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Friday, October 30, 2020
Three Changemakers join the roster of Ashoka Philippines Fellows
Neil & Marter Wearable Art and Functional Fashion Pieces for a Cause
Bon Marter (left) and Neil Capistrano (right) with Ms. Salve Duplito, ANC On The Money’s resident financial advisor Neil & Marter was born out of curiosity and environmental wellness by interior designer Mark Boni Marter and aspiring fashion designer Neil Capistrano. The two collaborated on scrap materials from Bon's interior design studies. They thought of maximizing the use of unique and genuine vegan leather and fabrics in order to create wearable art. Armed with basic leather crafting tools and techniques, the creative duo produced their first batch as gifts to family members "At first, I wanted to craft everyday accessories like bags, wallets, and cardholders out of Bon's luxury leather collection," Neil shares. "One day, my mom requested a pair of earrings for her, my aunts, and cousins. We had fun with the learning process and ended up making 25 pairs." This led them to venture into an ethical fashion social enterprise that caters to modern and eco-conscious fashionistas who value the origin and process behind the brands and products that they support. Neil & Marter aims to influence people in supporting the slow and ethical fashion movement through handcrafted accessories using upcycled materials. The brand is launching a crowdfunding campaign to introduce a limited-edition collection together with artisans from Marikina City. |
Thursday, October 29, 2020
Novuhair Celebrates 10.10 with 10 Novu VIP Coaches
The NOVU VIP Club is made to guide, inspire, and join in the journey towards a holistic approach in managing hair loss, especially during the ongoing global pandemic and crisis. Supported by a carefully selected pool of 10 VIP Coaches, members are given the opportunity to engage directly with each expert as well as enjoy exciting monthly perks and privileges.
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Taiwan Excellence Creates New Partnerships for Digital Healthcare and Innovations
Ms.Leonor F.M. Lin, President & CEO of TAITRA, delivered the opening | remarks. |
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
5 Causes of Hair Loss: Why is my hair falling out?
Sunday, October 25, 2020
Get a Free NOVUHAIR Herbal Shampoo Exclusive at Watsons
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
What you need to know when dining-out during Covid-19
Restaurants are slowly re-opening but we have to remember
that while commercial establishments are now being allowed, there is still the
risk of COVID-19 infection. Sharing some preventive measures to practice when
dining out:
Always wear your face mask and face shield when placing your
orders. Most dining areas do not allow guests to enter without wearing face shields, so it's always best to wear both, to be sure.
Monday, October 19, 2020
Animated Christian Series Superbook and The Flying House are now being aired on A2Z Channel 11
NOVUHAIR chats with its ambassador Ms. Cory Quirino
Novuhair ambassador Ms. Cory Quirino shares her beauty secrets |
She gets older but looking younger and fresh as ever. |
According to Ms. Quirino, it all takes some TLC towards one's self in order to feel good and become more positive in life. "With little acts of loving-kindness towards the self, you can achieve the perfect 10,” she emphasizes. “In order to look good, you have to feel good. And in order to feel good, you’ve got to look good. Start with self-love. Begin with self-care. Start with your hair.”
Saturday, October 17, 2020
My 40th birthday blessings and other musings in 2020
So this is how being forty feels
like... With four decades of existence on Earth, I have learned that I have so
much to be thankful for. My life journey wasn’t exactly easy, but it was worth
every risk, every decision that I made has made me into who I am today.
If you happen to know me
personally, you must know that I had been living my life as a single for the past
decades. I dated quite late (I started dating at age 35 you know) simply
because I had forgotten my desire to get married. Back then, I was so focused
on raising my nephew Kyle whom I treated like my own son—I didn’t have the
luxury of time to do anything else. Now that Kyle has grown into a fine young
man (He’s now 18 years old) and an incoming freshman in college, I guess it’s
time to face my own life no matter how overdue it may be.
This year, as I turn 40, I am
making a lot of milestones: I am making a new decade, this will be my last year
as a single (hopefully, God-willing) and thank God I have already met the man I
wanted to marry and live with for the rest of my life.
They say 40 is the new 30. At
this age, I fully understand that there are some things that we can’t just
plan. Life is a series of surprises and plot twists. We receive blessings each
and every single day. It’s all a matter of perspective. Even something negative
can be turned into a positive one—it depends on how you perceive things. If you
let it affect you negatively, then it will be your loss. But when you look at
it differently—try to see the goodness in everything that comes your way, it
will eventually change the way you look at things, and ultimately, change your
life. You’d soon notice that you’d become happier, more relaxed, and practically
be a more positive person.
I’m not saying that at my age I’ve
become a very positive person. I am still a work-in-progress, there’s still a
lot more room for improvement. However, I am trying my best each day to be a
better person. It’s a bit difficult, to be completely honest about it, but we’re
getting there. As they say, you don’t really need to see the entire staircase,
you just need to take one step at a time.
