by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 28, 2018 | Advocacy
The Philippines is expected to move further towards urbanization as it grows and develops. Unfortunately, its solid waste infrastructure is unable to keep pace with the economic and population growth. Inadequate, over-filled dumpsites and landfills are causing various health and environmental problems.
Some of the serious environmental risks caused by waste overflow landfills are ground and surface water contamination, flooding, greenhouse gas production, air pollution, exposure to toxins and spread of disease. Many disposal sites across the country contain infectious material, threatening sanitation workers and waste pickers and, eventually the general public.
Tests of liquid runoff or leachate from Rodriguez and Payatas dump sites were found to contain high levels of contaminants. Most of the leachate seeps untreated into groundwater sources of drinking water and flows to the Marikina and Pasig River systems and Manila Bay. Landfills and dump sites, despite government’s efforts to situate them in areas far from population centers, still pose a threat to the health and the environment.
A lot of wastes, about one-third of solid waste generated in the cities, are often dumped indiscriminately and often end up clogging the drains, causing flooding and increase in the populations of rodents and other pests. The urban poor suffer most from life-threatening conditions resulting from uncollected garbage.
In this age of digitalization and technology, one of the innovative solutions for solid waste management is decentralization using pyrolysis technology. Pyrolysis is coined from the Greek terms pyro or fire and lysis or separating. It is the industrial process of breaking down large molecules of waste such as agricultural residues, scraps, tires, and non-recyclable materials into smaller molecules of gas, oil and carbon black. One of the by-product of pyrolysis technology is ash which can be mixed with aggregates for construction purposes.
Most importantly, people should realize that they play a huge role in solving the massive garbage problem in the Philippines. It should be the country’s goal to create an environment free of garbage, minimizing of waste disposal to landfill, educating the community and make them aware of their roles and responsibilities, and to involve the business community in solid waste management.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 21, 2018 | Events
Christmas comes early at Filinvest Mimosa+ in Clark, Pampanga with a concert on November 24, 2018, 6 p.m. onwards, at the Acacia Park, to kick off the joyous season.
Richard Poon
Catch remarkable artists and performers, headed by the Philippines’ premier crooner, Richard Poon, who will sing all-time favorite Christmas tunes! Joining him is Pampanga’s pride, the Holy Angel University Chorale, winner of the Gold Prize Award in the 10th Fukushima Vocal Ensemble Competition held in March 2017.
Highlight of the event is the ceremonial lighting of its Christmas installations and decorations, capped by an amazing fireworks display, that will surely delight everyone throughout the holiday season
Filinvest Mimosa+ Leisure City is an integrated, balanced, and eco-centric township that offers a real work, live, and play environment. With the Stellar Christmas at Mimosa+, families, their loved-ones and friends have an extra special reason to visit the world-class Filinvest Mimosa+ in Clark, which boasts of a championship golf course and superb accommodations, dining facilities and leisure amenities.
To know more about the events and activities at Filinvest Mimosa+ this holiday season, visit www.facebook.com/FilinvestMimosaPlus.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 18, 2018 | Events
You better watch out and better not pout, because a 30-foot Santa Claus has been spotted at Mall of Asia – marking the start of the Christmas season in all SM malls nationwide. Inviting everyone to celebrate #ChristmaSMoments with loved ones, SM Supermalls is treating mallgoers with fun-filled events as Santa makes his rounds in SM malls this holiday season.
“Christmas is not complete without Santa Claus. We’re sure that when you see him in the malls, it will take you back to best-loved childhood Christmas moments,” said Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls senior vice president for marketing.
Alongside its giant Santa installation, the Mall of Asia is home to the Grand Festival of Lights Parade that starts November 24 until December 25, and to the Grand Mascot Parade on January 1, 2019. Both street festivals will feature Santa with an entourage of Yuletide dancers and characters.
Not to miss is Father Christmas and his herd of reindeer at the Grand Magical Christmas Parade in SM South Luzon malls. You can catch its launch on November 17 at SM City Bacoor! The parade will ring in new characters – a circus ringmaster and snow ladies – to join its well-loved mix of holiday icons, including princes and princesses, dwarves, fairies, and more!
Santa will lead the way as SM City Pampanga lights up its Ferris wheel-turned-Lantern of Hope with a visual feast of lights, fireworks, and video-mapping on December 1.
Santa Claus will be making the wishes of 60 lucky kids come true this season! Simply write to Santa through the #DearSMSanta mailbox at SM for a chance to get your wishes granted. If you want to see Santa in person, you can spend #ChristmaSMoments with your friends and family at Santa meet-and-greets happening from November 30 to December 25 in all SM malls.
For more info about SM’s Santa-filled Christmas celebration, visit www.smsupermalls.com/christmasmoments.
For more information, check out www.smsupermalls.com, and its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @smsupermalls.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 17, 2018 | Lifestyle
SM Supermalls and McDonald’s level up the Thanksgiving tradition among Filipino families with the online and on-ground celebration of “National Thank You Week” this November 19 to 25.
“On the second year of our partnership with McDonald’s, we continue to underscore the uniqueness of the emotional bond of Filipinos, especially when our customers make memories and redefine thanksgiving celebrations in our malls,” shares Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls senior vice president for marketing.
On digital, SM and McDonald’s encourage families to share their thank you moments and get chance to win P5,000 SM shopping money by simply taking a photo using the #NationalThankYouWeek Photo App that can be accessed via smsupermalls.com from Nov. 19 to 25. Meanwhile, as a simple way to say thank you to customers, all McDonald’s stores located in 48 SM malls nationwide will give a free Vanilla Sundae Cone for every purchase of a Happy Meal from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day itself (November 22) till Sunday, November 25.
