By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Hundreds of young environmental advocates reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the planet as the Manila Water Foundation and La Mesa Ecopark commemorated World Environment Day 2026 with a series of activities promoting climate action, biodiversity conservation, and environmental stewardship.
Centered on this year’s global theme, #NowForClimate, the gathering brought together youth leaders and representatives from various organizations to inspire meaningful action against the growing threats posed by climate change.
The celebration opened with a special screening of the documentary The Foresters: A Story of Climate Keepers, presented in partnership with MAD Travel. The film highlighted the inspiring stories of grassroots communities and young environmental champions working together to preserve forests and protect the country’s natural resources.
Motivated by the documentary, participants expressed their personal #ECOmmitments by writing concrete pledges outlining practical steps they will take to promote sustainability, reduce their environmental footprint, and encourage responsible stewardship within their communities.
The event also featured a guided #BiodiverCity Walk, allowing participants to explore the rich biodiversity of La Mesa Ecopark. The educational tour included visits to the park’s diverse collection of native tree species and the Butterfly Garden, offering firsthand insights into the importance of protecting fragile ecosystems.
To cap the celebration, participants joined a ceremonial tree-planting activity inside the La Mesa Watershed, symbolizing their shared responsibility in restoring and preserving the country’s forests.
The youth volunteers planted two Mangkono (Xanthostemon verdugonianus) seedlings—commonly known as Philippine Ironwood—a rare tropical hardwood species endemic to the Philippines. The seedlings were donated by the Malampaya Foundation as part of its continuing support for environmental conservation initiatives.
Organizers said the event underscored the vital role of the younger generation in building a greener and more climate-resilient future, stressing that individual commitments, when transformed into collective action, can create lasting and meaningful environmental change.
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