STEADY AND STRONG MOK celebrates second anniversary with month-long treats and gifts

Since its entry into the PH market in 2019, MOK has successfully empowered adult smokers to drop traditional cigarettes and switch to a better alternative. Enthusiasts have been constantly raving about how they are able to make the difficult transition because of MOK’s highly intuitive lineup of heat-not-burn devices that are user-friendly and stylish on the hand.

In addition, the technology behind the MOK devices allows for more usage, faster charging times, and efficient heating. MOK also offers a wide selection of specially designed heat-not-burn sticks, called COO, to capture the preferences of discerning smokers who have various tastes. “I’ve never lit up a cigarette stick again since I started using MOK a year and a half ago. It’s been a smooth transition for me. There’s less guilt and I really enjoy the experience. My smoker friends who were only initially curious got one for themselves and have made the switch to MOK as well,” says Galant Bernardino, 45-year-old investment banker. 

Over the past two years, MOK has also been grabbing a significant chunk from the traditional cigarette category as it is made easily and responsibly available to adult smokers through official shops -- both online and physical -- nationwide. November of this year marks a milestone for MOK as it celebrates its second anniversary with tens of thousands of users at its core. Current users and future enthusiasts will be enjoying a lineup of special treats and gifts throughout the month available through its official online and physical stores.

Get to know more about the celebration at MOK.COM.PH. All these are available to adult smokers 21 years old and above. Join the MOK Viber community, too, for an exclusive members-only celebration. This is only the beginning for MOK. Millions of adult smokers can look forward to a strong journey as they make MOK their alternative of choice. MOK and COO are available in MOK official online stores in LazMall and Shopee Mall and MOK Specialty Kiosks located in Eastwood Mall, SM North EDSA, SM Sta. Mesa, SM Manila, Met Live, and by the end of November in SM Megamall.

BREAKING THE FALSEHOODS AND FALLACIES ON INFERTILITY

In a country where people still value folklore and traditions over medical science despite the trappings of modern technology, it was refreshing to listen to real medical experts break down the myths on infertility and offer the right solutions.

With over 20 media representatives listening intently, the online medical forum dubbed “The Art of Getting Pregnant, Breaking the Fallacies and Falsehoods on Infertility” appropriately addressed one by one all the incorrect notions on being infertile both for men and women. False beliefs such as blood type incompatibility, sexual positions, dance rituals and middle-aged pregnancy were discussed extensively by doctors and representatives from MERCK Group.

“Nothing beats strict medical science when it comes to addressing infertility problems. A wholistic, precise examination (work-up) of infertile couples by thoroughly educated infertility doctors and gynecologists, combined with true medicine, is the best treatment for infertility,” says Dr. Eileen Manalo of the Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine & Infertility (CARMI) in St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City.

Today, a couple having a hard time producing an offspring can now choose among a variety of proven, treatment options.

In her talk “Treatment Options for Infertility,” Manalo says advances in modern science resulted to new infertility treatments such as drugs to induce ovulation (ovulation induction), intrauterine insemination (IUI) and advanced reproductive technology (ART) that includes In Vitro Fertilization, more popularly known as IVF.

Popular celebrities who have undergone IVF procedures include husband and wife Dr. Vicky Belo and Hayden Kho, perfume magnate Joel Cruz and couple Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez according to a GMA news article.

Diet and lifestyle also play an important role in preventing infertility. She says eating nuts and other protein rich foods and lessening intake of carbohydrates and fats can go a long way in allowing pregnancy.

Dr. Manalo also stressed the importance of being fit and trim and not being overweight. “The body should be in the best shape and health for it to conceive a child.”

Age is also a big factor. A young female has the best chance of impregnation. While a young male can produce the best quality sperm.

For his part, Dr. Virgilio Noverio, head of CARMI, gave a run through on the pregnancy process for people to understand the necessary interventions to treat infertility. He says there are three key events necessary to allow pregnancy: Ovulation, Fertilization then Implantation.

“Any condition that interferes with these events may result in infertility,” he added.

In his presentation “Infertility and Fertility Preservation,” a snapshot of infertility incidence in the Philippines was pegged at 10%, according to a Synovate survey conducted in 2014. Factors that induce infertility for both women and men are tubal factors, ovulation disorders (PCOS), endometriosis, uterine factors and advanced age.

Asked by a reporter on when is the proper time to seek medical help, Noverio says after a year of actively working on getting pregnant without success.

