[Television] Watch ANC's Green Living TV for Advice on Sustainable Urban Living

(Photo taken from greenliving-tv.com)

The ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), through its program Green Living TV, shows viewers how they can live a sustainable urban lifestyle in the city. Airing at 9:30pm every Tuesday, the show features a variety of subjects on green living, from restaurants that serve organic foods to businesses that manufacture or sell environment-friendly products.

Want to learn the basics of hydroponics or growing plants without soil? How about step-by-step instructions on how to make your own recycled paper at home? Searching for ways to greenify your home? You can learn these things and so much more by watching this show hosted by veteran TV host Paolo Abrera.

(Photo taken from greenliving-tv.com)

For a listing of previous and current episodes of the show, plus additional information on green living, you can visit the official blog of Green Living TV. According to the show's blog, you can also catch replays of Green Living TV at 4am on Wednesdays, 2:30pm on Saturdays, or 12:30pm and 9pm on Sundays.

(Photo taken from the Kitchen Revolution blog)

In 2011, Marie Gonzalez of Alabang-based vegan restaurant Kitchen Revolution was features on the show (see photo above). Meanwhile, Paolo Abrera interviews Patsy Paterno and Robert Alejandro, the owners of Papelmelroti, local manufacturer of eco-friendly handcrafted products, in this episode of Green Living:

(You Tube Video uploaded by calejbitsvyk on Sep 6, 2011)

[News] WWF-Philippines Against Dolphin Captivity, Launches Dolphin Adoption Program

WWF-Philippines Let's You 'Adopt' a Dolphin or Panda for Only P3,000 

Yes, you read it right! The World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines) has recently launched an adoption program for dolphins and pandas. Unfortunately, you don't get to take a panda or dolphin home with you.

In exchange for a P3,000 donation to WWF's adoption program, you get the option of 'symbolically' adopting one of these animals. Your donation will go a long way in the organization's efforts towards protecting endangered animal species, especially dolphins and pandas, across the globe.

Aside from helping the animals, WWF will be sending you a limited edition panda stuffed toy or dolphin stuffed toy, depending on which of them you adopted. The donor's kit also comes with an adoption certificate and a species information card.

The first 500 donors will have their donation kit shipped to them for free, courtesy of 2GO. Please visit the WWF-Philippines Facebook Page or send an email to adopt@wwf.org.ph for more information on how to donate.

WWF-Philippines Takes Stand Against Dolphin Captivity for Entertainment Purposes

Recently, WWF-Philippines has reiterated its stand against the holding of dolphins in captivity for entertainment purposes. They see this as exploitation of one of the most intelligent mammal species in the world.

The organization supports the campaign of the Animal Concerns Research and Evaluation Society (ACRES) and the Earth Island Institute to free the 25 dolphins being held in captivity in the Philippines. These dolphins are currently being trained for use in a famous entertainment park (Resorts World Sentosa) in Singapore. Two of these dolphins have already died.

Their campaign called Save the World's Saddest Dolphins has already managed to garner over one million signatures in support of freeing the dolphins held captive in the Philippines.Click on the link above for more information on the campaign and how you can help.

[News] Typhoon Sendong Victims Need You! Here's How You Can Help

 

Over 600 people and counting have been killed by massive floods caused by Typhoon Sendong, which hit Mindanao, Philippines in the middle of the night last Friday, 2011 December 16. Rarely hit by typhoons or strong rains, most residents were unprepared for the tropical storm, despite warnings being given. The cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan were the worst affected by the floods.

Nobody was expecting such a huge tragedy to happen so close to Christmas, and the death toll is just staggering. Now, the whole country is united in helping the victims of this calamity. There is currently a water shortage in Mindanao and Filipinos there are in desperate need of drinking water.

Correction: Cagayan de Oro has no more tap water! SMART Communications is coordinating the deployment of LifeStraw water filters to Mindanao.

Here are three ways by which you can donate:

1. The Philippine Red Cross is accepting online donations through their official website, here. You can also visit the link for information on how to donate via bank deposit, cellular phone text messaging (SMART and Globe), and G-Cash.

