FEATURES

Picture this: You’re on an online forum and you start befriending a random person you have just met there. You find out that he’s actually a really cute and smart dude, so you decide to pursue him. In the process, you discover that this online friend and potential romance is actually a catfish or someone who creates a fake identity online to deceive others. This is what the new Filipino series, Viu Original How to Spot a Red Flag, starring Belle Mariano, Donny Pangilinan, and Jameson Blake, is shedding light on with a modern love story that tackles issues that many netizens go through.

Viu Original How to Spot a Red Flag revolves around Cha Fontanilla’s (played by Belle Mariano) catfishing experience. After discovering that Matt Flores (played by Donny Pangilinan), an online friend she met in a forum, isn’t who he says he is, she finds out that the young man is real, but he isn’t the one chatting with her. The real Matt investigates the matter and discovers that his close friend, JR Valdez (played by Jameson Blake), stole his identity and has been chatting with Cha. But instead of exposing his friend, Matt agrees to pursue Cha to help JR set up a date with her. At the same time, Cha also ends up having feelings for Matt.

The show will be the first original story of Viu and ABS-CBN’s Dreamscape Entertainment after previously partnering to produce adaptations. It features rising stars like Belle, who is known for her versatile roles in He’s Into Her and Can’t Buy Me Love, alongside her love team partner, Donny. Jameson also made his mark in memorable films like 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten and Ang Babaeng Allergic Sa WiFi.

Viu Original How to Spot a Red Flag has a “will-they-won’t-they” plot that will keep you wanting more episodes, and the chemistry between Belle, Donny, and Jameson will bring the kilig. Plus, the beautiful sights of La Union will also make you fall in love even more with the surfing spot, giving you more ideas for your next vacation.

If you love romantic dramas with love triangles and realistic scenarios, the Viu Original How to Spot a Red Flag is the show for you. The series is premiering on November 25, 2024, on Viu. You don’t want to miss this modern love story. Who knows? Maybe you can be marked safe from red flags too.

Mark your calendars and catch Viu Original How to Spot a Red Flag on Viu!

***

About Viu

Viu, a leading pan-regional over-the-top (OTT) video streaming service, is available in 16 markets across Asia, the Middle East, and South Africa.

The Viu service is available to consumers through a dual model, with an ad-supported free tier and a premium subscription tier. In addition to premium original productions under the brand “Viu Original”, Viu showcases TV series, movies, and lifestyle programmes from top content providers in local and regional languages with subtitles. Viu Scream Dates, its multi-market fan-meet offering, extends the Viu experience beyond the screens by bringing stars closer to their fans via live events.

In June 2023, PCCW and CANAL+ formed a partnership to accelerate the growth of Viu, making CANAL+ a strategic investor in Viu.

Viu also operates MOOV, a popular digital music streaming and live concerts service in Hong Kong.

Viu is a member of PCCW Media under PCCW Limited, a global company headquartered in Hong Kong with interests in telecommunications, media, IT solutions, property development and investments, and other businesses. PCCW also operates ViuTV, a free television service in Hong Kong, through HK Television Entertainment Company Limited, and has interests in Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited, among other global investments.

For more information, please visit www.viu.com.

Matagumpay na isinagawa ang lagdaan ng Memorandum ng Unawaan sa pagitan ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino at National Center for Mental Health. Pinangunahan ni Dr. Arthur P. Casanova, KWF Tagapangulo at G. Jerry C. Rodriguez, Chief Administrative Office, NCMH ang lagdaan. Layunin ng kasunduan ang pagsasalin ng mga materyales at kolaborasyon sa iba’t ibang proyekto.

In the Philippines, the incidence of breast cancer remains high. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. One in every 13 Filipinas is expected to develop breast cancer in her lifetime.¹ This is why it’s all the more important for us to keep abreast on how to spot, prevent, or treat it as early as possible.

Dr. Josephine Tolentino and the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO) is on a mission to help Filipinos better understand that breast cancers have different features, which would affect its management and treatment. Dr. Tolentino, who is President of PSMO, emphasizes the benefits of precision medicine and how it could potentially help produce better outcomes.

