Did you know that…
* Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Filipinas?
* 7 Filipino women die DAILY of cervical cancer?
* 2 out of 3 Filipinas diagnosed with cervical cancer may die within 5 years?
While that may sound like a death sentence, IT ISN’T…..if we know how to harness our power over cervical cancer.
Continue reading “You Can & You Will: A campaign that gives women the power over cervical cancer”
Asthma is not a joke and I personally know why. All my kids had asthma as kids. My sister and I also suffered from asthma as kids. An aunt died of asthma complications. And I had a scary episode with one of my kids because of an asthmatic episode.
Asthma is NOT to be taken lightly.
For these reasons, I am always supportive of campaigns that draw attention to asthma and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. That is why, as World Asthma Day was being celebrated a few weeks back, I lent my support to GSK’s ASTHMAlaya Campaign.
Continue reading “GSK launches its Asthmalaya campaign for World Asthma Day”
Back in February 2015, I attended a GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) event where they announced that they were launching a Search for the Winners Against Asthma (SWAA). This nationwide search meant to find young achievers 30 years old and below who were outstanding in their respective fields despite suffering from asthma. The search was meant to portray hope that asthma, although a chronic disease, could be overcome in different ways.
Here is my February post covering the search’s launch.
Meet the winners!
I attended this event on cervical cancer hosted by GSK because I had two adult girls and wanted to learn more about cervical cancer and the vaccine.
Continue reading “Ladies, put on your Power Pout over Cervical Cancer!”
Did you know that 7 out of 10 Filipinos suffer regularly from headaches? Nope, I didn’t know.
It could be our terrible summer heat here or just plain stressed out lifestyles but whatever is the cause, having a massive headache is definitely not fun and results in a wasted day with lots of unproductive down time.
Not with Panadol with Optizorb.
Continue reading “Make headaches go away 5 times faster with Panadol”
The battle to win against asthma will never end. In the Philippines, over 10 million cases have been documented of people with asthma and it remains the most common chronic childhood disease. Children who suffer from asthma are oftentimes over-protected by parents and their activities are curtailed so as not to trigger an asthma episode.
I grew up with asthma in the family. My own asthma was not very bad but my sister’s was worse. All my kids also had childhood asthma. An aunt on my husband’s side died from an asthma attack. Asthma cannot be taken lightly as it can be fatal. But the good news is that it can be controlled.
Last year, GSK went on an all-out campaign to fight asthma.
Read my post on how one can still lead a great life even with asthma.
Aside from their brand ambassadors, Arnel Pineda of Journey and actress Kim Chiu, GSK now has a new brand ambassador — Olympic figure skater Michael Christian Martinez.
I had been following Michael’s journey all the way to the Olympics and knew that he indeed was an asthmatic. In past interviews, I remember Michael saying that the cold skating rink actually helped improve his health. His mom, who would accompany him to all his trainings and competition, was fully supportive of his sport and told Michael that she would rather “spend the money on skating than in the hospital”.
The Search for Winners Against Asthma
This year, GSK is taking the fight against asthma further by launching the Win Against Asthma Today advocacy campaign aimed at increasing awareness and amplifying efforts to spread information about the risks of asthma and how it can be controlled.
This time, they are looking for young asthmatic achievers who can show that one can live and pursue one’s passions in life despite having asthma.
Continue reading “GSK continues the fight by launching the Search for Winners Against Asthma 2015”
I was luckier than most growing up. I had oily skin. But at my age now, reality is setting in. I’m losing my oily skin and finding that many parts of my body are more dry. Once, I went to church without putting lotion on my upper arms and to my horror, I found my skin was dry in some places. Ewwww!
While there is nothing we can do about aging, there are a lot of things we can do to keep our skin from premature aging and even postpone the symptoms of aging like dry skin, brown spots, wrinkles and the like. With dry skin comes not only ugly scales but oftentimes, the discomfort of itchy and sensitive skin.
