Summer Alert: Too Much Sun Can Damage Your Eyes

Sand on your feet, warm summer breeze, its official—summer is finally here! During the hottest season of the year, people often spend more time outdoors which means prolonged exposure to the rays of the sun. Harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays may cause serious eye conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration. If it worsens, it could lead to blindness. Annually, around 3.2 million people worldwide become blind aggravated by UV exposure.

To protect our eyes from the long-term damaging effects of the sun, Essilor, the world leader in vision solutions, has launched ‘Seeing the World Better’, a public awareness campaign which aims to promote healthy vision through prevention, protection and correction. Here are a few eye care tips to keep in mind before hitting the beach this summer:

Use sun lenses with E-SPF The heat of the midday summer is three times greater than other seasons. Temperature rises from 35 to 37 degrees Celsius, making UV rays more threatening to our eyes. To prevent eye damage, wear sunglasses with Eye-Sun Protection Factor (E-SPF). E-SPF indicates the overall UV protection of your lenses. It is an objective rating system, with values varying from 2 to 25 for clear lenses, and up to 50+ for sun lenses. The higher the E-SPF of your lenses, the higher the UV protection it brings. Unfortunately, not all lenses, whether clear or tinted, have equal UV protection levels.

While most people use tinted sunglasses during summertime, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee the right amount of protection for our eyes. Sometimes clear lenses have more E-SPF than tinted ones. One of the best clear lenses for sun protection is Essilor’s Crizal Forte® UV, with an E-SPF of 25. It blocks both the front and back side of the lens from harmful UV, thus eyes are protected 25x more than without any glasses.

Wear swimming goggles. According to the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) American Eye-Q® survey, 42 percent of swimmers open their eyes while swimming in chlorinated water. While it helps seeing underwater, exposing your eyes to the chlorinated pool water can drastically increase the chance of redness or irritation. To prevent this from happening, use goggles that will shield your eyes from this strong chemical. Goggles can also spare your eyes from contracting eye infection that is caused by improperly chlorinated pools. If you get pool water in your eyes, flush your eyes with warm water to prevent irritation or chemical conjunctivitis. If warm water can’t do the trick, consult an eye doctor immediately to effectively wash out the chemicals by using saline or topical steroids.

See an eye doctor. Before you go on a summer adventure, it is best to talk to an eye care professional for recommendations on how to properly care for your eyes. You can also ask your eye doctor for trusted brands of optical lenses that will give your eyes the right amount of E-SPF.

Caring for your eyes, especially during summer season, is truly important. Harmful UV rays are everywhere so our eyes are always at risk. By following these simple eye care tips, we can protect our eyes while enjoying the great outdoors. So before you head to the beach, make sure to apply sunscreen and keep your sunglasses on.

40,000 Barangay Nutrition Scholars Convene in 3rd National Conference

NNC-DOH cites good practices, provides updates and skills development

They are not superheroes, but they are the ticket to well-nourished Filipinos in the barangays all over the country. They are the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS).

BNS are the frontliners in providing basic health and nutrition services in the communities.  Once again, almost 4,000 BNSs across the archipelago are set to meet in a biennial national conference hosted by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) of the Department of Health (DOH) in partnership with the LuzViMin BNS Federation, Inc.

The biennial 3^rd National Conference of Barangay Nutrition Scholars will have four sub-conferences for the entire month of April. The first event gets off the ground at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila in Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City on 7 -8 April for the National Capital Region and Southern Luzon Regions (CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and Bicol).  The Northern Luzon sub-conference (BNSs from Regions 1, 2 and 3 and Cordillera Administrative Region) will convene at the Vigan Convention Center in Vigan City on 15-16 April; the Visayas sub-conference (BNSs from Regions 6, 7 and 8) will gather at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel on 22-23 April; while the Mindanao cluster (BNSs from Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, CARAGA and ARMM) will have their conference at the KCC Convention and Events Center in General Santos City on 28-29 April.

This year’s theme – “BNS: Bigay Todo sa Nutrisyon at Serbisyo!” of the national conference underscores the role of BNSs in the delivery of nutrition and related services to improve the nutritional status of families in the barangays.

Moreover, it aims to continuously update and empower BNSs towards addressing malnutrition and ending hunger; update the BNSs on current nutrition and program developments; and, enhance their skills in improving their performance as BNS. The conference will also serve as a venue for BNSs to convene into a general assembly to discuss various concerns of the national federation.

