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BLACKPINK calls for fans’ support in climate action movement

Globe ambassadors BLACKPINK have lent their voices to the call for climate action. During the recent UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, the Korean mega-group addressed global leaders and audiences to come together in taking action in the ongoing fight against climate change.

In a video message presented during COP26, BLACKPINK’s members JISOO, JENNIE, ROSÉ, and LISA urged their fans and the younger generation to take a stand and act against the most critical issue affecting everyone.

“Climate change is an established fact. We have learned of the devastating changes to nature, to the global weather, and the air we breathe. And the changes that we feared are already beginning to transform our planet.  We have learned that we must act now. Urgently, to prevent much, much, worse,” the group said.

They noted the possible severe impacts on people and nature, with a third of the population being regularly exposed to extreme heat, which may lead to drought, health problems, and death.  Almost all warm-water coral reefs would also be destroyed, and sea ice would melt and devastate wildlife.

“We do not want to get there.  The important thing is that we all take responsibility because it just won’t be achieved without collective action.  Let’s work together for our planet and take climate action in your area,” BLACKPINK concluded.

Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications said, “We are very pleased to share the same advocacy as our brand ambassadors, BLACKPINK. We at Globe have long been advocates of climate action, with our commitment to the Race to Zero movement to achieve Net Zero GHG emissions by 2050 and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees celsius, as aligned with the Paris Agreement.”

In June 2021, Globe became the first and only publicly-listed Philippine company listed by the Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi) to commit to Business Ambition for 1.5 degrees Celsius and has officially joined as a participant of the Race to Zero.

Race To Zero is spearheaded by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and COP26 Presidency and backed by GSMA.  It aims to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to Net Zero no later than 2050 through the collective efforts of leaders, businesses, cities, regions, and investors worldwide. Globe’s commitment to establishing science-based targets and net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 is in line with the Paris Agreement and #RacetoZero Campaign.

Globe has already started its shift towards renewable energy, with 13 key facilities operating on 100% renewable energy. In addition, it has deployed over 7,400 green network solutions to achieve energy and resource efficiency in its cell sites nationwide. It has also implemented high standards of environmental management and stewardship through its ISO 14001-certified Environmental Management System to reduce its impact on the environment. The company is also aiming for an ISO 50001 Energy Management System certification for its key facilities by 2022.

The digital solutions platform has been doing its part in the fight against climate change through sustainable business processes and an established active strategy towards reducing both its short-term and long-term emissions.

Recently these efforts have been internationally recognized by GSMA, the largest global consortium of mobile networks. GSMA’s newly created COP26 Digital Hub has included Globe’s decarbonization journey as a case study.

Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 13, which underscores the importance of climate action to save lives and livelihoods to address climate emergencies. Globe is committed to upholding the UN Global Compact principles and contributing to 10 UN SDGs.

To know more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

#Globe #BlackPink #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

 

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OPM Greats Team Up for Minis Island

Ebe Dancel, Barbie Almalbis, Mojofly, Razorback, and more join forces to raise funds for the education of the children in Minis Island.

This October, some of the biggest names in the local music scene will be banding together to aid one of the smallest communities in Sulu.

It will happen at “Musika’t Aklat,” a virtual concert spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Fort Bonifacio Global City (RCFBGC). Featuring the likes of Ebe Dancel, Barbie Almalbis, Mojofly, and Razorback, this project will attempt to financially aid Minis Island, a place located around 12 kilometers away from Jolo. Currently, the community has a lone school; it was built through the donations of the Rotary Club of Manila Premier. And now, Jan Emil Langomez, president of RCFBGC, aims to expand this project through the concert his club is organizing.

“We intend to build lodging facilities for faculty,” he said. “We also want to build a library and water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities for the islanders.”

Streamed live on Facebook from Makati’s Social House, “Musika’t Aklat” started on October 16. The first portion of the series was called “Solo Night” and featured performances from Dancel and Almalbis. Alongside them were other names like Sud Ballecer, Clara Benin, Waiian, and Tamara.

