TM's Newest Superheroes, The Extendables, Baninay and Gaiapoly, Extend Good Vibes to Students in U-belt

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

If you got the pawer to extend help to others so they can achieve something in life, even as simple as winning in a random game for extra cash, wouldn’t you go for it? This is exactly what TM Ambassadors, Baninay and Gaiapoly did one afternoon, bringing fun and excitement to students at the University Belt in Manila.

YouTuber Baninay and TikTok Star Gaiapoly turned into superheroes called “The Extendables” to help students answer tough questions for a chance to win P1,000 to add to their allowances. Unsuspecting students became ecstatic and grateful when the tandem came out from nowhere, using their “pawer” to extend help to get the right answers so they can win the prize.

To have the pawer of extension means a great deal for many. For Baninay, she would want to have the pawer to extend the good relationship she has with her friends, family, and her partner because she values her loved ones more than anything else. Meanwhile, Gaiapoly hopes for her parents to have an extended life, so she has more chances to take care and provide for them. For her, extending the good vibes and building a great life for her family is the best achievement she can get.

We Got Da Pawer with TM EasySURF 50 FREE EXTEND

Just like what Baninay and Gaiapoly did to extend the fun to others, TM also wants to give its customers the pawer of free extend, so they can achieve more diskarte in life, especially for students who need extra help with their studies or want to have fun with their friends while learning.

TM's EASYSURF50 FREE EXTEND is a sulit pawer move that gives Ka-TMs the most value out of their data promo by PLUS ONE DAY FREE to maximize their unused open-access GBs to enjoy online gaming, viral video and dance trends, and more with their friends and family. With TM, WE GOT DA PAWER!

Ka-TMs can get the best out of this offer until April 30, 2023 by registering to EasySURF50 and texting “Free Extend” to 8080. This one-day free extend freebie can be claimed once for every active EASYSURF 50 registration.

Catch how the TM Extendables shared good vibes, fun, and diskarte moves to our ka-TMs here, and to know more about TM’s latest offers, visit TM Tambayan in all social media channels




Pinakabagong TM Superheroes na the Extendables, Baninay at Gaiapoly, Nag-Extend ng Good Vibes sa U-belt!

Kung meron kang pawer para i-extend ang tulong sa iba, kahit pa simpleng sagot lang ‘yan sa isang challenge para manalo ng extra cash, gagawin mo ba? ‘Yan ang mismong ginawa ng TM Ambassadors na sina Baninay at Gaiapoly na nagbigay good vibes sa mga students sa University Belt sa Manila.

Nag-transform ang YouTuber na si Baninay at TikTok Star Gaiapoly as superheroes na tinatawag na “The Extendables” para tulungan ang mga students na manalo ng P1,000 sa isang “Tagisan ng Talino Challenge”. Grabe ang good vibes na na-feel ng students nang lumabas ang dalawa at ginamit ang kanilang PAWER TO EXTEND the right answers para siguradong makuha ang premyo na pwedeng pang dagdag allowance nila.

Malaking bagay ang pawer to extend. Para kay Baninay, kung meron siya nito, gagamitin niya ito para i-extend ang good relationship niya with her friends, family, at partner dahil ito ang pinaka mahalagang bagay para sa kanya. Si Gaiapoly naman ay gustong i-extend pa ang buhay ng kanyang mga magulang para patuloy pa niya silang maalagaan at mabigyan ng magandang buhay. Para sa kanya, ang pag-extend ng good vibes at great life sa kanyang pamilya ay ang kanyang best achievement.



We Got Da Pawer with TM EASYSURF 50 FREE EXTEND

Katulad ng ginawa nina Baninay at Gaiapoly na pag-extend ng good vibes sa iba, gusto rin ng TM na magamit ng mga Ka-TM ang PAWER ng FREE EXTEND para mas achieve pa ang good vibes araw-araw, lalo na sa pag-aaral.

Ang TM EASYSURF 50 FREE EXTEND ay isang sulit pawer move na tinutulungan ang mga Ka-TM na talagang masulit ang kanilang data promo with PLUS ONE DAY FREE para magamit ang kanilang unused open-access GBs para sa tuluy-tuloy na online gaming, panunuod ng online videos at Tiktok, at iba pa kasama ang pamilya at barkada. Dahil sa TM, WE GOT DA PAWER!

Kayang-kaya i-achieve ng mga Ka-TM ang sulit pawer move na ito! Mag-register lang sa EasySURF 50, tapos i-text ang “Free Extend” sa 8080. Ang freebie na ito ay pwedeng i-claim isang beses bawat EasySURF 50 promo registration hanggang April 30, 2023.

