MVP-led companies, MPT Mobility, PLDT, and Smart, turn over School-in-a-Bag to Baguio and Cebu beneficiaries

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MPT Mobility was born out of the idea of helping to elevate Filipinos’ travel experience through smart technology solutions and services. At its very core, MPT Mobility is about addressing the gaps between people and their ability to live freely—from being able to go to where they need to be, to being able to meet their needs and getting help during emergencies.

As a key thrust in its corporate social responsibility undertakings, it is only fitting that MPT Mobility’s latest endeavor is to bridge another gap in society. A gap that is arguably the most impactful to our society’s future: students’ access to education, especially those in remote areas.

MPT Mobility looked within the MVP Group of Companies for a technology-enabled solution that brings inclusive quality education to learners in geographically challenged communities. The company collaborated with PLDT and Smart for the crisis-resilient “School-in-a-Bag.”

School-in-a-Bag is a portable digital classroom that allows remote learning in last-mile schools and complements the Department of Education’s curriculum. Each package contains a laptop and 10 tablets pre-loaded with DepEd curriculum-based learning materials, mobile Wi-Fi, and expandable storage devices. It is also inclusive of teacher training and year-long monitoring support.

“The contents of School-in-a-Bag are carefully curated to ensure that quality education and smart technology go hand-in-hand for the purpose of enriching our learners with knowledge and skills that would benefit them in the future,” MPT Mobility Director, Rodrigo Franco said of their project. “Through the School-in-a-Bag project, we hope to not only level the playing field for our learners but also pave the way for our country’s greatest hope and future.”

Cathy Yang, FVP and Group Head of Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart also said, “The School-in-a-Bag highlights our use of technology to ensure that no learner is left behind. PLDT and Smart are always ready to collaborate with our ‘kapatids’ to improve learning outcomes for students, as we all lend a hand in building a ‘matatag na bayan’ for all Filipinos.”

For this year’s edition, MPT Mobility chose Sto. Tomas Elementary School in Baguio City and Albert Schweitzer Familienwerk Foundation Philippines, Inc. (ASFFPI) in Cordova, Cebu as its beneficiaries.

Sto. Tomas Elementary School is located on the fringes of Baguio City, on the slopes of Mt. Sto Tomas in Benguet, and serves 291 students. School officials hope for learning technology tools and resources for their learning needs.

“We [in the City of Baguio] are grateful to MPT Mobility, PLDT, and Smart for choosing Sto. Tomas Elementary School as the recipient of the School-in-a-Bag project,” Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong said. “This is a worthwhile initiative to enrich the quality of education in the city.”

Meanwhile, ASFFPI is a 26-year-old non-government organization that provides short- and long-term care, support, education, and other aspects of development to abandoned, neglected, abused, and exploited children and youth at their “Children’s Haven.” As of writing, ASFFPI houses 49 kids and 36 youths who are underexposed to learning materials and are challenged in meeting the expected competencies of their grade levels.

"MPT Mobility’s goal of providing access to better education through the School-in-a-Bag will surely have a significant impact on the cognitive development of our children,” Ms. Ligaya Maquiling, Executive Director of ASFFPI expressed. “With their assistance, we will achieve our goal of raising the academic performance of our children and youth by providing them with all the tools and materials needed to motivate them to engage in appropriate skills and development training.”

By providing these institutions with their own School-in-a-Bag, MPT Mobility aspires to enable students with guaranteed access to quality education through digital technology.

MPT Mobility turned over Sto. Tomas Elementary School’s and ASFFPI’s School-in-a-Bag projects during separate ceremonies held on June 22 and June 29, 2023, respectively.

Present during the turnover ceremony in Sto. Tomas Elementary School were Renée Funtanilla and Leo Gonzales, AVP for Marketing and AVP for Corporate Affairs at MPT Mobility, respectively; Stephanie Orlino (Stakeholder Management Head of PLDT-Smart), and; Mary Jane Francisco (Stakeholder Management Executive of PLDT-Smart).

