Yes We Have Filipino Pride!

What is the exact word for FILIPINO PRIDE in our native tongue? 

If there's no word for it, how can we express or show it?

It all started when Dale David was in Boston in 2000. In a party he asked another guest in a party if he was Filipino. This person loked at him in the eye and said NO, though Dale was so sure he was. This incident bothered him so much that he shared it with some friends ... who had similar encounters.

Why deny being a Filipino? We deny something we are not proud of. But there is so much to be proud of as a Filipino.

Today, we give PRIDE a face.

FILIPINO PRIDEis born.

A book that would give Filipinos examples of people, events, and things to be proud of.  

The first volume has 64 entries spanning 8 categories - History, Literature, Business, Performing Arts, Culture and Values, and Science.

It is a work in progress which aims to complete 365 articles in all - like a daily devotional.

You can be a part of it just log on to http://www.filipinomatters.org/ for their 2nd volume.

What's best is they are giving the book for FREE!

Click here

Oh, before we forget, there is an appropriate phrase for Pinoy Pride.

TAAS NUO KAHIT KANINO.

Let us!

The Learning Center (TLC) gives Tender Loving Care

 

 

 

 

Would you think that all the above items were made by

students challenged with autism, mental retardation, Down syndrome,

attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or other developmental and behavioral conditions?

I wouldn't.

But happy to say they are.

Made by

students, children and adults,  ages 18 and above in

The Learning Center (TLC) Inc. in Merville Park Subdivision, Parañaque City,

TLC is a special education center that has workshop programs for adult students

that train them on vocational skills, giving them opportunities

for independence and livelihood.

TLC is one of several partners of Gifts & Graces Fair Trade Foundation Inc.

(tel. 7592525; email info@giftsandgraces.com), an NGO

that promotes the livelihood programs of marginalized sectors,

helping them develop and market their products here and overseas.

Here is another newsworthy group of Pinoys who give hope to our country by continually

caring and loving  all that is Filipino.

Mabuhay kayo!

read more about them here 

FREE Energy-Saving Bulbs from the Philippine Government!

Great News!

13 MILLION BULBS 

WILL BE DISTRIBUTED ALL THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES

from October 26, 2009 to December 2010

by the Department of Energy

 

 

 

with the support of the Asian Development Bank

 

 

 

 

 

 

  If you followed and understood the flow of pictures, your next question would be how will I be able to get these free bulbs?

Follow these steps:

1. Gather all your incandescent bulbs (ID / round bulbs). Each household can  present a maximum of 6 incandescent bulbs to be be replaced with 6 CFLs.

2. Present your latest electric bill (paid or unpaid)

3. Each community in the Philippines / nationwide will have an announcement either through their community schools, church or electric company or cooperative of the area as to the schedule of CFL distribution.

  Please note that these CFL bulbs are

NOT FOR SALE

AND

they are packaged this way

 

 

FAST FACTS:

* This is the FIRST IN THE WORLD ably supported by the Asian Development bank

*The program was born from the Energy Summit of 2008 as a solution to

lessening the cost of electricity in the Philippines (at P9/kwh,

the highest in the ASEAN region, running second

to the highly industrialized Japan  at P12/kwh)

*It is estimated that replacing one million

60-watt incandescent bulbs with equivalent 13-watt compact fluorescent lamps 

(CFLs) would mean savings of atleast 50MW in  equivalent power generation.

This means that for every US$1.5 million worth of CFLs, we can forego

 the installation of a power plant

                                                                 worth US$50million. 

*At the same time this spells significant energy savings for households,
offices, schools, factories,

hospitals and other establishments. 

*It will also lead to a marked reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
that has been identified 

as major cause of  Global warming.

LET'S SWITCH TO CFLs!!!!!

information generously contributed by 

Mr. Art Habitan

Chief / OIC

Energy Efficiency & Conservation Division

Department of Energy

doe.gov.ph

 

 

 

Dear Manny (Pacquiao)

I am very proud of Manny Pacquiao.

He has won so much Boxing titles (7 in all in different weight divisions) worthy of the Guiness Book of World Records and he has truly changed Philippine and even the World Boxing history.


He has made every Filipino proud.

I also admire his wanting to help his own country.

But.....

I am very against his wanting to help by using politics as a stepping stone.

Thank you to Mr. F. Sionil Jose for putting into words all the things I hope Manny will listen to and do.

Mabuhay ka Manny! Wala akong hangad para sa iyo kundi ang ikabubuti mo.

Mr. Sionil Jose, maraming maraming salamat at Mabuhay rin po kayo!


