Estero de San Miguel: The great transformation

By Jonathan de Santos, from Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Estero de San Miguel in Manila City used to be choked with trash and was a dumping ground of murder victims.

Today, it is lined with flowers instead of shanties, and trees are growing along the estero, as River Warriors patrol for trash.

The century-old Paco Market, once an eyesore and source of most of the waste that went into the Estero de Paco, has been restored to its former glory. Gina Lopez, managing director of the ABS-CBN Foundation, said when the rehabilitated Paco Market was inaugurated in 2011, that it used to have a reputation for drugs and crime. 

The relocation of 1,350 families to a site in Calauan, Laguna and the clean-up of the polluted esteros has changed that. 

Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig, ABS-CBN Foundation’s ongoing campaign to rehabilitate the Pasig River, has kept the original 1911 architecture but updated the market to be more environment-friendly. Among the upgrades are the maximized use of natural light and a high ceiling to promote cross ventilation. 

In the middle of Paco Market's dry goods section is a multi-purpose activity center making it a community center as well as a hub for commerce in the area.

Estero de Paco, which runs along the Paco Market, has also been transformed. Plants hide water treatment systems cleaning the estero while residents tend vegetable gardens along the banks.
An area by the Philippine National Railway tracks has been turned into a small park, where residents can fish for tilapia.

A tree house, which doubles as a venue for barangay meetings, also serves as a place for patrollers looking out for those who dump trash into the estero.

Lopez says the rehabilitation of the market and the estero has spurred the construction of a supermarket and a three-star hotel in the area. According to KBPIP, river rehabilitation will translate to an increase in economic activities. This will lead to a 300-percent increase in employment opportunities within 20 years.

Lopez hopes that in the process, the esteros will be transformed into commercial and recreational areas for residents. "The conjecture here is that when you clean the esteros, the economy will boom," she says.

The clean-up has already resulted in drastic changes in the quality of life along the esteros. Because the esteros are flowing more freely, the barangays along them were spared from floods that affected most of Metro Manila in August. Assuming an average cost of P3,500 per family for relocation during floods and house repairs after, the clean-up saved the area's 1,770 households around P6.1 million a year, Lopez says.

Crime has gone down by 40 percent in seven of the 16 barangays along Estero de Paco, Lopez adds, noting that of 7,000 households living 20 meters from the esteros, 97 percent said they had "greater life satisfaction."

Most respondents, 85 percent, said they had lower medical expenses after the clean-up and 89 percent said they felt safer. All respondents said they have gotten more exercise since the esteros were cleaned up.

Cleaning up Quezon City

While cleaning up Manila's esteros is an ongoing process, KBPIP plans to replicate its success in esteros in Quezon City, which dumps most of its trash into the San Juan River. "If we clean San Juan River, we’ll clean half of the Pasig River. If we have to clean San Juan River, we have to clean Quezon City," she says.

To help raise money for the clean up, KBPIP will hold the "09.30.2012 Run, Ride & Roll for the Pasig River" at the Quezon City Memorial Circle on Sunday. Around 80,000 runners, bikers, and skaters are expected to attend. KBPIP hopes to raise around P14 million to fund the rehabilitation of San Francisco, Culiat, and Pasong Tamo creeks in Quezon City.

"The Quezon City experience is really important because it sets the template for other cities. Unless local government units take on the cleaning of the esteros, it’s not going to happen," Lopez says.
Manila has already proven that it is not impossible to transform a trash-choked estero into a tree-lined waterway. Quezon City will soon have to show that it is equally up to the challenge.

Cleaning Lady Returns Pouch With P1.2 Million

MANILA, Philippines - Few people could have resisted such temptation.

In her hands, cleaning lady Mary Jennifer Doroga held an amount that could have made her an instant millionaire and answer for the medical needs of her ailing mother.

But as Doroga, 32, returned the pouch full of foreign denominations to the airport's lost and found section, her luck was farthest from her mind.

Instead, she worried for the pouch owner, who might have been listlessly searching for the lost bank notes - all P1.2 million worth of it.

''It would've been wrong to claim something that wasn't mine. That would not be good karma,'' Doroga said in Filipino.

She earned the admiration of airport officials, who are giving her a commendation today for her honesty.

Like most of her days, Thursday began rather ordinarily.

With a take home pay of P426 as a contractual janitress at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport(NAIA), she was thinking of rendering overtime work to add to her meager salary.

She needed the overtime to pay for the medical expenses of her mother, who's having knee and bowel movement problems. She had taken her to a hospital for a medical check-up and the bills are slowly mounting.

But no amount of financial difficulty can deny one's innate honesty. She was not even expecting any reward for her honesty.

