By Elliot Dimasuhid & Maria Theresia Recopuerto |
Photo Opportunity of Laudato Si Committee with the student leaders from Mapuá Malayan Colleges Mindanao, University of Mindanao, San Pedro College, Maryknoll College of Panabo, Davao Doctors College. (Photo by Arnthea Samantha Marie Gasta)
In the midst of hopelessness brought about by the continuing climate disasters, the Pulsong Atenista Student Government (PASG) Laudato Si Committee banded together with senior high school student leaders from Mapuá Malayan Colleges Mindanao, University of Mindanao, San Pedro College, Maryknoll College of Panabo, Davao Doctors College, and Ateneo de Davao University to conclude their four-week event entitled "PLANETOPIA: Biodiversity Conservation" last February 4, 2023, at AdDU-SHS Bangkal Campus.
Laying the groundwork
During the first three weeks, the discussions were held online, where students from different schools participated, including Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan and the University of Pangasinan.
The very first event held online was on January 14, 2023. The speaker of the online discussion was the committee head himself, Xavier Yheow Napoles. He reached the conclusion that "Great responsibility comes with great accountability" in his talk about Volunteerism, Leadership, Responsibility, and Accountability.
Carmelita Marie Santos, the Ecoteneo Director of Ateneo de Davao University and an environmental planner, discussed marine conservation on the second day, January 21. She was followed by Ethan Sedale Reyes as the second speaker of the day, where he spread awareness and discussed about the safety of Mother Nature.
In the last week of the online discussion last January 28, the first speaker, Danna Ian Alcantara, talked about land conservation. "The harmony between the environment and humanity must always be maintained,” she stated.
As the third week came to a close, the last topic, air conservation, was discussed by Jayvie Cabajes.
Each speaker represented diverse environmental issues, all using different means to support the common goal of promoting awareness of the planet's current status in light of the growing body of published data and experiences from experts in the field.
Further along the trail
As they brought the PLANETOPIA event to an official end in the fourth week, they conducted the culmination face-to-face, where students from different schools interacted with each other.
Royette Carr, the Vice President of A-Speak, hosted the TED Talk, "Capacity to Incapacitate? Or Incapacity of Capacity?: A Bluff and Contradicting Acts of Humanity Vs Nature." They posited that since nature is often associated with concepts free from human influence, a line is drawn between humanity and nature. This idea of Mother Nature being a self-sustaining and self-correcting entity can often breed ignorance and apathy toward the continuing decline of the environment.
"Even if the human beings are the perpetrators, still, we are the ones who should be able to recover it," they stated.
Practicing the committee's advocacy toward climate change, Carr also affirms the importance of understanding the perspectives of diverse people from all walks of life. They emphasize the vulnerable and marginalized sectors as well, noting that individuals who have access to information and education should be the ones to disseminate crucial information to those that need it.
They push, "We must remember that this advocacy is not just about us—it's about everyone."
Empowering coalition for change
As more people have become conscious of how human activities leave the environment in shambles, individuals and groups—notably the youth—have begun taking action, pressing for change and fighting for the planet's tomorrow. Planetopia proves this is possible as it allows us to reflect on the history of our structures lest we find ourselves entangled in irreversible ruin.
The event concluded with awarding of certificates and a photo opportunity. The Group Searchers emerged first place in the overall ranking, with Protectors, Defenders, Navigators, Adventurers, and Nurturers placed 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th, respectively.
Succinctly ending the event with the simple truth, the student leaders declared, "It takes an explorer to uncover."
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