Last October, Students of the Mapua Institute won the top prize for their invention of a Bomb disposal robot. Mapua is known as one of the top Engineering universities in Manila.
The robot is wittingly called MAC, short for Mechanical Anti-Terrorist Concept, and it won the gold at the First World Cup of Computer-Implemented Inventions in China. It was a tough competition between the Philippine's MAC and the UK's computer-programmed Braille system but in the end the MAC bagged the most coveted award.
Read the more about it here or watch the presentation to see the project.
Amidst hard times and uncertainty, when recession and job loss is happening everywhere, Filipinos always remain jubilant, hopeful and resilient. They persevere and survive.
When I attended the Gawad Kalinga Paskuhan event in Macau, Dec 5 and 6, I was awed by the camaraderie and hardwork that my fellowmen exuded. And as I travel and see more of my fellowmen spread across the globe, an intense feeling of admiration and pride grows in me.
Tired from work or even out of work themselves, they took the time to spread the word for our poverty stricken fellowmen in the Philippines. I witnessed firsthand how they shared their time and talents to support a great cause - Gawad Kalinga.
Filipinos based in Macau, work late at night to build a sample of a Gawad Kalinga (GK) home.
With The CFC Community of Macau. These are the "Tito's or Uncle's" who lead this community. Working hard to build another GK village in the Philippines.
The Single for Christ members who shared their time and talents for the cause.
The CFC community celebrating Christmas with a cause - Paskuhan (Christmas) the Gawad Kalinga way.
Now you may be asking, what is Gawad Kalinga? It is a movement/program that uplifts the lives of the poor in the Philippines. More than just providing them with houses, this program rebuilds their lives and their spirit. This is a program that allows those who are more enabled to help and share their blessings. Watch this video to see how this program changed and touched lives.
Gawad Kalinga, is being supported by corporations, private citizens, as well as non-Filipinos who believe in the vision. One of them is GK Champion Dylan Wilk, one of the richest men in UK under the age of 30. Listen to a podcast where he explains his passion to fight poverty.
Also here is another video compilation of GK champions/GK heroes.
I was out on vacation last week so my hubby and I never got to watch the match between PacMan and DeLaHoya. I did however hear that the Philippines' very own, Manny Pacquiao, won another match that will certify and strengthen his rising star as one of the worlds best boxer ever.
But more than being a boxer, I see him as a persona that:
1. helps unite our country, the Philippines. He bridges my countrymen. The divide between the rich and poor of our country vanishes as soon as he enters the ring. 2. he acts as a peacekeeper. Crime and Traffic in Manila is drastically low on days of his match. 3. he is remains to be an inspiration. A vast number of my fellowmen is poor. Manny was once one and yet he has risen to be one of the most popular sportsmen in our country and in the world.
I commend this man for rising above poverty and making the most of his talents! More power Pacman!
Watch his story (part 1) below. (Uploaded in YouTube uploaded by Nhinjo) NOTE: other parts of his story are in Nhinjo.
Mr. Daniel Dingel is an ordinary brilliant Filipino inventor who has discovered how water can be used as alternative fuel for cars. That was in the 1960's. Fast forward to now 2008, it still remains unused and untapped by the Philippine economy. Sadly this invention was never supported by the Philippine government due to politics and restraints signed by the Philippines with the IMF and the World Bank.
Listen to Mr. Dingel discuss the issues and present the invention in video below, uploaded by whenisnow2.
Visit Mr. Dingel's website for more information about him and his invention.
It's amazing how Arnel Pineda's luck changed when a man from the other side of the globe saw his band's video on the internet. Not a lot of people get a chance like this.
Here is a news on him by CBS uploaded in Youtube by espiritu.
His path to popularity was not an easy one and just like a lot of Filipinos and artists he also had his fair share of hardship, poverty even hunger. It's just a fairy tale come true. His is a story that gives a lot of hope to those who dream.
Congratulations and God bless Arnel! Continue to spread your unique sunshine :)
When all else fails, it's always the private citizens and regular people who get things done. I commend each person who shared their time, talent and resources to help our brethren. Gawad Kalinga is one of the best programs/solutions I've known and the selflessness and self sacrifice showcased here is truly uplifting and encouraging. By the way, Gawad Kalinga is a Filipino term which means "to give care." To know more it, click here.
A childhood friend of mine has devoted her life to this cause. She graduated a 'cum laude' in one of the Philippines best universities and took up film classes overseas, and yet she has decided to be a mission worker, devoting her time to GK. Young and promising, she left the possibilities of a bright career and bigger income in the corporate world because her heart went out for the poor. She wants to help them and hopefully, make a difference.
Here's a video of Gawad Kalinga I got from YouTube, uploaded by fg4gk.
My apologies for the lags in my posts. I am not able to write as often as I want because I am currently experiencing difficulty in accessing this site. Thank you for visiting.
"Nothing wrong with being a maid, a bride or a nurse, but we are not just that! Yes the Philippines is a very poor country with gargantuan problems and a lot of corrupt leaders, but it is also home to a large number of small yet great people. It is home to men and women, striving to make the most of what they have - working daily to excel and make a difference.
I am a Filipino and this is my blog for and of Filipinos. "If we don't love us or each other, who will?"
Photos: *The Header photos are by the blog author. *The photos feature two beaches of the Philippines, Puerto Galera and Boracay. *The children in the picture are locals of Boracay, Philippines.
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