World Wildlife Day is an annual celebration that takes place every 3rd day of March. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats. The United Nations General Assembly first declared March 3rd as World Wildlife Day in 2013, and it has been celebrated every year since then.

The theme for World Wildlife Day changes every year and it varies. The theme for this year, 2023 is "Partnerships in Wildlife Conservation". This year's theme emphasizes the importance partner agencies, organizations and individuals. Ensuring a greener future for the next generations is not just the work of a lone individual but of a collective effort from everyone living on this planet. To enjoy the benefits of a healthy and diverse natural world. The theme also highlights the need for collective action to address the threats facing wildlife and their habitats.

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For many Filipinos, like me, the Jeepney is more than just a mode of transportation. It is a cultural icon that represents the country's history, creativity, and resilience. It needs to be preserved and maintained just like some of the historical and valuable pieces of our Philippine History. However, the Jeepney is now facing an uncertain future as the government plans to phase it out and replace it with modern mini-buses, which they call the modern jeep. If you're asking me, I don't find any resemblance of the jeep on that vehicle. It's more of a mini-bus for me. 

The Jeepney's Origins

The Jeepney has a fascinating origin story that reflects the Filipino's resourcefulness and ingenuity. It started after World War II when American military jeeps were left in the country. The Filipinos, being known for their knack for repairing and recycling things, transformed the war jeeps into colorful and flamboyant public utility vehicles. 

The first Jeepneys were bare-bones vehicles that could accommodate up to 20 passengers. But over the years, they evolved into a more elaborate form with ornate designs, flashy decals, and vibrant colors that reflect the driver's personality. 

 

SM Foundation (SMFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of the SM group, together with Maxeon Solar Technologies, recently powered up the Lemery Pilot Elementary School (LPES) in Batangas through the Sinag Schools program.

This social good collaboration between SMFI and Maxeon aims to provide clean and renewable energy to schools in grassroot communities by installing solar panels on an SM school building, especially to those that have low operating expenses.

In addition to the solar panel installation which intends to power positive change in the way energy is consumed in public schools, the program also aims to enhance the understanding of students in terms of energy management and the need to transition to cleaner energy alternatives with lower environmental impacts.

As the Philippines welcomed another year, most Filipinos are anxious to see what the future holds. With everything the country experienced last 2020, a lot of people are doing their best to make the coming year different. Some have decided to make resolutions and pursue new opportunities, but for others, it is to continue the legacy of changing lives.

World Vision, together with its partners, continues the mission of helping the most vulnerable children and their communities led by its vision of seeing thousands or even millions of kids reach the fullness of life.

Through its campaign “A New Year of Firsts”, World Vision invites their sponsors to empower a child by enabling him or her to experience powerful and life-changing moments of firsts such as, for the first time a family could eat until they were full, a village could have clean water, a child could have all she needs to continue going to school, and a child could feel safe and protected. 

An eye-opener and an immediate call not only to save Ilog Pasig but to save the world, PhilPop, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), and National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) have teamed up for this two-day Mini Bootcamp of Taga-Alog, which includes a songwriting workshop that aims to promote Ilog Pasig as a center of cultural narrative and heritage, as well as raise awareness for the rehabilitation efforts of the river through a creative advocacy in music.

This is perhaps one of the clearest languages not only to one's ears but also to the innermost, deep inside the heart. Being part of the observer of the Mini Bootcamp it is a privilege to learn from three of the best songwriters in the country, Noel Cabangon, Trina Belamide, and Jungee Marcelo. I have not only learned the construction of music but also learned some of the processes on how to create and come up with inspiring and moving songs.  Of course, there is also the learnings about the current stage of our environment based on the talks from DENR and Maynilad reps.

So, how did the songwriting went? Well, as mentioned it is advocacy and it is led by the three acclaimed and award-winning songwriters/ professionals in the music industry, Noel Cabangon, Trina Belamide, and Jungee Marcelo. The Mini Bootcamp is joined by upcoming composers and songwriters who have shown immense promise in writing the next big anthem for the environment.

