World News Bits

We are delighted to announce that William Reilly (Past Rotary International President) will be a keynote speaker at World Water Summit IV, in New Orleans, May 20, 2011.

In May 2010 William (Bill) Reilly was appointed by President Obama to co-chair the National Commission on the BP Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. His career involves much work on environmental issues. To name just a few, under President Bush, he was the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, is Chairman Emeritus of the World Wildlife Fund, Co-Chair of the National Commission on Energy Policy, and head of the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Earth Summit at Rio, in 1992.

Bill will speak about the oil spill and its impact, water, sanitation and sustainable living.

We hope you are able to join us for this inspiring and interesting presentation along with the other high calibre speakers and workshops at the Summit.

Inadequate sanitation can contaminate drinking water sources Register NOW for:

World Water Summit IV
Friday, May 20, 2011
New Orleans, USA

Building Communities- New Thinking in International Development
Bridging Continents - Building Strong Teams for Sustainable Change

This year's World Water Summit - Friday, May 20th in New Orleans, USA - will feature keynote speakers and workshops.

News Bit

BORACAY ISLAND, MALAY, AKLAN. Have you remembered the story of young lass who wrote about THE RIVER AND JUSTIN? The person in the story loves the river at the back of their house. He appreciates every beauty that nature gives, no matter how simple it may be. He was an artist and likes painting the river.

When I looked at the pictures of what I took in my recent visit to the island of Boracay, I can’t helped by sigh and get disappointed of what I saw in what they called the Jewel of Aklan. Indeed, as one of my fellow media practitioner said, “Reality bites.”

My recent visit to the island for the first two days was an amazing experience. I was invited to speak before the HRM students of Lourdes College, Caloocan, Manila about tourism and development and recent issues in Boracay on the 1st day and then I spoke about Kool Earth and other environmental issues before the smart kids of Boracay European International School on the 2nd day. On my 3rd day, the reality of being in the island woke me up at 4 AM. One Akelco post BLASTED with a big bang. Apparently, there was one cross arm that have already blasted earlier that caused brownout at 3 AM. I thought that was it. Another blast came off and this time, we have witnessed, it was a human intervention. As one lineman was doing its best to put the line right, and by the time his long stretch plastic pipe reached the wrong line, then it resulted to another big and loud blast.

Surprisingly, as I looked around, I was the only one who was panicking and in paranoia. My European friends told me while laughing that this is a normal situation for them. “It feels like new year everyday”, one said. That was really a surprised to me. Then I realized, I am a tourist in my own town, tsk..tsk. But I told them I can’t put up with this. Knowing that the post and the blast is coming from just besides our hotel room building, I thought, something has to be done. For everyone has social responsibility: to themselves, to their families, to the communities, to other taxpayers, to society.

On the other hand, talking to a lineman while watching one on top of the post swinging smoothly as if he was not aware how dangerous his job gave me an understanding of how carefree and complacent Akelco management can be. They really could not do their job right in the first place. "We are waiting for advise from the management to transfer that line to the other post to make it right, mam," said one lineman. Tsk..tsk....

Then here comes another reality. At the back beach where Romanians love to kite board, it was an eyesore sight that can’t be missed. The long stretch of beach line was full with dirty leaves, dried coconut husk, seaweeds, etc. What a wonderful sight to behold when I saw father and son naively walking barefooted on the seashore not minding the danger that the garbage will cause them. How irresponsible the LGU, residents and businessmen can be? How greedy of money/profit but not being socially responsible of giving back to Mother Earth.

I hope by building awareness in this column, we can encourage individuals and corporate people in this island, particularly in the part of Bolabog (back beach) to commit to social responsibility and do their bit for the island jewel – Boracay.

LITTLE THING MEANS SOMETHING.

(Note: Attention Fire Office of Boracay, will you check that hotel bldg if that fire exit is on its right place? Think about this, if the fire will come from this overloaded post beside it, and the guests will have to vacate the area if fire breaks down, isn't it like "exiting" to HELL?!!!! It happened once when the blast came up, there was a fire on the trees and nobody took notice, huh! So, what are you waiting men??!!!) - concerned citizens

KOOL EARTH IN BORACAY ISLAND, Feb. 2, 2011

It was a breezy cold morning here in the island of Boracay. The invitational talk today was so great....

Ms. Kate Bliss invited KE to speak about their advocacies. So,= off Megs to the island while Chita at the last minute couldn't make it for some urgent matters (waaaahhh)...

Boracay European International School is up on the hill of Manoc-Manoc in Boracay Island. You will never expect that there is this international institution setting up on that heavenly hill where you can see the white beach and beautiful scenery of the island....so breezy, cool and the welcoming party was warmth enough for Megs to be inspired (one man show) to give the talk on Environmental issues, what is KE .... and more? Yeah, the kids even clapped their hands to affirm that they are willing to bear with only one speaker hehehehe Sec. Megs also has to speak on COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE (understanding types of communicator to get your message across..) would benefit these kids as they learn along the way to become good communicator.

As usual, with the thoughts of coming to the island, you always get excited that you forget something hehehehe the usb connector of the camera to the laptap was left behind, so there you are, bear with me for now, but you will not be disappointed once you see the pictures anyway....(posted it this time now).

For future schedule, the school invited KE to partner with them during the celebration of EARTH DAY on April 8, 2011. The agenda are: clean-up drive along the beach, tree planting and health/environmental forum. Join us? First come first serve basis hehehe book your attendance earlier the better. Ciao!

NOTHING IS TOO SMALL TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!