Topnotch Lab Can Detect Immunologic Causes Of Failed Pregnancies

Blood is one of the most important elements of the human body. Whenever there is suspicion of disease or infection, the usual first course of action is to test the blood for definitive evidence.

There are numerous tests for the blood to determine a person's state of health. The most common tests are the complete blood count (CBC), fasting/random blood sugar, cholesterol, lipid profile, blood urea nitrogen, and dengue.

Moreover, there are special blood tests that determine one’s immunologic condition. Since these blood tests are important tools in diagnosis, they should be readily available and results should be accurate and prompt. Most hospitals and laboratories, with their large number of patients, usually take a few days to release test results.

Bloodworks logo

But there is a reputable laboratory in Katipunan, Quezon City that guarantees fast results , i.e. within 24 hours from blood extraction, and which can be electronically sent to the patients. Moreover, it offers home service to patients in the surrounding communities. 

Bloodworks Lab offers extensive immunologic tests which have been significantly used by obstetricians in managing patients with unexplained, repeated miscarriages and those with difficulty in conceiving. Immunologic tests conducted in Bloodworks include:  APAS , Basic and Comprehensive Immunology Panels, Lymphocyte Subset Enumeration Panels, and other Immunology / Serology tests.

Bloodworks uses the latest, state-of-the-art equipment in its 
lab along with new design elements to provide a relaxing 
but professional ambiance

Bloodworks Lab is the only stand alone lab in the country that offers these extensive immunologic tests. It has the latest, state-of-the-art equipment, among which is its own 4-color flow cytometer (the third of its kind in the Philippines) and employs competent, professionally certified medical technologists. It takes pride in its topnotch and professional staff led by Immuno-Pathologist Dr. Arvin C. Faundo, a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine Class 1996, specializing in Hematopathology and Stem Cell Transplantation with training from  Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA; and Bloodworks’ Chief Medical Technologist, Mary Antonette Menciano, who is trained in the Clinical Immunology Laboratory of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago, Illinois, for reproductive immunology testing.

The facade of Bloodworks lab in Katipunan

The BD FACSCalibur™ Flowcytometer platform (above in Bloodworks) offers a unique modular approach to flowcytometry and allows users to perform both cell analysis and cell sorting in an innovative single bench-top system. Designed with multicolor application support in mind, the BD FACSCalibur flow cytometer provides flexibility to support a wide variety of research and clinical applications. The system supports a wide variety of research and clinical applications and is complemented by a broad suite of intuitive software solutions to streamline analysis for a wide range of applications including enumeration of lymphocyte subsets, stem cells, residual white blood cells, and reticulocytes.

The Lab  also offers routine tests for blood, urine, and stool. It also offers special packages designed for  specific sectors  like the Well-Being Package, Diet/Weight Management Package, Senior Citizen's Check Up, Pre-Employment Package, and Cancer Screening Tests such as Prostrate, Ovarian and Colon.

The J&J Vitros 250 is a fully automated chemical analyzer
and one of the hi-tech equipment found in the lab

Bloodworks has already served numerous, satisfied patients in the past two years since its opening in September 2012, because of its comprehensive and efficient services and the convenience it offers in the delivery of these services.

Bloodworks Lab is conveniently located in Elizabeth Hall, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City with a satellite office at Civic Drive, Filinvest, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. For further inquiries, call 426-0237, 0925-3795611 or visit their website at www.bloodworkslab.com and Facebook page BLOODWORKS.

By Paolo Angelo Florenda with Bloodworks PR as basis

SINGAPORE'S OWL COFFEE CREATES A STIR IN PHL

I have to admit I'm an addict! To coffee that is. I cannot resist its aroma wherever I go. Coffee is part of my life. Whether in a meeting, chillaxing at home, working on my desk or just watching TV, you will mostly see me with a hot cup of joe. Heck I even do it while dumping! But I'm more fond of coffee in a sachet because of its convenience. And it's easier to prepare than brewed.

Just recently, I got an Owl Coffee complimentary pack from a business partner who flew in from Singapore. He said he normally brings this as pasalubong (Filipino term for homecoming treat) for family and friends. The kind that I got was Nanyang White Coffee that comes with creamer and sugar just like the photo below borrowed from Kumagcow.com.

