Project IWASTO presented the result of its review of solid waste management policies, along with information gathered from the numerous focus group discussions done with local government units (LGUs), barangay officials, residents, and non-government organizations (NGOs). “We came to understand that sustainable solid waste management is attainable through the collaboration of stakeholders from various sectors,” the project said in a statement.
Prof. Maria Antonia Tanchuling, Project Leader of IWASTO, concluded the discussion by stating that the project IWASTO is developing a database for SWM facilities, continuing consultations with relevant national government agencies (NGAs), and ensuring the sustainability of its outputs. “Kailangan naming malatag nang maayos ang imprastraktura na magagamit for sustainability purposes. Ayaw naming na ito ang isang proyekto lamang na kapag tapos na kami, tapos na ang funding ng DOST, in two years wala nang users at [tinabi] nalang ang nagawa namin” (We want to lay out the infrastructure that would be used [taking into mind its sustainability]. We don’t want that when this project ends, when the funding from DOST ends, our outputs will just be shelved.) Prof. Tanchuling said.
IWASTO’s presentation ended on a note that their efforts will continue, and coordination with NGAs will be sustained.
The IM4ManilaBay webinar was not only filled with presentations from the component projects but was also graced by the opening remarks of its guests from government offices: DOST Secretary Sec. Fortunato de la Peña, Ms. Aleya Carmela Arca of the DILG Manila Bay Clean-up, Rehabilitation, and Preservation Program, and Mayor Vico Sotto of Pasig City LGU. Engr. Ces Abad from Project IWASTO served as its emcee.
Engr. Ces Abad of IWASTO (left), and Mayor Vico Sotto of Pasig City (right)
Call for Support
DOST Sec. de la Peña, one of the distinguished guests, reiterated his call for public support to the research and development efforts of the country’s researchers from higher education institutes.
“In the coming years, we will further strengthen our efforts to reduce environmental pollution and provide greater access to clean and safe water by generating environmentally sound game-changing technologies and policies. We encourage our researchers, policymakers, key stakeholders, and the general public to support and implement these kinds of initiatives and projects which are aimed at achieving the sustainable development goals through innovative and integrated solutions,” he said in a message to participants.
The webinar was concluded with a message from Dr. Eric Paringit of the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) and is the current funding agency of the IM4ManilaBay Program. The program is implemented by units under the College of Engineering, University of the Philippines – Diliman.
The 2020 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic changed many facets of how the world
operates. From lockdowns to the so-called “new normal”, the pandemic has left
permanent changes that are already causing strife, economic decline, and poverty.
There are small, short-term positive gains for the environment and some people.It is sad to know that 2.2 million have
already died, and as countries grapple this death count is sure to continue
increasing. COVID-19 continues to pose a threat to everyone unless you are in
isolated areas or in countries that fought off the pandemic.
I
believe that humanity can move forward and maximize the situation to improve
society. I’m not saying COVID-19 is a good thing, but it already happened, and
lest we use this situation to finally enact some long-due changes in how we
move, communicate, and do business. Here are some opinions in my mind about the
current COVID-19 situation:
Permanent
Changes: Telecommuting Must be Part of “New Normal”
I
sincerely believe that telecommuting – the formal term for “work-from-home
arrangements” should continue for a good number of workers even if the pandemic
ends. Of course I’m referring to those who can do partial telecommuting –
workers whose nature of work requires only a solid PC (companies should
provide) and good internet connection. (Obviously, telecommuting is not viable
for manufacturing and similar sectors.)
What
are the benefits? Traffic improves. Less carbon footprint is emitted (especially
from managers who are stereotyped as SUV/gas guzzler users). Metro Manila could
use a breather. Its horrendous traffic is a vicious cycle that won’t stop until
both government and private sectors agree that a combined approach of
increasing public transportation while controlling the surge of car sales is a
good solution. (This is another topic though.)
Sadly,
the Philippines is far from ready for mass telecommuting. Only select areas
with decent internet could afford a continuous work-from-home experience.
Reputable broadsheet Philippine Star reported that the Philippines has the
slowest broadband internet in Southeast Asia. Conservative offices also resist these changes as they prefer traditional work
cultures. Sometimes, prejudiced viewpoints on technology and millennial/Gen Z
workers play a role.
A
lot of things will have to be done to institute these changes.
Re-Opening
of Laboratorie
Empty chairs in an empty student center of a university in the Philippines.
