Ramon Orlina

Ramon Orlina polishing one of his glass sculptures

Ramon Orlina polishing one of his glass sculptures

Ramon Orlina is named the Father of Philippine Glass Sculpture. With a background in architecture, Orlina succeeded in the sculpting world through his hardwork and self-study. He didn’t have any masters and he studied sculpting on his own. Unlike most sculptors, Orlina uses a cold technique for his art pieces. It includes cutting, grinding, smoothing, and polishing glass.

Glass is known to be a recyclable material, and true enough, Orlina made an art out of throw-away chunks of glass. Admitting that he is a nature lover, he translated his love for nature into his art through the forms and messages of his art.

Now, Orlina is set to have a museum in Tagaytay City (near Nuvali) with a goal of bringing art closer to the people.

People can also visit his atelier in Manila:  2170 – 2174 Ilaw ng Nayon corner Blumentritt Street, Sampaloc, Manila. One can also visit his website.

Watch a replay of Green Living’s feature on Ramon Orlina on June 11, 2013,  9:3o pm on ANC.

ramon orlina 2


Bambu Technologies

Bamboo has often been compared to a culture of resilience that Filipinos have cultivated throughout history. This is because of its high tensile strength which is ideal in making furniture, houses, and, in this case, bikes.  Boy Siojo, along with his colleagues in Bambu Technologies, has been advocating the use of bamboo because of its sustainability. It is abundant and easy to harvest.
Bambu Tech
Another striking feature of the bamboo bikes from Bambu Tech. is the craftsmanship behind them. Some of their workers are the same people who harvest the bamboo they use. More than the basic structure, the workers also incorporate their indigenous art in the body of the bikes by etching representations of their tribes’ history. This goes to show that the business does not only help the environment but it also helps Filipinos in the provinces.

For questions or orders, you may check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BambuTechnologies?fref=ts

Watch a replay of Green Living’s feature on Bambu Tech on June 11, 2013,  9:3o pm on ANC.


Soap

Bath soaps can disintegrate so fast, especially now that we tend to take more baths due to the extremely hot weather. Have you ever had those little leftover soap bits that are too small to use for a regular bath? Well, instead of just throwing them away, here are some fast and easy tips to use them to sanitize different parts of your home.

  1. Easiest way is to make a new bar from the old bits and pieces. Simply wet the sides of several bars with warm water and press them firmly against each other, securing them with a cling wrap. Wait for it to completely dry before using.
  2. Turn them into liquid soap. Toss the pieces into a bowl filled with boiling water and stir briskly. Let cool and pour into your hand wash dispenser or any container.
  3. Dry out scented pieces from soaps and add them to clothes drawers. This will prevent that unwanted, musty smell from creeping onto your clothes.
  4. Make a non-toxic insecticide for your plants. Shred one tablespoon of leftover soap into ¼ cup warm water and stir briskly. After letting it cool, transfer the mixture into a spray bottle. Just spray it on the infested plant, wait for it to dry, then rinse with water. This soap spray effectively kills small insects and their eggs.

Aside from saving up money, you can lessen the amount of your household waste by following these practical tips. Now you can use your soap down to the last bit!


Mind Museum

The Mind Museum is the first world-class Science museum in the country, featuring over 250 interactive exhibits that help people learn Science in a fascinating way. But did you know that the building is also a science exhibit in itself? More than just providing a futuristic design to the building, its intricate architecture actually provides sustainable and eco-friendly elements to the facility.

Staying true to the vision of the Bonifacio Arts Foundation Inc, Architect Ed Calma conceived an elaborate blueprint for The Mind Museum that included green features down to its very structure.  Just recently, The Mind Museum has been awarded a gold certification by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a third party verification system for measuring building sustainability. Some of the more notable features include:

  1. Rainwater catchment. Their facility is designed to collect rainwater which they could use for flushing and other housekeeping tasks. Collecting rainwater also helps reduce flooding by lessening the water that goes into the public drains.
  2. Their ventilation system is connected to a Dedicated Outdoor System (DOAS) which supplies fresh air to the circulating air within the facility. Their Building Management System (BMS) and Variable Air Volume (VAV) mechanisms maintain 24 degrees C and automatically adjust the temperature only when more people come in the building.
  3. They have a “green” roof. Their roof is partially covered in vegetation which insulates the building from outdoor heat, thereby reducing the cooling requirements of the building.
  4. Aside from adding a futuristic appeal to the building, the slanted walls were specifically constructed to provide better lighting in the area by avoiding direct sunlight.

