The “Gina Lopez Effect” is quietly raging over the country. In many small nooks of the archipelago- rather than her death, her life is being celebrated. She has been a spokesperson of the “inconvenient truths” against miners and environment violators.
Through her principled convictions, she has helped thousands across the nation by espousing environmental integrity and preservation, love for children, family and the poor.
Gina Lopez was a philanthropist who used her philosophy of “universal love” (Agape) and utilizing her platforms: The ABSCBN Foundation, Bantay Kalikasan, Bantay Bata, Ilove Foundation and the G Diaries for the protection of the Environment and Man.
A billionaire-heiress, she practices what he preached. Adding credibility to her resounding voice for advocacies was the fact that Gina physically participated in cleaning dirty esteros, in the rescuing abused children, trekking on foot to NPA-infested mountains, flying in any weather, and eating fishball and carinderia food. She was age 65- dying young but accomplishing much.
Love was the common denominator in her heart as she provided a livelihood to the plant-grower-subcontractors in Zambales, comfort, and aid to mining victims in Palawan and Sibuyan, work to standbys in Sorsogon as surfers, a group of women garment-sewers, eco-tourism to Kinataran island in Cebu (hit by Yolanda) and a wellness center in Cotabato among many others.
Gina once lived in Kenya where there was no water- so she has been passionate about its conservation. She inked a MOA with the late Governor Rico Aumentado and the DENR for the Bantay Kalikasan Foundation to reforest all the watersheds in Bohol to conserve our water. (And she did so much more- see “One Voice” of this issue).
Gina Lopez lived the motto of John Wesly: ” Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, in all the times you can, to all the people you can- as long as you ever can.” She lived most of her life this way.
In her honor, therefore, we will institute now the founding of a floating GINA LOPEZ CORNER in the Bohol Chronicle which will feature stories and photos touching on the environment to be submitted by nature lovers, NGOs, foundations, LGUs, city provincial and governments and private individuals which have to be forwarded to this email address: dejarescobingo@yahoo.com. This is the least we can do.
You can also google the ABSCBN Foundation for the different bank account numbers you can forward your voluntary donations to- from hereon. (Bingo P. Dejaresco III)