Suarez’s employees join Run 2 Plant

Months before Odysseus Suarez Wedding Rings had accepted the invitation of Ramon Abiotiz Foundation Inc.’s (RAFI) running and tree planting event, the company started a holistic advocacy in bringing about change in one’s environment through an encouraging message in their employees uniforms.

Bearing the words “Let’s Plant a Seed” superimposed with an ancient Acacia tree, these shirts signify an environmental statement that’s truly positive.

“I’d like our shirts to have a meaningful message,” company president Odys Suarez said. “Our employees can just wear it practically anywhere and everyone can get to read our concern for the environment,” he added.

Last June 30, OSWR had a chance to put these words into action as they partnered with RAFI in the Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines in barangay Jaclupan, Talisay City.

“It was a great time to come together as a family along with our children to put our running exercise in a different venue,” said Human Resource officer Nica Cruz.

“And I was very surprised that we had the youngest participant in our team,” she said.

Tristan Borces, 5 years old, was carrying his own seedlings while his father, 48-year-old Alan Borces was looking for the designated colored plots to plant.

Twenty-three employees, including their advocacy partner Family Life Philippines, joined in the province-wide run and tree planting event that started at 5 a.m.

“This is the “seed” that the company would like to pass on as a legacy to our children. We have the positive intention to transform the family and the community where we live in. Tree planting just covers one of our missions for a greener and healthier environment,” Cruz said.

The OSWR factory and production office in Green Valley Subdivision in Capitol Site, Cebu City boosts of its 4×10 feet colorful tarpaulins with Biblical principles and images that transformed their area into becoming clean. From the start that these tarpaulins were being stationed on its designated areas, people’s behavior changed and they stopped throwing garbage in empty lots.

These few things were just envisioned by Suarez, a gardening hobbyist and fertilizer composting enthusiast.