July 1 - 15 , 2017 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY 11
F i l i p i n o - A m e r i c a n Almira Astudillo Gilles , a University of the Philippines alumna , launched her book , Hot Spot , Cool Country - Biodiversity in the Philippines , at the Metrotown Community Centre in Burnaby on July 10 , 2017 . The event was sponsored by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in BC ( UPAABC ) and the One Philippine Alumni Association of BC ( OPAABC ).
Hotspot , Cool Country is a non-fiction children ’ s book that aims to inform the younger generation of Filipinos about the diverse ecology of the Philippines . It is a picture book that features the Philippines ’ unique wildlife and marine life , which are among the most at risk on the planet . The book shows that the Philippines is megadiverse , meaning it has more species concentrated in its territory than other countries , making it “ cool ”, but wildlife also faces dangers makes it a “ hot ” spot .
“ There are not a lot of books for children about the rich biodiversity of the Philippines , and it ’ s about time we teach our children the
The number of violators of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act ( Adda ) has drastically gone since the first day of the law ’ s implementation , according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority ( MMDA ).
As of Sunday morning , only three motorists have been apprehended compared to nine the day before .
Last Thursday , the first day of Adda ’ s strict implementation , 114 drivers were accosted through the MMDA ’ s no-contact policy .
MMDA legal counsel Vic Nuñez said the decreasing trend was a welcome sign that motorists have learned not to use cell phones while driving .
“ We ’ re not after
Fil-American Launches Book in Vancouver
importance of knowing these things so that they can take care of it ,” Gilles shares in an exclusive interview with PNT and PNC-Balitang Vancouver . Gilles adds that after her research and working with scientists and other nongovernmental organizations , she learned so much about Philippine ecology , that she embarked on several projects to help in the conservation efforts of the people she has met and worked with .
“ The Philippines is truly a gem , and our ecology is so special , that there are is an infinite number of plant and animal species that you will not find in other ecosystems ,” Gilles adds . Because of this , educating the young people is very important so that they can be effective stewards of the environment .
In June 2016 , Gilles received the Distinguished Alumni Award for Cultural and Natural Resource Conservation / Preservation from the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in Diliman , Quezon City , Philippines . Hotspot , Cool Country was first launched at the Biodiversity Conservation Society of the Philippines symposium March 5-9 , 2016 in Calapan , Oriental Mindoro and was made available at National Bookstore in the Philippines and through distribution outlets in the U . S .
Gilles also has several projects in the Philippines . Coast 22 , a livelihood program for coastal villages , received seed funding from the Pollination Project . This program trains residents to create decorative items from abandoned fishing nets . Coast 22 products have already sold in craft fairs and online in the U . S . Future plans include continued assistance from UP Visayas , new designs , and collaboration with Net- Works ( an alliance between the Zoological Society of London and Interface , the world ’ s largest manufacturer of carpet tiles ).
On December 5 , 2012 , Gilles received a Pamana ng Pilipino Presidential Award for her writing , from Pres . Noynoy Aquino at Malacanang . “ It was grand and humbling , and I ’ m thankful that it has opened doors for my other advocacies and projects such as writing residencies in the Philippines and the conservation of
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Philippine wildlife and natural resources .”
Guests and visitors to the launch were also treated to a rap performance by local artists Rick Kumar and Calvin Tiu , who are also writers in
Distracted drivers decreasing - MMDA
apprehending a lot of violators . We just want to promote discipline and road safety . We are implementing the antidistracted driving law to avoid accidents ,” he added .
Violators caught on the MMDA ’ s traffic cameras can expect to receive a subpoena within three days . A fine of P5,000 for the first offense must be settled within seven days through Metrobank , MMDAaccredited payment centers or at the MMDA office .
Adda prohibits the use of cell phones and other mobile devices while driving or even while the vehicle is waiting at a traffic light or an intersection . ( E . Sauler , Inq )
their respective fields .
Gilles also had another book launching at the Philippine Consulate on July 14 .