Let's Go & Get Better at the Health and Wellness Confex 2024

The "Health & Wellness Conference and Expo 2024" is a 3-day event happening on January 26-28, 2024.  

With the theme "Go & Get Better", it will gather under one roof the key players in the Philippine health and wellness industry – from award-winning wellness resorts to globally accredited hospitals that provide medical tourism packages. It will also include organic farms and small specialty shops that offer a wide array of innovative health and wellness products and services.  

 

When people hear the terms “Healthy Lifestyle” or “Healthy Living” one thing that comes to mind is the high cost it incurs for equipment, pricey ingredients, and time-consuming activities, which makes it seem difficult to achieve.

But it is not entirely true, the simplest and most beneficial ways are not only cost-free but fun too! 

In fact, living in the Philippines is already a major advantage for us. We are blessed with abundant natural resources, world-class sceneries, and rich biodiversity. Everything that we need for a healthy life is just in our surroundings, we only need to know where to look and how to do it right.

Let's Go & Get Better! 

#RegenerativeTourism

#WellnessConfex2024

PhilSA joins the first Asia-Pacific satellite rideshare mission, signs agreement with In-Space Missions Ltd

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and In-Space Missions Limited (ISM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 30 November 2023 to establish PhilSA’s formal participation in the Faraday Dragon Mission. This 2023, PhilSA participated in ISM’s UK Space Agency (UKSA) International Bilateral Fund Phase 1 and are named a beneficiary for payload development funding for Phase 2, subject to award and contract.

The Faraday Dragon Mission is a multi-agency satellite rideshare mission by ISM, targeted for launch in 2026 where PhilSA and other mission partners will showcase their technologies. Faraday Dragon is the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region, providing areas of possible cooperation between regional organizations and the UKSA that will deliver economic benefits, capacity-building, and other commercial opportunities.

With support from UKSA and the European Space Agency (ESA), ISM developed the Faraday satellite platform and service capability which will fly multiple payloads for various regional space players such as the government, civil, commercial and research & educational organizations.

Under the MOU, PhilSA will participate in the satellite rideshare missions that will be organized and led by BAE Systems In-Space Missions, gaining access to the performance of a 150kg-class small satellite for the fraction of traditional service costs. Together with the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), Office for Space Technology & Industry (OSTIn), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), National University of Singapore (NUS), Addvalue, Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) and the National Tsing Hua University mission partners, PhilSA will share its knowledge, experience, and training expertise.

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Meanwhile, ISM will create opportunities for data sharing, low-cost technology integration and testing, and other value-added services as needed.

With its potential impact on the research & development (R&D) of space science and technology applications (SSTA) of the Philippines, this collaboration highlights the strength of regional cooperation and collaboration for sustainable development in space.

Preliminary meetings between PhilSA and ISM occurred during the Global Space & Technology Convention last February 2023 where the Faraday Dragon’s design was presented, and on March 2023 where PhilSA and BAE Systems In-Space Missions had a 2-day workshop to discuss the feasibility of integrating PhilSA’s payloads into the BAES In-Space Missions bus system.

About PhilSA

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is the central government agency addressing all national issues and activities related to space S&T applications. Created under Republic Act No. 11363 or the Philippine Space Act, the PhilSA is an attached agency of the Office of the President for purposes of policy and program coordination, and to ensure alignment in national policies and priorities.  

About In-Space Missions Limited In-Space Missions Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of BAE Systems, are experts who design, build and operate physical and digital customer missions, providing low-cost access to space based on pooled satellite resources available from the operation payloads of involved partners. The company is based in Alton, United Kingdom. 

Astronomy Experts from Southeast Asia convene in PH for SEAAN 2023

Southeast Asian countries reveal the latest astronomy studies and developments in their respective countries as they convene in Manila for the 13th Southeast Asia Astronomy Network Meeting (SEAAN 2023).

SEAAN 2023 was attended by representatives coming from member nations Brunei,Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, and Myanmar, hosted by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT).With the theme “Radio Astronomy Development in Southeast Asia,” the assembly aims to discuss the future and developments of radio astronomy in the region, along with the experts in astronomy and astrophysics and foster new collaboration among member countries.

The country representative for the Philippines shared the initiatives of DOST-PAGASA in astronomy development during the meeting, including the National Time Consciousness Week and 30th National Astronomy Week.

Free planetarium shows and telescoping and stargazing sessions were also offered to the public during the Global Astronomy Month, World Space Week 2023, and Dark and Quiet Skies event, Rosario C. Ramos, chief of Space Science and Astronomy Section of DOST-PAGASA said.

She also cited the advantage of media collaboration for the increased number ofparticipants during World Space Week 2023.“In the planetarium, we usually have 100 or 200 visitors per day but during this time, we had more than a thousand visitors because of the media collaboration,” she said on 28 November 2023.