2. The Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB) is accepting donations via bank deposit. You may course your donations through and Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) branch. Here are the account details of SLB:

SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN (Account Name/Payee) 
Bank of the Philippine Islands (Loyola-Katipunan Branch)

BPI Peso Checking Account Number: 3081-1111-61
BPI Dollar Savings Account Number: 3084-0420-12
SWIFT CODE: BOPIPHMM, ROUTING NO: 021-0000-21

You can also give donations in kind. Kindly drop them off at the Xavier Hall in Ateneo de Manila University. There are already booths setup to accept your donations.

3. The Luzon Brokerage Corporation (LBC) Foundation is now accepting donations in kind for the victims of Typhoon Sendong. You can drop off your donations at any LBC Express outlet, and LBC will fly it to Mindanao for you, and distribute the goods according to where it is needed.

[Green Living] Environment Philippines 2011 Xmas Gift Guide 2

Looking to do some last minute Christmas shopping before December 25? Here are more environment-friendly gift ideas you might be interested in:

1. Jacinto & Lirio: Statement Bags from Plant and Leather

The flagship brand of Eco Ingenuity, Inc., Jacinto & Lirio features a selection of high-fashion bags made from water hyacinth leather. This unique line of bags is not only produced from sustainable materials, it also promotes women empowerment by supporting the Cora Care Foundation and the San Fernando Pampanga Community Association.

Jacinto and Lirio currently has four lines of bags, namely - Gabriela, Gregoria, Marcela, and Teodora - in-stock. These products can be found in Firma at Greenbelt 3, the CCP Shop at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Cora Jacobs at NAIA 3, Terrie at Glorieta 5, BackStage at Serendra, and Ladybag Philippines at Ayala Center Cebu.

 

The company also has a line of Statement Journals called Kwaderno. These journals have covers made from water hyacinth leather and pages made from recycled paper. You can now get one of these one-of-a-kind journals from the ECHOstore in Serendra.

2. ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle Products

 

ECHOstore sells products of various small and medium social enterprises in the Philippines. Thus, companies that support the uplifting of indigenous communities and the use of locally produced raw materials, are given the chance to sell their wares. Moreover, majority of the stuff they sell are also eco-friendly.

Each ECHOstore houses a variety of beauty and wellness products such as soaps, shampoos, oils, and colognes. They sell an array of spa products and insect repellants. Likewise, the stores have household products like laundry detergent, dish washing liquid, and linen spray on display.

Fashionistas will love the many colorful bags and accessories on display, including indigenous crafts. Store branches in Manila are located at Ayala Heights, ADB Avenue, Serendra, Shangri-La Plaza, the Podium and NAIA Terminal 3. They also have a branch in Puerto Princessa, and two branches in Cebu, at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and the Marriott Hotel.

3. Numa: Organic Eco-Friendly Baby Products

Every baby deserves to be pampered with the best clothes, toys, and accessories a mother could buy. Luckily, Numa is here to provide mothers with a variety of organic and environmentally-friendly products to choose from. Diapers to baby wipes, booties to building blocks, this store has everything your baby could want.

The store is based in the AEK Building 40 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City. Moreover, you can also buy their products online through the official website of Numa. Product photos, details, and prices are all available, so you can make the right purchase.

Don't take the risk of buying cheap baby products that probably contain harmful chemicals and toxic substances that could hurt your baby. Go all-natural and environmental for baby this Christmas.

For more green Xmas gift ideas visit Environment Philippines 2011 Xmas Gift Guide Part 1.

P.S.
Most photos are taken from the official websites, Facebook pages of the respective companies. The others I found on Google Images.

[Green Living] Road Revolution - Making Philippine Roads Safer for the Filipino People

Road Revolution - Because Roads are for Everyone

(Photo taken from Road Revolution Cebu FB page)

"Those who have less in wheels must have more in road." this is the rallying call of Road Revolution and its supporters. Brainchild of Atty. Antonio Oposa Jr., famous environmental lawyer and father of Anna Oposa, this campaign is a call for big changes in our Philippine road system.

