Sunday, August 28, 2011

"Going Bananas" !



A friend of mine shared the wonderful benefits of eating bananas and I wanted to include this in my blog to share to everyone.  It was said that the expression "Going Bananas" is from the effects of bananas on the brain.

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a MUST to add to our daily diet.

Depression : According to survey amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS : Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia : High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure : This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So this fruit has the ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power : Bananas boost brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making students more alert.

Constipation : High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers : One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey.. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn : Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness : Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites : Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves : Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies  found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers : The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control : Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood Enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking and Tobacco Use : Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress : Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes : Eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40% according to research.

Warts : Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe it's time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A banana a day keeps the doctor away!' 

Sunday, August 7, 2011

MS Turanor PlanetSolar ... Welcome to the Philippines !!!

MS TURANOR PlanetSolar

The first and largest solar cells powered boat, MS Turanor PlanetSolar circumnavigates the globe.  The ship's route is via the Atlantic on a voyage totalling 50,000 km. : The Panama Canal, The Pacific, The Indian Ocean, and the Suez Canal to reach the Mediterranean again. The PlanetSolar shall promote the sustainability and efficiency of renewable energy in the ports of Miami, Cancun, Brisbane, Hongkong, Manila, Singapore, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi.  The first solar boat round the world expedition  started in Monaco on September 27, 2010 and the cruise is expected to be finished in 2012.  Do you know that the word "Turanor" was derived from the movie "Lord of the Rings?" "Turanor" means "Power of the Sun."  or SunPower which coincidentally is the name of my company which manufactures high efficiency solar cells.  SunPower has two manufacturing facilities in the Philippines located in Laguna and Batangas and I am proud to say that all the 38,000 solar cells used in the solar boat were made by Filipinos. Cheers !!!


July 21, 2011 : The Arrival of MS PlanetSolar in the Philippines

The MS Turanor PlanetSolar arrived in Manila last July 21, 2011 and our company, SunPower is primarily the host of their visit in the Philippines. This project was entrusted to us by my former boss, Greg Reichow before he left the company. The members of the PlanetSolar Event Committee headed by  our QA Director ~Jong Jimenez, HR Director for Employee Engagement ~ Cherie Ocampo, Security Manager ~ Henry Castaneda, Marketing Coordinator from SunPower Korea ~ Jenny Kwon and myself were so busy for a couple of months preparing for their arrival.  Originally, the expected arrival date was July 25 but we were surprised later on to get the information that the boat is arriving earlier on July 21.  Well,  the "Power of the Sun" plus the high efficiency of SunPower solar cells made the travel faster.
MS Turanor PlanetSolar is anchored at the Philippine Navy Headquarter in  Manila.  Thanks to the hospitality of the Philippine Navy !!!

Here I am and my colleague with the PlanetSolar boat behind us ! Cool ! We are wearing our SunPower shirt.


The crews were busy preparing to anchor the boat

The crews met the Immigration personnel at the port

The SunPower PlanetSolar Committee with Jurg Casserini, the Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, Switzerland Embassy Manila

With PlanetSolar Team

Lunch with the PlanetSolar Team at the Ilang-Ilang Restaurant, Manila Hotel


July 25, 2011 : PlanetSolar Team Visits SunPower Philippines

The PlanetSolar team were invited to visit SunPower fabrication facilities in Laguna and Batangas and the module operation.  Our VP for Engineering, Chuck Stone accompanied them during the tours.  The crews were impressed with the manufacturing facilities. On that same day, there was a symposium in the afternoon entitled "Technological Development of Solar Energy and Advanced Scientific Research" which highlighted the PlanetSolar Project.  The PlanetSolar Crews headed by its Founder and Skipper ~ Raphael Domjan, Capt. Erwann Le Rouzic, Communication Officer ~ Tobias Wuelser, Electrical Engineer ~ Christian Ochsenbein and Bosun ~ Thomas David were there to present the PlanetSolar project.  Top 10 % SunPower engineers and professors from different universities were invited in the Symposium.  There was a good Q and A session at the end of the presentation.

