A BIKER’S HAVEN AT THE SM STORE

2 Dec, 2021, No comments

Cycling has suddenly become cool in a big way as we navigate the pandemic. A healthy, and low impact exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, biking has emerged as a favorite way of transportation especially during the community quarantine days, when major transportations are not allowed to operate. Many communities have also allocated bike lanes for those who prefer to pedal their way around the city.

The good news is that The SM Store now has cool gear for bike enthusiasts in its Men’s Accessories Department. These include bikes, as well as safety helmets, multi-purpose masks, gloves, repair kits, lights, bags, and cargo nets to keep us safe and stylish on the road.

There are Mountain Bikes designed for off-road cycling - mountain trails, single track, fire roads, and other unpaved surfaces; as well as lightweight and sportive Road Bikes built for traveling at speed on paved roads. Bike enthusiasts will also enjoy trying out Gravel/Adventure bikes, Utility bikes, E-bikes, Triathlon bikes, Tandem bikes, Park bikes and Kids bikes.

Urban planner, cycling advocate, and founder of active transport advocacy group MNL Moves, Aldrin Pelicano shares with us tips to anyone before going on a ride or who wants to give biking a start. Here are his must-haves:

· Helmets. “Investing in a good helmet is always worth it,” says Aldrin. “When choosing a helmet, always look for the Consumer Product Safety Committee (CPSC) sticker inside. This ensures you’ll be offered a high level of protection if you do end up in a crash.”

Bike Lights. It is important to see and be seen when you’re out on the road, and Aldrin advises us to “choose a white bike light in front and red bike light for the back. High visibility (hi-viz) clothes or vest and straps can also help for you to be visible especially in low-light conditions or at night.”

· Repair Kits. “Don’t go out on a ride, whether short or long, without your tool kit,” says Aldrin. “A good kit should include spare tube/s and/or patch kit, pump, tire levers and cycling multi-tool.”

· A Bike bag – “It’s a good idea to bring essentials like IDs, money, mask, face shield (if you will go to an indoor place, closed venue), food and water,” says Aldrin. And find yourself a good bag for all your stuff.

· A Water bottle – “If your bike has eyelets,” says Aldrin.” it would be good to get a bottle cage so you can bring water bottles for hydration.”

Wear as you ride – How do you dress the part? Some advice from Aldrin: “You don’t have to wear cycling jerseys to make trips on a bicycle. As long as it’s comfortable and will help you ride safely, any clothes should do it. Also, “don’t underestimate the sun so it’s also good to wear some protection like arm sleeves and sunglasses.”

Bike lovers and enthusiasts, like Aldrin, can visit The SM Store Men’s Accessories Department to check out their latest bike collections, as well as accessories, safety kits and gears, and other must-haves that can be used while going on a ride.

You can also check out these collection and other more fashion finds online at https://bit.ly/3Eyi50K and chat and shop at m.me/SMFashionMen. (PR)

Urban planner, cycling advocate, and founder of active transport advocacy group MNL Moves, Aldrin Pelicano.

PASKONG PINOY AT KULTURA

30 Nov, 2021, No comments

Santa wearing a barong and a salakot as he comes to town with a lechon . . . amazing foldable Christmas lanterns that bring the spirit of Christmas everywhere . . . translucent capiz shell ornaments in angel, star, and tree designs.

Kultura’s curated Christmas decors made by local artisan will bring paskong pinoy close to your heart. Have these in your home or send these to your loved ones abroad who long to be home for Christmas, to friends who wish to add a homespun touch to their home office, or to foreign business associates who want to know more about our country.

In the Philippines, the parol has become an iconic symbol of the Filipino Christmas and is as important to Filipinos as the Christmas tree is to Western cultures.

Kultura’s creatively crafted lanterns will light up the Christmas skies at home and abroad. There are foldable fabric parols proudly made by the Kababaihan ng Maynila Foundation, available in red, green and gold; abaca lanterns made by empowered Sorsogon artisans; elegant parols made from capiz shells with a beautiful, soft glow when lit.

Even Santa goes homespun dressed in a salakot and barong outfit. These Filipino-themed Santa ornaments carry gifts of Filipino icons such as lechon, sorbetes, bahay kubo and jeepney - bringing nostalgic childhood memories to you.

There are also abaca wreaths and ornaments, as well as capiz shell nativity sets and angel candle holders.

Now shipping worldwide - check out www.kulturafilipino.com for all things uniquely Filipino holiday decor and have it delivered here and abroad conveniently.

Let's Support Local together! Kultura’s Christmas Décor are handcrafted by artisanal communities in the Philippines. Help preserve crafts and traditions and sustain these communities by providing them with opportunities for livelihood.

The Christmas Décor Collection is available at Kultura Stores. You can also shop thru Kultura’s Website: http://www.kulturafilipino.com or thru Call to Deliver 0917-5174096 / 0967-6093407. Kultura ships here and abroad.

Starry starry night! Kulura’s Abaca Parol Collection will dazzle in the holiday sky.

LIVING THE LOUNGE LIFE WITH SURPLUS

28 Nov, 2021, No comments

After more than a year of living in house clothes –sweats, pajamas, and whatever makes us comfortable – this is the best time to elevate our stay at home style with cozy, chill, and cool loungewear from Surplus!

Here, hoodies are hot. . . track pants are right on the fashion track. . . knits and button down shirts are great top stories . . . and shorts stories are everywhere. There are also flowy lounge dresses in soft fabrics for girls, and tees and muscle shirts for guys.

Living the lounge life also means having wellness essentials that can help you relax and unwind in the comfort of your homes. Surplus has cozy and soft Japanese Tatami Chairs, Wooden Aroma Humidifiers, Rest Easy Massagers, and Rechargeable Hot Compress packs. There are stay-at-home must-haves like foldable laptop tables, telescopic fans, mason jars, and stainless tumblers are also available in different colors.

Lounge in style with the loungewear collection and self-care home essentials from Surplus. These versatile, fashionable pieces and more are available in Surplus stores located in most SM Supermalls nationwide.

For a more convenient shopping experience, you may check out Surplus at Lazada, Shopee, SM Malls Online, and ShopSM. Surplus Order to Deliver is also now available; join their Viber community and follow them on Facebook and Instagram @SurplusPH and @Surplus_ph for more details.