Filipinos normally are shy to seek medical help specially when it comes to sensitive issues like infertility or being “baog.” They are afraid of being ridiculed. This is more pronounced in men since being infertile is correlated to their masculinity. A true-blooded male doesn’t want his manhood to be questioned. It’s in their nature to listen first to friends and relatives and exhaust all possible means before going to a doctor hence the scarcity of couples seeking professional help.

Noverio says seeking professional help the soonest possible time is critical in the treatment process.

Another resource speaker who came all the way from Singapore, Henry Wilson, managing director of MERCK Group, introduced his company as a leading provider of medical solutions for infertility. Aside from infertility, MERCK, a global pharmaceutical firm, is also into research and development in the following medical fields: cardiovascular, endocrinology, neurology, immunology, oncology among others.

MERCK is also spearheading a nationwide awareness program to educate people about the true nature of infertility.

“MERCK is committed in this worthwhile endeavor so that people can be aware of the dangers and pitfalls of believing in falsehoods about infertility. We want to lead society in the right direction and provide them the correct information about infertility,” says Dr. Raymond Tapang, MERCK’s medical director.

In essence, the main goal of the forum is to educate the public about the definition of infertility in the eyes of the medical sector. It is necessary for doctors to understand the history, lifestyle and contributing factors of infertile people to come up with the best diagnosis and treatment.

And the right and vital information can’t be found in your friendly neighborhood albularyos, quack doctors and average joe, but in the realm of professional medical care.

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

LOOKING FOR AN EFFECTIVE, PLANT-BASED SUPPLEMENT FOR KIDS? READ ON...

School season is almost here. After being prisoners due to the pandemic lockdowns, I’m sure kids like my 13-year-old son Darco and cutie patootie 10-year-old niece Jodi would be very happy to return to their school activities and be with their classmates. Though I know it wouldn’t be easy because of the learn-from-home set up, which still has a lot of loopholes and disadvantages.

My son is well-taken cared of, so I thought of something to help Jodi survive the online jungle. Laptop check ✔ Smartphone check ✔ Tablet check ✔ Fast internet connection check ✔ Looks like Jodi has all the external tools of the trade 😊. 

So, I narrowed down to the internals. She needs to be prepared physically and mentally to withstand the rigors of online learning like voluminous assignments, long exposure to dangerous blue light from computer screens and of course energy draining activities. While surfing the net, I stumbled on this supplement called Focus Syrup for Kids. I thoroughly researched and found out that it has all the nutrients needed by kids her age. And I’m surprised that it’s made with plant-based ingredients and none of the synthetic stuff commonly used in other supplement brands. And get this, they don’t use preservatives and artificial sweeteners. Just look at the web capture of their website below:

Being in marketing, I knew that their website is biased so I went to the Review tab of their FB page here https://web.facebook.com/FocusPhilippines to check on the product’s veracity. I was blown away by the positive reviews of Momshies! Reviews in FB pages are normally legit, genuine and can’t be undone. Don’t take my word for it, see for yourself the screenshot I took…

At this point I was fairly convinced that this item would be my gift to Jodi. So, I went to my favorite online shopping site Shopee and was pleasantly surprised that Focus can be conveniently ordered there. My first option when the pandemic started was really to safely shop in the comfort and safety of my home. I ordered 3 of the 120 ml bottles and quickly shipped it to my niece’s house with instructions to her mom Diane to religiously follow dosage instructions.

After two weeks, I checked on Diane if she noticed any improvement in Jodi’s condition. She said Jodi is always energetic and she sleeps soundly at night after taking Focus. Her appetite also improved. Before this, Jodi would be lethargic most of the day and has difficulty falling asleep brought on by watching too much YouTube and TikTok videos.

I told her to change her usual vitamin brand from now on and just focus (pun unintended) on Focus Syrup 😊

Momshies, do your kids a favor by giving them trusted, safe and proven supplements like this. Again, don’t take my word for it. See for yourself.

Just go to their website at www.greenleafherbals.ph/focus-syrup for more info. It says there you can buy Focus Syrup in Lazada, Shopee and BeautyMNL online stores and in leading drugstores like Mercury, Southstar and Rose Pharmacy.

My cutie niece Jodi :-)

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

MOK LAUNCHES NEW, BETTER AND MORE ELEGANT DEVICES CALLED MOK 2.0

My favorite MOK brand just got upgraded! 

