BULLETINS

THREE well-established leaders of environmental advocates have been chosen to be awarded by Batangas City as "Mandirigma ng Kapaligiran" in ceremonies tonight in this city, national site this year of the Philippine commemoration of World Environment Day. A fourth awardee has already received his award last Monday morning after the opening mass of the seven-day WED 2009 celebration.

To be awarded tonight are Hon. Edward S. Hagedorn, mayor of Puerto Princesa City; environmentalist actress, singer and painter Chin-Chin A. Gutierrez; and award-winning class-suits-for-the-environment lawyer Atty. Antonio Oposa. Already given his award earlier this week was Manila Archbishop Gaudancio Cardinal Rosales.

From Left: Hagedorn, Guti-

errez, Oposa and Rosales.

The awarding ceremony precedes the holding of the "Handshakes & Hugs for Earth Synergy"solemn multinationality ceremony. (click here for info on the ceremony, which is also set to be held at the AANI Herbal Garden in Quezon Circle in Quezon City.).

"THE SCOUTS have been the original nature-lovers!" This was asserted by Batangas City Administrator Felipe Barroja, as he addressed the opening of the WED 2009 "Green Camp" beside the Calumpang River. In a program held under the long bridge across this river, Barroja also called on the assembled units of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Rover Scouts, and on everybody else, to silence our own thoughts and voices often and learn to the voices of Nature herself-- the voices of the trees, of the animals, of the water.

Barfoja's messages were also highlighted by Ma. Dolores Santiago, national executive director of GSP, and Expedito Eduarte, BSP regional director for Southern Tagalog and the Bicol Region.

Speakers at the program were headed by Mayor Ed Dimacuha, wearing a BSP uniform, ABC President Vilma Abaya-Dimacuha, in a GSP uuniform, and WEDPhilippines Secret-ary General Ed Aurelio C. Reyes.

NINE years ago, it was the successful environmental video festival organized by the "Tanghalang Lakbay-Pinoy" of now-Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel. Now"Ta-Nood Kalikasan" (Nature-watching... and Watching Over") returns as an on-line gallery and library of environmental paintings and artistic photographs, as well as a virtual theater of environmental videos, to be built up and maintained by the WED-Philippines network as a special project. The inaugural display is the logo of WED 2009 in Batangas City featuring the city's very own "fire flower." (click here for initial info on this project.)).

"OUR PLANET NEEDS more than just action by Governments and corporations; it needs each of us. Although individual decisions may seem small in the face of global threats and trends, when billions of people join forces in common purpose we can make a tremendous difference." These words and the entire message (read entire text) from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon was the highlight of the formal opening program yesterday morning of the World Environment Day week-long celebration in the Philippines, with Batangas City as the national site. The world leader's message was read during the program by WED-Phils. Secretary-General Ed Aurelio Reyes.

The program featured a series of felicitation and inspirational addresses by City and provincial officials and functionaries led by Mayor Eduardo Dimacuha, WED '09 Festival Chairman, who will take over this Sunday as WED-Phils. Network Chairperson for the government sector. Other speakers came from various City-based and province-based functionaries of the national government. The explanation about WED was given by Dr. Angelito Bagui, chair of the Festival's technical working group. As WED-Phils. Special Deputy Secretary-General, he also read the network's own message (read entire text). The program was generously graced by Filipiniana dance numbers by groups of students from various groups and schools.

MANILA BAY will be the site of an Earth-loving Buddhist ceremony this coming Saturday morning, as a component of the week-long commemoration of World Environment Day in the Philippines now centered in Batangas City. Dubbed "Life Release Ceremony," the event will witness the release of birds and fishes of endemic species by participants, to symbolize all animals in the world who are now in captivity and who are about to meet their cruel demise. The event is being organized by the Philippine Palyul Chang Club Dhargye Dharma Center. In their event invitation poster, the organizers said this seeks to inculcate in us the noble values of "…saving lives …paying back debts …helping an emergency …compassion...realizing awareness practice …accumulating merits …convenient...changing one's destiny …removing bad karmic relationships …removing ill fortune ...healing sicknesses …saving family and relatives…extending one's life ...a blessing ….helping one be born in Buddha Pureland." (details)

WED'09-Batangas Opening: Cardinal reminds all on stewardship(posted June 1, 3:30 p.m.)

MANILA Archibishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales reminded all to take seriously the second admonition of the duty of Humankind towards the rest of Creation: never to allow its destruction. In his homily delivered in Filipino, Rosales said we tend to remember only the first part about Human dominion over Creation and ignore the part about our responsibility, thus leading to our present state of environmental destruction throughout the planet.

After the early morning mass, which opened the week-long celebration in this host city of the World Environment Day this year, the Cardinal was awarded a token of appreciation: a green crystal sculpture made by National Artist Ramon Orlina as commissioned by the city.

This was handed to him right at the altar of the by Batangas City Mayor Eduardo Dimacuha, accompanied by WED-Philippines network Secretary-General Ed Aurelio Reyes, Batangas City Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) President Vilma Abaya-Dimacuha, WED-Phils. Special Deputy Secretary-General Angelito Bagui, and City Councilor Marvey Mariño. Cardinal Rosales raised the "emerald trophy" for everyone in the mass congregation to see, and he was applauded very cheerfully.

This event was followed by the formal opening of the WED'09-Batangas "Green Expo" at the Mabini Plaza right across the Batangas City Hall. The Dimacuha couple, Ding Reyes, and City Administrator Philip Barroja, along with other city officials led the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

After the spouses Dimacuha, each with a pair of scissors, had cut the ribbon on both sides of the bouquet, Reyes and Barroja kept it from falling to the ground.

Photo by Batangas City Public Info Office

Earlier, the welcome arch of the "Green Expo" got its ribbon that waited to be cut.

WED-Phils. Photo by Ding Reyes

First to get visitors was this booth of 'Puto Espesyal' that gave out for free some cold malunggay drink.

Photo by Batangas City Public Info Office

THE week-long commemoration of World Environment Day 2009 reels off in Batangas City tomorrow morning, Monday, June 1, with a concelebrated mass. Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales will lead the officiators. Mayor Eduardo Dimacuha will lead the city officials and residents in welcoming the Cardinal, WED-Philippines Secretary-General Ed Aurelio C. Reyes, and many other guests to the many activities for WED 2009, with Batangas City as this year's national site for the Philippines. National site next year will be in the Visayas.

The opening of the "WED '09 Green Expo," showcasing environment-oriented exhibits and items for sale, will signal the grand opening to be followed by a formal opening program that will highlight the reading of the WED 2009 message of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, and addressed by various officials led by Mayor Dimacuha.

.Two days before opening day, the arch welcoming visitors to the 'Green Expo' at the Mabini Plaza across the City Hall was still getting some finishing touches.

All environmentalists are invited to view the articles in the DEEP ECOLOGY collection of