Help us Bail out the Planet

Dear friends,

On Tuesday, three hundred and forty concerned citizens gathered in Brussels to block the exits of the building where European finance ministers were discussing funding for climate change. We wanted to keep them inside until they came up with money to tackle climate change in developing countries.

European leaders recognise that rich countries must provide funds to developing nations so that they can reduce greenhouse gas emmissions and adapt to climate change. So far, they have not put a single euro on the table. Each country’s contribution towards a climate bailout plan is based on its ability to pay and its level of responsibility in causing climate change. Based on this, European governments should contribute €35 billion a year by 2020, the equivalent of just €1.30 a week per European citizen. The price of a bus ticket.

In spite of our best efforts, ministers continued to dither yesterday. Once all of the protesters had been arrested, they managed to leave the building without committing a cent of public money. Instead they had made an empty promise for investments from the private sector, which they can neither predict nor control.

Now it is up to Heads of States to make the final decision at the EU Summit next week, 19-20 March. If they also fail to come up with solid financial support, it will threaten the success of a deal at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen this December. And that will literally cost us the earth.

The Polish government is being particularly obstructive to progress. It is avoiding the funding issue and does not want to take the responsibility for its huge emissions and contribution to climate change.

Help us to convince polish Prime Minister Mr. Tusk not to block the climate change deal.

Mr. Tusk talks of solidarity. Without global solidarity we will not solve the climate crisis. Send him an e-mail asking him to live up to his words by showing solidarity to developing countries’ efforts to avert and adapt to climate change.

No money, no deal, no future.
Every letter is important.

Thank you for your attention,

Eoin, Agnes & the entire Climate Team
Greenpeace International

Rare bird found---then eaten

A rare bird was found and photographed for the first time ---then eaten. How terrible is that!??!!!! We should really learn to protect our resources! Pakiusap, mga kababayan, maging aktibo tayo sa laban para sa kalikasan! (My fellow Filipinos, let us be vigilant in our fight for the environment) Awareness is the first step. If we choose to be ignorant, we lose everything...

The Wave of the Future

A Scottish company will deploy sausage-shaped tubes off Portugal to create the world's first commercial wave power plant, providing electricity to 1,500 homes from 2006, a partner in the Scottish firm said on Friday.

Read More >>

Rain Barrels Idea

"Rain Barrels -- Save water the old-fashioned way, with a few of these plastic gallon-catchers. Know that all your water will be going to good use, and it helps recycle. Rain barrels are available in different sizes from 20 gallons to the whopping 65-gallon models. Single barrel prices start at $114.95."
-Being Ed, PlanetGreen.com

Taking cue from this, include that in your household to save water and recycle water for other things. Being in a tropical country, we are blessed with rainy seasons where the water overflows, and a very humid and hot season where water is scarce at times.

This rain barrel not only gives us a chance to save the environment, it also saves money. Accumulate rain water to clean out your garage/sinks/etc., water your plants or clean your car. Just remember to keep the barrels covered to make sure you don't grow mosquitos!

Protecting the Blue Heart of the Planet

An Amazing and Inspiring Talk by Sylvia Earle on protecting the Blue Heart of the Planet

Sylvia Earle, called "Hero for the Planet" by Time, is an oceanographer, explorer, author, and lecturer with a deep commitment to research through personal exploration.

"We've got to somehow stabilize our connection to nature so that in 50 years from now, 500 years, 5,000 years from now there will still be a wild system and respect for what it takes to sustain us."

No to the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant!

Dear friend,

Lawmakers in the Philippines are recently going all out to promote nuclear power.

Recently they have proposed a House Bill to revive the 'mothballed' Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).

Nuclear power is the most dangerous and most expensive source of electricity. And it is not the solution to climate change.

That's why we would like you to join us in saying NO TO BNPP.

As a valued Greenpeace supporter, we're inviting you to come along this Sunday and help us create a "human banner" as a symbol of solidarity with the people of Bataan.

Where: Sunken Garden of the University of the Philippines in Diliman

When: 8am this Sunday, February 22, 2009

We will use this image and your support to send a strong message to our lawmakers: "NO TO BNPP".

If you would like to be part of this activity, please confirm your attendance by Thursday, by calling Supporter Services at (02)4146512 local 102, 103, 104. You can also reply to this email together with the names of your friends or family who can attend.

Hope to see you there!

Peace,

Francis Dela-Cruz
Public Campaigns Coordinator
Greenpeace Philippines

Enviro Energies Signs Brand License Agreement with Living With Ed

Enviro Energies Signs Brand License Agreement with Living With Ed
Distributor of Revolutionary Mag-WindTM Vertical Axis Wind Turbines will team up with hit TV series and Hollywood's 'greenest' actor to promote Wind Power technology

Grimsby, ONT Canada - Enviro Energies has signed a long-term exclusive brand license / endorsement agreement with the producers of the hit TV series Living With Ed and its co-star Ed Begley, Jr. Under terms of the agreement, Enviro Energies will use the trademark of the show and the endorsement of Begley to market its line of revolutionary Mag-WindT magnetically levitating vertical axis wind turbines throughout North America.

Enviro Energies has licensed, engineered, and is entering into full production on their innovative line of vertical axis wind turbines that can be installed nearly anywhere! Unlike conventional propellers, as well as most other vertical axis turbines, the Enviro Energies Mag-WindT turbines operate in very low winds and are also completely silent, stable and safe in winds of up to 100+ mph. This is due in part to their patented low-rotational magnetically levitating generators. The turbines are economical, efficient, maintenance-free, aesthetically pleasing, bird friendly and manufactured in the USA. They can be installed residentially, commercially, or industrially and have made urban and suburban wind power a reality!

