Sunway City: A Living Manifesto of Sustainability

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Stepping onto the grounds of Sunway City, I'm struck by the realization that I'm not just a visitor; I'm here for a purpose. The air is alive with the energy of the Capacity Development and Training Workshop Series on Intergovernmental Processes and Planetary Health, organized by the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health. As I settle in, I see that this isn't just a place—it's a living manifesto, a philosophy woven into the very fabric of Sunway's existence.

The first thing that got my attention upon entering my room at the lucky 8th floor were the magazines. This gives you an idea of my interest and genuine curiousity of learning more about this particular place even though it's my second time here. The first time was through collaboration with the Tourism Office of Malaysia who included Sunway Lagoon among our itinerary during our 2019 trip here before the Covid pandemic struck the world.

But my Kuala Lumpur journey truly began again tonight at the Welcome Dinner held at Sunway University. The buffet was composed of sumptuous and healthy dishes, a thoughtful and fitting start to a workshop focused on planetary health and sustainable living. This meal, more than just dinner, was a perfect introduction to Sunway's core values.

The Transformation of a City

It's clear that Sunway City is a testament to what's possible. The sprawling 2,000-acre site, a former tin-mining wasteland, has been reborn as an integrated township where nature and human life coexist in a delicate and beautiful balance. It’s a deliberate, long-term master plan to create a harmonious urban landscape, a bold declaration of "A Township Master-Planned in Harmony with Nature." From the lush greenery to the serene lakes and the iconic "Tree of Life," it's a powerful visual story of transformation.

I was especially impressed by the focus on strategic resource and waste management. The "Quay to Solving Flash Flood Woes" article highlights how Sunway's efforts, guided by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are mitigating flash floods and safeguarding water resources. This is more than just engineering; it's a profound commitment to stewardship that extends far beyond a company's bottom line.

A Community of Heroes

A truly sustainable city, I'm learning, is built not just on infrastructure but on human values. The #SUNWAYHEROES campaign, with its powerful silhouette of figures "Standing as a Force for Good," really resonated with me. It’s a call to action, showing that this commitment goes beyond the environment. The "Beyond Firewalls" article in one of the magazines reinforces this, highlighting how Sunway recognizes the importance of protecting its digital community with the same dedication it uses to protect its physical one. This is a holistic approach that anticipates modern challenges and prepares for them.

The workshop tomorrow itself feels like a critical part of this larger vision. With a focus on the carbon footprint and global policy, the agenda demonstrates that local actions have global consequences. Being here, I feel like I'm part of this ongoing story of change, a participant in a narrative of resilience and collective responsibility. This isn't just a workshop; it's an opportunity to learn from a city that has become a living model for what is possible when vision, community, and purpose align to create a sustainable future.

As I walk the vibrant grounds of Sunway City, the air buzzing with the energy of the Capacity Development and Training Workshop Series, it becomes clear that this isn't just a place—it's a living manifesto. The articles from the Sunway magazine paint a compelling picture of a company not merely building townships, but actively constructing a culture of sustainability and resilience from the ground up. This isn't corporate jargon; it's a philosophy woven into the very fabric of Sunway's existence, a dramatic shift from passive development to proactive stewardship.

A City Designed to Embrace Nature

Sunway City itself with its sprawling 2,000-acre site which was a former tin-mining wasteland, has been reborn as an integrated township where nature and human life coexist in a delicate and beautiful balance.  This transformation isn't an accident. It's the result of a deliberate, long-term master plan to create a harmonious urban landscape. Sunway's commitment to "A Township Master-Planned in Harmony with Nature" is a bold declaration—a promise to prioritize green spaces, biodiversity, and clean water. The images of lush greenery, serene lakes, and the iconic "Tree of Life" are powerful symbols of this pledge.

The company's focus on strategic resource and waste management and building resilient water systems, like the "Quay to Solving Flash Flood Woes," directly addresses the most pressing environmental challenges. The article highlights how Sunway's efforts, guided by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are mitigating flash floods and safeguarding water resources. This is more than a simple engineering feat; it's a testament to a deep-seated belief that a company's responsibility extends beyond its bottom line and into the well-being of the planet and its people.

The Human Element: Standing as a Force for Good

But a sustainable city is more than just green buildings and smart infrastructure. It requires a fundamental shift in human behavior and a commitment to collective responsibility. This is where Sunway's ethos truly shines. The image of the #SUNWAYHEROES campaign, with its powerful silhouette of standing figures, is a dramatic call to action. It embodies the idea of "Standing as a Force for Good."

