"Ang Dugo Mo, Kamusta?" Sangobion Talks Why A Healthy Blood Leads to An Effective Immune System

As Work-From-Home (WFH) becomes the new normal, the realities of performing work and home functions simultaneously may feel like a never-ending cycle. While everyone is trying their best to get a knack on winning in this situation, managing this new lifestyle stressor is not easy for all women, and coping might even be more difficult for working moms.

Pressures build up overtime and if unaddressed, it can result to chronic stress that may also affect your blood health. If you notice yourself experiencing symptoms of prolonged fatigue, lack of energy, and lack of motivation, it is time to reassess your lifestyle as you may be experiencing a case of iron deficiency anemia.

A healthy blood leads to a healthier immune system

Ang Dugo Mo, Kamusta? — is the question that Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) wants every Filipino to have for themselves and their loved ones. Iron Deficiency Anemia is a common case in Filipino women and those with chronic medical conditions. And most of those who have it have learned to function despite experiencing its symptoms.

When the body has iron deficiency anemia, it is unable to produce healthy red blood cells which store and carry oxygen to the other parts of the body. The risk of not addressing this condition may take a toll on the immune system and the body can be more susceptible to illnesses and infections

Small lifestyle changes to boost your blood health and immunity

Incorporating small healthy changes into your current WFH situation can help improve your blood health. Here are three easy ways to add to your daily schedule to fight iron deficiency anemia and keep your immunity healthy.

Perform quick 12-minute exercise routines daily. There are plenty of workout routines available online that you can complete in under 15 minutes. But if you still find those taxing, just keep in mind that the goal is to have your heart rate up a little, so think of it as working out efficiently by exerting the right amount of effort. This can be as basic as going up and down the stairs, jumping rope, or even just walking around the house for 12 minutes.

If you want more intensity, you can try the high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with short but intense bursts of activity with short break periods. Moderate exercise routines when done daily can boost your immunity. Plus, it also helps boost your energy for the day.

Help your body fight off iron deficiency anemia with Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+). Proper diet and nutrition help keep the body healthy. Going for nutritious meals over processed ones and choosing food rich in iron like red meat, beans, dark green leafy vegetables to add to your diet can benefit your body positively. But for those who are running on hectic daily schedules, monitoring a balanced diet might be a hard commitment to make. Taking multivitamins daily can help the body get the nutrients and minerals it needs when your food intake won’t be able to provide them.

Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) is an iron supplement with vitamins and minerals that helps replenish iron stores and increases red blood cell levels in the body. 4 It has ferrous gluconate, a type of iron salt which allows better absorption of iron in the body, Folic acid, and vitamin B12 which are vital for production of red blood cells and during pregnancy. It also contains Vitamin C which helps improve iron absorption, and Copper sulphate and manganese sulphate that helps in the metabolic processes of blood cell production.

Get quality sleep. Sleep is vital to having a strong immune system and while everyone is aware of this, not all are keeping close tabs of their sleeping routines. The National Sleep Foundation released sleep-quality recommendations, which include: being able to fall asleep in 30 minutes or less, waking up for five minutes or longer not more than once a night, you fall back asleep within 20 minutes, and you’re asleep 85% of the time you spend in bed.

If you’re guilty of not meeting these recommendations, try to change up the way you get ready for bed. Create a healthy sleep routine by going to bed and waking up at the same time daily to train your body and mind on a schedule. Free yourself from your phone or tablet at least one hour before bedtime so your brain won’t be stimulated. Establish a relaxing bedtime routine like reading a book, meditation, or drinking tea to put you into a state of calm.

Consider these small lifestyle changes an investment to your health. When you maintain a healthy blood, it keeps you less vulnerable in getting illnesses and infections. Taking Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) helps regulate your blood iron, so you won’t have to worry about experiencing symptoms of iron deficiency anemia.

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

Commemorate birthdays in a more rewarding way with this fun, entertaining app!