Stay-at-home essentials: muscles tee + pajama and a stainless tumbler

SHARE- A- TOY AT THE SM STORE

22 Nov, 2021, No comments

SM shoppers can play Santa to less fortunate kids this Christmas in The SM Store and Toy Kingdom’s Share a Toy project, from November 1 to December 31, 2021

Share a Toy booths with bag of toys, play sets, educational board games and novelty will be set up in all The SM Store and Toy Kingdom branches nationwide. Here, shoppers will have the chance to bring and donate pre-loved or brand new toys that they can purchase from The SM Store’s Toy Express and Toy Kingdom.

They will be entitled to a P100 discount coupon for every item donated which can be redeemed on a minimum single-receipt purchase worth P1000.

These toys will be donated to thousands of less fortunate children from The SM Store and SM Foundation’s partner organization within the branch vicinities. These include organizations catering to kids 10 years old and below, schools, socio civic and government organizations, and NGOs in a simple turnover ceremony that can be also be done online.

Through the Share A Toy campaign under the SM Share Movement, The SM Store and its loyal customers join together to celebrate this joyous season of giving and hope with a generous heart as a way of bringing smiles to children and sharing the happiness and hope to them even amid pandemic. Other SM Store also campaigns like Donate a Book and Share a Gift have received overwhelming support from customers.

Share A Toy purchases and donations are also valid in-store and Call To Deliver transactions. For more updates about the SM Share Movement and ways on how you could donate, visit www.thesmstore.com and follow its social media pages @thesmstore on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Sharing toys is sharing joys. All glammed with their adorable face paints, these girls happily display their pastel colored plush toys from The SM Store during the Share A Toy campaign.

TABLE TALK FROM OUR HOME

5 Nov, 2021, No comments

Traditionally, a lot of life revolves around the dining room table. It is a unifier, a place of community – where families share a meal and their day’s stories, and friends gather for dinner parties and feel instantly at home.

The new-norm has redefined the importance and functionality of a dining table - transforming it into a WFH station, an online school stop where one does homework and art projects, and a hobby hub. That is, of course, apart from being a gastro address for home cooked specialties and the take-out favorites we have come to love.

With that, we are rethinking our dining rooms with the modern multifunctional table as the centerpiece. And the good news is that there is a lot of table talk from Our Home which also offers us some tips when selecting the dining table for your space.

· Consider the size of the room. Dining tables should complement and be proportional to the size of your dining room.

· Rectangular dining tables are very practical and functional. It can seat a large number of people and can easily adjust the seating capacity. Its linear shape allows for ample room to walk around the table. Our Home has many design options to choose from like the Panfield and Alvea Dining Sets.

· Round tables like Our Home’s Ancona dining table work well in small rooms where there is less bumping without the corners. It also creates a more intimate setting and cozy ambiance.

· Foldable tables like Our Home’s Jada table, as well as bar tables can also function as dining tables. There are some design options that will perfectly fit and look great in smaller spaces like a condo, loft or studio unit.

· Make dining fun. Play around with different seating options. Mix and match host chairs, guest chairs and benches to maximize creativity in your dining room. Our Home’s Fredrik Dining Set combines that casualness of a bench setting but at the same time provides elegance with its dining chairs.

Visit Our Home stores nationwide at select SM Supermalls for more Dining Room ideas. Customers who prefer to shop online can expect the same great shopping experience through www.ourhome.ph. In addition, Our Home has introduced Contactless Shopping Options for customers who prefer to stay in their homes. Customers can Call & Deliver – call 0917 8315260, pay online, and have their items delivered. They can Shop Live where a personal shopper takes them on a virtual tour of the store via video call. Curbside Pickup is also available.

**Shop in-store, online, or contactless with our Call & Deliver (0917)8315260, Shop Live, and Curbside Pickup services. Free interior design advice and affordable bespoke services are available.

**Only at Our Home. Great Designs. Great Prices. (PR)

A breakfast for two with Our Home’s Scandinavian-inspired foldable Jada Dining Table. Perfect for small spaces, pair it with a couple of Iona Dining Chairs for a great dining experience.

Feature: Lanzones Festival 2021: Thriving good produce, hope for Camiguin

3 Nov, 2021, No comments

CAMIGUIN (PIA)--Marking a year of abundance, revived economy, and hopeful people, Lanzones Festival 2021 is seen as an opportunity to magnify the many wonders of the island, thus, the theme, "A Celebration of Hope."

Responding to the adverse effects of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19, Camiguin has come a long way in finding balance both in economy and health since March 2020.

"We currently live in challenging times but we have managed once again to create and do something memorable and meaningful. We should all be proud of all that we’ve accomplished," Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo said during the Lanzones Festival 2021 Closing Ceremony, November 1.

Finally opening its door for tourism starting October 25, the province kicked off its festivity with numerous good fortune for the people including the delivery of 4,000 COVID-19 vaccines and provision of financial assistance from the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the improvement of Camiguin Airport through the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

"The past week truly has given us so many reasons to be hopeful. Through the many Lanzones festival activities, we all witnessed the talent, creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, cheerfulness, resilience, optimism and the ability to cooperate for the greater good of our province, the beautiful and clean Camiguin," Romualdo added.

Looking forward

Unceasingly working for the development of the province, the governor said they will ensure that the economic recovery in Camiguin will be uninterrupted, steady, and on track by protecting the safety and health of everyone in the province.

Extending his gratitude to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, Sen. Bong Go, Sec. Francisco Duque, and Sec. Charlie Galvez for providing the province with enough COVID-19 vaccines, Romualdo said, “Muabot ta og 65,000 first dose lang, dili nako mu-require og RT-PCR sa tanang turista musulod sa Camiguin.”

(Once we reach the inoculation of 65,000 residents of Camiguin, even if they're only at first dose, I will no longer require the RT-PCR [reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction] test to all tourists who will visit Camiguin)

Further boosting the opening of tourism in the province, Romualdo also announced the availability of flights in the province to include the Cebu Pacific Flights for Cebu-Camiguin, Camiguin-Cebu routes starting November 9, 2021; and Manila-Camiguin, Camiguin-Manila routes starting November 15, 2021, which are scheduled every Monday and Friday.

Flights via Philippine Airlines will still be finalized for Cebu-Camiguin, Camiguin-Cebu, and Manila-Camiguin, Camiguin-Manila routes.