"We are extremely pleased to be working with Ed Begley, Jr. and his television show" noted Ken Johnson, Senior Consultant for Enviro Energies. "Ed is not only the gold standard for green living in the entertainment community, but he is extremely knowledgeable about wind power and technology. He, in conjunction with his TV series, is a perfect match with Enviro Energies to deliver the message of accessible and affordable wind power technology in North America."

"I've been an ardent supporter of wind turbines for many years", noted Begley. "In fact, I've even owned a share of an industrial wind turbine in the California desert since 1985. And yet, while wind farms have long been used to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and our overworked power grid, a wind turbine solution for our energy demands where we live, work, shop and play has not been commercially viable, realistic or practical.until now. Enviro Energies has re-awakened my excitement about utilizing urban wind power by designing and launching the best technologies in the wind turbine industry."

The marketing relationship will be launched with the creation of a series of print, video and on-line materials featuring Living With Ed branding and Ed Begley, Jr. endorsements. In addition, Begley recently appeared at the Enviro Energies booth at the International Builder Show in Las Vegas, NV where over 1,100 builders placed orders or requested information on the Enviro Energies product line. In June 2009, Begley will appear at the Commercial Construction Show in Phoenix, Arizona with Enviro Energies and one of its commercial installation partners. In the near future, Begley will install a Low Wind Mag-WindT 1.5kW MVAWT at his home in Studio City, CA to contribute additional power to his already existing solar system. Begley and Enviro Energies also have plans to do numerous other 'high-profile' installs throughout the US in 2009 and will be attending expos and conventions to release their innovative new products nationwide.

For More Information, please contact:

Ken Johnson, Senior Consultant, Enviro Energies, Kjohnson@enviro-energies.com, 310-560-0506

Greg Glass, Vice President, BCII, greg@bciitv.com, 818-333-3711

Arctic Sea Ice Increases at Record Rate

WattsUpwithThat gives a take (and thoughts)on the increasing rate of the Artic sea (c/o guest Jeff Id):

"Certainly the 30 year arctic trend in ice area is downward, even the most committed global warming scientist has to admit this happens regularly in climate along with regular 30 year uptrends. The questions are, did we cause it or not, and was CO2 the instigating factor. The rapid recovery of ice levels has to have some meaning regarding the severity of the problem. This goes directly in the face of accelerated global warming and the doom and gloom scenarios promoted by our politicians and polyscienticians."

+ + +

AN interesting (if not heated) discussion ensues in the comments section too.

put a lemon on it

New year, new ways...

...for me to save Mother Earth that is.

The New year is upon us. I decided to save water (and money while i'm at it) by curbing what i use at home. Easiest way was to use the "Tabo" (dipper) system when bathing (goodbye showers) --- that way i can heat up water when it's too cold.

I've also used the "brick" method for my toilet --- that is let something else occupy the space water is in so the are is filled up by water less (in this case, a brick). This not only fills up the tank faster, it also lessens the use of water. Sans the brick, i decided to use a water bottle filled with stones to keep it from floating. Hey it works ;-)

My friend gave me one of those Enviro-Sax for Christmas --- a wonderful gift indeed! It's brightly colored with a graphic design, which makes my purchases not only eco-friendly, it's also lovely to look at (and use). You can always use an old bag/ cloth bag for your purchases ---i am glad that more and more stores in the city are now cool with reusing bags as purchase holders ---remember to hold on to your receipts when you're shopping to avoid the suspicion of shoplifting!

It's the little details that make up the big picture, so you can ALWAYS do something good for Mother Earth everyday! :-) Cheers and keep on savin'!

xoxo

Lette

e-news from Living with Ed

(reposted from his email)


Hey everybody! Happy New Year!

Thought I would send along this video from my friend Jay Leno about a new wind turbine called the MagWind from Enviro-Energies (www.enviro-energies.com) that he and I will be installing soon. As many of you have asked about 'vertical axis wind turbines', I thought you'd like to see the latest in this technology. Watch the video at:

(http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/video_player.shtml?vid=913522 )

Enjoy!
Ed
www.livingwithed.net
Read more at fixing the planet

revisited

A New Year, A new Lease on Life...

Happy New Year all!

I'm excited to start 2009 with new ideas and ways to keep green. I call it my eco-lutions

A friend of mine gave me a lovely eco-bag which is nicely printed with spots (to ring in the money i hope!)and made of sturdy material so i can easily re-use it to fit my needs.

In keeping with my resolution to be more fit, i've taken up a longer walking route to the mall near my place and started jump rope.

My baby has also been very sweet enough to help me in segregating our garbage to include a bag for recyclabe stuff, like aluminum cans, plastics and paper. Yay!

hahahah :-D hopefully this won't be a fad...wish me luck! Happy new year All! May 2009 be a green and fabulous year!

Recycling through Crafts

Cecile Cinco makes amazing crafts using recycled products, like this
Multipurpose Woven Basket Made Out Of Glossy Paper. Check out more of her stuff at her blog.

Greenpeace delivers a solar powered Parol to Philippine Senate

(picture courtesy of Greenpeace)

Manila, PHILIPPINES — Greenpeace today delivered a solar-powered traditional parol (Filipino Christmas lantern) to light up the Philippine Senate this Christmas ahead of the official Global Day of Action for the Climate.

