This lesson stands out in BSM’s curriculum, particularly because the students go out and progressively immerse themselves in marginalized communities each year. Last January, the school held their second annual Make a Difference (MAD) Week, an on-ground trip where BSM students engage with different social sectors to holistically understand their stories and build lasting relationships.

Opening young eyes to intersectionality

The program is designed to progress for four years, so students can find the causes they resonate with and work with their chosen community long-term.

“We kind of flipped the model in school,” said Michael Guinness, BSM’s senior Service and Sustainability curriculum coordinator. “I think too often we make assumptions about communities and about people who are underprivileged, or even an ecosystem that’s underprivileged, and we don’t give them the space to tell us what’s going on.”

Instead of a one-and-done activity, the school focused on facilitating more authentic and collaborative experiences for both students and partner communities. This way, the students get a broader picture, seeing how larger factors like the environment or economy are entangled with these sectors’ narratives.

“It builds that long-term ability to truly understand these communities that we’re working with, and make sure that we’re working alongside them, not ‘to’ them or ‘at’ them. The heart of doing that is knowing that the people in these communities are the experts in their own problems.”

Shifting perspectives begins with language

The students began to embody this perspective with something as simple as language. As the program went on, the students learned to talk about the activities in the context of listening instead of “serving.”

Dalisaï Costa, a Year 10 student, spent her MAD Week with the Dumagat tribe in Mount Purro Nature Reserve. There, she learned about the community’s deep-rooted challenges on cultural identity after facing displacement and marginalization since the Spanish colonial time. The ripples of that problem are felt up until now, as the elders are hard-pressed to get the youth to pick up their traditions and culture.

These stories struck a chord with Dalisaï and her personal experiences as a French-Filipino individual. “They have, I guess, an identity loss. I’ve faced, of course to a much lesser extent, the feeling sometimes that I do not fit certain prospects of being a French or Filipino individual. Trying to imagine what it feels like being part of a community which is so discriminated against in Filipino and Spanish culture; it’s just a striking thing.”

Another Year 10 student, Maximillian Holden, had his first encounter with the farming ecosystem during his Costales Nature Reserve visit. The experience allowed him to widen his viewpoint beyond just planting crops.

“The people at the farm, it’s a very low population. They’re only 30 to 50 people there, and they farm every day. They support loads of businesses and restaurants here in Manila. They do all of this every day and work 12 hours, which is very impressive. Nobody really sees it,” said Max.

The visit let him come face to face with the socioeconomic effects of climate change. “They are a farm, and they need a specific temperature for their plants to grow. With climate change increasing the temperature, lots of their plans had to be [changed] and they had to invest in new seeds and plants. They had to start from the beginning again.”

Climate change was a central theme during the week, but the students learned to see it with a lens of hope as they work with partner communities, instead of social-media-fueled gloom and doom. Here, they can take real steps to help make things better.

“I feel like a lot of problems institutions face with incorporating sustainability in their curriculum is that it tends to be seen as very hopeless and tedious,” said Dalisaï, who is a senior Service and Sustainability student representative herself. “[We’re] seeing sustainability in a much more positive light, in the theme of this year’s MAD Week, which is Hope. It’s much less dreary, and that engages students.”

Deeper partnerships for lasting change

The long-term program is an exercise on openness for the students, who were encouraged to dive into their partner communities’ worlds. They communicated with help from translators, participated in local activities, gathered scientific data, and culminated their education with documentaries.

“Being able to uplift the community and highlight their strengths, that’s what MAD Week’s about. It’s not about trying to change the community, but it’s trying to empower them to be independent,” said Dalisaï. 

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This has always been the program’s DNA, which was borne of an extensive collaboration between BSM and social enterprise group MAD Travel. “The current education system tends to take [topics] apart and keep them separate, but we all know that our environment is connected to the economy. It’s integrated,” said Rafael Dionisio, a co-founder of MAD Travel.

“We can’t separate them from one another, and so dissolving those separations is important. So we’re super happy about [the BSM collaboration]. They’re setting an example for other schools that, hey, it can be done.”

The program’s current run has two years to go, but the budding growth is already palpable in both students and their partner communities. The goal of MAD Week is for students to internalize these lessons beyond graduation, and as long as they do, the country has more sparks of hope that can lead the charge to change in the future. – Rappler.com

“No parent would want their child to be bullied. We felt sad when it happened,” said Jodi, who  shared about a time when her son Thirdy, then a young elementary boy, had to cope with bullying. “Honestly, it angered me too.” 

Adding to Jodi’s frustration, she was overseas at the time due to work and was unable to  instantly come to her son’s aid. “I remember that I was abroad doing a show and I was sent  photos of what happened to my son. I was alarmed and I initially felt helpless because I was so  far away,” she said. 

