Vital digressions

Covering the performing arts particularly music – theater and dance presentations having proliferated beyond expectations –has put blinders over my eyes. Nevertheless, I have not ceased to be a concerned, civic-conscious citizen aware of the problems besetting us daily.

According to the latest statistics, pollution is slowly but surely killing Metro Manilans, although they may not know it, despite the Clean Air Act and the valiant fight of environmentalists – e.g., Sen. Loren Legarda, Lolita Pellicer, Narda Camacho, Ester Perez de Tagle, Odette Alcantara etc. – against the primary suspects (read criminals and murderers).

For instance, trees and other verdant greenery beside the Metropolitan Theater may soon disappear if the environmentalists lose their fight. According to my sources, the area has been reserved by certain people for the construction of teachers’ dormitory, but the same sources contend there are alternative sites for the dormitory. Further, six or seven species of birds have made that little "forest" their permanent habitat, and these rare birds can be found only in Manila.

The idea of creating forest parks may be attributed to former President Ramos, although bringing the forest to the city is not an original one. Any pedestrian in London can stop by any of those picturesquely flowered parks and rest his tired limbs while appreciating nature and breathing clean, fresh air.

We can never have that kind of luxury in Manila and environs, not only because of the terrorists (relatively a new phenomenon) but also because of pollution (an old, old problem) caused by smoke-belching vehicles.

With political ill – when, oh when, will that term acquire any concrete meaning? – pollution in the city can be controlled and decreased quickly and effectively. If MMDA director Bayani Fernando were to allow the security guards posted at the entrances of the private villages or enclaves of Makati to inspect each entering vehicle for emission, pollution would readily decrease. A rough estimate would suggest that at least half of Metro Manila’s vehicles enter North and South Forbes, as also the villages – San Lorenzo, Urdaneta and Dasmariñas. In the latter alone, about 5,000 cars come and go each day to bring the students to San Agustin College and to take them back home.

The process may be difficult, tedious and time-consuming but I believe it is possible. I respectfully propose this to the respective authorities; even in D.V., some of the vehicles of the residents themselves will not pass the test; further, I have seen offending vehicles – smoke-belching cars, vans, motorbikes, delivery trucks – with my own eyes!

I have come upon the proposal because most bus and jeepney operators want the implementation of the Clean Air Act deferred to next year. Postponement can only mean aggravating and prolonging the agony and the anguish of the victims of pollution which actually means all of us. May we remind owners of smoke-belching vehicles that Metro Manila is the third most heavily polluted city in the world?

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As for the other problems assailing us – over-population, AIDS, unwanted pregnancies and the alarming increase of poverty-stricken people in our midst – education is still the best solution.

Yesterday, the Population Media Center (PMC) and the Earthsavers Dreams Academy headed by the incredibly talented and indefatigable actress-director Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, producer-host of the Balintataw Drama Series on DZRH, explained during a press conference at the Westin Plaza Hotel "the creative use of Soap Opera to communicate on population, health and environmental concerns".

PMC, founded by William Ryerson in 1998, uses entertainment and news programming on radio and TV, combined with other types of media such as cultural and sports promotions in print to encourage delayed and responsible parenthood, maternal and child care and population health issues to empower women to play equal roles in family decisions and society. PMC promotes a specific methodology of behavior change developed by Miguel Sabido of Mexico wherein characters in long-running radio and TV soap operas evolve to become role models for the adoption of health and social development goals.

It also applies the DREAMS strategy for human resource development, eco-social rehabilitation and human rights education through the arts, media and science, a strategy pioneered in by Alvarez-Guidote as demonstrated in her award-winning, CNN-cited Balintataw drama series.

In last year’s "Araneta Elephant World", the Earthsavers DREAMS Ensemble, working jointly with President Arroyo’s Kalahi young talents from poor barangays, was linked with the remarkable training of the elephants from Thailand.

The Elephant Show included a front act about a modern fairy tale of street-children including the disabled whose lives are transformed through faith, determination and compassion. The brief, moving musical piece Mangarap at Manalig was conceived by Guidote-Alvarez, RM Awardee for Public Service through the Arts, and coordinator of GMA’s Kalahi Cultural Program for Cabinet Spouses Foundation headed by Lovely Romulo.

Ferdie Dimadura was musical composer; Gigi Velarde-David, choreographer. The costume of Diwata, played by Jamaica Tagorda, was designed by no less than "dean of Filipino designers" Ben Farrales. Choral trainer was Raphael Balagot; blind girl Jaymee Castillo and Kalahi participant JR Buit were the lead singers. The pollution monster and Kalikasan Angel were creations of Gerry Bantang.

Indeed, the environmentally entertaining scenario, in helping to reduce pollution, illustrated how damaged human resources can be transformed and even "recycled" into citizens caring for the environment.