5th YAMAN Philippines Congress Held in Baguio on November 20-22, 2019

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We did a great tour from Manila to Baguio last November 20-22, 2019 together with different students from different Universities/Colleges all over the country. YAMAN stands for Philippine Youth Association for Responsible Mining and Natural Resources.

During our 1st day, we did tree planing in Luneta Park around 6am. And did Interview with Julius, one of the participant. A 5th Year Mining student from Surigao. After planted 50 trees in Luneta around 6am and then we proceeded to Baguio.

By 2pm we arrived in Camp John Hay Trade and Cultural Center in Baguio City to witness the 66th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC). I saw several Mining equipment including the drones that cost around 2.5m to 4.5 million peso used for survey and mapping.

As well as hi tech industrial equipment used to build great home and cities. Imagine those finest Jewelry, great house, buildings and roads which cannot be completed without the involvement of the mining industry.

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The next day is we did the early morning sports fest in Baguio Athletic Bowl. They called it Palarong Minero. A team building kind of games to different students that involves critical thinking and teamwork to every students members involve.

Then proceeded back to City Travel Hotel fro Breakfast and the most important part of the tour. Which is the YAMAN Luncheon Forum in which they invited the expert speakers to share their knowledge to these future mining professionals.

 

Atty Fernando Penarroyo - Speaker 5th Yaman PH Congress talks about his expertise titled - The new face of mining and latest tech trend when in come to mining. Followed by Arturo Manto who talks about Mining Mineral Processing and the Environment topic.

And last is with Lira Poralan - speaks about mining communication issues on how to deal with and communicate with the mining professionals, government and people.

Then a Pageant at Night, See more video and pic here of Manuel Flores. As pro-active students under the programs of Geology, Mining Engineering, and other related courses from different schools in the Philippines. To serve as a role model Ambassadors of YAMAN Ph.

As they promote and advocate responsible mining and environmental awareness among the youth and fellow students. So more and more people can see its significance. It was a good experience to have this kind of educational tour. As you aligned your mind with the help of fellow and industry experts.

And on our last day we marched together with the Professionals from different mining companies. From SM City Baguio to Burnham Park Grandstand as the Minerals Industry Parade showcased its vision to the public.

We did then proceed to Mines View then back to Manila with great Karaoke sing along inside the bus. It feels good to be a student again, hanging with these young at heart energetic and bright fellow after I got my Bachelors degree way back 2005.

All I can say is I would encourage students to Participate on this annual activity. You would enjoy it, aside from preparing yourself to explore the gold mine of this professional industry.

Come and witness how cool to be part of this congress! See you next year! Visit @yamanph on twitter, instagram and facebook. Also see more videos interviews and pics here facebook.com/wazzuppilipinas

National Government Agencies Collaborate for Responsible Use of Water Campaign

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Kung mayroong isang nagpabaya, maraming maaapektuhan. Kung mayroong isang nagmamalasakit, maraming makikinabang."

MMDA, in partnership with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), National Water Resources Board (NWRB), and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in cooperation with Maynilad and Manila Water, will come together today to launch Oplan Tubig Para sa Kinabukasan. Makibalita, Maghanda, Magkaisa.

This is a campaign for the responsible use of water that aims to enjoin Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan residents to use water responsibly, rain or shine. It seems to encourage everyone to be informed of the current water situation; to be prepared at all times in cases of water shortage and to be involved in a greater cause of using water conscientiously.

Main personalities present at the Oplan Tubig Para Sa Kinabukasan press launch were NWRB Exec. Dir. Dr. Sevillo David, Jr., MMDA Chairman Gen. Danilo Lim, and Mr. Ronald Abrigo representing MWSS Administrator Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat.

Also present, but did not join the panel interview, were Manila Water Pres. & CEO Rene Almendras, and Maynilad Pres. & CEO Ramoncito Fernandez, 

I have videos of MMDA Chairman Gen. Danilo Lim encouraging people to save on water thru proper use, and an exclusive interview with NWRB Exec. Dir. Dr. Sevillo David, Jr.,

The question I asked with regards to their statement of using deep wells as merely a back-up supply for water needs:

Why not make deep wells the primary source of water for households, at least for usage like watering the plants, cleaning the yard, to flush the toilet, etc., that does not need purely clean water, and if there are concerns for hygience or thorough cleanliness, why not setup filtration systems so that water will be clean for usage.

