Quarantine hasn't been lifted so we're still locked inside our houses. There are many ways on how people are coping with the feelings of anxiety, depression, boredom and other ill-effects of an extended enhanced community quarantine. One of these is stress-eating.

While understandable, such a lifestyle may not be sustainable in the long run--especially if one has not been exercising. Unfortunately, most gyms and sports facilities won’t be opening anytime soon, so there is really no better way to shed-off excess fat than by adopting exercise habits at home.

Don’t know where to start? Here are simple and easy ways to get your body moving and getting it back into tip-top shape.


Start with simple activities

It would be unwise to instantly go through rigorous exercises and programs without priming your body to go through them. Activate and engage your body through simple activities such as cleaning the house while listening to upbeat music. You can also try meditating just to make sure that your mind is in harmony with your body.

Download Workout apps

The vivo app store has workout apps that contain plenty of programs and exercises. Try apps that include High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) programs where you do a series of repetitions continuously with minimal rest time. While these apps promote quick workouts that last less than 10 minutes, do not be fooled--you will feel like you just ran a marathon.

Head to Facebook for live workout videos

If motivation is what gets you going when it comes to workouts, try doing it together with other online users. Facebook pages of different gyms around the metro now offer both free and paid live online workout classes like yoga and shadow boxing that are sure to shed off a few “quarantine pounds”. If you’re not to keen on working out with strangers, you can always gather your friends for a video call workout session. Just make sure you actually work out and not end up having an “e-numan”--you can always do that at a different time.

Try Tik-Tok dance challenges

If conventional workout routines and exercises aren’t your thing, you can always try creating TikTok videos. Try engaging in a “dance workout” by trying out all the dance challenges created by users in the platform. You will actually sweat buckets trying to perfect the challenges over and over again.

These home-based exercise methods may not be the same as “maxing out” in the gym, but these are great ways to maintain an active lifestyle and fight off the urge to stress-eat during these unprecedented times.

All it takes are a few clicks. You can download the Facebook app and plenty of workout apps using the vivo app store, pre-installed in all vivo mobile devices.

Growing up, people have probably found themselves at least once in their lives to be sharing stories about the usual phrases they would hear from their moms. From witty punch lines to sermons they already know by heart, there will always be common wisdom from Filipino moms that all kids can seem relate to.

Years later, people look back with immense gratitude for all the incredible insights their moms have bestowed upon them. It instilled in them many great lessons that molded them to be the persons they are today, compelling them into realizing that moms indeed know best.

Now, as we spend this time in our lives staying inside our homes, it is in moments like this that her unparalleled wisdom becomes even more glaring. From teaching us proper hygiene to equipping us with the right domestic skills, her words continue to make her presence felt in our lives, reassuring us that she is always with us as we get through these times.

And so, with twenty-twenty in hindsight, here are the top eight things we have learned from our moms that we now deem to be helpful and practical:


“Eat your vegetables”

Remember being a kid and hiding from your mom so you won’t have to eat your vegetables? Newsflash, it’s the year 2020, and stocking your body with nutrients is the most essential thing to do. You realize that learning to eat vegetables at a young age and expanding your palate to be healthier is an edge when one grows older.


“Wash your hands”

It has always been mom’s unceasing reminder to wash our hands after we play and before we eat – and lo and behold, she was right. Now, we don’t just wash our hands for the sake of keeping clean, but also to protect ourselves and the people around us from getting sick.


“Make your bed every morning”

Now that we have no other place to go but our house, we must keep things neat and clean at all times. People now learn to do different house chores, as they help their moms maintain a conducive and healthy environment for all members of the household.


“Pursue your Dreams”

Our moms have always been our #1 cheerleader. She has always believed in our skills and ability to reach for our dreams. Being in the house for the whole duration of the quarantine leaves people with some spare time to pursue passions outside their school or jobs. This again proves why mom was right when she said that channeling our energies into learning new skills and pursuing our dreams can keep us motivated during difficult times.


“Learn how to cook”

“Everyone seems to be baking these days!” Yes, and that’s all good! #QuarantineCooking has been a trend on social media lately. Although they say that nothing beats mom’s cooking, we take inspiration from the hearty meals she has prepared for us growing up and recreate it with our own personal touch.


