Philippine's 2nd National Flower

From the first and known national flower of the Philippines which was named “sampaguita” comes another flower who’s up for the title. From the fact that Sampaguita was not originally a direct inhabitant of the Philippines, a recent discussion holds the key on making “Waling-waling” a second national flower for the Philippines.

Waling-waling only lives in the Philippines which was found and named after a French Scientist who discovered its existence while the previous and most known Sampaguita was shared to us from India and Middle East.

“The waling-waling blooms best from July to October each year, and a cluster of waling-waling in full bloom is a very spectacular sight,” Puentespina said.[1]

Hopefully, this one would turn to success as Waling-waling is said to be in near extinction and having the study/hearing pass the juries will make this lovely sensitive flower to be in-line with the protective species.

Learn more about this flower at: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euanthe_sanderiana[2]

References:

[1] GMA Network

[2] Wikipedia

[3] Wikimedia Commons

Fun Saving the Seas! - EnviroPOP App

WWF-Philippines and AppLabs Digital Studios have partnered to produce an app that educates people on threats to endangered sea creatures. This app is called EnviroPOP.
Though I was expecting a bit more of the environment rather than focusing on the sea alone. This app sure serves a better way to guide and relay the awareness needed by people to awaken their senses.

EnviroPOP is not a free Application but you could easily acquire this for only $0.99 USD. Though I haven't actually tried the application yet, the screenshots I saw were very catchy making it a lot attractive specially to children who will later on take care of our beloved host planet.

The concept of the game is easy, just like your addictive puzzle games in your phones which before rule over your desktop PCs or Laptops, the same goes for this addictive game. The difference is that you have a goal. A goal wherein you should save our marine animals from extinction and at the same time, you will learn who and what are the elements that destroy our crystal-like bodies of water.

"Guided by WWF's mission, this application offers a fun way of spreading awareness on how to minimize threats to endangered marine life. Can you tap and swipe your way in a time-pressured addictive puzzle game to save our undersea friends? It's time to find out!"

Find out more about this amazing app at EnviroPOP!

Philippine's Project NOAH

As the President of the Philippines, President Benigno S. Aquino III became upset with the much said FAIL weather forecasts, DOST (Department of Science and Technology) came up with a response by creating the "Project NOAH" or the (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards).

The Project aims to harness technologies and management services for disaster risk reduction activities by the the DOST through other Philippine agencies such as PAGASA, PHIVOLCS and DOST-ASTI (Advanced Science and Technology Institute, in partnership with UP National Institute of Geological Science and the UP College of Engineering.

Launched last July 6, 2012 many had their hopes up with the project and for those who doesn't know, it is still in its BETA stage.

According to the Official Gazette of the Philippines, the project has different components but as of now we could only feel and experience the functionality of one of them.

As of now, what NOAH has is the Weather Hazard Information Project (WHIP) which of course, based on its title, relays an expected accurate weather information from rainfall to weather systems that will hit the country.

Other components that NOAH will have or be completed in 2013 - 2014 are:

- Distribution of Hydrometeorological Devices in hard-hit areas in the Philippines (Hydromet)

- Disaster Risk Exposure Assessment for Migration - Light Detection and Ranging (DREAM-LIDAR)


- Enhancing Geohazards Mapping through LIDAR


- Coastal Hazards and Storm Surge Assessment and Mitigation (CHASSAM)


- Flood Information Network (FloodNET) Project


- Local Development of Doppler Radar Systems (LaDDeRS)


- Landslide Sensors Development Project

As the project aims to relay accurate information or high percentage on its forecasts about possible hazards / calamities to come, technology seems to be a major issue that the project encountered.
A year is about to pass and most of us were waiting for the completion of this enormous project and hoping that they have the full support they needed from the government.