Polyethylene terephthalate or PET bottles are one of the most valuable forms of plastic in the Philippines and the most retrieved due to its high residual value – or its predicted value after consumption. PET bottles are commonly used in food and beverage packaging.

A study conducted by global advocacy firm McKinsey Center for Business and Environment showed that the Philippines has one of the highest PET bottle recovery rates at 90 percent.

“Higher residual value plastics are more likely to be collected from disposal sites and then resold. This means that products or packaging with low residual value are less likely to be collected; they therefore become a particularly significant contributor to ocean plastic,” the study, entitled “Stemming the Tide: Land-based Strategies for a Plastic-free Ocean” said.

Of the total post-consumption plastic waste produced in the country, 80 percent are low residual value plastics composed of sachets and single-use plastic bags owing to the local retail industry’s sachet-economy wherein products are packaged into single-use portions.

If PET bottles have a high extraction rate, it is quite the opposite for low residual value plastics. Often neglected by waste pickers, plastics belonging to the category have close to zero percentage collection rate.

“Waste pickers simply cannot generate enough wages from low-value plastics to warrant the time spent collecting them. We calculated the earnings for waste pickers using two metrics: the material value of the plastic waste in terms of the price paid for it by primary buyers (“junk shops”), and the average amount of time taken to extract the item from the waste stream. Over a ten-hour collection day focused exclusively on plastic bags, a waste picker might earn as little as P25 ($.50). Were the waste picker to focus on PET bottles, however, he or she might earn more than seven times that amount,” the study said.

Metro Manila has one of the highest plastic waste densities in the world – annually, the 620-square kilometer capital produces over 560,000 metric tons of plastic waste, which translates to about 900 metric tons per square kilometer. In comparison, the financial capital of China, Shanghai, has an annual plastic waste density of 200 metric tons per square kilometer.

While the country has an 85 to 90 percent waste collection average rate in urban areas, it plummets to less than 80 percent in rural areas. The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has a collection rate of only 40 percent.

Another contributor to the growing post-consumption plastic waste problem is the lack of a proper waste management infrastructure. The study highlighted key areas where plastics are leaked into the oceans and these includes rural areas that do not have a proper waste collection method due to its low waste density, and high density urban areas that are not able to cope with the influx of development. Illegal dumping by trash haulers and oversaturated dumpsites are also some areas that leak plastic waste into the oceans.

The growing post-consumption plastic waste problem is a real concern that needs to be resolved with the cooperation of all stakeholders in various industries and a revisit of the consumption methods of the general public. #

Romance shouldn’t be hard to find wherever you are in the spectrum

Everyone deserves a love story, but let’s face it: dating within the LGBTQ community isn’t cakewalk. This is especially true for those just coming to terms with their sexuality and are unsure where to start. There are a few options to kick off the quest for love, from LGBTQ-friendly bars to online forums and dating apps. Still, the experience can be quite nerve-wracking without some kind of guide. In the spirit of Pride Month this June, here are five practical tips from people’s experiences to help kindle the chance for romance:

Know Your Comfort Level

The LGBTQ community is vast with many levels of coming out. Simple gestures such as holding hands or hugging in public may already be an issue for some, while others may avoid dating in certain places for fear of being seen by family or friends. If you are similarly on the shy side, you may feel more comfortable dating someone equally reserved. It’s understandable that courage can take time, and there’s no shame coming out step by step.

Consider Safe Spaces

The typical coffee shop or restaurant isn’t bad for a meet-up, but if you want a sure-fire, LGBTQ-friendly place in Metro Manila, here’s a few you can consider. Fred’s Revolucion is one among other establishments in Cubao Expo, Quezon City, that signed up for the Safe Space Campaign in 2013 to show commitment in the fight against homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. Another is Uno Morato, a cultural hub, coffee shop, and bar along Maginhawa Street, Quezon City, where LGBTQ dates would not feel out of place. In Poblacion, Makati, Commune offers great Philippine coffee and conversation for any and all visitors.There’s plenty more places like these where you and your date can feel more secure opening up, so be sure to look up LGBTQ-friendly spaces online when planning a casual meet-up.

