Biodiversity Financing Saving the Earth

The Philippines is one of 17 mega diverse countries, harboring more diversity of life per hectare than any other country in the world. Yet encroachment in forested areas, pollution, over fishing, poor land management practices, are leading to biodiversity loss at an alarming rate.

To address these threats, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), other national government agencies, academe, civil society and development partners, has developed the Philippines Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP). The PBSAP is the country’s road map in conserving biodiversity and critical ecosystem services for the next 13 years.

Similarly, through the UNDP’s Biodiversity Financing Initiative (BioFin), the DENR-BMB has  determined the financing gap of implementing the PBSAP, estimated to be at least Php 334 billion (US$7.4 billion) over the next 13 years [PhP24 billion annually]. This covers actions on: forest, coastal and marine, inland wetlands, caves and cave systems, protected areas, invasive alien species, agrobiodiversity, access and benefit-sharing and urban biodiversity.

Having Your Own Music Studio With Mojo

  Chord Electronics, with their exclusive distributor Beyond Innovations, Inc, has launched Mojo, a British-built headphone amplifier and DAC that enables smartphones and connected devices to deliver recording-studio sound quality from any headphone (Php 30,990).

Chord Electronics, a world leader in digital audio, has launched Mojo. A contraction of ‘Mobile Joy’, Mojo is a headphone amplifier and DAC (digital-to-analogue convertor) that empowers smartphones to deliver music content at up to studio-master-tape quality. Mojo enables this due to Chord’s advanced proprietary digital signal processing technology.

Low-cost, widely available apps, such as Onkyo’s HF player (iOS and Android), now make high-resolution music file playback easy from all smartphones. Mojo connects to these devices digitally, processing the files using the most advanced conversion technology available, to deliver genuinely unrivalled sound quality to up to two pairs of headphones.

   Mojo is entirely designed and manufactured in England using British expertise. It distils 27 years of high-performance audio know-how into a single mass-market device designed to empower the smartphone. Mojo is the most advanced device of its kind in the world.
Get your Mojo workin’
Mojo connects digitally to smartphones and similar devices in a number of ways. It offers three different high-resolution digital inputs: Micro USB, optical and a 3.5mm coaxial input. Input selection is fully automatic: if more than one input is active, they are prioritized as USB first, coaxial second and optical third.

A Micro USB to USB cable is supplied with each Mojo and Chord Electronics will be offering consumers a range of approved, low-cost connecting cables for iOS devices and various other digital connections.

A SPAGHEALTHY GOODNESS FOR THE HOLIDAY

 Every Christmas, our Moms always prepare something special for Noche Buena and make the Christmas table festive as possible.   The Christmas table will never be complete without the Christmas ham, chicken, and pasta dishes like spaghetti and macaroni salad.

However, with the growing awareness and trend on health and wellness, Moms look for healthy alternative dishes that they can serve to their family.  They look for food that are low calorie, high-fiber and rich in vitamins, but still a delectable dish that their family can enjoy.

El Real has long responded to the healthy needs of wise, practical moms with the offering of El Real Healthy Spaghetti.  EL Real Healthy Spaghetti is the first naturally healthy spaghetti in the local market that is made with real Malunggay and Carrot bits.  It is high in fiber because it has Durum Wheat Semolina, has 0% Cholesterol, 0% Trans Fat and has Vitamin A, C and Calcium.  What’s more is that, it has no veggie taste that your kids will surely love.

Historic running event for integrity takes off in December

With the goal of making integrity everyone’s concern and part of daily life, the Integrity Initiative - spearheaded by the Makati Business Club, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AMCHAM), the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), and Financial Executives of the Philippines (Finex)- is staging a historic run on December 12, 2015 at the CCP Complex, Pasay City.

Dubbed “I RUN for Integrity: I am Part of the Solution,” the event calls on all sectors of society to participate in this important step towards building a culture of integrity in the Philippines. It is expected to bring together 5,000 representatives and runners from government, business, youth, civil society, academe, church, and media towards the common goal of being part of the solution in fighting corruption.

Impact Hub Fellowship on Innovation in Mobility in Partnership with LBC

 To pioneer Impact Hub Manila’s fellowship programs, we are looking for young innovators with entrepreneurial ideas on mobility for a chance to win up to 1 million pesos worth of fellowship prizes. The grand prize includes a twelve month living stipend and fellowship, gaining access to seed funding, focused skill development, valuable networks and a stimulating workspace at Impact Hub Manila.

The worsening traffic conditions in Metro Manila is one of the major problems encountered by Filipinos in their day to day lives. The focus of this Fellowship program is to create innovative solutions to the logistics challenges and opportunities in our progressing region. Solutions may address the following areas: energy & resources in general efficient transport methods; methods to decrease traffic; smarter transportation management; and value chain innovation and new transportation methods.

The fellowship shall be executed into three phases:
PHASE 1: CAMPAIGN & APPLICATION
Application starts from October 1 until November 15, 2015. During this phase we invite everyone interested to benefit from an ideation workshop, where you will learn how to conceptualize your idea with a clear business approach. From all applications received, 6 - 8 candidates are invited to a pitching workshop and later to pitch in front of a professional jury panel, where the 3 finalists will be selected, who will then enter the cohort.

Celebrate The Many Wonders of Quezon City on Its 75 Years!

 On the road for a tour of Quezon City made my day even under the   scourching heat of the sun. Traversing the largest city of metropolitan Manila with our tour guide citing the history and background of the places we past by. An afternoon of bondimg with nature and beautiful people. Our first stop was the La Mesa Ecopark which is located at east fairview Quezon City, the Philippines" largest ecological park in a metro setting. Breathing the fresh air induces  a meditative state of well being.The 33 hectare park is teeming with opportunities for adventure seekers like zip line rides,hiking, mountain biking,and fishing.

The beautiful lagoon offers a paddle boat ride.There is the large salt water pools unique to La Mesa Eco Park which one can enjoy. Simply walking and communing with nature one can fell the calmness of ones inner being.Our next stop was Erehwon Center for the Arts in 1 Don Francisco Street, Villa Beatriz, old Balara, Quezon City. With its name inspired by the fictional country, the satirical utopia, created by novelist Samuel Butler,Erehwon proclaims that it is Now here! to stir up the community and general public on a broader stream appreciation of the arts.It provides exhibition areas, as well as meeting spaces where artists can dialogue and forward issues of advocacy.

BUILT TO THRILL: INTRODUCING THE NEW NISSAN JUKE

 Nissan  Philippines  Inc.  (NPI)  celebrates  another  milestone  for  the  local  compact  crossover segment, as it brings in another innovation that is built to thrill – the new Nissan Juke.

 First launched in Japan in 2010, the new Nissan Juke immediately captured the attention of the global automotive scene because of its fun, bold design, and exciting driving performance. In March 2014, the minor change Nissan Juke was unveiled in the Geneva International Motor Show, bringing an even more refreshed take on the eye-catching vehicle. The minor change model was then brought into the South East Asia having first introduced in Thailand in February 2015 and since then, it has been making its mark in the region.

The new Nissan Juke combines boldness and excitement, becoming the brand’s answer to the growing  local  compact  crossover  segment.    It  showcases  the ability  to  deftly  take  on  the challenges of everyday driving in the Philippines.