TB DOTS Clap for a TB-Free Philippines

Recently, the TB or Not TB Team visited two schools in Quezon City for its #TBDay school tour—San Vicente Elementary School (September 8) and North Fairview Elementary School (September 22).  

As part of the Department of Health’s (DOH) campaign to raise awareness on tuberculosis (TB), the students participated in fun and educational activities, which centered on fighting the stigma and debunking the myths and misconceptions about the disease.

Moreover, the highlight of the #TBDay school tour was the teaching of a children’s clap game.   Called “TB DOTS Clap Game,” it aims to educate students about TB DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course), an effective method recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to cure TB and stop its spread in communities. In the Philippines, TB DOTS is offered for free thru accredited DOTS Centers.

TB DOTS Clap Game

Sa tuwing umuubo ang tatay ko

Natatakot ako baka TB na ito

Pero wag ka, wag ka

TB ay nagagamot

Kapag kumukonsulta ka

TB DOTS

TB DOTS

TB TB TB DOTS (2X)

Di dapat mahiya kung may TB ka

Matanda man o bata

May ngipin o wala

Mahirap, mayaman

Bariles, payat o seksi pa

TB ay tatama kung mahina ka

TB DOTS

TB DOTS

TB TB TB DOTS (2X)

For more information about TB or Not TB visit www.tbornottb.com.ph

Follow on Twitter: tbornottbph

Instagram: tbornottbph

Creating a Romantic Bedroom

Whether you’r newly married or not, your bedroom must be neat and organized. Most of all, it should inspire romance and intimacy. You can do this by making small changes that will lead to a big difference. Here are some practical ideas:

Photo grab from Google

Keep your room free from clutter. Nothing is worse than filling your bedroom with garbage. Keep in mind that your bedroom is not a garbage can. It’s the place where you and your loved one go for rest, relaxation, and romance. Don’t expect sex if you have to clear piles of dirty laundry before reaching the bed. The first step to setting the mood is creating the right kind of ambiance. Do this by having a neat room.

Ensure that there’s a space for everything and everything is in its space. Throw out the things you don’t need. Get rid of old clothes, shoes, and other useless items (Time for garage sale if you have lots of this). Get hold of affordable drawer dividers, plastic storage boxes, and closet organizers to store items instead of putting them behind closet doors, in dressers, or under the bed.

Create good mood lighting. If needed, replace the fixtures in the room or use the right table or floor lamps. Dimmer switches are great and should be accessible from the bed. Select lighting options that provide a soft glow rather than harsh light. Candles are another good light source. Be creative when picking the right candle holder and find the ideal location.

It’s difficult to love your bedroom when you smell something offensive there. Remember that not everyone likes strong perfumes. Candles, potpourri, fresh cut flowers and plug-in deodorizers are good alternatives to give a sense of freshness into a room.

Nurturing Homegrown Talent Can Lead to Country’s Success

PRESS RELEASE

Giftedness is a term mostly associated with talent. While most believe the terms are synonymous and interchangeable, Professor Françoys Gagné, Ph. D, states otherwise. Considered as one of the most prominent names in the field of gifted education, Professor Gagné is the founder of the Differentiating Model of Giftedness and Talent (DMGT), a theory identified and used by international educational authorities to define their target population and plan intervention provisions.

 

Professor Françoys Gagné, Ph. D dis
cussing the Differentiating Model of Giftedness and Talent

According to the DMGT, giftedness is a superior natural ability that is evident without systematic learning or teaching. Professor Gagné uses the term ‘gifted’ to designate any person who possesses a natural aptitude that placed them among the top 10% of their age group. Whereas, talent implies a mastered skill that has been developed exceptionally well. Professor Gagné claims that for gifts to translate into talents, they must be developed through a variety of catalysts. These catalysts include intrapersonal factors such as perseverance, general curiosity, intrinsic motivation, and ambition, and environmental factors like family, school, and quality of the peer group.

