Equicom Group and JE Holdings of the Gokongwei family partner to reinvent healthcare through Maxicare

 

 

The Equicom Group, the company behind Maxicare, the leading HMO company in the Philippines, and JE Holdings, Inc., announced a strategic partnership that will allow Maxicare to revolutionize its mission of helping Filipinos live their best lives.  

JE Holdings, a privately-held investment company of the Gokongwei family, will become a co-equal shareholder of Maxicare alongside the Equicom Group. The partnership agreement, approved by the Insurance Commission on May 5, 2022, will result in a bigger and stronger Maxicare due to the synergies to be derived from the partnership.  

The Equicom Group, led by Chairman Antonio Go, is a diversified conglomerate engaged in the areas of healthcare, information technology, banking, and financial services.   

According to Mr. Go, the agreement entered with JE Holdings is a partnership of equals that will give Maxicare a stronger foothold in the country’s healthcare industry. “Maxicare is already the top HMO provider in the Philippines; this partnership will only strengthen our lead in the healthcare sector and will help us deliver industry-defining services that will benefit Filipino consumers,” Go said. 

For his part, JE Holdings Chairman Lance Gokongwei said the company is very excited to work with the Equicom Group on this noble undertaking that will further democratize the delivery of essential healthcare services to our countrymen.

“We share Maxicare’s vision for the future of healthcare in the Philippines.  As their partner, we commit our support as they continue to innovate to help bring a better and comprehensive healthcare system in our country. We have high hopes that the synergy from this partnership will provide unparalleled customer experience,” Gokongwei said.

Maxicare CEO Sean Argos shared that the partnership between Equicom Group and JE Holdings will create new opportunities that will elevate healthcare services in the country.  

“We imagine a future where healthcare services in the country will be further enhanced through a new industry-leading healthcare ecosystem that will benefit Maxicare’s medical provider partners and provide Maxicare members better customer experience, affordability, and availability,” said Argos.  

He also shared Maxicare’s plans to expand into new products and services in order to reach and serve more Filipinos, details of which will be announced in the coming months. By leveraging the combined Equicom and Gokongwei ecosystem, Maxicare will now have access to more than 36 million customers, he said. 

Established in 1987 by an esteemed group of doctors and businessmen with the vision to deliver a better healthcare system, Maxicare Healthcare Corporation is one of the pioneers in the health maintenance organization (HMO) industry in the Philippines. 

As the largest HMO provider in the country, Maxicare continuously provides Filipinos comprehensive healthcare programs via its wide network of medical providers fortified by a strong customer support system. Currently, it services the largest number of HMO customers across the country from corporate segment, small and medium-sized enterprises to families and individuals via its more than 24,000 affiliated doctors and specialists, 1,400 hospitals and clinics, 1,000 dental clinics, 180 rehabilitation, dialysis, and eye centers. 

Why Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Important?

 

File photo: Flooding brought about by Typhoon Ondoy 2009

A person's safety during calamities is mainly dependent on their community's disaster preparedness. No matter how ready they are for all possible catastrophic scenarios, every bit of preparation can go down the drain if their community cannot respond effectively to such events. 

It is why a community-based disaster risk reduction and management plan (CBDRRMP) is essential. It places the responsibility of being prepared for calamities and other emergencies on the community as a whole, ensuring that organizations, households, and individuals can work together in making their community more resilient in the face of disaster.

CBDRRMP is important, especially for countries highly vulnerable to disasters, such as the Philippines. Situated within the Pacific Ring of Fire and typhoon belt, the Philippines is frequented by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and typhoons respectively. The country ranked 9th in the world in terms of vulnerability to calamities in the 2020 World Risk Index. 

One of the most common events experienced by the Philippines is flooding, which underscores the importance of effective floodwater management. There are many ways that local government units are doing this. Efforts range from structural measures such as sizeable underground drainage systems, floodways, pumping stations, flood warning systems, and urban greening to non-structural measures such as minimizing plastic waste, a primary culprit in urban flooding.

With the country situated on five active fault lines, Filipinos must also prepare for earthquakes. It is why many buildings are equipped with earthquake-resistance features. Taking earthquake resilience in the country further are the periodic earthquake drills implemented at the national and organizational levels.

These are good examples of effective CBDRR, where both the authorities and the citizens work together to ensure the safety of life and property in their communities.

SM City Masinag has a rainwater collection tank that can store 17,681 cubic meters of water.

