Thursday, November 29, 2018

THERE IS HOPE! LUNG CANCER PATIENTS ARE NOT ALONE: PH LUNG CANCER COMMUNITY

BY - 7:59 AM
Not alone: PH lung cancer community inspires hope in the face of disease

Breakthrough lung cancer pill Osimertinib shows promise at stopping disease progression and improving patient survival

The fight against lung cancer doesn’t have to be a solo battle.

To help Filipino patients and their loved ones rise above this challenging condition, biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has partnered with the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO), along with local support groups such as the Cancer Coalition Philippines (CCP), and the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO) to launch LVNG With Lung Cancer, an online resource portal for patients across all stages of the disease.

From left: Dr. Mary Claire Vega-Soliman, President of the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology and Head of the Tumor Clinic of East Avenue Medical Center; Carla Comendador Britanico, a patient living with Stage IV lung cancer for more than 6 years; Dr. Ma. Luisa T. Abesamis-Tiambeng, Director of the Cancer Center at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center; and Dr. Paolo dela Rosa, Medical Advisor and Medical Oncologist at AstraZeneca Philippines.

“Being diagnosed with lung cancer can make patients feel anxious and hopeless, which is why support is vital,” explains Dr. Donald Ray Josue, Medical Affairs Head of AstraZeneca Philippines. “LVNG With provides support by forming a community of patients and their loved ones so they can inspire one another and exchange helpful information about their treatment. Through the network, patients may realize that while lung cancer is not yet curable, it is very treatable. There’s still so much more for them to look forward to in their lives.”

Struggling with stigma

Lung cancer is the top cancer killer worldwide, with 2.09 million incidences and 1.76 million fatalities this year alone according to the GLOBOCAN 2018 report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).[1] But while a majority of lung cancer deaths involve tobacco use,[2] non-smokers are also at serious risk.

“‘Are you a smoker?’ Many lung cancer patients get this question, but the truth is, different factors cause the disease,” said Dr. Denky Shoji Dela Rosa, a medical oncologist from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center and St. Luke’s Medical Center . “Lack of awareness has been a source of stigma because people often put the blame on the individual. This makes it difficult for lung cancer patients to find support and form communities.”

A 2015 study on the European Respiratory Journal notes that about 25 percent of lung cancer incidences are not linked to smoking, and that the rate of never-smokers diagnosed with the disease has been increasing.[3] The American Cancer Society identifies several causes, such as exposure to second-hand smoke, diesel exhaust, asbestos, radioactive radon gas, and chemicals released by burning coal products.

Adding to the stigma, new patients tend to think that their illness is a hopeless case. This leaves them with a sense of isolation that worsens their anxiety over their diagnosis.


LVNG With addresses these stigmas by dispelling myths that prevent lung cancer patients from seeking proper treatment and seeing hope in their condition. The community also empowers patients with information that enable them to reach out to medical professionals so they can learn more about treatment options.

Dr. Mary Claire Soliman, president of the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology and member of Cancer Coalition Philippines also emphasizes that, “Standard evidence-based medicine is the way to go in treatment. I understand how the promise of  alternative medicines (‘natural”, “herbal” or “nutraceutical medicine”) may be tempting, especially with their claims that they do not have side effects. The fact of the matter is that there is very little evidence to support these claims.

A recently published study by Skyler B Johnson at the Journal of the National Cancer Institute this January 2018 revealed that patients who initially chose alternative medicine over conventional lung cancer treatment had a more than twofold increase

risk of dying. At the end of the day, alternative treatments should not replace standard evidence-based medicine.”

Breakthrough treatment

Chemotherapy—or the use of drugs to kill and stunt malignant tumors—is usually thought of as the only treatment for cancer. “The fact is, various options are now available depending on the patient’s diagnosis, preference, and recommendations from the healthcare team. Among these include surgery to remove affected lung tissues, radiation therapy that use high doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells, and targeted drug therapy.”, Dr. Maria Luisa Abesamis-Tiambeng of Cardinal Santos Medical Center emphasized.


