On Greenifying & Muni PH + Pop-Up Shop
Last week, I wrote my first few articles for When In Manila (with focus on Climate Change).
This week, I’ve been busy tweaking my new project Muni PH, a website that hopes to help people make more informed lifestyle decisions so they can live more mindfully.
I’ve been thinking about permutations of this project for months, but now, it’s finally coming to fruition, and the seed I planted in my head is finally breaking the surface. It’s been a slow but deliberate process. Just how I like to work.
The key philosophy of Muni PH was also written perfectly by Green’s Not Black & White author Dominic Muren:
What will you choose for yourself, knowing that others may follow? More important, would your choice be different if you knew that thousands of people would be making the same one?
![DREAMERS & DOERS: The TEDxKatipunan Takeaway
What is the change I want to see in the world, and what am I doing to make that happen with myself today?
This is the thought that was in my head while listening to the speakers at TEDxKatipunan, over dinner with my Punchdrunk Panda partner Nica right after, over a post-dinner hangout with friends, and the moment I woke up this morning.
One of my top passions is to be a “brainwasher”; to make people consider my thoughts, my values and the things I love, and hopefully induce a change in their way of thinking that will effect change in their way of doing. I try to do that in the way I live my life and the content I create for this blog. And one day, I hope to be able to have the honor of communicating those thoughts in the same manner that yesterday’s TEDxKatipunan speakers did.
For those of you who weren’t able to attend, here’s my synthesis.
[[MORE]]
And for those of you who did attend, this is a reminder, so you won’t forget some of the valuable things that were shared with us.
Modern-day Revolutionary #1: Dylan Wilk, CEO, Founder, Human Heart NatureHis Revolution: To show love of country through patronage of locally made goods helps circulate money within the country, and hopefully pays to help educate, shelter and feed our own countrymen.My Favorite Bits: “Love of country cannot just be singing the national anthem. It has to be in our mouth, our hearts, and our pockets”; “Less for self, more for others, enough for all” My 2 Centavos: As a Filipino entrepreneur, I would naturally be a lover of this idea. There is SO MUCH TALENT HERE. We just need to recognize and support that. This also poses a challenge to all Filipino entrepreneurs to really develop the best products, services and business practices so that Filipinos will not have to look elsewhere, because Filipinos can do it too, and better. And really, this is something we should know on our own, without having to wait for a British guy to tell us.
Modern-day Revolutionary #2: Arriane Serafico, Blogger, Postura ProjectHer Revolution: To start mini-revolutions in everyone, and support the local industry simply by wearing something Filipino everyday, and to stop overthinking your personal revolutions and just jump!My Favorite Bits: “I will never let anybody tell me that my dreams are too big. Because I know better”; “As a wise person once told me…kebs.” (on just going for it, whatever it is you want to change/achieve); My 2 Centavos: PdP collaborator Arriane’s talk tied in well Dylan’s talk on supporting local industries and really buying Pinoy. Her sharing on our revolutions also echoes my thoughts on being passion forward, and what should really drive us. But I think most importantly, though in no way do I mean to undermine Arriane, on paper, she may seem the least impressive among the speakers, but the fact that she encouraged the audience to really go out there and start our own revolutions no matter how small, coupled with the (ngalay-inducing) pledge she had us make, was really powerful.
Modern-day Revolutionary #3: John Chua, Advocate, Photography With A DifferenceHis Revolution: To find ways to understand and change the lives of persons with disabilities through his passion in photography, and to use one’s social media network to help really take projects like PWD and the Batad Rice Terraces restoration off the ground.My Favorite Bit: “If you have no budget, the sky’s the limit!”My 2 Centavos: There is profound strength in the role of social media in social change, which also reminds me of Jay Jaboneta’s story on the Yellow Boat Project. It really just goes to show how willing people are to help if you just give them an avenue to contribute what they can, if not with finances, then with their knowledge, skill, and most importantly, clout.
