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Press Release: EARTH HOUR PHILIPPINES 2009 GOES NATIONWIDE

Filipinos urged to switch off lights 8:30-9:30pm on March 28

The lights will go off one hour on March 28, starting at 8:30 pm in key cities in the Philippines and all over the world. This is called Earth Hour. The lights-out initiative, which began in Sydney in 2007 as a one-city environmental campaign, has evolved into a grassroots that has attracted worldwide attention. In 2008 371 cities across 35 countries turned their lights out in a united call for action on climate change and energy conservation.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in joining hands the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Green Army Philippines Network to spread public awareness of the Earth Hour message to cities and communities all over the country.

“2009 is a destiny year for the entire planet,” declared Lory Tan, President and CEO of WWF-Philippines. “This is the year that we decide the future of humanity. Earth Hour is a message of hope and action and we hope it sends a powerful message to both local and world leaders. It is a global movement that proves that each one of us can make a difference. Imagine what we can do if we act together.”

Recognizing the vital role of the energy community- particularly in terms of sustainable electric power generation, clean transport fuels, and best energy practices across sectors â€" DOE Secretary Angelo T. Reyes expressed full support for Earth Hour. “ This grassroots initiative is an opportunity for individuals from all corners of the globe to unite and, in a single voice, make it known that their collective action can correct the precarious trajectory of the planet,” he said. “ This is a cause that should unite us as Filipinos and as a citizens of the world.

To build on the powerful symbolic value of Earth Hour, Secretary Reyes explained that top-tier corporate sponsorships by national partners will be linked to initiatives to the SWITCH Movement, the social mobilization platform or multi-sector energy stakeholders spawned by the 2008 Philippines Energy Summit. These initiatives cover community-level switches to efficient lighting; cleaner transport fuels and technologies for jeepneys and tricycles; and area-based renewable energy (RE) groundwork-setting and promotion.

“We are positioning Earth Hour 2009 among potential national partners not as a one-time event but as window to longer-term involvement in climate change response and sustainable energy programs,” he said.” Through this alignment with SWITCH, we have the opportunity to use the switch-off as a springboard to highlight the urgent for dramatic lifestyle changes and best energy practices to save our planet.”

“We fully support Earth Hour 2009. And urge companies, non-governmental organizations and communities in our network to take advantage of this opportunity to promote more efficient energy practices and technologies,” remarked Francis Chua, Chairman of the Green Army.

Last year, Earth Hour savings of 56 MWH of electric power in Luzon and 16 MWH in Metro Manila, equivalent to the output of a small coal-fired power plant. An estimated one million Filipinos were involved. Over 400 establishments participated by turning off their signs and non-essential lights. In Manila, Roxas Boulevard became the focal point of the celebration since it cuts across the cities of Manila, Pasay, and Parañaque, but Quezon City, Makati, and Mandaluyong also joined in the energy efficiency-promoting activity.

Earth Hour 2009 aims to reach one billion people in 1,000 cities all over the world. To help reach this goal, a global sign-up campaign and competition is again being launched worldwide. Last year, the Philippines ranked 9 th in terms of total sign-ups. All Filipinos are urged to sign up at Earth Hour’s global website: Earth Hour Philippines 2009 hopes to involve 10 million Filipinos and 500 businesses in key cities across the country.

To receive news updates and event schedules, one can register one’s cellphone number by sending the following message to 5777 for both Smart and Globe users: green <space> reg <space> firstname <slash> lastname. Example: green reg Juan/C/De la Cruz.

WWF, the DOE, the Green Army, and the SWITCH movement are inviting all public and private sector groups to take part in this year’s Earth Hour. “Efficiency in energy use in the light of global warming is as issue that cuts across all sectors,” Sec. Reyes stressed. He pointed out recent developments in the energy sector such as the passage of the Renewal Energy Act that should facilitate a shift to “green” energy technologies. “This should encourage power companies to now use the wind, the sun, and the ocean waves to generate our electricity.”

“Though Earth Hour 2009, we hope to send a powerful message to world leaders in the lead-up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference Copenhagen 2009,” WWF’s Lory Tan said. “We need a commitment to actions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the short- and long term benefit of the planet in order to avert widespread disastrous impacts, especially in developing countries like the Philippines.”

Taking the first step is as easy as turning off a light.

 

HOW CAN YOU BE A PART OF THE EARTH HOUR GLOBAL EVENT?

