Evoke Prosthesis: University of the East Calocan Version

This is a movie compiled of files made by first semester, first year architecture students for their design course it was first done at the University of Queensland, in Brisbane and adapted by us to have another version in the University of the East in Caloocan, College of Fine Arts, Architecture and Design, Philippines. In groups, students designed and built small temporary installations which were site-specific to Forest garden in the middle of Metro Mainla site in Arroceros Forest Park, and involved a day and night mode. These movies document both the site and installation

A Problem Called Edsa

Their Reason

Students reasons for having a crappy output, or for a late submission
Sir: We have a lot of submissions with our other Architectural subjects...
 
Tip No. 1: make a work plan... try to schedule task...
 
Tip No. 2: for god sake! stop posting pictures of your face doing this and that... instead of checking your fb and twitter account every minute via phone and commenting to all of your classmates every move and useless thoughts... for a change why not try finishing your Major Plates... Its very useful to allot a "no-fb-day"
 
Tip No. 3: accept it! your not a good multi-tasker, multitasking can result in time wasted due to human context switching and apparently causing more errors due to insufficient attention, it will be good to eliminate useless tasks such as going to LRC and bugging your other classmates
 
Tip No. 4: there is a reason why "Extra" is attached to the root word "Curricular", such activities are generally voluntary as opposed to mandatory so you may want to weigh which tasks are beneficial
 
Tip No. 5: If you are one of my students, Why are you still reading my status....
LOG OUT!

Prices of canned goods, construction materials, agri products down

Prevailing prices of canned goods such as corned beef and beef loaf went down for the week of April 9 to 13 compared to the previous month. Construction materials such as steel wires and bars also experienced a price decrease, as did major staples such as chicken, cabbage, okra, and brown sugar. (Please see matrix of price decreases below.)

“It’s been said that inflation is all but inevitable, and we do acknowledge the common Filipino’s concern over the prices of commodities,” Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo said. “But the truth is that inflation in the Philippines has been the lowest in two and a half years. As of last March, we’re at 2.6 percent; we’re actually well on pace to beat our targets,” he added. The target inflation rate released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas stands at three to five percent for 2012.

A statement by Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda has cited the Philippines’ inflation rate as among the lowest in Southeast Asia, second only to Malaysia. The world’s highest inflation rate, as of February 2012, stood at 24.6 (Venezuela). The Philippine inflation rate in February, which stood at 2.7, was equal to that of the United States and Denmark, and comparable to that of Canada (2.6) and the Netherlands (2.5).

He added that the country’s sound macro-economic fundamentals have so far been able to keep prices relatively stable, and that the Philippines has “stood its ground” economically, despite increased uncertainty in the global markets.

The Secretary also cited the reforms being laid out by the administration as key to the long-term stability of the country. “I think it’s clear by now that good governance has a causal relationship with good economics,” he said. The Aquino administration has maintained that its programs on transparency and accountability in government will ultimately lead to jobs and livelihood opportunities by attracting more investments to the country.

New Species of Frog and Flora Discovered in Southern Leyte

A biodiversity resource assessment conducted in Southern Leyte in November 2011 resulted in the discovery of at least two new species of frogs and a total of 229 recorded flora species, 31 of which are unique to the country.

Despite the degraded condition of the area’s forests, the list of fauna and flora species proved the under appreciated biodiversity of the Philippines.

Whilst the highlight of the assessment is the discovery of the new frog species, it also generated a detailed documentation of new and important information on the ecology and natural history of many species of vertebrates that are endemic to Leyte.

The month-long ground surveys in Southern Leyte (covering the municipalities of Silago, Hinunangan, Sogod, Maasin, Tomas Oppus, and Malitbog) recorded a total of 229 floral species (31 of which are unique to the Philippines) and 212 terrestrial vertebrates species, comprising 112 species of birds (41 species are unique to the Philippines, 11 of which are threatened to extinction), 36 species of mammals (17 species are unique to the Philippines) and 64 species of amphibians and reptiles (more than half of which are found only in the Philippines).

It is anticipated that a significant number of species will be recorded from Southern Leyte with continued field sampling, especially if the surveys are conducted during the drier months and if a wide range of habitat and elevation zones (from lowland Dipterocarp to mossy forests) are sampled.