Nature and Nurture Working Together

There are over 1.27 million gifted children in the country according to data gathered by the Department of Education (DepEd) in 2010. A big number of these potentially gifted Filipinos are overlooked because of the lack of proper guidance and support.

Gifted child and award-winning violinist and pianist, Ira Aclan

While environment plays an important role that can aid in developing children’s raw abilities, it can also present less than ideal influences. Giftedness and talent do not flourish on their own.

“Nurturing the potentially gifted is a shared responsibility of the family, as well as both public and private sectors, if they are to be developed maximally,” shares Dra. Letty Ho, President, Philippine Center for Gifted Education, Inc.

Celebrating Homegrown Talent and Skill

It is not enough to have the talent – It’s how the talent is utilized to achieve greater success in a broader scale, like in ones community or even country. Improvements in economic growth are closely related to the level of cognitive skills of the population.

Professor Françoys Gagné, Ph. D, emphasizes that “individuals, young and old, differ in many respects: their aptitudes or potentialities, their personal qualities, their needs and their interests, their will-power and their perseverance, their investment in time and energy in the development of their talents, the characteristics of their social environment, and the qualities of significant people around them. All these elements can contribute to a person’s level of professional success; they are the ingredients of outstanding success, in school and in adult life.”

Professor Gagné’s visit to the Philippines could not come at a more opportune time, with the Philippine Center for Gifted Education, Inc. bidding to spearhead the establishment of the ASEAN Association for Giftedness, and the country showing strong economic growth.

Giftedness and talent could be a driving force for the Philippine economy to continue the steps it is taking towards becoming a progressive country. Nurturing homegrown talent can benefit the country greatly by spurring its development.

Heritage Through Generations

For over 25 years, Promil Pre-School has been an advocate of nurturing Filipino children’s gifts into talent. With the right balance of support from parents, proper care through the right learning environment, and proper nutrition from Promil Pre-School, gifts can be nurtured into exceptional talents that benefit a larger community.

“We are one with Professor Gagné in promoting the proper nourishment of children’s gifts to become talents. This is one of those instances where proper education can really make the world of difference,” says Dian Yu, Product Manager, Wyeth Nutrition, Inc.

From National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal to Andrea Veneracion, who gave the world the Philippine Madrigal Singers, to world-class performer Lea Salonga and boxing champion and politician Congressman Manny Pacquiao, Filipinos whose gifts were developed into talents have proven to contribute immensely to the advancement of the country and building of national pride.

“This is a vision that Promil Pre-School shares with Professor Gagné. The brand was founded on the premise of making it easier for people to reach their full potentials and become gifts not just to themselves or their families, but also to their community. We believe that well-rounded and fully-developed talented individuals are those who are able to use their exceptional abilities for the greater good,” adds Yu.

Better Business: Make Your Business Stand Out

You don’t have to jump from a plane or stand on your head so people will notice your business. Neither do you need expensive advertising, a dazzling website or a controversial blog to attract customers. When it comes to marketing your business, simple approaches can make a big difference. Here are some simple marketing strategies to make your business stand out and leave your competitors behind:

Photo grab from Google

Be different - don’t expect to stand out if you’re offering what everyone else is offering. It’s easy to drown in the sea of conformity. Think of something original that people will like and will find only in your store. That way, your customers will keep coming back for more since they can’t get it elsewhere.

“Why is being different important? Being different is important because not everyone does it - not everyone puts ‘be remarkable’ into their business plan. Many people can open a chain store, a coffee shop, or provide web design services that are just the same as hundreds of others out there. What makes you unique is putting in the extra effort and showing the initiative to make yourself different. It is about finding your niche and being best in the world at something, whatever your version of the world may be,” according to SmallBusinessEssentials,Info.

Develop your own voice - once you have something that makes your business different, find out if you have any competitors and see if you can do something that they don’t. Offer your customers improved service, free delivery or anything that will make them notice your business. These “perks” can go a long way in increasing your customer base and giving your business its own identity.

