A group of five Grade 10 students of the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) won the Climate Action: School Video Competition sponsored by the British Council on 5 November 2021. Their entry “UIC Climate Hero: A Climate Change Action” was one of the ten winners out of the 200 entries from different countries.
Students who won the award (from left clockwise) Troy Ivan O. Dumapias, Precious Mae P. Darong, Jhaye Marie H. Gonzales, Ma. Shenna Mae C. Gramatica, and Deborah Madeline S. Luzon.
According to the Ms. Cecilyn A. Biliran, lead teacher of the team, “I felt so happy and proud of the achievement of our grade 10 students. Despite the new modality, they could still participate and showcase their skills in this prestigious event of the British Council Video Competition, an international competition. Indeed, I have witnessed their efforts and dedication in making this climate action video. This pandemic did not stop them from developing their skills, especially in speaking, video editing, and scriptwriting.
Moreover, they were given an opportunity to stand as environmental advocates to inspire others and address climate change to preserve our environment.”
The video output featured a Climate Hero named Kristin M. Labarite, a UIC-GS batch 2010 and HS batch 2014 alumnus. She was also the first Gawad Basnig Awardee for helping the Badjao community of Purok 12-B, Dapsa, Barangay 76-A Bucana, Davao City improve their environment utilizing recyclable and reusable materials through the CGSMS program of the Girls Scout of the Philippines.
It can be recalled that on June 18, 2015, Pope Francis released an encyclical called Laudato Si (Praise be to You), which included the Pope’s call to the people of the world to take a “swift and unified global action” towards environmental degradation and global warming.
In line with this and UIC’s Quality Transformative Ignacian Marian Education (Q-TIME), University President Sr. Marissa R. Viri, RVM, shared “The students showcased how they could make meaningful, creative, and functional connections and applications of their knowledge and skill, including shaping their values system and enriching their faith-life experiences, thereby contributing to the common good of the society. The action of the students is a product of the Q-TIME, which UIC advocates.” Eric Jude E. Recentes