The second date will be on the 23rd and it is dubbed “Alternative Night.” It will feature Mojofly, Tanya Markova, Rouge, Bita, and the Botflies and Createurs.

MA bands Day 2

The final night is titled “Pinoy Rock Night” and it will happen on the 30th. It will feature Razorback, The Republicats, Shotgun Combo, Gin Rum and Truth, and Calebral. Tickets for each date are priced at 350 Php and they can be bought through Ticketmelon.

“While local authorities have been supportive, their resources nonetheless remain limited,” Langomez said. “This is where our club comes into partnership with the people to expand their existing infrastructure.”

Several months ago, RCFBGC planned for the concert to have an onsite equivalent. This, however, was scrapped due to the heightened restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019. Nevertheless, the club decided to push through with the virtual aspect of the series and they did so because of how important it is for the community it’s seeking to help. Joining RCFBGC in this noble endeavor are other Rotary clubs such as the Rotary Club of Makati Business District, Rotary Club of Makati Greenbelt, Rotary Club of San Nicolas Makati, and the Rotary Club of Makati Rockwell.

“The residents of the island have had a difficult history,” Langomez said. “This is our way of helping them get past that.”

Before the residents of Minis Island settled in the place they now call home, they lived in the nearby Tulayan Island. However, due to the violent clan wars and political rivalries that apparently characterize the place, they decided to transfer to Minis to live more peaceful lives. Not long after their arrival, however, they discovered that Minis was actually a hideout for members of the Abu Sayyaf. Soon enough, the Jihadist militant group began threatening and oppressing them.

In 2019 the Philippine Army, tipped off by the residents, arrived to drive the bandits away. A group of soldiers was then stationed there to keep the peace and during their stay, they realized that the children were lacking in basic education. Some cannot even spell their names.

In response, the soldiers took it upon themselves to teach the children. They used leaves native to the area as well as spare wood to build a makeshift shelter that served as a classroom. For a blackboard, they used a piece of wood damaged by bullets during their encounter with the Abu Sayyaf.

This, however, is no longer the case these days. Because of the efforts of other good Samaritans, the children now have a school. And if the plans of the RCFBGC succeed, they will have much more than that.

To purchase your tickets please visit https://www.ticketmelon.com/geekmodemedia/musikat-aklat

 

#Musikataklat #RotaryClubofFortBonifacioGlobalCity #fundraisingconcert #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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WWF celebrates a decade of sustainable fisheries work in the PH with book launch

A decade of sustainable fisheries work brings hope to the future of our seas.

The World Wide Fund for Nature launched Bangkulis: Tuna Tales from Hook to Cook, a coffee table book commemorating a decade of sustainable fisheries work in the Philippines in a virtual event held on October 1, 2021.

Set in the yellowfin tuna fisheries of the Lagonoy Gulf and Mindoro Strait, the book details the fisherfolk’s 10-year journey to environmental sustainability. The book follows small-scale fishers and how they have organized themselves toward protecting and uplifting their livelihoods.

In 2011, WWF began working with handline yellowfin tuna fishers in Lagonoy Gulf and Mindoro Strait. A Fisheries Improvement Project was launched – a multi-stakeholder program that aims for the environmental sustainability of fisheries.

A little over a decade of work has brought many wins for these fisheries, both in terms of the management of yellowfin tuna stocks and the empowerment of the handline fishers themselves.

Bangkulis: Tuna Tales from Hook to Cook presents these wins, and the effort that went into achieving them.

“Our partner fishers are at the center of this story. They are the local leaders trying to safeguard the seas they rely on, and we have had the pleasure of watching them come together, empowered, constantly learning, so that they may better take care of their fisheries,” shared WWF-Philippines Project Manager Joann Binondo.

Binondo also reminds us that these yellowfin tuna fisheries have a long way to go before they can claim to be environmentally sustainable. Despite this, the fishers remain committed to improving upon their practices and exploring better ways to safeguard their seas.

“A decade of hard work has gone into improving our fisheries. It has been difficult, but we have seen what this can mean for us – a sense of stability, for those of us whose lives depend on fishing,” shared Atenogenes Reaso, a fisher and chairman of the Gulf of Lagonoy Tuna Fishers Federation, Inc.

