Wetlands: Protecting nature’s vital ecosystems

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Feb 1, 2025 00:02 AM

  

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The Senate’s approval on third and final reading, of Senate Bill No. 1536, seeking to strengthen the protection of the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP), has brought attention to the critical role wetlands play in the global village.

Wetlands sustain biodiversity, mitigate climate change, and support livelihoods. Despite covering only six percent of Earth’s surface, wetlands harbor 40 percent of all plant and animal species and provide essential services, such as flood control, water purification, and food security for over a billion people. 

Unfortunately, wetlands are among the Earth’s most threatened ecosystem, disappearing three times faster than forests due to urbanization, pollution, and climate change. “In just 50 years — since 1970 — 35 percent of the world’s wetlands have been lost. Human activities that lead to loss of wetlands include drainage and infilling for agriculture and construction, pollution, overfishing and overexploitation of resources, invasive species and climate change,” according to a United Nations statement.

Every year on Feb. 2, the United Nations leads the commemoration of World Wetlands Day to raise awareness about the significant role of the wetlands.

In the Philippines, there are eight internationally recognized wetlands under the Ramsar Convention – the LPPWP, Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary; Naujan Lake National Park; Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary; Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park; Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park; Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area; and Sasmuan Pampanga Coastal Wetlands.

These Ramsar sites highlight the nation’s critical role in global biodiversity conservation. 

The LPPWP, located in Metro Manila, is a unique ecosystem comprising tidal marshes, mudflats, mangroves, and shallow waters. It provides habitat to at least 5,000 birds of 159 species, including the endangered Philippine Duck and Chinese Egret. Beyond its ecological significance, the park serves as a buffer against flooding and storms for Metro Manila residents and supports the livelihoods of 300,000 fisherfolk in Manila Bay.

Senate Bill No. 1536, authored by Senator Cynthia Villar, proposes a three-kilometer seaward expansion from the current shoreline boundary to preserve the park’s ecological integrity and safeguard its biodiversity from the pressures of development activities. This measure will be a significant amendment to Republic Act 11038, the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act (ENIPAS), which already designates the LPPWP as a protected area.

By establishing a buffer zone, the bill aims to protect the park’s ecosystems and ensure the free flow of water from interconnected rivers, such as the Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Zapote Rivers. The mangrove forests within the park act as natural shields against disasters, while also supporting fisheries crucial for food security in Metro Manila.

Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, said that with the bill’s approval, senators take on their patriotic as well as their global duty to ensure that all steps were taken to fulfill international commitments under the Ramsar Convention, the World Heritage Convention, the Convention on Migratory Species, and the ASEAN Agreement on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, among others.

Governments and private sectors must collaborate to protect and restore these vital ecosystems. Enforcing existing environmental laws, expanding protected areas, and investing in green infrastructure are crucial steps. Community engagement and education are also essential to change the perception of wetlands from wastelands to invaluable resources.

As the Philippines takes pride in its Ramsar-designated sites, the approval of the LPPWP Protection Act sets a precedent for future conservation initiatives. It reminds us that wetlands are not just ecological treasures but vital to our survival and well-being. 

On World Wetlands Day, may we renew our commitment to safeguarding these lifegiving ecosystems for generations to come.

Jamie Rivera delivers message of hope in PH's 2025 jubilee song 'Ningas ng Pag-Asa'

To release entrance song for Jubilee celebration

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Jan 31, 2025 05:33 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• When asked what “Ningas ng Pag-asa” means to her, the Inspirational Diva highlighted its message of hope.

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Jamie Rivera

After 25 years, Jamie Rivera returns as the voice of the 2025 Philippine Jubilee hymn “Ningas ng Pag-asa” featuring the group 92AD. 

The OPM icon, together with 92 AD, also served as the voice behind the “Jubilee Song (The Great Jubilee)” composed by Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo which served as the theme song of the 2000 Jubilee celebration.

“I’m very grateful that I’m still given trust by the Catholic Church and yung faith nila is not fading, and I’m also blessed that 92AD is still there to help and wiling to join me,” she said. 

When asked what “Ningas ng Pag-asa” means to her, the Inspirational Diva highlighted its message of hope.

“This is a message of hope. Flame of hope. Tayo yun, we have to tell the people that there is hope in mankind,” she said. “Yun ang responsibility natin as Christians, as Catholics, as followers of Christ to send this message because it is our mission.”

