cheaper than hotels

This summer vacation, it ain't worth spending for the whole family to travel and relax in UK, Australia or U.S.A.? Surely, it is worth a travel to visit the Statute of Liberty in USA, or the Blue Mountains of Australia or the Big Ben of London and many other great tourist spots in the world. Inviting! we may say but we usually encounter problem that hinders us from going to places that we wanted to visit.
We usually find it hard to find places to stay in while having our vacation. We may be able to finance the travelling fees etc. but we find the available hotels expensive and of limited space. Our hotel bills usually eats up all our penny that lead us to cut our budget on other expenses. This, sometimes, makes our vacation disappointing. However, this time, we have solutions! There are tourist- friendly hotels. The hotels in London, in Australia and in USA. Their facilities are exactly the same as the popular hotels you see in these places just that they differ in prices. This is, purposely, to attract many more tourists and to give families, lovers, students, or friends to have time together and to enjoy their cheap but memorable vacation.
Let not time pass you by, feel free to explore and enjoy! Check this out!

clean does noT mean waste free

Makati is known to be the cleanest city in the Philippines. It can be obviously seen by its clean surroundings. However, being clean does not mean being free from garbage or waste. It is just so disappointing that the cleanest city can be considered the highest producer of materials contributing to the greenhouse effect- plastics, styrofores, etc.
Hundreds of employees in Makati are living a busy life and away from their parents/ families. Nobody cooks for them and they just depend on instant foods which are usually packed in plastics which are non biodegradable and cannot be recycled. Most of these wastes are only being thrown in the dumping sites adding to the millions of tons of garbage that is waiting for hundred of years to decay. In Makati offices where there is no canteen, foods are being delivered packed in a styro. If in one office, occupied by at least 50 employees and 80% buys their lunch which are packed in styro, then just in a week, hundreds of styro can be generated. Going further calculation could just drain my brain!
It is so disappointing that despite government’s programs, environmentalist’s advertisement and campaigns about global warming, thousands of professionals are still unaware and instead just add to the problem. Living in a busy world shall not impede us from doing things that will contribute to the restoration of our environment. Producing garbage is unavoidable- Yes- but it can be MINIMIZED.

Revisiting RA 8749

Underlying Section 16 Article 2 of the Philippine Constitution which states that
“The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.” RA 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 was created and successfully came into effect. It was almost nine years since the law was implemented. The law mainly addresses the environmental problem which is AIR POLLUTION, its effect on the environment and on every human’s health.
According to World Bank study in 2003, respiratory illnesses like bronchitis due to particulate emissions generated by vehicles and factories caused the high mortality rate and morbidity in the Philippines. It further announced that 80% of air pollution is generated by motor vehicles.
Under its “Declaration of Principles” the law/state explicitly recognized the principle that “POLLUTERS MUST PAY”. It also recognizes THAT A CLEAN AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT IS FOR GOOD OF ALL AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE THE CONCERN OF ALL.


While away from my home I tried to figure out why can't I get off my hanky from covering my nose.

Pro Nature Summer Tips

It’s summer time again!


Hot season usually drives us to flock the beaches to freshen by the waves of sea. Some would prefer having picnics in parks. Adventurous fellow chooses to climb the stiff mountains while some would just prefer visiting the zoos and parks.

During this season, we usually spend it bonding with family and friends and at the same time enjoy the beauty of nature. However, through our unconsciousness we create wastes and pollute Mother Earth. We enjoy but we destroy.

This summer, do not count yourself among the polluters. BE DIFFERENT.

Here are some nature friendly tips to spend summer:)

1. WALK if the place is just a few meters away. It’s a good exercise and it’s fun.





2. SHARE your car to others. If one car can contain you all, why not use one car only. It’s fun way of bonding. It saves you gasoline and will minimize carbon emissions.




