...the model for climate change adaptation

PHL is best example of need for climate change adaptation – UNDP

By AMITA LEGASPI,

GMA News

March 27, 2014

 

 

UNDP head vows more aid for Yolanda survivors. Helen Clark (left), United Nations Development Program administrator, announces the scaling up of its livelihood restoration work in Yolanda-devastated areas of Tacloban City during a press conference in Makati City on Thursday, March 27. Clark said the UNDP is continuing its cash-for-work program that has benefited 40,000 people. Danny Pata

Through the devastation it experienced after super typhoon Yolanda, the Philippines can push the world to act on climate change.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) administrator Helen Clark said Thursday that the Philippines is the best example of what climate change can do to people and countries and how actions to prevent it should be made now.

She will be asking President Benigno Aquino III to make a pitch during a leader-level climate change summit in New York in September. The summit will be convened by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

"This is a very important platform for President Aquino and the Philippines because you bring such direct experience of what a wild climate does to people and lives," Clark said Thursday.

She cited the moving statements and gestures made by Philippine Climate Change Commission during a conference in Warsaw last year, just after Yolanda struck the central Philippines.

"The voices from the Philippines bring it home that climate change is not some distant thing that might hit people some day. It is crazy climate that is hitting people now and we have to act," said Clark.

She said that the Philippines is no stranger to disasters "but this one (Yolanda) happened to be bigger than anything the world has ever seen."

New international support group

She said there is a need for a new international group that will help countries like the Philippines with adaptation.

She said this group will also support all countries on sustainable pathways to lowering pollution and to climate-friendly and sustainable development.

UNDP supports PHL plans

Clark said she was impressed with the planning the government is doing for Yolanda-affected areas. "So what the UN system will do is to align itself behind the plans the government is developing and to work with the government to support the capacity to do it," she said.

"Whatever help that we can give to make things happen. We will give," she said.

She said what is important for them now is to be working with government in increasing resilience to extreme weather events. "We look at how can we help invest in things that would make a long-term difference," Clark said.

She also encouraged the countries that pledged assistance to fulfill their promises to the Philippines.

"It is very important that when a country makes a commitment, they carry through with them. Otherwise, you get cynicism if the pledges are not materialized," she said.

Support so far

Earlier Thursday, UNDP and the government of Japan signed an agreement for additional support to Yolanda recovery and resilience programs in the Visayas.

As the humanitarian response transitions from relief to recovery, the Japanese government committed an additional $3.5 million or P157 million to support livelihood restoration and to strengthen local government systems and services.

With a contribution now totaling $7 million, Japan is UNDP’s largest partner in its Yolanda Recovery Program.

“The Government of Japan is committed to help rebuild the affected communities as they remain determined to recover in the face of immense obstacles and personal tragedy,” said Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe during the signing.

To date, UNDP has helped about 40,000 people secure temporary jobs clearing debris. They were each employed for up to 15 days earning much-needed quick cash, while also participating in the clean-up of their communities.

By the beginning of March 2014, UNDP’s Yolanda recovery and resilience program had received $15.5 million from the governments of Japan, Ecuador, and the Russian Federation, as well as from the Central Emergency Response Fund and UNDP.

UNDP still requires $49.5 million to meet the urgent needs of devastated communities who are now trying to rebuild their lives. — JDS, GMA News

 

 

...the Miss Universe 2013 runner-up

Ariella Arida is Miss Universe 3rd runner-up

 

by Miguel Dumaual,

ABS-CBNnews.com

11/10/2013

Coronation night dedicated to PH, Vietnam

Ariella Arida takes the stage in a yellow Alfredo Barazza dress at Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia during the Miss Universe preliminary competition. Darren Decker, REUTERS

MANILA  -- The Philippines' Ariella Arida on Sunday (Manila time) finished 3rd runner-up in Miss Universe 2013, a feat she dedicated to her countrymen who were devastated Friday by the world's most powerful typhoon this year.