The two astronomical facility projects under DOST-PAGASA are also set to be completed before the year ends, Ramos said, namely Mindanao Regional Planetarium in Misamis Oriental and Visayas Regional Planetarium in Cebu.

Meanwhile, Saran Poshyachinda, executive director of NARIT, said that since 2009, 2.6 million people have been served by the research institute, while more than 600 thousand people joined their activities from October 2022 to September this year.

Among the developments in their country are the 2.4-meter telescope located on the highest mountain in the country, Doi Inthanon, and the 40-m radio telescope that can operate up to 115 gigahertz, located outside the city of Chiang Mai; while they also operate telescopes in Chile, US, China, and Australia, he said.

“We’re now developing many things in-house, including spectrographs and microwave receivers, as well as some state-of-the-art optical instruments,” Poshyachinda added. He also shared the two major research facilities in Thailand: the Thai National Observatory and the Thai National Radio Astronomy Observatory, which would start its full-sized operation in January next year.

Regional observatories were also opened to the public as part of their outreach infrastructure, with Khon Kaen, which was opened in November.

 Astronomical observatories Indonesia representative Hesti R T Wulandari, lecturer at the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), introduced two of their observatories as part of astronomy development in their country; including the institute’s Bosscha Observatory, which is now a national scientific heritage and is celebrating its centennial anniversary; and the National Astronomical Observatory in Timau, marking its 55% completion with the installation of its secondary mirror.In terms of radio astronomy, Wulandari said they started with projects on small radio telescopes with students in 2008. 

She added that they are also planning for the conversion project of telecommunication antennas to radio telescopes, which still needs funding to materialize.Wulandari added that Indonesia is also planning to build a radio telescope for the Timau National Observatory, and ITB is holding a collaboration with the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory for the installation of the VGOS (VLBI Global Observing System) Radio Telescope at the Bosscha Observatory.

“We really hope that collaboration among SEAAN countries can be strengthened in the coming years,” she said.Telescope for AllHazarry Haji Ali Ahmad, secretary general of The Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam, shared the developments in their country, including their astronomy outreach, offering the “Telescope for All: Making Space for All,” which introduced the telescope and the relevance of astronomy to the public, especially the Underprivileged communities. 

Ahmad also highlighted the advantage of high internet penetration in Brunei, which helped them promote astronomy on digital platforms and find opportunities for collaboration with other countries, as well as their contribution to the global development of Islamic Astronomy with their records of the new moon sighting observation.

However, the biggest challenge in Brunei is having no professional astronomers, as cited in the 10th SEAAN. But Ahmad is hopeful that the establishment of a national

astronomy observatory would address this issue, which is set to materialize in five years.

Progress in Malaysia Hasan Abu Kassim, professor at Universiti Malaya, also presented the astrophysics and astronomy progress in Malaysia, particularly the Malaysia Space Exploration 2030, which aims to explore the national space sector ecosystem and the return of the Global Malaysian Astronomies Convention 2023 after being postponed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics Research in Universiti Malaya also helped in the development of establishing a Radio Cosmology Research Laboratory focusing on cosmology and solar; an Optical Astronomy Research Laboratory for spectroscopy, photometry, and sighting of new moon; and a Theoretical Physics Research Group focusing on astrophysics, he added.Kassim also shared the National Planetarium for STEM Promotion in Malaysia’s initiative to create a database of Malaysian astronomers to provide awareness to the public.

Astronomy educationDr. Yee Yee Oo, rector of Kyaukse University, shared the developments in astronomy education in Myanmar, including the shift in the basic education system from KG+Grade 10 to KG+Grade 12, with Space and Universe as the focus of the Science subject in Grade 9.Currently, they are trying to reorganize staff and students to work in the Astrophysics area, she added. by Kristine Erika Agustin, DOST-STII

2023 National S&T Week 2023 to feature latest PH textile innovations at Iloilo City

The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) is set to bring the latest innovations in the country’s textile industry to Iloilo City, as part of the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) celebration to be held from 22-26 November 2023.

Join the opening of the Hinabul: Fibers and Textiles S&T Exhibit and experience the technologies and innovations in the region’s fiber industry at the National Museum Western Visayas on 22 November 2023, followed by the Textile 101 from 1-5 PM and the KatHabi Innovation Fashion Show at the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art at 6 PM.

The KatHabi Creative Nook section also offers the participants exposure to handloom weaving, natural dyeing, and sewing, thus providing opportunity for visitors to know the craft and marvel at our rich and unique culture.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Philippine Textile Congress will be concluding its three-week colloquium sessions on 24 November 2023, from 9 AM to 12 NN with the theme "Futures Thinking for Philippine Textiles."

On the other hand, on 23 November 2023, the Natural Dyes Colloquium will be conducted at 1:30-5 PM, while the Innovation Dialogue with Western Visayas textile stakeholders will be held at 9 AM to 12 NN.

