Advocacy

Ad Nauseam

By Ian Fiedalan 

I am a cactus in Atacama;

The humid air fills my lungs;

It penetrates my cell

and molds my structured fiber;

I am a cactus in Atacama;

I breathe the air

and the sun burns my green;

I am a cactus in Atacama;

I give shade to old spider;

Provide stronghold arms to the resting bird;

I am the cactus in Mojave;

But how I wish I lived in Atacama.

(c) by the author; August 2011, Kalookan.

I am not just a Water Boy

By Ian Fiedalan

"Nature means the created world in its entirety. Such rhythm and harmony indispensably include, inter alia, the judicious disposition, utilization, management, renewal and conservation of the country's forest, mineral, land, waters, fisheries, wildlife, off-shore areas and other natural resources to the end that their exploration, development and utilization be equitably accessible to the present as well as future generations. Needless to say, every generation has a responsibility to the next to preserve that rhythm and harmony for the full enjoyment of a balanced and healthful ecology."

-Philippine Supreme Court in Oposa v. Factoran

I came to know about Haribon Foundation years ago from a friend in law school. She was telling me of her possible joining Haribon. And on my way home from WGNRR office, I would pass by Anson’s building at Anonas to LRT station bound for Manila. Haribon is at the second floor Anson's building.Out of curiosity, I would visit their website and read useful articles concerning their advocacy— the preservation and protection of the environment. To them, living in harmony with nature is about protecting the wildlife as well.

Joining the Million Hectare Challenge started out when I read on Facebook page that they were looking for volunteers. The volunteers will be deployed as marshals, water boys or girls, booth and parking attendants. Volunteers were distinguished as important to the success of the Million Hectare Challenge (HMC) funrun.Without any hesitation, I wrote an email, contacted them, and became HMC volunteer. Water boy..

I was inspired to participate in HMC for I thought that through this I could share something for good cause. The objectives of the event are clear to me. It is more than running; it is giving back to the nature the sustenance and protection from us human. Out of the proceeds, the organization will use the fund for tree planting in critical areas where deforestation has been a constant problem.

It was Sunday, I woke up early. From Caloocan, I traveled south to Taguig. The event was held at Mckinley Hill. The day was perfect. Temperature was neither hot nor cold. At around 5:00, I, Chard, and Ms. Jhe-el of the Haribon were already filling up water cups. Ours were the first water station runners will cross at south loop. And while refilling waters, we would encourage runners and smiled back at them.

Like Forest Gump in the film, participants ran on their respective course, the 3k, 5k, and 10k, with great aspirations towards one cause, saving our forest lands. Participants were from different class like government employees, students, advocates, tv personalities, kids, families running in groups. They would smile and gave thanks to us. Thank yous were overwhelming. It was as if we have done something huge to be appreciated.

The event was made memorable because we had an informal talk with Ms. Jhe-el of the Haribon. In between refilling waters, she would talk about the cause. We have understood the perennial problems of deforestation, extinction of unique species of animal found in the Philippines, and what the organization are doing to arrest such threat to the environment. In a short period, I had already armed myself with knowledge in ecological issues, present social problems, among others.

I would love to discuss all the details Ms. Jhe-el has said to us. But for the meantime, I understand that being a newbie in this cause, I would need substantial understanding about the current social issues.

I lavish the idea of helping Haribon in my own little way. And who knows after months or so, I will be writing again but this time with detailed account on the issues affecting the environment. As student of laws, I have been tracking updates relating to environmental laws; in domestic planes, especially reforms on judicial processes; and in international trends on crossboundary conflicts and principles of international laws. Ms. Jhe-el has told us, “we are doing this for the younger generation…”.  I thanked her for taking stand to care for us. This cause is for human survival as part of the entire unit of the ecosystem. We should be responsible to our environment; for in nature where we get our foods, our shelter, and to which we depend entirely our living.

Overall, being a water boy for one day is not only about the story of Adam Sandler in one film telling an inspiring story. Serving the team as water boy, Sandler had been tapped as great player after one accidentally discovered his potential. But the experience I have learned from participating in HMC is not about finding my potential. It is finding the direction to win a cause.

We will not wait for another person to come in our life as the coach and lead us in discovering our potentials. We should take the lead on our own. It is our game.

That day, I left Mckinley head-up: I am not just a water boy..