Parents be warned: Spooky Toxic Lead and Cadmium Found in Some Halloween Products

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"Beware of Halloween items that may be scarier and spookier than they look."

This was the statement from toxic watchdog BAN Toxics as stores began displaying items for early Halloween shopping. The group cautioned the public against buying Halloween costumes and decorations that may contain toxic lead and cadmium – chemicals listed as major public health concerns.

In a recent market monitoring, BAN Toxics purchased six Halloween masks and tested them for chemical content using a Vanta C Series HH XRF Analyzer. The group found toxic lead levels of up to 1,130 parts per million (ppm) and cadmium levels of up to 160 ppm. Furthermore, all the masks failed to meet the existing product labeling standards mandated by RA 10620, or the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act of 2013.

“Parents should be wary of the creepy and scary presence of toxic chemicals in children’s products which may lead to various health problems,” said Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner of BAN Toxics.

Under DAO 2013-24, or the DENR Chemical Control Order for Lead and Lead Compounds, the use of lead in the production and sale of toys and school supplies is strictly prohibited.

The WHO factsheet on lead poisoning meanwhile says, “Children who survive severe lead poisoning may be left with permanent intellectual disability and behavioural disorders. At lower levels of exposure that cause no obvious symptoms, lead is now known to produce a spectrum of injury across multiple body systems. In particular, lead can affect children’s brain development, resulting in reduced intelligence quotient (IQ), behavioural changes such as reduced attention span and increased antisocial behaviour, and reduced educational attainment.”

Cadmium on the other hand is known to have toxic effects on the kidney, skeletal system, respiratory system, and is classified as a human carcinogen.

Republic Act 10620 mandates toy manufacturers to comply with the labeling requirements stated on the toy packaging, which include – License to Operate (LTO) number issued by the FDA, age grading, cautionary statements/warnings, instructional literature, manufacturer’s markings with the complete name and address of the local company, and the item model/Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) number.

BAN Toxics urges regulatory agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), to conduct post-market surveillance and eventually confiscate unlabeled and unnotified toys and child care articles (TCCA), such as Halloween products, in the market."

“Preventing the spread of unsafe children's products in the market should be the core action not just of a single agency but a concerted effort by all stakeholders, including local government units and the general public,” the group added.

With the Halloween season just a few days away, BAN Toxics advises the public to celebrate in a toxic-free and eco-friendly way with the following 3 simple tips:

1. REUSE or MAKE-YOUR-OWN. Instead of buying new decorations or costumes, reuse old ones. You can also endeavor in arts and crafts by using household items and old clothes to make your own. However, be sure to avoid face paints that may contain toxic chemicals.

2. BUY FROM ESTABLISHED STORES. If you need to buy, opt for products that are properly labeled and notified by regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and DTI, to ensure safety and compliance with health and environmental standards.

3. AVOID SINGLE-USE PLASTICS. Minimize your environmental impact by steering clear of decorations, costumes, or party supplies made from single-use plastics. Opt for sustainable, reusable alternatives or biodegradable options to reduce plastic waste.

Wazzup Pilipinas Leads Influencers' Tours in Rizal Province and Other Places Showcasing Local Tourism Treasures

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Aside from organizing promotional campaigns for brands, companies, events, organizations, products and even personalities, Ross Del Rosario, founder of Wazzup Pilipinas, has organized Influencers' Tours for a number of municipalities of the Rizal province like Rodriguez, Tanay and Angono. 

He has branded it as Influencers' Tours with only the invited influencers changing, and mind you, it is not limited to Rizal only as he has organized tours at other places like Pampanga where he had also combined restaurant hopping tours alongside the Hot Air Balloon Festivals that went on at Clark, and then another similar one at Lubao.

Be also had an Influencers' Tour of Batangas featuring a Lagundi farm tour together with its processing plant, and plantation or nursery for other herbs used for medicinal purposes, plus of course he will never skip the opportunity of dining at places serving the local cuisines which included lomi, crispy fried tawilis, bulalo and the kapeng Barako. He intended to add The Farm at San Benito, a health and wellness retreat place, on the list but circumstances related to the dreaded Covid forced him to reschedule that visit for another date.