The two newly discovered forest-obligate species of frogs belong to the genus Platymantis. These species inhabit the montane and mossy forests of the Nacolod Mountain Range in Southern Leyte. Both species differ markedly from other known species of Philippine Platymantis frogs by their body size, coloration patterns, and advertisement calls. The two species are allied to two different species groups, the Platymantis guentheri group and Platymantis hazelae group. This is the first time that a Platymantis species belonging to the hazelae group has been discovered in the Mindanao faunal region, of which the island of Leyte belongs to. Herpetologists from the Philippines and the U.S. are now working on the formal taxonomic description of the species.

The Assessment indicated the general preference of Southern Leyte’s fauna to forest and riverine environments. The information generated, now provides a baseline that can be used to predict impacts of habitat change on species and to design measures to protect forest biodiversity. For local government units in Southern Leyte, the findings provide the scientific basis in designing appropriate management systems and monitoring protocols useful in protecting forest ecosystems, establishing local forest and biodiversity areas, as well as to steer the rehabilitation of forests toward an efficient and more ecologically sound path.

For the national government it will spur forest protection and rehabilitation efforts under the Philippine National REDD-Plus Strategy as part of the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAPP), and the National Greening Program.

The discovery of the new species on the fragmented forests of Mt. Nacolod intensifies the potential of REDD-Plus for effective protection and rehabilitation of natural forests and conservation of biodiversity, while benefiting local communities. Greater involvement of LGUs in conserving the biodiversity of Nacolod is expected.

The two new species of frogs from Southern Leyte will be unveiled at the Marble Hall of the Museum of the Filipino People at 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on April 17, 2012. Invited guests include Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Ramon J.P. Paje; Mr. Ralph Timmermann, Deputy Head of Mission Federal Republic of Germany Embassy; Dr. Bernd-Markus Liss, Principal Advisor of the International Climate Change projects in the Philippines of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); and Mr. Jeremy Barns, Director of the National Museum of the Philippines.

The biodiversity assessments were conducted by Fauna & FIora International, the National Museum of the Philippines, the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the DENR Region 8 office. The assessments were done on behalf of two projects, namely:

a. the DENR-Forest Management Bureau and the German Development Cooperation-Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH’s climate relevant modernization of forest policy and piloting of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) in the Philippines Project; and

b. the DENR-PAWB, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP).

The study was aimed at generating species inventories and practical information on key species-habitat associations as sound bases for forest and biodiversity management planning.

DA allots P52 M for agri, fishery projects in Catanduanes

The Department of Agriculture has allotted P52 million for agriculture and fishery infrastructure and livelihood projects, and farm equipment to further increase the productivity and incomes of farmers and fisherforlk in the island-province of Catanduanes.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said that, of the total amount, P12 million was allotted for farm and fishery projects, equipment and inputs, which he handed over to beneficiaries during his visit to island province from April 9 to 10.

The bulk of the fund, amounting to P40 million, is allotted for irrigation, a farm-to-market road (FMR), a tramline, a multi-species fish hatchery, and aquasilviculture projects.

Of the amount, P30 million will be used to complete a communal irrigation system in Baniaga, Bato, that will irrigate 91 hectares and benefit 185 farmer families. Secretary Alcala instructed National Irrigation Administrator Antonio Nangel to fast track the project, where an initial P15 million will be spent this year, and the balance next year.

The DA will also spend P3 million to extend an existing tramline system in Barangay Sipi, Bato, and replace its carrier with a bigger one to transport not only farm products but also persons. The tramline system, similar to a zipline with a carriage, is used to transport abaca hemp and fiber, and other farm products. The tramline was constructed by the  Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), under the DA. The DA will also construct an access road as part of the tramline project.

Furthermore, the DA, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), will establish a multi-species community hatchery and aquasilviculture project in Barangay Batalay, in Bato, where Secretary Alcala planted mangrove propagules.

He urged Bato Mayor Eulogio Rodriguez to develop the area as an agrotourism site, with the DA providing appropriate technical assistance and training.

Secretary Alcala also encouraged Catanduanes Governor Joseph C. Cua to consider putting up a grain-processing center. The DA will provide P15 million for the project, while the provincial government has to counterpart a one-hectare lot for the facility. When completed, it will have a multi-pass rice mill, a dryer, and a service truck.

During a farmers’ forum, Secretary Alcala raffled off various farm equipment and inputs to lucky farmer-attendees. The prizes included three hand tractors with trailers, three palay threshers, two motorized banca, two motor engines, five draft carabaos with plow and harrow, 100 bags of certified rice seeds, nine gill nets, three fish cage nets, and 10 multiple fishing handlines.

As a token of appreciation, Secretary Alcala also gifted all the 11 Catanduanes mayors with one shallow tube well each.