As a trusted and responsible developer of integrated properties, SM has always been committed to promoting Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) in its communities, which is evident in many of its malls that employ infrastructure design centered on disaster resilience. SM allocates 10% of its capital expenditures to incorporate disaster-resilient features, of which installing water management design features is one of them. 

Artist's illustration of SM's rainwater collection facility in 22 SM Malls nationwide.

A few examples of these are SM City Marikina, elevated by several rows of concrete stilts to protect tenants and mall-goers during extreme floods. SM Mall of Asia was built with a storm surge barrier for added protection during storm surges, and several malls employ catchment tanks for recycling rainwater.

Across the country, there are 22 SM Malls that have rainwater collection tanks under the mall. All these malls combined can catch and store 79,880 cubic meters of rainwater, equivalent to 32 Olympic-sized swimming pools. 

“Wherever SM is, we try to help our communities become resilient to changing weather patterns,” explains Arch. Fides Garcia-Hsu, Vice President of SM Engineering, Design, and Development.  “Nationwide, we have 22 malls equipped with rainwater catchment facilities that help rainwater management to avoid flash floods for surrounding communities.”

SM City Olongapo Central's rainwater collection tank can hold up to 14,580 cubic meters of water.

Supporting these are several initiatives focused on capacity-building for its stakeholders. It includes workshops & learning sessions on Disaster Risk Resilience Management and regular participation in the quarterly national simultaneous earthquake drills for its employees, and the annual Emergency Preparedness Forum for persons with disabilities and the elderly, two of the most vulnerable sectors of society during disasters.

Similarly, in line with its multi-stakeholder approach, SM Prime has also continuously built long-term partnerships with organizations that advocate for a disaster-resilient Philippines. It includes collaborations with ARISE-Philippines, the National Resilience Council, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Office of Civil Defense, and the Bureau of Fire Protection, to name a few.

SM City San Mateo's rainwater collection tank can collect 10,800 cubic meters of potential floodwater.

Sustansarap, Sustansaya! A series of online nutrition Classes

  

Sustansarap, Sustansaya!, a series of online nutrition classes 

Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) recently launched Sustansarap, Sustansaya!, a series of online nutrition classes and cooking demonstrations, through a Facebook Live on Cookmunity by Ajinomoto page. The project aims to help Filipinos improve their nutrition knowledge and cooking skills with the help of food experts. It is set to run on a quarterly basis on the brand’s official Facebook page.  

“We, at Ajinomoto, believe that nutrition education is vital in taking care of our families’ health. However, for most, nutrition information can be intimidating and difficult to understand.  With day-to -day busy schedule of homemakers and budget limitation, we understand that nutrition usually takes a step back when preparing meals. Sustansarap, Sustansya! makes nutrition information fun, simple, accessible and proves that easy, affordable, nutritious, and delicious meals are possible, especially with the help of Ajinomoto products,” said Roann Co, Ajinomoto General Manager of Corporate Planning and Public Relations. 

Class #1: BawAsin Natin! (Delicious Salt Reduction)

The livestream launch features the first Sustansarap, Sustansaya! online class titled “BawAsin Natin.” The pilot session focused on delicious salt reduction wherein health and nutrition experts Dr. Dex Macalintal and Bea Menorca, RND shed light on the adverse effect of excessive sodium intake in our health and why it is important to reduce salt intake.  They shared a practical tip that it is not difficult or costly to reduce sodium in daily meal preparation.  One easy way is lessen teaspoon salt and use monosodium glutamate (MSG).  MSG contains only 1/3 amount of sodium compared to table salt.  With MSG, sodium intake can be reduced by up to 40% while maintaining overall deliciousness of food.

“It is important to know that high blood pressure or hypertension can cause complications such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack, and kidney failure. Among the factors is the frequent consumption of foods high in sodium. According to the World Health Organization, the recommended sodium intake per day is below 2000 mg. But for Filipinos, the actual intake is more than twice this recommendation. One way to reduce sodium intake is reducing intake of salty foods.” shared Dr. Macalintal, Lifestyle Medicine Specialist. 

“To help and encourage Filipinos to clear their worries and struggle on practice of salt reduction, the BawAsin® campaign was started by APC. It aims to share how it is important to reduce sodium intake for our health and not sacrificing the taste and deliciousness of our meals,” said Menorca, APC Specialist - Science Communication. 

For more information, checkout BawAsin® section in APC’s official website. The site features 100 less sodium creative recipes that help individuals enjoy meals that contain less sodium yet enjoying same deliciousness.

