Earthday Jam 2017by Bam Azores | 01-05-2017 10:20 |
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     Earth Day was celebrated in a major way as always here in the Philippines. It's about a whole week of celebrations and the last one was the Earthday Jam held at the Rizal Park in Manila, which is symbolic since that area is designated as kilometer Zero for road distances the entire Philippines. Holding this concert on April 28, 2017 in Kilometer Zero is symbolic of the efforts of environmentalists to reach the farthest corners of the country. What is Earthday Jam? This is the longest running free environmental concert in the Philippines and the world since it started 17 years ago, which means I was barely 2 years old when it started. This year, the concert goers were estimated to be at 11,000 people who watched more than 20 celebrities and bands perform. Interspersed with the live performances were interviews with experts on environmental issues led by Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez. One of the NGOs invited to speak this year is our Friends of the Seven Lakes Foundation. We were represented by Fr. JL Calampiano, Secretary General of the Vicar General of the Diocese of San Pablo and mydad Bobby. Father JL spoke about Pope Francis' encyclical entitled Laudato si: Caring for our Common Home. My dad answered questions about the issues faced by our lakes.This was our third year of participation in the Earthday Jam, which started in 2015 and again in 2016 when I got invited to speak about environmental concerns from the perspective of young people. This year's performers included well known Original Pilipino Music performers such as Kitchie Nadal, rapper Abra, Autotelic, Brat pack, Brownman Revival, Chicosci, Gloc 9, Gracenote, Imago, Mayonnaise, Moonstar88, Noel Cabangon, Philia, Rouge and Slapshock. In an interview before the concert, our friend, Ms. Lou Bonnevie, founder of the Earthday Jam Foundation said: ?Many of our young people today have not been to Rizal Park. Earthday Jam 2017 will give them this opportunity to discover the 8th most beautiful park in the world! With all these great OPM talents performing in such a beautiful and historical place—this jam will definitely be memorable for everyone who will come. On April 28, we will again shout to the world and indicate our commitment to help in preserving the environment and keeping our country a nice place to live in.? Added some photos |
