Exceptionally rich in biodiversity, the oceans in the Asia-Pacific region support large, growing marine economies, and provide livelihoods and food security for millions of people.

But oceans face major challenges, including climate change, pollution, unsustainable fishing, habitat degradation and biodiversity loss.

With this undeniable reality, Asian Development Bank (ADB) put ocean health as an urgent priority.

At the 52nd annual meeting of the ADB’s board of governors in Fiji, a panel of experts organized by the ADB Independent Evaluation Department discussed the urgency to manage natural resources and mitigate vulnerabilities as the only way to achieve sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific.

This session also focused on actions for ocean health and for developing sustainable ocean economies. The panel discussed the interconnectedness of oceans to health and economic development; actions that can be taken to improve ocean health and promote sustainable ocean economies; and partnership, financing and investment opportunities.

Amid all the exchange of information, research and issues, I thought about doing our little share to keep the ocean, our “second home,” alive and well. My soul sister Vina Francisco, ADB principal human resources specialist, connected me with possible resource persons to help start an advocacy project for my 25th wedding anniversary with my hubby, Dennis.

The project, “25 Reefs for 25 Years,” identifies and adopts 25 sites with coral reefs in need of protection and conservation—one for each year we are celebrating.

Dennis and I met through scuba diving, and we want to give back to what brought us together. We are working with Save Philippine Seas, a marine conservation organization, to help us implement our project. In lieu of anniversary gifts, we asked guests to donate or make a pledge to Philippine Seatizens Inc., the Securities and Exchange Committee-registered name of Save Philippine Seas.

Aquaman and Little Mermaid must have united forces to start this project swiftly, because Anna Oposa, chief mermaid and head of Save Philippine Seas, already had an anchor and mooring buoy project for Malapascua Island dive sites. No funding since 2015, this project is now benefiting from donations raised at #DandTLove25.

The absence of mooring buoys drives boat crews to throw their anchors to the different substrata all throughout the dive sites. These actions result in increased damage on coral reefs. There are 14 chosen dive sites. We hope to complete the 25 reefs before our next wedding anniversary.

Preserving Anilao

For another reef, Save Philippine Seas recently partnered with Kiehl’s Philippines to fund the preservation of Anilao, which the latter is adopting as its island beneficiary.

Kiehl’s Made Better was formally launched as part of a weeklong event at Greenbelt 5. Together with celebrity twins, Mond and Richard Gutierrez, Kiehl’s Philippines brought attention to the protection and conservation of marine life.

Made Better is a global campaign that focuses on environmental issues. It is Kiehl’s commitment to create products that are naturally derived, sustainably sourced, and responsibly packaged and manufactured.

Hosted by TV presenter/blogger/model Janeena Chan, the event gathered ocean lovers. Kiehl’s brand director Kaila Nicdao and senior product manager Joan Hwang treated guests to Kiehl’s products with Richard’s photograph on the label.

Laser liposuction

To support our anniversary project as well as Red Charity Gala (RCG), our ninang Dr. Vicki Belo-Kho and ninong Dr. Hayden Kho have pledged generous donations. The day after our anniversary celebration, Belo Medical Group presented 360-degree body sculpting liposuction. This is Belo’s signature way of doing minimally invasive laser liposuction.

Lipo 360 is a remarkable procedure, yielding unbelievable results that trim excess fat to achieve a more stunning and firmer-looking balance and symmetry of the body.

Also known as circumferential liposuction, 360-Degree Lipo can target more areas of the body. This procedure covers the whole midsection to accomplish a more curvy shape from all angles. In other words, 360-degree liposuction targets various stubborn fat areas, particularly in the midsection.

The fat is melted via laser and suctioned out when liquefied. The 360-degree approach means fat removal is not limited to one area. Procedure is done in a circumferential manner where parts surrounding the problem area are also targeted for a more streamlined look.

Events host Bianca Valerio is the face—or should we say, the body—of Belo’s latest campaign. She relates how she gained weight as she struggled with depression when her brother died. She now has a 34-24-38 curvaceous body—from a 30-inch waistline, it’s now 24 inches.

The VIP media event ended on a high note with Dr. Vicki raffling off designer loot she bought from her recent trip to Paris. Two luxury bags went to lucky winners—one was a special-edition Louis Vuitton and the other the latest Dior Saddle bag.

Red Charity Gala

Now that #DandTLove25 is over, I can fully concentrate on this year’s edition of the RCG. My cochair Kaye Tiñga and I are thrilled to bring back all our featured designers in one show to celebrate our first 10 years as the most successful fashion-charity event in the country.

Slated on Oct. 12 at the Grand Ballroom of Shangri-La at the Fort, this event that is presented by Bench will surely be monumental with an eight-piece collection from each of the designers.

Sponsors like Megaworld, Globe, Samsung, SunLife Financial, Ultherapy and more have pledged to be part of this event.

We are happy that Uratex Premium is part of the RCG family. Congrats for signing beautiful Heart Evangelista as your newest brand ambassador.