Sofie Conejos, RND APC Manager – Culinary Nutrition

After the lectures, Sofie Conejos, RND APC Manager – Culinary Nutrition demonstrated two Less Sodium Recipes: Upo Kalabasa and Sotanghon Soup and Chicken Eggplant Omelette, made delicious by  AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning. She reiterated that lessening sodium in diet is not difficult and does not mean sacrificing deliciousness of food.  For other easy-to-follow delicious less sodium recipes checkout ajinomoto.com.ph/whats-new-archive/sodium-recipes/

The Sustansarap, Sustansaya! Online Class is in line with the brand’s “Eat Well, Live Well” promise, that aims to propel meaningful initiatives that will improve the health and wellbeing of Filipino families. This project is also one of the actions made by Ajinomoto to fulfill its ultimate goal of extending the healthy life expectancy of 1 billion people.

“With Sustansarap, Sustansaya! online classes, we hope to educate, empower, and enable families to live a healthy and happy life, one nutritious and delicious meal at a time, ” said Co. “We have more classes and cooking demonstrations in store and we’re eager to encourage more people to learn about nutrition and apply them in their own kitchens.”

To catch the next Sustansarap, Sustansaya! online class, follow and stay tuned at Cookmunity by Ajinomoto facebook page. 

Negros Christmas…a Heritage of Hope

And just like that, Negros Season of Culture rounds out another year. This time, three inspiring features tug at the heartstrings of those who long to be home. Each, carefully selected to represent Integrity, Industry, and Innovation, core values that have carried Negrenses through adventures high and low, near or far.

Home furnishing designer Christina Borromeo-Gaston of Hacienda Crafts in Manapla, Negros Occidental, has collaborated with the Carmelite nuns of CM Bamboo Craft Centre based in Iloilo. With over half a century of creative work between them, these two design houses, habitues of Manila FAME shows, are launching a collection of Christmas tree ornaments. The artistic manipulation of bamboo veneers into Filipino-motif vignettes makes this holiday trims unique – what a way to bring the country to cosmopolitan living! Curated into themed collections, 18 hand-crafted ornaments attest to the integrity of the bamboo and the desire to tell the story of Philippine rural life. It is at once sophisticated and artisanal. Lean into nostalgia in “Bamboo Trimmings”

The persistent lure of Negros to come home finally got this Oxford-bred pastry chef to roost, and perhaps for good. Born in Kabankalan City, Kaye Bello grew up in the UK but always longed to return. This was helped along by regular vacations to Negros. How she eventually became a pastry chef is a whole story on its own, suffice it to say that hard work or industry served as the backbone of her journey. Chef Kaye apprenticed with the world’s most “Googleable” brands, including Gordon Ramsay and William Curley. Today at only thirtysomething, she runs Kalamay, a patisserie in the heart of Kabankalan serving delectable cakes and pastries, and winsome bonbons. Those and a “cup-a-tea”. Enjoy a hearty serving of Negros pride in “Home Sweet Home”.

Finish the line, “Christmas without music is like…”. Every city in the country has its company of homegrown music talents. Bacolod is no different. Mojo Nova is a band based here, with Tim de la Rama on drums, Joanne Bernal on vocals and percussions, Hans Samson on guitar, and Van Luceñara on keys. This month, Negros Season of Culture collaborates with Mojo Nova.

As survivors of a challenging time, the creative team of NSC wishes to herald the coming year on a note of hope. Enter innovation: The classic Negrense caroling song, “O Senyor Tagbalay”, which portrays Joseph in search of a place for Mary to give birth, is reissued by Mojo Nova with a modern arrangement. Because gratitude and good tidings are ageless. Against this lyrical backdrop, warm felicitations from Negrenses elsewhere in the world join Negros Season of Culture in saying,  “thank you” for the year that was. Catch hope on www.negrosseasonofculture.com.

Malipayon nga Paskwa! Paghidaet sa Bag-ong Tuig.”

Merry Christmas! Peace in the New Year.

Vibal Foundation’s Philippine Cartography Wins Gintong Aklat Award

Vibal Foundation’s (VF) Philippine Cartography 4th edition won the 2020 Gintong Aklat Awards for Social Sciences category. The awarding ceremony was streamed live on the Facebook pages of the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP) and Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) on Wednesday afternoon, November 17. VF’s Program Director Kristine E. Mandigma, book editor Dr. Carlos Madrid, and Ms. Denden Quirino, daughter of the book’s author and National Artist Carlos Quirino, gave their acceptance speeches. 

Established in 1871, Gintong Aklat Awards is conferred bi-annually by BDAP. The outstanding Philippine books are chosen based on overall excellence—from the quality of production, design, and printing to the quality and significance of content. 

