5 servings of vegetables a day for adults and 3 for kids, it has increasingly been difficult to reach this daily recommended amount. 

Hunt’s Pork and Beans provides a good and easy way to incorporate veggies into your kids’ diet.

It has dietary fiber content equivalent to your everyday veggies such as broccoli, carrots, squash, pechay, sayote, and more.

Since Hunt’s Pork and Beans has a tomato-based sauce, it also has lycopene which is an antioxidant property known to decrease risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Prevent your kids from having nutrient deficiency diseases. Help support their physical and mental growth by making vegetables, especially beans, a yummy and staple part of their breakfast.  – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – In a survey conducted on the Rappler and eCompareMo websites, the majority of those who have applied for credit cards said they got rejected.

According to experts, many rejections are caused by a lack of education. For example, many continue to submit applications with lacking requirements in hopes that banks will be understanding. What they don’t know is, many banks automatically reject applications with incomplete requirements.

As Stephanie Chung, CEO and co-founder of eCompareMo, put it, “you have to educate yourself not to be the victim. Once you start with yourself and gain that awareness you need to learn, then that’s already empowerment in itself.”

Here’s what you need to know about why your previous applications were rejected and what you must do to get #AcceptED.

Learning the basics of personal finance – from budgeting to the ins and outs of the credit process – is important to move forward in one’s financial journey. 

Once you get the hang of things, not only will you be able to maintain your good credit standing, but you will also get the most out of the wide range of financial services available in the market. – Rappler.com

eCompareMo provides customers with online comparison tools that help them find credit card and loan products they'll most likely get approved for. Try it out yourself by clicking here!

MANILA, Philippines – “We now live in the expectation economy wherein customer expectations will be set by the best in class: design, customer experience, service, quality, price, etc.  We need to anticipate future customer needs.“ Such was the overarching point of the keynote message by Henry Mason, Managing Director of Trendwatching, a sought-after trend expert who has been quoted in numerous business publications such as The Guardian, Financial Times, The New York Times, The Economist and more.  This keynote address set the tone for this year’s “Consumer Insighting & Storytelling Conference – The Next Frontier” by Synergy Market Research + Strategic Consultancy*, held last August 28-29 at the Marquis Events Place in BGC.  

Dubbed as the ‘The Next Frontier’, range of topics covered not only local and international brand stories that showcased best practices, but also approaches from various disciplines that use consumer insighting in order to address the evolving needs and wants of consumers to future-proof brands and businesses.  Meaning.Global Founder & CEO Dr. Martina Olbertova’s talk on semiotics, or the multi-disciplinary study of codes and symbols, as well as that of Melinda Tan, a licensed psychologist trained in the application of neuropsychological theory, show that contextualizing consumer behavior through external/environmental and internal/cognitive signals give us insights on consumers’ unsaid preferences and decision drivers.  Even with the advent of data analytics and artificial intelligence, Albany Woo from Initiative APAC stressed the need for ‘soft skills’ such as data storytelling to translate big data into actionable insights for management. Synergy MRSC’s President/CEO Germaine Reyes’ emphasized, during the open discussion, that companies’ management teams also need to ask the right business questions to trigger the investigation process among data scientists and data translators or researchers.  This will impact on what, where, how to investigate (including what tools to use) to emerge the ‘consumer truths’ or insights. Framing the right questions was reiterated by Miguel Aranaz, a design thinking expert, saying that “Great innovations are rooted on great questions.”

In line with this year’s theme, a peek into the present and future consumers through PwC’s Global Consumer Insights Survey 2019 delivered by Benjamin Azada, Consulting Managing Principal, and FEU Institute of Education Dean Harold Culala’s Gen Z and Alpha Gen Study were both shared for the first time here in the Philippines.  Jane Basas, President of Cignal TV and TV 5, emphasized the potential of women as content creators and being natural storytellers themselves. Also, as a future potential state, Sen. Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian catalyzed the idea of the Philippines’ strengths and areas to hone in order to be a future knowledge hub in Asia. Synergy hopes that private and public collaboration dialogues, new/meaningful conversations and further exploration of these will continue even after the conference.

According to a delegate from a multinational company, “We got a glimpse of the future… [the conference] gave us a glimpse of what else we can do as a company, how we can mine the data and maximize our data.”  This and many more comments from delegates spoke volumes on how well-curated the consumer insighting and storytelling topics were for participants’ companies to gain an advantage in anticipating customer needs and managing their expectations much better.  

A learning event to anticipate every year, this flagship conference of Synergy is the brainchild of its President/CEO, Ms. Reyes, as part of the company’s advocacy to propagate the value of getting valid and actionable insights from customers especially during the expectation economy.  The event will again be back on stage this coming June 2020.

Official sponsors include IPG Mediabrands, DOOH, ANC, ABS-CBN, Marquis Events Place, Enderun Extension; Media Partners: The Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, CNN Philippines, Rappler, adobo Magazine, BusinessMirror, Marketing in Asia; Event partners, Team Executive Decisions, PurplePen Creatives, Hotel Sales & Marketing Association International, UP School of Economics Alumni Association, Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines, IMMAP, AFFI, 4As, Seda and Coca-Cola Philippines. – Rappler.com