Miss Earth Foundation Earth Day 2009 Month-Long Celebration
08 Apr 09 -- April is indeed a celebration for the Earth for the Miss Earth Foundation.
Aside from the girls participation in Earth Hour last March 28 and a Climate Change 101 talk by the foundation’s Executive Director, Catherine Untalan at the Carousel Gardens on March 31, a long list of activities awaits this year’s contenders for the most coveted Miss Philippines-Earth crown.
On April 3, 20 ladies went on a I LOVE MY PLANET EARTH COMMUNITY TOUR and learned more about the story behind the success of Rags2Riches who does not only help minimize the garbage problem but also uplifts the quality of lives of the women in Payatas. Reese Fernandez, Executive Vice-President of RIIR, gave the talk in the School of Fashion and the Arts co-owned by one of their bag designers, Amina Aranaz. These fashionable bags made of garment discards are currently being sold at the Aranaz Shop in Rockwell.
On April 14, the environmental seminar will be aptly held at the Eco-Academy Multi-Purpose Hall of the La Mesa Eco-Park (courtesy of Ms. Darryn Yu and Mr. Eduardo Pardo) where they will learn about how to live the green lifestyle with Mr. Dylan Wilk and Ms. Anna Meloto-Wilk of Gawad Kalinga and Human Heart Nature, a line of 100% chemical free, 100% Philippine ingredients and 100% organic personal care products and Mr. Joey Papa of Bangon Kalikasan Movement who will discuss about Solid Waste Management based on the almost decade old law, RA 9003. Girls will bring their own reusable utensils and refillable water bottles for that day to realize how they can minimize their waste with those simple acts. Meals will also be eco-friendly packed courtesy of Binalot. SEDP-USAID will facilitate fun-filled activities for the 50 candidates.
On April 15, the girls will lead the delegation of Makati for the annual Tigil Buga Movement. Now on its 3rd year, participants will now ask the motorists along Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas to shut off their engines for 5 minutes, 4 minutes longer than the traditional 1-minute shut-off. Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry and her Philippine court of honor will entertain the kids afterwards with a storytelling session of the story, Bakawan. This is in partnership with the City Government of Makati.
KILUS Foundation, started by Councilor Andy Santiago, a former Barangay Captain of Brgy. Ugong in Pasig will be the destination of 20 candidates on April 17 for its 2nd I LOVE MY PLANET EARTH COMMUNITY TOUR. They will be toured around the cleanest, greenest and most progressive barangay in the said city. Girls will also have the chance to witness how doy packs are transformed into beautiful bags by the women of the community. On April 18, a group will also participate in the different Earth Day activities of the People’s Management Association of the Philippines at the Quezon City Memorial Circle for the 3rd I LOVE MY PLANET EARTH COMMUNITY TOUR. This tour continues to Mandaluyong on its 4th stop on April 20.
Will any of the participants from the Miss Earth Foundation finish the 40KM bike ride for the Tour of the Fireflies this year? We will find out on April 19 as the girls bring out their bikes to campaign for clean-air and healthy lifestyle.
Further strengthening the call for clean air, MEF together with GRIPP, leaders of the Electric Jeepneys will have a pollution-free motorcade to jumpstart the Earth Day celebration on April 22 from the Mall of Asia to Quezon City Circle. This act aims to call the attention of the public to switch to cleaner transportation alternatives and technologies.The foundation will also participate in the activities spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the afternoon. Candidates and reigning queens will visit the EchoStore at 4pm in Serendra, Taguig to learn more about environmental and social enterprises and organic products available in the market for the 5th I LOVE MY PLANET EARTH COMMUNITY TOUR.
A group of candidates will leave Manila on April 23 to extend the I LOVE MY PLANET EARTH COMMUNITY TOUR to the Municipality of Hagonoy for several activities that will include a fluvial parade and Memorandum of Agreement for the planting of 2,000 mangrove seedlings in the place. The community tour will continue on April 24 at BRGY. BAHAY TORO, QUEZON CITY, April 28 at SMOKEY MOUNTAIN with the supervision of environmental priest, Fr. Ben Beltran who is very instrumental in the construction of the Eco-Church in the said area, in Cainta, Rizal on April 29 for a palengke tour for the Magbalik Bayong Campaign and on April 30 at Gawad Kalinga Village in Taguig for storytelling session of Bakawan with the children.
Miss Earth Foundation is proud to take part in the Miss Philippines-Earth 2009 pageant in helping mould future environment ambassadresses who will take on the honor and responsibility to send the important message across.
Miss Earth Foundation...setting a legacy for beauty and responsibility.
MS. CATHERINE Y. UNTALAN
Executive Director, Miss Earth Foundation
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