After the success of TampisAwit last year, PETA and NCCA have expanded the mentorship program for budding songwriters and composers by tapping PhilPop to come up with a more comprehensive syllabus that put emphasis on Songwriting for Advocacy.

During the camp activities, coaches gave some short talks about song composition in which participants were very much attentive, as I am also. Right after they were given some activities to test creativity. Then it was followed by a short presentation.

"This time, we're not only imparting techniques to improve their craft," that's according to Taga-Alog Mini Bootcamp 2019 Chairman Noel Cabangon. He also added, "It is also our responsibility to prepare them in the real world, and help them pitch advocacy concepts that are geared toward creative ways to build awareness on various environmental causes. As musicians, we are more than just entertainers; we can change the world with our art."


The two-day songwriting workshop and competition culminated with the performance of the top 5 finalists and the announcement of the top 3songs. The first winner was given a grant for the official recording and promotions during the entire Taga-Alog campaign for 2019.

The winners are

1st Place - Suzanne Samson / “Ilog Pasig Laban”
2nd Place - Gerard de Leon & Rica Francisco / “Bangon, Ilog”
3rd Place - Randy Pusing / “Kayang-kaya”

The Comedy Queen, Ai Ai Delas Alas, known for her tanga outfit whenever she performs might go a little bit wholesome as she conducts a benefit concert this coming June 24, 2019. Details of the concert is yet to confirm but it was assured that it's going to be filled with great performances.

It's not always funny antics and work for the Comedy Queen, knowing Ms Ai Ai, she will help whenever she can, specially for the church. That's a 100% sure. I think she believes that sharing your blessings is the right thing to do and will bring back ten folds. Probably that's one of her advocacy.

Speaking of advocacy, Ms Ai Ai pushes her service as she also head the team inviting other performers to join the Benefit Concert for the Kristong Hari Church which will on June 24 at Araneta Coliseum. One of her brand endorsement, Hobe Quick Cook Noodles, supports her on this project.


Kristong Hari is one of the old churches along Commonwealth Ave. Right before St. Peter Church was built, Kristong Hari was one of the nearest local churches in the vicinity of Commowealth Ave. The sunctuary where many of the Catholics go to listen for mass.

Keep posted for more details to come on this benefit concert.

It seems that mosquito does has the habit of carrying diseases with them and unfortunately, with the number of species that they the more types of diseases will be infecting humans and animals. One type of diseases that are carried by the mosquito is called the Japanese Encephalitis which is viral and commonly affects the children.

When I heard about this I was at thought because I didn't know that aside from dengue and malaria there are other diseases that are caused and transferred by the mosquito. And knowing what it can do to children or human perse is alarming. It's great that there are groups and organizations that pushes the awareness of such health issues and sharing the idea of how to address these kind of problem.

Here's an information shared and given out by the doctors and experts during the media briefing held at Dusit Thani Hotel.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. Transmitted by the mosquito vector Culextritaeniorhynchus, the virus can cause inflammation of the brain, leading to high fever, headache, fatigue, vomiting, confusion, and in severe cases, seizures, spastic paralysis, and coma. It could also mimic a stroke, as was the case reported in Davao during the second half of 2016. There is no specific treatment for this disease. JE is fatal in 20 to 30% of cases and among those who survive, 30 to 50% suffer from permanent disabilities.
Reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) have estimated that there are currently 3 billion people at risk for JE, living in JE-prone areas, including 24 countries in the Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions. JE usually occurs in rural and agricultural areas, however, an epidemiologic study conducted by Dr. Anna Lena Lopez of the National Institute of Health (NIH) published in 2015, showed that the virus circulates in all regions of the Philippines, including urban areas like Metro Manila, constituting a significant public health burden.  The study showed that although majority of cases occur in children younger than 15 years of age, adults remain at risk, with 15% of cases occurring in individuals older than 18 years. In tropical areas, disease can occur year-round. Data from the Department of Health (DOH) Epidemiology Bureau surveillance system revealed that for 2016, among 875 acute meningitis-encephalitis suspected cases reported as of August 2016, 119 (14%) were laboratory-confirmed for JE.