Venezuela's Gabriela Isler won the title, besting 85 other candidates during the coronation night held at Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia, which hosted the 62-year-old pageant for the first time.

Said to have one billion viewers in over 190 countries, the event was announced in the opening minutes to be dedicated to the Philippines and Vietnam, neighboring countries in the path of destruction of super typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan).

Isler, a marketing graduate and professional model, was crowned by Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo of the United States to become the new titleholder for one year.

The runners-up, in order, were Spain's Patricia Rodríguez, Ecuador's Constanza Báez, Arida, and Brazil's Jakelyne Oliveira.

The Philippines' bet was notably the only Asian in the Top 5.



Fan favorite

Dubbed an early favorite leading up to the finals night, Arida earned a spot in the Top 16 after winning the official online polls. She then took the stage in a red bikini for the swimsuit portion, along with her fellow semifinalists.

Advancing into the Top 10, Arida proceeded to parade in a yellow Alfredo Barazza dress for the evening gown segment.

In the final round of the pageant, Arida was asked by judge Tara Lipinski: "What can be done about the lack of jobs for young people starting their careers around the world?"

The Filipina beauty answered: "For the people who have lack of jobs, I do believe that we people should invest in education and that is my primary advocacy, because we all know that if everyone of us is educated and well aware of what we are doing, we could land into jobs and we could land a good career in the future. Education is the primary source and ticket to a better future."




Isler, meanwhile, was asked by judge Steven Tyler: "What is your biggest fear and what is your plan to overcome it?"

She responded through an interpreter: "I believe that one may have a lot of fears but nonetheless, this is nothing negative. I believe that we should all overcome our fears, and this in turn, would make us much stronger. And thusly, we can become stronger persons. As soon as we overcome our fears and we're sure of ourselves, we can face any challenge."

Of the five finalists, Arida was the only candidate who answered in English and without an interpreter.

With her 3rd runner-up finish, Arida replicated the success of Shamcey Supsup, the Philippines' candidate in the 2011 pageant. Janine Tugonon and Venus Raj finished 1st runner-up in 2012 and 4th runner-up in 2010, respectively.

The Philippines is still hoping to produce its third Miss Universe winner after Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in 1973.

'For the Philippines'
A day before the coronation night on Sunday, Arida, through a video on the official page of Miss Universe on Facebook, addressed her fellow Filipinos amid the destruction brought by "Yolanda" in several parts of the Philippines.

Said to be the strongest typhoon in recorded history to make landfall, "Yolanda" wiped out entire structures and left at least 138 dead as of Saturday night, according to the local disaster management council, with hundreds more feared unaccounted for.

"This fight, I offer to you guys, to all my Filipino people," Arida said in the online video. "It's for the Philippines. Keep safe and keep on praying. Be strong."

Amid news of the widespread destruction, Filipino pageant fans kept hopes high for Arida to take home the crown. Leading up to the finals night, Arida was widely tipped to win the title after her string of special appearances in pre-pageant events.

Viewing parties were held at different venues, including a government-sponsored gathering in her home province and packed bars, despite the coronation night kicking off at 2 a.m. local time.




In Moscow, some 700 supporters carrying banners and Philippine flags were gathered by the Filipino Association in Russia at the Crocus City Hall. The strongest cheers were heard whenever Arida took the stage, ABS-CBN News' Dyan Castillejo reported Sunday from the venue.

The same zeal for international pageants was also evident early this year, particularly with the back-to-back wins of Filipinas Megan Young and Mutya Datul in Miss World and Miss Supranational, respectively.

 

...the top retirement destinations

PH among world's top retirement destinations

 

By Kim Arveen Patria

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

08 January 2013

 

Camiguin sights (Gael Hilotin)

 

Not only is the Philippines more fun for young tourists looking for adventure but also for foreign retirees seeking refuge for old age.

