An open letter to the organizers of NatGeo Earth Day Run

To the organizers of NatGeo Earth Day Run,

This is Romina Lim, a student and environmentalist. Before anything else, I would like to commend your purpose to raise awareness to NURTURE and PROTECT our Earth by organizing the annual NatGeo Earth Day Run. As a runner and environmentalist, I was personally enticed by your intention that I registered for your event a few years ago. To keep your runners hydrated during the run and for their convenience, you provided water contained in disposable cups in each of your water stations. There were paper cups, and there were plastic cups (probably dispensed after supplies of paper cups run out). After drinking, the cups are then deliberately thrown away to the sides by the runners.

Enumerated here are my concerns:

1) With the thousands of registrants, more than thousands of cups were used only to be thrown away right after drinking. This left trash scattered throughout the road. Fortunately, there were people who painstakingly cleaned up after the event.

2) The routes were situated beside Manila Bay. It is possible that some cups will be blown away and end up in the sea. I'm NOT saying that there's a high chance of getting blown away into the sea. I'm just saying that it IS possible.

3) Plastic cups are non-biodegradable and will contribute to land and sea pollution. Likewise, paper cups will take years to decompose because they are lined with PLASTIC (which explains why liquids do not leak). In the ocean, it may end up being ingested by sea animals.

4) Buying disposable cups means more demand, and higher demand means more will be produced. We are aiming for a litter-free Earth and continuous production will only hinder us from achieving this goal.

5) As mentioned, higher demand means more production. Higher production requires more water and energy to be consumed, and this increases emissions of carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. If you think that paper cups are the greener alternative, production of paper cups consumes 4 times the energy and 3 times the amount of water used in producing plastic cups.

I'm therefore asking the event organizer to, instead of providing disposable cups, ask their runners to BYOB ('Bring Your Own Bottle'). Bringing a bottle while running is a SMALL sacrifice compared to the Earth we'll sacrifice just for our convenience. Also, there can be alternatives to bottles e.g. hydration pack or hydration belts which you can also suggest to your runners for their convenience. Keep the water stations so they can refill their bottles, but I suggest to do away with the disposable cups because this generates kilograms of trash.

Just so you know, this has been done in other fun runs e.g. Run for the Pasig River, Citytrail Manila, Clark Runway Color Fun Run, etc.. It HAS BEEN done. It IS possible to do away with the disposable cups. So please, for your next event, minimize your waste production and let's promote environmental awareness.
I appreciate your intentions, but I hope the NatGeo Earth Day Run will stay true to its values and actually commit to protecting the environment.

(ADDITIONAL; PLEASE READ)

- Yes, there were assigned people to clean up after the event. But to begin with, there wouldn't be any trash to pick up if you just properly disposed them. Just because there were people to clean up after your mess does not mean you can just litter. Kudos to the people who painstakingly picked up the cups after the event.
- The point of this post is to BRING YOUR OWN BOTTLES. I think this is the best option for everyone bc (1) we need not generate trash from the disposable cups, (2) runners can save time because they do not need to regularly stop at water stations, (3) runners will also have a constant source of water if they bring their own, (4) organizers do not have to spend money on disposable cups, and (5) people would not have to clean up after the event.

(A similar letter was sent to the organizers of

Manila Bay Clean-up Run. It has been 2 months, still no response.)

(Photo credits to the original owner. This photo is not mine. I did not attend in this year's event.)

tl;dr

WAG HYPOCRITE UTANG NA LOOB!

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May you rest in peace, Severino Reginio

Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of our dear batchmate in Our Mother of Perpetual Succor Academy (Ompsa), Severino Reginio. He passed away last March 1, 2017 at the age of 29.

His remains lie in state at No. 445 Sitio Niyugan, San Felipe, Padre Garcia, Batangas. His body will be brought to his final resting peace in Batangas this Tuesday or Wednesday.

Those batch who are near the area, you are encourage to visit his wake. Those who are in Manila, who are planning to visit, do let me know.

Condolences from OMPSA Batch 2005.

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#JusticeForDrey: Justice for Doctor to the Barrio

I know a hero. His name is Dreyfuss Perlas. Medical doctor. Master in Public Management. Martyr.

