ANNAlysis

Save Philippine Seas (SPS) is turning 2! We are set to celebrate our second year with up to 2,000 attendees at the Seatizen’s Festival, a birthday party and fundraiser with a fun run, Sunday market, and concert at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center (NAPWC) on Sunday, May 26.

Green race

SPS and Run for Change (Run4change, Inc.) will be putting a new kind of fun into a fun run. The race on May 26 will be a “green race” and will strictly implement various green practices for minimal waste. Several aspects of the event will be done digitally or using recyclable materials.

Participants will be encouraged to come in costume made from recyclable or reusable materials. These could be full costumes, shirts they made themselves, or hats with coastal and marine life designs. Photos of costumed runners will be uploaded immediately to the Seatizen’s Festival Facebook page for the public to vote on their favorites. Winners with the most “Likes” will be announced on May 31 and will receive special prizes.

Some ideas:

Here’s SPS’s very own Wahine Warrior Kage Gozun wearing a scuba diver costume during the Manila Surfers Cup.

Kage says, “Twin tanks were made out of two 2L Coke bottles wrapped in foil tape. BCD was an old backpack. Tanks attached via velcro and cable ties. Regulator and hose were made out of a recycled sampaloc candy container wrapped in electric tape and an unused Gasul attachment. Weights carved out of styrofoam (not worn in the water). Mask was a P30 ‘safety’ mask that I doubt is very protective (not worn in the water).”

Another idea:

Source: Liquid Dumaguete

Fun run distances are 1k for kids, and 3k, 5k, 10k for teens and adults, with a route that will take runners from North Avenue to Agham Road to Quezon Avenue and back into NAPWC. Registration fee is P350.

Runners will also be reminded to bring their own water bottles and bring snacks in biodegradable or reusable packaging. All race and publicity materials printed on tarps will be donated to the Children’s Environmental Education Awareness Foundation, a non-profit organization that upcycles tarps into schoolbags for public school students in poor communities.

Sunday market

The Sunday market will showcase up to forty exhibitors and feature creative activities, artwork by local artists, eco-friendly products, retailers, food establishments, exhibits by NGOs and school organizations. The “green” practice extends here as well; all exhibitors will be encouraged to use recyclable or reusable materials for booth décor, product packaging, and other purposes.

Rock the Boat concert

Exciting rock bands and performers, including the Itchyworms, Flying Ipis, and Indio-I, will be keeping seatizens entertained all throughout the festival.

To participate in the Seatizen’s Festival and support SPS’ projects, please contact Nix Nicolas at savephseas@gmail.com or 0917-9015216.

ABOUT Save Philippine Seas

SAVE PHILIPPINE SEAS is an independent movement to protect the country’s marine resources by harnessing the power of social media; lobbying for the strict enforcement of environmental laws; and implementing various information, education, and communication projects.

To find out more, visit www.savephilippineseas.com, follow @SavePHSeas on Twitter, or “Like” Save Philippine Seas on Facebook.

ABOUT Run for Change

RUN4CHANGE INC. is a non-profit organization with the goal to motivate and inspire individuals through running. As an organization it advocates social change and reform through various programs, activities and events. Its 3-pronged program includes sports education, sports development, and events.

To find out more, visit www.run4change.com, or “Like” Run for Change on Facebook.

My last trip to Bangkok was in March 2011 for Bell’s Saving Sharks, Saving Us project. Bell ignited my interest/obsession in/with shark conservation when we met in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2010. In other words, she is responsible for messing up changing the direction of my life.

Funny how the world works — two years later, in March 2013, I would see her again in the Land of Smiles for a shark-related event.

I was invited to speak in the Asian Development Bank’s side event for the 16th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES). In this convention, heads of states vote for certain animals to get listed in Appendix I (total ban of trade) or Appendix II (regulated trade). Sounds kinda crazy noh? To quote my fellow mermaid Jenica, ”It boggles my mind how the survival of a species is for our deciding.”

