Manila Water Foundation, brings importance of Earth Day to kids

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Manila Water Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Manila Water group for areas within Metro Manila and beyond, engaged youngsters in a day full of exciting activities that expressed the value of taking care of Mother Earth.

“The Foundation’s Earth Day celebration reflects how we would like to implant the importance of being mindful of the environment’s condition and the efforts needed to be taken to improve it at grassroots level,” said Carla Beriña-Kim, Executive Director of Manila Water Foundation. “Educating the youth during their developmental years would promote the formation of consciousness and habits that will shape an active public geared at forging a sustainable future,” she adds.

Almost a hundred children aged six and above participated in a story telling teaching the role of water cycle in the environment and in the Amazing Kiddie Race which included stations that stressed the importance of using water wisely such as the Water Relay Station. 

Christine Casabar, parent of one of the participants shares the Foundation’s vision of inculcating the value of protecting the environment in an early age. 

“This stage is very crucial because it is the time that the learnings are readily accepted and embraced,” said Casabar.

According to Roy Gonzaga, parent of one of the participants, his daughter Rayne shared how she gained environmental awareness and enjoyed her first step to taking care of Mother Earth through the seedling planting activity. “As parents, we play a critical role of developing the awareness and responsibility of the future generation towards the environment,” said Gonzaga. “After all, they will be the ones who will inherit our planet and reap or sow depending on our present actions”.

The full day event ended with splashes and laughter as kids jumped and swam in the pool the rest of the afternoon. 

This Earth Day celebration was done in cooperation with Manila Water Company, Museo Pambata, Philippine Book Fairs and Education Inc., and Metropolitan Water Works and Sewerage System.

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).

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

PRO EARTH RUN to kick-start EARTH DAY 2014 celebration

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Earth Day is Everyday, Everywhere for Everyone. Earth Day has become truly a dynamic celebration with a meaningful advocacy. This year’s celebration involves the holding of the “PRO-EARTH RUN” to formally launch and highlight the Earth Day 2014 Celebration and to mobilize resources to support the continuing advocacies of EDNPI on climate change and the conservation of the country’s biodiversity resources. 

Year after year since the 1990’s, the Philippines participates in the worldwide celebration of Earth Day. The Philippines’ celebration is unique in that it is a coming together of government, civil society, and churches to highlight the country’s environmental health and renew their partnership to work for the common good.

Mr. Roberto Guevarra talkss during the media launch of Pro Earth Run
 held at the Merrel branch, Market Market Mall, Taguig City

Since 1999, the partnership has evolved into a loose coalition called Earth Day Network Philippines (EDNPI) with a Secretariat that directly coordinates the Network’s members from local government units to non-governmental organizations, from business corporations to churches and academic institutions, and from big organizations to individuals who want to do something for the environment. Through Presidential Proclamations, Earth Day has become a permanent environmental holiday of the country and has become a fixture in the national environmental consciousness. 

For 2014, Earth Day celebration gives focus to CLIMATE CHANGE. This year is especially important because we have just experienced the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda, which almost brought all our brothers and sisters in the Visayas and Northern Palawan down to their knees. More of these super typhoons are expected to come as a result of human-induced climate change.

Aside from the abovementioned, 2014 is also equally important for the Network because it is celebrating its 15th anniversary. It was in 1999 that Mr. Mark Dubois of Earth Day International visited the Philippines and helped form the Earth Day Network Philippines in the house of the late Odette Alcantara, the founding Country Coordinator. Since then, the celebration of Earth Day has become truly a dynamic celebration with a meaningful Main Event held in different areas of the country to highlight that Earth Day is Everyday, Everywhere for Everyone.

The Earth Day Network Philippines’ PRO EARTH RUN is presented by Manila Nature’s Link Corporation’s Malungai Life Oil (www.malungailifeoil.ph), a proudly Philippine-made all-natural concentrated vegetable extract noted by the Johns Hopkins University as the world’s first and only product developed from pure Moringa Oliefera seeds and leaves, and the United Parcel Services or UPS. The PRO EARTH RUN is also supported by First Gen, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes, Merrell – ProEarthRun’s shoe sponsor, St. Luke’s Medical Center – ProEarthRun’s medical partner, Greenlite Banner – ProEarthRun’s official printing partner, Globe, Holcim, The Body Shop, Coco Dolce, Business Mirror, The Manila Times, Malaya Business Insight, BusinessWorld, Circuit Magazine, 106.7 Energy FM, 107.5 WIN Radio, SM Tickets, SM Cinema, and the BGC. 

