Bringing Light to Residents of Taal Volcano Island

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Forty-eight year old boatman Redentor Bahadia has been living without electricity all his life. Not because he cannot afford to pay for it. It so happened that the entire Taal Volcano island where about 5,000 people reside remains unconnected to the national electric transmission grid.

To make matters worse, Reden has to shell out over P100 a day or more than P3,000 a month for the two liters of gasoline needed to keep his generator going for 12 hours. The amount is much higher than the electric consumption of an average household in Metro Manila.

At night, when he takes the 30-minute journey from the island to the mainland, Reden has to rely on his battery-operated flashlight to provide illumination along the lake, thus, spending a couple of pesos more for disposable batteries.

Reden is not alone in this predicament. Other residents of the volcano island who use kerosene for their lamps like 28-year old Lenie de Villa also have to spend P30 a day per bottle or P900 a month, making a huge dent in the meager income that they get. On top of it, they also pay P5 just to charge their cellular phones.

Zoocobia : Fun Time Adventure at Clark, Pampanga

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"When you need some energy and inspiration, step outside. Touch the Earth with your feet, lift your face to the sun, breathe the air, listen to the birds and the wind through the trees. Glory in the creation that surrounds you."

Zoocobia, located at a place called Sacobia that's somewhere in Clark, Pampanga, offers attractions that will surely become every family members favorite!

From the up close and personal interaction with feathery, hairy, shelled, and whatever skin or body covering of interesting yet many of them domesticated and friendly animals - to the thrilling rides on their Zipline, Zooc Rides, lengthy slides, and 4X4 jeeps - everyone is assured of an adventure that you would hardly find in the Metro.

It's your opportunity to be one with nature and to mingle with animals that have become very rare to see in the busy streets of Manila.

IRRI Pays Tribute to Women in Rice Farming

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The International Rice Research Institute honored the women who made breakthroughs in the rice farming industry as it welcomed lady farmers around the country and overseas in a special day at its headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna recently.

IRRI Board Chairwoman Emerlinda Roman welcomed the delegates. Agriculture Undersecretary Bernadette Puyat and PCW Administrative Chief Ana Liza Ragos also graced the event and gave opening remarks.

IRRI Deputy Director General Bruce Tolentino gave a simple talk about IRRI’s research agenda to cap the first part of the event.