Dear Manny
HINDSIGHT By F Sionil Jose (The Philippine Star) Updated November 22, 2009 12:00 AM


You do not know me and I have yet to meet you and shake your hand, not so much for your having won all those fights, but for letting the world know about us, our prowess, our determination. This country is now known not only for its corrupt politicians, its housemaids all over the world, but for the brilliant athlete that you are.

Now, here is my unsolicited advice: Retire now, do not look for another fight although the temptation to do so is very great. You don’t have to prove yourself again. There is more than enough glory you have already earned for yourself and your country. And with that glory, a fortune as well.

I saw this TV documentary showing you distributing so much money and goodies in General Santos. You are very generous, Manny, and thank God you are. But be careful with your charity because you will be taken advantage of. Better to “teach a man how to fish, so you will be feeding him all his life” than giving him a fish today.

See to it that your charity is given where it will do the most good. For this, you may have to ask the help of an NGO, or the Secretary of Social Welfare, Esperanza Cabral; she is hardworking and very honest — you can learn from her and, in the process, institutionalize your charity. Remember: to be useful, money must be spread around properly.

I can see that there are so many politicians clinging to your shirt tail. They need to bask in your shadow. How will you shake them off? Ask them to help you by supporting your charity projects

.

Do not run for public office, for congressman, even as mayor of your hometown. Politics will sap your energy, the goodwill that you have amassed nationwide

. You will then become cynical and you will lose your humanity.

If the call of politics is such that you cannot deny it, then during each election season, select a candidate who you may not know personally but who is honest, well intentioned, and has the interest of the masa like us. Go with him on his campaign tour. Just be seen with him — you don’t have to say anything.

You must, however, leave a legacy for which you will always be remembered.

I suggest two:
1). A foundation that will provide assistance for disabled athletes, boxers, provide them with medical care, livelihood.
2). Start a college for athletic training and for future physical education instructors for our colleges and universities. You must establish this in a region where there is enough space for a gym, a track field, basketball courts, etc.

As you very well know, we have performed badly in the Olympics. China has a national program for training its athletes, gymnasts from childhood onwards. We need this kind of school, to instill in our athletes the hard work and the discipline such as you possess.

As superbly illustrated by you, Filipinos are such individualists, they are tailor-made for solo sports, shooting, tennis, swimming, archery, gymnastics. But we must also develop skills in teamwork, which is essential for so many other sports. Teamwork is very important not only in sports but in almost all social and business enterprises.

You know, too, that there is a lot of corruption in the official athletic program of the government. Try and wean the program away from corruption.

And now, as for the politicians who always want to be seen with you: ask them for help in setting up these two institutions. If they are sincere fans of yours, they will help.

Regarding your own social and cultural background, don’t mind those people who criticize your English — they have not gotten to where you are. Let your Mama enjoy your wealth — she deserves it and so do you.

Don’t let middle-class conventions stifle you — you dictate your terms and do not be afraid. Express your thoughts the way you want to. You have earned the right to be what you are, to speak your mind because now you are truly free. You have independent means, Manny; you are not beholden to any high government official, or to our irresponsible elites.

We, the people, owe you our pride.

No writer in this country is rich, but just the same, let me donate a little to those two institutions if and when you set them up. They will be your true and lasting legacy — this old hack can assure you of that.

2009 CNN HERO IS EFREN PENAFLORIDA! Be proud Pinoy!

His acceptance Speech:

"Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry.

Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.

So to each and every person inside in this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed.

Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve.

As I always tell to my co-volunteers ... you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be."

Watch Efren as he accepts his award.

Click here

Manny Pacquiao stand aside, here's a better hero!

The real hero that we should all be!

Save our Environment by giving a GIFT TREE this Christmas!

With the damages of Typhoons ONDOY and PEPENG, came the floods which most of our environmentalists also attribute to loss of trees and frests in our country.

It's time we help in preventing this from happening again....for our children's sake.

http://www.haribon.org.ph/

Give the Gift of Trees

PhP150 plants two seedlings. Be part of the solution.

With every tree planted, the beat of life continues.

Global problems may be big but they can be tackled by individual actions. Each of us can do something about climate change through tree planting of native tree species. The decisions you make— from turning on a light switch to riding a car or plane— here and now may have
an effect far away and long into the future.

The good news is that through tree planting of native trees we are bringing back the natural sequesters of CO₂, and the impacts of climate change are abated. Revival of our rainforests is vital to our survival and ensures water supply for agriculture, energy and our household needs.

For any occasion, when you give a gift to plant native trees, you’ll delight your loved ones. A gift that endures a lifetime and helps make a lasting difference now and for future generations.