At 8:30 Pm on 28 March 2009, cities and towns all over the world will switch off their lights for one hour- EARTH HOUR- sending a powerful global message that is possible to take action on global warming.

You can help and participate in this global call to action on global warming by switching off your lights during EARTH HOUR, and do more getting more and more people to make a difference on climate change.

FOR Local Government Units:

Switch off lights in major thoroughfares and landmarks in your areas of jurisdiction during Earth Hour, If and when possible.
Mobilize your communities to switch off their lights in their households.
Mobilize stakeholders in organizing Earth Hour events in your city or community.
For Business:

Switch off your corporate signages and/or majority or all of the lights at your headquarters and facilities during Earth Hour.
Encourage our employees to switch off lights in their households during Earth Hour.
Place standard Earth Hour banners/streamers in your building façade and facilities that are seen or accessed by the public as part of awareness building.
Use your communication channels to promote Earth Hour.
For the Church/NGOs/Civil Society/ Academe:

Encourage your networks and communities to switch off the lights in their households during Earth Hour. Mobilize your networks and communities to participate at the Earth Hour Countdown Event to be held at SM Mall of Asia March 28, 2009, from 7:00PM to 10:00PM.
Organize your own Earth Hour event in your community or locally to widens the reach of the campaign, and relate this event with your own environmental programs and other advocacies.
Use various communication channels to promote Earth Hour.
Earth Hour is a major call to action for every individual, community, business, and government to act and ensure a sustainable future. Join us as we unite with the world in taking a stand on global warming.

In response to criticisms that her lips are “overdone”, Pops Fernandez reveals that she indeed has her lips plumped to make it look like her idol, Angelina Jolie’s lips. The concert queen also says she even lines her lips that people think it’s overdone.

Solar to sue Pacquiao, ABS-CBN for P150 million
By Abac Cordero Updated March 20, 2009 12:00 AM 


Manny Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines - Solar Sports will not take it sitting down and said yesterday it will sue Manny Pacquiao and giant television network ABS-CBN for damages that could be worth as much as P150 million.

“We will sue Manny (Pacquiao) and ABS-CBN,” said lawyer Enrique dela Cruz of Solar which felt betrayed by Pacquiao’s sudden decision to renew his ties with ABS-CBN.

Pacquiao has a valid contract with Solar for the airing of his future fights until 2011 but the other day announced from Los Angeles he is rescinding the contract inn favor of ABS-CBN.

“We will file a case â€" injunction and damages, including ABS-CBN for tortuous interference. Pinaki-alaman niya yung isang (They meddled into one) valid contract,” said Dela Cruz.

He said Pacquiao and ABS-CBN would be the co-defendants in the case.

The Solar legal counsel said they’re looking at a ballpark figure of P150 million to represent damages. Unconfirmed reports said Pacquiao got a little less than that from ABS-CBN in the deal.

“We’re still estimating but that’s the ballpark figure. Solar has gotten into contracts for the Ricky Hatton fight with its sponsors and advertisers. We need to cover. Baka kami ang ma-demanda (We may face lawsuit),” he said.

Dela Cruz said the case should be filed next week in Makati Ctiy.

ABS-CBN issued the statement the other night after Pacquiao made the announcement, and said it was happy to welcome the boxer back in their fold.

At the same time, Solar warned the public that it still has the exclusive rights to the “audio-visual presentation” of all Pacquiao bouts until May of 2011.

“Manny Pacquiao’s attempt to rescind the License Agreement (with Solar) without any factual or legal basis is ill-advised. All third parties are hereby warned against any tortuous interference with the License Agreement.

“Solar shall avail of all its legal remedies to the fullest extent against any undue breach and/or tortuous interference with the License Agreement,” it said in an official statement.

In Los Angeles, Pacquiao stayed focused in training, not letting himself get carried away by the developments.

“May mga tao ako dyan para mag-asikaso (I have people there to take care of things),” he told ABS-CBN sportscaster Dyan Castillejo.

Dela Cruz said what happened was an offshoot of the network battle between ABS-CBN and GMA-7, which has aired Pacquiao’s most recent fights through Solar Sports.

In another development, GMA-7 said it was “very disappointed” with Pacquiao’s decision to dump Solar Sports in favor of ABS-CBN, a former broadcast partner of the boxing icon.

GMA-7 also stressed that the contract for the airing of Pacquiao fights is between the boxer and Solar Sports, which only enters in blocktime agreements with the ABS-CBN’s bitter rival.

