Located smack center of the the Meralco compound  and the Medical City Hospital in Ortigas, the Rockwell Business Center introduces a new style in workplace concept that mixes business with pleasure – a campus-like environment that integrates work, leisure, and dining in a single destination.

Measuring to a 73,000 sq. m of leasable space, the Rockwell Business Center offers two towers of Grade-A quality office designed for the modern knowledge-based business, fully equipped with the latest IT infrastructure and redundant back-up systems. SWEET!

One thing I like with newly develop high-rise are the elevator system. The faster the goes to your destination the sweet ride it is. The Rockwell Business Center offers that high speed elevators, (not like the building I work in) to ensure that you arrive always on time for meetings at the office or power lunches at the ground level.

A wide variety of cafes and restaurants on the ground floor so that you wont need to leave the building for lunch, and meeting appointments.

Located at Tower One are the Cafe Mediterranean, Hobbies Barbecue, and The Kimono Ken while located on Tower Two are the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Cafe Mary Grace, and Thuk Thai. Providing an ideal venue for lunches and business functions.

Truly, the RBC have make its mark in the Ortigas’ dining circle.

It was a day for VROOOMMMMS and ZOOOOMMMMS for all motorist enthusiast as different car manufacturers showcase their new models for us to test and ravage along the two-kilometer race track of the Clark International Speedway.

When we arrive, winners of the UnionBank contest was all ready driving around the track for two laps each driver. I can just imagine the feeling of driving on the tracks. The freedom to floor the pedal to the metal which you can only do if your running away form the law or playing a video game.

Four cars were on the track (as follows):

Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Mercedes Benz E-Class series

BMW 5

2010 Nissan Sentra

I was able to test drive two cars the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Subaru Impreza. The Subaru Impreza was my favorite, for reason that I got the chance to go above an beyond my speed limit while test driving it.  The Subaru Impreza is a sport car in a sedan’s body. More on my test drive experience with the Subaru Impreza on my next post.

The UnionBank Track Day Test Drive Experience was a success. Everybody had fun driving, seeing new models and getting to know of the UnionBank GT+R AutoLoan. Wait for this one from UnionBank.

For more info about it:

24-Hr Customer Service: 841-8600
Head Office: 667-6388
Domestic Toll Free: 1-800-1888-2277
Universal Toll Free: IAC+800-8277-2273

Website:
http://www.unionbankph.com
http://www.twitter.com/unionbankph

Last week my wife came home from work (works at SG). And every time she comes home, she always want to have a spa session. So I told her the rejuvenating night I had at Nisce Skin ‘n Face. She was very excited about it. So last August 26, 2010 (last Thursday) my wife and I had a relaxing date at Nisce Skin ‘n Face SM Megamall branch. We both had the Diamond Peel facial treatment and a whole body massage afterwards.

Dulce with Nisce Skin 'n Face staff

We both started first with the Diamond Peel Skin Resurfacing. Which is actually a regular facial with the addition of the Diamond Peel at the end. What it does is sucks all the dead skin and excess oil in you face. So that your skin can improve it’s condition and rejuvenate the overall health and appearance.

SM Megamal Nisce Skin 'n Face friendly staff

Afterwards we both have our body massage, which we both like so much. We really need a whole body massage to relieve of all the stress our body have accumulated. According to the massage therapist, it’s is recommended to have a whole body massage at least once every six months.

We both love the one whole hour of massage. We sure will be coming back to have our next session on my wife’s next vacation leave.

You can contact their very accommodating staff at:

Head office: 3F TN Arcade, Ortega St.,
San Fernando City, La Union
Telefax: +6372 888-5679

Flagship Branch: Nisce Skin ‘N Face
- 5F Bldg. A, SM Megamall
Telefax: +632 683-0243

or visit them at www.nisceskin.com/

I can say that many people are starting to feel the effects of aging much earlier compare to normal. This maybe cause by the changing atmosphere, a stressful work life, and for the most of us is the lack of physical activities.

If you are having trouble catching your breath after climbing or going down the stairs or having trouble walking to get a glass of water. Then you might want to think about it.

If that is the case, then I invite you to join the IMMUVIT’s Run Against Time on August 21, 5 PM at Bonifacio High Street–to know the many ways by which you can defy aging.

Run Against Time, a campaign

The campaign will be composed of an exciting and educational activities focusing staying fit and healthy.

According to Valerie Sison: Assistant Brand Manager of Pascual Consumer Healthcare Corp.;  “Run Against Time aims to encourage everyone, especially adults, to be active and improve their lifestyle to feel better and slow down the effects of aging”.

The first part is a lecture that is led by US-Certified Coach Jim Saret who will discuss “Workout As The Fountain of Youth” and “Living Within The Parameters of Youth”. Then he will share his 600 calories burning Four-Minute Workout that he developed.

The second part of Run Against Time is a 1.5K to 3K cardiovascular endurance training run with national running champions Cris Sabal, Aileen Tolentino, Merecel Maquilan, and Isidro Villadosal.

