A CALL TO GO GREEN

A Call to the members and officers of the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation, Inc., Iloilo Business Club, Inc., Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Iloilo, Inc., Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Iloilo, Federation of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Panay, Inc., Iloilo Multi-Sectoral Business Organization, Iloilo Convention and Visitors Bureau, Ilonggo Producer's Association, Inc. and Philippine Retailer's Association of Iloilo.


Business groups in Iloilo have expressed their support for the proposed construction of a coal-fired power plant that is opposed by environmental groups and the Catholic Church.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, 10 business organizations representing more than 350 companies endorsed the putting up of a 100-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Barangay (village) Ingore in La Paz district here by the Global Business Power Corp. (GBPC) and Panay Power Corp. (PPC).

They said the coal plant would be necessary for realizing the economic development of the city and province and that the additional power supply would be critical in stabilizing power supply in Iloilo.

(read more, click on the link)

Dear Sirs and Madams,

I have read your commitment to further our good city's development.

As much as you see that coal-fueled power plants will answer the city's power shortage, please bear in mind the drastic long term effects that this will bring to us and future generations of Ilonggos. Please do not be blinded by the promise of electric power to boost our economy --- this plant will give us generations of asthma and bronchitis - stricken children brought about by its dangerous fumes. Gone will be the days that we can actually breathe clean air. Would you sacrifice your health, the health of your kids for this? Please take note of the hefty price you will have to pay for this. This is NOT the only alternative we have. There are other sources of energy we can utilize,and for the price you will be spending, worth the long term commitment. Please do not sacrifice so much for such a short-term goal, especially with such a costly price.

Electric Jeepneys to service residents of Bel-Air, Makati

Two units of the E-jeep will be servicing the residents of Bel-Air Village in Makati for free starting November 20, 2007. The routes of Bel-Air to Rockwell, and Bel-Air to the Buendia MRT station will be implemented. This project is made possible by GRIPP, Greenpeace, the City of Makati, with the cooperation of Bel-Air Village.

The E-jeepney was launched last July 2007 and is now in its pilot testing phase. Since we have not yet secured the necessary permits to get the E-jeep running on our city streets, units will service passengers within enclosed environments.

This is the first public transport of its kind in Southeast Asia. Ejeepneys mitigate climate change because they are free of fossil fuels. They also address urban problems such as air pollution and solid waste.

(from Greenpeace.org)

Hopefully we will implement these soon on all baranggays! Help us by inquiring or urging your baranggay to adapt a greener, cleaner way of living

simple lang (it's simple!)

Simple lang, BE ENERGY-CONSCIOUS AT HOME!

They say home is where the heart is…and we agree! Once you are completely energy-conscious with your habits and practices, you will easily incorporate this in your home life. Empower your family and household members to be energy-conscious. Remember, conserving energy also means you save up money that you can allocate to your other needs.

Simple lang, remember to do the simple acts of unplugging, switching off and lighting up efficiently (by using CFLs and inviting sunlight to your rooms) and don’t forget to keep your appliances in good condition so you maximize their use and prevent them from consuming excess energy.

Simpleng, Simple lang! Simple acts when done collectively will definitely help stop climate change. So, do a simple act now.

Simple lang, BE ENERGY-CONSCIOUS AT HOME!

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ANOTHER USEFUL TIP!

Simple lang, USE A POWER STRIP!

Similar to what you did with your computers and related equipment in the office or school, you can also plug in your TV, VCD/DVD player, and other audio-visual appliances to a power strip so when you switch off, you switch off all the unnecessary standby mode consumption.

Tell your housemates to be energy-conscious like you – log on to www.greenpeace.org.ph/simplelang

snippet to read

Musharraf has ordered the arrest of several top lawyers and judges, but others remain defiant, taking their protest to the people


picture courtesy of TIME online (www.time.com)

Sign up and help them make a stand!

Please sign up at http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/x.php?cl=28273313

Burma's Fight

Burmese monks 'to be sent away'

Monks are absent, but people in Rangoon are going about their lives

Thousands of monks detained in Burma's main city of Rangoon will be sent to prisons in the far north of the country, sources have told the BBC.

About 4,000 monks have been rounded up in the past week as the military government has tried to stamp out pro-democracy protests.

(more at BBC news)
(more updates here)


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Sep 27, 2007 (DVB)–Further casualties have been reported as security forces continue their crackdown on the demonstrations in Rangoon.

Protestors came under fire on Thamada road, where one university student was shot in the forehead and died on the spot. A monk at the same location was shot in the back and wounded, and a youth was also shot and wounded.

