Seafood 8 by Olio's Opens at Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City

 

A new seafood destination has arrived in Araneta City with the opening on August 8 of Seafood 8 by Olio's, an innovative bistro-style restaurant that reimagines the beloved Filipino dampa experience for a new generation of diners.

Located on the ground floor of Gateway Mall 2, Seafood 8 by Olio’s introduces a fresh take on premium seafood dining and contemporary culinary craftsmanship. 

Designed to accommodate approximately 130 guests, Seafood 8 by Olio’s brings the drama and energy of a bustling seafood market into a contemporary dining environment. Live seafood aquariums, fresh displays on ice, and an open kitchen create an immersive experience where guests can see, hear, and anticipate each dish as it is prepared.

At the heart of Seafood 8 by Olio’s are eight signature sauces, each crafted to bring out the best in every dish. These signature sauces are Miso Butter, Inasal Citrus Ginger & Soy, Oriental Chili Caramel, Latin Chimichurri, Pomodoro Tomato Olive Capers, Gambas Roja, Bagoong Béarnaise, and Sambal XO Chili.

The concept is the brainchild of Chef Oliver "Oli" Buenviaje, a Filipino chef whose career spans some of the most respected kitchens in Australia and across the world. Seafood 8 by Olio’s is his first restaurant venture in the Philippines.

"Seafood has always been at the heart of my culinary journey," said Chef Buenviaje. "Seafood 8 by Olio’s is my way of celebrating the incredible seafood we have in this country while presenting it through the lens of everything I've learned around the world."

Born in Sorsogon, Chef Buenviaje moved to Australia as a teenager before eventually pursuing a culinary career that took him to renowned establishments including Alain Ducasse's Le Meurice in Paris, Al Mahara at Dubai's iconic Burj Al Arab, L'Normandie at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, and Caprice at Four Seasons Hong Kong. He later founded Olio's Fine Food Catering in Perth, serving premium clients and building a reputation for refined dining experiences.

Despite an international career, the inspiration behind Seafood 8 by Olio’s remains distinctly Filipino. Chef Buenviaje credits much of his philosophy on hospitality to his late grandfather, Jose Aviles, who taught him the value of generosity, community, and sharing meals with others.

Filipinos love seafood, and we love sharing meals," Chef Buenviaje added. "Seafood 8 by Olio’s is about giving guests the freedom to create their own dining experience while enjoying the quality, care, and excitement that comes with every dish."

As Seafood 8 by Olio’s officially opens its doors in Araneta City, diners can look forward to an experience that brings together fresh seafood, world-class culinary expertise, and the interactive spirit of dampa dining, reimagined for today's generation of food lovers.

MakatiMed cites three red flags and six ways to monitor your child's gaming behavior

 

While it is easy to assume that a child is violent due to his gaming addiction violence is multisystemic and a very complex issue.

Until the horrific shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban, Leyte last June 22, where three students were killed and 20 injured from gunfire allegedly inflicted by two students aged 14 and 15, few people had heard of the name GoreBox.

Described as a “chaotic, physics-driven sandbox game where creativity meets unrestrained destruction,” the online game was said to be a favorite pastime of the 14-year-old perpetrator.

As the investigation continues, the 14-year-old has been placed under a mandatory intervention program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and his 15-year-old companion has been criminally charged. As for GoreBox? It was temporarily banned by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.

Does taking away GoreBox and other similar online games mean the end of gaming-related violence? Not quite, says Paul Lawrence Filomeno, MD, a board-certified Pediatrician from the top hospital in the Philippines Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) and a Specialist in Addiction and Recovery Medicine with a focus on screen gaming and digital behavioral addictions in children and adolescents.

Multisystemic, complex issue

“Gaming violence is a violent behavior that can be triggered by some factors,” explains Dr. Filomeno. “That is partly because the game has different dynamics and dimensions that push the child towards violence. But violence can only be done or committed by an accumulation of multiple risk factors. We look at their environment at home, at school, social pressures, history of bullying, and cultural and familiar norms about violence. If they live in an environment where violence is also normalized, then it is easier for them to be influenced, to be violent as well in real life.”