The Influencers' Tour of Montalban, otherwise known as Rodriguez included tourist spots like the Wawa dam, overnight stay at the Balai sa Oro farm community where we cooked our own food of inihaw na bangus or milk fish, pork liempo barbecue, among other dishes, lighted a bonfire at night, we also tried riding a 4x4 buggy and a trek at the surrounding areas, a visit at the Rodriguez Ancestral House, dining at Prizza Pizza to try out their pizza and pasta specialties for merienda and witness them bake Infront of us, and have lunch at Ihawan ni Master which specializes on grilled tuna panga, we also tried their calamares, pork tofu sisig, crispy pata and singing sa miso salmon belly, plus the feature of the original Cha Goye's kutsinta made personally during early morning by Cha Goye or Gloria Cruz Porlas herself. 

At the Influencers' Tour of Angono, we were personally toured by the Blanco Family (Dad Jan, Mom Jaz, brothers Justin and Lemuel)around Angono's popular tourist spots which includes the Blanco Family museum and the Nono museum, the St. Clementine shrine church and a walking tour of the famous street where sculptures can be seen and ideal for selfies and photo taking, as well as tried out some dining areas for lunch and dinner, and a visit at the newest hang out place called Kampo de Angono overlooking the municipality and great to spend time during sunset while dining on their local specialties including popular grilled street food like pork barbecue, intestines, then there was also a pancit variety, and other dishes. 

We also enjoyed dining experiences at Inday at Pedring Lutong Bahay (from the name itself you'll already getting the idea that it serves home cooked specialties), Annie's Garden Cafe (which actually at the boundary of Binangonan and Angono so if considered technically by geographic location, it is a part of Binangonan) which also serves heavenly vegan meals plus their Ube champorado is to die for , and Kuya Torvits Pares and Mami (which also has superb halo-halo), and the many choices of sandwiches at Grill Out Burger, all offering budget-friendly but tasty meals that you'll surely come back to soon.

The tour included a visit to the Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs site and other notable places where we also witnessed an art exhibit via the celebration of the  Angono Arts Congress at the Eastridge Golf and Country Club.

The Influencers'Tour of Tanay was co-organized with the local Tourism office of Tanay and included a tour of the Calinawan cave, lunch at Kaminawis Garden Restaurant and Campsite, Daranak Falls, San Ildefonso de Toledo Parish church, a visit at Viewscape Nature Park, Ten Cents to Heaven Leisure Camp, a cooperative at Barangay Sampaloc called Sampaloc Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative, plus a few more dining spots like Kape Natividad Roastery and Cafe and Sinag Kapihan,p including coffee shops like Kape Bukel where they offer freshly brewed coffee from beans they personally roasted. 

These are just the preliminary tours Ross has organized for Rizal Province and that he plans to continue with the rest of the other municipalities.

Ross Del Rosario, the influential founder of Wazzup Pilipinas, has once again proven his passion for promoting local tourism by spearheading a series of Influencers' Tours across the scenic municipalities of Rizal province. These tours have not only highlighted the rich cultural and natural attractions of the area but also brought local businesses into the spotlight. With stops in Montalban, Tanay, and Angono, the tours have opened up new opportunities for tourism in the province.

Montalban: Unveiling Hidden Gems

The Influencers' Tour of Montalban, popularly known as Montalban, was a perfect mix of adventure and cultural immersion. Del Rosario took the group to the famous Wawa Dam, a historic and scenic spot offering a breathtaking view of the gorge and surrounding mountains. The participants stayed overnight at the Balai sa Oro farm community, a serene retreat where they got hands-on with preparing their meals, cooking local favorites like inihaw na bangus (grilled milkfish), pork liempo barbecue, and more. A bonfire lit up the night, offering a cozy moment for conversations and camaraderie.

The next day saw an adrenaline-pumping adventure with a 4x4 buggy ride through rugged terrains, followed by a peaceful trek around the lush surrounding areas. The tour also included a visit to the historic Rodriguez Ancestral House, a testament to the town’s rich history.

Local dining experiences added flavor to the trip. The group stopped at Prizza Pizza for an interactive treat where they witnessed pizzas and pastas being freshly baked. Lunch was served at Ihawan ni Master, where specialties like grilled tuna panga, crispy pata, and the unique sinigang sa miso salmon belly left the group craving for more. The food adventure also included a feature of the  kutsinta from Cha Goye’s, handcrafted early in the morning by Gloria Cruz Porlas herself.