I was immediately hooked. I used to buy loads of 3 in 1 white coffee from a local brand but now this is my guy.

As I'm composing this blog entry, I'm sipping on one :-)

OWL STORY

Owl Coffee if you search on the net is a known coffee brand from Singapore. It also has strong presence in the underlying regions of Southeast Asia such as Malaysia and Indonesia.

I was surprised they've a lot of variants. They even have ginger tea which to us Filipinos is good old Salabat. This is good news since Filipinos like to try new flavors and things.

Here are the different variants as culled from their online press release:

"OWL Coffee comes in several variants such as Everyday Favorites 3-in-1 Strong, and 3-in-1 Regular Low Fat for diet conscious individuals.  They also have the Kopitiam Roast selection deriving its distinct taste from Singapore’s coffee shop culture that includes Kopi Siew Dai with Less Sugar, and Kopi-C which features evaporated milk as its creamer giving it a creamy smooth taste.  Next in line is the Nanyang White Coffee line.  Known for its strong, robust flavor without the bitter aftertaste, OWL’s White Coffee Gula Melaka is sweetened with coconut sugar for a unique aromatic blend.  For those who are not too fond of coffee, OWL has its Teh Tarik (Milk Tea) and Ginger Tea w/ Honey which are both great for a soothing morning and afternoon beverage."

Some of the popular variants of Owl.
(Borrowed from LivingMarjorney.com)

I also saw in their Philippine Facebook page that they're launching a mascot called Boy Owl. Oh boy, he has lots of cute photos doing human things such as exercising, working on a laptop, drinking coffee etc. I think he'll be a hit with the girls and kids.

Here's a glimpse of Boy Owl in Action.

I think the mascot symbolizes the brand's advocacy for living a full and balanced life.

Check out more of their latest media release below for more info. You can also like their official Facebook page here Owl Philippines and get updates on products and promos.

They are also running a contest in this blog The Peach Kitchen. 

CATCH THE OWL!

One of Singapore’s most well-loved brands, OWL Coffee & Tea, has something up its feathery sleeves. The OWL brand, known in Southeast Asia for its assorted gourmet coffee and tea concoctions in a pack, introduces its cute, cuddly and responsible mascot simply named Boy Owl.  He exudes the inherent brand values of OWL such as  living a full life as well as being an advocate of a balanced lifestyle.“By drinking OWL Coffee to keep him on the go, Boy Owl engages in a lot of everyday  activities.  With a mantra of work hard-play hard, it’s no surprise that on any given day you can catch him working in the office, traveling to new places, playing sports, doing exercises, or just simply helping people in need.  He embodies the best of what we can be.& says Daniel Lin, OWL Export Manager for Southeast Asia.

So if you see this large feathered friend around, get your smart-phones or digital cameras ready and be sure to practice that perfect smile before clicking those selfies.  He’s gonna be in the malls, in parks, in schools, and on the street.

As a bird, it’s easy to get around with those wings.  Keep your eyes on the lookout.  Who knows, you might also get the chance to get OWL Coffee samples from this generous bird if the timing is right.  Check out more photos of Boy Owl in OWL Coffee Philippine’s official Facebook fan page by simply liking (https://www.facebook.com/OwlCoffeePhilippines) and keep up to date with what’s happening in the world of OWL.  There’s the usual information and tidbits on the various flavors of OWL Coffee & Tea as well as regular giveaways - so don’t forget to take a peek from time to time.

OWL is proud of its famous, traditional brewing methods since 1956.  Its blends owe their unique flavor and aroma to the world-renowned coffee growing regions along the straits of Malacca, the prevalent coffee culture in Singapore, as time-tested recipes crafted for your enjoyment.

The brand was recently launched in the Philippines through a press-conference made  more interesting with a coffee talk and various, fun games.

OWL Coffee comes in several variants such as Everyday Favorites 3-in-1 Strong, and 3-in-1 Regular Low Fat for diet conscious individuals.  They also have the Kopitiam Roast selection deriving its distinct taste from Singapore’s coffee shop culture that includes Kopi Siew Dai with Less Sugar, and Kopi-C which features evaporated milk as its creamer giving it a creamy smooth taste.  Next in line is the Nanyang White Coffee line.  Known for its strong, robust flavor without the bitter aftertaste, OWL’s White Coffee Gula Melaka is sweetened with coconut sugar for a unique aromatic blend.  For those who are not too fond of coffee, OWL has its Teh Tarik (Milk Tea) and Ginger Tea w/ Honey which are both great for a soothing morning and afternoon beverage.

