More From a Blessed Davao City's Fashion Designer: Silverio Anglacer

Gown for Dr. Vina Lim

(Photos taken by Cookie Tan Photography)

"If you design like this and you come to Pakistan - everyone will treat you like a real king in our fashion industry." (Joverea Batool)

"That's I call a piquantly zestful whiff of an English meadow in spring time!" (Mae Madelette Chua).

Silverio Anglacer - a really blessed fashion designer from Davao City... .

Plastic Bags and Styrofoam Ban in Davao City

It took so long. Finally it's done!

Starting June, Davao City joins over a quarter of the world's countries that ban the use of non-biodegradable plastics or polythene bags used for grocery and shopping, including materials made of polystyrene foam.

The ban of the use of plastics and Styrofoam takes effect on June 28, 2012 - two years after the Davao City Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance was approved in June 2010.

Acting City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) chief Jospeh Dominic Felizarta said CENRO's advocacy team has been doing the rounds of business establishments, including the big malls, informing and educating owners on the implementation of the law. 

Davao City is not focusing on sanctions against violators but wants to install discipline in following the law, which in the case of the ban on plastics is indeed a big help in preserving and protecting the environment.

There are about 29,000 business establishments in Davao City based on the number of Solid Waste Management Certificates issued by CENRO after underdoing a mandated seminar. 

However, wrappers of candy, snack foods, and other such items will be treated by CENRO as residual wasters that are disposed at the city's sanitary landfill.

As we all know: discarded plastic shopping bags are the most common items that clog the drainage system and contribute to flooding.

More Support for the Ifugao Rice Terraces

As one could learn from news reports from the Philippine News Agency, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has committed 5 million PHP for the restoration of the world-renowned Rice Terraces of the Philippines in Ifugao province. 

DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said that the amount was included in a Memorandum of Agreement signed among the DENR, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization  (UNESCO), National Commission of the Philippines (NatCom) represented by its Secretary General Dr. Virgina Miralao; and the provincial government of Ifugao, represented by its Governor Eugene Balitang.

Paje said the DENR's commitment was to provide assistance to the local government of Ifugao in rehabilitating the terraces, especially in Batad which has been assessed by experts as the "most damaged".

The DENR appreciates the natural and cultural heritage that the rice terraces bear, and the Filipino people are one with the provincial government in recognizing the need to reserve the deterioration of this heritage site, especially those areas that were damaged by typhoons.

Davao Music Nation Launches Website

To celebrate Davao's widely music culture and showcase the inherent talent of its home grown musicians, the Davao music community is launching a a website to increase awarness and support for Davao music culture and Davao musicians.

Davao Music Nation (DMN) is an internet magazine created bu the Davao Music community for the fans and for anyone looking for good music.

"We have all this talent in Davao City and most of us who live here aren't even aware that they exist," says entrepreneur and website co-founder, Jessica Madrazo."There  is actually more to Davao than just show bands and ethnic music. We have reggae, hip hop, metal, folk, acoustic, jazz and many more. We have tons of great original music just waiting for an audience. And we have lots of great music places that could rival any bar or club in the country!"

In addition to being an online resource for Davao music talents, Jessica Madrazo sees the website as a means to a bigger goal. 

Jessica says: "By showing fellow Filipinos and the world how great Davao music is, we're giving them more reasons to come and stay in Davao. We see this website as the first big step in strengthening the Davao music community so it can eventually a mark in the local and music market. DMN is simply the avenue to help musicians make their music more accessible to the public without changing their identity."

I really wish to support this great idea too.

Check out more here: http://www.DavaoMusicNation.com