It's summer time! Sand, sea, sun, palm tree and wind, a make up of an exciting beach vacation. Now, wether you have a budget or not, try to have at least once, a visit to wonderful places in the places.

Citi Credit got something for people who would want to get out of the city and fun fun. Enjoy a memorable island getaway through an exclusive 3 days/2 nights travel offer with Huma Island Resort & Spa in Palawan!

Choose between the Water Villas that rise on stilts right above the coral banks at 54% discount; a Beach Villa straddling the shoreline at 49% discount; and a luxurious family suite replete with its own mini pool at 38% discount. Or, you may go for an expansive Presidential Suite – all of 294 square meters which is perfect for large groups!

To ensure a worry-free holiday, included in this travel package are overnight accommodations, daily breakfast, roundtrip land & boat transfers (Busuanga Airport - Resort - Busuanga Airport), and special credits towards dining, spa services, even for island activities.

And remember: advance reservation is required to guarantee availability of rooms. To grab this irresistible offer simply contact Huma Island Resort& Spa’s reservation hotline at (02) 553 0119, or their booking emails at inquiry@humaisland.com and reservation@humaisland.com. Promotion period is from January 1 to March 31, 2017, while the stay period is from January 1 to June 30, 2017.

For more information, log on to www.citibank.com.ph or call the 24-hour CitiPhone at 995 9999.

Anyone in for something fun, exciting and enjoying to do with your kids? Well, here is what's new with McDonald's. Its their new DC Girls and Justice League Happy Meal toys. The set features iconic characters from the world-famous superhero franchises, including Superman, Batman, Hawkman, Wonder Woman, and Supergirl. Plus, gear up with exciting accessories like the Hawkman Mask, Wonder Woman Tiara, and Supergirl Headband.

Collect all eight DC Girls/Justice League toys, free with every purchase of a McDonald’s Happy Meal! Customers can choose from a Cheesy Eggdesal or 1-pc Chicken McDo during breakfast hours and 1-pc Chicken McDo, 4pc Chicken McNuggets, Burger McDo or McSpaghetti during regular hours. Happy Meals come with a choice of fries or corn and orange juice for a delicious treat!

Bring out the hero in you or your kids with the latest McDonald’s Happy Meal collection. Share your superhero bonding experience on McDonald’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/McDo.ph, or tag @McDo_PH on Twitter and Instagram. Enjoy!!!

Here's your chance to learn more about the recently passed Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act. If there's an anti-bullying, this one is about age discrimination in employment.

The People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), the premier organization of people managers and HR practitioners in the country, will hold an Industrial Relations Forum on the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Issues on Occupational Safety and Health Inspection, and CBA Negotiation at the Meralco Multi-Purpose Hall in Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City on March 15, 2017 (9:00am to 5:00pm).

The distinguished resource speakers of this timely and relevant event are Dr. Ma. Teresita Cucueco, Director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Bureau of Working Conditions; Atty. Emerico de Guzman, DPM, 2006 PMAP President and Managing Partner of Accra Law; and Atty. Noel D. Balsicas, CPA, Chairperson of the PMAP Labor Policy Reforms and Industrial Relations Committee.

Topics to be discussed are the IRR of Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act; Issues on OSH Inspection; Fundamental and Legal Framework of Collective Bargaining; Best Practice Cases of Collective Bargaining Negotiations; and Red Flags to watch out in Collective Bargaining Negotiations.

For PMAP members, investment cost is P2,600 if payment is made not later than March 14 and P3,000 for onsite payment. For Non-members, regular rate is P3,000 and onsite rate is P3,500.

For more information, kindly contact Ms. Eshe Lalongisip or Ms. Joana Tumpalan at 726-1532 locals 304 and 323 or email eshe.lalongisip@pmap.org or joana.tumpalan@pmap.org.ph.

How many times have you heard of the term "Pwera Usog"? Well, for those who've live in the provinces or still with grandparents (lolos or lolas), I'm pretty much sure you were able to hear the term "Pwera Usog" from them.

In a more traditional and spiritual sense, "Pwera Usog" is a term used by people in revoking curses or other harmful intent to the person.

This early summer Regal Films, one of the best producers of horror movies locally, will definitely put you on the edge of your seats as Director Jason Paul Laxamana take on the challenge of scaring movie goers who have seen a lot of horror movies. Fortunately, he might have did something unusual and out of the ordinary.

The movie "Pwera Usog" stars Joseph Marco, Sofia Andres, Devon Seron, Albie Casino, Kiko Estrada and Cherise Castro plus a whole lot of veterans stars that will create your movie night scarier than before.

It is directed by Jason Paul Laxamana and according to him this is his first time to create a horror movie. It is a big challenge for him convincing and scaring horror movie goers who has watch a different type of horror films.

According to the three female leads, Sofia Andres, Devon Seron and Cherise Castro, this movie is their biggest break on the big screen. 
In "Pwera Usog", Sofia plays Jane, a millenial with a prank channel on the internet. Hatred for her father and insecurity with a sibling lead her to whip up a prank of the net which eventually ends up in total disaster.

According to Direk Jason, Sofia is a confident actress whose admirable talent can take her to places. Devon, meanwhile was a Pinoy Big Brother housemate who finished Teen Big 4th Placer on the finals night. She was part of Haunted Mansion which was a blockbuster fright film. Devon was last seen in the TV series "Be My Lady" and is now part of the "It's Showtime" Girltrends.