OWL is available in all leading supermarkets and groceries nationwide.  The &Owl Made Me Do It& just wrapped up its 1^st wave of 13 buildings in the metro’s various business districts.Keep an eye out as the 2^nd wave starts soon probably in a venue near you.  The campaign sets up sampling booths and information kiosks in major business hubs, BPO centers, corporate  buildings and food parks where classy baristas serve free OWL Coffee & Tea blends.

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

TRANSFORMERS AGE OF EXTINCTION: A PRIMER

Optimus Prime rides Dinobot leader Grimmlock

Optimus Prime, the charismatic leader
of the Autobots

The Metal Mayhem has begun! I know everybody's eager to watch the latest spectacle of Michael Bay that opened today. But before doing so, let me give you a primer on what to expect from this steel and shrapnel theatrics.

1. Director Michael Bay, unintentionally or otherwise, showcased the economic might of the World's second superpower China through the colossal battle in Guangdong. The film subliminally highlighted China's most progressive province, home to most of the World's valuable brands. As a backdrop and through sweeping imagery, Guangdong's towering buildings and huge production facilities figured prominently, demonstrating the highly touted Chinese economic invasion. I saw glimpses of corporate structures of Philips and Samsung during the massive fight sequences. Fortunately, they weren't destroyed 😉

2. The movie kinda harks back to its earlier permutations. Early in the film and similar to the first installment, sweeping camera angles and country and 80's music fittingly accompanied the relationship narrative of new recruits Mark Wahlberg and Nicola Peltz who played his daughter.

Superstar Mark Wahlberg topbills the latest
Transformers film

3. I was silently and fervently hoping for a romantic sub-plot similar to the first film, which I think was one of the biggest selling points of the franchise, but sadly there is non. The initial awkwardness and clumsiness of Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) in courting bombshell Mikaela Banes (Megan Fox) was a hit. I think because average people can definitely relate to his character. It even made Fox a poster girl for hotness for a few years. It also made 80's New Wave music hot again.

4. I'm quite disappointed with the Dinobots' bland introduction and limited roles. They were relegated to beasts of burden by Optimus Prime. To make matters worse, they don't speak but growl. This is farthest from the original 80's classic cartoons where the Dinobots have different, funny and interesting personalities albeit short in IQ, which a dinosaur should be, given their pea-sized brains. Their one liners were the comedic highlights in that series. In fact, the presence of the Dinobots in the show got the highest ratings and was highly anticipated.

Meet the new and menacing Dinobots!

5. The screeching metal noises that were very prominent and irritating in the second and third installments were toned down a bit here. Now it was a pleasure to watch the transforming and battle scenes. The shrill noises made by clashing and rubbing metals were turned into ambient (background) sound.

6. Despite some of its few misses and its  exaggerated storytelling, I must say the actions scenes and compelling imagery and CGI were the best in the series.

So go ahead and watch it! Immerse yourself in the pure pleasure of a true cinematic experience. After all, this is the essence of watching a movie.

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

Want Whiter Teeth? Do this very simple trick!

Everybody wants whiter and clean teeth. Who doesn't? Maybe the unhygienic few. I know you can relate to this scenario: Walking towards you is a hot and attractive woman, you were spellbound until she smiled, with a hepatitic teeth (yellowish darn it)! It has been proven that having clean and attractive teeth can increase one's charm level tenfold. Believe me. Just ask any chick!

Anyways, I will veer away temporarily from my usual blog topics and instead give my huge contribution to mankind: My own Lifehacks...

This very easy trick is guaranteed to make your teeth whiter, cleaner and attractive, not to mention healthier. And of course, you can save on toothpaste costs.

Ready? Here goes....

When applying toothpaste, make sure to squeeze it as deep as you can in your toothbrush. See my own illustration below (pardon for the low quality photo).

The secret here is that the deeper the toothpaste, the more you utilize its cleaning power because the brush holds it better. This is in contrast to just applying a pea-sized paste on top of the brush which is a common practice. Most of it is just wasted when you brush. Even the dental industry promotes this pea-sized practice, just look at the instruction section of your toothpaste tube.