Featured photo – Bangkulis: Tuna Tales from Hook to Cook follows handline tuna fishers from the Lagonoy Gulf and Mindoro Strait on a decade-long journey toward environmental sustainability. Photograph © WWF-Philippines

#BangkulisTunaTalesfromHooktoCook #coffeetablebook #WWFPH #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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Doing Good for the Oceans

As part of its Sustainability Program, Watsons Philippines has entered a collaboration with Plastic Bank to help reduce plastic pollution and alleviate poverty by creating livelihood.

Plastic waste is a big problem for the environment and humanity in general: Every minute, one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into the ocean. If this continues unabated, there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans in 30 years. Sadly, the Philippines is one of the top 3 contributors to this plastic problem.

Sustainability has always been part of the Watsons DNA. Recognizing that the ocean stores a quarter of CO2 from the atmosphere and up to 93.4% of heat caused by the greenhouse effect, Watsons is committed to reducing the overall impact of its own brand plastic packaging so that it may contribute to ocean protection.

The A.S. Watsons Group has banned the use of microplastics in its own brand of rinse-off cosmetics or personal care products since 2014. By the end of 2019, this ban has been extended to all brands so no rinse-off cosmetics or personal care products from any brand are sold at any Watsons stores.

Watsons Philippines offers its customers four Sustainable Choices: Clean Beauty (mindfully created products without “unwanted” ingredients), Refill and Reduce (refilling bottles and reusing containers), Better Ingredients, and Better Packaging.

Through its Impact Program Collaboration with Plastic Bank, the health, wellness, and beauty retailer will continue to Do Good for the Oceans by committing to the prevention of 50,000 kg of plastic bottles from entering the world’s oceans – the equivalent of 2.5 million bottles over the first 12 months.

“At the heart of Look Good, Feel Great is Do Good. Watsons has always been at the forefront of sustainability and this collaboration with Plastic Bank only further reinforces our commitment to helping make this world a better place,” said Viki Encarnacion, Watsons PR and Sustainability Director.

Plastic Bank Philippines

“We are happy to team up with Watsons Philippines – a company that shares our vision on creating a regenerative economy. This collaboration showcases our unified goal of stopping ocean plastic while creating more opportunities for people living in vulnerable coastal communities,” said David Katz, Founder, and CEO of Plastic Bank.

 #WatsonsPH #DoGood #DoTogether #LookGoodDoGoodFeelGreat #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

 

 

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Donate a book, share the joy of learning

SM shoppers can continue to share the joys of learning with children who need them most through The SM Store’s Donate a Book campaign, which is now ongoing at select branches nationwide until September 30, 2021.

While face-to-face classes still have to resume, schooling certainly extends beyond the campus. And your donations will go a long way as these will be very helpful to distributed top partner public schools and libraries around the country. Here’s how you can share your gift of knowledge:

  • Visit the Donate a Book booths at participating branches of the SM Store at Metro Manila, North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
  • Donate new or pre-loved books. All books are very much welcome, especially storybooks, educational, and hobby books that can help spark a child’s curiosity, imagination, and knowledge.
  • Donate and match with Learning Is Fun (LIF) books that are available at The SM Store.  LIF offers a wide range of books from toddlers to adult categories such as activity books, early learning educational books, cookbooks, reference books, storybooks, Inspirational books, and game and toy books. Being the participating partner of the said campaign, the company will donate the same number of books sold during the program period.
  • School supplies are welcome. you can also donate notebook packs of 6 and school sets that include a backpack, notebooks, rulers, and pens that are4 available at The SM Stationery section.

In exchange, shoppers will receive a 100 pesos discount coupon for every donation made.

Shoppers can share the gift of knowledge with less fortunate children through the Donate- a-Book campaign now ongoing at selected SM Stores nationwide until September 30.

