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

10 THINGS A SALESMAN CAN LEARN FROM FARMERS

This is by far one of the most insightful & metaphorical articles on selling I've encountered!

Who would have known that a simple farmer, unknowingly, can impart remarkable knowledge to professional sales people & help advance their career? Reading this piece can actually inspire and motivate not only salesmen like us but people who are in the workforce in general. Some vital elements of the write up also serves as guideposts in life as well. The author Carl Dy is an expert in property sales and is the sales director for Ayala Land Premier.

In fact, I'm thinking of producing a series of seminars anchored on this bright concept. Abangan! 

Anyways, I'm publishing it verbatim below. Please share this if you want to. Help us spread good & helpful ideas like this. Enjoy & learn while reading :-)

The saying “What you sow is what you reap” is an age-old, farmer’s adage replete with wisdom that is still very much relevant even in the information and internet age. 

In a salesman’s quest for wisdom, knowledge & of course lots of sales, here are some things we can humbly learn from farmers according to Carl Dy:

1.      Farmers are visionaries – They have a clear vision of what their land will be after months of cultivating it. You will hear nothing but stories of what they did before, during and after a harvest. Similarly, a salesman in general should have a clear picture of where they want to be and what they want to have in the future.

2.      Farmers know their Market – Before they plant, they have identified already where to sell their produce so it can be traded for goods or money. It is very important for a salesman to correctly know who and where to sell his products to.

3.     Farmers set the groundwork – Before the first seed is planted, a farmer makes sure the soil is fertile, and the soil is ideal for the seed to grow. Product knowledge is the groundwork for a salesman. Before you make your 1^st sales call, make sure you know your product by heart. As the famous adage goes “Eat, sleep and breathe with your product”

4.     Farmers understand their crop – Farmers are the experts when it comes to their crops and well farming of course! They know when it bears fruits, what pests attacked it, how weather can affect its growth. A salesman should before anything else be an expert of his product. Knowing all the strengths and weaknesses of the product before he goes to market is tantamount to winning the deal already.

5.     Farmers are focused – Once a farmer goes out into his field, it is just him and his crops. Salesmen should learn to take away time traps (long breaks or chats) or irrelevant disruptions like personal issues during work hours and instead focus on the task at hand. Success will follow easily if you invest heavily in time and effort.

6.     Farmers are patient – They know that the sometimes tedious, daily watering, weeding and pruning is needed so that the crops will be ready when harvest time comes. Similarly, salesmen should learn to be patient and first take good care of their prospects. They should know when the time is right to close the deal.

7.     Farmers are protective – They protect their crops from weeds, pests and diseases by means of pesticides, herbicides and other techniques known only to their industry. A salesman should know how to protect his clients from other predators (sales reps) by keeping them happy and nourishing the relationship continuously.

8.     Farmers pray and have faith – Farmers pray to their Gods for a bountiful harvest. Similarly, it wouldn’t hurt for a salesman to pray to his own God for guidance, support and divine intervention.

9.     Farmers know the right time to harvest – If a crop is harvested early, the crop is no good. Likewise, reaping the fruits when it’s overripe is a no brainer. A salesman should learn the right & appropriate time in closing the deal. He takes a ‘sweet, slow but sure’ route to success.

10.    Farmers don’t linger too much after a yield – They move straight back to preparing the land for the next tilling and planting. Likewise, a salesman who closes a deal should start all over again with all his successful strategies on one hand and all of his vital learning’s on the other before setting his sights to another successful run.

For consultations, Carl Dy can be reached @ 0917-5316310, 02-216.4565 and e-mail: dy.carl@ayalaland.com.ph & dycarl@gmail.com

Here's the author's photo for those of you who are curious about the guy:

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

Let's all "KICK THE HABIT" & run for health this February 26!

