As hosted by the Master of Gab Johnny Litton, Joyce Pilarsky had a double 
celebration on Sept. 18, 2016. Hollywood Weekly featured Joyce as cover story in a 16-page spread featuring her major accomplishments outside the Philippines: Grand Champion 2015 of the Los Angeles Fashion Week Design Competition, her formal wear worn in Hollywood red carpets including the 2016 Grammy Awards, Third Prize in Accessory competition at the International Design Awards in Los Angeles, and Golden Phoenix Awards — Cultural Achievement Awards.
Held on a three-deck boat cruising Manila Bay on Sunday night, Joyce also celebrated her September 10th birthday. She showcased her new collection made distinctive by the absence of colors. Using her clients and some pros as models, she maintained her silhouette in mainly white, black and cream shades as accentuated by body ornaments in the colors. This is definitely a shift from maximalism to minimalism, a major turnaround from her seven-year-old floral style.
Miss Global Philippines 2016 proclaimed Joyce as Best Designer during its Coronation Night held at the Philippine International Convention Centre on September 24. Besting 40 designers, she created a formal purple gown for Miss Namibia Ester “Key” Haikola at an overnight’s notice. “My difference with other designers is I can wear my creations,” she spelled her uniqueness as high-fashion designer. For sure, she has gone a long way from when she was rejected when just starting out in the business.
Before flying off to show her new collection at the New York Fashion Week, Joyce, Justin John and I had a late merienda at Via Mare Greenbelt on Monday. Taking time off from her busy schedule, Joyce looked smashing in her green dress with flower cutouts even without makeup.
GOING GREEN GRASS ENERGY. “Dedicated biomass green organic through Bana Grass technology doesn’t affect the food chain. So it’s a win-win for the Filipinos and the Philippines,” explained James Mackay, chairman and CEO of the renewable firm Mackay Green Energy (MGE) Inc. “Bana Grass is a key factor for power plants since the Greenhouse Gas Emissions can be directly reduced.”
Mackay variety Bana Grass, which grows as tall as sugarcane, is a crop imported by MGE that can be turned into fuel to produce energy. The Bana Grass is a perennial hybrid variety (pennisetum purpureum X pennisetum americanum) that is highly tolerant to drought and typhoons, pest-resistant and is also non-allergenic, perennial major problems faced by crops grown in the Philippines.
The country’s climate and rainfall is ideal for Bana Grass with growth rates exceeding all expectations. This is a dedicated biomass feedstock that does not compete with any food staples. An organic fertilizer and plant husbandry regime has been developed by MGE in consultation with many Filipino experts in an effort to ensure the sustainability of the projects.
MGE has secured the world’s best technologies to enable the conversion of the Bana Grass to Green Coal. It has superior qualities to fossil based coal and can be co-fired in existing coal power plants without the need to make drastic changes.
MGE not only complies with the standards, but also opts to utilize green technologies in its mission to bring renewable and sustainable energy to the Philippines.
Launched in 2010, MGE has since created regular jobs for Filipinos and is getting closer to its goal on helping the country to become more environment-friendly. The company focuses on the development of various renewable energy systems designed to efficiently convert Biomass to energy and fuels.
“We are now exporting the Bana Grass to Japan and Korea from Zamboanga where an initial 200 hectares has been planted on idle lands. During this year, this will be expanded to 2,000 hectares. This will create 600 permanent and 3000 indirect jobs,” shared Mackay.
Bana Grass and coal matches in pricing. Unlimited huge demand from Japan and Korea, they support the project of planting in the Philippines because of our perfect climate for Bana Grass. Different power plant in the US, we can definitely ship Bana Grass there but costs are high so much easier in Asia for now.
Plans are being finalized for the installation of two 3 MW Green Coal power plants, where the gas from the torrefied Bana will provide fuel to run the power plant and at the same time produce 100 Tons per day Green Coal. Biomass or Green Coal production will be increased to supply both the local market and international market.
The first Green Coal production will happen in the last quarter of 2016. There are plans to construct an integrated production facility that will encompass Green Coal, Power, Green Gas, Fuels and Chemical, all derived from the Mackay variety Bana Grass.
MGE, through its agricultural based enterprises, will create sustainable and affordable jobs in rural communities where they are most needed. Empowering the Filipino through agriculture remains our core focus.
At the recent SONA of President Rodrigo Duterte, it was stated, “The government will continue to evaluate industries that negatively affect the environment, and will force them to conform to relevant government standards.”
MGE expresses its all-out support for the new administration for putting the environment at the forefront of its governance.
P4 MILLION TURNED OVER TO CIARA MARIE ABALOS FOUNDATION. Four million pesos was turned over to the Ciara Marie Foundation by the Mandaluyong Golf Club on Sept. 9, 2016. The funds were raised through the 9th Mayor Abalos Golf Cup that was concluded on the same day at Wack Wack Golf & Country Club.
The occasion was honored by 250 participants including celebrites from showbiz and broadcasting headed by GMA 7 Arnold Clavio, music composer Lito Camo and actress Daisy Reyes. Image shows the participants of ceremonial tee-off (from left): Dr. Arnold Abalos, Girlie Abalos, former Mandaluyong Mayor Behhur Abalos, Executive Secretary Atty. Salvador Meldialdea, Coun. Charisse Abalos-Vargas, former COMELEC Chairman Ben Abalos, Cora Abalos, Celine Abalos and Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos.
This success was achieved through the joint efforts of the Mandaluyong Golf Club and its sponsors: SM Supermalls, San Miguel Corporation and DDT Konstract, Life Oil, AMA University, Smart Communications, Mizuno and Bingo Bonanza, DMCI Homes, 3D, The Address @ Wack Wack, St. Francis Square Properties, Expedition Construction Corp., Norkis Group, Unilab, Globe Telecom, Greenfield Development Corp., Alexa Trading & Construction, Guevent Investment Development Corp., Robinsons Land Corp., Unilever Phils., Monocrete Construction Philippines, Mighty Corporation, Philippine Airlines, PAGCOR and Champion by Pepmaco.