[Business] Human Heart Nature - Selling 100% Natural Body Care Products

 (Photo Credit: http://thinkorganic.multiply.com)

Body care products are important to the life of every Filipino. We love getting our full body massages and buying gift boxes for our loved ones from The Body Shop and Human Heart Nature. Why do we flock to these two stores in particular, especially as the Christmas season approaches?

It's because they sell quality body care products that are made from all-natural ingredients. Now, while The Body Shop may need to introduction to buyers, the other company may.

Thus, here are the top 5 reasons why you should boy from Human Heart Nature:

1. Their Products Are 100% Organic

If you are in the habit of practically bathing yourself in body care products day-in and day-out, you better make sure that what you're using are healthy products.

You don't want to look beautiful today and like and ugly witch when you reach 30!

Human Heart Nature products are made from all-natural ingredients, and free from any harmful chemicals that can damage your body inside and out.

 (Photo Credit: http://cr8ions-plus.qapacity.com)

2. All Ingredients Are Revealed in their Product Labels

The Philippines currently has no law on how to properly label organic products. Many so-called all-natural items are not properly labeled. This means that they just show you all the natural ingredients they used in making the product, but hide all of the harmful chemicals and such.

Human Heart Nature sites each and every ingredient on their labels, so you know exactly what you are using for body care.


3. They Care for the Environment

While most body care products are not harmful for us humans, they become harmful to the environment after use. Many companies also engage in environmentally harmful practices in the production and distribution of their products.

Human Heart Nature has strict standards when it comes to environment protection. They pack their products in recycled paper and bottles. Their products are also non-toxic even after human use.

 (Photo Credit: http://cainta.olx.com.ph)

4. They Support Philippine Businesses

Many companies purchase ingredients and materials from other countries in order to save on expenses. They end up supporting foreign businesses instead of local ones.

Human Heart Nature supports local businesses from farms (where they get their ingredients) to packaging companies. They only outsource from abroad when it is impossible to get a product (and start producing it) in the Philippines.


5. They Care for the Poor

Most people set up businesses solely for the purpose of  earning profits. Other companies engage in some pro-poor activities, but make no lasting positive impact on society.

Human Heart Nature takes a leap forward is corporate social responsibility by contributing to the success of Gawad Kalinga - an ongoing project to build homes and communities for the poor around the Philippines.

For more information on the company, you can visit the official website of Human Heart Nature.

Source:

• http://humanheartnature.com

[Personal] Ready or Not, Typhoon Megi Has Arrived in the Philippines

The rainy season has come once again. Typhoon Megi is the strongest to hit the Philippines this 2011. Luckily, I'm here in Cebu, so I'm not directly affected by the wind and rain. Still, it's pouring cats and dogs here. Very erratic weather actually.

You see the sunny clear blue sky one moment, and look up from your computer screen to the sound of clouds crying. These past few nights I found myself waking up several times in the middle of the night. First because it's too hot, and then because its too cold.

My blanket's now dust-covered from all the times I threw it off my bed. Seriously though, I hope the typhoon isn't as bad as last years Typhoon Ondoy. Our government should be better prepared now since a year has past, and the weathermen gave a fairly accurate prediction about the storm this time around.

Will be visiting my hometown for only the second time since I started working in The Maxwell Hotel Cebu. The first time, I only stayed overnight. Now, I will be staying for an entire two weeks. A well deserved break from hotel work, I believe.

Hopefully, the storm would have passed by Thursday morning, so my flight will be safe and on-time. I might attend some green events while I'm in Manila, but mostly i just want to rest and relax. The six-day work week is making my eye bags grow to epic proportions.

Time to meet family members and friends, shop in the 5-floor Fully Booked store and buy stuff from Muji. I will finally get to play Final Fantasy XIII on the Xbox360 too. Maybe I can borrow to console till my family comes to visit Cebu in December.

[News] Cebu Daily News - Cebu's Greenest Newspaper

Cebu Daily News is one of the leading newspapers in Cebu, Philippines. It had well written news on current and relevant events, plus articles on local and foreign entertainment as well. But, there is another reason why Cebuanos should continue to subscribe to the newspaper.

