PH Tops Energy Sustainability Ranking for 3rd Year

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines ranked No. 1 in the World Energy Council’s World Energy Trilemma Index (WETI) 2017 for the third consecutive year for having the best energy environmental sustainability among 125 countries.

Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi announced Monday the Philippines’ three-peat in WETI, which ranked countries according to the three criteria: energy security, energy equity and environment sustainability called "trilemma."
“We welcome the good news that the Philippines for the third straight year landed number one in the World Energy Council’s World Energy Trilemma Index 2017 on environmental sustainability,” Cusi said.

WEC defined environmental sustainability as the holistic achievement of supply- and demand-side energy efficiencies and development of energy supply from renewable and other low-carbon sources.

Energy security is the effective management of primary energy supply from domestic and external sources, reliability of energy infrastructure, and ability of energy providers to meet current and future demand. Energy equity is the accessibility and affordability of energy supply across the population.

"Environmental sustainability, energy security and energy equity form part of the country’s energy development program," said Cusi.

The DOE's Renewable Portfolio Standards, which mandates energy distribution utilities to source a minimum portion of their energy from eligible renewable sources, is proof of the national government's thrust towards energy sustainability.

Soon, the DOE will launch the Green Energy Option Program which will enable consumers the power to choose renewable energy resources as their source of energy.

“The WEC rating on environmental sustainability is also a recognition of the administration’s advocacy encouraging Filipinos to make energy efficiency and conservation a way of life," Cusi said.

“Our program on Minimum Energy Performance requirement for household appliances continues to help us control the growth of our total energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions," added Cusi.

The national government has also endeavored to improve on the energy security and energy equity dimensions of the country as defined in the WETI.

On energy security, the President signed Executive Order No. 30 creating an Energy Investment Coordinating Council that will spearhead and coordinate national government efforts to harmonize, integrate and streamline regulatory processes, requirements and forms relevant to the development of energy investments in the country.

For energy equity, the DOE’s national energy policy is technology-neutral to allow all available technologies to compete in the delivery of secure and affordable power while complying with environmental standards.

Additionally, the DOE, together with its partners, has intensified its nationwide electrification program using renewable energy systems to attain its vision for total electrification by 2022.

The DOE is also under the final stage of issuing an Energy Resiliency Policy that would address challenges in the energy systems after a natural or human-induced disaster and build back better for a sustainable energy system.

“We will continue to develop our indigenous and environmentally friendly sources of energy and make our communities more energy-efficient,” Cusi concluded.

Liter of Light Attempts Guinness World Record for Building Solar Lights to Raise Awareness for Sustainable Energy

Wazzup Pilipinas!

On Wednesday, January 10, 2018, social enterprise Liter of Light will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for building solar light in order to raise awareness and action for the millions of people in the Philippines and around the world who lack access to clean, affordable energy.

The Guinness World Record attempt will take place in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, under the patronage of the Zayed Future Energy Prize in celebration of its 10th year anniversary.

Liter of Light won the seventh edition of the Zayed Future Energy Prize in the Non-Profit Organization (NPO/NGO) category in 2015, and is the only Filipino organization to have won this prestigious prize.

The world’s biggest award for renewable energy and sustainability honored the organization for an innovative lighting solution that addresses the combined challenge of climate change, energy security, and the environment. The Liter of Light empowers communities by training locals how to manufacture and install solar lights, creating hundreds of job opportunities for sectors not commonly involved with energy, such as rural women’s cooperatives, youth groups, and refugee camps.

The Guinness World Record attempt will call on thousands of students and young volunteers to participate in an environmental sustainability lesson, where they will build simple, repairable solar lights that will be rendered into an art installation at the end of the day.

“Liter of Light’s Guinness World Record endeavor is about more than setting a new milestone for community-built solar lighting,” said Illac Diaz, Founder and Executive Director of the Liter of Light. “In organizing this large-scale action, we want to raise awareness for the millions who continue to live without access to clean energy, including the tens of thousands of Muslim Filipinos in the southern areas of Mindanao.”

Liter of Light has already brought 131 streetlights and thousands of community-built solar lights to Marawi as part of relief efforts, but tens of thousands remain displaced by the conflict. Without access to electricity, the communities in the post-conflict zone will continue to suffer from increased vulnerability to theft and violence.

