Smile Train Philippines Holds "Every Day After" Screening for Cleft Condition Awareness

I was amongst a Miss Universe, Miss World, several more title holders, beauty queens, Smile Train Philippine executives, and volunteers a few days ago at Powerplant Mall Cinemas in Makati City. This was the screening for the documentary "Every Day After" created by Emmy award winning director Elisa Gambino who filmed this on location in the Philippines. Aimed to help raise awareness for the Cleft Palate and Lip condition, they follow around siblings Jary and Jessa, in their quest to get surgery for him.

Mr. Felix Grimares Program Director for Smile Train Philippines says "Every Day After the documentary holds a special place in the cleft community. As we share the complexity of this condition, this is also about the love of a sister. This is captured in this film, and I hope it drives support for our cleft community."

 Here's the press conference which happened right after the screening

Jary and Jessa were orphaned before the pandemic. Jary felt something is missing, he talks about it lengthily with his sister in the documentary. Jessa says "When he was born, our dad couldn't look at him, nor treat him like he exists. When I turned 18, I left for Manila to get help from a person who's had the same condition as he does. She connected us with an organization and got him checked. I wish he would feel different when he goes back home in the province. Ideally, cleft palate and lip surgery should be done during infancy but my brother is already 13 years old. Health workers thought he was my son, but I told them how our parents passed. He is also going through speech therapy, planned ahead on what should be done in the coming months."

This is just the start of Jary and Jessa's story.

Jessa adds "I was afraid of hospitals because when my Dad went in for treatment in 2019, he died and never got out of it. I am so worried about him. When he woke up today, he nudged me and asked if we look alike now (after the surgery). He told me I did something that our parents could not do."

"When Dad died, I was worried about what will happen to our lives. I told my live in partner Robert about it, he knew my priorities was with my family. He was okay with it, and knew why my brother should live together with our kids too."

Their struggles and experiences would be told in the documentary and hope people who watch it and learn that the condition needs so much more that just a surgery. It needs support from all over, including financial, emotional and psycho-social. This was shared to us by one of the execs from Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation Philippines (one of Smile Train's partners). Smile Train makes it possible for all the procedures to be FREE, so if you know someone with Cleft Palate or Cleft Lip condition, tell them about it because you need to do the surgery early.

If you want to know more, please visit SMILETRAIN.PH and their social channels. You can ask about it and they'll provide you the information you need to do it. They also are looking for volunteers if you are a medical professional who would want to share your expertise and services for the beneficiaries. 

Here's Miss Universe Catriona Gray whom we got to talk to about Smile Train after the event.

As for the documentary, a local screening is in the works but it will be done in the near future. It will be sent to other festivals in other countries too to share Jary and Jessa's story.

Hope this helps!

ProPak Philippines Does Biggest Trade Event of 2024

A total of 200 local and international corporations have set up shop at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Philippines today for the 4th installment of the International Processing and Packaging Trade Event hosted by ProPak Philippines. This event will only run until the 2nd of February so if you havent gone there yet, you better bring your best people and see how you could benefit with industry leaders and packaging experts so those products you have would look the part once it goes out of your plants, and into customer doors. Aside from that, it's a chance to learn from those who are doing it, especially in the fields of processing and how you could take advantage of different technologies.

The event is set to attract over 10,000 people, and international suppliers would certainly welcome you to connect with them in the areas of food, manufacturing, retail and other related industries.They also have different seminars on location. The Country General Manager of Informa Markets Ms. Rose Chitanuwat says "This will be a year that would be beneficial for MSME's to have them access the latest in packaging and processing. This includes how to reduce waste, in different stages of manufacturing.

There will be over 40 workshops and seminars, but will also have lectures about how to make it all sustainable and follow strict standards. If you want to know more, make sure to visit propakphilippines.com or go to the World Trade Center to catch the event as it is still happening. 

Have You Seen Changes in GRAB Lately?

Every Filipino riding Grab must be feeling a little lucky lately. With the company offering true wallet friendly features, smart ones get the GrabCar Saver, GrabFood Saver Delivery, and for the hungry ones, GrabFood Saver Meals. They also have subscription plans such as GrabUnlimited and Grab Ride Saver which I often use going to events and places here in the metro.  

GrabCar Saver

GrabCar Saver has been implemented recently. In it, you get 15 percent cheaper rates in booking a standard Grab Car. For now, it is being done Metro Manila and in Pampanga (Central Luzon). Pretty soon, it'll be done in all Grab areas, though you'll have to note, you will have to wait a little while longer. You can also use GrabShare and use it to be with another passenger. This is useful for those who are not really in a hurry and you'll get even cheaper rates with it. You can get 30 percent savings from it, which is quite nice for those who are watching their transportation spending these days.

GrabFood Saver

It's been offered for quite some time now in the Grab Superapp. If you're fond of ordering from restuarants and establishments, this gives you the option of enjoying your food and have it delivered with the Saver option. Fees will certainly be less than usual, I do this when I have lots of time in between meals and I even do it when I have guests coming a little late than usual. I just order ahead of time so it could reach my location perfectly. These are great prices especially if you love gatherings. Imagine only 15 pesos? That's a steal.

With the rates already low, get the GrabUnlimited for major discounts on GrabFood, GrabMart and GrabCar. You can opt to get the annual plan instead since it'll cost you even lower. I have the Grab Ride Saver though as it slashes 10 percent for 60 rides, I use it all and pay only 99 pesos for it. Quite nice if you ride Grab Cars regularly. Grab certainly is changing the way we ride each day, for that, I'm quite thankful for the perks I get when I avail them. They're really good at it.

Xiaomi Launches New Phones, Does Fun Activities, Concerts at Redmi Note 13 Iconic Park

Fun activities, snacks, and showcase of phones happened last January 27 and 28 at Mall of Asia's SM By the Bay where phone brand Xiaomi put up the Redmi Note 13 Iconic Park. It was a way for them to experience the new phones physically in pop up booths they put up at the venue. They also had fun activities like pole catching, arcade machines, and even nachos for the crowd prior to the arrival of several celebrities that have used the new Redmi Note 13 series on the first day.

GMA's Gabbi Garcia (aside from being pretty) went on stage and joined content creators to explain each of the phones and talk about where and when they can use it in their daily life. Since they were all there, Xiaomi fans were also treated to a full blown concert in the evening with Kyle Echarri, JK Labajo and even the whole team ECHO who did good in MOBA games when they represented the country in international competitions. They also made use of the products capability to play games and talked about their personal experiences in using the new Redmi Note 13 series in scrims they did on their personal time.

Aside from the photo centric Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G, they also had Darren Espanto do use the Redmi Watch 4 together with some Xiaomi fans in an indoor cycling event nearby. The phone and their other models are now availbale in online stores, Lazada, TikTok, Shopee and authorized Xiaomi shops nationwide!

If you want to know more, just visit their social channels and the Xiaomi Philippines Facebook page since they update it with the latest news about the brand and the new handsets.

Congratulations Xiaomi! Had so much fun that afternoon!