Ragay Gulf - a must see paradise in the Philippines

This majestic view is a large gulf in the Philippines that is found in Camarines Sur and a part of Sibuyan Sea. It is called the Ragay Gulf.

Photo References:

www.panoramio.com

en.wikipedia.org

balogo.wordpress.com

arvinhadlos.blogspot.com

Japan’s Lessons on the Economy and the Environment

Today, we are seeing that Japan is one of the most prosperous countries in the Asia and even in the whole world. In fact, according to statistics, it is the 3^rd largest in the world on nominal gross domestic product, the 4^th largest by purchasing power parity, 3^rd largest in automobile manufacturing country, and the 2^nd largest developed economy in the world. And we all know that Japan is known for its high-tech products like computers, phones, tablets and many more that are exported worldwide.

But before they reached this level, they have first earned the status of being a worryingly polluted country. The countrymen had experienced diseases that are produced by heavy industrial developments.

Back in 1908, Minamata City had been illed by Minamata disease. The people there suffered with neurological syndrome that is characterized by unresponsiveness of hands and feet, damage in hearing and speaking, paralysis, comatose, uncontrollable shaking of the body, and extreme physical disabilities. This disease is acquired from sea foods that are contaminated with organic mercury that comes from the factory.

Meanwhile in 1912, another city had caught Itai Itai disease (Ouch Ouch disease). The mining company had been emitting sulfuric acid which is a poisonous chemical. This sulfuric acid that is ejected from the mining zone flows onto the river where the rice grains get nutrition. And the people who eat this rice often would get this disease.

Another big pollution disease had startle in the city of Yokkaichi. People there did not know why they have difficulties breathing especially in the night. And later on, they have developed a disease that they have called Yokkaichi asthma. This bronchial disease is attained from sulfur oxide that is emitted by petrochemical processing facilities and refineries.

Being a very fast developing and progressive country is not bad, but it has always an equivalent bad consequences. Although they have concurred the problem in the late 20^th century, the damage that have been done to thousands of lives and to the environment would never be replaced. But truly, the Japanese people have learned from their mistakes in the past, that is why Japan is now an admirable country. 

Less Waste Christmas Party

Last December 18, 2013, we, the 4^th year Mechanical Engineering students of the Don Bosco Technical College held an unusual Christmas party. It was an uncommonly party because unlike the typical Christmas parties in the Philippines where students bring unhealthy foods like fried chicken, pizza, soft drinks, and ice cream; we brought healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, pancit, calamansi juice, chicken and many more healthy foods.

Since we need to produce no waste in this party, we used stainless steel spoon and fork, and wash it after the program. Also, there is a rule that one student must only have one paper plate and plastic cup. And these are disposed properly in the recyclable trash can for well segregation of waste. The seeds of calamansi are buried in the soil so that it could grow as a plant. The bones of the chicken and the leftovers are feed to the dogs so that nothing would be wasted.

This activity is a result of what we have learned on our subject, Environmental Engineering, because this world is having more and more waste as time goes by. Every product that we are buying has an equivalent waste in it. Let us take care of the environment for the future generations and for us to have brighter tomorrow.

Shell Eco Marathon Asia 2014

Food, water, and energy are necessity for our lives. We all know that we need food to eat and water to drink for us to live, but how about energy? Energy is also very important to our lives. It helps us in our daily transportation, producing the food that we eat, producing power in our home, school and workplace, and many more.

Studies have shown that in four decades, the population in the whole world will rise up to 29% as of the population today. Adding 2 more billion people to our 7 billion population today. In addition to that, millions of people are enjoying higher standards of living. So, if we continue on consuming how much energy that we use today, energy demand will rise up to 50%. As a result, oil and gas companies thought about where to draw on many different sources of energy to meet our needs.

Last February 6-9, the Philippines have hosted the Shell Eco Marathon 2014 at Luneta Park, Manila where more than 1,000 students in 110 teams from more than 16 countries have entered the competition. In this competition, students will design, build, test and run an extreme energy efficient car that could travel longer in just 1 liter of fuel. Some teams that are featured are: India’s passionate students where hundreds have applied just to be part of the team; Indonesia’s teardrop shaped car where they used ethanol to run the car; and our very own, the Philippines’ strong, lightweight car body which is made from banana leaves.

I am very fortunate to have witnessed this kind of event because first, it is not always that the Philippines have hosted this competition, and also, as a Mechanical Engineering student, I could learn a lot just by observing even though I’m not part of the Don Bosco Technical College team.

At the end of the competition, Indonesia and Thailand have emerged major victors with four and three champion titles each respectively. Team How Much Ethanol from Panjavidhya Technological College Thailand drove 2,730km on a litre of ethanol. The team is joined by fellow Thai winners Sakon Nakhon Technical College in the Prototype Gasoline category and Rattanakosin Technological College in the Prototype Battery Electric category.

Although the DBTC Prototype Vehicle failed to finish the competition, our Urban Concept proudly finished 7^th out 15 registered participants to end the Shell Eco Marathon Asia.