As for intensifying care for the environment, Romualdo said, "As promised, ang Ambassador sa Spain mutabang sa atong kalimpyo sa Camiguin; it’s a grant nga initially ilang ihatag sa ato ang solid waste management and our solar farm dinhi sa Camiguin."

(the Ambassador for Spain will help in maintaining cleanliness in Camiguin; it's a grant that will initially be given to us in the solid waste management and our solar farm here in Camiguin)

He also added that the water system in the province will also be prioritized, especially with the reopening of tourism in Camiguin.

Festival activities 2021

Though held online, the provincial government ensured participation on various Lanzones Festival 2021 activities.

The virtual activities included Paksoy Design Competition, Danz with Lanz Tiktok Dance Challenge, Datu Daw Bai Ta Buwahanan Festival King and Queen Contest, Online Singing Superstar, Inter-Municipality Cooking Contest, and the Pabili Cami Ugmad Online.

The festival also featured the Sadjaw Kinamigin, which is more than just a set of curated movements necessary for the creation of dance choreographies. As it portrays a synthesis of expressive forms inspired from the heartbeats of everyday living, from ordinary stories narrated in grace, rhythm and colors.

Trivia short clips were also posted online highlighting the nature of Lanzones, how it is planted and nurtured.

Reminding Camiguingnons on the beauty that the province possesses, Romualdo said, "Just like Camiguin’s Lanzones trees that endured volcanic eruptions and harsh conditions to produce the sweetest Lanzones on the planet, we too will come out of this better, stronger and sweeter so today and indeed everyday we always celebrate hope." (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)

Representatives from Mambajao perform the Sadjaw Kinamigin, which portrays a synthesis of expressive forms inspired from the heartbeats of everyday living, from ordinary stories narrated in grace, rhythm and colors. (Lanzones Festival)

"We currently live in challenging times but we have managed once again to create and do something memorable and meaningful. We should all be proud of all that we’ve accomplished," Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo says during the Lanzones Festival 2021 Closing Ceremony, November 1. (Lanzones Festival)

VIRTUAL PARTY IDEAS WITH TOY KINGDOM

31 Oct, 2021, No comments

Have an amazing virtual party with Toy Kingdom’s creative celebration ideas for kids. While will still look forward to the time when we can gather together for children’s parties, this is the next best thing with Toy Kingdom’s wide selection of party-themed decorations to keep every virtual party celebration cherished and memorable. Here are some fun ideas for birthdays and beyond.

An Arts and Crafts Party. Set up big balloons in primary colors and decorate paper lanterns and garlands. Let your budding artist paint virtually with friends with art activity set that you can give as party kits.

Tropical Flamingo. Have a splash with a tropical pool party at home with a giant Flamingo inflatable on the garden. Add some floral cutouts and Hawaiian fringes on the backdrop to have an endless summer tropic vibe at home.

A Mermaid’s Tale. Girls can have fun under the sea with a mermaid themed party – complete with tails, plushies, and more.

A Royal Princess Celebration. Give your little princess a storybook celebration with fairy lights, balloon bouquets, and tiaras. If your kids love Disney Princesses, let them dress the part with tiaras, feather boas, gloves and magical wands.

Magical Unicorn Tea party. Unicorns are real and they’ll bring their joy and magic to your kids’ rainbow themed party.

Safari Virtual Scavenger Hunt Party. Bring the Safari adventure to your home with jungle animal foil balloons and green, brown and orange accents. Hide animal plushies in your home and let your preschooler find and identify the animals. You can also host a virtual safari tour in Africa and explore the wild while staying at home.

Presents perfect are part of every celebration, and Toy Kingdom’s Gift Registry makes gift-giving easy, delivering gifts right in your doorstep. Visit the nearest Toy Kingdom store or register your wish list via Toy Kingdom’s Call to Deliver services at 0917.5578797 and have personal shopper assist your kids to select virtually their favorite toys. Check out the Toy Kingdom’s Let’s Party Catalog at www.toykingdom.com.ph. Follow ToyKingdomPH in Facebook and Instagram. (

It’s an endless summer with TK’s Tropical Flamingo party-themed range.

HOLIDAY HUES FROM SM HOME

29 Oct, 2021, No comments

When you think about Christmas, traditional colors of red, green, and gold come to mind. But with most of us spending more time at home, it’s a good idea to be more creative when selecting holiday hues to add a contemporary touch to Christmas celebrations.

Frosty White, Classic Red, Blush Luxe, and Dusk are SM Home’s four main color themes to bring the holidays to our homes.

With probably the widest assortment of décor in town, and more than 500 ornaments to choose from, SM Home shares with us some imaginative ways- and colors - to celebrate all that is inspired, inventive, and innovative.

· Frosty White. A white palette makes your fir or frosted-berry tree merry and magical. Deck your tree with sparkly silver and white ornaments, blended with luxurious ribbons to create a cozy, snowy and wintry wonderland. Also, add some dazzle it with some glittered snowmen and penguin plushies.

· Classic Red. Create a cozy and casual holiday living room with classic reds that never go out of style. Add shades of white, and don’t forget a bit of sparkle for added flair. Nutcracker toy soldiers, potted berry trees, wreaths and Christmas trees, snow globes, and miniature vintage villages will help showcase a traditional holiday scene at home.

· Blush Luxe. Metallic hues make an elegant and polished holiday look. This year, add a rosy palette update of white and blush pink into your Christmas design. Glam up your tabletop with Nordic Gonk plushies or Pink Angel dolls for your little girl’s dreamy Christmas.

· Dusk. Bring in the cozy cabin and rustic vibe with a twist by decking out your tree with copper, blues, and other jewel tones ornaments. Add some neutral-toned reindeers and burlap Christmas trees for more green and neutral vibes.

Check out the latest SM Home Christmas catalog and shop online with The SM Store website www.thesmstore.com or via the SM Store’s Call to Deliver services #143SM (#14376). For more info and updates, follow them at SM Home at the SM Store in Instagram or visit thesmstore.com website. (PR)

Ornaments in jewel tones, pine cones and spray maple leaves for a rustic look.

