200 Years, Countless Stories: Antonio Oposa Jr. LL.M. ’97

Summary

The narrator, a lawyer and environmentalist, reflects on his efforts to protect the environment in the Philippines. He planted a tree in 1979, symbolizing his commitment to nature, and discusses the importance of bats in seed dispersal. He shares his legal battles, including a 10-year fight for the cleanup of Manila Bay and a 22-year case to ban logging, using his children as plaintiffs to represent future generations. The story also touches on his efforts to preserve a coastline, turning it into a learning center for environmental responsibility and cultural values, aiming to counteract the commercialization of the Philippines' natural beauty.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The speaker planted a tree in 1979, highlighting the importance of trees and their role in the ecosystem.
• 🦇 Bats are crucial for seed dispersal, with 80% of seeds in the forest coming from bat activity rather than birds.
• 📚 The speaker uses legal action as a means to plant 'seeds' of change, drawing a parallel between his environmental efforts and legal battles.
• 💧 The Manila Bay case, which took 10 years, is an example of the slow but impactful process of environmental litigation.
• 🚫 The speaker's audacious goal to ban logging in the Philippines was met with skepticism but underscored the urgency of forest preservation.
• 🌲 The logging rate in the Philippines was alarmingly high, with 120,000 hectares of virgin forest lost annually.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker's children inspired the idea of using them as plaintiffs in a legal case, symbolizing the future generation's right to a healthy environment.
• 🌊 The speaker's personal connection to the island and its transformation over time reflects broader environmental and cultural changes.
• 🏡 The decision to turn coastal properties into a learning center rather than a resort demonstrates a commitment to education and sustainable practices.
• 🌱 The speaker's efforts to preserve and promote Filipino cultural values, such as caring and sharing, are seen as essential to environmental stewardship.
• 🏊‍♂️ The lack of swimming skills among children in the Philippines is contrasted with their familiarity with consumer culture, highlighting a disconnect with the natural environment.

Q & A

What did the speaker plant in 1979 and why is it significant?

The speaker planted a tree in 1979, the exact species of which they were unsure. The tree is significant because it provides a habitat for bats, which are essential for seed dispersal and are described as the best cross-pollinators of trees.

How do bats contribute to the forest ecosystem according to the speaker?

Bats are described as the best cross-pollinators of trees, with 80% of all seeds planted in the forest coming from bats rather than birds, highlighting their crucial role in the ecosystem.

What is the analogy the speaker makes between planting a seed and their use of the law?

The speaker compares their use of the law to planting a seed, suggesting that just as a seed takes time to grow, legal actions can take a long time to bear fruit, but they are necessary for long-term change.

What was the outcome of the Manila Bay case after 10 years?

After 10 years, the Manila Bay case resulted in a simple decision that the government should clean up Manila Bay. The speaker is uncertain if the bay is still dirty, but suggests that there might be some ongoing efforts towards its cleanup.

Why did the speaker want to ban logging in the Philippines?

The speaker wanted to ban logging in the Philippines because only 800,000 hectares of virgin forest were left, and logging was occurring exclusively in these areas, leading to their rapid depletion at a rate of 120,000 hectares per year.

What was the rationale behind naming children as plaintiffs in the logging case?

The rationale for naming children as plaintiffs was to emphasize the future they would inherit. The speaker wanted to tell the story that these children have a right to their future and to highlight the urgency of preserving the environment for them.

What was the speaker's strategy to ensure their message was heard?

The speaker's strategy was to use legal action in court, which would force the issue onto the table of public discussion, ensuring that there would be a resolution, even if it took 10 or 20 years.

Why did the speaker decide to buy up properties adjoining their home?

The speaker bought up properties adjoining their home to prevent the coastline from being fenced off and to preserve a patch of beach. They foresaw the negative impact of unchecked development and land speculation.

What is the purpose of the learning center the speaker established?

The purpose of the learning center is to experientially teach the ways of responsibility, re-invigorate Filipino culture, and rekindle cultural values such as caring, sharing, and honesty, which the speaker believes are getting lost.

What is the significance of the seaweed mentioned in the script?

The seaweed is described as a premium fertilizer given by the sea, but it is often discarded as debris. This highlights a lack of appreciation for natural resources and the need to value and utilize them properly.

How does the speaker describe the place they have created as a rebellion to money?

The speaker describes their place as a rebellion to money because it is a beautiful, natural area that contrasts with the commercialized and developed areas of the Philippines. It serves as an example of what the Philippines could be if cared for properly.

