Intimate & inspiring conversations

A woman’s beauty is not measured by her physical appearance alone. It is also defined by what she has inside her.

Olay launched its latest tribute to women with Olay Conversations, a series of web episodes or “webisodes” with Boy Abunda hosting intimate, no-holds-barred interviews with women.

Guests saw the exclusive launch of these conversations where Mons Romulo and Denise Laurel, who starred in the first two webisodes, were interviewed live by Menchu Antigua at Whitespace, which was transformed into an elegant living room.  Bizu catered the event.

Olay brand manager Justin Lladoc said, “We want to help women challenge what’s possible in anti-aging and be their ally in fearlessly facing all the challenges that come their way. We want to help them meet these needs and lessen their fears and worries because they can count on the best product innovations with accelerated and long-lasting results. We hope we can help women face anything life has to offer and inspire them with the stories featured in Olay Conversations.”

Actress Denise Laurel spoke about an unplanned pregnancy that threatened her acting career just when she was at her peak.  Laurel said, “I knew getting pregnant was teaching me something.  It was teaching me to be an adult.” She shared the difficult decisions she had to make at the time, and the trust and support she received from her family who expected her to always “be the best.” She now lives with simple gratitude in her heart.

“I am so thankful for what I have and treasure that even more now.  Everyone accepted me and I accepted myself,” Denise said.

Mons Romulo, on the other hand, bared the pain she went through at the end of a 21-year marriage and said, “I thought I was the ugliest person in the world. My self-esteem was so low.” 

She claimed her strength at the end of her ordeal saying, “I knew myself already. I knew I could take anything the world throws at me. I have no more fears. I am beautiful because of the pain I went through. I am taking care of myself better now because I’m much happier today than I ever was before.”

Bea Alonzo, Crickette Tantoco and Priscilla Meirelles-Estrada were also present to invite guests to view their upcoming Olay Conversations webisodes, which will be aired this month.

(Watch Olay Conversations trailers and full episodes on www.youtube.com/OlayPH or www.olay.com.ph.)

Shop & fly

Here’s a deal you can’t resist: shop at SM to get a chance to fly to your dream destination on Singapore Airlines’ A380 Suites.

“Fly in your own Suites on Singapore Airlines’ A380” is a promotion ongoing until March 31 at 46 SM stores across the country. Every single receipt purchase worth P5,000 at any SM Department Store branch from Jan. 15 to March 31 through any of seven participating credit cards (BDO, BPI, Citibank, EastWest, HSBC, Metrobank and Standard Chartered Bank) entitles one to a raffle ticket and a chance to win one of 12 pairs of SIA A380 Suites tickets. Twelve lucky pairs or a total of 24 shoppers can choose to fly to their dream destinations — Los Angeles, London, Paris, Zurich, Melbourne or Sydney — for free aboard SIA’s A380 Suites and enjoy an unforgettable air travel experience.

SIA, SM and the seven participating banks held a party to celebrate the promo at the SM Makati Concourse.  Guests enjoyed Krug and Dom Pérignon, the two champagnes served onboard SIA Suites. SIA regional vice president for Southeast Asia Philip Goh flew in for the occasion.

David Celdran hosted the program as harpist Alonvea played love songs.

SIA general manager for the Philippines, Guam and USTT Ranjan Jha said, “We’re thrilled to team up with SM to bring the A380 Suites experience to more people.  Each of our Suites is, without a doubt, a groundbreaking product in luxury air travel and we want to share that once-in-a-lifetime experience with SM’s valued customers.”

SM Department Store president Jorge Mendiola said, “Our collaboration with SIA will create a lot of excitement especially among upscale shoppers as the A380 Suites are a class beyond first.  Partnerships with leading global brands like Singapore Airlines, as well as the card companies, will enhance the SM shopping experience and give us more opportunities to serve our customers better.”

Each of the Suites is a cabin class exclusive to SIA’s A380 aircraft, literally a private cabin separated by sliding doors and adjustable roller-blinds so passengers can control the level of privacy. It has its own personal chaise longue for companion seating and socializing. This private cabin features elegantly upholstered and fully adjustable leather chairs. It also has its own stand-alone, full-size bed complete with plush mattress and Givenchy-designed duvets and cushions. 