Cebu Daily News is the greenest newspaper in Cebu, perhaps even the entire country. You may not even notice it, but the daily is printed on 100% recycled paper. Moreover, soy based ink is used in printing all of its contents.

Paper with this ink printed on it is easier to recycle. Being 100% biodegradable, the ink itself is environmentally friendly too.

Now, in support of an environmental campaign to reduce the use of non-biodegradable forms of packaging, the newspaper has decided to stop wrapping its daily issues in plastic. Imagine how much plastic is no longer used now that Cebu Daily News has gone green.

Here's a list of benefits of using soy ink:

 

Click Photo to Enlarge

 (Photo Credit: http://christineparkdesign.com)

Source:

• Cebu Daily News, 12 October 2010 Issue

[Event] Fully Booked Presents Echo the Eco: Green Events at Fully Booked

Fully Booked is one of the hippest and most visited bookstore chains in the Philippines. They not only sell the widest selection of books at reasonable prices, they care for the environment too.
This is why they are holding a special event entitled "Echo the Eco: Green Events at Fully Booked." The event to be held October 23, 2010 from 1-4pm, will feature three talks you wouldn't want to miss. Here are the list of speakers for the eco event:

• Krie Lopez - President of Messy Bessy - a company that sells all-natural household cleaning products   
• Joanna Gilladoga - Sales and Marketing Head of Human Nature - a company that sells all-natural body care products
• Theresa Mora-Uy - Editor of My Quaint Life - a local environment blog catering mostly to a female audience

The talks will be held for 1-hour each in the order above. The event will be held in the ground floor of Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street.

For the children, the bookstore will be holding an Eco-Storytelling session by Make Believe Productions - a theater production company the kids will surely love - after the talk, from 5-6pm.

This event is free! If you love reading books and you love the environment, then you should definitely attend Echo the Eco at Fully Booked.

Source: 

• Fully Booked eZine (October 13, 2010)

[News] Greenpeace Pushes for Renewable Energy in the Philippines

Greenpeace Makes a Visit to Malacanang Palace

When Greenpeace means business, it really means business. The group has recently made a strong suggestion to President Noynoy Aquino - to make the entire country run on 50% renewable energy by 2010.

In order to make their intentions know, they adorned Malacanang Palace with pinwheels (a.k.a. mini wind power turbines). They also "donated" solar panels (no metaphor here) to the palace as well.

Rainbow Warrior - the Greenpeace flagship - is also scheduled to make its final stop of the year in the Philippines. The group is inviting the president to go aboard the ship on November 2, 2010.

If he doesn't go on-board, I'm sure other government officials like Loren Legarda would be more than happy to be his proxy.

The Perfect Time for the Philippines To Invest in Green Energy is Now

Greenpeace Volunteers Posing by the Entrance of Malacanang Palace

(Photo Credit: Greenpeace Southeast Asia @ Flickr.com)

Indeed, energy producing methods should be a huge concern in the Philippines right now. The current power shortage in the country only threatens go get worse in 2011.

Now, various government and business groups are rushing the construction of power plants - most of them coal powered ones - in order to provide more power throughout the country.

There is no better time to invest in green and renewable energy than now, and Greenpeace knows this. Instead of investing in power plants that will contribute to environmental destruction, why not invest on green power instead?

Already, there are plenty of success stories when it comes to using wind power and solar power in the Philippines. There are many willing to invest, but the support of President Noynoy Aquino is needed for local organizations and companies to go green.

Source:

• "Greenpeace Delivers Solar Panels to Malacanang" @ http://greenpeace.org

[News] Greenpeace Convinces Nestle to Practice Zero Deforestation Policy

Deforestation Practices by Sinar Mas Destroys Lives 

(Photo Credit: Greenpeace International @ Flickr.com)

Did you know that palm oil is one of the main ingredients used in the creation of Nestle's Kit Kat? How about that the forests of Indonesia are being cut down at an alarming rate in order to produce palm oil?