Breast cancer is a condition wherein cells within the breast grow out of control, and form a tumor, which can sometimes be felt as a lump³. A tumor can be classified as either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Any lump or change in the breast needs to be checked by a healthcare professional. Breast cancer can metastasize or spread to other parts of the body via the blood or lymph vessels. As with most types of cancer, breast cancer patients have a better chance of survival if the condition is detected and diagnosed early.

According to Dr. Tolentino, each type of breast cancer can have a variation in biological and molecular features. This is why biomarker testing, a laboratory method that makes use of tissue, blood, or other body fluid samples to determine signs of conditions such as cancer in genes, proteins, or other molecules², plays a crucial role in the evolving treatment landscape of breast cancer.^4,5 2 out of 3 cases of breast cancer are due to the status of a person’s hormone receptors. While in 15 to 20% of breast cancer cases, the HER2 protein (which tells cells to grow) is amplified. In those with the Triple Negative type, cancer cells do not produce enough HER2 protein and they also do not have estrogen or progesterone receptors.

Understanding which type of breast cancer you have is important in order for your doctor to design the perfect treatment plan. Possible treatment recommendations could be: surgery, biological therapy, radiation, chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy. Precision medicine using targeted therapy, such as those inhibiting HER2 molecules may also lead to better outcomes.⁷⁻¹¹

According to Dr. Tolentino, certain risk factors, such as genes, age, race/ethnicity, breast density, alcohol consumption, or being overweight can increase the chances of a person developing breast cancer. Based on a report by the World Health Organization (WHO)³, around half of patients diagnosed with breast cancer had no specific risk factors aside from age and sex.

”The signs and symptoms show up differently for every person,” explained Dr. Tolentino. “Some of the most common are: lumps in the breast or underarm, nipple discharge, thickening or swelling, any changes in breast size or shape, skin irritation or redness around the nipple, or pain in any area of the breast or nipple.”

“However, it is important to note that not all breast cancer cases will manifest with any signs or symptoms. So detecting and diagnosing breast cancer as early as possible is very important,” added Dr. Tolentino. Aside from regular breast self-examination, doctors advice to speak to your doctor about diagnostic procedures such as ultrasound, mammogram, MRI, or biopsy, as needed.

Dr. Cyril Tolosa, Medical Affairs Director of AstraZeneca, underscored the importance of removing the barriers that keep patients from availing these procedures.

“Together with organizations like the PSMO, and other groups, we are working to improve the healthcare ecosystem that effectively cater to the patients,” said Dr. Tolosa. “We at AstraZeneca have a bold ambition to one day eliminate breast cancer as a cause of death. It may be a long way from here, but precision medicine and continued collaboration among stakeholders is a step in the right direction.”

Not all breast cancers are the same. But one thing remains true for all: early detection or precise, targeted treatment saves lives.

Through various initiatives like Agham Kapihan – a series of media roundtable discussions that seek to bring into light matters of science and health and advocate for innovation that benefits Filipinos – AstraZeneca stays true to its commitment of improving the lives of millions of patients together with its partners across the healthcare ecosystem.

 Bringing back the youth’s hope in farming. 22-year-old Dan Sotelo, one of the young farmers from Brgy. San Miguel, Talakag, Bukidnon, proudly showcase some freshly picked vegetables from their farm.

 In the Philippines, farming has become an aging trade, with most farmers now in their 50s and beyond. Yet, as fields face an uncertain future, a few young hands are stepping forward to revitalize the land and redefine the future of agriculture.

Among these emerging young farmers is 22-year-old Dan Sotelo from Brgy. San Miguel, Talakag, Bukidnon, who has found his way back to agriculture with renewed purpose. Through SM Foundation’s farmer training program, Dan has rekindled his passion for farming, stepping up as part of a new generation determined to bring life and resilience back to the fields.

Embracing new farming techniques with an open mind

Helping his parents on their farm since he was 14, he became passionate about farming. After finishing senior high school, financial challenges stood in the way of his dream to attend college. Dan still remained focused on his goal of one day pursuing a degree in agriculture. He decided to start building his skills and earn enough to eventually make that dream a reality.