Leveraging the available digital tools and platforms to bridge their services to more Filipinos, mostly those that are in the far-flung areas, PCSO, in partnership with Minedomain, Inc., is set to launch "Birthday Panalo", a free and easy-to-use application with an entertaining game which will allow Filipinos to celebrate important dates in their lives, like anniversaries and birthdays, with exciting cash prizes.

Made for Filipinos, by Filipinos

Designed with Filipinos in mind, the Birthday Panalo app banks on the deep-rooted culture of Pinoys in putting value in commemorating special dates like birthdays and anniversaries.

While millennials are the main audience targeted with the launch of the app, Seaver Choy, Minedomain Inc. IT officer shared that ease of use is one of the main factors their team considered in developing Birthday Panalo to make it enjoyable for users across various age groups.

"We want the millennials to love this game so we went for what millennials want most -- ease of use. We only put in the necessary elements for users to be able to do what they need to do fast and immediately. We focused on the user experience when we were developing by having iterating designs that had constant user feedback. Birthday Panalo has gone through multiple design changes based on different user feedback across different groups." - Seaver Choy, Minedomain Inc. IT Officer

The core group which made and designed the Birthday Panalo app was an all-Filipino team composed of professionals from the country’s top universities including De La Salle University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and University of the East.

"Birthday Panalo app was built with resilience and celebrations in mind. We made it fun and easy to bet but still overly secure," Choy furthered, assuring users that the personal data and information they input within the Birthday Panalo app are protected according to industry standards.

Choy noted that the Birthday Panalo app has been tested by local and international cybersecurity companies like GLI, Bolton Labs, and Mantua, among others, to ensure that the app has the needed safety measures in place to avoid leakage of user data.

"Internally, we are also certified when it comes to how we operate and how we maintain the application," Choy said.

Celebrations made even more rewarding

Within the app which carries design elements signifying Filipinos, "Kapanalo" or users of the app can place a bet on a three-part number combination consisting of a month, a day, and a year. If the same combination gets to be picked during daily draws, a user can win as much as P100,000 as a cash prize.

After downloading the app, users can easily sign up using either their mobile phone or email address verified through a one-time password (OTP) sent by the app. Once done with the registration process, users can proceed participating in draws for as low PhP10.00 which they can pay via mobile wallets like GCash and PayMaya. Winners of lucky date combinations which will be notified via the Birthday Panalo app may claim their prizes at the PCSO main branch in Mandaluyong City, or have it credited on their respective mobile wallets.

The Birthday Panalo app will soon be available for free download via the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Kapanalo from all over the Philippines can also look forward to playing the Birthday Panalo game in select PCSO outlets nationwide in the coming months.

SYKES asserts BPO leadership with 3rd Asia Leaders Awards nod

Award-winning call center SYKES was once again recognized as the BPO Company of the Year by the Asia Leaders Awards. The company was awarded for its exemplary commitment to driving and improving the local business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, while still going above and beyond expectations with its pandemic response.

"Winning the award for three straight years is a testament to SYKES’ passion, commitment to excellence, and solid teamwork to serve our clients, customers, employees, and community. Although 2020 has not been an easy year for everyone, we have not lost sight of our purpose. We endeavored to beat the odds and continue to operate our business thriving under the new normal. We appreciate that international business awards such as Asia Leaders Awards recognized our hard work in staying true to our mission of helping and serving people one caring interaction at a time." - Shane Baetz, Vice President Regional Support Services, APAC operations

Recognizing global excellence among its awardees, the Asia Leaders Awards annually acknowledges industry leaders who are making significant changes not only in their respective fields, but also promoting the Philippines as a premier business hub in Asia and beyond. Its awards committee is made up of esteemed organizations and accomplished individuals from different industries.

The BPO Company of the Year award is given to the organization that best demonstrates outstanding BPO management, work culture and environment, and consistent pursuit of excellence and value. SYKES continues to be an industry frontrunner in this regard, having showcased all these qualities and achievements, on top of delivering solutions amid the challenges of the pandemic.