Targeted drug therapy may be recommended based on biopsy findings. Through biomarker testing, the biopsy can reveal genetic mutations in cancer.

RUN FOR READING AT MCDONALD’S STRIPES RUN 2018

BY - 7:28 AM

Break a sweat with family and friends for a good cause!

MANILA, PHILIPPINES —  Get your red and white striped socks on and run for a cause with McDonald’s at this year’s Stripes Run!

That’s right, McDonald’s Stripes Run 2018 is back! McDonald’s is inviting you to show your stripes and run for reading with your family and friends this December 2, 2018 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

Each registration for this year's Stripes Run will help in donating reading kits to grades 1 and 2 public school children through Ronald McDonald Read to Learn, a beginning reading program of the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). RMHC’s Read to Learn program, which started in 2002, is a partnership with the Department of Education that aims to improve the literary skills of Filipino students while they are at the early stage of learning. To date, the Read to Learn program has enrolled close to 10,000 partner schools nationwide— reaching more than 12 million students. With basic reading skills they get from Ronald McDonald Read to Learn Program, the kids are set to learn more throughout their school years.

So what are you waiting for? Give Filipino kids a chance at a brighter tomorrow by getting your friends and your family to join the Stripes Run 2018! Registration for Stripes Run 2018 is easy and simple, with three possible options to choose from:
1. Register and pay online at mcdostripesrun.com.ph.
2. Download the form on mcdostripesrun.com.ph, and settle the registration fee at select McDonald’s stores.
3. Fill-up the registration form and pay at select McDonald’s stores.


For an affordable price, you get a race kit that includes a Stripes Run shirt, 1 pair of Striped Socks, 1 Race Bib, 1 McDonald's Breakfast Meal and 1 Race Map.


This year’s McDo Stripes Run will have the following race categories:
Kiddie stripes (1K) – 8 years old and below
Young stripes (3K) – 8-15 years old
3K stripes – 16 years old and up
Family stripes (3K) – 2 kids (15 years old and below) and 2 adults
5K stripes – 16 and up
Squad stripes (5K) – 4 adults (16 years old and up)
10K stripes – 16 and up

Exciting game booths and activities await the entire family and barkada at McDonald’s Stripes Run 2018, so register now! You can share your experiences by using the hashtag #McDoStripesRun and tag @McDo_PH on Twitter and Instagram. For more information and to view the list of McDonald’s stores you can register in, visit mcdostripesrun.com.ph or follow McDonald’s Philippines’ Facebook page, facebook.com/McDo.ph.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

SM CITY MARIKINA GRAND CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL

BY - 8:21 AM


SM malls never failed their shoppers every Christmas season. They always have a surprise for them.

This year SM made it a point to make their shoppers more excited for Christmas.



SM City Marikina unveils this year’s Grand Christmas Carnival last November 11 at 6pm. Hosted by Ms. Dimples Romana. There where a lot of performances and activities that the kids and family enjoyed.





Come with your family, visit SM City Marikina and make sure to take your pictures at their Grand Christmas Carnival centerpiece and their giant Christmas Tree! These will be on display until January 9, 2019. Let your family experience ehat SM supermalls has prepared this Christmas 2018



#ChristmaSMoments #SMMarikinaLove
EatPlayShopInTheCity, #ChristmaSMoments

EXPERIENCE MARIKINA AT MARIKINA SHOE FESTIVAL

BY - 7:51 AM

If you really want shoes and bag with a reasonable price, the place to go is Marikina and visit the Marikina Shoe Festival.

It was opened last Nov 12 and the ribbon cutting was headed by Mayor Marcy Teodoro. The different stall owners who participated was awarded being part of the Marikina Shoe Festival. 41 shoes manufacturer and 1 bag manufacturer.



You can shop here and see the quality manufactured shoes and bags of marikina. Gawang Marikina ay mahusay. Tangkilikin natin ang gawang lokal.