This blogger was invited to their elegant and sleek virtual launch a few days ago and was giddily amazed at the new and improved MOK 2.0 devices. I have been faithfully using these heat-not-burn (HnB) gadgets for 8 months and haven’t encountered any problems. I use both the MOK 1.9 and the MOK Mini. The bigger 1.9 with a holder (charger) is for the non-chain-smoker while the Mini is a stand-alone that can heat 8 to 10 COO heat sticks continuously before charging. Since I’m a chimneyfish (a slang for a chain-smoker 😊), I normally use the Mini for convenience. Aside from addressing my massive vapor needs, it’s also small and compact. I can put it inconspicuously in my compact sling bag without taking too much space. It’s also pocketable by the way. I just bought a small gadget pouch and put everything in including the COO heat sticks and the cleaning kit.

I can’t wait to upgrade to these new, slick devices with more powerful batteries, better features, more elegant colors and designs. Just look at the gorgeous MOK 2.0 pics below:

Though I’m a bit disappointed that there are no new flavors for the COO heat sticks, a small matter for some, but it's just me 😊! And one great thing that I need to point out, the new devices are more affordable than the old ones and IQOS, its toughest HnB competitor.

I am also posting the official press release provided to us by the company for my dear readers’ perusal below. It indicates the availability of the new devices, the description of new features among many others. After the press release, I posted photos of the actual launch event:

MOK, the first heat-not-burn brand locally available in the Philippines, introduces revolutionary devices that aim to provide adult smokers with a better tobacco experience by being equally satisfying alternatives to their favorite cigarettes.

At the heart of MOK devices are sophisticated electronics highlighted by its unique Heating Pin. By utilizing innovative heat-not-burn technology, MOK allows for reduction of harmful chemicals significantly compared to cigarette smoke, by heating the tobacco just enough to release a flavorful nicotine-containing vapor without burning the tobacco itself.

During the virtual launch last December 3, 2020, MOK Philippines unveiled the latest device in their heat-not-burn product line, the MOK 2.0, an ultra-lightweight and compact device that embodies taste, tech, and style with its high-tech OLED panel, fast pre-heating cycles, fast charging feature, and premium colorways of brown, gold, and blue.

“This is the most premium MOK device that’s out in the market. The new MOK 2.0 boasts of defined, angular shapes that’s distinct and truly elegant on its own. Again, still ultra-lightweight, still compact, and its matte metallic finish furthers MOK’s signature of sophistication,” shares Cax Mayuga, MOK Philippines’ Marketing Director.

The media and selected VIPs were led to a virtual room where they fully experienced the future of tobacco by choosing which MOK 2.0 premium colorway fits their style.

There was also a surprise reveal of the MOK mini Plus— a device that has an even more compact form factor, which consumers loved in the first generation MOK mini, but with further improvements to perfect its minimalism and functionality. MOK mini Plus has a faster pre-heating cycle and now comes in a matte metallic finish for that super sleek look.

“MOK continuously innovates and adapts to more advanced technology to give a better alternative to cigarettes, without losing the pleasurable tobacco experience. It’s the brand of innovation that we are so proud to uphold and share with all adult smokers,” adds Mayuga.

MOK 2.0 is the flagship product of a new line of MOK products to be launched in the Philippines and will be available on December 15 in MOK official stores in Shopee, Lazada, and select hubs of GrabMart Express as well as MOK Specialty Kiosks in Eastwood Mall, SM City North EDSA, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM City Manila, and METL!VE.

To find out more about MOK, visit: https://mok.com.ph/

#MOKHeatNotBurn #MOK2.0DigitalLaunch

The virtual launch event was hosted by TV personality Shawn Yao (left) while the
resource person was MOK Philippines Marketing Director Cax Mayuga

The COO heat sticks come in different flavors

The advantages of using heat not burn over vapes and traditional cigarettes

Love Plus Charity Foundation Gives Back by Helping Filipinos In Need During the Pandemic

As the popular saying goes, Love really conquers all! This was I think the mantra of the famed LOVE PLUS CHARITY FOUNDATION when they braved the pandemic and the fear of coronavirus infections to donate massive amounts of food, medical equipment, cash and other essential necessities in Paranaque City recently. Actually, since the pandemic started, they already conducted numerous outreach programs in different parts of the country with the backing of big Chinese companies and the local Chinese community.

These heartwarming and noble causes by the foundation and the Chinese in general clearly communicate that they are here for the Filipinos through thick and thin, pandemic or without. These are qualities that embody the main mission of the foundation, which is to spread LOVE and cheer to our dear Filipino brothers. Common Table PR was there to witness this uplifting activity. Below is the rundown of the event complete with the cheerful photos that clearly documented the love spread by the foundation on that fine, sunny day.

Manila, Philippines - Love Plus Charity Foundation held their community outreach program on October 28, 2020 at Brgy. Punta, Paranaque City with Co-Founder William Chen and Miss Philippines Earth 2019 Janelle Tee to provide aid to the families who were greatly affected by the pandemic. Many of the world’s greatest movements were started by community outreach projects and volunteering brings families and friends, neighbors, and strangers together. 