The giant solar powered parol was received by Senator Miguel Zubiri from Greenpeace volunteers, supporters and other pro-renewable energy groups who arrived in red shirts proclaiming 'Make it Happen – Energy Revolution now!'. As part of the activity, the environmental group also delivered miniature lanterns with the messages "No Nukes, No Coal, Energy Revolution Now!" and "I support Renewable Energy" to each Senator. The miniature lanterns are from Albay, among the provinces in the country that is most vulnerable to climate change impacts.

Read more here...

Gray Water Recycling Systems, LLC Signs Brand License Agreement with "Living With Ed"

Got this from my Living with Ed newsletter! GREAT NEWS INDEED!

Gray Water Recycling Systems, LLC Signs Brand License Agreement with "Living With Ed"

Manufacturer of Revolutionary Gray and Rainwater Recycling Systems will team up with Ed Begley, Jr., Hollywood's 'greenest' actor and star of the hit TV series Living With Ed to promote water recycling.

REDONDO BEACH, CA -- Gray Water Recycling Systems, LLC (GWRS) has signed a long-term exclusive brand license and endorsement agreement with the producers of the hit TV series Living With Ed and it's co-stars Ed Begley, Jr. and Rachelle Carson-Begley. Under the terms of the agreement, GWRS will use the trademark of the show and the endorsement of the Begley's to highlight the urgent need to reuse gray and rainwater as well as expand the marketing of its line of revolutionary recycling systems throughout North America.

GWRS product information will also be featured on the hit TV shows website, www.livingwithed.net. As well as the Begley's new environmental site and blog www.fixingtheplanet.com, "...a simple to use one-stop resource for those interested in learning about sustainable living."

GWRS designs and manufacturers gray and rainwater recycling units for single and multi family homes, commercial properties, hotels and resorts. Units capture and purify exhaust water from shower, bath, laundry and downspout. The purified, bacteria free water is then re-used for landscape irrigation and toilet tanks.

"We are extremely excited to be working with the Begley's, their television show and all the professionals at Brentwood Communications International", stated Buzz Boettcher, GWRS Managing Member. "Ed realized the need to conserve long ago and became an avid environmentalist and advocate before it was the popular thing to be. Not only does he talk conservation, he lives it; no dispute, he is the gold standard for green living in the entertainment community."

"Proper water management and conservation is mandatory living in this semi-arid desert," stated Begley. "We simply cannot continue to poach water from other parts of the Western United States. Conservation and reuse will have a positive impact on our overall water supply, this recycling system is a huge step in making that happen. I've been searching for the right gray and rainwater recycling system for years and I've finally found it. Rachelle will soon be able to take those twenty minute showers without my blood coming to a boil by knowing the water she's using today will be irrigating our garden tomorrow".

The marketing relationship is being launched with this press release, followed shortly by a series of print, video and on line materials featuring Living With Ed branding and Ed Begley, Jr. endorsements. In addition, the Begley's will make a number of public and industry appearances on behalf of GWRS, speaking on a number of environmental topics including water conservation and reuse. Begley will also provide valuable assistance to help bring local and state building codes in concert with the rapid advancement of gray and rain water recycling technology.

For More Information, Please Contact: Buzz Boettcher Managing Member Gray Water Recycling Systems, LLC buzz@reusegraywater.com

Greg Glass Vice President BCII greg@bciitv.com 818-333-3681

Freebie Friday!

Spread the joy and give the gift of giving! I recently got my carbon neutrality certificate from the folks at Brighter Planet and to pass it on, i'm giving the first 25 people to click on this link a chance to spread the lurv.

Christmas WishList: Living Like Ed

"Ed Begley Jr. got off of his electric hybrid bicycle long enough to write a book. Living Like Ed: A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life offers the Hollywood actor's tips to adding a little bit (or a lot) of green to your life.

The book strives to provide advice for simple changes such as stench-free composing all the way to more significant, longer-term environmental commitments like your first purchase of an electric car. Ed's wife even pitches in her ideas of how to stay eco-conscious without sacrificing style.

And for all of those fans residing in the Los Angeles area that just can't get enough of Ed and his green ways, he'll be appearing tomorrow night, February 26 at Book Soup in West Hollywood. Maybe you can even convince him to let you sit on the handle bars while he takes you for a spin around the block on that bike." -http://www.ecollo.com/

Now that's a book worth reading! :-D

Iloilo for Sustainable Energy

CNN: ‘Himala’ best Asian film in history

from Inquirer.net
MANILA, Philippines— (UPDATE 4) A spellbinding victory for Philippine cinema.

Visitors to the Cable News Network entertainment website voted Ishmael Bernal’s “Himala,” which starred Nora Aunor as a simple provincial girl turned faith healer, as the best movie of all time in the Asia-Pacific region, outclassing such greats as Akira Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai” and Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”

Read More here.

Sinking Island Nation Seek new Home

MALE, Maldives (CNN) -- The new president of the Maldives wants to relocate -- his entire country.

Mohamed "Anni" Nasheed, a former political prisoner, was sworn in Tuesday after he unseated Asia's longest-serving leader in the country's first multi-party elections two weeks ago. He inherits an island nation with several problems.

Foremost among them: The very likely possibility that the Maldives will sink under water if the current pace of climate change keeps raising sea levels.

Read more here...

Eco-Horror Films Shocking Us into Action

"Unlike most horror films these movies aren't fiction, they are serious documentaries tackling the big issues of our time. But the message is still: Be afraid.

The most recent addition to the scene is French director Irena Salina's, "Flow", which shows how the effects of climate change coupled with widespread privatization of the world's fresh water supply has created a world water cartel with grim consequences for us all.

Wired magazine called it "the scariest movie at the Sundance Film Festival".

The film is a call to arms to resist the quiet corporate takeover of the stuff of life, and as such it taps into a widespread uncertainty about the way the world seems to be heading."

