Start and Finish

If there was a time in recent memory that Negros Occidental was visited by floods with uncanny timing, it would have to be 2021. On New Year’s Day and then just around Christmas, from North to South, the province was besieged. On January 1 st residents in the northern part of the province were shocked by floods resulting from torrential rains. Shocked, because normally there would have been a typhoon warning, but since there was none, people suspected deforestation. A week later, more flooding, spurred by moderate-to-heavy rainfall, confirmed the fear.

December 16, however, was a different story. This time, there was a storm. Typhoon Odette hit southern Negros with unforgiving might. Super Typhoon Rai, as Odette was internationally called, was a Category 5 hurricane. Aon PLC, a global risk manager and reinsurer, called Odette the deadliest cyclone of 2021. It would have helped if the mountain range that looms over the communities directly hit by Odette are forested to endemic trees, the kind that are native to the local landscape, possessing inherent strength to weather punishing wind and water known to the area.

Francis Libiran Releases Perfume Line: Dusk and Dawn

Francis Libiran has released a new perfume line designed with esteemed perfume creator, Oscar Mejia III. Dusk and Dawn, the two variants in the Francis Libiran perfume collection will be available in limited stocks starting this February. 

Libiran said that he has always been interested in extending his expertise in the lifestyle area. He had been researching on the country’s best perfume connoisseurs and creators and it just so happened that he met Oscar Mejia III in an artisan trade fair and reached out to him for a collaborative project! Mejia agreed, and the rest is history. 

Libiran and Mejia came up with the Dusk and Dawn collection, which is composed of aromatic products to set the tone of our home ambiance, as well as a perfume line! 

Vibal Group’s 2021 Year-End Roundup

“Life goes on” has been the theme of 2021, a year that began in hope and which Vibal is about to miraculously end on a high note. Despite the pandemic, Vibal Group, Inc. (VGI) continued to serve clients with amazing products and services. VGI launched several new titles and products and still provides quality webinars for its loyal viewers. Let’s have a rundown of VGI’s highlights this year.

A Year of Online Tertulia

Since December 2020, Vibal Foundation (VFI) has hosted a virtual tertulia where VFI honors the life of its matriarch, Mrs. Esther A. Vibal. The monthly tertulia features a wide range of songs, dance, and even theatrical performances.

Why testing matters in the time of Omicron

Find out why testing is important in taking care of and protecting yourself and your family from the effects of COVID-19

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently labeled a new strain of the COVID-19 virus as a variant of concern, due to the sudden rise in cases all around the world. This variant is called the Omicron variant, first identified in South Africa on November 24, 2021.

It spread rapidly, and on December 15, 2021, the Philippines reported its very first Omicron case. One month later, the Department of Health (DOH) would announce that Omicron has replaced Delta as the country’s predominant variant. By January 19, 2022, the DOH would confirm the first two documented deaths due to Omicron, and 492 new cases would bring the total of Omicron cases in the Philippines to 535.

It is clear that the effects of the Omicron variant need to be monitored closely. But what exactly is Omicron, and why should we be concerned about it?

Home is where the heart is. It is no place for germs.

Pine Sol keeps your family and home safe, fragrant, and welcoming 

When we think of the home, we think of a place that is filled with laughter, joy, love, and hope. We think of a place where we find rest and peace among people we hold near and dear. Indeed, for many, home is a place that is welcoming. And nothing feels more welcoming than a home that is fragrant, clean and germ-free. 

Since the start of the health crisis, people saw their daily routines changed. And for many, changed permanently. The fear of contagion and the ensuing paranoia forced many to hunker down and stay home every day. Overnight, the home became a place of work, recreation, entertainment, and leisure. 

Your Guide to a COVID-free Home

Here’s how you can ensure your family’s safety from the Omicron variant 

Once again, the Department of Health (DOH) categorized the Philippines as a “high risk” country for the COVID-19 virus*. As the number of cases spikes and the positivity rate increases by the day, there’s no doubt that the highly contagious Omicron variant plays a part. 

In response to the current situation, the government has raised the alert level status in some parts of the country and continues its vaccination efforts. And while we can further increase our body’s protection by getting a booster shot against the coronavirus, it’s vital to remain vigilant for the sake of everyone in your household.  

Celebrity-approved appliances you need to invest in for your kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of every Filipino household, and we can’t pretty much argue that a Filipino home isn’t complete without one. Whether you’re in a rural home or city-dwelling apartment, the kitchen has always been one of the most important parts of a household. In order to have a decent and efficient kitchen space, investing in the right appliances to ease your kitchen dilemmas remains a must.