Coronavirus: Divers find Philippine reef covered with single-use face masks

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is washing up on coral reefs close to the Philippine capital, Manila. According to an estimate by the Asian Development Bank, the city has been generating an extra 280 tonnes of medical waste per day, since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Environmental groups are warning that the plastic inside face masks is breaking down and being consumed by marine wildlife. They’re urging the Philippine government to improve its handling of medical waste, to prevent further pollution of the seas.

The BBC’s Howard Johnson joined divers from Anilao Scuba Dive Centre, a group affiliated to the United Nations Environment Programme’s Green Fins, which promotes sustainable marine tourism in South East Asia.

The Filipina and culture: Her role in heritage conservation

 

by John Legaspi, Manila Bulletin

No matter how light or heavy the jobs are, it is important to have women involved in rehabilitating cultural sites

Throughout history, we have seen women depicted in different forms of art. Women sat still as artists immortalize their beauty through canvases, capture their every curve with carved stones, and write about them in novels and poems. Women as muses played a viral role in helping to give the world the best masterpieces artists can create. And as time went by, some women even went onto produce art themselves. 

These days, the role of women branches out from being muses and artists. We may not know much about it, but here in the Philippines, women play significant roles in preserving heritage sites and art conservation, doing tasks from construction works to artifact restoration.

Through Escuela Taller de Filipinas Foundation, Inc., women were able to participate and help in keeping the integrity of some of the cultural spots of the Philippines. Started out as Escuela Taller de Intramuros in 2009, it was a project between the government of Spain and the Philippines, represented by the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Later in 2013, it transformed into an independent private foundation to ensure its sustainability. 

“Our female conservation workers do everything. They work as wood carvers, masons, painters, carpenters, etc. Some of them are even involved in the documentation of the heritage buildings,”  Escuela Taller de Filipinas Foundation, Inc.’s Philip Paraan tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “As part of our training, they get to be exposed right away to work or heritage sites after their regular training in Escuela Taller Intramuros. As graduates, they are employed as conservation workers by the projects (funded by our clients, usually churches). Our trainees and graduates including the females have worked in almost every project that Escuela Taller has handled and managed.”

Female woodcarver from Escuella Taller Bohol

The female conservationists help in the rehabilitation of heritage churches and sites in over 19 locations in the National Capital Region, Laguna, Pampanga, Cebu, and Batanes. While the pandemic has put a pause on their noble mission, their work went on and continued after the first months of the community quarantine.

What these women put to the table is far beyond heavy liftings. “They are patient and detailed oriented. Though they are not as physically strong as their male colleagues, they do almost everything except in lifting extra heavy stones or furniture, but they can lift stones,” Philip says. “Our work entails carving stones, wood, etc. Women workers tend to be more polished in their output. Not all, but they give their work extra attention.”

Female mason workers busy shaping stones in Angeles Church, Pampanga

Bernalyn Lucindo, an employee at the Cultural Properties Division of the Intramuros Administration which handles the care and restoration of artifacts

But no matter how light or heavy the jobs are, whether reworking sillerias (choir seats) or handling masons, it is important to have women involved in preserving heritage sites.

“It is because heritage conservation knows no gender. The skills taught and required of the conservation projects see no gender, only the skills itself and commitment,” says Philip. “For us in Escuela Taller, we believe that women are just as good as men and the industry, the field of conservation should just be populated by women as much as men.”

Ladies in training at the Intramuros campus

“Regardless of gender, what is important is that we are able to transfer the skills, the know-how, traditions, and building knowledge of the past to a new generation of builders, artisans, and skilled workers in conservation to ensure the protection of our built heritage,” he continues. “We can say that the rise of women involved in any type of work including the heritage sector suggests a sense of advancement in society and these gender inclusive spaces should be widened and supported more.”

Started her training at age 18, Kristine from Tondo has been part of several conservation projects including Paco Park, Sta. Ana Church, and Angeles Church in Pampanga.

Philip also noted that apart from the power the women are bringing in the local heritage conservation movement, it is important to also get the public involved in the initiative.

