On World Food Day, foodsheds offer hope in lockdown-stricken communities

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When the lockdowns started in March 2020, a lot of families had to suffer immense hunger and poverty stemming from the closure of businesses and absence of reliable sources of livelihood.

In a pitch to help communities escape the cycle of pandemic poverty and hunger, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines introduced the Foodshed Farming System - a compact, protective, regenerative, and diversified food production system that adopts natural and green farming technologies to produce healthy and quality vegetables and poultry products for the community.

A foodshed model is pre-fabricated, modular, and made of locally available materials with a production area of 60 square meters. Built with the support of various partners including BPI Foundation Inc., WWF-Philippines was able to establish a total of 44 foodsheds throughout the country, bringing food and livelihood security for many communities.

Hunger remains a significant problem for the Philippines, made worse by the ongoing pandemic. A study from Social Weather Stations conducted between the months of April and May revealed that approximately 16.8% of Filipino families experienced hunger in 2021. According to projections from the Asian Development Bank, the pandemic likely pushed poverty incidence in the Philippines to 20 percent in 2020.

Through foodsheds, WWF-Philippines project manager Monci Hinay said communities can be assured of a stable food source while practicing ecologically friendly practices.

“As we celebrate World Food Day, we need to be reminded that as the pandemic continues, poverty and hunger are also prevalent among the poorest and remote communities. Through our foodsheds, we help change the bleak ending facing our kababayans by empowering them to become food secure in an environment-friendly way. Foodsheds represent the very best of our values - resourcefulness, helpfulness, pakikipag-kapwa, and bayanihan,” Hinay said.

Capable of growing a variety of crops with little cost to land or natural resources, each foodshed is an efficient and independent system. Employing technologies and practices like hydroponics, vertical farming and waste recycling, each foodshed provides communities with a wide variety of accessible food for less waste. An important feature of the foodshed program is the introduction of agri-business, which helps communities generate income from their own produce, which also addresses the lack of income of community members. Through foodsheds, WWF-Philippines is building sustainable food systems that stretch from farm to plate.

Cover photo: Community members pack crops from their food shed in preparation for the marketplace. Food sheds bring the promise of sustainable prosperity for rural communities. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines

Youth artists hold “Art for Conservation Conversation” and virtual reality exhibit to bring back Philippine forests

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While nature sometimes seems far and detached from the daily lives of Filipinos living in urban centers, a group of young up-and-coming artists in the Philippines want to use their art to bring the beauty of nature back into the minds of people.

“The aim of ‘Project: KAGUBATAN’ is to use the power of art to make an impact for our watersheds and forests in the Philippines,” organizer Gab Mejia, National Geographic Explorer and World Wide Fund (WWF) Philippines National Youth Council (NYC) Member, said.

“It might not be immediately clear for most Filipinos, but forests have a multitude of benefits in many aspects of our life that we take for granted such as clean water, clean air, food, livelihood, and many more,” Mejia said.

The project will stage an educational webinar series at 5pm on October 18, October 30, and November 19 and a virtual forest exhibit that will be launched on November 10. At least 8 young Filipino artists from different mediums are collaborating on the project.

Funds raised from the artworks will be donated to WWF-Philippines’ reforestation project in the Ipo Watershed with a target of 1,000 seedlings. The funds will also support the Bantay Gubat in the Ipo Watershed led by the Philippine Parks and Biodiversity and the Bantay Danaos of the Agusan Marshlands led by Youth Engaged in Wetlands.

“The diverse young artists work on different mediums of art from photography, painting, to digital illustrations with subjects related to the interconnected relationships of people, nature and culture,” Mejia said.

“We hope this virtual forest exhibit and educational webinar series can inspire new artists around the Philippines to take on this journey of curiosity, creativity, and to ultimately drive positive impact for nature and culture, to create beyond themselves for the betterment of our environment,” he added.

