PHLPost assists Red Cross in relief assistance

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has partnered with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) in the distribution of Cash for Relief Assistance for “Typhoon Tisoy” for affected communities of Sta. Elena and Prieto Diaz in Sorsogon Province, Jovellar in Albay and Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro.

Cash Pay-out Services is one of products and services of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) to facilitate the immediate distribution of relief assistance by partner Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) especially in far-flung areas of the country.

The cash assistance was distributed by employees assigned in Postal Area 4 in line with the recovery intervention Program of Philippine Red Cross for families affected by recent calamities.

“With vast network and familiarity of our postal workers, PHLPost can be an effective partner of public and private stakeholders to provide financial services and well-being of low-income households”, Postmaster General Joel L. Otarra said.

PHLPost will continue to assist agencies that engage in humanitarian services intended for Covid-19 response program in line with #PusongPHLPost campaign of the postal service.

From co-working space hub to e-commerce platform: Young entrepreneurs go online

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, most businesses have to suspend their operations, or their employees have to work remotely at home. The restrictions also forced many to go digital in their everyday lives: from working, to paying bills and buying necessities. It is no wonder that web stores and online groceries are thriving today.

In May, Roots Collective, a community of young social entrepreneurs, launched their digital platform https://rootscollective.ph/ to market their products such as home care, food and drinks, zero waste goods, and spread the message of achieving an inclusive and sustainable growth through entrepreneurship.

According to Allister Roy “Aloy” Chua, Roots Collective general manager for business development, their website has provided them a way to stay alive and thrive amidst the pandemic.

“But more than being an e-commerce store, we set up the site na in a way na hindi siya webstore lang. We set the website up to eventually become a digital platform for our entrepreneurs,” he said.


The root of Roots

Roots Collective started in 2016 when a group of entrepreneurs came together to create a more structured and stable physical community for them.

“We decided to have a proper dedicated workspace, selling space and storage space. And by night, it will be an events place,” Aloy said.

The group was first named as Roots Katipunan, since their office is in that area.

“We wanted to have a space - physical and psychological space - where social entrepreneurs and young local entrepreneurs come together to show the excellency of Filipino craftsmanship, sustainability, creativity, and for social enterprises, their social missions.”


Get Rooted!

The Roots webstore sells products such as Tsaa Laya, which sourced their tea from farmers in Calauan, Laguna; Banana Chief’s from plantations in Zamboanga; and organic products like coconut sugar and quinoa from Green Tummy. Other products that are essential to promote hand hygiene are natural disinfectants from Happy Helpers as well as Chlorine Dioxide from Pro-Organics.

The group is also open to collaboration with other local entrepreneurs who wish to have their products displayed on their website.

“We are very much open to having new merchants coming in. Just shoot us an email at therootscollectiveph@gmail.com. We’ll send you a memorandum of agreement with the details and you may send us a product list and the items so we can safely store them in our warehouse,” Aloy added.

In October 2019, Roots Collective with the support of the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) and the Forest Foundation Philippines (FFP) launched the Sibol (growth) Program Fund, a special grant facility that will facilitate collaborations among young social entrepreneurs and grassroots communities that PEF and FFP support.

“The fund will focus on the collaboration between Roots Collective and our traditional partner communities in product development and design, marketing and distribution,” PEF Knowledge Management Officer Anna Brillante Vibar said.

The partnership between PEF and with then Roots Katipunan kicked off in 2018 for the leadership development of young social entrepreneurs. Tagged as Collective Community Program, this community of practice provides entrepreneurial capacity building, market access and impact funding. The program hopes to strengthen the network of aspiring and seasoned social entrepreneurs supporting each other and at the same time create a positive impact to the local communities involved.

For inquiries, comments, or suggestion, contact Aljan Quilates at 09297748534

The Peace and Equity Foundation aspires to drive positive change in poor Filipino household communities by investing in social enterprises that will provide them with viable livelihood and better access to basic services. We work with partners who share this vision by developing models and best practices that will steer social enterprises to scale up. Founded in October 2001, our Foundation is the steward of an endowment fund and registered as a non-stock, non-profit organization based in Quezon City, Philippines.

www.pef.ph

5 Distinctive Style Inspired by Jewish Culture

Wazzup World!

Traditional Jewish clothes that are prior to modernization and the ones that are post-modernization of Judaism have a distinctive style and fashion. Though as a religion Judaism never had a quoted dress code, some clothing of the Jewish garment has evolved Israeli style and garments. 

Like the Kippah, Tallit, and Tichel, a women’s silk headscarf has represented Jewish attire from the sub-communities of Jewish and the country of origin. Jewish people love to celebrate and reenact their promises and values throughout the year with many occasions like Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Tu B’Av.

Some of the Extraordinary Jewish Style Elements:

1. Katan

Tallit katan or Yiddish is a traditional small head shawl-like garment worn by Jewish men from the age of preschool. It is made out of wool or cotton and can be designed striped or non-striped. Yiddish has a hole for the head and tzitzit (knotted fringes) attached to the four corners. Tallit katan symbolizes communal solidarity and devotion to God.

2. Kippah

Kippahs, kippot, or yarmulkes are small round-shaped head coverings or skull caps worn by Jewish men which became popular around the second century. It represents reverence to God and is worn compulsorily during customs and occasions. 

Among different communities wearing different kippahs is a ritual. Among Israelis crocheted kippahs and among modern orthodox Jews suede kippahs, satin kippahs among conservative and reform Jews, and Black velvet Kippahs in Haredi Jews are used. Today wearing kippahs is a choice and women also wear kippahs to embrace the style and the custom.

3. Tichel

Tichel is a headscarf or kerchief worn by many married Jewish women as tzinet or the act of modesty of covering the hair. There are wrapping variations for the length of hair and style. Sinar tichel is the most usual one and gives the look of layering scarves and ties wrapping around the head. With tichel, hundreds of variations can be made from tying knots and creating braids and sidelocks to keeping it simple or high and giving volume. You can shop for tichel here.

4. Shtreimel

On the occasions of Shabbat, Yom Kippur, and other holidays and in synagogues, married men of mostly Hasidic and Litvak communities wear a fur hat that is known as Shtreimel. The most common shtreimel comprises a large black velvet cap surrounded by the cap. Head coverings like shtreimel symbolize spiritual merit with the addition of beauty and showcasing craftsmanship.

5. Bekishe

On Shabbos and holidays many Hasidic and Haredi Jews wear a long black frock coat. Two main types of Bekishes are the plain or glatt one and Tish Bekishe. The glatt Bekishe is plain and smooth and worn for Friday night and Saturday morning prayer and the Turkish one that is more gorgeous and lined with velvet is generally worn during shabbos and occasions.

Conclusion

Jews have their own significant clothing like all other religions and communities in the country. Aside from the Jewish exclusive garments, symbols, and styles used by the Jewish community like the beautiful mezuzah patterns, star of David, and Hamsa have been famous in the fashion industry and jewelry. 

Some customary gifts like the Pushka or a charity box that is kept in Jewish households to accumulate donations to offer, menorahs, dreidel, and coins are given on festivals.