While attending to her assigned duties at the Customs arrival area at the NAIA Terminal 1 last April 26, Doroga chanced upon the clear plastic pouch bulky with foreign money.

Instinctively, she thought about the owner who had left behind the small fortune.

''It did not cross my mind to keep the money. I was concerned for the person who lost it,'' she said.

Without bothering to count how much was inside the pouch, Doroga quickly proceeded to the lost and found section to surrender the money.

When the foreign currency notes have been sorted out, it amounted to P1.2 million.

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Jose Angel Honrado described Doroga as one of the ''silent heroes in our midst.''

Amid the admiration and the accolade, Doroga said she was only doing what's right as taught by her parents.

Her sickly mother, who instilled in her the virtue of honesty, was only too happy for her when she told her about what happened, she said.

A janitorial service contractor, Doroga said financial difficulty had always been a problem for her family, like second skin.

But for someone who has simple joys and simple needs, monetary problems will always play second fiddle to her.

''All I want is to help my family with honey pay from honest work. That's my simple joy,'' she said in the vernacular.

In a way, Doroga said she is only paying it forward the goodness that other people have extended to her family.

She got employed at the NAIA with the help of MIAA finance division general manager Herminia Castillo, who her mother met in one church occasion. ''It was her who helped me find this job.''

She has not forgotten that simple act of kindness.

She may be a lowly janitress, but Doroga towers above all with her integrity and work ethics.

from the Manila Bulletin

Maximo Aton: The ideal cab driver

The story of honest cab driver Maximo Aton has gone viral online. (Photo by Facebook user Raine Cruz)

By Shielo Mendoza | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom 
If you think most cab drivers are dishonest and dangerous, then exclude Maximo Aton from your list.

A certain Raine Cruz on Thursday "shared" that Aton was one honest cabbie everyone should emulate.
 
In a lengthy Facebook post, Cruz said the cab driver turned his “stressful day” into an inspiring one.

After a long day at work, he and his companion named Hero, hailed Aton’s taxi from Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas, and asked him to bring them home in Taytay, Rizal.

Upon reaching their destination, Cruz said they noticed that they left one of their bags which contained a laptop and P5,000 in cash in Aton’s taxi.

He immediately called Crowne Plaza hoping its security personnel has kept the record of the taxi cabs in the area. Cruz said he was surprised as the hotel's security personnel not only provided him the cab's plate number but the driver's contact number as well.

He then called Aton, told him he was the passenger he took to Taytay, and asked for their bag.

“Sabi ko, ‘Sir, baka pwedeng makuha ko yung bag kasi importante yung laman.’ Hindi ko sinabi kung ano even though alam ko na pwede niyang tignan yung laman,” Cruz noted.

In which Aton replied, “Ay oo sir, may naiwan kayong bag. Sinubukan kong bumalik sa inyo, hindi ko na matandaan yung lugar.” The cabbie added that he was about to return the bag to Crowne Plaza since he didn’t know what to do with it.

Cruz said they could just meet at the hotel and retrieve their bag when the driver offered that they could meet in a nearer place.

“Nahiya ako at the same time medyo nagtaka dahil mapapalayo pa siya para lang hindi ako mahirapan. Effort talaga siya,” the passenger added in his post.

He said Aton arrived at their agreed meeting place and surrendered their bag with the laptop and money intact.
 
“Para sa akin napakalaking bagay ng effort na ginawa niya, kung tutuusin pera na yun at may gamit pa. Binibigyan ko siya ng pera para sa abala, ayaw niyang tanggapin. Pero pinilit ko pa din iabot. Nakakatuwang naranasan ko yung ganito. May mga ganitong tao pa pala. Para sa akin saludo ako at hindi lahat ng taxi driver may kalokohan. Salamat sir!

“Kahit sa pamamagitan lang ng Facebook, gusto kong ipaabot ang lubos na pasasalamat ko. Maliit na bagay man ang post na ito, sana nang dahil dito makilala ka ng marami. Saludo ako sayo!” the grateful passenger concluded.

As of this writing, Cruz’ post has been shared 3,351 times and flooded with praises for Aton.

In March, the Department of Tourism has also hailed another honest taxi driver as the country’s“model of fun.”

10 Things I Love About The Philippines

by Rachel Alejandro

When the viral video “20 Things I Dislike About The Philippines” came out, I had to remind myself to be objective. After all, the American on that video had the right to express his opinion and exercise his freedom of speech. But only a few minutes after clicking on the link, I began to feel defensive and upset.

It’s not that anything that was said was a lie. Certainly his comments should be taken as constructive criticism and inspire us into positive action to change what needs to be changed. So why was I so offended? Why, when I’m normally so open-minded about everything?

