Lampara Books hopes to promote spiritual formation and values education through its Guiding Light imprint

The new Philippine imprint offers inspiring stories centered on Christ’s teachings and fun, purpose-driven storytelling

Lampara Books has recently launched Guiding Light, a new Philippine imprint that hopes to encourage parents and families to be a good influence on their children’s journey to life. 

 

The family-oriented and faith-based imprint aims to promote spiritual formation, values education, emotional growth, and community development through highly entertaining but transformative books written and designed by some of the world’s most promising and award-winning writers, illustrators, and personalities.

 

“It has always been our goal to inspire adult readers, most especially parents, to engage with their children on stories of inspiration, joy, and life lessons within a framework of Christ-centered beliefs and teachings,” says Segundo D. Matias Jr., the Chief Publisher of Lampara Books. “Our activity books create bonding moments between mom and dad with their kids through storytelling that put good values at the forefront of its principles, while inspiring everyone to become a better human being.”

 

For its premiere offering, Guiding Light has recently released its ‘Little Life Lessons on’ series—a collection of fun activity books that parents and their children can color, play around with, and use as a medium for purpose-driven instruction. Written in both English and Filipino, the series is made for childhood care providers and parents to help their kids learn important values in life. The ‘Little Life Lessons on’ catalog contains inspirational stories that depict kindness, obedience, respect, and love, among many others.

 

The motivational imprint also takes pride of its Family Bible Illustrated edition, which has 365 pages of bible stories, meditations, and prayers for the whole family to reflect on together, and The Comic Book Bible, which offers a treasury of stories, known and loved by generations of readers.

 

For readers who are looking for a refreshing spin to the familiar narrative, there is Classic Bible Stories, illustrated for pictures-and-words format by talented young artist Tommaso d' Incalei. Bringing stories to life for a new generation of readers, this timeless collection will inspire people discover the meaning behind the teachings of God in an exciting and easy-to-read way. Another significant title under its banner is The Classic Children’s Bible, which is beautifully illustrated and presented to cater to a younger readership.

 

Other titles that are currently available at the Guiding Lightwebsite are Rhona Davies’ The Life Of Christ, strikingly illustrated to chronicle the important life events that Jesus Christ went through from his days in Galilee to joining God in heaven, and Angela M. Burrin’s Welcome To The Mass, a beautifully illustrated book that ‘explains the Mass by linking the liturgy to scenes from the Gospels.’

 

The classic and new titles are available at the Guiding Light official website, https://www.guidinglight.com.ph.

Source: Gabi Na Naman Productions

Your Place Next Year Book Review

Mina V. Esguerra has released another modern romance story that satisfies the pandemic-fatigued reader. Your Place Next Year is a romance novelette that is set in a not so distant future where the world is slowly easing its way into a more “normal” status quo. The book features protagonists who are both in their early forties and are well-established in their careers.

Alia is a female country director who spends one week a year at sunny La Union. She does so to escape the demands of work and city life. She is annually involved with Leandro, an equally successful education tech CEO who chose the surfing destination as his permanent address. When a post-lockdown work encounter in Manila forces Alia and Leandro to face each other outside of their beach trysts, they are led to explore the idea of something beyond their annual hookups.

I enjoyed reading this novelette because of the smart banter between Alia and Leandro. Both of them have their own careers and have made bold lifestyle choices. I could relate to Alia because she bought a townhouse in Antipolo. While I may not live on a mountain at suburbia, I still consider my Quezon City townhouse to be strategically distant from the business districts that I used to work at. The pandemic has forced me to move my freelance career at home, and Alia’s working style of separating “laptop work” from “smartphone work” is something that I also practice. I am also the type who asks hard questions to the men I date, so just like Alia, I expect nothing less from the man I am seeing.