“I love farming,” Dan said, despite the many struggles that come with it. His family, like many farmers, has faced the uncertainty of seasonal harvests and inconsistent income.

“Ang farming ay seasonal. Dahil dito, ang nasa isip namin ay parang sugal ang pagtatanim–minsan meron, minsan wala. Minsan, maganda ang iyong tanim, minsan hindi. Ang dating practice dito ay ‘Magtatanim ako ngayon. Bahala na kung may maani ako o wala’,” he shared.

The Sotelo family is one of the beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program, which introduced them to SM Foundation’s Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Farmer’s Training Program. This became a turning point for them, renewing not only their farming techniques but their entire outlook on agriculture.

“Noong natuto na kami sa KSK, naiba ang aming pananaw at diskarte,” Dan explained. “Sa pagtatanim, dapat mina-manage o pinaplano ‘yung itatanim para magkaroon tayo ng magandang profit. Kailangan aralin mo ‘yung produktong itatanim mo.”

Prior to joining the program, the family had tried various farming methods without much success, including the use of synthetic fertilizers. While effective at first, this approach eventually led to their soil becoming acidic and diminishing their harvests over time.

Through the KSK training, he and his fellow farmers learned the importance of sustainable farming practices. He now creates his own organic fertilizers and botanical pesticides, using natural ingredients like neem and sunflower concoctions, as well as baking soda and vinegar fungicides.

Organic farming has allowed them to optimize their resources while protecting the long-term health of their land: “Sa pag-gamit po ng organikong pataba at pesticides, hindi na namin kailangan pang gumastos para makabili ng synthetic inputs sa Cagayan De Oro o kalapit na bayan. Bukod sa nakatipid na po kami, nakakasiguro po kami na pangmatagalan ang kalusugan ng lupa namin.”

On top of new farming techniques, the KSK introduced Dan to the basics of entrepreneurship, helping him understand the importance of planning and market forecasting. He learned to assess demand and align their crop production with market needs to avoid losses from oversupply

Renewed mindset, new opportunities

KSK farmer Dan Sotelo tends their farm in San Miguel, Talakag, Bukidnon with his fellow KSK farmers.

“Nagbago ang pananaw at confidence ko sa pagtatanim. Isa na akong agripreneur,” he said proudly. “Kaya na namin magtanim kahit hindi kalakihan ang kapital mo sa simula, basta’t alam mo ang proper farming techniques, diskarte, at potensyal ng organic farming.”

This new mindset paid off in early October when Dan and his fellow KSK farmers from Brgy. San Miguel and Brgy. Miarayon began supplying SM Markets’ In-Season Specials section in SM City CDO Uptown and SM CDO Downtown.

They sold 60 kilos of bell peppers, 200 kilos of potatoes, and 100 kilos of carrots, successfully selling to a broader market and bringing in over 18,000 pesos.

This initiative is part of SM Group’s mission to uplift its partner farmers by connecting them with market opportunities and advancing food security. Through programs like this, SM intends to improve the livelihoods of local farmers and encourage sustainable agricultural practices across communities.

“Kung may pintong bubukas, i-grab mo,” he said as he encouraged the youth to open their hearts to farming.

UNICEF, in collaboration with the Council for the Welfare of Children, the National Economic and Development Authority, and the Philippine Statistics Authority today launched a new generation of situation analysis on children to promote evidence-based decision making.

The Situation of Children of the Philippines (www.situationofchildren.org/ph) analyzes six main dimensions and 25 subdimensions of children’s rights, including health and nutrition, education, protection, safe and sustainable environment, child poverty and social protection, civil and participation rights.

“Every child counts. Understanding the situation of children is essential to prioritize, design and monitor policies and actions that effectively support the realization of children’s rights. When the right data and evidence are in the right hands at the right time, decisions can be better informed, more equitable, and more likely to protect children’s rights,” said UNICEF Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov.

UNICEF is the world’s leading source of data on children used by over three million people globally. In the Philippines, UNICEF works to ensure that every child is accounted for, and their needs are understood through strengthening key administrative data systems, census, and surveys; improving data governance; supporting better analysis, dissemination, and use of data on children; digitalization; and conducting research on children.