I have seen this firsthand and it really is a different flying experience!

(For more information about the promotion, visit www.smdeptstore.com. For more information about SIA’s A380 Suites, visit www.singaporeair.com.)

Of innovative and excellent health services

In the field of medical science, the Philippines is never left behind when it comes to revolutionary innovations. 

Outstanding health institution Makati Medical Center (MMC) recently inaugurated two new laboratories that will revolutionize the way diseases are diagnosed and treated: the Molecular Pathology Laboratory and the Anatomic Pathology Laboratory, both under the Department of Pathology and Laboratories.

The double inauguration also featured short talks on relevant topics by Singaporean expert Dr. Andrew Soh, regional medical and scientific affairs leader in APAC for Roche Diagnostics, and Luis Virly III, Roche Philippines’ product manager for applied science, molecular and tissue diagnostics.

The Molecular Pathology Lab is located at the ground floor of Tower 2, while the Anatomic Pathology Lab is located at the third floor of the same building.

According to Dr. Demetrio Valle Jr., head of the Molecular Pathology Lab, molecular pathology refers to “the analysis of DNA and RNA to diagnose disease, predict the occurrence of disease, and predict the prognosis, or likely outcome, of diagnosed disease in order to guide therapy.”

DNA and RNA are nucleic acids that control a living organism’s genetic information. DNA contains and transmits the genetic code used in the development and functioning of an organism, while RNA is involved in protein synthesis and at times in the transmission of genetic information.

MMC is the first hospital in the country to set up Molecular Pathology as a separate section, Valle said.

“The set-up of the room and the environment of the Molecular Pathology Laboratory conform to international standards,” he said. The Molecular Pathology Lab is equipped with negative pressure and < 10,000 ppm clean rooms, ensuring uncompromised sample specimens and quality, accurate test results.

Among the tests offered at the lab are molecular microbiology tests for various viruses, molecular hematopathology tests for various blood disorders, molecular cytogenetics for chromosomal abnormalities, HPV (human papillomavirus) genotyping, molecular oncology for cancers and DNA sequencing for DNA profiling and for establishing paternity.

Anatomic Pathology, on the other hand, is a branch of medicine concerned primarily with tissue- and cell-based evaluation and diagnosis of various medical conditions.

The Anatomic Pathology Lab is headed by Dr. Francisco Narciso. According to Dr. Emmanuel dela Fuente, active consultant of the Anatomic Pathology Lab, anatomic pathology “is also an indispensable aid in the guidance of treatment and management of illness, especially in cancer research and therapy.”

The laboratory combines traditional tissue analysis with molecular studies and cutting-edge apparatus. With a floor area of 250 square meters, it is the largest laboratory space in the country dedicated solely for anatomic pathology.

“It is also the first in the country to offer the Dual in-situ hybridization (DISH) modality for HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, a protein that promotes the growth of cancer cells) or neu gene amplification testing in breast and gastric cancer, and its predicted response to specialized chemotherapy,” said dela Fuente.

The Anatomic Pathology Lab boasts of results and interpretations that have been externally validated to be at par with stringent world-wide standards; fully automated tissue processing, including staining and coverslip machines that allow for faster, more efficient, and reproducible preparation of tissue sections; and the Ventana machine, a fully automated instrument that allows for daily processing of special studies at controlled conditions that result in more accurate and efficient output.

MMC president and CEO Rosalie Montenegro called the inaugurations “a dream that has been realized.”

“We can now say we have the best laboratory in the country,” Montenegro said. “It’s not an empty boast; we can support this claim with our facilities and our services. May we continue to be innovative in providing excellent service to our patients.”

Dr. Elizabeth Bousfield, head of the Department of Pathology and Laboratories, underlined the hospital’s determination to find “new beginnings” in order to be innovative in all fields of medicine.

“Despite the hardships, we find ways to begin and begin again,” she said.

(For more information about the Molecular and Anatomic Pathology laboratories, please call 8888-999, visit www.makatimed.net.ph or e-mail mmc@makatimed.net.ph.)

(For best results, always consult your primary doctor.)