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The whole thing started as a religious movement. It was not an organised democratic movement and there was no intention whatsoever for it to be turned into one. Monks were adamant about it.

They knew that there is no point in asking the generals for freedom. They knew that they don't have guns and can't beat the army. All they wanted to do was show the world what their situation is and that they are prepared to die.

They were very hopeful about the UN envoy coming to Burma. But they were quite surprised to hear that the UN envoy met Aung San Suu Kyi.

They love and respect her, but they felt that this time it is about them and that the UN envoy should be speaking to them. They felt that it's a distraction from them while they are being shot at and need protection.

This was an opportunity for them to express themselves after 20 years. Their eyes are on the international community, their only hope is that the world will see their plight and help them.

But when they hear that support for the demonstrations is dwindling and time passes by without help from anyone, they lose hope. They are getting disillusioned and eventually they'll give up.

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Please watch the videos and be informed. Let us pray for the safety of the people and hope that all will end well.

Electronic jeep launch!

Join us witness renewable energy come to life in the streets of Manila! You are all invited to the launch this Wednesday, July 4, 2007, from 8:30am until 10am, at the park in front of Glorietta 3 in Makati City (other landmarks include Shangrila Edsa Plaza, 6750, and Landmark).

These electric jeepneys are part of The Climate Friendly Cities Project, an innovative project that helps mitigate climate change and promote sustainable transport and waste management initiatives. The E-jeepneys run on renewable sources of energy. Its benefits include cleaner and safer transport for the riding public,increased incomes to the driver and a cleaner urban environment for all—while helping give solution to climate change. Much technical and commercial tests will follow in the next 6-9 months.

For questions or further directions to our launch in Makati, don't hesitate to give us a call at (02)4260368 local 110, or send us an email at supporterservices@ph.greenpeace.org . We know that July 4 is such a short notice, and so we will have other dates and venues where you can come and see the E-jeepneys.

Thinking Out of the Box

Literally, that is. Products have taken a whole new art form with their packaging, from innovative outer materials used, to bizarre and wonderfully delightful textures. Yet in this day and age of eco-awareness, we encourage you to re-think this design conceptualization with another factor: is it eco-friendly?

While it serves a multitude of purposes (primary cover/safety of product, marketing tool, etc.), product packaging, especially ones made of non-recyclable materials, pose a grave threat to the environment, and if not disposed properly, can do more damage that we would have thought. So what can we do?

For consumers, think out of the box. Choose products which have little or no packaging, or use recyclable packaging (tetra-paks, boxes made of cardboard/recycled paper are examples). For designers/creators, find ways to reduce plastics into your packaging (like, is there a better way to bundle items other than burning plastics!??!!!)

Give to charity. The best form of recycling is giving things, clothes, items we don't need to someone who needs it. Consider your items before you throw them away --- can they be reused by somebody? Can they be mended? Are they still able to function? If so, donate them or reuse them.

The choice to change and make a change is in our hands. As Gadhi said, "you must be the change you wish to see in the world"

Just Say NO

Just Say No to Plastic Bags
The plastic bags you bring home from the supermarket probably end up in a landfill. Every year, more than 500 billion plastic bags are distributed, and less than 3% of those bags are recycled. They are typically made of polyethylene and can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade in landfills that emit harmful greenhouse gases. Reducing your contribution to plastic-bag pollution is as simple as using a cloth bag (or one made of biodegradable plant-based materials) instead of wasting plastic ones. For your next trip to the grocery store, BYOB.

for more ideas on how to save the planet, please go check out http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/environment/

An Open Letter to Filipinos

Dear Fellow Filipino,

Good day to all of you! Before I begin my letter... just a disclaimer, for people who know me they know that I love the Philippines very much and I am not really one who rants and complaints to high heavens about what is happening to our country and does nothing about it, in fact, I feel that at my relatively young age of 27, I have done much service to the Philippines by setting up Pathways to Higher Education which has sent more than 500 poor but deserving students to college and AHON Foundation which has already built two public elementary school libraries that have benefitted more than 3,500 students. Yet, after seeing how events in our nation have transpired the past few weeks and talking with some friends, I feel the urge to share with you my own thoughts and feelings.

Over the weekend, we saw the completion of two major political alliances for this coming Senate Elections that has just began here in the Philippines . Now we have two political forces with familiar faces nonetheless on opposite sides of the fences. On one end, you have Tito Sotto and Tessie Aquino-Oreta who were two major stalwarts of the opposition and the FPJ Campaign in 2004 hobnobbing with the woman (Pres. GMA) whom they claimed to have cheated FPJ in the last Presidential Elections.On the other side of the fence, you see Manny Villar, the former house speaker who was actually responsible for impeaching Erap now part of the United Opposition who is led by no less than... Erap himself.