This
is an unpopular opinion of mine. For many students in Metro Manila, their
“normal” student life suddenly ended on March 10, 2020 when Community
Quarantine was imposed. This is different from the Enhanced Community
Quarantine or ECQ which started on March 15. In this quarantine, everything
remained normal except for schools, which were suspended. It was like the
prelude to the infamous “ECQ” lockdown.
Here
in Metro Manila, General Community Quarantine is almost the same as the
original “community quarantine” of March 10-15, except for some capacity
restrictions in public transportation. While the ECQ did prevent our hospitals
from being overwhelmed, it unfortunately tanked our economy. Online classes are not as conducive as physical classes, especially for students with limited
access to the internet!
I
certainly believe that if the government allows dangerous indoor dining in
restaurants and malls (even food courts, imagine a petri dish of viruses!),
then they should also allow limited face to face classes in university
laboratories! This will be complicated though, but for universities with
dormitories (e.g. UP Diliman) arrangements could be made.
I
think the government will not prioritize this because the education sector is
not only underprioritized but also because allowing laboratory classes won’t
make much of an economic impact (i.e. GDP). But for canteens, ambulant vendors,
and other businesses near universities, any influx of people could revive their
businesses. I am hoping the government considers this.
On
another aspect, I think libraries (do many places have them though?) should be
allowed to reopen. Unlike indoor food courts, libraries are places where people
are forbidden to talk, eat, and drink (no mask removal needed, and fewer droplets exhaled due to these prohibitions).
End of the World? Nah
“Beginning of Sorrows” is better
I
find it funny that some religious sects tout this pandemic as a sign of the end
of the world. Sometimes they ignore that openly secular, non-religious
countries such as Vietnam, Taiwan, and New Zealand survived the pandemic
unscathed. While crises like this pandemic is a sign of the “end times”,
Christians generally believe that strife, wars, and crises are simply the
“beginning of sorrows” (c.f. Matthew 24:8 KJV)
Sadly,
misplaced faith is driving the spread of COVID-19 in some places. People openly
defy safety protocols because of their misplaced belief that their god will
protect them. They are doing things that are tantamount to testing god.
**
Just a final reminder, always follow the
safety protocols. Let’s hope for the best this 2021!
I am not really a music fan to begin with, but I tried to write this article to be as smooth as possible. I’ll share a story how I discovered a homegrown pop music idol group, MNL48.
Sometimes reactions are mixed when people hear of this group, and it cannot be helped that their former stint at the noontime variety show “It’s Showtime” cemented some unfavorable impressions to the group. Let me say it bluntly, I believe they are talented (see acapella video below). The “idols you can meet” concept and packaging, being foreign to most Filipinos, is one of the reasons why their clout isn’t that big (yet).
Early Exposure
I have a vague memory of MNL48
years ago. I think it was a news clipping from TV Patrol. I didn’t give them
much attention back then because I thought it was just another lackluster
attempt of ABS-CBN to propel certain people to stardom. Their association with
ABS-CBN is probably why I did not take them seriously at first, since the
network is sometimes known for propelling artists to things they are not
talented for (e.g. actors converted into “singers”).
Fast forward to July 28, 2019,
I came across a Facebook post with a link to a song called “Ikaw ang Melody”,
shared by an acquaintance. Seeing that it seemed interesting, I opened the link
and saw these bunch of girls singing. To my own surprise, I actually liked the
song (since I’m not into modern Filipino music). I did not pay attention too
much to the lyrics since I was too attracted to the melody which seemed to
overpower the voices of the singers. (I later found out that having a relatedly
loud instrumentals is a key trait of Japanese Pop or J-Pop music.)
By December 2019, I saw that a
certain MNL48_Coleen became trending on Facebook and Instagram, with some of my
Facebook friends sharing her “pa-cute” (playing cute) poses. Later on, a friend
of mine, a former classmate in elementary school, shared this: I reacted to the
post with a heart, lol. I was already aware of a Coleen as a member but didn’t
dig further who she is.
Contextualized Translation: “Hey! You’re [always posting] about MNL48 Coleen. [Keep doing that and you’ll end up in] MNLCITYJAIL (Manila City Jail).”
It was only later when I
became a solid fan (MNLoves/wota) that I learned that MNL48 Coleen (Team NIV)
did became popular among non-fans (normies) because of her TikTok videos. As I
write this, she has the highest number of social media followers (Facebook,
Instagram, and TikTok) to date.