Sinar Mas is the company responsible for the rapid deforestation in Indonesia, the destruction of plant and animal lives and disruption of local livelihood in the country.

Companies like Kraft and Unilever have severed their ties with Sinar Mas, but unfortunately Nestle did not do so right away. In fact, up to 2009, Greenpeace was being completely ignored by the company.

Greenpeace Launches Global Campaign Against Nestle

Thus, the environmental group decided to take action.

They released a report entitled Caught Red Handed: How Nestle's Use of Palm Oil is Having a Devastating Impact on Rainforest, the Climate and Orang-utans.

They also created a parody advertisement video of Kit Kat:




After the global campaign by Greenpeace and over 300,000 calls from concerned people worldwide, Nestle finally succumbed to the pressure and saw the light.

On May 17, 2010 the company announced a plan to stop doing business with palm oil providers that practice deforestation without concern for the environment. Mission accomplished.

Source: 

• Greenpeace Newsletter Edition ONE 2010
• Video Credit: GreenpeaceUK

[Video] Coca-Cola Partners With WWF in Water Conservation Campaign

Coca-Cola is the biggest soda company not only in America, but across the globe. With so many people drinking soft drinks every day, this giant company has to produce so much. Thus, it has the responsibility to practice environmentally friendly methods of mass production.

Coca-Cola also has to power to influence the ideas and lifestyles of so many. Thus, it is great news that the company has partnered with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in order to promote green ideas and practices.

With the company's recent promise to invest 1 billion U.S. dollars in the Philippines, Coke will soon engage in local environmental projects with WWF-Philippines as well.

In the future, water may become a scarce resource. Best practices on water conservation should be done in order to preserve our meager water supply. Here is a video of how Coke and WWF are working together towards this environmental goal.




Sources:

• Video taken from wwfus @ You Tube
• http://coca-cola.com

[News] 6 Winners of China Panda Ambassador Contest Announced

Project Panda Gives Six Panda Lovers an Experience of a Lifetime

It was pandamonium these past few months as panda lovers the whole world round vied for the title of panda ambassador. Over 60,000 video entries were submitted by hopeful contestants.

The prize - an all expense paid one month stay in Chengdu, China. There, they can take care of and learn more about the nearly extinct panda bears. There are only an estimated 1,600 pandas left in the world!

Plus, you get to have the title of Pambassador (Panda Ambassador) for a whole year, during which you will get to engage in numerous pro-panda projects.

Indeed, the response worldwide was great. Experts worked together in order to narrow down the list to just twelve finalists - each from a different country. Screening was very thorough. Those who had were active animal rights supporters and who were backed by organizations such as the WWF were preferred.

You can learn more about the twelve greatest panda lovers in official website of Project Panda.

The lucky twelve were sent to China for a week of training in taking care of the pandas.

 The Top 12 Finalists Taking Care of Pandas in Chengdu, China

(Photo Credit: http://english.sina.com)

One week later, the the 6 winners of the panda keeper contest were announced:

Winners from left to right: David Algranti (France), Yumiko Kajiwara (Japan), 

Ashley Robertson (America), Huang Xi (China), Ali Shakonrian (Sweden), 

and Wang Yu-Wen (Taiwan)

(Photo Credit: http://english.people.com.cn)

Congratulations to the winners of Project Panda!

Sources:

• http://chinadecoded.com
• http://news.yahoo.com
• http://pandahome.com

[News] Run for Pasig River 2010 Breaks World Record!

Over a Hundred Thousand Run for Pasig River

 

111,812 -that was the number of people who joined the Run for Pasig River yesterday, 10 October 2010.

People from all walks of life, as individuals and as groups, banded together in order to make a statement for the environment and to the world.

Before yesterday, the record for the most amount of people joining a single race was 110, 000.

An auditing firm is confirming whether or not the number is accurate, but it's looking good for the Filipino people.

The estimated amount of money collected from the registration fees amount to around 20 million Pesos.

