On June 6, 2014 starts a milestone in the battle for climate change in the Philippines. In the grounds of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, at the ARG Theater, participants of the Hack The Climate Manila registered at around 8 am.
I volunteered as photographer, videographer and blogger for this event.
The program started with a opening remarks from Bro. Dennis Magbanua of Saint Benilde.
As part of the program, speakers from various NGOs (non-governmental organizations) were invited to give presentation about their climate change related advocacy and suggestions / requirements in terms of applications to be developed during the hackathon.
The first NGO speaker was from Climate Reality Project, Ms. Sheila Castillo.
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| Ms. Sheila Castillo – Climate Reality Project |
This is a video of some parts of her speech.
Afterwards, Ms. Gina Lopez of ABS CBN Foundation, talked about their advocacy of eco-tourism and anti-mining.
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| Ms. Gina Lopez of ABS CBN Foundation discussed the merits of their eco-tourism projects |
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| Ms. Gina Lopez presented how successful their eco-tourism project in terms of revenue for the locals |
She suggested apps that drive traffic to the eco-tourism destinations and also disseminate information on how successful the projects were to encourage visitation by tourist and replication by other localities in the Philippines.
Here is a short video clip of her speech.
Then the Hack Master’s Paul Pajo discussed about Hackathon 101 and then declared the official start of the Hack the Climate Manila Hackathon.
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| The HackMaster Paul Pajo |
Greenpeace discussed the Local Climate Change Context through their representative Ruben Muni.
After giving a brief about Greenpeace and some of their initiatives, he suggested some of these apps to be developed.
The followed, Mr. Antonio “Nonoy” Maralit, Environmetal Concerns Coordinator, DLSU, to talk about their schools environmental projects and concerts.
Here are some of the apps he suggested to be developed.
Next was the Presentation of the NGO Partners on who they are & what apps do they need by Princeton students Jacob Scheer & Miguel Lachanski
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| Jacob Scheer & Miguel Lachanski |
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| Organizers posing of the hackathon: Jacob Scheer, TJ and Miguel Lachanski |
The next topic was SMS API Briefing by CHIKKA Philippines conducted by Mario Muyco.
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| CHIKKA Philippines: Mario Muyco |
He discussed about SMS API, it’s importance and potentials.
It was followed by Conservation International’s Michelle Encomeida.
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| Conservation International’s Michelle Encomeida |
This are the apps she suggested to be developed.
The last speaker was from Smart News & Public Affairs with the topic “Biodiversity Conservation for Climate Change” by Dr. Aldrin Mallari, (Coutry Director, Fauna & Flora Int’l).
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| Dr. Aldrin Mallari |
It was a long day but very informative. I learned a lot from the speakers and it really gave me a strong justification for my volunteering for this event and encourage me more to participate more in the fate of our planet.
