Trouble in paradise

Trouble is brewing in the mountains of Rizal, and how it will end will depend on Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla.

This is about the placement of proposed wind turbines in Rizal’s karst landscapes by Vena Energy, a company that describes itself as a major green solution provider in the Asia-Pacific region.

No less than Antipolo City Mayor Casimiro “Jun Jun” Ynares III has formally asked Sec. Lotilla and Vena Group Philippines country head Samrinder Nehria to reconsider the placement of the company’s proposed wind turbines in Rizal’s karst landscapes.

Vena, a proponent of a 603 MW wind project in Rizal, claims that its project “fully complies with environmental standards and will not affect any karst areas.”

However, Masungi director for advocacy Billie Dumaliang had this to say: “It’s not whether turbines sit on exposed limestone but whether the project footprint overlaps a designated karst landscape – which it does, based on the project’s own ECC.” The ECC issued to Vena’s Rizal Wind Energy indicates that the project will pass through the Masungi Karst Conservation Area, with 16 wind turbines located within the site.

In separate letters dated Jan. 13, Ynares highlighted the vital role of these forests, watersheds and unique rock formations in preventing floods, landslides and water shortages.

“The Province of Rizal holds many important natural landscapes, including forests, watersheds and unique rock formations, which help mitigate flooding, prevent landslides and address water shortages. These areas are significant not only for Antipolo City and Rizal Province but also for neighboring cities and adjacent provinces as they promote clean water, preserve healthy ecosystems and enhance community safety,” he said in the letter.

The proposed turbine locations may be situated in areas identified as having karst characteristics, he said.

Karst landscapes, characterized by barren and jagged rock formations, are distinct and known for storing groundwater.

Against this backdrop, he appealed for reconsideration and urged Vena to look into alternative locations.

While supporting renewable energy, he stressed that clean energy projects must also protect nature and follow environmental safeguards.

Mayor Ynares also called for science-based planning that respects Rizal’s natural heritage.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear this. It’s a sign that our local leaders are standing up for fragile ecosystems, perhaps seeing the negative impact of recent floods.

It is now up to Sec. Lotilla to address the problem.

This comes on the heels of the International Day of Clean Energy on Jan. 26, which was declared by the UN General Assembly as a call to raise awareness and mobilize action for a just and inclusive transition to clean energy for the benefit of both people and planet.

UP to honor National Artists  in third Tanghal Tertulia

February promises to be another month of homage and honor at the University of the Philippines, Diliman in Quezon City.

UP will honor National Artists Benedicto Cabrera, Resil Mojares and Agnes Locsin in the third offering of Tanghal Tertulia on Feb. 21, 2026.

The event is sure to be a festive evening of music, dance and prose – this time with the additional element of visual arts.

Tanghal Tertulia, UP’s flagship cultural program, is set against the scenic bamboo backdrop of the UP Executive House Amphitheater in Diliman.

Here is UP’s statement on the event:

“The annual tribute will pay homage to the three National Artists and their enduring contributions to Philippine arts and culture.

“Cabrera,  more popularly known as BenCab, was conferred the National Artist for Visual Arts in 2006 in recognition of his mastery of contemporary Philippine art, as evident in his paintings and pieces that commented on the struggles and strife of the ordinary Filipino.

“He finished his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at UP Diliman in 1963, and was awarded Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, in 2009 by UP.

“Mojares, widely celebrated as the ‘Visayan Titan of Letters’ for his extensive research, critical essays and fiction, received the honor of National Artist for Literature in 2018 for devoting his life to Philippine cultural and historical studies, especially his pioneering efforts in building the infrastructure to support scholarly Cebuano studies. He earned his PhD in Literature from UP Diliman in 1979.

“Locsin was recognized as a National Artist for Dance in 2022 for her progressive work in neo-ethnic Filipino dance, characterized by her distinct choreography that blends indigenous ritual and ethnic traditions with Western classical and modern techniques.

“She was a senior lecturer at the UP Diliman College of Music’s dance program for seven years, where she embedded her artistic philosophy and shaped the artistic development of future dancers and choreographers.”

Tanghal Tertulia is led by the UP Office of the President in collaboration with the UP Diliman College of Music, the Philippine Association of University Women-UP Chapter, the UP President’s Committee on Culture and the Arts, UP Office of the Vice President for Public Affairs and TVUP.

The program commenced in 2024, honoring Ramon Santos (Music), Gémino Abad (Literature) and Virgilio Almario (Literature), while its second iteration last year paid tribute to Ricardo Lee (Film and Broadcast Arts), Fides Cuyugan-Asensio (Music) and Ryan Cayabyab (Music).

UP said that Tanghal Tertulia is open to the public but due to limited seating capacity and event arrangements, attendance will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

I, too, am excited to watch it for the first time on Feb. 21 and to witness our esteemed National Artists in their element.

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