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Coca-Cola and WWF unveil a living, breathing billboard

If you pass along Northbound EDSA-Forbes, you'll see the country's first plant billboard. The ad represents a long-standing partnership between two international organizations to make a positive difference for the environment. According to botanist Anthony Gao, each plant can absorb up to 13 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Says Gao, "This billboard helps alleviate air pollution within its proximate areas as it can absorb up to 46,800 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere." According to Coca-Cola, only recyclable materials were used for the billboard: the plants are housed in 3600 recycled bottles, designed to hold the plants securely and to allow the plants to grow sideways. Holes were added to ensure proper drainage and to hold hydroponic drip-lines in place. In order for the plants to get the necessary water and nutrients, a drip irrigation system was installed, working on a schedule. This method saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to slowly drip to the roots of plants, and allows the plants to get what they need, when they need it.
The plant billboard stands 60 feet tall and measures 60 feet wide. On the ad, a Coke bottle's silhouette is surrounded by a type of Fukien tea plant, which absorbs air pollutants. (Photo by Coca-Cola Philippines)

"We are proud to have brought to life the very first plant billboard in the country. It is an embodiment of our company's Live Positively commitment to making a positive difference in the world by incorporating sustainability into everything we do. With this, we hope to inspire Filipinos to join us in our journey, because we know that together, we can make a positive impact," said Guillermo Aponte, president of Coca-Cola Philippines. "We're grateful for Coca-Cola Philippines' commitment to partner with WWF, focusing on water stewardship and climate protection", said Lory Tan, vice-chair and CEO of WWF. "Through these partnerships, we will work to help Coca-Cola Philippines achieve its Live Positively environmental targets and strive towards environmental sustainability in the Philippines."

(Photo by Coca-Cola Philippines)

Climate Change Adaptation Programme for Island Garden City of Samal

Imagine the rhythmic lapping of waves on a powdered ivory shoreline, punctuated by the occasional rustling of coconut fronds, given life by the sea breeze. The Samal Island of today still boasts of unspoiled beaches, productive coral reefs and verdant forests. As we face a climate-defined future, however, the Samal Island of tomorrow may be a very different place.

Photo from samal.gov

Renowned not just for its unique name but for the extensive wealth of its natural resources, the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) faces a promising future. The ballooning population of Davao City promises millions in revenues from tourism. Unfortunately, destructive development, agricultural runoff and climate change effects have already be gun to assail IGACOS' beaches, reefs and forests negating its differential advantage as a tourism destination. To address this, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), European Union (EU) and the local government of IGACOS are embarking on an ambitious four-year program to build-up the resilience of the region's coastal ecosystems while identifying and reducing potential climate change-related vulnerabilities all to improve the lives and livelihoods of native Samaleos. The project aims to ensure that effective climate change adaptation strategies are developed and will be implemented and that related adaptation strategies are integrated into local planning frameworks for associated coastal and island ecosystems by empowered and resourced stakeholders. WWF-Philippines Vice-Chair and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan says, "The economic sufficiency and stability of IGACOS is driven by its agriculture, fisheries and tourism businesses. About 18,000 people alone are dependent on fishing for both subsistence and livelihood. What happens to the tourism sector when sea levels rise to reclaim IGACOS' ivory beaches? Where will fisherfolk cast their lines when coral reef productivity dwindles due to bleaching or acidification?" Concludes Tan, "IGACOS is barely a stone's throw away from the coastline of Davao City. This is both boon and bane. By working with Samaleos to develop sustainable sources of food, energy and water, plus effective ways of adapting to climate change effects, we may help protect the lives and livelihoods of the 96,000 inhabitants of this island paradise. More than just sustainability, our goal is to help IGACOS build its viability and competitiveness, as we head toward a climate-defined future."

IGACOS Workshop June 15, 2011. (Photo by Ruel Pine)

Saving Mermaids in the Davao Gulf Did You Know...

Gentle Dugongs (Dugong dugon) gave rise to the legendary Sirenas or Mermaids of old mariners? YES! And they inhabit shallow waters of the IndoPacific, wherever seagrass is most abundant. Sizeable herds of Dugong once plied the Philippine archipelago until hunting and habitat degradation reduced overall numbers. Small pockets now hold out in Southern Mindanao, Palawan and Isabela keeping seagrass meadows cropped, healthy and productive.
Dugongs are classified by the IUCN as Vulnerable and are protected under DENR Administrative Order No. 55, Series of 1991. It is one of the flagship species that the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) protects in the Philippines.
The gentle Dugong is planet Earth's only truly herbivorous marine mammal. (Jurgen Freund)

Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications recently partnered with WWF to encourage citizens to help save Dugongs and the other charismatic creatures of the Davao Gulf. Last June, the wireless leader launched its Text-to-Donate service, an SMS-based donation platform that empowers over 46 Million Smart and Talk 'N Text subscribers to easily contribute to WWF's biodiversity conservation programs via mobile phones. Funds raised through this platform will be used by WWF-Philippines in their efforts to rehabilitate and preserve the Davao Gulf, which is a known habitat for Dugongs.

preserve the Davao Gulf, which is a known habitat for Dugongs. Smart and Talk 'N Text subscribers can make a one-time donation for as low as five pesos or as much as PHP1000. To donate, they only need to text WWF to 4483. Valid values are 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 and 1000. The donated amount will be deducted from the subscriber's prepaid load or be billed to the account if user is a post-paid subscriber.