“Save money for the rainy days”

This is something that moms would usually say to motivate kids into saving their own money. And with the world undergoing such an unpredicted time, no truer words have been spoken. Being smart with managing hard-earned cash and occasionally putting off instant gratifications may help a person for when the time comes that resources are truly needed.


“You’ll understand me when you’re older”

You have probably heard her say this recently already, and rightfully so! As people age, they eventually get into that vantage point where they realize that mom was always the beacon of wisdom. The lessons she has imparted to her children became their solid rock, molding them to be the persons they are now.


“My love for you is unconditional”

There’s no emotion in the world that is more powerful and moving than a mother’s love. Even though we didn’t realize the importance of her words when we were younger, the unconditional love of our mothers shines through. That is why this Mother’s Day, remember all the things that your mom did to show her unconditional love for you and say, #AkoNamanMa.

Want to know more about how moms exemplify unconditional love? Watch this latest Mother’s Day video from PLDT Home:

In line with its efforts to keep families safe and connected at home during the enhanced community quarantine, leading telecoms and digital services provider PLDT Inc. today announced the extension of its free Speedboost for PLDT Home Fibr customers and free NDD calls for all postpaid subscribers until May 31, 2020.

Moreover, this extension of free Speedboost and free NDD calls covers not only Fibr customers in the highly affected areas of Luzon but has also been expanded to benefit Fibr customers in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

The free Speedboost provides Fibr customers a minimum speed of 25 Mbps, which is beneficial for homes that have multiple Internet users and thus require high bandwidth to simultaneously access different web and streaming sites.

The free NDD calls enables families to use their landlines to call relatives and friends in different parts of the country.

“We are one with every Filipino family as we strive to rise above these trying times. As we face the uncertainties of the global health crisis, we are keeping our commitment to provide the strongest connections and reliable digital solutions that our customers need to work, study, and take care of their loved ones at home,” said Al Panlilio, PLDT Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer

Free Access to Content

PLDT Home Wifi and PLDT Home Volume-based plan subscribers will also continue to have FREE access to verified government and news websites such as the Department of Health (DOH), National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), News 5, Philippine Star Global, Business World, CNN Philippines, ABS-CBN News, and GMA News Online.

iFlixVIP access for subscribers of PLDT Home Fibr Plan 1899 and up has also been extended until May 31, 2020. This will allow families to enjoy thousands of TV shows, movies, and everything on iflix for their bonding activities while staying at home.

Financial Support through Installment Payment Program

PLDT Home has also stepped up its efforts to help ease the financial burden of many families by implementing its extension payment program and suspending account disconnections during the enhanced community quarantine period. PLDT Home postpaid customers will automatically be enrolled to a 6-month installment payment scheme for all their bill balances as of April 30, 2020. This will allow them to conveniently settle their bills for six (6) months from May to October 2020.

Starting May 1, PLDT Home subscribers will receive an updated statement of account which will reflect the installment amount and the monthly service due for the corresponding billing month. PLDT Home subscribers can also enjoy 20% or up to Php100 cashback if they settle their March to May bills in full and on time using the PayMaya app.

To conveniently track their bills and payments, PLDT Home subscribers can check their accounts through the MyPLDT-Smart App.

“We may be socially distant, but we are united and strongly connected as one nation and community.

PLDT Home will steadfastly work hard to keep families safe and connected as they stay at home,” said Panlilio.

For more information about PLDT Home’s COVID-19 response, please visit http://www.pldthome.com.

It goes without saying that being a mother is no easy feat, especially so amid the ongoing pandemic. There are many strong women - from medical professionals and pharmacists, to policewomen, and government and volunteer workers - who have been called to duty to serve the needs of their countrymen in these trying times.

Honoring their heroic heart for the nation, Lactum 3+ and 6+ releases a Mother’s Day campaign video that pays tribute to mom frontliners as they continue the fight against the health crisis and share their healing care that is felt at home to every Filipino in need.

