ANGELES CITY – “If we can do it somewhere else, why not in our own province to highlight the need to nurture the environment.”
Thus said yesterday Rubyrose “Bessie” Cagulangan-Rustia, Global Linkages for the Filipino Youth Foundation (GLFYFI), as she announced that all is set for the “Serenade for Nature,” a dinner-concert on May 28 which will benefit the massive tree-planting activity of the GLFYFI in Pampanga.
The concert-dinner featuring popular singers Christian Bautista and Karylle will be held at the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) Parade Grounds.
Rustia said her group is targeting to plant some one million trees within the span of ten minutes in July.
“We want to break an old record in Guinness. But what’s important is that we want to help generate high awareness on the value of planting to fight global warming,” said Rustia.
Last year, the GLFYFI and the Puerto Princessa Mountain Biking Society organized the Palawan Fun Ride with the help of Puerto Princessa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn. The event generated awareness on the importance of tree-planting and funds which were used to help the indigenous people in Palawan.
Last January, GLFYFI sponsored “Inang Kalikasan: Pangalagaan, Bantayan,” a docu-musicale to raise the interest of the youth in waste recycling and tree-planting campaigns. It was successfully held for three days at the Clark Education City and was attended by elementary and high school students from Central Luzon.
Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales and municipal officer June Magbalot are expected to grace the kick-off ceremony in Mabalacat on the morning of May 28. A ceremonial tree-planting activity will be held at the Mabalacat College.
Rustia said that GLFYFI would “only make it with the help of various sectors,” including government agencies and private firms.
The Philippine Army 703rd Brigade, 7th Division led by Col. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. will also participate in the massive tree-planting at the denudated section of Mt. Arayat.
Rustia said the tickets for the concert-dinner cost P3,000 each. Interested parties may call 0922-330-0833 and 0915-914-3667.
