Home, the Movie

For me, the film is literally a moving portrait, a masterpiece, of the origin, essence, significance,
and essential timeless beauty of the earth, our one and only Home. It powerfully teaches viewers about
how the earth was formed from the essential primordial elements and how this process can still be
proven by examining the rock layers and the composition of the glaciers. Learning about how the said
process has taken place over billions of years, the movie makes me realize the state of magnificence
and permanency of the earth as our habitat relative to the origin and our lifespan as humans along with
other living species. Graphically showing how the first life forms began, how they evolved and how they
depend on the earth’s essential elements, especially the atmosphere, the waters and even the minerals
from the core of the earth, the movie stresses the interdependence of life forms to the inanimate earth
and how essentially survival depends on the balance in the processes that takes place in the
environment. The prognosis of the tragic consequences of global warming is stressed in the movie’s
reminder that if the said balance is upset by man’s culpable use, and negligent abuse, the earth along
with its inhabitants will be seared by the heat which will result from global warming.

I have enjoyed watching the movie which showed the most beautiful corners of the earth in all
range of colors, scenes which are shown in a manner much like how one would want one’s home be
viewed by others in its most beautiful angles. After watching it, I felt a hundredfold so much more
blessed I am its inhabitant the movie because I was able to see scenes so beautiful I have never
imagined existed that I am now fully convinced that God is the greatest artist and that only from Him all
the most beautiful colors and scenery emanate. The movie, “Home” is a subtle and artful version of the
“inconvenient truth” about global warming and its eventual consequences. It is subtle but powerful as it
realistically and comprehensively presents the features of the earth as our habitat in dimensions I can
only describe as beauty in its extreme form. The movie made me realized that this Home of ours which
is rapidly being destroyed by unbridled capitalism, mass consumption, and lack of awareness,
commitment and care from people, will soon be destroyed unless the united efforts of all its human
inhabitants will be devoted to its preservation and protection. The maker of the movie effectively
conveyed the urgent challenge to viewers to make a personal commitment to the efforts to arrest global
warming and to preserve nature as a means to ensure the survival of living species . Having watched
the movie, I felt mournful as if the earth is a person dear to me who is terminally ill and waiting for his
time on his deathbed. This makes the movie for me an officially tragic beautiful movie.

I think the thesis of the film is contained in these lines: “Our earth belies on a balance in which
every being has a role to play. The engine of life is linkage. Everything is linked. Nothing is self-
sufficient. Sharing is everything. Every organism exists only based on another’s existence. It is a subtle
and fragile harmony that is easily shattered.” How multi-celled magnificent and complex organism
depend on the oxygen that algae produce stress this interdependence. That the upsetting of this
interdependence can instantly put an end to the existence the diverse flora and fauna of the earth.

All throughout the film, the narrator exalts the superior intelligence and ingenuity of the homo
sapiens and at the same time admonishes their unwise acts in that despite their 200,000 years of
existence they have changed and destroyed so much of the face of the 4billion year old planet, our
habitat. The indiscriminate depletion of non-renewable resources (fossil fuel and fossil water) seems to
negate the cognitive and analytical superiority of the homo-sapiens. But in the end, the story-teller still
hopes and believes that we can recover from our environmental crimes and blunders through solidarity
and accountability…accountability to nature, to other human beings, and to other organisms on earth.

Human Rights Insights

The following human rights insights, among many others, can be inferred from the message of
the movie: 1) origin and essence of human rights; 2) characteristics of human rights; 3) inequality and
discrimination as the worst form of human rights violations; and 4) right to a balanced and healthful
ecology. These insights are elaborated as follows:

Insights on Home with Honor and Excellence. ETBeltran (AUSL 2010-0019) 1

1) In the movie, it was made so clear that human rights are inborn. Humans are entitled to them once
they are born into this earth. Both life or existence and human rights co-exist. They are essentially
naturally given so as to give meaning to “life”; to live without these rights, is to live as lesser than being
“human;”

2) Human rights are indivisible, inalienable, interdependent, substantially equal, inherent; and
accountability co-exists with it. The right to a sustainable and healthful ecology possess this
characteristics; there are no negotiations as to these traits. If one of these be lacking, then this right is
imperfect;

3) The concept of inequality between the rich and the poor or the powerful and weak nations is vividly
portrayed in the movie. Inequality and discrimination in the enjoyment of God-given natural resources
originated in the variations of technology and political structures that pre-historic communities
developed. The basic and early forms of infringement of rights by various groups through war over
territories reminds us of the fact that HR violations never change in character and purpose. They
degrade a person, deny liberty, and destroys life and property.

4) However much the modern laws provide for a balanced and healthful ecology as a basic right, it
cannot be fully fulfilled. Along with the fact that the challenges of global warming seem to be
insurmountable, inequality and abject disregard by the rich and powerful of the possible infringements of
the rights of the lesser-endowed, make the problem even worse.