Further Exposure
At work I would sometimes
listen to their songs on Spotify. I find Spotify non-distracting compared to
YouTube. The lackluster response of the country to the COVID-19 pandemic was
felt after cases rose sharply after March 7. We were forced to work from home
last March 10 onwards, quarantined at home gave me additional time to browse
random YouTube videos. Soon, I found the Ikaw ang Melody live version
performed at the MYX Studio. This was the turning point. “Why didn’t I discover
this early on?” I uttered. I found their live vocals very much amazing and by
reading the comments section, learned the identities of the girls who
performed. This was the start of me officially considering myself as a fan.
(Sadly, my supposed-to-be kami-oshi Faith already graduated from the group by
that time.)
The 365 Araw ng Eroplanong Papel (365 Nichi no Kamihikouki; 365 Days of Paper Airplanes) acapella was a major turning point. I have never seen a Filipino female girl group perform so well in acapella.
Why Though?
To be honest, I was never
really a music lover before I discovered KPop. The mainstream foreign artists I
follow (defined as waiting for their next release) are very few: Taylor Swift,
Rachel Platten, Melanie Martinez, and The Script.
There is something special in
MNL48 that appealed to me. The concept of stanning regular people striving hard
to achieve their dreams instead of already big names. The concept of the 48
group franchise of “idols you can meet” is very unique in a sense that there is
no pedestal that separates the talented artists from the fans. (Of course,
there should always be a wall and fans must not push their limits.) In a sense,
the concept makes them relatable to the fans. But the ultimate reason for me is
that they are talented not only as individuals but also as a group (e.g.
harmonization). While they did start with potential, they still started from
scratch and have since then improved. It is different in KPop where you get a
polished product; realistically speaking, the Korean model sells more
especially to Filipino fans.
The lyrics of their songs are
very inspirational. I know some Filipino AKB48 fans who diss at translated
lyrics, but for me it gives a better connection to the message of the singers
(or lyricist).
For example, here is my
favorite line from 365 Araw ng Eroplanong Papel:
Sa iyong pinagdadaanan
Umasa kang hindi ka nag-iisa
'Di mo lang napansin ang kabutihan
ng mga tao sa paligid.
Here are
my favorite lines from First Rabbit:
Kahit na masaktan, 'di katatakutan
Kahit ang kadiliman, 'di uurungan
Tulad ng pangarap na pinaglalaban
Tuloy-tuloy, walang susuko hanggang magkatotoo na lahat
Nasusugutan, may matututunan
Kahit ako'y lumuha, kahit pa masaktan
Lahat ng hirap at dusa titiisin ko
Seisho no usagi ni naruo (until I become the first rabbit)
最初のうさぎになろう
Not to disparge KPop
songs, but for contrast, here are the lyrics of my favorite BLACKPINK song, “As
It It’s Your Last”:
Baby nal teojil geotcheoreom anajwo
Geuman saenggakhae mwoga geuri eoryeowo
Geojitmalcheoreom kiss haejwo naega neoege
Majimak sarangin geotcheoreom
Okay, let me give you
an unofficial Filipino translation that is still based on the Korean lyrics:
Baby hawakan ako parang sasabog
‘Wag ka na mag-isip ano bang mahirap dun?
‘Di tunay pero kiss mo’ko
Na parang huli mong ibig na minamahal
Again, I have no
intention to put any KPop song in a bad light, especially since I am a Blink
and a somewhat ONCE (fan of TWICE). It just shows the differences in packaging
and appeal of the Korean pop industry and the 48 group (Jpop). In my viewpoint,
the Korean model is “sexy and sophisticated” while the Japanese model is “rough
diamonds being polished towards perfection”. There are a lot of inspirational
KPop songs such as BTS’ “Never Mind” and SONAMOO’s “Just Go”. However, the ones
mass marketed have a distinct sophisticated appeal.
The inspirational
touch of MNL48 is one of the major factor why I was hooked into supporting
them.
Final Words
We all have different
music tastes, and it is not right to disparge someone who has a different music
taste (unless said music is advocating bigoted or extreme beliefs). Others may
not like the 48 group model because the idol usually starts from scratch or raw
talent. Some have expressed their preference to the Korean pop model where the
idols will train for years in order to be “polished” by the time they debut.
Again, we all have our different tastes. Let us be mindful and respectful to
each other’s preferences.
MANILA,
PHILIPPINES – A Department of Science and Technology-funded research project
successfully held the second session of its webinar series titled “IWASTO Natin
Webinar Series on Sustainable Solid Waste Management Amidst COVID-19” last 23 July
via Zoom and Facebook live.
