WELLNESS IN ENVIRONMENT: Scientists to Make Rice Ready for the Worst of Climate Change

Lloyd T. Evans Plant Growth Facility in Laguna, is set to become a "state-of-the-art" building with 8 controlled-environment glasshouses, plant growth chambers, and plant processing and potting laboratories. The facility's most dominant feature will be a large seed processing and storage facility. The construction of the $10-million facility, named after a world-renowned Australian plant physiologist, was funded by the Australian government. It is expected to be operational by the end of 2015, said IRRI Deputy Director General for Research Matthew Morell. Although there are similar controlled-environment laboratories in Australia and Europe, this new IRRI facility "will be one of the most modern," said Morell. Located inside the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Scientists and government officials led the groundbreaking ceremony last January 27 to this new research facility devoted to studying the impacts of climate change on agriculture. Source: http://www.rappler.com/science-nature/82103-lloyd-evans-facility-irri-climate-change

WELLNESS IN EDUCATION: For Street Children's Access to Basic Education, Mobile Classrooms will be set-up in MM, Cavite & Tacloban

The Department of Education (DepEd)’s alternative mode of learning is patterned after the pushcart classroom of CNN “hero of the year” Efren Peñaflorida Jr. Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the kariton klasrum program will allow children unable to enroll in the formal education system access to basic education. “You cannot box all students in classrooms,” he said in Filipino. “(Sometimes) we need to reverse the system and bring the schools to them.” Education Undersecretary for Programs and Linkages Mario Deriquito said the project aims to prepare beneficiaries for integration into regular elementary and high schools. Participants in the program will be assessed for readiness to join the public school system after six months, he added.

WELLNESS IN ARTS: Showcase of Modern and Contemporary Art: Feb. 5 to 8 at The Link, Ayala Center

One of the highlights of Art Fair Philippines is the participation of Roberto Feleo, “a low-key but influential artist” who will present, on the sixth floor of The Link, life-sized pieces exploring and delving into a pivotal point of Philippine history, the Basi Revolt. “If you see his work, you will see how he has exerted a lot of influence on artists, such as Rodel Tapaya, Kawayan de Guia, Leeroy New, and Leslie de Chavez,” says Trickie. On the seventh floor will be the must-see individual exhibitions of Poklong Anading, Annie Cabigting, Buen Calubayan, Mariano Ching and Yasmin Sison, Kawayan de Guia, Alfredo Esquillo Jr., Geraldine Javier, and Maria Taniguchi. In consultation with Dr. Patrick Flores, curator of the Philippine pavilion to the 56 Venice Biennale, these shows will put a spotlight on the current media, practices, and themes by some of the most talented Filipino artists working today. Dindin says that these artists were chosen based on their track record, whether they had already “worked with reputable institutions, had tie-ups with museum exhibitions, or got invited by foreign curators.” The international auction powerhouse Christie’s will feature some of these artists, along with other speakers, in a series of lectures dubbed “Christie’s Art Forum.” Source: http://www.philstar.com/arts-and-culture/2015/01/19/1413528/art-fair-philippines-affair-audience