Defensil Isopropyl Alcohol welcomes Richard Gutierrez, Sarah Lahbati, and kids as brand ambassadors

Defensil 70% Solution Isopropyl Alcohol continues its campaign to be Filipino families’ ally in germ protection in the new normal as they welcome newlyweds, Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati, together with their adorable kids Zion and Kai, as their brand ambassadors.

Adjusting to the New Normal with Defensil Isopropyl Alcohol

Richard and Sarah, who got married in a solemn ceremony earlier this year, celebrated their new life together in quarantine. While being stuck at home was an opportunity for them to spend more time together as a family—planting, painting and playing all sorts of games, they also needed to go through a lot of adjustments as a family.

One adjustment that they had to do was to look for better ways to protect their family against germs, with the threat of the virus still continuing up until now. They found their newest ally in Defensil 70% Solution Isopropyl Alcohol, which promises a higher level of protection against germs and viruses.

“We believe in innovative products. Not only does Defensil come from a company we trust, Defensil 70% Solution Isopropyl Alcohol is also recommended by experts,” said Sarah.

“And since we use alcohol more frequently to sanitize, I also like how it not only kills germs and bacteria, but also has moisturizer to not dry our skin,” she added.

One way to prevent the spread of germs is regular disinfection of hands and high touch surfaces using a rubbing alcohol. To provide a higher level of defense against germs in the new normal, the Philippine Society for Microbiology is recommending Defensil 70% Solution Isopropyl Alcohol.

Created by Beauty Elements Ventures Inc, Defensil 70% Solution Isopropyl Alcohol kills 99.9% of germs to give Richard and Sarah’s family the peace of mind that they are well-defended. It starts to kill germs on contact and upon constant use, provides up to 12-hour protection.

New Normal Holidays

Celebrating the holidays is surely going to be different for the Gutierrez family this year. For Richard and Sarah, social distancing is something that they’re keeping in mind as they celebrate the holiday season, along with making sure that everyone sanitizes and disinfects using Defensil.

The family wishes to go on a local holiday trip with family bringing their new ally, Defensil. With this, Sarah shares three simple tips to fellow parents on how to keep their family safe from germs during the holiday season.

First, social distancing is a must. Second, always wear a mask. It is important for parents to teach their kids the importance of wearing masks, which help to prevent the transmission of the virus. And, lastly, always disinfect with an alcohol that makes sure you and the family are well-defended— like Defensil Isopropyl Alcohol.

To know more about Richard and Sarah’s newest ally, Defensil 70% Solution Isopropyl Alcohol, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/defensil.philippines.

***

*Defensil 70% Isopropyl Alcohol was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli or E. coli and Candida albicans

URC goodies are now available at Shopee !

Piattos, C2, Nissin Cups, Cream-O, and other products of Universal Robina Corporation (URC) are now available in Shopee. URC Shopee Mall has a wide variety of treats from Filipino favorite snacks Presto, Magic Crackers, Chippy and Mr. Chips, to chocolatey treats like Cloud 9, Swiss Miss, Hello!, and the morning partner Great Taste Coffee. 

Visit the Universal Robina page on Shopee and start adding these tasty snacks, beverages and treats to your Shopee cart. Also visit the URC website (www.urc.com.ph) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/urcphilippines) to learn more about its products. Grab these URC goodies online by visiting its store at Shopee.

World Vision ensures a bright future for the most vulnerable children thru Give Hope campaign

Months have passed since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and it is still a great risk to a lot of lives today. But even though children have not been significantly affected by the virus, they continue to be extremely vulnerable to the negative impacts. 

Last May 2020, World Vision conducted a rapid assessment and the study revealed that 92% of the household respondents’ livelihoods were disrupted, with the daily or casual laborers as those severely affected. This resulted to 60%-68% of the households being unable to meet their family’s daily requirements to survive.

The assessment showed that food security has worsened during the pandemic as the average food spending was further reduced from Php 1,797.06 to Php1,184.82. This shows the importance of immediate planning and implementation of projects/ activities that will cater to our kababayans in need. 

Would Vision launched “Give Hope” campaign last June to appeal for school kits for the children in its assisted communities. Spearheaded by World Vision Ambassadors Joyce Pring and Leia Valenciano, the goal of the campaign was to make continued learning possible for the children despite the interruption of classes in the formal education setting brought about by the pandemic.  

Through initiatives like “Give Hope”, World Vision continues to advocate the welfare of the most vulnerable children as among the priorities today. The organization invites its constituents and the public to keep on engaging in opportunities that will not only spark hope but change the lives of more children and their communities. 

Through the generous support of its individual donors and corporate partners, 14,549 children from World Vision assisted communities have received school kits in time for the opening of the school year. The contents of each school kit are appropriate to the grade level of the children. 

“On behalf of the thousands of children who received their school kits, thank you very much. This noble endeavor is a strong reminder that no matter what the situation is, hope that is found in the Lord will find its way to our hearts and minds, and ultimately allow us to enjoy helping one another. God bless you a hundredfold”, said World Vision National Director Rommel Fuerte. 

World Vision would like to acknowledge the generosity of its corporate partner, Robinsons Supermarket Corporation, for sponsoring 400 school kits. The organization would also like to recognize all the individual donors who contributed so that thousands of children today are inspired to keep pursuing their dreams and live life to the full. 

For updates, like and follow World Vision Philippines on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or visit their official website : www.worldvision.org.ph 

You can now get your favorite URC goodies through Zalora !

There's another convenient way to shop for your favorite Universal Robina Corporation (URC) products. Great Taste, Nissin, Swiss Miss, Dewberry, and more URC products are now available through Zalora !  

