Childish Outbursts vs. Crime and Community.

Here in the Philippines, and perhaps just about any other country in the world, the primary function of the police organization is to maintain public order, ensure safety and security, and prevent and investigate crimes. But through the years, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has gone beyond their traditional task of policing and crime control, gearing towards a community and service-oriented policing system. With the help and cooperation of local government units and the community itself, the PNP is slowly but surely reinventing its image to something more congenial and 'people-friendly'.

Police mascot.
Photo credit: Tayo Na, Valenzuela.

But what happens when local executives turn their backs against the police force for seemingly trivial reasons? It's mayhem, of course, with the safety and security of the community, and people's lives at stake. Case in point, this controversy between the police and Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro.

PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde criticized a local chief executive for withdrawing the city government's support to the local police. Albayalde did not drop names, but National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar confirmed later on that the local official in question was Mayor Teodoro.

Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar and PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde.
Photo credit: Philippine Star.

According to Albayalde, the issue began when the former chief of police in the city was promoted to the next higher rank and moved to a different post. A new chief was then assigned to the city, and the mayor apparently got angry, perhaps thinking that he was kept in the dark while all this was happening.

Under the law, local chief executives have the prerogative to choose the chief of police in their cities or municipalities. However, Albayalde pointed out that there are instances when the PNP has to temporarily assign an acting police chief in their areas if the post has been vacated.

As a result, Albayalde said the mayor withheld assistance funds for the local police, told them not to attend flag-raising rites at the city hall, and went so far as to remove all hotlines of police stations around the city. The PNP chief called these acts 'childish', which is exactly what it is.

PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde.
Photo credit: Philippine Star.

The Mayor is pissed that he was not kept in the loop. I get that - he has jurisdiction over the matter after all, aside from the fact that he is the highest governing body of the city. But to express his anger and retaliate by canceling the gas assistance for police mobiles and cutting off the hotlines in police stations is a little too much.

How are the cops supposed to respond to calls for help when the people can't even get in touch with them? How can you mobilize the cops when their patrol cars are running on empty? Who suffers the consequences of this 'childish' dispute? Certainly not the mayor. Not the police chief. Not the cops. It's the people who will experience negative repercussions for somebody else's actions. It's the people whom the police vow to serve and protect, the people who voted for the local officials, the people for whom the government exists.

In this day and age, the last thing we need are childish outbursts and trivial tantrums from people who should be governing in wisdom.

The Good, The Bad, and The Country.

"There will always be bad people in the world..." so goes this quote that I stumbled upon on the internet. And yes, that is true. In any profession, there will always be bad people - politicians, lawyers, government employees, doctors, actors, and even cops.

Oh, the irony.

Here in the Philippines, we have had our fair share of 'bad cops' - those who are abusive of power, corrupted by money, and evade agency rules and culture just to satisfy their greed. A classic example is this 'kotong cop' who tried to extort money from the family of a drug suspect.

NCRPO Chief Brigadier General Guillermo Eleazar berates
Police Corporal Marlo Quiebete for his actions.

Police Corporal Marlo Quibete was about to get away with Php 20000 in cash, aside from the motorcycle owned by the family of the drug suspect, but was foiled in the entrapment operations of the Regional Special Operations Unit. When NCRPO Chief Brigadier General Guillermo Eleazar came face to face with this 'rotten egg', he was not able to contain his anger and gave the latter a serious scolding, complete with finger-pointing and a barrage of expletives.

Sorry, not sorry.

I really can't blame the Chief, though. He has been working so hard to clean the ranks and rebuild the image of the Philippine National Police, only to be tarnished again and again by these scalawags. He's not sorry for what he did, and I totally understand that from a parent's perspective. I wouldn't tolerate my child's bad behavior, and if he needs to be punished, he will be.

Busted - Police Officer 1 Ferdinand Rafael.

Another case of 'bad cop busted' is that of Police Officer 1 Ferdinand Rafael, who was nabbed for trafficking and use of prohibited drugs. He too, received a rebuke for his unlawful actions. Similarly,  the two policemen were chastised for 'moonlighting' as escorts for a businessman in Pasay City. 

