CCP goes green for Earth Day

Earth Day at the Cultural Center of the Philippines began at dawn, with a musical reveille by the Marine Drum and Bugle Team. A Holy Mass for Mother Earth and the blessing of seedlings was the first activity of the day, which soon became uncomfortably warm. Despite the searing sun, the Sunday crowd of families stayed for the Earth Day celebration, held five days earlier instead of April 22, which falls on Good Friday this year. This year's theme is "The Earth is Our Home, Love Mother Earth" and the common threads in the day's activities included promoting awareness and respect for the green environment, reduction of pollution, and averting climate change. In the relatively cool morning, Asian martial arts exercises were held for the public. Indigenous percussion played in the background, making shopping in the supposedly eco-friendly market a more enjoyable experience. Many of the stalls did not adhere to the theme, featuring everything from photocopying machines to security personnel positions. But there were also the usual concessionaires selling plants, organic food, Moringa supplements and cashew oil.

Before the kids could get bored, ventriloquist and puppeteer Wanly performed "Wanlu, Wan Earth: Me, Myself and Mother Earth." With Santiago the Parrot, Enchong Go, Alien K, Baby Ryan, Nicolo, and Manny Pacman as well as the Lunaria Brothers and their marionettes, Wanlu gave lessons on environmental conservation in a lively musical show. Kids easily absorbed the Three R’s—Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle -- while adults were reminded of the classic environment-friendly trio. Thousands of cyclists arrived for the CCP leg of the Firefly Brigade's 13th Tour of the Fireflies. A short program was held, with speakers promoting the bicycle as a better mode of transportation. At CCP, this month's theme is "Luntiang Lungsod, Luntiang Sining" (Green City, Green Arts). Part of its contribution to create a healthier and greener world is a 3.5-kilometer bike lane dedicated to cyclists and joggers, as well as bike racks located all over the complex. People eagerly lined up for a taste of the Paco Fern Salad and Pollo con Arroz de Mexicano prepared by chefs Emerald Sarmiento-Galvez and Arnold Resulta of LJC Restaurants in a culinary demonstration at the CCP Eskinita, which was lined with various stalls and exhibits. Sanghabi displayed Philippine indigenous instruments next to the Greenpeace booth, which featured disturbing photos of the Basura Reef, among other alarming realities. A photo by Daniel Ocampo shows marine creatures clinging to plastic waste that litters the ocean due to careless disposal of household waste. Another photo by Gigie Cruz shows the Navotas River thick with pollution, mostly plastic material from all over the city. The exhibit "Plastik, Plastik Di Walastik" listed these facts: plastic comprised 82% of waste collected in the 2009 International Coastal Clean-Up; burning plastic releases dioxins and other substances that cause cancer, asthma, and reproductive health problems; 60 to 80 percent of waste found in the ocean are plastic. Fortunately, there was not much plastic in sight, even with the many booths in the CCP grounds. Some sold local handicrafts while others featured upcycled decorative bottles. Cordillera Arabica coffee, wallets from Palawan, brooms from Baguio and mother-of-pearl necklaces were also for sale while electric bikes and jeepneys were on display. The celebration ended at sunset, with music by the Kalumon Music and Dance Ensemble from Mindanao and the Yard Time acoustic band. - YA, GMA News