Directed by filmmaker Pepe Diokno, “Alaga” is a heartwarming video told in a perspective of a child and showcases gratitude to the endless love and selfless sacrifice of moms. The campaign film features footages shot by real moms that take viewers through moments shared with kids with a poignant narration that recognizes how mothers display their touch of alaga even in difficult times.
“When situations are tough and things get scary, we always run to our moms and rely on them to be at their best. That is why this Mother’s Day, we want to say thank you to the mothers who show panalo parenting even in these times as they devote their time and health to help the nation, all while caring for their kids away from home,” said Lea Sarmiento, Senior Product Manager for Lactum.
Among the mom frontliners featured in the video is Kristine Frances Bustamante, a nurse in Camarines Sur who shares how the lockdown has limited her time spent with her kids. She says, “My usual work finishes before lunch time so I can eat together with my kids. But since lockdown, I had to stay in my work area to avoid risk of exposure to my kids. When I get home, no hugs or no kisses for a while.”
Another supermom, Aures Queen Trecho who is a bank teller, shares how she is responding to her duty to serve. “Currently, my daughter is being taken care of by my cousin because I am a single mom. I am aware that during this time of crisis, I still need to work and at the same time, take necessary precautions to not get so I can continue my duties.”

Sarmiento adds, “We recognize the fight that these mom frontliners are bravely going through for their children, their family and the nation. At Lactum 3+6+ and the entire Mead Johnson Philippines family along with our Reckitt Benckiser colleagues around the world, we are fighting alongside them as we continuously provide readily-available access to highest quality hygiene, wellness, and nourishment in cities and provinces so families will be safe and assured in these tough times.”

In support of families affected by the pandemic, a P50 donation will be made for every Lactum 3+ and 6+ purchased online. For the list of online partners, visit Lactum 3+ and 6+ official Facebook page. Watch the touching Mother’s Day video on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LactumPhilippines/videos/265270744855878/) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQDstC8BO90). Per DOH-FDA-CFRR Permit No. 0584 s. 2020.

Happy Mother's Day!

This Mother’s Day may feel a little tougher than usual because of the challenging times we live in, but that doesn’t mean it has to be cancelled this year.

NutriAsia, the leading producer and distributor of sauces and condiments in the Philippines — home of well-loved brands Datu Puti, Silver Swan, UFC, Mang Tomas, and Papa, decided to pay tribute to the wonderful moms who have always been there for us through a funny but heartwarming Mother’s Day video of a son asking his mom for some help in cooking.

In the video, a son calls his mom up because he needs her help in cooking some ulam with some limited ingredients. The mom adorably does her best to teach her son even though using new technology can be challenging for her.

Showing that a mother knows exactly what to do with what she has, the mom shows her son that even with simple ingredients like a can of luncheon meat, a couple of carrots, and some potatoes in the fridge he can cook a Masarap at Masayang menudo, especially with the help of a pouch of UFC Ready Recipes Menudo Sauce she left in her son’s apartment.

UFC Ready Recipes Sauces are a range of ready to use cooking sauces, made from ingredients such as real tomatoes, selected spices and meat flavors. UFC Ready Recipe Sauces are convenient and easy to use. It is pre-mixed and pre-seasoned, and all you have to do is to pour the sauce and let it simmer. It’s available in different variants like Afritada, Menudo, Caldereta and Mechado.

At the end, it’s revealed that she raised a great, caring kid who looks out for others, as it turns out that he was cooking some food to give away to our brave frontliners!


The video is definitely inspiring and perfect for Mother’s Day, as it shows us that our moms do know best and we can always turn to her for help whenever we need it—and, of course, that the best children are raised by the best mothers.

You too can show your mom some love on Mother’s Day! Easily make a Masarap at Masayang meal for her at home this Mother’s Day! You may visit https://nutriasia.com/recipe/ for recipe ideas!

A mother’s nurturing love indeed leaves a lasting impact on her children’s lives. From teaching them their first lessons at home, instilling values that help shape their attitude and personality, to providing unending support and encouragement, the heroes of today have learned how to draw their character from the example of their mothers.

This May, Jollibee and creative agency, McCann World Group Philippines, pay tribute to strong and brave mothers as they release a touching Kwentong Jollibee Mother’s Day special that shows how a mother’s earnest parenting can determine how far a child can go in life.