The artists participating in the exhibit include:

• Issa Barte – Illustrator and Visual Artist; founder of For The Future 
• Javi Cang – Nature and Travel Photographer
• Sara Erasmo – Still Life Photographer and Multimedia Artist
• Chesleigh Nofiel (Alagá at Sining) – Painter and Naturalist
• Gab Mejia – Conservation Photographer and Environmental Storyteller
• Angelo Mendoza – Travel Photographer and Filmmaker
• Kara Pangilinan – Visual Artist and Muralist
• Ivan Torres – Filmmaker and Nature and Travel Photographer
• Pau Villanueva – Documentary Photographer

The virtual reality forest exhibit will allow audiences to immerse themselves in an environmental journey following a river that goes from lush mountain forests down through agroforests and eventually to wetland forests. It will showcase artworks by the artists showing forest landscapes, endemic flora and fauna, and people who depend on the forests.

Webinars dubbed “Art for Conservation Conversation” will feature artists along with WWF-Philippines’ Forest for Water program manager Paolo Pagaduan to engage and educate audiences about the importance of forests and the Ipo Watershed. In recent years, the watershed’s forest cover has dramatically dropped from 85% to just 40%.

“Water does not just come from the faucet. Most of Metro Manila’s residents are probably not aware that 96% of their water supply comes from the Ipo Watershed. The natural environment there reliably keeps water clean and fresh as a form of ecosystem service, so it is important that we protect and conserve it as much as possible,” Pagaduan said.

Mejia believes that art and storytelling are powerful tools to connect humans with nature and the Conservation Conversation series will be one way to bring the beauty and importance of nature closer to Filipinos.

“As we humans crave intimacy and relationships, art gives us a profound understanding and depiction of the world and the diverse environments we navigate in,” Mejia said.

“This exhibit sheds light on the forests of the Philippines and its invaluable role in providing solutions for these environmental issues. We hope it also empowers and inspires a new generation of local artists to create and pursue a career in the arts working for the conservation of nature,” he added.

Learn more about the Ipo Watershed and WWF-Philippines’ Forest for Water program here: https://wwf.org.ph/what-we-do/water/ipo-watershed/

CHAMP Cargosystems PH signs with PLDT Enterprise for ePLDT Calling activation

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CHAMP Cargosystems—the most successful global IT provider dedicated to the needs of the air cargo industry, providing integrated services for cargo carriers and their distribution partners worldwide —recently signed a strategic partnership with PLDT Enterprise, together with its ICT arm ePLDT, for services that would enable their international offices to be more operationally agile and connected amidst the changing demands of the new normal business landscape.


The IT solutions company is the first onboarded customer of ePLDT Calling for Microsoft Teams, a cloud-based phone system that allows businesses to combine their communication and collaboration systems in a single platform.

This hybrid telephony and video conferencing solution is designed by ePLDT highlighting the integrated features of Microsoft Teams, robustness of PLDT SIP connectivity and reliability of VITRO Data Center. Now employees, customers and stakeholders can call, chat and connect together real-time and seamlessly.

In over seven global offices of CHAMP Cargosystems with more than 450 employees worldwide, this solution will help ensure quality reliable calls with built-in security and privacy from Microsoft 365.

“This partnership with PLDT Enterprise will allow us to achieve our goals in providing accelerated IT solutions, services and support for our air cargo and aviation regulator customers. In the air cargo industry context, it is imperative to have reliable, fast, and secure connectivity and communication services that will allow us to collaborate faster and do our business optimally. We believe that PLDT Enterprise is the perfect partner for that,” said Philips Manalaysay, Managing Director of CHAMP Cargosystems Philippines.

CHAMP Cargosystems provides services to over 100 airlines and 200 customers worldwide, including GSAs and Forwarders, over 300 handling stations, more than 1,500 stations spanning across 100 countries, over 3,000 connected forwarders, and over 15,000 users worldwide. Members of the CHAMP community can exchange information securely using industry standards processes and formats, with over 300 million processed messages and 20 million shipments annually. CHAMP Cargosystems’ applications portfolio spans core cargo systems, enterprise systems and community and distribution services, compliance services as well freight forwarding solutions.

“We are pleased to kickstart this partnership with CHAMP Cargosystems Philippines. PLDT Enterprise always values the trust and support of our clients and we commit to providing excellent services that would propel them towards meeting their goals,” said Jovy Hernandez, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Groups.

With ePLDT’s ICT expertise and Microsoft 365 certifications, CHAMP Cargosystems is assured that its groundbreaking solution ePLDT Calling for Microsoft Teams is professionally implemented and supported and shall be continually enhanced.