 #ExperienceMarikina #SupportLocal
Visit the stall of Ferrina by Checkpoint


 Lara Erika for your ladies and dress shoes.







Marikina Sapatos Festival Schedule

Nov 12, 2018 - Jan 6, 2019
Mon - Thurs: 9AM - 7PM
Fri, Sat & Sun: 9AM - 8PM

Marikina Sapatos Festival
Marikina City Shoe Festival
#ExperienceMarikina
Here you can buy the best items with quality at a cheaper value.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

SM, MCDONALD'S CELEBRATE FAMILY BONDING MOMENTS VIA #NATIONALTHANKYOUWEEK

BY - 4:02 AM

SM Supermalls and McDonald's level up the Thanksgiving tradition among Filipino families with the online and on-ground celebration of "National Thank You Week" last November 19 to 25.


“On the second year of our partnership with McDonald's, we continue to underscore the uniqueness of the emotional bond of Filipinos, especially when our customers make memories and redefine thanksgiving celebrations in our malls,” shares Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls senior vice president for marketing.



On digital, SM and McDonald's encouraged families to share their ‘thank you moments’ for a chance to win P5,000 SM shopping money by simply taking a photo using the #NationalThankYouWeek Photo App that can be accessed via smsupermalls.com until November 25. McDonald’s also gave its customers a special treat, as a simple way of saying ‘thank you’, as all McDonald’s stores located in 47 SM malls nationwide gave a free Vanilla Sundae Cone for every purchase of a Happy Meal from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. from Thanksgiving Day itself (November 22) until November 25, Sunday.




A grand culminating activity was also mounted for families on the last day of the week-long celebration on November 25 at SM Mall of Asia, Central Atrium. For only Php180, kids and kids-at-heart experienced SM Supermalls and McDonald's Thank You Town where everyone enjoyed an array of fun activities and fun technology games.

At the Thank You Town, SM shoppers were able to sign-up for McDonald’s Stripes Run, avail of the new McCelebrations Birthday Party themes, and experience fun games and activities.

SM Supermalls is the sole Philippine finalist in this year’s World Retail Awards, held last April 19 in Madrid, Spain. SM's "National Thank You Day," an integrated live brand experience campaign in partnership with McDonald's Philippines, made it as a finalist in the ‘Best Customer Experience Initiative – Mall Owners’ category.



For more information, check out www.smsupermalls.com, and its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @smsupermalls.

ANGKAS BUHAY THE FIRST ANGKAS AMBUCYCLE IN THE PHILIPPINES

BY - 3:31 AM

ANGKAS is a Filipino word for ride sharing, backride using motorcycle, bicycle or even 3 wheeler tricycle or tuktok. Getting onto a vehicle driven by someone else…
Angkas: pagsama o pagsampa sa isang saksakyan
magkakaangkas: (several people) ridesharing together

Today in Metro Manla, there is a motorcycle ridebooking service and app called Angkas. Fares start at 50 pesos for the first two kilometers and 10 pesos for every succeeding kilometer.
People are taking the angkas to bring them faster to their destination and at the same time get out of the metro traffic.

Today Angkas will launch a new service that will be beneficial to everyone, it is called Angkas Buhay the first Ambucycle in the Philippines

Angkas, the fastest-growing motorcycIe-hailing app service in the Philippines, marked its first anniversary last Sunday, November 25 with the launch of the first-ever motorcycle ambulance service in the country dubbed as ANGKAS BUHAY.

The groundbreaking ambulance service aims to provide first aid on-the-spot for emergency cases or immediate transport of doctors to the patient. In this regard, Angkas is inviting existing driver-partners and new sign-ups to join the pilot program in Metro Manila to train as volunteer paramedics.


ANGKAS BUHAY was also inspired by the heroism of an Angkas driver in Cebu who saved a wounded policeman.