Once-sizeable herds of Dugongs once plied the Philippine archipelago. (Jurgen Freund)

Smart Public Affairs Head Mon Isberto and WWF-Philippines Vice-Chair and CEO Lory Tan during the launching of the Text-to-Donate program designed to protect the Dugongs of the Davao Gulf. (Photo by Smart Communications)

Sikat Ako update

This October, the Philippines will be joining the 23rd World Solar Challenge with its entry, SIKAT II. Made by a team of De La Salle University (DLSU) engineering students and faculty members, the SIKAT II solar-powered car was made possible through the Philippine Solar Challenge Society, Inc. (PSCSI) a non-stock, non-profit organization which aims to promote the beneficial use of renewable energy sources - including, but not limited to, solar power.
- Solar race cars are out to prove that solarpowered vehicles can have both the speed and range to outdistance many others powered solely by fuel. Shown here is SIKAT I, a Filipino-made, second-generation solar car. (Photo by The Philippine Solar Car Challenge Society)

Four (4) WWF donors are now vying for a slot to join the Philippine Team through our Sikat Ako Donor Challenge, made possible by WWF's Chairman, Mr. Vincent Perez. Donor-challengers Rossini Conwi, Romy Sison, Catherine Tabal and Erico Garcia submitted the best donor stories of all. The donor story amounts for 40% of the challenger's total points. Romy and Catherine are leading with 33 points, followed closely by Erico at 32 points and then by Rossini at 31 points. On to the next level of the donor challenge! Who will get the most points in encouraging other friends to help save the environment through wwf.org.ph/donate? Stay tuned!

WWF Fundraiser Spotlight on Maymay Quinto

"Excuse me, two minutes for the environment?"
I have been using this line for two-and-a-half years now. I am a WWF Fundraiser and I educate every

I have been using this line for two-and-a-half years now. I am a WWF Fundraiser and I educate every single person I talk to on the field about the environment. Whether they sign up to become a supporter or not, I make sure that they walk away knowing something about it. They may go home and decide to have a look at the website, they may decide to volunteer or make a donation in the future. I would say being a fundraiser has helped me become a better and bigger person. It has taught me PATIENCE in its truest sense. Rejections are EVERYWHERE, so the toughest part is managing your emotions. I just always have this thought in mind: At the end of the day, I'm just trying to help save the Earth, what can be more important than this? After all, we only have one Earth, right? We work in the rain and the scorching heat of the sun but what's that when you think of the lives lost during Typhoon Ondoy, food shortages, the destruction of species and our future generations? It's nothing. What I get from this job outweighs all of the rejections and difficulties I've ever faced. No one can do this job just for the money. You have to be passionate about it, I am and I love it.

(Photo by WWF-Philippines)

Thanks to donors like you who stopped and listened to our fundraisers the cheerful bunch in front of the panda tarpaulin in underpasses, malls and selected event sites. (Photo by Jun Bagaindoc)

WIN A DUGONG PLUSH TOY!

Because we want to give our donors a treat every once in a while, we figured you would love to get one of those limited edition dugong toys. Follow these simple steps and prepare to welcome a dugong right at your doorstep! Using a SMART or TALK N' TEXT SIM card, text WWF 5 to 4483. You will receive a message from 4483. Send your complete name and the trace number from that message to donorsupport@wwf.org.ph. The first FIVE (5) donors to send in their names and trace numbers shall receive limited edition dugong plush toys. We will deliver the dugong toy to your preferred mailing address. Promo ends on August 15, 2011. Why do you donate to WWF-Philippines? Send your stories and experiences to donorsupport@wwf.org.ph and you could be in our next newsletter! We look forward to hearing from you!

Pandamail is the newsletter of WWF-Philippines 4/F, JBD Plaza Building 65 Mindanao Avenue, Bagong Pag-asa Quezon City 1105, Philippines

For comments and suggestions: Email: donorsupport@wwf.org.ph Phone: +63 2 895-6294

wwf.org.ph facebook.com/WWF.Philippines twitter.com/WWF_Philippines 2011 WWF-Philippines

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