6/27/11

My blog reaches 20,000 readers

My first blog on this link

Birth of Ecohope

Two years ago I wrote my first blog. The blog entry was about my eco-friendly design for the children's section of the San Francisco Public Library, Park Branch. My intention for this blog was for it to become a personal directory for my interior & architecture designs, but then it evolved into something more than that. The blog became a venue for untold inspirational stories, a space to share amazing stories of youth leaders who are fighting for our survival, a place where dreams, and hopes, and aspirations are expressed.

Highlights of Ecohope

To be honest with you, for sometime, I was embarrassed about having a blog since I wasn't quite confident about my writing skills. However, this blog has enabled me to connect with people like Brian Bilal, who told me that I inspired him to pursue his PHD in the environmental field and Nico Barawid, an undergraduate student from Yale, who is now serving as an official youth delegate of the Philippines at the UN Climate Change Conference. Though, this may not be enough for other people, all that this blog has done thus far, is more than enough for me. If I can inspire one life, it is more than I could ever ask for.

Showing Gratitude

Last week, I received a letter from Senator Legarda via snail mail. She had sent me a hand written thank you note for the chocolates I had sent to her over a month ago. I was amazed at how for a woman who is as busy as she is, she still has the time to personally thank all those who show her gratitude and send her gifts of appreciation. Like Sen. Legarda, I wish I could personally thank each and every one of your for your supportive role throughout the years, unfortunately, it almost seems to be impossible.

Though I remained an inactive "blogger" throughout the year of 2011, I'd still like to celebrate how this blog has progressed since its birth. I'd like to celebrate the people that I have met through my blog, the lives that have been touched because of the inspirational stories of others that are told in this blog, and the people who have personally touched my life because of this blog. For your unrelenting support, encouragement, and love - I'd like to extend my heartfelt thank you to the readers of Ecohope (I'm surprised I even have any readers).

6/22/11

An inspiring story of Jean Paul for my daughter

It is inspiring stories of hope and success, like Jean Paul's, that will get me through being away from my little girl.

6/14/11

A Day in the Life of A Climate, Geek(?)

Have you ever entered class only to find yourself in complete shock to hear your teacher announce that you're just about to take one of the biggest exams of the semester? You look around in class and everyone around you seems to have known about the exam, but you on the other hand, are in shock, asking yourself, "Why didn't I get the memo?"

I had one of those moments today, except I wasn't in class, and I didn't forget about a big exam. I was at a pet store with my siblings choosing fish for our house-pond when it dawned on me that I had missed an event that would have been (or so it seemed) one of the most historical moments of my life. Okay, well maybe I'm being just a tad bit dramatic, I could probably settle for, one of the biggest moments of my year, (and also one of the top moments for my country too).

Over a month ago, I received an invitation from the Philippine Department of Energy Secretariat to attend the grand launch of the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) that honored Philippine President Benigno Aqunio III, to be held at the Makati Shangrila Hotel this morning. The invite had been sent to me twice, and the confirmation email of my attendance, sent to me over two weeks ago (as seen in picture below). The attire for the event was the native formal wear, a barong tagalog for men, and a filipiniana for women. Like every girl when it comes to "big" events, I already had an attire in mind-- A filipiniana I've only had the chance to wear once, designed by Philippine fashion designer, Oliver Tolentino.

Confirmation letter of Dept. of Energy Renewable Energy launch

As a sustainable solution junkie (call it, if I may), missing this event was a total tragedy for me. For those of you who do not understand why, I'd compare it to missing a first date with someone who'd you'd think would be a potential "love of your life," or for die hard soccer fans, it would be like missing the FIFA finals, which only happens every four years. The invite itself was a big deal for me. Having been told by my elders to "stop my passion," by passion meaning my environmental advocacy, I had discontinued contact with most of my colleagues in the environment field over the past few months. It was encouraging to know that even despite my absence, there were people who still recognized my climate work in the Philippines, a government agency, to say the least.

Invitation

In the next two weeks, I will start my studies at Yale Summer School studying an engineering course on "Green Energy" & a Physics course on "Energy, Technology and Society." The NREP event would have been a great pedestal in providing me with the appropriate knowledge on the developments of renewable energy (RE) technology in newly industrialized countries, like my own. With members of the diplomatic corps, legislators and policy-makers, non-government organizations, RE developers, energy sector stakeholders, community leaders and members of the research and scientific communities in attendance, it would have also been a great opportunity to rub elbows with the "Who’s who” of renewable technology in my country. This also meant that the Republic Act 9513 "Renewable Energy Act of 2008," of which my previous boss, Senator Legarda, was a co-author of, was being implemented. I recall campaigning for this legislation during the Philippine elections of 2010, the promulgation of the RA 9513 through the NREP was most definitely overwhelming.

