Ensuring Life for All: IFSS 2015 in the Philippines

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Climb tropical mountains and bask in the warm sun of Southeast Asia in this year’s International Forestry Students’ Symposium (IFSS). Now on its 43rd year, the Symposium will be held from July 28 to August 10, 2015 with the theme “Ensuring Life for All.” It will be hosted by the local committee (LC) Association of Filipino Forestry Students—University of the Philippines, Los Baños (AFFS-UPLB) at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, a university that is cradled by the renowned Mt. Makiling, and neighbored by the great Laguna Lake.

Known for its rich biodiversity and numerous islands, the Philippines serves as an ideal host for the IFSS. Half of the country is covered with forests, and it houses 15,000 species of flowering plants, and more than a thousand species of wildlife species. Because of this diverse set of flora and fauna, it is no question why the Philippines is only the third country in Asia to host the IFSS, with Indonesia hosting last 2003 and 2008, and South Korea last 2010. 

As issues of deforestation and climate change plague the world, it becomes even more important that more individuals are informed of the important function that forests serve. This year, as a country that depends heavily on its forests, the Philippines and IFSS 2015 aim to highlight how the existence of humanity is dependent on its forests. From its role as habitat to various other living creatures, to its provision of resources and livelihood to many, it is clear that the life of forests lead to the life of the world, and thus does its death mean our own.

Florante at Laura Set to Open on July 31

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Gantimpala Theater Foundation Inc. proudly presents its 38th season opening production Francisco Balagtas’ “FLORANTE AT LAURA” -- one of the most enduring Filipino literary masterpieces described by many as a poetic art that examines the nature of justice, truth and commitment to fairness, written into a play by award-winning and respected playwright Boni Ilagan, with multi-awarded actor, Roeder Camañag as its director.

The famous Filipino love story uses the theater form of the ‘komedya’ complete with its majestic marches and grand batalia. See how the love of florante, laura, Aladin and Flerida conqyered the warring Moors and Christians.

“Boni Ilagan wrote such a superb script!” exclaims director Camañag. “His interpretation of the classic focuses on the many facets of love — from its purest form to its most corrupted version. His understanding of Balagtas’ words allows audiences the opportunities to witness Florante’s encounters with love — his love for knowledge, his love for his parents, his brotherly love for his best friend Minandro, his romantic love for Laura, his love for his enemies, and ultimately, the love for his country and the Higher Cause.”
“We are highlighting the beauty of the language and the elements of komedya,” he continues. “What we give the public now is a tribute to Florante and Laura, as literary characters, a tribute to Francisco Balagtas and his mastery of the Tagalog language, and a tribute to the komedya, which is a true Filipino theater form.

Bureau of Customs Ups Productivity with Google Apps Thru IPC

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently launched its implementation of Google Apps for Work via local cloud computing and data center services firm IPC (IP Converge Data Services, Inc.), with the goal of improving the bureau’s internal collaboration and information dissemination.

Specifically, Google Sites will be used to create an internal website for updates and new information accessible only to authorized personnel. Customs can also take advantage of features such as Google Drive to store documents that need to be accessed by employees easily anytime and on any device, such as memos and announcements. The licenses were provided through IPC and are distributed to the roughly 4,000 staff of the Bureau of Customs.

According to Che Lazaro, IPC Director of Sales - Google for Work, “Google Apps for Work allows real-time collaboration, enabling multiple users to work on a single document at the same time. This will eliminate multiple versions of one document, improve tracking and accountability, as well as cutting down time in finalizing reports.”