Modern-day Revolutionary #4: Anna Oposa, Chief Mermaid, Save Philippine SeasHer Revolution: To stop global whining. And to save the Philippine seas, home of the richest marine biodiversity in the planet, by stopping its abuse and destruction through legal discourse, social media, education, and enforcement of conservation programs.My Favorite Bits: “The worst global issue is apathy”; “Boys are replaceable, marine wildlife is not.”My 2 Centavos: I’ve listened to Anna speak at the first IMMAP Open Mic Night, and a lot of what she said yesterday were the same ideas she shared back then. And it was still as great to hear. Her talk was like an amped up version of Arriane’s talk on starting your own revolution and Anna is a prime example of the tsunami-esque waves a single person can make that create ripples that the whole world can see, feel, and be inspired by. We whine and bitch and judge others a lot for the actions, while we sit idly waiting for change to happen. Anna reminds us to STOP MAKING EXCUSES.
Modern-day Revolutionary #5: Pie Alvarez, 24-year-old Mayor, San Vicente, PalawanHer Revolution: To get younger people into governance and “wake-up” the system.My Favorite Bit: “Mahatma Gandhi said…oh my God! Wait no, he didn’t say that. Mahatma Gandhi said be the change you want to see in the world.” (while fretting over the uncooperative slide remote thingee)My 2 Centavos: Pie also encourages us to look at our core, at what we are naturally good at or what we are naturally drawn to do, and see how we can use that to create change. For her, her “naturally bossy” self and her desire to solve the people’s problems are what got her to where she is. And I agree that we need more young, idealistic, untainted people like her in the system if we want to change it. This is not to discount the experience of the older generation, but the addition of young blood is very necessary for change. I took a picture with her in case she becomes President.
Modern-day Revolution #6: Maria Ressa, CEO & Executive Director, RapplerHer Revolution: To fight corruption by encouraging us, the youth especially, to draw a line we will never cross.My Favorite Bits: “Evil is knowing better but doing worse”; “Sometimes doing the wrong thing seems to be the only way to get ahead. You have to find the courage to say NO. The first time is always the most difficult. But it defines you moving forward”; “When you choose to draw your line and you choose to stay on the idealistic side you have the possibility of translating that action through your social networks”My 2 Centavos: Nothing and no one could have ended the series of yesterday’s TEDx talks more perfectly then Maria Ressa. After all the prior talks, especially from the younger speakers, the audience was inspired, pumped and ready for action. But Maria’s perspective was very necessary to remind us of the bumps along the way, the tests of character, the very real temptations that lure us towards corruption. I can only hope that once we all involve ourselves in these pursuits for the betterment of our country, that our ideals and our principles remain intact. And that we never cross the line we’ve drawn.
These 6 individuals really give me hope in Filipinos, and in effect, in the Philippines.
So now, I turn the question to you.
What change do you want to see in the world, and what are you doing the make that happen with yourself today?
Jen
Follow my tweets • Find me on Facebook • Sign up for my newsletter • E-mail me](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5r1ddLdEz1r0u81eo1_1280.jpg)
DREAMERS & DOERS: The TEDxKatipunan Takeaway
What is the change I want to see in the world, and what am I doing to make that happen with myself today?
This is the thought that was in my head while listening to the speakers at TEDxKatipunan, over dinner with my Punchdrunk Panda partner Nica right after, over a post-dinner hangout with friends, and the moment I woke up this morning.
One of my top passions is to be a “brainwasher”; to make people consider my thoughts, my values and the things I love, and hopefully induce a change in their way of thinking that will effect change in their way of doing. I try to do that in the way I live my life and the content I create for this blog. And one day, I hope to be able to have the honor of communicating those thoughts in the same manner that yesterday’s TEDxKatipunan speakers did.
For those of you who weren’t able to attend, here’s my synthesis.
The Unfixable, Unhackable, Untenable New Macbook Series
For those of you who like me, are contemplating on getting brand new Apple laptops, check out the very informative, contemplative article above. Then remember The Story of Electronics? If not, watch the video here.
The above article and the post on The Story of Electronics should serve as tools to help guide you accordingly in your laptop purchase, or your purchase of anything for that matter.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t buy Apple laptops, because I most probably will end up buying one after lusting for a new one for so long, as evidenced in all these posts. What I am saying is that we really should be more responsible, conscientious consumers because our superfluous consumption is a very real threat to the planet.