The Donate-a-Book campaign began in 1998 as one of SM Foundation’s groundbreaking mall-based programs. It has been part of the SM Store’s community programs since 2015, collecting and distributing almost 800,000 books and learning materials through the generosity of The SM Store customers.

Share the Joy of Learning and visit the Donate-a-Book kiosks at the participating branches of The SM Store nationwide.

#Donateabookcampaign #TheSMStore #learningmaterials #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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Protection of free-flowing rivers needed as global study finds threats to freshwater ecosystems

WWF-Philippines is calling for the increased protection of river ecosystems in the country following a new global study that found that over 260,000 kilometers of free-flowing rivers are at risk of being disrupted; equivalent to going around the Earth’s equator 6.5 times.

“Rivers have a very special place in Philippine history and culture. Early settlers traveling by sea founded the city of Manila on the delta of the Pasig River. The Philippines was also once called the ‘Republika ng Katagalugan’ which is based on the term ‘taga-ilog’ or ‘from the river’,” Paolo Pagaduan, WWF-Philippines’ Forests for Water Program Manager said.

“Most Filipinos probably only see the surface value of rivers. But if you look deeper, you will see an endless flow of benefits for us and nature,” Pagaduan said following the publication of the study in the Global Sustainability journal.

Practically every land in the Philippines is part of a watershed and 142 have been declared as critical watersheds by DENR. According to Pagaduan, some rivers in these watersheds no longer flow freely due to human activity. The study led by Michele Thieme, WWF-US Deputy Director Freshwater, cites dams and reservoirs as the leading causes of disruptions in rivers around the world – and the subsequent loss of the diverse range of benefits that healthy rivers provide for the surrounding environment and communities.

“When viewed from high above, rivers look like blood vessels in our body. That’s what they are for the planet. They distribute nutrients and resources across large areas allowing plants, animals, and humans to flourish,” he said.  “Like rivers, we don’t want our blood vessels to be blocked”.

According to the study, connected and healthy rivers deliver diverse benefits that are often overlooked: freshwater fish stocks that enhance food security for hundreds of millions of people, delivery of sediments that nourish agriculture and keep deltas above rising seas, and floodplains that help mitigate the impact of floods and support a wealth of biodiversity.

“Rivers are powerful agents for keeping nature and communities healthy and resilient, especially in a warming world, yet their ability to support life is threatened by hydropower dams in many parts of the world. The best policy solutions will be those that balance renewable energy needs with the many benefits of thriving freshwater ecosystems,” Thieme said.

The researchers compiled science-based policy solutions to meet climate targets and energy goals, while also safeguarding free-flowing rivers and their benefits to people and nature. The study outlines specific examples where governments have successfully implemented these strategies, including:

  • Avoiding fragmenting rivers by instating formal protections of rivers or by exploring alternative development options, such as non-hydropower renewable energy, like solar and wind. Early, system-wide planning is the best solution to meet development needs and keeps rivers and the benefits that they provide connected and flowing.
  • Minimizing the impacts of dams on rivers by siting dams in locations with fewer impacts on people and nature. Technologies such as environmental flows can also help minimize dam impacts by allowing water to move through dams in a manner that mimics natural flows.
  • Restoring rivers through dam removal, an increasingly popular option in the US and Europe due to the high costs of dam maintenance and its proven ability to bring life back to rivers and help restore them to health.
  • Offsetting the negative impacts of dams. If one river is severed by a dam, there may be options to protect another river to ensure that similar values are maintained in the region.

“Nature is not just the land and the sea. Often neglected in the conversation are rivers that play vital roles in sustaining life. Let us ensure that we have free-flowing rivers on the agenda,” Pagaduan said.

Featured photo: Local community boatmen in the Ipo Watershed prepare their boats before setting off down the river. Many have benefitted from the Ipo Watershed, and good science ensures that this continues for years to come. © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines

 #freshwaterecosystems #rivers #WWFPH #nature #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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BIDA Eskwela Year 2: Aid to pandemic-hit schools

You can be a BIDA (hero) and help pandemic-hit schools with as little as singkwenta (P50) donation!