Construction of South East Metro Manila Expressway Project to Start In April 2018

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Traveling from Quezon City to Taguig in just 35 minutes will soon become a reality with the construction of the Southeast Metro Manila Expressway (SEMME) finally underway.

Earlier today, the Department of Transportation - Toll Regulatory Board (DOTr-TRB), in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), led the groundbreaking and time capsule laying for the first phase of the SEMME or the C-6 Expressway Project. Construction is targeted to start in April 2018, however, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade instructed concessionaire San Miguel Corp. to start the construction sooner.

“We hope to start construction in April 2018, but Secretary Tugade wants us to start earlier. What we can say is that we will do our best to make this possible at the soonest possible time,” SMC Engineer Norberto Conti said during the briefing of the SEMME project.

The transport chief regarded the C-6 Expressway project as a project that was made possible with the full cooperation and support of concerned national and local government agencies and the private sector.

“Ngayon, nagpupulong tayo para maisakatuparan ang pangarap ng taumbayan na mapasimulan itong C-6 expressway project. Ang mensahe natin ngayong umaga — nagawa ang proyektong ito dahil united at buo ang gabinete ng Pangulo,” Tugade said.

The SEMME project is a 34.024-kilometer, six-lane, combined elevated and at-grade expressway with two directional traffic flow. It will start in the south with a connection to the existing Skyway Stage 1 in FTI, Taguig City, and would terminate in Batasan Complex in Quezon City. It will eventually connect to the North Luzon Expressway via Balagtas.

Aside from decongesting roads in Manila and Quezon City, particularly major road networks such as EDSA, C-5, Ortigas Avenue, and its extension, SEMME shall likewise provide commuters and motorists fast and direct access by South and Southeast, as well as Metro Manila inter-city travelers, to major international and domestic airports.

Once completed, travel time from Bicutan, Taguig to Batasan, Quezon City will be reduced to only 35 minutes.

Phase 1 of the project is targeted to be completed in 2020.

Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar, meanwhile, said the Build,Build,Build team “will work 24/7 to make the project possible.”

“Abangan ninyo po ang sunod-sunod na ground-breaking ceremonies this year. These are infrastructure projects that will lead to the accomplishment of the Build, Build, Build vision, soon,” Villar said.

For her part, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano lauded the efforts of the Build,Build,Build team in making the long-awaited C-6 project a reality.

“It appears our hope and aspirations are now a tangible reality. I am excited for our fellow Filipinos who will soon take advantage of this expressway project that will surely boost connectivity and mobility here in Metro Manila,” the Taguig local chief executive said.

The groundbreaking ceremony was also attended by Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and CEO Vince Dizon, and Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares.

Embracing Both the Positive and Negative Aspects of Life

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So when people say they just want positive vibes and avoid toxic news, it's like saying they prefer to live a one-sided life only.

When we avoid the negativities, we shut ourselves from experiencing the real world, and miss the opportunity to offer solutions to the issues.

Yeah, maybe we just don't want to add more to our own problems, but the world and its problems should also be our concern.

This world we call Earth, or let us say we limit it to our own country, requires the cooperation of every resident to survive. We are always in the brink of a disaster if we continue to ignore our social responsibility.

This is why we believe that it is important to get ourselves involved by also knowing the faults, irregularities, shortcomings and other unsatisfactory traits, so we could properly come up with the right solution. But please do understand that we could only share our findings once we've fully confirmed them as true.

We need to be inquisitive enough to ask all the necessary questions, but also be able to offer our recommendations, and be man enough to apologize if we made a mistake.

Sometimes people just need to know that others are watching their every move so they would work diligently, and not abuse their perks and privileges.

But not to the extent of being paranoid or panicky, that we lose our sense of enjoying life as we deem fit and necessary. Itbis true that we could not save the world on our own, but we could at least try to share our part in nation-building.

All would probably be alright if each one of us have at least one advocacy focused on certain aspects of bringing back the glory of nature, deconstructing our badly-designed civilization, making efforts to eat and promote healthier food, educating the misinformed or less knowledgeable, or any other form of sustainable activities to reshape our world into its better form.