Makes sense right? If in doubt, I got this idea from one of the most reputable and popular toothpaste brands when I was shopping for a new one. {source}

Of course combine this with your usual at-least-twice-a-day brushing regimen and avoidance of highly colored drinks such as coffee, tea, chocolate etc. and you're on your way as the next Close-Up model!

Happy brushing!

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

MOCHA GIRLS BEWARE, BATCHMATES ARE HERE!

The Batchmates

The hotness of summer was a very good backdrop for the launch of a hot, new all girl, sexy sing-and-dance group! The Batchmates are out to conquer the profitable male entertainment scene in the mold of the Mocha Girls. In fact they are out to prove that they are better and raunchier than the Mocha Girls!

I was invited to document their press launch recently as a blogger. It was held at the old Padis Point bar in the Timog Circle area. I was with a group of bloggers and my staff Mae in a PR agency when we came in a tad late. I was quite surprised that the venue was jampacked with veteran reporters and writers from different traditional media outfits such as from TV, broadsheets and tabloids. They were already performing when we got to our comfortable ringside seats. I was impressed by their dance moves and choreography. I wasn't surprised since I was told two of them came from the Mocha Girls. Their main choreographer Aura Balington previously from the Mocha Girls is one hot chick and burns the dance floor with sleek moves. I think she is schooled in the hip hop genre judging by her steps.

 

The Batchmates

Being in marketing I've seen girl groups come and go but it's safe to say that Aura, Sophy, Marie, Cath, Jonah and Vasy will be here for the long haul because of their talents, both individual and as a group and their beauty. Not to mention their oozing sex appeal! I also saw some of the numerous write-ups after the press launchand I should say their PR machinery is doing good at the moment.

 

During their album press launch at Padis Point Timog

Their self titled album has cuts that are danceable and I think would sell well with the masa market. The songs are a cross between Sexbomb Dancers and Mocha Girls. Mostly are original novelty songs while some are revivals. Cuts include Feel Like Dance, Boom Para Boom, 'Dina Mahal, Hora at Giling.

 

Me with one of the members after the event

Given the right exposure which I think they are doing now, the Batchmates can easily glide to stardom. Of course it will be an uphill battle given that they dont still have the support of a major network or major product endorsements. But because of the backing of their popular manager Lito De Guzman who has a proven track record for discovering great talents such as Ynez Veneracion, the Baywalk Bodies, Hazel Espinosa etc. I think they are on the right track.

During the prescon you can see that the girls are all business. They were prim and proper while being interviewed or should I say grilled by the naughty entertainment press. Among them I think Aura and Sophy commands stage presence more than the rest.

They were also packaged right with the right kind of curves and bossoms (hehe) you know what I mean and talent. Although I would say their customs during their launch was a bit too exaggerated for my taste. They should've worn more revealing but tasteful outfits. Nevertheless I enjoyed their performance and overall I would say that given the right publicity, opportunity and image management, these girls will definitly reach success soon.

 

With Sophy, one of the Batchmates
and a good friend

For news, more info and show schedules, like their official Facebook Page "Batchmates".

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

Effective Detection of the Dreaded Colon (Colorectal) Cancer

Due to today's unhealthy and stressful lifestyle and  the proliferation of environmentally harmful & man-made toxic chemicals in all forms, cancer is now considered one of the most prevalent, destructive ailments known to man. Although cancer has been around since the earliest of our ancestors, it is only now where we're experiencing its widespread effects. I'm pretty sure each one of us has had a relative, friend or colleague who was diagnosed with, or worse, killed by cancer. In an article published in Men's Health, cancer is now the leading cause of man's death next only to heart disease.

From left to right: Dr. Ellie May B. Villegas (medical oncologist & Philippine Society of Medical Oncology vice president), Dr. Ramy Roxas (colorectal surgeon & ASEAN Society of Colorectal Surgeons president), Merla Rose Reyes (senior social insurance specialist, Philhealth) & Prof. Diena Oroceo (colorectal cancer survivor) during the "Join Our Bowel Movement" press forum held at Hotel Intercon, Makati City. Photo courtesy of Martin Punzalan of FAME Inc.