Busted for the unauthorized police escorting.

These 'bad cops' that I have mentioned have been booked and charged, and are now detained. Serves them right for going down the wrong path and choosing money and power over ethics and morals. Time and again, General Eleazar has warned the police force not to partake in illegal activities, otherwise they will have to face the consequences.

But like in dramas and movies, the good always outweighs the bad. There may be a few rotten apples in the barrel, but there are more good ones. And in the PNP, the 'good cops' get rewarded for their passion to serve, bravery in the face of adversity, and dedication to their work and the country.

Recipients of the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting.

Among those who received the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting (PNP Wounded Personnel Medal) are PO3 Christina Villanueva, PO1 Arman Cañezares, SPO1 Jerry Pascual, PO1 Jonathan Peralta, PO1 Marino Dulagan, and PO1 Leo Mar Orence.

Recipients of the Medalya ng Kagalingan.

Some policemen also received the Medalya ng Kagalingan (PNP Medal of Valor), the highest award of the Philippine National Police. These policemen are: Police Chief Inspector Sandie Caparroso, Police Chief Inspector Alfonso Saligumba III, SPO2 Emilio ABoyolen, PO3 Mario Maramag, PO2 Marlon Ico, PO2 Raymund John Sansano, PO1 Eustaquio Nuarin II, PO1 Francis Miko Bose, PO1 Rodel Sibal, PO1 Marvin Fang-asan, PO1 Roy Uanan, and PO1 Eddie-son Galpao.

Police awardees.

Looks like we still have more good men (and women) in the police force, and I see a glimmer of hope in this picture. Famous philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau believed that man is good by nature. I think so, too. 

What's in Your Bag?

I'll probably sound like The Old Man from Pawn Stars as I say this, but back in my day, partying was a lot more wholesome than it is now. Sure, we'd have booze and cigarettes at raves and concerts, and in the late 90's, that's as risky as it gets. Well, at least that was the case in the parties that I had been to.

Photo credit: NME Magazine.

These days, the party culture is on a totally different level. Partying now involves not just nicotine and alcohol, but also prescription medication and/or recreational drugs.

But what makes these 'party drugs' a lot more worrisome is that their presence and availability is not limited to parties or bars and clubs alone. If you're keeping up with the news, then you've probably heard of the recent arrest of two college students involved in illegal drug trade. Yes, college students, one of them already in his senior year.

Illegal drug substances amounting to Php 1.5 million were found
inside the condominium unit of one of the arrested college students.

This prevalence of 'party drugs' and other illegal substances among the youth is the mainspring of  NCRPO Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar's proposal of implementing random bag and locker inspections in schools. This proposition was made after the police chief received reports that even elementary students are involved in illegal drug trade. Yes, you read it right, elementary students - kids probably the same age as my son.

"The background is because there was a case, elementary students that were caught in possession of 20 or 30 sachets of marijuana na binebenta sa school at ginagamit pa nila so well that was the result of the inspection that [was] conducted by the teacher," Eleazar revealed.

NCRPO Chief Guillermo Eleazar inspects the illegal drugs confiscated during the raid.

Implementing the surprise inspections will help prevent the youth from getting mixed up with illegal drugs, Eleazar said, emphasizing that prevention is important. He also clarified that these random inspections will be done by the teachers and/or school officials, and not the police.

"I just want to clarify that even when I was still the district director of QCPD (Quezon City Police District), I have suggested that already to the district supervisors of DepEd in Quezon City but the idea is for them to inspect, not the police," Eleazar explained.

"So naisip ko na mas maganda siguro na the teachers have surprise inspection of the bags and lockers," he added.

Although many individuals, including parents, welcomed this proposal, there were many others who opposed and said that this inspection policy might allow Oplan Tokhang to victimize students. Even  Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones was against this idea, because according to her, "this violates the students' right to privacy".

What's in your bag?

And so despite its good intentions, and its objective of protecting the youth from illegal drugs, this proposal never saw the light of day. At least, not yet.

