WELLNESS IN ENVIRONMENT: PHL Mall, SM City North EDSA is now the world's largest solar-powered mall!

Solar Philippines, led by 21-year-old Leandro Leviste, partnered with SM Malls to build the solar panels that could generate up to 1.5-MW power. This is SM's second solar power project after it installed a 1.1-MW project at its SM City Xiamen mall in China. SM Supermalls president Annie Garcia said the 1.5-MW of electricity generated by the solar panels can power 16,000 light fixtures, 59 escalators and 20 elevators of SM North at the same time. This represents 5 percent of the mall's total electricity requirements. She said using the solar panels can generate up to P2 million in savings every month for SM North. Garcia said SM has two rooftop solar power projects by Solar Philippines in the pipeline --in SM Dasmarinas in Cavite and SM Mall of Asia in Paranaque. SM Dasmarinas will have a capacity of 0.8MW using 3,740 solar panels. It is expected to be operational by May 2015. SM Mall of Asia will also have 10,500 solar panels installed, as part of the mall's expansion. Garcia said the project, which will generate 2.7-MW, may go online by the end of 2015. Asked if more SM malls would have solar power projects, Garcia said it would depend on the studies conducted by Solar Philippines. https://anc.yahoo.com/news/sm-north-edsa-is-now-world-s-biggest-solar-powered-mall-053230941.html

WELLNESS IN TRADE & INDUSTRY: Israeli Companies held Trade Mission to PHL for Business Opportunities in Water & Agriculture Sectors

In a statement, the Economic and Trade Mission of the Embassy of Israel in Manila said the trade mission included the following companies: Afimilk Ltd, AgroTop Ltd, A.R.I. Flow Control Accessories Ltd, Eshet Eilon, Natafim Ltd, Ooval Valves and TopGreenhouse. Members of the Israeli delegation discussed irrigation know-how, dairy production, turnkey projects for livestock, post-harvest treatment, crop protection, agronomy, greenhouse technology, water system control, and water management. Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Effie Ben Matityau said the trade mission -- the first for the Middle Eastern country -- is an indication of the Philippines' economic importance to Israel. Gilad Peled, director of the Water, Environment and Agro-Technology Department of the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute, said the delegation indicates the potential partnerships in technological know-how and capacity-building. Doron Hemo, head of Israel Economic and Trade Office at the Israeli Embassy, said the choice of Israeli companies is in line with the Philippine Agriculture Medium Strategic Plan for 2020, which stresses technological investments. “This two-day business event is a concrete step towards a fruitful collaboration between Israel and the Philippines in the area of agriculture,” Hemo said. Helping organize the meetings were the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).http://www.interaksyon.com/business/99754/israeli-agri-water-companies-hold-maiden-philippine-trade-mission

WELLNESS IN BUSINESS: Business Confidence Improved due to Increase in Consumer Demand & Infrastructure Projects

The latest Business Expectations Survey (BES) showed that the overall confidence index rose to 48.3 percent in the October to December period from a three-year low of 34.4 percent recorded in the third quarter. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Philippine central bank or BSP) said the improvement in sentiment was driven by a foreseen increase in consumer demand amid the holiday season and a sustained growth in orders and projects. The roll out of the Philippine government's public-private partnership projects, stable inflation, low interest rates, continuous remittances and sustained foreign investment flows have also boosted the confidence of companies in the country's economy. The BSP said the wholesale and retail trade sector was the most bullish this quarter, followed by the services sector. Construction firms were also optimistic due to foreseen acceleration in activities for both public and private projects before the year ends. Industry firms, meanwhile, also had an upbeat outlook due to ongoing projects and orders.For the first quarter of 2015, BSP said the confidence index slid to 43.1 percent due to the typical downturn in demand after the holiday season.The latest BES was conducted from Oct. 1 to Nov. 13 and involved a total of 1,518 firms. http://www.philstar.com/business/2014/11/21/1394526/business-confidence-phl-economy-improves-q4

WELLNESS IN ARTS: "Biyahe" Collection of Artworks about Rural Carabao to Colorful City Jeepneys, Caritelas, Calesas, and Tranvias @Ayala Center

Jovan Benito explores this idea of Philippine-style of transportation in “Biyahe,” which opens on Nov. 12, 6 p.m. at Galleria Nicolas, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. The show runs until Nov. 26. Benito presents flat renderings of transportation scenes. Using a bright palette, Benito’s works display fiesta panoramas and classical scenes that demonstrate her technique. Dominated by that same idyllic glow that exemplifies top genre artists like Angelito Antonio, Antonio Austria or Mario Parial, but adapted to suit a contemporary aesthetic style, Benito shows that she has mastered a classical Philippine art tradition. Taking a cue from her own life growing up in the rural community of Pakil in Laguna, Benito’s canvases are examples of folk life simplified. Always in abundance in her joyful works of art are happy and idyllic figures that Benito paints in a colorful, attractive and cheerful way. http://www.philstar.com/arts-and-culture/2014/11/10/1389456/jovan-benito-galleria-nicolas

WELLNESS IN EDUCATION: PEACE & DepEd gave Bicycles to schoolchildren in far-flung areas to boost access to education

Philippine Educators Association of CESOs and Eligibles Inc. (PEACE) handed over 18 bicycles to students of Lusaran National High School in support of the Department of Education's (DepEd) Pedals and Paddles Project, a campaign to bring boats and bikes to schoolchildren in far-flung areas aiming to boost access to education. The aim of the Pedals and Paddles Project is to ease the travel time of students through the distribution of boats and bicycles in communities that need them the most. In several occasions, Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC underscored that the department remains committed to the delivery of quality basic education to Filipino learners -- especially to those who live in areas where transportation remains a challenge. The secretary said that DepEd wants to let every student know that we have not forgotten them and that they are not alone. When asked for comment, DepEd Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali, who also is the President of PEACE, emphasized that no learners should be left behind in education. He added that through Pedals and Paddles, the organization hopes to help students who live far from their schools, and in turn, improve their performance in school by reducing their travel time. Through Pedals and Paddles, Umali also said they want to encourage students to attend school and perform better and to bring the school to Filipino children." The Pedals and Paddles Project is a partnership campaign between DepEd, Bike for the Philippines, and Yellow Boat of Hope. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/opinion/2014/11/23/mendoza-access-education-senior-high-school-378216