Bikers retrace the road to freedom for National Heroes Day.

Bikers from Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac and nearby provinces pedaled along the route traversed by the country’s heroes in a fun ride for a cause dubbed as the “Ride for Valor.”

The “Ride for Valor”, a non-competitive 160 kilometers long bike ride, raised funds to save our heroes’ historical markers so that we may remember their sacrifice. The funds will be turned over to the Filipino-American Memorial Endowment (FAME) a non-government organization that maintains the kilometer markers of the Bataan Death March from Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, Tarlac.

In the past, Bataan Death March markers had been destroyed, uprooted, and neglected due to drainage and other road projects. Ten (10) Death March historical markers in Mariveles, and four (4) in Limay, Bataan have to be relocated soon due to road widening and other repairs.

The Death March markers serve as a reminder of the route taken by Filipino soldiers who defended the country against Japanese forces during World War II some 80 years ago. About 10,000 brave soldiers died along the route; many of the bodies were never identified or recovered.

The ride is part of the 30th anniversary of the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB). PVB is a commercial bank owned by World War II veterans and their families. As part of its charter, PVB allocates 20% of its annual net income for the benefit of its shareholders.

Around 80,000 Filipino and American soldiers and prisoners of war were forced by the Japanese military to march 69 miles from Bataan to Tarlac during World War II. Only some 54,000 persons reached the camp, and around 20,000 died due to starvation, dehydration, diseases, and the brutality of Japanese captors.

For more information, visit www.veteransbank.com.ph

Make Mealtimes Veggie-licious!

Building our kids' health through nutrition is crucial as they go back to school.

Preparing vegetable meals at home is a great way to keep children strong and healthy. This is especially important as the flu season is also upon us. Vegetables are good sources of potassium, dietary fiber, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin C, and many others.

Aside from its health benefits, with rising prices of pork and chicken, vegetables are also budget friendly. As homemakers face the day-to-day challenge of budgeting while striving to prepare nutritious and delicious dishes, these easy-to-prepare and veggie-licious recipes come in handy.

“In our own way, we aim to provide solutions and equip homemakers with knowledge on preparing affordable, nutritious and delicious meals for the family by sharing thoughtful recipes that take health and budget into consideration,” shares Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC Group) General Manager Corporate Planning and Public Relations Roann Co.

To make it more appealing to kids, these easy-to-prepare vegetable recipes are made tastier with Tasty Boy All Purpose Breading Mix that only costs PHP 11.00 SRP.

Kalabasa Crisps

French fries and potato chips have always been a kiddie favorite. Now, homecooks can recreate them with a healthy twist through Kalabasa Crisps. It is made with only 3 ingredients: sliced kalabasa, cooking oil, and Tasty Boy Breading Mix. Not only is this a delicious snack that kids can munch on while doing their homework, kalabasa or squash is also a good source of Beta-Carotene that supports better eye health. Full recipe here.

Veggie Okoy Bites

A new recipe idea to entice kids to eat is by making it fun and colorful. Serving Veggie Okoy Bites filled with yellow potatoes, orange carrots, and green beans is a good way to make kids excited for healthy food. These various colors also represent the multiple nutrients that the kids can get as this dish is rich in carbohydrates and vitamins A, C, and fiber. Check the recipe here.

Tokwa Crisps

Another food that children don’t get tired of is nuggets. This is why having a healthier alternative through Tokwa Crisps is a great addition to every homecook’s recipe book. Preparing it is quick and easy too! It can be done in less than 20 minutes and consists of 3 ingredients only: tokwa, cooking oil, and Tasty Boy Breading Mix. Aside from the convenience and delicious taste, tokwa is also rich in calcium which can help kids have stronger teeth and bones. See recipe here.

APC Group’s brand promise of Eat Well, Live Well provides Filipinos with easy and affordable ways to serve healthy meals especially to their kids. "We believe that we can change how kids see vegetables in simple and delicious ways. We hope that through our recipes, we can help parents get their children to eat well and live well especially during these trying times," said Roann Co.