If DepEd and CHED will reconsider this suggestion and come up with a protocol for the inspections, then maybe we can actually nip the drug problem in the bud. We can keep kids away from these drugs, seek help for those who are already involved, and track down the source of these illegal substances.

"If we can inspect belongings at malls, why not in schools?" Eleazar reiterated.
The man has a point.

Spotlight | oNecklace Pink Ribbon Collection.

One of the bigger, better, or should I say - nobler perks of blogging (aside from augmenting the household income) is being able to write for and about your advocacy, encourage others to take action, and get to know individuals/brands who support the same cause. As some of you may know, Breast Cancer Awareness is an advocacy that I openly support. It's a cause that I have been championing ever since I received my very first pink ribbon pin from my Mum, who is an advocate herself.

This October, as we commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I have teamed up with international jewelry manufacturer oNecklace, a brand that also works with and is duly-recognized by BreastCancer.org

oNecklace Pink Ribbon Collection.

Having worked with oNecklace in the past (you can view my customized Three Ring Engraved Mother Necklace here), I was beyond thrilled to learn that they are just as passionate as I am in increasing attention and support for Breast Cancer Awareness. This month, they launched the Pink Ribbon Collection, an exclusive collection that aims to raise funds for research into the cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure for breast cancer.

Some of the pieces included in the collection.

The collection consists of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings that have been crafted into or with the pink ribbon, the global symbol for breast cancer awareness. The necklaces and bracelets can be customized with a name or message of your choice.

I am proud owner of the (Survivor) Breast Cancer Heart necklace.
Had my name engraved on it, instead of the word 'Survivor'.

A piece from this collection would make a truly meaningful gift for someone who has survived the fight of cancer, lost a loved one, or as a way to truly show your support for breast cancer awareness and encourage others to do the same.

Each piece comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

All of the products are available in 14k gold, 24k gold-plated, and sterling silver.

Jewelry for a cause.

For every purchase made from this collection, oNecklace will donate 15% to Breastcancer.org. The proceeds, as I have mentioned earlier, will be used for breast cancer research.

Championing the cause with oNecklace.

In support of this campaign, I wear my Breast Cancer Heart Necklace with much pride and fervent hope that my friends and readers will join me in my cause.

Rock the Ribbon!

You can view and purchase the complete Pink Ribbon collection here. In addition, you can get to know more about BreastCancer.org, their campaigns, events, and fundraising projects by visiting their website.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® | Creating a Benchmark for Volunteerism and Social Responsibility.

Long before corporate social responsibility and volunteerism became a buzzword for brands and corporations, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® has already made it an intrinsic mission and company philosophy.

It’s a commitment that they took on back in 2008, when they started the Give In To Giving, 12 Cups with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® campaign, an initiative designed to share this mission with its loyal customers.

“It began by taking something that was relevant to customers at the time—the “planner craze,” if you will— and creating something more meaningful that could be an extension of our commitment as a brand to giving back. What spurred out of this intention was a Commemorative Notebook that became a medium for us, and our patrons, to support advocacies in need and share their blessings. It was and continues to be the only journal that encourages more purposeful action towards ones’ social responsibility,” explained Paolo del Rosario, Vice President for Marketing of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®.

Customers were asked to collect 12 stamps and choose from any of the 12 advocacies and organizations that The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf was supporting. These ranged from women’s groups, to children, animals, the environment, indigenous people or those with disabilities and illnesses. Completing all 12 stamps meant the customer could bring home the commemorative notebook that featured artworks from contemporary Filipino artists and proceeds collected went to each customer’s chosen organization. The original artworks featured in the covers of the Commemorative Notebook were also auctioned and were donated to the charities. The entire campaign was such a success that not only was it well received by loyal patrons; it also won numerous awards.

The following year, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® introduced its follow up with 24 Cups of Goodwill, where proceeds from the campaign were given to its 24 partner organizations. In 2010, for Changing Lives with Every Cup, they shifted their focus on sending scholars to school by partnering with Real Life Foundation and their Adopt-a-Scholar program, where the company was successfully able to send 8 scholars to university.

