Protect the THRESHER SHARKS! ! #PHsayYES #WORLDsayYES

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Sharks matter. A critical part of marine ecosystems, Sharks in general are a fascinating and beautiful species. Sharks have been around for more than 400 million years.

Now, marine wildlife and habitats are severely imperiled. Congested with pollution ranging from plastics to derelict fishing gear, the oceans have become a veritable minefield for marine species.

The Philippines is the only country that can boast to having an established pelagic thresher shark dive industry.

Thresher sharks are farmed in some areas for their value as both a recreational sport fish and for commercial products derived from their flesh. 

The presence of thresher sharks has turned Malapascua Island into a major dive tourist attraction, helping the local residents to recover after the devastation that tropical typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) brought to many parts of the country in 2013.

In the province of Cebu, sharks are considered valuable for both their ecological and economic value that the province issued a Resolution protecting all sharks and rays in all its municipalities and established the Philippines’ first shark and ray sanctuary in Daanbantayan. 

Unfortunately, it is not enough as thresher sharks could still be fished, hunted, and traded legally elsewhere. 

However, there is an opportunity coming up that could ensure protection of thresher sharks through the regulation of its international trade. This happens on 24 September to 5 October 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa when all three species of thresher sharks are being proposed to be listed on Appendix II of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) at their Conference of Parties (CoP) 17. 

The Philippines is in a unique position to push for the protection of the thresher sharks as we are the only country that values these sharks for more than just their fins. 

Not supporting the proposal means failing to safeguard Daanbantayan's tourism industry, now contributing to 80% of its economy, that visitors and locals are benefiting from.

The Philippine delegation and other governments attending the 17th CoP of CITES has the option to vote YES or NO to the listing of thresher sharks. 

I believe that we need to let the delegates know that we want our thresher sharks to be protected under CITES, which will automatically protect them in Philippine waters.

If this proposal passes, all trade in thresher sharks would be required to be sustainable – a policy that would go a long way in ensuring their survival for generations to come.

Being part of taking action to save sharks, we have to make sure they are being treated with respect!

We need to save sharks before it is too late. Being a responsible makes a difference to our world. We should make sure marine wildlife not disturbed nor harmed.

You can help make this happen by doing the following:

Sign the petition and vote YES: https://www.change.org/p/philippines-vote-yes-for-threshers

We can make a difference in our country. We can help to save our Earth Sharing our thresher shark posts on social media while using :

 #SaveThresherTala #StoptheThresherHunt  

#PHsayYES #WORLDsayYES

SM City Manila joins “Earth Hour 2015 to Change Climate Change!"

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SM Supermalls, 52 in the Philippines and 6 in China, joins the world of saving Mother Earth, with the symbolic “Earth Hour 2015.”

Millions of Earth Hour supporters worldwide joined forces to highlight the need for climate action. 

The event which began in Australia eight years ago and since then overseen by the World Wildlife Fund, has gathered momentum in more than 162 countries, in which people turn lights off for 60 minutes to conserve energy, hoping to cut down on planetary carbon overload. 

This year’s Earth Hour was held March 28, began at 8:30 pm.  SM shares its different environmental efforts to inspire the crowd to do their part in Changing Climate Change.

A little program was held in the Entertainment Center, SM City Manila with the SM Cares and advocate guests. Here are some photos when the Earth Hour 2015 happening :

SM City Manila joins the symbolic event, turning off non essential lights for 60 minutes. SM City Manila management is proud to be one of the initiator of this event and give thanks to mall goers for taking part in that momentous event, Earth Hour 2015.

Joining the celebration is Gerardo Toledo, a representative from the Manila Risk Reduction Management, and representative from SIF Care (Science of Identity Foundation), a community building foundation in the Philippines.

When people come together, even small actions can make a huge difference! It showed us how we all came together to celebrate the planet and our potential to Change Climate Change!

Penumbral lunar eclipse visible today

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The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the eclipse will begin at 12:53 p.m. (Philippine Standard Time) and end at 6:37 p.m.

A penumbral lunar eclipse will occur today, the moon will rise in Manila at 6:12 p.m (April 15 ) and set at 5:26 a.m. the following day.

