Month: November 2021

Smile For Good: Saving The Smile Of Our Kids With Cleft Conditions

It would only take few seconds and clicks as your Do Good part to make their perfect smiles stay for good.

“Recent research shows that mothers who are using charcoal when cooking (or exposed to the smoke from charcoal) have a higher risk of having a newborn with a cleft condition.” Emiliano Romano, Executive Director of Operation Smile Philippines revealed during the Watsons Smile For Good webinar.

For nine unwavering years, Watsons Philippines has been a partner of Operation Smile Philippines (OSP) in transforming the life of 1,986 children with lip and palate defects. This year, as part of its mission, to Look Good, Do Good, Feel Great, Watsons teams up with OSP again to bring perfect smiles to more than 50 more children affected by cleft conditions.

Cleft Conditions: Splitted Lip and Divided Palate

A cleft condition is a gap in the mouth that did not close during the early stages of pregnancy. A cleft condition in the lip that can be easily inspected during birth is a Cleft Lip while an opening in the roof of the mouth, which is a harder condition to identify upon birth, is a Cleft Palate. In the Philippines, 1 in 500 children born has this defect. Every year, about 4,500 Filipino babies are born with this condition.

Screen captured from the Watsons Do Good For Our Children webinar, Mr. Romano discusses cleft conditions.

“Recent research shows that mothers who are using charcoal when cooking ( exposed to the smoke from charcoal) have a higher risk of having a newborn with a cleft condition.” Emiliano Romano, Executive Director of Operation Smile Philippines revealed during the Watsons Smile For Good webinar.

Operation Smile Philippines has helped change the lives of many children born with this condition since 1982.

Almost A Decade Of Partnership: A. S. Watsons and Operation Smile Philippines

“The partnership was paused in 2020 because of the pandemic but this year, we are back with Smile For Good. Of course, we will be very mindful of the physical distancing restrictions, but our desire to continue to bring smiles to the children has not wavered,” said Viki Encarnacion, PR & Sustainability Director of Watsons.

This partnership in the Philippines is part of ASW’s global commitment to bring 10,000 perfect smiles in partnership with Operation Smile. It aims to educate the public and raise awareness about cleft lip/ palate conditions.

Online Outreach For This Year’s Run

Aided by technology, Watsons Philippines pharmacists and employee volunteers will conduct hygiene orientation seminars online for the patients’ families on the subject of post-operation feeding and oral and lip care. Watsons will also provide Hygiene Care Kits with oral and hand care products to the 50 kids post-operation.

Aside from partnering with Operation Smile, A.S. Watsons Philippines is engaging with its employees, strategic partners, and customers contributing time and financial support in order to sponsor as many free surgical missions to continue changing lives, one smile at a time.

Join The Smile For Good Squad

It may take the medical team 45 minutes to an hour to provide a bright, beautiful new smile and a healthier, happier future to a child born with a cleft condition. But it would only take a few seconds and clicks as your Do Good part to make their perfect smiles stay for good (and that feels great). Visit Operation Smile Philippines to know how to help make a difference in these children’s lives.

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Bleisure Guide | Acacia Hotel Davao + Cape San Agustin, Gov. Gen. Sightseeing

These were just some of the stories of heartfelt solace that would make you feel that they all seem ready to assist you in Acacia and at that, they mean doing it sincerely!

At last! After 10 months in business exile from Davao due to the pandemic, I was able to visit the city for my unit’s recruitment and sales roadshow. And since it is my first long trip after months of work-from-home only dealings, I made it imperative to stay in the city’s newest hotel plus a 3-day trip to Governor Generoso.

LEISURE: Where The Davao Gulf And The Pacific Ocean Meet

  • On the left is the Pacific Ocean with its waves, while on the right is the Davao Gulf with its calmness – Both on one horizon.

Due to matrimonial considerations, this trip started with the leisurely part. Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental is a 4-hour drive from Davao city. It is famous for Cape San Agustin. Reaching the trio lighthouses was literally reaching the terminus of the Philippine road. The view from the top though was truly an emancipating experience for my long-quarantined senses. A refreshing prelude before the meetings in the city.

  • Not just one but three towers!
  • Ask your photographer to take the shot from the stoutest tower. Then just be like Rapunzel! Hakhak
  • Same view, different perspective.
  • The Pacific Ocean backdrop.

BUSINESS: Where Davao’s Latest Hotel Amenities And Heartfelt Hospitality Meet

  • The window view from our room on the 10th floor.

Acacia Hotel Davao was my only preference for this trip. Apart from its 11 event spaces, I was thrilled to do my intimate meetings about finance at the exclusive club lounge on the 10th floor. Most importantly, its location along JP Laurel is easily accessible for my recruits and prospect owners to meet me.

What made a mark for a recommendation from this stay though was the thoughtfulness of the staff.

As soon as I opened the car trunk to prepare the bags for check-in, the guard at the basement parking, who was carefully directing an entrant car, asked me if I would like to request a bell service staff. This appears to be usual in a hotel but that initiative was irresistibly comforting for someone who came from a 4-hour drive, with luggage for four to be unloaded. A few minutes after, the bellhop arrived with a luggage cart.

The staff was indeed pampering. We requested the breakfast meals the next morning to be served in-room for my mom, sister, and Jasmine, and my little dapper, who chose to stay in bed and rest more. They delivered it instantly without any charges. These were just some of the stories of heartfelt solace that would make you feel that they all seem ready to assist you in Acacia and at that, they mean doing it sincerely!

And oh! I just simply love the sizing of their bath robes. hakhak It fits just right. You know what I mean! (versus the baggy, mascot-suit-like ones)

  • Our room on the 1oth floor.
  • The Venado Pool Bar and the outdoor pool on the 3rd floor. Checking corporate emails while seeing the lovely “tag alongs” enjoying the pool.
  • There is an array of options for your meeting. You can access the exclusive club lounge on the 11th floor whenever you are staying in one of their premiere suits (left). You may also use the corner at the lobby (right) where a transparent barrier is installed on the table for a safer discussion. You may also opt for an event room on the 2nd floor.
  • Enjoyed trying these salad dishes during breakfast at the Waling-Waling cafe. Do not forget to bring your key card!
  • In-room breakfast! The hotel gym, Acacia Fit features updated types of equipment. It is located just beside the hotel pool.

Real, Than Reel Meetings

The post-vax business dealings might not swiftly resume to the office. Thus, a hotel for both business and leisurely use is indeed a significant preference for scheduled work trips. You may have mastered creating new businesses through virtual meetings for how many months, but do not ever forget that selling has its “personal” component. Visiting both your prospects and existing partners is knowing their needs better, simplifying business negotiations, cultivating the relationship, and improving your well-being.