ARJO ATAYDE Tests Positive for COVID-19

News about this spread like wildfire yesterday and as heard from the grapevine, an actor and several of his co-workers tested positive for COVID-19 and left Baguio City while shooting their movie.

Today, FEELMAKING Productions Inc. has released a statement and confirms the actor in question is the multi awarded Arjo Atayde. In the release, are 9 other individuals who have also been tested positive but are asymptomatic. Arjo was rushed to a hospital in Manila as he had difficulty breathing and had pre-existing conditions which had to be taken cared of. The production company also apologized for any inconvenience they caused to the local government unit of Baguio City and their current Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

We wish they would all recover soon.

The BISTRO GROUP Got Fully Vaccinated

 

The Bistro Group is one of the biggest restaurant chains in the country. They've got over 18 restaurant concepts which includes TGIFRIDAYS who's got pretty good burgers and ribs, ITALIANNI’S who served lovely pizza and pasta, TEXAS ROADHOUSE for the best steaks, DENNY’S who serves all day breakfas, WATAMI for Japanese cuisine, HARD ROCK CAFÉ who serves American comfort food (yes I mean those cheesy macaroni!) and live entertainment, plus the Spanish cuisin that Las Flores, BCN, Tomatitos and Rambla's offer and more. As of now, they've got over 80 branches nationwide and employ a lot in the food and beverage industry.

Recently, they announced that ALL their restaurant staff have been FULLY VACCINATED. That's a huge feat especially when Chef's, cooks, servers are protected, it'll be safer to dine in or receive delivery from these establishments. Of course, we still have to observe protocols and do our best to get vaccinated too but knowing this alone, brings a sense of security that they're taking the threat of the virus seriously. Their staff will be wearing their vaccination pin proudly so if you're looking forward to dine in (on a limited basis based on government restrictions) a Bistro group restaurant is a must! The Bistro Group President and COO Jean Paul Manuud says "We support all efforts in vaccination drives. We also want to bring the economy back to life and make dining options safe for all stakeholders."

In a nutshell, it's reassuring and as they say, a JAB well done! You may order from them via the Food Panda app, the Grab app and the Bistro Delivers app which is available in the Google Play store and the App Store on iOS.

A Talk On "The China COVID-19 Experience"

YILING Pharmaceutical held a talk on the topic "Learning from the China COVID-19 Experience Control and Surge Prevention" hosted by Philippine Archipelago International Trading Corporation.


Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr of the Department of Foreign Affairs welcomed us and said "It is my pleasure welcoming you to this webinar. With over 4 Million deaths, the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that we need to learn more. No one is safe unless everyone is safe, we need to work together. I understand scientific competition, but timely information is essential in defeating it. The PH and China has cooperated including in kind and sharing donations. They were battling the virus still, but now has made return to work in almost 100% now. Our partnership made us feel we're not alone, thank you China from the bottom of my heart."

Mayor Benjamin Magalong the current PH Vaccine czar says "It's been a year already since the WHO declared this pandemic. Our usual peak season had to stop, we could have risen if we didn't take steps and done targeted action. We are working towards low and manageable level and doing a gradual re-opening activities in several provinces including Baguio. The population testing and contact tracing has continued and we're doing an equilibrium for health safety and economic recovery. It's a complex dance in keeping infections rate low and to avoid overwhelming our health facility. We need to curb the onslaught of the virus on our city and country. We put a premium to a feedback mechanism and adjust our decisions when it is deemed necessary. We advocate transparency, leadership in the community level and it will only work when majority of the population would work with us. Public health is a priority, for the long haul we will have a concerted effort to beat this disease with the use of digital tools, engagement with private sectors as vaccination sites. We need to gather feedback for the people we serve. The pandemic had us transform into a smart city and will happen on 2022. Use this as support system for the city and we have technical partners for our service delivery, government efforts, public safety, and connectivity will be the backbone for this challenge and perhaps put up an LGU managed city broadband network. This is our experience, and we hope this would be something that others would learn in responding to adversity and become resilient."

Secretary Vince Dizon the Chief Testing czar and BCDA head says "We were not prepared for this, but China helped in equipment, medicines, provided by public and private organizations. We got it in control compared to others who have been struggling, this is a whole nation approach and we got assistance. Despite delays in delivery, we have vaccinated a few million and hope to have more in the next few months. Hopefully we have ample amount of doses soon as no one is safe until everyone is safe."

Master Physician of Eastern  Medicine Jzhia Zhen Hua says "Viral disease has been a great threat and we've been battling a few over the years. There will be a reduction in efficacy, we need to have an effective way to battle this disease and in the last year the Chinese government placed strong measures against COVID-19 and has made Chinese medicine part of it. We have rich experience in combating the disease. Lianhua Qingwen has played an important role in prevention and control of influenza A H1N1 virus, it also inhibits SARS Cov 2 replication, inhibits inflammatory reaction and reduces lung injury in animal tests (mice). It is also suggested to be used for people who have mild to moderate symptoms."