Now if you don't see anything wrong with this picture then you must be one of the many Filipinos who have accepted this very sad reality that there is indeed no permanent ideals that our government leaders stand up for but rather they just go where there self-interests can best be served. It is this kind of politics why I no longer wonder why good people like Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City or outstanding Bulacan Governor Josie Dela Cruz will find it hard or worse, never be elected to national positions.

It is with these in mind that I'd like to share with you what are events this coming May elections that will make me consider leaving the Philippines :

1.) If former COMELEC Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano of Hello Garci fame wins in his bid to become Congressman of Bukidnon...seeking to replace a good man no less in incumbent Cong. Neric Acosta... We would really be the laughing stock of the whole world if we allow a man with the reputation of Garci to be one of our so called "Honorable
Gentlemen".

2.) If Dancing Queen Tessie Aquino Oreta reclaims her seat at the Senate... I hope that all of us would still remember that dance that she did during the 2001 impeachment hearings after they voted to overrule the decision of then Chief Justice Davide... let us make sure that people like her never make it to the Senate again.

3.) If Richard Gomez becomes a senator... what does he know about making laws? We already have the likes of Bong Revilla and Lito Lapid in the Senate and their performance or lack of it would be reason enough not to elect another actor who has no prior experience in government to the distinguished halls of the Senate.

4.) If Gringo Honasan wins again.... have we not learned our lesson? I cannot believe that just because someone is charismatic then we will just elect him to become one of our senators despite the fact that he has time and again caused so much instability in our country... if we want a military junta similar to that of Thailand ... then lets all vote for this guy....

5.) If Manny Pacquiao becomes Congressman of General Santos City... everybody loves Manny the Boxing Champ but Manny the Lawmaker? Lets be realistic here, Manny is our Hero alright but I think it takes more than just great boxing skills and a desire to serve to be able to make appropriate laws that would help uplift the lives of the many Filipinos who live in Poverty.

6.) If Lito Lapid wins for Mayor of Makati City... I don't like Jojo Binay as well but Lito Lapid as city mayor of the country's finance and business center?!?! And do you really think he is from Makati and has good plans for the city? The Arroyos asking someone like him to run just goes to show you how much love and concern this government has for our country.

7.) If Chavit Singson becomes a Senator, Illegal Gambling = Chavit... enough said.

Now if all of these 7 things happen during this coming elections then don't be surprised if I decide to leave this country that I love dearly.

Like I said during the first part of my letter, I feel that I have done much for this country but I think it's time that Filipinos become more vigilant and critical in selecting our leaders for the sake of our future and the generations that will go beyond us. So I appeal to every Filipino who asks what can I actually do for my country... Choose and vote for the right people this coming elections, huwag na tayong magpaloko sa mga kandidatong maganda lang ang jingle o gwapo lang sa mga poster. Let us choose leaders who have a good track record for service and who are genuinely committed towards serving our country.

Manindigan naman tayong lahat para sa ating Kinabukasan at para sa Kapakanan ng ating Bayan!

Thank you very much for your time in reading this letter.

Sincerely,

Harvey S. Keh
Email: harveykeh@gmail.com

say what?

Pluggin'

SHOCKS, a horror haiku collection by Aurelio Lopez III, is out and ready to be consumed. Get a copy now.

An Inconvenient Truth

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Let's do our part. Thanks, Mr. Gore :-)

the tale of two friends

two friends of mine, both charming, both amazing in stark extremities.

One is overflowed with blessings and has become a monster in disguise --- her ego overflated, her charm exaggerated ---too much "me" has gone and exploded all over the place that to keep my sanity i had to leave and lie low from her. Sadly, she is oblivious to the effect she gives and continues to this day living in her own universe of Me.

The other one is charming, amazing, wonderful. She lost her life to love, her confidence shattered, her ego bruised by a sad, pathetic being whose words cut her deep and left her badly scarred. She continually sought to love against all odds, hopeful, yet all in vain.

Sometimes you wonder if life is truly unfair. or just plain sadistic.

I pray for my friend's eventual realization, and for my other friend's gain in confidence.

not for free

52 Questions

1. What would you say is the most profound advice you've ever been given (and did you heed it)
F*ck everybody else. You do this because you want to, as long as you don't hurt anybody.

2. Who, for you, is an idol? Why are they your idol?
Hmm. can't really say right now.

3. When, during the day, are you in your best mood, and why?
after work. stress free! and gimik nights.

4. When you wake, what do you normally think of first?
Am i late?

5. If you could choose doing the washing up or drying up, which one would it be? ( I have a dishwasher is not acceptable)
Washing up.

