World Vision and its Partners continue in their legacy of changing the lives of the most vulnerable children

As the Philippines welcomed another year, most Filipinos are anxious to see what the future holds. With everything the country experienced last 2020, a lot of people are doing their best to make the coming year different. Some have decided to make resolutions and pursue new opportunities, but for others, it is to continue the legacy of changing lives.

World Vision, together with its partners, continues the mission of helping the most vulnerable children and their communities led by its vision of seeing thousands or even millions of kids reach fullness of life. 

Through its campaign “A New Year of Firsts”, World Vision invites their sponsors to empower a child by enabling him or her to experience powerful and life-changing moments of firsts such as, for the first time a family could eat until they were full, a village could have clean water, a child could have all she needs to continue going to school, and a child could feel safe and protected.

World Vision Shares Ways to Help Children in Dealing with Stress during the COVID-19 Outbreak

Children around the world become vulnerable to risks posed by the current COVID-19 outbreak. Besides possibly contracting the virus, children may likely be affected by other harmful factors such as disrupted education, loss of income for parents due to the enhanced community quarantine, and other negative triggers to their emotional, social, and physical well-being which can result to great amount of stress for young people especially the school-aged kids.

 “Children are not exempted to the effects of this pandemic especially those who are directly affected and currently living in the most vulnerable and poor conditions," says Rommel V. Fuerte, National Director of World Vision Philippines, a child-focused NGO. "As long as there is an avenue for us to help these children, we will not stop in ensuring that they are safe and healthy," added Fuerte.

Join Jasmine Curtis-Smith Bring Joy To Families This Christmas

Christmas is truly in the air as World Vision in the Philippines kicks off its Noche Buena campaign for 2019, the child-focused organization’s annual initiative aimed at making Christmas celebrations more meaningful and joyful for the most vulnerable children and their families.

World Vision Ambassador Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Advocate Erwan Heusaff showed their support by teaming up in doing the Noche Buena with a Twist challenge. They produced an online vlog where they cooked their own version of one of the young Filipinos’ favorite Noche Buena dishes, Spaghetti. 

Minions Party at IMAX!

SM Cinema and Snack Time celebrates the Minions 2 Movie at IMAX! In anticipation of the most awaited “Minions” movie mania, SM Cinema’s official snack bar, Snack Time, filled the IMAX theatre with kiddie fans of the adorable banana-loving creatures and hosted a free afternoon ba-ba-bash of jam-packed activities, endless snacks, fun prizes and loot bags. 

Prequel to the highly successful movies, “Despicable Me” and “Despicable Me 2”, “Minions’ is expected to be one of the movie highlights of the year. In celebration of the lovable yellow underlings, Snack Time dressed up the IMAX theatre where chockfull of various booths and snack stalls welcomed the kids. The young and young at heart were treated to activities such as face-painting, balloon twisting, games like “pin the goggles on the minion” and “bring me”.  Snack Time also gave away prizes to kids who came with the best minion inspired outfit. Guests were filled to the brim as they chose from the wide array of Snack Time nibbles and snacks from partner brands Havaianas, Nestle, Monde Nissin, Sunkist, Tic Tac and Nutella. Lucky fans also got to meet and take pictures with their favourite minion. One highlight of the event, Snack Time launched their limited Minions merchandise such as Minions tumblers with toppers and Minions buckets with popcorn which are available in SM Cinema branches nationwide. Capping of the afternoon, patrons were invited to proceed into the IMAX theatre to watch “Despicable Me 2”.

Devastation of Typhoon Haiyan still haunts children

Children need support, education to overcome trauma, build resilience

UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake, after a four day visit to the Philippines, said that he was deeply impressed by the spirit of the people and the communities working with the government, United Nations and other partners to rebuild their lives and futures. 

The massive typhoon disrupted the lives of nearly six million children and destroyed the homes of 1.4 million children and their families. 

HEALTHY LYF: Dengue Tops Moms Most Feared Diseases

Together with the common flu, typhoid, hepatitis, among others, dengue is up there in the list as one of the most dreaded diseases that moms worry their kids may contract. Unlike the other illnesses mentioned, dengue doesn’t have a vaccine that can provide immediate protection.

Prevalent in tropical countries such as the Philippines, dengue affects people differently. While others may stop at having flu-like symptoms such as high fever and muscle-and-joint pains and rash, others suffer life-threatening complications. A few succumb to Dengue Shock Syndrome, in which the patient’s white blood cells drop to a dangerous level, leading to internal bleeding. In some of these cases, dengue becomes fatal.

While it is true that all people, regardless of age, can be infected with dengue, statistics from the Department of Health’s National Epidemiology Center show that it is children and adolescents who are hit the hardest. Almost half of the dengue cases last year were from 5 to 14 years old age range.

