AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS PHILIPPINE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS THROUGH WFP RICE CONTINGENCY STOCK

MANILA – With the Philippines currently experiencing disastrous floods, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) recently received a generous grant of $AU1 million (approximately Php43.8 million) from the Australian Government to significantly boost WFP’s contingency food stocks for enhanced disaster response capacity in the Philippines. 

The contribution, made through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), will be used to dispatch rice to flood-affected people, augmenting the Philippine Government’s relief response.    

“WFP is grateful to the Government of Australia for this generous donation. WFP is actively supporting efforts of the Government of the Philippines to prepare for and mitigate the effects of natural disasters at both national and local levels,” explained WFP Representative and Country Director Stephen Anderson.

“Learning from past emergency responses, establishing a strategic contingency stock of food to complement government efforts is both an efficient and cost-effective preparedness and response measure,” he added.

The WFP contingency food stock in the Philippines will include 200 metric tons of fortified high-energy biscuits and 1,500 tons of rice, enough to support 320,000 people for two weeks.

This contingency food stock will be distributed in direct coordination with WFP’s main government partner, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which is also the lead government agency for emergency food response.

“The Australian Government is providing these items to the World Food Programme so that they can be drawn upon immediately in serious situations, such as this massive flooding caused by continuous heavy rains for the past two weeks,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell said.

“This allows Australia and WFP to support the Philippine Government to respond quickly and effectively to essential humanitarian needs following emergencies and disasters. This assistance builds on the significant support Australia has already provided to the Philippines on disaster risk management and climate change adaptation, including hazard and risk analysis, integrating disaster and climate considerations in development and land use planning, community-based disaster preparedness and providing safer settlements.”

The Australian Government is among the top donors to the World Food Programme globally and has also provided generous support for WFP’s disaster preparedness and response initiatives in the Philippines.  Recently, AusAID contributed to the response to Tropical Storm Washi (Sendong) by providing food and cash assistance to support emergency relief and early recovery activities.

About WFP

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries.

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About Australian AID

The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) is the Australian Government agency responsible for managing Australia's overseas aid program. The fundamental purpose of Australian aid is to help people overcome poverty.

WFP National Ambassador KC Concepcion Distributes High-Energy Biscuits in Pampanga

United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) National Ambassador Against Hunger KC Concepcion (center) distributes WFP high-energy biscuits to flood-affected communities currently staying at the evacuation center in San Jose Panlumacan Elementary School in San Fernando City, Pampanga. With her are Department of Social Welfare and Development-Region III Regional Director Adelina Apostol (extreme right) and WFP Representative and Country Director Stephen Anderson (extreme left). A total of 100 boxes, which are expected to benefit about 5,000 families, were distributed at the evacuation center.  

Prior to the distribution, KC explained to the beneficiaries that the high-energy biscuits are fortified with vitamins and minerals, which will help them get the nutrition they need while still in the evacuation center.  KC’s visit helped to uplift the spirits of the displaced population.

The high-energy biscuits are part of WFP’s offer of support to government relief efforts in response to the Southwest Monsoon. In addition to high-energy biscuits, WFP is also providing logistical assistance and nutritious ready to eat supplementary food for children under 2 years of age.          

Photo Credit: WFP/Anthony Lim/Philippines

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries.

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WFP SUPPORTS GOVERNMENT RELIEF EFFORTS FOR FLOOD-AFFECTED COMMUNITIES

WFP News Release

A family in Tunasan Elem. Sch., Muntinlupa receives DSWD relief pack

MANILA – In the wake of monsoon rains that have brought severe floods to the Luzon and Visayas regions, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has mobilized logistics and food support tocomplement the Philippine Government’s emergency relief efforts, working closely with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“WFP is saddened by the humanitarian impact of the non-stop rains over the last week in the Philippines, and we would like reiterate our solidarity with the Philippine Government during times of emergencies.  We stand ready to offer our full support to augment government efforts when needed,” said WFP Philippines Representative and Country Director Stephen Anderson.   

WFP has delivered a total of 52.5 metric tons of high-energy biscuits to benefit 262,500 flood-affected individuals from the National Capital Region, Region III, and Region IV-A. These biscuits are currently being distributed by the DSWD.

Most of the biscuits (39.5 metric tons) will go to Regions III and IV-A, which the government has identified as the most flood-affected, where they will be distributed to 197,500 people.

The remaining 13 metric tons will assist 65,000 flood-affected people in the National Capital Region, which includes the areas of Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Paranaque and Quezon City.

High-energy biscuits are wheat-based biscuits fortified with vitamins and minerals. They are often distributed during the first few days of an emergency, when people have limited access to cooking facilities.

In addition to distributing the biscuits, WFP is contracting trucks to help transport DSWD relief supplies to affected communities in Metro Manila and neighbouring provinces.

In the coming days, WFP will also distribute nutritious ready-to-use supplementary food to about77,000 flood-affected children (aged 6 to 36 months) in Luzon, in partnership with the Department of Health.