IMMUVIT, as a food supplement

According to IMMUVIT website:

IMMUVIT is a product of evolution; it is a dietary supplement that contains the real RPC Korean Ginseng formula with Siberian Ginseng extract. Ginseng has a 5,000 year history of helping ancient oriental and Russian people to better health with greater vigor and clearer minds.

IMMUVIT has an especially high effect in improving vitality, physical and mental energy. Also, Coenzyme Q10 known as CO-Q10 is an ingredient in IMMUVIT that is a natural nutrient essential to the life and health of every living cell.

IMMUVIT is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and other antioxidants that help the body build a stronger immune system and fight free radicals that cause cell damage. With the sporadic climate change that we are experiencing right now. It’s better to be safe and be ready.

Be part of Run Against Time and know how to make health and fitness a way of life. The first 100 participants to register should email their name, age, address, and contact details to chriscahilig@gmail.com to get their free running singlets.

Run Against Time is also made possible by Runnr and Avida Land Corp. See posters for more details.

Compliment to www.developing8.org

According to Wikipedia:

Halal is a term designating any object or an action which is permissible to use or engage in, according to Islamic law.

This is an Islamic law that tells them what food can and can not be eaten.

So How do you determine if the product that you have just purchased is Halal certified?

Simple! Just look for the Halal symbol. The Halal symbol are stamped or printed on the label of every Halal Certified products. This is how you can determine if the food you are buying is Halal certified.

You can also visit a Halal food guide website to have a list of marketed product in the Philippines that are Halal certified.

The Halal Certified Food and Products website is a Halal products guide that can help us determine which are and are not Halal certified foods in the market. It aims to provide updated information to folks interested in purchasing Halal certified products.

Get updated on Halal certified food and products in Facebook by checking out their Facebook account.

Basically, Paracetamol is a trusted household name in the country. Paracetamol can be found in medicine cabinet or every household, and  any sari-sari store has a stock to sell. From my Lola to my mother and now, I also say to my child they may experience head-ache or tooth-ache to use a Paracetamol.

So after hearing/reading a paracetamol brand that is causing more harm than good, It makes me really furious!

So what is the deal with this Saridon painkiller?

It seems that Saridon is a pain killer being distributed by Bayer in Indonesia and not in the Philippines. But the new and reformulated Saridon Triple Action is widely available in the Visayas and Mindanao region. It’s currently being marketed as a clinically proven safe and effective pain relief against headache, muscle pain and toothache. It is also proven to work faster and better without sacrificing safety(stated in Wikipedia).

As a matter of fact, I searched the Bayer website and nothing was stated that it is being sold in the Philippines. I did more digging of my own to see if I can get any positive information about Saridon. I got a YouTube recording of their advertisement which I could presume is being aired in the Visayas and Mindanao regoin of the country.

Facts about Saridon

1. Saridon is a paracetamol brand that is band by the US Food and Drug Administration
2. Saridon is exclusively distributed in the Visayas and Mindanao
3. Saridon contains 250 mg of Paracetamol, 150 mg of Propyphenazone,  and 50 mg of Caffeine
4. Saridon has no website to give informative fact for their customer/patient
5. Saridon has more complaints that it had given more unwanted side effect

So with this in mind, a lot of questions keeps popping in my head: Why is it only being distributed on the Visayas and Mindanao regions? Has the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Philippines  known of this issue? Is it really safe to use Saridon? and other more stuff that will continue to pops if issues and questions are left unanswered.

In todays interactive age, everyone is now depending on the web to get information. So not finding any information is not a good thing for a product that is saying that it is safe to use. It only cause doubts and questions about the product.

It says that there are no actual proof that the product could actually cure your disease. Or the product did not go a proper laboratory testing to be a cure for an illness. In other words, The product you just bought is not a medicine or a cure.

But a lot of Filipinos actually don’t understands or don’t care what it says or the meaning of the warning. As long as there favorite TV/Movie personality is promoting it. The heck with the warning! Do they actually believe that the personality on those TV commercials actually use those product religiously as they are?

Watch the video below and wait for the black screen which the ‘No approved therapeutic claims’ warning is shown:

The Problems:

1. Marketing don’t really give a damn care about those warnings
As you can see or in these case can’t see (on the above video). If you didn’t blink then you would a 50-50 chance of seeing it. Yes, it only took less than a second to show the ‘No approved therapeutic claims’. That’s marketing for you.

Even worse is their online marketing. Here none of the warning is being displayed nor mention to their customer. They have a freedom to inform them what ever their customer wants to hear as long that they got their sale.

2. The Public don’t care
I believe that the public are not dumb to be fooled by swindlers on the road. But are very easy to be fooled by a colorful ads and a photo of their favorite TV/Movie personality beside it.

If you even try to educate them about it what the ‘No approved therapeutic claims’. warning means. They would either say that “I know what it means.” but don’t care for the reason that “Binoy” is using it or they would be mad at you for looking down at them.

As long as their favorite TV/Movie personality is promoting the food supplement they will continue to buy the product without advice coming from a medical personnel.

