Tree planting on the 10th Anniversary month of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’

A tree planting activity was held at the SVD (Society of the Divine Word) Farm’s St. Peter’s Fishpond and Gazebo in commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, On Care for Our Common Home, on May 3.

The encyclical was published on May 24, 2015. 

“Thanks to everyone who took part in caring for our common home. Your hands helped plant not just trees, but also hope and healing for the Earth. Together, let’s continue to live out our call and be stewards of creation,” said the organizers in its social media posts.

Earlier on April 26 this year, in celebration of the SVD’s 150th Founding Anniversary, a musical-interpretative dance show dubbed “In the Light of the Word Concert “ was held at SVD Tagaytay Gymnasium.

Consisting of a 3 p.m. matinee and 7 p.m. gala shows, each show started with a short memorial service as a tribute to the Holy Father Pope Francis, who was interred in Rome at 4:00 p.m. Philippine time on the same day.

“Lolo Kiko must have been happy to see the splendid performances of the participants coming from the different sectors associated with the SVDs: the Alternative Learning System (ALS) students, the SVD Tagaytay youth and kids, the employees (our co-missionaries), the scholastics, the postulants, and the DWIMS (Divine Word Institute of Mission Studies) and the SVD priests themselves,” said the organizers.

Meantime, in two towns in the Oriental Mindoro island province, 300 volunteers observed the annual Bamboo Volunteer Day 2025 on May 1, themed “Green Future with Bamboo: Resilient, Renewable, Regenerative,” at Gelacio I. Yason Foundation Family Farm School in Roxas and Rada Ecofarm in Mansalay.

Twenty belly bamboos were planted in Roxas, while 30 giant bamboos were planted in Mansalay.

On its third year, Bamboo Volunteer Day brings together community volunteers, local leaders, students, farmers, environmental advocates, and partners to promote bamboo planting as a natural solution for climate change resilience, environmental conservation, and sustainable livelihoods, said Dr. Marius Panahon, PhD, Vice President for Administration and Developmental Projects of Bamboo Warriors of the Philippines (BWP).

Through hands-on activities like bamboo planting, eco-education sessions, and community engagement programs, the event highlights bamboo’s crucial role in soil erosion control, carbon sequestration (capturing carbon from the atmosphere), biodiversity conservation, and providing eco-friendly livelihood opportunities.

The day is more than just planting bamboo — it's about building a movement for greener, more resilient communities. It also fosters partnerships among government agencies, non-government organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector toward long-term ecosystem restoration and rural development.

The event was led by the BWP and Mindoro Movement for Change (MMC) with their partners.

The BWP is a private initiative that was convened by Clarita Carlos, former national security adviser, along with her friends, colleagues, and other retirees, to take on the mission of reforesting the country through “Kawayan ng Bayan” (bamboo of the nation) as “consolidator of initiatives,” said Aurma Manlangit, the executive director.

Next year’s Bamboo Day will be hosted by Eastern Mindoro College and HN Organic Farm in Bongabong town.

“Our collective goal is to localize the Kawayanan ng Bayan initiative, paving the way for the establishment of a National Bamboo Volunteer Day by 2027. With the target date set for May 1, 2027, and upon the concurrence of our BWP President and Executive Officer, along with the Board of Trustees, we commit to begin preparations for this milestone event,” said BWP.

“We envision holding the 2027 celebration in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, in strong partnership with the academe and civil society organizations, to amplify our shared advocacy for sustainability, resilience, and environmental regeneration,” it added.