Lotions and moisturizers are a-plenty in the market. There are all kinds of brands and types to choose from. Many lotions moisturize skin on the surface but only for short while. They also do not really address what is going on UNDER the skin.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), makers of Physiogel, recently launched the Free In My Skin Movement that aims to free women like me who are now starting to experience the onset of dry, sensitive skin. Physiogel variants all have the patented advanced BioMimic Technology which mimics our skin’s matrix-like natural lipid layers of skin that help lock in moisture. This allows Physiogel to repair dehydrated skin, rehydrate the essential barriers and revitalize the skin.
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| Physiogel incorporates lipids from plant sources that are similar to those found in our skin |
Present at the launch of the Free In My Skin Movement was model, TV host and entrepreneur Patti Grandidge, who was just the right person to lead this movement, having been a woman who also experienced sensitive, itchy, red and dry skin.
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| Patti Grandidge |
Have you ever experienced applying moisturizing cream or lotion on your skin only for the effect to wear off before your day is over?
Just check these shots I took of my hand when a Physiogel lady gave me the Moisture Check.
Before doing anything, she told me that I had to score above 40 if I had well-moisturized skin. I thought I’d be okay. After all, before coming to the event, I had applied lotion on my skin after my bath. Well, well, well, this was my initial score after she tested me with the Moisture Checker…
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| …and the verdict is… |
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| …an embarrassing 26!!! Aarrgh! |
So from the time I applied the lotion, to the time I got to the event, given the strong airconditioning inside the hotel’s function room, my skin dried up again!
Next, the lady applied Physiogel cleanser on my hand. What’s fascinating about this cleanser is that it can be washed off with water or simply wiped off with cotton so it acts as a leave-on skin moisturizer! I didn’t know THAT!
Immediately after applying the cream, I was checked again. My Moisture Check score jumped.
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| 10-pt improvement right away! |
Next, she applied the Physiogel cream over the area just cleaned. The cream is good for overnight applications or on days when you have nowhere to go and you just want your skin to bask in moisturizing goodness. It feels a bit oily because it is meant to keep your skin bathed.
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| Not as big a leap but still, an improvement! |
Lastly, she applied Physiogel lotion on my forearm. The lotion variant is greaseless so it is best when you need to go out and do not want to feel gooey or oily. But the effect on the skin is powerful.
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| 43.1 — fully moisturized!!! |
This is what GSK has to say about the Free in My Skin Movement:
The Free in My Skin Movement aims to empower women to fully embrace and participate in life by freeing them from dry and sensitive skin, because having dry and sensitive skin can serve as a hindrance for women to fully function to their best abilities. This movement also aims to honor smart, strong, sensitive women who have faced their insecurities (physically and emotionally) and are now embracing and living life to the fullest.
I cannot name all the smart, strong and sensitive women who have been, and still are, a part of my life. But I honor them. Their circumstances are all different but what binds them together is the determination to rise above their circumstances.
I join all the women who have experienced dry and sensitive skin at one time or another. Feel ko kayo! But now that I am using Physiogel daily, on my face, neck, and arms, I really feel the difference. You should try it also and see how it empowers you and raises your confidence level knowing that your skin is constantly nourished, repaired and kept from premature aging.
Visit Physiogel’s website and social media accounts
Website: www.physiogel.ph
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PhysiogelPH
Twitter: @PhysiogelPH
I’ve had dengue. Two of my kids have had dengue. And one of them (and me) had to have blood plasma transfusions. I can still remember the feeling of having absolutely no energy and no appetite. And when my kids had it, it was doubly difficult for me to watch them, praying that the virus would just run its course without anything worse happening to them. I actually had friends who lost their child to dengue.
Although known to be a tropical country disease, dengue is surprisingly making its way into colder countries. Japan, just recently, was reported to have found cases of dengue among their citizens. Climate change is now spreading the risk of this mosquito-borne disease far and wide, beyond tropical boundaries. At the moment there is no dengue vaccine that is commercially available although recent news talk about one that is being developed.
Dengue is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne disease in the world and is more rampant in tropical countries such as the Philippines. The Aedes Aegypti mosquito, usually seen in the early hours of the morning and early evening, and has white stripes on its legs, affects more children than adults. Those at higher risk are children aged one to nine years old.