The DA chief also visited Masbate to lead the opening ceremonies of the Rodeo Masbateño festival. He also inspected a small water impounding project (SWIP) in Potot, Milagros, which was recently repaired by the DA-NIA, at a cost of P6 million.

While in Masbate, he also asked the provincial government through Governor Rizalina Seachon-Lañete to consider putting up a grains processing center, with the LGU providing a one-hectare lot as counterpart.

During his sorties in Catanduanes, Secretary Alcala was joined by Governor Cua, Representative Cesar Sarmiento, Vice Governor Jose Teves, Jr., Ako Bicol Partylist Representatives  Alfredo A. Garbin Jr. and Christopher S. Co, NIA Administrator Nangel, Director Silvino Tejada of the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management, PhilMech Director Ricardo Cachuela, and Administrator Cecilia Gloria Soriano of the DA-Fiber Industry Development Authority.

Also present were DA Bicol regional officials led by Director Dayao, DA regional technical directors Ellen de los Santos and Edgar Madrid, BFAR director Dennis del Socorro, NIA Director William Ragodon, FIDA Director Edith Lomerio, Director Eduardo Allorde of the Philippine Coconut Authority, Director Cora Realubit of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, and Director Efren Sabularse of the Agricultural Training Institute.

Recruitment, deployment issues and challenges to be discussed in ADD II

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday expressed confidence that issues and challenges involving the recruitment and deployment of contract workers to the Gulf Cooperation Council and other migrant worker destinations in Asian countries will be identified and discussed extensively at the Abu Dhabi Dialogue II (ADD II) meetings to enable participating governments to forge unilateral, bilateral, and regional actions that will improve the contract employment cycle.

“The Abu Dhabi Dialogue provides an opportunity for governments in countries sending and receiving contract workers to discuss and deal collaboratively with problems in the contract worker system. The Abu Dhabi Dialogue II in Manila will be such an opportunity,” Baldoz said on the eve of the event.

The ADD, an important dialogue of 11 countries—namely, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam—of migrant worker origin that are members of the Colombo Process and nine countries of migrant worker destination—namely, Bahrain, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen—is to convene from April 17 to 19 at the Sofitel Hotel in Manila.

DOLE Undersecretary Danilo P. Cruz, the top labor and employment official who is overseeing the preparation and conduct of the dialogue, said Malaysia and Singapore will also participate in the ADD II as observers.

“Most of the participating senior officials in the Abu Dhabi Dialogue II have arrived,” Usec. Cruz confirmed.

The event consists of a two-day 2^nd Senior Officials Meeting on April 17–18 and the 2^nd Ministerial Consultation on April 19. These meetings will bring together the Colombo Process countries after almost four years to continue the dialogue and to review the initiatives and partnerships under the ADD I, which was held in 2008.

“The goal of the discussions during the 2^nd Senior Officials Meeting is to identify problems and the steps that governments can take unilaterally, bilaterally, and regionally to resolve these issues in order to enhance the potential for international contract labor mobility and expand human development for workers and economic benefits for employers and the countries of origin [COO] and destinations,” Baldoz said.

At the 2^nd Senior Officials Meeting, representatives and delegates of participating countries of origin and destination will deliberate on the issues laid out in the Technical Report of the 2012 Regional Collaboration Framework.

This report is framed by the four major phases of contract labor mobility that have been identified during the ADD I, namely, preemployment in countries of destination (CODs) and predeparture recruitment and orientation in COOs; employment and residence in CODs; preparation in CODs for return and reintegration in COOs; and return and reintegration of workers in COOs.

Participating countries in ADD II will focus on the problems and issues that arise in the contract employment cycle; options to resolve the issues and problems; and the potential for governmental action, as contained in the report, which also outlines concrete proposals and major enhancement programs that could help countries improve their existing system of administering overseas employment.

Aside from these, the report presents sets of best practices and menu-tested solutions for problems encountered at each stage of the temporary employment cycle, lessons that could help in the design and refinement of preparation to return programs of contract workers.

Officially known as the Ministerial Consultation on Overseas Employment and Contractual Labour for Countries of Origin and Destination in Asia, the ADD is focused on developing four key, action-oriented partnerships on worker migration: (1) knowledge sharing on market trends, skills profiles, workers and remittances policies and flows, and their relationship to development; (2) building capacity for effective matching of labor supply and demand; (3) preventing illegal recruitment and promoting welfare and protection measures; and (4) developing a framework for a comprehensive approach to managing the entire cycle of temporary contractual work that fosters the mutual interest of COOs and CODs.