With limited time and resources, the company was able to adjust its business model and quickly adopted an effective work-from-home setup, which has enabled 75-100% of its entire workforce to work remotely. In doing so, it deployed thousands of PC sets, complete with accessories and office chairs, and provided WiFi allowance to those who are amenable to the setup. Meanwhile, for those who still reported on-site, SYKES offered free temporary accommodations with shuttle services and food provisions. It has also increased sanitary and physical distancing measures within the office premises and provided all employees with a care package consisting of a face mask, face shield, and alcohol or hand sanitizer.

Displaying resilience, courage, and an indomitable spirit, SYKES has ensured uninterrupted business operations throughout the entire year and was even able to expand its workforce, employing thousands of displaced Filipino workers. Its business continuity plan was carried out successfully because of the teamwork, agility, and laser-like focus of leaders and team members alike.

SYKES also bagged the prestigious award due to its high-performance workplace that fosters employee engagement and continuous improvement through staff motivation, training, and coaching and development. A significant component of its employee-engagement effort is its SYKES Choices (for Manila sites) and Involve (for Cebu sites) programs. Comprised of 20 interest clubs, the programs hold several activities wherein SYKESers can showcase their talents and hobbies while having fun and developing bonds with coworkers. In the time of the pandemic, these clubs served as an avenue for the employees to pursue their passions and achieve work-life balance.

Furthermore, the BPO industry pioneer’s long-established skill development programs such as the SYKES ALPHA (Accelerated Leadership Program for High Achievers) and the Career Selfie help SYKESers unlock their full potential and empower them towards career growth. This year, despite having to work separately, SYKES was able to achieve great success and maintain activities under these programs to ensure that employees still gain professional progress.

With its excellence in the face of disruption, SYKES was also recognized by various award-giving bodies across different categories in the past year. It won two trophies from the Stevie Awards, namely a Silver Stevie for the Most Innovative Work-From-Home Plan and a Bronze Stevie for the Most Innovative Workplace Redesign. SYKES was also hailed as the Top Employer of the Year by the Asia CEO Awards.

2020 truly was a year unlike any other, but the BPO company is proud to have risen above every challenge while nurturing the development of its people, clients, and community.

"SYKES is very grateful for the different industry recognitions that we have received. We carry them with pride and gratitude together with our close to 18,000-strong employees in the country. As we grow our family here in the Philippines, we believe that these recognitions speak for the culture of our organization where each member is given an incredible opportunity to work, learn, and grow." said Baetz.

Multi-awarded by local and international business awards every year, SYKES has established its position as a frontrunner of the BPO industry. It has earned its reputation by ensuring that its people are always prioritized to meet the needs and expectations of its clients. More information about SYKES and how to join its growing workforce is available at sykes.com/philippines and its official Facebook page at fb.com/SYKESPHofficial. Work, learn, and grow at SYKES!

Maxene Magalona Calls on Filipinas for Herbal Essences’ Plant Power Revolution

With the rise of the plantito and plantita trend last year, Filipinos have definitely fallen in love with plants not just as decor but also as a holistic part of being able to go through 2020. Now that the new year is here, the need to incorporate the power of plants to your daily habits is crystal clear. Plant-powered products like Herbal Essences have definitely proven its position in the haircare game – with its power of plant-based ingredients and plant power solutions, it can give you the best version of your strands.

Herbal Essences recognized how more and more people are taking interest in nurturing plants. So, to celebrate the powerful impact of plants, not just to the surroundings, but also in how people take good care of their hair, the brand concluded 2020 with the #PlantPowerInEveryShower giveaway.

Check out the amazing foliage and poses from some of the best entries for Herbal Essences #PlantPowerInEveryShower giveaway.

