A 13-member Filipino team, “Team Solar Philippines”, will participate in Australia’s World Solar Challenge, a cross-continental race for solar-powered cars, according to the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney.

The race will commence on 16 October 2011 at the Town Hall of Darwin, Northern Territory and finish on 22 October at Victoria Square, Adelaide, South Australia, a distance of about 3,000 kilometers. Awards ceremony is scheduled the following day at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

The Philippine entry to the race car number 88, “Sikat II”, was designed, engineered and built by a group of De La Salle University faculty members and students, said the consulate, adding that this is the group’s third solar car project to compete in Australia’s World Solar Challenge.

The Filipino team is expected to arrive in Darwin a week before the start of the race, and will be at the Hidden Valley Raceway for the pre-race preparations and activities, said the consulate.

This year’s World Solar Challenge event will be its 11th crossing of Australia through Stuart Highway.

The World Solar Challenge is one of the most prestigious events of its kind and attracts the world’s best technical universities and colleges around the world.

The event is conducted in a single stage from Darwin to Adelaide. Once the teams leave Darwin, they must travel as far as they can until five in the afternoon where they make camp in the desert or where ever they happen to be.

The event started in 1987 with General Motors “Sunraycer” (USA) winning the race with an average speed of 66.9 km/h.

Subsequent races were staged in 1990, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2009. “Tokai Challenger” from Tokai University (Japan) won first place in the 2009 event with an average speed of 100.54 km/h.

Screenshot of National Geographic's Adventure 25 Best New Trips in the World in 2010 promotion

The Philippines was named “One of 25 Best New Trips in the World in 2010” by National Geographic, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs recently reported.

The DFA report said that the Philippines’ ancient cultures, structures and biodiversity were cited by the National Geographic as key reasons to visit the country.

In its November 2009 Adventure issue, the DC-based National Geographic described the Philippines as ‘harboring as many islands at the Caribbean and some of the most spectacular reefs on the planet.’

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa said the inclusion of the Philippines in the list shows the global community is “taking note of the natural and cultural wonders in the country as well as the efforts to protect and preserve them.”

The DFA said that the Philippines has been promoting its cultural and natural wonders as preferred travel destinations for global tourists. It works closely with the National Geographic in raising awareness on the importance of sustainable development and ecological protection.

The National Geographic list of 25 Best New Trips in the World in 2010 includes Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Canada, France, Kenya, Iceland, New Zealand and the US.

“Now more than ever, travelers want their dollars to do more – for others, for the planet, for themselves. At least that’s what we found while searching for the best trips of 2010,” National Geographic said about its 2010 list.

UN issues appeal

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday announced that international donors continue to pour in much-needed financial assistance for the victims of typhoon Ondoy.

Total donations amounted to US$103.31 million (or approximately P4.80 billion) as of yesterday.

A significant portion of the financial contribution, according to the DFA, came from international organizations with US$76.03 million (or P3.53 billion). These include contributions in cash or in kind from the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization, among others.

Donations from the Philippines’s bilateral and multilateral/regional partners follow with US$21.70 million (or P1 billion) and US$3.64 million (or P169.53 million), respectively.

Philippine bilateral partners who donated in cash or in kind are Australia, Singapore, the United States, Japan, China, Canada, Italy, South Korea, Thailand, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand, Brunei Darussalam, Bahrain, Sweden, Brazil, Norway, Spain, United Kingdom and Great Britain, the Czech Republic, among others.

Other sources and their contributions are:

• Total NGOs, US$1.06 million (or P49.3 million)
• Filipino communities, US$395,659 (or P18.4 million)
• Individual donations, US$22,569 (or P1.05 million)
• DFA personnel at Posts, US$18,114 (or P842,301)
• Private individuals, US$22,569 (or P1.05 million)
• Others, US$434,343 (or P20.2 million)

The National Disaster Coordinating Council, Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine National Red Cross and other agencies are authorized to receive the donations or pledges.

Donations with no assigned or corresponding monetary value are not included in the donations calculation.

UN issues appeal

In a news bulletin issued yesterday, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported that the United Nations has issued a flash appeal that called on the international community to pledge emergency assistance to the Philippines.