“To blame the game itself would be lacking,” he declares. “It is multisystemic, and a very complex issue.” Indeed. While it is easy to assume a child has a gaming addiction and violent tendencies because he spends most of his waking hours immersed in combat and hack-and-slash games, it is not always the case.

“There are those who game for five hours, but can bounce back to real life,” says the MakatiMed doctor. “Then there are gamers who only play for two hours, but the stimulating game has a huge effect on their behavior. They cannot stop thinking about the game, and there are sacrifices involved in terms of their academic and social relationships.”

Red flags

What then are the signs of a child with a gaming disorder? Dr. Filomeno, the first Filipino pediatrician to complete a formal Subspecialty in Addiction Medicine from the University of the Philippines’ Philippine General Hospital, enumerates three red flags:

Loss of control.

They attempt to play for one hour. Five hours later, they are still at it. And it is not only that they can’t stop, but they also prioritize playing over real-world commitments like doing their homework, turning in a project, or keeping their room clean.

Functional impairment. 

This is when gaming reaches a point where it interferes with eating, sleeping, school, hygiene, hobbies, and relationships with family and friends.

Difficulty in stopping. 

Failing grades, cutting class, and giving up their allowance and personal belongings just so they can play is truly troubling behavior.

Multidisciplinary approach

Gaming disorder is treated through a multidisciplinary approach that involves the expertise of Guidance Counselors, Pediatricians, Child Psychologists, and Addiction Specialists. Still, Dr. Filomeno believes that family is the first component of the healthcare team. “Ninety percent of the effort is delegated to the family,” he highlights.

In fact, it is family that can help steer a youngster with a gaming disorder back on track. “No intervention is effective if the parents aren’t modeling [good behavior],” Dr. Filomeno says. “So, if you want your child to sleep early, they need to see an adult who sleeps early as well.” The same rule applies to gadgets. Do you want your child to stop gaming? Put down your phone or tablet.

6S

For parents to observe how gaming is impacting their kids, Dr. Filomeno cites six S: “The first S that they need to monitor is sleep. Sleep is a marker of a possibility that you need to protect the child if his gaming is affecting his sleep. Second, as a parent, you need to protect their safety. Do you have measures to verify that your child is not talking to strangers when he games? The third S is self-regulation. Does my child turn to gaming when he is sad? What behavior does he manifest when I ask him to reduce his screen time?”

In the fourth S or school, academic performance can be a gauge of gaming’s influence. Have their grades dropped or improved since your intervention? The fifth S is social connection. “A very important milestone in childhood,” reminds Dr. Filomeno. “Does your child know how to interact with people?” The sixth and most important S is security.

Are you on top of things when your child is online?

Remember, change does not happen overnight. It will occur in increments and may even fall back to old patterns. But with your patience, participation, and love, you can regulate your youngster’s gaming habits to a safe and satisfying level.

“The outcomes of gaming disorder are measured by small steps,” avers Dr. Filomeno. “If he reduces his gaming from 8 hours to 7 hours, that’s already a big win. Small steps are still better than setting impossible expectations.”

For more information, please contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.

Diversifying Your Investment: How to Make the Leap from Gold to Bitcoin

 

Gold has always been a go-to safety net for protecting money, but today’s investors aren't stopping there. More and more people are pairing traditional assets with newer digital investments to get the best of both worlds: securing their wealth and giving their money room to grow.

Adding digital gold to the mix is a strategic way to build lasting wealth—and it's catching on fast across the region. A report by The Economist highlights that Asian countries account for 64.5% of global demand for gold jewelry and bullion, while the World Gold Council noted that digital gold products have seen a major breakout in recent years.

But sticking only to traditional gold and stocks can mean missing out on bigger returns. That’s why many investors view Bitcoin as a complementary pair for gold when it comes to building a well-rounded portfolio.

“Today, Filipinos are looking for ways to protect the value of their hard-earned money amid everyday financial pressures," says Alden Paul Yburan, Head of GCrypto. "By offering digital gold and curated crypto options side-by-side, GCash aims to enable users to build long-term financial resilience and balance their portfolios right within a platform they already trust.”

