NEWS
No smoking, plus Organique Acai can help you on your wellness journey
June 3, 2022 3:08 p.m.
For better or for worse, it isn’t uncommon to see people smoking. For many people, this has already become a habit for them, especially when they’re stressed, when they’re together with their friends, or even when they want to lose weight.
But if we want to keep our body strong and fit throughout our lives, we must be mindful of what we do with it—from the food we eat to even the substances we take, such as cigarettes and alcohol.
We can be happy and healthy even without hurting our health!
Smoking, although it has many negative effects, can be addictive. Dr. Dexter Macalintal, Lifestyle Medicine Specialist, explains that this is because of the chemical nicotine.
This is found in the tobacco plant, which is rolled into a cigarette or placed into vape liquid. When we smoke, our bodies absorb nicotine, which tells our brain to release dopamine, the happy hormone.
This then makes the user feel happy and relaxed. Over time, especially when stressed or angry, our brain tells us to repeat the action that makes you feel better—in this case, smoking.
When this isn’t controlled, smoking can develop into a habit and a compulsory act, and the user becomes addicted.
People who have become addicted to smoking will often report consistent cold and cough. This is because of the allergy symptoms that have developed from the smoke.
More well-known, as well, are the multiple cancers that you can be at risk of, like lung cancer, throat cancer, and even esophagus cancer.
According to the Department of Health, 87,600 Filipinos die a year from tobacco-related diseases.
Even people who inhale cigarette smoke from other smokers, who are known as secondhand or even thirdhand smokers, can be at risk for these illnesses all because of nicotine.
Dr. Macalintal says that the different chemicals contained in cigarette smoke produce free radicals, molecules created by the body in some cell processes and even by the immune system.
However, when these are not neutralized, particularly by antioxidants, free radicals can damage your body’s cells and even contribute to illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, and hypertension.
Quitting smoking is important in your wellness journey.
It cuts down the risk of cardiovascular diseases to 50% of that of a non-smoker within 1 year, and lung diseases to 50% as well when one quits after 10 years.
There also isn’t any safe number of cigarette sticks that one can take without getting sick; it really is best to avoid smoking altogether.
You’re also able to keep your family and community safe by keeping them away from cigarette smoke.
To stop smoking, you can talk with your doctor to help you establish a “quit date” where you must completely stop smoking or at least have reduced the number of cigarettes you smoke. You can also consider medicine or nicotine therapy from your doctor to help break the habit.
To be healthy, it’s also important to have nutritious foods and food supplements such as Organique Acai Premium Blend, which can help counteract the negative effects of cigarette smoke and strengthen your immune system through its high antioxidant and vitamin content!
A healthy lifestyle gives us a stronger body and mind, making us feel better and happier too!
To know more about Organique Açaí Premium Blend, visit organique.com.ph or call hotline, 0969- 1754233.
Available in all Watsons, S&R outlets and other major drugstores and supermarkets near you.
NEWS
Atayde bats for moratorium on student loan payments during emergencies, calamities
March 17, 2023 9:00 p.m.
STUDENTS won’t have to worry paying their loans during times of calamities and emergencies, as Quezon City first district Congressman Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde has introduced a moratorium on the payment of student loans administered by higher educational institutions (HEIs).
The House Bill 7279, which Atayde filed last Feb. 21, headed into its first reading six days later in the Committee on Higher and Technical Education, chaired by Baguio City Rep. Mark O. Go.
He said the bill — once it turns to a law — will halt the payment of all the fees, charges, and costs relating to student loans and technical-vocational training institutions (TVIs) or by the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UNIFAST) during emergencies.
It will cover all students residing in areas declared to be under a state of calamity or emergency — those who are enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), private HEIs, and public and private TVIs.
“We have to find a way to help our students and their families, when natural or even these man-made calamities hit them hard. We just have to make everything easy for them including a moratorium on the payment of student loans,” Atayde said. “It is a burden on a student and their family especially in difficult times like aftermath of typhoon, fire and earthquakes, among other disasters.”
“In the order of spending, student loans will be their least priority since spending will go mostly to basic necessities for survival,” Atayde added.
The moratorium shall be effective for the duration of the state of calamity or emergency and for 30 days after its lifting. No penalties shall be collected on the deferred payments.
“To provide adequate relief and protection to our students in times of calamities and emergencies, this measure shall allow the deferral of student loan collections for a reasonable period during and after the onset of disasters.”