3. RECYCLE. Instead of buying new outfits to add your dumps in the cabinet, better search your cabinet old but cool outfits. It saves you money.
4. DITCH styro or plastic plates and cups. Bring your utensils or better yet, use banana leaves and eat with your bare hands. It’s fun, I promise. Food gets even more delicious.


5. BE RESPONSIBLE in throwing your garbage.


6. PLAN a tree planting activity.


7. BRING YOUR OWN WATER. Instead of rushing the grocery stores for your bottled water bring your own PET plastic bottles for your water and have it just refilled.
8. OPEN your windows to let the sunlight shine upon your room to avoid switching on your lights on daytime. Or better yet, paint your rooms with light colors not just to beautify but to lighten up your dim room.

9. Yeah it’s really hot, cool down by using electric fan instead of aircon. Aiconditioners suck the heat out of a hot room and breathe it out in the environment. It also consumes much of energy which in turn consumes a huge quantity of coal. Coal is one among the elements causing global warming. By using electric fan, you won’t be scratching your head anymore when you receive your electric bill.


10. Recycle your used water. Water used in laundry can be used again for cleaning your car.
11. When you feel like planting in your garden this summer, choose those plants which do not necessarily require much water.
12. Put plants inside your house. A plant emits oxygen. Oxygen will fight away the heat in the house. Plants also beautifies.

Succesful Earth Hour in the Philippines

S-U-C-C-E-S-S-F-U-L. This is how to describe the recently held Earth Hour in the Philippines.

On March 29, 2008, through the initiative of WWF and active participation of Energy Sec. Angelo Reyes, many Filipino people went to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to mark the ceremony of EARTH HOUR. Major places in Metro Manila, Pasay, Makati, Parañaque and Caloocan shut off their lights from 8pm-9pm. Lights along Roxas Blvd., Paseo de Roxas, Ayala Ave., Makati Ave., were shut off. Lamp posts in Kalayaan, South and J.P. Rizal were also put off. For an hour, darkness was felt in CCP. Some business establishments such as McDonalds and SM switched off their lights. Many residents nationwide has also participated making the awareness spread throughout the Philippines.


For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

This is an update from GMA.

An hour of darkness in some parts of the Philippines only shows that we, people of a third world country and not among the highest producers of pollutants, are aware and not blind of the growing environmental problem- GLOBAL WARMING. That through our cooperation, we showed the world our willingness to share our part in preserving our Mother Earth. For a simple sacrifice, we can do better and effective ways.
Through cooperation and unity, we can fight Global Warming. An hour of sacrifice is nothing compared to the priceless feeling of being a part of an event for a NOBLE CAUSE.

CHEERS!!! for all :)

a few hours to go!

TIC TAC TIC TAC... MY MOST AWAITED EVENT IS FAST APPROACHING. A FEW MOMENTS FROM NOW, THE EARTH WILL EXPERIENCE AN HOUR OF DARKNESS- sadly, not all will be participating but I hope those who knew about it will not think twice nor snub this global act against Global Warming. Some people think it's just a myth while others are just heedless and careless.
Nonetheless, many are we who care much about our environment, which our loving God has entrusted to us. Let us begin to treasure it by repairing the damages we have caused our Mother Earth. On March 29, 2008 at exactly 8pm-9pm, let us hand in hand join our forces to save energy!

It's gonna be an hour of darkness but will not waste time nor cost you a dime.
For that period of one hour many things can be done like:
1. Having a candlelight dinner.
2. Play guitar/ sing with your friends/ families.
3. Kwentuhan with your friends in the veranda while enjoying the breeze of summer (possible)
4. Composing a poem or piece in your cp.
5. Play with your cellphones/psp or battery full gadgets.
6. Sleep.
do you have something legal and moral thing to add?

As for me, since I will be with my friends that time, I will be spending it by number 3- kwentuhan with my friends

one lonesome snack

While rushin' to somewhere else, my stomach craved for food. Since I have this stomach problem, i had to find a food to ease the pain of starvation. Usually i rush the help of fast foods and this was just exactly what I did. However, I negligently ruined my rules which I have also posted in my blog- "To avoid creating waste".
During that lonesome snack, in 30 minutes I've created...