For more nutritious and delicious recipes, please can check out www.cookmunitybyajinomoto.com.ph

The Wonders of Cycling.

While return to onsite work and easing of restrictions provide some semblance of post-pandemic normalcy, most still remain hypervigilant because of the sudden rise of cases. This means it is still important to not let down your guard, observe health and safety protocols, and make sure your immune system is in top shape through proper diet and exercise.

One of the activities many started during the pandemic is cycling, encouraging people to get out of the house for fresh air and a change of environment. It is easy enough to do and perfect for those who just want to do it leisurely, and equally perfect for those looking for a higher intensity cardio workout.

It’s also proven to have many benefits which contribute to improving one’s mental and physical wellbeing.

Cycling increases endurance and improves cardiovascular health on and off the bike.

Biking for at least 30 minutes a day improves overall cardiovascular health and muscular endurance, research says. The key to building endurance is consistency--it allows you to increase your distance and level of intensity over time. With practice, you’ll soon notice you can pedal your way to longer and more challenging rides without feeling too tired.

Cycling is beginner-friendly.

The good thing about cycling is that it’s easy to learn. With basic skills and little effort, you can enjoy casual spins around your neighborhood. Pace yourself depending on what your body can handle and slowly adjust your mileage and intensity. What's more, cycling is a low-impact exercise suited for all ages!

Cycling improves your balance, posture and coordination.

The first step in learning how to bike is finding your balance and figuring out how to stabilize your body. If you’re a beginner, don't be too hard on yourself! It may take a bit of time to get the hang of things, but with regular practice, you'll see significant improvement in your balance, posture, and coordination.

Cycling supports weight loss.

With limited opportunities to exercise in the last two years, you likely have gained a few unwanted pounds. Luckily, cycling helps you lose weight and build muscle in a safe way. It allows you to get your heart rate up with less wear and tear on your knees, ankles, and other joints. To maximize your calories burned, try to increase the intensity or duration of your bike workout.

Cycling boosts mental health and brain power.

It's tested and proven--cycling is one of the best ways to battle brain fog. Aside from lessening feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress, it also boosts brainpower leading to better focus and concentration. Plus, you get higher energy levels within the day because of your increased stamina!

Cycling helps you feel good.

Similar to runners, cyclists also get a “cycling high” and science has proven that it’s for real! After a ride, cyclists experience a spike in neuro-chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine and endorphins—otherwise known as happy hormones. At the same time, cycling is a great way to spend quality time with the family.

Get rewarded for being healthy with AIA Vitality

It's never too late to start new habits. Hop on your bike, get more active, and earn rewards from AIA Vitality, AIA Philippines’ wellness program that rewards you for knowing and improving your health. You can earn up to 100 AIA Vitality Points daily from cycling and get instant freebies for hitting your fitness targets two weeks in a row.

Beyond the protection, investment and savings benefits that AIA Philippines offers, AIA Vitality raises the bar and gives unprecedented living benefits that members can enjoy for being healthy. These include 70% off elite membership at Gold’s Gym, up to 30% off Samsung, Garmin, and Fitbit fitness devices, and 25% off at Toby’s Sports, Runnr and urbanAthletics. You can also enjoy exclusive insurance benefits of up to 50% additional coverage, 20% premium discount or 100% loyalty boost.

Every cyclist has a story. Create yours today with AIA Vitality!

Click here for more information about AIA Vitality and the Total Health Solution offered by AIA Philippines, or here to visit the AIA Philippines Facebook page, email customerservice.ph@aia.com or call (02) 8528-2000 to know more.

Math Games and more at Calculators.org

If we're friends on Facebook or if you're following me on Instagram, then you're probably familiar with or have seen photos of my nephew, Morgan. Everyone in the family believes that this little boy is some kind of genius because of his abilities that are well above average for his age. 

Morgan showed great interest in music before he even turned one. Then he learned how to read when he was a little over two years old. Shortly after, he could easily sing songs in our videoke because he knew how to read the lyrics. At three years old, he can do basic arithmetic operations such as addition and subtraction. Now that he's four, he can easily do mental math up to four digits.