“When you are an entrepreneur, what usually makes your business different is you. You bring everything you do into the company to make it what it is - your passion, your skills, your talent, your ideas, and your unique spin to a solution for a current problem in the world. I am my company. I even gave the company my initials! I know there is a frequent debate among small business owners working ‘on their company’ vs. ‘in their company’, but I will always be the kind of person who works in my company,” said SmallBusinessEssentials.Info.

Get feedback - no man is an island, especially if he has his own business. Feedback from customers is important since it tells you what you did wrong, what you did right, and how you can further improve your business. Listen to your customers. They’re the backbone of your business. Without them, you won’t get anywhere. If you want your business to survive, be responsive to your customers’ needs and suggestions. 

Hydrating Skin Therapy: For the Sexy Man About Town

PRESS RELEASE

There is nothing sexier than a man with firm yet healthy, glowing skin.

While most males focus on toning their abs and building their muscles, their total appeal is greatly defined by their clear and smooth skin.

Sporting a healthy glow not only sustains youthful looks, it also gives today's active males an air of confidence, as they step out into the world.

There are several products in the market that can address common skin problems. However if one intends to look good at all times then a hydrating therapy can help restore one's natural glow.

The Carboxy Ultrahydrating Gel Therapy at Zen Institute infuses the much needed oxygen back into the skin.

The human body needs an ample amount oxygen for proper organ functions while keeping the skin hydrated and healthy. Unfortunately factors like age, stress and other environmental pollutants easily weakens the body's oxygen level.

Carboxy Ultrahydrating Gel Therapy brings the oxygen back into the body thereby increasing blood flow while encouraging cell restoration.

When applied to the skin the ultrahydrating gel smoothens trouble spots like dark circles and drooping skin in the eye area. It improves skin texture, controls wrinkles and flabby cheeks and even prevents acne scars.

Clients will immediately feel fresh, moisturized and hydrated after the first treatment. The skin is guaranteed to visibly improve within eight to ten weeks of treatment. Each session takes only 20 minutes, which is perfect for men-on-the-go. 

Aside from the facial area, the non-invasive treatment can also remove cellulite flaccidity and localized fat deposits in other areas of the body.

The Zen Institute is located at 69 Scout Rallos St., Tomas Morato, Quezon City (02-441-1712/02-412-2528); 

Ground Floor, Bonifacio Technology Center, 31st St., Corner 2nd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (02-856-2027)

St. Frances Cabrini Medical Center, Maharlika Highway, Bgy. 2, Sto.Tomas, Batangas (+43-778-4811). 

For more information about The Zen Institute and CARBOXY ULTRAHYDRATING GEL THERAPY, visit www.thezeninstitute.com and like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ZenMedicalSpa

Drive Traffic to your Blog with Twitter

Twitter is a social networking site that you can use to promote your blog. This can be done quickly and easily and you’ll be surprised how much traffic you can drive to your site in no time at all. But for those who have no idea how to use Twitter, this powerful tool can be puzzling. Read this short article to solve your problem and learn how you can benefit from the magic of blogging.

After setting up your Twitter account, the first thing to do is to change your default logo. This is necessary so your business will have a face. This will help people know what business you’re in and the services you offer. Use a logo that represents your style. Remember that you have to attract people and one of the easiest ways to do this is to have a nice logo.

Whether you like it not, many people will judge you by your logo or picture.  A good logo or picture can help build trustworthy relationships with prospective clients. People will trust you more if they know they’re dealing with someone professional. Your logo or picture should convey that message.

The next step is to write something meaningful on your profile. Twitter allows you to describe yourself in 160 characters. Make the most of that short profile by describing who you are and your business. Be direct to the point and provide a link to your small business blog so people will be curious about it.

Sadly, a lot of small business owners forget to fill in their profiles properly. Worse, some even skip this step! This can drive away customers from your site since people normally don’t deal with strangers. So don’t be a stranger. Be someone people can trust. 

Safe Online Shopping

In the past, the idea of shopping online was something strange and new. Today online shops have blossomed throughout the Internet and Americans alone spend billions of dollars annually in utilizing this service.

