The Curious Mom

Metro Manila is comprised of 16 cities and 1 municipality - is the economic, political, and cultural capital.

Metro Manila’s forecast of becoming a global power city is challenged by the consequences of rapid urbanization. The UN-Habitat lists the effects of climate change, natural disasters that hamper urban infrastructures and city competitiveness, unequal livability, job creation, and poverty reduction.

Is there a way out of Metro Manila’s challenges? Architect and urban designer Chintan Raveshia, and urban planner and sustainability consultant Tony Chan of Singapore-based Arup emphasize urban development should also consider people’s aspirations, its changing needs and expectations, and the national identity of the residents.

Raveshia inspires responsible stakeholders to ask themselves first the most fundamental question: “What’s the identity of the city and how do we make its residents proud?”

He quips, “Singapore, a city that is high on everyone’s liveability list, is also working with citizens and grassroots organizations to inculcate a sense of ‘lovability’ for the city. This helps to strengthen the societal bond, increase equity, improve community safety, and exude pride and a feeling of ownership of the city amongst the residents. The balance of liveability, efficiency, and lovability paves the way for the true success of our cities in this climate emergency era”.

For his part, Chan believes that successful sustainable urban development goes hand in hand with the capability to enhance people’s quality of life. “We must develop and harness models of development that have low-carbon targets, which are also of a human scale, thriving and inclusive; models that are also just, secured and enhances the quality of life for all its residents. In addition, we should look at creative ways to increase local citizen participation as well as new technologies or products that can support the overarching vision and development objectives”, says Chan.

If Singapore reclaims lands for more affordable housing and increased integrated city developments and Melbourne builds accessible green spaces to promote social interaction, what plans would best fit Metro Manila’s sustainable and livable future while maintaining its identity? Here are five urban development aspirations Filipinos hope for the country’s main political and economic hub.

1. Accessibility across all social classes

While Metro Manila is the Philippines’ major economic driver – accounting for 32% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) – it’s often challenged in sustaining accessible living conditions for residents across all social classes. UK-based The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) ranked Metro Manila 105th out of 139 cities in the Global Liveability Index 2022. The increasing population density in Metro Manila has resulted in some inconveniences in daily conditions like vehicular traffic situations, the least green open spaces, high carbon footprint, inaccessibility to affordable housing, and unequal income opportunities.

Urban planners and developers suggest mixed-use planning in the metropolis and coastal developments because they are crucial to achieving the 15-minute concept. Here, residents across all walks of life are encouraged to live a healthy, affordable, and sustainable lifestyle because residential, commercial, and office spaces are integrated within a single development.

2. Open green spaces for a healthy and sustainable living environment

Studies show that Metro Manila has only 5 square meters of green space available per person, this number is well below the 9 square meters set by the World Health Organization.COVID-19 had the entire world reassess their health conditions, lifestyle practices, and environmental situations. The impact was even more drastic in Metro Manila due to population density, crowded space, and insufficient parks and open areas.

Aside from improving air quality and enhancing biodiversity, green spaces also moderate temperatures during the warm season.

3. Enhancing Human health and wellbeing

Cities with sufficient healthcare facilities, access to health coverage, and infrastructures that enhance well-being and promote a healthy lifestyle, produce prosperous societies.

The way cities are planned, designed, and executed has a crucial impact on how people live as it presents opportunities and effects on their lifestyles and overall well-being. While there is evident progress in Metro Manila’s health sector, rapid urbanization continues to pose risks in communities due to challenges in overcrowded neighborhoods, vehicular emissions, heavy traffic, pollution, and flood-prone areas.

4. Resilient community

Resilience is the capacity of individuals, communities, and systems to adapt, survive, and grow in the face of stress and shocks, and even transform when conditions require it. Relevant dimensions under the City Resilience Index (https://www.cityresilienceindex.org) by the Rockefeller Foundation & Arup, other dimensions include Health & Well Being, Economy & Society, Infrastructure & Environment as well as Leadership & Strategy

As the Philippines and Manila grow, we face a dual challenge of adapting to climate change and the need to alter development strategies that are increasingly contributing to global warming. The Philippines is among the top 10 countries in the world most affected by climate change in the past 20 years, according to the Global Climate Risk Index As an archipelago, impacts resulting from climate change are immense. In addition, metro Manila’s safety and resilience are endangered by various natural disasters.

Natural disasters persist every season due to our geographical location.

Well-planned and executed urban designs have the power to build safe and resilient communities in Metro Manila. Infrastructures like proper bike lanes and walkable streets ensure residents’ safety, accessibility, and comfort, whereas science and technology-based solutions that can build flexible structures, multi-use systems, and technologies can help residents adapt and prepare for changing conditions.