In its commitment to continuously support education regardless of time, space, or threats, volunteer-powered group, I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference) is calling on everyone to join hands anew in its fundraising campaign called Bigay-Ayuda para sa Eskwela or BIDA Eskwela Year 2.

The multi-awarded non-profit organization aims to raise at least P200,000 in 50 days from every donor’s P50 or singkwenta pocket donations with #BIDAEskwelaSingkwenta. Collections from this social media push will help select underprivileged schools in the Philippines that have been equally affected by the ongoing pandemic.

Now on its second year, BIDA Eskwela targets to send supplemental aid to 20 initial beneficiaries from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao that include schools in Pangasinan, La Union, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Bulacan, Romblon, Rizal, Metro Manila, Antique, Bukidnon, Agusan Del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao City, and Zamboanga City.

First BIDA Eskwela_Delivering bondpaper supplies and learner kits at Daan Taligaman Elementary School_ Bugsukan, Butuan City.

The nationwide, digital-centric donation drive runs until September 24, in time for the opening of School Year 2021-2022.

Learning delivery challenges

 The State of Public Health Emergency has brought many challenges to the Philippine education system particularly on the implementation of the new modalities of learning.  Reports from the ground showed that among schools that opted for modular distance learning through printed format, teachers were hounded by a lack of supplies such as bond paper and ink for the production of their textbooks, activity sheets, and learning guides. The limited access to reproduction machines like printers and photocopiers also hampered the timely distribution of these learning materials, resulting in delays in learning. Furthermore, teachers faced problems in availing proper personal protective equipment while distributing modules.

On the other hand, insufficient internet subsidies impeded schools from implementing modular distance learning in digital format. Limited access to quality gadgets with specifications to complete required tasks in learning such as making videos and ebooks also worsened the problem.

Citizen action, hope to cope

 While the Department of Education had allocated funds for the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan in the time of COVID 19 (BE-LCP), it is simply not enough. Oftentimes, teachers and non-teaching personnel have to shell out their own money. This is why there’s an earnest patriotic duty to help fill in the gap. There’s a need for urgent citizen action.

“During these pressing times, our communities need hope to cope with the challenges brought by the dragging effect of the pandemic,” says Sarah Butad, project lead of BIDA Eskwela Year 2. “With our #BIDAEskwela initiative, I am M.A.D. is in continuous pursuit of giving assistance to select underprivileged schools in the country to help deliver quality education to the future nation builders whatever the circumstance is.”

The COVID-19 health crisis has disrupted the daily lives of Filipino teachers and learners and will continue into its second school year. The Department of Education has set the resumption of classes on Sept. 13.

#BIDAEskwelaSingkwenta, Sing & Share

I am M.A.D. also invites the public to be a part of this year’s level-up digital campaign on Facebook and Tiktok with “Sing & Share”. While there are 20 initially identified beneficiaries for the #BIDAEskwelaSingkwenta fundraising campaign, this can be expanded further with the help of so-called SING-fluencers or carolers who can lend their singing voice every day for 50 days, thereby reaching far more schools to help more young learners. Interested SING-fluencers can join the SINGkwentahan by following and contacting the organization through fb.com/IamMakingADifference or tiktok.com/@iammad_ph.

Where to send your donations?

Interested individuals or entities are encouraged to donate as little as P50 through the following mobile wallet and bank savings accounts: GCash or PayMaya (09088176049 / Erwin Dela Cruz), BDO (Mayo Ceazar Mendoza / 003010257672), Metrobank (Mark Conrad Ravanzo / 0663725653850), BPI (Ruth Butad / 0829342561), Landbank (Bigjay C. Lagang / 2986155891), UnionBank (Vonn Vincent Tanchuan / 109420073791). Donations are also accepted via PayPal (bit.ly/iammadpaypal). For more details, visit BIDA Eskwela’s official donation information platform at bit.ly/bidadonate.  For transparency, all donation receipts and proceeds from the actual collections are published and viewable at bit.ly/bidatracker.