Manila Water and Maynilad provisions could just be used for showering, washing plates, and others that require cleaner water. 

At home we don't drink water from the faucet but we buy from refilling stations where water is either distilled or purified or both.

They could also identify spots at local barangays to construct deep wells. This will reduce water consumption from the two main water providers.

However, the NWRB representative said that, as per study, there would be certain dangers on the geology - under the ground or soil conditions that could eventually endanger lives if everyone will be setting up deep wells.

Which makes me wonder why, at our own home in Metro Manila and in the province, we are able to use deep wells for several years already, 40 years or more, but we never noticed or felt any disturbance or changes on our property that could be seen as alarming or threatening.

If there is indeed a study narrating impending danger, where is it? Where can we find it? I'm sure finding a way to prevent whatever danger is better than asking every household to limit their water usage. How many years more before we experience the supposedly negative effect of using deep well at our home?

It is already a given that we save on water because we will pay more if we don't. So this campaign is merely reminding us of something we are already doing. Well, at least in our home. But I'm sure everyone is conscious of this water saving. 

So I'm curious of what is really the motive behind this campaign? Are we in for another water shortage soon?  Will the water level at Angat Dam be soon not enough to provide for the mentioned areas Metro Manila and neighboring Rizal, Bulacan, etc? Thus, the effort to launch a campaign like this?

They are having a 1 Liter Water Challenge with their hashtag #1LTubigChallenge which was meant to have you use only 1 Liter of water to do several tasks. Still, this aims to lessen our water consumption...so maybe there is really an impending danger of water shortage because the two water providers, as a business, will prefer us to use more so they will earn and profit more. Yet, they are in partnership or full support of this campaign.

What gives? Part of their CSR program? Maybe?

Here is the official press release from the event:

National Government Agencies Collaborate for Responsible Use of Water Campaign

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in partnership with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, National Water Resources Board, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), have come together last November 29, 2019 to launch “Oplan Tubig Para sa Kinabukasan”- a responsible use of water campaign that aims to enjoin Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite and Bulacan residents to use water responsibly, rain or shine.

“Oplan Tubig Para sa Kinabukasan” seeks to encourage everyone to be informed of the current water situation; to be prepared at all times in cases of water shortage and to be involved in a greater cause of using water conscientiously.

“We all need water to live and we can all do something to ensure that we continuously enjoy this precious resource even in our own little ways,''said MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim.

Under this initiative, several call-to-action videos and art cards featuring Metro Manila, Cavite and Rizal mayors and governors will be developed and shared on social media with the intent to reach and create a bigger impact not only to those living in Metro Manila, but to Filipinos in general.

“There is clearly a need for us to work together in this campaign especially with our current water situation. We need to reach as many Filipinos as we can and educate them on how we can help from the demand side,” Chairman Lim added.

According to NWRB Executive Director, Dr. Sevillo David, there are more than 15 million people who are getting water from Angat Dam, and this number continues to grow each year.

MWSS Administrator, Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat encourages everyone to be responsible in using water and to prepare especially for the dry season. “We have limited water supply and it will take years for us to have new water sources,” he said.

With DILG’s participation in the campaign, “Oplan Tubig Para sa Kinabukasan” is hopeful to get its message across cities and municipalities.

“We hope that with this campaign, individuals and communities will be inspired and encouraged to use water responsibly and to abide by the water-related initiatives set by their respective LGUs,” said DILG Sec. Eduardo Año.

For more information on the campaign, visit its official Facebook Page: Oplan Tubig Para Sa Kinabukasan:

www.fb.com/oplantubig

#OplanTubigParaSaKinabukasan

#WazzupPilipinas

#PambansangBlogger

Film Industry Icons to Grace 37th FAP Luna Awards Night

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Award-winning producers, directors, actors, cinematographers, screenwriters, editors, sound designers, musical scorers, and production designers will come together to celebrate the greatness of their peers in Philippine Cinema at the 37th Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) Luna Awards Night on Saturday, November 30, at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. Leading the pack of Filipino film icons are Special Awardees Lily Monteverde and Nova Villa, who will receive the Fernando Poe, Jr. (FPJ) Memorial Award and Manuel de Leon Award for Exemplary Achievement, respectively.

