UnendingRace

Pistang Tomas 2009

Another styro-free event! The Pistang Tomas Partner Communities' Trade Fair will bring partner community leaders and their homegrown products to the university. Come with your bayongs or reusable shopping/grocery bags and support organic and handmade products from our very own partner communities!

We are expecting 22 communities from indigenous, rural, coastal, and urban areas. Products range from rootcrops (gabi, kamote, yacon, ube), fruits (papaya, dalanghita, suha, bananas), vegetables, crafts (bow and arrow sets, flutes, recycled art), accessories (bracelets, charms), cleaning agents (dishwashing liquid, fabric softener, soaps), and sewn works (pouches, ref covers, bags, rugs). There will also be upholstery and reflexology services. See you there!

Sittie's Suggestion

We've received an e-mail from Sittie, a Chemistry student from the College of Science! Here are her thoughts for the campaign. Thanks, Sittie!

Hi! With regards to the styro-free campaign, I think fastfood chains & stores in UST should also participate in advocating this since they are the no. 1 users of styro. If the fastfood chains do this then definitely the students will also be encouraged not to use styro. It's just a domino effect. In addition, students should also be aware of the consequences of the continuous usage of styro to our environment. There should be a constant reminder to everyone. After some time of reminding, people will get used to it. Eventually it will become a part of their lives. Aside from that, I think it will be good if articles related to styro will be published.

-Sittie, College of Science (Chemistry)

That's a very good suggestion. We have good news--food establishments within the university that once used styro are now using alternative packaging, like paper bowls and cartons, for their food. In addition, some canteens are also now investing in plates and reusable serving trays. :) Yup, we are "making a buzz" about being styro-free, as well as taking the campaign further and advocating also for climate change adapatation and disaster risk reduction.

We greatly appreciate students like you who care--that really is the first step. Thank you so much!

today's good news

U.S., China make progress in tackling climate change

By Juliet Eilperin and Steven Mufson

Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 17, 2009; 6:07 PM

Buried in the text of Tuesday's joint declaration between the President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao was a significant climate announcement: The Obama administration will offer numerical emission reduction targets as part of next month's negotiations, as long as the Chinese offer a climate proposal of their own.

Continue reading the article from the Washington Post.

Org Advisers sign up to be Styro-free

We would like to officially welcome the following organization advisers to the Movement for a Styro-free University:

• Karlo Jay Perez - USTHS Athletics Club
• Lean Ann Sarmiento - UST-YCS
• Mary Jho-Anne T. Corpuz - Scholia Tutorial Club, Faculty of Pharmacy
• Mark Anthony D. Abenir - Rotaract CRS
• Ma. Elena N. Mendoza - USTHS Music Ensemble
• Ruben Sinugbuhan - High School
• Maria Lulu P. Orlina - HS Glee Club
• Joel Bryan Guevara - High School
• Vynette V. dela Cruz - High School
• Marvi S. Pauy - High School
• Jayvee Ignacio - Nursing Varsity Council
• Elmer C. Hibek - Nursing Journal
• Brenda T. Luy, R.N. - Medical Mission Inc. - Nursing group
• Dennis S. Cuadra - Nursing RCYC
• Estelle Rose M. Lerma - Nursing Chorale
• Gian Carlo Torres - Nursing Central Board of Students
• Anita A. Cabezon - Nursing Central Board of Students
• Monaryn A. Borbo - Nursing Dance Troupe
• Melanie Turingan - Nursing Association of Student Achievers
• Erickson Paragas - Rotaract Nursing
• Ruth Equipaje - UAPSA-UST Architecture
• John Ong - Scarlet
• Rhona P. Ramos - Scholia Tutorial Club - Pharmacy
• Rosario R. Aranda - Pharmacy
• Rhodelia H. Mendoza - Phramacy Debate Coalition
• Ligaya O. bron - AMV-COA Rotaract
• Riaz Benjamin - ComAch-Commerce
• Joyce G. Mana - SWDB-Commerce
• Maria Paula Joan E. Tiongco - TJMA-Commerce; JFINEX-Commerce
• Nancy C. Bartolome - SIFE
• Emelito F. Sarmago - COMPAR
• Florence Ledesma - SWDB-AB
• Mila C. Aquino - ComAch
• Analiza A. Yanga - Asian Studies Society
• Ma. Carmelita C. Coloma - Becarios de Santo Tomas
• Ana Ruby M. Paez - STAUST Educ
• Myra P. De Leon - UST ISA; Comelec Educ
• Arlene C. De Leon - ComAch Educ; EHS Student Council
• Beatriz B. Ribleza - EHS Comelec
• Marivic L. Torres - USTHS Student Council
• Gina R. Dedeles - Microbiology Society, College of Science
• Mae Lowe Diesmos - Biosoc
• Paul A. - Comelec
• Aguedo Florence A. Jalin Jr. - Institute of Religion
• Ferdinand I. Dela Paz - Arkitrato, College of Architecture
• Marites Rano Redoña - Christ Youth in Action - Engineering
• Angelina A. Silverio - Applied Physics Society
• Felicidad Christina R. Ramirez - UST Chemical Society
• Evangeline E. Timbiang - CTHM Comelec
• Remedios P. Abuton - HRMS
• Toots Lorete - CTHM Pax Romana
• Aristoteles Estrella - Touchpoint
• Jose Tolentino D. Olivar II - Thomasian Debaters Council
• Christina Sagum - Phil. Association of Nutrition
• Grace F. Azares - Education Student Council
• Ma. Susana R. Gualvez - Rotaract Education
• Joel Adamos - Education
• Aurora Cristina P. Bermudez - Rhythmyx Dance Troupe; Educ SWDB
• Carol Geraldine C. Pablo - Tigers Rowing Team
• Marilyn Ngo - Scarlet Pharmacy

