Two weeks ago, I asked my students in Environmental Law class if they had experienced diving or snorkeling and mesmerized by the colorful underwater habitats of various marine organisms. It was quite revealing that no hands were raised. But, I was not surprised.
With around 7,100 islands in the archipelago and millions of inhabitants in coastal communities depending on our seas for livelihood, it is a sad fact that many of our citizens, especially the young, have yet to savor how spectacular the undersea world is.
Is it any wonder that others simply do not care where the wastes including plastic end up, if illegal fishing is happening or pawikan or sharks are eaten as exotic dishes or sedimentation from deforestation and contamination are destroying further degraded marine ecosystems?
I remember what Tony Oposa told our group a decade or so ago that even children of fisherfolks have not seen the beauty of our seas. Snorkeling was thus integrated as part of the activities in the educational program that his School of the Seas offered in Bantayan.
Those kids were certainly lucky. They basked in the joy of seeing a “whole new world” – a rare privilege, until now – and so different from the terrestrial terrain we see every day. I am hopeful that the experience would manage to change how those kids see the world, and treat it as one that deserves to be cared for and nurtured.
Aware that not all have the time or the inclination to swim or get wet, the ever-creative and persistent Mr. Oposa managed to acquire a bottom glass boat. Now, visitors, which included high government officials, could savor the assorted colors of the corals, fish and other marine species “from a distance” in Tony’s haven in Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island.
He hosted last summer the “summit” by governors with jurisdiction over municipals waters including the beloved Visayas Sea. They signed a written commitment to enforce our fisheries laws, and specifically go after violators of the ban on the modified Danish seine known as hulbot hulbot. This highly destructive gear has no place in our country where overfishing is a critical challenge that needs everyone’s cooperation.
Tony Oposa recently gave the Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Lecture on Environmental Law at Pace Law School, where he is a Distinguished International Environmental Scholar-in-Residence. His lecture entitled “Shooting Stars and Dancing Fishes” was, as to be expected, warmly received, an understatement to be sure.
Having been a witness to the various local, national and international environmental law conferences where he consistently mesmerized his audience, I can only imagine how appreciative and energized the audience including our dear colleague, the revered Professor Nick Robinson, would be. Professor Robinson who founded the Pace Law School’s Environmental Program, was the first Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Distinguished Professor in 1999. He visited Cebu two years ago.
The Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Lecture on Environmental Law was established by Pace Law School “to expand its programs of research, education, professional and scholarly activity and publications in environmental law, a field for which Pace has received national and international recognition.
The Kerlin endowment funds a named professorship on Environmental Law at Pace.”
(https://www.law.pace.edu/gilbert-and-sarah-kerlin-lecture-environmental-law)
I missed Tony’s live presentation as it was happening in the wee hours of the morning, our time. But, we can watch the video at https://streamingmedia.pace.edu/Law/KerlinLecture100114/Kerlin10-01-14.html
The write up by Pace law student, Kat Fiedler, in the Pace Environmental Law Review, about Mr Oposa’s lecture is found at https://pelr.blogs.law.pace.edu/2014/10/08/shooting-stars-and-dancing-fish/
Fiedler described Tony not only an infectious speaker, but also “an infectious thinker and dreamer.”
She adds that, “ While many say that we shouldn’t believe that anything is impossible, Mr. Oposa walks the walk.”
Reaching out to stakeholders for them to love and preserve our life support systems is one of Tony Oposa’s endearing legacies.
He remains the ecological warrior yet has the heart of a child, so giving and yes, so forgiving.
Tony will always be an inspiration as he never gives up. He might be weary at times, but soon continues the fight, and defiantly does it even alone.
He will soon be celebrating his birthday from distant shores. We wish him more meaningful journeys and adventures ahead.