“It is our aspiration to fortify our enterprise accounts of the best ICT and connectivity solutions that will maximize their business capabilities. Such is our dedication to CHAMP Cargosystems. We thank you for your patronage and trust, and you can anchor your long-term plans with PLDT Enterprise,” said Vic Tria, PLDT First Vice President and Enterprise Revenue Group Head.

For more information, visit epldt.com

Mercury Hackathon 2021: All About NFTs

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TL;DR 🚀 Mercury Hackathon 2021 is a 6-week blockchain virtual hackathon hosted by Tribe and AngelHack, in association with Filecoin, IPFS & Flow that presents up to USD $120,000~ of prizes in FIL & FLOW tokens. Participants are invited to innovate and build projects on the Filecoin, IPFS or Flow protocol.



About the Hackathon

AngelHack is proud to announce that we’re partnering with Tribe to host this online 6-week hackathon is designed to bring together the brightest creators and innovators from around the globe to challenge boundaries in the world of blockchain technology. Join us from September 20 — October 31 2021, together with the experts from Filecoin, IPFS & Flow for Developer Hour sessions, technical workshops and a whole lot of adventure and fun.

With up to USD $120,000 in prizes for grabs across 3 tracks and 14 prize categories, participants get to look forward to being the best integration project, the best browser integration project and more.

Prizes

Spanning 3 tracks and 14 prize categories, we’re excited to announce that approximately USD $120,000+ worth of Filecoin & Flow tokens are to be given out.

Note: Each participant is only allowed to submit a project for one (1) track.



TRACK 1: FILECOIN X FLOW

Integrating Filecoin and Flow’s decentralized storage technology with NFTs

Top 3 Best Combined Use of Filecoin x Flow Projects: USD $8,000 | $5,000 | $3,000

Top 2 Best Filecoin x Flow Artists & Creators Projects: USD $8,000 | $5,000

Best Filecoin x Flow NFT Value Store Project: USD $8,000

Best Filecoin x Flow Browser Integration Project: USD $8,000

Best Filecoin x Flow NFT Badge Generator Project: USD $8,000

Best Filecoin x Flow Video Game Assets NFTs Project: USD $8,000



Track 2: FILECOIN

Best use for Filecoin and/or IPFS and/or the following decentralized storage services: web3.storage, Estuary, Slate or nft.storage

Top 2 Best Filecoin/IPFS Projects: USD $7,500 each


Track 3: FLOW

The implementation of blockchain-enabled application built on Flow, across consumer-facing NFT dapps, creator-oriented services, crypto primitives with Decentology tools and more

Best NFTs Collateral-based Project: USD $7,500

Best Fractional NFTs-based Project: USD $7,500

Best Composable Smart Contract Project: USD $7,500

Best Implementation of Cadence Language Pillars Project: USD $7,500

Best Use of DappStarter Flow Foundation Project: USD $7,500

Best NFT Distribution Project: USD $7,500

Best Use of Non-Custodial Marketplace Project: USD $7,500


Who can join? 

· Anyone with a stable internet connection & 18+ years old

· Maximum of 4 participants per team and minimum 1

When is the hackathon? 

· 20 September — 31 October 2021

· Registrations open here at https://ahack.link/ph_press

How to participate in the hackathon?

1. Register for the hackathon.

2. Form and register your teams over (Refer to instructions on the Participants’ Guide).

3. Ideate and brainstorm the next big thing.

4. Check out the resources parked under the ‘Resources’ section in the Participants’ Guide to navigate your way through on building on the Filecoin, IPFS & Flow protocol.

5. Connect with your mentors on the Mercury Hackathon 2021 Slack channel during Mentor Office Hours.

6. Plus, join us for workshops to learn and explore while connecting with like-minded individuals.

7. Build your project!

8. Reminder to submit your project before Sunday, October 31 2021 at 9:25 PM UTC +5:30 | 11:55PM UTC +8.



Hackathon Schedule


From now till the 31st of October, we have activities planned for every single weekday of the week (yes, you read that right) so that no matter your level of familiarity with building with blockchain, we are here to get you well-equipped for the hackathon!