In a medical forum called "JOIN OUR BOWEL MOVEMENT" organized by Merck Serono, Philhealth and the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology attended by this humble blogger, the seriousness and extent of cancer, specifically colorectal cancer (CRC) or commonly known as colon cancer, was discussed extensively. 

Diagram of colorectal cancer

Attending this forum was for me an eye-opener in terms of the public's lack of information on its causes, cures and prevention. This dreaded disease I found out can be cured if detected early with a simple screen test  called KRAS or Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homology offered by both public and private hospitals. I was also surprised by its availability and easy access. Well KRAS in my humble understanding of the matter as provided by the event's press kit, is a post test of CRC tumors that determines the best possible treatment for the disease. I am publishing below an actual photo/diagram of a colorectal cancer tumor to give you a scare and encourage you to get a screen test for CRC immediately (LOL).

Kidding aside, I asked Dr. Ramy Roxas, one of the resource speakers and president of the ASEAN Society of Colorectal Surgeons, on how to prevent this type of cancer and his answer was simple but very sensible, "Get yourself screened as soon as possible even if you don't feel any symptoms." Of course, this is aside from doing all the right stuff such as eating healthy, exercising daily and just adopting a healthy & fit lifestyle.

To understand more about this dreaded cancer and the best possible treatments and early interventions such as the KRAS & KRAS Testing, visit their website www.merck.ph, www.merckserono.com, or call their Philippine office numbers at (02) 815-4067 & (02) 818-3632.

I am also publishing the full press release of the event below to give you a better understanding of KRAS and colorectal cancer.

Again, I enjoin everyone especially my dear readers to always be aware of everything especially matters regarding one's health. Who knows? You might be facing a life and death situation. I never knew the dangers and prevalence of colorectal cancer if it weren't for this informative forum.

Be aware, spread the word and let's all join the "Bowel Movement"!

************************************************************************

Press Release

KRAS biomarker guides Doctors on the most appropriate cancer therapy

Eight years ago, Reynaldo G., a 52 year old businessmen thought he had everything going great for him. His business was thriving well, he received awards for his accomplishments, and he was at the peak of his career.

He noted streaks of blood in his stools which he thought was just due to his hemorrhoids. He underwent an executive check-up and after his colonoscopy, it seemed like the world cave in on him when he was told by his attending physician that he had a tumor in his colon or large intestines.

Biopsy results confirmed that it was cancerous. He underwent surgery which cut a good part of his intestines  to get rid of the cancerous mass completely. He also underwent a complete course of anti-cancer chemotherapy. As of his latest check-up, there’s no indication of any tumor recurrence, and he’s considered cured of his colon cancer.

Not all patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) are as lucky as Reynaldo. Some are diagnosed too late when the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body; or for some, the cancer cells may not be that responsive to the chosen chemotherapy.

A host of medical experts an  advocates held a press conference on March 22 to raise awareness on CRC and a the first biomarker in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer, which helps determine the best anti-cancer therapy suitable for the patient who have a metastatic disease.

The KRAS (Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homology) determines the specific subtypes of CRC which will indicate the most suitable and effective targeted treatment for the patient. The majority of patients with CRC are in the KRAS Wild type (65 percent) while Mutant KRAS is found in 35 percent of cases. Having the tumors screened for KRAS mutations after diagnosis of mCRC is recommended before any treatment is done. This guides the doctor in determining the most suitable anti-cancer therapy for the patient, sparing him or her from unnecessary costs and side-effects.

The Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, PhilHealth, and Merck Serono have banded together in organizing “Join our Bowel Movement,” a press conference with talks by the country’s top colorectal cancer experts and advocates.

Lectures by Dr. Felycette Gay Lapus, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO) president; Dr. Ellie May B. Villegas, PSMO vice president; Dr. Ramy Roxas, ASEAN society of Colorectal Surgeons president and TMC Colorectal Clinic director; Merla Rose D. Reyes, RPh., PhilHealth Senior Social Insurance Specialist; and Prof. Diena Oroceo, CRC survivor were held on topics ranging from CRC treatment and diagnosis up to a CRC Survivor’s chronicle.

