Mallwide Green Sale in Ayala Center Cebu

Ever wonder what's this sale is all about? Why green? It's called a green sale simply because of its noble purpose, that is, to save mother earth. Ayala Center Cebu brings to its shoppers GREENOLOGY, the sustainable lifestyle through awareness campaigns & various mall activities that aim to educate and promote how each individual can do their share in saving mother earth.

The Mallwide Green Sale runs from September 29 to October 4, where shoppers can avail of big discounts the green way. How? Join the No Plastic Bag Promo during the sale period. Simply present 500 worth of receipts from any Ayala Center Cebu outlet or 2, 000 from grocery (Metro or Rustan's Fresh) or you can use your Ayala Malls Eco-Bag or turn-over your plastic bags to get instant prizes and the chance to win an eco-friendly high definition LCD TV.

Promo period will run from September 29 to October 4, 2009. The Raffle draw will be held on Sunday, October 4, 7:00 p.m. at the Activity Center. Deadline for the submission of raffle entries is on October 4 at 5:00 p.m.

Plastic bags generated from this promo will be donated to Ayala Center's community partner, Barangay Luz for their recycling projects.

An eco-art exhibit from junk springs art was also held on September 9 - 23, featuring junk arts highlighting the fundamentals of recycling. The display aims to educate the shoppers how much garbage is consumed by using junks or scraps such as plastics, papers and other recyclable materials. Artworks of the exhibit winners are displayed in various parts of the mall (see photos)

Mangrove Planting in Olangao Island, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu

I used to hear about mangrove planting when I was still in my previous job but didn't take the opportunity to organize one or even just participate from other environmental groups. It was only last November when I was finally able to attend and much more, to help organize the activity. It was also the first time I was able to set foot on Olango Island where we planted the mangroves. Being a first-timer, I was pretty excited thinking what it could be like and how it is done. Mangrove planting is definitely different from tree planting. You will not be planting seeds but mangrove propagules. Also, the mangrove planting time is very fast for you only have to dig a small hole the size of the propagule into the wetlands, swamps and along warm-weather coastlines which mostly are soft and easy to dig. You may even directly plant the propagule if the sand is soft enough. It's simply like planting rice seeds. You can plant 10,000 propagules in an hour or so. Proper distancing between the propagules should be observed to consider the propagules survival rate. Growth period can vary depending on the type of mangrove propagule planted.
If you are planning to organize a mangrove planting activity, here are some tips for you to consider:
1. It is advisable that you coordinate with government authority specifically the City Environment and Natural Resource Office or CENRO of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). They will give you advise as to where you do the planting and you can get the propagules from them at a very low price. 
2. Of course you need to check the calendar first if your planned schedule/date falls on a low tide. This is very important because you simply can't do the planting if its high tide. So better check it out and observe the right time.
3. Wear comfortable and breathable clothing because you will be bending your back when planting. A t-shirt and a pair of shorts/short pants would be fine. For the footwear, slippers would do but water shoes are highly recommended.

   

 

mangrove propagule before it drops from the parent tree

mangrove propagules ready for planting