SMALL TALK WITH SMALL LAUDE AND SM

29 Oct, 2021, No comments

Although her name is Small, Filipina socialite, entrepreneur, and celebrity vlogger Small Laude knows what it is to live large. Funny, exuberant, and down to earth, her effortless humor has gained her 350K subscribers and followers who love her videos on fashion, lifestyle and her own shopping adventures in her YouTube channel. She also stars in her own 4-part TV special, It’s a Small World on Metro Channel.

Her latest shopping adventure takes her to SM, as host of Shop All You Can with Small Laude, where she highlights SM’s Call to Deliver service from October 15 to November 15, 2021 at The SM Store's Facebook page facebook.com/thesmstore.

As someone who has traveled and lived abroad extensively, Small admits “I didn’t shop a lot in Manila before.” She was therefore amazed when she started shopping at SM and discovered the store’s extensive offerings.

“SM has everything,” she enthuses. “Even some of the items I have from abroad, SM has them! So many nice things. I enjoy shopping at SM now, the experience is exciting!”

She has been especially delighted with SM’s Call to Deliver service, which she calls “a great and modern experience.”

Small describes the Call to Deliver service as “quite easy and convenient! The personal shoppers are competent and very accommodating. They will find and source all your needs.”

She was impressed with the service “because of the vast merchandise that’s available to choose from. Being able to get everything in one place and the convenience of having the personal shopper complete all you need and deliver it right to your door was fun and exhilarating!”

Her personal picks from her Call to Deliver shopping adventure? “Of course my Kitchen Aid!” she quickly answers. “I never knew The SM Store has it. I love the clothes and shoes, and perfumes that I selected. The scent collection of SM can compare those of other stores abroad! Too many to mention, really.”

Small’s shopping tips for the new normal” “Everything SM because they’ve got it all for you!”

Watch Small Laude's Shop All You Can video, and use her promo code to avail of FREE Delivery, with a minimum P1,000 The SM Store Call To Deliver purchase.

As SM continues to celebrate the birth month of its founder Henry Sy Sr. this October with Super Month, you can get a chance to win exclusive vouchers and freebies from The SM Store Call to Deliver Scratch & Win promotion starting October 15, 2021 to January 15, 2022. Play Scratch & Win by registering a Philippine-issued mobile number using mobile phones or tablets at rewards.thesmstore.com.

Celebrate Super Month with The SM Store Call to Deliver! Order from the comforts of your home and we will shop for you. Chat with us now via The SM Store’s Facebook Messenger bit.ly/CTD-Messenger and Viber comm: bit.ly/JoinSMViber Viber admin: thesmstore.hiallie.com.

Check out The SM Store’s facebook page facebook.com/thesmstore Call #143SM. (PR)

Well-known socialite, entrepreneur, and celebrity vlogger Small Laude chronicles her latest shopping adventures with SM Call to Deliver in Shop All You Can with Small Laude from October 15 to November 15, 2021. (Supplied Photo)

THE ART OF GIFTING WITH THE SM STORE’s SM GIFT REGISTRY

22 Oct, 2021, No comments

While most festivities today have been rather low key or even virtual, there’s nothing like a gift to make a milestone memorable. It is one way of joining in celebrations, as well as expressing love and appreciation to friends and family - a great way of nurturing relationships especially during these times.

Rediscover the art of gifting with the new The SM Store Gift Registry App and Online Website.

The SM Store Gift Registry App, is your one stop gift registry for all your celebrations. It offers a wide range of products with over a hundred brands for every occasion - birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, baptisms, housewarmings and any other occasion in between. And today, The SM Store Gift Registry App can provide you with a convenient, efficient, and fun gift-giving experience.

Shopping for your perfect presents is now so easy:

· Download THE SM STORE GIFT REGISTRY App on your mobile phone. Sign up, create or view an event for your celebration.

· Manage the event page on the app and personalize it with your own event invite.

· Add items to your wish list from the The SM Store Gift Registry’s catalog that guests can now select from and buy online.

· Registrants can now manage and track the gifts purchased by their guests. Also, registrants can share the event and link of their wish list with their family and friends thru Facebook, Instagram and Viber.

· Convenient and secure payment options are also available in the App. Online payment options such as debit or credit cards, mobile payment services and digital wallets like GrabPay and GCash are also available.

Gift-giving is also rewarding as both registrants and guests can earn SMAC points, avail of free gift-wrapping and free delivery of gifts to the celebrants right at their doorstep.

The SM Store’s Gift Registry is now on mobile. Download the App and register your event or visit The SM Store’s SM Gift Registry section at The SM Store branch near you and have a Gift Registry Associate assist you. For more info, visit The SM Store Gift Registry website https://thesmstoregiftregistry.com or The SM Store website https://www.thesmstore.com

Find the perfect gift for the perfect couple with The SM Store Gift Registry App with more than 100 brands to choose from.

THE JOYS OF GARDENING WITH ACE HARDWARE HOTLINE #11223

21 Oct, 2021, No comments

It can be said that gardening bloomed during the pandemic. The homebound discovered the joys of gardening, and became plantitos and plantitas almost overnight. And with more time in their hands, long time enthusiasts transformed their green spaces into amazing landscapes.

This is not surprising as gardening is both healthy and healing: a good source of vitamin D, a mood booster, and an enjoyable aerobic exercise. And of course, it provides nutritious veggies and fruits for your dinner table and beautiful flowers to decorate it.

Whether you’re designing a pocket garden in your condo unit, creating an aesthetic edible garden in your backyard by mixing edibles with existing ornamental beds and borders, or growing fields of flowers, ACE Hardware has a wide selection of high quality, affordable garden supplies, tools and equipment. And ever the Helpful Place, you can now purchase these - in the comfort of your home thru ACE's hotline #11223 or ACE's official online stores at ShopSM, Shopee and Lazada.

There are Black and Decker grass trimmers, Makita leaf blowers and ACE-branded garden tools that will help you keep your lawn lush, green and weed free. ACE Hardware sprayers which you can use to apply water, fertilizers and pesticides products to your plants are also available.

Create the garden you've always wanted now with Ramgo seeds for fruits, herbs, flowers and vegetables. Ensure your plants' growth and nutrients with Ramgo soil conditioners that are best for seeds and seedlings as well as Ramgo fertilizers rich in nitrogen for cultivating healthy crops. Putting an eco-friendly and organic Vermicast soil conditioner in your potting mix is also a great addition.

