EASTER IDEAS: Villa del Conte Ovicinis for Easter

EASTER IDEAS: Villa del Conte Ovicinis for Easter

Wondering what  Easter treats you could give your kiddos on Easter Sunday?  

For many, Easter is equated with fertility symbols such as the Easter rabbit and Easter eggs.

Rather than going for an Easter egg, (which they could accidentally drop or hit their teeth or head with) you could try Ovicini for a change. It's a decadent dark chocolate coated with pastel-colored candy and filled with delicious hazelnut cream from the premium Italian artisanal chocolates of the idyllic rural town of Villa del Conte in Padova (Padua), Italy.    

A delightful Easter treat for the kids and the kids-at-heart, Villa del Conte Ovicinis come in a limited edition 100g Easter Bunny Pouch and is priced at P380. 

Visit Villa del Conte at Greenbelt 5, Shangri-La Mall, Resorts World, Alabang Town Center and Robinson’s Magnolia, or call 893-2575 or 621-6101 for special orders.  

Go to http://www.villadelcontecioccolato.com/ to know more about Villa del Conte, or follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VillaDelContePh, Instagram: http://instagram.com/villadelconte and Twitter: https://twitter.com/VilladelConte.

Health benefits abound if you get good, healthy sleep

Health benefits abound if you get good, healthy sleep

Can't sleep well at night? Are you an insomniac? Ever wondered how to get the best sleep you can ever have? To know more about it, you may probably have to go to a sleep conference or any fora and shell out money to get much-needed information.

Luckily, Uratex, the Philippines’ largest manufacturer of commercial and automotive polyurethane foam and mattress products, knows how valuable information is when it comes to knowing how to get healthful sleep and reap its benefits—and they’ll even bring the information directly to the people.

Just recently, Uratex kicked-off its “Mobile Sleep Solutions” at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City that aims to educate Filipinos in Metro Manila and nearby provinces on how to get the best of sleep health.

On board a customized, air-conditioned van transformed to mimic a cozy bedroom environment, guests learned from Uratex sleep experts the 10 commandments of sleep hygiene for adults, the benefits of good sleep and the many exciting Uratex products that best suit the needs of customers when it comes to their sleeping needs. Inside the van guests also got to sample the cozy and comfortable feel of the Uratex Airlite Mattress that offers superior sleep benefits.

Incidentally, the launch of the Uratex Sleep Solutions Caravan coincided with the celebration of World Sleep Day, which aims to promote sleep health worldwide. The commemoration of this significant event also explains why the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine, a group that promotes the importance of sleep health and an affiliate of the Philippine Medical Association, conducted a mini conference, which Uratex also supported as part of its better sleep advocacy.

It was a really informative day for many guests and onlookers who trooped to the “Mobile Sleep Solutions Van.” They all marveled at the unique vehicle that was adorned with balloons and made alive by the presence of 15 friendly personnel from Uratex, led by Consumer Marketing Manager Marvey Alcantara.

“Our guests were so happy about this mobile sleep solutions van. We got many inquiries from people who asked us on the good sleeping habits and the different Uratex products which, according to them, they only see in stores and malls. Now the products are here and they can try these items. They are very interested about the foam, mattress, fold-a-mattress, pillows, portable mats, and our new product line,” Alcantara said.

Inside, guests also joined the on-going #CelebrateSleepWithUratex photo contest where they can win wonderful prizes. They only needed to visit the “Mobile Sleep Solutions” with a maximum of five people and take photos on the Uratex Airlite Mattress. Participants should then post their picture on Facebook and tag all their friends included in the photo with the hashtag #CelebrateSleepWithUratex, and put the link of the photo in Facebook to win via rafflecopter.

Adjacent also to the Mobile Sleep Solutions van is a game booth where guests were invited to participate in exciting games and entertainment. Lucky guests truly enjoyed the fun and went home smiling while toting several great prizes from Uratex.

The Uratex “Mobile Sleep Solutions” is just the start of many wonderful days for some 3,000 people who dropped by the promo vehicle. For the next three months, the “Mobile Sleep Solutions” will motor to different places in the metropolis. Afterwards, it will head to the provinces, particularly in Laguna, Batangas, Pampanga, Bulacan, among others.

For more about Uratex products and updates about the Uratex “Mobile Sleep Solutions,” go to www.uratex.com.ph and www.facebook.com/UratexPhilippines

Manny Pacquiao Wins

Manny Pacquiao Wins

Manny Pacquiao, left, of the Philippines shields himself as Timothy Bradley throws a punch during the WBO welterweight title boxing fight Saturday, April 12, 2014, in Las Vegas. AP

Manny Pacquiao did it again! Congratulations Manny! You and I know that Manny will once again emerge as the winner in this fight.

Filipinos all over the globe celebrated Manny Pacquiao's victory. Pacquiao reclaimed WBO Title in a twelve round fight held at Las Vegas, Nevada, USA tonight, Saturday, April 12, 2014. Manny Pacquiao won a 12-round unanimous decision over Timothy Bradley on Saturday (Sunday afternoon in Manila) to avenge his controversial 2012 loss to the previously unbeaten American.