That being said, I've recently discovered a website that's up to Morgan's alley. It's called Calculators.org, and this website is a cornucopia of fun and educational games for kids. They have a wide selection of Math games which suits kids of all ages. From simple counting and sequencing games, to basic arithmetic, to mind-boggling Sudoku, this website has it all!

Some of Morgan's favorites include Math Bee and Feed Math. In Math Bee, you can choose among the four basic operations and answer simple problems. Morgan easily breezed through the problems, especially with the addition part.

Math Bee.

Feed Math, on the other hand, focuses solely on addition. Here, you have to feed the boy with numbered sushi dishes. The two numbers must add up to the number on the boy's shirt. Time is replenished after each round, and the numbers get larger as you progress with the game.

Feed Math.

Calculators.org also has a great selection of puzzle games, and Morgan truly enjoyed playing with them. This kid has a penchant for jigsaw puzzles, and he sure was thrilled to see that he can play with puzzles "even on a computer".

Kids Puzzle.

The other puzzle games are a tad more difficult, such as Cartoon Puzzle and Jigsaw Deluxe. Here, you can choose the number of puzzle pieces, up to as many as 100. We stuck with the simpler puzzles because hey, we're doing this for fun, after all.

The 100-piece Cartoon Puzzle.

Aside from puzzles and Math games, Calculators.org also has a wide array of board games. Most of these are reminiscent of the classic board games from our childhood, and it was nice introducing them to Morgan. He had so much fun playing Snakes and Ladders with Yue, whom he refers to as his "best buddy number four". (His parents are one and two, and his sister Maggie is best buddy number three, haha!)

Snakes and Ladders.

Yue was excited to see the Chess among the board games, but since he can't play this with Morgan just yet, he decided to play against the computer. In a few years' time, maybe the two boys can go to head to head in an actual chess game.

Master Chess.

If you have kids who are into Math, puzzles, board games, or even word games, I strongly suggest that you introduce them to Calculators.org. Not only will they have hours of fun with their plethora of games, they'll also learn a lot from them, too. These games are absolutely free, and you don't have to sign-up just to play. You also need not download anything as the games can be played directly from your browser. The site is ad-free, so you don't have to worry about annoying pop-ups in the middle of your game.

Morgan (and Yue) had a blast with these free educational games at Calculators.org, and I'm sure your kids will, too.

Jollibee to Open in the Heart of Times Square, New York on August 18

Another first in its international expansion plan, homegrown restaurant chain Jollibee will open in the heart of the iconic Times Square, New York on August 18, 2022. The newest store opening forms part of the Jollibee Group’s aggressive overseas expansion and sustained growth in one of its key pillar markets, North America.

Start spreading the news - Jollibee is coming to NYC!

Also known as the “Crossroads of the World,” Times Square is a top global commercial and entertainment hub. Jollibee Times Square will be located right beside Good Morning America and in the Bowtie, where the famous New Year’s Eve Ball Drop takes place. The store is expected to attract new fans and introduce the brand to more mainstream American customers.

“We are excited to spread the joy of eating to everyone and contribute to the diverse and exciting food scene in Times Square,” shared Maribeth Dela Cruz, Jollibee Group’s President for Philippine Brands (Jollibee, Chowking, and Red Ribbon) in North America.

Jollibee makes it to the heart of Times Square,
right beside Good Morning America.

The Times Square branch will offer Jollibee menu favorites, including the world-famous Chickenjoy fried chicken and Chicken Sandwich–each with its own spicy variant, and other favorites such as Peach Mango Pie and Jolly Spaghetti.

Now with 84 locations across North America and over 1,500 restaurants worldwide, Jollibee continues to grow its presence in the U.S. and Canada, with plans of reaching 500 stores in the next five to seven years. Jollibee is the flagship brand of the Jollibee Group, one of the world's largest and fastest growing restaurant companies. To learn more about Jollibee and other brands of the Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com.