But it is what it is.

This year, sharks and manta rays were on the line. Three years ago, none of them made it to the list.

A couple of months ago, we invited all of you to participate in the global Shark Stanley campaign with Shark Defenders to get these animals on Appendix II. We asked you to take photos of yourself with the characters as a “signature” to support this campaign. The photos would be put in a collage and given to country leaders.

With Bianca, Chely, and Lynn + Meina Manta, Pierre Porbeagle, Waqi Whitetip, and Shark Stanley

Here’s what the wall of the Shark Stanley booth looked like at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. I took close up photos of the Philippines’ country collages, which can be seen here.

My speaking engagement on curbing the demand of wildlife trade was on the same day as the negotiations for sharks and mantas. I was already a nervous wreck for my talk because it was for chief justices, attorney generals, and law enforcers from all over world. I was even more agitated/stressed/scared because of the marine conversations going on across the hall where the proposals were being discussed. I think I ate twelve cookies and drank three cups of black coffee in one afternoon. Possibly more. #EmotionalEater

Voting of each animal was done through secret ballots. My heart beat triple time every time silence would fill the room in anticipation of the votes. I got teary eyed after each YES came through. During the last proposal (manta rays) I screamed and cheered and jumped up and down and hugged people beside me. UAAP GAME???? KALOKA!!!!

Meet Leah, one of the superwomen behind the lean and mean Shark Defenders team. All smiles after a loooooong day in plenary! Photo from Leah.

I really, truly believe that there is a growing consciousness on wildlife trade — be it for rhino horns, tiger rugs, bear paw soup, etc. Check out this little paper fin on a table talker in a restaurant in Thailand. Photo from Bell.

One of the highlights of my trip was having the privilege to be part of the Philippine delegation, where I got to observe how the team protects and defends our country’s interests. The Philippine government and civil society have many unsung heroes, and I was very lucky to meet them and work with them during the last week. Nakakabuhay.

Getting these species listed in the CITES was a HUGE leap forward, but it’s also really just the beginning. Of many things. Of great things, maybe. We will never run out of challenges, from safety and security to apathy. It takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears — and I mean that literally and figuratively. Most of the time, it doesn’t feel right to celebrate wins because the losses are just as overwhelming. The day after the shark and manta wins, I plunged into another loss: the ongoing sale of marine turtle soup in the Pasil market in Cebu. We may have the laws to stop these activities, but we have a long way to go in terms of enforcement capacity.

My hope remains infallible. I keep in mind what my favorite professor once told me: “I got into teaching because I thought I could change minds, but the Philippines is probably worse now than when I started teaching many years ago. But I’m sure as hell gonna keep trying.” Cheers :)

The run will benefit Save Philippine Seas’ Pawikan Watchers project, a training program where volunteers from different parts of the Philippines will be trained on the biology and ecology of sea turtles and PAWB-approved guidelines.

What more are you waiting for? Join the race for pawikan protection!

WHEN: Sunday, March 3, 2013
WHERE: Ateneo de Manila University grounds

Fun Run Categories: 3K / 5K / 10K

All races are open to competitive and casual runners and walkers.
First three finishers from the three categories will receive trophies and other prizes.

Registration Fees:
3K – Php 300
5K – Php 350
10K- Php 450

On-Campus Registration:
Jan 28 – Feb 22, 2013, 8 AM – 4 PM
Kostka Extension, Ateneo de Manila University

Online Registration: CLICK HERE

Contact Details:
Stephen Uy – 0922-815-3488
Phil Evardo – 0917-327-9506
Pat Alvero – 0915-859-0619

E – Mail: ateneoess.marketing@gmail.com

For other updates, like our page on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/AESSItsATurtleRun

Save Philippine Seas (SPS) and I are looking for a Project Manager to help coordinate the Teachers’ Training and Malapascua Arts-Science Festival this coming April.