With just a few clicks, everyone can have their snack-time companions like Piattos, V-cut, C2, Vitasoy, and other URC snacks, candies, chocolates, and beverages delivered straight to their homes. They even have the option to pay cash on delivery or use debit/credit cards. 

Start shopping URC products by downloading the Zalora app or visiting Zalora's website at www.zalora.com.ph  

To learn more about URC products, please visit their website (www.urc.com.ph) or visit their Facebook page (facebook.com/urcphilippines).    

Are You Ready To Be Quarantined ? Watch QUARANTHINGS : The Series

Have you noticed the popularity of BL series lately ? If not, you might be living under a rock. BL or Boys' Love series are basically about two good-looking boys who, under varying circumstances develop an attraction towards each other, eventually falling in love with one another. Apparently, they've been around since the 70s in Japan, where they were created for younger female audiences, particularly in comics or manga. In the 90s, the fanbase expanded across Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines. Recently other countries followed suit, and stories were developed into tv shows causing an explosion of BL dramas around the world, especially in Asia.

Ride Or Die Initiative, a digital short film studio, has just released its own Pinoy BL drama - QUARANTHINGS : The Series. It's about two young boys who were left behind by their other roommates in an apartment because of the community quarantine. Starring Cinemalaya 2019 break-out star Royce Cabrera (who top-billed the homoerotic film F#*@BOIS together with Kokoy De Santos), and YouTube star Kyo Quijano who has more than 1.80M subscribers on his YT channel.    

After making waves in the 2019 Cinemalaya entry F#*@BOIS and appearing in the ABS-CBN primetime drama series A Soldier’s Heart, Royce Cabrera plays Rocky, the mysterious boarding house resident with a seemingly tough exterior. Playing opposite Cabrera is Kyo Quijano in his first lead role after a trending Omegle-based web series of his own creation called #TeamMhine and a much talked about cameo in the 2019 MMFF entry 3pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon. 

Joining them are veteran actress and Philippine Cinema icon Gina Pareño, Jan Silverio and Karl Zarate. Pareño plays Judah’s grandmother who raised him and his siblings while his mother worked as a doctor overseas. Silverio plays the role of Glenn, Judah’s former fling who has always had romantic feelings for him. While Zarate plays the role of Judah’s loud and ever supportive best friend, aptly named Beshie.

Director Pancho Maniquis, who has written  digital short films like Unspoken Rules, Bakit Ka Single? and Bakit Ka Nag-Stay?, makes his directorial debut for the series. Teaming up with him as writer is best-selling author, as well as writer and director of the hit 2019 film Cuddle Weather Rod Marmol.  

Quaranthings: The Series is now available every Friday, 10pm on Ride or Die’s Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/RODInitiative) and YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/RideOrDieInitiative)  starting September 5, 2020 at 10:00PM.   

Eastern Communications celebrates National Heroes Day with City of Manila

 PRESS RELEASE

For more than a century, Eastern Communications, one of the country’s premier telecommunications companies, has been part of nation building fighting alongside Filipinos for stronger tomorrow by providing world-class services. 

Now that the country is facing yet another challenging situation due to the pandemic, Eastern Communications continues its mission of empowering Filipinos by jumpstarting in the country’s capital city.  

With Manila celebrating the National Heroes Day through unveiling of murals in honor of then and today’s heroes in its newly refurbished Lagunislad underpass, Eastern Communications amplifies its strong partnership with the local government by showcasing its mural in the area – a visualization of its strong connections that stand the test of time.  

Driven by their High Tech and High Touch promise, Eastern Communications also rolled out initiatives that elevate the internet experience of every Manileño in time of pandemic.

Together with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Eastern Communications recently unveiled 34 units of “MNLKonek” digital kiosks along España Boulevard in Manila. These fiber-powered kiosks allow the public to do local phone calls, charge their phones, call emergency hotlines, and browse the internet for free. 

Likewise, Eastern Communications introduced to Manila its Eastern Home service to address the growing demand for home internet connection as more employees shift to working from home. It provides a burstable high-speed and non-intermittent residential internet service with equal upload and download speed of up to 100 mbps. 

“Eastern Communications is one with the city of Manila in providing quality internet experience to its constituents, and we are grateful that they are allowing us to be part of its efforts in the beautification of the capital city. We hope that through these initiatives, we are able to uplift the lives of every Manileño at this trying time,” shared Eastern Communications Head of Marketing Jedrek Estanislao.

To learn more about Eastern Communications, visit eastern.com.ph. 

Bugoy Drilon sings about Impossible Love

What do you do in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic ? Stay safe and healthy ! But Bugoy Drilon did something more. He got creative ! The R&B sensation and OPM hitmaker just came out with a brand new collaborative song - "Impossible Love". It tells about longing and caring for that special someone despite the long distance between the two of you. It speaks of the various challenges that lovers encounter like physical distance, cultural differences, romantic conflicts, etc. It also has a timely message for lovers during these uncertain times. Bugoy and his team from the U.S. had written, produced, and recorded this song during this massive lockdown. 

In a zoom meeting with a group of writers/bloggers, Bugoy talked about what he's been doing these past five months when we were told to stay at home. He's trying to connect with family and friends through social media and the internet. He's looking at some investments, and he's writing songs. Talking to him during the zoom meeting felt like he was talking casually with friends at the comfort of his home. When asked what's the first thing he would do and first place he would visit after this pandemic is over, he said he would love to travel and visit his family in the province (Camarines Sur). After the Q & A with the writers, Bugoy gave a live rendition of his latest song "Impossible Love". To his credit, Bugoy sounded like a foreign R&B artist. No wonder that real foreigners are always awe-stricken on their reaction videos on YouTube. 

