Bridging Social and Health Inequities: The GIDA Experience

Wazzup Pilipinas!
Persistent health inequities in the country would mean health services are still beyond the reach of amny Filipinos, especially the poor. Eliminating a complex problem like these require a systematic approach that the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) believes must start with the health leader which should be the municipal mayor alongside his municipal health officers and community workers.


The far-off rural communities would have the least opportunities to take advantage of government health products, services and facilities. This is because of several reasons such as weak health systems, poor health-seeking behavior, absence of adequate road infrastructure and lack of transportation facilities.

Eight municipal mayors from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) shared their health challenges experienced by GIDA residents, as well as the reforms to address those health gaps with the help of their communities and the ZFF in a colloquium entitled "Bridging Social and Health Inequities: The GIDA Experience."

Ryu Ramen & Curry: Feasting on Fabulously Flavorful Tantanmen Dishes

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It was time for another Open Rice Philippines foodie meet-up at another notable restaurant in the Metro. My taste buds was highly anticipating another tasty treat this time at a Japanese ramen house known as Ryu Ramen & Curry located at the SM Jazz Residences in Makati. You'll find the restaurant facing the Nicanor Garcia street side just opposite the Crown Center building where One Asia Center, our virtual and office-sharing home, is holding office.

Ryu Ramen & Curry currently have other branches located in Tomas Morato in Quezon City and Up Town Center in Katipunan Avenue, also in Quezon City. I'm sure they will eventually expand into more branches soon just like every other restaurant in the country. The proliferation of restaurant chains in the country is a testament that Filipinos really love eating, may it be local or international-inspired culinary dishes.

Ryu Ramen & Curry takes pride in offering authentic Japanese specialty dishes that satisfactory pleases the Filipino taste. Their spicy dishes can be served in mild version so that even children can appreciate the flavorful culinary treats that lingers even after hours of eating from the restaurant.

Our Open Rice Philippines foodie meet-up at Ryu Ramen & Curry takes us to experience their fabulously flavorful Tantanmen dishes. They have five variations of the Tantanmen but unfortunately only four were served due to the unavailability of the tender Angus beef that is the main ingredient in one of the Tantanmen varieties.

BNI Philippines Holds Grand Inauguration Night to Welcome New Officers and Members

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Business Network International (BNI) Philippines recently launched its networking and referral marketing organizations at a grand inauguration night led by BNI Philippines co-National Directors Dexter Ortega and Edward Ling, last October 28, 2014 at the luxurious Manila Polo Club located in Makati city.

I also saw a very familiar face in the event, namely Vivian Velez, who apparently must be a business or career woman already since I haven't seen her around showbiz lately. The former actress widely known before as Ms. Body Beautiful of Philippine movies during her younger years led the raffle draw sometime before the event program ended and proceeded to a dance and networking.

The organizations are namely their BNI Genesis Chapter, Makati and BNI Pioneer Chapter, Ortigas - composed of small and medium enterprises and professionals seeking growth without necessarily increasing costs. The induction of officers and members of the two chapters was the evening's highlight.

The event was attended by several business owners mostly from SMEs joined by government officials, representatives of embassies and chambers of commerce, and foreign delegates from BNI all over the world. Since SMEs account for 99.6 percent of total registered enterprises, BNI is primarily targeting SMEs to become members since many of them have limited resources in growing their businesses thus a networking group would be totally helpful to expand their opportunities towards growth and development.