Philippine Cartography 1320-1899, Fourth Edition

National Artist Carlos Quirino recounts how the concept of the Philippines emerged as a vague grouping of islands in the early fourteenth century and evolved in fits and starts over half a millennium into its current iconography. The Philippines as a geographical and ideological construct was shaped by a long lineage of cosmographers, cartographers, and artists spanning diverse cultures and times, such as Zhu She Ben, Luo Hong Xian, Abraham Cresques, Francisco Rodrigues, Juan López y Velasco, Diogo Homem, Gerardus Mercator, Sebastian Münster, Robert Dudley, Comte de Lapérouse, Pedro Murillo Velarde, Claudio Montero, Francisco Coello, José Algué, and many others. 

From ancient Chinese scrolls, Japanese and Portuguese portolan maps, French scientific surveys, and British merchants’ nautical charts, Quirino weaves a history of heroics and everyday drudgery, of personal and international rivalries, as well as of egregious mistakes and brilliant insights.

Philippine Cartography was first published in a limited edition in 1959 and reissued a second and third time in Amsterdam and Quezon City. For this fourth edition, editor Dr. Carlos Madrid annotated Quirino’s text and added a selection of over 450 new maps to form the largest bibliography of over 1,600 Philippine cartographic materials. 

Profusely illustrated with over 200 images, this edition is further enriched with six remarkable foldout maps, among them the outstanding Topographía de la Ciudad de Manila, which is reproduced for the first time in high resolution. This edition is also specially honored with a foreword by renowned historian Ambeth Ocampo and an introduction by international author, Thomas Suárez, who presents a meditation on cartography, the making of the Philippines, and the twenty-first century digitality.

Dr. Madrid also appended three significant essays that considerably widen the author’s avenues of inquiry into the Selden map of Southeast Asia, the unheralded Claudio Montero and his Comisión Hidrográfica de Filipinas, and the world-class achievements of Jesuit father Vicente Memije—together with two Filipino artists, Nicolás de la Cruz Bagay and Lorenzo Atlas.

With its erudite text and unparalleled reproduction of rare maps, views, and plans, this book will delight anyone with an interest in antiquity, history, geography, and maps as instruments of power and rare vessels of beauty.

Interested readers may purchase Philippine Cartography and other VFI books at Vibal Online Shop at https://shop.vibalgroup.com, Lazada https://www.lazada.com.ph/shop/vibal-books, and at Shopee https://shopee.ph/vibalgroup.

Prostate cancer 9th highest in number of cancer-related deaths among Filipino males

PUA, DOH, Cancer Warriors Foundation, PSUO, and J&J lead fight against prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the top 5 cancers in the Philippines and the ninth highest in a number of cancer-related deaths among Filipino males according to GLOBOCAN. Despite the statistics, awareness of the disease is very low.

The Philippine Urological Association (PUA), together with the Department of Health (DOH), Cancer Warriors Foundation, Inc., the Philippine Society of Uro-Oncologists (PSUO), and Johnson and Johnson (Philippines), Inc., led the observance of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month with a series of activities that aimed to generate greater awareness for the disease. With the unified theme Prostate Cancer Sama-Samang Labanan, Tamang Impormasyon Kailangan, efforts were focused on educating the public on the importance of early detection and treatment to slow the progression of prostate cancer.

A lay forum entitled Usapang Prostate Cancer was live-streamed via the PUA Prostate Cancer Awareness Facebook page on September 11 to underline truths about the disease. Representatives from the Department of Health Cancer Control Division and Cancer Warriors Foundation, Inc. also joined the discussion to share what support the government and privately funded organizations can provide patients and their families. This was followed by free teleconsultations by members of the Philippine Urological Association and the Philippine Urology Residents Association last September 18. More than 300 Filipino males signed up for the free teleconsultation service.

Fighting prostate cancer with information

Awareness on prostate cancer is very low as men do not talk about it in the open and often confuse its early symptoms as signs of aging. These include frequent urination, a weak urine stream, and pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvis. The only bigger warning signs are blood in the urine or semen and pain or burning sensation when urinating.

The risk of prostate cancer increases with age, especially after 50. It can also run in the family, developed through a combination of genes and a poor lifestyle. There is no proven prevention strategy for prostate cancer, which is why early diagnosis is important.

“Information is the most important weapon against prostate cancer,” said Dr. Clarito Cairo, program manager of the National Integrated Cancer Control Program, Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the Department of Health. “The more people know about its early symptoms, the earlier they can get screened. Even in advanced stages, there are treatments available that still allow patients to live a long life.”