The country has been ranked 15th out of 22 of the "World's Top Retirement Havens in 2013" released by Ireland-based website International Living.

The ranking grew from only 19 countries in the previous list, which did not include the Philippines.

The Philippines got a score of 79.5 point in the Retirement Index, based on eight categories crucial for retirees, including discounts and other perks.

These include real estate, retirement benefits, cost of living, ease of integration, entertainment and amenities, health care, retirement infrastructure and climate.

The Philippines' highest performance was in terms of cost of living (100 points). It ranked highest among the 22 countries in this criterion.

It scored lowest in the special benefits area, getting the lowest score in the list (57 points). Spain and Thailand got the same score.

"Among the top retirement spots in the world this year, you'll find great variety in the cultural offerings, climates and lifestyles," the website said.

Ecuador sat on top of the list, with a score of 91.9 points.

"Ecuador's major cities have top notch hospitals, clinics and well-trained physicians," the website said.

"All residents are eligible to participate in the country’s Social Security health care system for incredibly low monthly premiums," it added.

Ecuador was followed by Panama (89 points), Malaysia, (87.6 points), Mexico (85.1 points), Costa Rica (84.4 points).

"Each destination is desirable in its own way, but they all offer something increasingly hard to come by at home: A good quality of life for a reasonable price," the website said.

It noted, however, that "no 'formula' can spit out the name of the place that's just right for you."

Retirees should consider what's most important to them, "maybe climate, maybe language, maybe cost, maybe distance from home," it added.

...the world's most positive people

Pinoys among world's most positive people

 

 

By Kim Arveen Patria

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Fri, Dec 21, 2012

Zamboanga city is marketed as Asia's Latin city. One of the highlights of the Hermosa Festival is the street dance competition participated by different schools, held a day before the actual fiesta, October …more 12. Dancers are dressed in the traditional Hispanic costumes; they are seen in Flamenco dresses, Fallera dresses, ruffled skirts, butterfly sleeve, mantilla, peineta comb, barong, and sombrero cordobés. (Photo by Gael Hilotin) 

Pinoys may not be the richest based on "traditional economic indicators," but they didn't have to be rich at all to be counted among the world's most positive people, results of a new poll showed.

The Philippines was ranked 7th out of 148 countries in terms of "highest positive emotions worldwide" in a list put out by U.S. pollster Gallup.

Results of the survey, which Gallup said showed that "higher income does not necessarily mean higher well-being," are based on telephone and face-to-face interviews conducted in 2011 with 1,000 adults globally

Respondents were asked "whether they experienced a lot of enjoyment the day before the survey and whether they felt respected, well-rested, laughed and smiled a lot, and did or learned something interesting."

Despite their penchant for melancholic soap opera, the percentage of Pinoy respondents who admitted experiencing positive emotions is higher than the global average according to the survey.

This, even as Gallup noted a "relatively upbeat world," with results showing that 85 percent of total respondents worldwide felt treated with respect, 72 percent smiled and laughed a lot, 73 percent felt enjoyment and 72 percent felt well-rested.

"The only emotion that less than half of people worldwide reported experiencing was getting to learn or do something interesting the previous day, at 43 percent," Gallup said.

"Despite many global challenges, people worldwide are experiencing many positive emotions," it noted.

Latin Americans are found to be the most positive people in the world, with eight countries in the region landing in the top 10 of the list.

Panama and Paraguay shared the top spot with 85 percent of respondents admitting feeling positive emotions.

They were followed by El Salvador and Venezuela, tied at 84 percent; as well as Trinidad and Tobago and Thailand, 83 percent.

The Philippines shared the 7th spot with Guatemala.

Rounding out the top 10 in the list are Ecuador and Costa Rica, which both posted positivity scores of 81 percent.

"These data may surprise analysts and leaders who solely focus on traditional economic indicators," Gallup said.

It noted that Panama, which topped the list of countries with positive emotions, ranks 90th in the world with respect to gross domestic product per capita.