Read more here.

What's the Math on Going Green?

one of the most frightening studies I've read recently had nothing to do with icebergs or megadroughts. In a paper that came out Oct. 23 in Science, John Sterman — a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Sloan School of Management — wrote about asking 212 MIT grad students to give a rough idea how much governments need to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to eventually stop the increase in the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere. These students had training in science, technology, mathematics and economics at one of the best schools in the world — they are probably a lot smarter than you or me. Yet 84% of Sterman's subjects got his problem wrong, greatly underestimating the degree to which greenhouse gas emissions need to fall. When the MIT kids can't figure out climate change, what are the odds that the broader public will?

read more here.

Living Green, one at a time

revisiting ED Begley Jr.'s efforts through his show Living with Ed inspires me to do at least one thing to help out Mother Nature. (insert image is him with Jay Leno in one of his show's episodes). If this guy can wholly devote his life to cleaning and greening mother nature, surely we can do at least ONE thing to help out (like recycling, cleaning up, not wasting water, turning off lights, etc.)

Keeping Your Cool

"Buzz up!

With global temperatures continuing to climb, more and more people are suffering under scorching, and sometimes lethal, heat waves. You don't have to shut yourself indoors with a wet towel around your neck and the air conditioner on full blast in order to get through summer, however.

Close Your Curtains. Many people seem to think that curtains and blinds were invented just for privacy or to make rooms look pretty. But consider their alternative name: "shades." In the summer, put up light-colored window coverings, and close them when the sun is shining through. When the window frame is shaded, open them up.

Ventilate Smart. When the air is cool in mornings or evenings, open up your windows. Prop them open on opposite sides of rooms to promote cross ventilation, and use fans to alternately push or pull air from outside in."

Given the fact that we come from a tropical country, we're no strangers to heat. But we use a lot of electricity combating that and make it cooler in our homes. We can, but we can definitely do that with a greener perspective. More Tips here.

Thank You donors (update on donation drive)

For those who may have forgotten, Western Visayas was hit a few months back by Bagyo Frank, which resulted to a ravaged and devastated land. While the storm may have come and gone, many families and their livelihood were ruined, and given the slow progress of help, most villages, especially those far-flung form the cities, rarely or never got the help they so needed.

A few days after that happened, my friend Jason and I organized a care package of old clothes and food stock to send out to Iloilo, and we asked you guys to donate, through clothes or food stock. The response, however short the notice, was very positive, and we sincerely thank you all. We came up with a whopping 11 boxes' worth of donated clothes and other items, which was divided among the baranggays.

Our donations were sent out to families in the far-flung baranggays of Lantangan and Gabi, Carles, through a joint outreach program by the WVSU (through the efforts of the College of Arts&Sciences Graduate Studies - Public Governance), TESDA, Philippine National Red Cross, PCSO, NMYL (Iloilo Chapter) and PAMET (Iloilo Chapter). It is congruence to their program which not only gave families clothing and food supplies, but also provided a free medical checkup, and seminars on alternative livelihood programs, First Aid and Basic Life Support, et al.

It is with great honor and pleasure to have NGOs, schools and valiant individuals help in the cause of helping out these people --- i would like to thank everybody who lent a helping hand, through cash or kind, or even through prayer to those who were affected.

For more pictures, please check it here.

How Green Are you? Test your Eco-Knowledge.

True or False? The Earth receives more energy from the sun in one day than the world uses in a year.

Test your KNowledge and separate Eco-fact from Fiction and start saving the planet Now.

Scarier and Scarier

PHIL KIDNAPPING SYNDICATE
Latest Phil. Kidnapping syndicate: victim's internal organs
Note: forwarded message attached.

Pakikalat na lang. Napakahalaga po ng e-mail na ito I didn't believe this
story until last weekend, when I went home to Pampanga, my mom told me this news. One of our neighbors witnessed the funeral. There is a grade 6 student near our barangay, who was missing for 2 days. There are posters of his picture everywhere.. . after how many days, the body was found with missing eyes and kidney... a Php20,000 was inserted on his body with a note 'PAKI LIBING NA LANG...'

Hindi lang white van ang gamit nila ngayon may green, black at maroon. Me look-out nakamotor pag me nakitang bata tinatawag doon sa kasama na nasa Van, take note may kasama na silang doktor na nag-aalis ng organ.

Even sa mga subdivision nakapasok na rin sila kaya inform nyo sa Guard nyo. Sa amin sa Dasma kahapon grabe dami ng Pulis at Barangay sa Gate Red Alert kasi may 3 batang nakuha around Dasmarinas, Cavite . May 1 nakaburol sa AREA-H2 walang mata at Internal Organ with 70,000 na pera. Even yung Elem. School sa tapat ng subd. namin di na muna pinapasok yung mga bata kahapon grabe nakakatakot po. Sa Manggahan Trece Cavite, mag-ina magkasama pilit na kinuha yung bata, lumaban yung nanay, ayun binugbog tapos nadala yung bata last week nakita yung bata sa Paliparan patay na din wala ng organ at mata. Meron ngang skecth nuong isang kasama nakapost na din duon sa Gate ng subd namin.
This morning in Kawit Cavite 2 bata, nawawla at sa Quezon 3 year old na
batang babae nakita patay walang heart at kidney.
News: World
Kidnapping in Southern Luzon , Victim's Internal Organs Missing by Jean Stuart March 09, 2008