At last I found the perfect event cum advocacy for me! The "Kick the Habit" Fun Run seeks to literally kick out all kinds of bad addiction starting with smoking, one of the greatest killers of mankind! I was invited as a blogger and as a former cigarette junkie by a good friend and client Arleen Lindo of Chris Sports during its bloggers night. I was put on the spotlight via a TV interview by sharing my inspiration to kick the smoking habit. I told the crew that my main motivations were: for my own health & family's sake; and to put to rest my nagging conscience. Imagine I was wrestling with him for more than 20 years!

The vital cogs of the Kick The Habit Fun Run @
Chris Sports SM Megamall

Anyways, the event kicked off, no pun intended, with a simple announcement from one of the event partners & actor Alvin Anson. I talked with him beforehand and he said there are big efforts from their group to revive but improve the action film industry which I grew up with. The likes of Robin Padilla, Cesar Montano, the late Rudy Fernandez and other macho stars lorded it over in that era, but that's for another blog post.

Anyways, Anson explained that there are many stakeholders in the run which is one of the most important running advocacies I've encountered. It's a lofty goal specially in the Philippines where two out of five are smokers according to health officials. Included are Chris Sports (a leading sports retail shop), HOP-E foundation, MMDA, Cities of Mandaluyong & Pasig, DOH, Buhay Partylist, Bagong Henerasyon Partylist, Clarity, Agility, Philippine Public Safety College, Philippine Coast Guard, Rotary International, Philippine Coast Guard, and Rotary Paranaque Central.

Me with Alvin Anson (left), veteran actor and
one of the organizers of the event

Me and the MAN himself, Billy Ray Bates 
(right) a.k.a. The Black Superman

I was again introduced to share my "quit smoking" experience together with another gentleman. My deep fervor is to really share my experience to everyone so that they could learn a thing or two from it. And eventually help them not only to quit this very nasty & dangerous habit, but apply the power of persuasion in  their lives.

Bloggers and some traditional media were present during the informal but fun and interactive gathering

Billy Ray Bates, otherwise known as 'Black Superman', who during his prime was the most dominant import in the Philippine Basketball Association, was also part of the core group of celebrity endorsers who spoke about their experience with forms of addiction, in his case alcoholism. He urged the bloggers and media present to quit smoking and drinking and instead get into sports and start a healthy lifestyle.

My wife Karen with popular rapper Young JV

I can't wait to run on Sunday with my wifey because by doing so, it would be the first few steps toward a lofty 'Smoke-free Philippines'. Dreams do turn into reality you know :-)

The Kick The Habit crew with moi in Chris Sports 
SM Megamall

Other activities the Kick the Habit team has lined up are concerts, health seminars, running clinics and various events in Visayas, Mindanao and overseas.

You can register at any Healthway Medical clinic and Chris Sports branch within Metro Manila or they can contact GWorld Inc. at 719-0184, 215-0512 or email: gworldeventspecialists@gmail.com  and Visions in Action Enterprises, Inc.at 740-7074 or email: runproudpinoy@yahoo.com.

Here are some vital highlights of the event's press release for your info:

"Non- smoking advocates, lead by actor/director Cesar Montano, stage actress/ singer Jamie Rivera, PBA/NBA star player Billy Ray Bates, actor /host Alvin Anson, actress/singer/endorser Roxanne Barcelo, dancer/ singer Young JV, social enterpreneur, Jay Lizarondo, lay missionary, Clarke Nebrao, actor and TV personality Victor Aliwalas, businessman Alven Torres, multiple car racer winner Alvin Ng, model Ariane Esperas, celebrity endorser Lana Roi, songwriter Jojo Toledo and civic club officer Ely Fenger in cooperation with the Pasig and Mandaluyong City government, Philippine Sports Commission, MMDA, Healthway Medical, Chris Sports and GWorld Inc., have joined efforts in putting up the 2nd “Kick the Habit Campaign: Run & Love a Healthy Lifestyle” on February 26, 2012 5:00a.m. at the ULTRA, Pasig City."

"Now bigger, the Fun Run with distances of 1K, 3K, 5K and 10K aims to gather 2,000 to 5,000 participants (mostly students who are next in line to carry the campaign) who shall continually embrace “the Healthy and Active Lifestyle.”