The culmination of the celebration will be during the Earth Day 2014 Main Event. To be celebrated at the Quezon Memorial Circle, there is where we will be highlighting the network members’ efforts and achievements for the past year. The Main Event is also the occasion wherein the DENR Secretaries have presented the State of the Philippine Environment Address annually. Together with the Main Event is the SANDIWANG: Isang Diwa sa Pagdiriwang ng Kalikasan, an Interfaith Celebration of Earth Day that we intend to be a more artistic and cultural celebration. 

Also in line is the Earth Day 2014 Advocacy Fair, where individuals can learn more on how they can participate or volunteer in the specific advocacies, programs, and projects of different organizations, national government agencies, and local government units.

For more information, 

you may contact EDNP Secretariat’s Network Relations Officer, Mr. Ryan Alfred Go

at Telefax: (02) 332-6030; 

Mobile: 0905-5051111; 

or Email: secretariat@earthdayphilippines.org.

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.

Earth Day 2013 is the subject of Monday's Google doodle across the world

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Google today celebrates Earth Day with an animated doodle.

Earth Day 2013 doodle released by Google features a landscape and a static sun with a featured button inset inside. 

Clicked on the doodle's button, the sun starts moving and gradually sets in the west. As the sun sets, the moon rises in the glittering sky and it can be seen in different phases while moving across the sky.

Earth Day is observed every year on April 22 to create awareness among the masses on environmental issues.Events are held across the world to sensitize people about the need to protect our environment

This Monday's google doodle also features the cycle of seasons - spring, summer, autumn and winter. This shows the cycle of seasons represented with the rising and falling Sun and Moon in an animated Google doodle. This is Google's 13th Earth Day doodle, with each year the doodles getting more elaborate. For Earth day doodles click https://www.google.com.ph/.

Villar Leads Manila Bay Clean-up

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In consonance with the forthcoming Earth Day celebration, Team PNoy senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar yesterday led the clean-up drive at Manila Bay in the Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat & Eco-Tourism (LPPCHEA), which was recently included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, an intergovernmental treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

“We have to care and protect our environment. We have to repay Mother Earth for providing us all the necessary materials we need to survive,” stressed Villar.

The clean-up activity at Manila Bay which started 7 am yesterday, Villar said, is their simple way of saying “thank you,” and “demonstrating our love to Mother Earth.” However, she stressed that “caring and loving” our environment should not only be done during the Earth Day celebration.

“Everyday of our lives, we should all strive to protect Mother Earth,’ said Villar who has earned the moniker “Misis HanepBuhay” for giving jobs to Filipinos.

Villar was joined by students and volunteers from various sectors in last Friday’s clean-up activity, which was followed by a tour along the stretch of LPPCHEA aboard a banca around 7:30 a.m. The activity ended with a boodle fight, also led by Villar. The three-term Las Pinas congresswoman said she feels happy with the improvement at the LPPCHEA since there are lesser garbage being collected.

“We can attribute this to our consistent clean-up efforts,” said Villar. The Villar Foundation, where she sits as Managing Director, together with students and other volunteers, also conduct weekly cleanups. “The more partners we work with, the better it will be for the environment,” she said.

The Villar Foundation had earlier inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) represented by radio station DZRH in its Manila Bay Cleanup drive.

“The Villar Foundation and DZRH agree that this is not only a joint cooperative undertaking, but more importantly, it is a major public service activity that would help contribute to the promotion of a livable, healthier and ecological sustainable Manila Bay,” read the MoA.

Villar noted there is more reason to protect the 175-hectare LPPCHEA area after it was listed in Ramsar along with the world-renowned Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (Underground River), both found in the Philippines.

"Ramsar has recognized LPPCHEA’s global importance to biodiversity and the need to give it special protection from various threats,” said Villar, adding that LPPCHEA is the so-called 'last bastion' in Metro Manila.

Based on Proclamation No. 1412, LPPCHEA is a critical habitat because to its global importance to biodiversity. It is a habitat for the survival of threatened, restricted-range and congregatory species.

But despite being a critical habitat, Villar lamented it faces threats of being reclaimed. In opposing the planned reclamation, Villar, a strong environmental advocate, noted that taking care of our environment will save us from disasters and calamities.

She maintains calamities would further burden the already poor Filipinos who are facing various problems due to difficult times.