6. How often do you pretend you can't hear your phone ringing (mobile or land line) cos you cant be arsed to answer it?
Extremely rarely.

7. What are your favourite recipes that never go wrong and that the kids eat?
spaghetti with pesto and tuna.

8. What did you do on your 11th birthday?
I've no idea.

9. ______ is sexy But._____ is sexier.
I'd better not reply - I could get into trouble here.

10. Where would you like to live if you had to leave Belgium (and not the UK, because that's Andy's home) and why?
Hawaii.

11. What would be your dream job?
freelance graphic artist who's well-paid.

12. Do you keep in contact with anyone from your school days? Tell us something about your oldest and closest friends.
My friends from school. They've been there trhough the good times and bad and NEVER judge. Which is sadly, what i can't say for most people i've met after.

13. What most important ingredient would you like another person freely and naturally to offer, to help ensure that such a relationship developed?
Trust.Love.

14. What important aspect of you do you feel would contribute towards this ideal.
trust.

15. Do you feel that you have depths (of feelings, ideas, attitudes) that have not yet been shared by another person? If so, maybe explain??
yes. Don't want to explain though.

16. Where would you like to be at the moment (and for how long and why?)
In NY with lots of money to spend. I'd really like to extend my stay there the last time but i had to go somewhere else. damn.

17. What is the biggest mistake you have ever made, in the sense that it affected your life adversely?
Not having listened to my gut instinct.

18. Name 5 things that give you pleasure?
Chocolate, Sex, Alcohol, Meeting new people, Traveling.

19. What is the worst UDI (Unidentifiable Drinking Injury) you've ever had?
My legs feeling like they'r eabout to break becauuse i was too drunk to stop myself from dancing with 3 inch heels all night.

20. Do you prefer living in Belguim to living in the UK, & why?
I've never lived there. I want to though.

21. Why are you so nice as to invite a load of complete strangers to your house every summer for a BBQ?!!
BEcause i feel like it.

22. Where do you want to be in 5 years from now?
somewhere outside the country, with lotsa money and making mad love by the beach.

23. Did you regret anything so far?
Oh yes.

24. The place you wanna live if you would have tons of money.
The Carribean, or Italy, or Australia.

25. Are you still the funny, lovely person that I really liked a lot in Brussels?
I damn well hope so.

26. What thoughts predominate that mind right now?
can i go home now?

27. Lastly, what did you look for in your men and have you found it ?
a sense of humor, wicked wit and craziness. yes i did so far.

28. Why are you so evil?
Because being bad is so good. And haunty "Charlotte Yorks" are just too boring.

29. Why do your powers seem to be blunted when faced with the might of Flobster International?
hmmm.

30. How come evil is so sexy?
because it's so bad it's good.

31. What made you abandon your calling to become a monk?
no sex and bad fashion.

32. Is red wine really better for you than trappist beers?
yes. then again, i never had trappist beers. :-P

33. Why Belgium?
again, i have no idea.

34. Do you think there is a difference between you being around other people or other people being around you?
sometimes.

35. Have you ever had a simple decision in front of you and known it could change everything?
yes. the decisions we make dictate the lives we lead.

36. Do you think that the questions asked reveal more about the asker than the askee wanted?
yes!nosy, aren't ya?

37. What would you do with the perfect snowball?
throw it!

38. You're gorgeous, what's your secret?
happy thoughts and lotsa sex.

39. How many times a month do you clip your toe nails?
Who on earth asked that question ?seriously.

40. How many sugars in your coffee?
none for me.

41. You take your tea with or without milk?
depends on my mood.

42. You are generous and loyal, now that i spot it out, are you going to change anything?
no.

43. You have some parsley stuck between your teeth, are you going to remove it or enjoy walking around with it seeing people's reaction?
Remove it, dammit.

44. What do you value most in life?
trust.honesty.love

45. Do you ever have fantasies about other men during your love-making with your present partner?
sometimes. Hey Johnny Depp, where the f*ck are you?

46. What is your biggest regret?
not travelling enough. not having enough money to travel, hahaha.

47. You have a chance to commit a crime - the perfect crime, as you'll get away scot-free and no one will ever know a thing. What crime would you commit, and why?
rob a bank. or Tiffany's.

48. Donkey or worm? (think carefully before you answer this one).
Donkey. Beasts of burden and all that.

49. Belgian men - what's the reason for them?
i have no idea. Maybe to proliferate Belgium.

50. What languages do you speak?
English,Filipino and Ilonggo. Go figure.:-P

51. What countries have you visited?
US, HK, Malaysia

52. What's your favourite colour?
Probably black.