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries.

Twitter: @wfp_asia and @wfp_philippines and @wfp_media

Facebook: WFP Philippines

Travel Mart Opens On Its 23rd Year

August 10, 2012. SMX Convention Center. 

Despite the recent threat of the low pressure rains, it didn’t stop people from coming to the opening of the 23^rd Philippine Travel Mart at SMX Convention Center. The Travel Mart is organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association or PhilTOA.

It is called Travel Mart because it is like a market for those who need to transact their travel arrangements all in one place. You can book a flight or a cruise, made reservations to a hotel, and get the best deals a travel agency can offer.

The purpose of the Travel Mart is not just to market the exhibits but to offer a chance to see the tourist attractions our country has to offer. It a way, the Travel Mart is also a campaign for the current Philippine tourism, “It’s more fun in the Philippines”. 

Mutya candidates

I’ve been going to the Travel Mart for three years straight and I can guarantee that there are promotion deals that the Travel Mart can offer that you won’t see in from the exhibit’s regular offices but only during the event. There are offers that get better as another day of exhibit progresses. Travel Mart just opened this year with a flash mob dance together with the candidates of Mutya ng Pilipinas.

What to expect from this year’s Travel Mart? The Sale Ng Bayan is one of the exhibits primarily operated by PhilTOA to provide all the necessary travel arrangements. The people manning the Sale Ng Bayan are trained to accommodate every transaction and can also multitask. They are equipped with LAN phones for each one just to let the clients assure that the transaction runs smoothly.  You can choose either to pay in cash or using your Citibank credit card. Either way, there’s a 0% interest for it.

Since Citibank is a major sponsor of the event, the 0% interest will surely be handy. You can still use other credit cards but that’s where the added interest comes in. You could consider applying for Citibank. You can also apply right in Travel Mart for your Citibank right away.

The Ritz Hotel,etc.

Besides the Sale Ng Bayan, here are some exhibits I can recommend to visit. There’s the Ritz Hotel for your needs of accommodation. They’re booth offer other accommodations depending on your desired location. If you wish to see Coron in Palawan, visit the booth of Darayonan Lodge also for accommodation. Darayonan's booth is located on M132.

Darayonan Lodge

Some exhibit booths are also good backgrounds for a photo-shoot. I recommend the Banaue Tourism for their wooden bikes. If you can also visit the Paoay booth, you might also get a Juan Luna mustache. The Laguna Tourism with their caricature booth.  My favorite booth is the Camarines Norte booth. One side of their booth has golden brown sand directly from their virgin beach island of Calaguas which I was able to visit. On the other side is the Cadig Cave display.

Cadig Cave display of CamNorte booth

Each exhibit is contending for the best booth each year. The point comes from the participation of those who purchased tickets and where given stickers to use for voting their favorite exhibit.  There are also lots of happening at the activity area where the stage is set for programs throughout the exhibit. Travel Mart is a three-day event that ends this Sunday, August 12.

Bar Boppin’ with Benzac

Clear skin solution zaps away the zit-blues with pizzazz

Jedahunk and Benzac dancers

Fort Bonifacio Global City – The Fort was the scene of the recently concluded Benzac Bar Tour, which made the rounds at Jill’s, Amber UltraLounge and Craft Pub and Grill. There to make the bar hopping a memorable experience were the Benzac dancers, Galderma brand manager Joel Andrada and YouTube sensation Jem Mark aka jemdahunk.

The bar tour aimed to provide bar-goers with an entertaining experience while informing them of the multiple merits of Benzac® AC Gel and Wash as a treatment for adolescent acne. The Benzac dancers put the groove in groovy and the bump in goosebump as they made their merry way from bar to bar. Participants of the impromptu game of “give me your coolest pick up line” were given Benzac products while others got a Cetaphil whistle lanyard to hoot their way through the evening.

A welcome addition to the procession was Jemdahunk, whose hilarious three-part “How to Dance in the Club” video went viral two months ago, and is currently close to hitting a total of 4,000,000 hits on YouTube. In his YouTube page description, Jemdahunk  styles himself as “just a regular guy who enjoys making short films to make people laugh and make life more enjoyable!” He definitely hit the mark there!

The presence of the YouTube wonder made a definite hit with the crowd, many of whom had laughed as they recognized the archetypal dance personalities he mimicked in his popular videos, such as “The Virgin,” “The Party Pooper,” “The Problematic,” and others much funnier but not so general patronage personas.  Jemdahunk is a Filipino who studied in the US but decided to work in Dubai. When asked what prompted him to upload his videos, he said, “I was so bored and I just wanted to have a hobby.”  And so a YouTube star is born!

Boredom and acne are the primary problems of teenagers today, which is why Galderma Philippines, the home of Benzac AC, dreamed up the Benzac Bar Tour to address both concerns with one blow.  Aside from the entertainment, young bar-goers got a chance to learn more about Benzac® AC Gel and Wash, which are therapeutic, water-based benzoyl peroxide treatments especially formulated for women with adult acne and teens with adolescent acne. 