Plus, a structured learning pathway with consolidated resources is made available for your consumption at your own pace. Read and watch all the resources in the Participants’ Guide to help you gain a better understanding to build on Filecoin/IPFS and Flow protocol. 

The fundamental judging criteria are as follows:

1. Design

2. Novelty

3. Technical Complexity

4. Mass Usability

5. Creativity

6. Social/Environmental

Strap on and suit up — let’s get ready to rumble.

May the force be with you. 

Register here today.

 
###

About AngelHack

AngelHack is a global innovation organization, founded on the idea of bringing creators together. Companies from all over the world have chosen them as their partner to engage developers with their technologies through hackathons and events. AngelHack has created an incredibly diverse and global community of change makers and developers. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook.

Top 8 Side Effects Of Corn That You Need To Know

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Do you want to find out the side effects of corn? Here are the details given below that can help you to prevent getting these conditions.

Corn is one of the most popular foods that is used to create many other products such as cornflakes and others. Most people do not think twice before having corn as they are sweet, tasty, affordable, and come with plenty of benefits. What could go wrong with eating corn right? Well, a lot of things can go wrong if you are not careful. It comes with a lot of side effects that can make you fall sick.

This is one of the reasons why were cornflakes invented. Unlike corn, cornflakes do not come with these side effects. You will be able to stay safe by eating cornflakes. But if you are eating corn, here are some of the side effects that you need to know about. Make sure to go through each of the side effects to learn in detail.

Although there are plenty of side effects available, all of them are not as deadly as the other ones. Some of the mild side effects are easy to get rid of. So, we are going to talk about the top 8 side effects of corn that can become bad for your health. Take a look below to find out more about them.

 

 
1. Pellagra Risk

One of the most common ones is the pellagra risk, which is very high from corn. If you consume corn in a high amount, you have a high chance of getting pellagra risk. Pellagra is not deadly; it appears when you have a deficiency of vitamins. Also, when the niacin in your body becomes low, you can get pellagra. You can take the help of vitamin-rich foods to get rid of pellagra.

 
2. Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions are the most common side effects that you can get with eating corn. Some of the common symptoms like swelling, rashes, vomit, and others come with corn. Some people who have diseases like anaphylaxis and asthma attack have a high chance of developing these allergic reactions.

 
3. Causes Flatulence And Bloating

Corn is known to contain a very high amount of scratch. So, when you are consuming corn, it breaks down and causes a lot of gas. If someone consumes a lot of corn, then it can cause flatulence and bloat.

 
4. Bad For Diabetes

People who are diagnosed with diabetes need to stay away from eating corn. They have a higher chance of getting sick by eating corn. Corn is known to contain a high level of carbohydrates. This can elevate blood sugar levels and cause many complications for people who have diabetes. So, if you have diabetes, it is advised not to consume corn.

 
5. Causes Diarrhea And Intestinal Irritation

Eating corn might feel good but make sure that it is roasted or processed. Eating raw corn is not good for your health. It can cause some severe conditions like diarrhea, intestinal disorders, and clothes. If you find any symptoms of these diseases or conditions, then make sure to contact the doctor and get treated immediately. Also, try to roast the corn before eating it to get the best taste and stay safe.

 
6. Stomach Upset

Most people choose corn due to the high amount of vital nutrients and fiber in it. No doubt, these are some of the things that you need to stay healthy. They help to flash out the bad toxins from your body and help you to get better health. Even eating a lot of cereals can cause stomach cramps and indigestion. So, make sure that you are not consuming a lot of corn that is not good for your health.

 
7. Osteoporosis

There are people who depend on corn for their diet and help to reduce their weight. While it is very effective to maintain a good diet, you need to look for other options. The corn diet is responsible for causing osteoporosis. Corn contains a very low amount of calcium. So, only eating corn will make you get a low amount of calcium in your body and help you stay safe from all bone-related diseases.

 
8. Tooth Decay

Last but not least, Tooth decay is very rarely seen with corn. However, as corn contains a lot of sugar, it can cause tooth decay in some people. Although this is a rare condition, you need to make sure that you are safe. Make sure to brush your teeth very well and eat some other foods along with corn.

 
Conclusion

Corn is a very famous food that comes with lots of benefits. Many people depend on it to get a very good diet and reduce their weight. However, there are many things that you need to keep in mind while eating corn. 