Dr. Villegas talked about CRC screening and diagnosis in her “Check your Colon” talk, and CRC treatment in her “Put your Rear on Gear” talk. Dr. Roxas discussed surgery in CRC in “Cutting Edge” while Reyes talked about the “Government Joining the Bowel Movement.” Prof. Oroceo shared CRC from a survivor’s point-of-view.

CRC begins when normal cells in the lining of the colon or rectum change and grow uncontrollably, forming a polyp which grows to become a malignant tumor.

According to Dr. Villegas, “Recent studies show that cetuximab and panitumamab do not work as well for tumors that have specific mutations to a gene called KRAS.”

The American Society of Clinical Oncology released a provisional clinical opinion recommending that all patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who may receive anti-EFGR therapy have their tumors tested for KRAS gene mutations.

KRAS plays an important role in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway. KRAS is a gene that codes one of the proteins of EGFR.

KRAS protein regulates other proteins in the EGFR pathway, which is related to tumor survival, angionesis, proliferation, and metastasis.

KRAS genes come in two types – KRAS wild-type and mutant KRAS. KRAS protein in the latter type has the KRAS protein perpetually “turned-on” and does not need activation by an upstream EGFR-mediated signaling. KRAS wild-type on the other hand means that the protein will only be temporarily activated in response to stimuli like EGFR signaling.

XXX 

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

SHIFT-ing to cycling & walking to preserve the environment!

Running and biking are two of the hottest sports/hobbies today in the country simply because of its convenience and easy-going nature. I was invited by Chris Sports, the country's leading sports retail shop and fitness advocate Arleen Lindo, to join and cover as a blogger this very interesting run & bike event to launch "SHIFT", a clean and green project whose brainchild are surprisingly college students of UP Diliman. My hats off to these students who are already responsible & concerned citizens at such young ages. This project basically advocates cycling and walking as safer, healthier and environment-friendly forms of transportation.  Well, as a consequence of using bicycles and one's two feet as transportation, road safety is also promoted. Some countries like Vietnam, China etc. are already upholding cycling as their number one mode of transport. I also know some top executives of leading companies ditching their BMWs, Porches, Benzes for bicycles in going to work. 

Again I sincerely hope this trend continues and the green bug bites every Filipino. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, being a rider afficionado himself, is now implementing a bicycle program in EDSA which is a good start. Good deeds and habits should start from the top. This will inspire everyone to join the bandwagon.

Going back to SHIFT, the competition will be held on March 24, 2013 at the UP Academic Oval in UP Diliman at 1PM. Please see the contact details and the contents of the event booklet below for more info on this event and how to join.

Like us: facebook.com/upshift2013

Tweet us: @UPshift2013

Visit our website: tinyurl.com/upshift2013

Download your registration form here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/127914202/Shift-Downloadable-Registration-Form

Let us go green and support the cycling revolution! Help SHIFT preserve the environment by SHIFT-ing to cycling and walking from driving gas-guzzling motorcycles and automobiles!                    

                                         ****************************

SHIFT EVENT BOOKLET

SHIFT OVERVIEW

This project was born out of the students’ desire to have a secure parking space for their bicycles when travelling inside the campus and to reinforce the advocacy of biking as a greener transportation alternative. Major buildings at the University of the Philippines lack the appropriate racks where students can securely park their greener mode of transportation. Since parking space for bicycles were very limited, students were discouraged to use bicycles. The idea of impracticality of riding a bicycle due to the drastic changes in weather also affected the number of students who use bicycles to transfer from one class to another. The “SHIFT” team, the group behind the project, decided to create an event that would not only benefit the welfare of the students but also launch a cycling revolution that can save the environment. One of the goals of the project is to address environmental issues such as the excessive emission of greenhouse gases caused by vehicles thus paving the way for a campaign for cleaner air by SHIFT-ing to greener alternatives when travelling. In addition, road safety has also been one of the off shoots of this activity since a lot of cycling accidents happen because of the lack of cycling lanes and education of the everyday motorists about road sharing. The boom of Fun Run events compelled the team to include running as a part of the event. Since running is also one of the top recreations in the university and has been a recent trend at the metro, it became a magnet for the involvement of more people in the advocacy. This event, projected to happen on March 24, 2013 in the UP Academic Oval and some major roads in the vicinity, is hoped to be the first of many advocacy events for cleaner air and road safety for our pedestrians, joggers, and cycling enthusiasts alike.