Friday, October 16, 2020
A tribute to my Fur Baby Fudge-Losing my Dog to Canine Parvo Virus
My fur baby Fudge when he was given to me in June of 2020. |
It was love at first sight. The very first time I laid my eyes on this cute mixed breed puppy given by my boyfriend (prior to the lockdown and quarantine) I knew he was the fulfillment of my childhood dream of getting a dog for a pet. I immediately named this pomapoo [half pomeranian (his dad) and half miniature poodle (mom)] puppy FUDGE. Simply because of his light brownish color with streaks of black.
My baby played on my bed with my nephew's pants |
I got myself brokenhearted again. I have just lost my fur baby to the
dreaded canine parvo virus last Monday, October 12, 2020. It all happened so
fast. I partly blame myself because I brought him to my fiance’s village in Las
Pinas when he should’ve been safely home back in my place in Quezon City where
we actually live. Maybe if we hadn’t
taken him to Las Pinas, probably he would still be alive by this time.
Fudge was the name of my 6-month-old puppy who was a mixed breed of rare
miniature black poodle and brown Pomeranian. My fiancé Jason gave them to me as
a gift. He was given to me last June 2020. I thought I was being a good mum to
Fudge since he has been vaccinated.
My baby and I |
Fudge was the fulfillment of my childhood dream—growing up, I had always wanted to have a pet dog. But since I am living with so many relatives, I wasn’t allowed to have one. Until Fudge came along. I was so happy to become an official pet parent. I took care of him and pampered him the way I would a baby. I’d buy him treats, clothes, hygiene kits and so much more. I even made sure he would take a bath twice a week so that he won’t be smelling like a dog even if he’s actually one.
I never knew Fudge would be changing the way I feel for animals, particularly, dogs like him. I used to be frightened about seeing dogs alone. But when Fudge came, he showed me that dogs like him can be friendly, lovable and someone I can get really comfortable with.
Fudge and Purple Plum Fairy during happier times |
In the short span of time that we’ve had, Fudge was able to teach me
how to love and take care of someone—be responsible enough. He has shown me his
unconditional love. And during those times of stress and melancholy, it was
Fudge who became my anchor, my friend, and companion. He listened to all my
stories no matter how uninterested they might have been. And even if he never
really talked, he made me feel as if he understood me. Touching him was enough
to make him feel how much I loved him and cared for him. And seeing the awe and
glow in his eyes was enough to make me understand that he felt the same way
about me too.
Fudge and I would play every afternoon |
He was like the baby I never had. I would often carry him into my arms
and we would also play catch where I would throw his squeaky blue bone toy and
he would get them and return them to me while his tails wiggling. Fudge was
this sweet bundle of joy who made me feel so special each time he sees me. He
made me feel like he was my number one fan—all too excited to see me. And each
time he hears my voice, or he’d smell my presence, he would try to get my
attention so that I’d come to his cage and get him out to play. At one point,
Fudge enjoyed riding the car while being seated on the window as we went on the
road. He also liked riding a tricycle ride with me.
From time to time he'd love giving me sloppy kisses |
More kisses from Fudge |
Our last photos together during a car ride |
I had been busy quite lately as me and my fiancé are about to get
married. We were both busy fixing some papers and documents. Jason is also busy
with his new business while I took care of other stuff while still doing work
from home. It was so unfortunate to see that fateful Thursday of October 8
where my beloved Fudge went from a hyperactive puppy to a lethargic one. I
cried so hard seeing him in such a different light. When I put him back into
his cage, it felt like Fudge was a stuffed toy dog because he felt so light and
didn’t move a muscle. I also vividly remember how he looked at me that day—his eyes
were so empty, so hollow. I didn’t understand why. I just knew we needed to see
a vet soon because Fudge had also lost his appetite and didn’t want to eat his
food.
You could see in Fudge's eyes how happy he was right? |
We were busy from Friday until Saturday that we only had time last
Sunday—October 11, 2020 where we had the opportunity to bring Fudge to the vet.
It was too late by then. Fudge was found to be canine parvo positive. Parvo is
a gruesome, damnable thing. It’s something to be prevented at all costs. It
makes the dog’s insides raw. It HURTS. It hurts to eat, and it hurts to drink.
So your puppies don’t want to do those things. Imagine needing a drink of
water—badly—and not being able to do that, because it hurts too much.
It was an early morning car ride that excites the young puppy |
I’ve seen Fudge during the final stages of his parvovirus. It felt like
watching death from dehydration since that’s essentially what’s happening. It
felt so sick not being able to do anything. We were given two options by the
vet: confinement which would cost us too much (at this time, we had very little
money) but without any assurance given that Fudge would be able to survive or
bring him home and give him home treatment. Jason and I chose the latter. It
would be really expensive to have Fudge confined and we did the math, if we had
chosen confinement, the amount we would’ve spent would be enough to buy us a
new dog. And there wasn’t any assurance. Had there been an assurance that Fudge
would survive, by all means, I’m willing to spend on it. But again, there was
none.