Kacee Christian is a freelance content writer and enthusiastic blogger. She is the co-founder of Exclusiverights. She contributes to many authority blogs such as Voiceofaction, Techrab, worldtech24, Newsstoner, Worldnewsinn.

The Purpose of Educational Platforms

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According to online publication Rappler, the Department of Education insists that education should persist despite the pandemic.  Although there have been requests for academic freeze until 2021, the Department of Education (DepEd) insisted that education of millions of Filipino students should not wait. 

According to Bernardo (2020), Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said that the call for "academic freeze" was an unpopular position considering that over 24 million students have already enrolled for the recent year, where they had learned through distance learning modalities, like modular, virtual, and flipped distance learning. 

SDO Pasig had developed these means in order to cater the needs of its learners, and to attain objectives such as to deliver effective, time-bound education within technology-driven communities and to ensure that time – which is believed to be a valuable resource – will not get unattended. 

In further addition, the Schools Division Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin conceptualized of having learning materials suitable for the pandemic. With this initiative, Schools Division Office of Pasig City, in partnership with the local government unit, spearheaded by Hon. Ma. Regis Victor N. Sotto, Pasig City Mayor, came up with locally developed self-learning modules.

The Local Government Unit provided the gadgets such as tablets and laptops for all its learners, whereas SDO Pasig developed the self-learning modules to be lodged to the said gadgets to be distributed to all the learners, so support is most certainly there. 

There are 18 modules per quarter per subject area per grade level for a total of 72 Self-Learning Modules in a year per learning area. In the case of kindergarten, 6 Learning Modules per quarter are being utilized. 

In addition to the Self-Learning Modules, Key Stage 1, namely, Kinder, SPED, Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3 also have their printed Self-Learning Packets. These are the exercises or activities extracted from the Self-Learning Modules for them to answer and practice to decrease the students’ exposure to gadgets.

Other platforms utilized by teachers in delivering the teaching-learning process include the virtual method, through MS Teams, and Flipped method, through Facebook Messenger. All of these methods are meant to avoid setbacks in education despite the pandemic.

Written by: Hannah Krystelle Del Rosario

References:

Bernardo, J. (2020). DepEd rejects calls for 'academic freeze'. Retrieved from https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/09/20/deped-rejects-calls-for-academic-freeze

Magsambol, B. (2020). FAST FACTS: DepEd's modular learning. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/things-to-know-deped-modular-learning

Vaping Basics: Choosing the Ideal Nicotine Strengt

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If you want to switch to vaping, ensuring that you choose the minimum nicotine level is crucial. Now, you may think that nicotine is only an essential part of people who smoke. But even when it comes down to quitting smoking, nicotine plays a quintessential role. It's the alkaloid found in the plants of the nightshade family, such as tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. Only the tobacco plant consists of an abundant amount to extract and refine. Nicotine gets synthesized in the laboratory, but its process is way too expensive.

Nicotine works as both relaxant and a stimulant, and it results in different effects like alertness, calmness, and mood elevation. It is psychologically and physically addictive. That's why a majority of vapers use e-juice with some nicotine level. Commercial e-liquids are available in an array of nicotine strengths, even the ones that include no nicotine. Vapers prefer using them with the ones that contain nicotine. As vape juice gets sold with nicotine, choosing its right strength becomes essential for a beginner. You can also try search for hyde vapes disposable near me On this note, here's presenting the vaping basics when selecting the ideal nicotine strength.

 
Understanding the Different Nicotine Strengths

If you are a beginner and want lower strength, it is imperative to understand before choosing correctly. So, here are the types of nicotine strengths that you need to learn before buying vape pod devices:

· 0 mg nicotine – The nicotine-free option becomes perfect for social smokers who want to enjoy making vapor rings. It's ideal for hobbyists who wish to perform the Irish Waterfall from the comfort of their house.

· 3 mg nicotine –It happens to be the lowest level of nicotine that you get in the liquid (until you mix it with 0mg and dilute it). It is best for the ones who have reduced their intake.

· 6 mg nicotine –It's the nicotine strength with low-level and gives you a nicotine buzz that you seek.

· 12 mg nicotine –It's for the average vapers. You can get this one if you want to start vaping to experience a high effect.