In "Pwera Usog", Devon play the character Luna, a rugged beggar (taong grasa) possessed by Catalina played by Eula Valdes. She roams the streets day in and day out and only gets help from good friend Quintin (Kiko Estrada).
Jane pulls a video prank on her one day which exposes her real identity. "Wala syang arte sa katawan. Nandoon ang dedication niya upang pagbutihin ang kanyang craft. Napabilib niya ako sa role niya," Direk Jason said of Devon.
Regal baby Cherise, on the other hand, is not just a singer. Producer Roselle Monteverde particularly lauded her performance in "Pwera Usog"

Cherise has appeared in other Regal movies and has done an episode for the TV drama "Ipaglaban Mo".

In "Pwera Usog" Cherise is Val, Jane's supposed camerawoman. She and Jane are responsible for the prank videos which resulted in their nasty encounter with the occult.
As for the more senior actress Eula, Direk Jason said it has been his dream to work with her in a project. He gushed, "She's a terrific actress!".

Also in the cast of this year's biggest horror movie are Joseph Marco, Albie Casino and Kiko Estrada. Other senior cast includes Aiko Melendez and Rommel Padilla.

Pwera Usog will cetainly sit well with today's millennial crowd whose love affair with moden technology makes them forget all about Pinoy superstitious beliefs.

"Pwera Usog" teaser and trailer already earned 5M views, shares and likes on inittal days of posting.
Pwera Usog hits theather nationwide on March 8. Follow Regal Entertainment, Inc. official Facebook -Regal Entertainment Inc Twitter-@regalfilms, Instagram - @regalfilms50, Youtube - Regal Entertainment Inc. for updates on Pwera Usog.

It seems that mosquito does has the habit of carrying diseases with them and unfortunately, with the number of species that they the more types of diseases will be infecting humans and animals. One type of diseases that are carried by the mosquito is called the Japanese Encephalitis which is viral and commonly affects the children.

When I heard about this I was at thought because I didn't know that aside from dengue and malaria there are other diseases that are caused and transferred by the mosquito. And knowing what it can do to children or human perse is alarming. It's great that there are groups and organizations that pushes the awareness of such health issues and sharing the idea of how to address these kind of problem.

Here's an information shared and given out by the doctors and experts during the media briefing held at Dusit Thani Hotel.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. Transmitted by the mosquito vector Culextritaeniorhynchus, the virus can cause inflammation of the brain, leading to high fever, headache, fatigue, vomiting, confusion, and in severe cases, seizures, spastic paralysis, and coma. It could also mimic a stroke, as was the case reported in Davao during the second half of 2016. There is no specific treatment for this disease. JE is fatal in 20 to 30% of cases and among those who survive, 30 to 50% suffer from permanent disabilities.
Reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) have estimated that there are currently 3 billion people at risk for JE, living in JE-prone areas, including 24 countries in the Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions. JE usually occurs in rural and agricultural areas, however, an epidemiologic study conducted by Dr. Anna Lena Lopez of the National Institute of Health (NIH) published in 2015, showed that the virus circulates in all regions of the Philippines, including urban areas like Metro Manila, constituting a significant public health burden.  The study showed that although majority of cases occur in children younger than 15 years of age, adults remain at risk, with 15% of cases occurring in individuals older than 18 years. In tropical areas, disease can occur year-round. Data from the Department of Health (DOH) Epidemiology Bureau surveillance system revealed that for 2016, among 875 acute meningitis-encephalitis suspected cases reported as of August 2016, 119 (14%) were laboratory-confirmed for JE.

As part of the government’s strategy to reduce mosquito-borne diseases, the 4S program was implemented several years back. 4S stands for: Search and destroy mosquito breeding places, use Self-protection measures, Seek early consultation for fever lasting more than 2 days, and Say yes to fogging when there is an impending outbreak. However, mosquito-borne diseases are still on the rise. According to the WHO, the most effective way of reducing disease burden is vaccination against the illness. The WHO cites that there is clear evidence demonstrating the impact JE vaccination has on disease burden in a population. Hence, the WHO has recommended that JE vaccination be integrated into national immunization schedules in all areas where JE is recognized as a public health problem.

The WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) has reviewed data on the different types of JE vaccines (inactivated and live attenuated vaccines) and has found them to have acceptable safety profiles. Local scientific bodies, including the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) and Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP), have recommended that JE vaccination be given as a single primary dose for those 9 months old and above. For individuals less than 18 years of age, this should be followed by a booster dose 1 to 2 years after. Other preventive strategies for disease control include bed nets, repellents, long-sleeved clothes, coils, vaporizers and mosquito control measures.
About the Vaccine, The JE-chimeric vaccine, a live attenuated recombinant vaccine, was first licensed in the Philippines in 2013. The vaccine is produced by Vero cell culture, a cell culture technology recommended by WHO. It is the only JE vaccine available locally and is approved for use for individuals 9 months old and above, with high immunogenicity rates.

Mommies we need to be vigilant nowadays, that mosquito-borne diseases give us scary feeling for our kids. I hope this kind of information give you an enlightenment about JE just like me.  Do follow all the required vaccine for your babies.