I appreciate how Leandro always asks for Alia’s consent before going further. I like how he shows sensitivity when faced with the possibility of losing Alia. I also like how in the duration of the story, both characters have developed from hookup lovers to a committed couple. The value of compromise is highlighted here. it is especially relevant today. Many people have moved back to the province or away from the city to have better mental health. Relationships will surely take a more dynamic turn once we move to a more “normal” way of life, and it is important for couples to know that compromise is key to making everything work,

I recommend this book for people my age (I am thirty-five) and older! It is refreshing to read a story about people who are done with “adulting” and are transitioning to a more comfortable way of advance careers and lifestyle choices. Your Place Next Year is the novelette that romance readers need this year and in a post-pandemic 2022.

To pre-order your copy, please refer to the following links:

Amazon http://bit.ly/yourplacenextyear

Gumroad http://gum.co/yourplacenextyear

You may also visit Mina’s website to know more about her work as an author and romance writing trainer. She is one of today’s leading writing and publishing teachers, so check out her website today!

Prostate cancer 9th highest in numberof cancer-related deaths among Filipino males

PUA, DOH, Cancer Warriors Foundation, PSUO and J&J lead fight against prostate cancer

November 2021 – Prostate cancer is one of the top 5 cancers in the Philippines and the ninth highest in number of cancer-related deaths among Filipino males according to GLOBOCAN. Despite the statistics, awareness on the disease is very low.

 

The Philippine Urological Association (PUA), together with the Department of Health (DOH), Cancer Warriors Foundation, Inc., the Philippine Society of Uro-Oncologists (PSUO), and Johnson and Johnson (Philippines), Inc., led the observance of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month with a series of activities that aimed to generate greater awareness for the disease. With the unified theme Prostate Cancer Sama-Samang Labanan, Tamang Impormasyon Kailangan, efforts were focused on educating the public on the importance of early detection and treatment to slow the progression of prostate cancer.

 

A lay forum entitled Usapang Prostate Cancer was live streamed via the PUA Prostate Cancer Awareness Facebook page on September 11 to underline truths about the disease. Representatives from the the Department of Health Cancer Control Division and Cancer Warriors Foundation, Inc. also joined the discussion to share what support the government and privately funded organizations can provide patients and their families. This was followed by free teleconsultations by members of the Philippine Urological Association and the Philippine Urology Residents Association last September 18. More than 300 Filipino males signed up for the free teleconsultation service.

 

Fighting prostate cancer with information

Awareness on prostate cancer is very low as men do not talk about it in the open and often confuse its early symptoms as signs of aging. These include frequent urination, a weak urine stream, and pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvis. The only bigger warning signs are blood in the urine or semen and pain or burning sensation when urinating.

 

The risk of prostate cancer increases with age, especially after 50. It can also run in the family, developed through a combination of genes and poor lifestyle. There is no proven prevention strategy for prostate cancer, which is why early diagnosis is important.

 

“Information is the most important weapon against prostate cancer,” said Dr. Clarito Cairo, program manager of the National Integrated Cancer Control Program, Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the Department of Health. “The more people know about its early symptoms, the earlier they can get screened. Even in advanced stages, there are treatments available that still allow patients to live a long life.”

 

“While mostly indolent, prostate cancer needs to be addressed immediately to stop the cancer cells from spreading to other areas of the body,” explained Dr. Ernesto Gerial, president of the Philippine Urological Association. “Disseminating information about who are at risk of the disease and what its symptoms are can save many lives.”

 

He added: “The lack of noise around prostate cancer has resulted to unequal support for the disease as compared to breast and cervical cancer. While we at the Philippine Urological Association have been hard at work for many years for prostate cancer to finally take the spotlight, we know that we cannot do it alone. That is why we are happy to be partnering with other medical associations, the government, and Johnson & Johnson in creating greater awareness for the disease and extending help to patients.”

 

“There is hope in prostate cancer,” said Dr. Erwin Benedicto, head of Medical Affairs of Johnson & Johnson’s (Philippines), Inc. “It is a hard fact that most people should know but don’t—not yet.”