· 18 mg to 20 mg nicotine –It's a high nicotine level for those who want to get through the serious impact of vaping. The juice's strength may also dictate the type of device you require because not all vapes are manufactured similarly.

Low Vapor vs. Medium Vapor vs. High Vapor

Before choosing the nicotine strain, you need to understand the differences between low, high, and medium vapor. Follow the representation below for an in-depth insight into the matter:

Type of Vapor (formation of cloud) - Low Vapor (Discreet clouds)

Regular nicotine - 12-24 mg/mL

Nicotine salts - 30-60 mg/mL

Type of Vapor (formation of cloud) - Medium Vapor (Clouds, but not massive variety)

Regular nicotine - 6-12 mg/mL

Nicotine salts - 20-30 mg/mL



Type of Vapor (formation of cloud) - High Vapor (Big clouds)

Regular nicotine - 1.5-6 mg/mL

Nicotine salts - 1.5-6 mg/mL

The Right Nicotine Strength That Stops You Smoking

As previously said, you must select a nicotine level that permits you to vape and quit smoke. If you still feel the desire to smoke, you may require a greater nicotine concentration. If you believe your nicotine level is strong, you can vape less during the day and select a lower nicotine strength. You'll immediately realize if you've picked a nicotine level that's too strong. You may encounter the following symptoms:

· Headache

· Mild nausea

· Dizziness

· Coughing

If this occurs, do not worry; simply discontinue vaping, and the symptoms will subside shortly. On the other hand, you can say whether you have picked a nicotine strength that is too low. You may need to vape considerably more than average, or you may still want to smoke. In such a case, choose an e-liquid with a slightly greater nicotine concentration. It is OK to change the strength of your nicotine. It doesn't matter if you have to go with a stronger e-liquid; as long as you're vaping instead of smoking, you're well on your way to quitting for good.

Understanding the Relation Between Vaping Technique and Nicotine Strength

You may check the vape lingo banded about MTL and DL. So, what are they?

· MTL Is the Mouth to lung

It's traditional to inhale that a majority of people use. You draw the vapor from the e-cig into your mouth and inhale it.

· DL = Direct lung

Here, the mouth part gets bypassed. All you need is to take one long draw from an e-cig and inhale it straight away.

Let's have a glimpse at why you might require using the two different draws:

The MTL draw can be forgiving when it's about nicotine strength. It's a technique that most vapers make use of. It means that you can comfortably use strengths from 0.0% to 1.8%.

You would not usually direct-lung vape on the high nicotine strength. The reason is plain and simple. It uses the technique where you need a more significant throat hit to produce more vapor. Thus, the 1.8% e-liquid is not uncomfortable for vaping via directly inhaling. Most vapers who DL vape make use of the low nicotine strength around 0.0% to 0.3%.

Wrapping Up

Choosing the right nicotine strength is of supreme importance. Unless you are knowledgeable about your nicotine strength, you will not get a great experience. Before navigating e-liquid marketing, it is imperative to learn some essentials. You need to understand what mg means percentage values on the e-liquids. Regardless of where you order from, you need to know what you are getting. And that's the most important thing. Before nailing it on your first try, never give up.

DOST-SEI’s extends deadline for Indie-Siyensya filmmaking plum

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Science filmmaking competition, Indie-Siyensya, is extending the deadline for submission of film entries to October 30, 2021.  

 

The contest, organized by the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), is open to all Filipinos who may join as individuals or in groups. 

 

There are two categories: the “Youth Category” for high school, tertiary school and out-of-school youth aged 13-20, and the “Open category” for college students, teachers, amateur filmmakers, and even science professionals. 

 

Entries must be short documentaries which should have a running time of up to ten (10) minutes. The films must be relevant to the theme “The Scientist in Me,” which can be a documentation of personal experiments or explainers of scientific phenomena relevant to communities. 

 

“We want to give more time to our aspiring filmmakers and science communicators to craft their masterpieces. We also realize the challenge presented by the pandemic in doing films, that’s why we extended the deadline,” said DOST-SEI Director, Dr. Josette Biyo. 

