Alter Space Advocacy: From Digital Into Reality

"Save water, conserve energy, and care for nature." These are just some of the common phrases we hear from environmentalists, eco-activists, and its supporters. But how does the common man absorb this message?


Are they indeed encouraged to save water, conserve energy and care for nature? How much of it converts to actual practice and serious at that?

A new Facebook game called Alter Space recently pushed it with an extra creative notch.

The Social Media Phenomenon

When I attended the 3rd Internet and Mobile Marketing Summit (IMMAP) in 2009, there were already 24 million Filipinos using the Internet. Now, with a population of almost a hundred million, Internet users in the Philippines have risen to about 27 million, or roughly 27% of Filipinos. That is a big jump from about 7 years ago when we only had about 5 miilion Internet users then.

Alter Space Revealed

Indeed, the power of online influence is now truly significant. And this is what new Facebook game Alter Space tapped to further spread its message and advocacy of carbon footprint awareness to the increasing number of online citizens. For those new to the term, 'carbon footprint' is basically the carbon emmission of everything you do.

 

 

As Aboitiz Power Chief Reputation Officer Sebastian Lacson said in a recent press conference, they choose the Internet as medium to forward their advocacy because they believe it is "very effective and can spread very quickly."

Aboitiz Power Chief Reputation Officer Sebastian Lacson

Aboitiz Power AVP Ms. Ria Calleja

Alter Space Developers & Aboitiz Power Executives

 Their three main objectives are:

1. Educate people about Carbon Footprint
2. Make them realize the effects of carbon footprint
3. Promote Filipino culture

If you have tried playing the Alter Space Facebook game application, it mimics real world and actual life scenarios of regular individuals from as simple as staying at home, going to the park, or eating at a restaurant. It shows that in almost all the things we do, there is an equivalent energy consumed and carbon emitted as a result of that activity.

In totality, you might recognize that Alter Space encourages the player to be conscious of the amount of carbon footprint with each activity. Handy tips and trivia about energy conservation and related topics are shown from time to time making it very educational to its 17,000 online users to date. In fact, this can suit as a valid academic activity that can be adopted in schools as well.

Moreover, being a Filipino-made product, they promote patriotism by including Filipino customs and ideologies in the game setup such as the local game of 'sungka,' 'dirty ice cream,' and 'pamaypay' (native fan). Check it out at www.facebook.com/AlterSpaceGame.

Tagaytay Nature Trip

In a recent trip to Tagaytay's Nature's Spa with blogger friends, we got to re-appreciate nature and its beauty. I was reminded how relevant they are to our lives and that we are now starting to feel one of the effects of carbon emissions which is global warming.

Nature Spa in Tagaytay

This was followed by a sailing activity in the afternoon at nearby Taal Lake.

Hobie 610

 

This also reminded me that environment protection is not only limited to trees, the forest, and its greeneries, but also the valuable water resources that the 7,107 island of the Philippines have.

Making It Into Reality: The Change That Starts with You

Did you know that aside for being the texting capital of the world, the Philippines is also making a mark in the social networking aspect? We are now the world's fifth largest country in Facebook at almost 21 million registered users as of January 2011 statistics.

Specially focusing on the youth with endorsers Alodia Gosengfiao and Anton Del Rosario of Azkals, the creators of Alter Space knew this and hope to instill the awareness of carbon footprint in our environment, to our world, and its future. More than just verbal campaigns and catchy slogans, they believe that the Facebook game application will effect enough conviction to the players, both believers and otherwise, to act upon it or at least be aware of the carbon footprint produce in many things they do.

Alter Space Endorser Azkal's Anton Del Rosario

Of course, this does not mean for us to sloth around and do nothing for the sake of reducing carbon footprint, but to be more efficient in the things we do and exert that conscious effort in doing our part. Even in our own little ways we can reduce the carbon emissions.

The creators of Alter Space believe that "the power to change starts with you," and each of the 21 million Facebook users in the Philippines. Make this digital advocacy affect your reality!


Anton Del Rosario

Watsons SakuraBella Debuts with Celebrities

Watsons in the Philippines recently introduced a new beauty and skin care product line called SakuraBella. It debutted at SM Makati Watsons with a number of celebrities in a Hanami themed gathering.

Hosted by fashionista icon Bianca Valerio and half Japanese half Spanish international model from Brazi Fabio Ide.

A Japanese word literally meaning "cherry Blossoms", SakuraBella is a line of body care products enriched with Japanese Sakura extracts that aid in combating fine lines and dull complexions which are signs of aging. For the Japanese, Sakura is a good source of anti-aging and moisturizing properties. It is also found to contain anti-oxidants called phenolics for maintaining the youthful glow.

Watsons' SakuraBella

The event started with a Japanese Hanami themed fashion show with the SakuraBella products.

 

 

 

The Watsons SakuraBella Product Line include:

• SakuraBella Hand & Body Lotion 340ml
• SakuraBella Shower Gel 500ml
• SakuraBellaBody Scrub 200ml

Aside from Japanese Sakura extract, the hand body & lotion contains Vitamin E and olive oil to nourish the skin keeping it soft and silky smooth. It is priced at P119. The shower gel has rich foaming lather while the body scrub is rich in glycerin and finely ground walnut shell particles. Prices are P259 and P169, respectively.