During our travels around Asia in the last few years, my husband and I have come across many foreigners backpacking through the region. I was surprised to find that most of them knew very little about the Philippines.

With no exception, we would convince them that our nearby neighbors like Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam to name a few, just have a better way of marketing themselves for tourism. They have ads on TV, travel magazines and billboards. But in my opinion, our 7,107 islands have much more to offer in terms of natural beauty. Another huge plus is the friendly nature of our people, who very conveniently, can all speak English!

This video depicting our country as a less than desirable place to live was interfering with my own personal “It’s More Fun In The Philippines” campaign. So I guess that’s why, misguidedly, I felt personally offended.

So I’ve decided, as my response to that video, that I’d like to share with you my top ten reasons, in random order, for loving the Philippines. I dedicate this list to all of us Pinoys who will always have lots of complaints about our country but will forever be proud to call it our home.

1. Ridiculously fattening food such as Crispy Pata and Chicken Skin Chicharon – Here in New York, I go to a Filipino restaurant called Maharlika, just very occasionally, to indulge in such decadent treats.
2. Boracay and Pamalican Island, Palawan – I can lose myself for hours walking barefoot on the beach, swirling the baby powder-like sand around my toes.
3. Still being the undisputed Texting Capital of the World – It’s a fact. We are just more aware of our phones than any other people. We are connected to each other 24/7. If I leave my phone at home by mistake, I’d feel like I was missing an arm and I would have to go back to get it. I don’t get why here in the States people like to leave voice mail. In the unlikely event I miss your call because I don’t have my phone on me, which means just either one of two things- I’m in the shower or singing on stage, please text, BBM or PM me! I’ll get back to you.
4. Swimming with whale sharks in Southern Leyte – I snorkeled with seven of them. Incredible!
5. Spectacular diving – I’ve yet to dive what many say is the best site in the country, Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our waters are part of the Coral Triangle, boasting of more than 500 species of coral and 3,000 species of fish. My best dives so far were in Coron, Palawan and Malapascua Island, north of Cebu. Diving the Japanese shipwrecks there was an eerily cool experience, as was seeing a thresher shark actually looking straight at me!
6. Pinoys are fun! – We will find any excuse to congregate and have a picnic. When I was a kid, every November 1, on Todos Los Santos, my family would pitch a tent near my lolo’s grave in the cemetery. We would have food and my cousins and I would play all day. In Manila, there is no weekend or weekday when it comes to having a good time. Any night of the week, it’s very easy to find someone to go out with and party.
7. Wearing flipflops (tsinelas) all day, everyday – Some Filipinos can be fashionable. I’ll just never be one of them. In general, we are very casual in dressing and the year-round warm weather allows for constantly looking like we’re on vacation.
8. We’re super mega cheesy – We love watching sappy movies and TV shows, listening to “senti” songs that make us cry. Hey, I’ve totally made a career out of it!
9. Pinoy-style Christmas – I love the constant togetherness and festive atmosphere that normally starts in September, when many department stores start playing Christmas carols. By December, the traffic is unbearable. There are a gazillion parties to attend. We eat way too much queso de bola, ham and ube halaya. There’s just nothing like Christmastime in the Philippines.
10. We can laugh in the face of poverty, even death – We are an amazingly resilient people. We can make light of any situation.

So there you have it. To sum it all up in one word, the best thing about the Philippines is US…

And just to set the record straight, I espouse healthy eating 100%. I love, but only VERY OCCASIONALLY, have crispy pata or chicken skin chicharon.

Rachel Alejandro is co-owner and VP for Marketing at The Sexy Chef, a health food catering company. She has been a singer and actress for over 25 years and continues to perform for Filipino audiences all over the world.

Honest cabbie is 'model of fun'

by Shiela Mendoza, Yahoo Southeast Asia Newsroom


A taxi driver who surrendered a bag left by three German tourists was hailed by the Department of Tourism as the Philippines’ “model of fun.”
 
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. on Thursday lauded the good gesture of Sotero Canonoy, a taxi driver who turned over a bag which contained a laptop, PSP, cell phone, wristwatch, and some clothes and medicines left by the tourists whom he transported to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on March 23.
 
“This is one happy piece of news that we need to hear more of. Mr. Canonoy’s action exemplifies the innate goodness of our countrymen. It gives support to the positive image we wish to portray through our ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’ campaign,” Jimenez said in a statement.
 
Canonoy reportedly surrendered the bag to TV network GMA7 to broadcast the find as well as to help trace the owners.  
 
DOT said NAIA authorities and the German Embassy are now determining the identities of the tourists to ensure that the belongings are returned to them.
 
