Plastic Regulation and Styro banning conferred at SM Lipa’s Green Retail Agenda

As new innovations in technology and policies regarding environmental concerns are introduced with each passing year, SM City Lipa staged its fourth annual conference dubbed as “Green Retail Agenda” last March 19, 2012. Attended by its tenants, employees and other shareholders, the Green Retail Agenda 2012 focused on the discussion on the most recent news pertaining to Global Warming and the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Lipa City’s General ordinance No.1, also known as the “Ordinance Prohibiting the Use of Plastic Bags on Dry Goods and Regulating its Use on Wet Goods and Totally Banning of Styrofoam in the City of Lipa”.

Ms. Letty G. Abella, a Senior Science Research Specialist from the Department of Energy tackled the most recent manifestations of Global Warming and Climate Change in global and local perspective. Attendees were introduced to the term “carbon footprint”, which is the total set of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event, product or person. Ms. Abella said that if people will start to be conscious on their carbon footprint and they try to reduce its emissions the effect of Global Warming can be slowed down.

The second guest speaker is one of the most outstanding young women in Lipa City and is the author of General Ordinance No. 1 – Coun. Concon Hernandez. As the ordinance’s proponent, Coun. Concon elaborated the intent of it. Quoting Ms. Hernandez “Ito na ang panahon para gumawa tayo ng hakbang para sa mapangalagaan ang ating resources. Sana pagdating ng panahon, hindi tayo sisisihin ng ating mga magiging mga apo na pinabayaan natin ang ating kapaligiran.”. As the head of the City Council’s committee for women, she also spearheads a livelihood project for the indigent women in Lipa City through paper bag (supot) and re-usable bag making.

As to the implementing rules and regulations of the said ordinance, Engr. Ricardo Libon, the Assistant City Environment and Natural Resources Officer separately explained each provision while attendees were also given the chance to ask for clarifications during the open forum.

Woman Empowerment on the 2012 Celebration of International Women’s Month at SM City Lipa

Last March 8, Thursday, SM City Lipa in partnership with the local city government of Lipa launched the celebration of the International Womens Month. As a prelude to this month long celebration, SM City Lipa organized an exhibit which featured Lipeña Pinay Pride- Mayora Bernadette Sabili and Former Mutya ng Lipa Keena Katigbak.

The exhibit launch was inaugurated with the welcoming remarks of Engr. John C. Mauhay, the Assistant Mall Manager of SM City Lipa. This was followed by a congratulatory message of Mayor Meynard A. Sabili who has been very supportive to all the projects of his wife. Signifying the opening of the exhibit to the public is the cutting of the ribbon while a message of thanks and inspiration by Mayora Sabili followed. Quoting Mayora Sabili, “I want to be like Mrs. Sabili as a wife and as a Lipeña.”

Being the first lady of Lipa and the chair of the MAS Foundation, Mayora Sabili had been significantly active in in some social, civic, educational and cultural affairs of the city. Her latest project is building “Bahay ni Kuya”, a substance abuse rehabilitation center in Brgy. Bolbok Lipa City.

The exhibit which lasted until March 11, also featured personal items of Mayora Sabili which depicts a modern, empowered and sophisticated woman.

As a reward to all the female shoppers, SM City Lipa also staged a Fab Glam Party last March 10, Saturday. Ladies were given free pampering services like skin analysis by My Skin Med Spa; hand massage by Oryspa, Make up by Mary Kay, Ever Bilena and Avon, power massage by Dermablend, and temporary hair straightening by JML of Watsons.

A Fun Run for the benefit of MAS Foundation was also spearheaded by Mayor and Mayora Sabili last March 11, Sunday, at the Front Covered Walk of SM City Lipa. This was attended by a total of 90 women and some 30 men including Mayor Sabili’s Chief of Staff Atty JR Macasaet.

Dacanlao, Camo and Corañez: Batangas Sudoku Champions

Fifty contenders for the for the regional titles of Sudoku Whiz Kid, Sudoku Wizard and Sudoku Grand Master converged at the Events Center of SM City Lipa for the 6th Sudoku Regional Eliminations last Saturday, October 16. Initiated by the Mathematics Trainers Guild Philippines and partnered by SM Supermalls and Philippine Star, the competition brought in participants from the different areas in Batangas who answered more than a dozen Sudoku puzzles arranged in ascending difficulty.

The event started with the welcoming remarks by SM Lipa Mall Manager Liza F. Dimaculangan followed by the speech of MTG Philippines President Simon Chua. Composed of three rounds, each round was given a specific time allotment for the contenders to finish the puzzles.

For the Sudoku Whiz Kid category, Rubi Francesca Camo from First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities got the first place while Melvin Baldrias Dacanlao from Agoncillo National High School also placed first in the Sudoku Wizard Category. Coming in second is Dan Alfred John Naungayan of De la Salle- Lipa and followed by Bianca Marie Lago of Inosloban –Maraouy National High School. The Sudoku Grand Master Category, hailed Aldwin Corañez as the grand winner and followed by Joseph Garcia of UP Diliman.

The winners will be joining in the National Sudoku Championships at the SM City North Edsa on January 2012.

On the Photo:
Batangas Sudoku Champions with MTG Philippines President Mr. Simon Chua(left most side) with SM City Lipa Mall Manager Liza Dimaculangan and MTG Batangas Coordinator Susan Ignacio (right most). Between them are the winners: 1st placer Whiz Kid Category – Francesca Camo of First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities, Bianca Marie Lago of Inosloban- Maraouy National High School 3rd placer for Wizard Category, Dan Alfred John Naungayan of De la Salle- Lipa 2nd placer for the Wizard Category, Melvin Dacanlao of Agoncillo National High School 1st placer- Wizard Category, Mark Joseph Garcia of UP Diliman 2nd placer for Grand Master Category and Aldwin Corañez 1st placer-Grand Master Category.