The Philippines has a wealth of data about children, relatively more expansive than many countries. However, there are still key gaps and issues in terms of granularity, periodicity and timeliness, accessibility, reliability, and consistency. UNICEF calls on the government to provide better strategic solutions and more investments for more sustained development of data for children.

For example, despite the Philippines being considered the global epicenter of online sexual abuse and exploitation and child exploitation materials, there is not enough data on this egregious child right’s violation. Other key data gaps exist in the areas of disaster risk preparedness, planning, and response monitoring; climate change impacts on children; social protection and public financing for children; children with disabilities; early childhood education; children’s civil rights and participation; and richer local-level data on children in the provincial, municipal/city, and barangay (village) levels.

By launching the platform, UNICEF hopes to engage stakeholders through the virtual platform in discussing evolving evidence needs and gaps, as well as advocate for strengthening evidence-based decision making. The data portal features over 80 key indicators and around 500 data visualizations based on data dating back to 1989 and up to 2023, with subnational breakdowns for certain indicator.

For each subdimension, the site offers a comprehensive analysis and visualization of data, including key progress, indicators, child rights, equity and risk, legislation, policy, bottlenecks, and relevant publications. A section covers cross-sectoral issues such as gender, disability, early childhood, and adolescents. It is periodically updated, allowing government agencies, development partners, and other child rights organizations to be responsive in their evidence-based policies and programming for children.

The platform also features ‘The Longitudinal Cohort Study of Filipino Children’, tracking the lives of a nationally representative sample of 5,000 children, along with their households and communities. Beginning in 2016 with the children at age 10, the study will continue until 2030, when they turn 24. This unique 15-year study is a partnership with the Philippine Government, the Australian Government, United Nations Population Fund or UNFPA and UNICEF.

Users are encouraged to explore the platform, share it with their networks, and use the insights provided to drive impactful change for the lives of children. The site will benefit from contributions from researchers and child rights actors that can help strengthen the understanding of the situation of children in the Philippines.

Nauwi sa trahedya ang masaya sanang birthday party sa Tondo, Maynila nang maganap ang isang insidente ng pananaksak na nagresulta sa pagkamatay ng dalawang indibidwal at pagkasugat ng dalawa pa.

Ayon sa awtoridad, nagsimula ang gulo nang bumaba ang isang lalaki mula sa motorsiklo upang lapitan ang isang pang lalaki.

Kung saan nilabas ng suspek ang isang balisong at nanaksak. Apat ang tinamaan sa kaguluhan, at dalawa sa kanila ang nasawi.

Batay sa imbestigasyon, ang suspek at ang isa sa mga biktima ay nagkaroon na ng alitan sa isang birthday party.

Umano’y lasing ang suspek at binastos ang mga babaeng bisita, kabilang ang kasintahan ng biktima. Sinundan ng suspek ang biktima matapos itong umuwi, na nagresulta sa marahas na pananaksak.

Nahuli naman agad ang suspek matapos ang insidente.

Depensa niya, kakausapin lamang niya sana ang biktima ngunit bigla umano siyang sinuntok, dahilan upang kuyugin siya ng ibang tao.

Kasalukuyan namang nagpapagaling ang mga sugatan, habang hinahanda na ng awtoridad ang mga kasong kakaharapin ng nahuling suspek.

Don’t miss out on Robinsons Department Store’s holiday decor collection and this month’s Men’s Super Sale

Preparing for the holidays is an exciting time for the entire family. The sparkle of decorations and the sound of lively Christmas songs bring joy to many people. Malls are also becoming more crowded as people start gift-shopping for their loved ones.

Every year, we’re always looking for ways to change up our holiday celebrations at home – be it through a different style for the decorations or going big with your gifts. If you’re still setting up your holiday homes, jot down these ideas:

Spruce up your Christmas tree

A classic Christmas tree only has the usual red and green baubles and a star perched on top. This year, you can level up your tree game with an eye-catching theme. Create a Candyland-inspired tree with pastel-colored ornaments and surround it with nutcracker figurines and whimsical lollipops. If you’re looking to emulate a snowy Christmas, you can cop a white tree and style it with gold and silver baubles and fillers.