Kidnapping is rampant nowadays. Kidnappers usually asked ransom money from the parents of their victims. But lately, I was disturbed of the
news about the kidnap victims whose internal organs were missing after
they were found.
In Ibaan, Batangas four children were abducted. One of them was found
with the pair of eyes missing and with Php 30,000 pesos on his/her
mouth. Three were found with missing internal organs. There was also
report in Tanauan, Batangas with a missing heart and Php 8,000 pesos on the hole of the victim's chest. It's really creepy.
Lately, there have been reports that the kidnappings is not only happening in Batangas. There were also similar incidents in Cavite and Laguna. Last Wednesday, March 5, my friend told me that there was a third year high school student (from a school in San Pedro, Laguna) was abducted on her way home. I still haven't heard about what happened to the victim.
I heard that a syndicate is behind this kidnapping and they are selling the organs to the black market. Text messages and email messages has been circulating saying that a white van with plate no. VMM 507 is said to
be the kidnappers van. In our place the cartographic sketch of the kidnapper and the plate no. of the vehicle used by the kidnapper were
posted everywhere.
Residents in our area in Laguna were already afraid. Students going to
school were now accompanied by their parents and yayas. It has been
reported that the kidnappers where luring children going to and from
school.
Our school management even released a letter to parents to watch for their children when going to school and while playing.
Kindly include them in your prayer. Thanks a lot!

REV. MR. PETE PELIMIANO
Deacon
Archdiocese of San Francisco
Pakikalat na lang. Napakahalaga po ng e-mail na ito.

Taxing Commutes

T*nginang mga taxi drivers na yan talaga.

Today i was able to meet the bad and the worst of taxi drivers in a day filled to the brim with commute madness. Suffice to say that i have had very little sleep before this, thus not enough patience to deal with people at this point --- and yes, this was further fueled by the insipid and annoying drivers who "charmed" me with their witless antics on the road.

Take driver number one: I took a cab to visit my friend at the hospital in Mandaluyong. Mamang driver maneuvers his way through Makati traffic with ease, confidently telling me he knew where that hospital in Mandaluyong is. It's partly my fault --- i wasn't familiar with the area --- so i took his word. We travelled quite a distance when he dropped me oh so quickly by a side of the building telling me this was it. I paused and asked him to wait while i talk to the security guard, but feeling nice since he was nice, gave him the payment (plus tip!). It wasn't even 10 seconds when he zipped away from the curb, leaving me stranded in godknowswhere, Mandaluyong (it turned out ot be a different hospital).

Driver number two was only too happy to pick me up, then fuming out loud at the audacity of driver #1. He asked for directions and i, equipped with broken text messages from my friend, told him to take the underpass and make a left to get back to EDSA. Not only did he take this opportunity to jam us right into a traffic packed area (which stalled us for 20 mins or so), he decided to take the "long scenic route" going through the malls and telling me "bawal kasi dumaan dyan" when we both knew that it wasn't so. F*ckin' 45 mins it took for us to cross EDSA. 45mins!

Driver number Three, whose plate number TWH 944 is forever embedded in my head now is a scum of the earth manloloko who forces his passengers to pay his "flat rate" or else get knocked out of the cab. His meter was working but what did he care? He just wanted his money. He nearly cut my hand off swerving away from the curb after i got out---i barely had enought time to close the door before he sped away! PEOPLE, if you see this cab, DO NOT take it --- he will not only leave you stranded if you don't agree to his demands, he may take your hand or limbs with him!

As much as i would like to be sympathetic to taxi drivers (driving through the streets of Manila isn't easy, i know), having experiencing such bad treatment from these drivers make me less so. How can you complain about people trampling on you and your profession when you can't even be courteous or nice enough to deliver honest services?!??


Take action! Text or call the LTFRB (tel. No. 9257191, cellphone 09214487777) with your bad driver's plate number and/or cab name and why they suck!

Spread the Word!

Wood You Be Mine?

A plastic toy gets an eco-makeover, with a little help from Japan.
Now the Japanese bear-smiths have partnered with a charity called moreTrees to create a Bear made from recycled wood called the Eco Value Wood Bearbrick.

check out the cuties at www.bearbrick.com

Jack Johnson's makes green music

Under his company's tutelage,Jack Johnson and Brushfire records makes a green difference! A recent article explores how the Hawaiian based musician has evolved the nature and business of creating music, and influencing music minds to make green oriented decisions in producing music.

"Entertainment industry giant Universal Music Group -- the largest family of record labels in the recording industry -- has taken notice. Under Brushfire's direction, UMG uses recycled stock on all of the packaging for its releases, including movies, ensuring that the paper is as environmentally friendly as possible. Some is even made using wind power."

Read more of the article here.

It's great to know that people can use their influence and creativity for the better good--- in this case, helping out in our fight to save planet Earth! Kudos to you, Jack Johnson! NOt only is your music pure and catchy, your green ideas are too!

It Ain't Easy being Green

Greenwash : the ignoble art of misleading consumers about a product's true green worth.

CNN's article on Greenwashing is a bit alarming, considering that it's now "more prevalent when public interest in environmental issues is greater, and that there's been a gradual increase in claims over time".

As hard as one might think to be an eco warrior or a green girl/boy, it's hard to determine what's truly eco-friendly as companies now resort to (at their worst) outright lying so that their products may be perceived as "eco-friendly".

Watch out for the Six Sins Of Greenwashing, your products may be doing this! I was definitely a victim when it came to this but thank goodness there are people on the watch! Let's do our share and read labels carefully, check out what's in them and if possible, confirm how truly eco-friendly they are.

Mukha kang Plastic! (Plastic Face!)

Plastic is everywhere, but even my plastic-annoyed self didn't see it coming in an exfoliant. The Product Fiend blogger on Shine pointed out that some facial scrubs use teeny beads of polyethylene plastic to help clean out your pores.