Despite hailing from Aklan, he was deployed half a country away to Lanao del Norte - terra incognita for most of us. However, while many of us moved on to other professional endeavors after our two-year MHO stint, he chose to stay in the rural community he served. The community he grew to love.

Dreyfuss is the product of three prestigious state institutions. With his credentials, training, and natural charisma, he could've chosen any number of ways to enrich himself elsewhere. Yet he chose to continue working in the grassroots, among the poorest of the poor.

And now he is dead. Shot dead while riding home after coming from a medical mission.

Our rural poor communities are in desperate need of doctors. Dr. Perlas was a rarity, having both the competencies and demeanor suited for a career in public health. People like Drey represent an immense value to our society, and the compensation he received for this is a bullet to the heart.

People, this is what true heroism is like. There are plenty of other people like Dreyfuss all over the country, working among the poorest of the poor, even though personal development, self-preservation, and common sense should advise otherwise.

If standing on the receiving end of a bitter old man's tirades in EDSA warrants official recognition from our government, couldn't we at least grant the same recognition to our true heroes? Shouldn't we look at their lives, hear their stories, and see what can be done so they can fulfill their calling without giving up their lives?

I join the call for #justicefordrey. Dreyfuss, your memory will always be cherished and your legacy will always be honored.

Source and courtesy of Jorrel Vincent Valdez

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Modern bahay kubo designs in the Philippines

Many homeowners in the Philippines now opt to build homes that are made almost entirely of concrete but there are still those who want to live or at least occasionally spend time in a bahay kubo, the traditional house that Filipinos used to live in. Bahay kubo style houses, for instance, are popular in beach resorts and as guest housesThe modern version of the nipa hut has already taken different designs but living or staying in a modern day bahay kubo while on vacation still offers several advantages.

 

 

The bahay kubo, for one, is airy. It uses light materials that are well suited to the country’s warm weather. The walls made of bamboo mats allow the air to get in providing comfort during a hot day.  The walls also allow sunlight to filter in so natural light gets inside.

 

 

 

Because it uses indigenous materials such as bamboo, coconut lumber and rattan, a bahay kubo is also cheaper to build. In rural areas where bamboos abound, getting the bamboo poles to be used as wooden posts only takes cutting the poles.

 

 

There are also suppliers who sell bamboo, coconut lumber, sawali (bamboo mats) and other materials used in bahay kubo at a relatively cheap cost. The price of bamboo poles can range between Php 150 to Php 300 pesos depending on the size and the location of the supplier. The supplier may also charge for trucking fee to deliver these materials and this could fetch about Php 1,000.

 

 

 

As for sawali measuring 4FT x 8FT for interior and ceiling use, cost is about Php 450 while sawali measuring 7FT x 30FT for use in construction and perimeter fencing costs Php 2,250. The price may also vary depending on the area. Delivery charges may likewise apply.

 

 

The roof of the bahay kubo is traditionally made of nipa but use of this material has several downsides. Nipa can be easily damaged by wind and rain water so a GI sheet roofing can be opted to. Some modern day bahay kubo are also a combination of concrete, bamboo and sawali.

 

 

If you are looking forward to having your own modern day bahay kubo, professional builders with years of experience can help you build and design a bahay kubo style house but you can design the house yourself.

 

 

Roughly the entire cost of building 1 of these bahay kubo can range from 250,000 Pesos to 350,000 Pesos per 50 square meters. One factor of the price difference is your location and the type of materials that you’re going to use. The price also excludes the price of lot.

 

Source:

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Club Marinduqueno Attends Economic, Education and Business Summit

It was really a great opportunity attending the Economic, Education and Business Summit at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila Hotels and Resorts wherein Georgetown & CO, a congressional awardee in creative arts and upscale women accessory group serving Capitol Hill and women in the Diplomatic Corps successfully organized and hosted the event.

CMI poses with Ms. America's Perfect Lady '99 | L-R: Romeo Mataac, Jr (CMI Executive Secretary), Dr. Ninia Rodil (CMI VP External), Holly Hardwick (Ms. New York '97), Enrico Sevilla (CMI VP Internal) and Dr. Roberto Montellano (CMI President)

With Veteran Actress Miss Annabelle Rama

4M for Maria Mika Maxine Medina, 2017 Philippine Ms. Universe Candidate | L-R: Maxine Medina's manager, Crsytal Evans, Maxine's youngest sister, Marife Medina (Maxine's mom), Dr. Ninia Rodil, Dr. Roby Montellano, Enrico Sevilla and Romeo Mataac, Jr.