Shop smart in all ACE branches nationwide and avail these gardening essentials thru in-store or online. To order, dial ACE Hotline #11223 or click http://call-collect.acehardware.ph/. Or shop online at ACE Hardware official stores in ShopSM, Lazada or Shopee. You can also get rewarded each time you shop, earn points and enjoy exclusive offers with ACE Rewards Card.

Share special moments with your kids gardening with ACE.

3 Easy Ways to Escape WFH Stress Without Leaving Your House

5 Oct, 2021, No comments

In just a few weeks, another year stuck at home will come to an end. It was a full year of constant adapting to new protocols and new ways of working. Ironically, being closer to home didn’t make the stress of day-to-day tasks any less heavy. Some of us have joined meetings while washing dishes, skipped lunch to work on a deadline, and even woke up just in time to attend an early morning call. The stress we experience has increased because of more back-to-back meetings and higher demand for multi-tasking.

To make sure we don’t burnout, we need to stop for much-needed breaks. You might not notice it but even your skin needs detoxing too. The constant change in weather and the temperature inside can be causing your skin stress.

End the year refreshed and ready for whatever challenges come our way with these easy-to-do relaxation activities we can do right at home.

1. Immerse yourself in new worlds

There is no shortage of bad news in the world. Yes, we should be updated with current events, but it doesn’t hurt if we immerse ourselves in more positive environments from time to time. Constantly checking emails and updates about work, especially on weekends can cause even more anxiety at a time when you should be taking care of yourself.

Read a book about a magical realm, about an intense love story, or about a woman finding her purpose in the world. Take it a level higher and join your local book club’s weekly or monthly discussions! Feel the stress fade away as you flip through the pages (or swipe if you’re an e-book convert!) at the end of the day.

2. Curate a mood-booster playlist

It’s no secret that music affects our mood. Before the work week starts, why not set aside a few hours just listening to old and new favorites and create a personalized playlist for every kind of mood? This will be an easy stress-reliever when your to-dos start to pile up. It’s also a palate cleanser for your ears after being in whole day meetings.

Just hit play and feel the stress melt with the beat. Here are some suggested playlists to get you started: “This meeting could have been an email playlist,” “Overtime will soon be over playlist,” “Malapit na mag-weekend playlist.”

3. Make your shower a haven

Shower time is sacred alone time. It’s the time of day where we can get away from work calls, parent duties, and house chores! It’s the only we can truly be alone to relax. Take it a step further and make your shower a full blow haven of relief by investing in the right products. Set up your favorite candles, ready your trusty scrubs and loofah, and use a cleansing and rejuvenating body wash like Safeguard Detox.

Safeguard Detox is enriched with Pomegranate that allows for deep cleansing of the pores, stripping away germs, bacteria, and dirt while leaving skin refreshed and rejuvenated. The fragrant foam will feel like a refreshing escape with every pump.

Schedule your relaxation time

However you choose to detox from the stress of each day, make sure that you make time for it (and stick to it!) It’s so easy to get swamped with our daily tasks that we forget to take care of ourselves. Set an alarm for your reading time, block your weekend to curate a playlist, or set 9:00AM or 11:00PM as your regular shower time. Setting time to rejuvenate yourself means having more energy to give back to the world. So what are you waiting for? Start your relaxation today!

Safeguard Detox is available in Pomegranate and Bamboo Charcoal. Add to cart when you visit the P&G official online stores in Lazada or Shopee. (PR)

HOME AT KULTURA

29 Sep, 2021, No comments

Handcrafted baskets by the local artisans of Bicol and La Union…elegant dinnerware by the master wood workers of Pampanga… and exquisite nito baskets that celebrate the unique art form of the Mangyan of Mindoro.

Gifts from Philippine fields and forests- bamboo, acacia, abaca, rattan, and nito -are transformed into creative pieces in Kultura’s latest houseware collection, adding warmth and lightness to your home décor.

This comes at a time when natural materials like rattan and wicker are having their moment as a major interior design trend. And innovative global furniture companies are reinventing these in new ways – think IKEA’s rattan pouf, West Elm’s luxurious accent chairs, H & M’s bounty of baskets. Suddenly, homespun is hot, folklore is fun, traditional is trending, and rustic makes raves.

Get ready to weave Kultura’s natural wonders into your home.

· With their the intricate weaves, textures and natural beauty, Kultura’s multi-functional baskets will elevate any space. Whether used as storage solutions, planters and décor, these baskets’ neutral colors can easily blend and will add warmth in any space.

· Stylish acacia wood dining accessories, on the other hand, with make your tables more inviting. Handcrafted trays made out of coco wood, capiz and mahogany also highlight great entertaining with style.

· There are also gifts from our coastal waters - hanging seagrass accents that can be used as pendant lights for your dining area. Flourishing in underwater meadows that resemble grassy fields, seagrass or water hyacinth have an artisanal aesthetic and have been trending because of their durability.

Let's Support Local together! Kultura’s products for the home are handcrafted by artisanal communities all over the Philippines. Customers can now buy these well-loved home items without needing to travel to these places. Help preserve crafts and traditions and sustain these communities by providing them with opportunities for livelihood.

The Home Collection is available at Kultura Stores. You can also shop thru our website: www.kulturafilipino.com or thru Call to Deliver 0917-5174096. Kultura ships here and abroad. (PR)

These chic canvas-lined seagrass trays and baskets can also be used to neatly store household items.

CELEBRATE CHOCOLATE AROUND THE WORLD WITH SM SNACK EXCHANGE

28 Sep, 2021, No comments

Chocolate was long considered as “Food of the gods”, a delicacy of the elite and believed in both mythical and medicinal as an aphrodisiac and energy booster around the world. The world’s love affair for chocolates started 5,000 years ago and has evolved from being a chocolate drink to chocolate bar.

This love affair continues today at The SM Store Snack Exchange, your one-stop shop for all your snack essentials. Here you can find a wide-variety of your favorite chocolates around the world - cream-filled bonbon to praline; from signature melt-in-your-mouth chocolates to single-source dark chocolate bar; and from colorful chocolate candies to fruit- dipped chocolate.

Take a chocoholic’s tour of the world through the Snack Exchange’s chocolate selection, and discover the different delightful and innovative ways each country celebrates chocolates.