It’s hard to watch your child go through hurtful experiences alone, and it’s times like this when Jodi and her family needed to remember and hold on to the Filipino value of alaga. 

Finding composure and care 

“During that time, I felt so mad, helpless, and guilty because I’m the mom. I should be there to  protect him, and yet asan ako? Nasa trabaho ako diba, and wala ako ‘dun sa side niya when it  happened,” said Jodi. “Ang nangyari, as a galit na mother, umuwi ako ng Pilipinas, nakipag-set ako ng meeting sa school kasi ang gusto ko confrontation.” 

She was then told that cases like this needed to first undergo levels of bureaucracy like  paperwork and parent correspondence, which aggravated Jodi inside. “Madaming ganon, so na-frustrate ako. Kakausapin ko na lang yung anak ko about it,” she said. 

Jodi was able to push past her sadness and anger, and used care and ingat instead to find a way to bring clarity to the issue. “Siyempre, kailangan ko muna i-pacify yung sarili ko kasi I don’t  want naman to say things out of rage.” 

Teach by example, #SayItWithIngat 

Jodi learned from that experience how important mindfulness is, and staying calm and composed helps her say her thoughts with ingat. “It taught me to be more mindful of my actions,  because I realized children will most of the time emulate what they see. As parents, although we shouldn’t be too imposing, we should lead through our actions,” she said.

She adds a nugget of wisdom she asks her son to live by. “I always remind my son about the golden rule: ‘Treat others the way you want to be treated.’ Now, if they still behave otherwise, then it’s on the other person na.” 

Being a genuine advocate of fighting hate with care, Jodi has partnered with Paracetamol (Biogesic) in their latest campaign to #SayItWithIngat. Together, they want to spread kindness and care amidst the environments of hate that have infiltrated both offline and online spaces. 

No matter what you’re about to say or do to another person, Jodi shares this practice of  thoughtfulness you can exercise. “I think we should start with a question na: “What if this thing you’ve done to this person was done to you. How [would] you feel?’” 

Alaga always starts from finding empathy, a trait that mothers like Jodi possess for their  children. To touch the future generation, it’s important for parents to create a culture of care that  starts from their family. 

Want to learn how to #SayItWithIngat? Follow Paracetamol (Biogesic) on Facebook or listen to Jodi’s Paano Ba ‘To: The Podcast episode for more tips and stories. – Rappler.com 

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor. 

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With the masks of online crowds and anonymity, negativity has been too easy to spread. Take it from actress Jodi Sta. Maria, who has her fair share of online bashers and haters. “Hindi ka magaling umarte, overrated ka. It’s really about my work,” said Jodi when asked what these people say. Yet, she still finds a way to give it a kinder spin. “Tawag ko nga sa kanila is confused fans.”

Her line of work as a public figure requires her to stay connected with her fans online through social media, for better or for worse. But in her many years of dabbling with these platforms, she’s found that the best way to respond with online hate is to use something even stronger – the Filipino culture of alaga and ingat.

Social media doesn’t hold the power – you do

Jodi wants to remind us that at the end of the day, social media is just a tool. “‘Yung social media platform, wala naman talaga siyang power to begin with. It’s just a platform, it’s just an app,” she said.

“Pero tayong mga tao ang may kapasidad kung ano ang magiging purpose ng social media [platform] mo. Are you going to use it para mag spread ng hate? Are you going to use it para mag spread ng encouragement or comfort? It’s really up to you.”

So, what’s a litmus test you can use to check if you’re saying things with ingat? Jodi recommends asking these questions first: “Is it something na kaya mong sabihin without hiding behind the egg icon? Are these the words na sasabihin mo sa sarili mo mismo?”

Protecting her peace

Jodi also recognizes that you can’t really control what others do. But what you can control is what you can do for yourself. She started doing regular social media detoxing years ago, because she feels it pulls focus from the parts of life that are truly important – like the present, and her loved ones around her.

She also uses this time to be more introspective about what haters say to her. “What I do when I get triggered by a comment is I acknowledge that a particular comment hurt me, or didn’t sit well with me. Then I read the comment again, and ask myself: What is it about this comment that pushed a button? Sometimes it becomes a window to the unhealed parts of me. So I [will] try to work on that.”

The culture of alaga and caring intentionally

Jodi believes that hate is something cyclical, and we can begin breaking it by saying and doing things with ingat. As a recent psychology graduate, she shares about a research paper she wrote in 2019 on bullies’ motivations to be hateful. “I refused to believe na may mga tao na ipinanganak lang talaga sila para gumising every single day at intensyon nila gumising araw-araw ay para sabihing ibu-bully ko si [ganito], pahihirapan ko siya today.”

