2013

Fantastic news for the future development of the Philippines, 7,107 exotic islands to explore! 

2012

Celebrating Christmas in honour of Water!

Christmas is a time for giving, and when a meaningful cause is attached to the gift it makes giving and receiving that much more special. As we enter the New Year 2013, there will be a series of positive announcements involving global water projects, educational seminars, art collections, and lifestyle initiatives that will take ÁLON & its Partners on a new Wave… Stay tuned!

ÁLON Water Ambassadors Inge Gijzen & Mangenguey Island Help Somaly Mam Foundation reach US$750,000 in Proceeds Against Human Trafficking

On October 17th, the Somaly Mam Foundation‘s Annual Gala event announced the establishment of a Charity Buzz auction to raise funds for victims of human trafficking. In attendance were Susan Sarandon, Diane von Furstenburg, Deepak Chopra, Russel Simmons and various leading individuals and companies supporting the cause.

ÁLON Water Ambassadors Inge Gijzen, a contemporary artist & humanist from Indonesia & The Netherlands with a recurring theme on “Women & Water” – and  Mangenguey Island, Palawan, The Philippines, a boutique luxury barefoot living Utopia – donated their artwork and island experiences to the auction – being a part of helping to make this year’s SMF gala a spectacular celebration of partnerships, activism, and generosity.

Over US$750,000 was raised in gross proceeds, which will allow SMF to help many more women and girls to rebuild their lives with new skills and hope for the future, and to elevate survivors as leaders in the anti-trafficking movement.

Congratulations & a big thank you to all who support this cause!

17 Newly Certified Water Footprint Specialists to Help Save Our Waters

7-9 November 2012, Singapore. CONGRATULATIONS to the 17 new leading international individuals from the public and private sectors from Canada, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, The Netherlands, Peru, The Philippines, and the United Kingdom – who were certified by the Water Footprint Network for having accomplished the Global Water Footprint Standard Training” programme in Singapore from 7-9 November, conducted by the Water Footprint Network manager and University of Twente’s Professor Arjen Hoekstra – author of the Water Footprint Assessment Manual.

Why should we bother about water footprints?

“Freshwater is a scarce resource; its annual availability is limited and demand is growing. The water footprint of humanity has exceeded sustainable levels at several places and is unequally distributed among people. Good information about water footprints of communities and businesses will help to understand how we can achieve a more sustainable and equitable use of fresh water….Nearly every product has a smaller or larger water footprint, which is of interest for both consumers that buy those products and businesses that produce, process, trade or sell those products in some stage of their supply chain.” (Source: Water Footprint Network)

Environmental awareness and strategy is often part of what a business regards as its ‘corporate social responsibility’. Reducing the water footprint can be part of the environmental strategy of a business, just like reducing the carbon footprint.

Global Water Footprint Standard Training Course: Organised by the Water Footprint Network in collaboration with University of Twente Netherlands & ÁLON Singapore 

From 7-9 November 2012, the Water Footprint Network, University of Twente and Álon host Singapore’s first Global Standard Water Footprint Training in Singapore. The training is aimed at professionals in the water and environmental sectors interested to learn about the application of the water footprint concept and tools in their daily practice. The course aims at professionals from both business and government, and also consultants that advise corporations or governments. Mainly technical, it addresses questions regarding how to carry out a water footprint assessment using the global water footprint standard.Additionally, time is spent on understanding how water footprint assessment can ultimately contribute to better water governance and more sustainable water strategies.

Course Downloads, November 7-9, 2012:

• Global Water Footprint Standard Training Course Outline
• Global Water Footprint Role-play
• Participants List
• Water Footprint Assessment: An Introduction
• Water Footprint Sustainability Assessment
• Water-Food-Energy Nexus
• Corporate Water Footprint

ÁLON explores partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños towards Water & Environment Education.

Álon founders, Anna Hazlett & Anne-Marie Bakker with Faculty Members from the University of the Philippines LB

ÁLON Co-Founder, Anne-Marie Bakker as Keynote speaker to the University of the Philippines Los Baños Faculty Conference on Innovations for Effective Teaching and Learning, October 29-30, 2012 @ NCAS Auditorium.

Addressing an audience of 300 faculty members and 50 administrators attending the 2 day conference, Co-Founder of ÁLON, Anne-Marie Bakker delivered a keynote on “Riding the Waves of Change”. The keynote shed light on the symbiotic relationship between teaching and learning, and explored experiential methods beyond the conventional ‘class-room’.  The keynote illustrated Shaun Tomson’s “Surfer’s Code: 12 Simple Lessons for Riding Through Life” providing the audience life lessons that can be employed in teaching and learning.