Jamie Rivera and 92AD

92AD also stressed the valuable message of the song. The group said, “The song is really a message of hope for everyone. Sa kabila ng lahat ng nangyayari sa mundo atin, hindi tayo dapat mawalan ng pag-asa. Magtiwala lang tayo sa Diyos. At yun ang mensahe na gusto nating iparating sa lahat.”

“Ningas ng Pag-asa” was adapted into Filipino by Jamie based on the official 2025 Jubilee theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” The Filipino version was released under ABS-CBN's Inspire Music label. 

Incidentally, both Jamie and 92AD are also collaborating anew for the entrance song for the Jubilee celebration in the country titled “Welcome! Mabuhay! O Pilgrims of Hope" also composed by Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo. 

The year of Jubilee is traditionally celebrated by the Catholic Church every 25 years.

The official music video of “Ningas ng Pag-asa" is now available on Star Music YouTube channel. For more details, follow Star Music on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

How men won women’s hearts at the turn of the century

A century-old love: The timeless tale of Lolo Andoy’s devotion and the test that won Lola Tina’s heart

BY SOL VANZI

Jan 31, 2025 08:38 AM

  

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GENTLEMAN FARMER Lolo Andoy helped in the rice field and drove a calesa for extra income between planting and harvesting seasons

The love story of Lolo Andoy and Lola Tina, typical of their time at the start of the 20th century, could inspire today’s young men and women to be good, honest, brave, and faithful. It is a tale worth retelling.

My grandfather, son of a farmer-tenant, grew up in Imus, Cavite. He helped in the rice field and drove a calesa (horse-drawn cart) for extra income between planting and harvesting seasons. Sakate made trips to gather grass for his horse, which took him to Barrio Salinas in the adjacent Bacoor town. The southern edge of Salinas was thick with tall bamboo, which protected the homes and little children from falling into the Binakayan–Bacoor River that snakes through Imus, Bacoor, and Kawit.

The prettiest and most sought-after lass in Salinas was Florentina, a shy 15-year-old orphan with dark, ankle-length hair, ebony eyes, and a very light complexion. She cooked well, made the finest embroidery, and was the top village modista (dressmaker). She planted and harvested palay as well as any man, yet looked every inch the real dalagang Pilipina of every young man’s dream. 

With all these attributes, she could have chosen any of the landed, moneyed poblacion suitors who trekked to her village to win her hand. Lolo knew his chances were slim; he was a poor farmer’s son with nothing to his name. But he was the most persistent of the many swains who wooed Lola.

For a year, he helped plow, harrow, plant, and harvest the rice fields of Lola’s aunts and uncles. He bathed and fed her family’s carabao daily. He fetched water from a well one kilometer away for Lola’s cooking and washing chores. He carried Lola’s washing to and from the river.

Finally, Lola was convinced he was it. But the family that raised her wanted one last test: he had to gift Lola with "isang palayok ng atay ng biya" (a clay pot of fresh goby liver), to be stewed in fresh tamarind and served for what would be their engagement dinner. It was a tough challenge; Lolo and Lola prayed hard for success.

Lolo was told of the test after the rice harvest and took it like a man. With quiet dignity, he continued to serve Lola’s family until the first rains of May fell when he announced that he would soon leave for Laguna to fish. After weeks of preparation, he left with a carabao, a cart, several banga (clay water jars), a salok (small fish net with handle), salakab (hand-held bamboo fish trap), bingwit (hook and line), rice, and a palayok (covered clay cooking pot) to cook rice in.
It rained for many, many days while he was gone. When the rains stopped, Lola began to worry. One starless night, he showed up at the foot of her nipa hut’s three-step bamboo stairs. 

In one hand, he held aloft strings of gutted, salted, and kippered daing na biya (salted split goby). The other arm cradled, like a chest of precious jewels, a simple clay pot brimming with tiny morsels the color of Lolo’s burnished skin. He had done it! He passed the test.

So, big deal, you’d say. That’s easy to do these days, with air-conditioned supermarkets selling all kinds of frozen and chilled fish. To accomplish Lolo’s task, all one has to do these days is purchase several kilos of biya and ask the fish vendor or the maid to cut out all the livers. But remember, this all happened more than a hundred years ago.

There was no refrigeration, there were no modern paved roads, and no South Luzon Expressway. There was no electricity, and no bags of tube ice from 7-Eleven to keep food fresh for days. Imus was half a day away, on foot or on the back of a carabao, from Laguna de Bay, the closest source of biya.