Residents of Singapore, on the other hand, which ranks 5th in the world in terms of GDP per capita, are the least likely to report positive emotions.

Singapore emerged as the country with the "least positive emotions worldwide," with less than half (46 percent) of respondents saying they experienced positive emotions.

It was followed by Armenia at 49 percent; Iraq, 50 percent; Georgia, Yemen and Serbia, 52 percent; Belarus, 53 percent; as well as Lithuania and Madagascar, 54 percent.

Sharing the 10th spot in terms of being least positive are Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Togo and Macedonia, all at 55 percent.

Gallup said the survey showed that "leaders who are looking for ways to further improve the human condition in their… need to do more to incorporate wellbeing into their leadership strategies."

...the happiest countries

Philippines among 10 'happiest' countries

(philstar.com)

December 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is among the 10 happiest countries in the world, according to a recent survey by a US-based polling firm.

 

US based polling firm Gallup Inc. said that the nation with "highest positive emotions worldwide" were Panama and Paraguay with 85 percent answering YES to the questions: Did you feel well-respected yesterday? Were you treated with respect all day yesterday? Did you laugh or smile a lot yesterday? Did you learn or do something interesting yesterday? Did you experience the following feelings during a lot of the day yesterday? How about enjoyment?

 

Next to Panama and Paraguay were El Salvador and Venezuela with 84 percent and on third place were Trinidad and Tobago and Thailand with 83 percent.

 

The Philippines shared the 4th place with Guatemala, where 82 percent of the surveyed persons answered YES to the six questions.

 

The last pair on 5th place was Ecuador and Costa Rica, which both got 81 percent.

 

An Associated Press news article quoted one of the surveyed Filipinos: a 35-year-old security guard named Felicio Sayat.

 

Sayat commented in the survey: "Just being with my family makes me happy ... We have fun together as a family. ... We have bonding time and we say prayers together. ... They are my inspiration. As long as we are all healthy, I am happy. There is nothing better than that."

 

Sayat works as a security guard at a parking lot in Manila.

 

Gallup Inc. said that the surveys were conducted in 148 countries in 2011.

 

"Results are based on telephone and face-to-face interviews with 1,000 adults, aged 15 and older, conducted in 2011 in 148 countries and areas," it said.

 

Meanwhile, the polling firm reported that the country with the "lowest positive emotions worldwide" was Singapore, where only 46 percent answered YES to the six questions.

 

Following Singapore was Armenia with 49 percent; Iraq with 50 percent; Georgia, Yemen and Serbia, with 52 percent; Belarus with 53 percent; Lithuania and Madagascar, both with 54 percent; Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Haiti, Togo and Macedonia with 55 percent.

...the world's most emotional societies

 

PH named 'most emotional society' in global list

By Kim Arveen Patria

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

22 November 2012

 

Pinoy fans show a variety of emotions during a football game in Manila. (File Photo by Marlo Cueto, NPPA Images)

 

 

It has been dubbed as a "bright spot" amid a global slowdown and a "rising tiger" in Southeast Asia, and now the Philippines is also deemed the best in a criteria money can't buy: emotions.

This, as the Philippines is named "most emotional society" in over 140 countries surveyed by U.S. pollster Gallup, a Businessweek report Wednesday said.

Asked questions aimed at determining recently felt emotions, 60 percent of Filipino respondents answered "yes."

But that doesn't necessarily make most Pinoys drama queens, as it could also easily mean that they are the clowns.

Among the questions in the Gallup survey, Businessweek said, are: "Did you feel well rested yesterday? Were you treated with respect all day yesterday? Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday?"
 

Respondents were also asked if they experienced enjoyment, physical pain, worry, sadness, stress or anger "during a lot" of the previous day.

Next to the Philippines in terms of feelings are El Salvador, where 57 percent admit to expriencing a lot of emotions; Bahrain, 56 percent; and Oman, 55 percent.