Realizing my stupidity, I came home from the pet store, with fish in oxygenated plastic bag in my hand, and immediately googled the event. To those of us who missed the event, at least we get somewhat of a preview in this video:

Inspiration of the day: Tererai Trent

Over an hour or so ago, I had an “anonymous person” respond this to my blog. In their words:

I think it is funny that people think this way.

This inspired me to write the story of Tererai Trent, a woman born & raised in rural Zimbabwe, lived without running water, electricity, and access to education. She was married at 11, had three children by 18, and her husband beat her every day. "In my village girls had no hopes, only boys had the opportunity to go to school" Terarai said in an interview with Oprah. “As a little girl, I was desperate to learn, I was secretly doing my brother’s homework.” She said.

Terarai wrote her dreams down and burried them in a tin can under a rock. She struggled and fought to achieve her dreams in moving to the US and attain an education. "I truly believe in these dreams, and I hope one day to work for the causes of women and girls in poverty." Terarai was able to successfully achieve her dreams. Today, she is remarried and currently finishing her PHD in Oklahoma. After every achievement, Tererai returned home to Zimbabwe, unearthed her tin of dreams and checked off each goal she accomplished. Her story has made her a symbol of hope around the world.

Please watch this inspiring and moving video of her incredible story.

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Tererai-Trents-Story-Video

I can relate with Tererai’s experience. I too have had my education taken away from me. When I was studying at an all-girls Catholic college in the Philippines, I was told by the Dean of my former college to take a leave from

http://www.theelders.org

The Elders are an independent group of eminentglobal leaders, brought together by Nelson Mandela, who offer their collective influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity.

That's Why I Chose Yale

Although I am only spending a summer semester at Yale, watching this video entitled "That's why I chose Yale" made me much more excited about going back to school.

In the next two weeks - i'll be living in New Haven, back in campus and living the dorm-life once again. In the Fall, I will be continuing my studies pursuing my post-

Philippine Dream Team

Philippine Dream Team: With the great leadership of Lucille Sering, the powerful and respected voice of Bernarditas Muller, the incredible guidance of Naderev Saño, the great mentorship of Tony la Vina, the unrelenting support of Segfredo Serrano, and the brilliance of each delegate in the Philippine team, it has been an honor to be part of the Philippine delegation at the UN Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico last December.

To those who took the time to mentor the youth delegates, thank you for recognizing our work and giving us the opportunity to negotiate our future. We are all here today fighting for our lives. I would not want to be in this battle with anyone else other than the team I was with.

It was both a privilege and a great honor to have joined my country’s delegation at the UN Cancun Climate Talks. As youths, the future is ours. We are grateful that our country understands the importance of youth participation in international climate negotiations. After this opportunity, we aspire to make the necessary and dire change in our homefront.

"I have been in many Philippine delegations to climate change negotiations and this group is one of the strongest of the delegations I have worked with." - Dr./Atty. Tony La Vina, COP15 chief negotiator on the UN initiative known as “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD)” and member of the official Philippine delegation.

Desiree Llanos Dee, Vivienne Zerrudo, Christopher Yu, Anna Oposa, and Esperanza Garcia; The youth delegates of the official Philippine delegation at the UN Climate Change Conference in Cancun last December 10, 2010.

Inspiration of the day: 10 Youtube videos every entrepreneur must watch

For those of you who are interested in entrepreneurship & socially responsible business models, watch 10 Youtube videos every entrepreneur must watch compiled by Business Insider. One of the videos featured is of Nobel Laureate, Muhammad Yunus, talking about Grameen Bank's business model and the solutions to ending global poverty.

Muhammad Yunus asks, 'WHAT KIND OF WORLD IS THIS?" in his speech on "Creating a World Without Poverty" at the Commonwealth Club.

Muhammad Yunus: Creating a World Without Poverty

Bangladeshi economist Muhammad Yunus runs one of the few socially responsible banks in the world: Grameen Bank, which provides small loans to poor people and entrepreneurs with no collateral to help them become financially self-sufficient.

Senator Legarda awarding the Climate Heroes of 2010

In 2010, Luntiang Pilipinas and PHILYCM (Philippine Youth Climate Movement) travelled all over the Philippines to hold the "Climate Hero" forums to educate Philippine youth on Climate Change and award Climate Heroes. The young climate stewards were recognized for their efforts in making a difference in their communities and contributing to climate change solutions. Here's a list of some of our "Climate Heroes."