THE TEST Lolo Andoy's Fishing skills, combined with an already proven farming ability, would serve his family well

Salakab fishing
The fish had to be caught by hand, with hook and line, salok or salakab. Each fish he caught had to be pabiyay (kept alive in clay jars) until he had caught enough to fill a clay pot with livers. And then he had to rush home, many hours away, with the fresh livers.

As Lola explained during kitchen lessons when I was six, Lolo’s feat proved many positive things about his character.

1. Lolo was a good provider. His fishing skills, combined with an already proven farming ability, would serve his family well.
2. He was intelligent. He devised a system of keeping the biya fresh for the duration of the expedition. Nothing could be fresher than live fish.
3. He was patient. Very few men, even in those good old days, would go through the process of catching thousands of biya without using a net, which could damage, kill, or weaken the fish.
4. He was thrifty. Although the test only called for the fish liver, he patiently cleaned and kippered the fish bodies, then salted and dried them so they would be kept during the rainy season. Other men would have simply thrown away the fish bodies after taking the livers.
5. He was a good homemaker. He gutted, scaled, and kippered the fish neatly, and not a single liver had any trace of bile. Had he been sloppy, a single drop of bile would have turned the entire pot of liver into a vile, bitter, and inedible mess.
6. He truly loved her. Why else would anyone go through such a test? 

To make the long story short, Alejandro and Florentina got married, had five children and thirty-something grandchildren, and lived happily together for 60 years. They were an ideal couple; he was hardworking, and she was the perfect wife, mother, and grandma.
I grew up looking forward to Sundays when she would serve paksiw na biya (stewed in vinegar), pinangat sa sampalok (simmered in young tamarind fruit), or isinapaw (cooked by the steam of boiling rice). Whatever the recipe, the biya livers were always cooked wrapped in banana leaves and served separately, exclusively, for Lolo Andoy, who never tired of retelling how he captured Lola Tina’s heart.

Do you believe in unconditional love?

 Stars share honest opinions

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Jan 30, 2025 07:31 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Among the stars who shared their thoughts on unconditional love include Rhian Ramos, Allen Dizon, director Joel Lamangan, Elizabeth Oropesa, Lotlot De Leon, Paolo Gumabao, and Rico Barrera.

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Rhian Ramos and Allen Dizon in 'Unconditional'

The cast of the upcoming film "Unconditional" under BR Productions recently shared their thoughts on the important idea of unconditional love in romantic relationships.

During a media conference in Quezon City, the stars had meaningful discussions about love. They talked about how love goes beyond conditions and expectations. 

They shared personal stories that showed how selfless love can have a strong impact. These honest reflections explain how true love can build deep connections and strength between partners, even during tough times. 

Among the stars who shared their thoughts on unconditional love include Rhian Ramos, Allen Dizon, director Joel Lamangan, Elizabeth Oropesa, Lotlot De Leon, Paolo Gumabao, and Rico Barrera.

"Pinag-usapan na nga ng cast kung may unconditional sa mundo. Sabi ko magulang is unconditional love. In some way pa rin, may some kind of exchange kung ano yung mapo-provide mo for a person. It is possible na unconditional siya in some ways as long as my needs are met in other ways. Kanya-kanya talaga yan sa mga magpartner kung ano ang napag-usapan ninyo. (There are some conditions you hold emotionally. The cast has already discussed whether there is unconditional love in the world. I said parents are unconditional love. Somehow, there is still some exchange between what you can provide for a person. He is possibly unconditional in some ways as long as my needs are met in other ways. What you've talked about is really up to you as a partner. There are some conditions you hold emotionally)," said Rhian.

Allen answered: "Depende pa rin talaga sa tao. Unconditional ibig sabihin comfortable kayo sa isa't isa. Wala na kayong tinatago sa isa't isa. Alam na ninyo ang mga secrets ninyo at weakness. Pero hindi naman araw araw unconditional ang pagmamahal mo tulad sa mga kaibigan mo. Minsan nawawala. Give and take and relationships. (It really depends on the person. Unconditional means you are comfortable with each other. You don't hide anything from each other. You already know your secrets and weaknesses. But your love isn't always unconditional like it is with your friends. Sometimes it disappears. Relationships are give and take.)