Sundan dito kung paano nagdala ng good vibes at diskarte moves ang TM Extendables sa mga Ka-TM at i-check ang TM Tambayan sa lahat ng social media channels for the latest TM offers. Dahil sa TM, #WeGotDaPawer!

Lolas, Mothers, Sisters for the Environment: Women Help Conserve Biodiversity in Antiqu

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


The Sibalom Natural Park in Antique was devoid of trees after the Second World War. Reforestation efforts have once more covered the area in a mix of native and introduced trees. Spanning 6778.44 hectares, the park hosts endangered birds like hornbills, plus Rafflesia speciosa, one of 13 Rafflesia species present in the Philippines. 

“We have planted over 10,000 seedlings in those mountains,” gestures Villa Abagon, a 70-year old Forest Warden from Barangay Cabladan in the highlands of Antique. Heavily-denuded after the Second World War, the Sibalom Natural Park slowly regained its forest cover with the help of a few determined mothers, sisters and lolas.

Though most of the country’s Bantay Gubat and Bantay Dagat (Forest and Coastal Wardens) are grizzled, hardened men, Lola Villa has been patrolling the woods and planting native trees as a female Forest Warden for over 40 years.

The mothers of conservation, many women have become icons for the environment – Dr. Jane Goodall, Dr. Sylvia Earle, even young climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. The Greek personification of Planet Earth, Gaia, is a woman. Philippine tribes once revered the Babaylan, typically an elder woman who was part healer and part intermediary into the realm of spirits.

In many countries however, women’s voices are still marginalized and unheeded. They may be ignored or undermined, which is why the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and United Nations Development Programme’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative (DENR-UNDP-BIOFIN) is working to mainstream gender equality in all aspects of governance and decision-making across 41 countries, including the Philippines.

To celebrate Women’s Month this March, let’s meet the women protecting and sustainably managing their home forests in Antique. “They showcase how women can make conservation more effective despite being busy with household chores, farming and other income generating work, plus their never-ending tasks as duty bearers,” says Anabelle Plantilla, National Project Manager for DENR-UNDP-BIOFIN. “These women put great value, time and effort into protecting our forests. This is their avowed commitment.”

 

From Offices to Field Sites

“It’s been 35 years since I started working at the DENR,” muses Cynthia Blancia, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer for Antique. “In my experience, women make great mediators as they are nonthreatening and open to quiet discussions, able to listen to and draw out people’s ideas. Almost all of our line managers and section heads are women here.”

Cynthia says she never experienced discrimination as the DENR is fair, progressive and gender-neutral. “Food preparation is usually led by women. For fieldwork, we regularly hire both men and women as rangers and park wardens. Men and women have complementary skill sets. Though not as physically strong or tough as men, women are often more thorough and have a flair for style and beauty.”

Across Philippine offices and field sites, women are doing their part for conservation. The women rangers of the Sibalom Natural Park are no exception, keeping loggers at bay, planting both upland crops and native trees, even extinguishing the occasional deadly brush fire.

 
“My scariest moment as a Bantay Gubat was when we had to put out a raging fire. Even today, I can feel the searing heat, hear the crackling of dry leaves, the sizzle of timber. That was a long time ago – but I can still see flames eating up part of a mountain,” recalls Forest Ranger Lumen Tiongco.

Working alongside men, Lumen and other women rangers regularly clear brush to create fire lines, making the Sibalom Natural Park safer for visitors. “We also stop honey collectors from smoking out bees from their hives. As we learned the hard way, forests and fire can be a fiery combination.”

 

Next Generation of Women Leaders

“The woods provide us with an endless array of non-timber products. We can harvest vines and leaves like Bakan, Balud, Bulo, Pandan, Rattan and Tapuyay to fashion hats, bags, baskets, hammocks, twine and anything else we can sell to augment our families’ incomes,” says People’s Organization president Fe Geraldes Lonasco while showing off various locally-made handicrafts.

In return, People’s Organizations actively work to protect forests, sending out teams of volunteer wardens. “We don’t just protect these mountains. We help keep useful forest products flowing.”

Though most farmers and rangers are in their 40s or older, there’s a new generation of young women determined to take on their work.

“We had a brilliant biology teacher in school and I wanted to be just like her. I was eventually accepted at the DENR and I couldn’t be happier,” shares Sibalom Protected Area Management Office staff Elizabeth Ann Daquipil. “Today, we study and protect breathtaking areas like the Sibalom Natural Park, home to giant Rafflesia flowers and endangered birds like Walden’s and Tarictic Hornbills. It’s just as I always dreamed. Biology!”

