STATS Performance Apparel is official UP Fighting Maroons Outfitter and Merchandise Company

Wazzup Pilipinas!
STATS Performance Apparel, an athleisure brand under Januarius Holdings Inc. (JHI), expanded its support for the UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) for University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82. 

Besides the official on-court and off-court wear of the basketball team, STATS will also produce the official merchandise of the UP Fighting Maroons. 

JHI Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) JJ Atencio (left-most), JHI Chief Operating Officer Marcy Venezuela (right-most), STATS Performance Apparel CEO and Creative Director Edrin Panganiban (second from right) officially sealed their partnership on Wednesday, April 24 with Nowhere To Go But UP Foundation (NTGBUP), a volunteer group of UP alumni supporting UP’s varsity programs led by its President, Atty. Agaton Uvero (center) at the Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman. Also present at the signing ceremony were UP Head Coach Bo Perasol, UAAP Season 81 MVP Bright Akhuetie, Janjan Jaboneta, Noah Webb, and the Gomez de Liaño brothers, Juan and Javi.

MARINA, DOE to Promote Green Shipping Industry

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The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) promote a more sustainable and eco-friendly fuels for Philippine-registered ships in preparation for the implementation of the global 0.50% sulphur cap in 2020.

Guided by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the MARINA and DOE discussed the specifications of the global 0.50% sulphur cap with petroleum industry stakeholders, oil importers, and shipping industry partners to listen to their concerns and to prepare for possible challenges that may emerge due to the new regulation.

Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention, which the Philippines has ratified in 2018, requires all ships in non-emission control area (ECA) zones to set limit on the sulfur content of fuels from 3.50% to 0.50% by 01 January 2020. To date, the Philippines is a state party to all annexes of the MARPOL Convention.

MARINA – Shipyards Regulation Service (SRS) Director Engr. Ramon Hernandez acknowledged stakeholder concerns such as the need for existing Philippine-registered vessels to undergo retrofitting to be able to utilize sustainable and eco-friendly fuels.

The MARINA and DOE assured the stakeholders that they will formulate a comprehensive plan for the implementation of the global 0.50% sulphur cap in 2020 by identifying other alternative sources of eco-friendly and affordable fuels, among others.

On 24 May 2019, the MARINA and DOE will meet with the Department of Finance (DOF), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for further collaboration to ensure that the Philippines will be able to comply with the Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention from 2020 and beyond.

Sweet Scent of Success for Hojap Coffee

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Hojap Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Hojap MPC) manager Shirley Tagtag shares how the cooperative grew to become one of the leading coffee producers in Asipulo, Ifugao, through the hard work and determination of its members.

"We started as a sari-sari store na ang binebenta namin ay basic needs ng mga tao," Tagtag said.

In 2002, the cooperative expanded its business to include lending services to help their farmer- members with their needs. According to Tagtag, Hojap MPC started venturing into the coffee industry in 2009 when its members participated in an educational trip in Cavite organized by the Department of Agriculture and Department of Trade and Industry.

"When they came home, nakita naman nila (participants) na may kape na sa Asipulo so why not start with coffee," she added. 

After years of catering orders for trade fairs, Hojap in 2014 began its regular coffee production.

“All year round available na ang (coffee) processing and we also started selling green coffee beans,” she said.

To help their farmer members, Hojap MPC conducts trainings; provides lending services to avail agricultural loans; and sells the produce to shield them from unscrupulous traders.

As shared by Tagtag, the cooperative aims to bring back the interest of the people to coffee farming.

“Nung bumagsak ang presyo noong 1980s, napabayaan ng farmers natin ang kape. If we give them sure market and sure price na hindi naman sila malulugi, I’m sure mae-encourage sila (magtanim).”

Hojap MPC, a partner of Peace and Equity Foundation in the development of Asipulo coffee farmers, currently has 962 members. They have been marketing their coffee products like Kesi’melan coffee not only within the province but also to specialty shops, cafes and supermarkets in Manila. HOJAP consolidates the local farmers’ harvests of green coffee beans, and fresh and dried coffee berries for volume-based incentives and better prices.

Hojap MPC is based in the municipality of Asipulo, Ifugao which hosts the biggest coffee planting area in the province with about 1,394 hectares, roughly 55% of the province’s total coffee area. The coop named itself as “Hojap”, an Ayangan term which means Haliap, the barangay where they are currently operating.

Website link: http://pef.ph/index.php/2019/04/29/sweet-scent-of-success-for-hojap-coffee/