Love Plus Charity Foundation, an organization founded by Chinese national, Hu Sun, started to provide aid in their own little ways by means of food delivery for front liners on different checkpoints, across several cities back in March when the government imposed city lockdowns in the country. The organization wanted to reach remote areas that were not focused on by mainstream media – which draw attention from several individuals and organizations, that lead to the growth of donation to the foundation.

Miss Philippines Earth 2019, Janelle Tee being interviewed by media

 Love Plus Charity Foundation Co-Founder, William Chen

“We are not brothers by blood, but we think of Filipinos as a part of our family because they welcomed us with open arms. I think it’s time for us to return the favor and provide assistance in any way we can because that’s what a family does. They help each other get through the rough times.”, said Hu Sun. 

When the Chinese Medical Team first arrived in the country to provide their expertise in combatting the deadly virus, Love Plus Charity Foundation spearheaded the translation between them and local health care officials to make sure no message is lost during translation. With over 50 individuals going hand in hand to donate food, medical equipment, and other necessary items to combat the corona virus, Love Plus Charity Foundation doubled their efforts especially on the months of April and May when they visited major hospitals in NCR, including Lung Center of the Philippines, RITM, Jose Abad Santos General Hospital, Bulacan Medical Center and so much more. Love Plus Charity Foundation was also one of the first organizations to provide aid in terms of basic necessities such as food and water when the Pandacan Church caught fire back in July.

The team in action. Donating essential goods to Paraquenos

As of August 1, 2020, a combination of 487 Chinese organizations and individuals have donated to Love Plus Charity Foundation, garnering a total of Php 6,000,000 in cash, 3,144 boxes of surgical masks, 1,340 sets of PPE, 2,000 sets of rapid test kits, baby essentials like formula milk and diaper, in addition to food donations such as rice, bread, instant noodles, canned goods, fruits and vegetables, enough to feed an entire community.

 

When the government implemented another lockdown on August 4, Love Plus Charity Foundation did not waste any time to lend another helping hand to Filipinos, despite of challenges such as distance and heavy rains.

“We believe that in times like these, there is no nationality, but only unity. The Philippines has been our home and we felt like it was our responsibility to help anyone in need – no matter the distance and race, as we need to rise up in the middle of this pandemic.”, said Hu Sun.

Love Plus Charity Foundation will continue its mission to provide aid for Filipinos across the country. The organization hopes that despite the effects of the pandemic, humanity will still find the strength to recover. Contact Love Plus Charity Foundation on Facebook via https://www.facebook.com/LovePlusFoundation/ or contact InfinitUs Marketing Solutions at https://www.facebook.com/infinitusph/ for more information.

MY MOK & COO STORY: HOW I CHANGED MY SMOKING HABITS FOR THE BETTER

I’ve long wanted to quit smoking cigarettes. I have done countless times to go cold turkey only to return to my beloved, but life-threatening hobby. Since high school, I simply can’t evade that tempting aroma of a puffball and the act of smoking itself. You see, I am not addicted to nicotine or the other stuff that they accuse that little tobacco stick of. I am simply addicted to the “act of smoking”. From the time you lit the stick to the actual puffing ala movie star to the exhalation of that gorgeous, white puffball. There is something about the whole process that simply relaxes me and clears my mind of clutter. I grew up in an old society where being cool means puffing a smoke, consuming booze and being adrift of society’s standards. The film “A Rebel without a Cause” and countless films with action themes, in our case the Robin Padilla flicks, all the more pushed these rebellious behaviors to our youth.

But now I’m in my middle-aged years. And the specter of death looms large on my horizon. So, this time I have to think hard and deep about my health condition. I have decided to take good care of my health from now on without relinquishing my first love, smoking. So, I decided to buy this cigarette alternative product called MOK. I've been egged by my peers to switch to these heated tobacco products (HTPs) since 2018. They professed that it tastes and creates the same buzz as traditional burning cigarettes without the poisonous toxins and tar that causes cancer and all those creepy stuff. I was initiated to the leading brand of these HTPs called IQOS, made by the World’s largest tobacco maker, Philip Morris. I was initially adverse to it. To my mind, it shortcuts the process of the “act of smoking” premise I was in love with in the first place.