Pacquiao has two existing shows with GMA-7 (Pinoy Records and Totoy Bato), and gets a lot of entertainment offers but with the developments GMA-7 “may have to review these now.”

Lawyer Dick Perez of GMA-7 said Pacquiao has a separate contract with the network, and which “prohibits him from appearing on any television program, show, promotion or event of any other broadcast media entity.”

Perez said GMA-7 has not given Pacquiao its “consent to appear in ABS-CBN.” However, it was not stated if GMA-7 also plans to file a case against the boxer.

A GMA-7 news report, said Pacquiao wrote Solar a letter saying he is ready to relinquish the contract with Solar.

Dela Cruz said Pacquiao, in his letter, claimed a delay in payment from Solar as his reason, but the lawyer said otherwise.

“Unless he demanded previously there was no delay. His letter was dated March 17 and on March 16 he received the money. Solar does not owe him based on records. He even had advances,” the lawyer said.

“Under the contract, he can only back out (of the contract) if there was any breach incapable of any remedy. He should have given us a 15-day notice of the breach and if it cannot be remedied, it called for another 30-day notice,” Dela Cruz said.

Reports said Pacquiao’s move to renew his ties with ABS-CBN might be related to the 2010 elections. Pacquiao is once again running for Congress, and the network was to play a major part in his bid for office.

GMA-7 said if this is true, then this is illegal.

“GMA Network did not offer the same to Pacquiao because the Omnibus Election Code prohibits television networks from doing so. Section 95 of the code states that “no contribution for purposes of partisan political activity shall be made directly or indirectly” by grantees of franchises such as television networks,” said the GMA-7 statement.

Insiders said ABS-CBN big boss Gabby Lopez has been negotiating with Solar owner Wilson Tieng regarding the Pacquiao contract, adding that the giant network wanted everything but Solar did not give in.

A source also said Solar has already given Pacquiao a down payment for the airing of the Hatton fight.

It's No Surprise
Philippine Concert Queen Pops Fernandez and former Gwapings member Jomari Yllana has finally called it quits after several years of dating. As in hiwalay na sila. Pops is the former wife of balladeer Martin Nievera. It was confirmed on the showbiz talk show, The Buzz, the couple's close friend Ruffa Gutierrez.

Pops and Jomari have not yet commented on the issue, but it seems that the rumor is true. Jomari is neither confirming nor denying it, probably wishing to patch things up?

But really, the news did not come as a surprise to me. I mean, come on, do you really think that this relationship between the older Pops and the younger Jomari was for keeps? For all we know, it was just a libidinous attempt on Pops' part to attempt to make herself look "saleable" in the eyes of the people. After being dumped by Martin for another woman, it is no wonder that Pops wanted revenge. She transformed herself into a vamp, complete with all the physical enhancements allowed on her body.

It can be remembered that Pops also went out with model Brad Turvey and after their relationship ended, she took on Jomari Yllana.

Well, I guess we cannot really judge these kinds of affairs. After all, Eula did marry her younger beau. But as for Pops, I dunno. She used to be a level-headed, family loving woman. She used to talk about how happy her marriage was with Martin, how they keep it alive and growing, and how they have grown as a family. But somehow along the way, Martin got tempted and got involved with another woman.

Pops could have gotten up on a different note. But instead, she chose the path where she had relationships with younger men. I dunno how it could have salvaged her image and her self-esteem, but that is what she did. Her choices were questionable. But there is no question that she is a very good performer.

So for me, it is no wonder that her relationship with Jomari has ended. It was just a matter of when, like a bomb waiting to explode.

I hope she will find a nice gentleman who is willing to be her lifetime partner.

Heard about the Master Cleanser?

The Master Cleanse, also known as the Lemon Cleanse and the Maple Syrup Diet, is a dieting program created by Stanley Burroughs in 1941 and made popular by Peter Glickman through his book Lose Weight, Have More Energy and Be Happier in 10 Days, which promotes Burroughs' regimen to a modern audience. [1] Burroughs states that it is a detoxification program that aids in the removal of harmful toxins from within the body, as well as a reducing diet for loss of weight,[2] and a cure for ulcers[2] and "every kind of disease,"[2] resulting in "the correction of all disorders."[2] For promoting a regimen which included the master cleanse, the creator of the diet was convicted of unlawfully selling devices he claimed could cure cancer, and practicing medicine without a license