Our planet Earth has faced the challenges of climate change. Pollution, caused by improper disposal of trash and plastics in bodies of water, is one of the factors that continuously harm the environment. Malayan Colleges Laguna, A Mapúa School (MCL), through the Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement (CSCE), strongly believes that #SustainabilityIsInOurDNA through Project ECHO (Environmental Conservation through Holistic Outcomes) and Mission: Plastic Solution (in partnership with The Plastic Solution). Its partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region IV-A on this endeavor further promoted CSCE’s goal towards environmental preservation and conservation.
On June 22, 2022, MCL CSCE and DILG IV-A held an in-person event titled “YOUth Taking Charge of the Environment: A Digital Poster-Making Contest for Senior High School Students” at the Einstein Building of the MCL campus. Ten (10) participants from the School Divisions of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Laguna vied for the top three (3) awards by creating a digital poster that conveys the theme of promoting the practice of proper waste segregation. The program began with a welcome message from MCL’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Anthony Hilmer S. Medrano, to the representatives of participating schools and select DILG 4A staff. This was followed by a short briefing by Ms. Ciarra Dave C. Abcede from DILG IV-A Manila Bay Regional Task Group on the contest rules and the introduction to the esteemed panel of judges.
The panel consists of Ms. Abcede, Ms. Sara Caliwagan of DILG IV-A Local Governance Regional Resource Center (LGRRC), Ms. Dionelyn Servañez of the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) Region IV-A, Mr. Dwight Sunico of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region IV-A, and MCL’s very own Prof. Ma. Rovilla C. Sudaprasert, Program Chair of the Bachelor of Multimedia Arts (BMMA) program of the College of Arts and Science (CAS). CSCE Director, Ms. Jocelyn T. Bellin, CSCE Program Assistant, Mr. Edward Andrew A. Guese, and Mr. Bon Charles Garcia of the Information Technology Services Office (ITSO) were present during the event. During the contest proper, the participants accomplished their artwork within the three-hour time limit and presented the context of their pieces to the panel of judges.
All the contestants received a certificate participation and the top three (3) winners each received a plaque and cash prizes. The winning entry of Mr. Jun Ivanne Dalman from the Calamba City School for the Arts won the grand prize, followed by the artworks from Ms. Ayumi Angel Hara and Mr. Mark Lawrence Garilao, both from Cabuyao Integrated National High School, took second and third place respectively. All artworks made by the participants will be featured on the DILG 4A’s official Facebook page.
The DILG IV-A also awarded a plaque of appreciation to MCL for the partnership in successfully conducting the event.
This event proved that the youth demonstrated their knowledge in preserving our environment through masterly strokes of art. With this, CSCE continues to collaborate with DILG IV-A and other partners to pursue one goal towards sustainability.