My MOK Mini & pack of COO while sipping my milk tea somewhere in Greenhills
post ECQ

Forward to this day, and I am now huffing and puffing on my black MOK Mini. This is a rectangular gadget that looks like a Zippo lighter but a tad bigger. I bought it because it's pocketable, lighter to carry anywhere and has fewer complications than its bigger sibling the MOK 1.9. In addition, I can smoke continuously on this device with around 10 heat sticks before the battery conks out. It was specially designed for chain smokers unlike the MOK 1.9 where you need to charge the holder a few minutes before you can puff again. I’m also impressed with its build quality. It’s made of glass and adorned with golden metal around it. You wouldn’t be embarrassed to use this outside since it looks sleek, classy, and expensive. Since HTP adoption is still in its infancy stages in the country, it's always a conversation starter wherever I light up.

The core concept is it’s a small heater that heats up a cigarette-like heat stick called COO. COO is made of real tobacco specially designed for the MOK device. It's a half shorter than a common cigarette. You just insert the heat stick in the device, push a few touch buttons, wait for 12 seconds to heat it then puff away. The health advantage of HTPs vs. cigarettes is in its smokeless heating process. Traditional cigarettes are burned to induce the nicotine hit. But with it comes a slew of toxins commonly associated with combustion that includes carbon monoxide, cancer-causing carcinogens, poisonous fumes, toxic metals among many others. But with HTPs, you only get the nicotine and a few toxic substances as the manufacturers claim. Philip Morris in an article even claimed that 90 to 95 percent of toxins found in traditional cigarettes are not present in their heat sticks called HEETs. HTPs like MOK only heat the tobacco to induce the nicotine-laden vapor. That’s another claimed, harmless aspect of these devices, the smoke that comes out of it is not actual smoke but miniscule water vapor. Clinically, these are two very different substances. Another claim is since its vapor, there’s no threat of second hand smoke.

After devouring a burger like this, I normally puff on my MOK w/ COO Golden
Hue heat sticks to celebrate a satisfying lunch

Anyways back to my story, I have been using my MOK Mini for a month already after ditching my favored Winston Lights and I couldn’t be more satisfied. Psychologically, I also feel healthier after the big switch. Although the device doesn’t exactly meet the criteria for my ‘act of smoking’ theory, I’m still happy with it since its better than nothing.

I intend to use it for as long as I enjoy my cup of coffee, my glass of wine, my bottle of beer, my dish of sushi and my zest for life!

The MOK 1.9 is the bigger sibling of my MOK Mini

BTW, MOK & COO can be bought in a variety of outlets such as their Lazada and Shopee stores, DJSHOPPH, HeatNPuff, Lighters Galore and resellers in Facebook. They also have a Philippine website https://mok.com.ph/ and physical stores in Eastwood Mall and SM North Edsa.

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

Gerry’s Grill, restaurant and bar pioneer turns 23

What comes to mind when one thinks of the number 23?  Is it Michael Jordan, the G.O.A.T. of basketball?  Is it the age of real adulting for some, a point in one’s life where he realizes he’s a full-grown adult with all the responsibilities that come with being one?

For Gerry’s Restaurant and Bar, more widely known as Gerry’s Grill, the number marks the years it has successfully catered to the discriminating palate of the Filipino people.  23 years ago, on February 14, 1997, the first Gerry’s Restaurant and Bar opened its doors on Tomas Morato, Quezon City.  And the dining landscape has never been the same since. Gerry’s Grill pioneered the resto-bar concept that continues to appeal to the Gen X, its original clients, as it does the Millennials of today.  Many have followed suit but Gerry’s maintains its uniqueness for a good number of reasons.

Touted as among the few preferred go-to restaurant–bars in the metro, Gerry’s boasts of over a hundred stores thus deserving to be called the “sari-sari store” of resto-bars by virtue of its being found in every major dining and entertainment hub in Metro Manila.  And in each branch, one is surely never short changed.

Gerry’s has proven time and again to withstand food fads like the grill wars, i.e., shawarma, samgyupsal (Korean Grill), lechon manok/baboy and numerous experimental and fusion cuisines.  This means that their Filipino-themed menu has become ingrained in the food psyche of Filipinos, a tradition no less.  Their variety of dishes and beverages represents the whole Philippine cuisine.  Its flavorful Sizzling Sisig, Beef Kare-Kare and Inihaw na Pusit have been legendary food staples at every Filipino customer’s dining table.   The rest of the menu caters to almost any craving.

Even the beer gulping culture of the country has been shaped and influenced by Gerry’s Grill being a top-of-mind watering hole through the years.  Its wide food selection is considered the holy grail of pulutans (hors d’oeuvres) that is perfect for inumans (benders). 

