date: August 1, 2008

Environment week in Miriam College

Miriam College strengthens its commitment to active environmentalism as it celebrates Environment Week on July 29 to August 2, 2008 with a series of events to highlight the theme “Maria Katipunera goes super Maki-TIPS (Tipid, Impok, Punan, Sinop).” Spearheaded by its Environmental Studies Institute (ESI), the school-wide celebration features, on opening day, the Blessing of Pets, an Environmental Mass, the launch of the Miriam College Living Museum featuring 38 indigenous species of trees around the campus, an Organic Tiangge, and an interpretation by the college chorale of an environmental song of former college president Dr. Lourdes Quisumbing. Energyrelated activities are a Renewable Energy Forum with Mr. Terrence O’Brien, Deputy Director of the California Energy Commission as speaker (July 29), and an exhibit and demonstration of vehicles using alternative energy. Miriam students and guests get the opportunity to ride a solar-powered jeepney around the campus throughout the week, as well as try out the “padyak” pedicab as option to air-polluting tricycles. “We want to promote a healthier lifestyle among our students and their families through environment-friendly activities,” says Dr. Donna Paz Reyes, ESI Executive Director. “We want to show them that there are many simple yet creative ways of protecting the environment, which could greatly help preserve and nurture it for the present and next generations to enjoy. All we need is to change some of our habits and take even the smallest steps to make a difference. Environmentalism is one of our core values which include truth, justice, peace, and the integrity of creation”.

source: www.mc.edu.ph .