The appeal focuses on urgent help for food/nutrition, shelter, water/sanitation, education, child protection, health, communications and other essential needs.

The appeal is planned to last for six months and was developed in partnership with the Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

Following is the full text of the DFA bulletin:

Headline: UN Issues Flash Appeal to Call for International Assistance to “Ondoy” Victims
Date Posted: 5 October 2009

PR-800-09, 5 October 2009 – The United Nations has issued a flash appeal that called on the international community to pledge emergency assistance to the Philippines.

The flash appeal focuses on urgent help in the key sectors of food/nutrition, shelter, water/sanitation, education, child protection, health, agriculture, livelihoods, logistics, communications, camp coordination/camp management, as well as early recovery.

According to the United Nations, the appeal is planned to last for six months and was developed in partnership with the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). It also provides the framework for a common inter-agency understanding of needs and priorities based on the best information currently available and will be revised after one month when it will present a more complete picture of current humanitarian needs, including in terms of early recovery.

“To address the most urgent needs, a request has been made to the Central Emergency Response Fund, and is under consideration as of the publication of this Appeal. To support the Government, the international humanitarian community, including NGOs, the International Organization for Migration and United Nations agencies, is seeking $74,021,809 to address the immediate needs of approximately 1,000,000 of the 2,507,000 people that the Government currently reports have been affected by the tropical storm and floods,” it read.

The sudden severity of Ondoy and the extensive damage wrought by it placed considerable pressure on the capacities of many local and national response agencies.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through its Missions in Geneva and New York and other foreign service posts, is actively supporting efforts to facilitate the appeal process and other international humanitarian assistance measures.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Romulo met with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and other officials of the United Nations last September 28 to convey President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s appeal for international humanitarian assistance in the wake of the massive devastation wreaked by Ondoy.
The Secretary General expressed to the Philippine Government his sympathy for those displaced by the floods and his condolences to the families of those who perished.

Meanwhile, United Nations Undersecretary General John Holmes, Head of the Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA), expressed his agency’s readiness to coordinate international humanitarian assistance and stated that he is looking into the possibility of utilizing the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), an emergency humanitarian fund established by the UN in 2005, for the Philippines.
The Philippines continues to receive emergency disaster aid from individual countries, United Nations agencies and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs).

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), through its Disaster Management Committee, expressed its support and solidarity with the Philippines in the aftermath of tropical storm’s devastation.

Japan pledged emergency relief goods equivalent to approximately P10.478 million. The World Food Programme (WFP) has made available $500,000 for the purchase of 742 metric tons of rice that will allow for the provision of a two week ration of 25 kilograms of rice to approximately 178,000 beneficiaries.

UNICEF has provided about P6,908,330 in supplies to address the urgent needs of affected children and their families in the wake of tropical storm Ondoy. The World Health Organization provided US$42,000 to support health needs.

Meanwhile, the ADB has pledged US$3 million that shall go to the provision of clean water, health services, medical supplies and other essential emergency items.

Please help our kababayans in Metro Manila

The donation drive started by husband and wife, Ric and Emma de Vera, welcomes contributions of urgently needed items. Other business groups including freight forwarders LBC Cargo and Forex have also joined in the donation drive to help in shipping and delivering the donated items.

Some members of the community have also volunteered to help in sorting out and packing donation items this coming Saturday.

The first shipment will be made this coming Monday, 5 October with the next shipments to be made throughout October. Shipments will be despatched directly to Rotary International – Marikina Chapter in coordination with the Mayor of Marikina. Representatives of the beneficiaries will attend to the release of the shipment onwards.

Let us all help.

The following items donations are most welcome: paracetamol, anti tetanus, rice, sugar, sardines, noodles, coffee /tea, towels, canned goods that can be eaten straight from the can or that which needs only moderate heating, linens, new and used clothes for all ages.

Please leave your donations with Ric & Emma de Vera at the drop-off point: Unit3/50 George St., Granville (off James Ruse Drive).

Sydney residents are requested to contact Emma or Ric de Vera at 9760 0933, Mari at 0411873099 or Victor at 0434017299. Contact email mari [at] revesbypress [dot] com [dot] au or victor [at] revesbypress [dot] com [dot] au. You may also contact Romy Cayabyab of this website at 0416 150 546 for more information.