“They can help the foundation by directly donating to the foundation to support its training and conservation activities. At the local level, they can help the churches, heritage groups in fundraising initiatives for the restoration of sites or just be mindful  of the importance of heritage in our collective identity as a people,” he advises. “Tourism is also essential and can be a good start. Visit the heritage sites and museums to learn more of our history and culture. The public can also be part of advocacies that call for sustained heritage conservation in the country. Community and civic involvement is important in heritage management.”

Images are from Escuella Taller De Filipinas. Facebook: @escuelatallerph

A woman is flying the plane: Female pilot breaks stereotype

by Czarina Nicole Ong Ki, Manila Bulletin

Second Officer Alyanna Arañez is a registered nurse who pursued her dream to be a pilot.

She wanted to be a pilot since she was in high school because she loved traveling, meeting people, and trying new cuisines.

Some passengers would ask for their photos to be taken with her to show their children that women are now flying planes.

Seeing families reunited in the airports is what tells her that she had done a good job.

When flying was disrupted during the lockdowns, she designed silk and cotton sleepwear and sold them online.  The merchandise is selling very well.

There is an undeniable stereotype in the aviation industry where pretty girls are flight attendants and the men are pilots.

But female pilots are slowly breaking the stereotype. One of them is  Alyanna Alexandria H. Arañez, 28.

Arañez wanted to be a pilot ever since she was in high school. Because her mom used to be a flight attendant, she was exposed to the aviation culture early on and she was used to travelling.

The fast-paced life excited her. Exploring new places, meeting new people, and trying out different cuisines were something that she wanted to do for a living. Instead of following her mother’s footsteps, Arañez wanted to carve her own path.

That path led her to being known in her workplace as Second Officer Alyanna Arañez.

But this woman may have broken more than just the stereotype of a pilot’s gender.  She is also a registered nurse.  But since she felt that flying is in her blood, after graduating from college, she bravely pursued her dream of becoming a pilot and entered the Philippine Airlines Aviation School.

“I feel like my personality is more fit to be a pilot,” she said. “I wanted to be in control. It’s also about service to the people. They might not see me at all times during the flight, but I serve them by making sure that I do my best in bringing them safely to where they need to be.”

She said she gets her confirmation of a job well done when she sees families reunited and hugging each other in the airports.

Arañez said being a pilot is a demanding job, but she took on all the challenges with gusto. In school, she studied hard because good grades were crucial to being accepted as a pilot. Arañez also discovered that the studying never stops because pilots are constantly learning new skills and updating their techniques.

“We always have to be at our best. We must be mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared every flight,” she said.

Arañez admitted that she was not the smartest among her peers. But there was one thing that made all the difference in her career: “I was determined,” she said. “Whatever you put your mind, heart, and soul into, you can achieve.”

She soon discovered that being a pilot was not all fun and excitement.  It also demanded personal sacrifices.  “Sometimes I don’t get to celebrate special life events with my family due to my schedule. I miss out on birthdays and Christmas,” she said.

When asked if her gender ever became a hindrance in her career, Arañez shook her head. “Luckily, I am blessed to be able to work in an environment that encourages gender equality and women empowerment,” she said.

In fact, Arañez has observed that being a female pilot actually inspires people as she would often get encouraging smiles and nods from disembarking passengers.

FEMALE PILOT IS ALSO A NURSE. – Second Officer Alyanna Arañez is actually a registered nurse, but flying is in her blood. After graduating from college, she pursued her dream of becoming a pilot and entered the Philippine Airlines Aviation School.

“It’s the 21st century,” she said. “People are more than excited to see women taking over the skies. There were instances when passengers would ask to have a photo taken with me so they can show it to their children.”

When the pandemic broke out, Arañez’s job was affected and she had more personal time than she was used to. Not one to do nothing, the young pilot stepped into a completely new territory – online business.

From the skies to online

Since people were spending more time at home, Arañez realized the value of comfortable sleepwear and loungewear. She knew people wanted to feel good about themselves even when stuck at home, so she launched @thegoodsleepcoph, where she offers pretty silk or bamboo cotton pajama sets.

Arañez was surprised by the feedback she received for her products. “I do a happy dance for every purchase made by my customers!” she gushed.

Now that the aviation industry is slowly getting back on its feet, Arañez finds herself busier as she juggles time between career and her business. But she is not complaining.

“The pandemic gave me more time to expand my creative side. I really do enjoy conceptualizing my business. I have something to look forward to since I’m continually learning how a business.