Century Tuna SUPERBODS Super Challenge 2014: Send-Off Party

Century Tuna SUPERBODS Super Challenge 2014: Send-Off Party 

I know now why summer is again getting much hotter these days.

Sara Polverini, former child star (Ang TV), former member of girl band Eurasia

It's because the sizzling hot finalists for the Century Tuna Superbods Super Challenge 2014 are now getting ready for the final showdown to be held on April 26, 2014 at the Pearl of the Pacific in Boracay.

The 20 finalists for the Superbods Super Challenge 2014 were introduced on April 3, 2014 at the Eclipse Bar in Solaire Resorts and Casino, Paranaque City. 

They are:

Female finalists -

1.   Sara Paola Polverini, 26, model, make-up artist and fashion designer, from Iloilo, 
@ sara_paola

2.   Catherine Almirante, 22, from Cagayan de Oro City, @marieien

3.   Darlene Anderson, 22, @dars_anderson

4.   Nicky Marable, 19, member of the Philippine Red Cross, @nicmarable

5.   Diane Tan, 22, major in Financial and Investment Management, from Marikina, @dianetan

6.   Grace Murillo, 30, Animal Rights and World Wildlife Fund advocate, @grace_s_murillo

7.   Paula Marciano, 20, tourism management major, from Quezon City, @paw_marciano

8.   Nicole Kauffman, 24, model and taking up BA Multimedia, @nicolekay

9.   Alaiza Malinao, 20, model and taking up BS Psychology, from Davao, @alaizafloridad

10. Michelle Magno, 26, registered nurse, @mishimagno (still in the U.S.)

Male finalists -

11. Antonio de Murga, 27, football player and model, @antonio_demurga

12. Julio Alberto de Leon, 21, physical therapy student of Our Lady of Fatima Univ., @juliodoe 

13. Mauro Lumba, 21, model and tourism graduate from UST, @maurolumba

14. Gerard Go, 25, Masscomm student, from Marilao, Bulacan, @gogerardgo

15. Marneil Lim, 23, from Pampanga, @marneilanthony

16. Evan Spargo, 25, personal trainer and entrepreneur, @evanspargo

17. Rendon Labador, 28, @rendonlabador

18. Jose Miguel Lasala, 25, from Quezon City, @jmiguelasala16

19. Laurens Tolenaars, 27, football player, @lauresito

20. Joshua Lubrico, 18, student, @joshlubrico (still in the U.S.) 

Aside from the judges' scores, you can also vote for your bets through www.centurytuna.ph/superbods. 

Each vote could get you a chance to win a free trip to Boracay to watch the grand finals.

Sara Polverini

You can show your support for your bets by sharing on Facebook or Twitter.

By the way, this year's theme for the Superbods Super Challenge is about transformation, i.e., to help you transform yourselves to be superbods.

Yes, you too could be a superbod with the help of the diet specially prepared by top dietitian Nadine Tengco and the Century Tuna Superbods Workout Plan by Coach Jim Saret. They are the very same Nadine and Jim who are the coaches in the Biggest Loser Philippines TV show. 

BELL'S PALSY: Up Close and Personal

BELL'S PALSY: Up Close and Personal

God wanted me to appreciate my ability to smile so he gave me Bell's palsy. At first, I asked God, why me? Then I came to realize that God wanted me to know that with my second life and second chance I should be smiling more. After all, it is free.

I am a ruptured brain aneurysm survivor. My neurosurgeon coiled and put a stent on my brain to stop the internal bleeding. After the operation, my doctors told me that I will never be 100% again. That statement made me sad.

I was bedridden for four grueling months. That means bed bath and my assistant fed me with tasteless food, fruits and vegetables. Those people who had seen me going to the mall in a wheelchair were so amazed with my health's developments.

I had my first bath inside our comfort room after four months. That is the most refreshing bath I ever had. Money could not buy the happiness I felt that day.

After that, I re-learned how to sit down, stand up, walk and eat on my own. My balance was shaky at first. My physical therapist patiently taught me how to regain my balance again. I thought, I was well again but then I had Bell's palsy.

What is Bell's palsy?

According to Mayo Clinic, Bell's palsy causes sudden weakness in your facial muscles. This makes half of your face appear to droop. Your smile is one-sided, and your eye on that side resists closing.

Bell's palsy, also known as facial palsy, can occur at any age. The exact cause is unknown, but it's believed to be the result of swelling and inflammation of the nerve that controls the muscles on one side of your face. It may be a reaction that occurs after a viral infection.

While stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) can cause facial paralysis usually in one side of the face, there is no connection between stroke or TIA and Bell's palsy. However, one must see a doctor immediately in order to rule out a more serious condition like stroke or TIA or brain tumor.

For most people, Bell's palsy is temporary. Symptoms usually start to improve within a few weeks, with complete recovery in about six months. A small number of people continue to have some Bell's palsy symptoms for life. Rarely, Bell's palsy can recur.

By the way, Bell's palsy got its name after the Scottish surgeon Charles Bell who first described it in 1829 in his presentation before the Royal Society of London.

