SK's
"Sama-sama"
fronts Green Phil. The
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) national federation has taken a lead role in President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Green Philippines Agenda which seeks to clean up coastal
areas of trash and debris; as well as to help restore the country's forests.
Around
6,000 SK members from the different parts of the country attended the convention
on April 1 at the Bohol Wisdom gym.
They
pledged continued support to the ongoing campaign of government to protect the
environment. The "Sama-sama Para sa Kalikasan," a joint government and
youth environmental project to focus national attention on the urgent need to
protect the world's
ecosystem from the catastrophic consequences of global warming.
Mrs.
Arroyo started her speech praising Cajes' leadership: "Daghan salamat Jane
ug daghan salamat sa imong maayo nga liderato sa atong SK sa tibuok nasud."
Earlier,
Arroyo praised the Province of Bohol for being the only Province in the country
with an Environmental Code. "And you couldn't have chosen a better place
to gather today. Not only because we are in the home province of your national
federation president, but also because dito sa Bohol - the only province I understand
with an Environmental Code being implemented - dito ninyo naisipang ilunsad ang
kampanyang "Sama-sama para sa Kalikasan." Congratulations!"
| | | Last
year, SK received P10 million from the president which served as seed money for
the Green Philippines campaign. "And you have my support, as Jane said, the
last time we were together in Cebu, I awarded your organization 10 million pesos
for use in your environmental protection projects. And I am glad that Jane said
you will focus on cleaning up our environment, including solid waste management
and also on planting trees."
In
the Sangguniang Kabataan, you the youth have a vehicle by which you can achieve
our shared vision of a Philippines that provides a high quality of life and protects
our resources for future generations. I am happy that you have taken on the challenge
of protecting the environment and mitigating the effects of climate change, continued
Mrs. Arroyo. | Mrs.
Arroyo told SK to coordinate with the Presidential Task Force on Climate Change.
"Your
tasks can be as simple as educating our people about proper solid waste management
or helping plant trees in logged-over areas. Or they may be as complicated as
linking up with various government agencies to assist in the monitoring of projects.
A laudable idea would be a data bank, as I understand Jane Cajes has proposed,
which may be pursued in coordination with the DENR and your respective revenues."
And
by today, when you are not yet in the prime of your life, you are already strengthening
the institution of the SK. I know that you the SK have the drive and the will
to achieve a Strong Republic in the first world by the time that you are the adults
and the leaders of our country, Mrs. Arroyo said.
Arroyo,
who turned 61 on April 5, also took a few moments to blow the candles of the birthday
cake prepared for her by Cajes and the staff. She blew the candles shortly after
the convention participants sang for her the customary birthday song.
Cajes
and members of SK national executive board shared their projects for the 2009
when they were presented to the press on March 31.
They
mentioned other useful activities implemented by SK heads in different provinces
that are not useless.
"We
the SK are beyond discos and liga-liga, we can also make beneficial programs in
our own capacity, but we also need their support," Cajes said.
Press
Secretary Cerge M. Remonde, in a radio interview with John Manalili of dzRB Wednesday
morning, said the youth environment project also aims to focus national attention
on the critical need to protect the world's ecosystem and address the threat of
global warming and climate change.
The
SK program, Remonde said, is in response to President Arroyo's earlier call for
drastic reduction of the country's green house gas emission by as much as 50 percent
within two years.
SK's
adoption today of environmental protection as your priority program is a declaration
that you are ready to train your energies on activities that will slow down or
hopefully even reverse the harmful effects that mankind has brought on our planet,
the president stressed.
BAMBOO,
NIKKI GIL PLEASE FANS
As
expected, the SK environmental campaign with Bamboo and Nikki Gil would be a blast.
Pinoy
rock band Bamboo, the group behind the hit songs Noypi, Tatsulok and Halleluia
performed in a special concert, the biggest gathering of youth in Bohol exclusively
presented by SK headed by Cajes.
While
Bamboo was performing on stage, teenagers had tried to sing with the front man
Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac. The more than 6,000 warm bodies inside
the Bohol Wisdom gym looked like a giant wave joining Bamboo singing Himala, Tatsulok,
Noypi, Awit ng Kabataan, Don't Wait for Tomorrow, Halleluia, etc.
Lead
vocalist Bamboo Mañalac, guitarist Ira Cruz, bassist Nathan Azarcon and
drummer Vic Mercado expressed their support in song.
Monica
Pauline Santos Gil, popularly known as Nikki Gil, almost quit showbiz because
she suffered from burnout while juggling roles as a TV host, singer, actress and
college student.
She
graduated from Shekinah Christian Training Center in March 2004 as batch valedictorian.
In 2009, she graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University majoring in English
Literature.
In
2007, Gil did her first movie appearance by doing a cameo role as John Lloyd Cruz's
girlfriend for "One More Chance." Currently, she is scheduled to appear
in an upcoming movie by Star Cinema starring Vilma Santos, Luis Manzano and John
Lloyd Cruz and in an upcoming independent film with Marvin Agustin.
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