‘Bakawan’ exhibit highlights mangroves

A COLLECTION of photographs on the present state of mangroves in the Philippines by the Artists for Nature (AFN) group opened yesterday at the Handuraw Pizza Restaurant along Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City.

“Bakawan” photo exhibit, which runs until the end of May, features the works of Mike Garcia, Clay Pescasio, Cedric Solidon and James Yayen.

This is a fundraising activity for the Adopt-a-Mangrove Project of the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation Inc. (CCEF), which undertakes mangrove reforestation and rehabilitation project in partnership with the government, business and the private sectors.

The Artists for Nature group hailed the vital role of mangroves as a habitat of marine life and buffer against storms, strong waves and erosion.

It also cited the rapidly declining mangrove cover in the Philippines, at the rate of 2,000 to 3,000 hectares per year, owing to deforestation, coastal infrastructure, pollution, overharvesting and destruction of coral reefs.

Established last year, this group of young artists from Palawan and all over the Philippines, is committed to environmental concerns and is looking to build partnerships with ecological organizations.

For inquiries, call Artists for Nature founders Mike and Wendi Garcia at (0916) 2742859  or email at [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/artistsfornature.