Participated
by around three hundred (300) people hailing from various sectors and groups
throughout the Philippines, Project Integrated Waste Analysis, Survey, and
Technological Options (Project IWASTO) organized the webinar series which will
have a total three sessions on topics involving solid waste management.
Engr.
Angela Aquino, Senior Science Research Specialist of Project IWASTO, presented
a brief overview of the program as part of the opening remarks. For this
session, speakers Mr. Emmanuel Alivio, Mr. Bramwell Gonzales, and Engr. Reido
Panaligan discussed the endeavors of their respective organizations.
Event poster for the webinar (Source: Project IWASTO Facebook page)
“Kami
sa GreenAntz ang ginagawa namin ay circular economy. [Ang mga plastic
nanggagaling] from producers to consumers, then ‘away’[.] Kami yung kumukuha ng
‘away’. In our case[,] yung mga waste nagiging resource siya.” (“Here are
GreenAntz we do circular economy. [The plastics flow] from the producers, [to
the] consumers, then ‘away’. We are taking these [plastics thrown away]”. In
our case, the wastes become [useful] resources.) Mr. Alivio of GreenAntz emphasized
during her talk. He presented the innovative solutions of Green Antz Builders,
Inc., a Bulacan-based enterprise that uses its proprietary technology to
utilize plastic sachets as eco-bricks for various uses.
For
the second talk, Mr. Bram Gonzales of Sari-Cycling discussed the initiatives of
their group in promoting segregation at source. Currently, they have forged
partnerships with select communities in urban Pasig City. “Let us focus on the
present. We have things we can do [at] our homes, things we can do right now”
Mr. Gonzales said in his concluding statement.
Engr.
Reido Panaligan of the Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology
(CREST) delivered the final talk for the second session. He explained that the CREST
Urban Biogas System integrates various sustainable concepts such as renewable
energy, waste management, permaculture, and materials recovery.
After
the presentations, questions from webinar participants in both Zoom and
Facebook were answered by the speakers. Engr. Ces Abad Jr. of Project IWASTO
served as the moderator and emcee.
The
next webinar session will be held tentatively on [early August]*. While first session
held last 8 July focused on the technologies that could help manage biodegradable
wastes, the last session will involve local government units’ response to the
changing garbage landscape brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Project
IWASTO aims to develop integrated solid waste information and technology
management system for selected communities that are part of the Manila Bay
watershed. It is a two-year project under the IM4ManilaBay Program, a
consortium of research projects that aims to clean up and rehabilitate Manila
Bay. The program component projects are funded by the Department of Science and
Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology
Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).
*Editor's Note: The original reflected schedule was removed as the webinar session did not push through at that date. New schedule is subject to change depending on the speaker availability.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – A Department of Science and Technology-funded research project successfully
launched its webinar series titled “IWASTO Natin Webinar Series on Sustainable Solid
Waste Management Amidst COVID-19” last 8 July via Zoom and Facebook live.
Invitation poster of the webinar (Source: Project IWASTO official Facebook page)
Participated
by different representatives from various sectors both government and private, Project
Integrated Waste Analysis, Survey, and Technological Options (Project IWASTO) lead
the webinar series which, as of writing, will have a total three sessions on topics
involving solid waste management.
The
first session focused on the management of biodegradable wastes. Dr. Maria
Antonia Tanchuling, project leader of Project IWASTO, presented a brief
overview of the program as part of the opening remarks. For this, speakers Dr.
Myra Tansenco and Engr. David Herrera discussed the technologies developed and
promoted by the Environment and Biotechnology Division of the Department of
Science and Technology – Industrial Technology Development Institute
(DOST-ITDI).
“Philippine
solid waste is largely composed of biodegradable waste, so this has great potential
for composting” Dr. Tansenco emphasized during her talk. She presented the various
composting technologies of DOST-ITDI that could be used for varying capacities
depending on the target user.
Dr.
Herrera discussed another potential use of biodegradable waste as a raw
material to produce biogas (e.g. methane). “There is a need for [a] low cost waste
treatment facility due to the growing animal industry and municipal garbage” he
explained.
After
the presentations, questions from webinar participants in both Zoom and
Facebook were answered by the speakers.
The
next webinar session will be held tentatively on July 16.
Project
IWASTO aims to develop integrated solid waste information and technology
management system for selected communities that are part of the Manila Bay
watershed. It is a two-year project under the IM4ManilaBay Program, a consortium
of research projects that aims to clean up and rehabilitate Manila Bay. The
program component projects are funded by the Department of Science and
Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology
Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).