Photo grab from recommender.strands.com/

Online shopping has several advantages. It helps you purchase items at the comfort of your own home and at the click of a mouse. You save a lot of time and money because you don’t have to visit the actual store and bear the long lines of people and busy traffic.

Online shopping is likewise safe because many Web-based stores are extensions of the real thing and have similar safeguards enjoyed by regular customers. But like everything else, the online marketplace also has some pretty bad apples. To protect you against Internet scammers who want to get your dough, here are some things to remember:

Get familiar with the store. You can easily accomplish this when shopping at the mall because you can see the store, talk with sales clerks, discover who their customers are, and consider your previous experiences with them. Doing this online can be hard since you can’t view the actual store, you don’t know the store’s customers and don’t have an idea of the store’s track record. To shop securely, check with the Better Business Bureau or the store's local Chamber of Commerce. They will tell you about the company's business practices.

Photo grab from associated-events online-shopping-pavilion

Check the store's Web site. If their complete address, phone number, and other vital corporate information are listed, then this looks like a legitimate business. If nothing is said about the store – its location, the owner and store policies – go somewhere else.

October the National Pasta Month - SAY IT’S AL DENTE!

PRESS RELEASE

How do you like your pasta? We say it has to be “al dente” which means “firm to the bite.” When cooked al dente, pasta is tender but firm. Nobody wants to have mushy pasta, especially not this National Pasta Month of October! 

This appreciation month is celebrated in some parts of the world and even in the Philippines to draw everyone’s attention to everything pasta - a global food consumed in all five continents.  Pasta has unquestionable merits as it is appropriate for a dynamic and healthy lifestyle, capable of meeting both primary food requirements while creating a high-level of gastronomy.

This month, Doña Elena Al Dente invites you to celebrate by taking your regular pasta dishes to the next level – starting with the kind of pasta you use!

 

Celebrate #NationalPastaMonth by taking your
pasta experience to the
next level

Doña Elena Al Dente is the only Artisan Quality Italian Pasta. It is made using high quality, 100% durum wheat semolina or hard wheat. ONLY pasta made from Durum Wheat can be considered al dente. Doña Elena Al Dente was made through the artisan way of making pasta – slow drying process and not subjected to high heat. It uses special bronze dies which leaves a rough surface that create ridges on the pasta. These ridges help sauces stick to the pasta better, making every bite simply delicious. Unlike other pasta with only 6% protein content, Doña Elena Al Dente has 13% protein, a result of the slow-cooking process which preserves its nutrients. Doña Elena Al Dente is also GMO-free, 100% certified all natural.

Now, take a bite into these sumptuous recipes from Doña Elena Al Dente, best paired with Doña Elena Olive Oil and Doña Elena Mediterranean products. Pasta Mediterraneo, lends the distinctive taste of anchovies, black olives, and capers. Sautéed with diced tomatoes and topped with basil leaves on top of Doña Elena Al Dente Spaghetti, this dish is perfect for date night. If you’re craving for something oriental instead, cook up this Shrimp and Pasta Salad with Creamy Sesame Dressing. Using Doña Elena Al Dente Fusilli, cherry tomatoes and sliced fresh lettuce, this seafood salad is a tasty dish best served chilled. Chef Davide Lombardi also shares two delectable new recipes using Doña Elena Al Dente Penne Rigate and Doña Elena Al Dente Fusilli.

Pasta Mediterraneo with Doña Elena Al Dente Spaghetti

Shrimp and Pasta Salad with Creamy Sesame Dressing with Doña Elena Al Dente Fusilli

 Here’s a tip to all pasta lovers: Don’t put oil on your pasta when boiling to see the quality of your pasta. Doña Elena Al Dente does not require oil because it doesn’t stick together. While oil is needed in most pasta sauces, you don’t need the extra oil when boiling.

Now, go and be merry pasta lovers! The next time someone asks you how you like your pasta, simply say, “Al Dente!”

Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Donaelenacuisineraclub.