"Impossible Love" was released last July 31 on Spotify, Deezer, and Apple Music.    

Impossible Love - Bugoy Drilon

Written by Bugoy Drilon and Forrest Savant

Produced with The Mango Room 

World Vision invites you to join its 1st Virtual Run for Children

World Vision in the Philippines has recently launched its 1st Virtual Run for Children. The goal of this event is to promote fitness and health during the community quarantine in the
country while raising funds for the benefit of World Vision’s most vulnerable children and
communities.

Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, marginalized Filipino families especially children are the ones most affected. Their basic needs such as food, hygiene, and education
are all compromised. By mounting a virtual run, World Vision aims to contribute in addressing these problems. Participants are encouraged to run for a cause that will reach communities all over the Philippines without them having to leave their homes.

"World Vision is excited for its first-ever virtual run for children. It is our prayer that friends and families will be refreshed as they continue supporting the most vulnerable children. In these trying times, we hope that this will also provide them with an enjoyable, safe and
healthy way to somehow reconnect in a virtual manner," World Vision National Director Rommel Fuerte said.

At the forefront of this event are child advocates and World Vision’s celebrity ambassadors Enzo Pineda, Gelli Victor, and Gretchen Ho.

“I’m supporting The World Vision Virtual Run because fitness/health, education, and children are advocacies close to my heart. These are essential areas that we consistently need to focus on for a better future. Our children are the future and we need to empower
them now more than ever,” Enzo Pineda shared.

“It will be a while before we can all experience fun runs that we are used to but with this virtual run, you will have a semblance of it. This is the first virtual run for a cause. You will be
accountable for your own performance by tracking your own distance and speed and you
still get a medal after,” Gelli Victor said.

“If you are running to stay fit whether on a treadmill or on the road, why not help children out while you are at it?” I’m so excited because I’ve been looking for a motivation to work out. This is perfect for me because then I’d have reason to go and run!! I’ve been used to preparing for races and having goals for my workouts. This gives me that. Plus, when I feel low, I’ll just think of the kids and it’ll give me an extra boost!” Gretchen Ho stated.

Interested participants just need to sign up by selecting the advocacy they wish to support, whether Education or Health & Nutrition, and their preferred mileage, either 21K, 50K,
100K, or 200K. Then, run anytime and anywhere between June 15 to July 31, 2020. Once they have reached the goal, they can get a limited-edition World Vision Virtual Run for
Children Finisher Shirt and a Finisher Medal.

The participants can walk or run whether indoors or outdoors and use running or steps app to monitor the distance, also making sure that they follow the community quarantine
regulations in their area.

To make this virtual run even more interesting, World Vision is challenging participants to step up their game by inviting family and friends to donate to their chosen advocacy. For this challenge, the runners will sign up on “Joy to Give” by visiting
joytogive.worldvision.org.ph, choose a target number of back-to-school kits if they are from Team Education or family sanitation kits if they are from Team Health & Nutrition, and
fundraise with their friends and family as they complete their run! Participants of “World Vision’s Virtual Run for Children” will be the first to have access to “Joy to Give”, World
Vision’s own crowdfunding platform launching this June.

The fees are ranging from Php 1,050.00 to Php 1,650.00 and it’s inclusive of a shirt, medal, and an e-certificate. A portion of the proceeds will contribute to World Vision’s projects for Education and Health & Nutrition.

“We are appealing to everyone who can help and join us. Let us Run for Children!” Mr. Fuerte added.
To register for the World Vision Virtual Run for Children, please visit
www.takbo.ph/vr/worldvisionrun2020. For more updates on the event, like and follow World Vision Run on Facebook,
www.facebook.com/worldvisionrun.

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to
working with children, their families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race,
ethnicity or gender.

"Ngayon, Ako Naman Ma” video brings us all the feels this Mother’s Day

Press Release
This true-to-life story reminds us of a mother’s unconditional love This Mother’s Day, let us spread forth the spirit of gratitude, of love and affection, towards the most
extraordinary woman in our life—our mothers. And these days, as we find ourselves in extraordinarily
difficult times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, this gesture has become all the more relevant
and timely. These days, families and loved ones are unfortunately brought apart by social distancing,
with some having family members who are healthworkers at the forefront of the fight against the health crisis.

This Mother's Day, "Ngayon, Ako Naman Ma" depicts a heart-tugging story based on true events that
ultimately hits home. Seemingly apart and connected only through regular video chats, the narrative unfolds with Mark constantly ringing up his mom, Maribeth Santos, to seek advice and tips on such mundane chores as cooking, doing the laundry, cleaning the toilet, and even going to the grocery.

 The story then transitions to how Mark now tries to cheer-up his mom, this time showing it’s his turn to
teach her new tricks such as Zumba dancing, using cute chat filters, facial sessions, and other fun activities that go a long way in alleviating her loneliness and boredom.

In the end, the video subtlety
reveals that Maribeth, who is only in the next room, is in fact a medical frontliner who has had to go into
mandatory quarantine.

This special video, which can be viewed on PLDT Home’s Youtube channel and official Facebook page, is
at turns humorous, touching, and a poignant and fitting tribute to the unconditional love and sacrifice
that our mothers give. “Tinuruan mo kaming magmahal,” the ending titles read. “Ngayon ako naman, Ma.” It brings forth the moving message that it’s now our turn to express our love and care, and that even with the distance that has to be kept these days, PLDT Home allows for stronger connections than ever before.

As we find ourselves in these extraordinary times that prevent us from celebrating Mother’s Day
physically and together, this video shows how technology allows us to reach out, to connect, and to
continue express our love to our mothers.