Furthermore, in promoting a creative and sustainable textile industry in Region VI, the agency is inviting handloom weaving innovators and stakeholders to the 2nd Philippine Handloom Weaving Conference—Hinabul: Weaving Regional Textile Innovation Ecosystems in the Western Visayas slated from 25-26 November 2023.

Join this year’s NSTW and witness the country’s science and technology innovations in Iloilo City. Follow DOST-PTRI’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ptri.dost and NSTW 2023 at https://www.facebook.com/nstwdost to be updated with the NSTW events and activities, and participate in selected forums to be broadcast on their social media accounts.

Download the NSTW mobile app https://bit.ly/nstw2023android for Android users and https://bit.ly/nstw2023ios for iOS users. by Kristine Erika L. Agustin, DOST-STII

DOST-Day Care Center receives school equipment from the Metrobank Foundation, Inc.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) was fortunate to receive school equipment from the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. for its DOST-Day Care Center (DDCC) through the initiative of DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr., who converted his token of appreciation into a donation. The turnover took place at the DDCC building in the DOST Bicutan Compound, Taguig City, on 13 December 2023.

The donated school equipment includes two flat-screen televisions, one refrigerator, one portable speaker, and seven tablets, aiming to advance and improve the education system, specifically the children's learning habits.

With the optimistic goal of prioritizing the needs of DDCC students, Secretary Solidum converted his reward as one of the judges in the 2023 Metrobank Foundation's Search for Outstanding Filipinos into the school equipment.

"I also remember that to develop science, technology, and innovation in our country, which will be the key to change our nation, it is important to provide an answer to the question of how we can encourage the young generation to involve themselves in science and technology. So, I have been asked for a long time, and my answer was to start with children, specifically toddlers, kindergarten, or nursery," emphasized Secretary Solidum.

According to the science chief, he was beyond grateful to extend Metrobank Foundation's generosity to the DDCC students. "Definitely, this is one of the happiest moments in my life, remembering and helping the children. Because it's a chance for them to benefit from technology and learn from it," the Secretary said.

Meanwhile, Metrobank Foundation, Inc. president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña revealed the selfless act of the DOST Secretary in choosing to share his reward, serving as their corporation's appreciation for its two-day hard work in carefully and thoroughly selecting the Most Outstanding Filipinos.

"We make sure that we honor our distinguished jury members. He immediately chose you (DDCC). The DOST Secretary willingly donated his reward publicly. Very selfless," Metrobank President Sobrepeña affirmed.

In his message, he requested the constant support of DOST Secretary in the search for Most Outstanding Filipinos, especially in the category of teachers, particularly to encourage more applicants from the Philippine Science High School System (PSHSS)

Other partnerships and collaborations that will strengthen the synergy of Metrobank and DOST are expected to be implemented by Metrobank. "We'll be happy to work with DOST to further implement our advocacy. What else can we do and help? We are a funding agency. We are not that enormous, but we are one of the most active foundations in the whole country," Metrobank President Sobrepeña added.

The DOST secretary also looked forward to the significant results of having more partnerships and collaborations with Metrobank to develop opportunities for the country. “I think this is our way of showing and expressing the bayanihan spirit of the Filipino. If we work together for the common good, we will transcend all the hurdles that the Philippines seems to be facing,” Secretary Solidum expressed.

The DDCC learning environment was launched this year for the five students after its building's major renovation. It served as one of DOST’s gender mainstreaming initiatives to help DOST personnel ensure the continued care of their children while they are at work. Upon receiving the support, the DDCC management hoped to be fully operational next year, and with the donation, they are expecting a greater number of children could avail of better education in their foundation years. By Rhea Mae Ruba, DOST-STII

Commuter Safety and Protection Convenor says drivers’ refusal to cooperate in PUV modernization is ‘hostage-taking’

As the government pushes for the full-scale implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, a notable fraction of jeepney drivers still refuse to consolidate and their defiance, which compromises the overall welfare of commuters, is tantamount to “hostage-taking.”

This was the direct statement of the National Center for Commuter Safety and Protection, Inc. Convenor Elvira Medina in a media forum held by Capstone-Intel Corporation about the current state of transportation in the country. 

The nationwide survey of Capstone-Intel which aimed to explore public perception on transportation in the Philippines, revealed that the majority of Filipinos “approve” of the initiative with over 70% positive sentiments online. The survey also showed that the jeepney still remains to be among the most commonly used modes of transport across the country.

Medina supported the accuracy of Capstone-Intel’s survey as it aligns with the latest statistics saying over 70% of jeepneys have already consolidated but about 30% still have not.

The survey was also timely because of the transport strike last December 14-15 in protest of the jeepney modernization program.