Dengue can present itself with symptoms similar to other diseases — high fever that comes and goes, headaches, nausea and vomiting, appetite loss, abdominal pain, muscle and joint aches, rashes, and even bleeding so oftentimes it can be difficult to diagnose at the onset because sometimes it can even look like flu at first.
The alarming number of cases diagnosed in the Philippines, as well as the number of deaths, is really of concern to parents like me. I was shocked to learn that in 2013, a total of 204,906 dengue cases were diagnosed, with 660 deaths while in 2014, 24,800 dengue cases have already been reported with 100 deaths. (Source: ToDOH Laban sa Dengue brochure)
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| (L-R): Jeofrey Yulo (GM of GSK), DOH rep, and Dr. Sally Gatchalian |
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has partnered with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Pediatric Society in spearheading a campaign, “Aksyon Laban sa Dengue: A Dengue Fever Awareness and Education Program”. They’ve also set up a Barangay Caravan which will bring these efforts down to the grassroots level. I think this campaign is laudable because it is those in the grassroots level most exposed to breeding grounds of the dengue mosquito. They are also the ones least likely to immediately bring their kids to the hospital because of cost considerations.
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| Dr. Sally Gatchalian |
Dr. Sally Gatchalian, secretary of the Philippine Pediatric Society, gave tips on how to take care of a patient who is already diagnosed with dengue:
1. Professional help is required for severe cases of dengue.
2. Supportive care should be given to patients to complement hospital treatment – While the patient is letting dengue run its course, the only thing that can help, aside from proper hydration, is managing the fever.
3. Do not give steroids – The WHO has recommended paracetamol as the recommended analgesic treatment for dengue fever. Aspirin and ibuprofen are NOT recommended since they may aggravate bleeding.
4. Regularly monitor platelets.
5. Keep detailed records of fluid intake and outputs.
Dr. Sally also enumerated the 4S of Dengue Prevention, according to the DOH:
1. Search and destroy source of stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed – Mosquitoes breed in clear water. Some things you can do – change water in vases once a week, clean your roof’s drain pipes, clean the inside and outside of pails and other receptacles, ensure that no water is left in dish holders of refrigerators, cover all water reservoirs, and overturn all receptacles used for storing water.
2. Seek immediate consultation if child has fever lasting more than 2 days. – Remember…give paracetamol, not aspirin or ibuprofen!
3. Say yes to discriminate fogging only when there is an epidemic. – If done properly, fogging can also kill mosquitoes aside from driving them away. But they are only recommended in cases of outbreak and during peak biting time.
4. Self protection measures. – Use mosquito nets, apply insect repellant, and where possible, wear long-sleeved shirts.
Watch out for the “Aksyon Laban sa Dengue” caravan which is set to visit barangays within Metro Manila identified with high cases of dengue incidence. The DOH will initially facilitate the training of health practitioners to discuss new incidences and trends as well as prevention and treatment of dengue. The Philippine Pediatric Society health committee will then cascade the dengue modules to the selected barangays. GSK, on the other hand, will be bringing doctors to the areas to lead the dengue information campaign so that Filipinos can protect their loved ones from this deadly disease.
Anyone who has drank cold water, eaten ice cream or chomped down on frozen desserts knows fully well what ngilo feels like. A sharp pain hits you as the nerves around your teeth react to the cold. I used to be one of those poor souls. And for someone who loves ice cream, this was just awful. Often, I’d wait for the ice cream to melt a bit so that I could spoon the liquid into my mouth with less chances of ngilo. And did you know that 9 out of 10 Filipinos (that’s a whopping 88M Pinoys) suffer to some degree from tooth sensitivity? That’s the majority of the populace!
