Reader's Digest Article

I got a short article published in this month's issue of Reader's Digest magazine. The article, under the 'Everyday Heroes' section of the magazine, is about Jukka Holopainen, founder of the environmentalist group Center for Environmental Awareness and Education in Manila.



What makes Jukka a 'hero' is because he has spent his life, time, and almost everything to make sure that environmental topics are included in all the subjects being taught in the classroom. His aim is to educate the next generation about the importance of environment.

You can read the article online at the website of Reader's Digest Asia magazine. You have to sign-up up though so you can read the entire article, or subscribe to the magazine to read all of the articles.

If you know of someone who think is a good candidate for the Everyday Heroes section, please do let me know so we can also make a story about him/her.

Thanks for reading.

Blackout hits CEBU!

My laptop is running on a 40% percent battery power while i'm writing this entry. Power cord is useless since Cebu has been on a black out for the past 4 hours already. I was so happy I finished writing my news and done emailing them to the boss before my laptop power expires.

Blackout hit the entire Cebu and selected areas in Panay and Negros following an earthquake in Leyte. The quake damaged the submarine cable of the Negros-Cebu-Panay power grid, which supplies power to Cebu and the rest of the Visayas.

Typing and using the newspaper as fan are not fun to do. I'm perspiring. Very hot... I want to go to Cebu Beach Club for a quick swim. Wow, haven't been to the beach lately.

Anyway, my news about the blackout below. Read on...

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Blackout hits entire Cebu, parts of Visayas
By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.

CEBU CITY – A massive blackout hit the entire Cebu and parts of Panay and Negros provinces yesterday following an earthquake that hit Leyte, which damages the underwater cable of the Negros-Cebu-Panay power grid.

Visayan Electric Company (VECO) spokesperson Ethel Natera said the damages of the underwater cable resulted to the blackout since Cebu depends entirely on the power being produced by the power grid.

The blackout took place at 10:02 yesterday morning, the same time that a tectonic earthquake hit barangay Tungunan and Ormoc City in Leyte. As of 3 p.m. yesterday, power has not been returned.

Robinson Giorgio of the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (Philvocs) based in Lapu-Lapu City said the earthquake measured 3.7 in magnitude with the highest intensity of 4 recorded in Tungunan. The geothermal sources are located from Upper Mahiao and Malitbog sectors in the Greater Tongonan Area of Leyte. Electricity generated from the power plants are supplied to the Negros-Cebu-Panay grid via a high-voltage overhead transmission lines and submarine cables

Giorgio, however, clarified that the magnitude of the earthquake was not massive and there was no report of destruction in Leyte as of press time yesterday. Although he did not confirm the connection between the earthquake and the blackout, Giorgio said it could be possible that the power cable was damaged considering that the epicenter of the quake passed through the interconnection area.

Natera, meanwhile, said that VECO has been asking independent power producers (IPP) to supply power even in selected parts of the City. She did not give an estimate on when the power will be brought back on.

The blackout caused businesses and offices to close down and suspend operation, including the Palace of Justice that suspends operation starting lunchtime yesterday. The order came after judges and court workers complained that their salas were too dark and too hot because of the lack of power. The Palace of Justice has no standby power generator.

Offices at the Cebu City Police Office also transferred their operations at the camp’s open ground due to the lack of power. Several businesses and establishments also decided to suspend their operation due to the power blackout.