By Trystan L. Bass

She cites a Slate article with further details. One Australian researcher found that plastic fragments smaller than 1 millimeter are increasingly common in our oceans. In one British estuary, 85 percent of the plastic garbage was this "microplastic" debris. Sewage treatment systems can't filter it out, so this tiny plastic junk pollutes the watershed and can be ingested by marine life.

Those little beads may feel nice on your skin, but in the long run, they're not doing the planet any good. Besides, you can find plenty of cleansers that use natural stuff to scrub the dirt off your face.

Some of the eco-friendly brands have been around for ages, they don't cost any more than the plasticized versions, yet they won't clog up poor little fishy bodies when we're done with them.

Here are a few exfoliating products I found that contain plastic -- you should avoid:

* Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub
* Clean & Clear's line of scrubs
* Dove Gentle Exfoliating Foaming Facial Cleanser
* Neutrogena's line of scrubs
* Noxzema's line of scrubs
* Olay's line of scrubs
* Phisoderm Nurturing Facial Polish

Look for "polyethylene" in the label's ingredient list. You can double-check on a site like drugstore.com, where it's often easier to read the full ingredient list. You might also question terms like "microbeads" or "microcrystals" that aren't explained.

natural options: loofah, st.ives apricot scrub, etc

rest of the article:
http://green.yahoo.com/blog/greenpicks/188/beady-little-plastic-doesn-t-make-your-skin-smooth.html

Thank You Donors!

Thank You Donors!
Thank you to the following who gave their generous donations for a good cause! We filled out not 5, but 11 boxes!!! :-D

GCG courrier
Unit 2B Don Diego Bldg., 14 Judge Jimenez St. Cubao Q.C
Affordable Courier Service with free Pcikup at your home.
Tel: 4140409 / 4162593
Atty. Boyet Gonong
Mrs. Marina Cristi Gonong

Jc Pineda
Macarius Jason Quema
Mary Jane Quema
Emilia Quema
Nick Stevens and Syna
Juan Paolo Santos
Vida Morales
Paul Gadi
Dexter Belvis
Ajo and Raymund Bermudez
Ana and Chelu Marquez
Stephen Matti
Johanna Clavecilla
Nino Urbi
Helmi Urbi
JR Urbi
Sasha Garcia
Fernando Aracama
Sonic Webstudio



* We will have another shipment come end of the month for those who still want to give, so please msg me. Thanks!

Engineer: We can use food waste to generate electricity

..while our leaders wrangle over quotas for greenhouse emissions over banquets at lavish summits, there are remarkable individuals who are doing their small bit to prevent our planet from peril.

Take Nigerian civil engineer, Dr Joseph Adelegan for instance.

He firmly believes that the world's future fuel demands can be met through renewable energy.

And he is using increasingly innovative methods to achieve these results.

Three years ago Adelegan won plaudits for his "Cows to Kilowatts" project, which used effluents and waste products from abattoirs to produce cooking gas.

Read more here>>

like we need another mall in this country.

"Our government officials are not focusing on agriculture; they are more interested in projects where they can make money with which to buy votes during elections. They know that the majority of Filipino voters can be bought and pick their candidates not because of their qualifications but because of their money. So we now have the government we deserve.

For as long as we don’t change our attitude toward agriculture, we will be hungry ants on a covered sugar bowl."
-LUIS J. ALMACEN, municipal garden coordinator, Medellin, Cebu

I rant, so please, bear with me.


A recent talk with a friend gave me a weird feeling about today's Philippines --- increasing hunger and poverty apparently isn't slowing down the construction of malls everywhere. Even in the provinces, where retail isn't much of a demand, the malls are proliferating everywhere.

Should we just succumb and become a nation of consumers?

With increasing prices of oil, food and other goods are sure to follow. While i applaud those who brave the streets and fight the government (or whoever that is they claim to be responsible for all this), i cannot help but ask: Can't WE, as individuals, do something about it, aside from just blaming other people?

We are a people of development, yet in our vain effort to be "developed" we focus on what is least needed --- consumer items which we ourselves do not produce. No wonder nobody stays here anymore. What we need are jobs, work that is structured on what our country has best, and that is land and natural resources. Instead, we burn and pillage these resources to put up malls which only serve (mostly imported) retails items most of us can only afford on paydays. How strange is that? We don't even grow our own supplies anymore---everything is imported in from everywhere else. How sad indeed.

Doesn't that make you think?

A Simpler Lifestyle

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:56:00 07/08/2008

THE SHARP increase in the prices of oil, food and other basic commodities and services is placing millions of Filipinos near, if not below, the poverty level. That is the bad effect of high prices. But in a stroke of serendipity, high prices are also producing something good: they are forcing people to be thrifty; to lead simple, frugal lives; to recycle and reuse things; and to save and conserve natural resources and reduce pollution.

Read more here.

+ + +

E-jeepneys take over 2 Makati villages’ routes

July 05, 2008 22:07:00
DJ Yap
Philippine Daily Inquirer

SLEEK, COLORFUL and environment-friendly, the electric powered or “e-jeepney” finally made its commercial debut at the Makati central business district early this month, drawing plaudits from Earth lovers everywhere.

A year after the pilot test of the project on Ayala Avenue, environmentalists and city officials rolled out the first batch of 14-seater e-jeepneys that were assigned separate routes around Legaspi and Salcedo Villages in the financial district.

Read more here.