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Non-profit Group Maps Out Activities for 2018; Kick Offs ‘Bayanihan’ Year with Youth Forum

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To sustain its thrust in youth development and nation-building through volunteerism, non-profit group I am Making A Difference, Inc. (I am M.A.D.), is mapping out a solid slate of activities for 2018.

I am M.A.D., a national finalist in the on-going 15th Search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards, in partnership with the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) and One Meralco Foundation, Inc., will kick off the bayanihan year by hosting for the second time its national youth forum event dubbed “M.A.D. Talks: Nagmahal. Nasaktan. Nagvolunteer. REPEAT!” to be held on Jan. 13, Saturday, 1 to 5 PM at the Meralco Mini-Theater, Pasig City.

Christian Marx Rivero, co-founder and Chairman of I am Making A Difference, Inc. said the forum will gather over 150 youth participants all over the country, including student leaders, educators, young professionals and other members of the volunteering community who will get a chance to connect, listen, and learn from the inspirational stories of resource speakers and successful volunteers.

As the ‘Grand Feast of Volunteers’ and a celebration of the Filipino culture of bayanihan, M.A.D. Talks seeks to promote participation, development and unity among the youth sector and to encourage people to become more proactive members of their communities and make volunteerism as a way of life.



The millennial-driven group will also be launching its new website, as well as ‘Call for Volunteers,’ a multimedia promotional material designed to further spread the gospel of active volunteerism and selflessness through the collective passion and nationwide advocacy to mobilize local youth of I am M.A.D..

Rivero also added that these youth leaders can further hone their leadership potentials by joining their M.A.D. Camps, a series of 15 outreach activities to be held in different parts of the country this 2018. These M.A.D. Camp areas will likewise be announced during the forum through a ‘MADgical’ segment featuring the Impossibros, a new generation of young and hip Filipino magicians that promises to bring a new spin to classic and powerful magic.

For interested parties, visit I am M.A.D. FB page: facebook.com/IamMakingADifference, contact Oyam Mendoza at 0915-782-2626 or email to iammadph@gmail.com.

Harvest Your Own Honey at Home

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A honey bee, going from flower to flower in search of nectar, made me think about finding a way to harvest our own honey.

My grandma's younger brother (when he was still alive) had a beehive inside a built-in cabinet at their ancestral home where he was able to harvest honey on a regular basis. The bees made it their home because the cabinet was not being used and had a hole from the outside where the bees got in. They were surprised seeing the beehive when they finally thought of opening the cabinet. Instead of removing the bees home, they let the bees multiply and the beehive to grow until they could regularly harvest honey from it. It was equally surprising that the bees were not attacking and just letting them get their honey. The honey as payment for the rent? Lol!

Unfortunately, this setup only lasted for a few years because the bees left. They probably decided to find a new home. We were among those that were given a few bottles of honey, and I must say it definitely taste a lot better than the ones you could buy at the pasalubong areas lined up along the streets of whatever province.






Homemade is pure, unlike the commercially bottled ones sold in the market. I would be willing to pay more as long as I do get all-natural honey without any added ingredients or preservatives. I'm a bit wary in buying honey from vendors found at the outskirts of nearby towns especially when they do not have labels. But it is also more expensive to buy them from vendors that have improved packaging and labels.

This hesitation is similar for all products may it be buko pies or tarts from Tagaytay, strawberry jams from Baguio or Benguet, and other products famous from all provinces.

But it is always a tradition to always bring home pasalubong whenever you visit a far away place for either work or leisure. It is appreciated to receive specialty goodies from your relatives, friends or colleagues after a vacation or coming back from a trip out-of-town or overseas.

But would it be fun as well if we could really make our own if we have access to the same resources.

Our neighbors planted some vegetables (malunggay, talong, etc., ) and papaya trees at the vacant lot of our unused home at Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal. This made us see the advantage of having our own land compared to living in a bliss or condominium where you could only resort to potted plants. Imagine the veggies and fruit-bearing trees we coild have planted if we were livibg at our Rizal home. But that home is reserved for our retirement when our kids are done with school. That would only be the time when we could finally make use of that property.

As of now, we should settle for the tomato and bell pepper plants we managed to grow in pots. A papaya tree and calamansi plant grew but they got dwarfed due to lack of soil. Herbal plants could really work since there are small varieties that would not need too much space and soil.

