Environmental Group Dismayed Over Continued Sale of Toxic Cosmetic Products in QC

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Toxic watchdog group BAN Toxics is urging the Quezon City government, particularly the Quezon City Health Department (QCHD), to take regulatory action against the unwarranted sale of mercury-added skin whitening creams to protect public health from mercury exposure.

In its recent market monitoring, the group purchased and photo documented the sale of FDA-banned cosmetics, namely: Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene Avocado & Aloevera, Goree Day & Night Beauty Cream Oil Free Total Fairness System and 88 Total White Underarm Cream in beauty shops (kiosks) inside Ever Gotesco Mall in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City. These products have been banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Quezon City enacted QC Ordinance 2767, s 2018, which bans the manufacture, distribution and sale of mercury-containing skin whitening cosmetics in Quezon City.

“We call the attention of beauty shop owners to abide by the existing regulation in the country, and specifically in Quezon City, regarding the prohibited skin whitening products that have been proven to contain mercury, a health damaging toxic chemical,” said Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner of BAN Toxics.

Using a Vanta C Series HH XRF Analyzer, the group screened the products and found mercury concentrations ranging from 5,633 to as high as 29,250 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the allowable limit of 1 ppm set by the FDA, as published in the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive.

According to the ordinance, all manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers, including street vendors, or “tiangge,” and online vendors in Quezon City, must cease and desist from engaging in business activities involving the production and/or trade of mercury-laden cosmetics.

Mercury is among the World Health Organization’s top ten chemicals of major public health concern. It lightens the skin by suppressing the production of melanin and can also remove age spots, freckles, blemishes, and wrinkles. However, its use can lead to rashes, skin discoloration, and blotching. Mercury can enter the body through absorption, inhalation, or ingestion.

The group wrote to the QCHD requesting urgent enforcement action and confiscation of the prohibited beauty products to halt the illegal sale of non-compliant cosmetic products.

BAN Toxics reiterates its call to national regulatory agencies to improve monitoring, analysis, and detection capacities to strictly regulate the illegal trade of banned cosmetics. Strengthening regional cooperation, given the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive, is of the same importance, according to the group.

“BAN Toxics, advocating for safe cosmetics, will continue to monitor and swiftly report to corresponding local government offices and the FDA the unwarranted selling of prohibited cosmetic products in the market, including online shopping platforms. The public has the right to know the dangers of toxic mercury and to be mindful of its health effects,” Dizon added.

U.P. SAMASKOM KICKS OFF LIVE A.I.D.S: HYSTERICAL REVISIONISM Tatlumpu’t Apat na Taon ng Makasaysayang Tawanan, Sayawan at Kimmy-nism

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The Longest-Running Campus Comedy Varirty Show in the Philippines is Back!

After five (5) years’ absence in the theater scene due to the restrictions set by the pandemic, the longest-running comedy variety show out of the UP Diliman campus is back!

Live A.I.D.S. (Ang Istoryang Dinebelop ng SAMASKOM) or Acts, Improvisations, Dances and Songs, an annual musical-comedy series mounted by talent-laden student organization, UP SAMASKOM, is mounting its 34th edition from July 5 to 7 at the Ignacio B. Jimenez - KAL Theater in UP.

Entitled LIVE A.I.D.S.: HYSTERICAL REVISIONISM: “Tatlumpu’t Apat na Taon ng Makasaysayang Tawanan, Sayawan at Kimmy-nism”, the show will again put a funny but sharp spin on socio-political issues and pop culture, providing witty commentary on Philippine society and adding a comic touch to trending topics and viral content. Interspersed with dances and dazzling production numbers, it promises to make audiences laugh and have fun like never before.

“What started as a mere applicants’ batch project in 1983 is now one of the most awaited events in the Diliman Republic. Each year, Live AIDS always surpasses its previous record number of fans who watch the show,” says Live A.I.D.S Hysterical Revisionism Production Management Mentor, Venice Atienza, who is an alumna of U.P. SAMASKOM and has been part of both the production and creative departments of the show for several years now.

SAMASKOM alumni fill the local entertainment scene, finding fame in front of or behind the camera. LiveAIDS has given rise to the careers of Kuya Kim Atienza, Giselle Sanchez, RS Francisco, Raymond Lauchengco, Wency Cornejo, Ate Glow, Michelle O’ Bombshell, Tuesday Vargas, Mrs. Tan, and KaladKaren, among others.