The movie stressed that for 1.5 billion (more than that of the combined population of all the wealthy
nations) people who live below the poverty line, health and education are a rare privilege and that
children are a family’s only asset only insofar as they provide additional labor which is source of income.
Life expectancy is shorter among the poor people who are exposed to the harsh realities and risks of
nature. While the poor suffer hunger, illness, dearth in education and decent dwelling, health, medical,
and other services necessary to ensure a dignified life, 80% of the world’s resources are consumed only
by 20% (the rich) of the people on earth. While the poor depend on the output of manual labor, the rich
systematically rapidly deplete natural resources to feed the demand of mass consumerist societies in a
manner that is obviously so profit-driven. The motive is revealed in how the ocean and forest resources
are rapidly drained and destroyed in exchange for financial gain. The manner of consumption shows the
culpable neglect of human beings who do not care about resources exhaustion and species extinction,
who do not care whether there will be some more left over for the poor. As the movie shouts that by year
2050 a quarter of the world’s species will be threatened with extinction, I just wonder if by then there will
be enough food for all. Even more frightening is the threat of the eventual tragic consequences of global
warming… of how the sea level will rise by seven (7) meters when the icecaps in Greenland melt with
the earth’s rising temperatures due to greenhouse gases emitted elsewhere on earth. This shows the
neglect of humans and countries of their accountability to nature for just as we are privileged to reap
nature’s benefits, we are also accountable in ensuring that it is not destroyed. Unfortunately, those who
are “environmentally blinded” outnumber those who are aware and responsible.

When the issue is unequal access and inequitable distribution of resources and accountability, I
think it is the rich who have a greater edge in ensuring balance. For the poor can only count on their
numbers which can easily be offset by the power of the rich especially in this age of information and
technological revolution. Unfortunately, as the narrator states “our ecosystem has no border, wherever
we are, our actions have repercussions everywhere else.” The fearful eventual melting of the permafrost
in Siberia and elsewhere which will release the methane trapped therein will destroy the earth as a
“climactic timebomb 20 time more powerful than carbondioxide.” I have come to the thought that when
we abuse nature, we are guilty of “species-cide” or culpable extinction of species. Our acts after all are
deliberate. It is only that we choose to close our eyes and deliberately withhold our participation in the
care of this earth that we can so blindly do environmentally irresponsible acts. Who are guilty of these
acts? Aren’t BODs of corporations or leaders of organizations and heads of nations who issue warrants
to denude the last forest reserves, or expel toxic wastes into the rivers and dump non-biodegradable
waste on land or exhaust carbon-laden fumes into the atmosphere? Or I argue simply, if one is wise,
why would one leave open the door of an airconditioned room, or leave a car engine running while traffic

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is heavy, or leave chargers plugged in when they are not being used or just simply by littering garbage
or by stuffing oneself with cabo-rich food beyond how much one really needs or by buying and
consuming things that are not really needed or are excessive? We are all parties to the destruction of
our “home” every time we do irresponsible acts.

Filipinos’ Right to a Balance and Healthful Ecology

The 1987 Philippine Constitution explicitly provides that the people have a right to a balanced
and healthful ecology and as our country has become a signatory to the Kyoto protocol, it is our intent as
a nation to protect our global environment to the full extent. However, the many irresponsible acts of
both the private and the public sector grossly violate this mandate. It is frustrating to the point of despair
to realize that the wanton destruction of our environment here in the Philippines is an outcome of
culpably irresponsible acts by people who shamefacedly pretend they have not done any evil to the
environment. I think when the government fails to do its duty to protect the environment as when its
officials fail to monitor compliance to environmental laws or they themselves act as agents in the
destruction of the environment for personal gain or profit (I have heard of DENR officials causing the
burning of forest nurseries so that they can appropriate new budget for the same purpose!) as when
local government officials, in the guise of development, but essentially because of the under-the-table
commission they receive from mining concessioners, allow corporations rape supposedly protected
forest reserves, sacrifice sustainable sources of water and prevention of flooding for millions of
commission they so shamelessly amass. And how can citizens allow this only for fear for their own lives
while sacrificing that of the multitude and even that of the future generations who lose access to safe
and sustainable sources of food and water.

I stand by the principle that those who have attained much more due to social, political, and
economic advantage relative to the lesser endowed, have greater responsibility and accountability with
respect to the fulfillment and realization of human rights both with respect to oneself and with respect to
others. While everybody else is doing the wrong things to the environment by being wasteful, being
consumerist, being unwise in spending or simply consuming too-much unnecessary carbon rich food,
let’s do the honorable thing, the better endowed should struggle against the habit of buying things that
are fashionable or are status symbols, or not taking part in the move to do the 3 Rs or to plant trees, to
conserve power because when we do not do so I am convinced that it is mother earth which is being
continued to be raped or abused.