And we are on national television news, 24 Oras

Photo (c) 2017

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The Lounge with Lito Tayag: Future of the IT-BPM industry

Attended as live audience in 'The Lounge with Lito', a show hosted by Accenture Country Managing Director to the Philippine, Lito Tayag.

Country Managing Director Lito Tayag, along with Accenture Operations in the Philippines Service Delivery Operations Lead Benedict Hernandez and GDN for Technology Managing Director Winston Cruz, tackled the future of the IT-BPM industry, as envisioned in the IT-BPM Roadmap for 2016-2022.

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CMI celebrates 25 years of caring and sharing with fellow Marinduquenos

Club Marinduqueno, Inc. 2017-2018 Officers
(L-R: Col. Nelvin Ricohermoso, Ading Lim, Rommel Luna, Myra Lydia Profeta, Miner Fabul, Dr. Roberto Montellano, Jojo Regio, Loyola Pedrigal, Romeo Mataac, Jr., Enrico Sevilla and Dr. Ninia Rodil)

Over 200 professionals composed of legal luminaries, medical and dental practitioners, academicians, corporate executives & personnel and business owners celebrated Club Marinduqueno, Inc.’s (CMI) silver anniversary and Christmas fellowship at Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan City last December 10, 2016.

The celebration highlighted the 25 years of caring and sharing with fellow Marinduquenos. The night had the induction of new sets of CMI Board of Trustees and Officers who were inducted by Gen. Alexander Aguirre and Capt. Emmanuel Regio for 2017-2018 term, appreciation of the pioneering efforts of members and turn-over of command from immediate past president, Engr. Ronald Tanco to newly elected president, Dr. Roberto Montellano. Marinduquenos, benefactors and friends were delighted by the rendition of Philippine Baritone Joseleo Logdat, presence of Judge Ofelia Calo and Quezon City Rotary Club members, among the many. Raffle bonanza, photo opportunities, singing, and dancing were unlimited.

Newly sworn-in CMI president Dr. Montellano quipped, “I’m very glad seeing our beautiful, handsome and successful kababayan in this momentous occasion of Club Marinduqueno, Inc. Together with the new officers and leadership, Team Bayanihan will be working to reach and serve the poorest community in our dear Province of Marinduque.”

Club Marinduqueno, Inc., a socio-civic, non-profit and well-knit organization was the brainchild of Judge Manuel Villamayor (with roots from Santa Cruz). When Judge Villamayor met Atty. Aurelio Pamfilo, Jr. (son of late Torrijos Mayor Aurelio Pamfilo, Sr.) after a court hearing in San Juan City, the former asked the latter if he is willing to form a group that will unite Marinduquenos from all the six town of the province. When answer was in the affirmative, founder and co-founder started the ball rolling. Recruitment of quality members, endless conferences and coming up with a vision as an organization soon followed. Thus, the birth of Club Marinduqueno, Inc. was on December 6, 1991. First celebration was held at Quezon City Sports Club, Quezon City.

Conducting medical-dental missions, providing academic scholarship programs, enabling the disabled and installing deep well pumps are enough reasons to continue planning and implementing programs that will help improve quality of Marinduquenos life.

For more photos, click here.

From the consolidated reports of Romeo Mataac, Jr. (CMI Secretary) and Sandy Villamayor (CMI Director).

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Ang aking mga inaanak

Nagakailan-ilan na rin ang aking mga inaanak. Mga inaanak sa aking mga kapatid, mga kaibigan, mga kapitbahay at mga kababayan. Para hindi ko sila makalimutan, narito ang kanilang mga listahan at maiksing personal details:

1) Krizzie Marie Mataac Bueno
Petname: Kizi

Date of Birth: May 9, 2008

Place of Birth: Brgy. Botolan, San Marcelino, Zambales

Date of Christening: 