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal Five (SDG-5) focuses on pursuing real and sustained gender equality. UNDP recognizes that truly sustainable human development can never be achieved unless women are able to contribute on an equal basis with men in their respective societies. “Promoting gender equality in all projects is just one aspect of DENR-UNDP-BIOFIN’s work to develop and implement inclusive funding mechanisms to sustain biodiversity conservation,” adds UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran. “Enhancing the capacity of women can help community members – both men and women – escape poverty.”

As they have for decades, the lolas, mothers and sisters of the Sibalom Park in Antique continue to serve as stewards of nature, helping make forests safer and more productive for all.

“I’m near the end of my days and know that I won’t see many of the trees we plant grow tall,” muses Lola Villa. “I won’t see them, but my 15 grandchildren will. What we plant today connects our generation to theirs. Like our kids, these new forests are our legacy.” 





Captioned Images:

Grandmother of Trees. Villa Abagon shows off hundreds of native tree seedlings ready for planting. “Our nurseries shelter Adlawan, Labnog, Narra, Nato, Tabuyog and many other native trees.” Lola Villa estimates she and her fellow Forest Wardens have planted over 10,000 trees in and around the Sibalom Natural Park in Antique. (Gregg Yan / DENR-UNDP-BIOFIN)

 
Food of the Gods. Freshly-harvested Cacao fruits at the foothills of the Sibalom Natural Park. “Aside from native trees, we also plant commercially important crops like Cacao, Coffee and fruit-bearing trees like Bananas,” says Lola Villa. (Gregg Yan / DENR-UNDP-BIOFIN)

 
Gifts of the Forest. “The woods provide us with an endless array of non-timber products. We can harvest vines and leaves like Bakan, Balud, Bulo, Pandan, Rattan and Tapuyay to fashion hats, bags, baskets, hammocks, twine and anything else we can sell to augment our incomes,” says People’s Organization president Fe Geraldes Lonasco. Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are commodities which naturally grow in forests and require little to no upkeep. (Gregg Yan / DENR-UNDP-BIOFIN)

 
Celebrating Women’s Month. National Women’s Month is celebrated in the Philippines each March. Shown are the participants of UNDP-BIOFIN’s gender workshop, held on 8 February 2023 at Barangay Imparayan, right outside the Sibalom Natural Park in Antique. (Gregg Yan / DENR-UNDP-BIOFIN)

Mainstreaming Gender Equality. UNDP-BIOFIN works to promote gender equality across all aspects of its work with government and private sector partners. (Gregg Yan / DENR-UNDP-BIOFIN)

 
Handy Handicrafts. Coin purses, necklaces and bracelets are just some of the many useful items hewn out of NTFPs in Antique. Crafted mainly by women artisans, these make good souvenirs and augment the income of many families. (Gregg Yan / DENR-UNDP-BIOFIN)

The Next Generation. At 27, young Elizabeth Ann Daquipil is part of a new corps of women environmentalists, working to protect Philippine national parks one tree, one hectare, one day at a time. (Gregg Yan / DENR-UNDP-BIOFIN)

Cover photo: Grizzled Grandma. One of Sibalom’s tough lolas takes a break from her farming duties – and her thick, smoking tobacco. (Gregg Yan / DENR-UNDP-BIOFIN)

Most Eco-Friendly Destinations to Visit in 2023

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



As awareness about climate change and sustainability grows, more and more people are seeking out eco-friendly travel options. In 2023, there are many destinations around the world that prioritize environmental responsibility and offer travelers an opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the planet without leaving a negative impact. Here are some of the most eco-friendly destinations to visit in 2023.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a small Central American country known for its incredible biodiversity and eco-tourism. The country has a goal to be carbon-neutral by 2050 and has taken many steps to reach this goal. The government has implemented policies to protect its rainforests, oceans, and wildlife, and tourists can take part in many eco-friendly activities such as hiking, zip-lining, and wildlife watching. Some of the most popular attractions in Costa Rica include the Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio National Park, and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. By visiting Costa Rica, travelers can support local conservation efforts and experience the natural beauty of this incredible country.