“Teenagers with acne who have extremely dry or sensitive skin are good candidates for treating with Benzac® AC Gel,” stated Mr. Andrada. “We chose Saturday for the bar tour because we knew that there would be a lot of teenagers here who would benefit from Benzac.”

Benzac® AC incorporates acrylates copolymer  (AC) technology to deliver moisturizing glycerin to dry, sensitive skin and absorb excess facial sebum that leads to blackhead formation. Micronized benzoyl peroxide assures a smooth-textured, consistent formulation. Benzac® AC Wash cleans and moisturizes while it treats acne and at the same time prepares the skin for more active acne treatment with the Benzac AC Gel.

“Night spots where young people gather is a fun way to spend Saturday night, but it’s also a petri dish for bacteria,” Mr. Andrada pointed out. “Benzac AC has been proven to kill 94% of harmful bacteria on the skin, so what better way to protect your skin while on a night out with the gang?”

There was no doubt that the tour was a huge success. The Benzac Bar Tour was a fun, innovative way to educate young people about proper facial care and acne treatment. In the end, it all boils down to the essentials: having a good time and acne-free skin!

Cetaphil Loves Your Skin

PASIG CITY – Galderma Philippines, Inc., the home of the Cetaphil line of skin care products, has recently launched its newest TV ad in the Philippines entitled “Love Your Skin” at Chef’s Quarter located in Mega A Atrium in Megamall. The launch was graced by long-time Cetaphil user Marina Benipayo. Also present were members of the media and Galderma president and general manager Mr. Leslaw Rudy, ably assisted by Cetaphil brand manager Joel Andrada.

The event was a vehicle to deliver information about the skin benefits of making Cetaphil a part of everyone’s daily regimen, as represented by Ms. Benipayo. It was a show-and-tell of epic proportions as the audience was regaled by the former beauty queen’s experience with the product. 

Marina Benipayo is certainly a ringing endorsement of the efficacy of Cetaphil as a skin care product. Because beauty is skin deep, the flawless complexion of Ms. Benipayo was doubtless a contributing factor to her various accomplishments, including: 1988 Bodyshots title; Model of the World Philippine Representative; 1992 Bb. Pilipinas-Maja and Miss World Philippine Representative. Having been 20 years in the business of looking good, Ms. Benipayo knows a good skin product when she sees one, and she has been using Cetaphil for years. 

“It’s gentle on my skin and fragrance-free,” Ms. Benipayo explained. “I’ve tried different things, and all I can say is Cetaphil works. Skincare is Cetaphil care.”

It was a very successful event in many ways, but most importantly by the recognition of the audience of the merits of using Cetaphil in the daily regimen. 

“It was gratifying the way the audience responded to the product,” Mr. Rudy said with a smile. “We gave away Cetaphil products as raffle prizes and in goodie bags, and it was like they were getting gold! And maybe they had reason.”

It’s no surprise that Cetaphil is the most prescribed brand of cleansers and moisturizers by Dermatologists and Pediatricians in the Philippines. The brand was first introduced to the world 65 years ago in 1947 and was originally formulated for compromised, sensitive skin. Constant research and development has elevated the product to a line of excellent facial care products that have far outstripped competitive brands worldwide. Today, the Cetaphil line of products are formulated to benefit all types of skin and are available over the counter so that it is easily accessible for daily use. 

“While Cetaphil is great for damaged skin, you don’t really want things to get to that point,” observed Mr. Andrada. “The ideal would be maintenance and prevention through a daily skin regimen, for nothing beats healthy skin when it comes to beauty. And for that, Cetaphil is very effective.”

To keep your skin soft and supple like Ms. Benipayo’s, Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser is a must in any household, and should be the only product touching the sensitive areas of the face and neck, as well as the whole body. It does not alter the pH balance of the skin as ordinary soap does, is non-irritating, and moisturizes as it cleanses. It’s truly value for your money and time.

In the Philippines, where the heat and dust can clog and mar the best skin, the daily Cetaphil cleansing and moisturizing regimen is especially important. Acne is a major problem for many Filipinos, and Cetaphil reduces sebum levels that lead to blackheads without removing the natural skin defenses against acne and other skin diseases. As an added defense to dryness and aging skin, Cetaphil also has daily moisturizers designed for normal as well as extremely dry skin. For the latter condition, Cetaphil is proud to offer true 24 hour hydration that is clinically proven thru Cetaphil Daily Advance Ultra Hydrating Lotion with ERC5. The sun, which makes the country beautiful, is also anathema on the skin without the UV protection provided by Cetaphil’s Moisturizing Cream with SPF 15 protection, or the more powerful UVA/UVB with SPF 28 and SPF 50 for those days under the sun.

There is nothing the skin needs that Cetaphil cannot provide. It is the ultimate in daily skin care for all types of Filipino skin, and the ideal skin protection for all occasions. Just ask Marina Benipayo.