UNILAB and Mercury Drug Celebrate 80 Years of Quality and Care with ALAGANG SUKI FEST 2025

8 whole decades is a long time, and that's exactly how long UNILAB and Mercury Drug has been providing quality and care for Filipinos. To celebrate with a bang, they got some of the hottest acts and personalities in the country to headline their show entitled "Alagang Suki Fest 2025". People were just shocked how they were able to combine the Koolpals, Jolina Slaydangal, Robi Domingo, and artist Belle Mariano, world dance champs Legit Status, hot band Mayonnaise, pop prince Darren Espanto, chart topper Maki, Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano, and the country's PPOP girl group BINI.

The venue was packed and they started the show with a few games with the audience to break the ice. 

Jolina was not just the momshie, but a generation that reminded us of the 90's, and how good it was til it lasted. Same with Robi who taught us how to take care of our tummies. Belle Mariano was the surprise of the evening, she was fun and had folks standing up, and went to the audience area because she really just wanted to have fun during her performance. She was really entertaining!

Belle really knew how to work the crowd, and she sang a few 80's and 90's hits, which really made us sing along with her. Her set was fun!

Legit Status showed us why they are world class. With jumps, tumbles and crump moves, we just watched knowing how difficult it is. That's passion personified.

Mayonnaise sang their hit songs, and thought to surprise us with JOPAY at the end of their set. Folks thought they wouldn't sing it but they did!

Darren and Maki really had the young ones mesmerized by their songs (and dance for Darren). Maki had a different sound, it appeals to a lot of folks. Though I haven't heard some of it, I am impressed. No wonder he's always in the mind of international acts who've heard his songs. He's really good! Darren on the other hand has performed his hits, and some of his newly released singles which were loved by many.

Highlight of the evening was Mr. Gary Valenciano, when folks thought it was going to be ballads, he comes completely bonkers with the Maneuvers. He didn't just wear the Mr. Pure Energy moniker, he became it. With high energy moves, songs, he got everyone off of their seats to dance and sing along with him. He brought us to church, he made us stars in our own seats, and that says a lot for a world class performer like him. Super love the evening because of that!

The nation's PPOP Girl Group, BINI made the crowd crazy. With their hit songs, and surprise number in the end, we were all just thankful how our dreams came true courtesy of UNILAB and Mercury Drug Corporation. Thank you for letting us be part of this wonderful celebration of your 80 years. Here's to more in the next few years because I'm sure you'll try an even bigger one right?!

If you want to watch the concert, head on to my TikTok account @kumagcow because I've managed to take videos of it in several parts. 

Thank you for the quality, for the care and the love you bring for Filipinos!

Facial Care Centre Aims To Get You "Skin You Deserve"

While the industry is still aiming for experience, facial care centre has been at it for 43 years. They've been really taking care of their clients skin that long and this year, they're committing to even better things with their thrust on giving you the "Skin You Deserve". This means planning ahead, making it a sustainable one, doing it long term using their expertise so you would have something tailored, unique to every client that walks through their doors.

They have Ara Davao to represent them saying "At facial care centre, my skin journey was built on trust and expert care. This was where I had a genuine connection with them. They listen and I feel really taken cared of when I visit their clinic. I've experienced results and seen some other clients say the same on socials. They are experts in their field and have a lot less experiments when getting treatments."

Ara also fancies the Oxygen Cell Renewal Therapy and LaserLight which she's done for anti ageing and hair removal. She also does facials plus things to rid of fine lines, pigmentation, acne too. Facial Care Centre also has Exoderm that uses exosome tech and micro needling for skin issues that are also closely monitored by experts so you get the skin you deserve. 

If you want to experience it too, head on to facial care centre branches or get in touch with them via their social channels. They're very eager to help!

Advancing Kidney Care: Conifer Capital and NEPHRO Plus Collaborate for Nephro Care in the Philippines

US based investment firm Confier Capital has brought needed funding to leading dialysis care provider Nephro Plus Consultancy Inc. as part of its efforts to address shortage of dialysis centers in the country.  This was led by Rocket Equities who acted as advisor for this expansion.

Donna Gatus Mangulabanan the founded of Nephro Plus Consultancy says "Being a healthcare professional and Filipino, I have always wished for world class renal care in the Philippines and in every clinic that we open, we are able to serve thousands of patients so they could live healthier lives. This creates a healthier future for all of us!'

She adds "This started as a dream to provide care for an underserved sector. It has been tough, not just operations but for patients to understand their condition. I'd like to extend my gratitude to all the medical staff who have dedicated their lives for the needs of those who undergo kidney dialysis treatment. By combining our expertise, we will expand and empower health care professionals and have Filipinos the care they deserve. Patients are in the heart of everything we do. Let's celebrate this milestone!"

Jimmy Quach the Managing Partner of Conifer Capital says "This is solving a very alarming crisis and our partnership will lead renal care, in an underserved market like the Philippines."

He adds "We at Connifer Capital are entrepreneurs, and every so often we see diamonds and Donna is one of them. This is her gift, and we know her for over a year now. She's a hard worker, and know every little detail. That is the vision that drives this business, you can see how they adore her, even patients are grateful, which is truly amazing. We are 8000 dialysis chair short in this country, and we are here to support you. You can rest and just leave three of your centers but you trusted us to let us in your company and this journey."

The promising partnership will start a billion dollar opportunity in the country where there is high demand because of 7 million patients in need of it (100k in need of immediate care). Philhealth subsidies from dialysis has surged 4 times since 2022. They currently have 3 dialysis centers, but there will be 10 planned this year in other areas like Mindanao,, and other places in the north. They also plan to do 10 more in the next year, and in streamlining the process they can improve more with the quality of the services. They will help her realize the dream. Tall order, but right now, they look optimistic to address it right away. They will train more healthcare workers, reinforce professionals so they could provide for them without going abroad.

They also want to address transportation, as some patients are not able to go to centers. They plan to do Bulacan, Quezon City, CALABARZON region. The others will follow soon. Here's to great renal care in the future!