SUSTAINING THE MISSION of Pope Francis to “advance environmental protection and justice,” the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) held a series of festivities last October 4 to celebrate San Beda University’s (SBU) first anniversary of becoming a Laudato Si’ University, with the theme “To Hope and Act with Creation in the Journey Towards the Jubilee Year.”  

The University Rector-President, Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma A. Maranan, OSB, highlighted the steadfast commitment of the institution in advocating for actions to protect the planet, through projects and activities such as lectures, art exhibits, and provided access to environmental learning resources that “ratified its pledge to care for God’s creation.” 

“Parang kahapon lamang, tayo ay nagkasama upang simulan at itagyuod na tayo ay maging katulong, kaakbay, at kaunabay ni Papa Francis upang ating maipakita ang pagmamahal sa ating Inang Kalikasan, at tunay na hindi natin binigo ang ating mga pangako para sa kanya. Hindi lamang para sa kanya, ngunit ito’y pagtugon natin sa ating pagmamahal sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pagmamahal sa ating kalikasan,” Rev. Fr. Maranan expressed in his opening remarks.  

Lakbay para sa kalikasan  

The institutional celebration kicked off with a Laudato Si’ walk titled “Lakbay Para sa Kalikasan” along Mendiola Street. The walk spanned from Mendiola, Conception Aguila and Jose P. Laurel Street with a bike parade exhibited and led by the Bedan Bikers. 

Students, administrators, and staff attended the walk while carrying banners and placards instilling messages to reaffirm the University’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Contents of said placards included “Let us BEDA-One to make the change,” “Once a Bedan, Always an Eco-Guardian,” and “Hand in Hand for the Land,” to name a few.   

Eucharistic celebration and program  

Following the walk, a Eucharistic Mass was celebrated at the St. Placid’s Sports Center, presided over by Rev. Fr. Maranan, who emphasized that the inaugural year of the University as a Laudato Si’ institution sought a “deeper spiritual call and practical care for God’s creation.”  

“This is our institutional manifestation to the world that in our own little way, we are responding to the call of his holiness, Pope Francis, to really make our environment, our mother earth, a safe, happy, and healthy place to live for the coming generations,” he added. 

Following the Eucharistic celebration, Rev. Fr. Maranan expressed that “Hindi natin binigo ang ating mga pangako,” extending his recognition to the dedication of the Bedan community in forwarding initiatives as a testament to their reverence to God and his creation. 

Afterwards, two guest speakers offered their inspirational messages to the Bedan community. Ms. Elvira Yap Go, President of Anak TV Philippines and the Ambassador to the Vatican City Gravissimum Educationis Foundation and Global Compact Education, focused on describing the students as “‘the light” while carrying the challenges to “give hope and do action to inspire others.” 

Moreover, Ms. Go emphasized that “If you want to be the light, you have to know your mission,” indicating the vital role of youth in pioneering and shaping responsible environmental construction. 

Following Ms. Go’s speech, Mr. Rodney Galicha, Executive Director of the Living Laudato Si’ Philippines, pointed out how “God loves us, and Christ saves us,” explaining that the Holy Spirit has been rendered to us to be our guide in pursuit of the ecological reformation.  

In an interview with The Bedan, Ms. Go explained that the students serve as “ambassadors of peace and hope” in the mission to transform society into a place inhabitable to future generations.  

“Your role now is how to serve this next generation that will follow in your footsteps; be an example to your younger brother and sister–that will be your mission. You have to protect them. Give them the best environment when they grow up.”  

Later in the program, Dr. Divina M. Edralin, the Vice President for Academics, presented a Laudato Si’ accomplishment report while simultaneously launching the manual action for the institution’s response to Laudato Si.’ 

Recycling drive and water dispenser launch  

Subsequently, the CAS Student Council (SC) spearheaded a recycling drive, titled Make it Green, at St. Maur’s Hall in line with the celebration of the anniversary. The event launched a segregating waste bin together with water dispensers in a ribbon-cutting program. 

While initially planned as a full-day campus cleanup drive, the recycling drive was changed to half a day after face-to-face classes resumed in the afternoon. In addition, the rainy weather conditions played a role in the sudden shift of the SC’s activity.  

In an interview SC President Mari Okol emphasized that, despite the sudden shift of plans, the intention to uphold the concept of Laudato Si’ “remain unchanged.” 

“The main intention behind this [event] was to provide students with an opportunity to participate through the concept of Laudato Si’. What does that mean? Caring for our campus, ensuring we have a clean environment, and contributing to our common home. Even though the execution shifted, the intention remained,” she explained.  

The items collected during the drive were sorted, and preparations were made to transform them into resources that would help the University and its students in connection with the Laudato Si’ movement. 

Nevertheless, the SC remains “hopeful” that the original cleanup drive would be rescheduled. Updates on the progress of the recycling drive and future events will be announced through the SC’s official Facebook page. 

 (with Nityananda Dasi Santos and Cass Manao)