Penumbra refers to a partially shaded outer region of a shadow that an object casts. The moon turns coppery red during the eclipse as it passes through the Earth’s shadow.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly behind the Earth into its shadow (umbra) . This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned exactly, or very closely so, with the Earth in the middle. Hence, a lunar eclipse can only occur the night of a full moon. The type and length of an eclipse depend upon the Moon's location relative to its orbital nodes.( From Wikipedia)

When the Moon approaches closely enough to the Earth's shadow to cause an appreciable diminution of light though it does not directly touch it. 

“A penumbral eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the faint penumbral portion of the earth’s shadow,” PAGASA said.

According to the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Penumbral eclipses are so subtle and vaguely visible they go greatly unnoticed.

A total lunar eclipse will be observed in western Africa, western Europe, the Americas, Australasia and eastern Asia.

People in North and South America will be able to see the entire eclipse, while sky watchers in the western Pacific can catch only the last half, NASA said.

PRO-EARTH RUN 2014

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On April 12, 2014, 4:30AM, at the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Earth Day Network Philippines stages its first-ever fun run, PRO-EARTH RUN 2014. An advocacy run to encourage people to Protect, Respect, and Oversee the sensible and sustainable care for Mother Earth, it is presented by Malungai Life Oil – all-natural concentrated vegetable extract developed from pure Malunggay leaves and seeds (www.malungailifeoil.com) and UPS – United Parcel Service (www.ups.com).

A 3K, 5K, 10K race category event, with special 1.5K Run with Doraemon track, PRO EARTH RUN is also supported by PCSO, First Gen, Merrell, Globe, The Body Shop, Holcim, Free Food Co. Coco Dolce, Business Mirror, Malaya Business Insight, Business World, Manila Times, Circuit Magazine, 106.7 Energy FM, 107.5 Win Radio, SM Tickets, SM Cinema, Digi Post, and Mother Earth advocates and runners.

Earth Day Network Philippines is the local counterpart of the global Earth Day Network International. It is a network organization that campaigns for environmental citizenship, spearheading the annual April 22^nd Earth Day Celebration by partnering with government agencies, non-government organizations, private corporations, academic institutions, religious groups, and environmental advocates (www.earthdayphilippines.org).

RACE CATEGORIES RACE FEE GUNSTART RACE KIT

10K P500 5:30AM Singlet | Bib | Freebies*

5K P500 5:45AM Singlet | Bib | Freebies*

3K P500 6AM Singlet | Bib | Freebies*

1.5K Run With Doraemon P500 6AM Singlet | Bib | Freebies*

* Sponsors’ goodwill freebies good while supplies last

SPECIAL PRIZES

1. Top 3 Male and Female Finisher’s Medal, per race category + sponsors’ prizes
2. Sponsors’ goodwill freebies and product sampling
3. Raffle prizes & surprises!

Related Story: Pro Earth Run to kick-start Earth Day 2014 celebration

National Geographic Channel will be broadcasting Comet Of The Century

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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL TURNS SPOTLIGHT ON “COMET OF THE CENTURY”

In anticipation of what could be one of the biggest astronomical events in our lifetime, National Geographic Channel will be broadcasting Comet Of The Century, a show that will introduce the world to Comet ISON as it passes near Earth by the end of the month of November this year. 

The special will combine CGI and breathtaking images captured by cutting-edge technology to show why the coming of Comet ISON is considered by many astronomers to be a once-in-a-lifetime cosmic event.

Comet ISON is bigger than Australia, its head measuring an impressive 4,900km across and dust trail extending more than 91,000km – more than twice the circumference of planet Earth! It is set to shoot by one of the harshest environments in our solar system, the sun, on November 28th, creating a solar slingshot by passing by Mars and Earth before going around the sun and whizzing back.

What makes this comet’s visit particularly interesting is the fact that our sun may rip it apart, a phenomenon that will provide viewers from Earth with a fantastic display of light. Alternatively, if Comet ISON survives its proximity to the sun, we will be seeing it blazing through our skies for some time after the event.

Comet ISON is over 4 billion years old and is hurtling through space at the speed of 684,000 kilometers per hour, allowing it to cover the distance between New York and Los Angeles in the US in under 20 seconds. It is brighter than other comets seen at the same distance. Besides giving the astronomers and stargazers alike an amazing illusion, Comet ISON is being watched by the most prestigious telescopes in the world in the hopes of providing scientists with crucial scientific data that could help them understand more about comets, the sun and the origin of our solar system.

