PUMAPATAY ANG KORAPSYON: Opisyal na Pahayag ng Kabataan ng PasigLaban Tungkol sa Korapsyon at Palpak na Flood Control Projects

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Pasig City, Philippines - Nitong mga nagdaang araw, umalingawngaw ang isyu ng garapalang korapsyon sa kabi-kabilang flood control projects sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa, kinasasangkutan ng mga kongresista at malalaking construction companies. Ang pagsisiwalat na ito ay pinangunahan nina Mayor Vico Sotto ng Pasig at Mayor Benjamin Magalong ng Baguio matapos ang matitinding pagbaha sa kabila ng mga proyektong isinagawa. Sa mahabang panahon na namumutawi ang korapsyon sa Pilipinas, tila nakasanayan na ng mga Pilipino ang mamuhay kasama ito—na para bang ito’y normal at bahagi na ng ating sistema. Imbes na kasuklaman, tinanggap na lamang ito ng karamihan. Bilang mamamayan at kabataang may malasakit, dapat na itong matuldukan.

Maraming Pilipino ang napeperwisyo dahil sa mga substandard na flood control projects na ipinapatayo bilang panandaliang solusyon sa problema ng baha. Sa kabila ng milyun-milyong pisong inilaan para rito, napupunta pa rin ang malaking bahagi sa bulsa ng mga ganid na pulitikong inuuna ang pansariling interes kaysa sa kapakanan ng mamamayan.

Kaming mga kabataan ay nakikiisa sa krusadang inumpisahan ng Pasig LGU tungo sa malinis at tapat na pamamahala. Kasama kami sa pagtindig ng iba pang lokal na lider at mga Pilipinong pagod at isinusuka na ang walang habas at hayagang pagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan. Ang sistematikong korapsyon sa loob ng maraming dekada ay maaari nating wakasan sa pamamagitan ng aktibong pakikilahok—hindi lamang sa pambansang antas kundi maging sa kani-kaniyang mga barangay. Maging kritikal at aktibo sa bawat pagkakataon, makilahok sa bawat espasyo ng partisipasyon sa inyong komunidad, at patuloy na iparinig ang kolektibong tinig laban sa bawat anyo ng katiwalian.

Hindi sapat ang magalit, malungkot, o manlumo sa mga anomalya at korapsyong nagaganap sa ating bansa. Gamitin nang mahusay ang ating mga karapatan upang higit na marinig ang ating panawagan. Huwag nating hayaang maging karaniwan ang pagnanakaw at paglapastangan sa kaban ng bayan. Hindi ito normal at kailanman ay hindi magiging normal. Ituring nating kasuklam-suklam na kasalanan ang korapsyon sapagkat hindi lamang nito sinisira ang kasalukuyan, kundi winawasak din ang kinabukasan nating mga kabataan.

Mahaba man ang laban kontra katiwalian, isa itong mahalagang hakbang tungo sa mas malinis at progresibong bukas. Wakasan ang maling nakasanayan at sama-sama nating iahon ang ating bayan. ##

About PasigLaban Kabataan Inc

PasigLaban Kabataan Inc. is a youth-powered organization in Pasig City dedicated to empowering young persons to become informed, proactive, and compassionate leaders in their communities. Since 2022, we have developed programs on education, health, climate action, disaster resilience, and active citizenship, with a strong focus on addressing urgent youth issues such as literacy, mental health, and access to support services. Through peer-led initiatives, advocacy, and collaborative projects, we create safe, inclusive spaces where young people can engage meaningfully and drive positive change.

Additionally, we also proudly serve as Chairperson of the COP on Education of the Pasig City Youth Development Council (2024–2026) and CSO Representative for Youth and Students in the Pasig City Local School Board (2022–2025), ensuring that youth voices shape local policies and programs. Our mission is to build a generation of empowered young leaders committed to equity, health, and community resilience.