5. Global and competitive city

Metro Manila is one of Asia’s premier regions. As the country’s engine growth driver, it has growing investments in infrastructures and multitudes of business investments and developments.

The metropolis’ rising potential can further step up by following global models like Singapore, Melbourne, and Hong Kong which created several integrated cities and coastal developments that ushered in a vibrant economy and paved for a better urban lifestyle. These visions create an avenue to further increase opportunities for jobs, better education, better lifestyle, and bustling economic activities.

These can contribute to the Philippines’ national and local economies by driving tourism and infrastructure development while also creating equitable and inclusive communities. These, in turn, create a wider room of opportunities and, therefore, attracts more talent.

Building Inclusive and sustainable growth centers

When all stakeholders are listened to and addressed, communities will be energized when introduced to well-designed, master-planned, and implemented developments. This will result in a lasting impact on Metro Manila’s future and its residents because it fosters more inclusive growth and makes the urban landscape an extension of their home.

When a city embraces its history, celebrates its milestones, innovates and adopts for the future, and most importantly, nurtures its residents and responds to their aspirations – it is a city working toward competitiveness and unlocking future potential.

How about you? What would you aspire your city to be?

Nowadays, there are several challenges. Work, income, and family well-being are just a few factors that cause stress. As a mother, I am constantly under pressure. But when I understand how much this harms my children, I have to learn to put aside my anxieties. They see me as the model for how they are going to do their lives, therefore if I am anxious and agitated, they will grow up with similar thinking and behavior. I need to learn how to deal with stress so that my children do not adopt this behavior. It's easier said than done, but I can get started right away.

There are numerous ways that lifestyle can have an impact on mental health. As a result, I must be able to tell the time to manage stress. But there aren't always enough hours to attend a yoga class, go to the gym, or attempt any other stress-relieving activities.

Modern living appears to be geared to stress us out, but small changes to our every day habits can greatly influence our general health and stress levels. People have different methods for coping or prefer to employ specific coping tactics over others, and in this post, I'll be sharing mine. 

Aside from listening to music and reading a good book I find myself enjoying online money games. I've been using the website, and they actually have a gaming section with a variety of free games to choose from. 

I actually play these games with my sons and became our bonding when we want to just relax. The games are fun and easy, no need for us to pay or subscribe to anything. Great! Isn't it? 

Remember that, it is essential to establish limits between work and recreation because a well-rested mind functions well.

Learning how to relax and de-stress is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your health. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our busy lives and forget to take time for ourselves. However, if we do not make an attempt to relax, we may get anxious and burnt out.

Stability is the foundation of a well-lived life. With basic needs fulfilled, people have the opportunity to develop themselves, explore various facets of life, and contribute to the welfare of the community.

When aspiring youth, especially those from low-income households, are given the chance to stand on solid ground, they readily take the chance. They utilize it as a seedbed where they can cultivate their dreams and aspirations.

One testament to this is SM scholar alumna Jonnah Jane Sacamay, who grew up in a family where stability seemed like uncharted territory. Years back, Jonnah’s family’s main source of living was flower farming. This made them walk on a thin line as the demand for flowers was seasonal, and they were also often affected by unpredictable weather disturbances.

But while they had journeyed through life with uncertainty, they had always planted the power of education in her mind.

“Given that the nature of farming is very seasonal, our income is unstable. Aside from augmenting our daily needs, we also had to ensure that my education was secured,” Jonnah recalled.

And so, to help her family, she studied hard in grade school as soon as she learned about others who had the opportunity to pursue college through the SM College Scholarship Program. With her whole heart dedicated to learning and her eyes set on the SM scholarship, she finished high school as the class valedictorian. Once the forms were available, she immediately processed her application at the SM Store in Cebu.

“I was informed that I got accepted as an SM Scholar. From then on, a huge weight was lifted off my parents' shoulders. I could pursue my chosen degree in my chosen university,” she added.

Through the scholarship offered by the SM group through SM Foundation, she was able to focus on the development of her skills and knowledge not only in accountancy but especially in life. She became a Magna Cum Laude graduate of BS Accountancy at the University of San Carlos.

Jonnah (center) with her parents during her graduation

“The SM Scholarship helped me reach my dream of becoming a CPA, and this opened doors for me, enabling me to land a job that empowered me to help my family,” she said.

“My experience in retail has given me wide knowledge in different areas. With this, I always make sure that my family makes informed decisions in all aspects of life. One thing that has become a tradition among SM Cebu scholars during my time was to have an outreach program. In our own way, we were able to pay forward the help that we received from SM. It was a fulfilling experience that we could share our blessings in our own little way,” she added.

