Welcome to the StarLife Sunday Website

ADVOCATES' FIRST ANNIVERSARY
Protecting the
Siquijor Environment
H Rudy Reveche

It was an occasion of celebration Sunday last week at Olang, Maria, an upland area in Siquijor island. Siquijor officials and guests came to mark the first anniversary of the Siquijor Environmental Advocates, Inc., a non-governmental organization committed to the protection of ecology in the island.

The celebration was held at the rising 5-ha. Centro Arteolang, dubbed as the future site of a village for artists in the Visayas. It is being established by Eufemia 'Minnie' Solomon Crouse, an award-winning visual arts, who despite her ailment - avascular necrosis or 'death of bone' - has remained active in the crusade to safeguard the environment (StarLife Sunday will feature Minnie's story in next week's issue).

Siquijor Vice Governor Carl Mark Ganhinhin, a prime mover of the organization, reiterated his support to Siquijor Environmental Advocates during the anniversary program. The anniversary activities included a mass, officiated by Fr. Susano Arbasm, a tree-planting a program - which showcased the talents of local children who are being trained in the Crouse-established art park and a dinner-show attended by about 200 persons, featuring local musical talents.

The line-up of guests showed the impact of SEA, Inc. despite its being just 1-year old.

Among the musical talents who entertained the guests- which included former Gov. Ben Aquino, former Lazi Mayor Cesar Marchan and Larena Vice Mayor Ronnie Villa - was Dixie Lucero, a saxophonist, a native of the island, who plays in the international circuit and a member of the famed Sea Rhythm.

The advocacy group is led by Vida Arcamo, the pioneering president, and Crouse as the founder-organizer.

When Spaniards came to the island centuries ago, they called Siquijor "Isla de Fuego" or Island of Fire, because fireflies dominated the nocturnal landscape. Today, SEA, Inc. hopes that with a new fire and zeal in its officers and members' hearts, they continue to work together to safeguard Nature in the island.

Believing in Minnie's cause, we can make a difference by emphasizing the importance of preserving the environment in Siquijor if only we work together and SEA, Inc. is committed to this cause, Arcamo said.