This video reminds us that it’s now is the time for us to give back and show how much we truly appreciate everything our mothers have done for us through the years.
To view the video, click on this link :
https://youtu.be/jwOkd5Jlbbs  #AkoNamanMa

JOINING FORCES ALLIANCE ON THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN - PHILIPPINES

PRESS RELEASE

Child rights organizations call for the prevention of physical and humiliating punishment against children during the COVID-19 pandemic

MANILA, Philippines — Physical and psychological violence, particularly at home, are among the most pervasive types of abuse experienced by Filipino children. Both can be worsened by the COVID-19 enhanced community quarantine.

In fact, 3 in 5 children have experienced some form of physical violence, the 2016 National Baseline
Study on Violence Against Children revealed. Sixty percent of these cases happened in their own homes, with 1 in 2 children experiencing corporal punishment.

“This disturbing figure can exponentially increase, especially now that parents and caregivers are
experiencing added stress,” said Rowena Cordero, Joining Forces Alliance Convenor and Save the
Children Philippines Chief of Programs. “Children should be protected from experiencing violence at home. And parents need to be supported in coping with stress and in ensuring that parenting
practices respect and uphold children’s rights.”

While the quarantine measures imposed by the government help in controlling the spread of COVID-
19, it may also unintentionally expose children to increased protection risks.

The economic, health, and security problems resulting from the pandemic may take its toll on the
mental health of parents and caregivers. Hence, they may be unable to effectively manage their
stress and frustration. As a result, these adults may resort to using physical, humiliating, and degrading punishment on their children.

To prevent this from happening, we urge the government to:
Ensure timely delivery of social protection and amelioration programs.
Establish accountability and feedback mechanisms for families and children.
Provide mental health and psychosocial support for parents and caregivers, through online
platforms or hotlines, in coordination with private groups.
Set up hotlines and online platforms where children and the public can send complaints about child
abuse cases.
Regularly assess child protection risks throughout the COVID-19 response, including disaggregated
data of children based on age, sex, and disability.
Closely monitor children at increased risk of violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect.

In particular, we call on the Department of Social Welfare and Development to:
Activate child protection programs and response and referral mechanisms.
Ensure that protection and social welfare services are adequately funded and are central throughout
all the stages of the COVID-19 response.

We also urge all local governments to:
Set up child-friendly hotlines for reporting and psychosocial counseling.
Ensure compliance with the DILG Advisory (2 April 2020) on the activation of the Barangay Violence
Against Women (VAW) Desk and the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) during
the Enhanced Community Quarantine.
Disseminate information by dovetailing informative leaflets in relief distribution i.e., stress
management, how to report child abuse, among others.

“The rights of children to be protected from all forms of physical, humiliating, and degrading
punishment in all settings should be everyone’s concern, especially of the government,” said Cordero. “As much as we don’t want children to be exposed to COVID-19, we also don’t want them to be vulnerable to any form of violence.”

About the Joining Forces Alliance

The Joining Forces Alliance on the Elimination of Violence Against Children is a global alliance of child-focused international non-governmental organizations. We are advocating for a renewed commitment of governments to
achieve the rights of children. We are composed of ChildFund Alliance, Educo, Plan International, Save the
Children, SOS Children’s Villages, Terre des Hommes International Federation, and World Vision.

Top 5 K-Content on Netflix that you can Watch at Home with your Family More reasons to stay entertained at home!

Staying at home means more bonding time with your family. Now is the best time to catch up with your favorite TV series and movies. We listed down the top five Korean shows you can binge-watch on Netflix and enjoy with the whole family right now:

1. Crash Landing On You
Everyone’s talking about it. You’ve seen all the memes. If you haven’t checked out this hit show yet, now
is the time to do just that. As the title implies, a rich South Korean CEO accidentally ends up across the
border in North Korea, and she must rely on a North Korean soldier’s help to try and get back home. Of course it isn’t that easy—and for sure, a relationship blossoms along the way. This kilig-inducing show also gives us a fascinating view of Switzerland from start until end. Now that it’s all over, you can binge-watch the entire story on Netflix and see why everyone’s fallen in love with it.

2. Itaewon Class
This ongoing inspiring K-drama is about a young man who overcomes his personal obstacles to succeed
after getting expelled from school and suffering some serious tragedy. He opens his own bar and restaurant to be more like his father, striving to make it big despite having enemies in the city. It’s a heart-tugging and relatable K-drama that tackles real life lessons on hard work, friendship, family, and pursuing one’s dreams.

3. Hi Bye, Mama!
This heartwarming and innocent ghost story marks the comeback of popular South Korean actress Kim
Tae-hee, beloved as one of the country’s most beautiful women, after five years. She plays a wife and
mother who lives on as a ghost after dying in a tragic accident—and she is faced with the opportunity to be reincarnated if she returns home in 49 days. You can now watch the full season of Hi Bye, Mama! on
Netflix.

4. Kingdom
Horror fans are going to love Kingdom. Joseon-era Korea is the backdrop for a story involving political intrigue and a whole lot of zombies, as a prince must fight back against a mysterious disease that turns people undead. The worst part is that the zombie outbreak may be an enemy’s doing! The unmissable nature of Kingdom Season 2 will get you hooked for great thrilling action!

5. The King: Eternal Monarch
The much-anticipated K-Drama on Netflix this April, this tells the fantasy romance situated in two parallel universes between an emperor from a constitutional monarchy who seek to “seal the gateway between dimensions,” and a present-day Korean police detective who wants to protect people’s lives.
From the same scriptwriter who penned the famous K-Dramas that you can watch on Netlflix - Goblin
and Descendants of the Sun – this K-drama will definitely stir your heart and bring you to an all-new
level of a romantic fantasy world.