The cast of the movie 'Unconditional'

"May reservations pa rin ako. Hindi pa ako nagkaroon ng relationship na all mine to give. Palaging may natitira. Hindi ko na siguro matatagpuan kasi I'm too old na rin. Hindi ko pa talaga na experience yung all-out. Ang unconditional sa akin is between my dogs and cats. Yan ang unconditional sa akin. (I still have reservations. I've never had a relationship where I'm all mine to give. There's always something left over. I probably won't find it because I'm too old. I haven't really experienced the all-out yet. What's unconditional to me now are my dogs and cats)," said Elizabeth. 

Direk Joel admitted: "Kapag ako ay umibig, lahat binibigay ko. At hindi ako nagsisisi dahil mahal mo. Kapag mahal mo isang tao ano man ang ginawa mo hindi mo pinagsisisihan. Kasi mahal mo. Kung may pagkakamali pwede mo naman unawain at pagbigyan. (When I fall in love, I give everything. And I don't regret it because you love the person. When you love someone, no matter what you do, you don't regret it. Because you love your partner. If there is a mistake, you can understand and forgive.)

"Hindi ako naniniwala na there's a word such as unconditional. Lahat naman tayo may kundisyon eh. Kung unconditional yan that means kahit lokohin ka, bastusin ka, nakawan ka ng pera, or pagtaksilan ka, dapat mahal mo pa rin. Hindi totoo ang unconditional love. You can love, yes, pero sometimes, when that person you love crosses the line, then the question will the same person still be worth loving? Kung mahal ka ng tao bakit pagtataksilan? Bakit ka lolokohin? Bakit ka sasaktan physically or emotionally? That's not love. So, to answer your question, 'No. I don't believe in unconditional love. (I don't believe there's such a thing as unconditional. We all have conditions. If it's unconditional, that means even if you're fooled, abused, robbed of money, or betrayed, you should still love. Unconditional love is not true. You can love, yes, but sometimes, when that person you love crosses the line, then the question is will the same person still be worth loving? If someone loves you, why would they betray you? Why would they fool you? Why would they hurt you physically or emotionally? That's not love)," said Lotlot.

Paolo said: "Naniniwala lang ako sa unconditional love ng magulang. Kahit yung mga anak nila na may ginawang masama, andyan pa rin ang mga magulang nila. When it comes to relationships, I agree with Ms Lotlot (De Leon) said. There's no such thing as unconditional love. There are always conditions. (I just believe in the unconditional love of parents. Even when their children do something bad, their parents are still there. When it comes to relationships, I agree with Ms Lotlot (De Leon) said. There's no such thing as unconditional love. There are always conditions.)

"In a relationship, I am willing to love someone. Sa pagmamahal, hindi naman ako naniningil so I will give love. Siguro bahala na si Lord kung paano ang magiging condition naman sa isa't isa. Kung mamahalin ba niya ako. Kung ako lang ang nagmamahal, loss ng tao yun hindi ako. (In a relationship, I am willing to love someone. In love, I don't charge anything so I will give love. Maybe the Lord will take care of how the conditions will be for each other if the person will love me. If I am the only one who loves, that is the person's loss, not mine)," Rico said.

Produced under BR (Brandon Ramirez) Productions, "Unconditional" is an LGBTQ-themed movie that tackles love and acceptance. It is directed by Adolf Alix Jr. and line-produced by Dennis Evangelista. Written by Jerry B. Gracio, the film will hit theaters soon.

What could happen to Earth in the future?

 

Our planet's incredible biodiversity is under threat. Deforestation, habitat destruction, and pollution are leading to the extinction of countless plant and animal species. Ecosystem Imbalance: The extinction of even a single species can disrupt an entire ecosystem.

Welcome to the future! An increasingly globalised humanity is faced with climate change, dwindling resources, overpopulation and technological upheaval. Diverging paths for humans and transhumans, eco-technic societies dominate the globe, and colonisation of space accelerates.

Mother Earth provides the plants, animals, birds, and fish who give their lives to feed and clothe human beings, while the trees, plants, and soil provide us with shelter, warmth, and a way to grow some of our foods. The insects ensure that our plants are pollinated and assist with their growth.

What is happening to Earth right now 2025? Earth is hurtling towards its average temperature rising by 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. One climate model suggests that the likelihood of reaching that threshold in 2023 is now 55%.

What happened to our Earth in 2025? Ultimately, the general strength of the solar maximum we experience in 2025 will determine just how harsh the solar weather is. It will therefore determine if we experience powerful solar flares or coronal mass ejections, which can then cause issues here on Earth, too.