According to her research, she found that bullies are likely to be recipients of emotional, mental, or even physical abuse in their private lives, like in their home. They then find a target outside of that environment to project onto. “Life is hard and people have emotions – I guess ‘yan ang masasabi [ko] when it comes to being mindful of what we say,” said Jodi.

Now, Jodi’s a strong example and advocate for answering hate with alaga. She uses her platform and partnerships, like the #SayItWithIngat campaign with Paracetamol (Biogesic), to spread this message.

“I am really happy with this partnership with Paracetamol (Biogesic) on our advocacy [against] hate comments,” she said. “‘Yung alaga kasi, hindi lang pang sakit ng ulo at lagnat, but we also care for the emotional and mental well-being of others [through the #SayItWithIngat Campaign].”

To those who carry hurt from online hate, Jodi has this to say. “Just because a person has an opinion about you, it does not make it true. May you find the wisdom to know whether to engage or let go. And I hope that you heal from what hurt you. But always remember to those who know you and truly love you, you are enough.”

Even though it’s painful to receive hate online, we must remember that responding with kindness can be more powerful and impactful over time. Before you hit send on your posts, remember to take a deep breath, think about your words, and #SayItWithIngat.

To learn more about the movement, follow Paracetamol (Biogesic) on Facebook and listen to Jodi’s Paano Ba ‘To: The Podcast episode. – Rappler.com

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

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Catch our live stream to see what else you can see in the event on February 11, 1:30 pm. Bookmark this page so you don’t miss it!

For more information, check out Surf’s official Facebook page. – Rappler.com

Creativity and youthful acumen filled the air as kiddo biz owners displayed their entrepreneurial spirit, offering an array of products ranging from handmade accessories, stickers, grocery items, to food and drinks, and an assortment of novelty items.

Beyond the lively market atmosphere, the event provided invaluable lessons from none other than SM Engineering Design and Development president Hans “Chico” Sy, Jr. He not only celebrated the young entrepreneurs’ endeavors but also shared pivotal lessons from his own journey.

Chico learned valuable business lessons from his grandfather, the late SM founder, Henry Sy, Sr. He recalled how his grandfather stressed that one’s reputation and treatment of others lay the foundation for lasting success. “How you deal in business or how you treat people is more important than money,” he said. “Your reputation – the way people perceive you – can never be bought with money. Money can be lost, money can be gained, but your reputation is forever.”

For the budding entrepreneurs, Chico’s advice was simple yet profound: Love what you do and persist through challenges. He stressed the significance of genuine passion and continuous innovation, emphasizing that dedication eventually paves the way for success. 

“My first and most important tip is to love what you do. Find that spark. But once you learn and do what you love, I am saying this: Keep doing it. There will be difficult times. There might be times when you do not have sales, but try to ask yourself: What can I do differently?”

At the end of the event, awards were given to promising young entrepreneurs and their business ideas. The Best Design was awarded to Candy Stix and its purveyors, Cassy, age 10, and Cara Pineda, 6, for having the most visually appealing booth which caught the attention of bazaar-goers.

Beatrice Yu, 9, was given Best Service for providing an exceptional customer experience while tending to her grocery store, Bea’s Supersavers. The B Force Squad, composed of siblings Faith Bea, 5, and Brice Yap, 9, and Beatrix, 4, and Bryce Go, 8, won the Best Concept award for having a unified execution from advertisement, packaging, to service and branding in selling giftable novelty items such as tote bags, tumblers, and educational toys.

Lastly, Zo Keeper’s 7-year-old owner, Zoe Van de Leon, won the Best Ad award for garnering the most impactful social media ad for her products, reusable and eco-friendly snack containers.

Catch the next Kiddo-preneur Fair at The Podium Level 2, Atrium, on January 20 to 21, 2024, from 10 AM to 6 PM. To learn more about SM, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media. – Rappler.com

PRESS RELEASE

And it was a fun evening, indeed.

Mall-goers were challenged with a “Guess that Jam” game where they needed to name the title of the song that was playing. Up-and-coming talents were also signed on to battle it out in a competition to find the singer with the most “malamig na boses” (smoothest singing voice). Fans were also invited onstage so they could vibe to Marian Rivera’s viral TikTok dances together with the actress herself.

This was the kind of fun and excitement that Unilab, Inc. wanted people to feel again at the (Carbocisteine + Zinc) Solmux Advance Jam event. The event was about reminding people to have unabashed fun with fewer worries in their minds. It was about being “ganap-ready” or ready for action any time the opportunity arrived.