Enjoy seamless and lag-free streaming with the Philippines’ fastest fixed internet service, PLDT Home
Fibr, as certified by Ookla and OpenSignal. You can also conveniently charge your Netflix subscription straight to your PLDT Home bill. Just register or log in through your PLDT myHome ID and choose the right Netflix plan for you.
With your PLDT Home Fibr connection at home, you can enjoy up to double the speed of your current
subscription. Visit www.pldthome.com to find out more!

Keep your business safe from cyberattacks amid the COVID-19 outbreak and enhanced community quarantine

PRESS RELEASE

While companies are closely monitoring the pandemic and implementing their business
continuity plans hackers with malicious intent are also taking advantage of the situation.

According to Eastern Communications industries that are the busiest during the lockdown are the most vulnerable ones to cyberattacks, which include healthcare, banking and finance, government, and media.

“The COVID-19 crisis shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon. We have to make tough decisions
rapidly as cyber criminals will also continue trying to exploit the situation and create more attacks. It’s
important to stay as vigilant as possible to safeguard your business from getting hit,” said Eastern
Communications Product and Innovation Head Edsel Paglinawan.

Resources and workforce may be stretched at this time, but it also pays for companies to become proactive to secure their businesses. Eastern Communications, one of the country’s premier telecommunications companies, shares ways how to secure businesses from potential cyberthreats.

Educating employees on online security practices

Educated employees on online security practices can put your business at an advantage. It is best for employers to remind employees to be wary of and avoid opening suspicious e-mails to prevent malicious malware from threatening their software or data. Companies should also provide employees with organized business e-mail addresses and make sure that they refrain from using designated
business e-mails to subscribe to unnecessary mailing lists.

Securing online accounts with strong passwords

We all know that in the cyberspace passwords are the first line of defense, they are the key to all our
data and information. It is important to have a strong password that uses alpha-numeric characters and
special characters. It is best to avoid using passwords that contain personal information like birthdays or anniversaries as it can be easily hacked. It is also important to avoid using the same passwords for
different online accounts or websites and to change passwords regularly.

Keeping operating system and security software up to date

Choosing a reliable anti-virus and anti-malware software is also important when you have an online
business. Keeping regular maintenance on updates on the software you use and checking for
vulnerabilities can help prevent any threats in your computer that you use in accessing your business website.

Distributed Denial of Service or DDoS attacks are one of the fastest growing threats in the cyber-attack landscape. A DDoS attack aims to make online services unavailable through overwhelming traffic from multiple sources. Eastern Communications’ CyberDefense protects businesses from basic to the most sophisticated attacks. It also provides Web Application Firewall (WAF) that blocks any Layer 7 threat like cross-site forgery, cross-site scripting, among others; while Content Delivery Network (CDN) generates faster loading of a website, which saves companies money yet enhances website performance at the
same time.

“As businesses continue to aim for mobile workforce, they should also consider to cloudify infrastructure and complex applications and defend investments against sophisticated cyber threats. It also helps to have a trusted expert at your side. Beyond connectivity, we provide end-to-end solutions, from access to the market leaders in cybersecurity to managing business security through unwavering  customer support,” Paglinawan explained.

Back up your data

As your business stores important data about sales, customer information and more, it is important to secure all of your data and effectively back it up to avoid any loss or corruption of data. Setting up
firewalls are necessary to control incoming and outgoing traffic. It secures internal networks from
threats and will be helpful in keeping your critical data safe.

Have a reliable and secure web hosting

Make sure that you choose a reliable web hosting service for all your websites and all your e-commerce
platforms to secure all your data and transactions. Should anything go wrong, and the company website
is disrupted by cyberattacks, a reliable web hosting will properly support the business through it.
Although the pandemic has already affected many businesses at this challenging time, maintaining the
resilience of companies with awareness and technology against cyberattacks can aid in limiting the
impact of COVID-19.

For more information on Eastern Communications CyberDefense, visit http://www.eastern.com.ph/.

JOINING FORCES ALLIANCE ON THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN - PHILIPPINES

PRESS RELEASE

A global alliance of child-focused international non-government organizations calls on the national and local governments to intensify efforts against online sexual
exploitation against children (OSEC).

MANILA, Philippines — Taking advantage of the quarantine situation, perpetrators could easily groom children online and coerce them to send and receive sexually explicit
messages, images, and videos.

“With the indefinite suspension of classes due to COVID-19, children are spending more time on the internet, exposed to the dangers of OSEC,” said Euan Crawshaw, Philippine Country Manager of Terre des Hommes - Netherlands. Children and young adults may experience boredom and economic stress as they stay at home for prolonged periods of time,pushing them to engage in risky behaviors in exchange for money.

“With parents and guardians preoccupied with economic, health, and security concerns, children may end up browsing the internet unsupervised,” Cranshaw added.

“As the lockdown bars many people from going to work, they look for various alternatives to sustain family income. Going online to sell sexually explicit materials is among the options, particularly in the Philippines where OSEC has been rampant even before the COVID-19
pandemic,” he explained.

We, the Joining Forces Alliance, support the Filipino children in their call to eliminate OSEC — as reflected in the National Children Manifesto on OSEC, which is written by the children themselves.

We also commend the relentless efforts of the government. And we will support the government in providing services to victim-survivors and in ensuring that children are safe.
Now more than ever, our joint efforts should be intensified. Hence, we are calling on the national government — through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Inter-
Agency Council Against Child Pornography; the Department of Justice’s Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking; and the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Cybercrime Group and Women and Children Protection Center — to further strengthen efforts in combating
OSEC during this health crisis:
Ensure that mechanisms for reporting, referral, and responding to OSEC cases are functional at all times, both at the national and local level.