There was also a Japanese costume contest and some raffle prizes given away.

 

 

 

 

 

Japanese Costume Winners

 

 

 

The event was well attended as a number of clebrities were also present. Check out an upcoming
blogpost at Showbiz Manila!

Model Fabio Ide and Designer Kate Torralba

 

Rissa Manaquil & Phoemela Baranda

Fahion Icon Bianca Valerio among the Sakura

 SakuraBella is available in all Watsons Personal Care stores and SM Department stores' beauty section nationwide.

Ogie-Regine Wedding Memories Preserved by NicePrint Photo

No doubt about it, Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez's wedding is one of the major local celebrity unions of the 21st century's first decade. This brings me to a thought that I am still single and can only dream of the day when the chosen love of my life would also walk that aisle towards me and together approach the altar to promise each other our eternal love in front of our God.

When that happens, I would love to preserve those memories into images just like how NicePrint Photo did it in the Ogie-Regine wedding, putting those precious memories into lasting images.

The photos were really amazing. And you don't need me to tell you that. See for yourself.

Check out this video of Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez celebrity wedding as well:



More Photos:

I believe the choice of a wedding photographer/studio is a very important component in any wedding ceremony. It's so important, most of my relatives' weddings hired two sets of photographers - just in case something happens to the other one or fails to show up. These are aside from the regular photos shot by relatives during the wedding as well. :) Sometimes, lost photos can also be caused by 'exposures' during the earlier days when the cameras were still film-based. A slight exposure can destroy the whole set of film.

I can only wish to have a similar international destination wedding photographer like what Ogie and Regine had. I want them to capture our moments as well. So that in the future, my wife and I can look back at the photos and relish the memories, even already with wrinkles around our eyes.

Boys Night Out DJs Oracare

Boys Night Out (BNO) has become a popular show on local FM radio. The threesome DJs Tony Toni, Slick Rick, and Sam YG - have entertained thousands of listeners for almost four years now. Let's see what they gave to say about oral care and Oracare.

With the Boys Night Out DJs playful and naughty banters, they reflect the adage that boys will be boys.

On the other hand, despite their wacky comments and funny antics on-air, the BNO dudes can get serious when it comes to their grooming and hygiene habits, specifically oral hygiene.

“Being a radio personality and a media professional puts you in close contact with lots of people...It would be very embarrassing and, in a way, even disrespectful...to be less than presentable in public,” says Slick Rick.

"For us, our ‘breath’ is our livelihood. It affects how people perceive us," says Tony Toni, who often plays the role of the naughty, racy fellow among the three.

"We talk to people everyday. It's our business," says Sam YG, the self-described nerd of the group.

"Plus you never know when you're going to meet a girl you like. It's important because you don't want to leave the impression of having bad breath," adds Slick Rick, the ladies’ man’.

"It's a big turn-off for women...if you have strong, unpleasant mouth odor, you can say goodbye to your chances of getting a kiss after a date,” says Tony Toni.

Boys Night Out DJs' Oral Hygiene Regimen

"Right after waking up, I have to brush my teeth to ensure I have fresh breath even though I don't have anyone with me at home. After I eat, I brush again, then floss. Then I take a shower and after that, mouthwash before I leave the house. I'm kind of praning about keeping my teeth and my mouth clean," shares Slick Rick.

"I brush my teeth after every meal, then floss about twice a day. I use mouthwash three times a day. Other brands, however, don't really eliminate the odor, they just mask  it with its strong flavors. Especially when you've eaten something like shawarma that has a lasting effect even after you've brushed your teeth," shares Sam YG.

"There are other brands naman that are effective. But it's really the stinging effect na ayaw ko e, it's very strong and it comes to a point na you have to dilute it. Yung iba may bad aftertaste pa. So much so that you can even taste it even when you are already eating. I used to think na kung walang alcohol or wala yung stinging effect, it's not as potent," Tony Toni adds in.

Then they tried OraCare.

On using OraCare
If Sam Pinto is to San Mig Light, then Boys Night Out is to Oracare. :)

"At first, I was curious because of the "no sting" claim. I was like, ok, let's see how the product will get the job done without giving me the sting...But since I’ve used  it, I”ve never looked back," jests Sam YG- just like an anti-dandruff shampoo ad. :)

"Since I started using OraCare regularly, I haven’t been as conscious about my breath. I'm more confident when talking to people...You can bring your face closer to other people’s faces to talk  without feeling worried," says Tony Toni.

"With OraCare I can use it on a daily basis without wondering whether it would hurt my mouth or something, kasi hindi siya matapang. I said to myself, finally, they came up with something that does not give you the sting yet gives you  fresh breath. It makes you wonder also that if the mouthwash is very harsh, what does that do to my teeth, gums, tongue? If there's much pain, couldn't it have some damaging effect?," Sam YG observes.

Boys Night Out & Oracare!

Boys Night Out seem to prove that good oral hygiene can spell success at work, romance and other situations. And for Boys Night Out DJs, OraCare is clearly their choice for fresh breath and healthy teeth and gums. OraCare Toothpaste and OraCare Mouthrinse are available in leading supermarkets and drugstores nationwide. OraCare Mouthrinse come in regular and cool flavors.