The family of the late Justice German Lee, Jr. and Lourdes Vilma Cornejo-Lee arranged a very unique Earth Day Celebration; in fact there was a Green Festival. The invitation called: “Come and join us with other Cebuanos who are decidedly friends “Friends of the Earth” and share our vision and quest for a Green Sustainable future together.”
The festival started Sunday, the day before with a collective bike ride. On Monday, early in the morning there was Vinyasa Yoga with Jeane Torrefranca of Dragonfly Home Yoga Studio.
By mid-morning one of the major events of the festival was held: the launching of West Gorordo Hotel as a Green Hotel. In the afternoon when Joel Lee in a concluding speech as a close of the workshops, showed the participants that in the renovation, recycled wood was used. Instead of having air conditioners, there were more windows for more fresh air and fans. On the drive way organic edible plants welcomed guests with their aroma.
Genevieve Bas-Gonzales of the UP Gender and Development Office and Committee attended the afternoon workshops. Here are some of her observations. “In the Natural Farming Techniques facilitated by Roberto Bajenting, we were shown the use of fermenting fruits as fertilizers or as nutrients to be sprayed directly on the plants. Fermented fruits can also be a good health drink. The fruits were diced and mixed with muscovado sugar or better with molasses since this was cheaper.”
“The making of paper briquettes was also demonstrated. Paper was soaked in water and formed into balls or egg-like shapes. These were then dried under the sun. These would serve as a replacement of charcoal.”
“Plants in different re-used containers, including an old shoe(!) were displayed in Container Gardening Workshop; hard-to-avail of seeds were also sold at very low prices.
We were able to taste healthy and delicious (squash soup, curried rice, vegetable lumpia) food from the Ananda Marga’s Vegetarian Food Preparation.”
The Lee family chose to launch the Justice German Lee Award on this turning point in their family’s journey.
The printed program reminded us that: “Justice German Lee, Jr. ((1937-1998) was a family man, trial lawyer, legal educator, law books author, regional trial court judge, Sandiganbayan Justice, and Navy Reservist. He dedicated his life to the rule of law for the common good. He lived and died with the conviction that we are all called to fight for justice and serve with integrity, honor and passion. Even in his final hour, he dedicated his life to the service of others.” He tried his best to help several victims of a shipping disaster; he died doing this.
Here is the rationale they provided for the granting of awards: “We live in a time of peak oil, climate change, environmental degradation and human exploitation. Many people believe that the problems are too complex and thus impossible to solve. However there are transformative leaders in our midst who are enlightened, empowered, engaged and boldly fighting for our right to create a just, humane and sustainable world. It is crucial to recognize and spread the word about the efforts of these individuals in order to bring hope and inspire others that change is possible.”
The “local transformative leaders” selected were: Ryan “Rye Kido” Noval, Atty. Gloria “Golly” Estenzo Ramos’ and Dr. Rhodora “Doray” M. Bucoy.
Rye Kido, “Higala sa Katilingban” (Friend of the Community and Advocate of the Common Good) has been recognized because of “his outstanding advocacy and service for Road Equality through Bike Community Organizing, Education, Public Awareness, and Leadership of Critical Mass Cebu”.
Golly, “Tigpanalipud sa Kalikupan” (Defender & Advocate of the Natural Environment) has been awarded for “her outstanding advocacy and service for the Environment through Legal Action, Education, Public Awareness and leadership of the Philippine Earth Justice Center”. Most of us are familiar with Golly’s activities and her great passion for the environment as seen not only in her column in CDN but also in the news items discussing her work for the protection of our environment. In her acceptance speech she emphasized that as an environmental warrior and a lawyer, legal action is her main weapon to prevent further damage to Mother Earth.
Doray, “Manlalaban sa Kababayenhan” (Defender & Advocate of Women’s Rights), has been honored “for her outstanding Advocacy and Service for Women Through Gender Empowerment, Education and Public Awareness and Leadership of Sidlak Region VII Gender Resource Center.” She has been educating several batches of students on the situation and rights of women. At the same time she has kept in touch with grassroots women through linkages with the Cebu Urban Poor Women’s League and the Women’s Resource Center Cebu which has become the Women’s Resource Center Central Visayas.
In the case of Sidlak she has gathered representatives of government agencies, non-government organizations, and educational institutions within Central Visayas to awareness sessions on the United Nation’s Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Philippines’ Magna Carta of Women (MCW). These are all to spread the good news of women’s rights and increase their enthusiasm to claim these rights.
After the awarding ceremony we had a simple but very nutritious dinner. Serene music was in the background as we consumed the healthy meal and conversed with like minded friends—who have been actually concerned about and committed to Mother Earth, the Cebu Community, and a renewed future for the generations to come.
(Quotes from West Gorordo materials with the permission of Joel and Edna Lee)