Learning and Living the Green Life in the Philippines

Carwash Without Wasting Water

Every now and then, we come across businesses or products that are Filipino-driven or Philippine-produced and which are earth-friendly, green or sustainable. These we feature in this website to support them, thus encourage the use of such alternative products or encourage patronage of such innovative enterprises. We also hope to encourage like-minded and like-hearted would-be entrepreneurs to follow the same course.

Do you know that washing cars consume about 77 gallons of water? What a waste!? "To save water, let's not wash our cars." I could hear a big howl of NOOOs. Rightfully so. It's like saying, "To save water, let's not shower." As much as there is a need to conserve water, cleanliness and hygiene remain important----indespensible "wants", if debatably "needs". The solution exists in the form of ....

 

... WASHBOi WATERLESS Carwash Products. Before this post turn out to be a complete advertisement, I'll provide the direct link to the actual ad: CLICK HERE to view AD.

You'll find there the details, special features, photos, how to use, how to purchase, etc. We're just glad to tell you about them. Support green products and green enterprises. Doing so will, even in our consumptive ways, help in our drive to making this earth of ours a greener, healthier, and happier home.

WORD FROM THE SPONSOR

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.-Psalm 51:7

Low on Cost High on Sustainability

This is the lecture the Philippines need. The bulk of the so called "housing backlog" consists of low cost housing for the majority of the population.

Should it be more challenging to incorporate "green" elements in smaller and cheaper houses? I guess it should, and that's why this lecture interests me a lot. Green developments are often thought to be costly to build or to realize. If the need for low cost houses are great, and if they are designed to be sustainable, then this would have a BIG positive impact. Developers should take notes. They should attend this presentation.

It's More Fun in the Philippines: Earth Hour 2012

Switching off lights is indeed more fun in the Philippines, where millions join you in the temporary darkness. Smiles do sparkle in the dark. Family and friends, neighbors and strangers, all come together, to participate yearly, in cheerful mood. It must be the spirit of the "bayanihan." Group volunteerism, working unified, demonstrating "people power" --- that's where we Filipinos shine the brightest.

It has been, in fact, consecutive years already that the Philippines has been topping all the other countries in terms of participating towns and cities. Should this year be any different? I would love to see more of us joining than in the previous years, but if other countries do beat us in the numbers game, that'd be great for us all, right? It's all about sending the message to more people. We are all responsible for our planet.

 

Official Earth Hour 2012 Video

 

World Water Day 2012 : Regret and Resolve

I didn't know it was World Water Day yesterday until I read yesterday's paper today. Regrets.

It's not so bad as one I had when I came home one day and found my faucet running. Forgetfullness caused me accidental, unintentional neglect. I wasted water. I was guilty. From then on, I became more cautious to make sure all taps and even power consumers are off when we leave home. Resolve. We find ways to solve our problems and avoid new ones.

World Water Days aren't holidays of funfare. They are there to remind us of our responsibilities.We SHOULD and we, actually, CAN do something.

The UN cites a few examples of what we can do: "follow a healthier, sustainable diet; consume less water-intensive products; reduce the scandalous food wastage: 30% of the food produced worldwide is never eaten and the water used to produce it is definitively lost!produce more food, of better quality, with less water." 

Learn more about the world's water situation, visit the United Nation's Website:

UN World Water Day Website

View pictures as contributed by the Guardian, click:

World Water Day Photos from the Guardian

 

A green earth cannot be possible without water. Learn Green. Love Green. Live Green. 

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WORD FROM THE SPONSOR

 Surely God is my salvation;    I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense;    he has become my salvation.”  With joy you will draw water    from the wells of salvation.

Isaiah 12:2-3

Green High-Rise Residences Lecture

Sign up now for the March 28 2012 lecture: Find out more about Green Residential High-Rise design! See you at Wilcon Builders' Depot!

 

Trees, Kids and the Lorax

Oh, but this week’s number one movie is the Lorax
The film about him who is not happy with the other him with an ax
That man with an ax and the many like him, did they see?
Did they agree to go out as their kids constantly plea?
For the kids they read the book and already know
That their daddies also ought to read the book and grow
Grow in the know, know to say NO,
Do what’s but right and show
Daddies care too for trees, lilies, fish and bees,
All of nature, there is, all but too lovely to miss
Go kiss a daddy who used to cut trees
Go hug a mommy they’d surely love this
See the movie Lorax as a family
Learn, laugh, chuckle, giggle, all in glee

What You Missed in the Last GreenAP Lecture

I hope you don't miss the next one.

Big thanks to Dr. Carmelito Tatlonghari for sharing the synopsis of the GREEN SINGLE DETACHED RESIDENCES Lecture. Reading the following report from the GreenAP, though, cannot make up for being actually there, learning directly from the experts.

 

SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES FOR BUILDING TYPES

date: 29 February 2012

venue: WILCON Builders Depot

title: GREEN SINGLE DETACHED RESIDENCES

With ten tips on how to create a green dream home, the two multi-awarded speakers of

Green Architecture Advocacy Philippines thrilled the audience on February 29 on the

occasion of the Green AP Monthly Lectures at Wilcon Builders Depot Seminar Room.

Arch. Michael T. Pena, FUAP, shared his seven basic tips to a green home, which he calls the

MTP way.
 

1. Ventilation Stack Effect – allows hot air to escape

2. Harmony with Nature – minimal intervention

3. Orientation – ventilation and glazing

4. Inset Open Spaces – courtyards, terraces, etc.

5. Natural Ventilation – permeable walls and fenestration

6. Water Features – cooling and relaxing

7. Retreat/Resort Ambiance – restful environment

 

Talk About Green Single-Detached Homes

"I would love to live in a green home; but what exactly is a green home, anyway?"

Green has become fashionable ---the "in" thing, in the last couple of years. Marketing and advertising drove the advocacy to popularity. Eco-consciousness and eco-awareness have landed ground, but is yet to take root in many of our countrymen. Further education is essential. The Green Architecture Advocacy of the Philippines is helping the nation in this regard. They continue on with their series of talks on sustainability in designs.

The next topic will interest many.