Animal Town: Play Your Way to a Greener and Bluer Planet!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Videogames can positively influence how people view the world.

Since the very first videogame, Bertie the Brain, was unveiled in 1950, developers have conjured a bewildering array of worlds for us to explore.

From Nintendo’s iconic 1985 Family Computer hit Super Mario to Nokia’s addictive 1997 Snake phone app, videogames have moulded millions of players, ranging from pre-schoolers to senior citizens.

To foster love for Philippine wildlife and biodiversity, the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (DENR-UNDP BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) together with the Forest Foundation Philippines (FFP) recently launched a new mobile game application called Animal Town.

 

“Animal Town is a chill-paced simulation game where you build and manage a tiny town of animals. You can gather resources, develop various characters and complete a host of quests,” explains Animal Town App Developer Lord Gosingtian. “The game also serves as an educational tool to learn about the challenges and solutions to protect Philippine biodiversity.”

“In development since 2019, Animal Town is also a real-world test to gauge if free-to-pay mobile games with in-app purchases can be a viable source for conservation funds,” says DENR-UNDP BIOFIN Philippines Country Manager Anabelle Plantilla. There are about 30 million gamers in the Philippines, with roughly 12 million annually spending around PHP700 (USD13) each on their beloved apps and PC games via game downloads and in-app purchases.

“There are 46 million registered mobile app users in the Philippines, so even a tiny percentage of paying gamers can do a lot to support our country’s conservation initiatives,” says DENR Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and concurrent OIC BMB Director Marcial Amaro, Jr.

Funds generated by the new app will be managed by conservation partner FFP while DENR-BMB will identify conservation programmes to be supported by Animal Town.

“We will exercise prudent stewardship over the funds generated by Animal Town. We will ensure that the funds are utilized in accordance with the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) and are directed towards the conservation of our natural resources. We also commit to maintain transparency in reporting the utilization of the funds to our valued players and partners,” says Forest Foundation Philippines Executive Director Atty. Jose Andres Canivel.

“People rarely care about what they don’t understand. And biodiversity is something which still requires awareness raising among the wider population,” adds British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils. “The use of technology, specifically mobile applications, could be a game changer here. Animal Town can play a unique role in softly building that understanding in a fun, non-intrusive way. It’s a readymade supplement for educators to teach environmental science and biology.”

Animal Town hopes to inspire a new generation of gamers to learn about Philippine wildlife. “Children learn so fast and positively attributing animals from the onset might just inspire today’s tiny tykes to ‘Level Up’ and do bigger things for a greener and bluer planet,” concludes UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran.

Animal Town can be downloaded now at the Google Play Store for Android Phones or the Apple App Store for iOS Phones. 

A Tour of Italian Wines in the Heart of Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


Indulge in an extraordinary evening touring Italy at Sheraton Manila Bay's Italian Wine Dinner Buffet and Wine Tasting. Partnering with Sommelier Selection, a distinguished importer and distributor of estate wines in the Philippines since 2002, we promise a journey through Italy's finest flavors. This exclusive event at Manila Bay Kitchen offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich flavors of Italian cuisine paired perfectly with a selection of exquisite wines.
We start this gastronomic journey in Southern Italy featuring Liboll Spumante and Cantine San Marzano then we sail to Abruzzo, Marche, Sicily, and Fruili Italy to experience a selection of red and white wines from Brunori Azienda and Azienda Agricola Occhipinti. We end our journey in Puglia, where we enjoy the Edda Lei Bianco to end the night of discovering a wide array of dishes where every bite has transported you to the heart of Italy's vibrant culinary scene.
Whether you are a wine enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable evening of indulgence, this event is not to be missed. Join us at Sheraton Manila Bay for an unforgettable night celebrating the art of Italian winemaking and culinary mastery. Allow your senses to be captivated by the beauty and elegance of Sheraton Manila Bay as we celebrate Italy –in art, literature, food, and wine. Viva La Vino!

Book the Italian Wine Dinner and Wine Tasting for only Php 3,800 nett per person. For more information and to make reservations, please call +632 5318 0788 or email sh.mnlsb.fnb@sheraton.com. Stay updated on the latest news and promotions by following Sheraton Manila Bay on Facebook and Instagram @sheratonmanilabay.

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Sheraton Manila Bay is a renowned hotel located at M. Adriatico corner Gen. Malvar Streets, Malate, Manila. The hotel offers luxurious accommodations, exceptional dining experiences, and state-of-the-art facilities. With its commitment to providing exceptional service and creating unforgettable moments, Sheraton Manila Bay is the perfect destination for both leisure and business travelers.To reserve your FAM at the Bay experience, visit https://bit.ly/FAMattheBay or go to www.sheratonmanilabay.com.

Sheraton Manila Bay is conveniently located at M. Adriatico corner Gen. Malvar Streets, Malate, Manila. Like us on Facebook and Instagram @sheratonmanilabay and follow us on Twitter at @sheratonmnlbay.

NGA 911 briefs Metro Manila Council on advanced, next-gen emergency response and disaster preparedness in LA

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Next Generation Advanced (NGA) 911 -- an IP-based emergency communications system that transforms crisis response through technology, integration and real-time reporting -- presented the future of public safety and emergency response to a delegation of the Metro Manila Council and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) at an educational tour in Westin Bonaventure, Los Angeles California recently.

NGA’s Chief Executive Officer Don Ferguson and Chief Financial Officer Ishka Villacisneros welcomed the local government executives in LA and briefed them on NGA’s mission to enhance public safety and emergency response, letting them know that NGA, their technology and systems are already available, and infrastructure built in the Philippines.

The presentation included a demonstration of how the advanced system performs in various emergency response situations. Simulations of actual crisis situations where NGA 911’s next generation technology developed by the company in LA were highlighted.

“NGA 911 provides cities and communities in the US and other countries with peace of mind through our advanced and next generation emergency response systems. We are happy to announce that this next-generation 911 technology is now in the Philippines and we are looking to save more lives and empower more communities by unifying all systems in the future,” said Ferguson.

NGA 911 has ongoing deployments in Rizal, Pangasinan and Cagayan De Oro regions. These LGUs are now ready to provide the next-generation digital technology for emergency communication and public safety services that is used in the United States.

“We are partnering with NGA 911 to equip our public safety officers with a system that will enable them to provide immediate emergency assistance and help us adapt to the ever changing landscape of public safety,” Morong Mayor Sidney Soriano had said at the announcement of their LGU’s partnership with NGA 911 in April 2023.

Among the Metro Manila mayors present in the event were San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, Mayor Jeannie Sandoval of Malabon, Mayor Ruffy Biazon of Muntinlupa, Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco, Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, Mayor Ike Ponce of Pateros, Vice Mayor April Aguilar Nery of Las Piñas, together with CDRRMMO officers and MMDA official led by Usec. Frisco San Juan, Atty. Vic Trinidad, and Atty. Cris Saruca.

The NGA presentation was part of the educational tour of the Philippine delegation on Disaster Preparedness, Emergency Response in the US that also coincided with the Manila International Film Festival itinerary organized by the MMDA in Los Angeles, California.





As part of the educational trip, NGA facilitated a Los Angeles City Hall tour for the Metro Manila mayors who had the opportunity to interact and talk with the City of Los Angeles Deputy Mayors and city officials.