Ichoose to say ‘YES.’” The participants’ chorus permeated the spacious Sinulog Ballroom of the Rizal Museum, as they joyfully made their handprint and written commitment to save Mother Earth from humanity’s avarice and mindlessly destructive ways.
The pioneering University of Cebu (UC) Youth Environmental Summit (UC YES!) 2011 brought together youth leaders from universities and law schools, public agencies and organizations to talk about climate change, our vulnerability and citizen action to fight it.
The 8.9 magnitude earthquake and the surging tsunami waves that gripped Japan and the rest of the world were still vividly in their minds when they entered the function room last Saturday. A touching doxology from the UC Chorus and dance presentation from the UC Dance Company set the perfect tone for a serious but highly productive all-day eco-summit. In a well-applauded speech, UC law student, Virgil Vallecera, called for action by stressing that:
“This event is our contribution to make a strong loud noise to say YES for this generation and generations yet unborn. When things seem hopeless, this event reminds everybody that OUR FUTURE is at risk. We, the younger generation, should not stand idly by as catastrophe happens. We, the youth, should not be contented on how our government acts. We, the future, should not be imprisoned by our own comfort zones. This is the time to make a change. This is the time to remind those who are in the seat of decision-making that we are watching them…We are here to organize and mobilize a green revolution in our own simple ways – such as this – so as to secure this generation and those generations yet unborn…”
Environmental lawyer advocate Ben Cabrido and Director Oscar Tabada of PAG-ASA Visayas also shared their insights with the eco-champs as did NN Navarro, who presented the “Kabalikat sa Kaunlaran Program” of SMART Communications. Kimberley Lucero opened their minds to possibilities with a very simple strategy of painting house roofs white, as a solution to climate change.
The break-out sessions, facilitated by Tessie Jagmoc, Orville de la Cerna and Marujah Prejido, focused on urgent responses to the natural and man-made disasters, which are exacerbated by climate change.
With winsome young personalities re-invigorating our youth, like the newly-appointed Commissioner of the National Youth Commission, and outstanding student leader from UC, Erwin Andaya, the tireless and naturally persuasive Road Revolution eco-warrior, Tara Triztina Rama, the talent-filled award-winning Gasa sa Guso co-proponent Vida Aurora Llevares, Phil. Earth Justice Center (PEJC) volunteer lawyer and ever-reliable co-host of DYRC’s “Hagit sa Kinaiyahan” Orville de la Cerna and our new friends, Environmental Psychology lecturer Neil Steve Kintanar, and the Cebu City Sanggunian Federation officials led by its president Philip John Po and vice president Orlane Quijada, plus the A-1 skills, dedication, and superb team work of the organizers, expect a myriad of actions from our vibrant young decision-makers in the days to come.
The organizers, who are first year law students (Section A) from UC led by its president, Jesse Caber and coordinators Borge and John (how I wish there are no space constraints to mention all of them), of whom I am so proud, and their professor are most grateful for the support of the partners and to Councilor Alvin Dizon of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Cebu City and UC College of Law Dean Baldomero Estenzo who saluted the achievements of the youth, and moved them to continue to be engaged stakeholders for a brighter tomorrow. Another busy local lawmaker, Councilor Nida Cabrera, was on an-out-of-town engagement but was represented by Diane.
Tessie Jagmoc of the Citizen’s Disaster Response Center was as inspired as we all were and described the event as a genuine Summit, not a “samit samit”.
The growing visibility of the youth in the environmental movement reminds me of the buds emerging from the plants in the garden, so filled with energy, sprouting without a moment’s notice, and steadily blooming and growing for lives to be enriched, nurtured by the great elements of life. Like the sun, water, air and soil, we, adults, can and should provide the much-needed mentorship and nurturing environment to help shape our youth to be the leaders that will not fail their generations and those yet to be born. We want to see more of them steadfastly assert and claim their rights to a life of honor, dignity, good health and a healthy environment, by partnerships and even going to the extent of holding accountable public officials of their duty to protect us from our selfish selves.
As a firm believer in the capacity of our youth to transform our challenged society, I am sharing excerpts of the poem written from the heart by Ms. Llevares, “I Choose to Say YES:”
I choose to say ‘YES!’/ because I do not want to wait/ for creatures to disappear/ and for humans to despair.
I choose to say ‘YES!’/ because I want a greener community/ a community that equals/ the paradise God has created for us.
I choose to say ‘YES!’/ because I am an environmental steward/of the beauty of Creation/ that others have ignored.
I choose to say ‘YES!’/ because I see a new vision/ looking at the fragile beauty/ that God has blessed us with.
I choose to say ‘YES!’/ because I want to be a good decision-maker/ whose lifestyle will not blot out the skies/ whose choices are ecologically-sound
I choose to say ‘YES!’/ because I want my voice to be heard/ I owe that voice for the future generations/ who will inherit the planet from us.
I choose to say ‘YES!’/ because I want a sustainable global society/ founded on respect for nature/ and a culture of peace.