Why Gold Investors are Looking at Bitcoin

Digital gold offers the stability and inflation hedge traditionally associated with physical gold, holding its ground when the economy gets rocky. However, the digital version eliminates the logistical baggage of physical ownership—there’s no need for trips to a jeweler, no massive upfront cashouts, and zero worry about secure vault storage.

Building on this foundation, investors looking to accelerate portfolio growth are increasingly turning to Bitcoin. As a decentralized digital asset, it has established itself as one of the fastest-growing investments over the last five years, outperforming many traditional funds and local stocks.

A study by Bitwise notes that adding a manageable allocation of Bitcoin to a diversified portfolio has historically improved risk-adjusted returns, allowing investors to increase potential returns without proportionately increasing the portfolio's overall risk.

Bitcoin also operates on global networks that trade 24/7, giving one the ability to manage or convert one's holdings right from one's phone. Because its price movements are generally independent of traditional markets, it ensures the portfolio is not entirely exposed to the same market pressures at the same time.

“When you pair them, they complement each other perfectly to balance your portfolio: when traditional markets dip, digital gold acts as your cushion, and when technology and digital adoption skyrocket, Bitcoin acts as your accelerator,” said Yburan.

Moving From Gold to Crypto In One App

Users can manage both digital gold and Bitcoin directly from their phones using GCrypto on GCash. Acquiring digital gold has been made accessible through GCrypto. Entry begins at just ₱500, allowing one to grow holdings at their own pace through small, consistent contributions. GOLD in GCrypto is also fully insured, certified, and backed 1:1 by physical gold stored in high-security vaults in Switzerland, with full visibility to monitor, buy, or sell 24/7.

“Transitioning from a stable asset like gold into the broader world of cryptocurrency follows that same user-friendly path," Yburan said. "Growing investors can gain direct exposure to Bitcoin—historically one of the fastest-growing modern asset classes—without the hassle of managing multiple external applications. We are removing traditional barriers and enabling more Filipinos to take part in building long-term financial resilience, right within a platform they already trust.”

For those who are feeling a little overwhelmed by the crypto world, GCrypto offers access to A Beginner’s Guide to Crypto, right inside the app, to help understand Bitcoin and other major tokens. The tokens available on GCrypto are also curated for market strength and credibility, helping avoid scams and ‘rug pulls,’ or instances where new coin creators abandon a project and take raised investor funds. Like GOLD in GCrypto, there’s no need to shell out a massive lump sum to start. GCash users can start exploring Bitcoin and supplement their digital gold investments for as low as ₱500.

Shopee Backs DTI-led ASEAN Online Sale Day, Spotlights Filipino Brands Across the Region

 

In partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Shopee Philippines joins the 2026 ASEAN Online Sale Day (AOSD) from August 8 to 10, featuring over 50 local brands. Carrying the theme “A Click to Prosperity”, the annual ASEAN initiative brings together countries of Southeast Asia and leading e-commerce platforms to create more opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and reinforce digital commerce as a key driver of economic integration in the region.

Shopee is launching a dedicated AOSD collection featuring a diverse range of categories to showcase the quality and diversity of Filipino products, including consumer electronics such as Hanabishi, lifestyle and home brands like Bash Manila, consumer goods from Del Monte, Unilove, and Issy, and fashion favorites like Bench.

For a limited period only, shoppers can enjoy exclusive AOSD vouchers on top of other discounts to encourage discovery and purchases from local businesses, transforming the campaign into meaningful support for homegrown enterprises.

"Now in our 4th year of participation, the ASEAN Online Sale Day shows how regional cooperation can create meaningful opportunities at the local level," said Vincent Lee, Head of Shopee Philippines. “We hope to help local businesses reach more customers by giving their brands greater visibility and making it easier for shoppers to discover and support them."

This engagement forms part of Shopee’s support for the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship this year. The e-commerce platform also supported the DTI’s ASEAN Connectivity Event, where Shopee talked about the Shopee International Platform (SIP) amid government and industry stakeholders’ discussions about regional digital cooperation and cross-border commerce. The company is also set to participate in another ASEAN-related engagement in September as discussions on strengthening the region's digital economy continue.