They attended the Advisers' Meeting conducted by the Office for Student Affairs last September 17 and they signed their Styro-free Pledges in support of the campaign. Congratulations!

stickers and bookmarks giveaway!

We're giving away stickers and bookmarks to Styro-free (or those who want to be Styro-free) Thomasians. Just drop by our office at Room 115, Main Building, and submit a 10-page written proposal of how you can make UST Styro-free.

(We're kidding! Just knowing that you're pro-earth is enough for us. Of course, it would also be nice to hear your ideas.)

:)

thoughts and updates for the second semester

Climate change is here.

What do you plan to do about it?

From what we've seen, it's not enough to complain and blame others every time disaster strikes--instead of being reactive to these situations, we should be proactive, we should engage ourselves in saving our environment.

These are are keywords: Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Intergenerational Global Justice. In the coming weeks we'll elaborate on these concepts, and we'll look at these in the light of our being in the University of Santo Tomas--the steps we can take in-campus, and the values that we'll learn that we'll bring with us even as we go home.


A few (personal) thoughts:

I was able to attend a forum on Climate Change Adaptation (hence the big words) before 'Ondoy' came. During Ondoy's aftermath, people started blaming the government, the informal settlers, the subdivision developers, the dam authorities--pretty much everyone else--for the disaster. Did it solve anything? Well, it did open our eyes to the environment, and how powerful the forces of nature are. For me it was a validation that what we have started in the University is right, and the little step that we are taking--that of making UST styro-free--should be followed by a bigger, more firmer, step.

After the climate change forum, Ate Abby and I attended a short lecture on Disaster Risk Reduction and we realized that now more than ever, we must plan and implement sustainable community development programs that include disaster risk reduction projects in every partner community--our partner communities are the most vulnerable to disasters, especially those living in the coastal areas and landslide-prone communities.

We've received numerous feedback from students about the state of styro use (or non-use, which is very, very good) in the campus, and through this blog, we've also received comments (see the shoutbox) about what we can do. Admittedly, our powers in information dissemination are still lacking, and that is why we are asking for the help of local student councils with the support of the administration in making UST Styro-free. Yes we can put up posters. You can too! Yes we can talk to the different departments and colleges. Of course, you can do that too. We would like to congratulate the colleges, offices, and student organizations who have taken steps in reducing waste and who are actively campaigning for a 'green' UST.

The Office for Community Development is stepping up to the task of being the main 'busybody' in UST's transformation into a green community, and we need all the help we can get. From suggestions, initiatives, ideas, and best practices, we know that with everyone's (pro)active participation, we can make this work. Let's do this now.

- Ate Orya

*Concessionaires at the Multi-Deck Parking are now 'converting' into green establishments, styro-free, care of their management. Hurray!

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CONCERNS AND IDEAS FROM THE SHOUTBOX:

• "Green Architecture" -- it's a must-learn for Arki students, but is their college doing anything about their own waste? It's not only the structures that have to be eco-friendly but more importantly, how people maintain the integrity of the structures' "green-ness"--through proper management of waste, and by doing the 3R's. We think the concern is the same for CFAD students, with the amount of (paper, cardboard, etc.) materials that they use and eventually discard.
• There is still a need for food establishments to use alternative packaging, especially for take-out orders.
• The use of personal food keepers ("baunan") should be promoted and encouraged. Likewise, facilities and dining areas should be appropriated to accommodate those who would be eating from their baunans. These facilities should include dishwashing areas.
• More info and promotional materials about the campaign are needed.
• Saving the environment starts from ourselves.

Do you have something to share? Post a comment or write us at ust_ocd@yahoo.com! :)