Category Archives: For a good cause

Children Expose the Harms of Tobacco Using Art

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Twelve Filipino child artists were awarded on Thursday by children’s rights groups in a poster-making competition aimed to demonstrate the dangers of tobacco companies and their products. 

The competition ‘Sigarilyo: Panganib sa Bayan Ko’ (‘Cigarettes: Danger to My Nation’) was launched by Child Rights Network (CRN) Philippines, Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), Gitib, Inc., and ImagineLaw this August. The said competition received more than 200 entries from age groups 10-14 years old and 15-17 years old for both digital and traditional poster-making categories. 

‘Paralyzing Addiction’ by 12-year-old Kaye Sarmiento of Cavite wins first place in a digital poster-making competition by children’s rights groups to illustrate the death caused by the tobacco industry. 

Twelve-year-old Kaye Sarmiento won first place in her age group in the digital category for ‘Paralyzing Addiction’. Jun Ivanne Dalman’s digital poster ‘Tobacco Destroys, Destroy Tobacco’ placed first in his age group. 

In the traditional poster-making category that allowed the use of physical materials such as watercolor and acrylic, 12-year-old John Henry Luna Jr.’s poster ‘Mulat na Bulag’ won first place in the 10-14-year-old age group while Errol Caringal’s ‘The Outturns of Ash’ gained the top prize in the 15-17 age group.  

“Tobacco companies are targeting children and young people as the next generation of consumers of their deadly products to sustain their business,” said Romeo Dongeto, executive director of PLCPD and co-convener of CRN Philippines. 

“These artworks remind us to take time and listen to children and young people in their clamor for a  tobacco-free future,” he added. 

“We have to remind grown-ups constantly: there are 117,000 deaths every year due to tobacco-related illnesses in the Philippines, 269 billion pesos in annual socio-economic losses, 12.5% student-smokers as of 2019, and 23.8% adult smokers,” said ImagineLaw Executive Director Atty. Sophia San Luis.

‘Mulat na Bulag’ by 12-year-old John Henry Luna, Jr. of Quezon City exposes the harms caused by the tobacco industry.

“Children can reduce complex problems into the simplest truths: tobacco companies are harmful and deadly. Tobacco companies are neither friends nor allies,” she also said. 

The other finalists in the traditional poster-making category are the following: Second Place, 10-14-year-old Age Group: ‘Pag-iwas sa Mapanganib na Sigarilyo, Isang Babala para sa Sambayanang Pilipino’ by Elyzza Jane V. Caringal (13 years old) of Batangas; Third Place, 10-14-year-old Age Group: ‘Nagkakaisang Kabataan upang Sigarilyo ay Wakasan’ by Kyle Brondial Espinosa (13 years old) of Bataan; Second Place, 15-17-year-old Age Group: ‘Don’t Let Tobacco Burn Your Future Into Ashes by John Estrael J. Ballera (17 years old) from San Pedro City, Laguna; and Third Place, 15-17-year-old Age Group: ‘Deadly stick’ by Zara Gen G. Velasco (16 years old) from Nueva Ecija.

The other finalists in the digital poster-making category are the following: Second Place, 10-14-year-old Age Group: ‘Sigarilyo ay huwag susubukan dahil ito ay magdadala ng kadiliman sa sarili at sa bayan’ by Bai Alija Zacaria (14 years old) of North Cotabato; Third Place, 10-14-year-old Age Group: ‘Ill Effects of Cigarettes’ by Gerald Timothy M. Cruz (11 years old) of Zamboanga City; Second Place, 15-17-year-old Age Group: ‘Ang Industriya ng Tobacco’ by Lander John Salango (17 years old) of Cavite; and Third Place, 15-17-year-old Age Group: ‘Cremation’ by Imma Christel Ehlan Carranza Quimbo (16 years old) of Cavite. 

Winners received cash prizes and certificates.

Eco-Friendly Ideas for Retail Businesses

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Many small business owners want to do their part to help the environment, not just because they want to do the right thing, but also because their customers expect it. There are several changes you can make to create an eco-friendlier business.

Eco-friendly Shopping Bags

Packing Material

When a customer makes a purchase, train your employees to ask if they want a bag. Often a customer will be happy to put small items into their purse or backpack. Bulky items often don’t need a bag either. It’s just as easy to carry out the item bagless. When customers do want their purchases bagged, provide them with environmental shopping bags that are easy to recycle or reuse. Even though colorful tissue paper is pretty, consider wrapping delicate items in newspaper or shredded paper.

Receipts and Coupons

Receipts can easily be emailed to customers, cutting down on unnecessary paper use. Some customers are wary about agreeing to this because they fear their inbox will be flooded with unwanted emails. Assure customers that receipt lists are kept separate from business promotion email lists so that they are more willing to try out this paper-free service. In addition, create scannable coupons that loyal customers can use via text or email. This will enable you to bypass or cut down on mail-outs.

Lighting

Get rid of incandescent bulbs in favor of more energy-saving light bulbs which can last up to 25 times longer. When possible, use natural light in your store and turn some of the overhead lights off completely.

Break Room

In the break room, ditch the soda machine in favor of a filtered water system. Encourage employees to bring refillable water bottles and provide package-free snacks such as fruit or even homemade cookies. Provide large clear storage jars and refill them with pretzels, nuts or anything that can be bought in bulk.

There are several things you can do to be more eco-friendly. Even one small change can be responsible for getting rid of large amounts of waste.

How To Give More of Yourself

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At this time of year, the holiday spirit sparks a desire to do more for those in need. The truth is, giving to others is something that’s greatly needed throughout the entire year. If you feel inspired to give back, but don’t know how, here are four ways you can give more of yourself starting today.

Diverse Group of People Pick Up Trash in The Park Volunteer Community Service; Photo credit: kindnesscloud.org

Volunteer Your Time

Many people have felt the call to volunteer at one time or another. If this describes you, act on it! Giving of your time is one of the most selfless things you can do, whether it’s with an organization, or a person that’s lonely and could use some company. Pick a cause that speaks to you and find out how you can help.

Put Kindness Into Action

Kindness is something that can be practiced every day and it sets a good example to “pay it forward”. If you have some of your own ideas for promoting acts of kindness, join others that share your vision and start down a path of making the world a better place.

Run Errands for Someone

If you know someone that isn’t able to get out, offer to run errands. This could mean going to the supermarket, the bank or getting them to medical appointments. Offer to drive and take them to lunch. What seems like something routine to you would mean the world to them.

Smile and Compliment

Sometimes the kindest thing you can do for someone is offer a smile and a compliment. Everyone appreciates being told they look terrific or that they’ve done a great job. Offering encouragement with a smile can change someone’s entire day.

Inspire Others

People have many different reasons for wanting to spread kindness. When you give more of yourself, not only are you helping someone, but it makes you feel good, too. You’ll also inspire others in your circle to do the same.