This commitment isn't limited to environmental stewardship. It extends to social issues, including cybersecurity—a modern-day threat to personal and planetary health. The "Beyond Firewalls" article shows that Sunway recognizes the need to protect its digital community with the same vigor it uses to protect its physical one. This holistic approach to safety and well-being demonstrates a forward-thinking mindset that anticipates future challenges and prepares for them.

A Global Vision with a Local Impact

Sunway's mission is grand in its scope with their mentions of the carbon footprint and the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), show a company that is not only looking inward but also engaging with global policy and climate action.  This is the essence of planetary health—the understanding that local actions have global consequences, and that a healthy planet requires interconnected solutions.

As I attend the workshop tomorrow, I am now a part of this story. I'm not just a guest in Sunway City; I'm a participant in its ongoing narrative of change. The very fact that Sunway University is hosting an event on intergovernmental processes and planetary health speaks volumes. It shows a commitment to education, collaboration, and building a network of leaders dedicated to a common goal. This is a story of a city that refuses to be a bystander, choosing instead to be a pioneer and a living model for what is possible when a community, a company, and a vision align to create a sustainable future.

Consumer Safety Alert: Toxic Food-Like Plastic Toys Threaten Children’s Health

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In the bustling maze of Divisoria, where vendors sell everything from cheap trinkets to household goods, a quiet danger lurks in plain sight—plastic toys made to look like food. Sold for as little as ₱50, these seemingly harmless playthings are drawing alarm from watchdog groups after tests revealed they may be laced with toxic chemicals.

Toys That Look Like Food—But Act Like Poison

BAN Toxics, a nonprofit watchdog for chemicals and waste, recently sounded the alarm on the growing prevalence of food-replica plastic toys—brightly colored hamburgers, glossy chocolates, sunny-side up eggs, and candy-like trinkets marketed for toddlers’ learning and play.

But behind their enticing appearance lies a toxic cocktail. Using a Vanta C Series Handheld XRF Chemical Analyzer, the group tested five toy samples purchased from Divisoria’s ambulant vendors. The results were chilling: traces of arsenic, antimony, barium, bromine, lead, and mercury—all substances known to cause severe, long-term health damage.

Worse still, all the toys were suspected to contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a material long criticized for its hazardous chemical additives.

The Hidden Dangers of PVC

PVC is commonly used in toys because it makes plastic flexible, colorful, and durable. Yet, medical and environmental research has linked it to a devastating list of health risks:

Cancer risks (especially of the liver, testicles, and brain)

Endocrine disruption, where chemicals interfere with natural hormone functions

Reproductive and immune system damage

Developmental harm in children

“These toys may look like food products and can dangerously confuse children into handling non-edible items, which can lead to toxic chemical exposure,” warned Thony Dizon, Advocacy and Campaign Officer of BAN Toxics.

The problem doesn’t stop at chemical exposure. Many of these plastic food replicas are small enough to fit into a child’s mouth—or worse, break apart into swallowable pieces—posing a dual risk of poisoning and choking.

When Play Becomes a Health Hazard

The danger is amplified by just how realistic these toys appear. Toddlers—still learning to tell apart real food from pretend—may mistake the shiny plastic burger or candy for the real thing. Their instinct to explore through touch and taste increases the likelihood of accidental ingestion or prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals.

According to the Endocrine Society, chemicals that mimic or block natural hormones, known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), can wreak havoc on a child’s development. These can impair growth, weaken immunity, and even alter reproductive health later in life.

What the Law Says

The Philippines already has safeguards in place. Under the Department of Health Administrative Order No. 2009-005-A, it is unlawful to manufacture, import, or sell children’s toys containing more than 0.1 percent of specific toxic plasticizers like DEHP, DBP, and BBP.

But enforcement remains a glaring weakness. Toys slip into the market unchecked, particularly in informal markets like Divisoria, where cheap prices often overshadow safety standards.

Call for Immediate Action

BAN Toxics is urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and local government units (LGUs) to act swiftly:

Conduct post-marketing surveillance to remove dangerous toys from circulation

Issue a public health advisory to warn parents and caregivers

Tighten monitoring of toy imports and local manufacturing

“Food-like plastic toys pose significant dangers to children and should be regulated,” Dizon stressed. “A consumer alert from the FDA is urgently needed.”

The Holiday Season Risk

The timing of this warning could not be more urgent. With the “ber months” rolling in, toy sales are set to surge as parents and relatives shop for gifts. Left unchecked, these toxic food-like toys could easily find their way into the hands—and mouths—of thousands of Filipino children this Christmas season.