Snapshots of Iloilo

In lieu of 3 snapshots, i bring you a collection i took of my home province, Iloilo. I went home over the weekend to assess our home's damage as well as attend my lola's funeral (my brother and dad saved her from drowning during the flood, but sadly she died a day later --- it was not because of the flood, perhaps, it was just time for her to finally rest. She was 89.) 
We thank the people who helped us and supported us throughout lola's proceedings, as well as those who have generously helped us in the wake of the typhoon.

We brought my grandmother's remains to my dad's hometown, an hour's ride from Carles, where we also have a home. Along the way we saw the damage typhoon Frank dealt on the Ilonggos and it was heart breaking. Many wait along the road, hoping that rice, canned goods and other relief items will come their way.

Though many have already helped , there are still many who take advantage of the situation, either by becoming lazy victims who do not help themselves, or greedy people who either raise prices and/or hoard the goods freely donated to the community--- SHAME on YOU!!!!

Much kudos goes out to the NGOS, the AFP, volunteers and selfless politicians who took it upon themselves to be responsible in times like these!

Many still need help. In the wake of Pacquiao's fantastic win, we revel in the shared joy & kinship every filipino felt. I hope that in helping others, we will also have the same unified spirit. It has been an overwhelming experience for everybody, but the humanitarian spirit prevails, shown in the generosity of people, sometimes even strangers to help someone in need.

SOS Children's Villages in the Philippines to distribute food to typhoon victims in Iloilo

24/06/2008 - SOS Children's Village Iloilo is taking immediate action and helping typhoon victims with shelter and nourishment.


A family taking shelter in the SOS Children's Village Iloilo - Photo: SOS Archives
SOS Children's Village Iloilo is providing rice, canned food-items and noodles to the 300 families in the vicinity whose houses are still under water after the typhoon Fengshen lashed the Philippines. The affected areas are still not accessible and co-workers are trying hard to reach them. The water-level in many areas are still remaining at waist-high.


About 60 families have taken shelter at the SOS Social Centre Iloilo where they are provided with the food and essential items. These families come from the communities around the SOS Children's Village Iloilo where family strengthening programmes are being implemented.



Many areas are still not accessible as the water level is too high - Photo: SOS Archives

Electricity and telephone services are still not restored in many parts of Iloilo city. Generators are pressed into service to provide power in the SOS Children's Village Iloilo.


According to the Red Cross, Iloilo is worst-hit by the fury of the typhoon and hundreds of thousands of people had to be evacuated.


Typhoon Fengshen caused devastation across much of the central Philippines. About 160 people died in flooding and landslides, while homes, bridges and roads were washed away. The typhoon has now weakened to a tropical storm and is heading north into the South China Sea.

If you would like to donate, please click here for details.

Western Visayas Hit the Hardest by Frank

Frank’ wreaks P1.65B damage to property

By Joel Guinto, Katherine Evangelista
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 18:07:00 06/23/2008



MANILA, Philippines -- Typhoon "Frank" (international codename: Fengshen) wrought an estimated P1.65 billion in damage to property, officials said Monday.

Health Secretary Francisco T .Duque III, who flew with Vice-President Noli de Castro to Iloilo asses the health situation and determine the scope of damages in affected provinces, said the Western Visayas region was the hardest hit by the storm.

According to a report from the National Disaster Coordinating Council, "Frank" caused P888.55 million in damage to infrastructure and agriculture in Leyte province, and P52 million in damage to schoolbuildings in Samar Island, and Tacloban and Calbayog cities in Leyte.

In Iloilo province, 165,000 sacks of rice were destroyed after floodwaters entered a warehouse of the National Food Authority (NFA), Agriculture undersecretary Bernie Fondevilla said at an NDCC news briefing.

Duque said that, also in Iloilo, barangay (villages) Simon, San Roque, and Iping were flooded, and a dam in the municipality of San Miguel and bridges in Cabanatuan and Maasin were “heavily damaged.” Likewise, Kamandag Elementary School in the municipality of Leon was damaged after a landslide.

In Antique province, a flashflood hit Sibalom municipality and the Antique-to-Iloilo road was closed. Most evacuees in the province were staying in churches, Duque said.

Two still unidentified persons are missing in Guimaras province. The Aniway District Hospital and Federico Roman Tirador Hospital were flooded, requiring the transfer of patients to the Labunan District Hospital.

Floodwaters destroyed roads and bridges, costing P710 million, in Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), and in Western and Eastern Visayas, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported during the NDCC briefing.

In Marinduque province, 50 percent of rice lands were damaged, while 100 percent of lands planted to corn and bananas were destroyed. Another 40 percent of coconut trees were also destroyed, Fondevilla said.

But Fondevilla said the storm did not damage farm lands in Central Luzon, where the rain was even beneficial to newly-planted crops.

Duque said the Department of Health (DoH) has sent nearly P500,000 worth of drugs, medicines and other supplies to Western Visayas to augment the region’s supply.

DoH-Western Visayas is continuously monitoring the situation through a 24-hour operations center, with regular updates reported to the DoH central office and NDCC.

Meanwhile, a rapid health assessment and surveillance was conducted in Metro Manila where some 2,603 families were sheltered in 22 evacuation centers because of flooding. The DoH has also activated a regional disaster and response plan.

On the other hand, the DoH Center for Health Development in Metro Manila has prepared and distributed health advisories on communicable diseases to affected areas.



Please pray for safety and well-being of the affected families of Iloilo.

Boost Me Up! Help me win!!!

PADYAK your way to a Greener Future!

The UP Padyak Project aims to contribute to the University on its centennial celebration by responding to the threat of global warming and the environmental crisis. Started by members and alumni of the UP Mountaineers, the project is a non-profit advocacy that promotes bicycling as means of transportation and lessens dependence on fossil fuel-driven vehicles. It also aims to promote health and fitness in the campus community.

