100 Ramons to plant 100,000 trees for Magsaysay’s 100th b’day

Are you Ramon? Do you love to plant trees? You can join your other namesakes in planting trees for Ramon Magsaysay, the president of the third Republic of the Philippines, who will be celebrating his 100th birthday on August 31. The Green Army Philippines Network Foundation, Inc said in a statement that 100 Ramons from all walks of life will plant 100,000 trees to mark the former president’s centennial birthday. The planting of “Ramon Magsaysay Centennial Trees" will be from August 31 to March 17, 2008. The project hopes to gather 100 Ramons representing various professions such as doctors, educators, bankers, businessmen, journalists, writers, musicians, sculptors, painters, film and stage actors, environmentalists and politicians. The foundation said the trees can be planted anywhere in the country, but to make the activity historically significant, “Ramons" can plant the trees in the following suggested places: At Mount Pinatubo, a volcano found at the intersection of the borders of the provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. The volcano’s name is similar to the name of Magsaysay’s C-47 plane that was supposed to head back to Manila on March 17, 1957. At Mt. Manuggal in Cebu province, where Magsaysay died along with 26 other passengers of the “Mt. Pinatubo" plane. Places that Magsaysay often visited. The former president was born in Iba, Zambales and studied at Zambales Academy, University of the Philippines and Jose Rizal College. Places where Magsaysay is remembered with love and gratitude. During his term, Magsaysay opened Malacañang gates to the people and literally made the Palace a house of the people. A briefing on the final launching of the project will be held during a luncheon meeting on August 20, from 1 to 4 p.m., at No. 43, Hillside Loop, Blue Ridge A, Quezon City. Magsaysay’s surviving children — Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr and Milagros Magsaysay Valenzuela — will grace the occasion. The project is being organized by the Green Army Foundation, Mother Earth Philippines and the Artists for the Environment in collaboration with the Federation of Philippine Mountaineers, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Manila Seedling Bank, Philippine Wood Producers Association and Earth Day Network Philippines. For further inquiries, contact Ramon Orlina (0917-8805108), Ramon Flores (0920-9215061, Odette Alcantara (647-1181) or Liesl Lim (396-5029 or 442-0410). - GMANews.TV