For Marian, being “ganap-ready” also meant thinking ahead and being prepared for anything, especially coughs.

“I really believe that we need to live our lives to the fullest because we’ll never know what can happen in the future. So my priority really is my family, that as much as possible I can go with my kids to school or go on dates with Dong whether it’s with the entire family or it’s just us,” shared Marian in a mix of English and Filipino.

“So every morning, be thankful that we still get to live another day and that there are new blessings to come. And of course, with our family, we make sure that we’re all safe especially me and my husband because we’re the ones usually exposed outside. So even the slightest signs of a cough, we drink Carbocisteine + Zinc (Solmux Advance Suspension) right away,” she added.

Carbocisteine + Zinc (Solmux Advance Suspension) is the brand’s newest addition to their over-the-counter medicines for coughs.

Zinc helps the body fight viruses that can cause worsening cough into associated respiratory diseases like flu, pneumonia, or bronchitis. Carbocisteine reduces the production of phlegm, which makes it easier to cough out of the body. The formulation is also added with menthol that gives a soothing relief from itchiness or sore throat.

With the world reopened, people should start being able to enjoy life to the fullest like they used to, only this time with better understanding and knowledge to protect their health so they are “ganap-ready” for any occasion. – Rappler.com

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

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How does she do it especially when raising a toddler like Amelia? Andi shares that one of the ways is by speaking to her positively.

“I try to be careful with my words especially when I’m angry,” said Andi. “At home, I try to make it a safe space for her to learn and to explore and to even be open about how she feels. I have an open communication with her and also [let her know that it’s okay] to make mistakes.”

Another important thing that Andi makes sure Amelia experiences is less screen time and more time outdoors. She would sometimes bring them to a nearby farm so they could run around and breathe fresh air. They also have a small garden in their home where Andi’s kids get to take part in planting and harvesting vegetables.

“You can’t take away screen time but it’s also important to bring them out,” said Andi. “It’s nice to let them explore and see nature. We need to see them go out and explore. It can be as simple as going to the park.”

Now that Amelia has been going out more Andi makes sure that her holistic development is nourished so she can explore the world around her. To help give that holistic advantage, Andi trusts NANKID® INFINIPRO® HA.

“NANKID® INFINIPRO® HA covers all the things I’m looking for which are immunity, aid in digestion, brain development and growth. She also has allergies and NANKID® is hypoallergenic so it really helps especially since it’s allergy season,” said Andi.

According to Andi, she found NANKID® after careful research that included consulting with fellow mom friends and her pediatrician.

What’s in NANKID® INFINIPRO® HA?

NANKID® INFINIPRO® HA, Nestle’s latest scientific breakthrough with the unique five HMO (Human Milk Oligosaccharides)^* complex, a first in the world. This makes the latest formulation of NANKID® their most advanced blend yet.

“This five HMO^* complex helps support the different areas of a child’s development,” said Roan Esguerra, NANKID® brand manager. “Apart from the five HMO^* complex, there are also other exclusive nutrients that are found in NANKID® – B. Lactis probiotic and Partially Hydrolyzed Whey protein.” B. Lactis probiotic supports immunity and digestion while partially hydrolyzed whey protein helps reduce the risk for allergies. These exclusive nutrients, including the five HMO^* complex, support the five areas of a child’s development: immunity, brain development, growth, digestion, and allergy prevention.

That’s why Andi encourages other parents to look into the benefits of NANKID® INFINIPRO® HA for their children.

“You can do your research. Ask around, ask your [pediatrician]. You would know what’s best for your child,” said Andi. “NANKID® has also been in the industry for such a long time. It’s such a credible brand. And I’ve known parents who took NANKID® so I’m also giving it to Amelia. It’s not just research but everything else and of course, most especially the five HMO^* complex.”

You, too, can give your children the holistic advantage today and nourish their infinite possibilities in with NANKID®. – Rappler.com

NANKID® INFINIPRO® HA FOUR is not a breastmilk substitute but a growing-up milk especially suited for healthy young children from above three years old and onwards.

^* Not from human milk

Throughout the years, Jollibee has never failed to give parents and their kids special bonding moments they’ll cherish all their lives. The Jollitown Kiddie Fair aims to create even more memories for Jollibee fans!

Kids can become Jollibee crew members for a day in the MiniBee, a mini Jollibee store set-up, and serve their favorite meals! They can play and learn at the giant Jollitown Puzzle House and solve some brain teasers. Kids can try the Spag-o-Wired game and avoid the Jolly Spaghetti wire to win prizes. They can also test their aim at the Chickenjoy Bucket Throw and try Fry-nd The Treasure to search for jolly treasures.