SunPower Philippine employees at Cell Fab 2, Batangas with the PlanetSolar Team

With the PlanetSolar Team : From left, Capt. Erwann Le Rouzic, Thomas David (Bosun), Mary Anne Meneses (SunPower HR Mgr), Christian Ochsenbein (Electrical Engr.), myself, Raphael Domjan (Founder and Skipper) and Tobias Wuelser (Communication Officer)

The PlanetSolar Team : From left, Thomas David (Bosun), Tobias Wuelser (Communication Officer), Erwann Le Rouzic (Captain), Christian Ochsenbein (Electrical Engr) and Raphael Domjan (Founder & Skipper)

The PlanetSolar Team with Fab 2 VP for Operations, Boy Alfelor and other SunPower employees

The Symposium attendees

July 27, 2011 : MS Turanor PlanetSolar Welcome Event

This is the big day ! We have the PlanetSolar external VIP Welcome Event with the media.  The Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines, Hon. Jejomar Binay attended the occasion and gave a great remarks during the event. The SunPower Chief Operating Officer, Marty Neese who is currently my boss as  Acting VP for SunPower Phils. Operations  gave a meaningful speech on all important points about SunPower, The PlanetSolar and future investment plans. The portion in his speech that I liked the most is when he said that  :

1.  All the SunPower solars cells mounted on the boat were produced at the Philippine fabrication facilities
2.  We should be proud of the significant contributions of the Filipinos in the PlanetSolar's unprecedented 50,000 km. voyage through five continents.

We are proud of PlanetSolar ! From left, Antoinette, Cherie, myself, Mary Anne and Ranel

Beautiful ladies to welcome the guests ! From left, Abigail, Mary Anne, Antonette, Cherie Ocampo, our HR Director for Employee Engagement and yours truly, Elvie

Getting ready at the Registration Table



With our PR Agency, Olgilvy : From right ~ Jenny Kwon (SunPower Korea Marketing Coordinator), me, Natalie Wymer (SunPower U.S. Sr. Director for Communications) and three ladies from our PR agent, Olgilvy

The Stage at the Philippine Navy Headquarter

The arrival of Vice President of the Republic of the  Philippines, Hon. Jejomar Binay at the Philippine Navy

From right : Lilia De Lima ~ PEZA Director General, Marty Neese ~ SunPower Chief Operating Officer, Jejomar Binay ~ Hon. Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines, Raphael Domjan ~ PlanetSolar Founder and Skipper, and RADM Orwen Cortez, AFP ~ Vice Commander of Philippine Navy

SunPower Chief Operating Officer, Marty Neese during his speech

Remarks from the Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines, Hon. Jejomar Binay

Me and my boss, Marty Neese (Chief Operating Officer and Acting VP for SunPower Philippines Operation)

SunPower COO, Marty Neese (Middle) with the two QA Directors from Cell Fab and Module Operations, Jong Jimenez and Winston Guinto

With Zachary Struyk (Director for Components Sales, Asia ~ SunPower Korea) and Vincent Beaurain (Solution Mgr. for Solar Cells ~ SunPower Germany)

The Cocktail food during the event

July 27, 2011 :  PlanetSolar Boat Tour

The guests were invited for a boat tour after the Welcome activity.  Each guest were given a number at the Registration Area for their Boat Tour.  They were divided into groups since the boat can only accommodate 15-20 people  at a time.

MS Turanor PlanetSolar

Key Features of the Boat :

Length - 31 m
Beam - 15 m
Length with flaps - 35 m
Height - 6.10 m above waterline
Weight - 95 T
Surface of Solar Modules - 536.65 m2
Power Solar Generator - 93.5 kw
Lithium-ion Batteries - 648
Battery Voltage - 388 v
Motors - 2 on each side
Nominal Power - 2 x 10 kw
Diameter propellers - 2 m
Crew - 4 to 6
Autonomy - 3 days without sun


Getting ready for the Boat Tour

Some guests inside the boat


MS Turanor PlanetSolar boat is powered by 38,000 SunPower high efficiency Solar cells produced in the Philippines manufacturing facilities

Plaques from different countries they have visited

Raphael Domjar, Founder and skipper talking about the boat's features

The instrumentation panel board

Captain Erwann Le Rouzic talking about the weather tracker

Captain Erwann Le Rouzic and myself

The Kitchen

The Bar table

The Food Container

Tobias Wuelser showing some videos

A taste of Swiss Coffee courtesy of Christian Ochsenbein, Electrical Engr. of PlanetSolar

The Dining Area

At the Viewing Deck with Tobias Wuelser

This contains an enclosed life boat for emergency

Souvenirs given to them from various countries they already visited

The Living Area

Mary Anne with Yen and Capt. Erwann Le Rouzic

The electric bike

Relaxing after the event at the Tokyo Cafe