The ASEAN Online Sale Day brings together leading e-commerce platforms across Southeast Asia to promote cross-border commerce through online promotions, capacity-building activities, and stronger collaboration among businesses and stakeholders. By participating, Shopee reinforces its support for initiatives that expand market access for local sellers while contributing to ASEAN's vision of a more connected, inclusive, and digitally empowered economy.

"Our participation goes beyond supporting a regional campaign,"  Lee added. "Supporting initiatives like AOSD reflects our long-term commitment to creating more tangible opportunities for local MSMEs to grow, gain visibility, and connect with more customers."

Ways Better Breathing Can Improve Your Quality of Life

 

Breathing is something most people rarely think about until it becomes difficult. Whether caused by chronic sinus problems, allergies, or other nasal conditions, restricted airflow can affect far more than just your ability to breathe comfortably. It can interfere with sleep, reduce energy levels, make exercise more challenging, and even impact concentration and mood.

Improving your ability to breathe freely can have a positive effect on many aspects of daily life. By addressing the underlying causes of breathing difficulties, individuals often discover improvements in both their physical health and overall well-being.

Better Sleep Starts with Clear Airways

One of the first areas affected by poor nasal breathing is sleep. Congested nasal passages can make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or achieve the deep, restorative rest your body needs. Many people with chronic nasal obstruction wake up feeling tired despite spending enough time in bed. When airflow improves, sleep quality often improves as well. Better sleep may lead to increased alertness during the day, improved memory, better concentration, and a more positive mood. Consistent, restful sleep also supports the immune system and overall health.

More Energy Throughout the Day

When breathing is restricted, the body may have to work harder to get enough air, leaving some individuals feeling fatigued throughout the day. Chronic sinus congestion and poor sleep can create a cycle of low energy that affects work performance, family life, and recreational activities. Improving nasal airflow allows the body to function more efficiently, helping many people feel more refreshed and capable of handling daily responsibilities with greater ease.

Exercise Becomes More Comfortable

Physical activity relies on efficient breathing. Whether you're taking a brisk walk, cycling, or participating in more strenuous workouts, clear nasal passages can make exercise feel less taxing. People who experience chronic congestion often find themselves breathing through their mouths during activity, which may contribute to dry mouth and discomfort. Restoring healthy nasal airflow can make physical activity more enjoyable and encourage a more active lifestyle, benefiting both cardiovascular health and overall fitness.

Improved Focus and Productivity

Difficulty breathing and chronic sinus pressure can make it harder to concentrate on everyday tasks. Persistent discomfort may distract from work, school, or household responsibilities, while inadequate sleep further reduces mental clarity. Improved breathing supports better oxygen flow and more restful sleep, both of which contribute to sharper focus and increased productivity. Many people find they are better able to complete daily tasks and maintain attention once chronic breathing issues are addressed.

Reduced Frequency of Sinus Symptoms

For individuals with chronic sinus problems, improving sinus drainage can help reduce recurring infections and ongoing inflammation. Fewer sinus flare-ups often mean fewer interruptions to daily life and less reliance on repeated courses of medication.

Patients exploring treatment options such as balloon sinuplasty near Manhattan Beach, CA, may benefit from an evaluation by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can help open blocked sinus passages in appropriate candidates, improving drainage and supporting easier breathing without removing bone or tissue.

Emotional Well-Being Can Improve

Breathing difficulties can take a toll on emotional health over time. Constant congestion, recurring headaches, and interrupted sleep may contribute to frustration, irritability, and increased stress. Feeling physically limited can also affect confidence and willingness to participate in social or recreational activities. When breathing improves, many individuals notice they feel more energetic, less stressed, and better able to enjoy everyday experiences. Although treating breathing issues is not a substitute for mental health care, addressing chronic physical symptoms can positively influence emotional well-being.

The Importance of Seeking Professional Evaluation

Not every breathing problem has the same cause. Allergies, chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, a deviated septum, or other structural issues may all contribute to nasal obstruction. Because treatment varies depending on the underlying condition, obtaining an accurate diagnosis is essential. An ENT specialist can perform a comprehensive evaluation to identify the cause of persistent symptoms and recommend the most appropriate treatment. Early intervention may help prevent ongoing discomfort and improve long-term quality of life.