ABS-CBN’s head of TV Production, Star Magic Chief and Pinoy Big Brother Head Director Laurenti (Loren) Dyogi and ABS-CBN Global Head of Creative Services Ned Legaspi are SAMASKOM alumni.

Live AIDS continuously garners fanatics and avid viewers who have steadfastly sought out the show, including known personalities like Bianca Gonzales, Ricky Lee, Quark Henares, John Lapus, Rajo Laurel, Jigs Mayuga, Tim Yap, and Vice Ganda.

“Live A.I.D.S. and the UP SAMASKOM are platforms where students and alumni members alike are given the opportunity to nurture their talents and skill sets, and essentially nurture them to face the real world,” articulates well-known Filipino drag artist Mrs. Tan, a seasoned dancer and performer of the show.

“This show bolsters one’s talent, skills, and self-confidence. It’s evident in our alumni members,” said Kaladkaren, another UP SAMASKOM alumna and a seasoned performer, veteran writer, production member, and former resident officer.

“With the issues and concerns of the Philippines at present and history distortion as well, it is time to continue the UP SAMASKOM tradition of amusing audiences and making them aware of political and social matters. This year, through the Live AIDS legacy, everyone will hear what Samaskom will say about the current times. This is a show that finds humor on the right side of history”, said Live AIDS Hysterical Revisionism Director, Bill Barrinuevo.

“There is pressure to outdo ourselves every show. This is our comeback show - we want to reawaken our audience as we give them the best show they will ever see. It is terrifying but it is a welcome challenge. UP SAMASKOM is passionate in creating a show that speaks out and entertains at the same time,” he added.

Tickets to Live AIDS Hysterical Revisionism can be bought at https://liveaids.helixpay.ph. For more information, follow @upsamaskom on X (Twitter) and Instagram, and on Facebook at facebook.com/upsamaskom.

Schneider Electric Foundation turns 25 and launches the ‘25 Years Young’ campaign in the Philippines

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To mark the 25th anniversary of its foundation, Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, is launching a global campaign in celebration of both this key milestone and the next generation of young leaders committed to building a fairer, low-carbon society. ‘25 Years Young’: A Celebration of Youth and 25 Years of Action 

Founded in 1999 under the aegis of the Fondation de France, the Schneider Electric Foundation supports changemakers driving sustainable development, promoting social inclusion, and empowering communities worldwide. Throughout 2024, the foundation will celebrate the world’s youth by raising awareness of their social and environmental impact and mobilizing the support of company employees. The high point of these celebrations is the launch of a global call for contributions with the foundation’s social entrepreneurship partner, Ashoka. 

Ever since its creation, the Schneider Electric Foundation has been a pioneer in supporting positive initiatives to tackle growing social and environmental challenges and many innovations are driven by young people from around the world. The foundation supports them in making an impact for a fairer energy transition and is honoring them on its 25th anniversary.‘Youth Innovation For A Sustainable Future’: A Global Call for Contributions 

The call for contributions titled ‘Youth Innovation For A Sustainable Future’ with Ashoka’s program 

Changemaker Companies aims to select 25 of the most impactful and innovative youth projects across all five continents (Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East). This global call for contributions focuses on professional engagement and a fair transition, and a 50,000-euro prize will be awarded to the winning project during the COP29 climate summit in Bakou, Azerbaïdjan. Those projects selected will also benefit from increased visibility across the social media channels of both Schneider Electric’s Foundation and Ashoka’s network of countries. In the Philippines, the call for contributions will be launched on June 17, 2024. Entries can be submitted through the program’s website at https://volunteerin.se.com/#/youth-innovation-for-sustainable-future.

“Schneider Electric Foundation has been dedicated to driving sustainable development for the last 25 years by promoting social inclusion and empowering the youth to champion positive change,” said Norman Roland Ocana III, Head of Government Affairs and Sustainability of Schneider Electric Philippines. 

“We commemorate this momentous milestone, with our strengthened commitment to support NGOs and Foundations who work with the next generation on various initiatives focused on just transition, awareness and inclusion, professional training in energy management, entrepreneurship and gender."