Raise awareness on OSEC through television, radio, and social media, where people mostly spend their time during the crisis. Establish a database and monitoring system for OSEC reports related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are also calling on local government units (LGUs) to increase efforts in preventing OSEC among their constituents. “Social protection and safety net interventions for the COVID-19 response should address heightened and complex physical and economic risks and vulnerabilities of children and low-income households,” said Selena Fortich, Plan International’s Country Program Manager for Child Protection.

“Government interventions should focus on Filipino workers whose source of income were affected due to the temporary closure of business and work, as well as families living below the poverty line,” Fortich emphasized. “The government must ensure that such economic needs are met to prevent parents from selling sexual images of their children online.”

We the Joining Forces Alliance, put forward these recommendations for LGUs: Provide adequate financial and material assistance (i.e., cash, food, or non-food items) to families whose livelihoods are affected. Ensure that prevention measures are functional at all times, such as awareness campaigns, barangay-level reporting mechanisms, and activation of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) desks. Devise alternative reporting  mechanismst that is more accessible to the public. Consider the unique needs of victims of violence, such as the need to move homes during quarantine restrictions.

About the Joining Forces Alliance
The Joining Forces Alliance on the Elimination of Violence Against Children is a global alliance of
child-focused international non-government organizations. We are advocating for a renewed commitment of governments to achieve the rights of children. We are composed of ChildFund Alliance, Plan International, Save the Children, SOS Children’s Villages, Terre des Hommes International Federation, and World Vision.

Work from Home: How to attract talents with home-based jobs

PRESS RELEASE

Filipinos’ work environment is no longer limited by their office location or 8-hour work window. With
the changes brought by technological advancement, job seekers have more options to earn and started
considering work from home opportunities. It keeps them away from congested roads during rush hours and allows them to work productively at home even in the midst of untoward situations.

Education is the most in-demand home-based job specialization with overall average salary of Php37,000 per month followed by Customer Service at Php42,000 average monthly salary and IT/Computer – Software at Php73,000 average monthly salary based on online job portal JobStreet.com database of top home-based job from 2019 to 2020.

Hiring home-based employees is a practical resource if a company is seeking cost-cutting methods. It can also help growing companies, especially startups, with no set revenue yet or those that need manpower but have yet to acquire a physical workplace. Its flexibility is also an advantage, allowing employees to have work-life balance while helping their companies achieve its business goals.

Attracting full-time home-based workers

JobStreet Philippines commissioned the world’s leading research agency KANTAR to conduct the survey “Laws of Attraction” which had more than 18,000 Filipino respondents from top 25 industries across the country. This survey revealed that salary or compensation, career development, and work-life balance are the top three drivers of attraction among Filipinos who prefer work from home opportunities.

Majority of home-based opportunities are full-time with 77.3% share according to JobStreet.com’s
database of homebased jobs in 2019 to 2020.

Attracting full-time home-based job seekers is similar to pulling office-based full-time workers. They
prefer work from home jobs that provide mandatory government benefits (95.5%), double pay during
holidays (93.9%), and high base salary (85.8%).

Aside from promotion opportunities (78.2%) and clear growth plans (70%), hirers can entice home-based candidates by offering skills development or coaching (57.3%) and mentoring programs (51.5%).

Although they are employees working at the comfort of their home, they still expect companies to compensate them for overtime work (82.6%), switch off from work on public holidays (71.4%) especially
if they cater only to the local market, and provide cash equivalent to unused annual leaves (67.4%).

Pulling the part-timers

Home-based part-timers are also considering salary or compensation, career development, and work-
life balance when applying for a job.
More than getting offers with high base salary, LOA showed that part-time home-based job candidates
look for employers that give mandatory government benefits (91.2%), health insurance for their family (88.9%), and double pay during holidays (87.1%).

Promotion (72.9%) and clear growth plans (63.4%) are common demands for all types of employees, but it’s noticeable that even work from home workers want skill development, coaching (57.6%) and other self-development programs (56.5%). They also demand for overtime pay (81.7%), compulsory no work during holidays (69.2%), and flexible working hours (46.5%).

Just like any other employees, home-based workers should also be given the equal importance. And for
employers to be able to pull out the best candidates, they should also bring their a-game to the table
and strategize their recruitment processes according to the demands of their target job seekers.

To discover more on Filipino workforce, visit JobStreet’s LOA portal on
https://www.jobstreet.com.ph/en/cms/employer/laws-of-attraction/.

Jollibee launches TikTok channel, challenges users to act out #KwentongJollibee scenes

Keeping the #KwentongJollibee fever more alive than ever, Jollibee brings Filipinos a brand-new outlet where they can showcase their flair for singing, dancing, and acting, to be shared to a wider audience. Aspiring artists and content creators can share their creativity and talents as Jollibee launches its new channel on one of today’s fastest growing and widely-used social media platforms, TikTok, which has garnered over 1.5 billion downloads.

The #KwentongJollibee TikTok challenge, which encourages users to duet or lip sync the juicy bits of their favorite episode, has swiftly gained 12.7 million views shorty after it was
launched. Done in partnership with BBH Singapore, this is the first time that Jollibee utilizes this platform to engage with avid fans of its hit Valentine series.