Learn more about Doña Elena Al Dente at http://www.flyacecorp.com/. 

How to Buy Your Dream Car Online

PRESS RELEASE

The Internet has brought great conveniences in our modern lives, especially in the field of shopping and research. Buying any item, even brand new or used cars, has been made easier and transactions faster. So, how do you buy your dream car online, without falling prey to common mispractices of opportunistic car dealers? Below is a complete guide from vehicle marketplace Carmudi Philippines.

Know your car model beforehand

Car shoppers often have narrowed down the car models that they want to own. Either they have been saving for that particular car model or an immediate need, such as the family got bigger, presented itself.  So whether you are aiming to buy a Ford Mustang or a Hyundai Starex, the first thing to do is to research on the compatibility of the car to your needs or personality.

Several car review websites and magazines like C! Magazine, have insightful and throrough car reviews, where you get to have a preview of the car’s performance and the standout features it has.

Get a feel for its price

Prices of brand new cars are often set by car manufacturers and varies only depending on its variant or trim level. When shopping for used cars online, you must at least look for at least a dozen listing to get a general pricing pattern for the model. Several factors that make the price of second hand cars depreciate are its general condition,  year built, mileage, and equipment (i.e. DVD headrest).

Sometimes you have to look for multiple listings just to make sure that you get the best deal out there. But, one of the convenience of shopping a car online is that you can choose the best bargain without physically moving from one dealer lot to another.

Research on the car dealer or seller

 Chances are car buyers before you have made a transaction to the car dealer or seller who owns the car you want to buy. One of the unique features of Carmudi PH is its rating system, where car buyers could give a rating to the dealer, they have transacted based on their availability, competency, service and the information they provide about the car.

When dealing with a private seller, the online car portal recommended that buyers arrange meetups and giving the money physically rather than through money transfer services. Often, most scammers price their car’s low, and then asks for a down payment through wire transfer, before running away with your money.

Inquire if the car has a competitive insurance

After you have gone through these first few processes, the next thing to do is to check if the dealer has the necessary documents, such as LTO registration, and more importantly a competitive insurance, especially if it is a used or second hand car. Ask for details as much as possible and know what type of insurance it has- comprehensive, third-party or act only liability.

Visit the car dealer’s place

The last step in the process of buying your car online is to visit the car dealer’s lot. When buying used cars, never be shy to ask the dealer for you to personally inspect the car beginning with the exterior- looking for dents and scratches; moving to the hood- checking for the engine fluid levels; into the interior- ensuring the instrument panel and equipments are working; and test driving the car to have a feel of its handling and engine noise.

Lastly, if you are satisfied have all the papers signed, get your keys and drive your dream car to its new garage.

Brought to you by: Carmudi Philippines

Founded last January 2014, Carmudi.com.ph is a vehicle marketplace that offers buyers, sellers and car dealers the ideal platform to find cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles online. 

Live Well Leave Well with Aeternum Garden

PRESS RELEASE

Aeternum is a Latin word which means Eternity. Located at the heart of Heritage Park Area 2 of Fort Bonifacio Taguig City, Aeternum Garden boasts its grandiose and inviting facilities such lush greenery, manmade lagoon and waterfalls, the viewing chapel where funeral services take place and the peaceful columbarium.

Photo grab @ doktourblog.com

Jan Vincent Mercado, President of The Fort Park Estate Inc. who introduced the country's first True Garden Columbary, "Aeternum": The Park Estate Columbary discussed how they stumble upon the idea of putting up Aeternum Garden. He and his family received an offer before from the local city government to buy the property which then was just a piece of land. It was bought, developed and now became the country's first true garden columbary. 

"Living the life you want is very important but you need to live it well without harming other people." This is one of the inspiring lines from Vincent Mercado which people need to live by.

 #LiveWellLeaveWell is the theme of the night where guests are encouraged to share something that they could not forget about their departed loved ones. Online media and VIP guests willingly participated in the "mini-sharing".

