LIMAY, Bataan – Some members of a youth organization here on Valentine’s Day displayed a different way of celebrating the so-called “Day of the Hearts.”
Instead of the ordinary and common acts of showing affection for one another like giving of flowers, candies to loved ones, whispering messages of love, they showed the urgent need of caring for the environment while recommending some alternatives.
The group under the Young Bataeños for Environmental Advocacy Network (Young BEAN) presented placards that showed the sad state of the environment and the need to give it more love.
Jochelle Magracia, YoungBEAN chairperson, said the organization is composed of some 300 members with ages ranging from 14 to 26 years.
“Ang Valentine’s ay hindi lamang para sa mga taong nagmamahalan. Ang pagmamahal ay kailangan din ipakita sa ating kalikasan dahil ito ang nag-iisa nating tahanan, nagbibigay-buhay at kabuhayan sa atin at sa susunod na salinlahi,” Magracia said.
The youth organization is active in the campaign against coal plants and the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in Morong town, among some other issues that they consider to be hurting the fishermen, farmers, and the low-income groups.
“Ikaw lang ang nag-iisang planeta sa akin!”; “May forever pa kaya kung wasak na ang ating mundo!”; “Paigtingin ang pag-ibig sa bayan, kalikasan at planeta!” read some of the messages.
“May forever tayo sa renewable energy!”; “Dismantle BNPP!”; “Buti pa ang pagmamahalan namin ay genuine, ang rehabilitation sa Manila Bay hindi!” other placards showed.