Topics during the two-day conference include the Updated Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2015-2016; the results of the review of the BNS program which will give recommendations for the amendment of PD 1569 or “Strengthening the Barangay Nutrition Program by providing for a Barangay Nutrition Scholar in every barangay” legislated in 1978; the latest nutrition education strategies and tools to promote healthier diets such as the “Pinggang Pinoy”: Healthy Food Plate for Filipino Adults; and the “10 Kumainments”, the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF).  A discussion on the plans for the celebration of this year’s Nutrition Month in July is also included to prepare the BNS for this nationwide annual nutrition campaign.

Highlights of the conference include the launching of the BNS Handbook which serves as a guide for BNSs in their performance as BNS.  Likewise, the 2012 and 2013 National Outstanding BNSs will share their good practices that made them win the award to inspire other BNSs to work better and replicate the good practices in their communities.

Notable personalities such as Senators Bam Aquino and Cynthia Villar, and Assistant Secretary of Health and NNC Executive Director Maria-Bernardita Flores will be in the event to give inspirational messages as keynote speakers.

Currently, there are more than 40,000 BNS all over the country. The BNS program is mandated by Presidential Decree No. 1569 and a key strategy of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition. The BNS Program is administered by the National Nutrition Council and implemented by local government units.

For more information, write or call the NATIONAL NUTRITION COUNCIL, 2332 Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Taguig City. Tel. Nos. 843.0142; 843.1337; 843.5824; Fax No. 843.5818; Email: info@nnc.gov.ph or visit http://www.nnc.gov.ph andwww.facebook.com/nncofficial. Twitter @NNC_official.

April 7, 2015 in Makati,Azalea Residences, a 99 suites hotel that is located at #7 Leonard Wood Loop, Bgy. M. Roxas, Baguio City, 2600, Philippines and TAG Media & PR signed a partnership agreement for the upcoming Asia Digital Marketing Expo 2015  that will happen on July 26, 2015 from 8AM to 6PM at the posh & new SMX Aura, Taguig, Philippines. The organizers are expecting to have different corporate companies as participants with their senior level managers with a theme: Empower, Connect, Inspire & Learn. This is not the first time that Azalea Residences shows support to the organizers, just recently, the hotel accommodated 9 media for their 3 Days 2 Nights stay after the Tree Top Adventure Baguio Press Conference.

At Asia Digital Marketing Expo 2015, different top executives will join together to share the future of Online Marketing in the Philippines and in Asia Pacific region with the following points:

• The digital economy of the Philippines
• Positioning the Philippines as a gateway from East to West and West to East
• Is the Philippines ready to be a cashless society?
• Disrupting tradition and embracing innovation
• Technology and Entrepreneurship driving inclusive growth
• Micro - multinationals E-commerce connecting SMEs to ASEAN and beyond

Speakers are as follows;

Constantin Robertz- Managing Director, Zalora
Dr. Donald Lim - Chief Digital Officer, ABS CBN.
Kristian Melquiades - General Manager, Viber
Earl Valencia- Head of Corporate Development/Innovation, Smart Communications
John Upton- President, John Robert Powers
Janette Toral – E Commerce Advocate, Digital Club Filipino.
Rebecca Bustamante -President & CEO, Chalre Associates.
Mikel Yaw -Managing Director, Elabram Systems Group (ESG)
Chinkee Tan - Motivational Speaker, Book Author, Radio Host
Carlos Celdran – Brand Ambassador, Tour Guide
Robert Yupangco – President, Yupangco Group of Companies
Tanya Llana - Business Strategist and Director of Sales & Marketing, Victoria Court
Camille Montejo – CEO, NWSteel Technologies & Tree Top Adventure.
Pocholo De Leon Gonzalez – CEO, Creative Voices Productions.
James Jimenez - Director and Spokesman, Philippines Commission On Election (COMELEC)
Lloyd Luna- CEO- Lloyd Luna Corporation
According to Azalea Residences, "We believe in the power of technology especially digital marketing and because of the ASEAN Integration, more and more companies are becoming competitive thus needs to have the information to be sent faster and digital marketing is the way to do it."

"At Azalea Residences in Baguio City, Philippines, you’ll bask in cozy retreats and also take pleasure in excellent offerings for a superb holiday experience. Here, all rooms boasts modern interior design and are generously appointed with travel essentials, such a kitchen and dining area, cable TV, mini-bar, and private toilet and bath. Absolute pampering is also ensured by amenities which includes a concierge, coffee shop, bar lounge, and banquet services."

For more information, you may visit www.asiadigitalmarketing.ph