This money will be used for the dredging and rehabilitation of the Pasig River - one of the most polluted rivers in the country that passes through Metro Manila.

This was not the first projected launched for the benefit of the said river. Piso Para as Pasig is another effective means of collecting donations for the river.

Filipinos are encouraged to donate just one Peso a day for the betterment of our environment.

Why just 1 Peso? The point is not to donate a certain sum of money and just forget about the Pasig River. The point is to make it a habit of donating, of caring for our homeland and the world we live in.

Photo Credits:

• Photo 1 - Jun Mendoza @ http://philstar.com
• Photo 2 - http://thewebmagazine.blogspot.com

Sources:

• "116,712 Join Run for Pasig River; Dredging Finished" by Michael Punongbayan @ http://philstar.com
• "Thousands Run for Pasig River" by Sunshine Lichauco de Leon @ http://newsinfo.inquirer.net

[News] Imperial Palace Sewage Pipe Spewing Toxic Waste Into Ocean

Imperial Palace Water Park Resort and Spa - a sewage pipe continuously spews toxic waste into the ocean. Concerned persons inform the resort management of this problem, but give these persons the cold shoulder. A diver named John Melendres takes photographs of the said pipe and post these online.

 This is Much More Than a Leaking Pipe!

(Photo Credit: http://abuggedlife.com)

The public image of the resort suffers a great hit as the media report about the resorts lack of concern for the environment and for the well-being of its guests. What could have been resolved quickly and without media intervention has resulted in a huge tainted image for Imperial Palace Cebu.

The resort has now closed its leaking pipe and started repairing its sewage treatment plant, but these actions have come a bit too late.  The resort may now face charges from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for violating the country's Clean Water Act.

Mactan Island, Cebu is one of the best places in the Philippines - even is Asia - to enjoy beach resorts. No resort, no matter how new and popular, can get away with polluting one of the biggest tourist attractions in the country. Not with concerned environmentalists and government officials on the watch.

Sources:

• "DENR: Imperial Palace May Face Sanctions" by Jucell Marie Cuyos and Candeze R. Mongaya @ http://globalnation.inquirer.net
• http://abuggedlife.com

[News] Solar Powered LED Lights Being Considered for Cebu City

Energy-Saving LED Lights to Light Up Cebu City

LED Lights for a Brighter and Whiter Cebu City

(Photo Credit: meltedplastic @ Flickr.com)

More good news for the Philippines. Local government officials in Cebu City are planning to change the bulbs used in streetlights from the incandescent to LED ones. It will be an expensive investment, but one that will be more economical and environmental in the long-run.

This is because LED lights are known to have a much longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs. They also need less power to function, in-turn, lessening the strain on local power plants. There are an estimated 20,000 streetlights that will undergo the change of light bulbs if current plans push through.

The installation of these lights will also improve the safety and security of both pedestrians and motorists on the streets of Cebu at night. LED lights are much whiter and brighter than incandescent ones. This also means that the lamp posts can be placed further apart from each other.

Solar Power to be Utilized to Save on Energy Costs

Could This Be the Future of Cebu City Lamp Posts?

(Photo Credit: chdot @ Flickr.com)

Moreover, the government is also planning to install solar panels which will be used to power these lights. This means huge savings for the government and a huge positive impact on the environment too.  Many countries around the world have been experimenting with these energy saving streetlights.

China has been instrumental in inspiring local Cebu City officials. If this project pushes through without any unfortunate incidents such as corruption, this will definitely be a huge project for Cebu City. It will definitely boost its reputation as an environmental tourist attraction in The Philippines.

Sources:

• "CH Eyes Solar, LED for Street Lighting" by Jessica Ann R. Pareja @ http://thephilstar.com
• http://usnewslasvegas.com

[Personal] Got Invited to the NUVALI Media Tour This October

Nature Treats at NUVALI - An Exciting Eco Trip

As an environmental blogger, one of the things I was most looking forward to was a chance to get invited to eco events and such. This week I got my first ever event invitation.

