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BLOG ACTION DAY: The Tipping Point

mendicant like this increases yearly due to lack of jobs

caused by typhoons and other tragedies..

Ormoc… St. Bernard… Cherry Hill… Payatas…

Do they sound familiar? These are just some of the tragedies that left a mark in our hearts. Bad news is there’s more to come. Looking at the previous storm Ondoy(International Name: Ketsana), it seems that the storm’s entire radius is as huge as our country. People haven’t recovered from Ondoy, Pepeng(International Name: Parma) came already and devastated northern Luzon. Environmentalists accredited this kind of weather pattern to climate change. So what exactly is climate change?

Climate change as defined in Encarta:

change in global weather patterns: long-term alteration in global weather patterns, especially increases in temperature and storm activity, regarded as a potential consequence of the greenhouse effect

Climate change has been felt here in the region. In the Philippines alone, it has been raining since April - May and these are supposed to be the hot months. Evidenced by increasing mean temperature, changing precipitation patterns, rising sea level, and increasing frequency and growing intensity of extreme weather events, yes climate change is here.

According to a study conducted by ADB, our temperature has risen 4 degrees since 1990. This greatly affected our coastal areas, thus, destroying most of our marine eco-systems.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that mother-nature is bleeding. The ugly truth is we’re the ones who caused this. What are we all waiting for? What kind of tipping point do we need to know that the effects of climate change is here.. NOW!
Act now, stop climate change.

Southeast Asia—highly vulnerable to climate change—is already suffering from its  effects, and the worst is yet to come.

- ADB

river rampage at the great CDO river.. destroyed during

a typhoon early 2009

There are a lot of things you can do to help mother earth be livable by our children and our children’s children.

1. Use organic products – all the things you use go back to the sea, to the soil, to the land we live and breathe in. That shampoo you used this morning during your bath went to the sewerage and eventually will go to the sea. If we use organic products this will not only benefit your body but mother earth as well.

2. Choose not to print that ATM receipt – when you go to the ATM it usually asks you if you want the receipt printed? You can save paper by just doing a balance inquiry before and after your transaction. You usually throw away the receipt anyway.

3. Avoid ordering bottled water in restaurants – most of the water served in the restaurants comes from water dispenser anyway.

4. Maintain your automobiles regularly – not only it will make your vehicles last longer but it will help reduce smog and acid rain caused by air pollution.

5. Unplug your home appliances when not in use and use energy efficient light bulbs – sometimes we’re so lazy unplugging the television especially at night.

6. Patronize green products and green companies – by saying green, I mean the organizations that uses environmentally friendly products. Styrofoam (polystyrene foam) cups and other food containers used by popular food chains are one of the major contributors of alarming unrecyclable garbage in the urban areas. Crumpled and destroyed styrofoam also damages the ozone layer. Read why here.
7. Reuse that green bag when going to the grocery.

These are just some of the things we can do to help mother earth. Even small things can make a big difference if there’s a collective of people doing it.

Office Work Cut Short Due To Typhoon Scare

Due to the warnings posted all over the news, most of the office-works at the metro were suspended. After Ondoy, people are not taking chances at Pepeng (Parma, international name). People crowded the groceries to buy food, candles, batteries and other emergency supplies needed in case a nationwide power interruption occurs. Making the Friday afternoon traffic a bit heavier than usual.

During these trying times, the best preparation we can do is pray. Here is a special prayer:

Oratio Imperata for Deliverance from Calamities

Almighty Father, we raise our heats to You in gratitude for the wonders of creation of which we are part, for Your Providence in sustaining our needs, and for Your Wisdom that guides the course of the universe.

We acknowledge our sins against You and the rest of creation.

We have not been good stewards of Nature.

We have confused Your command to subdue the Earth.

The environment is made to suffer our wrongdoing, and now we reap the harvest of our abuse and indifference.

Global warming is upon us, Typhoons, floods, volcanic eruptions, and other natural calamities occur in increasing numbers and intensity.

We turn to You, our loving Father, and beg forgiveness for our sins.

We ask that we, out loved ones and our hard earned possessions be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made.

We beseech You to inspire us all to grow into responsible stewards of Your creation, and generous neighbors to those in need.

Amen.

Take care all of you.

Ondoy's Wrath!!!!

It’s almost 20 hours of non-stop heavy rains here in Manila. I heard from the radio that 90% of Luzon, one of the 3 main islands of the Philippines, is heavily flooded. 23 provinces under a state of calamity!!! There’s no flooding this bad since the 90’s. Wow! When mother-nature gets angry, she really lets it all out!

Boo and I are supposed to go to a get-together today but when we reached Essensa it was flooded. I can’t believe it!!! a river here in the middle of Global City.. (No effffing way!!!)

This flood is unbelievable, whether big or small no vehicles can pass through. Small vehicles can’t pass and the big vehicles (SUVs) can’t overtake. (Well except from the 6x6 military vehicle) So we decided to turn around and head back to the house. Hey I love my friends but you should always think of your safety and your vehicle’s first.. Hehhehe.. It’s a good thing that the event was cancelled, flooded at the restaurant.

It’s really terrible; my nephew got stranded in school as well. They have a Science Club meeting today. (I can’t believe it, 11 year-olds have to go to school on a Saturday for a club meeting.. hmmm) . My sister’s vehicle is unable to get through the Aguinaldo highway. She said the water is waist-deep on the HIGHWAY! It’s already dark and we still don’t have news. Plus my other 4-year old nephew and his nanny are the only ones at their house. Haaayyy….

I just hope that the rains stop pouring, if it’s havoc here in Manila; I can’t imagine how bad it is in the provinces. Let’s pray that the rains will let up.

*** Image from PAGASA

Yellow Rain

It rained confetti in Ayala today while the remains of Former President Corazon Aquino passed by Ninoy’s monument. Our office halted from work while we watch the procession carrying Cory’s casket marched through. Throng of people, supporters and alike flocked Ayala to witness this historical event. Today is the last day for public viewing before Mrs. Aquino is laid to rest besides Ninoy at the Manila Memorial Park on Wednesday, August 5, 2009.

Long Live Cory!!!

Corazon Aquino Passed Away at 76

One of our beacons of hope was extinguished today. The whole nation grieves to the loss of our beloved Former President Corazon-Aquino. She died at 3:18 am today due to colon cancer. Cory, as she was popularly called by the masses, fought for the freedom and peace here in our homeland the Philippines. She was an icon of strength for the oppressed and broke barriers when she became First Woman President in the world.

Long live freedom and democracy!!! Long live Cory Aquino!!!

***photo taken from the internet

Filipina Took 1st Women’s World 10-Ball Championship

June 6, 2009 - SM North Mall Manila, Philippines was the venue of the First Women’s World 10 Ball Championship finals. Out of the 48 contenders, it was our kababayan, Rubilen “Bingkay” Amit, bagged this prestigious award. Bingkay(13) overcame Shin Mei Liu(7) of Taiwan race to 10 format.

Bingkay defeated Julie Kelly of Ireland, H. Tan of Taiwan, Jeanette Lee of USA, Akimi Kajitani of Japan and Shin Mei Liu (10-4) in the finals. Bingkay was awarded with 20,000 USD and the illustrious title of world champion.

Another Filipina who made waves in this event is the 11-year old Gillian Go. Gillian made it to the top 24 during the round robin. We are definitely watching you girl!