Not only was Fudge happy, but I was also too happy to see him so happy. I didn't know it would be our last pic together. |
We tried nursing Fudge
with home treatment and it was no fun because you have to stay up with them 24
hours a day. Your pet will require constant attention for most of this time and
so you will not be doing much sleeping.
On Sunday night, Fudge can still drink water on his own back then where
we put dextrose powder for his hydration since Fudge had been vomiting too often.
I saw him gave his last kisses to Jason when he made him eat via injectable. We
tried nursing Fudge with home treatment and it was no fun because you have to
stay up with him 24 hours a day. Fudge had required constant attention for most
of his time and so any pet parent wouldn’t be able to do much sleeping.
It really hurts to see Fudge in such kind of state. I wish I was able to
do something to alleviate the pain he felt inside. I wish he understood what I had
been telling him. I felt that he had given his best to survive and fight for
his life. But then, parvovirus is such fatal—that only a few dogs who had a better
immune system would survive and recover. Fudge’s best wasn’t enough or perhaps
it was truly his time to go.
Fudge on his last few breaths lying down on his cage, a few moments before he died. |
On Monday morning, October 12, 2020, Jason said Fudge has blood on his
poop. And it wasn’t something to be happy about. It means he might not be able
to make it. It meant the virus has gotten into Fudge’s intestines. It also
meant his time is running out.
And so the time eventually came…when it was time for me to bid my dear
Fudge goodbye. I could see Fudge slowly breathing hard each time. He laid there
helpless on his cage as I touched him and rubbed his tummy. I could hear him
utter sounds of deep pain. During his last breath, I told him how much I loved
him and that I was happy to have him as my very first pet and that he was the
fulfillment of my childhood dream—I thanked him for the happy memories he had
given me and the fun times we’ve had together in the last 4 months. I told him
how he made me so happy, how playing with him was enough to make my day. I told
him what a good dog he had always been. I said sorry and apologized for
bringing him over to Las Pinas when he should’ve been home. I was sorry I got too busy with the wedding
preparations that unconsciously I took him for granted. I got too focused on
the wedding and my work that I hardly noticed him anymore. Had I seen him at
the onset of the parvovirus, I wish I would’ve brought him right away to the
vet—then maybe, he would still be alive today. I whispered to him that if it’s
his time to go, I am setting him free. I wouldn’t want Fudge to experience pain
anymore.
I will always remember the fun times I've had with Fudge, my first pet, my first love. |
I never knew it was difficult to lose someone who has given you so much
joy and wonderful memories until now. I never knew I could get so attached to
my pet that it felt like a part of me had died with him. He has shown me in the
last six months his affection for me as his pet owner/master.
Prior to getting sick, Fudge accidentally gave a long scratch on my left
leg as he was too excited to see me when I made him out of his cage. It was a
remembrance of sorts that I will always cherish and remember by.
Parvo is spread by
contact with the feces, blood, or vomit of an infected dog. It can also be
present in the soil or environment. The only means to kill the parvovirus is
by using bleach to disinfect the area/environment or any item used by a dog who
has had parvo.
For dog owners, please
vaccinate your dog even if it means spending your grocery money. Just do it.
You do NOT want to see parvo.
To my dear baby Fudge, I love you so much. I am terribly sorry that you
have gone too soon. You didn’t deserve that parvovirus. I’m so sorry you did
not live long enough to witness my wedding where you should’ve played a big
part. Your memories will remain in my heart forever. Losing you from parvo meant losing a family.
You were our baby, our source of joy—and those shouldn’t have to stop just
because you have left us. Even if years from now or in the future, I’d be
having another dog, I’m sure he’d also be as adorable as you but nobody would
replace you. My only consolation is that I know wherever you are now, you are no longer in pain. Run free baby Fudge, off to the rainbow bridge where I’d be seeing
you someday.
My lullaby for you will always echo in my ear: “Padjee, padjee, padjee
ko. Padjee, padjee baby ko.”
So long, ‘til we meet again my dear Fudge. I love you!!!
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
NOVUHAIR partners with Master Hanz Cua for Lucky Deals
Our bodies naturally send signals for us to slow down if it needs proper healing and gives us messages to learn to take care of our health before it becomes too late when health problems arise later on.
The universe works in mysterious ways. NOVUHAIR ®2019's leading natural hair loss treatment (Euromonitor Passport Data October 2019), partnered with one of the country’s top Feng Shui Experts Master Hanz Cua.
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Heroism Arising from the COVID-19 Pandemic