Luis Manzano, Sensodyne‘s brand ambassador, shares my horrible experience because he, too suffers from tooth sensitivity. According to him, times like meetings and enjoyable social events are cut short because of pangingilo. “I just endure the pain so it doesn’t ruin my day or my night out”, he said during the event.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has had Sensodyne for a long time now and it has grown to be the No. 1 sensitivity brand in the market recommended by dentists against pangingilo. But it was always viewed as a higher-end toothpaste brand that not many can afford on a regular basis but only upon dental prescription. GSK is now committed to stop the suffering of Filipinos by making Sensodyne affordable. Their message? “Say No to Ngilo!“
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| The GSK Sensodyne team with Luis Manzano and Angel Jacob |
So how does a top-rated brand like Sensodyne become available to the Filipino public without breaking their budget? Think sari-sari store concept. Yes, the Philippines is the first country in the world where Sensodyne is being introduced in sachet format. And each sachet only costs PhP 10. Everyone can now afford Sensodyne because it is now available in tingi-tingi (Filipino slang for sachet) form.
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| The sari-sari store concept was what inspired Sensodyne’s sachet format |
There are several variants of Sensodyne now aside from its flagship variant.
The original Sensodyne contains potassium nitrate to depolarize the nerve and protect it from firing. Using it twice a day in brushing ensures the nerve response will be gradually blocked and pain is relieved.
The Sensodyne Rapid Relief variant contains strontium acetate, an element similar to calcium. It replaces some of the calcium lost from dentine and blocks the exposed tubules within dentinal tissue. This in turn prevents the flow of the fluid within the tubules that otherwise cause tooth pain.
The Sensodyne Repair & Protect contains advanced NovaMin technology, scientifically proven to help repair sensitive teeth by forming a tooth-like layer over exposed dentine to help continually repair and protect sensitive areas.
A Few More FAQs on Sensodyne
* Sensodyne is recommended for kids aged 12 and above. Younger kids do not really suffer from tooth sensitivity because it hits older kids and adults.
* Brushing with Sensodyne is recommended twice a day to ensure the anti-ngilo ingredients work best
Most Filipinos now have a chance to get rid of their pangingilo woes once and for all with the affordable sachet format. Ngilo will now be a thing of the past for Pinoys.
I come from a family with a history of asthma. I myself had childhood asthma though not too severe and during a couple of pregnancies, it came back even if I had already outgrown it. I also had to deal with asthma during the growing years of all my kids and I have to tell you that it is no joke.
Asthma is what I call “traydor na sakit” (traitor disease). It doesn’t look too alarming but in reality, it has been the cause of many deaths even among young people. The triggers can happen any time and anywhere — something you eat, something in the air — and suddenly your airways start to constrict. You start having difficulty breathing and it creates panic and pressure on the heart as well. Several celebrities in the past died young just because of an asthma episode, including a young model.
At a recent GSK event, I listened to one of the GSK doctors, Dr. Bernadette Arcilla, talk about asthma. It affects about 10.7M people in the Philippines now. 250,000 annual deaths worldwide are attributed to asthma. Of those deaths, majority are 45 years old and older. With children, asthma is the most frequent cause of absenteeism from school, emergency visits and hospitalization. Scary stats. I can remember so many instances when we’d rush to the emergency room of the hospital because one of our kids could not breathe well and would be wheezing. We always had a nebulizer with us at home and on trips. When they were older, they had to be taught to use an inhaler and carry this with them all the time.
But asthmatics are fighting back. And, hopefully, winning the war against asthma. That is a very important inspirational message for so many Pinoys who are similarly affected by asthma. Your life is not curtailed by it. You can still live a meaningful life and engage even in sports in spite of your condition.
At the event, two local celebrities, who were asthmatics, shared about their own battles against asthma — Kim Chiu and Arnel Pineda of Journey.
Here are videoclips showing just how they are trying to battle asthma, and win over it:
Hopefully, this Win Against Asthma campaign spearheaded by GSK will bring to the forefront a greater awareness and understanding of asthma — that it is not a debilitating condition, and that people who are asthmatic, with proper treatment and cooperation with doctors and their own personal knowledge on how and when to use the different medicines, can lead the lives they dream of. Just like Kim Chiu and Arnel Pineda.