In 2012, they continued their efforts with the iBuild campaign, which helped raise sustainable housing solutions for impoverished families. And by 2014, they introduced the Brew Your Best Year campaign, which evolved their efforts into giving back to their loyal patrons by helping them give back to themselves as well. Through this initiative, they hope to help each person in their journey towards becoming the best version of themselves. Their efforts through the years prove how a brand can become meaningful in addressing social change.

Is it naïve to expect businesses to take on a responsibility as great as this, the way The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® did? Not necessarily.

Companies today, locally and worldwide, are putting more focus on developing a culture of volunteerism and social responsibility—recognizing how working together can make a real difference in the community, while at the same time opening up opportunities for learning, cooperation and leadership within the organization.

What makes The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®’s efforts stand out however, is the sincerity that drives their initiatives, where they have managed to uplift the true essence of what it truly means to care.

Case-in-point, expanding annual efforts to now cover a full year of advocacies. Consistently, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® brings people together to participate in various community outreach events. “We place great effort into putting such events together not only for the sole purpose of helping the community, but also to encourage our own Customers and Team Members to spend meaningful time bringing joy to others in an impactful and sincere way,” explains Nella Lomotan, Engagement Marketing for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®.

These pocket initiatives, held monthly, are part of the Caring Cup series. And whether it’s a simple story telling event in a hospital, a physical fitness session with public school students, a tree planting project, an art workshop for children with disabilities, each event is designed to foster the spirit of volunteerism and giving among its participants.

In fact, last February 14, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® made sure to create an avenue to give love and receive love as they mounted the 'Paint the Town Red this Valentines' event. Volunteers spent the day of love giving love to children with disabilities at AIME home via a t-shirt painting activity with the intent of giving kids something that they will always remember.

“The Caring Cup is a way for us to expand and uphold a vision that we have long established for the company, where we hope to cultivate the spirit of volunteerism in our Community. We strongly encourage everyone who wants to be a part of something that impacts the life of others in a meaningful way to visit our stores and sign up for our next events.” ends del Rosario.

Follow The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®’s social media pages and subscribe to www.brewyourbestyear.com to stay updated on their Caring Cup events.

Congrats, Globe Telecom! Cheers to Project Wonderful!

If you're an avid reader of this blog, then you might be familiar with 'Project Wonderful', which I have mentioned time and again here and in my social media accounts. Launched in December 2013, 'Project Wonderful' is Globe Telecom's nation-building effort that aims to provide support in rebuilding communities through sustainable development.

I'm a staunch supporter and advocate of this campaign, and I'm very proud to say that Project Wonderful won this year's ARAW Values Award for the promotion and inculcation of positive values for social change and nation building.

Araw Values Awards.

The ARAW Values Awards recognize outstanding and excellent advertising and marketing messages and/or materials for Branded Communications and Advocacy/Institutional Advertising that promote the ARAW 7 Cornerstone Values, a cluster of select and well-defined values.

The biennial program is organized by the Advertising Foundation of the Philippines, the social development institution and advocacy body of the multi-sector Philippine advertising and marketing communications industry.

“We are proud of this award since it proves that through digital media, we can inspire bayanihan using a clear, provocative message:  That anyone, from an ordinary person to a known model, rockstar, sports icon – even a corporate CEO – could help rebuild the nation,” said Yoly Crisanto, SVP for Globe Corporate Communications.

Project Wonderful won in the Branded Communications – Digital category which espouses  “Love of Country and Respect for National Customs and Traditions.” It served as a consolidated platform of Globe products and services that empowered Filipinos to donate time, finances, and talent towards rebuilding the nation.

Project Wonderful.

For Project Wonderful, Globe came out with compelling, documentary-style YouTube videos which recounted the stories of Globe ambassadors Bamboo, Georgina Wilson, Liz Uy, and Chieffy Caligdong as they helped deliver 2,000 Christmas toys to kids in Ormoc, build 100 homes for Ormoc families, and distribute almost 1,000 learning kits to Iloilo schoolchildren.               

Likewise, using the hashtag #ProjectWonderful on social media and blogs, Globe spurred Filipinos from various walks of life to voice hopes and wishes for the country and ultimately, drove them to the Project Wonderful website where they got to know the many ways to donate or even volunteer.               
Project Wonderful was able to raise over P50 million in cash and kind which was used to build homes and school buildings and provide livelihood opportunities to families affected by Typhoon Haiyan.               