Make the Invisible Visible: UNICEF urges louder voices and urgent action to fight violence against children

Help us make violence against children disappear, says UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Liam Neeson

Violence against children is all too often unseen, unheard and underreported, said UNICEF today, announcing an initiative that urges ordinary citizens, lawmakers and governments to speak out more forcefully to fight violence against children.

The initiative builds on growing popular outrage that erupted following horrific attacks against children, such as the October 2012 shooting of then 14-year-old Malala Yousafzai in Pakistan, the fatal shooting of 26 pupils and teachers in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012 and gang rapes of girls in India and in South Africa in 2013.

“In every country, in every culture, there is violence against children,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. “Whenever and wherever children are harmed, our outrage and anger must be seen and heard. We must make the invisible visible.” 

HEALTHY LYF:Fighting the Diet Shift

Aqiva partners with moms to help ensure proper nutrition for their children.

Every mom has her own story when it comes to feeding her child. With mealtimes becoming a common and daily struggle, moms have learned to cope with this problem in different ways. Some moms resort to bribing, giving treats or gifts whenever their child finishes his lunch. Other moms would tend to transform into “monster moms”, not yielding to their child’s refusal to eat. While others just give in, thinking that eating something unhealthy is better than not eating at all.

The Threat of the “Diet Shift”

Children are easily tempted by unhealthy food because to them, these foods seem to be more fun and exciting to eat, and taste better because of its flavors, colors and textures. This desire for unhealthy food heightens at age 4-7, as children start to make their own choices, and are able to voice out what they want. This is when the threat of the Diet Shift starts - the phase when the child may begin to prefer unhealthy food, or food that do not contain the right nutrients children need to keep their growth and development on track.

Green Cross School Crashers Invades Paco Catholic School!

Dengue is something not to be taken lightly as it affects a lot of people especially in our tropical climate where breeding mosquitoes can multiply exponentially, and with the latest study that the type of mosquitoes are not exclusively biting during daytime but in the night as well.

This indeed sets alarms for parents for their children especially for those who are actively playing outdoors like playgrounds, streets and even at school. Luckily, Green Cross, maker of one of the most trusted alcohol brands launched earlier this year the Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion which aims to prevent the spread of dengue to the community. And they are on a school "raid" to different schools to save students from the threat of Dengue.

Have a Hi-5 Holiday!

All aboard for a Hi-Seas Adventure as Hi-5 embark on the holiday of a lifetime to the most fun filled place in the world- Hi-5 Island!

Hi-5 Holiday!

Dec. 15-16, 2012- SM MOA Center Stage

Dec 23, 2012- Waterfront Cebu City Hotel

In Hi-5’s latest stage extravaganza you’re invited to go on a fantastical, magical holiday full of fun, music and laughter with your favorite Hi-5 friends. The whole gang-  and newest Hi-5 friend Dayen, are waiting for you to come on the journey with them.

Hi-5 Holiday! is full of your favourite Hi-5 songs so you can join in and sing and dance along with them LIVE on stage.

BOOK NOW at www.smtickets.com.

Finally On Track for a Great Comeback: Susy and Geno Reunite!

After weeks of anticipation, Susy and Geno’s long-awaited reunion finally took place on March 11, Sunday, at a mall in Taguig, where the two met up not only with each other, but with their loyal and very enthusiastic supporters. It was the first public appearance in many years for the faces of Sustagen milk in the 80s and 90s, who disappeared from the public eye, only to re-emerge two decades later, starting with Susy’s return last February. Only then would we find out that she and Geno had actually lost touch through the years.

 

For weeks, Susy spearheaded a massive search for her missing friend, until Geno himself turns up on Susy’s Facebook fanpage, to set a time and place for their get-together. Some of their fans, seeing the details of the agreed meet-up, trooped to the site to see their idols in person. The more fanatical ones even attended as a group, waving banners and placards expressing their unwavering support. Meanwhile, Susy and Geno’s friends from Sustagen also did their part, providing free milk for all those who turned up to accompany Susy as she waited for the elusive Geno to appear.

 

Susy arrived first, toting an album she made for Geno containing photos posted by her fans on her fanpage. She was easily spotted by the Market! Market! crowd, though, and was swarmed by well-wishers wherever she would go. A good number of media people were also on hand to cover the momentous event. In fact, it was during one reporter’s interview with Susy that Geno made his grand entrance.

Suzy Reunites with Geno!

It has been years since we have heard of this couple. No they are not movie stars nor music artists. They were the pair that many generations have grown with, they are SUZY and GENO. The dynamic duo that visited so many schools all over the country along with the nutritous drink Sustagen that came with chocolate and vanilla flavor.

Together, they brought fun and (healthy) treats to school children like myself in the 90's. They would do dance numbers that left impressions in our memory more than  restaurant mascots even with every short yet enriching visit.