Less than 5% of the Philippine population uses cars, and yet almost the entirety of roads and highways in the country are set-aside for these cars. Our roads are not safe for those who bike, walk, skate, and use other forms of greener transportation.

(Photo taken from RR website)

Our country is quickly becoming a concrete jungle of dirty gray, devoid of trees and lush greenery. Instead of typhoons, short spurts of rainfall have become the cause of massive floods all over the country. Vehicles that burn fossil fuels are making our cities more and more polluted with each passing day.

We cannot sit by and let the degradation of the Philippines go unnoticed. The supporters of Road Revolution agree.

Thus, they are calling for the following changes in the division our current car-based road system:

(Photo taken from RR website)

• 30% of the road for all-weather sidewalks and/or pathways
• 30% of the road for bicycle lanes
• 30% of the road for transportation systems (Filipino-made and non-pollutive)
• 10% of the road as greenbelts for edible gardens

Road Revolution - My Initial Thoughts on the Proposed Road System

(Photo taken from RR Cebu FB page)

Should a law on this be passed, there will indeed be a massive change in how our local road systems work. Definitely, there will be more Filipinos biking, walking, and commuting everywhere. I imagine there will be a significantly decreased demand for private vehicles, taxis, jeeps, tricycles, and buses, when the available road space for these is cut at least in half (this is my personal rough estimate).

This is, of course, after the initial uproar from the car owners in the country, the automobile makers who do business in the country, those who make a living operating public utility vehicle businesses (and the drivers of these PUVs).

(Photo of RR launch last June 12, 2011 taken from RR Cebu FB page)

Plus, our country may experience the worst traffic situation ever, forcing companies develop work-from-home business systems for the duration of the construction period, or go bankrupt. This is, of course, highly exaggerated. I'm sure there are experts who can prevent this situation from happening.

Maybe the government could also build a subway while making the huge renovations. Meanwhile, I don't know how the all Filipino-made transportation systems will work. As far as I know, there is no producer of Philippine automobiles in the country. Nor do we produce our own trains and subways (if ever). They are all imported from abroad, I think.

(Photo of solar-wind-man powered vehicle taken from RR Cebu FB page. Is this the future Jeepney of the Philippines? 

You might get a free ride if you use the exercise bike at the back.)

But I guess this proposition entails a lot of planning and can only be developed and executed in the long-term, should a law be passed. Still, this law is being studied and Atty. Tony Oposa Jr. does have a track record of winning environmental cases, so it's important for us to learn more about this campaign now.

Here is the link to the official website of Road Revolution, where you will find an extensive collection of articles, papers, petitions, and other paraphernalia on the campaign. And here is a link to the Facebook page of Road Revolution Cebu, where regular updates on events and such are posted on their wall.

[Business] Numa - The First Organic and Eco Baby Store in the Philippines

Beware of Toys Containing Harmful Chemicals this Christmas

Christmas day is just around the corner with the holiday season comes the shopping rush. Moms and dads, uncles and aunts, brothers and sisters will be flocking to malls and bargain places such as Divisoria to buy baby toys, garments, and accessories for their love ones.

Once again groups like the Philippine EcoWaste Coalition (EWC) and the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) are warning against the buying of low quality and fake toys and children's goods that are made using harsh chemicals. These could be unhealthy, even toxic for children of all ages.

Luckily, there is a company that specializes in providing organic and eco friendly products that are safe for children and for the environment. Numa is the first all-natural and environmental baby store in the Philippines.

Numa Sells Environmental, All-Natural, and Baby-Friendly Products

They have an extensive product line - baby's clothes, food, bags, accessories, toiletries - they have it all. Plus, you can choose from a selection of over a dozen brands like Eco Baby, Greenbaby, Green Toys, and Natursutten (see the trend here?), that all follow sustainable and eco-friendly processes when manufacturing their products.

Numa, Manila's organic and eco baby store, is based at the AEK Building 40 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City. It's open from Mondays to Saturdays, from 10am to 7pm. You can reach them through telephone numbers: (632) 711-9636 and 732-1954. You can also email them at info@numa.com.ph.

