Toxic Truths Unveiled: ACRI and EcoWaste Coalition’s seminar on Day-to-Day Chemical Hazards
Together with EcoWaste Coalition, the ASMPH Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI) organized a seminar on the health risks of hazardous chemical wastes last 5 December 2023 (Tuesday) at the Multi-Purpose Hall (MPH), ASMPH. Facilitated by Mr. Manny Calonzo, an environmental advocate from EcoWaste Coalition, the activity was attended by at least 60 participants from various community-based organizations in Cavite, Tondo, Malabon, and Caloocan.
Bantay Bata: Promoting the Health of our Children from Chemical Hazards
Dr. Geminn Louis Apostol, head of ACRI’s Environmental Health Flagship Team, delved into the six (6) key environmental contaminants threatening children’s health — air pollution, tobacco smoking, chemicals in products, plastic hazards, pesticides in food, and hazardous waste. In particular, he explored the health risks and exposure pathways of the aforementioned hazards, accentuating its cumulative impact from early fetal life to late adulthood.
E-Wastes: Hazards and Health Effects
Conversely, Environmental Health Specialist, Dr. Sary Valenzuela, highlighted the hazards of electronic waste, emphasizing the persistence of heavy metals like lead, chromium, and mercury. Strategies for the prevention and management of e-waste were also captured in her report, such as the proper handling and disposal of e-waste, recycling, and monitoring of e-waste sites.
Interactive Learning: Grassroot Insights Minimizing Risks from Hazardous Chemicals
Acknowledging grassroots wisdom, Dr. Apostol spearheaded a dynamic session engaging participants in the exploration of their ISA commitments aimed at reducing health hazards posed by harmful chemicals, identifying their individual commitments to stop (Ititigil), initiate (Sisimulan), and which topics they feel they want to educate themselves further on (Aalamin).
This endeavor is part of the ongoing partnership between EcoWaste Coalition and the Ateneo Center for Research and Innovation, dedicated to heightening awareness of the threats and exposure to hazardous chemical wastes to the most vulnerable groups in the Philippines.
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Heat Health Forum 2025: Strengthening Our Response to a Warming Philippines
Join the Heat Health Forum on May 15, 2025 at ASMPH Chang Te Hall, Ateneo de Manila University — a timely event bringing together health and climate experts, government agencies, and future professionals to address the rising health risks of extreme heat in the Philippines. Through expert discussions and collaborative breakout sessions, the forum aims to shape a unified national response and develop actionable strategies for protecting vulnerable populations. 📅 Date: May 15, 2025 📍 Venue: Chung Te Hall, Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City 💻 Access: Zoom 🔗 Register here: https://forms.gle/3RoQvNMPv5CcpKpG9 Be part of the conversation — and the solution.
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Making Clean Air a Right: The Launch of Breathe Metro Manila
This groundbreaking initiative, launched through a collaborative effort between Ateneo de Manila University's Business Insights Laboratory for Development (BUILD), the Ateneo Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI), the Manila Observatory, and technology partner Clarity, represents a new frontier in public health advocacy: making air quality visible, understandable, and actionable for every Filipino. The project made its public debut on August 6, 2025 at a media briefing and roundtable titled "The Urgent Case for Clean Air: Why Real-Time Data Could Save Lives." The event brought together leading scientists, health professionals, and innovators to address a sobering reality—air pollution has quietly become one of the Philippines' most pressing public health emergencies.