The turnover ceremony in ASFFPI was attended by Allan Alfon (President and General Manager of CCLEC); Marylou Gocotano (Stakeholder Management Visayas Relations Head of Smart), Lailane Go (Regional Customer Development Senior Manager of Smart), and; MPT Mobility’s Funtanilla and Gonzales.

Representatives from the beneficiary and their local government unit were also in attendance for their respective ceremonies.

School-in-a-Bag highlights the MVP Group’s commitment to inclusive quality education through technology, content, pedagogy, and capacity-building to ensure that there is #NoLearnerLeftBehind. These initiatives also underscore the Group’s commitment to helping the Philippines achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) No. 4 on Inclusive Quality Education.

MANILA BAY KITCHEN: Where Flavors and Stories Gather

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Sheraton Manila Bay's new all-day dining restaurant, Manila Bay Kitchen is set to be Manila's culinary melting pot.

As the capital of the Philippines, Manila has long been a hub of trade and a cultural melting pot with influences from across Asia and beyond. Much like its namesake, Manila Bay Kitchen, Sheraton Manila Bay's all-day dining restaurant, offers diners an exceptional culinary experience that showcases the best of international, regional, and local cuisine.

Be greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere as you step inside Manila Bay Kitchen, with its modern interiors, comfortable seating, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The open kitchen concept allows guests to see the chefs at work, adding to the overall dining experience.
Manila Bay Kitchen features an extensive menu, carefully crafted to highlight local signatures and an array of Asian specialty cuisine, inspired by flavors from Thailand, Japan, and Korea, among others. Freshly prepared sushi and sashimi platters are some of the highlights of the international menu while highly sophisticated oven bake the most distinguished premium pizzas. The restaurant’s skilled culinary team also boast of its innovative gourmet creation including the “Curate your own Pasta” which allows dinners to choose the perfect pasta shape and pair it with specially made sauces including Crab and Shrimp "Aligue", Moringa Pesto, and Chicken "Inasal-Alfredo". The restaurant also features an impressive "on the grill" selection of premium fish, seafood, and succulent steak including the famous "Kurobuta pork" and US Wagyu Striploin. A must-try when visiting Manila Bay Kitchen is their signature dessert “Blanc”, a delicious and refreshing dessert that combines the flavors of sweet Philippine mango, rich and flavorful sticky rice, and cold and creamy coconut ice cream, served with thick caramel dip and ladyfingers brushed with confectionary sugar.

Aside from its delectable a la carte offerings, Manila Bay Kitchen also offers a diverse buffet spread for breakfast, pre-dinner happy hour, dinner, and Sunday brunch.

The exquisite Breakfast Buffet available daily from Monday to Friday at 6:30 to 10:00 am and 6:30 to 10:30 am from Saturday and Sunday for only Php 1,350 net per person, offers a culinary experience to suit every palate and dietary preference. From freshly baked pastries, artisan bread, egg station, and fluffy pancakes to a variety of cereals and a colorful assortment of seasonal fruits, guests will find a delightful selection of breakfast favorites to energize their day.

The Pre-dinner Happy Hour buffet experience sets the stage for an unforgettable evening of culinary indulgence. Available every Sunday to Wednesday from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm for only Php 1,800 net per person, it features a sumptuous assortment of tantalizing appetizers, small plates, gourmet salads, artisanal cheeses, and delectable bites carefully crafted by our skilled culinary team.

 
Drawing inspiration from culinary delights around the world, our Dinner Buffet presents an enticing array of flavors every Thursday to Saturday from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. For only Php 2,800 net person, our dinner buffet showcases an indulgent selection of gourmet delights, meticulously prepared by our talented chefs. From international specialties to regional favorites, the buffet offers an enticing array of appetizers, main courses, pizza station, savory meat carving, decadent desserts, and an impressive array of fresh and succulent seafood options.