Driving through haze and dust

A thick blanket of dust settled over Metro Sydney this morning. Sydney residents woke to a red haze unlike anything seen before.

As of this writing, large amounts of dust continue to be dumped by strong winds.

The conditions could trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory conditions. People have been warned to avoid outdoor exercise today.

The colour of Metro Sydney this morning

THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL in Sydney has recently announced that a Zurich-based foundation is conducting a world-wide campaign to identify the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and four Philippine ecological sites are among the 77 natural features being considered.

The four Philippine sites are Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, the Subterranean River of Puerta Princesa, and Mayon Volcano.

The campaign is conducted by New7Wonders Foundation, which received global attention when its founder, Canadian filmmaker-writer-adventurer Bernard Weber, began in 1999 to gather nominations for the new Seven Wonders of the World, which drew in millions of responses.

In 2005, the 77 most nominated monuments were named, which was shortened to a list of 21 monuments by a panel of expert architects. The New Seven Wonders were selected by a popular vote of 100 million people, who chose their pick through the Internet and mobile phone SMS.

Immediately after the New Seven Wonders were announced on July 7, 2007, the Foundation launched the current campaign to identify the Seven Wonders of Nature. The new survey seeks to name the most voted breathtakingly beautiful, natural places, from waterfalls to fjords, rainforests to mountain peaks, freshwater lakes to salt flats that showcase the incredible beauty and variety of our planet.

The new survey has the top 77 nominated places, which include four sites in the Philippines: Tubbataha Reef (Sulu Sea), the Chocolate Hills (Bohol), the Subterranean River of Puerta Princesa (Palawan), and Mayon Volcano (Albay).

Tubbataha Reef :: Photo Philippine Dept of Tourism

Tubbataha Reef and Chocolate Hills are now among the Top Five nominees.

The survey is so prestigious that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is urging Filipinos to cast a vote for the Chocolate Hills of Bohol which, as of May 28, is the leading pick of Philippine natural features.

Votes are cast at the website www.new7wonders.com. The voting for nominees ends on December 31, 2008.

After that date, a panel of experts headed by UNESCO Director General Federico Mayor will release the list of 21 candidates, from which voters will elect the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney encourages the Filipino-Australian community in New South Wales to support the nomination of the four Philippine sites to the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Votes can be placed through the new7wonders.com website.

The initial report of the 2020 Summit held over the last weekend, 19-20 April, is now available for download at the 2020 website.

It is a 39-page report, but it is easy reading. Written in “plain English”, the report also contains some very interesting ideas.

One part of the report we like best is that of “Shared Priorities” which in a way provides the common thread among and across the ten streams or agenda set out for the Summit.

There are four key issues that find common grounds among the ten discussion groups. These are: dealing with a climate change, the need for a consistent national approach particularly in economic policy, the push for a national strategy that will best use the skills and ingenuity of Australians, and the need to strengthen civil society ie, the urgency of redressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage.

That these issues would come out as top priorities was perhaps expected. But what we found interesting is the report’s candor.

For example, we find these paragraphs interestingly simple that nothing was really left to the imagination:

“It is striking how often through the Summit concern arose that Australia has not been sufficiently clever in using the skills and ingenuity of our people. Early childhood services and education are obvious starting points for building capacity, but many argued a broader case for investment in a healthy population with access to necessary social support.

“For a number of streams, this focus on developing our human capital led to wider issues – migration, skills shortages, participation of women, access to child care, family leave, support for disabilities. One strongly held view was the need to enhance creativity and innovation in our communities. People find meaning in their lives through expression, and our nation benefits from innovation. These can happen spontaneously, but many argue for an education system which encourages and trains for creativity, a community willing to accept risk and failure in pursuit of the new, and governments rethinking how and why they support creative Australia.”

We could be mistaken. But somehow, we thought for awhile we were reading a similar report about the Philippines circa 1970s where priorities were set out inappropriately.

The 2020 report is a “must read” especially to businesses and to community leaders. #

Among the participating 46 teams that made the crossing to the finish line in Adelaide on the 27th of October was the Philippines’ Sinag Team which was composed of La Salle (Taft) University students led by their professors.