The next time you bash a politically-charged fanatic and dismiss them for being "fools", try to understand their position. Learn first if their political stances are a product of their environment, or probably hardwired instincts.
Conservatives and DDS have a lot in common - they are fearful. They want safety, ngunit nilagak nila ang tiwala nila sa isang mesiyas kuno (but they have placed their hope in a so-called "messiah"). While it can be proven that the Philippines is relatively an unsafe place, the dilawans, especially from the upper echelons of society, are usually in a bubble. They have an over-optimistic view on the world.
The way I see it, conservatives have hardwired survival instincts that are grounded in the successful continuation of the species as manifested by their stances on family stability, birth control, social order, social hierarchy (weed out the undesirables, survival of the fittest). Liberals, on the other hand, believe in the equality of people, have less fear and thus are generally not afraid of new ideas that challenge social order and constructs, among others.
The Philippines, being a mashup of various ethnic groups, has tribalism as the default hardwired instinct. So it's not surprising why political parties are a joke. It's all about name recall and clinging to the semi-feudal poltical dynasties.
“State-run PTV to air Chinese dramas, docus; Alejano sees PHL surrender” was the glaring headline of an article released by veteran news company GMA News. Summing up the news:
State-run television PTV-4 will air starting in August Chinese shows dubbed in Filipino.
According to the PNA, Chinese embassy press attache Li Lingxiao said the shows will include a TV drama, a Chinese movie, a cartoon and a documentary.
"From now on, our Filipino friends could, for the first time, watch Chinese TV series, documentaries, cartoons and movies dubbed in Tagalog on PTV," Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua said at the launch of what has been dubbed as the Chinese TV Theater.
Notable opposition lawmaker Gary Alejano of the Magdalo party decried the move, claiming it is an exercise of soft power. The reader can find the details in the article I linked. To sum it up, opposition personas dislike the plan to allow our state-run channel to broadcast Chinese shows which aims to showcase Chinese culture to the Filipinos.
So What’s the Big Deal?
Aside from taking our reefs and militarizing them, the People’s Republic of China has been flexing their muscles as part of their grand scheme to restore Fu Qiang – wealth and prosperity (I wrote a blog post about this in 2015). I believe China is well aware that Filipinos have slave mentality tendencies, more or less parallel with gross colonial mentality. Any Filipino with a high degree of socio-political awareness knows that we are a bunch of submissive folks with low national self-esteem thinking that anything “imported” is “superior”. (Madali mapasuko o magpasakop dahil ang tingin sa sarili ay mababa. Ika nga, lahat ng “imported” ay “superior”.) We cuck to the West, anything American is “better” to the point that the tag “Little Brown Americans” still applies to us.
It is a bit hypocritical that we (or many Filipinos) drool to South Korean soap operas (Koreanovelas), idolize Japanese anime characters, and look up to Americans for their culture. Some from this generation even pointed out that their weakening Filipino/Tagalog vocabulary is because of our “good education (in English)” and even spoke it as if it was a good thing. ¡Qué horror! Patawarin nawa sa ‘di nila pagtalastas sa kanilang pagkakamali! (The horror! Forgive them for being unaware of their mistake!)
So what’s the point? Point is the only reason for the outcry to this move is the fact the China’s other actions seem too shady or outright harassment. That is the point many of our friends, both anti and pro-Duterte have failed to point out, instead they resorted to calling each other bobo (stupid) or tanga (ignorant) and other ad hominems. China is like a distrusted big brother to the eyes of Filipinos. South Koreans, Japanese, and the Americans seem to be the good guys in the fight for safekeeping Filipino sovereignty. It should be obvious that our inherent prejudice against China is the sole reason why many are vocal against the move.
Just some trivia: Way back around 1998-2000, when I was a child there were even Chinese dub versions of my favorite show Scooby-Doo! Where Are You being aired on Sunday morning (or was it evening) on Cartoon Network (Sample Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3_R5Zsvc7Q). There was no “panic” back then because the geopolitics of the region were a bit different from today’s situation.
Added Thought: We might be able to take advantage of this move by learning the enemy’s mentality. Like what Sun Tzu, esteemed Chinese author of “The Art of War” wrote, “知彼知己，百戰不殆；不知彼而知己，一勝一負；不知彼，不知己，每戰必殆 or “Know your enemy and know yourself, find naught in fear for 100 battles. Know yourself but not your enemy, find level of loss and victory. Know thy enemy but not yourself, wallow in defeat every time.