TikTok users who got caught up in “#CoupleGoals”, which has gained over 25 million views, can lip sync to the taxi showdown scene and pretend they are Matt and Lisa arguing. They can also do a duet as Myles together with the dreamy Ron from the best-performing episode “Apart”, which was streamed 34 million times over, and act as if they are a couple sharing a sweet kilig moment. Lastly, TikTok users can re-enact a funny scene from “Space”, with almost 30 million views, and pretend they are Mae, whom the lovestruck Dan is trying to patch things up with.

"Together with Jollibee, we believe TikTok has unlocked an incredible creative energy in the Philippines. Since the launch of this challenge, 19,000 videos have already been submitted. It’s warming to see people share the simple joy of doing something together,” said Sascha Kuntze, Chief Creative Officer of BBH.

With the popularity of TikTok, it’s not hard to find short-form videos one after another — and with Jollibee launching its new channel, Filipinos can share even more joy as they showcase their talents in crafting creative content that will spark the interest of generations across.
Get your vocals, dancing, and acting moves ready and share your own creative take of the
#KwentongJollibee Valentine’s episodes! Join the fun by downloading the TikTok app, and post your #KwentongJollibee challenge at Jollibee's official Tiktok page
(www.tiktok.com/@jollibee).

BLOODSHOT - Superhero-esque Action !

By Edgar Allan E. Yu

To be honest, I didn't really know this character nor its source material even though I'm a comic book fan. I went to see the movie because of its lead star - Vin Diesel.

The Plot -  A marine named Ray Garrison  and his wife were murdered after coming home from a mission. Then Ray woke up in a laboratory where he was resurrected by a scientist (Guy Pearce) who injected nanotechnology into Ray's blood, making him a super soldier who has enhanced strength, speed, and healing abilities. Ray has no memory of his past; unknown to him, Project Rising Spirit has control of his mind and his memories. Now Ray isn't sure what is real, and what is not. And he's going to find out.

The Good - Since this is a Vin Diesel vehicle, it is expected that it will have hard action, and the film delivers. The fight scenes and special effects are cool enough.  With production budget of only $45 million, I say they made very good use of their money. 

The Bad - the trailers seem to have shown all the plot points of the movie. So if you don't want to be spoiled, don't watch the trailers. Fans of the comic-books are complaining that Vin Diesel doesn't look like Bloodshot, he looks just like Vin Diesel. We get a glimpse of the white skin and red eyes towards the end, and maybe we'll get more of that in the sequel.  Lastly, the story has been done plenty of times. Man gets enhanced or resurrected and become something else. He gets back to avenge himself.  He's like a cross between the Punisher and Wolverine.

Overall if you're looking for something  with superhero-esque actions and explosions, you will enjoy this one. Directed by David S. F. Wilson on his first feature film. Rated PG-13. From Columbia Pictures. Photos c/o #ColumbiaPicturesPH

Moira Dela Torre gives a fresh, new take to Mulan’s ‘Reflection’

Captivating generations of Disney fans, “Reflection” has been a powerful ballad that breathed life into the narrative of Disney’s “Mulan.” Written and produced by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel, "Reflection" holds a special place in the hearts of many Filipinos for decades.

Just as much the 2020 reimagined version of Mulan is set to release in Philippine cinemas in a few weeks, Disney Philippines introduces a new voice to Mulan’s iconic song as it connects to today’s generation of Disney fans. Deemed as the most streamed Filipina artist, Disney Philippines has collaborated with Moira de la Torre on a localized version of the film’s most endeared song, “Reflection.”

Attendees during the listening party were among the first to hear Moira’s rendition of “Reflection” and were also given a special sneak peek into the upcoming music video. When asked how Moira felt when she discovered that Disney is tapping her to sing “Reflection” for fans in the Philippines, the songstress said, “I became very emotional, because ‘Reflection’ is very special to me. It’s the first-ever song I performed in public, and also the first full song that
I learned on my own. It basically launched my love for music.”

Moira also shared how the song perfectly reflects how her life has been. “It's funny how it speaks about self-doubt and questioning who you see on the mirror every day. That's basically me, but every time I feel that happening now, I feel braver. This song came back at a perfect
time in my life, and I could only be happy and grateful."

To her, being able to give justice to the iconic song would be a great honor, knowing how this can inspire and empower today’s generation of young Filipino girls. Disney’s “Mulan” arrives in Philippine theaters on March 25, 2020. Join the conversations online at #MulanPH.

About Mulan

Acclaimed filmmaker Niki Caro brings the epic tale of China’s legendary warrior to life in Disney’s “Mulan,” in which a fearless young woman risks everything out of love for her family and her country to become one of the greatest warriors China has ever known.

When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father.

Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father.

“Mulan” features a celebrated international cast that includes: Yifei Liu as Mulan; Donnie Yen as Commander Tung; Tzi Ma as Zhou,
Jason Scott Lee as Böri Khan; Yoson An as Honghui; Ron Yuan as Sergeant Qiang; with Gong Li as Xianniang and Jet Li as the Emperor. The film is directed by Niki Caro from a screenplay by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin, suggested by the narrative poem “The Ballad of Mulan.” The producers are Chris Bender, Jake Weiner and Jason Reed, with Bill Kong, Barrie M. Osborne, Tim Coddington and Mario Iscovich serving as executive producers. “Mulan” opens in Philippine theaters
 on March 25, 2020. Join the conversations online with #MulanPH.

ComCo Southeast Asia Celebrates 4th Anniversary with Anvil, Araw and The Filipino Times Awards in Dubai

(Press Release)
ComCo Squadron with the much-coveted metals bagged for impactful campaigns.

