No account yet?
Executive Feature
Tuesday, 01 February 2011 07:49    Print
Gina Lopez on Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig
Pin It

Gina LopezFrom Gina Lopez’s “From the Heart” column published in the Philippine Star on January 23, 2011. WHAT we have achieved as a confluence of effort, in a span of just almost two years, is truly remarkable. All we needed to do was look back and remind ourselves of what we’ve lost. We didn’t just forget the river, we also forgot to believe in ourselves, that together, the Filipino people can work miracles. Where once there was hopelessness, together we gave back hope. Where once there was despair, together we dreamed again. A river that once was dead, together we dare bring it back to life once more. The story behind the cleaning of the Pasig River is more than just physically cleaning the river.

When 1,216 families were moved from Estero de Paco to Calauan, Laguna—under the care of BayaniJuan—people didn’t just change their address, they also got a fresh and promising start. When 3,200 cubic meters of trash were being taken out of the estero, the creek wasn’t just cleared up, bridges were also paved between the rich and the poor who both willingly jumped in the dirty creek to clean. When the estero was being dredged, sewered and landscaped, agencies didn’t just lend their trucks and heavy equipment, an entire team was formed—one that we seldom see—merging both the government and the private sector harmoniously.

When around 200 community volunteers were trained into becoming River Warriors,Pasig River Map they didn’t just guard the river from trash, they are now dreaming bigger than they’ve ever dreamed before.

When the 10.10.10. fun run broke the Guinness Book of World Records, we didn’t just gather 116,086 runners, the world heard a solid call for a cause to challenge the impossible. The story behind cleaning the Pasig River is a story of a river reminding us of what we have forgotten. That through a united front, we can transform a hub of poverty and crime into a venue for a culture of openhandedness. Our team set out to change the river but the river ended up slowly changing us.

Recommend this article...

Comments (2)Add Comment
0
God's creation, the source of all life the Pasig River!
written by Mary Flor Rosario T. Brillantes, February 06, 2011
To quote: “A river that once was dead, together we dare bring it back to life once more.” If we try to imagine if the water coming from Pacific Ocean will not be able to pass through the Pasig River, how can there be a continues flow of water. Water is the source of all life and through this God’s creation, we continue to receive nourishment. How can there be a continues life flow if one of God’s creation specifically the Pasig River will be forgotten. Same thing will happen to the life depending on it, it will cease to exist. Giving back to Our Creator a portion which He gives to us is caring for His creation. The river is the source of water and a source where we can fish. May we continue to share the blessings given to us by bringing back the life which we took away and let God’s creation flourish.
0
...
written by Alex, February 21, 2011
If only we have more people like you Madam,I guess transformation of our country as a whole is not so far reachable.Good luck and let's do it one step at a time, we really can do better and we have to start it from ourselves

Write comment

busy
 
Banner

Your are currently browsing this site with Internet Explorer 6 (IE6).

Your current web browser must be updated to version 7 of Internet Explorer (IE7) to take advantage of all of template's capabilities.

Why should I upgrade to Internet Explorer 7? Microsoft has redesigned Internet Explorer from the ground up, with better security, new capabilities, and a whole new interface. Many changes resulted from the feedback of millions of users who tested prerelease versions of the new browser. The most compelling reason to upgrade is the improved security. The Internet of today is not the Internet of five years ago. There are dangers that simply didn't exist back in 2001, when Internet Explorer 6 was released to the world. Internet Explorer 7 makes surfing the web fundamentally safer by offering greater protection against viruses, spyware, and other online risks.

Get free downloads for Internet Explorer 7, including recommended updates as they become available. To download Internet Explorer 7 in the language of your choice, please visit the Internet Explorer 7 worldwide page.