The campaign received 779,239 combined YouTube views, 306 million impressions from 112,588 Twitter mentions by 23,894 users on Twitter and Instagram, 136 unique blogger stories, and an average of 50,000 unique visits to www.ProjectWonderful.ph per month for the first quarter of 2014 which resulted in over 1,000 registered volunteers and supporters.

After Haiyan | A Journey to Wonderful.

When Supertyphoon Haiyan (local name Typhoon Yolanda) unleashed its fury a year ago, it left a trail of unimaginable devastation to lives and properties. One of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded, Haiyan left 6,300 casualties in the Philippines alone. Yet, despite the bleak scenario, hope continued to exist as public and private sectors as well as the international community joined hands to bring the country back on its feet. Globe Telecom was among the first companies to respond to the call for help.

“Globe recognizes how every little effort counts in rebuilding the nation, thus, it went out of its way to rally the employees, customers, partners, and other stakeholders to raise funds for the construction of homes and school buildings and for the creation of livelihood opportunities in areas hardly hit by the disaster. Project Wonderful was born out of this desire to aid in nation building. Ten months since it was launched, we now see the fruits of our efforts but we are not stopping until we fulfill all our commitments,” said Yoly Crisanto, Senior Vice President, Globe Corporate Communications.

Newly-constructed homes in Gawad Kalinga, New Washington, Aklan.

At present, Globe together with Gawad Kalinga, has completed a total of 162 homes in Brgy. Tambulilid, Ormoc, Leyte and Brgy. Fatima, New Washington, Aklan, as well as in Brgy. Tugas, Madridejos, Bantayan Island, Cebu via sponsorship of SingTel. An additional 28 houses are scheduled for construction in Libacao, Aklan early January for a total of 190 units. Globe is also set to give out 600 shelter kits to Libacao before yearend aside from the 940 shelter kits distributed in Madalag, Aklan earlier.

Shelter kits.

In addition, Globe also became a Development Sponsor for Aklan under the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR) where it spearheads initiatives in housing, education, livelihood, and health to help seven of the hardest hit municipalities: Libacao, Madalag, Banga, Batan, Altavas, Balete, and New Washington.

School construction site.

Globe not only provides houses for Aklan but is also working on building schools for its seven areas of concentration. With the help of Habitat for Humanity and Ayala Foundation, the company is building in two phases. The first phase involves the construction of “Noah’s Ark”-type classrooms that double as evacuation structures during calamities as they are equipped with three toilet and bath facilities each as well as a kitchen. The second phase is comprised of more than 30 regular but “built back better” classrooms to be funded from proceeds of the company’s enterprise-wide waste management program, as well as from parent-company Ayala Corporation.

To top it off, Globe also launched Project 1 Phone to educate Filipinos on the importance of proper disposal of electronic waster or e-waste and to contribute to the building of classrooms in Aklan. Under this project, everyone can support the efforts in Aklan by donating their old, non-working mobile phones for recycling at participating Globe Stores. Proceeds of the program will be used as additional funding for the schools. Cash donations of 5, 20, 50, 100, 500 denominations may also be sent directly to Habitat for Humanity by texting DONATE HABITAT and send to 4438.

Spreading Hope on Mesothelioma Awareness Day.

Unbeknownst to many, there is a thing called 'Mesothelioma Awareness Day', and it's celebrated every year on September 26.

Meso-what?! Mesothelioma, or more precisely, malignant mesothelioma, is a rare form of cancer that affects the membrane lining of the lungs and abdomen. Mesothelioma is most commonly caused by exposure to asbestos, and is the most deadly among all asbestos-related diseases.

Symptoms or signs of mesothelioma may not appear until 20-30 years (or more) after exposure to asbestos. Such is the case of Heather von St. James, who was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in November 2005 - barely three months after giving birth to her child.

When Heather was a little girl, her father worked in a construction company, where asbestos fibers are commonly used. Her dad would come home from work with his coat covered in white dust, and little did the family know that exposure to his clothes would put Heather's life at risk.

