INVOKING THE SPIRIT of the papal encyclical Laudato Si’, the San Beda College Alumni Foundation (SBCAF), along with the San Beda Junior Marketing Association (SBJMA), the San Beda Student Council (SC), and the Kapisanan ng Agham ng San Beda (KASB) launched the “Katutubong Puno” initiative during the opening day of Pista ng Sto. Niño sa San Beda 2024.
The activities under the initiative all fall into the theme of environmental consciousness, starting off with a talk on the importance of Laudato Si’ and the global problems brought about by climate change, some opening remarks from the project’s head, Prof. Jojo Villamin, as well as words from SBCAF Board of Trustees members Mr. Mukesh S. Advani and Atty. Constantino L. Navarro III, and the University Rector-President, Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma. Maranan, OSB.
Tree Planting Event
A Pamiyoten tree, a small native tree in the Philippines, was planted along the main flagpole at the University Plaza. The event was graced by the presence of esteemed guests such as the respective deans, administrators, and student-leaders from the colleges of the University.
According to the chairperson for the Katutubong Puno initiative, Edriane Tabor, the spot where the Pamiyoten tree was planted used to be home to the Mangkono tree, the official tree of San Beda University (SBU), which is also known as the “Philippine Iron Wood.”
The goals and the vision for planting this tree are part of the long-term actions of the University anchored towards its initiative for Laudato Si’. The University and its administration shared hopes for the tree to become a reminder on the importance of stewardship and the protection of God’s creation, especially in succeeding years.
Katutubong Puno Exhibit Opening
The tree-planting event was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Katutubong Puno Exhibit at the Sabater Lobby. The exhibit featured photos of the native trees found in the Philippines and the special connection SBU has with them. The pictures were taken from the photo contest hosted by the SBCAF.
The trees highlighted in the exhibit were the Alagaw tree, Antipolo tree, Malabulak tree, Mangkono tree, Chinese Banyan tree, and the Alstonia Scholaris or Blackboard tree.
The exhibit also gave background on the “Kalikasan Program” by the initative, featuring the program’s beginnings in 2009 up until its last implementation back in 2015.
SBCAF Katutubong Puno Seminar
Featuring a panel discussion with guest speakers such as Ms. Ma. Edcy Talavera Dayon, Ms. Imelda Sarmiento, and Mr. Mhark Ian Abrias II, MBA, the seminar focused on the importance of Katutubong Puno to the Bedan community, along with the panel’s knowledge and insights on implementing environmental conservation and cultural preservation.
This was done through a roundtable discussion mainly attended by the students from the Department of Marketing Management.
The seminar was held at the Pamanang Bedista and was livestreamed through the SBCAF Katutubong Puno Facebook page.
At the program’s conclusion, Tabor expressed his thanks to the SBCAF, SBJMA, and KASB for their management and organization of the event. He concluded by sharing that “each and every one of us” who follows stewardship for our native trees is contributing towards our “legacy as Bedans.”