As we are on the second year of the global health crisis, with the added display of heroic promises by politicians running for office in the 2022 Philippine elections, there was much sense of nationalism expressed on the 30th of November.
The 158th birth anniversary of Bonifacio, considered as the Father of the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonization, has been the true inspiration of various events held on Nov. 30.
In Dumaguete, we honored our Green Heroes. In the morning of Nov. 30 at the Syside in Bacong, two of our staunch environment advocates were honored with the 2021 Kinaiyahan Awards, annually given by the Silliman Alumni Association Inc.—Dumaguete Chapter.
It was simply meaningful that two of our environment heroes — Rochelle Marie Causing Remollo, and Leodegario P. Rosales — were bestowed honor with the beautiful seaside scenery as background, with nature unfolding its own reminder of today’s urgent call in our own area. 
Rochelle, or Ate Che to friends, students, and fellow environment activists, was honored for her gifts of inspiration and leadership in environment organizations, particularly the mountaineering interest group known as the Cuernos de Negros Mountaineers Club Inc.; and for her mentorship of the youth to be Climate Reality leaders through the Al Gore-inspired Global Climate Reality Training.
This Environmental Psychology professor at Silliman University lives a totally-organic lifestyle each day. She is rounded with believers of her advocacy without even broadcasting her achievements. The ‘humble angel for the trees’, and so much more, made an impact in a distinctive subtle manner without hurting others. Truly worthy of the honor as the 2021 Kinaiyahan awardee, a recognition for her environmental heroism.
Dumaguete is also indeed fortunate that another citizen, Gary Rosales, goes beyond his everyday routine at the Bank of Philippine Islands where he is one of the managers.
Added to his duties as bank manger, the unassuming Gary lends his power in leadership to undertake vital moves to save our planet from major intrusions, like human ideas realized with someone’s grandiose delusions as point of departure.
Gary was honored with the 2021 Kinaiyahan Award for his perpetual passion for caring for the environment, and for advocating sustainable development, as witnessed by various people in his barangay — from constantly cultivating a vegetable garden in his own backyard, to regularly planting trees with family and friends, and for his being co-founder and leader in organizations like the Bayanihan Para sa Inang Bayan and the Kahugpongan para sa Kinabuhi ug Kinaiyahan Inc geared towards the protection of all natural resources in all dimensions.
Gary’s own home is like an indoor-outdoor classroom where one can learn lessons on the care for the environment. He has successfully convinced his neighbors in barangay Batayan to undertake their own everyday expressions of love for the environment, from proper garbage disposal, to the use of solar energy. “Walk the talk” may not be his motto but here is one evident character of a leader, and we hope and pray that our local politicians will be inspired by Gary’s wonderful concepts to actualizing sustainable development.
We are so proud of Sir Gary and Ate Che! They are our outstanding citizens who have demonstrated through their good deeds that the power-hungry don’t have to seek public recognition nor aspire for the entablado to make an impactful testimony as dwellers of this planet.
The heroism of Bonifacio, and many of those before us who have fought well in the wars of their own times, is best celebrated by honoring the heroic zeal of those who have responded tirelessly to the most challenging zeitgeist.
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