Been dreaming of wide open spaces and clean fresh air everyday for a good while, and now I get to smile in my heart and say it for real: it’s all happening. Am moving on to literally “greener pastures” in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and will no longer be a true blue manilarat. Thank you [...]
Was so happy to get finally get my copy yesterday! First heard about this book from my friend Pompet, who says it’s his bible in building sustainable homes in Palawan. The author, Johan van Lengen, founded the Bio-architecture and Intuitive Technology (TIBA) School in the Mata Atlantica (coastal jungle) of Brazil. The book is easy [...]
My plans of relocating to Palawan and getting involved in sustainable tourism have taken a backseat (for now), and am realizing that the work that I have and want to do is still in the mainstream. If it is to push for a real sustainable lifestyle, I must first live it in order to be [...]
Welcome to Bahay Kalipay, a house of healing in Palawan, where I found myself on a quiet inner journey for six days barely a month ago. There’s something about going barefoot that invites opening up, a baring of sorts.. …and this daily habit of having to take off one’s shoes and walk with naked feet [...]
Don’t you think it’s so hard to find a meaningful toy to give kids these days? It’s always been a problem for me–I don’t buy into plastic toys and the PS2 generation–and come kiddie birthdays or baptisms, I always get torn between giving something I’d rather not give or just giving nothing. Was so glad, [...]
Was so happy to read The Burden of Stuff: Why Less Could Make You Happier from the Huffington Post. This is exactly what I’m (quietly) advocating–a purging of our consumerist lifestyles, which, in essence, is what it means to go green! Not just changing our kitchen, bathroom, or library, but more so our own mindset. [...]
My thoughts on October 1, 2009: Typhoon Ondoy brought with it so much loss, fear, anger. Galit lahat, finger-pointing has begun, and will only get worse. My brother told me he doesn’t want to watch the news anymore, he just gets depressed. Ordinary citizens are rallying behind something though, something that’s mobilizing them and getting [...]
My friend Jhoey Hernandez of PinoyOrganics.com is holding a unique culinary tour in Alabang on Saturday, May 22, for sustainable cooking! Hope you and your green-minded friends can support her project: Are you a cooking mama, a foodie, an urban gardener wannabe or simply love learning new things? Dust off your basket and join us [...]
Convert your trash to cash or, at the very least, dispose of it responsibly. These fairs are sponsored by Ayala. SM holds similar ones called Waste Trading Markets– please do share if you have their updated schedule. Thanks to Jig of Gr3encycle Philippines for the heads up.
I started a green blog last year as a response to the stirrings I began to feel inside– a need to declutter, to simplify, to stay still and let go of excesses, and to be practical about it. I wrote: Early September 2009, I sat through a movie that changed my life: Home, a quiet [...]
I’ve made no secret about my support for Nicanor Perlas, who is neither my relative, family friend, nor ninong. Glad to see others are recognizing the same: Perlas best bet to solve water woes, survey shows (Inquirer, 23 March 2010) — Environmental groups EcoWaste Coalition and Greenpeace show the results of their “Green Electoral Initiative” [...]
NOTE: This site got hacked last month and boo that my back-up didn’t include the latest 4 posts (lesson learned: back-up everyday!). I’m resurrecting this third of four posts (original publish date: January 2010) from loose emails and saved drafts. Look at these ingenious jeepneys spotted in Leyte! Got these pics in the email last [...]
I am Johanna -- an artist, professional real estate broker and new resident of Nuvali.
Follow my adventures in My Nuvali Home as I find beauty in this new eco-city south of Manila, build my dream green home, and transition towards everyday green living in the Philippines.
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