PLDT Enterprise enables eLearning for South City Homes Academy

Wazzup Pilipinas!

PLDT Enterprise, continuing its efforts to strengthen digital connectivity for the education sector, equips South City Homes Academy (SCHA) in Laguna with technology solutions to support its eLearning efforts.

As part of its ongoing efforts the academe industry through technology solutions, PLDT Enterprise’s partnership with SCHA gives its students and teachers the robust connectivity they need through BEYOND FIBER to aid their online learning initiatives.

Mitch Locsin, PLDT FVP & Enterprise Revenue Group Head says that “PLDT Enterprise wishes to ensure the best possible education for students while at the safety of everyone’s homes, and our partnership with SCHA is a commitment that we are ready to provide any technology requirements of the academe industry. Providing learning tools with strong and reliable connectivity during the global health crisis enables students and teachers an uninterrupted education.”

SCHA has over 1100 students and 50 teachers to date. For the shift to eLearning brought about by the pandemic, the school has been using Quipper LMS and Google classroom, Lark for sync and async discussions. The need for a reliable connectivity for their online classes compelled SCHA to switch to PLDT Enterprise’s BEYOND FIBER with speed of up to 50Mbps and Enterprise Broadband plan of 500Mbps.

SCHA President Mrs. Romana Espinosa says that “we look forward to the success of the distance learning program pursuant to our school’s principle of quality education for our most valued learners. Our partnership with PLDT Enterprise assures us that our core values of providing leading edge academic experience despite the challenges will be fulfilled, as we continue to be fundamentally committed to mold our students become people of strong character.”

BEYOND FIBER is an all-in-one digital solution that enables businesses of any size with curated digital tools and wi-fi fit for enterprise-use—all anchored on business-grade fiber. It is hinged on PLDT’s fiber infrastructure, the country’s most extensive fiber network, which now spans to 422,000kms nationwide.

PLDT Enterprise aims to redefine the future of learning through its continuous engagement with universities, colleges, and other learning institutions such as South City Homes Academy so no learner is left behind.

For more information, go to pldtenterprise.com. 


COVER PHOTO: (L-R) Jonalyn Bayani, PLDT Enterprise Relationship Manager; Romana Espinosa, Chairman of the Board for South City Homes Academy; Rico Manalo, School President of South City Homes Academy; Raphael Penalba, PLDT Enterprise Relationship Manager 

Why healthy blood glucose levels matter to our immunity

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The pandemic has made people around the world more concerned about having a strong immunity to fight possible infections. Asia is no different, with nearly two-thirds (65%)[1] of consumers in the region indicating that they are now more conscious about their immune health. It is clear that the importance of having a strong immunity has never been higher.

However, some may not realise that having a healthy blood glucose level is equally important, as high blood glucose levels (even for a short time) can harm our immunity[2]. Recent research has shown that the inverse might also be true, as healthy blood glucose levels have been linked to a reduction in the impact of COVID-19 for patients.

A recent study conducted with more than 7,000 patients admitted to 19 hospitals in China for COVID-19 found that those with diabetes not only needed more medical treatment, but they also had a higher risk of death[3]. The study also found that patients with good blood glucose levels did not require as much medical treatment, as their cases were less severe, and their risk of death was also lower.

These findings also align with research done in the UK of more than 20,000 patients infected with COVID-19[4], which show that patients who already suffer from health implications like diabetes, as well as obesity, had a higher risk for death from COVID-19. These studies have shown that maintaining a healthy blood glucose level is now more important than ever.

 

The link to immunity

It has been shown that high blood sugar levels weaken our immunity system, which then may lead to the fact that a virus (like in the case of COVID-19) is harder to fight — thus taking longer to recover. It might also be, that the virus thrives in an environment of elevated blood glucose [5]. This is particularly relevant to Asia Pacific, as the region has more than 251[6] million diabetics and this number is expected to grow to more than 365 million by 2045. So, what could we do to achieve better blood glucose levels?

