Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella presents a plaque of recognition to Bro. Jaazeal Jakosalem, OAR (center). (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
A brother of the Order of the Augustinian Recollect (OAR) was awarded for his outstanding contribution toward protection of the environment.
The award was given to Bro. Jaazeal Jakosalem, OAR, yesterday during the Cebu City Council’s regular session.
City Councilor Nida Cabrera, chairman of the Committee on Environment, recommended for Jakosalem’s recognition after the latter was given the first Green Ring Award by The Climate Reality Project, a program founded by former United States Vice President and Nobel Laureate Al Gore last March 16 in Pasay City, Metro Manila.
The awarding was also in celebration of the Philippine Earth Month and the International Earth Day on April 22.
Jakosalem said the recognition by the City Council was unexpected just like the Green Ring Award.
“Na-surprise ko sa recognition (I was surprised by the recognition). I did not expect it,” the 43-year-old native of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental said.
Jakosalem was assigned as one of the administrators of the University of San Jose-Recoletos last May 2015.
He helped organize the Win on Waste program in USJ-R and established along with other Augustinian priests a 10-hectare Recoletos Eco Park in Maslog, Danao City in northern Cebu in September 2015.
Prior to his Cebu assignment, Jakosalem spearheaded projects like mural painting showcasing environmental art with street children in Bacolod City. He also trained students in Negros Occidental on mural art.
Jakosalem yesterday said that his work does not end here. “You just continue working. Recognition can support you pero ang importante gyud ana (but what matters most is) you just serve kay anyway recognition will just come,” Jakosalem said.
Currently, Jakosalem is supporting the campaign against the proposed coal-fired power plant in Barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City. /USJ-R Intern Michaela Jaycel L. Dolores
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