Inspired by true stories, the special Mother’s Day tribute presents the realities in the lives of front-liners who are helping fight the COVID-19 pandemic. It follows the stories of front-liners and volunteers who, even in these trying times, continue to fulfill a higher purpose by carrying out their duties to those they serve. Despite their own circumstances, they set their heart on bringing joy to people, with a love that’s deeply anchored on the nurturing care they received from their moms.

“Our front-liners go out every day, braving different challenges that help flatten the curve and provide aid to those in need. As a brand that is one with the nation in recognizing our front-liners, our Mother’s Day tribute pays homage to their dear mothers — the first person who molded them to be the kind-hearted and noble people they are today, said Francis Flores, Jollibee Global Brand CMO, JFC Philippines Country Business Group and concurrent PH Marketing Head.

Through the guidance and example that mothers have set, many COVID-19 front-liners are able to fulfill their duties not only in their respective families, but also in the communities they lend a hand to. The material brings to light a powerful truth about how a mother’s love can enkindle a hero out in all of us.

Watch the special Mother’s Day tribute on Jollibee’s official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JollibeePhilippines, and on Jollibee Studios’ YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/jollibeedigital1.

Happy Mother's Day!

Each year, on the second Sunday of May, Filipinos around the world celebrate Mother’s Day. On this special occasion, the world pays tribute to all mothers and mother figures that have nurtured and cared for humanity.

This Mother’s Day, in honor of Pinoy mothers worldwide, take a look at the creative and accurate portrayals of #FilipinoMoms by some of our favorite TikTok creators.

Ruby Palma @rubyreel
Featured video: https://www.tiktok.com/@rubyreel/video/6760430363434110213
Creator Ruby Palma’s mom makes a cameo in this quirky TikTok post.

Olly B. @otakoyakisoba
Featured video: https://www.tiktok.com/@otakoyakisoba/video/6793455253762100485
Olly B.’s mother shows just how funny #FilipinoMoms can be in this “Who Would You Rather” video.

Mikey Bustos @mikeybustos
Featured video: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikeybustos/video/6780114111415045381

What do #FilipinoMoms turn to as a cure-all for any and every ailment? Mikey Bustos tells in this video.

So, what’s the best life lesson you learned from your mom? It could be a D-I-Y, a lifehack, an heirloom recipe, or words of motivation that you live by. Share your own Mother’s Day tributes and use the hashtag #SalamatPoNay. Top 5 creators get a shoutout on all TikTok PH official accounts. Here are some creative ideas to express your love to your nanay:

Kuya Ching @kuyaching
Featured video: https://www.tiktok.com/@kuyaching/video/6823915337789099266
Kuya Ching shares a quick history of how Mother’s Day became one of the world’s most celebrated occasions of all times.

Kris Joy Filoteo @juzcallmeligaya
Featured video: https://www.tiktok.com/@juzcallmeligaya/video/6824324306625907969
Kris Joy gives all the feels as she identifies three things that moms are not telling us and will make one realize how mothers love their children unconditionally.

Simon Seeks @simonseeks
Featured video: https://www.tiktok.com/@simonseeks/video/6824377667643575553
In an emotional video, Simon Seeks has a special request for everyone as he celebrates Mother’s Day 11,000 kms away from his mom and his family. .

Lawrence Padilla @rencepadilla
Featured video: https://www.tiktok.com/@rencepadilla/video/6808763024111947010
Every day is Mother’s Day for Rence and his mom as they celebrate with a TikTok dance number.

Rachel Hipolito @_rachelannhipolito
Featured video: https://www.tiktok.com/@_rachelannhipolito/video/6677785882205965570
Bonding like friends, the closeness of Rachel and her mom is clearly evident in this video.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Yearly, Mother’s Day is our way of reminding us of our relationship with our moms. It is one of the wonderful events of the year that let us give thanks to our moms for their love for us. Given this year’s unique circumstances, many of us will be celebrating this special day at home or even away from the special women in our lives—mom, grandmas, and aunts. Still, even when fancy dinners are impossible, Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be canceled. With some creativity and preparation, you can still give the most special woman in your life the Mother’s Day she deserves.