Bert Santos, an engineer, waxed nostalgic when he said that he literally grew up with Gerry’s Grill as his tambayan (bar/beer joint) for unwinding during his college years.  Today, Gerry’s is a favorite lunch place for his family after hearing Sunday mass.   While Buddy Sanchez, a doctor, said Gerry’s holds a special place in his heart because this was where he bonded with his work buddies after a stressful day and where he eventually met his future wife, Sally.

Gerry’s has recently opened its branches in San Diego, California and Houston, Texas, a good addition to its overseas chain which includes branches in Singapore, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.  Avenida, a modern Filipino restaurant and bar, inspired by the Avenida Rizal (Rizal Avenue) of the post-war era, is another Gerry’s Grill-owned restaurant that opened in San Mateo, California.  With these developments, our overseas kababayans have every reason to celebrate Gerry’s 23 years of great food and great service.

Craving for sumptuous food after reading this?  Go to the nearest Gerry’s Restaurant and Bar branch; visit www.gerrysgrill.com.ph to view the complete list of their branches, as well as all the food entries on their 2020 menu.  You can also visit their Facebook page, @gerrysgrill.com.ph for more info.

Tomas Morato branch when it opened in 1997

The still standing flagship store in Tomas Morato today

The newly opened Gerry's Restaurant and Bar in San Diego California in the US

Gerry's new concept store, the newly opened Avenida Restaurant in San Mateo, California

Usual Friday night at Gerry's taken at Matalino St. branch in Quezon City

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

Head Graphene XT Jr. Tennis Tournament 2015: Building Tennis Champions on its 17th year

Tennis is one of the most popular but silent sports in the Philippines. One can see its popularity by just going around the country. Most municipalities and cities have their own tennis courts aside from the usual basketball and volleyball. Privately-run tennis courts also abound anywhere. Majority of enthusiasts are either the middle and higher classes since lets face it, it's quite expensive to get into the sport. However if one is really creative and has willpower, he can practice the sport without deeply digging in his pocket. There are tennis courts that rent out, aside from the venue, tennis racquets, balls and even rubber shoes at a reasonable price.

But in the competitive world of professional tennis, a good and highly advanced tennis racquet and supporting gears such as shoes, racquet strings, balls, grips and apparel are very important in capturing that Grand Slam! This is where Head comes in. Head is one of the leading tennis gear makers in the world. It has armed and dressed champions since time immemorial. Their current endorsers are on the top of the professional tennis hierarchy like Novac Djokovic and Maria Sharapova. They recently launched the Head Graphene XT line of tennis racquets in the country.

But what is really great about Head Philippines and its distribution company Dynamic Sports Corporation is their advocacy to bring tennis to the grassroots and develop a passion for the sports at a young age.

The Head Graphene XT Junior Tennis Satellite tournaments is on its 17th year of building and developing tennis champions. The 2015 version was launched recently in Contis Restaurant in Greenbelt. It has a new major supporter in Globe Telecommunications. The wide-ranging tournament was previously supported by a major rival of Globe.

In the press launch, the Globe and Head teams were visibly excited about this new partnership. The speeches and talks centered on how to make tennis more viable for the youth as a hobby and to wean them away from bad vices such as drugs and alchohol. Various media both from the traditional and online real graced and covered the event.

DURING THE CONTRACT SIGNING & PRESS LAUNCH (FROM L-R): ALBERT TINIO - VICE PRESIDENT, MOBILE CLUSTER SALES, GLOBE TELECOM, LIZA TANG YUQUICO - MANAGING DIRECTOR HEAD PHILIPPINES AND DYNAMIC SPORTS CORPORATION AND CHRIS CUARTO - PHILIPPINE TENNIS ASSOCIATION (PHILTA).

Just this week, the First Leg of the tournament kicked off in gorgeous and majestic Davao City.

“We are very excited as we kick off the circuit's first leg here in Davao City together with Globe Telecom who has sponsored the series of tournaments that will run in Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon until June 7, 2015. Davao is considered as a tennis hotbed in Mindanao, where players play with a lot of discipline and passion,” said Liza Tang-Yuquico, Managing Director of Head Philippines.

A young participant in action during the Davao leg!

Some of the participants having a blast before
the Davao tournament opening ceremonies

After Davao, the tournament proceeds to the Capitol Tennis Courts in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, for the 2^nd Leg from March 16 to 20, then to Cagayan De Oro City on March 22 to 26, and then to General Santos on March 28 to April 1.

The Visayas campaign begins in Dumaguete City from April 5 to 9, then moves on to Bohol on April 11 to 15, Lapu-Lapu Cebu on April 17 to 21, Bacolod City on April 23 to 27, Iloilo City on April 29 to May 3 and Kalibo on May 5 to 9.