Build Rapport

Chances are your date is just as anxious, more so if you two are newly out and new to the dating scene. In that case, it’s ok to tell your date that you’re nervous to help lighten the mood. Break the ice further by asking basic questions about work, school, hobbies, or future plans, and don’t be afraid to talk about yourself. Being too cautious would only make you look boring, disinterested, or untrustworthy. Should you talk about politics and religion? Some advise against it, but if you’re serious about finding a long-term partner, you would want to know whether your values and principles match. Just keep an open mind and stay cool even if the other one takes a stance opposite yours. Do watch out about getting too personal once the ball starts rolling, like suddenly talking about bedroom fantasies or exes if there are any. You want your date to feel safe, not pressured, objectified, or plainly creeped out.

Set Realistic Expectations

It’s not wrong to have standards when dating, but remember that no one is perfect. Don’t let a stringent checklist or ideal preference stop you from enjoying the company of new people. It’s also important not to be too self-conscious, so be yourself and laugh a little. Who knows, your date might just find you attractive and you click from the get go. There are a few red flags, of course, like if your date is rude to the wait staff or has terrible hygiene. Otherwise, be confident and have fun.

Drop a Message

Even if a first date isn’t successful, it’s polite to say something after. Most people today, including members of the LGBTQ community, resort to ghosting—suddenly disappearing from contact without explanation—hoping to get their message across, but imagine being in that other person’s shoes. Rejection is tough, and it gets tougher if you don’t know why. Always follow the golden rule. Send the other person a message saying thanks for hanging out with you, and that you think you don’t match or didn’t feel a romantic connection. On the other hand, if you liked your date, be sure to say that you enjoyed the evening and are interested in seeing him or her again. Don’t sound too pushy, though. Your date is also evaluating you, so give the other persona chance to accept or deny the offer of a second meeting.

LGBTQ dating in the real world isn’t something openly televised or given exposure on media. Fortunately, some shows like First Dates feature everyday people, men and women across the rainbow spectrum, going on blind dates—real-life scenarios perfect for a few lessons on dating. Want more tips on how to go about dating in the LGBTQ world? See how aspiring couples take a shot at love on First Dates, Tuesdays at 8:50PM, first and exclusive on Blue Ant Entertainment.

Blue Ant Entertainment is available on SKYcable channels 53 (SD) and 196 (HD), SKYdirect channel 35, Destiny Cable channel 53, and Cablelink channels 37 (SD) and 313 (HD).
For more updates, follow Blue Ant Entertainment at www.facebook.com/BlueAntEntertainment/, @BlueAntEnt on Twitter, and @BlueAntEntertainment on Instagram.

In life, we have to make important decisions, some of which can make a big impact on our future. The most crucial ones are the connections we make: at school, at work, and at home.

When it comes to financial matters, we take many factors in consideration and we negotiate with people we can put our wholehearted trust. We console with someone who understands our needs and situations. Gone are the days when we take insurance for granted. Filipinos are used to purchasing insurance policies from friends and relatives since there are no other routes to take.

According to Sun Life’s SOLAR (Study of Lifestyle and Relationships) only 38 percent of Filipinos are willing to take investment risks in order to earn more and that only 8 percent actually invest. Moreover, only 16 percent claim to have life insurance despite 88 percent of Filipinos worrying about their financial situation in case something happens to the breadwinner.

In line with this, Sunlife, a company established in the country for over a century ago and the leading life insurance provider in the Philippines, has innovated a way to cater to the growing needs of Filipinos. Since time and availability are such rare commodities these days, Sunlife harnesses the advantage of the internet to connect its financial advisors to its interested patrons using a digital tool.

Admit it or not many of our countrymen needs assistance from professionals in their journey to achieve lifetime financial security. A role that a Sun Life Financial Advisor can fulfill with their professionalism, a caring attitude, a winning mindset, and an inspired vision.

Personalized assisitance will help Filipinos to be financially literate and be informed about making sound decisions before making that big step in their financial investment. Logging in to advisormatch.sunlife.com.ph is the first step. Next, fill in the details including the city where you reside and fill the rest of the fields for the database. Such freedom to choose a Financial Advisor is both innovative and relevant, especially for consumers who want personalized service on-demand and at their convenience.The process will take you to a pool of Sunlife financial advisors with their corresponding credentials.

