Zoomanity Hosts 4th Farm Tourism Conference at Paradizoo

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Robert Yupangco, the visionary head honcho and mastermind of the Zoomanity Group of companies, personally met with us during our visit at Paradizoo and Residence Inn Tagaytay properties. We were actually invited there to witness the 4th Farm Tourism Conference being held at Paradizoo from July 14 to 16, 2016 and attended by several delegates from all over the country.

Among the many known farm spots in Tagaytay, Paradizoo was chosen as one of the featured successful farm tour destination during the 4th Farm Tourism Conference.

The Zoomanity group also took the opportunity to show us the Residence Inn property so we could also see how they are fully engaged in farm tourism. So aside from petting and feeding animals, tasting their meals cooked with fresh poultry, livestock and fruits and veggies directly sourced from the Paradizoo farm itself, we also got to experience almost the same within the few minutes at Residence Inn munching on their pancit and pineapple jam spread on toasted bread, a short tour of the many animals showcased there, and the zipline highlight to end the tour with lots of shrieks and laughter as we coursed through the amazing zipline overlooking the Tagaytay lake.

The Zoomanity theme parks, which can be found at different parts of the country and even two abroad, are focused on farm and agri tourism where people can get up close and personal with both animals and plant life. However, the farms were built more as an advocacy geared in promoting best practices in living a better and healthier life.

GQWest Implements Resource Conservation Measures

Wazzup Pilipinas!

GQWest Inc the country's premiere water franchising company has taken another step towards greening its operations by installing resource conservation methods in its Superstore.

As part of its Green Mindset Program the company installed solar panels and a system of underground and overhead cisterns to reduce its resource consumption. The company's Superstore located in Lincoln street Quezon City is its industrial grade water station that caters to its institutional clients like SM malls and Globe Telecom.

The solar panels installed will allow the company to reduce its electrical consumption. At the same time, the cisterns installed will store rainwater and help reduce water consumption and eliminate wastage. The company expects to benefit from these twin measures as it seeks to pair environmental sustainability and greater operational efficiency.

Since it began operations, the company has been committed to reducing its carbon footprint through its Green Mindset Program. Apart from its latest initiatives the company has also been a longtime supporter of environmental NGO's like Haribon having regularly participated with the group's tree planting program.

Register and Vote for Sangguniang Kabataan

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Inspired by the popular movie franchise Superman, Akbayan Youth trooped to Comelec national headquarters today to mark the ‘return’ of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and call for the active participation of young people for the upcoming local youth council elections in October 2016.

“A better, bolder and stronger SK awaits young people”, said Von Yacob, Akbayan Youth spokesperson for SK affairs. “We are excited to participate in the SK elections because after several postponements and an enacted SK reform law, it is finally here”, he added.

The SK Reform Law was signed by then President Aquino last year, championed by Akbayan Partylist in the House of Representatives and Senator Bam Aquino in the Senate.

The reformed youth institution is historical, being the first enabling law against political dynasties. Among the reforms are the expansion of the age-range from 15-30 years old and the creation of local youth development councils.

Akbayan Youth is positive that the SK will impact youth development to the community level. Yacob urged young people to participate in the budgeting process in forwarding their agenda. The Local Government Code allots 10% of barangay funds to youth development programs and projects.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set the registration for the barangay and SK elections from July 15 to 30 of this year. The youth group, on the other hand, urged Comelec to conduct massive voters’ registration drive so as not to disenfranchise young people.

“We should get the information out there”, the youth group said in a statement. “15 days of voters’ registration may not be enough if people are not informed”, Yacob argued.

Akbayan Youth also recommended that Comelec partners with the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education to excuse students when they register to vote during school hours.