MANILA, Sept. 9, 2011?A total of 50 youth participants from the diocese of Antipolo, Care Foundation, YouthPinoy and the Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines planted trees on a mountainous area of Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo City, September 8.
Some 300 seedlings were planted by participants from the parish youth ministry of St. John the Baptist Parish in Taytay, Rizal, students of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu Parochial School in San Mateo Rizal, some staff from ECY-NSYA, and Care foundation on the selected area.
The activity kicked off the observance of the National Tree-planting day as part of the celebration of the CBCP Year of the Youth.
ECY executive secretary Fr. Conegundo Garganta organized a simple sharing of experiences after climbing the mountain going to the site.
Fr. Alfredo Albor, Director of Care Foundation has also given participants an orientation on how to plant, why to plant and what the activity is for. The planting site is near the tip of a mountain in Antipolo City.
Although participants were not thoroughly informed that they will climb a mountain before arriving at the site, the youth nonetheless made it to the location.
Some 500 seedlings were prepared for planting but the youth were only able to plant 300 that day.
But Albor said that even though the intended number of seedlings to be planted was not met, what was accomplished was already a great contribution for the preservation of the environment.
Albor said that there is still hope from young people in this generation.
“There is quality participation among the youth who participated,” he said.
He also noted the consciousness of the youth on the importance of the activity and how it emphasized the faith dimension of their life.
Albor said that as a whole the youth has been open and ready to make a contribution in caring for the environment.
When asked about some negative feedbacks from some participants because of the unexpected mountainous climb, Albor said the feedbacks were not really negative as what it seemed.
He said it is natural to experience the difficulties of climbing the mountain, but he noted that it didn’t stop the youth from pursuing and finishing the trail.
These young people looked at each step they made going up the mountain as a challenge to move on, Albor said. (Jandel Posion)