Photo by Klaus Stiefel

About:

The Teachers’ Training and Malapascua Arts-Science Festival is the 4th and last phase of the Shark Shelter Project of SPS in Malapascua, Cebu. This component aims to build the confidence of the teachers and strengthen environmental education in the schools.

From April 3-6, teachers from Malapascua’s Elementary and High Schools will be trained on Marine Science Education and Facilitating Skills by the Ocean Resource Center (ORC), a Leyte-based organization that conducts empowerment training on marine education for teachers.

From April 8-12, the Arts-Science Festival will be held in Malapascua as its first community celebration, where marine conservation will be taught through creative forms of learning. The Festival hopes to promote creativity and appreciation of nature outside the four walls of a standard classroom. 100 students from Malapascua will be selected to participate in this 5-day summer program.

The Project Manager will be working closely with me. I don’t bite. (Unless you want me to.)

Qualifications:

1) Female
2) Must be available from March 15 to April 22: will work from home (or wherever!) from March 15 to April 1 and April 15 to 22, and in Malapascua from April 2 to 14
3) Passionate about education, marine conservation, and the Philippines
4) Possesses organization and presentation skills
5) Detail-oriented and resourceful
6) Highly motivated and personable
7) Strong leadership skills
8) Experience in handling community events will be an added advantage
9) Knowledge of Cebuano will be an added advantage but not necessary

In addition to professional fees, SPS will cover all expenses incurred for transportation, accommodations, food, and meetings.

Responsibilities:

1) Canvass for art supplies
2) Seek possible sponsors
3) Look for Cebu-based teachers for the Arts-Science Festival
4) Act as a secretariat and scribe during the two events
5) Coordinate with sponsors, local government officials, and other stakeholders
6) Provide constructive feedback
7) Prepare post-event reports

To apply, send a cover letter and your updated resume to anna@annaoposa.ph with the subject line “Shark Shelter”.

For inquiries about this position, email anna@annaoposa.ph

Deadline for applications: February 1, 2013

We’d like to introduce you to Shark Stanley and his friends Manta Reina, Pierre le Porbeagle, and Waqi Whitetip, who now are traveling around the world to find people who will support shark and manta ray protection at the upcoming Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) meeting in March in Bangkok, Thailand. With 176 member countries, this multilateral agreement protects more than 30,000 species globally (including species of dolphins, turtles, and corals) and plays a powerful and key role in preventing extinction of many plants and animals by ensuring sustainable rates of trade.

Sharks and rays are extremely important to local tourism. Studies show that they are much more valuable alive and in the sea than dead. Much to our frustration, shark fishery is still legal in the Philippines, with the sole exception of the whale shark. It is highly unregulated too. Manta rays are protected (FAO 193) but they’re still fished in many parts in the Philippines, including Bohol, Surigao, and Leyte. Watch this video by Born to be Wild to find out more.

If you would like to help these species, you can print a picture of Shark Stanley, Manta Reina, Pierre le Porbeagle, and Waqi Whitetip, cut them out, and take a photo with them anywhere you wish. Then send it to us, along with your name and where you are from. Shark Stanley’s friends at Shark Defenders will compile photos according to country in compelling visual mosaics, send to all 176 representatives, and display them at the CITES meeting.

1) Get to know the characters better.

2) Upload your photos to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram tagged with @SharkDefenders, #SharkStanley, @SavePHSeas and #Philippines

3) Email your photos to info@sharkdefenders.com for them to compile into a unique petition.

4) Work with kids! If you work with kids in schools, aquariums, museums (wherever!), Shark Defenders will provide their activity booklet for free or help you to design a workshop on shark conservation.

5) Be a partner. If your organization would like to partner with Shark Stanley at CITES, write a story about it on your blog or website with a link to this page, then email your logo and five photos of your friends with Shark Stanley to info@sharkdefenders.com. They’ll post your logo and link to your website on a special sponsors’ page.