As part of the government’s strategy to reduce mosquito-borne diseases, the 4S program was implemented several years back. 4S stands for: Search and destroy mosquito breeding places, use Self-protection measures, Seek early consultation for fever lasting more than 2 days, and Say yes to fogging when there is an impending outbreak. However, mosquito-borne diseases are still on the rise. According to the WHO, the most effective way of reducing disease burden is vaccination against the illness. The WHO cites that there is clear evidence demonstrating the impact JE vaccination has on disease burden in a population. Hence, the WHO has recommended that JE vaccination be integrated into national immunization schedules in all areas where JE is recognized as a public health problem.

The WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) has reviewed data on the different types of JE vaccines (inactivated and live attenuated vaccines) and has found them to have acceptable safety profiles. Local scientific bodies, including the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) and Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP), have recommended that JE vaccination be given as a single primary dose for those 9 months old and above. For individuals less than 18 years of age, this should be followed by a booster dose 1 to 2 years after. Other preventive strategies for disease control include bed nets, repellents, long-sleeved clothes, coils, vaporizers and mosquito control measures.
About the Vaccine, The JE-chimeric vaccine, a live attenuated recombinant vaccine, was first licensed in the Philippines in 2013. The vaccine is produced by Vero cell culture, a cell culture technology recommended by WHO. It is the only JE vaccine available locally and is approved for use for individuals 9 months old and above, with high immunogenicity rates.

Mommies we need to be vigilant nowadays, that mosquito-borne diseases give us scary feeling for our kids. I hope this kind of information give you an enlightenment about JE just like me.  Do follow all the required vaccine for your babies.

In history, myths does have its origin, but in medicine,myths are beliefs that need to be debug because if not life may lead to terminal illnesses or even death. We, Filipinos have so many beliefs that more often we tend to take it lightly and not considers any preventive measures. Sometimes we shrug our shoulders and says 'it was nothing'. Yes, that was nothing for now but eventually will grow something that is irreversible.

One of today's feared life taker is cancer and one of the fast growing in number is the persons with what you call of a terminal cancer, Colon Cancer. In a more scientific term it is called the colorectal disease or commonly known as Colon Cancer. Silent as they are with the symptoms type of cancer is also a silent killer.

A few days ago, the Philippine Society of Enterologist with their sponsor Westmont, a division of Unilab, conducted a media briefing regarding their advocacy, which is the Colon Cancer Awareness and also the upcoming Cancer Awareness month.
The main thrust of the organization is to make a noise regarding Colon Cancer, the myths people believed about it, and the initiative in calling the attention of the government to have every Filipino citizens above 50 years old to be screened. According to DR. FREDERICK DY, Gastronintestinal oncologist and a leading expert in endoscopy, "Colorectal cancer has certainly become a real concern in the Philippines. The growing number of incidence and mortality worldwide have put the disease as the third most common type of cancer for both men and women, after lung and breast cancers."

According to the recent statistics of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) foremost cancer research and statistics project, GLOBOCAN, there were 4,901 deaths of the 8,553 incidences of colorectal cancer in the Philippines in 2012, which means that more than half of those diagnosed have died from the disease.

It is unfortunate that the level of awareness about colorectal cancer here in the Philippines is much lower than that for other types of cancer such as breasts or lungs. Doctors also find difficulty in urging patients to adopt lifestyle changes for the prevention if colorectal cancer. The earlier the better it is prevented.
“Colorectal cancer us influenced by both modifiable and non-modifiable risks, one of which is lifestyle and diet. But as a lifestyle illness, it is also asymptomatic (displaying no symptoms) is the initial stage,” Dr. Dy says.

As what Dr. Dy mentioned, modifiable risk factors are those that can be changed like obesity, cigarette smoking, alcoholic beverage intake, physical inactivity and increased consumption of red meat. A diet rich in animal fat generally increases risk, while eating food rich in fiber and calcium may possible reduce the risk.