Photo grab @ doktourblog.com

Chapel. Aeternum Garden has a viewing chapel inside the 5-hectare land of The Fort Park Estate Inc. Families, friends and other relatives may reminisce the happy memories they had with their loved ones inside the chapel peacefully and scenic praying areas of the park. The serenity inside and outside the chapel and the themed buildings will make you feel at ease for your treasured ones.

 Cremation. Back to the pre-historic times, people from Rome, Italy called Etruscans give honour to their loved ones by cremating them believing that fire would purify their loved ones for eternity. After the cremation service, the matriarch of the family would gather the ashes of her loved one and place them in an urn and was kept in a sacred place - the columbarium.

Columbarium. Aeternum Garden which is a unique and floral-inspired structure symbolizes the love of the family to the departed ones. The garden setting is a sanctuary of memories and a haven of comfort for those who were left behind. At night, you will an amazing view of the columbarium as the lighting is randomly changing its colors. Classy. Flexible. Grandiose. Majestic. Serene. These are the words to describe Aeternum Garden. If you are wondering if the rates are too expensive, need not to worry as Aeternum offers its clients flexible payment options.

We all deserve a place on Earth like heaven. You live well. You leave well.

For more information, please take note on the details below. Aeternum Garden Columbary Park C5 corner Bayani Road Heritage Park Area 2 Taguig Tel: (02) 401 1303

Website: http://www.aeternumcolumbary.com/ 

Facebook : Aeternum Columbary 

Twitter: @AeternumGarden 

Instagram: @AeternumGarden Aeternumgarden.10.20.2014

Jolly Cow: Official Milk Sponsor for 2nd Philippine National Barista Championship

Milk is considered as the most important product in our lives. As a mom, milk is always number one in my list. My kids were milk drinker. I can’t cook creamy pasta without using milk. Many would also agree that their coffee would not be complete without milk. But the question is how we will know the best milk to be use? Do we go for a full cream milk or filled milk? That’s the question I've been asking to myself too.

But that questions has been answer when I was invited by Jolly Cow round table interview last October 9 at Allegro Beverage Corporation office.  

  “Jolly Cow is made through a process called Ultra Heat Treated which means it was heated to a temperature of at least 135C in order to kill any harmful micro-organisms which may be present in the milk. It also lengthens its shelf life to 1 year, compared to other pasteurized milk which last only 2 to 3 months. Consumers are assured that every carton of Jolly Cow UHT milk is of high standard as it is sourced from Germany.” according to Ersanti Regi Santos, Jolly Cow senior product associate.

Jolly Cow has two variants: Fresh Milk and Non-Fat Milk. Jolly Cow Fresh Milk has 3.5% butterfat content which is the highest in the market. This is what makes Jolly Cow creamier and ideal for coffee art.  Meanwhile, for those who want to go easy on the milk, Jolly Cow Non Fat Milk contains only 0.3% of butterfat. All this while enjoying the many health benefits of milk such as Vitamin A, B1, B2 and C, calcium, zinc, and other vitamins and minerals. He also added.

 And did you know that quality milk like Jolly Cow provide enough sweetness for really good coffee? Because milk has lactose which

gives its slightly sweet and pleasant taste thus adding sugar is not necessary at all.  It has been one of the well-loved milk brands of coffee baristas in the country for its distinctly creamy taste. Aside from this, baristas are able to produce high quality milk froth, also known as microfoam that has silky, white and shiny texture that makes coffee latte art lasts longer due to balance amount of protein and butterfat of Jolly Cow. That’s why Allegro Beverage Corporation, organizer of the 2nd Philippine National Barista Championship, has chosen Jolly Cow to be its Official Milk brand.

 In nutshell, Allegro Beverage Corporation is one of the leading providers of complete beverage solutions. As the official organizers of the 2nd Philippine National Barista Championships, they bring in a wealth of experience and knowledge in the coffee industry. The 2nd Philippine National Barista Championship is the most prestigious barista competition in the country as it is the only one sanctioned by World Coffee Events, organizers of the World Barista Competition. The event aims to showcase the art and skill of espresso making and service. Competitors will be required to prepare four espressos, four cappuccinos, and four original espresso-based signature drinks.