I choose to say ‘YES!’/ because we are called to be in solidarity/ through prayers and actions/ with people all over the world.
source: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view/20110314-325356/I-choose-to-say-YES
The pioneering University of Cebu (UC) Youth Environmental Summit (UC YES!) 2011 brought together youth leaders from universities and law schools, public agencies and organizations to talk about climate change, our vulnerability and citizen action to fight it.
The 8.9 magnitude earthquake and the surging tsunami waves that gripped Japan and the rest of the world were still vividly in their minds when they entered the function room last Saturday. A touching doxology from the UC Chorus and dance presentation from the UC Dance Company set the perfect tone for a serious but highly productive all-day eco-summit. In a well-applauded speech, UC law student, Virgil Vallecera, called for action by stressing that:
“This event is our contribution to make a strong loud noise to say YES for this generation and generations yet unborn. When things seem hopeless, this event reminds everybody that OUR FUTURE is at risk. We, the younger generation, should not stand idly by as catastrophe happens. We, the youth, should not be contented on how our government acts. We, the future, should not be imprisoned by our own comfort zones. This is the time to make a change. This is the time to remind those who are in the seat of decision-making that we are watching them…We are here to organize and mobilize a green revolution in our own simple ways – such as this – so as to secure this generation and those generations yet unborn…”
Environmental lawyer advocate Ben Cabrido and Director Oscar Tabada of PAG-ASA Visayas also shared their insights with the eco-champs as did NN Navarro, who presented the “Kabalikat sa Kaunlaran Program” of SMART Communications. Kimberley Lucero opened their minds to possibilities with a very simple strategy of painting house roofs white, as a solution to climate change.
The break-out sessions, facilitated by Tessie Jagmoc, Orville de la Cerna and Marujah Prejido, focused on urgent responses to the natural and man-made disasters, which are exacerbated by climate change.
With winsome young personalities re-invigorating our youth, like the newly-appointed Commissioner of the National Youth Commission, and outstanding student leader from UC, Erwin Andaya, the tireless and naturally persuasive Road Revolution eco-warrior, Tara Triztina Rama, the talent-filled award-winning Gasa sa Guso co-proponent Vida Aurora Llevares, Phil. Earth Justice Center (PEJC) volunteer lawyer and ever-reliable co-host of DYRC’s “Hagit sa Kinaiyahan” Orville de la Cerna and our new friends, Environmental Psychology lecturer Neil Steve Kintanar, and the Cebu City Sanggunian Federation officials led by its president Philip John Po and vice president Orlane Quijada, plus the A-1 skills, dedication, and superb team work of the organizers, expect a myriad of actions from our vibrant young decision-makers in the days to come.
The organizers, who are first year law students (Section A) from UC led by its president, Jesse Caber and coordinators Borge and John (how I wish there are no space constraints to mention all of them), of whom I am so proud, and their professor are most grateful for the support of the partners and to Councilor Alvin Dizon of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Cebu City and UC College of Law Dean Baldomero Estenzo who saluted the achievements of the youth, and moved them to continue to be engaged stakeholders for a brighter tomorrow. Another busy local lawmaker, Councilor Nida Cabrera, was on an-out-of-town engagement but was represented by Diane.
Tessie Jagmoc of the Citizen’s Disaster Response Center was as inspired as we all were and described the event as a genuine Summit, not a “samit samit”.
The growing visibility of the youth in the environmental movement reminds me of the buds emerging from the plants in the garden, so filled with energy, sprouting without a moment’s notice, and steadily blooming and growing for lives to be enriched, nurtured by the great elements of life. Like the sun, water, air and soil, we, adults, can and should provide the much-needed mentorship and nurturing environment to help shape our youth to be the leaders that will not fail their generations and those yet to be born. We want to see more of them steadfastly assert and claim their rights to a life of honor, dignity, good health and a healthy environment, by partnerships and even going to the extent of holding accountable public officials of their duty to protect us from our selfish selves.
As a firm believer in the capacity of our youth to transform our challenged society, I am sharing excerpts of the poem written from the heart by Ms. Llevares, “I Choose to Say YES:”
I choose to say ‘YES!’/ because I do not want to wait/ for creatures to disappear/ and for humans to despair.
I choose to say ‘YES!’/ because I want a greener community/ a community that equals/ the paradise God has created for us.
I choose to say ‘YES!’/ because I am an environmental steward/of the beauty of Creation/ that others have ignored.
I choose to say ‘YES!’/ because I see a new vision/ looking at the fragile beauty/ that God has blessed us with.
I choose to say ‘YES!’/ because I want to be a good decision-maker/ whose lifestyle will not blot out the skies/ whose choices are ecologically-sound
I choose to say ‘YES!’/ because I want my voice to be heard/ I owe that voice for the future generations/ who will inherit the planet from us.
I choose to say ‘YES!’/ because I want a sustainable global society/ founded on respect for nature/ and a culture of peace.
I choose to say ‘YES!’/ because we are called to be in solidarity/ through prayers and actions/ with people all over the world.
source: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view/20110314-325356/I-choose-to-say-YES
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