Gina Lopez

A pleasant morning to everyone especially to those nature lover. I am here in front of you

to speak about a woman. A woman that inspired thousands of people. A woman who

believes that humanity is still alive. And a woman who gives her all not just to people but to

nature. An ironwoman as I call her, Regina Paz La'O López also known as Gina Lopez. I was

always wanted to meet her someday. She inspired me to believe, to know the worth of an

object. And believe it or not, I dreamed to be like her someday and I was thinking on

studying agriculture. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it. But before that, please bare and

listen to me, as for I will speak about the good contribution of Gina Lopes here in the

Philippines.

First, Lopez initiated rehabilitation of the Pasig River and nearby urban streams through

the “Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig” project. The Pasig River is one of the most polluted and

toxic river systems in the Philippines today. Her efforts in the commission led to a river

rehabilitation revolution which cleansed numerous tributaries in the Pasig river system.

Now imagine if Lopez didn’t make a move and left the river uncleansed. Are we still going

to sing the song “Anak ng Pasig” until the next generation? Second, she initiated Bantay

Bata 163, the country’s first media-based hotline. Yes, I said she cared about nature and

we're part of it. Because we are one with nature. She cared about the children who go

hungry because of poverty, the children that doesn't have any parents, and the children

who lived down the boardwalk. And lastly, Lopez also launched the Save Palawan

Movement along with her partner organizations and gathered 7 million signatures for a

petition for protection of key biodiversity areas and against mining. Lopez was a vehement

anti-mining advocate, known for her stance against large-scale mining in the province
of Palawan. She backed the No Mining In Palawan Movement. She also objected to the use

of fossil fuels as sources of energy and coal mining.

My point to this is, imagine the whole world if all human would be like her. There'll be no

more wars. Jungles and forests are still standing. And children won’t go hungry. I am

speaking here to inspire or to give you the knowledge that we still have the chance. Let us

all continue the path that Gina Lopez has left unfinished. She's saving Earth in a big way but

we all know she started in a small way so let’s start there too. Because I believe, humanity

is still alive, and with humanity we can save our home.