#WazzupPilipinas #PambansangBlogger

A Healthier Community with Herbal Gardening.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Nature has actually provided for remedies to most of our ailments, but we now resort to taking synthetic medicines right away. We are enticed to rely right only on drug stores and medical doctors thinking they are the only ones that could cure us.

But herbal products like Citronella oil has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, among others.

In addition to using citronella oil, we can also use the plant itself as a decorative element in our home and as a repellent for different pests.

The plant could then be an alternative to using the more expensive over-the-counter or doctor-prescribed medicines. It would have been less of a hassle if only we could pick Citronella from our backyard garden and extract oil from it.

Though doctors are also important but that it is good to know herbal options for ailments that can be cured with home remedies. We are not trying to promote alterations to medicine but only as support for less critical sickness.

Thus we aim to promote herbal gardening, make it sustainable and reach out to more people by educating them about it. The herbs can be made available in the front yard if people learn to plant it. The people’s knowledge of natural remedies can help their families remain healthy and survive as they can just pick the cure from their yard whenever they need it.



We are therefore calling out to groups, organizations, the government and all the people who are willing to support us. We need to source out herbal plants and produce herbal products for demonstration purposes, and eventually for actual regular use by the community.

All the knowledge shared to volunteers would then be shared also to other interested parties.

We look forward a healthier community with herbal gardening.

Damitan Mo Si Maria: A Graduation Fashion Show

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On January 20, 2018 at 6 pm in GT Toyota, UP Diliman – the BS Clothing Technology Class of 2018 will be holding a graduation fashion show entitled “Damitan Mo Si Maria,” showcasing the skills they’ve learned in a culminating collection of their very own creations.

From research, design, production, to merchandising, this batch of BS Clothing Technology students are the future makers of the form and function in fashion.

Witness a movement and statement by a new breed of talented designers with their own interpretations on who Maria is – in a variety of forms: gender, social status, and representation. Going beyond boundaries and breaking stereotypes, “Maria” can not only be anyone, but can also wear anything.

Tickets are available for reservation at https://goo.gl/forms/d0eTXzZcfuby9jWu1

Pre-selling price:
P250 - UP Student Seated
P300 - Non-UP Student Seated
Walk-in price: P300

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UPCTGradShow/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/upct_gradshow

ColorManila Kicks Off the Year with CM Paradise Run

Wazzup Pilipinas!

ColorManila, the country’s biggest ‘concept fun-run’ organizer, just gathered at least 10,000 runners for its maiden event for 2018, for CM Paradise Run, held last January 7, 2018, at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Grounds, in Pasay City.

CM Paradise Run also marks ColorManila’s 6th successful year in the industry, which they have dominated in recent years. With this event, they have brought the colorful fun-run experience to at least 160,000 participants, with events taking place once a month on average.

Celebrities such as Sam YG, Xian Lim, Dingdong Dantes, Ico Ejercito, Kuya Kim Atienza , among others, were also spotted at the event.

ColorManila VP Justine Cordero says, “We are proud to have brought the colorful fun-run experience to over 160,000 participants for the past 6 years. Each year, we try to come up with a different concept that our runners will enjoy and would make the experience memorable. Thank you to all our followers, we wouldn’t last this long without your support.”

Cordero continues, “We hope you can continue supporting ColorManila, as we try to introduce new race and fun-run concepts in the near future.”

ColorManila’s next event will be on February 24, 2018, for CM Blacklight Run, which will be held at McKinley West at Bonifacio Global City (BGC), in Taguig City.

For more information, please visit colormanila.com



Actor Xian Lim also posted about ColorManila on his IG/XianLimm:

https://instagram.com/p/BdobcbTgl7L/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bdoizx6gYO9/

Lenovo Introduces Its Most Complete ThinkPad Portfolio with 2018 Lineup

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Uncompromising ThinkPad X, T, and L Series honed and enhanced with ultra-slim designs and customer focused innovations


Highlights of the 2018 ThinkPad T, X and L portfolio include:

Thinner and Lighter designs with 8th Generation Intel® Core™ processors across the line-up 