Protecting Children, Protecting the Future

BAN Toxics has vowed to continue its monitoring efforts to safeguard children from hidden toxic threats. But the ultimate responsibility lies not just with watchdogs, but with government agencies tasked to protect consumers, vendors who sell the products, and parents who unknowingly buy them.

Children deserve toys that spark joy, creativity, and imagination—not silent threats to their health. What appears to be a harmless ₱50 plaything may, in truth, carry a lifelong cost no family should ever have to pay.

Geeks on a Beach 2025: Surf, Startups, and the API Revolution in Cebu

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

When technology meets the tropics, magic happens. This October 1–3, 2025, the world’s brightest innovators, developers, and investors will once again gather by the shores of Cebu for Geeks on a Beach (GOAB), the Philippines’ pioneering international tech conference. Far from the stiff atmosphere of hotel ballrooms and convention halls, GOAB has always thrived on its unique setting—conversations by the surf that spark global collaborations.

And this year, the waves are bringing something even bigger: the API Build Lab Finale, a groundbreaking competition spotlighting Southeast Asia’s most promising API-driven solutions.

APIs: The Invisible Engines of the Digital World

For most people, an API—or Application Programming Interface—is invisible. Yet, it powers nearly every digital interaction we make daily. From hailing a ride and booking a hotel to paying online or tracking a delivery, APIs allow apps and platforms to “talk” to each other seamlessly. They’re the hidden highways of the internet economy—quietly shaping fintech, e-commerce, logistics, healthcare, and more.

By highlighting the API Build Lab Finale, GOAB 2025 isn’t just celebrating technology—it’s honoring the very infrastructure that makes innovation possible.

The API Build Lab: Turning Ideas into Impact

Organized in partnership with 917Ventures through its API venture, Concati, the API Build Lab invites developers and startups to submit concepts with real commercial potential. From there, the most promising ideas advance to a two-week virtual Build Sprint (September 19–October 2), where participants receive coaching, mentoring, and access to world-class resources.

The journey climaxes in Cebu, where the top finalists will pitch live at GOAB before industry leaders, investors, and peers. The rewards are designed not only to recognize excellence but to fuel future growth:

₱50,000 – Grand Winner

₱30,000 – Second Place

₱20,000 – Third Place

AWS credits, travel allowances, complimentary GOAB passes, and global exposure.

Beyond the competition, winning APIs will also gain the chance to be published and monetized on Concati’s open-exchange marketplace, providing a direct pathway for scaling across Southeast Asia and beyond.

Voices from the Frontlines of Innovation

“Geeks on a Beach has always focused on fostering collaboration and innovation,” said Tina Amper, organizer and advisor for GOAB. “Hosting the API Build Lab finale at this year's conference is a natural extension of our mission to provide builders, founders, and communities a platform to shine, while highlighting the Philippines as an emerging hub for tech-driven solutions.”

For Vince Yamat, Managing Director of 917Ventures, the API Build Lab is more than a contest—it’s a catalyst:

“With API Build Lab, we aim to foster innovation by empowering developers to turn their ideas into real-world solutions. Our partnership with GOAB enables us to showcase this talent on the largest platform for startups and technology in the Philippines.”

From a Beachside Dream to a Regional Powerhouse

What began in 2013 as an ambitious experiment to host a global tech event by the sea has since become a cornerstone of Asia’s startup ecosystem. Over the past decade, Geeks on a Beach has built a reputation for catalyzing partnerships, investments, and collaborations that have transformed industries.

This year, by bringing the API Build Lab into the spotlight, GOAB cements its reputation not only as a gathering of visionaries but also as a launchpad for the digital economy’s next chapter.

Key Dates for GOAB 2025

Submission Deadline: September 5, 2025

Virtual Build Sprint: September 19 – October 2, 2025

Final Pitch and Awarding: October 2–3, 2025 at GOAB Cebu

The conference will take place at the JPark Island Resort Hotel in Mactan, Cebu, organized by geeksPH with foundational support from the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT).

Tickets are available at geeksonabeach.com, with discounted rates offered for a limited time.

Why GOAB Matters More Than Ever

In an era where technology defines economies and societies, platforms like GOAB are not just events—they’re movements. They empower developers, inspire startups, attract investors, and remind the world that the Philippines is not only a consumer of digital solutions but a creator of them.

As the waves crash in Cebu this October, one thing is clear: the future of Southeast Asian innovation will be written not only in boardrooms and labs—but also on the sands of Mactan, where geeks meet the beach and ideas meet the world.