· Switzerland is known for its cheese, mountains and its smooth and creamy milk chocolate. In 1887, after many attempts. Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter created the original formula of what was to become the first successful milk chocolate. Before this, chocolate was not considered a delicacy, but was more of a nourishing a medicinal food. Two ingredients, milk and cocoa butter, which makes the chocolate melt at body temperature, are a big part of the reason why Swiss chocolate is so famous.

One can find premium Swiss chocolate brands at Snack Exchange - Lindt, which started in 1845 and has 370 shops around the globe; and Toblerone, the unique triangular shaped chocolate bar inspired by the Matterhorn, with its heavenly taste of Swiss milk, filled with natural honey, finest cocoa and almond nougat.

· Belgium has been called the “Chocolate Capital of the World '', and you can’t go to Belgium and not go to a chocolate shop. There are more than 2,000 around the country. Belgian chocolates are known to have a higher cocoa content, and filled Belgian chocolates such as truffles and molded pralines are very often in a fanciful shape and filled with butter creams and ganache.

· Italy is passionate about its cuisine as it is for its art and culture. What makes Italian chocolate so good is that Italians care so much about the purity of ingredients, and have amazingly combined the sophistication of dark chocolate and all the decadence of milk chocolate. Discover this with the Ferrero and Nutella lines at Snack Exchange founded in 1942 by Pietro Ferrero, a Turinese milkman. He created the famous Ferrero Rocher, crunchy chocolate with hazelnuts on the outside of a wafer and a chocolate and hazelnut filling, wrapped in a gold paper.

· Britain has been a nation of chocoholics since the 19^th century, considered the golden-age for cocoa-based creativity in the UK. It was during this time that Fry & Sons produced the first solid chocolate bar in 1847, and Cream Sticks, the first filled chocolate sweet in 1853; and Cadbury introduced Dairy Milk in 1905 using a higher proportion of milk. Soon, other brands like the Mars bar in 1933; Milky Way and KitKat in 1935, Maltesers in 1936, and Aero and Smarties in 1937, made the UK a chocolate lover’s haven.

· American chocolates are sweet and delectable, and in the US, are a way of saying “I Love You”. Chocolates were even considered comfort food for the masses, when Milton Hershey produced large-masses of chocolate milk bars known as Hershey’s Milk Chocolate or “The Great American Chocolate Bar” at an affordable price. during the World War, chocolates were being rationed with the soldiers.

· The Philippines was the landing point for cacao in Asia, making consummate Filipinos chocolate lovers. For generations, they enjoyed a piping hot chocolate drink with the tableya is a small chocolate tablet. Through the years, the government’s initiative to rehabilitate the cacao industry started in the emergence of small-scale chocolate makers like Auro Chocolate who created world-class bean to bar chocolate rooted in Filipino Heritage and traditions, and can be found at SM Snack Exchange.

Other Asian countries have since developed their own chocolate treats Japan has Meiji, with its bean to bar and organic chocolates for the health conscious; while Korea has Lotte’s Pepero, a thin cookie stick dipped in chocolate. More treats and snacks from Japan and Korea can also be found at SM Snack Exchange.

Shop at home and celebrate Chocolate Around The World as The SM Store Snack Exchange is now available online at https://www.thesmstore.com/collections/snack-exchange or order via The SM Store Call to Deliver services at #143SM (#14376) and have a personal shopper assists you.

For more updates and exciting deals, follow The SM Store Snack Exchange or checkout their online Catalog in Viber https://bit.ly/3aXdXax. (PR)

Make your loved one feel special with a pack of Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate and Milk Chocolate with Almonds.

HEALTH IS BLISS WITH WATSONS

23 Sep, 2021, No comments

Discover innovative ways and exciting ways to wellness and good health with Nutrabliss by Watsons. Perfect for the busy urbanite, it has a wide range of beauty and wellness products for immunity building, anti-aging, and skin health to keep your body fit and healthy, and yes, blissful.

· Beauty and bliss. Watsons shows us the many ways to younger looking skin through its collagen products. There are chewables and tablets: Nutrabliss Collagen + Vitamin C which helps increase collagen production and Nutrabliss Collagen Tablets, which improve skin elasticity and firmness. These also come in sachet form like the Nutrabliss Daily Collagen Sachets, which you can add to your smoothie of choice; and low-calorie and high-absorption nighttime drink, Nutrabliss Hyaluronic Acid + Collagen, which helps keep your skin hydrated and moisturized.

· Health is bliss. Incorporating vitamins and supplements into your daily routine is also a must to help boost your immune system. Try the Nutrabliss Mixed Berries + Vitamin C ideal for daily skin and eye protection; and Nutrabliss Iron + Folic Acid which helps generate new red blood cells and carry oxygen to vital organs and muscles.

· Chewables are cool, and yes, blissful. Chewable tablets have recently become a preferred way of taking meds. That’s because these break down easily in your mouth to become a solution that’s absorbed faster in the stomach. They’re a good choice for adults who don’t want to swallow pills and for school age kids. Nutrabliss by Watsons also has innovative vitamin products that are fun and easy to take: Nutrabliss Multivitamins and Minerals Chewable Tablets, which help prevent and treat mineral deficiencies; Nutrabliss Ascorbic Acid + Grape Seed + Vit B Complex, which protects your immune system; and Nutrabliss Ascorbic Acid with Rosehips Vegetarian Capsules which helps improve skin, bone, and joint health.

· There’s bliss in the fizz. Another fun way to take your vitamins and supplements is through effervescent tabs, which readily dissolve in water. These include Nutrabliss Ascorbic Acid Effervescent Tabs in passion fruit flavor packed with 1000 mg of vitamin C essential for the growth, development, and repair of all your body tissues; Nutrabliss Vitamin B-Complex + Vitamin E Effervescent Tabs; and Nutrabliss Sodium Ascorbate + Collagen + COQ10 Effervescent Tabs with sodium ascorbate for immunity, collagen for skin health, and coenzyme Q10 as an antioxidant.

Check out Nutrabliss by Watsons now for your immunity building, anti-aging, and skin health needs available in 800+ stores nationwide. You can also shop anytime and anywhere through these online channels:

- Download Watsons mobile app http://bit.ly/WatsonsMobileApp or visit www.watsons.com.ph

- Call and Delivery: http://bit.ly/WatsonsCallAndDelivery

For more information, you may visit https://www.facebook.com/WatsonsPH/.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be fun, blissful, and colorful with Nutrabliss by Watsons.