The good news is improved blood glucose levels can be achieved by choosing the right type of carbohydrates (i.e. high-quality carbohydrates[7]). Carbohydrates are important nutrients in our diet as they are the preferred source of energy for the body and brain. However, many of the carbohydrates that we usually eat in Asia are of poor physiological quality, as they are rapidly digested in the body and raise our blood glucose levels to high levels very quickly (e.g. white rice and its products, white bread, foods made from wheat flour and starches, glucose, maltodextrin, sucrose). Currently, in the market there are only some carbohydrates that are of high quality — meaning those that are slowly yet fully digested, leading to a slower and lower blood glucose response.

 

Quality carbohydrate for balanced blood glucose levels

One example of a high-quality carbohydrate is Palatinose™ (also called isomaltulose). It is a slowly, yet fully digestible low glycaemic carbohydrate that delivers energy in a slow and sustained way[8].

Palatinose™ naturally occurs in small amounts in sugar cane juice and honey and is manufactured on a large scale from sugar beets. Its brand name, Palatinose™, comes from the region Palatinate in Germany, where these sugar beets are grown.

The beneficial effect of Palatinose™ on blood glucose levels and its corresponding insulin response have been demonstrated in various human clinical studies and in all groups of people, including those who are healthy, people with diabetes, during pregnancy, and those who have a normal weight or are overweight. One study also found that Asians seem to benefit even more from Palatinose™ as it led to an even lower blood glucose response as compared to Caucasians[9].

Another study done showed a lower blood glucose response over 24 hours after meals when Palatinose™ was eaten as part of a low glycaemic diet as compared to the group who consumed a high glycaemic diet with sucrose[10]. The results demonstrated that overall, the blood glucose levels over the day were lower and more balanced in the group with the low glycaemic diet who consumed Palatinose™ as compared to the group with the high glycaemic diet.

Recently, a study showed that one simple and innovative way to improve the nutritional quality of food products is by using low glycaemic carbohydrates to substitute high glycaemic carbohydrates such as sucrose or maltodextrin  Even though the original food product was already low glycaemic, substituting part of the sucrose with a low glycaemic carbohydrate resulted in an even lower blood glucose and insulin response[11].

 

Smart choice

 

These days, taking good care of our blood glucose levels — in all stages of life — is more important than ever as it influences how well our body’s immunity system is functioning. Choosing food and drinks containing high quality carbohydrates such as Palatinose™ can help consumers to achieve an overall lower blood glucose response. This is a step in the right direction for now, and beyond the pandemic.

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[1] FMCG Gurus survey (2020)

 

[2] Jafar N, Edriss H, Nugent K (2016) The Effect of Short-Term Hyperglycemia on the Innate Immune System. Am J Med Sci 351(2):201–211. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26897277/

 

[3] Zhu et al. (2020) For people with diabetes and COVID-19, blood sugar control is key

 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200501120102.htm

 

[4] Docherty AB, (2020) Features of 20 133 UK patients in hospital with covid-19 using the ISARIC WHO Clinical Characterisation Protocol: Prospective observational cohort study. BMJ 369:m1985. https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1985

 

[5] International Diabetes Federation (2020) COVID-19 and diabetes

https://www.idf.org/aboutdiabetes/what-is-diabetes/covid-19-and-diabetes/1-covid-19-and-diabetes.html

 

[6] International Diabetes Federation (2019) IDF Diabetes Atlas: Ninth edition. https://www.diabetesatlas.org/en/resources/

 

[7] Salvatore, Incretin Hormones: The Link between Glycemic Index and Cardiometabolic Diseases. Nutrients 11(8). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6724226/

 

[8] Maresch CC, Petry SF, Theis S, Bosy-Westphal A, Linn T (2017) Low glycemic index prototype isomaltulose - update of clinical trials. Nutrients 9(4):381. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5409720/

 

[9] Tan WSK, Tan S-Y, Henry CJ (2017) Ethnic Variability in Glycemic Response to Sucrose and Isomaltulose. Nutrients 9(4):347. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28368311/