(Click to enlarge)

Afraid of the holiday traffic? You can also buy their products online through Numa's official website. Products are divided by brand and by category. Photos and descriptions of each product are also provided for convenient online shopping.

Why spend less money on toys and baby products that could harm your baby when you can buy products of the highest quality from Numa? Visit Numa's Facebook page for the latest information and updates.

[Event] Atty. Christian Monsod and experts lead the Presscon on mining impact

Academe, environmentalists, and food security experts set the record straight on the real impact of mining to the economy and our ecosystem.

If poor people working in the mining sector stay poor year after year after year, doesn’t it tell us something about the real impact of mining in the Philippines?  

 

This Thursday, December 8, 2011, following a senate inquiry on the impact of mining to food security, listen to a panel of experts, led by Dr. Emelina Regis of Ateneo de Naga University and Atty. Christian Monsod, as they discuss how the local mining sector affects not only efforts towards environmental preservation and poverty alleviation, but also poses a grave threat against sustainable development and tourism.

Event Details:
Date: December 8, Thursday
Time: 11am - 2pm
Venue: Sen. JP Laurel Room, 2nd Floor, Senate of the Philippines, GSIS Bldg., Pasay City

RSVP: Grace Divina

Volunteer for Save Palawan Movement
Mobile:0915.642.9843
Email: savepalawanmovement@gmail.com

[Personal] Environment Philippines Wins Best Advocacy Blog for 2011 at Philippine Blog Awards

The award for best advocacy blog was given last. My gosh the tension and nervousness was just building up in me. Thank God I won! Haha

Yes, it's official! Environment Philippines has won the best advocacy blog category (national level) in the 2011 Philippine Blog Awards (PBA). Thanks so much to the PBA and this year's judges for honoring me with this recognition.

I honestly didn't think I would win. I thanked my 120+ Facebook Fans (now 130+!) and my 6 blog feed subscribers during my speech and the audience laughed along. Good thing I didn't mention my daily blog views. Haha

 Look it's me! SURPRISE! Now, you finally know what I look like...a thin Chinese dude with glasses. ^_^ I'm holding my blog award. It's a farmer riding a carabao.

Kidding aside, this win proves that content really is king when blogging for a cause. I may not have as much fans as a travel blog, fashion blog, or technology blog, but that is to be expected. Caring for the environment is not as cool as the latest iPhone or the Victoria's Secret fashion show.

And that is really the challenge of us advocacy bloggers. I may have gotten my thoughts jumbled up during my impromptu speech, but let me clarify my points here. The goal of any advocacy blog is to get other people to care about the cause one is blogging about.

With me is my good friend and fellow blogger Jules (http://www.iamjulienne.com/blog) who I invited to be my guest for the evening. Together, you can address us as Jules Verne...like the author, for those of you who don't know. ^_^

Majority of my blog visitors don't visit because they are environmentalists who enjoy reading about the wonders of Mother Nature online. They are looking for a nice piece of bamboo furniture for their living room or a nice bike to give as a present to their sons, then end up visiting my post on bamboo bikes.

It's possible that people searching for the movie Dolphin Tale may end up reading my post on the annual dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan.

Here's a group photo of the winners (or at least the ones who were present) on stage. We bloggers are so shy. We lined up ready to get shot by a firing squad of photographers, who kept yelling at us (in vain) to "compress."

When they do enter my blog on purpose or by accident, it is my hope that they will read what I have to say, look at the photos and videos, and make a comment. If they read a second post or return a second time, then that would be mission accomplished for any blogger.

Advocacy bloggers want to go one step further. They want their readers to live out the advocacy being pushed in the blog. In my case, I write an environment blog. Thus, my current tagline: Read Green. Live Greener.

And if more of my blog viewers read about the environment, and write about the environment, and live a green lifestyle then I would consider that a mission accomplished. If they influence others to do the same, then that would be a most welcome bonus as well.

Congratulations to all the nominees, finalists, and winners of the Philippine Blog Awards 2011. Hopefully, there will be more environment blogs as finalists for the advocacy category in 2012.