The Luzon campaign starts in Naga, Bicolandia, simultaneous with the Kalibo Leg on May 5 to 9, while the Pampanga leg happens from May 10 to 14, Olongapo May 15 to 19, Urdaneta May 20 to 24, Vigan May 25 to 29, Baguio City on May 30 to June 3 and finally in Manila on June 3 to 7.

The singles and doubles events will be available in different age categories – 10-year-and under (unisex), 12-and-under (boys), 14-and-under (boys), 16-and-under (boys), 18-and-under (boys), 12-and-under (girls), 14-and-under (girls), 16-and-under (girls) and 18-under (girls).

For more information on the event and how to join, visit the Head (Philippines) Jr. Tennis Satellite Circuit Facebook page or send an SMS through 0915-5774323.

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

EA Regenerative Medicine Center Of Excellence: Bringing reputable stem cell therapy to our shores

Stem Cell Therapy, which is a part of regenerative medicine in general, is one of the most exciting branches of science. The potential is tremendous as it deals with tissue regeneration and biological healing. A quick look for its definition on the net reveals this from Wikipedia: "Regenerative medicine is a branch of translational research in tissue engineering and molecular biology which deals with the "process of replacing, engineering or regenerating human cells, tissues or organs to restore or establish normal function".

Taken from Wikipedia.org

I'm no medical expert, but common sense dictates that cell therapy could be the future of medicine. Think of it this way. If you watched any of Marvel's X-Men movies, the regenerative powers of the popular comic hero Wolverine is the closest concept you can find on-screen on this. In real life, remember when your friendly, neighborhood household lizard accidentally broke off his tail? And after a few days, you see him again with a brand new, spanking tail? That is in a nutshell what regenerative medicine is all about. In a layman's definition, it is basically the study & science on how to heal or grow back damaged human body parts or tissue.

Stem cell treatment has been controversial as of late because of news about some congressmen dying from it. And generally, the topic is controversial in nature since it deals with altering what nature has naturally given us. In our society, anything that tampers with the natural course of things is almost always a magnet for controversy. The controversy generated is partly due to ignorance on the subject or because society in general is not yet ready to fully comprehend the vast opportunities stem cell therapy can offer.

First regenerative medicine center in the country

I was invited to the 1st anniversary event and presscon of EA Regenerative Medicine Center of Excellence, probably the first clinic of its kind that offers integrated cell therapy treatments in the country, and was impressed with its ultramodern interior and state-of-the-art medical equipment and facilities.

EA's well appointed, stylish & sophisticated lobby

I have never seen a clinic that looked so good and classy. You feel like you're in a five-star hotel lobby! But the husband and wife tandem of Dr. Eder G. Dizon (the managing director of EA) and his amiable wife Dr. Aenelle Dizon, a dermatologist by profession, never showed any high society vibe. They were very gracious with the guests including the media people and bloggers. They were always ready to answer difficult questions about EA's services. The friendly staff, headed by EA's  competent general manager Abigail Biruar, were very helpful and accommodating. Suffice it to say that customer service is topnotch in this area. The partner doctors who presented were experts and known in their respective fields such as Dr. Florencio Lucero, the center's resident plastic surgeon and Dr. Miguel Ramos, the resident internal medicine/geriatric specialist.

Dr. Eder G. Dizon, managing director of EA 
Regenerative Medicine Center of Excellence
with his wife Dr. Aenelle B. Dizon, a 
dermatologist.

To know more about the center and its services, I have published an official literature from them right after the jump:

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EA Regenerative Medicine: A Hope for Alzheimer's, Depression & other brain disorders

Can you relate to these scenarios? When you were still a bubbly kid, you excitedly go to your grandpa to greet him when suddenly he forgets your name or recites all the names of his apos before getting yours right. Or you got the shock of your life when you heard the news about the unexpected suicide of a relative or a friend. You were just talking to her a couple of days ago and she seems to be full of life.

These two scenarios are just some of the most common exposures we've had with brain and psychiatric illnesses. The grandpa most likely has dementia, a symptom of Alzheimer's disease, a condition where the brain gradually loses its memory overtime due to old age or disease. While suicide is an aftermath of a psychiatric illness which many refer to as depression. According to medical studies, everybody goes through some form of depression in their lives. But the most harmful is severe depression which if not diagnosed immediately and properly can lead to suicide. The Philippines' National Statistics Office (NSO) reported that suicide has steadily risen in the past 21 years which gravely shows that psychiatric problems are also on the rise due to society's advancement and the complexities of life that come with it.