Tied at 55 percent "yes" are Chile, Costa Rica, Guatamala, Bolivia, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Peru, Nicaragua and the U.S.

Singapore, meanwhile, emerged as the "most emotionless" society with only 36 percent of respondents saying they experienced a lot of feelings in the previous day.

It was followed by Georgia and Lithuania at 37 percent; and Russia, Madagascar, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazahkstan, Nepal and Kyrgystan, which are tied at 38 percent.

Earlier this year, the Philippines figured in the group of countries deemed "happy" in a separate global survey dubbed the "Happy Planet Index."

The country ranked 25th in the latest Happy Planet list, dropping from being 14th in 2009, with an index score of 52.4.

Meanwhile, official government measure of happiness was pegged at 66.2 index points in 2010, down from 67.24 in 2008.

Pinoys are happiest in the areas of education, love life, friends, family and work, data from the National Statistical Coordination Board showed.

However, Filipinos think that the "most important" sources of happiness are family, health, religion or spiritual work, work as well as peace and security.

...the VP for Asia in UN body

PHL envoy elected vice president for Asia in UN industrial dev't body

December 10, 2011

GMA News

Philippine Ambassador Lourdes Yparraguirre was elected vice president for Asia of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the UN body that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction.

Yparraguirre was elected at the 14th Session of the UNIDO's General Conference in Vienna from November 28 to December 2, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

"In her statement, Ambassador Yparraguirre underlined the crucial contribution of the industrial and manufacturing sector to the strong Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 7.3 percent in 2010, and called for green industry and green growth in support of sustainable development and poverty alleviation," the DFA said.

Chairing the conference was Ecuadorean Industry Minister Veronica Sion.

Yparraguirre noted the Philippine economy's robust growth was indeed remarkable considering the constraints faced by the global economy.

"Over the next six years, we are looking forward to a sustained strong economic performance. This will be built on strengthened partnerships with the private sector as we shift to an investment-led growth," she said.

Also, she acknowledged the contributions of UNIDO and other international development organizations in ensuring the success of the Philippines' economic development programs.

She particularly cited three UNIDO-assisted ongoing projects in the country, including:

- the construction of a facility aimed at the destruction of persistent organic pollutants (POPs)

- the phaseout of ozone-depleting hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) used in the foam production sector, consistent with the country's commitments under the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

- the Philippine Industrial Energy Efficiency Project that focuses on capacity-building on the use of the new energy management standard ISO 50001

UNIDO is a specialized UN agency whose mandate is to promote and accelerate sustainable industrial development in developing countries and economies in transition, and work towards improving living conditions in the world's poorest countries by drawing on its combined global resources and expertise.

In recent years, it focused its activities on poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability.

"Our services are based on two core functions: as a global forum, we generate and disseminate industry-related knowledge; as a technical cooperation agency, we provide technical support and implement projects," it said. — LBG, GMA News

...the earthly beauties

PH bet finishes 3rd in Miss Earth 2011

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 12/04/2011

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ candidate Athena Imperial finished third place at the 2011 Miss Earth beauty pageant held on Saturday.

The 24-year-old Imperial, a native of Casiguran, Aurora, was crowned Miss Water (equivalent to second runner-up).



Imperial was joined by Olga Alava from Ecuador, Brazil’s Drielly Bennettone, and Venezuela’s Caroline Medina in the top 4.

Alava was crowned Miss Earth 2011 by India’s Nicole Faria, Miss Earth 2010 winner.

Brazil’s Drielly Bennettone won Miss Air while Venezuela’s Caroline Medina was named Miss Fire.

The coronation night was held at the University of the Philippines Theater in Diliman, Quezon City.