I’ve tried it myself as I accessed advisormatch.sunlife.com.ph. In a matter of minutes, I received an SMS from Sunlife

“We’ve seen a growing interest in personal finance lately with the number of inquiries and requests for advisor referrals doubling the past couple of years. We are happy to share that we are now empowering Filipinos to choose their very own Sun Life Advisor with just the click of a button. With Sun Life’s Advisor Match, they can be assured of finding competent and committed financial advisors to help them achieve their financial goals,” affirmed Sun Life Philippines Chief Marketing Officer Ms. Mylene Lopa. After all, finding your #SunLifePerfectMatch should never be difficult.

True to its commitment, Sunlife has been providing premium service to Filipinos and once again leads innovation to pave the way to financial security.

Go to advisormatch.sunlife.com.ph to experience the Advisor Match tool and learn more about finding the right partner in your financial journey

Philippines one of the global leaders in this worldwide campaign

Hypertension remains our ‘Public Enemy’ No. 1—the Number 1 killer or cause of deaths worldwide and in the Philippines. Cardiovascular diseases including high BP account for 33 percent or nearly one third of all deaths in the Philippines every year.
“Worldwide, around 10 million lives are lost each year needlessly due to raised blood pressure,” warns Professor Neil Poulter, president of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH).
Prof. Poulter adds that ISH, with its collaborating organizations worldwide, want to change this with massive BP awareness campaigns such as the May Measurement Month (MMM).

In the Philippines, MMM is spearheaded by the Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH) in collaboration with a Hypertension Alliance composed of the Department of Health, Department of Education, Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), Philippine Heart Association and more than 20 governmental and non-governmental organizations.
For this year, the month-long MMM18 was launched during the PCP annual convention at the SMX Convention Center recently. It was attended by representatives from all collaborating organizations.

“MMM puts the spotlight on increasing access to blood pressure screening as potentially the most effective way to reduce hypertension’s adverse toll on health,” says Dr. Rafael Castillo, currently a member of the ISH Executive Committee, and a past president of PSH. He delivered the keynote message during the launch of MMM18.

Dr. Castillo, who is the MMM country leader for the Philippines, adds that MMM18 is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Ramon F. Abarquez, Jr., PSH founding president who died early this year. Dr. Abarquez envisioned the country’s experts to be among the global leaders in pioneering advocacy campaigns, and scientific researches that can guide health officials and clinicians in stemming the tide of high blood pressure in the country.

“A sustained multisectoral approach is really necessary to increase and sustain awareness, which has been identified as the key for the success of BP-control programs in countries like Japan, Singapore, Canada and the United States,” says Dr. Alberto Atilano, current PSH president and MMM co-country leader.
He adds: “Our shared visionary goal is that by 2022—with an effective multisectoral collaboration—we shall increase BP awareness to 80 percent, treatment rate to 60 percent, and control rate to 30 percent. The bottom line is to reduce BP-related deaths by 25 percent; hence, saving around 30,000 Filipinos yearly.”
Once again this year, for the whole month of May, the PSH, together with its collaborating organizations in the Hypertension Alliance will carry out a nationwide BP screening and counseling campaign to diagnose unaware hypertensive individuals and identify those who are at risk to develop life-threatening complications like heart attack or stroke, so they could be referred for appropriate medical care.

According to Dr. Deborah Ona, also a co-country leader for MMM in the Philippines, last year, the Philippines was the global leader among more than 100 participating countries worldwide, contributing 272,000 screened individuals (22 percent) out of the pooled global data of 1.2 million. The analysis of the global paper has been analyzed by ISH experts and will be published in a prestigious international journal this month. Five Filipino hypertension specialists are included as collaborators to this global study. These are: Doctors Rafael Castillo, Carmela Napiza-Granada, Ma. Rosario Sevilla, Alberto Atilano and Deborah Ona.

The paper provides some information and insights that can help guide health officials in their respective BP-control programs.
Once the embargo on all local data are lifted after publication of the global paper, the PSH also plans to write a separate analysis on the local data. This will be published as a separate paper from the global paper.
“We also hope that health-promoting programs like MMM18 can help restore the trust of our countrymen on preventive health programs, especially for high BP and cardiovascular diseases which remain our number one killer. The public trust on preventive health programs of the government may have been partly strained and compromised because of the Dengvaxia controversy,” says Dr. Atilano

MMM is also in line with Presidential Proclamation No. 1761, issued on May 1, 2009 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, declaring May each year as Hypertension Awareness Month (PD 1761 attached), and enjoining governmental and nongovernmental organizations, to be major collaborators in implementing BP awareness and control programs.

For more information and pointers on how to control high BP, please visit: maymeasure.com