Father's Name: Rodel Bueno

Mother's Name: Katherine Mataac-Bueno

Contact No.:  +639

2) Zian Denise Mendoza Manlangit

Petname: Denise

Date of Birth: August 08, 2013

Place of Birth: Morong Doctors, Morong Rizal

Date of Christening: December 08, 2013

Father's Name: Reden Manlangit

Mother's Name: Glaiza Manlangit

Contact No.:  +63942-384-5728

3) Rob Anthony Borbe Pascua

Date of Birth: February 26, 2012

Place of Birth: Pasig City

Date of Christening: April 26, 2012

Father's Name: Robert Pascua

Mother's Name: Ruby Ann Borbe

Contact No.: +6398-229-9656

4) Aubrey Samantha Lazatin Tee

Petname: Sam

Date of Birth: May 30, 2015

Place of Birth: Makati City

Date of Christening: November 15, 2015

Father's Name: Ronald Tee

Mother's Name: Ruby L. Tee

Contact No.: +63922-252-6062

5) Atiyya Anjz Sidaya Gidaya

Petname: Aea

Date of Birth: October 4, 2014
Place of Birth: Dasmarinas, Cavite

Date of Christening: December 25, 2014

Father's Name: Alfred Gidaya
Mother's Name: Angeli Sidaya
Contact No.: +63917-258-9439 

6) Coleen Rioflorido Almonte

Petname: Coleen

Date of Birth: January 8, 

Place of Birth: 

Date of Christening: 

Father's Name: Jayson Almonte

Mother's Name: Leni Rioflorido

Contact No.: 

7) Valencia Marticio

Petname: 

Date of Birth: 

Place of Birth: 

Date of Christening: 

Father's Name: 

Mother's Name: Ronalyn Valencia

Contact No.: 

8) Montalla

9) Mayo

10) Pastrana Quimora

11) Quimora

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Accenture hosts thanksgiving dinner for its Corporate Citizenship volunteers

The Corporate Citizenship Philippines Team held an appreciation dinner last August 23 for all our kind-hearted Corporate Citizenship volunteers and project partners at the CVC Manila in Cybergate 1.

Corporate Citizenship Philippines Lead Nescel Asuncion and Country Geographic Services Lead Joan Liston led an intimate ceremony where active employee volunteers and project teams were recognized for their hard work, dedication, and passion for helping the less privileged. It was also an opportunity to honor and celebrate the achievements of Corporate Citizenship for FY16 and a chance to discuss their plans for FY17.

Transforming lives and uplifting the Filipino spirit, Corporate Citizenship’s accomplishments for FY16 include multiple scholarship grants, eco-engagement activities, disaster reliefs and Skills to Succeed initiatives.

Creating an impact by lending a hand

Accenture Enterprise Enablement’s Romeo “Myong” Mataac, Jr., shared that he loves participating in Accenture’s Skills to Succeed programs because he is “able to inspire children to aspire and act on their dreams, and become productive citizens”.

Romeo Mataac, Jr.

“I usually volunteer for initiatives related to youth empowerment. I’ve facilitated multiple workshops for Customer Service Essentials, Work Life Skills, Resume Writing and Job Interview for out of school youths,” he said.

Meanwhile, for Angelica “Ge” Espaldon of Manila-Legal Global Service Center, volunteering “has been an eye-opening experience” for her.

As one of the POCs for the Legal Corporate Citizenship Committee (LCCC) under the Legal Global Service Center, she mostly conducts trainings for our Corporate Citizenship beneficiaries and partners such as Leonard Cheshire Disability Philippines Foundation Inc. and Philippine Business for Social Progress.

“I like seeing the fire and enthusiasm in the eyes of the children when we teach them. I am sure that if given the opportunity and resources, these kids can go a long way. I wish some of our colleagues would see that too. We at LCCC hope to reach out to more volunteers, so they can also get to see and feel what we experience,” she said.

Accenture Corporate Citizenship Skills to Succeed Volunteers in Boystown, Laguna 

Myong shares a similar sentiment: “There is still an overwhelming number of youth who are unable to finish their studies. But if each one of us does our part, we can make a positive impact. We can make a difference.”

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Meeting with Uncle Celso 'Jun' Mataac

Had a wonderful and productive discussion with Uncle Celso "Jun" Mataac about local (Marinduque issues) & national politics, sharing similar passion for community works & involvements and of course the highlights, tracing of our ancestors. Have a safe trip and see you soon, Uncles Jun & Dante and Aunt Amelia!

With Uncle Celso Mataac in Quezon City

Photo (c) 2016

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