Young environmentalists from all over the Philippines graced the Ateneo de Manila to face the continuing problems of the environment, in unity as the Philippine Youth Environment Network (PhilYEN), Nov. 19-20.

"Ang yaman ng ating bansa ay kalikasan, kabilang dito ang tao [the wealth of our country is the environment, one of which is the people]." This was stressed by the keynote speaker of the convention, Hon. Jose Atienza, DENR Secretary by pointing out  how the Philippines is home to many species for both flora and fauna. However, despite this gift, he pointed out how the Manila Bay used to be like a swimming pool and how the Pasig River used to flow with clean water rich in fishes, but now is a mud-dump that is even deeper that the water level itself. Casing in to his point, he ended his speech by urging the youth to "Act Now" for there will be bigger problems in their time, and "Be involved in PhilYEN. Take care of garbage."

This month's convention is the first PhilYEN convention of the country. It is a form of actively participating with all the other Youth Environment Networks around the world, all for one advocacy--to take care of the environment. One of the activities in the convention was the identification of the issues of the environment and the brainstorming of solutions that every participating organization/school has to offer.

Among the other speakers in the convention were Dr. Fabian Dayrit, Dean of the Science & Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University; Mr. Voltaire Alferez, Executive Director of Earth Day Network Philippines; Hon. Priscilla Marie T. Abante, Commissioner of the National Youth Commission; Rev. Fr. Ben Beltran, SVD, Chariperson of the Justice, Peace, & Integrity of Creation Commission, Society of Divine Word; Mr. Chito Macapagal, Vice President-Corporate Affairs of the Uniliver Philippines; and Atty. Antonio Oposa, 2009 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee.


For more information, please visit the official PhilYEN site by clicking here.

Last September 8-11, 2009, the Ateneo Environmental Science Society hosted its annual photo contest and exhibit, entitled Earth Visions: Signos. The 5-day exhibit was located on the 2nd floor of the Matteo Ricci Study Hall.

This year’s theme, Signos, revolved around capturing the signs or indicators of climate change and the preventive measures society is taking against it. In line with the theme and the purposes of the organization, the Earth Visions exhibit used recyclable materials such as wooden crates, newspapers and scratch papers as part of the exhibit set-up.

To determine the winners of the photo contest, 65% of the criteria for judging came from, ESS alumni, BS ES and AB-ID major, Mr. Earl Diaz and the remaining 35% from the Ateneo student body. Ateneans were highly encouraged to vote, since a secret prize also awaited one lucky voter, for the photos they think best captured the theme of climate change. With that, the exhibit garnered a positive total of 245 votes from the student body with Joy Oropeo (2 BS MAC) as the chosen lucky voter who won a P200 gift certificate from Starbucks coffee.

The awarding ceremony was held during the last day of the exhibit, September 11, at SOM106. Out the thirty-three submitted entries, only two were chosen as winners. Christopher Burce (I-BS MIS) brought home the first prize of a split camera lomo for his photo “Tripower Unleashed” capturing a tornado amidst the radiant sun while Christian Ang (II-BS COMTECH) bagged the second prize of a mini holga for his photo, “The X-Files” illustrating the effects of erratic weather to society.

With such results, the photos displayed in this year’s Earth Visions photo exhibit will [tentatively] also be featured and endorsed by organizations such as the Ateneo School of Government, HARIBON and PHIYEN in their respective projects catering to the immediacy of Climate change. With the hopes of pushing forth awareness and initiative, let us hope that the photos will open society’s eyes and have a second look at alarming signs amidst them.

Last September 8-11, 2009, the Ateneo Environmental Science Society hosted its annual photo contest and exhibit, entitled Earth Visions: Signos. The 5-day exhibit was located on the 2nd floor of the Matteo Ricci Study Hall.

This year’s theme, Signos, revolved around capturing the signs or indicators of climate change and the preventive measures society is taking against it. In line with the theme and the purposes of the organization, the Earth Visions exhibit used recyclable materials such as wooden crates, newspapers and scratch papers as part of the exhibit set-up.

To determine the winners of the photo contest, 65% of the criteria for judging came from, ESS alumni, BS ES and AB-ID major, Mr. Earl Diaz and the remaining 35% from the Ateneo student body. Ateneans were highly encouraged to vote, since a secret prize also awaited one lucky voter, for the photos they think best captured the theme of climate change. With that, the exhibit garnered a positive total of 245 votes from the student body with Joy Oropeo (2 BS MAC) as the chosen lucky voter who won a P200 gift certificate from Starbucks coffee.

The awarding ceremony was held during the last day of the exhibit, September 11, at SOM106. Out the thirty-three submitted entries, only two were chosen as winners. Christopher Burce (I-BS MIS) brought home the first prize of a split camera lomo for his photo “Tripower Unleashed” capturing a tornado amidst the radiant sun while Christian Ang (II-BS COMTECH) bagged the second prize of a mini holga for his photo, “The X-Files” illustrating the effects of erratic weather to society.

With such results, the photos displayed in this year’s Earth Visions photo exhibit will [tentatively] also be featured and endorsed by organizations such as the Ateneo School of Government, HARIBON and PHIYEN in their respective projects catering to the immediacy of Climate change. With the hopes of pushing forth awareness and initiative, let us hope that the photos will open society’s eyes and have a second look at alarming signs amidst them.