The Brainsway Deep Transcranial
Magnetic Stimulation equipment

But there is hope and good news. "These brain and psychiatric disorders can now be treated with the right interventions and medications," says Dr. Eder G. Dizon M.D., Managing Medical director of the newest, high-end, multi-specialty regenerative medicine clinic called EA Regenerative Medicine Center of Excellence during its recent presscon and first year anniversary event. EA is first in South East Asia to offer the most advanced regenerative medical procedures utilizing state-of-the-art processing, delivery, and preservation of medical-grade Adipose-Derived Regenerative Cells (ADRCs) that follows the most stringent clinical protocols, registries and standards of operations. It utilizes Cytori Therapeutics technology, a world renown and reputable cell therapy company, for its cell therapy services.

It recently offered Brainsway DTMS or deep transcranial magnetic stimulation, a recognized, breakthrough treatment for various kinds of serious brain and psychiatricological disorders such as Depression, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Bipolar Disorder, Autism and even addictions such as smoking and drugs.

Driving Forces behind EA Regenerative Medicine Center of Excellence (L-R): Udi Lowy – Manager, Brainsway Asia Inc., Dr. Antonio C. Sison – Psychiatry, Dr. Florencio Q. Lucero - Plastic Surgery/ Fat Stem Cell Surgery, Dr. Aenelle B. Dizon – Dermatology, Dr. Eder G. Dizon – Managing Director of EA, Dr. Kathleen P. Garcia – Anesthesiology, Dr. Pompeyo R. Bautista – Medical Director/ Nephrology, Dr. Ferdinand V. Alzate -  Interventional Cardiology, Dr. Miguel A. Ramos – Internal Medicine/ Geriatrics

"TMS is a deep but non-invasive treatment that was extensively developed in Israel by Brainsway. We brought this technology, probably a first in the country, to help patients who are most likely resistant to traditional forms of medicines or who have tried out every available treatment unsuccessfully," says Dizon.

The Brainsway Deep TMS is a non-invasive treatment which stimulates the brain region responsible for the neurologic or psychiatric symptoms and brings significant improvement to patients. It is an outpatient procedure which does not require hospitalization or anesthesia, and entails no memory loss or systemic side effects.

In each session, the patient is comfortably seated on a chair, and a cushioned helmet is gently placed over the head. The helmet generates brief magnetic fields, similar to those used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. These magnetic fields briefly stimulate the targeted brain area and improve the symptoms. The procedure requires 4-5x/week sessions of 20 minutes each over 4-5 weeks depending on the indication. After each session, patients can return home independently, and follow through their normal daily routine.

The Shockwave Therapy treatment being done to a patient

"Our DTMS treatment is highly regarded and tested by credible and renown medical scientists and institutions such as Harvard University, American National Institutes of Health, John Hopkins University, Columbia University among many others," Dizon proudly states.

The treatment is safely and conveniently conducted by reputable Neurologists and Psychiatrists in EA's well appointed and modern clinic.

Aside from DTMS, the clinic also offers a comprehensive and complete geriatric assessment program specially designed by EA's resident geriatric doctor Miguel A. Ramos. During his presentation, Dr. Ramos says that majority of the country's old people (60 years old and up) die early due to neglect. "People in this age bracket can still have a fulfilling and good quality of life if they just go to a geriatric doctor and be honest about what they are feeling and about their medical history. But majority of them don't because they are afraid of the truth. They don't realize that neglecting their health makes them more prone to diseases which in turn shortens their lifespan," explained Ramos.

EA's extensive geriatric program is holistic in approach and considers every aspect of an elderly's needs. The program conducts nutritional and psychological assessments, functional and physical tests and interventions like stem cell therapy if needed.

The StemSource Cell and Adipose Tissue
Bank cryogenic facility

EA also introduced the Shockwave Therapy. Shockwave is an acoustic wave which carries its high energy to the painful spot and provokes healing and repair processes. It is used to treat tissue, bone and muscle problems and helps regenerate them through a series of controlled applications much like the effect of hand massage.

On top of these services, the center also employs its own world class ambulatory surgical complex and a StemSource Cell and Adipose Tissue Bank cryogenic facility, the first and only one in the country to date. With this facility, patients no longer have to go out of the country to avail of the Cytori Cell Therapy. The clinic allows patients to harvest and immediately benefit from these cells, or they can opt to bank their cells or excess fat tissue for future use.

To know more about the center, visit  www.earegenmed.com , e-mail edergdizon@earegenmed.com, abiebiruar@earegenmed.com, pompeyo_bautista@earegenmed.com or call +63 917 599 9385.

By Paolo Angelo Florenda