Future changes are expected to include a warmer atmosphere, a warmer and more acidic ocean, higher sea levels, and larger changes in precipitation patterns. The extent of future climate change depends on what we do now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The more we emit, the larger future changes will be.

How can we save our Earth? Protecting our planet starts with simple things you can do to help protect the earth.

Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Cut down on what you throw away.  Volunteer for cleanups in your community.

Conserve water. Shop wisely. Use long-lasting light bulbs. Plant a tree.

Geologist Ed Mathez commented: " I wish I could tell you what the future will bring, but no one knows for sure how global warming will play out.

In fact, not knowing is one of the problems. Global warming is a significant risk to society. On the one hand, we do not know exactly what will happen. On the other hand, we realize that what could happen could be serious. And these consequences could affect different parts of the world in different ways.

For example, there could be long periods of low rainfall in a particular region. The western United States is one area that is at particular risk to widespread drought."

Humans' negative impact on the environment is nothing new. We have always refused to maintain a balance with nature.

We are responsible for the climate crisis we are facing.

I see climate change happening and I see it getting worse every time. This makes me wonder how the future is going to look for us. We have failed to realize that climate change directly impacts us and our basic rights like the right to food, clean air, clean water, education, development, etc. The temperature is rising, natural disasters just keep increasing in numbers, deforestation...

There is no us without mother nature. 

It's never too late!

 

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it.

The first phrase, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been,” means you can always work towards your dreams or improve yourself, no matter your age or past. It encourages hope and change.

“Never Too Late” is a song by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. It was released on May 7, 2007 as the third single from the band’s second album One-X. “Never Too Late” is about not giving up. Adam Gontier stated, “I guess it’s like feeling like you’re at the end of your rope and deciding whether or not to completely give up or whether or not to try and sort of keep making it through another day.” 

I know a lot of pensioner expatriates living in the Philippines for good. Many of them have a big problem – after staying here for only a couple of months, they get bored. 

Having a vacation all day, all week, all month and all year long is really not an egg’s yellow. I must confess, I experienced the same in 1999 after moving to Davao City. At that time I just turned 46…

I remember my last days in an international publishing house in Berlin. I packed up my things after signing my resignation letter. Of course, I hadn’t reached my final pension age yet, but I got a lot of ideas on how to shape and organize my “new” life in the Philippines. I never forgot some office mates smiling at me:”We can’t cross such bridges before we come to them!” Of course guys, you have been right!

Anyway, age doesn’t matter – you can enjoy the second half of your life residing in the Philippines. As many of you know already: I stayed in many countries worldwide. I could have migrated to the U.S. I didn’t. I chose the Philippines. Most important thing is: Keep yourself busy.

Sure, there is always a time when we should rest and really enjoy life. Sure, we brought our savings and many of us enjoy the monthly pension in Euro or Dollar. Several weeks ago, I read a good idea in an U.S. business weekly: “Partner up with entrepreneurs who have long been in the business, or those who have just retired as well!” Worth to think about… .

Getting bored, means also for some to start grumbling and complaining about everything and everybody in the Philippines. I always keep my distance from such negative people. We are not here to change this country and its people. Why? What for? Filipinos are also not planning to change our home countries.

I really don’t have more stress than I had in my home country before. Critics reproach and accuse me of living a life as an expatriate while wearing pink tinted glasses. Sorry, but my conscience is very clear.

I keep myself busy, too busy sometimes: Teaching, translating, writing, before on the radio, and many more things; but I always find time for short vacations. It’s never too late. It’s your life! Take your chance and enjoy life in the Philippines. And, stay away from grumblers and grouses…

Life changes, and it’s never too late to change your life. Today is the perfect time to do something you have always wanted to do. The longer you wait, the harder it will be. It’s better to try and fail than never to try at all.

Did you know? Today marks the 3rd anniversary of the soft opening of the Davao City Coastal Bypass Road!

As one of Ulticon Builders Inc.'s flagship projects, this vital infrastructure has played a key role in improving mobility, easing traffic, and boosting economic growth in the region over the past three years.

This major project reflects our commitment to building a brighter and more connected future for the people of Davao and the entire Philippines. We’re proud to have contributed to such an impactful development, which has truly transformed the city’s landscape.

Here’s to many more years of progress and success!

#UlticonBuildersInc #UBI #DavaoCoastalBypass #PhilippinesInfrastructure #ConstructionPH #ProgressInAction #FlagshipProjects

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