 

Here’s other news about Jolly Cow. Jolly Cow is now more environment-friendly with the cutting-edge technology of SIG Combibloc EcoPlus. The new packaging uses a special type of raw paperboard based on wood, a renewable and bio-based raw material which makes the carton pack lightweight and ensures that the milk is protected from light. Also, compared to a 1-litre carton pack of the same format, Combibloc EcoPlus generates 28% less carbon dioxide. Now, coffee lovers can have their milk and save the environment too!

Jolly Cow Senior Product Associate Ersanti Regi Santos and President and General Manager of Allegro Beverage Corporation Leo de Leon 

8th Philippine Grand Barista Cup Champion (2014) Jonathan Choi and 1^st Philippine National Barista Challenge Champion (2013) Kevin Israel Fortu

Jolly Cow is a product of Fly Ace Corporation. Like on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jollycowfreshmilk.

Learn more at http://www.flyacecorp.com/

17 Regions, 80 Provinces, 1 Website

Where the best of the Philippines meets the rest of the Philippines

Sari-sari stores have long been a fixture of the everyday lives of Filipinos, providing a hub for communal interaction between customers and merchants, as well as among consumers. It is easily one of the Philippines' most important spaces, contributing to the economic as well as the social well being of a community, and ingraining itself into the Filipino consciousness. But the world has become an internet industry, where everything from communication to information to business not only exists, but has become vital to everyday life. E-commerce has emerged from that burgeoning internet industry, answering people's needs and desires for faster and more reliant services that brings convenient consumerism closer than ever before.

17 Regions, 80 Provinces, 1 Website

Answering a need to find a platform where a 565-5311 or variety, of products can be found, SimpIeSoft CEO Emeil DyLim named his project after the iconic Filipino one-stop-shop. In providing a free space where businesses can market their products and where consumers can find what they're looking for, SariSariStore.Com brings the communal interaction of merchants and customers to the online world. But even with the growing popularity of online retail stores and the variety of products available online, there are still areas where this platform has yet to make a sizable impact.

Desiring to reach out to small-time business enterprises and undiscovered gems around the country, DyLim sought to provide another platform where these micro-entrepreneurs have an avenue to commoditize their products on a grander scale. With this idea in mind, a new project was born.

Championing merchant empowerment and sustainable economic growth, 1780 by SariSari brings focus and creates demand for Philippine heritage products that have yet to make an impact in the market, highlighting the sheer variety of regional delicacies and crafts available in the Philippines and making these products easily accessible for Filipino families across the country.

Beyond promoting the fruits of traditional Filipino culture, 1780 by SariSari attempts to empower each of its innovative and enterprising merchants by giving their customers the opportunity to fully grasp the history and tradition at the heart of each painstakingly handcrafted product. By highlighting the best that the Philippines has to offer in terms of gastronomy and craftsmanship, 1780 by SariSari looks forward to contributing to the economic growth of the whole country.

Discovering stories across the archipelago, 1780 brings in products such as non-traditional pili snacks from Bicol and Samar; fruit sauces, fruit jams, and fruit wines from around Visayas and Mindanao; and hand-crafted cloths and bags made of native materials.

In collaboration with a number of Philippine artisans, 1780 by SariSari puts a modern flair to a variety of traditional Filipino products. Owner of hand-crafted cupcakes store Sweet Patti Cakes - Patti Grandidge, exhibits a taste of the Philippines by creating limited edition cupcakes which incorporate Kablon Farms' chocolate using organically grown cacao.

Local designer and fashion influencer Amina Aranaz works in collaboration with one of 1780 by SariSari's merchants to craft a bag using native Philippine materials, which will be sold exclusively on the site. Aside from promoting food and craft products, 1780 by SariSari is joined by traveler and tourism influencer Ivan Henares who discusses his advocacy towards heritage products and sites around the country.