Match your home’s decor with your Christmas tree

Once you’ve chosen a Christmas tree design, make sure your home decor matches the theme. Grab wreaths and garlands of the same color scheme to hang on your doors and decorate different surfaces in your home. You can also add cute throw pillows with festive prints on your couch.

You can find all the Christmas trees, decor, and other holiday essentials you need at Robinsons Department Store’s Christmas Shop Holiday Decor Collection. This one-stop shopping destination will help you bring the holiday magic to your home with its exquisite line of decorations for every corner of your space. Check out the e-catalog here.

Make a gift-shopping list and check it twice

The Christmas rush is slowly starting, but don’t wait till the last minute to do your gift shopping. Start listing down the gifts you want to give to your friends and family and buy them at your nearest Robinsons Department Store before they run out.

If you’re having trouble thinking of gifts for the men in your life, don’t fret because Robinsons Department Store has a Men’s Super Sale with up to 70% off on select men’s items until October 31, 2024. RDS sweetens the deal with the E-Raffle Promo. For a minimum purchase of P3,000 from the Men’s Section, you get the chance to win one of 28 prizes, including a PlayStation 5, Designer Watches, and more.

Plus, there’s a Happy Hour Promo from 6 pm to 7 pm every Friday of October, where shoppers can enjoy a free six-pack of San Miguel Beer with a minimum purchase of P1,500 from the Men’s Section. Hurry because this promo is only until October 25!

***

Go create your dream holiday home with the Christmas Shop Holiday Decor Collection, available across all Robinsons Department Store branches nationwide and online marketplaces in TikTok Shop, LazMall, and Shopee. Plus, don’t miss out on the Men’s Super Sale that’s running until October 31 and other exclusive promos this holiday season.

For more information and updates, follow Robinsons Department Store’s official Facebook page.

Fans of the beloved Disney and Pixar film “Inside Out 2″ had the opportunity to create lasting memories with their favorite characters at SM Supermalls. Joy and Sadness, the iconic duo from the film’s original five-personified emotions (the others being Anger, Fear, and Disgust), made special appearances at SM Seaside City Cebu on October 3, SM City North EDSA on October 5, and SM City Dasmarinas on October 6.

Cebuanos attend the “Inside Out 2” activation at SM Seaside City Cebu.

Joy fills the air as families experience a meet-and-greet with “Inside Out 2″ characters at SM Seaside City Cebu.

Children and adults alike lined up for unforgettable photos with the lovable characters. The event was a heartwarming reminder of the power of emotions and the importance of finding balance in our lives.

A fan embraces their inner Joy with a blue wig at the “Inside Out 2″ event at SM City North EDSA.

A special fan has the chance to meet their favorite characters from “Inside Out 2″ at SM City North EDSA.

Joy and Sadness unite with the lively spirit of Kidz Groove, celebrating the dance of emotions at SM City Dasmarinas.

Joy and Sadness know no bounds—a beautiful celebration of every story and experience at SM City Dasmarinas.

“Inside Out 2,” the 2024 sequel, is now available on Disney+ with a Filipino-dubbed version. Relive the magic of the film and discover the heartwarming story of 13-year-old Riley and her new emotions, such as Anxiety, Envy, Ennui (boredom), and Embarrassment.

Visit www.smsupermalls.com and follow SM Supermalls on social media for updates.

It was a superior battle like no other during the much-anticipated last leg of the Cyberzone Challenger Series, a two-day esports event flagship of Cyberzone, the premiere tech and lifestyle hub at SM Supermalls. 

“As Cyberzone continues to thrive in reaching out as many esports enthusiasts and geek culture fans as we can, we brought our season finale of the Cyberzone Challenger Series to SM City Clark for two reasons: (1) to provide an avenue for gathering the community in the North; and, (2) to host our final leg in one of the premier SM Supermalls in the country”, says Mr. Patrick Raymund G. Pacla, Vice President – Operations and Marketing (Sponsorship and Cyberzone), SM Supermalls.