Nominee and Special Awardee Nova Villa at the FAP Luna Awards Nominees' Night

Adding star power to the Awards Night are the impressive nominees as well as the iconic presenters, who will grace the stage and award the coveted Luna trophies, such as FAP Luna Awards Hall of Famer Joel Lamangan, Jose Javier Reyes, Bembol Roco, Ricky Davao, Cherie Gil, Snooky Serna, Liza Lorena, Yayo Aguila, Tommy Abuel, Raymond Bagatsing, Raquel Villavicencio, Roy Iglesias, Romy Vitug, Lee Briones-Meily, Marissa Floirendo, Edgar Martin Littaua, Manet Dayrit, Jess Navarro, Jesse Lucas, and Ditoy Aguila. Recipients of the citation "Sine Sandaan Luminaries: Production Companies of the Philippines" will also be in attendance, and representatives of the late Wenn Deramas and Soxie Topacio will receive the Lamberto Avellana Memorial Award, which will be bestowed on the directors posthumously.

Cinematographer Romy Vitug

As for the master of ceremonies, a renowned actor, comedian, host, and impersonator will take on the role singlehandedly with much gusto. He is none other than Jon Santos, who is sure to keep the Awards Ceremony entertaining and exhilarating. In addition, noteworthy performers are set to take the stage during the production numbers of the Awards Ceremony. These are The Company, Frenchie Dy, Gian Magdangal, Sheila Valderrama-Martinez, Lara Maigue, and the Dance Royalties choreographed by Dan Cabrera. Among the most-awaited numbers are the Musical Tribute to FAP Luna Awards Hall of Famers Willy Cruz and George Canseco, and the Sine Sandaan segment on the ongoing year-long celebration of the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema. The FAP Luna Awards Night will be masterfully staged under the direction of singer-songwriter Ice Seguerra.

Actor-comedian Jon Santos will host the 37th Luna Awards (Photo from his Facebook page)

From the announcement of the official list of nominees on November 12, to the well-attended Nominees’ Night on November 20, all eyes are on how the Awards Night will unfold on November 30. Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño gave a sneak peek into the theme of the 37th FAP Luna Awards. "This year's Luna Awards is going to be very distinctive because it is going to be anchored on another meaning of what Luna represents. This year, we explore Luna as the moon, as beautiful as it is with its different phases—much like the Philippine film industry. And as we celebrate our hundred years, we embrace these many phases while at the same time look forward to a new future—a full moon. Bright, complete, and illuminating of what’s ahead,” she shared.

The Company will serenade at the 37th Luna Awards (Photo from their Instagram account)

Diño went on to give a background on how FDCP got involved in this year’s organization of the FAP Luna Awards. The FAP, headed by Director-General Vivian Velez, is one of the Board of Trustees of FDCP. “For the last three years, and even before my time, FDCP has already been giving financial support to FAP for the conduct of the Luna Awards. But when I came in, talaga pong si Sir Leo Martinez, the former Director-General that time, and I have been working closely together in support of his initiatives. One of the things na pinag-usapan namin ay ang kagustuhan niyang ibalik muli ang ningning, ang kinang, ang prestige ng Luna Awards para po sa ating industriya because Luna Awards is a peer awards,” detailed Diño.

The FAP Luna Awards is regarded as the award-giving body that is “by and for the peers in the industry.” The choices of the Voters from the Electoral College are highly anticipated because the Voters are all former winners or nominees of the FAP Luna Awards or other prestigious award-giving bodies. Through the voting process and conduct of events, FAP and FDCP ensure that this year’s FAP Luna Awards will continue the tradition of giving recognition to the outstanding artistic accomplishments and technical achievements in Philippine Cinema.

The 37th FAP Luna Awards will kick off with the Red Carpet Ceremonies, followed by the Cocktail Reception and Awards Ceremony. The Red Carpet and Awards Ceremony will be shown via livestream on the Facebook page of FDCP (Film Development Council of the Philippines).