Mr. Elpidio Magante, President of Bohol State University
Mr. Emmanuel Albano, President UP-Ecological Society
Engr. Virginia dela Cerna, Academic Head, STI College, Lahug Cebu
Ms. Gemma Perez, Western Mindanao State University, NSTP Coordinator
Ms. Mark Popioco, President of Green Movement in WVSU/ Bayer Youth Awardee, West Visayas State University IloIlo
Ms. Rowena S. Cabahug, President, AMA Computer Learning Mandaue Cebu
Erwin C. Andaya, President of the Student Council, University of Cebu
Nelson Nadela, Teacher of Natural Science
Dr. Benny A. Palma, President of ASU, Aklan State University
Aren Rubin, Future Leaders of the Philippines, President, Aklan State University
Adam Jesus Bering, FCC-NSTP Coordinator, Filamer Christian College
CMSC Green Iskul (Nestor Necesito), UP Visayas Ilo-Ilo
Father Raul L. Buhay, Vice President for Administration
Aljoriz M. Dublin, Social Science Teacher (Recipient of Luntiang Pilipinas Seedling), University of Visayas
Francis Rey Padao, Faculty Member, University of the Immaculate Conception
Louis Quihada, SSG Vice President, Davao Oriental State College
Van Melchor Mariano, President, Environmental Alliance Club, Mati Polytechnic College

Esperanza Garcia awarding Climate Heroes Nestor Necesito & Mark Popoico of Western State University

This list was taken from Luntiang Pilipinas.

Vote Philippines for New 7 Wonder of the World

MORE INFO CLICK HERE

Text from DigitalInquirer.com

Found 50 kilometers from the northern city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, Puerto Princesa Underground River is among the elite 28 official finalists in search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

SPEECHES & EXPERIENCE

2011

FDU Global Affairs Guest Speaker Series, Keynote Speaker (Fairleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey)
Annual Environmental Law and Justice Symposium, Closing Keynote Speaker (Florida A&M University, Orlando, Florida)
UNIPRO "Top 30 Filipinos under 30" p. 16 link (New York, New York)
Yale Summer "Green Engineering," Guest Speaker (Yale University)
UN High-Level Meeting on Youth (Workshop), Speaker (UN Headquaters, New York)

Pre-World Leadership Online Conference, Keynote Speaker (Singapore)

Unipro Summit , Speaker (New York, New York)

Ateneo University National Environmental Forum, Keynote Speaker (Manila, Philippines)

Annual Youth Assembly at the UN, Speaker, (UN Headquarters, New York)
Clinton Global Initiative, Journalist (New York, USA 2009 – 2011)

2009 - 2010

"Heroes of Today" Featured (Sweden 2010)

Climate Hero Forum, Speaker, Facilitator, Moderator (Philippines Apr - May '10)

United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention COP15 & COP16,
Official delegate of the Philippines (Copenhagen, Denmark ’09 & Cancun, Mexico ‘10)

Conference of Youth 5 & 6 , Speaker & Moderator (Copenhagen, Denmark ’09 & Cancun, Mexico '10)

RAFI Climate Change Forum, Keynote Speaker (Cebu, Philippines)
Earth Day Jam, Speaker (Manila, Philippines)

Annual Youth Assembly at the UN, FAF Youth Leadership Award, Moderator, Organizer

( 2008 - 2010 UN Headquarters, New York)

UNICEF/Oxfam, Youth Journalist & Blogger (New York, New York)

The Global Summit, Scholar & Youth Chair (San Francisco, CA)

FAF Youth Leadership Award, Awardee (New York, New York)

FOR SPEAKING REQUESTS EMAIL:
ecg5121@columbia.edu / esperanza@internationalyouthcouncil.com

Ban Ki Moon (left) and his wife (right) at the World Leaders Forum in Columbia University April 2012

Interview with Dr. Pachauri for the UN General Assembly at Yale University Aug '09.

Interview with Heather Graham at the Premiere of Age of Stupid
New York, New York. September '09.

UN Climate Change Conference, COP15. Copenhagen, Denmark.
Dec '09

Climate Hero Forum
Jan - May '10

Earth Day Jam Concert, Manila, Philippines. April '10

Moderating a panel with UN South African Ambassador Sangqu

UN Headquarters, August 2011

Receiving a recognition plaque from the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.
Cebu, Philippines '10

Moderating a panel on Climate Change for the 7th Annual Youth Assembly
UN Headquarters, NYC. Aug '10.

RAFI Forum on Global Climate Politics. Cebu City, Philippines.
November '10

With Mary Robinson, the first woman President of Ireland, and my inspiration and dear friend, Constance Okollet, a farmer from the Tororo district in eastern Uganda - the real face of Climate Change at the Green Belt Movement and the Nobel Women's Initiative "Women's Leadership on Climate Justice and the Grassroots Perspective" (UN Climate Change Conference COP16 side event in Cancun, Mexico).