DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) — Various students and organizations here joined the first environmental digital poster making and music video competition conducted by the Environmental and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) of the provincial government.
The contest showcased the youth’s creativity and expressing their concerns about pollution and climate change through digital posters and original music videos as well as foster a culture of environmental responsibility among the youth.
The ENRD has announced the winners during the awarding ceremony held at the Provincial Convention Center.
Leabelle Vistacion and her team of Extra Ordinary Customer Experience or ECE got the first prize with P20,000 in the music video contest, followed by Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) Life Science Society who received P15,000 and P10,00 for Ramoscian Features who secured the second and third prizes, respectively.
In the digital poster making category, Rujan Angcot received P10,000 as first prize winner, while Dhanice Ella Enjaca and Kate Ann R. Tolete took second place and third place along with P7,000 and P5,000 cash prizes, respectively.
Maricar Vailoces, a 23-year-old participant in the digital poster competition, said she hopes to influence others about environmental conservation.
“In relation to the environment, I may not be good at speaking, but through arts and music, I see an opportunity to convey my message about the environment,” Vailoces said.
Yasmien Joanne Torres, a biology student from NORSU, said their music video aims to highlight the importance of environmental care by the younger generation.
“It impacted us in a way to encourage and reach out to others. The message in our video is that change starts with us, and as biology students, we hope to create activities that can help the environment in the future,” she added.
Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Julius Sabac, in his message, encouraged the youth to take active roles in environmental conservation and protection activities.
“Kamong mga kabataan, we need to start, pag hindi ngayon, kailan? Pag hindi tayo, sino?” Sabac said.
(You, the youth, we need to start, if not now, then when? If not us, then who?)
Lucena Amaro of ENRD said they hope to continue this initiative in the following years to encourage and advocate for youth involvement in environmental conservation and restoration. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental with reports from Joriz Angel Palermo, SU Intern)