Moreover, the profits of the event will go to the promotion of cycling as a greener choice in transportation. It will benefit the welfare of the students through the installation of bicycle racks in major buildings in UP Diliman and the launching of a rent-a-bike program in the University.

BENEFICIARY

University of the Philippines, Diliman

Students and Faculty alike bring bicycles to school. They ride it from building to building but usually, the parking for their bicycles prove to be a problem. It's either the parking space for the bicycles are too far from the building, or these parking spaces are just makeshift ones from the railings of stairs and PWD ramps. Bikes are an investment. The safety of these will ensure their continued usage. The bike racks will be installed near the entrances of the main buildings of UP Diliman, such as colleges, dormitories, and offices, to guarantee the sustainability of our campaign to shift to greener alternatives of transportation by providing safe venues for parking bicycles and other wheeled means of transpo.

MISSION 

Shift for a clean air drift. The mission of SHIFT is to advocate for greener transportation alternatives such as biking and walking. SHIFT-ing will be a stepping stone towards reducing greenhouse gases and eventually stopping climate change. VISION SHIFT launches a cycling and running revolution that can save the environment. The proceeds of the project benefits students through the installation of bicycle racks inside UP Diliman campus, launching of rent-a-bike program and most importantly the reinforcement of advocating greener transportation alternatives. The Shift Team envisions UP Diliman as a green and eco-friendly campus where students take part in the solution and not contribute to the pollution. By using bicycles, walking and even running as means of transport, students already take part in the green revolution towards having a clean air.

GREENER TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES 

Transportation is the leading source of greenhouse gas emission accounting to 20%. The increasing number of vehicles in the Philippines specifically in Metro Manila has drastically increased the weight of transportation emission among other greenhouse gas emission sectors. Generally, the rising concentration of greenhouse gases causes an increase in the average temperature of the earth. Climate change is the effect of the rising of the Earth’s temperature thus producing changes in weather, sea levels and land use patterns. One way of saving the Earth from the greenhouse gases generated from vehicles is to “shift” to greener transportation alternatives such as riding a bicycle or walking. Tweaking our lifestyle and changing our modes of travel by embracing greener transportation alternatives can heal the environment from its ailing condition. Not only will the effort to shift to greener transportation alternative be of great help in reducing greenhouse gases but it also has a lot of health benefits, from losing weight to improving mental concentration. A study conducted in Frontiers of Aging Neuroscience at the University of Illinois found out that walking for 40 minutes three times a week can enhance the connectivity of brain circuits and increase performance on cognitive tasks.

Cycling’s health benefit allows bike commuters to lose 15-20 pounds during their first year in the saddle without changing their eating habits. Walking and cycling do not just have health benefits but they also help the government or rather the taxpayers in saving money patching potholes and resurfacing city streets.

ROAD SAFETY

Road accident ranks fourth in the top ten causes of death in the Philippines and ninth all over the world. From January to June 2012, 40,033 road accidents happened in Metro Manila which translates to an average of 220 accidents per day. The data came from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System as reported by Philippine Daily Inquirer on December 2012. According to a study conducted by University of the Philippines Institute of Civil Engineering (UP ICE) Assistant Professor Hilario Sean Palmiano which was reported on Yahoo Philippines on August 28, 2012, buses, both public and private, have the highest accident rates among all vehicles in Metro Manila. He said that there is a higher likelihood of getting into a road accident if you rode a bus rather than any other mode of transport. He also mentioned in his study that the average cost of the damages of road accidents is Php 105 billion which is equivalent to 2.6% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. On the average, Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Assistant Secretary Dante Lantin said that 73-79% of a road accident accounts to the driver’s error while 11-18% accounts to vehicle’s mechanical defects. The Department of Health launched information campaigns and implemented technical measures regarding road safety but the statistics continued to be alarming. In 2010, vehicular accident was the number one cause of external injury based on the data from National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. Almost one out of three Filipinos who were brought to the emergency room for external injury was related to road accident. Since the first step of solving a problem is identifying that there is one, road experts teamed up with “Ang Pinaka”, GMA News TV’s edu-tainment countdown show and listed the top 10 most common causes of road accidents in the Philippines:

1. Drive Error 

2. Drunk Driving 

3. Lost Control 

4. Inattentively Moving Backwards 

5. Lost Brakes 

6. Bad Turning 

7. Mechanical Malfunction 

8. Avoided Hitting a Pedestrian 

9. Avoided Hitting Another Vehicle 

10. Bad Overtaking

Road safety has really become a crucial issue in the Philippines. Assistant Secretary Lantin projected that in 2020, road accidents can be the main cause of mortality in 2020 if there will be no intervention and initiatives done to solve the problem.