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Email: hello@pasiglaban.org

When Heat Turns to Ice: Philippine Study Reveals Shocking Link Between Scorching Days and Hailstorms

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Philippines, a country better known for its sweltering heat and typhoon-laden skies, has long treated hailstorms as an oddity—rare moments of icy rain that surprise residents, spark social media frenzy, and leave communities in awe. But a groundbreaking study led by Filipino scientists has revealed an astonishing truth: the nation’s hottest days may actually pave the way for hail.

This revelation comes from the first-ever comprehensive analysis of hail occurrences in the Philippines, a collaborative effort by researchers from DOST-PAGASA, Ateneo de Manila University, and the Manila Observatory. Their findings overturn common assumptions about tropical weather, proving that the very heat we associate with sunburns and parched afternoons can give birth to showers of ice.

A Record-Breaking Storm of Ice

The study spotlights one unforgettable moment in recent memory: May 8, 2020, when Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, experienced the largest hailstones ever recorded in the Philippines. Residents watched in shock as ice chunks—some larger than golf balls, measuring up to 5 centimeters across—pelted their rooftops and fields.

Satellite imagery from Japan’s HIMAWARI-8 weather satellite revealed massive convective systems fueling the storm. Radar data confirmed high precipitation levels, while weather models painted a dramatic picture of hot air rising violently, carrying water droplets to frigid heights where they crystallized into hail.

“Most people are surprised when hail happens because it is relatively rare in the Philippines,” explained Dr. Lyndon Mark P. Olaguera, senior author of the study. “Some are scared, others fascinated. But what we’ve found is that these events are not random—they follow very specific patterns tied to our hottest days.”

Hot Air, Cold Stones

At the heart of this strange paradox lies a meteorological factor known as Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE). Simply put, CAPE measures how much energy is available to fuel rising air. When surface temperatures soar, CAPE spikes, and hot air rapidly climbs into the atmosphere.

Within thunderclouds, this rising air collides with colder layers, freezing droplets into hailstones. Strong updrafts allow these frozen pellets to grow larger before gravity finally drags them down. And in some cases, dry mid-level air helps the hailstones survive their descent, cooling them further and preventing them from melting before impact.

What sounds like a contradiction—hot days producing ice—actually follows a clear scientific logic: the hotter the ground, the more violent the storm systems above, and the greater the chance of hail.

Two Decades of Data, A Nation of Surprises

Spanning almost twenty years of weather records from 2006 to 2024, the study marks the most extensive analysis of hail in Philippine history. Its findings debunk the notion of hail as random flukes, revealing clear patterns:

Seasonality: Hail events were most common during the dry-season months of March to May, when ground temperatures peak.

Timing: The majority occurred in the late afternoon, the hottest time of day.

Geography: Luzon recorded the most hail events overall, but surprisingly, the largest hailstones tended to appear in the Visayas and Mindanao, where local convective storms persist longer due to weaker monsoon influence.

This regional difference underscores how local weather dynamics—beyond just temperature—shape the scale and severity of hail events across the archipelago.

Citizen Science: The Missing Link

One of the study’s most striking features is its reliance not just on instruments and satellites, but on people. With limited hail detection infrastructure in the country, the researchers turned to social media, local government reports, and news coverage to trace hail events.

From viral Facebook posts of hail-pelted backyards to community-submitted photos of cracked windshields, ordinary Filipinos became essential contributors to science.

“Citizen science plays a crucial role in places like the Philippines,” noted co-author Marco Polo Ibañez. “Without the public’s eyes and smartphones, many of these rare but significant events would have gone unrecorded.”

This collaborative model shows how ordinary people can help fill critical data gaps in monitoring extreme weather—an urgent need as climate change intensifies the frequency and unpredictability of such phenomena.

Preparing for an Unfamiliar Threat

While typhoons and floods dominate the Philippines’ disaster preparedness agenda, the researchers warn that hailstorms must not be overlooked. Left unanticipated, hail can destroy crops, damage homes, injure people, and cripple infrastructure—especially in rural communities unprepared for frozen projectiles falling from the sky.