Outlines

00:00

🌳 Environmental Advocacy and Legal Battles

The speaker reflects on their environmental activism, starting with planting a tree in 1979 and observing the crucial role of bats in seed dispersal. They draw a parallel between their legal work and planting seeds, highlighting the long, slow process of achieving environmental justice. The Manila Bay case is mentioned as an example of a protracted legal battle that took a decade to yield a decision, though the outcome remains uncertain. The speaker also discusses a case involving children as plaintiffs to advocate for a logging ban in the Philippines, emphasizing the urgency of preserving the remaining virgin forests for future generations. The narrative underscores the importance of using legal avenues to bring environmental issues to the forefront and the personal challenge of involving one's own children in such a cause.

05:09

🏝️ Preserving Coastal Heritage and Cultural Values

The speaker recounts their decision to live simply on an island in 1975 and their subsequent efforts to prevent overdevelopment by purchasing adjoining properties. They express concern over the rapid commercialization and loss of cultural values in the Philippines, particularly the erosion of traditional Filipino values of caring, sharing, and honesty. The speaker's vision for their land includes creating a learning center focused on experiential education and responsibility, aiming to rekindle Filipino culture. They also note the irony that most Filipino children cannot swim despite living in an archipelago and criticize the prioritization of consumerism over environmental stewardship. The speaker's actions represent a rebellion against the commercialization of the natural environment and a commitment to preserving the authentic beauty of the Philippines.

Keywords

💡Bats

Bats are nocturnal mammals known for their unique ability to fly. In the context of the video, bats are highlighted for their ecological importance as seed dispersers. The speaker mentions that 80% of seeds in the forest are dispersed by bats, not birds, emphasizing their role as the best cross-pollinators of trees. This illustrates the interconnectedness of nature and the often overlooked contributions of certain species to the ecosystem.

💡Manila Bay case

The Manila Bay case refers to a legal battle mentioned in the transcript, which the speaker fought for 10 years to get a decision that the government should clean up Manila Bay. This case exemplifies the use of the law as a tool for environmental protection and the challenges faced in achieving such goals. It also underscores the theme of long-term commitment and the incremental progress that can be made through legal channels.

💡Children as plaintiffs

In the video, the speaker recounts a legal strategy where children were named as plaintiffs in a case against logging in the Philippines. This innovative approach was chosen to highlight the future generations' right to a healthy environment. It reflects the video's broader message about intergenerational justice and the importance of preserving natural resources for the benefit of children and future generations.

💡Virgin forest

A virgin forest, also known as an old-growth forest, is a forest that has reached maturity without significant human disturbance. In the script, the speaker expresses concern over the rapid depletion of these forests in the Philippines, with only 800,000 hectares left. This term is crucial as it ties into the video's theme of environmental conservation and the urgency to protect these valuable ecosystems.

💡Cross-pollinators

Cross-pollinators are agents, such as bats or birds, that transfer pollen from one plant to another, facilitating fertilization and the production of seeds. The video emphasizes the role of bats as efficient cross-pollinators, which is crucial for the genetic diversity and health of forests. This concept is integral to the video's exploration of the intricate relationships within ecosystems.

💡Legal action

Legal action in the video refers to the use of the court system to address environmental issues, such as the Manila Bay case and the logging case involving children as plaintiffs. It illustrates the power of law in driving social and environmental change, even when faced with skepticism and opposition. The video uses this concept to argue for the necessity of legal frameworks to protect the environment.

💡Resolution

Resolution in the context of the video refers to the outcome or decision reached through legal processes or negotiations. The speaker mentions that through legal action, there will be a resolution, whether it takes 10 or 20 years. This term encapsulates the video's message of persistence and the eventual triumph of justice, even in the face of long delays and challenges.

💡Sympathetic court

A sympathetic court in the video refers to a judicial body that is understanding and supportive of the speaker's cause. The case involving children as plaintiffs landed in a court with a justice who was a gardener and nature lover, which the speaker implies was beneficial to their case. This concept highlights the importance of finding allies and understanding the values of those in positions of power when advocating for change.

💡Learning center

The learning center mentioned in the video is a place created by the speaker to educate people about environmental responsibility and Filipino cultural values. It serves as a counterpoint to the commercialization and neglect of the environment, emphasizing experiential learning and the rekindling of traditional values. This concept is central to the video's theme of education and cultural preservation.

💡Filipino culture

Filipino culture is referenced in the video as the speaker discusses efforts to preserve and promote traditional values such as caring, sharing, and honesty. The speaker contrasts the modern, consumer-driven lifestyle with these cultural ideals, suggesting that a return to these values is necessary for environmental and social well-being. This concept is integral to the video's exploration of the connection between culture and environmental stewardship.

