WELLNESS IN EDUCATION: To sustain the recovery efforts, Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF) and its partners will promote livelihood through emergency employment programs, labor-intensive projects, technical-vocational skills training and enterprise development. Meanwhile, the microfinance sector will be tapped to help create sustainable livelihood that would give affected families a chance to start anew. Initial partners are the Philippine Business for Social Progress, ASA Philippines, CARD MRI, Microcredit Council of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines. PDRF is also holding discussions with the United Nations-International Labor Organization and Oxfam to pursue collaborative efforts in these areas. (PR)

HelpPH launches global donation drive | Sun.Star: "For this purpose, PDRF is firming up cooperative arrangements with organizations like the Philippine Red Cross, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Caritas Manila, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Gawad Kalinga, the United States Agency for International Development and the GSMA, the global association of the mobile phone industry.

Immediate relief operations will be prioritized for remote areas not reached by mainstream relief distribution. Corporate members will be tapped to provide transport, logistics and communications support to enabletimely coordination of relief efforts by government and relief agencies.

This includes “information as relief” to provide affected communities with news and information through mobile phones, the Internet, social media and satellite TV, as well as medical relief through on-the-ground missions, telemedicine and psycho-social therapy."

'via Blog this'

WELLNESS IN ENVIRONMENT: China hospital ship to set sail for Philippine typhoon zone and is sending a state-of-the-art hospital ship to the Philippines following foreign and domestic criticism that it was slow and less than generous in its response to one of the world's biggest typhoons, which killed at least 4,000 people. The Foreign Ministry in Beijing confirmed the deployment of the 14,000-tonne "Peace Ark" as state television reported the arrival of the first batch of Chinese relief supplies in the Philippines. Exactly where the Ark will operate and when it will arrive have not yet been confirmed, but Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the Ark would set sail as soon as possible. "China has always been concerned about the Philippines typhoon disaster," he said. "In the spirit of helping the dying and healing the injured, we plan to send rescue workers to the disaster area."

China hospital ship to set sail for Philippine typhoon zone | Reuters: "Tension between China and the Philippines had risen in recent months over disputed claims in the South China Sea, with Manila taking Beijing to a United Nations court to challenge its historic claim to much of the strategic waterway.

China's usually hawkish Global Times, a tabloid owned by the government mouthpiece, the People's Daily, last week urged the deployment of the Ark amid criticism of Beijing's response by foreign commentators.

China, the world's second-largest economy, initially announced it was giving $200,000 and then bumped that up by $1.6 million. On Sunday, it said it was ready to send rescue and medical teams."

'via Blog this'

WELLNESS IN ARTS: Intramuros is hotspot for CCP and NCCA arts and culture festivals in 2014. It was a simple invitation extended by Intramuros administrator Atty. Marco V. Sardillo III to Chris B. Millado, Vice President and Artistic Director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Yet, behind those three words was a desire to move beyond traditional spaces in Old Manila. “[He was only talking about Fort Santiago, so I went,] 'you know what? Out of the box.' I said, 'Tara, let's walk', so we walked all the way to Maeztranza, and then I showed him the space. Sabi ko, 'Isn't this fantastic? Can't you just imagine people performing here?'” said Sardillo.

Intramuros is hotspot for CCP and NCCA arts and culture festivals in 2014 | Lifestyle | GMA News Online: "Venues of the likes of Raha Sulayman, Aduana, and even certain streets will see theatrical and musical performances, folkloric dancing, clown shows, and even tiangges and workshops. But Intramuros is only the northern tip of this cultural iceberg. “The idea is, we're going to transform Intramuros, Roxas Boulevard—all the way to CCP—as the Arts and Culture Mile for at least a weekend in February, so it becomes the most creative place on earth for two days,” explained Millado."

'via Blog this'

Rotary Clubs Worldwide Mobilize In Support Of Typhoon-Ravaged Philippines. "It has been astounding to see Rotary clubs and Rotarians around the world mobilizing so quickly to support the people of the Philippines," said Becky Maynard, ShelterBox Director of Fundraising and Communications. "This overwhelming generosity is allowing ShelterBox to commit more life-saving shelter each day but the need remains huge. We are working directly with Rotarians in the Philippines and we have Rotarian Response Team members on the ground. The partnership between ShelterBox and the global Rotary family really demonstrates how, through service and support, we can make a real difference to people in their greatest hour of need." A donation of approximately US$1000 will allow ShelterBox to deliver emergency shelter and other lifesaving equipment to a family that has lost everything following a disaster.

Rotary Clubs Worldwide Mobilize In Support Of Typhoon-Ravaged Philippines - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee: "As news of the killer typhoon spread, thousands of Rotary clubs in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas quickly set up special funds and began collecting donations and supplies. Among the first were established by Rotary districts in the Philippines and Australia.

Looking ahead, Rotary will focus on intermediate and long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts. The experience and knowledge of Rotary members in the Philippines will be essential in ensuring that resources are used for projects and programs that address true community needs.