Knowing there are millions eating in fast foods like this, in a split of second, we could be creating kilos of waste like this...




This post does not mean to destroy any name. Just happened that this is the image available and a good example. In fact, I love the french fries here. I just wish that huge and popular fast foods be more aware of the environmental impacts of their businesses. Probably by creating a biodegradable cups and plastics or a washable one. I do hope also that those great creators of waste will exert effort in the protection of the environment.

Join the search for "OKEY KA! PINOY KA!"

Why do you blog? Is it to entertain? Influence? Inform? of just buzzing out rants? Nah, I've got good news for ya! Shen has organized a contest for bloggers who does good deeds and making a difference, encourages and emulates, and raises awareness on the value of being a FILIPINO. I know everyone's qualified and as worthy as raising our Filipino banners. Why don't you start visiting Shen NOW to know more!

PRICELESS PRICE OF WINNING

Winning is simply defined as succeeding in a particular contest. It practically means bringing home an award or trophy, receiving a certificate or medal or bagging money after a contest, race or game. Or even seizing a territory after a battle.

Winning brings a feeling of satisfaction and pride. It brings popularity and wealth. It opens a wide horizon for learning and opportunities. It soothes the feeling of stress after a long and tiresome battle. It is a medication for lost pride during the battle. To some, it may be the final but to some it may just be the start of a real battle.

A victor is usually marked by physically receiving an award or wearing a crown that, sadly, many victors value. But for a real victor, winning is not only weighed by the awards or medals earned but by every failure that a contestant has conquered. It is not measured by how your name has gone so far but by every lesson that you have brought to your viewers or fans. It is not based upon applauses you proudly heard but by the satisfaction you offer to your supporters. Neither is seen on list of accomplishments but by every purpose that you have fulfilled. The price of winning is priceless more than gold medals but like a diamond it stays forever.

In every competition, it is not the purpose of getting into the finish line or grabbing an award that matters. Sometimes, while in the race the purpose varies. That purpose will only be seen at the middle of the competition. Seeing that purpose is the wisest thing than being publicly pronounced as a winner. Fulfilling that hidden and newly discovered purpose already makes one a victor.

Life, usually, is said to be a game. And we, human being, are competitors of our own race. In every race come ups and downs. In this life, victory is earned in many ways. Victory is earned even from failures as long as in every failure you learn to stand up and try again. As Winston Churchill stated, “Success consists of going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm”. For what loss can bring you is challenge and in conquering that challenge it brings you happiness. Success is neither measured on every award earned if it does not make you happy at all. Success can be attained even away from finish line when happiness is within you. Albert Schweitzer said, “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”

No victor wins a battle alone. Behind every success hid people who patiently and courageously support a victor. Nobody successes without having an inspiration. And it is the spirit of inspiring that forces a victor to win.

Theodore Roosevelt once said, `It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust, and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

At this stage, I am very overwhelmed to receive this award.



and recently, this




This award can never be mine if not because of all those who were behind me. I wouldn’t be in this battle if not for the people who patiently visit and read my posts. I wouldn’t be this happy if it weren’t for those fellow blogger who supported and gave me strength to continue. I wouldn’t be this successful if I never met those guys who inspired me. This award does not worth an ordinary blogger like me. But by every clicks that my friends especially on my blog roll exerted, the award has finally chosen my blog.

I dedicate this simple essay to Anino, Ilovephilippinestoo, Verso Para Libertad, Weng's Thing, La Vita, Mojo Potato, Mummy Sheng, From the Boondocks, Lawstude's journey, kris jasper, Caca, Coffee Break and trishna

please forgive me for grammatical errors.

i thank Anino, Rojen, From the Boondocks and Verso Para Libertad, and Mummy Sheng for campaigning me nad never gets tired of reading my boring posts. Who keeps a visit on my blog a daily habit. i thank them for inspiring me.

i sincerely thank all bloggers in my blogroll lists,
a simple life, arjaeuse, bet-ew, blog earner, bolpen at kape, bryce_bugz, caca, carrot prince, cebu blogger, CFD, cma quest,dedena, deepak, digital chain, digital polaroids, exoticmalyn, fil-am journey, free tricks and tips, gagay, great pleasure, great pasture, health and fitness, health and dose, holy kamote, john's, josh of arabia, kerslyn's life lesson, kris jasper, krisha, life's journey, lights n shades, my two cents worth, malyn, marc austin, marco polo, my small world, mixed nuts, moms,my reviews and more, never ending story, obliquenook, palm of my hands, pinaymama's diary, razazo, renan, rorksalem, sensible innovations, sexymom, soulnughgets, textmate, travel free, unpredictable life, wandering commuter, from the eyes of my heart and zerohourproject. i also thank all my non- blogger friends kuya frank, bridge, ate weng, anthony, my mother of course, ken, amleth, may-san, rustan-san, bele-san, connie-san, delia-san, paula-san, joy-san, steve-san, love-san, and everyone though not named who continued pushing me to go further. you made a big impact by casting your precious votes and by inspiring me to continue with my cause. Also to talksmart for having this kind of contest
I HEARTILY DEDICATE THIS AWARD TO ALL OF YOU.

Most of all, i thank God for introducing you all to me and for making all things possible for all of us.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Earth Hour 2008

let us join this GLOBAL EVENT

i wish i am wrong

LET'S JOIN THE EARTH HOUR

On March 31,2007, Australia launched the EARTH HOUR. 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses in Sydney turned off their lights for one hour. This collective effort reduced the country’s energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour. The world was captivated by the efforts of Sydneysiders. This 2008, the world will be participating in this event to further awareness on Global Warming and to save and reduce more energy consumption.
Philippines has dedicated to support this global movement by turning off lights on March 29,2008 at 8 to 9 pm throughout the country.
Now, If you are a Filipino, aware of Global Warming or someone who care for the environment, then you should TURN OFF YOUR LIGHTS ON MARCH 29,2008 FROM 8 TO 9 PM. 60 minutes without lights will not cost you a dime. Why doubt. Be aware. Spread the news. Participate to save more energy.

If you want to maximize your support, please click here for more info.

THIS IS A GLOBAL CONCERN!!!

we can make a difference

A few days ago, I received an invitation to join WAYN. Without hesitation, I signed their form and added GLOBAL WARMING in my tags as I went through it I discovered this and want to share it with you. I wanted to share this to you because I CARE FOR YOU AND YOUR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

things we can do to help minimize Global Warming

1. Offset your travel
2. Re-use
3. Recycle
4. Insulate
5. Use the "Off" switch
6. Control Temperature Efficiently
7. Drive smart and walk more
8. Buy energy efficient product
9. Plant a tree
10. Don't use Screensaver
11. Use Less Water
12. Encourage others to conserve

THE FACTS:
• 3.7 tonnes of CO2 will offset 1 Person flying from London to Sydney (Australia) and back. This can be done by planting 5 trees!

• 850 pounds is the same as 386.4 kgCO2 (0.3864 tonnes CO2). This is the equivalent of an average UK house’s electricity, gas, coal and oil usage for 2 weeks!
• Insulating your home by adding hot water tank lagging to your home’s hot water tank will save 150 kgCO2 per year. This is equivalent to a one way flight from London to Barcelona.
• About 10% of all electricity used in UK homes is consumed by electronic items left on standby. By switching appliances off standby 150 kgCO2 per year can be saved. A PC monitor switched off over night saves enough energy to microwave 6 dinners!
• Switching off the lights when not in the room saves 30 kgCO2 per year. Lighting an office overnight wastes enough energy to heat water for 1000 cups of tea!
• Turning down your thermostat by 1 degree can save as much as 10% off electricity bills, 300 kgCO2 per year. This is equivalent to a return flight from London to Barcelona.
• Drive smoothly, check the road ahead, anticipate traffic and avoid harsh braking and acceleration. Eco-driving can reduce fuel consumption by around 10%, saving 280 kgCO2 per year. This is the equivalent to a return flight from London to Milan, Italy.
• An average petrol car making a saving of 10 miles a week = 520 miles a year = 175 kgCO2. This is approximately equivalent to a return flight from London to Belfast.
• If every home in the UK changed just 3 light bulbs, enough energy would be saved to light the UK’s street lamps.
• 1 Tree will offset on average about 10 kgCO2 each year
• Not using a screensaver equates to a saving of 810 kWh per year = 348 kgCO2. This is the equivalent of a return flight from London to Madrid.
• Washing your clothes at 30°C could save 40% of your washing machines energy consumption, saving 35 kgCO2 per year.

THESE ARE WORTH TRYING.

be captivated

Simple things to help Mother Earth

You think you can’t help? You’re wrong.
Here are simple tips you can contribute to environment.

1. Do not litter and do not spit.
For a cleaner surroundings, it is good to see not even a piece of candy wrapper anywhere. In many of the countries, littering is strictly prohibited and is even penalized. Some of the cities in the country adopted a “No Littering” and “No Spitting” ordinance. It is a good start. However, still in many places, littering seems to be a hobby. Trash cans are provided and yet many litter are discarded everywhere. Spit are seen everywhere.

2. Do not smoke. Smoking does not only destroy your health but also creates millions of cigarette butts. They pollute the land as they pollute your lungs. Cigarettes butts do not decompose easily; it takes years before it vanishes or biodegrades.
3. Do not chew gum. Yes, chewing gum freshens your breath but is considered a pollutant. Though it is just a tiny waste after chewed, a million tiny can build a mountain. Chewing gums decomposes after number of years.
4. Do not buy goods packed in plastic bags. Many products and grocery items are packed in sachets that end up as useless waste after they are consumed. Plastic takes too many years before they biodegrades and even clog the drainages that causes flood. Buy, instead, those packed in plastic tubes or bottles. You don’t just save money but will also be your source of extra income. Plastic tubes or bottles, glass bottles and cans can be sold in the junk shops. Aside from saving, you also helped in not generating plastic wastes.
5. Use reusable or recyclable bags. When buying your goods make sure to bring with you your cloth bag or paper bag to pack your bought items. You minimize the generation of waste by not needing your goods be packed in another plastic waste. It does not only give you convenience but will also help the environment.

6. Use “energy saving” home appliances. This time, where global warming is getting intense, saving more energy can reduce the production of greenhouse gases. Using energy saving appliances will not only benefit the environment but will also save you a dime when electric bill is due.

7. Save energy. The lesser energy we use the smaller amount we pay and the more money we save. When an appliance is not in use make sure to turn it off and unplug it. In office, make sure to turn off the computer and put off the lights during break time. Or else put your computer is a power saving mode. That way, the energy used is lessened.
8. Segregate. Proper segregation of waste into basic Biodegradable and non- Biodegradable will not just a cleaner look of your garbage corner will help the garbage collector. Things that can be recycled will easily be segregated. Further, be kind enough to the bottom feeders who dig into your garbage for food.
9. Commute. Yes, you have car. 4But if you can ride a taxi, bus, jeepney or any kind of public transport please do. You will not just help in minimizing emission of hazardous gas but will also help in the realization of a cleaner air.
10. Educate. Teach your kids or those younger than you to be aware of the environmental problems. Teach them simple values to love our nature. At an early age, teach them to treat their waste well.
11. Avoid creating waste. In everything you do and for every thing you buy, make sure to include the environment impact of everything. Do not be a pollutant instead be an advocate of a cleaner and greener Earth.