The Manila Hotel pulls all the stops for you to still be able to give her a memorable Mother’s Day. This home celebration will have a five-star hotel feel and The Manila Hotel will make sure it gets close to a real feast.

The Manila Hotel’s Mother’s Day Surprise gives you discounts when you choose to order the food-and-cake bundle and pay online on or before May 8, 2020 (Friday). You may choose items from the A La Carte Menu or Home Buffet sets (Filipino, Italian, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese favotires, as well as Certified Halal items) and get a 20% discount on your food bill, and a 10% discount on the cake of your choice.

Because mothers deserve the only the best, you can choose from our awesome selection: our decadent Opera Cake; Ohaina Chocolate Gateau, a Lifestyle Inquirer Best Dessert Winner; the mouthwatering Trio of Chocolate Mousse, and our amazing Mango Cheesecake.

To order or for more information, please call 8527 0011 or message 0998-9501912.

One of the leading brands when it comes to electronics, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. recently announced its QLED 8K and 4K TVs have received “no photobiological LED hazard” verifications from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a leading safety science company in the U.S., and “eye safety” certification from Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker (VDE) in Germany. Samsung becomes the first in the TV industry to receive verifications proving that various types of lights emitted by its QLED TVs pose no photobiological LED hazard, based on classifications under the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission)'s standards for photobiological safety and eye.

Both safety certification institutions, UL and VDE, tested the 65Q900T 8K model and 65Q90T 4K models – both of which emit the brightest light among Samsung’s 2020 QLED TV lineup – for their blue light, ultraviolet rays and infrared rays.

"While Samsung QLED TVs emit high luminance and brightness, our TVs are designed to protect the eyesight without losing the truly immersive viewing experience," said Yong Hoon Choi, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "We are pleased to be recognized by UL and VDE for these efforts and will continue to make the safety of our customers a top priority as we develop our products."

For more information on Samsung’s QLED 8K and 4K TV lineup, please visit www.samsung.com

How are we coping with our situation now? How long will it take to bring back our normal life after this pandemic? How can we balance the advantages and disadvantages of Covid 19 in our lives? There are too many questions in my mind right now, especially for a mom like me, who thinks more of what will happen to us if there will still be no work. Even our kids are asking when will they be going out? What happen and why they did not finished their school? These are the questions that our family are asking.

The Enchanced Community Quarantine or ECQ really did make our lives different from the once that we used to have. It has been more than a month now and our situation may have an effect on all of us, how are we now? I tried to browse the social media posts and I find that some are already bored, some are stressed with the situation, and some even depressed now. In a simplest way to describe, some of us are having mental health issue or problem.

Just recently, Dr. Roland Cortez, Chief of National Center for Mental Health did a media conference via Zoom app to present the current status about the institution and what people are needing right now. But even though that the center is fighting about mental health issue they are also fighting the COVID-19 as some of their in-patients were also affected by the virus. The good news is that they were able to isolate the situation and address the problem.

I got interested on the topic of Dr. Cortez about the effect of ECQ to our Mental Health, according to him, there are different types of stress that people are experiencing right now such as anxiety, uneasiness, worrying, nervousness, boredom, getting very weak, restless and depression. It is because of what we are facing right now. 


Since we are all confined in the four corners of our houses, there are different aspects that contributes to what we are feeling every day as long as we are still in lockdown or quarantine mode. It was great that there are, still, so many things to do but one of the best thing that effectively helps is to talk. We all need to express our emotions and NCMH have there so called crisis hotline or help line USAP TAYO line 0917-899-USAP (8727) or the 989-USAP (8727). So, with this if you don't want to do an actual consultation you just talk to someone over the phone.

Aside from the hotline Dr. Cortez shared also some of the tips that I heard that you can do inside your house to overcome the feeling of depression and stress:

1. Break away from watching news
2. Always hydrate
3. 8 hours of sleep
4. Positive affirmation

So Mommies, we can all survive this, we need to show that we can overcome this, we can do lots of things inside the house! Kaya natin to! Laban lang!