Jonnah currently serves as a Senior Accounting Manager at the SM Store, in Cebu. Aside from financial security, she currently takes care of her parents’ medical expenses and lets them enjoy vibrant life experiences after retiring as flower farmers.

Jonnah Sacamay serves as a Senior Accounting Manager at the SM Store in Cebu.

“Having a degree enabled me and my family to experience more in life. It paved the way for me to secure a stable job, which allowed me to travel, treat my family to a nice meal, take them shopping on special occasions, and most importantly, support my parents and their medical expenses. Aside from providing me with a scholarship grant, working in SM has provided a sense of security for me and my family,” she shared.

SM Foundation made it its goal to help create an environment where low-income families can thrive and achieve stability, just like how the SM College Scholarship Program paved way for Jonnah and her family.

For the school year 2023-2024, the application period is open from February 1-March 31, 2023. The selected scholars may specialize in accounting, information technology, engineering, and education with full tuition and monthly allowance, including enrichment programs and activities.

For more information about the SM College Scholarship program, visit https://www.sm-foundation.org/what_we_do/college-scholarship-program.

The term lifestyle has never been as popular as in recent times. People have sought to improve their lives, so they have adapted to some choices.

Lifestyle is the set of attitudes, values, preferences, and habits. Using only sustainable brands, exercising every day in the morning. Adopting a vegetarian diet, using high-tech products, and consuming fast food. And collecting luxury watches, practicing yoga, and traveling around the world. — we can call all these lifestyles.

The search for the practice of physical activities has increased. And the search for yoga clothes would not be different.

An exercise that connects body and mind, multi-benefits, and has conquered people.

For yoga is essential to wear good elasticity and resistance clothes. The top-end yoga sets improve your lifestyle. You may wear Cosmolle activewear sets in quality and style. These pieces will go with your exercise routine, ensuring better use of it.

Bodybuilding and gym exercises are usually people's favorite.

To dress for your lifestyle and rock your workouts, you should know how to invest in modern, quality items.
A tends to be quite successful is the  long sleeve legging set, The clothing is quite stylish and useful. Consisting of leggings and a long-sleeved blouse. You can wear this style of clothing in different seasons of the year. It will ensure a better visual identification with your fitness lifestyle.

Some home repairs are possible to put off. However, others could be costly or even dangerous if you don’t carry them out soon enough. Below are 5 home repairs you never want to delay.

Damage to your roof could allow rainwater, cold air, and pests to get in. This is why you should get your roof repaired as soon as you notice a hole or crack. Sometimes the damage isn’t obvious - getting an annual roof inspection is useful for this reason, especially on an old roof. You can then get any damage fixed before it leads to other problems. Frequent roof problems could be a sign that you need to get your roof replaced.

A gutter blocked with leaves may not seem like a big deal, but it can quickly put your home at risk if it rains or gets icy. Rainwater won’t be able to drain through the downspout and will still spill out over the sides where it could lead to pools of water around your property. This can quickly damage your home’s foundations and could even lead to flooding. Ice can meanwhile cause blocked gutters to freeze up. The guttering could come loose in the form of a giant ice block, which could cause a lot of damage to whatever it falls on. By getting your gutters cleaned out, you can prevent all of this.

Plumbing leaks

You should call your local plumber as soon as you detect any kind of plumbing leak. A leak could result in some hefty water bills if left unrepaired - whether it’s a dripping tap or a leaky pipe. Many leaks will also quickly cause water damage to your property if you don’t fix them. This may not be a case with a dripping tap, but other leaks could cause rotten floorboards, crumbling plaster or corroded metalwork. On top of this, dampness can attract mold and pests - which are not good for your health. Finally, water could get into electrics - which is never a good mix.

Speaking of electrics, do your home’s electrics need replacing? Constant circuit breaker trips and flickering lights are signs that it could be time to rewire your home. Old frayed wiring can be a fire risk and so needs to be replaced urgently. Exposed frayed wiring can be particularly dangerous as it could give you a nasty electric shock too. Signs that an electrical fire is imminent include buzzing sounds, burning smells, or visible scorch marks around outlets - in these cases, turn off your electricity at the mains immediately and call an electrician.

The most serious home repair that you should never delay is fixing a gas leak. As soon as you smell gas in your home, you should turn off your gas at the mains, get out of your home (open a few windows beforehand if you can) and call an emergency gas plumber. Gas is highly flammable and it may only take a spark from a light switch to set your home ablaze. Certain types of gas leaks can also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. A carbon monoxide monitor can help you detect carbon monoxide in the air as these types of leaks typically don’t have any smell.