 

Films will be judged based on scientific content, execution of idea, and film techniques. At stake for each category are trophies and cash prizes worth Php 100,000 for the Best Film, Php 50,000 pesos for the second prize, and Php 30,000 for the third prize. Two entries (one per category) will also win Viewers’ Choice award with a prize of Php 20,000. 

 

For contest mechanics and other information, interested participants may visit www.sei.dost.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/dostseiindiesiyensya.

First time voters pool money to rent ride for voters registration

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As voter registration resumed this week, first time voters in Quezon City launched the Byaheng Bagong Botante campaign to encourage more youth to register with their free jeepney ride service.

Akbayan Youth helped pool money from youth registrants in solidarity with the youth who cannot register because they cannot afford a ride to COMELEC.

“Nasa driver’s seat tayo sa susunod na halalan dahil mahigit kalahati sa mga rehistrado ay youth voters. Ngunit marami sa ating mga kapwa kabataan ang hindi nakakasabay dahil hirap silang makapunta ng COMELEC (The youth is in the driver’s seat this elections with more than half of registered coming from the sector. However, a lot of young people are left behind because they can’t afford the fare to COMELEC,” Benedict Atega of Akbayan Youth Quezon City said.

“Ngayong patungo sa bagong destinasyon ating bayan sa halalan sa susunod na taon, huwag nating hayaang maiwan sa byahe ang mga kabataan (Now that the country is going towards a new destination with the elections next year, the youth should not be left behind),” Atega said.

“Ang ating pakikiisa lang ang ating puhunan. Simple pero mahalaga ang layunin ng Byaheng Bagong Botante: Ang makalahok ang lahat ng mga kabataan sa pagkapanalo ng kanilang mga pangarap. (Our solidarity is our driving force. Our aim in Byaheng Bagong Botante is simple: All young people should have a chance to join in winning their dreams for their country),” Atega said.,

The campaign route started in Sandiganbayan along Commonwealth Avenue and ended in COMELEC near SM North..

Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Palawan expressed gratitude to DOTr Secretary Tugade and GM Santiago for newly-completed 3 port projects in Palawan

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The Provincial Government of Palawan formally recognized the efforts of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), under the leadership of General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago for improving mobility and connectivity in the province with the completion of three (3) port projects.

Through Provincial Resolution No. 15884, series of 2021, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Palawan expressed its “sincerest gratitude” to Secretary Tugade and GM Santiago for the newly-completed Port of San Fernando in El Nido; the Port of Bataraza in Brgy. Buliluyan; and the Borac Port in Coron which was finished on 19 March 2021.

“Through the resolute leadership and political will of DOTr Secretary Tugade and PPA General Manager Santiago, the people of Palawan have now fulfilled its long-awaited dreams of enhanced connectivity and mobility across parts of the country and even the BIMP-EAGA region,” the resolution states as signed by Palawan Vice Governor and Presiding Officer Victorino Dennis M. Socrates, and approved by Palawan Governor Jose Ch. Alvarez.

Secretary Tugade and GM Santiago’s support and commitment to the people of Palawan are manifested in their projects which aim to boost economic progress not only in Palawan, but the entire MIMAROPA region as well, the resolution further stated.

“Kami 'ho ay nagpapasalamat sa lokal na pamahalaan ng Palawan sa pagkilalang ito na siyang nagbibigay sa amin ng kumpiyansa upang magpatuloy. Malapit sa puso ni Pangulong Duterte ang Palawan. Ang mga natapos naming maritime port projects
dito ay patunay na tuloy ang pagtupad namin sa adhikain ng Pangulo na bigyan ng kumportable at kumbinyenteng buhay ang mga Pilipino,” Secretary Art Tugade said.

“Patuloy kami sa pag-upgrade ng ating mga port project para mas maganda at mas maayos ang serbisyo sa ating port users. Target namin na ma-improve ang iba pang mga pantalan sa lalawigan para may alternate port sa Southern Palawan bukod sa Puerto Princesa,” GM Santiago, for his part, said.

The three completed Palawan port projects, namely the Port of San Fernando, Port of Bataraza, and Port of Borac are among the 465 total seaport projects of the DOTr and PPA completed under the Build, Build, Build Program since the Duterte administration took over in 2016.

These port projects aim to help link the island province to other parts of the country and to nearby countries.