Medina slammed those who refuse to partake in the modernization for putting commuters in discomfort.

“What I’ve been telling the press before and even now, what these people are doing is that they are blackmailing the government and using commuters as hostages. ‘Hindi kami lalabas, kawawa ang commuters ninyo.’ Hindi ba hostage taking 'yon?” she said.

Consequently, distress among commuters affects the economy as a whole, said Medina. 

“They refuse to ply the commuters which are mostly people who are working. It’s the commuters that deliver the goods, the products and the services that are being used by the country’s economy and the people who are preparing themselves to be the next employees or generators of the economy and these are the students. So dalawang sectors ‘yung kanilang tina-target and this is definitely against the law,” she said. 

Medina also pointed out the boundary system, or the scheme engaging drivers to drive jeepney units of owners or operators for an arranged unit use fee, has to see its end.

“Boundary system is an evil in the system. That is one of the things that the government wants to address - make the drivers know they are owners because they are cooperatives. Sila na ‘yung mag-ma-mayari in the long run but it is the cooperative's responsibility to make sure that all their amortizations are paid,” she said.

Old jeepneys are ‘rolling coffins’ 

Over and above other issues about jeepney modernization, commuter safety and security are the primal concern for the strong push of the initiative.

This is because old, traditional jeepneys offer little to no safety to commuters given their antiquated design and functionality.

Medina said most jeepneys have life spans of over fifty years already and this poses serious risks to the lives and safety of commuters.

“None of them have handbrakes and most of the seats are not welded and the body. So I’ve been asking those who interviewed me in the press, are you going to allow your children to take a ride in a vehicle that has no handbrake or the seats are not welded. Will you take the chance?” Medina said.

Medina resolutely described old-type jeepneys as “rolling coffins. They are all putting our lives in danger,” she added.

Capstone-Intel’s Chief of Public Affairs Atty. Nic Conti supported the issue of safety and believes that the government should score a solution balancing the Filipino traditional transport with local and international mass transport standards.

“Bakit po mahalaga ang kaligtasan ng pasahero? Tao po sila at sila po ang dahilan kung bakit may negosyong ganito? Part of the modernization is actually installing additional safety measures like an anti-lock braking system, speed limiter, etc.,” he said.

“At importante po na makita natin na ‘yung modernization ay balansehin ‘yung very iconic and traditional yung way of transport natin yung jeepney parang na-identify na po ang mga Pilipino sa jeepney. Still, we have to align and upgrade our transport pagdating po sa standards hindi lang po local but international standards at that,” he added.

To know more about the data, please click here.

Capstone-Intel is a high-impact research company that uses innovative research technologies, tools, and methods to convert data and information into breakthrough insights and actionable intelligence outputs. It is committed to helping its clients solve problems, find solutions, grow markets and constituencies, build reputations, navigate risks, manage crises, and be the country’s leading private research and intelligence agency.

Pili FIESTA kicks off in Bicol

Research and technologies on Pili production are being championed today in Bicol through the 2023 Pili Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA).

Held on December 18-19, 2023 at the Proxy Convention Center in Legazpi City, Albay, the activity hopes to touch base with farmers and the industry in promoting Pili as a flagship commodity along Science, Technology, and Innovations in Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources (AANR) in the Bicol Region. 

Highlighted during the Pili FIESTA are the research and development (R&D) outputs of the Pili R&D Center. 

The Pili R&D Center is a three-year project of the Bicol University (BU) together with Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) and Partido State University (ParSU). It was established through the Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER) Program funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and monitored by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of DOST.

Pili processing machines and various pili-based products are being showcased through an exhibit during the activity. Moreover, a media conference, technology pitching, and technology forum are also conducted to further promote pili technologies that are ready for commercialization. 

A proposed Pili Icon for Bicol was also unveiled during the opening program of the FIESTA. It was designed by Architect Leo Del Rosario, Director of the Bicol University Institute of Design and Architecture (BU-IDeA).

Prior to the opening ceremony, the Pili FIESTA team has been conducting the Pili Roadshow in Sorsogon, Albay, and Camarines Sur to promote and bring pili technologies to farmers and other major stakeholders. 

“We hope that the 2023 Pili FIESTA will be able to inspire participation from local government units, investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers with the goal of further improving the pili industry and achieving food security, which is also our goal at DOST-PCAARRD,” says Dir. Marita A. Carlos, DOST-PCAARRD Applied Communication Division Director, during her message. 

Themed, “Celebrating Pili: People, Propagation, Processing, and Mechanization,” the Pili FIESTA is led by the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (BCAARRD) and funded by DOST-PCAARRD. 

FIESTA is an IPO-registered technology promotion and commercialization platform initiated by DOST-PCAARRD. It aims to empower farmers and fisherfolk to improve on their livelihood as well as match technology generators to target adopters. 

By Gian Carlo D. Camacho