Rockwell Business Center Tower 3 in Pasig City buzzed with excitement on June 4 as the Lopez Group kicked off “Kapamilya Para sa Kapaligiran,” the annual series of activities commemorating Philippine Environment Month. The whole-day event brought together Lopez Group foundations, corporate social responsibility teams and partners to celebrate and collaborate on their shared advocacy for environmental sustainability.

The festivities began with an inspiring welcome message from Mercedes Lopez Vargas (MLV), president and executive director of Lopez Group Foundation Inc. (LGFI). She cited the Lopez Group’s work to safeguard the environment by way of projects such as the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) BINHI greening program and the La Mesa Watershed rehabilitation led by the late ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) managing director Gina Lopez. More recently, the Lopez Group Environment Cluster and other Lopez Synergy in Action clusters activated environmental, humanitarian and livelihood initiatives in Batangas.

Following MLV’s appreciation for the organizations’ dedication to environmental awareness and action, Dr. Rodel Lasco delivered a compelling video message in “What’s the Big Picture?” He emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing environmental challenges.

Noting that 2023 was the hottest year on record, the executive director of OML Center and chair of the Environment Cluster said: “The time for action is now,” adding that it was the best way to honor former chairman emeritus Oscar M. Lopez.

Attendees were treated to insightful plenary sessions, starting with a discussion on the role of the private sector in protecting protected areas by Elpidio Gelera Jr., senior ecosystems management specialist of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau’s national parks division.

The country, to date, has a total of 248 protected areas covering 7.79 million hectares. These are protected and maintained using the Integrated Protected Areas Fund, which comes from fees, fines or penalties, endowments, contributions from industries and voluntary or legislated payments; 75% of the fund is used for the upkeep of the areas while 25% goes to the Bureau of the Treasury which will utilize it to finance various projects.

Gelera’s talk was followed by chief sustainability officer Agnes de Jesus’ session on First Philippine Holdings Corporation’s (FPH) pathway to decarbonization, illustrating the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.

De Jesus enumerated the steps taken by FPH since 2020, when it translated the company’s mission—to forge collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future—into a business strategy. Through the years, FPH’s endeavors have taken them from capacity building to determining decarbonization strategies, targets and metrics. De Jesus stressed the need for collaboration to amplify the Lopez Group’s actions, especially as focus turns to scaling up the decarbonization efforts.

The morning’s last talk focused on business engagement for nature-based solutions or NbS presented by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) regional director for Asia and Oceania Dr. Dindo Campilan, showcasing how businesses can integrate such actions into their business strategy and operations.

NbS, according to the IUCN, are “actions to address societal challenges through the protection, sustainable management and restoration of ecosystems, benefiting both biodiversity and human wellbeing.”

Campilan underscored the importance of taking a “whole of nature” approach as we deal with the triple threats of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution.

The afternoon session featured the Greenflix environmental film marathon, which utilized different films to create awareness and encourage discussions on sustainable development and climate change. Excerpts from Sagip Pelikula’s restored films “Biyaya ng Lupa” (1959), “Nunal sa Tubig” (1976), “Tisoy!” (1977), and “John & Marsha ’85 (Sa Probinsya)” (1985) were shown alongside select films from OML Center’s “Mga Kwento ng Klima (MKK) Short Films” collection, including 2022’s “Baga” and “Those Who Were Drowned and Missing,” and 2023’s “Alien,” “Fish Be With You?!,” and “Uwan Init.”

This was followed by full screenings of Knowledge Channel’s “Puno ng Buhay” episode on “Global Climate Phenomenon,” MKK short films “Airconditional,” “Dalaw,” “Old Times,” “Groot Chat” and “Tumba Balay,” and Sagip Pelikula’s “Biyaya ng Lupa.” The films featured various environmental and climate realities which left viewers considering the need for urgent action.

Adding to the festive atmosphere were interactive activities like Knowledge Channel’s “Knowledge on the Go” and other envi-themed games designed to educate and engage participants in a fun and memorable way. EDC, OML Center and AFI hosted mini games for participants to take part in and win prizes.

The event featured booths from organizations under the Lopez Group and other partner organizations, each showcasing their products and advocacies related to the environment.

Adarna House Inc. featured books about the environment, encouraging environmental literacy. Back to Basics EcoStore offered eco-friendly produce, promoting sustainable consumption. EDC BINHI highlighted their tree planting and conservation initiatives. Don Bosco School of Theology introduced its training course on theology, ecology and technology called the Laudato Si’ Certified Environmental Trainer program. Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) promoted environmental awareness and sustainable practices among the youth through Knowledge Channel’s learning resources. Nayong Pilipino Foundation highlighted the integration of cultural and environmental heritage.

OML Center focused on its climate change-related advocacies, while SEAMEO SEARCA emphasized their grants and scholarships for Southeast Asian environmental and agricultural education and research. The Climate Reality Project Philippines promoted climate action and awareness. USAID and Gerry Roxas Foundation showcased their Project INSPIRE grants.

The “Kapamilya Para sa Kapaligiran”-themed Lopez Envi Festival underscores the Lopez Group’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development. By bringing together diverse organizations, the event fostered a spirit of collaboration in tackling environmental issues and promoting eco-friendly practices.

The celebration of World Environment Month through this festival marked a significant step towards a greener future, demonstrating the power of collective action and the vital role of the private sector in driving environmental sustainability.

Companies followed up the Lopez Envi Festival kickoff with their own activities. The next day, World Environment Day, saw the anniversary celebration of the EDC BINHIRafael Salas Arboretum in Negros Occidental, and the memorandum of agreement signing and soft launch of the EDC BINHI Open University Arboretum in Los Baños, Laguna. Also on June 5, the preserved Geothermica was unveiled at the National Museum of Natural History in Manila. The 19-year-old male Philippine eagle, nicknamed “Geo,” passed away late last year.

First Philec conducted a two-part environmental talk, “Growing Together with First Philec,” on June 7 and June 15, bookending the Rizal River cleanup activity of EDC Bacman in Sorsogon City.

KCFI, meanwhile, dedicates its pre-prime time block to special programming throughout the Envi Month celebration. Catch episodes of “G Diaries,” “Wow” and “Kwentong Kalikasan” from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; and “Agham Aralin” at 5.40 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday this June.

The festival brought back the improved Healthy Steps Challenge, which also began on June 4 using the Pacer app

Upcoming events include as tree-planting activity at the EDC BINHI Arboretum at The Grove, Nayong Pilipino with First Balfour on June 22; a mangrove tree-planting with the Alliance of Mangrove Planting Organization on June 25; the launch of the EDC BINHI Eastern Visayas State University Philippine Eagle Foundation Arboretum on June 27 to be followed by the release of the Philippine eagle on June 28; and the culminating activity, Walk the Talk Reimagined, on June 29.

For more information on these and other activities, interested parties may contact the event hosts.

LGFI president and executive director Cedie Lopez Vargas imparts an inspiring message

DENR-BMB senior ecosystems management specialist Elpidio Gelera Jr.

FPH chief sustainability officer Agnes de Jesus

IUCN regional director for Asia and Oceania Dr. Dindo Campilan

Hosts Mae Mangubos of OML Center and Jerrie Gaoiran of Third Gen

The attendees listen with rapt attention to the morning’s speakers

Checking out the exhibit featuring Lopez Group members and partner organizations

OML Center’s Kato Sarmiento (left) takes a question

One of the compelling images that hooked the audience during the film marathon