A press conference was held last SUNDAY, November 25, 4:00 pm at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

Initially a collaboration between Angkas, Our Lady of Guadalupe Colleges (OLGC), and Victor R. Potenciano Medical Center (VRP) in Mandaluyong City, Angkas Buhay will pioneer an intensive training course for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT-certified) drivers.

After undergoing training, qualified EMT drivers, armed with life-saving techniques aboard a speciallydesigned ”ambucycle" titted up with medical supplies and equipment, will be able to stabilize patients until secondary medical transport arrives.

Expected to go live towards mid-2019, Angkas Buhay will be featured through an in-app "Emergecy" button to match the EMT driver in close proximity to the patient.


Debuted on November 25, 2018 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Rizal during the inaugural Safety Fiesta of Angkas to commemorate its first anniversary, Angkas Buhay is the latest initiative of the transport app in support of public safety. Displaying the “ambucyle” prototype with a brief video trailer, a panel of speakers from Angkas and its key partners gave an overview of the project.

“We’ve all heard the tragic stories about critical patients who needed to be rushed to the hospital but because of the traffic gridlock and the cost of ambulance rides, many are sadly, dead on arrival. For some of us, this may even hit close to home, but what if Angkas could change all that?” said Angkas founder and CEO Angeline Tham.

Posing a challenge to the riders, Tham recounted the heroism demonstrated by driver-partner Francis C. Belecario, who, last September 3, was instrumental in the rescue of wounded patroller, P01 Berlino L. Ricafort in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City.

Cited for exceptional bravery and invaluable service to the community, Belecario was recognized by the Cebu City PNP for quick thinking and immediate response to the call of duty when he brought P01 Ricafort to the nearest hospital for treatment. Tham points out that were it not for Belecario on the Angkas platform, P01 Ricafort’s injuries might have proven life-threatening.

An eye-opening moment for Tham, she shared that the incident was a turning point for Angkas, “We Started out with one mission, to help commuters beat the traffic, and for many, that is a lifesaver. Then we realized that we could go further as a public service, not only taking passengers where they need to go, but to hasten the arrival of medical attention for those needing urgent care.”

Angkas Operations Head David Medrana also took the opportunity to encourage drivers to register for the Angkas Buhay program, ”We welcome both new drivers and our current partners to become part of our elite EMT team. Angkas Buhay is accepting applications and we are looking forward to introducing our first batch of trainees to the public.”

On behalf of affiliate VRP, OLGC College Administrator Mr. Vincent Mark P. Vergel de Dios remarked, "OLGC and VRP are proud to embark on this partnership with Angkas. Angkas Buhay will help many people and we are thrilled to impart our knowledge to Angkas drivers.”

Metro Manila Development Committee Chair Rep. Winston ”Winnie” Castelo and transport-sector ally was also a guest of honor, together with Quezon City Councilor Precious Hipolito Castelo; PNP Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) Director, Chief Superintendent. Roberto Fajardo and NCRPO Deputy Regional Director for Administration Police Chief Superintendent Amando Clifton Empiso also in attendance.

Rep. Castelo commended the “ambucycle” for its civic-oriented innovation. "We have seen how commuters have benefitted from the safe, affordable, and convenient mode of transportation offered by the platform, and now we can also depend on Angkas to extend another valuable public service," he stressed.

Concluding the program, Tham underscored that Angkas Buhay strengthens their larger brand advocacy for safety: “Angkas is steering 14 million motorcycle drivers to a safe and professional livelihood, and now with Angkas Buhay, the platform can also be a means for saving lives.”

Since launching the service in 2017, Angkas has provided free driver education to 60,000 motorcycle drivers, with 20,000 qualified drivers in their fleet across three urban hubs in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro.

Celebrating their first anniversary with a grand onboarding activity for some 2,000 drivers, the Angkas Safety Fiesta hosted whole-day seminars for Defensive Riding, Emergency Disaster Response, Riders‘ Rights, Local Traffic Rules and Regulations, and Advanced Safety; as well as a bike competition and driver talent show.

#AngkasBuhay,#Saveslife, #AngkasAmbucycle