FACING THE REAL BATTLE, LETS PLANT A TREE!

A tree defines life. Cutting a tree is killing a life. Plant a tree there sprout a life. - Jervin Francisco Have you ever wondered what a world without trees would look like? Close your eyes, and try to imagine a desolate Earth. There'd be no more paper, and everyone would have to resort to technological use, that is, if anyone was left. From roots to fruits, from holding water underground to releasing oxygen in the air, from its limitless, indefinite importance, a tree defines life. Trees are a crucial factor to our existence because they serve an important role in carbon cycle. A single tree means much more than what it may seem, more than what we could ever imagine. The explotation weve done, in cutting down trees without limit, that the word deforestation seems to be normal nowadays result to a new struggle that forever we will carry not only on our shoulders but of our next generations. The devastation of nature results to a new battle. Battle not between nations, not of political powers, not of territories and not of graft and corruption...but of humans and Mother Earth. We didnt recognze this real battle of life for we were blinded by our selfish desires. We all know that our planet Earth is warming up. The radical increase of carbon dioxide emission which is the main cause of global warming continues. Cutting of trees continues either. Again, realize who will be responsible in the carbon cycle if all of the trees were cut down without mercy. Today, why can one still find people who stick their head in the sand and don't want to understand what's going on in the earth's atmosphere? Our thougthless attitude towards nature is killing us. We have already tasted her sweet revenge by taking wealth and lives in every floods, tsunamis, earthquakes and whaterver calamities we have faced. We have already witnessed her anger. What else do we need to see and experience to make our eyes open? To see that our cruel hands and selfish dreams had created the great misery? My perspective in life begins to change when I have heard the cry of a mothers heart to save her children from a drastic move of nature. As as early as the first day of my summer class in Philippine History at Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, General Santos City, we were given the task. Our teacher, Mrs. Catalina Llagas required us to gather garbages in our houses. I believed that most of us silently complained for it would be a burden for us students to do so. We were not used to it and somehow thinking that there is more than collecting waste

materials with no worth. However, we did our part. Individually, we able to collect used bottles, cans, papers, plastic, metals and whaterver we could sell to any junk shops. Taking pictures in collecting and selling, and getting receipt from the buyer were necessary for the documentation. Each of us submitted these pictures together with the receipts. The proceeds were given to our class treasurer and receipts were also checked and amounts were also recorded by our teacher. The total amount collected were bought with coconut seedlings by our class president together with the other officers. And voluntarily we are going to plant them in specific areas at the end of the summer class. All of our activities were documented and sealed. We earned out of nothing. We spend out of nothing. And that nothingness of every single garbage cause a big thing. A thing that could sprout a new life. From garbage to a tree will author a great history. Its been days after the task was announced for me internalized that this activity was not just for saving our Philippine History grade but its about saving more than that my own life, other peoples lives, our future childrens lives, and even the next generations. Look around you and try to look back ten years ago. You will be able to compare how desperate we are now, that we dont even notice that we are more than desperate. We dont even recognize that we are facing the sweet attack of exploited nature. We need to do something to defend and fight for our lives. Our cooperation is not just a sentiment but it is an economic necessity. That something needs to be done on a global scale. One man cannot win this fight. We need to unite in action, do our shares and contribute to worldwide effort to save our climate, our nature, our Mother Earth from going crazy, and save our lives. Let us understand the hint of Nature to follow the true meaning of life. Each of us can do the best thing to help our suffering planet and suffering human. Plant a life collect recyclable wastes and plant a tree. Yes, one tree can make a real change. Stop our agony. Stop our misery. We have to face and fight the real battle of life. Not of bloody war but of perpetual harmony with ourselves and with our environment as well as to inner calm and peace. We need to stand up and do the act. If we, 50 students in Philippine History Class of Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges can make a change by these little acts, what about if all of us work hand in hand? There would be a bigger change. We will be able to stand up for life. If our forefathers won their fight and marked their history, we will also win this fight and begin to write our own history. We may not made the best time to plant a tree which was twenty years ago but we may be able to do the second best which is NOW.

Jervin A. Francisco