Alexandrea shared on her Instagram post that the absence of hair care treatments has made her notice how dull and dry her hair is. "Thankfully, I discovered @herbalessencesph on @lazadaph, and it miraculously changed the way I take care of my hair. After weeks of usage, my hair looked and felt hydrated, smooth, and shiny. Not only that, but I also received a lot of compliments on my hair — what I use, and how I take care of it. My answer is simple, Herbal Essences Coconut Milk! I truly appreciate that it does not contain harmful chemicals that damage one's hair! This will surely bring the #PlantPowerInEveryShower."

Though 2020 has enhanced the growing community of plantitos and plantitas, taking care of plants have since been a lifestyle for many.

The #PlantPowerInEveryShower giveaway has unfolded numerous entries that showed how modern Filipinas are living testimonies of the plantita life, and it’s more than just a tita thing.

Plant Power Revolution with Herbal Essences

Last December 21, 2020, Herbal Essences held an insightful livestream on their Facebook page with Maxene Magalona, and the Principal Scientist for Scientific Communications of all P&G’s hair care brands across Asia Pacific, Saint where they talked about three main points on how humans have benefitted from the power of plants: In the home, for the body, and in the shower.

From her first plant to now a collection of foliage inside her home, Maxene shared how plants have brought an element of life and uplifted her spirit when she faced tough times. Now that more people are invested in giving back to nature, Maxene shares she’s delighted with the piqued interest, "When we take care of ourselves, our hair, our skin, its' just like how we take care of our plants. We need to take care of our well- being as well, starting from our hair down to our toe. That's why I’m grateful for Herbal Essences because it puts me into that good mood [whenever I take a shower]."

Saint also demonstrated a quick experiment where he applied the Herbal Essences White Strawberry & Sweet Mint Shampoo to one side of a leaf. He proceeded to blow dry the leaf to visualize how damaging heat can be to the hair. In just seconds, the bare leaf side immediately dried up, while Herbal Essences protected and kept the other side look untouched.

Watch the rest of the Plant Power Revolution HERE.

More Filipinas are investing in a more holistic and sustainable self-care by investing in products that like Herbal Essences that don’t sacrifice with the overall experience in the shower and still have minimal impact to Mother Earth. Be it with their moisturizing conditioners or their fragrant natural shampoos — you’re not only going to feel fantastic with your plant-powered shower experience and satisfied with your hair condition, but also grateful for making Mother Nature proud.

Herbal Essences is the real deal when it comes to clean beauty and product transparency in the hair care game. As the leading naturals hair care brand, all the high-quality botanicals and REAL plant extracts used are harvested sustainably and responsibly through various partners from all over the world. Their partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, ensures that when they mention a plant on each bottle label, those ingredients are really there. It’s plantastic!

Taking care of your hair is just as much of a commitment as having plants. With Herbal Essences, you’re sure to experience the plant power not just as a décor but also in the shower.

Give yourself the chance to experience the best of nature and science by starting your clean beauty journey this 2021 with Herbal Essences #PlantPowerInEveryShower.

You can shop online through the official stores at Lazada or Shopee.

Constantly Tired? You May Be Experiencing A Case of Iron Deficiency Anemia

What happens to your performance and immunity when you’re Iron-deficient?

Productive people have one thing in common, they ward off feelings of constant exhaustion and drowsiness thinking these are just the result of their hectic lifestyles. They carry on with day-to-day activities even when they experience the inability to focus and perform and not realizing that this might be a symptom of Iron Deficiency Anemia.

Iron deficiency anemia happens when your blood has lower amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin  than  normal.  This  can  cause  you  to  feel  weak,  tired,  dizzy,  look  pale,  and experience headaches. People with chronic medical conditions, women in the reproductive age group and those who experience heavy menstrual bleeding are most vulnerable in having anemia. While those who are not able to maintain a healthy lifestyle are also at risk.

How to prevent Iron Deficiency Anemia?

The people who have higher risk to have iron deficiency anemia are women in the reproductive age group and those who experience heavy menstrual bleeding; athletes in endurance sports and high-altitude training that require the body with more red blood cells; and those with pre-existing chronic diseases.