Have artsy fun at Twirlie’s Face Painting Booth and bounce around in Popo’s inflatables. For even more fun prizes, Yum’s Claw Machine is there to give them another kind of challenge. On top of that, kids can also celebrate any occasion with Jollibee at the all-day Jollibee Kids Party, where they can participate in exciting activities, party games, and even dance with Jollibee!

Aside from these awesome festivities, there is so much more in store for kids and families all together!

Don’t miss the ultimate Jolly bonding experience and grab your tickets to the Jollitown Kiddie Fair soon! Tickets are available from October 17 to 22, 2023 for only P150 with every purchase of any Jolly Spaghetti product or Jollibee Kids Meal in select Jollibee stores.

The ticket also includes one free Jolly Spaghetti you can claim in the venue along with a free entrance gift!

Twenty lucky winners will also receive golden tickets, giving them a chance to meet and greet Jollibee’s newest ambassador, Jolina Magdangal, and her kids Pele and Vika. Look out for the official social media announcement from Jollibee to learn more about the Jollitown Kiddie Fair!

See you at the Jollitown Kiddie Fair and have the jolliest time with your kids!

Avail your tickets in the following participating Jollibee stores: 

1. Jollibee Biopolis
2. Jollibee Bluebay Walk
3. Jollibee Maysilo
4. Jollibee BGC Triangle Drive
5. Jollibee Trium Square
6. Jollibee Five Ecom
7. Jollibee Libertad Burgos
8. Jollibee MOA1 
9. Jollibee Taguig Bayan
10. Jollibee Ayala Malls Manila Bay

Ticket buyers can also choose between two afternoon sessions: 1 to 4 pm or 4 to 7 pm. – Rappler.com

PRESS RELEASE

In a world where health and technology are intertwined, Acerpure is the perfect addition to any home. With Acerpure, Acer is not only selling products but also the promise of a healthier home and life.

“Acerpure’s mission is to provide technological innovations that can resolve various consumer concerns. We want to create an Acerpure home ecosystem for consumers to live with ease and comfort,” said Sue Ong-Lim, Acer Philippines general manager.

Acerpure products all feature Integrated Technology, ensuring all homes are dirt-free, the air is breathable, and the water is pure. Smart Integration showcases app capabilities for easy control and monitoring via smartphones and other devices. Acerpure products are also eco-friendly and engineered with the environment in mind for energy-efficient operations and minimal waste generation.

Breathe healthy, breathe pure with Acerpure’s Air Purifier Series

Acerpure Cozy projects air up to 15 meters away, completely circulating the air five times per hour to every corner of your home. Thanks to its 3D Airflow Technology, Acerpure Cozy has a greater range and more concentrated airflow than a standard fan for improved indoor air circulation. It has a 12 touch-activated speed setting and 90° up/down, 95° left/right oscillating direction adjustment for easy, accurate control. Acerpure Cozy also helps save energy by eliminating uncomfortable temperature differences within the home, working with existing heating and air conditioning to adjust room temperature.

Acerpure Cool has a 4-in-1 HEPA filter that eliminates bacteria, allergens, and pollutants from your home to make the air healthier and fresher. This filter offers four-layer protection from unsafe air by removing pet hair and dander and 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, such as PM1.0 allergens, bacteria, formaldehyde, and odors.

Better cleaning starts here with Acerpure’s Clean Series

Acerpure Clean V1 lets you #CleanLikeAPro because it is quieter and more effortless to use than other products. It combines lightness, convenience, and power in one gadget to clean every nook and cranny of your home. Acerpure Clean V1 is slim but powerful with a 1.5kg ultralight and cordless body, visual battery life with a running time of 60 minutes on a full charge, different modes for different cleaning usages, an electric power brush with hair-free technology, and four built-in LED lights.

Acerpure Clean V1 lite is super lightweight at 550g with 13000Pa suction pressure power and a maximum of 15 minutes of cleaning time. It has a 2-in-1 usage, one button switch, a DC motor, and a USB type-C charger.

As part of Acerpure’s launch in the Philippines, international superstar Sandara Park joins Acerpure as its brand ambassador, perfectly representing its wholesome and clean qualities. SB19 and Team Payaman are also launching a web series for fans to enjoy.

“We are also very excited to launch the ‘Mahangin Challenge’ featuring SB19 and Team Payaman, who will put Acerpure products to the test,” said Princess Laosantos, Acer Philippines senior marketing manager.

For more details about Acerpure products and the “Mahangin Challenge,” visit Acerpure’s official Facebook page (@AcerpurePH) or the official website, www.acer.com. – Rappler.com

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