"Proceeds of the project will go to the Helping Overcome Poverty Thru Education (HOP- E Foundation)."

See you on Sunday! Let us help this noble group to propagate the dangers smoking and other forms of addiction like alcoholism, drugs, sex etc. bring to mankind. Now is the time to say out loud 'KICK THE HABIT!'

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

Phiten products now sold online

Ron Colmenar, General manager
of SEEMI Inc.,the exclusive
distributor of Phiten in
the Philippines

The Internet offers limitless possibilities for selling and marketing products which is why many businesses have turned to it for expanding their market reach. However, there is more to online selling than just setting up an e-commerce platform in order to be successful in the online marketplace. Ronaldo Colmenar, General Manager of SEEMI Inc., shares some ideas based from their own experience with the online selling of their leading brand of wellness accessories Phiten.


They started selling Phiten online two years ago and according to Colmenar, they have had their share of success and failures with it. One important thing that he has learned from those is that online selling is very from on-floor sales particularly when it comes to coming up with promos aimed at enticing customers. “Merely putting a 70% off banner not work online”, he said. But because the Internet has become a medium for social interaction, he advised that it can be used to reach out to their people in a more personal level and attract potential new clients and gain the loyalty of old ones. “We have to engage them, they have to involved in the brand and the promo”, he added.

A screen shot of their online selling platform (website: www.phitenphil.com)

As an example of engaging the clients, one such promo that he has considered pursuing is a sort or Design Your own Phiten contest in which the winning contestant will get the privilege of having their design produced and named after them. This according to him should get more involvement from the customers not merely as buyers by also as contributors to the brand. They could also solicit the ideas of their clients regarding how they can improve their products through various online interaction media. “The best input we can have after all are those that come from the actual users”, he added.

Necklaces are some of the most 
popular items in the Phiten line

Complemented with timely and exciting promos and social media marketing, Colmenar advised that it is important to always have fresh new products in order to maintain the interest of online clients.

There are numerous Phiten bracelets
to choose from in their online store.
Visit www.phitenphil.com to buy Phiten
items online safely and securely.

Despite the popularity of the Internet among Filipinos, Colmenar noted that the Philippines is still a haven for on-floor sales. Most Pinoys according to him are tactile buyers. “They want to touch and examine the product. They even smell it especially when it is a food product – that is the Pinoy culture”, he said. Online communities nonetheless are a very active market. Engaging with them do not necessarily mean convincing them to buy online, rather more on getting them to support and understand the product regardless of where they buy it.

The proprietary technology behind 
Phiten products, the Phild Process

Colmenar said the Phiten team are cooking up very exciting online promos that Phitenatics can look out for. He urged consumers to visit www.phitenphil.com for all product listings, description and prices. He also urged them to like their Facebook Page www.facebook.com/phitenphilippines & be a follower of their Twitter page Phiten_Phil for exciting promos and contest.

The Rakuwa X30 3 line bracelet
is a hot Phiten item

Colmenar further reiterates that Phiten is not a product that will magically enhance its users’ physical abilities. What is actually does however is that it balances the ions in the body properly in order to enhance the well-being of the individual. Phiten affects wellness. not the performance, “and when a person feels better, they tend to perform better”, he said. Whatever they can do when they feel better is beyond the effects of Phiten already.

Visit a Phiten store just like this in
Rustans Shangrila mall and you might run
into these friendly, helpful and very
knowledgeable sales staff

Buy Phiten products through its website www.phitenphil.com or just visit any of their stores and kiosks in major malls.

