MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) held their annual Oblation Run at the University of the Philippines-Diliman on Friday, where they demanded immediate climate action.
This year’s theme was “Run for The Future,” where they enjoined the youth to take part in solutions to environmental problems hounding the world today.
“It is now an undeniable fact that the perpetuation of the current state of the environment is no longer a mere issue of concern, but an issue of justice,” APO said.
WATCH: APO members sing "UP Naming Mahal" before they run around UP Diliman for the Oblation Run. | @khallareINQ pic.twitter.com/OGqodIzUn4
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The 70-year-old collegiate fraternity in the Philippines specifically called out the construction of the New Centennial Water Source Kaliwa Dam in Quezon province, saying the China-funded project will destroy the ecosystem in the area.
“Yes, we do oppose the proposed Kaliwa Dam project because it is endangering local communities, as well as reducing forestry in the area,” APO member Karl Abenojar said during a press conference.
“We’ve seen in the news actually that there were other proposals for different dam constructions, which had less impact on the environment, and we believe that in considering projects like these, the government should take to account the number of people and the area that would be affected,” he added.
As with previous years, frat members gave roses to female spectators, during the Oblation Run. One of those who received a rose was Gennifer Burgos, a student of the university’s College of Arts and Letters.
“Nung freshie ako, tinanong ko ‘Bakit may ganito?’ Hindi ko siya naiintindihan (When I was a freshman, I asked ‘Why is this happening?’ I didn’t understand it),” Burgos said about her views on APO’s yearly Oblation Run.
“But now I understand that the Oblation Run is a form of protest, and this year, ‘yung call nila (their call) is to run for the future.”
And Burgos appeared flattered as an APO member gave her not one, but four roses.
“Ang dami, first time ganito karami, usually isa lang. Masaya naman [na] makatanggap, (It’s a lot, this is the first time I’ve received this much, usually it’s only one. It’s fun to get these),” she gushed.