Heather was given just 15 months to live, but with proper treatment, support from her husband and family, and with her daughter as her inspiration, she was fortunate enough to make it through the ordeal. It's been eight years since Heather survived the big C, and she has made it a mission to spread awareness and help mesothelioma victims around the globe.

Heather, with her husband Cameron and daughter Lily.

Today, I am joining Heather and her family in raising awareness for mesothelioma. And in honor of Meso Awareness Day, I am giving my voice to the victims of this deadly disease. You too, could help. One simple message could save lives.

September 26 is Mesothelioma Awareness Day. 

Some Facts about Asbestos

- Asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye.

- In the US, roughly 30 million pounds of asbestos are being used each year.

- Asbestos remains as the number one cause of occupational cancer in the US, even 30 years after the peak of its use.
- Asbestos was once used in common household items such as toasters and hairdryers, and over 3,000 consumer products.

- Asbestos can still be found in many homes, schools, commercial and industrial buildings.

Review | Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask.

While my skin is nowhere near the likes of Song Hye Kyo or Lee Min Jung, I'm thankful that it's not acne-prone or troublesome, to the point that I would need treatment or regular visits to a derma clinic.

Around two or three weeks ago however, while I was doing my makeup, I noticed that my once small and almost invisible pores have opened up and become recognizable. I freaked out at the sight of dots, dots, and more dots patched on my inner cheeks. Add a sequence of numbers on those tiny holes and you might as well play 'connect the dots' on my face.

I was quite surprised to see these, as I have a basic skincare routine which I follow religiously. But I guess constant exposure to the elements have taken toll on my skin. Remember, I now leave the house on a daily basis since Yue started school. That means everyday exposure to the sun, the wind, and San Pablo City traffic.

My skin needed rescuing, and fast! The first thing that came to mind was the Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask.

Sachet + Jar.

I ordered a few sachets first from my favorite seller of Korean cosmetics. After about three uses and getting satisfying results each time, it was only then that I decided to go full-size.

As the name implies, this Innisfree clay mask has volcanic properties that originated from Jeju Island. These volcanic properties are actually called 'volcanic clusters' - lava spewed by the volcano that have hardened through time. This pure ingredient has the capacity to absorb sebum, remove impurities, and moisturize the skin. 

What makes this ingredient so precious and rare is the fact that volcanic clusters can only be found in the island of Jeju.

The clay mask, up close.

The mask itself is a brownish-gray cream. It has a very light scent that's common to most clay masks. Unlike mud packs, this one dries faster and doesn't feel like cement once it dries.

Remember my gripe about Korean cosmetics? How most of the boxes and labels are written in Hangul without the English translation? That's what sets Innisfree apart from the other brands.

Not Hangul! :)

Their products have English texts on their boxes - from the description, to the instructions, all the way to the ingredients.

Tree-hugger!

In addition, Innisfree uses eco-friendly materials - recycled paper for the boxes, low-carbon plastic for the containers, and labels made from tangerine skin.

See that blue handkerchief on the foreground?
That's actually a freebie that came with my clay mask. As part of their Eco-Friendly drive, Innisfree launched the Eco-Handkerchief Campaign in 2010 which aims to preserve trees by minimizing the use of tissues. Neat, huh?

My son stays away from me when I have a mask on, lol!

Now aside from using this all over your face, you can use this solely for blackheads and zits, too.

For blackheads: Apply a generous amount of the clay mask on your blackheads zone (aka the nose). Let it dry, and wash off after 10-15 minutes. Wipe off the sebum using a small piece of cotton or cotton buds.

For breakouts: Before bedtime, dot the troubled area with the clay mask. Leave the mask as is. Wash off in the morning.

I usually don't end my product reviews with a numerical value, but if I were to rate the Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask with stars, I'd give it five, plus the moon. Haha! That's how highly I think of this product.

The Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask is currently on sale at the Innisfree website and at E-Mart for 12,000 KR Won. That's more or less Php 450 when converted to our currency. 
You can check out my trusted seller of Korean cosmetics, too. :)