STAY FIT AND FAB WITH SURPLUS

17 Sep, 2021, No comments

While staying home during the past year, many have embraced the sporting life to keep healthy, happy and fit. They’ve turned to home gyms or online fitness classes instead of heading to the gym center; converted a part of their home into a yoga studio; biked their way to well-being through stationery bikes or cycled their way to the office; and have turned to their backyards to keep active and busy.

More than that, wellness has evolved from a lifestyle choice to a new status symbol, with an increasing number of fitness buffs showcasing their healthy lifestyles in social media, posting photos of them wearing athleisure apparel for all kinds of activities.

The good news is that Surplus has a new activewear collection designed for your comfort, performance, and style, perfect for both fitness and fashion.

Start your day balancing body, mind, and spirit with some yoga and meditation wearing a snug fit sports bra paired with lightweight and breathable leggings for a good range of motion. Do some cardio or strength training to boost your mood with sweat-wicking tees, gym shorts, or sweatpants.

If you’re going for a quick outdoor run or bike, wear athletic jackets or hoodies to protect your skin under the sun. Make sure also to keep your belongings safe with Surplus messenger bags, gym bags, and waist packs. Staying hydrated is also a must with tumblers and water bottles available in different designs and colors.

The Surplus active collection is available at Surplus stores located in most SM Supermalls nationwide.

For a more convenient shopping experience, you may check out Surplus at Lazada, SM Malls Online, and ShopSM. Surplus Order to Deliver is also now available; join their Viber community and follow them at Facebook and Instagram @SurplusPH and @Surplus_ph for more details. (PR)

Say yes to yoga to improve your flexibility with a printed sports bra and lilac leggings. Available at Surplus.

DONATE-A-BOOK, SHARE THE JOY OF LEARNING AT THE SM STOR

9 Sep, 2021, No comments

SM shoppers can continue to share the joys of learning with children who need them most through The SM Store’s Donate a Book campaign, which is now ongoing at select branches nationwide until September 30, 2021.

While face to face classes still have to resume, schooling certainly extends beyond the campus. And your donations will go a long way as these will be very helpful to distributed topartner public schools and libraries around the country. Here’s how you can share your gift of knowledge:

· Visit the Donate a Book booths at participating branches of the SM Store at Metro Manila, North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

· Donate new or pre-loved books. All books are very much welcome, especially storybooks, educational, and hobby books that can help spark a child’s curiosity, imagination, and knowledge.

· Donate and match with Learning Is Fun (LIF) books that are available at The SM Store. LIF offers a wide range of books from toddlers to adult categories such as activity books, early learning educational books, cookbooks, reference books, storybooks, Inspirational books, and game and toy books. Being the participating partner of the said campaign, the company will donate the same number of books sold during the program period.

· School supplies are welcome. you can also donate notebook packs of 6 and school sets that include a backpack, notebooks, rulers, and pens that are4 available at The SM Stationery section.

In exchange, shoppers will receive 100 pesos discount coupon for every donation made.

The Donate-a-Book campaign began in 1998 as one of SM Foundation’s groundbreaking mall-based programs. It has since been part of the SM Store’s community programs since 2015, collecting and distributing almost 800,000 books and learning materials through the generosity of The SM Store customers.

Share the Joy of Learning and visit the Donate-a-Book kiosks at the participating branches of The SM Store nationwide.

Since 2015, The SM Store has collected and distributed over 800,000 books to public schools and libraries through the Donate-A-Book campaign. Pre-pandemic photo shows the turnover of the books and school supplies to the students of Balanga Elementary School in Balanga, Bataan. Here, Elena Almario and Marlyn Gerio of Dep Ed EPS 1, and Balanga Elementary School Principal IV Amelia Inieto receive the books from (from left) SM Foundation Head of School Building Team Juris Soliman, The SM Store North Luzon Zone Head Joseph Rosal, SM Retail SAVP Gilda Maquilan, and The SM Store Olongapo Branch Manager Rosemarie Chua-Labrador. Supplied Photo

FEATURE: Carrying on quality education amid pandemic with MP Latiph

25 Aug, 2021, No comments

The worldwide health crisis brought by the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 has been taking a great toll not just on the economy and the medical aspects of each nation but also on education.

In the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Office of Member of the Parliament (MP) Atty. Maisara Dandamun-Latiph makes sure that the region, particularly the province of the Lanao del Sur and Marawi City will continue to have proper education despite the current battle against the unseen enemy.

Latiph recently turned over risograph machines to 28 school districts just in time for another round of school year still during the pandemic era, and this marked her commitment to quality education.

“This pandemic requires the teachers to produce modules and in order for the children to learn, they have to have printed materials. The teachers’ problem right now is the lack of printers. Our office is committed to quality education through providing the necessary tools to the teachers so that they can teach effectively,” she said.

Through her printer program, teachers under the recipient divisions are expected to be able to mass-produce numerous modules as each machine can print up to 200,000 pages.

Latiph shared she just discovered that there was no apportioned budget for the machines which pushed her to initiate the allocation under her Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF). With the drawn Php4.2 million, 35 machines were foreseen to be distributed, wherein 28 were already given and seven more are set to be handed over in the coming days.

The MP further stated that she later found out the exact total number of districts under each division in which she realized the 35 risograph machines does not suffice yet the total districts in the target province and city, making her optimistic that with part two of the distribution still from the TDIF, all districts will already receive the same machine.

Apart from the printer program, Latiph paved the way as well for an online learning program dubbed Siyap ko Kapaganad Program. Accordingly, this can serve education online and much fits learners who keep themselves away from modules. Other than that, this also contains modules suitable for the K-12 program comprising Kinder to Grade 12 for those who opt to have this type of learning.

The pandemic is yet to be concluded with various variants springing from time to time. Nevertheless, the office of the MP Latiph strives to maintain its mission of aiding educators deliver quality education.