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

Relaunch of RedoxFat Slimming Capsules straddles both online and offline media realms

CFM recently handled the relaunch of one of the most popular slimming supplements RedoxFat Slimming capsules exclusively formulated by ATC Healthcare Corp., a respected pharmaceutical company that also produces other popular & trusted brands like Robust, LiverMarin, Wild Tiger Menthol among other dietary supplements. Take note, 50 to 55 traditional (radio,TV, & print) and online (bloggers, web journalists, online eventologists) were on hand to witness the unveiling which I think is our biggest event ever in terms of media attendance. Congrats to our CFM team! Here is our post article on the event:

From left: Arnold Vegafria (manager of Iya), Iya Villania, ATC President Albert Chua, ATC's Carmelo
Espiritu and ATC Marketing Manager Kathleen De Los Santos during the contract signing

People often resort to food supplements to replace a healthy diet of protein and vitamin-rich foods, and moderate physical activity. But health capsules still work best with good eating habits, daily exercise, and the right attitude.  A fitness guru, Coach Chappy Callanta and wellness advocate Dr. Marthony Basco explained how one can make the most out of their dietary supplement during the relaunch of RedoxFat Slimming Capsules, where it unveiled its latest endorser, ABS-CBN star Iya Villania.

Redoxfat Slimming Capsules

“ATC chose Iya Villania as RedoxFat’s endorser because she embodies the lifestyle of our target consumers. Despite her demanding schedule as a sought-after actress, total performer, host, VJ and product endorser, she still manages to stay in tip-top shape and keep her good reputation, “ATC Healthcare Marketing Manager Kathleen De los Santos shares.



Iya gamely answers questions from media
and bloggers during the presscon

Held at Wheatberry’s in Quezon City, the product launch was well-attended by quad media (print, radio, TV and online), friends and supporters. Invited health experts gave talks on weight and stress management, and practical tips on how to lead a healthier lifestyle without breaking the bank.  The guests were served with sumptuous buffet style menu with overflowing drinks. They also participated in ice breaker games were the winners took home two Nokia C2-00 cellphones, while one raffle winner won a Samsung Galaxy Y, courtesy of ATC.



Iya impressed the media with her charms
and wacky attitude



ATC Healthcare’s own brand of diet aid RedoxFat Slimming Capsules has seven times more L-Carnitine than other leading brands--an amino acid known for fat breakdown and muscle development. The pill is made even more powerful with Green Tea extract to assist weight loss, lower cholesterol levels, and release energy channels.  “Our dietary supplements are all 100% natural and passed the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) quality control standards,” adds De los Santos.


“RedoxFat can now be bought in leading pharmacies and wellness stores nationwide. ATC Healthcare is a trusted brand that is why it was very easy for me to accept the project. I feel blessed and happy that ATC trusted me,” Villania shares. “I’ve experienced a new zest of energy when I started using it, which helped me a lot in my dance performances and hosting stints. Not to mention, it made me sexier and healthier.”  

Apart from the unveiling of its new endorser, some of the highlights were the sizzling dance numbers of two Mad Events talents who showed some ledge and belly dancing grooves, and presentations of Coach Callanta and Dr. Basco.

Iya in a photoshoot with Redoxfat

“It is always best to create long-term health goals and programs composed of exercise routines, a menu of healthier food selection, the right mindset, and quality natural healthcare supplements to complement the three,” Coach Callanta stresses in his fitness talk.  “One should have clear objectives and the commitment to be healthy. It is a lifestyle and taking RedoxFat can help jumpstart that.”        

To add to that, Basco, a dietary expert, explained how the weight-loss pill can help reduce the risk of heart and kidney diseases, diabetes, infertility in men, and fatigue. “Obesity poses such health risks and can be a manifestation of unmanaged emotional crises, which should be addressed as well. Lack of sleep and smoking can also contribute to weight gain.”

While maintaining a good and active social life can also improve one’s wellbeing, Basco also advised to keep a healthy spiritual life for peace of mind.

Known as a trusted provider of food supplements, ATC Healthcare continuously provides quality yet affordable products to promote optimum health and wellbeing. “We train our people to become the best service providers, guided by the highest ethical standards to produce the most innovative healthcare products in the market today,” De los Santos enthuses.