The Panasonic World Solar Challenge was participated by 38 solar cars and 19 other energy efficient vehicles which set out on the road from Darwin to Adelaide on October 21.

Solar Challenge started in 1987

The event was introduced in 1987 to promote educational and technical excellence with emphasis on transport sustainability by Danish Adventurer Hans Thostrup. Thostrup drove the first World solar car along with Larry Perkins over a 4052 kilometer-distance from Sydney to Perth in 20 days. It was 10 days faster than that by the first petrol engine car.

The first World Solar Challenge was participated by 23 cars led by the GM Sunray car which completed the race at a speed of 67 kms/hr. Thostrup sold the event to the South Australian government in 1996 and is now managed by Events SA.

The event’s challenge was focused on energy efficiency and creating balance between sustainable speed, endurance, energy management and strategic planning. The other classes of participation were designed to showcase a new generation of vehicles of ultra-fuel efficiency and low emission technologies.

In this year’s Challenge, Netherland’s Nuon Solar Team ran away with the first prize for the fourth year in a row. Belgium’s Umicore came second and Australia’s only entrant in the elite class – Aurora placed third.

Warm welcome to Team Sinag

The Filipino contingent was given a rousing cheer by Philippine flag waving Darwin-Pinoys as they set out to cross the continent. The course took days to cover with stops at major Australian control stops in the outback – Katharine, Dunmarra, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Cadney Homestead, Glendambo, Port Augusta until they get to the finish line at the Victoria Square in Adelaide.

The Team Sinag of the La Salle University Philippine team entered the race under the Challenge Class while the Salesian Polytechnic group representing a joint venture of Japan-Philippines entered under the class for ‘Adventure’. The third category opened for race participants was the ‘Greenfleet Class.’

The Sinag Team consisted of drivers Eric Tan, Sherwin To and Ivan Porcalla, Overall Student team leader-Robert Obiles, Team leader (mechanical) Mico Villena, Team leader (electrical) Kaiser Fernandez, Team leader (shell) Martin Sy-Quia; team members, Walter Chua, Vincent Yao and Prince Ang; Overall Technical Project Leader (faculty) Rene Fernandez, 2nd in command Jac Catalan, Emm Gonzales, Noriel Mallari and Isidro Marfori.

An array of corporate sponsors backed the team, namely: Ford (Philippines), Motolite, Ventus, De La Salle, Shell, San Miguel Corp., PAL, Sunpower, UFreight, Aurora, Cabrera Lavadia & Associates,
Cre-Asia, Gochermann Solar Technology, JWT, Merritt Partners, Stratworks and Tuason Racing School.

Accompanying the team was an entourage of sponsor-representatives headed by Ford-Philippines boss Henry Co and La Salle’s Brother Armin Luistro.

Finishing the race

While it was the high-tech big guns with multi-million dollar sponsorships that ran away with the records, the Pinoy team members were ecstatic that they got to join the race and come through to the finish with so little glitches. To their solar entry having 21% efficiency rate against the 30% of that of the super solar battery cells of the leading Dutch Nuon Team, Brother Armin Luistro commented that “It’s not all engine efficiency. Much of the going relied also on strategy.”

Discounting the sandstorm that greeted the race participants in Port Augusta, South Australia as the race geared up towards Adelaide under cloudy weather on Saturday – October 27, the Pinoy team’s brake system and alignment was the only major difficulty that it encountered earlier on during the race. The mechanical support crew were however quick to diagnose and resolve the technical problem in time for the team to catch up with the rest of the race participants.

Aussie Sports legend and retired swimmer Ian Thorpe who has recently become Australia’s spokespersons for environment issues graced the event at the finish line on the 27th. The team arrived in Adelaide still bursting with typical Pinoy high spirits. Perhaps overwhelmed by the excitement of the race, it may yet take a while to occur to them that in that one trip across three time zones, they had been blessed with the rare opportunity to drive through one of earth’s most enigmatic geological wonders in such technology-inspired fashion.

A civic reception hosted by Adelaide’s Lord Mayor Harbison was held at the Adelaide Town Hall on October 27 (Saturday) for the participants many of whom reached the finish line on that same day after a sandstorm encounter at Port Augusta.
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