Aside from the modifiable risk factors there are also the non-modifiable risks factor in colorectal cancer. Some of these non-modifiable are the gender, age, and family history. According to Dr. Dy these are factors that cannot be altered. These factors are inherent in a person like the family history of the disease and gender.

With the increase in incidences, colon cancer is now among the deadliest, and recent data show that it's not slowing down either.

"Colon cancer doesn't begin as cancer immediately; it starts with pre-malignant precursors called polyps. If left attended, these polyps grow over time, eventually becoming cancer. For young people, the risk is low, but they are not immune to it. We have young adults developing colorectal cancer. The occurrence is generally uncommon, but if someone has symptoms referable to colorectal cancer, no matter the age, they need to see their doctor or better if they consult a gastroenterologist. Most of colorectal cancer occurs sporadically but some have a strong genetic background. There are also genetic syndromes that also develop a significant number of polyps at a younger age," said Dy.
As to what is always said "prevention is the best medicine" and for the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology, they are aiming to inform every Filipino about colon cancer and encourages everyone to have themselves be screened, most especially and a must are those people ages 50 and up. It is preventable all is needed is the cooperation of every Filipino and of course through the help of the government and every individual.

So, for the Colon Cancer Awareness month which will happen this March, let us all be aware and be responsive to the call.

For people in need 10 pesos goes a long long way and for children who wants to go to school this is enough to help them and make their dreams come true. This is what made the people behind HEROES PROJECT come up with. All are considered heroes as we all unite to bring deserving scholars to school for just only spending Php10 and texting HEROES to 3456.

Okay since we learned about Earth Hour we never missed the day. We have been participating every year may it be in an organized event or just in our plain house with the lights off and only a candle light can be seen.

On March 28, 2015, Saturday at exactly 8:30 PM let us all participate in making a change by turning our lights off for an hour which can make a difference. Let us all Change Climate Change!

Saving Mother Earth a is serious task. We may not have big funds or an armada to command but what matters is that our small deeds is greater when two or more individual made a pact to do their share of saving the environment. We're all runners in this call! As part of the celebration and call PRO Earth Run 2015 is initiated.

It's to get healthy and at the same time made an act to save the environment.

In its Global Climate Risk Index 2015, Germanwatch listed the Philippines as one of the countries most affected by extreme weather events in 2013.

Here in Kwento Ni Toto, stories come from different events, adventures, brands and advocacy.  Whether it is for young ones, for teens, for yuppies or even for adults.  Kwento Ni Toto shares the stories to the public to inform and impart knowledge to present readers and potential readers.

For this particular post it is just right to give a head start that this blog post include terms that may be rarely heard or used by the public, particularly the young ones and the teens.  But for the sake of sharing knowledge and information it is just right that this campaign or advocacy should be heard as well.  Just a caution comprehension requires an adult or adult mind.

Kwento Ni Toto is in one with the call of WWF in saving the world and the environment as we participate and support today's Earth Hour activity.  After it was started eight years ago the number of people and countries participating are growing every year and today let us grow more to continuously save the planet.   An hour of saving energy can help a lot!

Tonight don't forget to turn off your lights and electricity at 8:30 PM.

Kwento Ni Toto brings back Domex's call to fight bacteria and germs.  Yup we're bringing back the call and this time it's the Call to One Million Clean Toilets.  Though last year was the actual day of celebrating the World Toilet Day, this instance is the press conference of Domex's launch for the Call to One Million Clean Toilets.  One of Kwento Ni Toto's correspondent joins the media as big shots of the advocacy voice out their call to share and let the advocacy be heard online and offline.


The One Million clean Toilets Movement aims to encourage a culture of cleanliness by increasing the public's awareness on the importance of maintaining proper toilet sanitation through a series of year-long cleaning and education initiatives, starting with a multi-sector partnership with UNICEF, the Philippine Public Health Association, the city of Manila and Pilipinas Shell.

The Global Handwashing Day reminds us of keeping ourselves to be clean and healthy.  Making the habit of handwashing keeps us away from sickness and other diseases.  