Iceland

Iceland is an island nation in the North Atlantic known for its stunning natural landscapes and geothermal wonders. The country has set a goal to be carbon-neutral by 2040 and is taking steps to reach this goal by promoting sustainable tourism. Visitors to Iceland can explore the country's glaciers, hot springs, and geysers while supporting efforts to protect the country's delicate ecosystem. Some of the most popular attractions in Iceland include the Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle, and the Northern Lights. By visiting Iceland, travelers can enjoy the natural beauty of this incredible country while supporting its efforts to become even more sustainable.

Bhutan

Bhutan is a small Himalayan kingdom known for its commitment to Gross National Happiness, which includes environmental conservation. The country is carbon-negative, meaning it absorbs more carbon than it emits, and has strict regulations on tourism to minimize its impact on the environment. Visitors to Bhutan can enjoy trekking, cultural tours, and wildlife watching while supporting the country's sustainable development. Some of the most popular attractions in Bhutan include the Tiger's Nest Monastery, the Punakha Dzong, and the Phobjikha Valley. By visiting Bhutan, travelers can experience the unique culture and natural beauty of this incredible country while supporting its commitment to sustainability.

New Zealand

An island country in the southwest Pacific Ocean, New Zealand is renowned for its varied landscapes, which include beaches, mountains, and glaciers. The nation is taking action to safeguard its ecology and biodiversity, so tourists to New Zealand can take part in outdoor pursuits including hiking, skiing, and animal observation while also helping the nation conserve its natural legacy. Milford Sound, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and the Franz Josef Glacier are some of the most well-known tourist destinations in New Zealand. Travelers can take in New Zealand's breathtaking natural beauty and contribute to its desire to boost its sustainability factor by visiting this place.

 
Montague Island

This is a unique destination in Australia that offers visitors a chance to experience the country's natural beauty and wildlife while supporting its conservation efforts. The island is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including the Little Penguin, Australian Fur Seal, and humpback whales. Visitors can take part in green Montague Island tours and guided walks to learn about the island's rich biodiversity and conservation efforts. The island is also a popular spot for recreational fishing and diving, with many operators offering sustainable and responsible activities. By visiting Montague Island, travelers can enjoy a unique and unforgettable experience while supporting conservation efforts in Australia.

Norway

Norway is a Scandinavian country known for its spectacular natural scenery, including fjords, mountains, and the Northern Lights. The country has set a goal to be carbon-neutral by 2030 and is taking steps towards this goal by promoting sustainable tourism. Visitors to Norway can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and wildlife watching while supporting the country's efforts to protect its environment. Some of the most popular attractions in Norway include the Geirangerfjord, the Lofoten Islands, and the Tromsø Northern Lights. By visiting Norway, travelers can experience the natural beauty of this incredible country while supporting its commitment to sustainability.

 
Switzerland

Switzerland is a landlocked country in central Europe known for its beautiful mountains, lakes, and forests. The country is also taking steps to protect its environment and biodiversity. Visitors to Switzerland can enjoy outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and biking while supporting the country's efforts to preserve its natural resources. Some of the most popular attractions in Switzerland include the Matterhorn, Lake Geneva, and the Swiss National Park.

Canada

Canada is a vast country known for its natural beauty, including forests, lakes, and mountains. Visitors to Canada can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and wildlife watching while supporting the country's efforts to preserve its natural heritage. Some of the most popular attractions in Canada include Banff National Park, Niagara Falls, and the Canadian Rockies. By visiting Canada, travelers can experience the natural beauty of this incredible country while supporting its commitment to sustainability.

Denmark

Denmark is a small country in northern Europe known for its commitment to sustainability and renewable energy. The country is constantly taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint, including investing in wind energy and promoting sustainable transportation. Visitors to Denmark can explore the country's beautiful coastline, bike-friendly cities, and green spaces while supporting its efforts toward sustainability. Some of the most popular attractions in Denmark include Tivoli Gardens, the Little Mermaid statue, and the beaches of Jutland. By visiting Denmark, travelers can experience the country's unique culture and support its commitment to sustainability.

 
Soneva Fushi, Maldives

Soneva Fushi is a luxury eco-resort located in the Maldives, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean. The resort isreducing its environmental impact, including using renewable energy, reducing waste, and supporting local conservation efforts. Guests at Soneva Fushi can enjoy outdoor activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and beach volleyball while supporting the resort's commitment to sustainability. The resort is also home to the Soneva Foundation, which supports environmental and social projects around the world. By visiting Soneva Fushi, travelers can enjoy a luxurious vacation while supporting sustainable tourism and conservation efforts in the Maldives.

Of course, these aren’t the only sustainable locations to visit all over the world, so start your eco-friendly journey today and keep exploring new destinations!