For updates, partnerships, and further inquiries, send an email to iammadph@gmail.com or via mobile at 0926 785 0208. Follow and message I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference) on Facebook (fb.com/IamMakingADifference), Instagram/Twitter/Tiktok (@iammad_ph), Youtube (bit.ly/IamMADYoutube) and podcast via anchor.fm/iammad or bit.ly/MADTalksSpotify.

 #BIDAEskwelaSingkwenta #BidaEskwelaYear2 #fundraisingcampaign #pandemichitschools #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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‘Evergreen’ hoodie for the planet

By virtue of being in the video game industry, work at Tier One Entertainment constantly revolves around new worlds. While these fantastical worlds are all digital and fictional, there is only one world that is real—and that’s our planet, Earth.

Video games shouldn’t just be an escape from reality, that’s why the opportunity to work with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines is something Tier One Entertainment couldn’t refuse. Online sports can also be an effective platform to increase awareness of environmental issues. Both Tier One and WWF believe that gamers can be allies in building back the balance with nature.

The best way to both raise awareness and give back to the planet would be to incorporate WWF-Philippines into Tier One merchandise line – introducing the Tier One x WWF-Philippines hoodie.

The Tier One x WWF hoodie will be sold on the Lazada storefront, BLCKBOX. Proceeds from hoodie sales will support WWF-Philippines’ conservation initiatives.

Not only that, but this hoodie (much like how we hope the Earth will be) is evergreen. That means it is the first item in the Tier One merchandise to not be part of a limited drop and will be available for purchase all year round.

“I’ve always wanted an avenue and platform to give back to the planet, and this partnership with WWF is perfect for that. I want to give gamers the chance to show that we care, and we can contribute towards efforts to save the planet. After all, it’s the only one we’ve got, so we should love and care for it,” said Tryke Gutierrez, CEO of Tier One Entertainment

Visit BLCKBOX on Lazada store and level up for the planet! Let’s work together to protect our planet, our one shared home!

#TierOneEntertainment #WWFPhilippines #hoodie #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

 

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Caritas Manila taps tech for good platforms Mayani, GrabPay to foster online giving for underprivileged youth

In the context of the ongoing pandemic that has brought more families deeper into poverty, digital platforms have been repurposed to leverage their reach and scalable capacities to soften the economic downturn’s impact on the poor and the vulnerable.

Carrying this impact thrust, Caritas Manila – the lead social service ministry of the Catholic Church in the Philippines – is co-launching the Tuloy Aral Project to support the food needs of over 5,000 youth scholars from the poorest communities in the country, while supporting the livelihood of rural smallholder farmers through technology.

Also spearheading the project is GrabPay, the leading e-wallet of super-app Grab, and Mayani, an impact-driven ag-ecommerce platform with over 28,000 smallholder farmers, including the Pililia farmers of the Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc (PSFI).

“For the past 60 years, Caritas Manila has been actively shaping total human development and assisting the needs of the unfortunate members of our society through mission-driven partnerships,” says Fr. Anton Pascual, Executive Director of Caritas Manila. “This project firmly complements our Youth Servant Leadership & Education Program (YSLEP), while concurrently extending our alleviation outcomes to our local farmers by sourcing the donated food packs from them.”

YSLEP, which covers the children of the displaced workers due to the pandemic, aims to put them through college and technical vocation education while giving them the necessary means and basic support like food as they complete their schooling.

“While technology is the core enabling engine for mobilizing broad online support for Tuloy Aral, its impact components are very social and two-fold: helping farmers at the grassroots and supporting the basic nourishment needs of the youth scholars. We are glad to play a fundamental role in making this happen, especially now when it matters the most,” remarked JT Solis and Atty. Ron Dime, the Co-Founders of Mayani, whose farm-to-table play has been revolutionizing the agricultural supply in the country.

Mayani, who now powers the fresh produce value chain of the likes of Shell, Robinsons, and Waltermart, among others, is a long-standing partner of GrabPay with the latter serving as its e-wallet of choice in the Mayani ag-ecommerce site. Their existing collaborations include the ongoing Online National Food Fair for Cordillera farmers with the backing of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Grab will be signal boosting Tuloy Aral via its mobile app starting this August leading to the Mayani ag-ecommerce site with various curated vegetable, fruit, and rice boxes that the market can choose from and donate. Mayani will reinforce the online traction-building for the project by employing all its digital channels as well as key billboard sites across Metro Manila with HDI Adventures, its ad-tech lead partner.

