Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan honors fallen environmentalists

The 2nd Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan took a solemn turn this year as the awarding body chose to posthumously honor three environmentalists: Gawad sa Indibidwal recipients Datu Tomas Ito and Dr. Gerry Ortega, and Natatanging Gawad recipient Leonardo Co.   The initiative started in 2009 with the aim of recognizing and honoring individuals and organizations that have made significant efforts in defending the environment and the people.   “Napapansin kasi namin na yung mga environmental awards, ang binibigyan yung mga sikat na. Pero ang theory talaga niyan, is to give awards dun sa mga ordinaryong tao at communities na may mga struggle, para mas i-encourage sila…yung initiative ng tao na ipaglaban ang kalikasan, yung ang dapat kilalanin,” said Frances Quimpo, executive director of the Center for Environmental Concerns (CEC), one of the organizations that set up the awards.   In conferring the individual awards, the judges take four factors into account: service and devotion to the people, defense of the environment and natural patrimony, leadership, and integrity.   The awarding ceremonies, held last December 7 at Miriam College, paid tribute to the memory of the three men who have literally given their lives to save the environment.   Datu Ito, an indigenous leader, died of illness on February 2, 2010, after a lifetime of protecting the Lumad in Mindanao. He was instrumental in defending their territories from the construction of power plants that could have destroyed the natural landscape.   Ortega, a wildlife veterinarian and staunch anti-mining advocate, was shot dead last January 24. His family has accused former Palawan governor Joel Reyes, whom Ortega had criticized in his anti-corruption campaigns, as the mastermind in the killing. Reyes has denied the accusation and has been cleared by a Department of Justice panel that looked into the crime.   Co, a botanist, conservation biologist and teacher, was killed on November 15, 2010, after the military allegedly opened fire on him and his team while they were in Leyte for a reforestation project. The government troops involved have denied targeting Co and said they were going after a rebel group.   “Napakaliit na hakbang ng Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan. Hindi nito matutumbasan ang buhay na inalay nina Leonardo Co, Gerry Ortega, at Datu Ito,” said Quimpo.   “Gusto naming mabigyan ng award ang mga ordinaryong tao…nagstand out talaga yung buhay nung tatlong awardees,” Quimpo added. The families of the awardees were present at the ceremony to accept the awards, including Datu Ito’s cousin, Datu Monico Ito, Ortega’s wife Patria and daughter Michaella, and Co’s wife Glenda and daughter Linnaea Mae.   As they accepted the awards, they shared with the audience stories on how their loved ones’ projects and campaigns have not been forgotten.   “Yung projects ni daddy, hindi sila namatay with his death,” said Mika Ortega. She and her mother have picked up from where Ortega left off, supporting the local communities in their anti-mining campaign, as well as raising environmental awareness.   A friend of Datu Ito also shared via video how the leader’s relentless spirit inspired them to go on: “Si Tiyo Tomas ay walang tigil sa pag-depensa sa lupaing ninuno.”   Meanwhile, Glenda Co revealed that her husband’s projects have also been taken on by a number of other groups: “Yung nasimulan niya in terms of environment, ginagawa ngayon ng UP at ng iba pang organizations. Tuloy-tuloy lang.”    “Siyempre masaya kami,” the botanist’s widow said of the award. “Pero mas masaya sana kung andito siya.” - YA, GMA News