The Quezon City lawmaker cited also the availability of the moratorium, which shall not adversely affect the status of the students concerned with regard to their eligibility for re-enrollment on the succeeding semesters or terms, or their eligibility for graduation.
“The proposed legislation doesn’t prevent public and private HEIs from implementing more favorable forms of payment relief or assistance to students affected by disasters, prohibiting students from voluntarily waiving the moratorium on student loan payments, or availing subsidies and assistance from the government,” Atayde concluded.
NEWS
ShopeePay now available as a payment method for App Store, other Apple services in PH
March 16, 2023 1:59 p.m.
Beginning today, ShopeePay, Shopee’s integrated mobile wallet, is now available as a payment method for Apple services in the Philippines. Customers can use their ShopeePay account to pay for App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV app, and iTunes Store purchases, iCloud storage and more.
The addition of ShopeePay as an Apple ID payment method offers a new way to pay for Apple services without needing a credit card and still allows for easy, secure one-tap purchasing from Apple products including iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Customers can manage their Apple ID payment information in Settings on iPhone and iPad, or on their Mac or PC.
Agatha Soh, Director at ShopeePay commented, “ShopeePay is committed to meeting the needs of users who are increasingly expecting seamless payments across all platforms. We are excited to offer ShopeePay as a convenient payment option for our customers, and expand access to digital payments, benefitting more users.”
For more information on how to add ShopeePay as a payment method, please visit https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201266 or https://shopee.ph/m/ShopeePay-Apple-ID-PH.
NEWS
Be bolder, braver, more confident at SM Supermalls’ Women’s Month celebration!
March 8, 2023, 8:30 p.m.
Ladies, take center stage as SM celebrates Women Power throughout the month of March. Lots of activities both online and on-ground are in store to empower women and girls all over the country.
Join the Future of Women Global Summit
SM Supermalls will be joining UN Women in kicking off the IWD 2023 celebration through a women’s summit on March 8, at the SM Aura Premier Samsung Hall. Focusing on the future of women in ICT, the two-part event will gather young women, country leaders, policy makers, and advocates together to share perspectives and affirm their commitment to supporting digital equality for women and girls.
Photo courtesy of SM City Lucena
Photo courtesy of SM City San Jose del Monte
Support your local Womenpreneurs
Great finds for ladies are on sale at the SM Womenpreneur Market! This pop-up of small and medium businesses owned by women for women will give you everything you need from food and beauty to wellness and fashion!
Wednesdays are for women!
Shopping on Wednesdays has become even more tempting because the Women’s Wednesday Sale is back! Achieve the glow-up you deserve with special discounts, deals, and promos on fashion, beauty, and fitness exclusively for women every Wednesday of March. So don’t hold back on your shopping; you deserve all these and more!
A beautiful treat of wellness all for you
Forda glow-up and pampering sesh tayo this month because lots of self-care deals are available at the Women’s Wellness Sale. Avail of great deals from wellness salons on facials, hair and body treatments, nail care, and massage from March 1 to March 31.
And more deals online!
Special deals are up for women via the SM Malls Online app. Get the best brand offerings every Wednesday from shoes and beauty and wellness to home and hobbies. Use the code WOMEN and get an extra 10% off, capped at 250. What’s great is that there’s no minimum purchase required!
Also, a collection of brand vouchers will be sent to all women SM Malls Online shoppers valid all month. Wait for your Beauty Pass and give yourself the retail therapy you deserve with tons of discounts, GWP deals, samplers, in-store pick up bonuses, and mystery boxes!
Plus, the SM Malls Online app will be hosting self-care sessions online. Follow SM Supermalls on social media to get a dose of starter packages, Get-Ready-With-Me routines, and beauty products that your favorite beauty experts swear by.
Photo courtesy of SM City East Ortigas
Photo courtesy of SM City Manila
Celebrate Women Power on IG!
Capture the beauty and power of women at the beautiful spots and installations all over SM. Be free to express your own uniqueness and creativity in the specially-designed selfie spaces in partnership with Selfie Studio. Don’t forget to tag us on IG!
We don’t know about you but exciting days await every SM woman. So be bolder, braver, and more confident! With these activities, you can confidently step forward in fashion, beauty, wellness, and express yourselves to make a positive impact.
Stay updated on all things women this IWD 2023 by visiting www.smsupermalls.com and following @smsupermalls on social media.
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