“OUR POWER, OUR PLANET”
(Erico Joseph T. Cañete)

Vitaliano R. Gorospe, a Jesuit priest and philosopher, in his book The Filipino Search for Meaning, made a dichotomy between the identity of an occidental man and an oriental man. Though these characteristics are not mutually exclusive, the former tends to be analytic, rational, and scientific, while the latter leans toward being synthetic, intuitive, and affective.

This suggests that an occidental man is portrayed as being at the forefront of the world—busy with inventions, exploration, discovery, and, at times, exploitation. In contrast, an oriental man believes he is a microcosm within the macrocosm (a small world within a larger world), thus recognizing the need to harmonize with the powerful forces and course of nature. This is reflected in philosophies such as Taoism, which emphasizes living in balance with nature, as well as Hinduism and Buddhism, which promote respect for and interconnectedness with the natural world.

From these perspectives emerges the concept of ecology.

Etymologically, “ecology” comes from the Greek terms oikos (home) and logos (study of). While Greece is geographically part of the West, the term itself was coined by an occidental scientist, the German Ernst Haeckel, in 1866. This shows that the foundations of ecology—the study of relationships between living organisms and their environment—have roots in both occidental and oriental thought.

Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 2026, with the theme “Our Power, Our Planet.” The global organizer, EARTHDAY.ORG, focused on both individual and collective actions that can create lasting environmental change through renewable energy, conservation, and the reduction of plastics and waste.

Personally, it is a challenge to think globally and act locally.

Applying this challenge to our beloved Bohol, we must question the proposed amendment to House Bill No. 831, which seeks to reduce the protected coverage of the Chocolate Hills from 1,776 hectares to 642 hectares, limiting it to the towns of Batuan, Carmen, and Sagbayan. This would exclude areas like Bilar, Valencia, and Sierra Bullones, where Chocolate Hills are also found. The proposal also aims to reduce the buffer zone from 20 meters to just 5 meters. This poses not only a threat to its UNESCO Global Geopark status but also to ecological conservation.

Consider also the red tide phenomenon in Dauis, caused not only by improper waste disposal or climate change but also by deforestation. Phosphates and nitrates in the soil are washed into the sea during heavy rainfall, where they are absorbed by toxic red dinoflagellates, causing the sea to appear reddish. These toxins then enter the food chain through phytoplankton, leading to red tide poisoning.

Other urgent environmental concerns include marine ecosystem degradation, groundwater contamination, and vulnerability to climate change.

Responsible stewardship of the gifts of creation is a virtue that Boholanos must uphold to preserve our environment, natural beauty, biodiversity, and resources.

A collaborative effort involving the local government units, various sectors of society, and the community is essential.

This is our power. This is our planet. Save it.