Anne-Marie Bakker, Keynote speaker

ÁLON Announces Support for Fostering Education & Environment for Development (FEED)

25 October 2012, Siniluan, Philippines. ÁLON was invited as a Founding Patron of the LIVING LEGEND: Plant a Tree, FEED Our Future programme launched by the leading University of the Philippines Los Baños and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to help restore indigenous forests and livelihoods in Quezon Province in order to reverse the decline of biodiversity and help steer a new course towards sustainable development.

Forests and deforestation became a major focus of biodiversity preservation movements in the 1990s. Deforestation affected several communities,  causing increased open access, marginalization of uplands, migration, inadequate livelihood opportunities, decreasing forest productivity, increased erosion and siltation, loss of biodiversity and deterioration of watersheds. ÁLON’s focus in supporting FEED’s efforts in reversing deforestation is to help shift resource allocation typically favoring the rich and politically influential (also involved in illegal cutting), towards enhancing the watershed and irrigation design in their reforestation and industrial tree plantation programs. Read more about FEED’s LIVING LEGACY programme here.

Meet ÁLON’s Latest Water Ambassador, Owner of Surfista Travels, Promoting Our Oceans & Eco-Tourism

Press Release. October 7, 2012, San Juan, La Union.  ÁLON today announced its latest Water Ambassador & Artisan, Elaine Abonal – Surfer, Founder & Owner, Surfista Travels Philippines, in order to diversify its reach and work into the water & lifestyle segment by partnering with an up and coming, sustainable oceans advocate.

“I’ve been surfing for around 10 years and surfing has become a huge part of my life and I love it so much so I wanted to share it and decided to make a business named Surfista Travels Philippines. Because of Surfista Travels and knowing that the ocean is a huge part in a surfer’s (anyone’s really) life, I’ve realized that taking care of the ocean in our own little way is important. Surfista Travels has helped me spread the message about taking care of our waters.” -Elaine Abonal

ÁLON Water Ambassadors are invaluable individuals, who play a key role in endorsing the global water agenda in their respective fields of interest, business or passion – from all walks of life. Read more about ÁLON Water Ambassadors here: ÁLON Water Ambassadors. Click here to know more about Surfista Travels.

“ÁLON Fights Human Trafficking: In support of Somaly Mam Foundation’s Gala on October 17th.”

See the exclusive LIVE Online Auction featuring ÁLON Water Ambassadors: Hamburg-Kennedy Photographs NYC, Inge Gijzen & Mangenguey Private Island Utopia here: http://www.charitybuzz.com/support/SMF 

ÁLON Featured in 110 Year Anniversary of Philippines’ Oldest Public School

September 8, 2012, MANILA, Philippines – When Tarlac National High School (TNHS) celebrated its 110th anniversary as the seat of the oldest public school system in the Philippines in 1902, it invited ÁLON and several other environmental organizations to participate in supporting education as an investment for the nation’s future.

As part of its awareness and advocacy efforts in Asia, ÁLON supports education as a major focus of its campaign efforts in the Philippines.  The country’s first high school has nurtured the minds of many great leaders, from prominent statesmen to business pioneers, to academic chancellors and international diplomats. It was the learning ground where heroes walked, foremost among them the distinguished politician, spokesman, diplomat, journalist and author, and Foreign Secretary Carlos P. Romulo, signatory for the Philippines to the United Nations Charter when it was founded in 1946 and first Philippine President of the United Nations 4th Session General Assembly in 1949.

For more information on the event, visit: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=846328

ÁLON’s Announces First Water Footprint Network Global Training in Singapore

September 25, 2012. The first Global Water Footprint Course is being organised by the Water Footprint Network in collaboration with ÁLON and the University of Twente, the Netherlands, in Singapore from November 7-9 2012. 

The training course is aimed at professionals from all industrial, business, consulting and government sectors, including the water and environmental segments, interested to learn about the application of the water footprint concept and tools in daily practice. Whilst technical, it also addresses questions regarding how to carry out a water footprint assessment using the global water footprint standard. Time is spent on understanding how water footprint assessment can ultimately contribute to better water governance and more sustainable water strategies. Click here for more information on the course.

July 11-12, 2012, MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Water 2050 was the theme of the 34th Annual Scientific Meeting of the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), primary adviser to the Philippine government on S & T related matters held on July 11-12, 2012 at the Manila Hotel.

This year’s ASM aimed to provide analyses and science-based solutions/policy recommendations to the government, the private sector and society at large on the modernization and improvement of water sources and delivery for domestic, agricultural, industrial and other uses, and the sustainable development of Philippine water resources.

Álon was invited to participate and share insights during these proceedings, resulting in certification to continue involvement with the Philippine 2050 teams in advising the Philippine government on their master plans.  The Honorable Rogelio L. Singson, Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the country’s appointed Water Czar keynoted the event.