Famous people who had Bell's Palsy:

• Bernadette Sembrano, Filipino newscaster, host of the medical program Salamat Dok! and anchor of TV Patrol Weekend.
• Katie Holmes
• Pierce Brosnan
• Sylvester Stallone
• George Clooney

God works in mysterious ways. Two weeks after rigid physical therapy and rehabilitation I had my smile back. God is great and God is good all the time.

PHILHEALTH: General Computation Table

PHILHEALTH: General Computation Table

Hi, there! Have you paid your monthly contribution to Philhealth this year? If not yet, then make sure to find time to pay for your premium so you'll get the full benefits from Philhealth if ever you get hospitalized. You could find a summary of Philhealth’s member general contribution below.

Who must pay Philhealth premiums?

• Employed Workers in the government and private sectors who have an established employee-employer relations 2.5% of income base within the salary bracket, with the employee and employer equally sharing the contribution
• OFW Active, land-based Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who went through the regular registration process as an OFW at POEA offices. P2,400 per year
• Self-employed Professionals Doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, nurses, architects, dentists and accountants not employed by a company P900 per quarter
• Individually Paying or Voluntary Members Self-employed or those who work for himself/herself Those with monthly income of P25,000 and below pay P600 quarterly or P2,400 per year. 
• Those earning at least P25,000 pay P900 quarterly or P3,600 per year.
• Foreigners If employed, will be registered under the Employed group. If self-employed or merely residing in the Philippines, may enroll as a Voluntary Member. See "Employed" or "Voluntary Member" groups.
• Indigent / Sponsored Members Indigents belonging to the lowest 25% of the Philippine population Free. Must be endorsed by DSWD and LGU.
• Retiree. A member at least 60 years of age and has made at least 120 monthly contributions to PhilHealth Free

Premiums and Contribution Table for Employed Members

PhilHealth members who are employed in the government or private sector must pay a premium based on their monthly salary. The contribution is around 2.5% of the salary base.

The total amount is shared equally by both the employer and the employee. The total monthly premium, depending on the employee’s monthly salary are shown below.

The “Employee Share” column reflects the amount deducted from your salary every month, while the “Employer Share” is how much your employer contributes to your PhilHealth premium.

The “Total Monthly Premium”, meanwhile, is the total amount remitted to PhilHealth on your behalf.

Salary Bracket                        Salary      Employee    Employer  Total Monthly
Salary Range (in PHP)          Base        Share           Share        Premium

  1    8,999.99 and below      8,000.00   100.00        100.00        200.00
  2    9,000.00 - 9,999.99      9,000.00   112.50        112.50        225.00
  3 10,000.00 - 10,999.99  10,000.00   125.00        125.00        250.00
  4 11,000.00 - 11,999.99  11,000.00   137.50        137.50        275.00
  5 12,000.00 - 12,999.99  12,000.00   150.00        150.00        300.00
  6 13,000.00 - 13,999.99  13,000.00   162.50        162.50        325.00
  7 14,000.00 - 14,999.99  14,000.00   175.00        175.00        350.00
  8 15,000.00 - 15,999.99  15,000.00   187.50        187.50        375.00
  9 16,000.00 - 16,999.99  16,000.00   200.00        200.00        400.00
10 17,000.00 - 17,999.99  17,000.00   212.50        212.50        425.00
11 18,000.00 - 18,999.99  18,000.00   225.00        225.00        450.00
12 19,000.00 - 19,999.99  19,000.00   237.50        237.50        475.00
13 20,000.00 - 20,999.99  20,000.00   250.00        250.00        500.00
14 21,000.00 - 21,999.99  21,000.00   262.50        262.50        525.00
15 22,000.00 - 22,999.99  22,000.00   275.00        275.00        550.00
16 23,000.00 - 23,999.99  23,000.00   287.50        287.50        575.00
17 24,000.00 - 24,999.99  24,000.00   300.00        300.00        600.00
18 25,000.00 - 25,999.99  25,000.00   312.50        312.50        625.00
19 26,000.00 - 26,999.99  26,000.00   325.00        325.00        650.00
20 27,000.00 - 27,999.99  27,000.00   337.50        337.50        675.00
21 28,000.00 - 28,999.99  28,000.00   350.00        350.00        700.00
22 29,000.00 - 29,999.99  29,000.00   362.50        362.50        725.00
23 30,000.00 - 30,999.99  30,000.00   375.00        375.00        750.00
24 31,000.00 - 31,999.99  31,000.00   387.50        387.50        775.00
25 32,000.00 - 32,999.99  32,000.00   400.00        400.00        800.00
26 33,000.00 - 33,999.99  33,000.00   412.50        412.50        825.00
27 34,000.00 - 34,999.99  34,000.00   425.00        425.00        850.00
28 35,000.00 - up                35,000.00   437.50       437.50        875.00

So if, for example, your salary is P15,000 per month, check the appropriate “Salary Bracket” (Row 8 ) and look for the corresponding Employee and Employer Share. Every month, your payroll statement should show that a total of P187.50 has been deducted from your salary as your PhilHealth contribution.

Your employer adds the other half, P175.00, and a total of P350.00 should be remitted to Philhealth on your behalf every month.