Last mid of October, Unilever Philippines lead the celebration of the Global Handwashing Day here in the Philippines.   Themed as "Pledge Hands to Save Lives" they had the kick off at Aurora Quezon Elementary School in San Andres, Manila.  Joining the celebration was students and teachers of the said school together with some dignitaries like Manila Councilor Roland Valeriano and celebrities like Unilever soap endorser Vicky Morales and reigning Bb. Pilipinas – Universe Arielle Arida who pledge their hands to save lives.  This is Unilever Philippines' way of continuing their commitment to help improve a billion better lives worldwide by 2020, and ultimately uplifting the lives of Filipinos everyday.

Kwento Ni Toto will be participating this coming October 6, 2013 in a prestigious and well known advocacy call of ABS-CBN Foundation's Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP) together with the Regional Network Group (RNG) and The Filipino Channel (TFC) as they asked the people once more to heed the call of saving the environment.  Hoping for thousands of participants ABS-CBN's "One Run, One Philippines" will proceed with their plan and prayerfully nothing will go wrong.

ABS_CBN Foundation's Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP) together with Regional Network Group (RNG) and The Filipino Channel (TFC) will commence the "One Run, One Philippines will invade Quezon City, Cebu City, Bacolod City, Davao City, and Los Angeles (USA) to clamor for the protection of different environmental advocacies.

As usual encourages participants to be mindful of the cleanliness and orderliness. The Quezon City leg or the fifth "Run for the Pasig River" will be held at Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) with 6:00 AM gunstart for both 3k and 5k categories.  I just hope that this time I will be able to join the fun run.  If it will pursue this will be my first ever fun run.   The said run will have its starting line at Technohub overpass straight along Commonwealth Avenue then head to QMC for the finish line.

Of course, preparation will be made for this event in which they will close portions of the Commonwealth avenue for the runners but will still have lanes for the vehicles.  There will also be parking zones located at Philcoa, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, sugar Regulatory Commission, Trinoma, Wildlife, Quezon City Hall, National Housing Authority, and side streets of University Avenue, Visayas Avenue, North Ave, Quezon Avenue, East Avenue and Kalayaan Avenue.

This coming Saturday, March 23, 2013 Kwento Ni Toto will be joining the call to save Mother Earth.  We'll be going beyond the 60 minutes energy conservation.

You too can join and participate with the call right into your houses or places.  Let us all support Earth Hour and save the world.

Event covered by Jefferson Montas aka Justin.

The ABS-CBN Foundation's Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP) will be staging it s fourth advocacy run to clamor for cleaner rivers and esteros in Metro Manila via "09,30.2012 Run for the Pasig River" to be held in Quezon City on September 30, 2012.

After the success of last year's 11.20.2011 Run for the Pasig River, KBPIP is again urging groups and individuals to join the eco foot-race, which will help raise awareness and funds for the rehabilitation of the waterways of Quezon City-San Juan-Mandaluyong-Makati.

There will be three major event categories for the advocacy run: the 15K Ride & Roll with 4:00 a.m. gunstart; the 15K Commonwealth Challenge Run with 4:10 a.m. gunstart; and the 5K Morning Madness Run with 6:00 a.m. gunstart.  This time, there will be one starting line in the Quezon City Memorial Circle (QCMC) going straight to Commonwealth Avenue then back again to QCMC for the finish.

ABS-CBN Foundation's Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig has a track-record of organizing three successful runs for the Pasig River.  The 2009 Philippine International Marathon: A Run for the Pasig River, which had an estimated 23,000 participants, helped fund the inital phase of rehabilitation of Estero de Paco, a 2.9-kilometer tributary of the Pasig River in Manila.

The historic 10.10.10 Run for the Pasig River, meanwhile, broke the Guinness World Record for the "most participants in a racing event" with 116,087 runners.  It helped rehabilitate the second phase of the Estero de Paco clean-up.

Last year's 11.20.2011 Run for the Pasig River was the largest foot race joined by 86,547 runners, are currently being used to rehabilitate Estero de San Miguel and foru other esteros behind the Malacanang Palace.