For more information on this project, click here.

Luxury Redefined: ÁLON on Water Lifestyles

May 2012, Singapore – The future of superyachts in Asia could actually depend on its being more avante garde – rather than being just another social affair. If the Singapore Yacht Show traces its pedigree to both the Monaco and Abu Dhabi Yacht Shows, then it might as well differentiate itself within the country’s greater regional and international ambitions – to pioneer its environmental, technological, innovation, R&D and other worthy economic endeavours as part of the nation state’s balanced scorecard approach.

Given today’s pending energy and commodity crises, most countries are preparing to ensure their respective sustainability models – whether it’s food and water security, to self-sustained floating urban sanctuaries and outer space health care facilities.

By VERA Files | The Inbox – Tue, May 22, 2012
By Norman Sison, VERA Files

With over 7,100 islands to choose from, the Philippines is known for its postcard-lovely beaches. Of late, it has been making waves on the world map of surfing. 

Source: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/blogs/the-inbox/ph-makes-waves-world-surfing-map-165434122.html

2011

ART + LIVING BLOG 

PRESS RELEASE, 7 July 2011: Singapore Premieres “Arts & Culture with a Cause: In Honour of Water”, Singapore International Water Week

ÁLON premiered an alternative approach to connecting people, planet and philanthropy by bringing globally relevant causes – such as Women & Water and Water Security in the Middle East, to the lifestyle segment of Singapore.

Acknowledgements: Acknowledgements Individual & Corporate 7 July 2011

In line with Singapore International Water Week, Alon & Partners hosted a private cocktail with social talks to raise awareness on critical water issues, alongside boutique lifestyle products and water artworks supporting social entrepreneurship.

The event gathered prominent, by invite only guests, patrons and media of Singapore based “Arts & Culture with a Cause”. The social engagement dialogue approach included talks from Worldbank, UN and Asia-Europe Dialogue advisors to a private-sector audience from the luxury segment interested in endorsing the global water agenda.

“When I was approached by Alon & Partners to support this event, I listened because it was not the typical “tree-hugger” approach that unfortunately tends to put many people off. Water is a necessary life source anywhere in the world, so this automatically connects us all. It’s a precious resource and privilege that is not necessarily evident given Singapore’s abundance as a prosperous nation. Water is not however a “public good” in many places, such as cyclical drought-affected islands in the Caribbean, where I hail part of my roots. I had to get involved,” says Andy Kerr, Senior Consultant at International Financial Services (IFS) - a key individual patron of the event.

Proceeds are allocated to sustainable water & sanitation oriented NGO’s in Asia.

The Guest of Honour, HE Jan-Peter Balkenende, the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands (2002-2010), a country historically associated with innovative water management, opened the Dialogue session during the event:

“Water is vital to life. Access to safe drinking water at the top of this amazing New York City gallery makes us seem far removed from it. But as far as I know, you have come to this event for the same reasons I did. Because ‘Art & Culture with a Cause: In Honour of Water’ is different. Through this medium, together with the generous support of partners such as Hamburg-Kennedy and your active participation, we stand here – each of us with the power to change perception – in all walks of life, wherever we go. With the ability to head back to our offices, day jobs, careers, coffee corners, weddings, holidays and lives and to set in motion a positive train of events. I am an avid believer in the power of one with conviction, especially when it relates to a cause as important as Water. After all, Water is a basic human right…so, congratulations to you all for being here and cheers to our ability to transform mindsets!”

The Prime Minister received instant recognition and acknowledgement about the water crisis upon presentation of facts: “Today’s water crisis is not an issue of scarcity, but of access. More people in the world own cell phones than have access to safe drinking water.” The audience, aware, diverse and international represented all walks of life. Their recognition illustrated that ‘Art & Culture with a Cause’ is practical and social platform that enables a “cause” to generate a far greater impact than in the usual socio-political context.

By integrating a cross section of society, industry leaders, pioneers and professionals in their own right – who happen to also be supporters and enthusiasts of a social cause – we realize that although we may be artists, bankers, film producers, traders, non-profits, NGOs or any other public and private individuals – we also need to (re-)connect with society at large to determine how we can get involved and support projects far and wide with impact.

Awareness raising and a change in mindset from dialogue can move the water agenda forward. Philanthropy can be a way of life.

The Guest Speaker, Richard Mander, private-island owner in South East Asia presented a practical case in point about how sustainable development has everything to do with being authentic in one’s pursuits to “work with nature” – where to the island and its inhabitants, food and water need to be transported to the island with great difficulty for example in times of drought or even monsoon. Even with alternative energy resolutions, such as desalination, hydro-power and solar-energy having been piloted on the island he owns and manages with his wife, such natural and unpredictable changes in climate have emphasized how sustainable development needs a greater following.