More than just making people appreciate and understand Science, The Mind Museum wants their visitors to exemplify environmental sustainability as part of their museum experience. They want to show people that being green should be a necessity rather than an option. As the museum’s curator Maribel Garcia put it, “Whether you’re a tree hugger or you’re a businessman, it should make sense to you to be green.”

The Mind Museum

J.Y. Campos Park, 3rd Avenue, Taguig City

(02)909 64 63


Rock Balancing

Rock balancing is a performance art in which stones are piled up on top of each other without any adhesives in seemingly impossible ways. One has to look for the rock’s natural center of gravity and manipulate the rock by trial and error until it appears weightless and stays in place using only innate balance. Rock Balancing is also said to be therapeutic in nature. The concentration required to build a sculpture isolates the artist from ambient noise and nurtures meditative presence.

Environmentalists Leandro Inocencio and Ildefonso Vista

Environmentalists Leandro Inocencio and Ildefonso Vista

Environmentalists Leandro Inocencio and Ildefonso Vista use this art to proliferate their environmental  advocacies since it stimulates curiosity from almost anyone who sees it. Through the group Rock Balancing Philippines, these two individuals go to different parts of the country to share their chosen art, and encourage people to take care of the environment as well.

Watch a replay of Green Living’s feature on Rock Balancing on May 28, 2013,  9:3o pm on ANC.


Bike Maintenance Tips

Paolo in Extreme Bikeshop at Panay Avenue, QC

Paolo in Extreme Bikeshop at Panay Avenue, QC

Basic Bike Maintenance Tips:

1. Do not use high-pressure water to clean your bike. Use hose and rag instead. Otherwise, water may get into some parts of the bike that shouldn’t be exposed to water.

2. Keep your chain lubricated. Wipe off excess oil, because oil can also attract dirt.

3. Observe proper tire pressure according to the type of trail. High pressure for firm surfaces, while low pressure for rocky roads.

4. Bring with you important tools that are necessary for your bike’s maintenance and safety. These include tire pump, spare tube and/or patch kit, multi-tool, tire levers, chain tool, and flasher.

Some basic tools

Some basic tools

For more tips and consultation you may visit Extreme Bikeshop at #88 Panay Avenue, Quezon City.


Kay Isberto

Kay is a woman of knowledge and skills. Who would guess that this environmental lawyer is a also a painter? Her experience with her cases led her to conclude that we are losing our rainforests. She realized that we would usually come across images of denuded forests and flooded communities but have we ever seen a beautiful rainforest?

01 Kay

Kay painting a new piece in her home.

We can only understand the value of protecting our natural resources if we have a clear picture of what we might be taking for granted. With her exhibits (Bantay Gubat and Diwata Series), Kay is showing everyone what we can still save. We are, after all, the “guardians” of our rainforests.


Onlywood Ecological Furnitures

Virginia Blin shows us their wacky furniture colors

Virginia Blin shows us their wacky furniture colors

If there’s one thing that pinoys constantly have their eyes on, it’s none other than furniture to put around their home. Husband and wife Jerome and Virginia Blin sought to give pinoy furniture-making a twist, introducing wood recycling and a stylish French design in their furniture.

Onlywood Eco Furnitures is a business set up by Jerome and Virginia Blin, who handled a carpentry business in France. When they went here, they decided to establish a business not too far from what they had before–and bring along ecological practices with it. Virginia, who is an architect, designs the furniture and brings her drawings to their workshop where workers sort, cut, and nail together wood gathered from old, torn down wooden houses. Virginia says that old wood from houses are much stronger than new, freshly cut trees. This, she says, not only helps the environment but also ensures that the furniture they build would stand the test of time, and, of course, the sentimental hand-me-down tradition of the Filipinos.