That’s it, pancit.
Peace out,
Jen
Follow my tweets • Find me on Facebook • Sign up for my newsletter • E-mail me
Seeking “Discomfort” & Discovering Your Passions
In a previous post, I theorized that passion is living uncomfortably on purpose, and briefly mentioned taking a Passion Test Workshop (based on the book by Janet and Chris Attwood) with Lois Yasay or We Are Sole Sisters.
Finding your true passions and living your ideal life really necessitate stripping down your life and getting rid of the non-essentials, which you might have thought were essentials in your life before. It forces you to make decisions you previously avoided (which is a decision to not take action), really acknowledge the core of your being, and choose in favor of your passions.
DREAMER & DOER: Alessandra Lanot of Pipino Vegetarian Restaurant by PINO
[I’m starting this segment, DREAMER & DOER, to feature various inspiring people I meet, and whom I believe you guys can draw inspiration from as well. I’ll be featuring travelers, entrepreneurs, vegetarians, yogis, designers, writers, planeteers, or people who are a ridiculous mix of this all…the big dreamers who are also big doers; turning their passion into action.]
I’ve gotten to know Alessandra Lanot, or Alessa, through our Punchdrunk Panda blogger hangout at Pipino last March, our cooking session 2 weeks ago, and Passion Test Workshop with Lois Yasay the other Sunday, which Alessa and I participated in, and incidentally, was also held at Pipino.
Alessa is one of those super slashies who still manages to to do well with each slash. She’s a vegetarian/vegan restaurant owner/designer/blogger/wife/teacher/crafter, and a DMC brand ambassador too!
TEDxKatipunanAve
June 16, 2012
(Registration is until June 3 only)
It is no secret that I am a lover of TED talks, so naturally, I was extremely thrilled to find out that Francis Tan was organizing a TEDx here in Manila.
Like any other TED / TEDx event, it promises to leave the audience inspired with talks from passionate change-makers like Maria Ressa (Former CNN correspondent, former ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs Head), Arriane Serafico (Blogger, Postura Project, and one of our collaborators at Punchdrunk Panda!), Dylan Wilk (Founder of Human Heart Nature Philippines), Anna Oposa (Multi-awarded marine sanctuary advocate), Pie Alvarez (Mayor of San Vicente, Palawan), and John Chua (Multi-awarded photographer, Canon ambassador).
For more details on TED or how to book yourself a slot for a potentially mind-blowing, life-changing experience, log onto www.tedxkatipunanave.com.
Giddy up,
Jen
10 LAME EXCUSES THAT KEEP US FROM PUTTING IDEAS INTO ACTION
It’s one thing to be creative enough to come up with a lot of potentially awesome seeds for sowing, but another to be persevering and fearless enough not to make the above excuses in order to see them through.
Many times we come up with the above excuses for our inaction, when really, it’s just us masking our fear of things we aren’t even sure will materialize (anxiety), and our procrastination (laziness).
In preparation for my GK CSI Night talk, I outlined these ten popular excuses I hear, and admittedly, say to myself sometimes many times. Unfortunately, I talked too much, so I didn’t have enough time to share this that night.
If you’d like to find out how Punchdrunk Panda or I personally overcame some of these excuses, send me a tweet / message / e-mail, and I’d be glad to share my not-so-swabe stories with you. :)
In the meantime, what’s your favorite excuse?
Brain labandera,
Jen
ANTEROOM SESSIONS 2 by Punchdrunk Panda
March 31, 2012 • Cubao X
This has been the happiest video I’ve had to edit so far. :D
Granted, it took me two months after the event before I actually churned out this video, mostly due to the amount of footage, my workload, and sometimes, most of the time, really just procrastination. But yeah, I found myself smiling stupidly and laughing while reviewing the clips.
I’m bummed that I had to cut out a lot of other fun footage (I imposed a 2.5-minute limit upon myself, for the benefit of those with attention deficit), but I think that essentially, what I have on the video is representative of the good vibes and happy energy of the night (happiest moment is 1:29). :D My work here is done.
I wonder when the next Anteroom Sessions will be. :)
Pa-pa-pa-pa-paaaaaaaa,
Jen
