Francis Sollano is WEF Global Shaper for Trashion works

 News
May 172017
 
Francis Sollano is WEF Global Shaper for Trashion works

Artist and humanitarian Francis Sollano has been featured at the 2017 World Economic Forum on Association of Southeast Asian Nations (WEF-ASEAN) for being a Global Shaper with his works of art called “Trashion.” Francis Sollano [via Bamboo Culture] The Cebu-based designer is the first Filipino to be given the spotlight at the WEF-ASEAN. Sollano is featured in the WEF Global Shapers Community as one of the world’s leading young people who are exceptional in their potential, their achievements and their drive to make a contribution to their communities. His expertise is listed in the Sustainability and Environment-Fashion section. The 30-year- old is featured as the “Trashion and installations artist known for contemporary takes on upcycling garbage into wearable art and converting urban spaces. Aside from being a humanitarian and ambassador for various initiatives, he is a self-made social entrepreneur; incorporates love for the natural environment in delicate handmade creations under own label.” The University of the Philippines graduate has had his Trashion works covered in international design publications and exhibited across the globe in major cities including Paris, New York, London, Tokyo, Singapore and Bangkok. Trashion [via Facebook] As an advocate and Executive Director for the Youth for a Livable Cebu, Sollano “hopes to bring the movement to an international platform, advocating for sustainable practices and livability in various communities.” The visual artist has partnered with commercial institutions driving programs that allow him to acquire the garbage materials he uses. These solutions work as a system on its own – Read More …

Innovative weaving technology helps special needs students

 News
May 172017
 
Innovative weaving technology helps special needs students

Special needs students can now work with portable therapeutic handlooms designed to develop their physical, mental, and social abilities. Special needs students using handlooms [via DOST] The Portable Therapeutic Handloom features a hand-held lever that takes the place of pedals, to facilitate the interchange of harnesses during weaving of yarns. With this strategic mechanism, the handloom will now only require eye-hand coordination thus streamlining the handweaving process. Ten of these special handlooms designed by the Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology-National Capital Region (DOST-NCR), were turned over St. Francis School-VSA Arts Philippines for special needs students. This PTRI-designed technology is envisioned to aid the productivity of St. Francis School-VSA Arts students, as they design and create their own fabrics. Many of their outputs are developed into apparel, accessories, and other merchandise. Through this project, PTRI and DOST-NCR hope to empower them with livelihood opportunities, apart from therapeutic rehabilitation. Established in 1996 with the assistance of Japan, St. Francis School-VSA Arts specializes on special-needs education through various approaches—particularly speech and language development. Their K-12 curriculum is enhanced with extra-curricular activities, such as dancing, martial arts, acting, and urban weaving; providing their students other avenues of learning and expression. Their urban weaving program highlights saori, the Japanese art of handweaving that focuses on unique, freestyle designs, made by the school’s special needs students. Its premise is to provide them with creative therapeutic expression; the more mistakes, the better. Rebecca Santos, Executive Director of St. Read More …

Jeepney undergoes safety, fuel efficiency modernization facelift

 News
May 172017
 
Jeepney undergoes safety, fuel efficiency modernization facelift

The iconic Philippine jeepney is set to undergo a modernization drive to upgrade its road safety standards and fuel use efficiency – with the electric jeepney industry praising the initiative and pushing to retain the characteristics of the Filipino icon. [via motioncars] The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), leaders in the e-jeepney movement, has announced its support for the government program that would address issues of dilapidated road hazards and smoke-belching public utility vehicles, including the iconic jeepneys, plying Philippine roads. Rommel Juan, President of EVAP, has expressed optimism for the electric vehicle industry amidst the government’s impending PUV Modernization Program saying, “The Department of Transportation is finally on the verge of implementing this historic modernization program for public utility vehicles which aims to drastically improve the mass transport landscape and help reduce or eventually eliminate toxic air pollution on Philippine roads. This is because not only will the 15-year old jeepneys be upgraded to new ones but the power train will either have to be the environment-friendly Euro 4 engines or alternative-fuel type like electric and hybrid, LPG, LNG and CNG. With the political will of the Duterte administration, we think this will finally happen.” Juan reveals that EVAP and the entire automotive industry are passionate about growing local industries, specifically on generating fresh investments, generating new jobs and providing business opportunities for MSMEs that comprise the bulk of automotive parts and components suppliers. “That is why we are pushing for local manufacturing and assembly of the Read More …

Building your empire

 News
May 172017
 
Building your empire

Armando Bartolome Are you considering putting up a business instead of just relying on a 9 to 5 job? With the high cost of living, some millennials choose to build their own enterprise for their future family. To achieve optimum results, you must have all the necessary tools, resources and the skills. The most important thing for an entrepreneur is to be physically and emotionally prepared. Starting up a business means having to face so many challenges along the way, and would mean having to take risks in order to come up with the best possible outcome all the time. Only a small percentage of start up businesses last beyond their first year. There is no guarantee for success, but an entrepreneur who is prepared to face all the adversities has an edge. Apart from creating a good business plan, there are several factors that an entrepreneur should look into. Financial Resources No business can start without having enough financial resources. And this does not only mean having a few bucks. One has to realize that there are so many things that are needed. What are these? Business registration Capital for buying goods Rent Marketing paraphernalia Mobilization funds Your funds may come from your personal account, a loan from a financial institution or from family and friends. When you are seeking for a loan, look for the least amount of interest to make paying it back less of a struggle. Business Knowledge Don’t allow yourself to be beaten by your Read More …

Get creative with pricing

 News
May 162017
 

Looking for ways and means to improve profitability? Should you add new products, license a new technology, partner with another vendor? How about an oft. ignored strategy that works well for the likes of Coca Cola …

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