Initially introduced on the platform are products carefully sourced from five regions in the Philippines that are recognized as having high instances of poverty and political unrest, or were severely affected by the onslaught of Typhoons Glenda and Yolanda. Not just about giving merchants from small or distant areas access to the right buyers, 1780 by SariSari is also building relationships with conflict-stricken and poverty-stricken communities and providing them with more avenues to tell their stories.

Sophos Strengthens Network Security Portfolio

Photo grab at Sophos FB page

Sophos announced additions to its range of SG Series firewall/UTM appliances, WiFi access points, and the availability of Sophos iView, a new dedicated virtual reporting appliance. By extending its Network Security portfolio with new entry-level and enterprise class appliances, Sophos now provides businesses of any size and the channel partners that serve them with the flexibility to consolidate their security with a complete proven solution set.

Sophos SG Series Appliances

In April 2014 Sophos released the first of its new generation of network security appliances, the Sophos SG Series. Today, Sophos announced six additional firewall appliances, meaning that Sophos customers and partners can now choose from 12 SG Series models. As with the existing models, each uses the latest Intel multi-core technology to provide optimal performance. The new appliances include four desktop models ideal for small office deployments and two new 2U models that utilize the fastest Intel Chips and deliver extensive redundancy and customization features.  Further desktop models will be available later in the year with integrated wireless connectivity, including two which support the 802.11ac standard.

Sophos iView

The release of the Sophos iView virtual appliance addresses what a recentSophos survey on Spiceworks of SMB IT managers identified as their most significant frustration with existing firewalls from any vendor – insufficient reporting. This was the number one complaint with 35 percent of respondents saying they’d like greater reporting options. With over 1,000 built-in reports, including regulatory compliance reports, Sophos iView will give IT managers the extra depth they need. Users can also build their own custom reports and dashboards, focusing on problem areas or users on their network. Available as a virtual appliance only, Sophos iView supports VMware, Hyper-V, Citrix, and KVM virtual environments.

Photo grab at Sophos FB page

As a dedicated reporting appliance, Sophos iView can offload reporting duties and provide a range of added capabilities such as:

·         Compliance reporting for industry standard regulations such as HIPAA, PCI, SOX, and GLBA

·         Consolidated reporting across multiple UTM firewalls for a complete view of all network traffic from a single console

·         Long-term persistent log management and storage for security and backup with convenient access for audits or forensics

·         Licensing that is based on storage requirements, with the entry level vSI-Light including 100GB of storage and the vSI-Unlimited

Wireless Access Points

In addition to the SG Series and iView appliances, Sophos also announced the AP 100, the first in a new generation of wireless access points that support the latest 802.11ac protocols, and an entry level access point, the AP 15. As with previous Sophos wireless access points, the new AP15 and AP100 models can be managed directly from the Sophos SG Series appliances, meaning the wireless network is tightly integrated with the firewall protection.   

Supporting Quotes

“Small and medium business have a diverse set of needs when it comes to the locations they need to secure, firewall performance requirements and reporting capabilities” said Bryan Barney, senior vice president and general manager of the Network Security Group at Sophos. “By extending our portfolio with the new SG Series models and virtual reporting appliances, we’re making it simple for our customers and partners to simply secure their increasingly distributed environments.”

 “With Sophos’s new entry-level SG 100 appliances and the enterprise-class SG 500 and 600 models we can be even more competitive across a broad range of SMB opportunities,” said Sam Heard, president, Data Integrity Services “Our customers already love the on-box reporting they get with Sophos UTM. Now with Sophos iView, we can help those clients who need a little more. Our larger customers will find it particularly beneficial as well. The Sophos partnership allows us to meet the needs of our clients, regardless of their size.”

“We are excited about new functionalities with the Sophos SG Appliance and the overall efficiency and improved performance it will bring to our organization,” said John Christian, Director of Technology, St. Petersburg Catholic High School. “Sophos UTM is an ideal solution for our environment. Adding the Sophos SG Appliance will give us the added flexibility our school needs.”

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