Roots of Man
Our lives revolve around the four primal elements: earth, water, air, and fire. Combining and separating them would result into infinitely varied forms. Richness of the forest supports wildlife; depths of our sea bestow our nourishment; vastness of the sky upholds new horizons; and energy from the sun gives existence to all. But of all these natural resources, there will come a time when a great evil will threaten life, and it seems that the only means of survival is the fifth element. Until we don’t realize what it is, everything is destined for destruction.
First element
Earth is a place where life is known to exist and the threat of the ‘great evil’ is around us. Diseases like dengue, drought, storms, earthquakes, and massive pollution is a disturbance in the perfect harmony of the four elements. We are now facing an environmental situation where we no longer can ignore problems. Human health, water and food supplies, coastal development, energy supplies, and the viability of natural systems: all will be affected if climate continues to change.
Second element
Water characterizes sensory quality of fluidity. Let education flows like a river and bringglobal warming into our collective consciousness. Unlike Ilog Pasig, which is now considered as the most polluted river in Asia, dig a fountain of knowledge for all. Knowing the how’s and why’s of our mother earth could lead to better understanding about frightening consequences to us.
Third element
Air, of all the four elements is the only one to have the freedom of movement. But it seems that CFC emissions which cause the gradual thinning of the ozone layer are keeping us from our mobility. Yes! We can change the direction of the wind and turn the compass to helping save the planet. It’s not only the job of the new Aquino administration, but the entire community as well including the youth. If everyone just does a little, eventually, we will have done a lot.
Fourth element
Fire that Prometheus bestowed upon humanity was more valuable than any of the gifts humanity had received according to Greek Mythology. But over the past century technological advancement, industrial and agricultural activities have started to build-up greenhouse gaseswhich trap earth’s outgoing radiation leading to an enhanced greenhouse effect and a warmer earth. We are now at the peak of total separation of the elements.
Fifth element
The four elements are bound together by the ‘fifth element’ according to Greek Philosopher Empedocles. Principle of love - it’s the ultimate weapon against great evil. Humans are the only life forms where love could deeply root for our mother earth. We might go about our daily life and not think much of ourselves, we may not all be blessed with superhero strength, but we have one very important thing in common - we all live on the same little planet and our children and their children will all enjoy the same place. For that to happen we all need to commit to securing the environment for future generations.
- 3rd Placer
Ma. Xena L. Bautista
Essay Writing Contest (Filipino)
Direksyon ng Mundo
ODNUM. Makabagong salita - umusbong kasabay sa pag-usad ng komunikasyon at pag-angat ng agham. Sa bilis ng takbo ng ating panahon, hindi na nga makahabol si inang kalikasan at tila naliligaw ng landas dahil sa pagbubukas nito ng sanga-sangang daan patungo sa pag-unlad. Dulot nito, tila baligtad na rin ang ating pagtingin sa direksyon at pag-ikot ng MUNDO.
NOYSULOP. Mahirap tumawid sa bakod ng pag-subok. Lason sa karagatan, mga kalbong kagubatan at sulasok sa himpapawid - ito ang mga lubak sa lagusan na kailangang malampasan. Matinding init ng El Nino ang kumitil sa libo-libong yamang tubig at sumira sa malaking hektaryang pananim. Malalakas na bagyo ang bumulaga na kumalbo sa kagubatan at puminsala sa komunidad. Malalang sakit tulad ng dengue naman ang kumakalat banta sa buhay at kalusugan. Mga balakid ito dahil sa pagmamalabis at kapabayaan na dulot ng POLUSYON.
NOYSAKUDE. Unang hakbangin sa pagtahak sa kalyeng matuwid ay ang tamang kaalaman. Kompyuter, cellphone at telebisyon – ito ang nagbubukas ng tulay upang iparating sa lahat ang mahahalagang impormasyon ng pagsagip sa daigdig. Katalinuhan sa pagkilos, paggawa at paggamit ay maglalahad ng matibay na kalsada sa pag-ahon sa matarik pook ng katiwasayan. Tulad ng pinababatid ng dating Kalihim Jesli Lapus, una sa lahat - solusyon ang EDUKASYON.
NANAYAMAP. Sikapin nating bumangon sa pagkakadapa. Magkapit-bisig ang tatlong elemento ng pag-unlad - mamamayan, kabataan at pamahalaan. “Kapayapaan, Kalikasan,Kabataan… para sa kinabukasan” tulad ng awit ng yumaong si Francis Magalona, lahat tayo ay may responsibilidad. Nakalulungkot isiping ang ilog Pasig na dati’y simbulo ng buhay na Maynila ay isa na ngayong pinakamaruming ilog sa Asya dahil sa kapabayaan ng PAMAYANAN.
AYIHOLONKET. Sabayan natin ang gulong ng pag-asenso at ibahin ang manibela patungong luntiang ekonomiya. Tulad ng B-jeepney ng Bise Presidente Jejomar Binay, sa pagbiyahe ng bagong administrasyon, sikapin din nating iangkas si Inang Kalikasan. Nasa atin ang mapa upang umiwas sa lubak ng polusyon at lumiko sa makabagong TEKNOLOHIYA.
NASAKILAK. Sa dulo ng ating paglalakbay, sana’y matagpuan din natin ang inaasam na kaginhawahan. Nasa ating mga berdeng kamay ang solusyon at malapit lang ang kanto ng pag-asa. Tila masikip na eskinita ang lulusutan kung ipagpapatuloy pa natin ang kapabayaan. Ngayon ang panahon upang tayo ay tumakbo sa tamang direksyon ng mundo dahil biyaya sa atin ng Panginoon ang KALIKASAN.
-2nd Placer
Jamielyn Rosales