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

MINT COLLEGE, REVOLUTIONIZING EDUCATION

Education for me is one of the most important aspects of human life. So much so that as early as now, I’m seriously shopping around for a very good & stable education plan for my 3 year old kid. I was lucky enough to afford good education. However, due to my impulsiveness and anti-social stance during my formative years, I wasn’t able to fully capitalize on this privilege given by my parents. But I don’t regret it because it made me a better and stronger individual in all aspects of my life like family, relationships and work. I learned all the tricks of the street trade or what we call ‘diskarte’ from the school of Hard Knocks.

A snapshot of their website showing the free iPad for enrollees.

A visit to Meridian International or simply MINT College, one of the most progressive schools I have encountered, brought back memories of my college days sans the traditional settings. You see MINT is, as far as I know, the only iPad-enabled educational institution in the country. As everyone knows, an iPad is a popular computer tablet made by Apple. Hendrix Kiamzon, MINT’s amiable chief marketing officer and marketing program head, said that upon enrolment a student is given an iPad to own as a vital part of their learning process and curriculum. “The iPad serves as our primary learning tool & platform for all our education materials like e-books, exams etc.”

Me and my business partner Nico Cando were also quite astonished about MINT’s non-traditional set-up. Normally, a traditional Philippine school has the same monotonous, brick-and-mortar design for its classrooms. In MINT, classrooms have different set-ups and interior designs depending on the subjects being tackled. The rooms take on a futuristic feel and they are classified according to very interesting names such as Menthol, Spearmint, Peppermint, Lemonmint get the drift? The usual blackboards are replaced with large LCD screens and interactive whiteboards. I particularly liked the room where the students, while learning, can lounge around with its cozy beanbags and airy, bright interiors. For me, an interesting and highly-technological concept that veers away from the common clinical type classrooms is a good motivator for a student to go to class. I remember almost always forcing myself to wake up and drag myself to school. My only inspirations in going to school were really to hang-out with the barkadas, dressing up and of course the gorgeous gals!

Another interesting thing about MINT is the program heads of the different course or colleges who are all luminaries in their fields. In a traditional set-up, we call them ‘deans’. Just recently, they got the talented Ms. Pinky Amador as their program head for theater arts. To refresh you, Amador is the daughter of the late theater arts luminary Zenaida Amador and a veteran in both the local and international theater scenes, having had stints in such prestigious Broadway musicals such as Ms. Saigon. Pinky has designed a program that stimulates a professional environment where students develop their areas of expertise and enrich their technical and marketing know-how across the theater arts industry.

What I like about their unique programs is that it incorporates academic theories with real world experience which I think should always be what a school is. MINT is essentially a revolution in education that seeks to provide state-of-the-art, progressive & cutting edge learning processes steeped in collaboration, creativity and applied academics. 

The students of MINT are sure to get quality education with their state-of-the-art equipment
and learning tools and of course their well designed programs

Because of their trailblazing concepts, they were featured in GMA News TV and other leading media programs. Kiamzon also shared that they are big in awareness campaigns utilizing social media and the Internet in general. He showed us their 80,000 plus fans in their Facebook page, a surprising feat considering their infancy (they started operations a year ago).

Look who we bumped into, Actress Nikka Valencia of Ang TV fame (middle). My partner
Nico Cando (left) gives the thumbs up for MINT

I would highly endorse MINT’s brand of education to my friends and colleagues. In fact if my kid could only enrol I wouldn't have second thoughts. I'm pretty sure this school will eventually reach intelligent parents who only want the best education for their kids.

Anyway, if you’re interested just go to their website www.mintcollege.com or ring them up @ (632) 223-6468 and look for the accommodating & helpful Hendrix Kiamzon.

By Paolo Angelo Florenda