Administrative and academic officials, student leaders, and support staff of the University of Santo Tomas attended a three-day retreat conference entitled “Ambag Kalikasan: A Thomasian Response to Laudato Si, Pope Francis’s encyclical on our common home,” held from April 5-7, 2016 (Tuesday-Thursday) at the Chairman George S.K. Ty Function Hall, 4/F Buenaventura G. Paredes, O.P. Bldg.
An inspiration from Catholic universities
In his welcome remarks, Rev. Fr. Filemon I. dela Cruz, Jr., O.P., Vice-Rector for Religious Affairs, explained that the retreat conference was inspired largely by the January 2016 Association of Catholic Universities of the Philippines (ACUP) conference held in Bohol. The said conference was focused on Laudato Si.
Fr. dela Cruz conveyed the hope that the retreat-conference will lead to the generation of concrete and responsive actions by the University to contribute to the fight for the environment.
The ecological crisis as a species crisis
In his keynote address, Fr. John Leydon, MSSC, 2014 Philippine Co-Convenor on Global Catholic Climate Movement, challenged the technocratic paradigm that is prevalent in the society today and echoed Pope Francis’s call for an ecological conversion: “We all picked up the blind spots and prejudices of the technocratic era. Ecological conversion is the recognition of the break from our covenant to be human, where we treat one another with love, where we relate with God’s creation, and it is from this conversion that we will be able to build a true covenant with God.”
Going directly to Catholic institutions, Fr. Leydon stressed that, “Our particular contribution is in ecological education and spiritualization.”
Multi-sectoral efforts for the environment
The first two days of the retreat-conference featured insights from different experts/leaders in different sectors of society, all of whom presented how the fight for the environment is being carried out in the different scopes of influence.
The Legal Realm: Writ of Kalikasan
Atty. Jose I. dela Rama, Jr., Governor of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Central Luzon Chapter, presented how the Write of Kalikasan, used only recently in a Supreme Court ruling, can be an avenue for cases regarding the environment to prosper in the judicial system.
Under the Writ of Kalikasan, the docket fee is waived, and filing it can be done in the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, making it easier to file cases.
The Efforts of the Religious
Rev. Fr. Dexter Toledo, OFM, National Coordinator of the Ecological Justice Inter-Faith Movement, shared how representatives of different faiths all unite in the call for ecological conversion, stressing that the problems besetting the environment are not exclusive to one faith.
In this vein, representatives from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao presented their advocacies and programs as well.
Rev. Fr. Benny B. Tuazon, Executive Director of the Ministry on Ecology of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM), talked about how the RCAM Ministry of Ecology implements programs and advocacies. He likewise disclosed the difficulty in pushing for the said advocacies, underscoring the resistance from people who adopt this attitude: habang wala pa, wala tayong ginagawa. Pero ‘pag nandyan na, wala na tayong magagawa.
For Visayas, Sr. Nintha Lucilla Baldado, SPC, President of St. Paul University, Dumaguete, talked about “HAGIT: The Dumaguete Dumpsite Challenge,” which primarily tackles the issue of solid waste management and the responsible conduct of such activity.
Also, Rev. Fr. John Christian U. Young, President of Father Saturnino Urios University in Mindanao, talked about his institution’s efforts to promote ecological conversion in their locality, bearing in mind socio-political realities that beset them, such as the prevalence of unsafe mining practices.
The Realm of Public Service
Ms. Lilybelle T. Borromeo, City Government Department Head III of the Manila City Hall, presented how the government tries its best to remain faithful to existing laws and regulations in terms of ecology and the environment. She likewise rallied support from the community to help enforce these laws through the proper disposal and lessening of waste.
Representing non-government organizations were Mr. Raphaelo Villavicencio, Acting National Coordinator of the Mother Earth Foundation, and Ms. Regina “Gina” Paz L. Lopez, Managing Director of the ABS-CBN Foundation.
Villavicencio talked about mitigation measures to address wanton wastage, while Lopez presented how their foundation has helped communities develop their areas into eco-tourism sites. She likewise echoed her well-known stance against destructive mining activities.
Glimpses of the Thomasian Contribution Thus Far
Officials, researchers, a student, and an alumnus of the University presented how UST is currently working on environment-related efforts.
Engr. Antonio A. Espejo, In-House Mechanical Engineer of UST, presented UST’s Sewage Treatment Plant, while Asst. Prof. Mark Anthony D. Abenir, DSD, Simbahayan Community Development Director, presented case studies about UST’s environmental engagements. Prof. Arlen A. Ancheta, PhD, research associate at the Research Center for Culture, Education, and Social Issues (RCCESI), likewise disclosed how residents of the poverty-stricken area of Baseco compound frame their views on calamities, particularly flooding.
BS Chemical Engineering senior Ralph Louis L. Dequiña talked about “GREEN HOPE”, which is a set of renewable energy innovations provide to indigenous peoples. In the same vein, Engr. Rikki Macolor, an alumnus of the Faculty of Engineering, presented the solar lamps provided for the Yolanda victims.
The Scientific Lens
Rev. Fr. Oscar Novem Enjaynes, O.P., Vice-President for Administrative Affairs of the Colefgio de San Juan de Letran – Bataan, lamented how Philippines Birds of the air are relentlessly dwindling in number, in large part because of the threat posed by pollution and deforestation.
Two researchers from the College of Science, Asst. Prof. Richard Thomas B. Pavia, PhD, and Asst. Prof. Cecilia I. Banag, PhD, presented about how coral reef rehabilitation and predicting habitat suitability due to climate change, can be considered as bases for efforts to address the present needs, respectively.
The Artistic Realm
Former National Committee on Music Chair and renowned cultural worker Mr. Joey Ayala serenaded the community with his environment-focused songs, which he interspersed with thought-provoking insights on how humans have desecrated the environment.
An exhibit of different animals and ecological sites was also present in the Drs. Jose and Stella Evangelista Hall, at the lobby of the Paredes Bldg.
UST’s Ambag
Taking off from the insights from the speakers, particularly Ms. Donna T. Paz Reyes, PhD, Executive Director of the Miriam College Environmental Studies Institute (ESI), who talked how educational institutions can become eco-friendly “Dark Green” schools, the participants were divided into groups and discussed policy recommendations and projects for eventual implementation in UST and beyond, as a response to the call for ecological conversion.
On the last day of the conference, in the workshop facilitated by Dr. Abenir, research, community development, teaching and learning, and governance measures were presented for further discussion and possible adoption by the University.
Hindi atin ang lupa
In his homily during the Eucharistic Celebration, the Acting Rector, the Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., PhD, underscored the urgent crisis faced by the world today.
Fr. Ang stressed that all of creation, including the environment, is God’s creation and is thus an extension of His glory. While humans talk about being good to fellow human beings, he stressed that we must extend this to nature. “Huwag lang tayong magpakita ng kabutihan sa kapwa tao, ngunit ituring nating kapwa rin ang kalikasan.”
Giving voice to the environment, Fr. Ang said that if only nature can talk, it will plead for mercy and say, “Maawa naman kayo. Gagaling ako kung gugustuhin niyo.”
The three-day retreat-conference was organized by Fr. dela Cruz, Jr., O.P. along with the different units within the University. Serving as hosts were Mr. Alvin Ringgo C. Reyes (Department of Filipino), Ms. Pia Patricia Tenedero (Department of English), and Ms. Rain Chua (Department of Literature). RCCESI Director Assoc. Prof. Clarence M. Batan, PhD, served as moderator during the conferences.
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