I was invited to join a group of bloggers and writers in attending the NUVALI Media Tour on October 20, 2010. Events for the day would include a food tasting session, wildlife and bird sanctuary tour, and a fish feeding activity.

Event Poster From the Email They Sent Me

Of course, the highlight of the day would be the tour of the NUVALI Evoliving Center - the biggest environmental project of Ayala Land to date.

From the architecture of the structure itself (e.g. the using of e-glass to lessen heat entering the building) and the main mode of transportation within the center (e.g. the water taxi), this place is truly an environmental center.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it to the tour since I'm currently based in Cebu City, Philippines. They're willing to give my slot to a representative of my choice though. And that person can bring a friend along too.

[Event] A Clean Up Run for the Pasig River Being Held on October 10, 2010

 (Photo Credit: http://nugglepurpl.blogspot.com)

In a previous post, I mentioned how there was no single eco event being organized for 10/10/10. Fortunately, I was wrong. A run is being organized for the benefit of the heavily polluted Pasig River.

The event is targeting the participation of up to 120,000 runners in order to break the Guinness World Record for the number of participants in a foot race. The current record is 110,000 runners.

More importantly, registration money from the race will mostly go to the rehabilitation of the Pasig River. The current trend of running in order to keep healthy combined with concern for the environment will be enough to draw the needed number of participants.


There are three categories you can sign-up for:

• 3 kilometer run (starting at the SM Mall of Asia)
• 5 kilometer run (starting at the CCP Complex), and
• 10 kilometer run (starting in Makati)

The registration fee for the race is only 250 Pesos for all three categories. If you want to keep fit, have fun, break a world record, and save the environment at the same time, then you should join A Run for the Pasig River 10:10:10. Bring your family and friends with you as well!

Here are a few video clips on the race:



















Sources:

• http://pinoyfitness.com
• "Filipinos Run With Heart for Pasig River" by Sunshine Lichauco de Leon @ http://newsinfo.inquirer.net
• Videos from kapitbisigilogpasig @ You Tube and philstarcom @ You Tube

[Event] Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa Hosts the Go Green Cebu Fair

Shangri-La Mactan Organizes the Biggest Eco Event of the Year

October 8 and 9, 2010 - Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa will host the second Go Green Cebu Fair. It is only fitting that the two-time ASEAN Green Hotel awardee is given this responsibility.

 Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa (Photo Credit: Nucksfan604 @ Flickr)

If you are an environmentalist then this is the biggest eco event of 2010. Highlights of the fair include talks over a dozen speakers including:

• Efren Penaflorida - CNN's Hero of the Year for 2009 - on how we are all responsible for the environment
• Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan - President and CEO of WWF-Philippines - on the effects of climate change in the Visayas
• Bobby Mamawal - Toyota Motors Vice President for Customer Service - on the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive

 Shangri-La's Beachfront (Photo Credit: Nucksfan604 @ Flickr)

Not really into long talks? Then you can join the fun environmental activities on October 9. First, you can join either the underwater clean up dive or the beach clean up drive. 

Then you can try your hand at:

• green cooking
• jewelry and bag making using recycled materials
• permaculture (which means, building human settlements around nature in order to preserve biodiversity...I'm not sure what you'll be doing in this activity)
• vermicomposting (using earthworms to turn garbage into healthy fertilizer...cool!)

 Go Green Cebu Fair Event Logo (Photo Credit: http://pbspvro.blogspot.com)

Rates for the event are as follows:

• PHP 3,000     Two-day pass inclusive of buffet lunch at Tides
• PHP 2,000     One-day pass inclusive of buffet lunch at Tides
• PHP 500        One day pass

These rates are also inclusive of snacks and city shuttle service. You also have the option to stay overnight at the resort and enjoy a sumptuous breakfast. For more information, you can call Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa at (032) 231-0288 or email them at events.mac@shangri-la.com.

Sources:

• http://globalnation.inquirer.net
• http://philstar.com
• email on the Go Green Cebu Fair