The CFM Team w/ Iya Villania. From left: Paolo Florenda, Cristine Abanador,
Shayne Palao, Karen Dizon and Mr. Nico Cando

In addition to RedoxFat Slimming Capsules, ATC has a comprehensive line of healthcare supplements in softgel form:  Aloe Vera, Calcium with Vitamin D, Coenzyme Q10, Fish oil, Evening Primrose, Garlic Oil, Ginkgo Biloba, Ginseng, Grape Seed, Lecithin, LiverMarin, Lycopene, Glutathione, Royal Jelly, and Spirulina. All of these can supplement one’s health needs if taken regularly.

One blister pack of RedoxFat has 30 capsules, and should be taken as a dietary supplement. One can take 2 to 3 capsules a day, after meals. For more information about ATC Healthcare products, call 749-4542 or 743-5183, or visit www.atchealthcare.com.ph.

You can also email inquiries, suggestions, and concerns to atchealthcare@yahoo.com.ph.  RedoxFat Slimming Capsules is available in leading pharmacies and general nutrition centers nationwide.

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

An Easy Way To Save A Life: Run in the 1st Don Henrico's Run!

After a month, I'm now in my second serious run this year. I’ve been nicotine-free for more than a month and I've been periodically hitting the pavement in UP w/ my wife to increase my stamina & endurance. After my Real Life Foundation run, I’m proud to say that my stamina greatly improved. Yesterday I was surprised that I ran the UP Oval twice straight easily and without heavy gasping which is normally associated w/ extreme fatigue. The UP oval is a 2.2 kilometer course. So in effect I was able to accomplish an almost 5k run in a breeze.

The facade of Chris Sports Megamall branch was all abuzz with bloggers
and some traditional media

On Sunday, me and my wife will run in the 1st Don Henrico's Run with the theme "Help Save A Life Today" . Again thanks to Chris Sports, the leading sports retail shop and one of the leading proponents for a fit & healthy lifestyle for Filipinos, we were given 2 complimentary race kits. I'm glad the organizers Don Henrico's, a leading Italian resto chain, is pulling all stops to make this a memorable fun run even if it’s their first time. I'm also glad they gave away not only a singlet but a beautifully designed black finisher shirt. The shirt is good enough for a stroll at the mall.

Me (in red) & the good doctors of Sagip Buhay Foundation. It's their first time to join a run.

Me and Karen partaking of the yummy pizza and food from Don Henrico's

These days, after receiving a G-Shock all Black Titanium watch (I've been looking for this rare masterpiece for years!) and buying a sleekly-designed black-red Phiten Sports cross-type combo (necklace & bracelet), my wardrobe would revolve around them. So I'd wear anything black w/ red elements. The finisher shirt is perfect for my ensemble which includes a dark grey (again w/ red elements hehe) New Balance cross trainer  and a new grey Adidas running shorts which I'll wear for the run.

Chris Sports marketing manager Arleen Lindo (in white sweater) moderated
the bloggers night, which was an informal but intimate event

Arleen Lindo, the amiable marketing manager of Chris Sports, announced during the Bloggers Night for the run at Chris Sports SM Megamall that ALL of the proceeds (take note all!) will go to Sagip Buhay Medical Foundation, an organization that help fund indigent patients of Philippine General Hospital (PGH). It's a very generous and humanitarian gesture indeed of Don Henrico's which is honestly one of my favorite pizza chains. Two things I like about their pizza: they are generously topped and the bread base doesn't interfere with the flavors of the toppings.

The yummy Don Henricos pizzas at the buffet table

My singlet, race bib and the nice bonus, the beautifully-designed finisher shirt
in my favorite color black

Did I mention that on top of the generous race kit, every race finisher will receive a 500 peso Don Henrico's voucher and a pizza treat at the end of the race? This early I congratulate Don Henrico's and the other stakeholders like Chris Sports & Sagip Buhay Foundation for mounting such an interesting and generous (literally) event! I just hope they could top this off on their next run. Just a suggestion, make it a dawn or dusk run next time. I think runners like it that way since the climate is cooler and the sun is not prominent.

For more information and how to register for the run, visit www.donhenricos.net/run

By Paolo Angelo Florenda