 

“Doctors are our partners in maintaining good health. Supporting them in the fight against prostate cancer is crucial, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic posing several limitations. By working together, information, proper diagnosis, and appropriate treatment for the disease can be made available for all.”  

 

 

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About Johnson & Johnson (Philippines), Inc.

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe good health is the foundation of vibrant lives, thriving communities and forward progress. That’s why for more than 130 years, we have aimed to keep people well at every age and every stage of life. Today, as the world’s largest and most broadly-based healthcare company, we are committed to using our reach and size for good. We strive to improve access and affordability, create healthier communities, and put a healthy mind, body,and environment within reach of everyone, everywhere. We are blending our heart, science, and ingenuity to profoundly change the trajectory of health for humanity. Learn more at www.jnj.com. Follow us at @JNJNews.

 

About Philippine Urological Association

The Philippine Urological Association is the official organization of urologists in the Philippines. As initiated by our founders, we are committed to: (1) promote the art and science of urology to enhance the professional growth of members and provide wholesome fellowship, (2) provide residents of urology with comprehensive education and training to render patients competent, compassionate and quality care, (3) act as professional partners to our colleagues in other medical specialties, and (4) share time, talent, resources in the service of the community by providing undergraduate urology education.

Source: Johnson & Johnson Philippines

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:The Secret Sauce to a Better Workplace

A work environment where you can be open, proud, and out. 

Employees that thrive in their professional environment directly contribute to the success of a company—and it isthese three workplace characteristics that are key to achieving that goal, says leading multinational corporation Johnson & Johnson (Philippines), Inc. (J&J Philippines), an organization that has been consistently recognized for its inclusive workplace philosophy across its commercial and Global Services teams in the country.

 

When J&J Philippines won HR Asia’s Best Companies to Work for in Asia Award in 2018, 2019 and 2020, and earned a place at the Asia CEO Awards’ Center of Excellence for Diversity & Inclusion in 2019, the company’s active and sincere role in driving Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) was cited as animportant driver alongside employee programs to help navigate the pandemic’s effect on the workforce, its strong wellness culture, and efforts to integrate work and family life successfully.  

 

According to J&J Philippines DEI Council head and Asia Pacific head of Total Rewards Mary Grace Gervacio, the key to their consistent success and recognition as an ideal employer is their focus on bringing to life the employee-focused statement in Johnson & Johnson’s Credo, the company’s corporate code that governs the way they work.   

 

“Our Credo is our moral compass to guide us in doing what is right for the people we serve and that includes our own employees. Since my early days in HR at J&J, a clear mandate had been impressed upon me – to bring the Credo to life, engaging employees, and encouraging them to find out what it could mean for them. We follow this purpose as we evolve our employee programs and as we build a strong total health culture within the company, and in sincere efforts to advance Diversity, Equity & Inclusion across the J&J community,” says Grace Gervacio.

 

Related to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in particular, the Credo states that: “we must provide an inclusive work environment where each person must be considered as an individual.  We must respect their diversity and dignity and recognize their merit. They must have a sense of security, fulfilment and purpose in their jobs.”

 

Over the last few years, J&J has been proactively developingEmployee Resource Groups or ERGs such as Women’s Leadership and Inclusion, Generation Now, Alliance for Diverse Abilities, and Open & Out that are advancing the J&J culture of inclusion and innovation, enhancing business performance and reputation, and building a diverse workforce for the future.

 

Open & Out, in particular, began its story in the Philippines in 2018 in a roomful of open-minded people who took a chance to go out and make a difference. They introduced themselves to each other beginning with the words “I identify as...”. 