Your gift directly benefits Haribon’s ROAD to 2020, a campaign that aims to plant native trees to restore 1 million hectares of forests in the Philippines by year 2020.

For a minimum of two seedlings for PhP75 each, you can support our forest restoration activities in Caliraya Watershed in Laguna and denuded forests around the country. You are welcome to plant your seedlings with us.

For more details, click here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR THE
ADOPT-A-SEEDLING PROGRAM

1.    Why adopt a seedling?
Our forest is the life support system to millions of Filipinos all over the country. We depend on our forests for food, medicine and shelter. Our forests and watershed areas provide us water for our everyday use.

Fewer trees mean less carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (emitted by fossil-based fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas) sequestered thus they remain in the atmosphere. High concentration of these gases causes sever changes in the climate and weather patterns that we have witnessed and will continue to manifest itself as: flash floods; droughts; increase burden from malnutrition, diarrheal, cardio respiratory and infectious diseases; and affecting crops, animal feeding habits and behavior.

The overriding goal of planting back native trees in our forests is to promote a positive effort to address forest denudation and climate change. Adopt-A-Seedling program believes that people are nature’s stewards. As humans, we are the only ones gifted with the capacity to make use of our intellect and we have also been given the responsibility to conserve and protect nature, which is our source of sustenance and existence.

The average Filipino household emits 0.93 tons of carbon dioxide annually from using electrical appliances such as the refrigerator, television and washing machine. We can help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide we emit by planting at least four native tree species.

2.    Why should I feel proud and act to revive Filipino trees?
Red Lauan, Apitong, Hagakhak, Gisok, Mayapis, Tanguile and Bagtikan are among the world’s highly prized timber trees, but these trees that are native to the Philippines no longer shroud the country’s forests like they used to. They can grow up to 70-100 meters (210-300 ft.) high and are supported by magnificent buttresses. Indigenous to the Philippines are 49 species of these hardwood trees, of which nearly half are found nowhere else in the world. All were once common in their habitats but have now almost entirely disappeared.


3.    What is the importance of native tree species?
Native trees species help to bring back the original biodiversity (e.g plants, animals, etc) of a given area. Biodiversity enhances the pollination of plant species. Native trees have a longer lifespan on their range compared to introduced species. They help absorb more carbon dioxide compared to introduced tree species. Put simply, there are no substitutes to Philippine native trees and their importance in our lives: clean water, air, steady supply of food and energy, and its beauty

4.    How much forest cover did the Philippines originally have and how much do we have left?
In the 1600s, almost 97 percent of the country’s total area of 30 million hectares (ha) was covered with old growth forest. In 1960, we had 20 million ha and by 2000, the old growth natural forest has dwindled to only three percent. As of 2003, the forest cover is estimated to be 5.8 million ha or merely 18 percent of the country’s total land area. Of this, about 75 percent is production forest while 25 percent is protection forest. Production forests are forest lands used for the production of timber and other forest products. Protection forests are forests on fragile lands and those protected for plant and animal biodiversity conservation.

5.    Why restore our forests?
The Philippines has only less than 10% cover (1 million hectares) of pristine natural forests left. Our forest lands (denuded and forested) have been reforested with non-native or introduced species such as Gmelina, Mahogany, Jatropha and Falcata tree species which were planted because they grow faster and could be harvested sooner than native hardwood trees. Past and present “reforestation” activities, whose intention were primarily market driven rather than conservation, have replaced the original trees and resulted in a monoculture and decline of plant and animal diversity. Pests and diseases invade these exotic tree plantations and may eventually wipe out our entire reforested areas. This will cause nutrient imbalances within soil and in plants.

Farmers in the Kalinga and Leyte Provinces noticed that crops planted near Gmelina trees were dying. Eventually they found out that these trees caused the soil to become acidic. In some cases creeks and rivers have dried up because these exotic trees consume rather than store water.

6.    How will we restore our forests?
Haribon advocates rainforestation by using native tree species to restore the original biodiversity of our forests. Rainforestation provides ecological benefits, which are linked to human survival. This was first adopted and proved to be successful in Leyte. It is now being adopted in other provinces such as Antique, Bukidnon, Mindoro,Surigao and Camarines Sur. Adopt-A-Seedling is supported by nurseries established near identified priority areas for restoration (i.e., Geo-hazard areas, watershed areas like the National Power Corporation-Caliraya watershed) where most of the seedlings will be planted.

7.    What is the ROAD to 2020?
The Rainforest Organizations and Advocates (ROAD) to 2020 is an environmental conservation movement to restore one million hectares of Philippine rainforests using native tree species by the year 2020. The movement aims to plant native tree species in order to recover and conserve biodiversity, optimize our supply of forest benefits and ecosystem services, reduce the risks of natural hazards such as landslides, and enhance options for sustainable livelihood. Adopt-A-Seedling is a program to support this campaign.