Comet Of The Century will be featuring experts such as Adam McKay, one of the first astronomers to use spectroscopy with an earth-based telescope to observe the head of ISON, Karl Battams, a scientist from the British Naval Research Laboratory, and Gareth Williams, a scientist working with the Minor Planet Centre, which is responsible for keeping track of asteroids, comets and natural satellites. Scientists will be giving a historical perspective of Comet ISON along with greater insight into the nature of comets and how our understanding of intergalactic phenomena has developed throughout history. 

Comet ISON potentially carries a significant amount of information that may answer many questions, such as whether comets brought water to the newly born Earth, or if Comet ISON contains any organic molecules, which are the building blocks of our existence. Comet Of The Century explains these queries to viewers and draws them into the fascinating world of astronomy and how it links to musings on our very existence.

Catch the premiere on November 27, Wednesday at 10pm only on the National Geographic Channel!

Grow A Million Trees (Earth Day Y2013)

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Trees are vital for a greener earth and healthy environment as they provide shade, clean the air and help cool the environment.

A commitment drafted and signed by SM Group of Companies and affiliates in the presence of DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) representatives held last Monday, April 22 at The Block, SM City North EDSA on the occasion of Earth Day 2013.

"SM's campaign for healthier and greener earth has never been this big." - Mr. Joey Mendoza

For years, SM has been an advocate of environmental conservation. The structures have evolved as the way new structures are designed not for aesthetcis alone. They are designed  in such a way that it also contributes to SM's vision. 

SM has a well-planned waste disposal system in every SM facility. SM has always been at the forefront of protecting and rehabilitating the planet. Programs for reforestation, coastal clean-ups and other environmental efforts have been created.

SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket and Savemore's "Join the My Own Bag (Join the MOB) Campaign" started year 2009 as part of the vision of the Sy family to intensify the institution’s commitment to the 3Rs – Reduce, Re-Use and Recycle.

This was a bold move for SM Supermarket to take but SM was determined and prepared to endure the birth pains of pioneering such a program that aims to change aims the shopping habits of SM customers in exchange for the welfare of the environment.

Encouraging people to bring their own reusable bags in exchange for incentives for doing this. SM charged the costumers for every plastic bag request with a super minimal fee. Sm pushed the campaign that the people see and feel a big change with a small adjustments in their shoppng habits. People can see the bigger picture and in the end it was all worth it.

There are already 13 million people who regularly use the SM Greenbags preventing 39 million plastic bags from being released in circulation.

“The campaign rests in our hands; you, me, everybody. The key to success is for us to work together towards one goal,” Mendoza said.

“The money we've raised from the plastic bag sales during the M.O.B days have already begun funding several tree plantings and clean-ups nationwide but this time we've dreaming bigger. Just try to imagine how much trees we're targetting not just to plant but to nurture and to ensure that they grew into full healthy trees. 1 million trees ! That's enough trees to fill 500 soccer fields or almost 8500 basketball courts.” 

To ensure the longevity of the trees, SM will be planting them in DENR protected areas located in provinces: Nasugbu, Benguet, Calatagan, Cagayan De Oro, Banatocan, Bulacan, Cebu and Davao.

To date, the SM Group of Companies and Affiliates have already reached a third of the goal since 2009. They successfully planted almost 300,000 trees.

SM Group of Companies and affiliates come together towards a common goal - to make the dream of one million trees to make a reality.

More photos @ Facebook.

Meteor shower on July 28 to 31, Stargazers !

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Astronomy enthusiasts can watch out for meteor shower visible by end of the month.

Meteor Shower: Bootides

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that the another meteor shower will be visible in the country from July 28 to 31.

PAGASA informed us that the estimated peak date will be before midnight and onward on July 29.

According to PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando the showers are part of a complex of radiants in Aquarius, Capricornus and Piscis Austrinus, all of which combine with sporadic and early Perseid activity to provide a nice display of meteors.

“The stream normally produces about five to 10 meteors per hour, with overall activity of about 15 meteors per hour under good sky conditions,” he said.

Sources: 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/264211/scitech/science/meteor-shower-stars-promise-treat-for-july-stargazers