A culminating activity is also in stored for families on the last day of the week-long celebration (November 25). Kids and kids-at-heart are invited to experience SM Supermalls and McDonald’s Thank You Town where everyone can enjoy an array of fun activities and fun technology games.
SM Supermalls and McDonald’s level up the Thanksgiving tradition among Filipino families.
At the Thank You Town, SM shoppers can also sign up for McDonald’s Stripes Run, avail discounts in booking McCelebrations, and get amazing deals at the Toy Bazaar.
On top of the exclusive McDonald’s treats, the Thanksgiving experience of SM shoppers will be made more meaningful with a Thanksgiving Blessing at select SM malls on November 18 or 22 plus special dining offers at SM Foodcourt and other participating restaurants from November 19 to 25.
SM Supermalls is the sole Philippine finalist in this year’s World Retail Awards, held last April 19 in Madrid, Spain. SM’s “National Thank You Day,” an integrated live brand experience campaign in partnership with McDonald’s Philippines, made it as a finalist in the ‘Best Customer Experience Initiative – Mall Owners’ category.
For more information, check out www.smsupermalls.com, and its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @smsupermalls.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 16, 2018 | Video reviews
Crimes of Grindelwald (pronounced grin-del-vald) is the latest installment in JK Rowling’s wizarding world. It continues where Fantastic Beasts (that appeared in 2016) left off. As many reviewers can tell you, it is difficult to write a review without spoilers but I will do my best to make as little spoilers as I can. 😀
The story begins with the audience seeing Grindelwald (played by Johnny Depp) imprisoned within the Ministry of Magic is America. We learn that he has been there for several months and is to be transferred to the London Ministry of Magic. We then get to witness his eventual escape which establishes the conflict in the story.
The story then shifts to Newt Scamander (the hero of our story, played by Eddie Redmayne) in the Ministry of Magic in London. It is here we are also introduced to two new characters to the story: Lita LeStrange and Theseus Scamander (he’s a hugger), Newt’s brother. These two new characters play an important part in the story.
Theseus Scamander, Lita LeStrange, and Newt Scamander; photo credit to eonline.com
We are also reunited with characters from the first Fantastic Beasts movie. Keep in mind that Fantastic Beasts was set in New York and, therefore, the primary characters are American.
Before watching the movie my daughter and I were speculating if George’s presence in this movie means his memory will be erased every time. And Queenie is not an Auror so how does she and George get involved in this installment of the story?
Tina (American auror), Newt, George (American muggle), and Queenie (American witch) photo from vitalthrills.com
We also discover that Credence is still alive and that he meets Nagini (who appeared in the Harry Potter series) in her human form. At the end of Fantastic Beasts, it was implied that Credence died, that his special ability as on Obscurial. I was glad to know for sure there was more to his story than that.
Nagini (played by Claudia Kim) and Credence (played by Ezra Miller) photo from eonline.com
Nagini’s participation in the story is more of a supporting role while Credence served as the person the story revolves around.
By the way, before this movie, I didn’t know that Nagini was a person, not a regular large snake! We only learned this in this movie (not a spoiler) which makes me think that she remained a snake much as Peter Pettigrew remained a rat (called Scabbers by the Weasley family) to hide in plain sight. Or maybe she got stuck in that form? I guess we will find out eventually.
In the story, Credence is on a quest to find out who he was. The importance of his character in the story is hinted at several times but does not fully reveal itself until you reach the end of the movie. We know he is a powerful wizard because he was an Obscurial (this was mentioned in Fantastic Beasts 1), so we presume he came from a powerful wizarding family, but which one? What is your guess?
What are the story plots of The Crimes of Grindelwald
Credence searches for his identity
- Who is he?
- Where did he come from?
- How did he end up being adopted and raised in America by that wicked woman?
Grindelwald’s mission and/or motivation
- Why is he such a big baddie in the stories?
- What did he really do?
- How is able to get so many followers?
- Why does he kill indiscriminately?
Dumbledore’s relationship with Grindelwald
- Since Albus Dumbledore is supposedly the only one who can defeat Grindelwald why doesn’t he just do it?
- Where Dumbledore and Grindelwald involved in some way?
Newt’s involvement
- Does he work for Dumbledore?
- Is he very powerful magically or is he powerful because of all the knowledge he has?
- Why does he have a travel ban?
- How does he end up working with
My thoughts as I watched the movie
New creatures, yey! Some lovable, some scary, and some are both. We’ve met some of them in the original movie series (Harry Potter).
Niffler
Old creatures, we loved from the first movie. I have to give Niffler a special mention because … well, he is just so darned cute! He’s an incorrigible thief (reminds me of Tasselhoff Burfoot) but it is hard to take offense since he does not do it out of malice. Tee hee, and the babies, aww, the babies!
Johnny Depp as Grindelwald – Reading other reviews online, some loved it and some hated it. I don’t care what anyone else says, I think he did great! The way he flicks his wand you’d think he’d been doing it all his life. 🙂
Jude Law as Dumbledore, perfect! I thought he nailed the part. I also thought it was good to see Professor Dumbledore in his youth. He displayed the gentleness, the sense of humor, and the power we have come to expect from watching and reading Harry Potter.
Possible spoilers:
- Lita LeStrange is engaged to Theseus, but why do I get the feeling that it is Newt she is in love with?
- When faced with a Bogart:
- Lita’s greatest fear is a white sheet? Is it a ghost?
- Newt’s greatest fear is inanimate?
The cast of Fantastic Beasts 2: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Fantastic Beasts 2: The Crimes of Gridelwald is fast-paced and exciting and, at times, can leave the audience breathless. It is a must-watch for Potterheads everywhere and family-movie kids of all ages can enjoy.
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