Angono: Art Capital of the Philippines

Angono, famed for its artistic heritage, was next on the tour list. Guided personally by the Blanco Family (Dad Jan, Mom Jaz, and their sons Justin and Lemuel), the group explored the cultural heartbeat of the town. The Blanco Family Museum, which celebrates the family’s extraordinary contributions to the world of visual arts, was a highlight of the tour. They also visited the Nono Museum of art History, a unique space that adds depth to Angono’s creative landscape.

The tour included a stop at the St. Clementine Shrine Church, a historic and spiritual site, followed by a walking tour of Angono’s famous sculpture-lined streets. These vibrant streets provided the perfect backdrop for selfies and snapshots, capturing the town’s artistic essence.

Kampo de Angono, a newly opened dining hub, became a crowd favorite. Overlooking the town, it offered a picturesque sunset view while the group savored local street food delights like pork barbecue, grilled intestines, and a variety of pancit. The tour also included a visit to the Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs, the oldest known artwork in the Philippines, adding a historical dimension to the trip. 

Tanay: Nature and Heritage Combined

Tanay, co-organized with the local Tourism Office, provided a glimpse into the municipality's natural beauty and historical significance. The adventure began with a tour of the Calinawan Cave, a historical site that served as a hideout during World War II. Next on the itinerary was a stop at Daranak Falls, a favorite among nature lovers for its cool waters and scenic cascades.

Lunch was enjoyed at the Kaminawis Garden Restaurant and Campsite, where the group relaxed and dined in the midst of nature. The tour also featured stops at the San Ildefonso de Toledo Parish Church, Viewscape Nature Park, and Ten Cents to Heaven Leisure Camp, giving a well-rounded experience of Tanay's diverse offerings.

Ross Del Rosario’s support for local businesses shone through with visits to coffee shops and cooperatives. The group got a taste of local brews at Kape Natividad Roastery and Cafe, Sinag Kapihan, and Kape Bukel, where they learned about the process of roasting coffee beans and enjoyed fresh cups brewed on-site.

A Continuing Journey

These tours represent just the beginning of Ross Del Rosario's mission to showcase the beauty of Rizal Province. Through Wazzup Pilipinas, he continues to organize such tours to spotlight the hidden gems in these municipalities, with plans to extend to other towns in the near future. By engaging influencers and content creators, he’s helping to promote the local economy and encourage both domestic and international tourism to the province.

With his genuine dedication to supporting communities and sharing their stories, Ross Del Rosario is leading the charge to make Rizal a top destination for travelers seeking adventure, culture, and an authentic local experience.

A Birthday Adventure to Remember: Exploring Indonesia's Bintan Lagoon Resort and Singapore

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My travel with my wife to Indonesia and Singapore was a special treat to her birthday. Our adventure began with a flight going to Singapore, then traveling by sea towards Indonesia specifically to an island resort. Wazzup Pilipinas was invited to feature the Bintan Lagoon Resort first by staying there for a few days and nights experiencing most of their dishes at the restaurants of the resort. The resort even prepared a slice of cake with a birthday greeting to my wife at our room on our arrival at the resort. Then on the second day, we went on a day tour specifically called a Tanjung Uban Heritage and Eco-Farm tour which is composed of visiting the nearby surrounding tourist spots like the Bintan Island Mangrove and the Safari Lagoi Bintan Indonesia Zoo, a Chinese temple and a Muslim mosque ...and then proceeded back to Singapore to experience a stay at the Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel in Kampong Glam where we stayed overnight before exploring Singapore's famous tourist spots like the Singapore river cruise which includes passing by popular tourist spots like the Merlion, the Marina Bay Sands, and other sites and infrastructures visible from the Clarke Quay River. We also tried affordable dining spots serving authentic dishes that are proudly rooted in Singapore as their local cuisines and travelled using Singapore's public transportation.

As a birthday treat for my wife, we embarked on an unforgettable adventure that blended the best of Indonesia and Singapore, beginning with a flight from Manila to Singapore. Wazzup Pilipinas was invited to feature the luxurious Bintan Lagoon Resort in Indonesia, and we could not have asked for a more perfect opportunity to celebrate her special day.

