‘Art, Heart, Earth’

To support the World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF’s) biodiversity efforts, visual artists Elmer Borlongan, Geraldine Javier, Mark Justiniani, José John Santos III and National Artist Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera created limited edition pieces of sculpture inspired by the organization’s iconic panda logo.

Five pieces of sculpture were shown as the initial project of “Art, Heart, Earth,” a WWF-Philippines campaign to work with the cultural sector done in collaboration with Tin-aw Art Management Inc. and Secret Fresh Gallery.

WWF-Philippines is the 26th national organization in the WWF network, where it is also a member since 1997.

WWF-Philippines president and CEO Joel Palma said, “The Philippines is one of the 17 mega-diverse countries in the world, home to more than half of the world’s species. We are very excited to have five of the nation’s top artists join our battle to preserve nature in the face of climate change.  We hope that through art, we continue to raise awareness on the urgent need to step up environmental action to protect earth’s biodiversity.”

BenCab’s Kapit-Bisig and Borlongan’s Wildlife Rehabilitator highlight the importance of man living in consonance with nature. Justiniani’s Kugos (Carry) presents a caretaker wearing a panda suit (pretending to be the parent) to care for and protect the orphans of the species. Santos’ idea of saving and salvaging materials through his art is evident in his piece titled Natural Selection while Javier’s work titled Home stresses the importance of a sustainable environment.

(From left) WWF-Philippines’ Miriam Lopez, Dawn Atienza, Elmer and Plet Borlongan, Marya Salang, Bigboy Cheng, Joe-Vic Tanlayco, Pam Yan-Santos and José John Santos III.

WWF’s art ambassadors are united in their call for people to save the environment. Borlongan lives 10 minutes away from the West Philippine Sea where he witnessed how dynamite fishing can harm both the environment and fishermen who have lost limbs due to this practice.

BenCab and Javier shared that plastic waste is among their most urgent concerns. BenCab said, “We have to have discipline in cleaning up our surroundings and planting trees.”

Javier started planting vegetables in her home to help provide food and additional income for the community living near her. She also lessens plastic consumption by bringing reusable containers, baskets or eco-bags to use for her groceries or at the market.

Santos made his pieces from discarded materials and turned them into something meaningful. He said, “I view this process as saving and salvaging these materials from their eventual death or uselessness. And this is where I see a certain parallel with the concerns of WWF in saving nature, saving wildlife and saving the world as a more general concern.” 

Justiniani added, “If you think about the world, it will survive…so the environmental issue is actually a human issue. If we don’t take care of it, we will lose ourselves. We know we need to take care of the environment because that is our future, the future of human beings.”

 (For more information,  visit www.facebook.com/WWF.Philippines/.)

Zip around town

The Ecooter, dubbed the “sports car of all electric scooters,” is here! This cutting-edge scooter aims to give value for money and experience. It is also environment friendly.

Manila-based online personalities Christian Busby and Chelsea Robato recently tested the Ecooter and fell in love with its convenience and speed. “It’s easier to go to Makati now,” they said. “Especially since our errands are usually around the city nowadays.” They were joined by Nico del Rosario, Issa Pressman and  David Guison.

With 25 years of technical experience from its maker, Ecooter is definitely changing the industry, steadily making electric vehicles into consumer mainstream. It has a 2,500W electric motor making it possible to drive at a top speed of 75 kph, running 80 kilometers in distance when fully charged (based on a single passenger).

Ecooter Philippines will have battery rental charging stations available all over Metro Manila, accessible through a partnership with convenience stores and dealers.

 (For orders, call 0917-5435678 or 294-8208 and check out #GetGoingwithEcooter on social media.)

A brighter & clearer future for Marawi

Essilor Philippines GM Dr. Emelita Roleda is flanked by marketing head for Asia Pacific, Middle East, Russia and Africa Ivan Chuavon and regional VP for ASEAN and Korea Kathy Park.

Marawi 2020 is an advocacy campaign launched recently by Essilor Vision Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Essilor, in partnership with the Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists (IPAO).

During the campaign’s press launch, Essilor Philippines general manager Dr. Emelita Roleda said, “The campaign aims to bring vision care to Marawi City and to give its people hope for a brighter, clearer tomorrow.”  

The company is set to conduct free eye checkups and give away 20,000 eyeglasses to the people of Marawi. This program is expected to reach its goals by the year 2020.

(For more information about EVF and the Marawi 2020 advocacy campaign, visit www.essilor.com.ph, www.essilorvisionfoundation.org or check out@EssilorPH on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.)

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(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)