BRIA Homes shares safety tips during ‘enhanced community quarantine’

To help contain the Covid-19 pandemic, the national government has placed the entire Luzon under ‘enhanced community quarantine,’ which requires enforcing stringent safety protocols in towns and cities all over the region. To date, malls and other commercial establishments have been temporarily closed; all means of public transport have been suspended; and provision of food and essential services is being regulated. Although groceries, banks, and pharmacies remain open, social distancing is strictly observed in their premises. 

Cooking shows, digital fitness via Facebook live: A glimpse on the new digital lifestyle

Just like everyone else, social media stars, vloggers, musicians, artists, and performers find ways to cope during these trying times. Most of them raise funds to help frontline heroes in the battle against the pandemic. For some, the digital wave becomes a platform to help boost productivity from home.

Boosting the immune system

YouTuber and fitness enthusiast Wil Dasovich recently held a digital fitness campaign to help people boost their immune system.

Project Ugnayan beneficiaries reach over 7.6 million people in Greater Metro Manila poor communities

Project Ugnayan, the fund-raising initiative led by top business groups in cooperation with  the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), reached over 7.6 million people in the vulnerable communities of Greater Metro Manila.

“As we close, we wish to reiterate our wholehearted thanks to all our generous Donors for making this project possible. By coming together in a Bayanihan spirit so quickly, we were able to create a program of this scale and importance. This unprecedented assembly of so many of the country’s  corporations and business families coming to the assistance of the most vulnerable in our society illustrates and speaks of the heart and generosity of the business community.

Our special thanks go to the 10 Bishops of the Dioceses in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna, as well as to Caritas Manila under the leadership of Father Anton Pascual, and the network of Parish Priests, Volunteers, and Barangay Captains who distributed the gift certificates door-todoor in the lowest-income communities of Greater Metro Manila. We appreciate the swiftness and efficiency of their work under very difficult conditions and over very long hours each day,” said Project Ugnayan Lead, Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

Sony Pictures Launches Interactive Activity YouTube Channel

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) announced today the launch of their new YouTube Channel, Sony Pictures’ Kids Zone, providing parents and kids with a one stop central destination for interactive fun, physical movement, learning, and hands-on activities. Sony Pictures’ Kids Zone is curated with a wide range of activities that will support families coping with school closures, new work-from-home routines and social distancing.

(Watch the channel’s sizzle video at https://youtu.be/Vo2tMQPODhg.)

“A significant portion of Sony Pictures’ workforce is made up of working parents. The idea of Sony Pictures’ Kids Zone was born from parents on our own team adjusting to working from home and managing home schooling,” says Lexine Wong, Senior Executive Vice President, Worldwide Marketing. “We are proud to offer this resource to help families navigate these new and challenging circumstances, while hopefully having a little fun in the process.”

PH Consul General In SF Sends Off Filipino Crew Onboard Grand Princess Ship

Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. sent off Filipino crew members onboard the Grand Princess cruise ship from San Francisco Port on Wednesday around 6 PM (Pacific Time) as the ship sailed off to Princess Cruises’ headquarters in Los Angeles.

Consul General Bensurto called one of the crew members on the phone to check on their situation. The crew member updated the Consul General of their situation, saying that all Filipino crew members are well and in good spirits, but are hoping they will be repatriated soon to the Philippines.

Joining Forces Alliance on the Elimination of Violence Against Children - Philippines

Child rights organizations call for the protection of all Filipino children during the COVID-19 pandemic

We are facing an unprecedented global public health crisis. While children’s health appears to be less directly affected by COVID-19, it must be recognized that the outbreak will deeply affect the environment where children grow and develop.

“Sadly, what is often overlooked is the impact this situation will have on children, especially those who are most deprived and marginalized,” said Rowena Cordero, Joining Forces Alliance Convener. 

#NothingBeatsGirls is the morale booster future queens need to see today

Gatorade’s new animated video by DDB MNL honors young women’s struggles, grit to find greatness 

It’s been an eventful month of March. Aside from the worldwide pandemic and lockdowns, it’s also observed as International Women’s Month – which Gatorade and its creative agency DDB MNL capped off with an inspiring animated video that cheered on young women to keep going.

Bayanihan Musikahan raises additional 1.5M in 1 hour

Broadway superstar Lea Salonga captivates viewers of the online fundraising series

April 3, 2020—Small donations amounting to PhP 1.5 million poured into the Bayanihan Musikahan fund-raiser in 1 hour during the live concert-from-house of music superstar Lea Salonga last night. 

She began and ended her hour with composition by the principal organizer of the project, Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist for Music. Emphasizing citizen action in the face of a pandemic, Salonga encapsulated an emerging dynamic of citizens helping citizens through small contributions and exercise of talent. 

The unusual spike adds this amount to the total of PhP 22,373,178.00 already raised by April 2, 2020. Ms. Salonga announced this figure during her concert, while triggering a outpouring of support from Filipinos on lock-down, watching from their homes in the Philippines and overseas. 

Identifying 'heroes' who make virtual hugs and kisses possible

In these uncertain times, there are heroes who serve by saving lives, and there are heroes who serve by keeping most citizens safe and connected at home.

The line of duty is drawn using a broader stroke these days. This term is reserved to describe duties of individuals associated with a certain level of responsibility. But those who still get the job done in the face of today's situation have given a new meaning to the phrase. From health workers, frontliners, police officers and the media, those in the line of duty now include delivery guys, bank tellers, grocery employees, service repair crews, and e-load resellers.

Powfu scores #1 viral hit in the Philippines with “death bed (coffee for your head)”

Bursting out of the lo-fi hip-hop scene, Powfu sets the Philippine music charts ablaze with the success of his latest single, “death bed (coffee for your head),” featuring UK singer beabadobee. 

The Canadian breakout artist recently held the top spot of the Spotify Philippines Viral 50 for five consecutive weeks before it dropped to its current position of No. 4. 

The explosive new track also continues to rack up impressive numbers on Spotify Philippines Top 200 with a No. 5 peak, while also achieving incredible momentum on iTunes Philippines Top 100 Charts, reaching as high as No. 8. 

With its relatable and timely lyrics, easygoing vibe, and low-key appeal, “death bed” currently enjoys enormous attention on video-sharing platform TikTok with over 3 million videos to date—thanks to countless of challenges, memes, covers, and renditions from various Filipino artists including a “Chinarot” version that gained more than 8 million YouTube views, and a “Tagalog” version by upcoming Filipino rapper Cesar $emento.