...the young environmentalist for special kids

Filipino student wins world environment award

By Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Friday, October 21st, 2011

 

 

From left: Muli of Kenya, Mary Jade Gabanes of the Philippines, Maria Rosa Reyes Acosta of Ecuador, Sarah Ervinda Rudianto of Indonesia and Michael Preuss, head of Corporate Policy and Media Relations, Bayer AG Communications

LEVERKUSEN, Germany — For promoting environmental education among children with special needs, a Filipino student won the Bayer Young Environmental Leader Award Thursday night here (early Friday in Manila) along with three other young environmentalists from around the world.

Mary Jade Gabanes, 19, a Special Education major at the West Visayas State University won the top prize with delegates from Kenya, Indonesia and Ecuador.

Winners will receive project support from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and global company Bayer, which have been jointly implementing the youth program since 1998.

Gabanes hopes to inspire others to take better care of the environment by showing that special needs children could do the same despite their limitations.

“If you see special needs children doing something for the environment, wouldn’t we take a second [look] at ourselves and ask what we can do?” said Gabanes in an interview moments after her win here.

A panel of judges composed of representatives from UNEP and Bayer picked the winning projects out of 18 top country winners from across Asia, South America and Africa.

Gabanes’ project engages special children aged 12 to 22 in environment-themed sessions, from arts and crafts, using recycled materials to performing environmental songs, at a locally supported special education center in her native Iloilo City.

CHAMPION OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN. Mary Jade Gabanes on a street in Cologne, where she was invited as one of 47 participants the Bayer Young Environmental Envoys' week-long excursion around Germany. Cris Raymund Viray

The articulate and animated Gabanes impressed judges at final presentations on Wednesday, responding to questions about her project without pause.

When one judge asked how she coped with the known challenges of teaching special children, Gabanes said: “I’ve never had a problem. I’ve always had a soft spot for special needs children.”

Bayer flew in winning environmental envoys from around the world for an exposure trip around Germany, engaging them in discussions on trends in environment protection, experiments in Bayer laboratories and site visits around Cologne and Leverkusen.

Aside from Gabanes, three other Philippine envoys were invited to the field trip: Reymart Canuel of the University of Baguio who designed a website called “GreEnitiative” which aims to raise awareness on forest conservation;

Cris Viray of the St. Paul University of Quezon City who organizes youth environmental camps and training programs in his native Rizal; and Alfie Desamparado of the West Visayas State University who wrote and performed 10 original environmental songs in bus and boat terminals in Guimaras and Iloilo.

Delegates from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Peru, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Venezuela and Vietnam participated in the youth conference.

Some 550 students from around the world have been invited to visit Germany since the program started 13 years ago.

..the prexy

DFA: PHL assumes presidency of LMMC until 2012

GMANews – 08 jUNE 2011

The Philippines has assumed the presidency of the Group of Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries (LMMC) for 2011 to 2012 during a meeting in Canada.

The LMMC is a negotiating bloc of 19 countries that harbor 70 percent of the Earth’s biological resources.

“[The Philippine assumption of the LMMC presidency is] a vote of confidence in our stewardship of our bio-resources and our country’s environmental programs," Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said in a statement Tuesday

The DFA said the group met in Montreal in preparation for the “First Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefits Sharing of Genetic Resources in Montreal" from June 6 to 10.

In the opening statement delivered by the Philippines, the LMMC called for immediate collaboration on measures to operationalize the Nagoya Protocol, an agreement that establishes more predictable conditions for access to genetic resources.

The Nagoya Protocol, adopted in October 2010, stemmed from the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, which the Philippines ratified on Jan. 3, 2007.

The LMMC was established in 2002 when 17 countries rich in biodiversity banded themselves together to promote their collective interests in the preservation and sustainable use of biological resources and aims to protect traditional knowledge.

“The Philippines has about 7,000 endemic plant, mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, and fish species, and is one of the few nations that is, in its entirety, a megadiverse country and has enacted an access and benefit-sharing law in 1995," the DFA said.

The group’s members include Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, South Africa and Venezuela. — JE/VS, GMA News