“Our office is really in pursuit of excellence in education in Lanao del Sur. Ang adbokasiya namin ay [Our advocacy is] all children can learn provided they are given the support they need by the leaders, the teachers, and the community. Our office is providing that support both online and as you can see, our physical support… Makakaasa kayo na tuloy-tuloy lang ang aming programa sa dekalidad na edukasyon sa buong Bangsamoro, lalo na sa Lanao del Sur [You can trust that our program will continue for a quality education in the whole Bangsamoro, especially in Lanao del Sur],” said Latiph. (CRG/PIA-10/ICIC Lanao del Sur)

VEGAN HAIR CARE FROM THE BODY SHOP

25 Aug, 2021, No comments

Hair has an attitude, an identity. It tells a powerful story about who you are. Which is why it’s so important to keep it in root-to-tip shape. Luckily The Body Shop’s new vegan haircare routines are here to help your hair look and feel as powerful as you, so you can keep telling your story, your way.

At a time when environmentally conscious and friendly body, face, and hair products are on the rise, vegan products provide a natural source of nourishment made from plants and minerals coupled with safe and tested ingredients. They contain no harmful chemicals, and if you have sensitive skin they’re just perfect for you. And sustainable for you and the environment.

What makes The Body Shop’s new haircare routines so powerful is that they’re all made with Vegan Silk Protein, a 100% plant-based protein, which cleverly replicates the chemical structure of natural silk produced by the common European garden spider. But The Body Shop’s is fully plant-based – and ALL The Body Shop’s haircare is now registered by the Vegan Society, so, no spiders or silkworms were harmed, used or disturbed to obtain it. Plus, all haircare is now made with (at least!) 90% ingredients of natural origin.

The Body Shop’s new haircare routines - Tea Tree and Moringa - are designed to improve the appearance of damaged hair, so they literally help repair the hair follicle from the inside out.

Get fresh and clean locks for longer with the new Tea Tree haircare routine - Tea Tree Purifying and Balancing Shampoo, Conditioner and Hair & Scalp Scrub - that purifies and balances oily hair and scalps. Made with organically-grown Community Fair Trade tea tree oil from Kenya and Vegan Silk Protein – this routine also helps eliminate build-up, leaving hair feeling purified and refreshed without stripping its natural moisture.

The new Moringa Haircare, on the other hand, brightens up your barnet. Get healthier-feeling, shinier hair and help protect it from daily pollution. Made with Community Fair Trade moringa seed oil and extract from Rwanda and Vegan Silk Protein. This routine, which includes the Moringa Shine and Protection Shampoo, Conditioner and Hair Mist, visibly restores dull hair’s radiance and shine. Expect softer, smoother and healthier looking hair that smells fragrantly floral.

The Body Shop’s new haircare bottles and tubs are made from 100% recycled plastic, including Community Fair Trade recycled plastic collected off the streets of Bengaluru, India.

Give your hair these vegan haircare treats and power your do like never before with The Body Shop’s new Tea Tree and Moringa Haircare Routines. Visit their online store 24/7, add to cart, and check out anytime of the day at www.thebodyshop. The Body Shop’s cruelty-free and vegan products are also available in The Body Shop stores, Call & Deliver, Lazada, Shopee and ShopSM. The Body Shop now accepts SM Advantage Card for points earning and redemption, SM and Sodexo premium pass in all The Body Shop stores nationwide.

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About The Body Shop

The Body Shop was founded in 1976 by Dame Anita Roddick in Little Hampton, England. The beauty brand pioneered corporate activism and was built on a philosophy that business can be a force for good. With its brand expression, Beauty with Heart, the company continues to be focused on five core values: Against Animal Testing, Support Community Fair Trade, Activate Self Esteem, Defend Human Rights and Protect The Planet.

All products are created using the finest ingredients sourced from the four corners of the globe, which are not tested on animals and are 100% vegetarian. The Body Shop has been in the Philippine market for twenty-five years with over 60 strategically located stores nationwide.

The Body Shop’s new vegan routines - the Tea Tree and Moringa Haircare range.

SAFEWash for ALL: P&G Safeguard donates ₱100M to accelerate hand hygiene support nationwide

19 Aug, 2021, No comments

WITH one of the world’s longest quarantines, Filipinos are already experiencing “protocol fatigue,” which makes them more lenient about hygiene habits and puts them at risk of infection. Procter & Gamble’s Safeguard is stepping in to remind and reinforce the importance of proper handwashing through the SAFEWash movement. With the current increase in cases in the country, the brand is even more committed to becoming a force for good for all Filipinos who are put at risk every day.

SAFEWash Program Extends Help Nationwide

To help protect Filipinos from the threats of germs and illnesses, P&G and Safeguard ramp up its SAFEWash movement by donating a total of over Php 100 million worth of support. Launched last year, the SAFEWash movement enables organizations and individuals to work together to promote proper handwashing. On top of this, Safeguard is helping to rebuild handwashing facilities and provide hygiene kits for the Philippine General Hospital, currently housing the highest number of COVID-19 patients nationwide. Last May 2021, the hospital’s facilities were damaged by a fire that led to the swift evacuation of patients, including those being treated for COVID-19. Through its partnership with the Manila Water Foundation, Safeguard is adding three multi-faucet handwashing facilities for the hospital in key high-traffic areas to decrease the level of hospital contamination of germs and illnesses.

One Step Ahead in Safeguarding the Nation

With the acceleration of efforts in the past month, P&G and Safeguard have supported more than 20+ organizations, hospitals, and LGUs with the construction of public handwashing facilities, and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE), face masks, ventilators, and hygiene care packs to vaccine hubs and frontliners, through the SAFEWash movement.

As the trusted antibacterial soap brand for more than 55 years, Safeguard commits its support to the Department of Health in helping prepare the country for a hopeful reopening. Through the DOH and P&G partnership, 70,000 BIDA Solusyon health and hygiene kits were distributed to families in 36 provinces nationwide. The kits helped local government units manage COVID-19 community outbreaks, strengthened proper hand hygiene education, and influenced positive action on health and hygiene of families.

“Safeguard believes in helping protect every Filipino family through quality products that fight the spread of germs and illnesses. If everyone plays their part by practicing minimum health protocols, frequent handwashing being one of them, we can help protect those around us as well. At Safeguard, we are one with our partners in helping the country reopen to a SAFER normal,” shares Jan Ang, Senior Brand Director for Safeguard Philippines

Safeguard is working as a Force For Good in ensuring Filipinos get access to quality health and hygiene via the SAFEWash Movement. You can also view Safeguard’s range of germ-fighting products from bars, liquid soaps, to body wash, in Lazada, Shopee, or Facebook, to protect your loved ones of up to 99.9% germ protection today. (PR)