Haribon works with different groups all over the country, which are composed of local government unites, other non profit organizations, People’s Organizations, academic institutions, government agencies, and individuals who are committed to rainforestation. We will ensure that ecological benefits from forests are enjoyed by both Filipinos of today and tomorrow, and that our wildlife – our natural heritage will live on.

8.    Where are the forest sites to be restored?
The areas where Haribon will conduct rainforestation are located in Luzon and Mindanao. There are five sites in Luzon. These are the municipalities of Kalayaan, Laguna (where the Caliraya Watershed is located); Palauig, Zambales; Mangatarem, Pangasinan; Gen. Nakar, Quezon; and Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. In the island of n Mindanao, these are the municipalities of Lanuza, Cortes and Cagwait and Tandag City in the Province of Surigao del Sur.

9.    Who will be involved in forest restoration?
The Haribon Foundation and its partner communities (e.g local government units, People’s Organizations, other non-profit organizations, academe, development sectors such as women, youth and indigenous peoples) will be involved in the rainforestation. Volunteers who are willing to join the forest restoration activities are welcome.

10.    How will we monitor and ensure the survival the seedlings?
Haribon continually involves local communities and partners in the planting and maintenance of the seedlings planted. For quarterly updates of trees planted, this will be provided on the Haribon website at www.haribon.org.ph.  The update includes the list and number of native tree species and the size of the area (in hectares) planted indicated in a map.  

11.    Where will my money go and how will it be spent?
The proceeds will go to the protection, maintenance and monitoring of the native trees and nursery by our community partners. The donations also help sustain restoration and conservation activities related to ROAD to 2020.

12.    Can I join in the tree planting activities and how often does it take place?
Yes, this is an encouraged option, since nothing beats actual experience of planting life back into the earth. It is also an option to request for Haribon to plant your donated seedlings with the help of Haribon members, volunteers and partners.

The weather most conducive to tree planting differs across the forest sites being restored to ensure the best survival rates for the tree seedlings planted. Haribon follows the recommended schedule below at least once a month at the Caliraya Watershed in Laguna. For sites outside Metro Manila, tree planting trips per individual/group from Manila may be arranged with Haribon but would require a lead time of at least a month to provide sufficient coordination time with the local communities and partners. Participants shall shoulder incidental, transportation, accommodation (if applicable) costs to and from the sites (van/ car rental, airfare) and encouraged to pack/pay for their own meals.

•    Caliraya: June-February
•    Mts. Irid-Angelo in General Nakar Quezon: June- February
•    Zambales Mountains: June to November
•    Mt. Siburan and its adjacent forests areas in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro: June- February
•    Mt. Diwata and Mt.Hilong-hilong in Surigao del Sur: All year round

Kindly check the website for tree planting announcements or write to: act@haribon.org.ph for more information or inquiries

If you have time on Sunday, November 22, please join.

                                                          click here to register

THE HAPPIEST PINOY

Here it is!

The search for the HAPPIEST PINOY! Find out how to win by simply being a happy Pinoy!

While we're at it, here are Top tips to achieve happiness


Happiness, as they say, is a state of mind and being. But with today's problems from finances to security, this state is as elusive as ever.

Still there are many ways one can take to be happy on a day-to-day basis. Here are our top 5 tips:


1. Try to discover what you do not want.


Reflection is the key ingredient in this first step. We are always asked what we want and end up with general answers that usually lead to nothing specific. Instead, ask yourself what really scares you or annoys you and list them down. In your sheet, write beside each item the counter activities or actions you can take to avoid or solve it. You'll be surprised to find that these "problems" are can in fact be easily resolved all by yourself.


2. Surround yourself with positive reinforcements.


Whether it's a clean desk or good friends, you can't go wrong with positive vibes. Always create the oasis you crave wherever you go and go only with people you feel are helping you become a better version of yourself.


3. Move around!


It has been scientifically proven that happy hormones called endorphins flood our bloodstreams when indulging in physical activities. No wonder active people are not just strong and buff, but more importantly, happy beings as well.


4. Be a solution-finder instead of a problem-seeker.


Focus on improvements instead of setbacks. By becoming a solution-finder, you do not only become a valuable part of a team or a community, you also help ease the burden of those around you, leading to a shared feeling of happiness.


5. Get your share of the giggles.


Feeling down and low? Call a friend or get out of your office cubicle and meet up with a friend. Share lighthearted stories and jokes to improve your mood. You'll come out with a better outlook and a healthier heart in no time!