 

 

Philippine Archipelago International Trading Corporation President Ms. Olivia Limpe-Aw says "We need earlier intervention, the comprehensive rehabilitation and treatment, the combination of Eastern and Western medicine. They stressed cooperation, of people from all walks of life, involve all sectors of society to battle COVID. We pray for ample amount of vaccines, thank our speakers for their support and the offices who have made this event possible. We hope to soon have normalcy in our lives so our economy can get back on track." Lianhua Qingwan is available in Mercury Drug, Rose Pharmacy, Southstar Drug and Watsons. This is a prescription drug so make sure you have consulted your doctor if you plan to take this.

Re-opening The Economy with “Ingat Angat” Campaign

You can join jumpstart the economy and it starts with this mega campaign by both public and private sector, they call this INGAT ANGAT. Honestly, I can't get over seeing different competing brands in one campaign and how they set aside pride and business to help the Philippines back on its feet.

This is a critical time for the government and private companies to get together amidst the pandemic. This is their initiative. Business has been greatly impacted, people are slowly opening up again, Filipinos are resilient and hopefully business is slowly gonna go back to normal.

Sec. Ramon Lopez DTI says “This is done in Bayanihan spirit. This has damaged our country, we feel it is difficult to bring back consumer confidence but it is important to have safety and economic movement at this time. This will help shift focus in balancing health and economy, a balancing act, manage the risk and help the revival of the economy. We continue to buy local, to rally everyone to go back to the new normal, still have health protocols, and DTI will be there to help and support this cause. Buy local!”

IATF Against Covid-19 Head Carlito Galvez Jr. says “This is our third phase, the government is keen on opening up our businesses. We need an equilibrium of both health and economy, to make it safe for everyone to conduct business and sustain our economic recovery. We need to work as a team, to lower our active COVID cases, to ensure we fully recover 100%. To increase capacity on public vehicles, doing it to ensure safe transport of our workers and earn sustainable incomes. The cases are declining in NCR but we should never let our guard down, we need to work together even further. Ingat tayong lahat!”

Sec. Harry Roque says “The Filipino Spirit of Bayanihan is there. We have medical equipment, testing, donations poured by private sector. Ingat Angat is important to inform people we must not leave in fear, and the President is appearing in advertisements and support the cause. This Monday we will have a cabinet meeting, to talk about how to save people from poverty. To allow the economy to recover, with safety in place. We need to open and improve the transport sector. Thank you to the private sector’s help! Mabuhay po tayong lahat!

Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala “Good morning! We have very tireless organizers. In the worst crisis, we saw everyone work together. The virus is the enemy, we need to work on health and the economy. Thank you to the Secretary for bringing the private and public sector together. The private sector has found our citizens who have confidence, moving together to create it with others. Together we shall revitalize our country together, to help us all move forward, to restart the economy. It is a pleasure to work with you all. The strong partnership between the public and private sector is important and we support you all, thank you!”

George Royeca of Angkas “Buhay or Hanapbuhay, this pandemic has cost a lot for our economy. Businesses have closed down, thus Taskforce T3 to test, trace and treat to become a stronger and resilient Philippines. The goal is simple, to equip government to reduce the risks, building facilities and increase capacity. We all should be cautious, recognize how to live with the virus, rebuild but keep safe. Teach Filipinos to co exist with the virus and get our lives back on track. Thank you for your undying help. This time, we need to Teach, trust and Transform.”

Margot Torres the SVP For Marketing of McDonalds says “Thank you to our partners from government, thank you for making time for this. I am excited Taskforce T3’s campaign and the help of different brands, even competing ones by volunteering their time and expertise to make sure our message comes across. We all want a resilient Philippines and the need for consumer confidence is essential. Recently, the government launched their campaign, by tomorrow we are launching this one. This is to address the need for consumer confidence, to make learned helplessness to empowered vigilance. Brands will serve as backdrop to real message, should not be a multi brand preso, or a hardsell branded effort. They should be inspired of the Filipino resilience and cautious optimism to move forward with our lives. We have produced 3 industries, restaurants, mobility, shopping and leisure. All brands will share these online videos and materials, in all their assets. This will be in multiple screens on October 9.”

Melvin Mangada “The campaign is going far from being fearful and anxious, to remind everyone we will get through this too. We will be vigilant and safe. To jumpstart the economy with consumer confidence. The ad test results show strong emotional connection, Ingat Angat will be launching this video. The campaign is not just about the most loved brands. We needed to thank them for allowing us. Eat out and keep safe. Go out and do what they need to do, but keep safe. Encourage people do things they like to do outside, safely too. We already have ready social cards where competing brands are in one post, we also have radio ads, partnered with Viber to have downloadables so companies can put these on banners, billboards, mall presence, celebrity videos, use #ingatangat on all posts. Thank you to all our partners who made this all possible.”

The entire world is facing this challenge, what sets the Filipinos apart is our resilience, when we all come together. These efforts to battle the pandemic is a call to restart the economy but not undermine health protocols to keep us all safe. Visit ingat-angat.com, FB and YT who will host the videos, viber for information dissemination and engagement platform for the campaign too. This is a campaign that will continue until needed.

Ingat Angat, Tayong Lahat!

/* Please be informed, quotes may have been edited for brevity.