The project makes bicycles available to students at a highly affordable rate (P500/semester) which will cover rent of an easy-rider bicycle, training clinics, access to bicycle racks and cable locks.

Enrolled students in UP Diliman are eligible to join the UP Padyak Project provided they pass all the requirements of the Health Checklist and comply with the safety guidelines. Applicants must submit a photocopy of their ID, form 5 (upon completion of UP registration), and a completed application form and waiver.

The biking membership period is on a per semester basis starting on the first day of school registration to the last day of the final exams period. Please verify with the current academic calendar for the exact dates.

can you live with only 100 items?

"Stuff starts to overwhelm you," says Dave Bruno, 37, an online entrepreneur who looked around his San Diego home one day last summer and realized how much his family's belongings were weighing him down. Thus began what he calls the 100 Thing Challenge. (Apparently, Bruno is so averse to excess he can't refer to 100 things in the plural.) In a country where clutter has given rise not only to professional organizers but also to professional organizers with their own reality series (TLC's Clean Sweep), Bruno's online musings about his slow and steady purge have developed something of a cult following online, inspiring others to launch their own countdown to clutter-free living.

Rainbow Warrior Tour in Iloilo!

Iloilo, all aboard!
If you would like to visit the Rainbow Warrior, please email your name and the names of your companions to supporterservices.ph@greenpeace.org by tomorrow, Friday, June 6, 2008.

The meeting point for the Open Boat Day shall be at the Climate Defenders Camp, Jaro Cathedral Grounds, Iloilo. Once there, you can look for Judy.
Reminder-- please wear closed shoes! Please see our list of activities below!

Open Boat Days:
June 7 and 8 at the Iloilo Commercial Port If you'd like to join any of the activities below, please send an email to Judy at supporterservices.ph@greenpeace.org .

Saturday, June 7 1pm to 5pm Tour of the Climate Defenders Camp Tour of the Rainbow Warrior
Sunday, June 8 8am to 12pm Tour of the Climate Defenders Camp & 1pm to 5pm

Tour of the Rainbow Warrior Side activities: 10am to 11am Greenpeace kids Kids can listen to a short talk about the environment. Kids will be given coloring sheets (RW, Simple Lang Kids, nature) After coloring, kids will be given a tour of the Rainbow Warrior 2pm to 4pm Green Café Climate Campaigner Jasper Inventor lets us in on Greenpeace's fight for clean & renewable energy. This will be followed by a tour of the Rainbow Warrior.

Thank you to everyone!

Open Boat Day 2008

Open Boat Day 2008 will be next Sunday, June 1, 2008, from 10:30am until 5pm. Check out our day's activities below. It will be held at the Manila South Harbor. To those who confirm, map and meeting area will be emailed by Friday. To reserve, please send an email to supporterservices.ph@greenpeace.org together with your name, your companions names, and your vehicle's plate number. You may also indicate which activity you would like to join so that we can save you a seat.

Open Boat Day 2008 is dedicated to all Greenpeace members, your family, and your friends!

Before touring the Rainbow Warrior, why not get environmentally engaged at the Clean Energy Exhibit while taking a sip of Greenpeace solar coffee.

You can also attend the activies below:

9am to 11am	Green Café: Clean Energy & The Rainbow Warrior
	Early birds get the worm! Start the day with solar coffee
	while Climate Campaigner Jasper Inventor lets us in on
	Greenpeace's fight for clean & renewable energy.
	This will be followed by a special tour of the ship
	by Captain Mike Fincken.
	Only 50 seats are available! So email us to confirm
	a slot for you and one companion.
10:30am onwards	Official start of Open Boat Day
11am to 12 noon	Simple Lang talk
	Learn how conserving electricity can
	help save the planet! Discover how simple acts,
	when done collectively, can save the climate.
	Only 50 seats are available! Email us to confirm
	a slot for you and one companion.
12 noon to 1pm	Open Boat Day takes a lunch break!
	Film showing of various Greenpeace videos
2:30pm to 4pm	Color me Green: Kids Activity
	20 kids will be getting a short & fun talk about
	our planet! This will be followed by a coloring
	session and a special tour of the Warrior.
	Participants can have their photos taken beside
	Dave the dolphin while displaying their artwork.
	Each child may have 1 adult companion during the Rainbow Warrior tour. 20 seat available!
	the Rainbow Warrior tour. Please email us
	to confirm a slot for your child. 20 seats available

Click to be Counted

This is a movement about change, as individuals, as a country, and as a global community. Join the 1,068,539 supporters of the Stop Global Warming Virtual March, and become part of the movement to demand our leaders freeze and reduce carbon dioxide emissions now. We are all contributors to global warming and we all need to be part of the solution.

Greenpeace dumps coal at DENR: calls for cancellation of IloIlo Coal plant

Greenpeace activists dumped half a ton of coal at the entrance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) today and unfurled a banner with the message “Atienza, don’t be a climate criminal.” The activists are demanding that Secretary Lito Atienza immediately reject all plans to construct a dangerous coal-fired power plant in Iloilo City.

Read more here.

Sign Up and let your voice be heard!

Make your voice heard.
Sign the petition opposing the construction of the
165 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Iloilo City, Philippines

Learn a word, donate some rice

Learn Free Vocabulary & Give Free Rice!
For each word you get right, FreeRice donates 20 grains of rice through the United Nations to help end world hunger. :)

Check out FREERICE

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!

=======================

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)


+ + +

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.

+ + +

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.

+ + +

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

+ + +

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