Batangas City Environmental Code, Ordinance No. 16, Series of 2010

Can Batangueños make it? 

I was riding a jeepney going to school when I first heard about No Styrofoam and Plastic campaign of Batangas City. Indeed, this is a good move to protect and preserve the environment. With the increasing rate of environmental degradation due to human actions and its aftermaths, this campaign can really help a lot. 

But many are asking how would this be possible? Here's the full scripture of section 84 of the Batangas City E-Code (Ordinance No. 16, Series of 2010). This can enlighten us about the code and can also remind us on the actions that we will do for the next month. 

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Section 84.  Regulation on the Use of Plastic and Styrofoam Materials for Packaging

The City hereby adopts the following regulation on the use of plastic and styrofoam materials for 

packaging in all business transactions within the City.

The use of plastic bags as packaging materials for dry goods is prohibited.  All business establishments shall pack dry good products in biodegradable materials such as recycled product carton boxes and paper bags. Dry goods maybe packed in plastic bags or non-biodegradable packing materials provided that such packing materials were supplied by the costumers. The use of plastic bags on wet goods (e.g. fresh fish., meat products) is regulated. Plastic bags maybe used for such products as a primary packaging material. No business establishment shall offer or sell plastic bags to be used as secondary packaging material or as primary packaging on dry goods. 

The use of Styrofoam as packaging materials or as containers for food, fruits and vegetables containers is also prohibited.

Plastic bags and Styrofoam containers are hereby de-categorized under non-biodegradable wastes and hence shall not be collected during the collection schedule for non-biodegradable waste products under the regular Solid Waste Collection program. These waste materials shall be surrendered to their respective barangay MRF provided that these materials must be cleaned and dried prior to its turn over to the Barangay.

The City ENRO shall monitor the effective implementation of the banning of plastic after six months of massive information campaign and coordination with affected business establishments. Gradual implementation of banning of use of plastic materials shall be observed on following stages;

Stage 1 (6 months from approval of this E-code) – Implementation shall cover Market 1, 2, 3 and all local government institution and all enterprises within its premises.

Stage 2 (8 months from approval of this E-code) – Implementation shall cover all educational institutions.

Stage 3 (2 years from approval of this E-code) – Implementation shall cover all business enterprises within Urban Areas of the City.

Stage 4 (3 years from approval of this E-code) – Full implementation of the banning of use of styrofoam and non-environmentally accepted and thin plastic materials.

Information Education and Communication Campaign - The City shall promote this regulation though the conduct of massive information education and communication campaign using media (print, radio, television and internet) for six month upon approval and effectivity of this code.  

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Havaianas brings two Havaianaticos to the paradise islands of Hawaii!

Havaianas "Always Summer: Race to Hawaii"

Two Havaianaticos will surely experience the most memorable and exciting summer ever as Havaianas, the world’s best flip-flop brand, bring them to the beautiful exotic islands of Hawaii as they finished on top and reign the strongest of this year’s Havaianas “Always Summer:  Race to Hawaii.”

 After competing with other 19 pairs, Michael Balcita and Bernard Rebollido of Team Rosa from Baguio City hailed as the top team of the race. They were the only team to finish all the challenges in the final  leg without incurring a time penalty. With a style luggage from American Tourister, they will now rock Hawaii for a 6-day/5-night, all-expense-paid vacation.

Identifying the ingredients of the delicious mystery shakes by Jonah’s Fruit Shake and Snack Bar (A Taste of Boracay), digging into the sands to find secret summer items (Summer Search), spotting certain individuals roaming around the beach (Spot Me), discovering famous Boracay landmarks (Sea the Signs) and inflating a bright yellow and green Havaianas Flip-Float (Havaianas Flip-Float Challenge) were the challenges posed among the 40 participants of the final leg. The final leg was held at the beautiful island of Boracay.

The finalists of the final leg received summer essentials from David and Goliath, Hawaiian Tropic, Sony and Havaianas. They stayed at the Tides Hotel Boracay during the whole race.

“The challenges were really fun and challenging and we had a hard time accomplishing everything,” Balcita and Rebollida stressed. “We’d like to thank Havaianas for everything.  We really had a great time.”

The Havaianas “Always Summer: Race to Hawaii” is one of the highlights of the Havaianas “Always Summer” campaign. Havaianas believes that every day is summer—that summer never goes out and every Filipino can live with the summer sense of enthusiasm and positive attitude all year round.

For more exciting details on Havaianas “Always Summer: Race to Hawaii” contest, visit www.havaianassummer.com or follow our Havaianas Philippines Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/havaianasphilippines and celebrate a stylish summer to the fullest with your favorite pair of Havaianas flip-flops!

Photos from Havaianas "Always Summer: Race to Hawaii" Final Leg

Digging through the sand to find secret summer items was one of the challenges posed to the participants of the final leg of the race. Their energy and strength were kept constant with the help of the hydration stations provided by Powerade Sports Drink and Viva! Mineralized Water— both advocating for an active & healthy lifestyle for Filipinos.

It was Michael Balcita and Bernard Rebollido of Team Rosa from Baguio City who topped the race. The triumphant cousins were the only team to finish all the challenges without incurring a time penalty. Kudos Michael and Bernard, have a great vacation to Hawaii! J

Upon arrival, the finalists were stylishly clad in their Havaianas flip-flops and they were greeted with special summer essentials from David & Goliath, Hawaiian Tropic, Sony, and Havaianas.

The fun game called “A Taste of Boracay” wherein they have to identify the ingredients of the delicious mystery shakes provided at the famous Jonah’s Fruit Shake and Snack Bar was also one of the challenges of the race.

The 20 teams with the fastest time in the Havaianas “Always Summer: Race to Hawaii” regional leg held last April 9 in Bonifacio Global City, Metro Manila, were the participants of the Havaianas “Always Summer: Race to Hawaii” final leg. They were flown to Boracay with the help of Seair.

One of the unique tasks the teams have to accomplish was the inflation of Havaianas-shaped floats in the Havaianas Flip-Float Challenge.

The Havaianas “Always Summer: Race to Hawaii” is one of the highlights of the Havaianas “Always Summer” campaign. Havaianas believes that every day is summer—that summer never goes out and every Filipino can live with the summer sense of enthusiasm and positive attitude all year round.

Make Hiccups while watching Love at First Hiccup

Love at First Hiccup (2009)

Boys, can you remember that moment in your high school when you fell in love for a senior while you’re still in your freshman year? I’m sure most of us had experienced the thing. But more than this, did you pursue the feeling or just lest it slipped away?

The 2009 film Love at First Hiccup starring Scout Taylor-Compton and Devon Werkheiser showed that love really knows no boundaries. It can be fashioned between two people regardless of their age, status and all.

The movie is a twist of funny romantic scheme which can bring us to the old memories of our teenage years. The movie reminded me of all the tender memories my high school gave me. Moreover, it also gave me the chance to recall how I was dumped by some and how my journey went through until I found the one I deserve to be with.

The story is quite usual; but glad to say, there are elements in the movie which are very dreamy and effective. The humour in it is effective for it made me do some hiccups in laughing. (Kind’a weird, right?) Especially in the scenes of false sex between Anya (Scout Taylor-Compton) and Peter (Ken Luckey) and the condom dilemma of Victor (Devon Werkheiser). Furthermore, symbolisms used in the film are very creative—like the cactus, video camera and the hiccup itself.

The movie also posed some important reminders for teenagers. That they should always be ready for whatever thing that might happen because accidental things can lead us to something we don’t deserve to have right now. It also highlights fame and riches will never always cause bringing us the things we want. 

Some scenes from Love at First Hiccup