 

And the rest, as they say, is history. Through a beautiful launch campaign where they used the hashtag #ProudAko (I am proud), O&O empowered employees to share their journey as a LGBTQ+ member. In June 2019, a combined headcount of 150 LGBTQ+ and allies held their first-ever J&J Manila campus Pride March to celebrate employees of distinct sexual orientation and gender background. To cap the colourful celebration, the Rainbow flag was raised alongside the Philippine flag for the first time in the company’s then 63-year history in the country.

 

Beyond these ERGs, however, are sustainable employee programs and policies that comprehensively and sustainably incorporate Diversity and Inclusion into the company’s culture. These include:

 

● Mandatory “managing unconscious bias” training

● Company-supported employee groups championingwomen leadership, generational diversity, the LGBTQ+community, and persons with disabilities

● Ensuring gender balance in leadership roles (women in atleast 50% of leadership roles)

● Mentorship programs for female and early-career talents

● Partnership with universities to expose young talents to J&J careers

● Gender-neutral restrooms

● Employee benefits that cover same sex partners

● Mental Health coverage through its health insurance plan and Employee Assistance Program

● Programs and policies for the advancement of women in the workplace, e.g. on-site child care center, lactation rooms

 

“The DE&I agenda has always been a key priority of the global J&J organization,” says Raghu Krishnan, president and managing director of J&J Philippines. “Through our mission—to allow our employees to be themselves—we are encouraging them to see the workplace as a safe space, where they can be their authentic selves without fear of bias and discrimination.”

 

 

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About Johnson & Johnson (Philippines), Inc.

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe good health is the foundation of vibrant lives, thriving communities and forward progress. That’s why for more than 130 years, we have aimed to keep people well at every age and every stage of life. Today, as the world’s largest and most broadly-based healthcare company, we are committed to using our reach and size for good. We strive to improve access and affordability, create healthier communities, and put a healthy mind, body and environment within reach of everyone, everywhere. We are blending our heart, science, and ingenuity to profoundly change the trajectory of health for humanity. Learn more at www.jnj.com. Follow us at @JNJNews.

Source: Johnson & Johnson Philippines

My Happiest Day

My happiest day was when my first book, Speak Blog Live, was released. It was on October 7, 2021, when I finally realized my lifelong dream of becoming a published author. I had no expectations, other than to set my book free into the wild.

I celebrated with a cake that had my ISBN on it and my family with me. My partner and editor, Lorenz, spent the day with me. Since the pandemic was still raging on, we opted to stay at my house to talk about publishing the book with my mother. It was a lovely day.

When I became an author, I realized that it was possible to make my dreams come true. I did not need to do big, risky things in order to prove to myself that I can do it. It was not easy to become an author, but it was possible after sacrificing my time and putting in the effort to write a book. At the end of the day, my book was finished. It was ready to be read by the world.

When I will think of this day in the future, I will remember the exhilaration of becoming a published author. I will also recall all the hard work that got me here. To buy a copy of my book, please click here. I hope that you will support my dream by buying a copy.

The Craft of Writing Exercise 4

You should have ordered another beer. So what if people judge you for drinking when you know that you do so in moderation? So what if you laugh out loud and wear the clothes that make you feel pretty? So what if you have better things than your cousins? So what if your Titas think that you should be married by now or that you should wear nail polish and makeup? What you do is none of their business. Stop overthinking. You are already too tired as it is. Someday, there will be a time when a pandemic will force you to stay home and do everything at home. You will have less work but more time for your music, crafts, and writing. Write your books. Post your song covers. Send your gifts to frontliners. Give blood, then get your piercing and tattoos. You should live life with no regrets.

As you know, cancer runs in the family. While your recent checkup has confirmed that you are in your best health condition so far, you should live life to the fullest because it is still too short. Workout like you always do. Eat healthy and lessen those street food binges. Have a beer, but eat a salad too. It’s all about balance.

Your life is your own. Do not listen to people who limit your beliefs. Nothing’s gonna change your world. And since you enjoyed writing your last book, why don’t you write another one? Your story is still being written. Now go drink that beer. Cheers!