Indulge in a delightful medley of flavors with a Sunday Brunch buffet from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm for only Php 2,800 net per person. From breakfast classics like made-to-order omelets, custom waffles, and crispy bacon to an array of lunch favorites such as succulent roasts, gourmet sandwiches, and savory pastas, our buffet ensures that there is something for everyone to enjoy. Elevate further your Sunday brunch feasts and dinner buffet with a delicious drink or two by availing Beverage add-on for only Php 600 net per person and enjoy a variety of refreshing beverages including house wines, local beers, chilled juices, and sodas, that pair perfectly with your meal.

With its diverse gastronomic offering, there is no shortage of culinary experiences to be had at Manila Bay Kitchen. It is truly a fascinating community center where locals and travelers alike share, dine, and gather in a celebration of diversity, culture, flavors, and stories.

For reservations, please call +632 5318 0788 or email sh.mnlsb.fnb@sheraton.com. Sheraton Manila Bay is located at M. Adriatico corner Gen. Malvar Streets, Malate, Manila. Like us on Facebook and Instagram @sheratonmanilabay and Twitter at @sheratonmnlbay.

Masustansya at murang pagkain para sa iyong anak

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Pangunahing hangarin ng isang magulang para sa kaniyang anak ang mabigyan ng masustansyang pagkain sa araw-araw, subalit, dahil sa kakulangang pang-pinansyal, maaaring maging mahirap para sa isang pamilya na magkaroon ng balanse sa pagitan ng abot-kaya at wastong nutritisyon na kinakailangan ng isang bata.

Lumabas sa mga pag-aaral na isa sa mga pangunahing sanhi ng malnutrisyon ay ang hindi sapat na pagkain ng masustansya na kinakailangan ng ating katawan. Upang maging malusog, dapat na maibigay ang hustong nutrients katulad ng carbohydrates, taba, protina at bitamina.

Kaugnay nito, at upang matulungan ang iyong pamilya na makaiwas sa malnutrisyon, narito ang mga tips sa paghahanda ng masustansyang pagkain na swak sa iyong badyet na tiyak na magugustuhan rin ng iyong anak:

Isang mahalagang bahagi ng balanseng pagkain ay ang taba at protina. Bumili ng abot-kayang pagkain tulad ng itlog, munggo at mga sariwang isda. Ang mga opsyon na ito ay hindi lamang matipid sa bulsa, kundi dahil ito rin ay masustansya na nakatutulong sa paglaki ng iyong anak.

Ang pagpaplano ng maaga ay isa sa mga susi sa abot-kaya at masustansyang pagluluto. Maglaan ng ilang oras kada linggo upang magplano. Sa maagang pagpaplano maaari kang gumawa ng listahan upang maiwasan ang pagbili ng hindi naman kailangan. Huwag kalimutan na isama ang mga pagkain tulad ng kanin, gulay, manok, baboy o tokwa na naglalaman ng nutrients na kinakailangan ng iyong anak.

Mahalaga ang mga sariwang prutas at gulay upang maging malusog. Hindi lamang abot-kaya, masustansya at sariwa ang mga lokal na produkto, matutulungan din ang ating magsasaka sa kanilang kabuhayan. Isama ang mga prutas, gulay na karaniwang makikita sa Pilipinas, tulad ng saging, papaya, talong, okra, malunggay at kamote. Ang mga pagkain na ito ay masustansya at kadalasang makukuha sa abot-kayang presyo sa merkado.

Maaaring lutuing muli ang mga natirang pagkain upang makalikha ng ibang ulam. Halimbawa, gamitin ang natirang inihaw na manok para gawing adobong manok o gawing sinangag ang sobrang kanin. Maaari naman isama sa may sabaw na ulam ang natirang karne at gulay. Ngunit dapat na siguruhin ito ay maaari pang makain. Sa pamamagitan ng muling paggamit ng mga natirang pagkain, ikaw ay makatitipid at makababawas din sa pagkasayang ng pagkain o food waste.

Tandaan na hindi mahal ang maging healthy. Tulad ng tema ng Buwan ng Nutrisyon ngayong Hulyo, “Healthy Diet Gawing Affordable For All!” sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng lokal na sangkap at tamang diskarte sa pagluluto, masisigurado mong makukuha ng iyong anak ang mga nutrients na kinakailangan para sa mas malusog na katawan.