Aside from Virginia’s designs, customers can also bring drawings or ideas to their shop, and they can have their workshop build these for them.

Onlywood Ecological Furniture
165 East Service Road
Alabang, Muntinlupa City
+639175959459 / 2381134
only_wood@yahoo.com
FB: Onlywood


Eat your cilantro!

There are certain people who do not fancy eating vegetables. But out of all the vegetables out there, nothing garners as much controversy as cilantro.

Cilantro -- an often misunderstood herb.

Cilantro — an often misunderstood herb.

Believe it or not, people who passionately express their bias against the cilantro may actually stem on a biological level. Some people are genetically more sensitive to the herb’s smell, which for them makes it more unpleasant to the nose and taste. Whatever the case, cilantro has a lot more health benefits that makes the herb a lot more lovable. It is said to help with a lot of cardiovascular problems, and is rich in antioxidants, and even demonstrates some insulin-like abilities. How’s that for a wonder herb?

Luckily, however, there are recipes that even the most sensitive of cilantro eaters will enjoy. Here are some of the recipes Paolo came up with:

Cilantro Lime Herb Butter

This wouldn't be a difficult dish to stomach!

This wouldn’t be a difficult dish to stomach!

Ingredients:

4 tbsps. unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

4 tbsps. chopped cilantro

2 tbsps. Lime or lemon juice

1/2 tsp. salt, or to taste.

All you have to do is combine all ingredients and mix them in until the blend is consistent. You can wrap it in foils or put it in storage in your refrigerator for future use. This butter mix will be best on grilled food, and even on snacks as simple as bread and corn-on-the-cob.

Sauteed shrimp in cilantro

This is one dish that will sear its way in your stomach.

This is one dish that will sear its way in your stomach.

Ingredients:

1/2 kgs. shrimp, deshelled;

2 chili peppers, sliced into thin rings;

1/4 cup of chopped cilantro;

2 cloves sliced garlic

2 tbsps. Olive oil

2 tbsps. Lime juice

Salt and pepper to taste

First, heat a saucepan on high flame. Add the oil, and saute the chili on it. Add the shrimp and garlic, tossing the contents around to coat it with oil. Sear the shrimps for about a minute, and proceed to stir-fry it for another 2-3 minutes.

Afterwards, turn off the heat and then add the cilantro and lime juice. Mix them around until the cilantro leaves are evenly distributed. Sprinkle with salt and pepper according to your taste.

Preparing a dish using cilantro is quite a simple task, and there are more benefits that justify its unusual smell. Follow these simple recipes and you’re bound to make cilantro lovers out of everyone who gets to taste them.


Got Heart Shop

Got Heart Shop along Katipunan Avenue

Got Heart Shop along Katipunan Avenue

Are you looking for organic products? Are you searching for a way to help communities in the Philippines? Well, you may want to visit Got Heart Shop.

Got Heart Shop is the shop of Got Heart Foundation. This shop aims to continuously  be an outlet or a showcase for community-made products. In addition to that, this shop is not for profit.

Got Heart shop has been working with farming, artisan, and indigenous communities from Luzon to Mindanao. The shop helps the communities develop a social enterprise that fits each community. The shop sells edible and non-edible products from the communities, like mountain rice, pots, organic vegetables,  accessories, organic human and animal products, toys, organic meat, plants, and many more.

And what’s interesting also in this shop is that the whole shop is environment-friendly. The shop is a refurbished van, it is solar-powered, it uses a specialized window glass to lessen the heat entering the van, and it has a water-catchment system too!

Now, why Got Heart? According to Melissa Yeung, Executive Director of Got Heart Foundation, “Got Heart is called, Got Heart, because we believe that a lot of people have heart..a lot of people want to help but they don’t know how.. and by coming to this shop..hopefully, we get people to realize that it’s not that hard to help out.”

Got Heart Shop indeed makes both the consumers and the community benefit from the shop. After all, everybody’s got a heart for the greater good.


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