Across the world, environmental problems are linked to rapid urbanization and economic development, such as air pollution, traffic congestion, garbage management and waste water services. Through these problems, people are threatened to be exposed in different illnesses that can affect their living. Reducing environmental risks worldwide could save many lives. Being concern with the destruction of Mother Earth, St. Paul University Manila in coordination with the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences formed an organization that will be committed to be protectors of the environment.
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| PES CORE GROUP |
Paulinian Environmental Society was established by a group of students from Les Mains de Saint Paul (Batch 2010) namely Ailee Garces, Rina Rodil, Vanesa Rovero, Kristine Mayo, Neville Jacinto, Christine Cano, Jhoann Medina and Ailora Masilang in collaboration with Ms. Portia Vitug, Dr. Rhoda Reyes and Ms. Wynna Marie Medina. The objectives of the society are provide public awareness/education as to the serious nature of the problem and educate/inform the students on their responsibilities as protectors of the environment; identify and obtain traditional sources for promotion of urban planting; promote the use of herbal plants as alternative source for alleviating illnesses; bring awareness about the implications of climate change in health; and instills Paulinian Values among its members to produce influential individuals that will make a difference.
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| “Give a leaf on Christmas day”, |
One of the projects of Manila Doctor’s hospital regarding environmental awareness was adapted by the group and became their first project. It was entitled: “Give a leaf on Christmas day”, which is buying a leaf or leaves then students will write their wishes for the environment. This project was organized as a fund raising activity to buy herbal plants to promote urban planting at St. Paul University Manila. Last December 2009, the first project was a success wherein nursing students from different levels and members of the nursing faculty bought a total of 856 leaves to wish for the betterment of the environment and support the society in upholding awareness about the implications of climate change in health.
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| Successful Project |
The objective of the group in pursuing this project is geared toward the institutionalization of the Paulinian Environmental Society at St. Paul University Manila. In this, the group conceptualized another project that will include other colleges in the school. Another fund raising activity was organized last university week wherein the group set-up a Paulinian Environmental Society booth for three days to persuade Paulinian students to become members of the society. The group prepared registration forms and distributed membership IDs. In line with this project, the group continued to sell the leaves and herbal plants to expand the sources of funds for future project. For continuous support of the Paulinian community, this project was a success and with this the society came up with an idea to put up “SPU Manila Urban Herbal Garden” to create an environment that will support alternative medicine, which is cheap but reliable, to increase awareness in the Paulinian society of the implications of climate change in the health of the people, how to help save Mother Earth through planting more trees and plants and advocating energy saving and environment protection. This third project was approved by the Dr. Rhoda Reyes, Dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences and Ms. Wynna Marie Medina, University president. The funds that were raised from our previous projects were used to buy herbal plants to be utilized in the herbal urban garden. We had our grand launching of the herbal garden at St. Paul university Manila with the presence of the university president Ms. Wynna Marie Medina, our moderator Ms. Portia Vitug, assistant moderator Mr. Dexter Soguilon, nursing faculty, PES officers and members. We also had the blessing of the herbal garden lead by Fr. Mark Manabat.
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| HERBAL GARDEN |
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| Membership booth |
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| Blessing of the Herbal Garden |
The Paulinian Environmental Society founding officers and members continued to be committed to be protectors of the environment as they formed an alumni project entitled “Mangrove Afforestation”. Last July 27, 2010, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture at Sariaya Quezon, the group had the opportunity to plant 600 shrubs in an open land at Sariaya, Quezon. This project will help to prevent floods and safeguard future of the people.
Destruction of Mother Earth is not only a threat to the environment but also to the quality of life. Living simply has resulted in us becoming more aware of the environment and the impact we have on it.