Government’s action to the issue

The Department of Health (DoH) is doing something to let the public know about the warning and what it really means.

They changed the warning label:

“Important notice: The product is not medicine and is not to be used for treating diseases.”

In Tagalog:

“Mahalagang paalaala: Ang (name of product) ay hindi dapat gamiting panggamot sa anumang uri ng sakit.”

“Wastong nutrisyon at regular na ehersisyo ang pinakamainam na pagpapanatili ng kalusugan (Proper nutrition and regular exercise are still the best ways to ensure overall health.)”

Though the Herbal Medicine Industry are not in agreeable term with this move. I would say that this is a good way to educate the public which obviously the company of the food supplement won’t do.

If I were given a chance to change the way we market food supplement, I would make the endorser to say that ‘No approved therapeutic claims’ are issued for the product.

But if you can do something to help in this cause. What would you do?

SALT is a heart-stopping action film from start to finish that no one should dare miss.

From start to finish Angelina Jolie is been running, jumping, shooting, (a few sexy flashback) climbing and hitting and throwing men (double her size) down to to their knees action film.

The SALT story is very controversial for only a few months earlier before the showing of the film. A talk of SPY exchange are circulating in the US.

One thing I notices in the film is that no female character has been hurt/harm except for the character of Eveline Salt in the film (as far as I know). With the exception of the characters with full-body armor in the CIA office, not sure if there are female character there.

Special Thanks to NuffNang Philippines and Nestle Heaven Ice Cream for the opportunity.

Harvard Professor Mark Kramer

To face the many challenges of the 21st century we must enter into a “new Era of Collaboration.” according to Harvard Professor and social responsibility expert Mark Kramer.

“Traditionally, the relationship between business and society has been viewed as in opposition to one another. That is not necessarily true. In fact, you can find ways in which businesses and society can work together for their mutual benefit. The reality is, business and society are interdependent –one cannot truly thrive and succeed without the other’s help,” said Kramer.

Creating Shared Value calls for a shift in the attitude of corporations: to move from viewing social programs as a cost of doing business, into looking at these as opportunities to help society while at the same time increasing profitability. Kramer noted that when corporations discover that they can increase profits by benefiting society in the course of doing business, they tend to make more investments into social programs.

Good for society, good for business

As what South Africa’s Aspen Pharmacare had done with their HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria medication. They sold it at an affordable prices—costing about a third to half their regular retail prices. With their bold move, it helped restored health and survival of poor South African patients.

As a result, Aspen Pharmacare is now South Africa’s leading drug company, with 40% annual growth; at the same time, more poor patients now avail of life-saving medicines at prices they can afford.

It’s one example of how a company can become competitive and profitable by benefiting the society where it operates.

Sharing the CSV approach

Nestlé Philippines with the Asian Development Bank, the Philippine Business for Social Progress and the Asian Institute of Management RVR Center for Social Responsibility, organized the CSV Forum in order to share its business philosophy, one that has been in place since Nestlé was founded almost 140 years ago.

The CSV approach in doing business have been both profitable for the company and knowledgeable for the consumer. The “Laki sa Gatas” and BOW (Business on Wheels) program both help the Filipino nation to live healthy and strong.

According to Capanzana, the government is not the only body responsible in ensuring that the issue in malnutrition is resolve. This is the responsibility of every person, food companies, NGOs, aid agencies and other sectors of society. Safe and affordable food products should be available to the public, especially for the poorest of the poor.

A nutrition problem

An estimated 3.35 million Filipino children suffering from malnutrition. Capanzana had suggested a three-fold solution:

1. Aim to produce approximately 251 metric tons per day of complementary food made from protein-rich ingredients;
2. Invest in an adequate amount of manpower, machine, and materials to produce these food products;
3. Establish strategically located stations where the food products are distributed, prioritizing the areas that need them the most.

Capanzana also stressed that the diet of many Filipinos is deficient in essential nutrients such as energy, vitamin A, iron, and iodine—a deficiency usually caused by either a lack of knowledge of basic nutrition and/or poverty.

He also encourage the food companies to include fortification in their food products. Fortification is the adding of one or more nutrients, vitamins and mineral into food products. This allows the consumers of these products to get nutrients that they would otherwise lack.

“Sharing best practices with business partners is a paramount way for companies and the government to succeed in increasing economic opportunity and improving the health and nutrition of the public,” Capanzana said.

One food company’s example

Nestlé has been acknowledge for their promotion of good nutritional practices in the country through its various CSV efforts: primarily through the development of food products that are nutritionally beneficial to the public.

Nestlé Philippines’ SVP and Corporate Affairs Head Edith de Leon also pointed out that even before the term CSV was conceptualized, Nestlé has been Creating Shared Value from the time the company was founded about 140 years ago.

Nestlé Philippines with the Asian Development Bank, the Philippine Business for Social Progress and the Asian Institute of Management RVR Center for Social Responsibility, organized the CSV Forum to encourage more companies to embrace the CSV philosophy and become agents of social progress.