Gracee's Lifestyle Journal

Pru Life UK is stepping up its commitment to sustainability through strategic partnerships that help address the negative impacts of climate change and enhance community resilience amid worsening climate-related challenges. Through the Climate and Health Resilience Fund (CHRF) that was set up by Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudential plc across Asia and Africa, a Php 10 million grant was awarded to CARE Philippines to work with Pru Life UK for the rollout of the Sustainable Health Interventions for Eradicating Leptospirosis and Dengue (SHIELD) Project in target communities in Malabon and Valenzuela City. Launched in March 2024, the CHRF is a USD 2 million initiative that aims to support local programmes that mitigate climate-related health risks and build community resilience in Asia and Africa. Consultations for the SHIELD Project has officially begun with a site visit in Malabon, where city health department officials and project team members gathered to disc...

Not all rebels are troublemakers; some are visionaries with the courage to pursue bold dreams. This kind of spirit sparked the creation of Team Rebel Sports, a homegrown brand from the Philippines that has made its mark in customized sportswear for fans and athletes alike, both locally and abroad. Stepping into the competitive arena of sports apparel requires more than ambition -- it calls for a resolute fighting spirit. When the brand introduced sublimated jerseys to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in the early 2000s, it marked a turning point, not just for the company, but for the entire sports apparel industry in the country. For the first time, a local manufacturer was creating high-quality, customized uniforms that adhered to professional sports standards. Behind this was a vision: to make world-class sportswear in the Philippines and introduce it to the world. This pioneering spirit has defined Team Rebel Sports since its founding in 1998. From a small workshop in Cub...

Remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), digital workers, and SME owners surge during the holiday season, as many Filipinos abroad send extra funds to support family celebrations, year-end expenses, and business investments. In December 2023, remittances hit a record $3.6 billion, a 3.9% increase from the previous year . This seasonal boost provides essential financial support for Filipino households and local businesses, covering holiday needs and fueling consumer spending. Digital money movement solutions are making it easier than ever for OFWs, digital workers, and SME owners to send money home. This has driven a surge in remittance volumes, especially during the holiday season. With 75% of Filipino senders using digital apps in 2023, according to Visa's Money Travels: 2024 Annual Remittances Adoption report, they can transfer funds with greater convenience, speed, and security. From the Philippines to the world: supporting digital workers and SME owners However, the m...

Southeast Asia faces escalating economic challenges, including global fragmentation, geopolitical shifts, and the climate crisis. To tackle these issues, the region must adopt new economic models beyond extractive industries, such as the restorative economy, which restores ecosystems to support local economies. Environmental degradation from extractive practices has severe global impacts, with  87%  of wetlands lost since the Industrial Revolution, harming biodiversity, water resources, and flood prevention. Land degradation affects 3.2 billion people and costs the global economy $9.4 trillion annually. While still emerging, restorative efforts are growing in Southeast Asia, focusing on land use, sustainable tourism, and recycling. A key example of restorative efforts is the  Masungi Georeserve  in the Philippines, established in the 1990s, this 430-hectare site, once devastated by illegal logging and land clearing, now thrives as a hub of conservation, community emp...

The wisdom holds true: prevention is better than treatment. In the case of our sexual health, this cannot be more true. Whether you’re looking to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), prevent an unintended pregnancy, or simply want to feel more informed, knowing all the sexual and reproductive health options available to you is the first step. From trusted contraceptives to tools that help track your fertility, there’s a world of resources designed to support your sexual well-being and empower your decisions. According to the  2022 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey (PNDHS) , 98 pe rcent of the women surveyed, aged 15 to 49 years old, said that they know at least one contraception method. The most popular method is pills (97%), followed by condoms (96%), female sterilization (86%), and injectables (85%).  While this widespread awareness is encouraging and a step in the right direction, merely knowing one method isn't enough to fully empow...

Federal Express Corporation, one of the world's largest express transportation companies, successfully hosted a series of masterclasses in Laguna and Cavite aimed at empowering local businesses, small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs), and individual shippers in the Philippines to seize overseas growth opportunities.  Designed to equip Filipino businesses with essential skills and knowledge to unlock cross-border trade opportunities, the masterclasses covered a wide range of topics, including the latest updates on import and export shipment protocols and regulations for sensitive and hazardous goods. FedEx senior executives and field experts led these interactive sessions, providing practical insights that can help businesses thrive in the competitive global landscape. “FedEx has always supported Filipino businesses to grow on an international scale,” said Maribeth Espinosa, managing director of FedEx Philippines. “Through these masterclasses, we are providing the tools and guidance ne...

The   Ayala   Group   has   formalized   a   Memorandum   of   Understanding   (MOU)   with the   Department   of   Education   (DepEd)   and   Khan   Academy   Philippines   (KA   PH)   aimed   at enhancing   access   to   high-quality   21 st   century   digital   learning   for   students   and   teachers  nationwide. Ayala Corporation, Ayala Foundation, Inc., Globe Telecom, Inc., iPeople, Inc. (the education joint venture between Ayala Corporation and majority owner House of Investments of the Yuchengco Group of Companies) and iPeople schools National  Teachers   College   and   University   of   Nueva   Caceres   are   all   supporting   the   partnership   that DepEd   and   KA   PH   announced   in   August   2024....