In photo are (from left): Joan Icotanim, Brand Communications and Administration Director; Rachel Syfargo, Brand Communications and Operations Director; Juan Carlos
Sevilla, Senior Brand  CommunicationsOfficer; Shaina Semaña, Brand Communications Officer; Queenie Resmundo, Senior Brand Communications Associate; Jam Bufi, Senior Brand  CommunicationsAssociate; Matthew Escosia, Brand Communications
Associate; Harvey Llamosa, Executive Initiatives Officer; AC Recio, Digital and Multimedia Arts Officer; and Ferdinand Bondoy,
Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director.

Celebrating its fourth year of championing the emerging global disciplines of New PR and Smart Social, trailblazing and fast-rising communications powerhouse ComCo Southeast Asia recently harvested
metals at the 55th Anvil Awards, 11th ARAW Advertising Values Awards, and The Filipino Times Awards
in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
ComCo Southeast Asia won six (6) metals at the 55th Anvil Awards for their impactful campaigns in World Vision, Eastern Communications, WWF, and Unilab Foundation.

ComCo Southeast Asia won the Gold Anvil Awards for Public Relations (PR) Program on a Sustained Basis
- Community Development (Urban/ Rural) for “Crowdsourcing for Meaningful Solutions: The World
Vision Social Innovation Challenge”; for Specialized PR Program - Advocacy Campaign for
“#AyokoNgPlastik: The WWF Movement Against Single Use Plastics”; and for PR Program on a Sustained
Basis – Youth / Children’s Welfare for “Make Play Happen: The First Play Advocacy Week led by Play It
Forward and Unilab Foundation”.
The Agency also won the Silver Anvil Awards for Specialized PR Program – Advocacy Campaign for
“Eastern@140: A Celebration of 140 Years of Strong Connections”; for PR Program Directed at Specific
Stakeholders - Consumers for “Elevating the Customer Experience: The Eastern Communications Link
VIP Club”; and for Specialized PR Program - Advocacy Campaign for “One for Children: The World Vision
Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines initiative”.

These new awards come on the heels of the Agency and its members’ recent streak of local and international industry recognitions.
ComCo Southeast Asia’s project with Pioneer Insurance, #MoveOnLang Songwriting Competition won a
Silver ARAW Award under the Love of Country category at the 11th ARAW Advertising Values Award.
ComCo Southeast Asia managed the PR program for this initiative.
ComCo SEA partner and co-founder Tricia Cusi Jimenea was also awarded Advertising Professional of the
Year at The Filipino Times Awards in Dubai, UAE.
ComCo SEA partner and co-founder Tricia Cusi Jimenea was honored the Advertising Professional of the Year at The Filipino Times Awards in Dubai, UAE.

Last year, the Agency won Agency of the Year 2nd Runner Up among 10 other Excellence and Merit
Awards for WWF, Unilab Foundation, Eastern Communications, SM Cinema, and its talent incubation
program Camp ComCo Mentorship Program at the prestigious 17th Philippine Quill Awards; Boutique PR
Agency of the Year in Asia finalist at Campaign Asia Pacific’s much coveted PR Awards Asia in Hong Kong;
and Gold and Bronze Stevie® Awards for Eastern Communication’s Link VIP Club Program and Our  Strong Connection campaign, respectively at the 2019 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards in Singapore.

With this, alongside other industry recognitions from Marketing Event Awards in Singapore, MarCom
Awards in USA, Kidlat Awards, Mumbrella Asia, and Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity, the Agency was
able to garner a total of 56 metals since its founding on March 16, 2016.

With groundbreaking wins and exciting plans for expansion and diversification, ComCo SEA is all set, in full force to what’s next, especially now that they are heading nearer to Year 5. Ferds Bondoy, Managing
Partner, Co-Founder and Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director of ComCo Southeast Asia
shared, “Largely, we attribute this feat to the new agency culture we’ve created, that is having ComCo
SEA as a home for craftsmanship, and as a platform for each one’s life’s work, benefiting our various
stakeholders. And all the efforts we are doing are geared towards achieving that shared goal.”

To know more about ComCo Southeast Asia, visit www.comco-hq.com. Follow them on social media:
facebook.com/comco.southeastasia on Facebook, linkedin.com/company/comco-hq and @comco_sea
on both Instagram and Twitter.

BUDAKHEL LIVE - Bugoy, Daryl, & Michael join forces for the ultimate throwback concert in Resorts World Manila

Resorts World Manila (RWM) presents another musical act that truly champions the Filipino talent as three of the country's finest R&B artists - Bugoy Drilon, Daryl Ong, and Michael Pangilinan, finally come together for their first major concert in BUDAKHEL LIVE : Best of the '90s on March 20, 2020, 8pm at the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT).

Considered as one of the famous R&B groups, BuDaKhel is set to captivate audiences with their respective renditions of the most memorable hits from the '90s in this one-night only performance.

Music fans met Michael Pangilinan when he first appeared on the X Factor Philippines, and became a household name when he competed in the top-rating celebrity game show Your Face Sounds Familiar (Season 2). Daryl Ong showcased his vocal talents in Pinoy Pop Superstar, and The Voice of The Philippines (Season 2), then became a member of Voices of 5. Bugoy Drilon, a Pinoy Dream Academy (Season 2) alumnus, is the veteran among the three, and celebrated his 10th year with a sold-out concert.

Together as BUDAKHEL, Bugoy, Daryl, & Michael will electrify audiences with their combined star power to bring out the best hits of the generation that spawned such vibrant genres such as Hip Hop, Boyband Pop, and Alternative Rock.

Presented by Resorts World Manila in cooperation with KreativDen, BUDAKHEL LIVE : Best of the '90s is directed by Dido Camara with musical direction from Rey Cantong. Tickets to the concert are available at the RWM Box Office and all Ticketworld outlets. Visit www.rwmanila.com for more info.