They recommend strengthening weather monitoring capabilities and expanding forecasting models to include hail risks. At the same time, local governments should integrate less familiar hazards—hail, tornadoes, waterspouts—into disaster response planning.

“Climate change is not just about stronger typhoons or heavier rains,” Dr. Olaguera emphasized. “It’s also about the unusual, the unexpected. Hailstorms remind us that our tropical skies are capable of far more extremes than we once believed.”

A New Chapter in Philippine Weather Science

The study, titled Spatiotemporal Analysis of Hail Events in the Philippines, represents a turning point in how the nation understands its climate. More importantly, it underscores the value of scientific innovation rooted in local contexts.

From sweltering fields in Nueva Ecija to online posts from shocked residents in Mindanao, every piece of data tells a story of how Filipinos experience—and respond to—the unpredictable skies above them.

Hot days birthing ice storms may seem like a paradox, but as this landmark study proves, it is a reality the Philippines must embrace. For a country on the frontlines of climate change, understanding these extremes is no longer just science—it is survival.

Beyond Longevity: A Dramatic Leap into Regenerative Health at the Live Forever Summit

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a world where the concept of a long life is often met with the grim reality of declining health, a new narrative is being passionately written. It is a story not just about adding years to life, but about adding life to years. This was the resounding theme of the Live Forever Summit, a groundbreaking event held at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Organized by the Raya Clinic, this summit brought together a constellation of experts to redefine aging, challenging the status quo and igniting a conversation about a future where vitality is not a privilege, but a birthright.

The summit's agenda was a masterclass in modern health, dissecting myths and unveiling truths about regenerative medicine and holistic wellness. One of the most compelling segments focused on the burgeoning field of stem cell therapy. A striking presentation titled "MYTH: Stem cell therapy can cure all diseases" set the stage for a dramatic reveal. The truth, as illuminated on the screen, is that while researchers are hopeful about its potential, current research only supports its use for specific conditions, including:

1. Alzheimer's
2. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
3. Diabetes
4. Heart Failure
5. Kidney Disease
6. Liver Disease
7. Lupus
8. Osteoarthritis
9. Spinal Cord Injury
10. Stroke

This segment was a powerful call for informed optimism, grounding the conversation in scientific reality while still highlighting the immense promise of this frontier. Another myth, "Stem cell therapy is illegal," was also debunked, with the speakers clarifying that while there are restrictions, many clinics are now offering mesenchymal stem cell therapy in a legal, ethical, and safe manner.

The presentations went on to showcase compelling real-world applications. Case studies were presented, detailing the use of stem cell therapy for conditions such as congestive heart failure and osteoarthritis, demonstrating the tangible impact of these advancements. A visual representation of a "Stem Cell Application for Orthopedics," featuring the avascular necrosis of the femoral head, further illustrated how this therapy works to restore and repair tissue.

But the summit was more than just a deep dive into regenerative medicine. It was a holistic exploration of what it truly means to live well. A powerful panel discussion with wellness expert Loree took the stage, posing questions that struck at the core of the summit's philosophy. One question asked, "Longevity isn’t just about adding years to life but life to years. How does yoga address the mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of aging gracefully?" Another poignant query followed: "There are different forms of yoga, are there specific preferred types for specific age segments?" These questions underscored the understanding that true well-being transcends the physical, encompassing the mind, body, and spirit.

The atmosphere was one of palpable excitement and empowerment. The audience, a mix of medical professionals and individuals eager to take control of their health, absorbed every detail. The speakers—experts in their own specialties—presented complex information with clarity and passion, bridging the gap between cutting-edge science and practical application.

The Live Forever Summit was not just a conference; it was a movement. It was a bold declaration that the future of health is not about passively accepting the ravages of time, but about actively engaging with the science and practices that can restore, regenerate, and revitalize. The Raya Clinic, in bringing this event to the heart of Metro Manila, has planted a seed of hope and possibility, inviting everyone to join the dramatic and compelling journey toward a life lived not just longer, but fuller.