A change in diet and nutrition comes as the first step. This can include choosing food with high iron content like poultry, meat, and seafood. Eating food rich in Vitamin C like fruits and dark green leafy vegetables can help enhance iron absorption.

For people with erratic schedules, managing a diet can pose as a challenge. Taking Multivitamins Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) can help keep iron deficiency anemia away as it helps the body get the nutrients and minerals it needs.

Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) is an iron supplement with vitamins and minerals that helps replenish iron stores and increase red blood cell levels in the body. It has ferrous gluconate, a type of iron salt which has better absorption in the body, Folic acid, and vitamin B12, which are vital for production of red blood cells. It also contains Vitamin C which helps improve iron absorption, and Copper sulphate and manganese sulphate that helps in the metabolic processes of blood cell production.

How Iron sufficiency plays a part in maintaining strong immunity

Micronutrients have an important role in regulating immune function, metabolism, and enzymes. Iron is an essential micronutrient that is needed by the enzymes to help maintain body immunity which can help protect the body against infection.

There are certain enzymes in white blood cells that are affected by the iron levels in the body. So, when Iron is deficient, the levels of enzymes in white blood cells are also reduced, and this can affect the body’s ability to fight off infections.

When you live an action-packed lifestyle, even when you’re just working from home but juggling multiple responsibilities, do not ignore the constant feeling of exhaustion. Fulfilling your daily intake of Iron can help support your body as you go through your daily activities.

Maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet, practicing various exercises, and taking Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) which acts as an iron supplement, can help manage symptoms or prevent Iron Deficiency Anemia. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

---

"Iron-Deficiency Anemia." National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/iron-deficiency-anemia

"Iron Deficiency Anemia A Key Problem For Schools And Employers" Calgary Herald, https://calgaryherald.com/health/diet-fitness/iron-deficiency-anemia-a-key-problem-for-schools-and-employers

"About-Sangobion." Sangobion, https://www.sangobion.sg/about-sangobion

"Anemia Prevention." Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3929-anemia/prevention

BDO honors David Medalla’s Legacy

BDO Unibank honors Filipino artist David Medalla, who passed away on December 28, 2020.

It commemorates Medalla’s legacy with the continued display of his sculpture, "Cloud Canyons No. 31," at the lobby of its Corporate Center in Ortigas (CCO).

"Cloud Canyons No. 31" found its way to CCO for bank employees, clients, and visitors to enjoy in 2019. Before coming home to the Philippines, it was exhibited in the Hepworth Wakefield art museum in England when Medalla was one of the shortlisted artists for the inaugural Hepworth Wakefield Prize for Sculpture in 2016. It is made of plexiglas tubes, wood, fibreglass, water, soap, and oxygenators, and is part of a series often referred to as the "bubble machines." 

Mara Coson, who oversees the BDO Art Collection, said of Medalla’s passing:

"David Medalla was magnetic. He lived a life that drew people in while he himself could not be contained. He left the world with stories so wild and infinite they can never all be told."

Medalla was born in Manila in 1942, with literary and visual genius uniquely attributable only to his bright spirit. His biography is too vast for a short note, and is kept alive by the many who encountered him along his life’s adventures, strangers and friends, periods from explorations of kinetic art in the 1960s and beyond to performances anywhere, and travel whether physical or otherwise. He spent his life around the world, at home everywhere and still home was also the Philippines, where he died peacefully.

A LEGACY TO HONOR. David Medalla visited the BDO Corporate Center Ortigas during the inauguration of his sculpture, “Cloud Canyons No. 31,” on August 31, 2019

"More than ever, we must make sure the bubbles of Cloud Canyons No. 31 continue endlessly and fully in our care—and most of all, welcome to the public to experience these clouds for always. We will do Medalla proud."

"When you visit the bubble machine, I encourage you take a moment to wish David the best for his next life, as he dances with ease among the brightest galaxies"