“This is what we mean by tourism is everybody’s business. Each little good thing adds up to the fun picture of Philippine tourism,” Jimenez said.
 
“We all are part of the tourism experience as we all are likewise, beneficiaries. We all need to do our share of good, for tourism to make a dent in our economy and in our respective lives,” he added.

Apo Reef Marine National Park: Beyond first impressions

By Gael Hilotin for Yahoo! Travel

For most beaches I know, a thing is true in daylight but at the end of the day it becomes a lie, except for one island... Apo Reef. At first sight though, Apo Reef is like any other white sand beach in the Philippines. Nothing extraordinary, huts tucked in the island surrounded by tropical trees and one huge cabana where the rangers orient the tourists about this protected island.

But our weekend beach camp slowly unveiled us the pulchritude of this world renowned island located in Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental in the Philippines. The beach turns green and bluish farther down the horizon. The white washed modern lighthouse added more drama to the tranquil surroundings and pristine waters. Rock formations are clustered at the edge of the island adorned with verdant foliage.

Here are some suggested activities to enjoy your stay on the island:

Why being in love is good for you

Boxes of chocolates, lavish meals out and those late night fights; there certainly is an unhealthy side to love, but finding that special someone can bring all kinds of benefits too. So, if you’ve been considering ditching your partner, or are just feeling a little harassed by love, check out some of these relationship perks:

Love lowers risk of alcohol abuse

 You may be footing a bigger weekly wine bill for all of those cosy nights in, but research has shown that you are less likely to abuse or depend upon alcohol if you are in a relationship. In the study, only four per cent of people who had been in a relationship for between two and four years misused alcohol; whilst only three per cent of those who had been in a relationship for more than five years reported abusing alcohol. However, 12 per cent of the participants who were not in a relationship in their 30’s were described as misusing alcohol and 13.5 per cent of people who had not been in a relationship for more than two years treated alcohol in an unhealthy way.

Mountaineer Romi Garduce completes Seven Summits climb

Just like his past alpine climbs, his moment on top didn’t last long.

But that fleeting moment proved historic as Romeo “Romi” Garduce emerged as the first Filipino to complete the renowned “Seven Summits” after conquering Vinson Massif in Antarctica at 6:30 p.m. (Antarctica time) on Jan. 5.

“The summit day itself was the most difficult because that part of our climb was very steep,” Garduce said.

“It was a bit windy, so it was chilly, so we only had a few moments to appreciate the view.”

The remarkable feat made Garduce one of the few Asians—15 at the last count—to complete the “Seven Summits,” the collective reference to the highest mountains in the seven continents of the world.

Why the Philippines is the World’s Top Call center country

In a nutshell, it’s all about the culture.

Historically, the Philippines has always been an occupied country. Spain ruled the islands for 333 years, followed by 45 years with the United States in 1898 with a brief period of occupation by the Japanese during World War II until it was liberated by the United States again. On July 4, 1946, the United States granted the Philippines its independence as a sovereign country. Since then, American culture has always taken a frontline in the lifestyle of the modern Filipino.

American football star to build hospital in Mindanao

One of America’s hottest new sports heroes is giving back to the Philippines, the country where he was born by funding the building of a children’s hospital in Mindanao.

Tim Tebow quarterback of National Football League team Denver Broncos was born in 1987 in Manila, where his Baptist parents were then serving as missionaries.

The $3-million, 30-bed facility will open in Davao City in mid-2013, the US-based charity CURE said on its website together with video message from the Denver Broncos quarterback.

“I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the country in which I was born, and I’m very excited about this project,” Tebow said in the message as he appealed for the public to join him in donating to the hospital’s fund.

Fil-Am midwife Robin Lim is named CNN Hero of the Year

Robin Lim

Robin Lim, a Filipino-American midwife who helps poor women have healthy pregnancies and births in Indonesia, has been named 2011 CNN Hero of the Year.

In Sunday’s star-studded ceremony at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Lim received the CNN Hero of the Year 2011 award from Anderson Cooper.

“Today on our Earth, 981 mothers in the prime of their life will die — and tomorrow again and yesterday. And I’m asking you to help change that. We don’t even know how many babies are lost, but all of us can help change that,” a tearful Lim said, as she accepted the honor.

Philippines is Asia’s friendliest nation and world’s 8th best

An HSBC survey, reported on Forbes Magazine reveals the Philippines is Asia’s friendliest country and ranked 8th best in the world in the list of the “World’s Friendliest Countries” in the “Expat Explorer Survey 2011.”

The survey by the global banking giant showed that hospitality is the greatest asset of the Philippines in the tourism industry.

The survey conducted in 100 countries worldwide between May and July 2011 rates countries based on the preference of expatriates to make them “their second home.”