Arriving in Singapore: Gateway to Adventure

Our journey began as we landed in Singapore, a city known for its clean streets, cutting-edge architecture, and vibrant culture. However, the adventure did not stop there. We were headed to Indonesia's Bintan Island, traveling by sea on a scenic ferry ride. The anticipation built as the ferry cut through the sparkling waters, leading us to the tranquil beauty of Bintan Lagoon Resort.

A Warm Welcome at Bintan Lagoon Resort

Upon arrival at the resort, we were instantly enveloped in luxury. Nestled on a sprawling 300 hectares of tropical gardens with its own private beach, Bintan Lagoon Resort is the epitome of a paradise getaway. Our suite was cozy and elegant, offering views of the lush surroundings. To our pleasant surprise, the resort had arranged a thoughtful gesture—a slice of cake with a birthday greeting for my wife, awaiting us in our room. It was a personal touch that set the tone for what was to be a truly memorable stay.

Dining at Bintan Lagoon: A Feast for the Senses

The resort's restaurants provided a culinary journey like no other. Each meal was a celebration of flavors, with the chefs serving up a mix of local and international dishes. We indulged in traditional Indonesian cuisine, including nasi goreng, spicy sambal, and fresh seafood. Every bite was a fusion of rich, bold spices and delicate textures that left us wanting more. Dining at Bintan Lagoon was not just about eating; it was an experience that immersed us in the local culture, reflecting the resort's pride in its heritage.

Exploring Bintan Island: Tanjung Uban Heritage and Eco-Farm Tour

The next day, we embarked on the Tanjung Uban Heritage and Eco-Farm Tour, an enlightening experience that allowed us to see the rich cultural and natural treasures of Bintan Island. Our first stop was the serene Bintan Island Mangrove, a sanctuary teeming with wildlife. Gliding along the calm river, we marveled at the towering mangroves, listening to the sounds of nature all around us.

Next, we visited the Safari Lagoi Bintan Indonesia Zoo, where we saw a range of animals, from exotic birds to indigenous wildlife. The zoo offered a unique glimpse into the diverse ecosystem of Indonesia. We then made our way to a beautiful Chinese temple, with its intricate architecture and vibrant colors that stood in harmony with the surrounding greenery. This was followed by a visit to a majestic Muslim mosque, a peaceful and humbling place that showcased the island’s religious diversity.

It was a day filled with wonder and discovery, a perfect balance of nature, culture, and history, offering us insights into the local way of life.

Back to Singapore: A Night in Kampong Glam

After soaking in the beauty of Bintan, we headed back to Singapore, where we checked into the Cube Boutique Hotel in Kampong Glam. Known for its historic charm, Kampong Glam is a vibrant district where traditional and contemporary Singapore converge. Our boutique hotel stay was cozy and comfortable, giving us the perfect base to explore the bustling neighborhood.

That night, we strolled through the streets of Kampong Glam, absorbing its eclectic energy. We dined at an affordable local spot, savoring Singapore's iconic dishes like Hainanese chicken rice and laksa. Each dish was a reflection of Singapore’s rich food culture, where Chinese, Malay, and Indian influences meld together in perfect harmony.

A Day of Exploration: Singapore River Cruise and Famous Landmarks

The following day, we set out to explore Singapore’s famous sights, beginning with the Singapore River Cruise. Gliding along the river, we passed some of the city's most iconic landmarks. The Merlion, a symbol of Singapore’s origins as a fishing village, stood proudly against the cityscape, while the futuristic Marina Bay Sands towered over the skyline. As we passed Clarke Quay, we admired the colorful riverside buildings and bustling nightlife from afar, a contrast to the serene waters on which we floated.

The river cruise was the perfect way to cap off our adventure. It allowed us to see Singapore from a different perspective, blending the old and the new in a single, mesmerizing view.

A Birthday Celebration to Cherish

From the quiet luxury of Bintan Lagoon Resort in Indonesia to the bustling streets of Singapore, this birthday adventure was one we will always cherish. It was a journey filled with discovery, from savoring local flavors to exploring cultural treasures. Whether navigating mangrove rivers or sailing past Singapore's landmarks, each experience was a new chapter in an adventure that celebrated not only my wife’s birthday but also the joy of travel and exploration.

We returned home with our hearts full, ready to share these incredible stories with our readers at Wazzup Pilipinas, confident that this trip would inspire others to embark on their own extraordinary journeys.