On Being Excellent while Being Honorable

At the point of burn-out over the fact of the failure by government and society to address the
human rights of the down-trodden in our country, watching the films, “Home” and “Honor and
Excellence” provides me with fresh sources of enlightenment, inspiration, and hope. For me, they are
timely and inspiring films that powerfully call for one to be accountable in fulfilling one’s obligation
relative to environmental conservation and to some other civic causes and commitments. That a person
is born in the image and likeness of God is substantially parallel to the principle that every person born
on this earth has inherent rights and entitlements that must be preserved or respected. When one who is
well aware of these rights and enjoys honor and dignity, one can only claim and enjoy the sense of
excellence when uses one’s resources, intelligence, and capabilities to claim, protect and promote not
only ones right but those of others as well. Only then can one claim that sense of honor and excellence.

I distinctly remember the scene that I used to see everyday as a freshman in Diliman of a mother
carrying a baby with two toddlers clutching the edge of her dirty and ragged skirt as they rummaged for
food through the garbage cans of Palma Hall Annex every single day at about the same time. The scene
was the key to a gradual painful awakening for me to the fact of corruption-generated poverty and
inequality in this country. And even with my young mind then I had to ask myself, what on earth can my
infinitissimal self who is also poor, can do to solve the problems of hunger, disease and extreme want
for basic necessities among the urban poor and the multitude more of those in the rural communities
back in my province and in other parts of the country? Such question had bothered me on every single
one of my UP days. The irony of poverty (of the homeless city dwellers and of farmers being killed on

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Mendiola as they fought for their right to food and equity) amidst the bounty (those of the families of my
wealthy classmates and obviously of the majority of the students of the supposedly Pamantasan ng
masa) was what motivated me to understand more deeply this reality which wherein the poor is deprived
of their basic rights and the better off to abuse their position at the expense of the poor.

I have come to the conclusion that when one is cognizant of the defects of the institutions that
bar the government from addressing or fulfilling the rights of ordinary citizens, one should be even more
be compliant to the calling of being honorable. Prof, Monsod rightly stressed that “Honor first, and
Excellence with follow;” once we follow our conscience, we will be aspiring for the best. When we,
because of our appreciation of the problems in our society or when we are egged by our conscience to
be more compassionate to the poor, the needy, and the marginalized of society, have come to ask
ourselves who shall initiate intervention? Who will undertake the much required changes? Who will do
the positive acts needed?... it is a sign that we are being called to excellence. To heed the call is to be
honorable. It takes a lot of personal sacrifice to take an honorable stance. It means giving up more
profitable ventures, opportunities for higher paying job, or simply the choice against being comfortable,
against struggling with oneself to be a better citizen.

In addition, taking up law as an advocate for women and environment is an honorable thing
because it entails great sacrifices of giving up most of my comforts of sleepless nights, of paying for the
high cost of education with the hope that one day one can be more empowered and better equipped to
speak, act and think in behalf and for the sector I represent. To become excellent is literally to be better
in everything one does, going one more step ahead, climbing the arch a little bit higher. This is
excellence. Because I think when finally I will become a lawyer, my voice for the poor will be louder and
better heard and I will be more visible and known as an advocate as lawyers are better heard, seen and
respected.

And finally, as to honor and excellence, as an alumnae of UP Diliman, having finished a social
science degree, having had, as a student the privileged of being educated about, exposed to the
realities as well as being equipped with the cognitive tools in analyzing as well as prescribing solution to
social problems such as poverty, corruption, and inefficiency and ineffectiveness of the government, I
have long taken the challenge of assuming the responsibility, obligation, and privilege of being a
change-agent. Presently, being an educator and an administrator in my own university, I possess the
privilege of being a catalyst in my own way, and to have watched the lecture of a former professor, I
realized I have been uttering the very same sermon every semester to my students in whom I see hope,
and with whom I gamble my very own energies, talents, intelligence, even part of my limited wealth in
the hope that they also will take on the role of a change agent, a protector of rights and of the
environment. I never grew tired for fear that I would be guilty of not fulfilling a self-imposed promise I
made before I graduated from my alma mater that I would do something and be a change agent for the
poor homeless scavengers I have spent my days with in Diliman. And so far. I thing to some extent, I
have already accomplished something. I have seen a countless numbers of these fine students
transformed from innocent, uninitiated and apathetic youth into fully capacitated change-agents, who are
now professionals on their own right and also being leaders in their own respective fields and agencies.
In my sixteen (16) years of teaching, I have seen them become entrepreneurs, business managers,
educators, law enforcers, administrators and even some taking the radical way by opting to join rebel
groups. I know in my heart that I have been doing well in sharing a bit or in full the honor and excellence
I have gained from my alma matter and from the countless other institutions in which I was trained and
equipped with a host of other capabilities. And I have resolved in my heart, with the inspiration of the
reminders from former mentors and the memory of their intense lectures about love of country, love of
nature, and love of others, I will continue in my commitment towards the changing of our society through
education and advocacy in my province and in my region. I will continue to strive to level-up with my
capabilities for the sake of others. I will never grow tired of my advocacies for women, for children, and
for the environment because I know in my heart that once one acquires honor and excellence, one gains
much more when such virtues are effectively shared to others.

Insights on Home with Honor and Excellence. ETBeltran (AUSL 2010-0019) 4