“While mostly indolent, prostate cancer needs to be addressed immediately to stop the cancer cells from spreading to other areas of the body,” explained Dr. Ernesto Gerial, president of the Philippine Urological Association. “Disseminating information about who are at risk of the disease and what its symptoms are can save many lives.”

He added: “The lack of noise around prostate cancer has resulted in unequal support for the disease as compared to breast and cervical cancer. While we at the Philippine Urological Association have been hard at work for many years for prostate cancer to finally take the spotlight, we know that we cannot do it alone. That is why we are happy to be partnering with other medical associations, the government, and Johnson & Johnson in creating greater awareness for the disease and extending help to patients.”

“There is hope in prostate cancer,” said Dr. Erwin Benedicto, head of Medical Affairs of Johnson & Johnson’s (Philippines), Inc. “It is a hard fact that most people should know but don’t—not yet.”

“Doctors are our partners in maintaining good health. Supporting them in the fight against prostate cancer is crucial, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic posing several limitations. By working together, information, proper diagnosis, and appropriate treatment for the disease can be made available for all.”  

About Johnson & Johnson (Philippines), Inc.

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe good health is the foundation of vibrant lives, thriving communities, and forward progress. That’s why for more than 130 years, we have aimed to keep people well at every age and every stage of life. Today, as the world’s largest and most broadly-based healthcare company, we are committed to using our reach and size for good. We strive to improve access and affordability, create healthier communities, and put a healthy mind, body, and environment within reach of everyone, everywhere. We are blending our heart, science, and ingenuity to profoundly change the trajectory of health for humanity. Learn more at www.jnj.com. Follow us at @JNJNews.

About Philippine Urological Association

The Philippine Urological Association is the official organization of urologists in the Philippines. As initiated by our founders, we are committed to: (1) promote the art and science of urology to enhance the professional growth of members and provide wholesome fellowship, (2) provide residents of urology with comprehensive education and training to render patients competent, compassionate and quality care, (3) act as professional partners to our colleagues in other medical specialties, and (4) share time, talent, resources in the service of the community by providing undergraduate urology education.

Meralco Shifting To Eco-friendly Distribution Transformers

 

The shift will make distribution transformers run more efficiently, operate more safely, and be more eco-friendly.

With their goal for a greener and more sustainable Meralco, the power company will begin to retrofill existing transformers with natural ester oil.

The sweltering heat of recent months took its toll not only on the millions who live and work in Meralco’s sprawling franchise area but on power distribution equipment as well, resulting in some power interruptions during the summer. The sharp surge in consumption of residential customers due to work-from-home arrangements and community quarantine exacerbated the situation. 

But that would gradually change and may eventually become a thing of the past as Meralco shifts to an environment-friendlier alternative to the mineral oil used as the insulating liquid for its distribution transformers. 

Data studied by Meralco suggests that using natural ester oil as an insulating liquid allows for higher loading capacities of distribution transformers which is crucial during summer months when electricity demand is higher. The plant-based oil has a higher “fire point” of 360 degrees Celsius compared with 180 degrees Celsius for mineral oil, which will make distribution transformers less of a fire hazard. Data also showed ester oil could extend distribution transformers’ useful life.  

Since natural ester oil comes from vegetables, it is also readily biodegradable—a quality that meets Meralco’s goal of going greener and pushing for sustainability.

Starting this year, the country’s largest power distributor with over seven million customers will retrofill with plant-based ester oil the fluid used to insulate existing distribution transformers.

Meralco plans to spend billions of pesos through 2030 to fill with ester oil more than 180,000 distribution transformers.  The move would make these equipment run more efficiently, operate more safely, and be eco-friendly.

“Using natural ester oil as an insulating liquid in our distribution transformers instead of mineral oil will allow us to extend the life of this crucial equipment as well as do away with using mineral oil that is harder to dispose of,” said Ronnie L.  Aperocho, Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Networks.

After he was appointed Meralco Chief Executive Officer in 2019, Atty. Ray C. Espinosa underscored that stewardship of the environment and sustainability are among the top priorities of the company that distributes electricity to an area that accounts for around half of the Philippines’ gross domestic product.

At this year’s stockholders meeting, Espinosa unveiled Meralco’s plan to source more electricity from renewables, revamp the company’s vehicle fleet to use more electric vehicles, and use extensively plant-based oil for distribution transformers.

“Going forward, one hundred percent of our new distribution transformers will use plant-based natural ester oil, making these assets 99% recyclable and biodegradable,” he told shareholders.