Broader support of Facial Recognition for Windows Hello 

Introduces ThinkShutter physical webcam cover for camera security confidence 

Brand-new ThinkPad L Series embraces Yoga design and 13” displays 

Universal USB Type-C power adapters across all ThinkPad models

New mechanical Side Docking option for ubiquitous compatibility and key-lock security 

In addition, new ThinkVision displays create productive desktop experiences and new Lenovo Tablet 10 built for vertical solutions


Let’s look at the ThinkPad portfolio for 2018:

ThinkPad X Series – Full Performance, Yoga Flexibility and Compact Design

Mil-Spec tested for durability, the ThinkPad X series can work in some of the world’s most inhospitable places

Rapid Charge delivers 80 percent battery in 60 minutes with X280 offering up to 16.6 hours1 and X380 Yoga offering up to 13.6 hours of battery life

X280 is 20 percent lighter (2.5 pounds) and 15 percent thinner (17.4mm) compared to its predecessor

X380 Yoga enhances end-user experience with Active Pen and secure access made easy with IR camera and Windows Hello.

ThinkPad X280 starts at $999 (USD), X380 Yoga starts at $1,459, both available from January 2018


ThinkPad T Series – Perfected Corporate Workhorse

Performance is boosted with powerful 8th Gen Intel® Core™ processors

Class-leading security with IR camera, fingerprint reader and ThinkShutter Camera Privacy to protect valuable user data.

Optional discrete graphics power premium displays up to UHD on ThinkPad T580

Extraordinary longevity with extended battery options delivering up to 27 hours of battery life1.

ThinkPad T480s, at just 2.9 pounds is one of the lightest business laptops in its category

ThinkPad T480 starts at $989, T480s starts at $1,269 and T580 starts at $1,079, all available starting January 20182.

ThinkPad L Series – Versatile Business Machines, Exceptional Value

New 13-inch form factors and redesigned thinner and lighter 14 and 15-inch laptops offer customers greater choice

Optional multi-touch displays, complete docking solutions and powerful 8th Gen Intel® Core™ processors offer great performance and exceptional value

ThinkPad L580 can also offer new discrete AMD graphics

Available from February 2018, ThinkPad L380 Yoga starts at $549, L380 starts at $449, L480 starts at $779 and L580 starts at $7692.

Lenovo Tablet 10 – Compact, Tough and Secure Detachable

New detachable powered by Intel® Celeron® N Series processors designed to benefit vertical applications such as healthcare and retail

Featuring fingerprint reader and discrete Trusted Platform Module for business-class protection

Integrated rechargeable pen, up to 9 hours of battery life1 and Wireless WAN enhance the detachable users’ experience

Lenovo Tablet 10 will be available from January 2018, starting price will be available shortly.


ThinkPad Docking Station – Simple and ubiquitous docking solutions

Fresh approach to traditional docking design with one-touch slide-to-connect mechanism

Designed to accommodate most 12, 14 and 15-inch ThinkPad laptops3

Provides complete connectivity options and keylock security for physical asset protection

ThinkPad Docking Station will be available from January in three different models.

Basic 90W at $199, Pro 135W at $249 and Ultra 135W at $2992

ThinkVision X24 and P32u – Premium Monitors are your ThinkPad Laptop’s Best Friend

ThinkVision X24 is an ultra-thin monitor at just 4mm thin with narrow (1.1mm) bezels
Full HD In-Plane Switching (IPS) display provides a wide viewing angle and 96 percent sRGB color gamut

ThinkVision P32u is a UHD 4K display with multi-color space capability

The 32-inch near-edgeless monitor features Thunderbolt 3 In and Out ports for daisy-chain capability

User comfort is maximized with a flexible stand that offers lift, tilt, swivel and pivot

ThinkVision X24 will be available from January 2018 at $2492

ThinkVision P32u will be available from March 2018 at $1,3492


All Lenovo products are available on www.lenovo.com.

Full 2018 CES press kit at http://news.lenovo.com/CES2018

Discover more at www.lenovo.com/ces.
Intel Inside®. Extraordinary Performance Outside.

1 Measured using BAPCo MobileMark 2014
2 Starting prices are subject to availability
3 ThinkPad Basic, Pro and Ultra Docking Station support ThinkPad X280, T480, T480s, T580, L480 and L580 models