Rotary in the Philippines Rotary has a long tradition in the Philippines, beginning with the Rotary Club of Manila, chartered as Rotary's first club in Asia in 1919, just 14 years after Rotary was founded in Chicago, Ill., USA. Today the Philippine Islands are home to 830 Rotary clubs with a total membership of nearly 22,000 men and women.  The country has produced one president of Rotary International, M.A.T. Caparas, who served 1986-87."

'via Blog this'

WELLNESS IN ENVIRONMENT: Philippine fishery talks move to formal level. Taiwan and the Philippines are currently holding their first formal fishery talks in decades, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday. The goal of the talks, which began on Monday in Taipei, is to discuss the implementation of proposals made at a previous meeting in June on maintaining order in the waters where the two countries’ exclusive economic zones overlap, ministry spokesperson Anna Kao (高安) confirmed. “We also hope to further implement a consensus reached during the preparatory meeting and establish institutionalized negotiations,” she said.--Taipei Times

Philippine fishery talks move to formal level - Taipei Times: "Despite being pressed by the media, Kao declined to provide further details on the talks’ agenda, the officials who are heading the discussions and whether a joint statement will be issued after the talks. “The talks are ongoing,” she said. “We’ll reveal related details after the talks are completed.” The June 14 meeting, which was billed as a “preparatory” talk, came in response to an incident on May 9 in which a Philippine Coast Guard personnel opened fire on a Taiwanese fishing boat in the two countries’ overlapping maritime territories. The incident left 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-cheng (洪石成) dead and triggered a diplomatic standoff that lasted until early August. One of Taiwan’s conditions for ending the stalemate was to open talks on ensuring a safe environment in which fishermen from both sides can operate."

'via Blog this'

Wellness in Arts: Philippine Opera Company’s ‘Ang Bagong Harana’ returns onstage. Due to insistent public demand, Philippine Opera Company’s Ang Bagong Harana returns on stage on Oct. 11 to 20 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. Ang Bagong Harana takes off from the success of Philippine Opera Company’s musical revue “Harana.” Harana is a Tagalog word that connotes a traditional form of courtship in which a man woos a woman’s affection by singing love songs. The harana or kundiman became a mainstream musical style with veteran performers, namely Diomedes Maturan and Ruben Tagalog, popularizing it until the late ‘60s. Unfortunately, with the advent of newer music genres, “harana” has been left behind. Today, the young generation may not even know its real essence as far as Filipino folk traditions are concerned because they are more drawn to western influences. This is the reason why the Philippine Opera Company brings back Ang Bagong Harana. “We need to remind ourselves of how beautiful our music is and how much our souls can be enriched by hearing these songs sung again,” said Karla Gutierrez, artistic director. “

Philippine Opera Company’s ‘Ang Bagong Harana’ returns onstage | Arts and Culture, Lifestyle Features, The Philippine Star | philstar.com: "“Ang Bagong Harana is a must-see production for every Filipino because it represents the very best that we, the Filipino race, can be. The show is an effective way of communicating our greatness as a nation. This will be a musical treat for foreigners, too!” Karla added.

Ang Bagong Harana will feature Philippine theater’s celebrated singers — Karla Gutierrez, Aizel Prietos, Cris Go, Janine Santos, KL Dizon, Lawrence Jatayna, Michael Odoemene, Nazer Salcedo, Al Gatmaitan, Jurgen Unterberg with the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group.

Directed by Floy Quintos, Ang Bagong Harana will have a limited run on Oct. 12, 18, 19 at 8 p.m. with matinees on Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 20."

'via Blog this'

PEACE UPDATE: Aquino flies to besieged Zamboanga City. President Benigno Aquino III has flown to Zamboanga City Friday amid an ongoing standoff between the military and renegade members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). “President Aquino en route to Zamboanga City to assess the situation on the ground w/ concerned agencies,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said via Twitter. Aquino left Manila 7:30 a.m. and is expected to arrive in the besieged area at around 10 a.m., Palace officials said. His visit comes amid reports that some members of the so-called Nur Misuari faction of the MNLF are planning to lay down their arms. - Yahoo! News Philippines

Aquino flies to besieged Zamboanga City - Yahoo! News Philippines: "Interior Secretary Mar Roxas denied rumors that some 80 armed men surrendered Thursday night, even as he noted that talks continue.

Armed Forces spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala meanwhile said they are confirming reports that 20 MNLF members have been killed.

The firefight in Zamboanga City erupted after a Monday attack by alleged followers of MNLF leader Nur Misuari who has earlier declared independence for Mindanao.

Violence has crippled the city and has forced thousands of Filipinos to stay in cramped evacuation centers.

In a statement Thursday, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda warned the MNLF fighters to stand down or face the full force of the military.
“[T]hey should not entertain the illusion that the state will hesitate to use its forces to protect our people,” Lacierda said.   "

'via Blog this'