A culture of caring

Knowing that my favorite past time is gardening, my nephew, Junie, gave me two trunks of kamunggay (“moringa” in English), a most cherished gift. The plant reminds me of childhood days.  It formed an important part of our daily food intake as our dear Papa Nono loved green leafy vegetables, with kamunggay as the favorite. As kids, we did not realize how important a healthy diet was to our well-being.

Before I bedded the large stems, which looked more like deadwood, shorn of leaves, into the ground, I prayed  hard for the opportunity to see kamunggay trees blossom in the garden. The plant is nutritious, no doubt about it. “The leaves contain all essential amino acids and are rich in protein, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and minerals” (Wikipedia).

God answered my prayers. The small green leaves in one trunk are popping out in the places where once grew the branches of the kamunggay. It is exciting to see more that sprout each day. Like an expectant mom, I am eagerly waiting for the other stalk to reveal the life that it seems not to have. I have reason to believe they will soon grow wildly, to make up for “lost” time.

Gardening makes one more aware and caring of God’s creations. Life pulsates every second, and so does its end. Each species of flora and fauna matters and have their unique role in the web of life. Thanks to the rainy summer that we have, the makahiya plants with their pink flowers and the mangagoy grass are thriving, and so are the herbs (basil, arugula) and onions, tomatoes, garlic and pepper.

In so many ways, we are like God’s non-human creations. The Dalai Lama points this out vividly, “Life is as dear to a mute creature as it is to man. Just as one wants happiness and fears pain, just as one wants to live and not die, so do other creatures.”

However, many still believe that humans are the center and the most significant beings of the universe. This is referred to as the anthropocentric  world view. People do not hesitate to destroy nature for purely selfish reasons and this might just prove to be our downfall. “There are clear signals that the intense exploitation of the environment by humans is causing widespread ecological degradation and a diminished carrying capacity to sustain people, numerous other species, and many types of natural ecosystems.” (https://science.jrank.org/pages/403/Anthropocentrism.html)

What makes us think that the extinction of species will not extend to us, when we, humans, cannot ever hope to live without the functioning elements of life and the biodiversity that nurture us all? “Shall we, because we walk on our hind feet, assume to ourselves only the privilege of imperishability? (attributed to George Eliot).

When will we awaken?

Only a culture of caring can save humanity. Caring means assuming the  responsibility to protect living things, humans or otherwise. The Dalai Lama said it best:

“Every individual has a responsibility to help guide our global family in the right direction. Good wishes alone are not enough; we have to assume responsibility.

“Universal responsibility is the real key to human survival. It is the best foundation for world peace, the equitable use of natural resources and, through concern for future generations, the proper care of the environment.”

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The past two weeks had seen a flurry of activities, where I connected  with  new friends, rekindled friendships, learned much and gained clearer perspectives, for which I am most grateful.

It was a great honor for me to accept  the invitation by St. Theresa’s College (STC) led by college dean Sr. Rosaciana C. Mendoza, ICM, a co-University of the Philippines alumna, to be the speaker on its 74th College Commencement Exercises on March 24, 2012. Congratulations to the graduates and their beaming parents and faculty members. STC is a highly respected institution known for instilling a mind-set of service to the poor and marginalized sectors, women empowerment and conservation of God’s creation.  By the way, it now accepts boys for nursery, kindergarten, grades 1-3 and college for incoming school year 2012-2013. You may contact the Information Office at phone number 253-6337 for more details.

March 22 found Cebu City officials steered by the dedicated and energetic  Councilor Nida Cabrera, Pag-asa Director Oscar Tabada, a DILG official, Cassy Catapang of Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Waters and this columnist,  with the participating barangay leaders in the second round of the Geohazard Workshop for landslide-prone barangays of the city. The participating barangays were Lusaran, Sinsin, Buot-Taop, Buhisan, Tabunan,  Pamutan, Sudlon 1, Sapangdaku, Sudlon 2 and  Pulangbato. My role was to inform the participants of the ramifications of the laws on climate change and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and emphasized the liability of public officials committing dereliction of duties that lead to destruction of ecosystems and loss of lives. They can be jailed, fined and perpetually disqualified from public service. Our environmental laws should now be taken seriously.

On March 21, and as part of the Women’s Month celebration on the theme “ Women Weathering Climate Action: Governance and Accountability,” the Cebu City Commission on Women and Family Affairs in partnership with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and other institutions, hosted a Women’s Summit participated in by articulate but-oh-so-caring women from all sectors. I was requested to speak on a timely topic, “Women and Climate Change: Issues and Action.” It gave me the opportunity to discuss why the highly ecologically damaging projects like the Cordova Reclamation Project especially on a climate-challenged country we are living in, should be resisted, and the Strategic Legal Action Against Public Participation (SLAPP) suit filed against me by the Cebu governor. Kudos to the organizers and thanks to PCW chair Remy Rikken for the productive, enriching and fun learning and  sharing moments.

March 19 was also the Reunion of Class 1970 of Abellana National School hosted by the US-based alumni. It was a most memorable event. We thank the dedicated and dynamic team led by the president Ramon Retuya and “directed” by the indefatigable Susan Gandionko. Of course, special mention and thanks go to Dr. George Ruiz who gave away 30 of his paintings that night and patrons Josephus Monsalud and Dr. Ruth Villafranca. Daghang Salamat sa tanan.