TWO separate events early last week recognized people who don’t break into public consciousness as often as they should. Last week, onstage and under the spotlight were role models.
Honored in one gathering were local environment champions at the second annual Climate Reality Leadership Awards, and on the other, Filipinos from all sectors who shine in the global stage at the third annual Flare Awards.
The climate crisis a pressing global issue that could ultimately spell the end of mankind as we know it, and there are at least two crazy things about that sentence: first is that in no means was that an exaggeration; and, second, the issue’s current media presence doesn’t translate the urgency of action needed. Alas, the public gets fed more about the yawn of a superstar couple’s firstborn than, say, the fact that human civilization has only until 2030 to avert the catastrophic effects of climate change, according to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change landmark report issued early last month.
It’s easy to lose hope, especially when one doesn’t know where to look for it, or when none seems to exist at all. To remind people that all is not lost on this environmental battle, that this current course toward doom can still be corrected, is the very foundation of the Climate Reality Leadership Awards.
Now on its second year, the advocacy program recognizes important movers in climate-change mitigation efforts in the Philippines.
The event is spearheaded by The Climate Reality Project Philippines, the pioneering nonprofit organization established by world-renowned climate advocate, Nobel Laureate and former US Vice President Al Gore. The group is composed of more than 700 Filipino climate reality leaders, from climate scientists to communicators, from policy-makers to academicians, all personally trained by Gore.
“We are going to win this [battle against the climate crisis]. We have to, and we will. But we have to win it in time,” Gore said in a video message delivered at the event, which, down to the smallest detail, kept true to the advocacy it supports. Held at the National Museum of Natural History, the gathering handed out trophies made of recycled materials and lined up buffet tables that served vegetarian-friendly food, as studies show that half of greenhouse gases come from livestock.
According to Rodne Galicha, head of the Climate Reality Project Philippines, they saw the need to drumbeat the efforts of people from all sectors who are doing their job to address the climate crisis to encourage more people to do the same.
This year, the Climate Reality Leadership Awards recognized 36 awardees. The highest honor of the Luntiang Kapawa Award was given to Victoria Tauli-Corpuz of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, for advancing the stewardship role of IPs, especially with regard to natural resources found in ancestral domains.
Another special category is the Luntiang Aligato Award for Journalism, handed to media personalities who shed light on critical environmental issues. Among the awardees were Atom Araullo, Howie Severino, Voltair Tupaz, Imelda Abano and BusinessMirror’s Jonathan Mayuga.
The focus for the event’s second iteration, according to Galicia, is to send the message that nothing can be used as an excuse for inaction over the issue.
“We need to show developed nations that while our carbon emission is minimal, we’re doing something; although we are vulnerable and faced by a lot of typhoons, we are doing something,” he said.
The Climate Reality Project Philippines head added that the trophies handed were more than just a token for past works, but a challenge to continue the battle moving forward.
“It’s a commitment,” Galicha said. “Once they accept the award, it’s their commitment to sustain the cause.”
Meanwhile, Filipinos who continue to make their mark at the world stage got the nod at the third annual Flare Awards.
Organized by the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines, or Ibpap, the event traditionally pays homage to the standouts of Philippine information technology and business process management industry (IT-BPM). This year, the Flare Awards extended its reach to celebrate Filipino ingenuity showcased through art, music and fashion, with the theme “Global Filipinos Powering Global Industries.”
“The arts and IT-BPM industries embody Filipino excellence, being both exceptional and internationally recognized,” said Cathy Salceda-Ileto, Ibpap vice chairman and chairman of the Flare Awards. “Our country brand Innovative Human + Tech highlights how the creativity of the global Filipino is invaluable to the global industry, especially amid emerging technologies.”
The Flare Awards meted special honors to Filipino designers Ann Ong and Kenneth Cobonpue. Recognitions were also given to the Cebu IT-BPM Organization for its role in spearheading the improvement of the IT-BPM work force in Cebu for the past 17 years with the Globe Sapphire Flare for Brilliance Award, while the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s Rural Impact Sourcing Program bagged the Ibpap Crystal Flare for Sparkler Award.
Moreover, the late former Senate President Edgardo J. Angara received posthumous honors for his contributions to the IT-BPM industry.
Proceeds from the event will support Ibpap’s various initiatives for country competitiveness.