...the 'green' celebrity advocates

'Born To Be Wild': 1st ASEAN champion of Biodiversity in Media; celebs, directors campaign for Underground River

 

By ALEX VALENTIN BROSAS

June 2, 2011

Manila Bulletin

 

 

Kiko Rustia says 'Born To Be Wild' is meant to bring valuable environmental information to as many people as possible

MANILA, Philippines – GMA-7 adds another feather in its cap with “Born To Be Wild” adjudged as first ASEAN champion of Biodiversity in Media, beating 11 other finalists in Southeast Asia.

Overwhelmed by the show’s success, host Kiko Rustia quipped, “We’ve really been working hard. (It’s) meant to bring environmental information to the people, to the masses.”

Angeli Atienza, program manager of the show, says, “It’s a huge honor for us.”

“Pakiramdam namin dala namin hindi lang ‘yung bandera ng GMA pero ‘yung bandera ng Pilipinas,” Atienza said on “24 Oras,” June 1.

The show’s simplicity, coupled with various information about the environment, made it a winner. This is according to Rodrigo Fuentes, Executive Director, ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, who said, “It’s a very effective program. Simple lang tapos fast-paced and then ‘yung information that was being shown makikita agad.”

In another environment-related story, celebrities and indie directors have joined hands in the campaign to make Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Celebrities like Piolo Pascual, Christian Bautista, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Jed Madela, Diether Ocampo and John Prats have appeared in various campaigns to promote awareness of the environmental program. Currently, the Puerto Princesa River is on 11th place among  28 finalists. The deadline for voting is on Nov. 10, 2011.

ABS-CBN Foundation President Gina Lopez, Cannes Filmfest Best Director Brillante Mendoza and other indie directors have come together to help boost the chances of the Puerto Princesa Underworld River in the Seven Wonders of the World poll. A TV-movie project that promotes anti-mining activities in Palawan has already started. Also in the planning stage is a “Maalaala Mo Kaya” special about mining in Palawan, inspired by slain environmentalist and broadcast journalist Gerry Ortega.

“They are protected forests for protected place like Palawan. Dapat talaga walang mining. Napaka-alarming, kailangan  talaga may gawin ka. Sobrang manhid mo na lang bilang mamamayan kundi mo maramdaman ‘yung nangyayari,” Mendoza stated on “TV Patrol” the same night.

Singer Noel Cabangon sang the theme song for longest subterranean river in the world in the campaign launch, which included video screenings. A recent discovery of the 20 million old fossil of a dugong was one of the highlights of the launch. Also shown in the video campaign was President Noynoy Aquino asking everyone to help in environmental advocacies.

Palawan Mayor Edward Hagedorn is confident that “kahit mag-number one, mag-number seven tayo. Basta one of the seven wonders ‘yan.”

To create more awareness about the campaign, this Sunday, OPM and Ms. Philippines-Earth beauty pageant will mount “Tunog Wonder Ground” concert at the Quezon City Circle.