 

[10] Henry CJ, Kaur B, Quek RYC, Camps SG (2017) A low glycaemic index diet incorporating isomaltulose is associated with lower glycaemic response and variability, and promotes fat oxidation in Asians. Nutrients 9(5):473. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5452203/pdf

 

[11] Kaur B, Koh M, Ponnalagu S, Henry CJ (2020) Postprandial blood glucose response: Does the glycaemic index (GI) value matter even in the low GI range? Nutr Diabetes 10(1):1–8. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41387-020-0118-5

 

Anke Sentko

Vice President Regulatory and Nutrition Communication, BENEO Institute

 

Goh Peen Ern

Manager Nutrition Communication, BENEO Institute

More vibrant programmes as public arts festival ARTWALK Little India returns in 2021

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In spite of the pandemic, popular public arts festival ARTWALK Little India (ARTWALK) returns to celebrate the rich heritage of the precinct from 22 January to 6 February 2021, demonstrating how art continues to fuel and inspire even in challenging times. Held in conjunction with Singapore Art Week, this year’s festival will be presented in a hybrid format for the first time, featuring both digital and on-site programmes.

“As our country moves into a gradual reopening, the vibrant stories, sights and sounds of the festival will be uplifting for many after close to a year of isolation. We hope that through this shared experience of ARTWALK, people can find comfort, understanding and remain connected to one another as a community,” said Milenko Prvački, Senior Fellow, LASALLE College of the Arts. He was the impetus for the festival’s inaugural showing in 2015 and has seen the festival through many editions. Together with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), with the support of Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association, they guide a group of 12 BA(Hons) Arts Management students in organising the festival.

Ms Serene Tan, Director, Arts & Cultural Precincts, Singapore Tourism Board said: “We are pleased to welcome ARTWALK Little India for the seventh year running, this time with a new hybrid format. Aptly themed ‘In Spite Of’, this year’s festival will continue to enliven Little India through rich storytelling and vibrant artwork, and allow locals to rediscover Little India. There is something for everyone, and we encourage visitors to explore the festival’s diverse offerings.” 

Kicking things off for ARTWALK 2021 is pioneering Bhangra company Jigri Yaar Bhangra, which commemorates its 35th year in the industry with a special performance. Filmed around iconic spots in Little India, viewers will witness the powerful energy of this dance reverberating through their screens when they tune in via Facebook. Carrying this same vitality is Bollywood Zumba with Theeya, a live Zoom class that promises an intense workout to popular Bollywood tunes. For child-friendly fun, a workshop not to be missed is Spiced Up Motifs. Through an activity kit that includes stencils and cooking spices, families will create motifs used in Indian textiles in this sensory play.

Other online offerings include festival favourites such as master storyteller Kamini Ramachandran who will recount tales tied to the old cattle industry at Serangoon Road and the Thaipusam procession of Little India, and Monster Day Tours who will take audiences on a virtual walk to discover the many murals and places of interest in the precinct.

For those who prefer to stretch their legs, visitors can take a walk to view six new artworks in the heritage precinct, including a community wall along Upper Dickson Road. Artist Khairulddin Wahab weaves reflections submitted by residents and migrant workers who frequent the area into a large-scale mural. Also on display along Clive Street are several life-sized frames in the shape of human figures. This fixed installation by Milenko Prvački invites visitors to take photos while engaging with the socially distanced frames.

This year also sees ARTWALK’s first international collaboration between Indian artist Bhajju Shyam, a recipient of the Padma Shri (one of India’s highest civilian awards), and Singaporean urban artist Sam Lo. Brought together by the St+art India Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in India that works on public art projects, this fusion of traditional Indian art form Gond with contemporary lines stands boldly at seven storeys tall on the façade of Broadway Hotel (195 Serangoon Road).

Full details of programmes and on-site artworks can be found at http://artwalklittleindia.sg, which also includes a retrospective showcase of all past festivals, capturing the scale of which the festival has grown over the years since its first edition in 2015.