A day for Mother Earth

On April 22, we celebrate Earth Day! Earth Day began in 1970 as a day to promote environmental awareness. Thirty-seven years later, that awareness is more important than ever. Events like Hurricane Katrina in the US, the tsunamis in Asia Pacific and the landslides and strong typhoons we have experienced have shown us that concern for our environment is no longer an option — it may be a matter of global survival.

The earth and everything in it was created by God. Human beings were created in His likeness and wisdom and the earth’s resources were for our sustenance. Therefore we should be good custodians of God’s gifts and creations. We should treat the other species that share our world with respect and compassion. Our activities should entail a conscientious and prudent way of using resources, knowing these are essentially limited.

I am glad to know that several government agencies and grassroots organizations have joined the bandwagon of advocates for environment preservation. The Cultural Center Complex (CCP) Association, in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will hold "Sibol 2007: Culture for Life" to celebrate Earth Day. The theme emphasizes the role of artists and the cultural sector in realizing the international Earth Day theme of "Stewardship in Action" for Land, Water and the Air. For stewardship of land, there is a public art project at the CCP front lawn called "Angud", in which 10,000 pieces of angud, or the end part of tree trunks discarded during illegal logging operations, depict the denudation of our forests, which in turn causes land erosion and mudslides. This is a continuing crime against nature that must stop. To emphasize the importance of stewardship of water, a "Talakalikasan" forum on the theme "Culture for Life" was organized by CCP Artistic Director Fernando Josef with Haribon Foundation. Success stories and future plans for environment preservation will be shared. Complementing the forum will be various exhibitions by landscape architect Paolo Alcazaren. There will also be an on-the-spot painting contest by various painters and visual artists called "Guhit Kalikasan" along the promenade area facing the Manila Bay. Finally, to emphasize stewardship of the air, a culminating event called "Pamumuwesto: Isang Libo’t Isang Altar Para Kay Ynang-calikasan" by Chris Millado shall be held at the CCP front lawn area. National Artists and the CCP resident companies will lead a gathering of artist groups, non-government organizations, civil servants and private citizens in building one thousand and one temporary altars for Ynangcalikasan (Mother Earth). The puestos or nature shrines are inspired from the folk and native altars found in the caves, streams and forests of Mount Banahaw — the Mystical Mountain. This event is envisioned to attract crowds and mass media coverage in order to spread the environmental message on a wide scale.