Disasters like flooding, Villar said, can make one poorer if his properties are destroyed.

To avoid worst scenarios, Villar, who has earned the moniker “Misis Hanep Buhay” for giving jobs to Filipinos, underscored the need to clean our rivers, our creeks and other bodies of water especially Manila Bay.

“We can simply help protect the environment by not throwing our garbage into the sea, the rivers, the creeks. If we resort to indiscriminate throwing of garbages, these wastes will return to us during floodings. The garbages that we throw also caused massive floods,” warned Villar.

Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila Supports Earth Hour 2013

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Earth Hour 2013 aims to be the largest environmental mass-participation event in Philippine history. Organizers hope to inspire 15 Million Filipinos in 1000 cities and towns to join the global switchoff.

The movement symbolizes that by working together, each of us can make a positive impact in this fight, protecting our future and that of future generations. It aims to be the largest environmental mass-participation event in Philippine history. Organizers hope to inspire 15 Million Filipinos in 1000 cities and towns to join the global switchoff.

As part of the brand’s signature corporate social responsibility campaign, Thrive, Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila proudly participates in Earth Hour’s annual global campaign by turning the lights off for an hour on 23 March from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

In support of Earth Hour 2013 plight to go beyond one hour of “lights off”, Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila the hotel is turning off exterior lights and minimising non-essential lighting in all public areas and offices, as well as stopping the escalator for an hour. To add a touch of charm to this event, a romantic candlelit dinner experience awaits diners in all the outlets, especially at The Fireplace where premium steak and wine is the main draw. Guests can also enjoy Room Service in an evening picnic setting with the family in their own room, as well as being pampered at the candlelit Spa at Club Oasis.

Aside from these activities, all in-house guests are urged to participate by reducing their power usage during this hour.

A limited-edition offer at the Pastry Boutique throughout March allows guests to go the extra mile in saving the earth by purchasing a pair of panda cupcakes for only P400 net, with a P60 donation to the World Wildlife Fund and Earth Hour for every pair sold.

Inspired by the World Wildlife Fund mascot, they are made of a chocolate cupcake base with coconut cake and Oreo biscuits, offering a triple treat of luscious goodness.

Dimming the lights on 23 March is not only an exciting tradition at Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila, it’s also an opportunity to experience the hotel and restaurants in a different light.

For inquiries and reservations, please call the hotel’s food and beverage reservations centre on +63 2 247 8666. Alternatively, e-mail cath.mn@hyatt.com or make restaurant reservations online by visiting manila.casino.hyatt.com.

You can also visit Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila Facebook.

About Earth Hour

Earth Hour is a worldwide event organised since 2007 by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and held annually towards the end of March, encouraging households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour to raise awareness about the need to take action on climate change.

Sandra Seifert Poses for Sultry New Earth Ad for PETA

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With Earth's oceans and continents and the message "Save the Planet: Go Vegetarian"painted on her body, top model Sandra Seifert will pose for a stunning new ad for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia.


The ad, which will be shot by top photographer Ken Go, with bodypainting by Don Delubio, makeup by Magic by Anju Dargani, and hair styling by Nina's Touch, will explain how animal agriculture is one of the leading causes of climate change and a major contributor to resource depletion, pollution, and world hunger.

"Meat production has a devastating impact on the environment," says Sandra. "With so many alternatives to meat available, it's easier than ever to enjoy great food while saving animals and the planet. Going vegetarian is the best thing we can do to save the planet this Earth Day!"

Besides causing the daily suffering of billions of animals who are raised to be killed for food, the meat industry ravages the Earth. The United Nations recently stated that a global shift toward a vegan diet is necessary to combat the worst effects of climate change. Livestock gas is the source of more than a third of all global human-attributed methane emissions—as a greenhouse gas, methane is 20 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

In addition, feeding, transporting, and slaughtering farmed animals and packaging, transporting, and storing their flesh waste enormous amounts of energy.

In the Philippines, nearly 800 million cows, pigs, chickens, and other animals are killed for their flesh every year. They are dehorned and debeaked and have their teeth, tails, and testicles cut off—all without being given any painkillers. They are crammed into crowded, filthy enclosures and denied everything that is natural and important to them. At the slaughterhouse, animals are routinely hung upside down, have their throats cut, are skinned alive, or are scalded to death while they're still conscious.

For more information, please visit PETAAsiaPacific.com.