KBPIP's seven-year rehabilitation program involves cleaning up all the esteros that drain into the Pasig River in order to thoroughly clean it.  To date, the project has resettled 1,216 families to Calauan, Laguna, introduced remediation technologies for water quality improvement, trained community volunteers for the River Warriors program and shared sound waste management practices with communities.

The 10.10.10 Run for the Pasig River won a Bronze anvil and an Award of Excellence at the 45th Anvil Awards given by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines, while the Estero de Paco clean-up earned an Award of Merit from the 2012 Philippine Quill Awards given by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines.

Registration for the 09.30.2012 Run for the Pasig River opened on July 16, 2012 in SM North EDSA, 2nd Floor Cinema C Lobby (near IMAX Theater) and on July 20 in SM Megamall, Lower Ground Level, Building A (near The Event Center and Food Court) and SM Mall of Asia, Ground Floor Main Mall (near Music hall and SM Bowling Center).  Aside from the registration, there will also be merchandise available in the booths, in which part of the proceeds will also go to river rehab.  For updates on this advocacy run, visit www.runforthepasigriver.com.

Recently, I was able to get invited in an event regarding the launch of FILA and Athletes in Action (AIA) Schools Run for School Rooms.  It is an advocacy program which aims to take part in solving the nation's greater woes.  The two organization join forces to bring the biggest advocacy run to help raise funds for the rehabilitation of the classrooms in Iligan City, which were badly hit by Typhoon Sendong back in 2011.  




Numbers of bloggers were present during the event to witness and learn about the programs and undertakings of FILA and Athletes in Action, especially with this project that they are all involve with.  Hosted by one of the endorser Mr Tim Yap and together with the coaches and people behind the advocacy run, they were able to address to the bloggers the need and the importance of this upcoming event.  This run will not only benefit the schools and students of Iligan City but will also benefit the runners as well, physically!    




With 15,000 runners who have signed up to date and still expecting for more, the Schools Run for School Rooms (SRSR) marathon will be gathering student-runners from major colleges and universities, to bring a glimmer of hope to Iligan city, where eager students have to do with makeshift classrooms as the school year starts.

With just a few weeks of the the event hopefully people get to notice and participate in the run and try to share the blessings.


Since 1911, FILA traces its roots from Biella, a province set at the foot of the Italian Alps. Unbeknownst to many, this small town brand is big on corporate social responsibility. At the recently concluded 2012 FILA Polo Cup, project “500 for 500” was launched by FILA President Butch Albert to help Typhoon Sendong victims once again by donating 500 pesos to 500 families for every purchase of Skele-Toes. Skele-Toes is FILA’s latest line of revolutionary active footwear that is fast raising many eyebrows and causing the curious to utter #whattheheckisthat? For us at FILA, it’s simply a shoe that changes the game. Rock at the gym or at the party, Skele-Toes is just about the only shoe that fits – and Tim, Georgina, and Borgy all agree!

Since people will be running on this advocacy run it is high time that people should try FILA's  newest line of running shoes, Swerve and Flow. FILA Swerve boasts of a Dynamic Landing System through a lightweight foam at the midsole and V3 techonology inserts at the heel. This gives you the proper support that you need in every step, without compromising style and design.


FILA Flow is perfect for the outdoor dweller with its heavy duty outsole, making every shock and bump a breeze. This one will surely go with you to countless victories and finishes.

Whether you prefer a classic or a rocking pair of rubbershoes, it’s high time to give your tiresome trainers a break and take the Skele-Toes, Swerve, or Flow out for a spin. With your purchase of a pair of Skele-Toes and participation at the SRSR marathon, it’s definitely more fun to help with FILA!

Tickets and registration forms are available at SM Ticketnet outlets (https://www.smtickets.com/event/view/776). Singlets and race bibs can be claimed at Fila Stores in Metro Manila.

For exclusive updates, follow us on Twitter (@filamanila) or be a fan on Facebook (FILAPhilippines).