The fresh produce in each box will then be harvested by farmers in Pililia, Rizal under PSFI’s Integrated Farming Bio-Systems program, consolidated by Mayani, and then delivered to Caritas Manila for eventual distribution.

#Caritas Manila #Grab #Mayani #PilipinasShell Foundation #HDI #FrAntonPascual #JTSolis #RonDime #MayaniPhilippines #TuloyAral #YSLEP #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Unique hand-woven face masks help indigenous communities rise above the pandemic

Through unique face masks made from hand-woven fabric scraps, Abra Indigo Manila was able to provide new livelihood opportunities to indigenous communities in far-flung areas despite the pandemic.

Abra Indigo is a social enterprise founded by Ysabelle Sarayba to give consumers access to indigenous products by showcasing and connecting local communities, workers, and socially conscious consumers.

Although Abra Indigo experienced some setbacks at the height of the global health crisis, Ysabelle remained unfazed in her goal to assist other people, especially those who did not have any sources of income.

Abra Indigo Ysabelle Sarayba

 

Through the help of a pervasive telecommunications network like Globe’s 4G LTE, Ysabelle was able to talk with the Itnegs of Abra and share ideas regularly during the lockdowns. Together, they came out with timely products attuned to the trying times.

The Itneg tribe is known for its beautiful hand-woven and embroidered fabrics.  Since they use weaving to tell their stories, every pattern, design, and symbol has a story and history behind it.

Using indigenous fabric scraps, the Itnegs repurposed and refashioned them into face masks that have become a big hit with consumers. Each mask design is distinct, with various embroideries that reflect the rich culture of the Itnegs and comes with a pocket to insert an additional filter.

The high demand for face masks allowed Ysabelle to help even more people. Fabrics were sourced from another indigenous community in Ilocos and woven by seamstresses in Novaliches.  Despite the challenges, Abra Indigo increased its production and gave economic opportunities to more people.

Ysabelle remains hopeful that Abra Indigo’s “Kwento ng Tagumpay” will carry on for the sake of the communities that it is supporting. “Today, Abra Indigo is continuously growing, so that means more income sa mga indigenous communities, and then soon we hope na mas marami pa kaming indigenous communities na matulungan i-market yung mga products nila,” she said.

Inspiration for Abra Indigo came when Ysabelle, then a graduating student at the University of the Philippines,  joined a school bazaar where she met an Itneg couple.  Ysabelle immediately fell in love with the couple’s indigenous products and asked if she could partner with them.

“I didn’t have any capital to buy their (Itneg) products, so I had to loan P20,000.  It was a rough start since the products were costly at hindi ko sila tinawaran since I wanted to help. I really believed in the products, so I started by posting online and to my surprise, nabenta namin lahat,” she recalled.

Ysabelle’s tech and marketing savvy combined with unique apparel, accessories, and home essentials made from the Itneg woven fabric, saw the business growing rapidly in just a couple of months. Abra Indigo expanded from a one-woman operation to a six-person company.

For Globe, success stories such as Ysabelle’s further fuel its passion to meet, even exceed, the growing demand for first-world connectivity and provide better customer experiences.

“We are ramping up our efforts to give stronger, reliable, and high-speed coverage to more provinces, even in far-flung areas of the Philippines. The 4G LTE migration and the upgrading of broadband subscribers to Globe fiber lines are crucial to our efforts to elevate our customers’ satisfaction and mobile experience, given the increasing demand for data. This also lays the groundwork for 5G, a more advanced and faster technology,” said Ernest L. Cu, Globe President, and CEO.

The company strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9 which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles.

To learn more, please visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.

Featured photo courtesy of Abra Indigo Manila

#KwentoNgTagumpay #Globe #AbraIndigoManila #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph