Dr. Nielsen Donato and His True Heart for Animals | PR Post | MarkMyName

“What makes you wake up early in the morning?” asks veterinarian Dr. Nielsen Donato while strolling through his animal sanctuary. “It’s not work. It’s something that you’re excited about.”

Dr. Nielsen Donato in his wildlife sanctuary in Laguna: “I’m lucky because I get to treat more exotic animals, as well as farm animals, in my clinic and the park.”

When people think of veterinarians, they usually think of them tending to household pets, like cats and dogs. But Doc Nielsen isn’t a regular vet. He’s the managing partner and chief surgeon at Vets In Practice (VIP), which caters to not-your-usual pets, and he also has a background in Avian and Exotic Medicine.

But what makes him so special is his unbridled care for virtually any kind of animal, be it crawling, flying, galloping, or slithering.

Doc Nielsen’s passion started when he was around three years old. One of his favorite childhood memories was being excited about going to church just so he could see the yellow chicks and ducklings being sold by vendors outside.

Doc Nielsen demonstrates how to bathe a Bayawak, with his resident monitor lizard, Bruce.

Today, Doc Nielsen helps run the Laguna Wildlife Park & Rescue Center, which sits within his family’s property in Pansol. This non-profit organization houses around 100 species of farm animals and wildlife, including domestic and neglected pets, as well as exotic animals that were rescued from illegal sellers and dangerous living conditions. The wildlife park has everything from chickens and goats to monkeys and a serval cat, which he tends to with the help of his staff. It’s also backed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which assists in acquiring and transporting animals to the park.

The veterinarian calls the park his “happy place,” which he visits as early as 5 am to see all of the animals and listen to the different sounds that envelope the whole park. “When I’m walking here in the morning or afternoon, it relaxes me. Nalilimutan ko yung mga stress, that’s why I call it my ‘haven,’” says Doc Nielsen.

Feeding time: Violet, a rescued tortoise, snacks on papaya.

Compassion project

“We support the animals with our own resources,” Doc Nielsen says as he shows the many enclosures in the park that the animals call home. He also provides them with nutritious food and medicine to keep them healthy while they’re living in the park.

He doesn’t do this alone. Apart from the staff he works with, Doc Nielsen’s family also helps. His kids, Cedric and Nina, are studying veterinary medicine, so they’re well on their way to following in their dad’s footsteps.

Zuma the Albino Burmese python and Doc Nielsen pose for the camera.

Giving animals a second chance.

While giving a tour of the park, Doc Nielsen stops to feed and pet the animals he passes by. One of them is a bearcat (binturong), a nocturnal mammal with cat-like features that’s endemic to Palawan. Doc Nielsen explains that the bearcats were transported to the park with the help of DENR, and they are raised until they’re ready to be released back into the wild.

“I promised that if I ever breed any endemic wildlife animal in the park, my goal is to help repopulate their species and bring them back to their natural habitat,” he says. He also takes time to assess animals who might need medical attention and treat them right away to prevent infections.

It’s not always easy for Doc Nielsen to let go of animals, especially those that have been used to being around humans. Many of the monkeys, for example, lived in crowded areas and were treated as pets in their past lives. Releasing them back into the wild would be a safety risk for them because a troop of wild monkeys might hurt them.

This is why he and his staff ensure that animals like these get the care they need so they can live a long and healthy life. The wildlife sanctuary is their safe haven until they are ready to be released in a protected space.

Whether it’s at his clinic in the city or the wildlife park in Laguna, Doc Nielsen is always ready to offer his expertise and care to all types of species, no matter how scary they may seem.

“I always dreamed of being someone like [British veterinary surgeon] James Harriot. I’ve always wanted to treat dogs and cats, and farm animals as big as horses, goats, and sheep,” he said. “There weren’t exotic animals to treat yet [when I was just starting out.] Now, I’m lucky because I get to treat more exotic animals, as well as farm animals, in my clinic and the park.”

On full display: Drake the Peacock struts around his pen.

Best Friends Forever: Doc Nielsen and Kulit.

Vegetarian Meal For Today | Ginisang Togue with Meat Alternatives | MarkMyName

A delectable and nutritious meal that can be served anytime is Ginisang toge paired with veega meat.  This is also perfect if you are trying to cut down on meats and doing abstinence for the Lent season. You can do many things with stir-frying but this is my simple way. I didn’t even measure the exact ingredients. I’m just eyeballing everything. Familiarity with the flavors of each ingredient is really a good way to learn how to cook.

Ginisang toge is a traditional Filipino dish made from sautéed bean sprouts, carrots, and other vegetables, while Veega meat is a plant-based meat substitute made from a variety of vegetables and grains.

To start, you will need to gather your ingredients.

INGREDIENTS

Bean sprout

Carrots, julienne

Bell pepper

Veega tapa

Onion

Garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

Once you have your ingredients, it's time to start cooking. 

PROCEDURE:

Begin by heating a pan over medium-high heat and adding vegetable oil. 

Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and sliced onion and sauté until the onion is translucent.

Add the Veega Meat Tapa and stir fry

Next, add the sliced carrots and bell pepper then sauté for another minute or two.

Then, add the fresh bean sprouts and stir everything together. 

Your Ginisang toge with Veega meat is now ready to serve!

Noticed that we didn’t add any other sauce because the Veega Meat Tapa has already a good amount of flavor. The sauce of the tapa will flavor out all our vegetables.

This recipe can be served as a viand, it is best paired with rice. If you happen to have leftovers, you can wrap them in a lumpia wrapper and fry them. You will turn it into a delicious snack.

Apart from its delicious, it is also very healthy. Low calorie, high in fiber, a good source of protein, and packed with vitamins and minerals. It’s also a very delicious excuse to skip meat for a meal.

Whether you're looking for a new vegetarian or vegan dish to try or simply want to enjoy a traditional Filipino dish with a healthy twist, this dish is sure to satisfy your cravings. Give it a try and enjoy the delicious flavors and health benefits of this tasty dish! 

Jollibee Group, Manila LGU Partner Anew To Offer Jobs For Senior Citizens, PWDs | PR Post | MarkMyName

Fostering Inclusivity and Diversity at Work. Jollibee Group and Manila LGU officials convened anew for the signing of a new memorandum of agreement that will create employment opportunities for senior citizens and persons with disabilities in Jollibee-owned stores across Manila City.

MANILA, Philippines. The Jollibee Group recently announced the resumption of its inclusive employment program to hire senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD) in Manila after renewing its partnership with the city government of Manila.

The partnership is consistent with Jollibee Group’s commitment to provide equal employment opportunities to different sectors, while promoting and practicing inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.

Jollibee Group will hire 28 senior citizens and 17 PWDs as customer relations staff across the Manila branches of Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Burger King through the city’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO). Manila PESO will screen and determine qualified candidates before endorsing them to the company. Applicants must also secure a medical clearance from the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center, the accredited hospital for this program.

“We started this program in 2019 with the Manila LGU. Working on this program in the past few years have allowed us to see how our elderly and differently abled individuals have appreciated the opportunity find gainful employment. The Jollibee Group continues to support this initiative of the Manila LGU, and we have been very fortunate to have a partner that shares the same desire and passion as the company in looking after the interest of our elderly and PWDs,” said Ruth Angeles, Jollibee Group Vice President and Head for Human Resources-Philippines and Global Organization, Leadership & Culture.

“We look forward to forging more partnerships with other LGUs so we can improve more lives and find reliable staff who can join us in our mission to share the joy of eating with everyone,” Angeles added.

The signing of the new memorandum of agreement held last January 31 was attended by Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto, and Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Marlon Lacson, as well as officials from Jollibee Group represented by Public Affairs AVP Atty. Raul Academia and Philippine Region Human Resources Director Anna Prado.

Interested applicants can get more information on this employment program from the Manila Department of Social Welfare and the Office of Senior Citizen’s Affairs.

Back in 2019, Jollibee Group was the first restaurant company in the Philippines to partner with the Manila LGU in providing jobs to over a hundred qualified senior citizens and PWDs in the combined 39 branches of Jollibee, Chowking, Mang Inasal, and Greenwich in Manila. Besides Manila, Jollibee Group also partnered with the LGUs of Antipolo and Pasay in 2019 to implement the same inclusive employment program.

Jolly Empowers Home Cooks By Feeding Their Creativity In The Kitchen | PR Post | MarkMyName

 They say the easiest way to someone's heart is through the stomach. For many homemakers, especially moms, this is very much true the moment they step into the kitchen. One simply gets an unexplainable feeling when you put the time and effort into preparing something special for the people who matter to you the most. The same also goes, of course, if you’re at the receiving end of such a selfless effort.  

While moms are real geniuses in the kitchen, however, there are also some downtimes when inspiration can run low. Fortunately, Jolly is here to curb that challenge for our home cooks. As the leading brand of packed fruit and vegetable products, Jolly  brings convenience straight into our pantries by giving us easy access to fresh ingredients. The brand—which was born from the vision of empowering homemakers and unlocking their creative potential in the kitchen—has continuously enabled this by providing freshly packed fruits and vegetables straight into our pantries. This convenience, combined with the high quality of its products, has made Jolly a market leader in its industry and a top choice among home cooks.  

To prove this, we had some moms take on the challenge of creating something special for their loved ones using some of Jolly’s best-sellers. Stephanie Lontoc of StefTheMomma shared one classic dish that never fails to impress her family—Creamy Beef with Mushrooms made with beef sirloin and her go-to Jolly Mushrooms and Jolly Cream of Mushroom Soup! It’s the perfect dish to make if you want to impress without spending too much time in the kitchen as it can only take thirty minutes to prep and cook! Watch her quick recipe here to cop it. 

video link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnBwgh0J6gL/  

Dyosa The Momma is another big fan of the tatak Jolly love. For her, she loves how she can still make healthy but also affordable dishes that never fail to be big hits for her family. One of her go-to recipes is Pork Picadillo which is perfect for all types of occasions . The dish is colorful, easy to make, and most of all, delicious and healthy. Go watch her recipe here video link: https://www.facebook.com/dyosathemomma/videos/1317862722317855

 For the recipe, she used Jolly Premium Sliced Mushrooms, Jolly Green Peas and Jolly Garbanzos to make sure that the dish is bursting with flavor and nutrition. More than the convenience and easy access to these ingredients, she also loves how Jolly makes everything easier for the budget.  

“With a growing family, dapat mas mindful na tayo sa gastos. Kaya hindi dapat mahal ang delicious meals. Konting creativity lang, pwedeng i-level up ang delicious meal. Kapag nabibigay mo ang sarap at sustansya, yan ang Jolly Love.”  

Versatility is also something that’s very important in the kitchen. Thankfully, with easy access to fresh ingredients, you will never run out of dishes to try. The Peach Kitchen proves this by creating her version of Ginataang Gulay using Jolly products . She shares, “Isa sa paraan natin ng pagpaparamdam ng pagmamahal natin sa pamilya natin ay ang pagluluto natin para sa kanila. Kaya naman as much as possible gusto natin na masarap at healthy ang hinahanda natin para sa kanila.”  

Check out her recipe:  https://www.facebook.com/PeachKitchen/videos/1812729012435899/ 

Jolly is a brand that was created by a family for families. Since its conception, it knows that when it comes to expressing love, Filipino households use the language of food to make connections and express their emotions. Still the undisputed leading brand of freshly packed fruits, vegetables, and other pantry essentials, it continues to fulfill its promise of empowering home cooks by expanding their creativity in the kitchen through its wide range of products. When you put your heart into every food you make and when you never run out of ideas in the kitchen, #YanAngJollyLove!  

Shop your favorite Jolly products in  leading supermarkets nationwide or online via Ace Market, Lazada, and Shopee. Don’t forget to follow their Instagram and Facebook accounts to keep updated on their latest news and offers.

Henry & Sons To Bring New Life To Local Coffee Market | PR Post | MarkMyName

DTI Laguna witnessed the Ceremonial Signing of Memorandum of Agreement between National University Laguna and Henry and Sons PHTrading and Manufacturing Company, Inc. for the establishment of the Global Coffee School (GCS) Philippine Operations in Calamba City, Laguna. Present during the event were the executives of NU Laguna, Mr. Michael Harris Lim of Henry & Sons, Laguna Vice Governor Karen Agapay, and representatives of Calamba City Congresswoman CHA Hernandez and Calamba City Mayor Ross Rizal.

Henry & Sons, the leading supplier of premium coffee products and services in the country, continues its mission to bring the local coffee industry to the international spotlight with their commitment to providing premium and quality education to aspiring baristas.

“With the rising demand for specialty coffee in the ever-growing coffee market, Henry & Sons is determined to provide aspiring baristas with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed,” said Michael Harris Conlin, Henry & Sons president and CEO.

Conlin said the company recently signed a memorandum of agreement with the National University Laguna to establish the Global Coffee School (GCS) in Calamba City.

GCS courses are recognized and offered in over 40 cities worldwide. The company provides comprehensive educational courses to equip aspiring baristas with the necessary skills and knowledge to create the best coffee products.

Courses include instruction on brewing methods and techniques, the science of coffee production, and different types of coffee drinks. Baristas will also be given hands-on experience with the most up-to-date coffee equipment, enabling them to develop their skills and gain the confidence needed to become top coffee professionals.

Conlin, a former Philippine National Barista Champion and semi-finalist in the World Barista Championship, said the collaboration aims to elevate Laguna Liberica to a global coffee brand and teach aspiring baristas in Laguna the skills they need to become sought-after in the coffee industry.

Last year, Conlin represented Laguna’s Liberica and Benguet’s Arabica at the Global Coffee Championship in Korea. Laguna’s Liberica won silver in the latte competition, while Benguet’s Arabica bagged bronze in the brewer competition.

According to experts, the Philippine coffee industry is expected to generate $6.3 billion this year or P345 billion.

Conlin, however, said 97% of the coffee in the country is imported.

“Our local coffee farmers do not benefit from the billions of revenue generated by the coffee industry. If this continues, Philippine-grown coffee is at risk of extinction. This is a loss not only for our economy but also for our culture and heritage,” he said.

Conlin noted that the program aims to help Mabato coffee farmers introduce their products to the international market and provide stability and sustainability for their livelihoods.

He also encouraged people to buy coffee sourced from local farmers to support them.

Recently, Henry & Sons’ opened two new branches of The Giving Café (TGC) at the University of the Philippines Los Baños and SM Marikina.

TGC is part of the company’s social enterprise program established to support the Foundation for Sustainable Coffee Excellence (FSCE) in its drive to make the Philippines a major player in the global coffee industry through sustainable local coffee farming.

The FSCE has been supporting farms in La Trinidad, Benguet, for some years now to help and provide farmers and their families with essential needs such as irrigation, medicines, and educational assistance.

Opened in July 2017, Henry & Sons opened TGC to provide a haven for coffee lovers. The café serves comfort food, such as champorado, sopas, and arroz caldo, and Chinese dishes, including yang chow, Taiwanese fried chicken, and sweet and sour pork.

For more information, visit www.henryandsons and www.thevault.ph.

Philippine Veterans Bank Invites Cyclists to Join Ride for Valor 2023 | PR Post | MarkMyName

The Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) invites everyone to join the Ride for Valor, a bike-for-a-cause event on March 5, 2023, to raise funds for the maintenance of the Bataan Death March markers and other World War 2 heritage sites.

Mike Villa-Real, PVB's first vice president for marketing and communications, said the event, which is in partnership with the Department of National Defense, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, Provincial Government of Bataan, and Wartime Heritage Guild-Philippines, aims to preserve the legacy of Filipino and American soldiers who fought for freedom and democracy during World War 2.

The Bataan Death March is a somber reminder of the bravery and selflessness of Filipino veterans during the Second World War. It is an essential part of Philippine history and culture, and the Ride for Valor is an important way of honoring the veterans and preserving their legacy. Plus riders get to learn more about the historic event as they will be traversing the actual route of the Death March; he said.

The ride is open to fully vaccinated cyclists and all types of bikes with brakes.

Villa-Real said the event will start at 6 a.m. from the Kilometer Zero in Mariveles, Bataan, to Capas National Shrine in Tarlac.

The non-competitive bike ride will have four pitstops: Mt. Samat, Balanga Provincial Capitol’s The Bunker, San Fernando Train Station, and Angeles Museum. Giveaways will be given in selected pitstops.

Villa-Real said participants may ride at their own pace, adding there will be a 12-hour cut-off during the event.

He noted that the event will also implement a; No Helmet, No Ride; policy to ensure the safety of the participants.

Villa-Real also said a mechanic will be available to help those who encounter mechanical difficulties, while roving marshals will be present to keep track of the riders; progress. Support vehicles are allowed, but riders should only ride in the vehicle if they choose to drop out of the event.

The registration fee for the Ride for Valor is P1,000, which includes an official event shirt, a race bib, a racer cap, a loot bag, an e-certificate, and meals.

Interested individuals may register online at bit.ly/rideforvalor2023 until March 1, while groups may email rideforvalor@gmail.com.

Participants may also register onsite at RD Cycles Libis Branch and RD Cycles Timog Branch. Those who will join the bike ride must download the Traqs Philippines app to enter the event. Prior to the bike ride, we will be raffling off an overnight stay for lucky joiners, and on March 5, we will be giving two bikes as well as hotel gift checks and other exciting prizes to our raffle winners,; Villa-Real added. Organized by Without Limits PH - IGEM, Ride for Valor 2023 is co-presented by Traqs Philippines,

OneLGC, AIR21, Panahon.TV, and the Integrated Waste Management Inc. Sponsors include Neo Zigma PH, Hotel Sogo, Booster C Energy Shot, and Fitbar.

The Bataan Death March is one of the darkest chapters in Philippine history, where around 80,000 Filipino and American soldiers were forced to march more than 100 kilometers in grueling conditions by Japanese forces in 1942. Thousands of soldiers survived but many also died due to starvation, dehydration, diseases, and the brutality of Japanese captors. The markers serve as reminders of the tragedy and heroism that occurred during that period.

PVB is a private, commercial bank owned by World War 2 veterans and their families. With Its new Charter signed into law, the Banks ownership now includes Post War Veterans and AFP Retirees.

For more information about the event, follow Ride for Valor on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RideForValorPH.

Listen, Think, Feel, with the New Song from The Dawn | PR Post | MarkMyName

“Is love still a thing?”

This can easily be a line in a love song. But, this is a question raised by one of the country's original rock bands, The Dawn, in their new song "Earth."

Known for its anthem songs like "Salamat" and "Iisang Bangka," "Earth" asks the existential question, especially amid all the political, social, and even personal uncertainties.

The Dawn frontman Jett Pangan explains, "We, as human beings, when we’re faced with troubles that seem insurmountable, we tend to look the other way. Maybe not to say we’re in denial, it's more of the fear of the unknown. It’s been a struggle to be a human being. There’s always the question, can we go on like this? Is this the way we’re supposed to deal with things? Is there a better way?"

He pointed out that it’s not condescending but, in fact, he asks himself the same question. The pandemic also raised that big question. “We're all hoping that after all these we become better people," he said.

Trust The Dawn to come up with a song that is timely and relevant. Society has seen a rise in mental health concerns among the youth. In fact, a study by the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI), highlighted that between 2013 and 2021, there are twice the number of young Filipinos who felt loneliness, sadness, and being disliked.

One of the band’s guitarists Rommel “Sancho” Sanchez, emphasized that “Is love still a thing,” can also be read as “is empathy still a thing?” Sanchez said that with the mode of communication now, it’s easy to be snarky. Their hope is that through this song and with this one powerful line, people will pause, reflect, and hope that they can be a little kinder.

Apart from the significance of its lyrics, there are a lot of reasons that make “Earth” distinct.

It was recorded during the pandemic and every member of the group had to record individually. The Dawn drummer JB Leonor shared he made a story with the drum parts alone. There’s a reason for every note of the drum.

“Earth” is the last song that their bassist Mon Legaspi recorded before he passed away. And it was an ode to him that they committed to finishing the track.

Sanchez was the last one to record the guitar parts. “I lost the recordings when my hard drive failed. We had to ask permission from Mon’s sister and asked a friend to help extract his parts. It was really difficult for me to record my parts,” he said.

The song itself went through a lot and now that it’s here, it is definitely a treat not only to the loyal fans of The Dawn but to everyone who appreciates great music.

The reception to “Earth” inspires the band to keep on going. Credit goes to Francis “Kiko” Reyes, one of the guitarists, who said that during the pandemic, the band continued to connect creatively. Pangan enthused that with all his rally calls and with the reception to the new song, all fingers point to a new collection of songs or an EP.

Recognizing also how dynamic the music industry is these days, The Dawn wants to make sure they are a part of it. He added that the labels and genres now are blurred and people are more accepting when they listen to music. They do not specify if a song is too rock or too hip-hop.

Through the years, The Dawn has been blessed with a platform to be heard and this time, it’s their new song “Earth.” There’s no line to cross now that music has melded in all genres. And The Dawn has a lot to offer and being the true rockstar that they are, they are just going where the music takes them. No pigeonholing, just true love for music.

Listen to The Dawn’s Earth now on Spotify and YouTube.