💡Environmental stewardship

Environmental stewardship is the responsibility and action taken to protect and care for the environment. Throughout the video, the speaker demonstrates this concept through various initiatives, such as planting trees, fighting for environmental cases, and establishing a learning center. It is a central theme of the video, emphasizing the individual and collective duty to preserve the environment for future generations.

Highlights

The speaker planted a tree in 1979, symbolizing the beginning of a long-term commitment to nature.

Bats play a crucial role in seed dispersal, with 80% of forest seeds being spread by them.

The legal fight for environmental causes is likened to planting a seed, with outcomes that take time to materialize.

The Manila Bay case, a 10-year legal battle, resulted in a government decision to clean up the bay.

The speaker humorously acknowledges the challenge of banning logging in the Philippines.

The innovative legal strategy of naming children as plaintiffs to represent future generations.

The urgency of protecting the remaining virgin forests, with a rapid rate of deforestation.

The personal motivation behind the legal fight: ensuring a sustainable future for the speaker's children.

The importance of storytelling in legal battles to raise awareness and inspire action.

The strategic use of legal action to force discussion and resolution on environmental issues.

The speaker's experience of losing in lower court and the subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court.

The significance of the court's sympathetic view towards the case, influenced by the judge's personal interests.

The 22-year-long legal journey, reflecting the patience and persistence required for environmental advocacy.

The personal challenge of convincing the speaker's wife to use their children as plaintiffs in the case.

The transformation of a personal home into a learning center for environmental responsibility.

The cultural initiative to revive Filipino values of caring, sharing, and honesty.

The stark contrast between the lack of swimming skills among children and their familiarity with consumer culture.

The speaker's vision for a Philippines that values and takes care of its natural beauty.

Transcripts

[GENTLE WAVES]

This tree, I planted this in 1979.

I don't even know what it is.

At night, the bats live there.

It's just laden with bats.

And you know the function of bats?

80% of all of seeds planted in the forest are not from birds--

from bats.

They're the best crosspolinater of trees.

I've realized that my use of the law

is nothing more than planting a seed.

My Manila Bay case took 10 years to even get

a simple decision to say government

should clean up Manila Bay.

Is it clean?

Is it still dirty?

Maybe it is.

But maybe they're doing a little bit something.

And in this children's case, for example,

I wanted logging in the Philippines

to be banned all throughout.

[CHUCKLES] I mean, that's a pretty silly thing to ask.

I mean, if you ask any lawyer--

which I did-- they scratched their heads and, no,

you cannot do that.

Why children?

Why did some crazy lawyer think about naming children

as the plaintiffs?

There were only 800,000 hectares left

of virgin forest, old growth forest left in the Philippines.

Logging was only being done in virgin forests, a throwback

from the old days when there were so many virgin forests.

And the government data showed, itself,

that we were cutting them down, as

in wiping them out, at the rate of 120,000 hectares per year.

My eldest son was only 3 years old then.

So when he gets to be 10, there's

not going to be anything left.

And how can we do this?

Is this the kind of world that my kids are going to see?

I want to tell the story that these kids have

the right to their future.

Whether or not people act on it, that's beyond me.

But we need to tell the story.

And if I went to the media, first of all,

nobody would listen to me.

I was 34 years old, a young lawyer who was just

struggling with my family.

The beauty about the legal action in court,

it puts the issue on the table of discussion.

And one way or another, there will be a resolution.

Sooner or later, 10 years, 20 years,

there will be a resolution.

When I got the decision in the lower court

that I lost, not just lost, but they

didn't want me to tell the story,

I said, uh-oh, that's not nice.

So I filed a petition to the Supreme Court,

just on the simple issue that, do these kids have

a right or none?

If you say none, then--

It so happened that the case landed in a sympathetic court.

It landed on the table because they chose [INAUDIBLE]..

It landed on a justice who is a serious gardener

and a lover of nature.

It took 22 years, an entire generation.

The most significant accomplishment,

as far as that case is concerned,

is not that I was able to file the case

or to dream up the theory.

But it was to be able to convince my wife to use

my children as plaintiffs.

[LAUGHS] Try doing that to your wife.

The tide is coming in.

I'll show you a gift of nature, come.

We think that's debris, the seaweed.

No.

This is premium fertilizer given to us by the sea.

And yet, what do we do with it?

We just throw it away.

And then we make [CHUCKLES] fertilizer.

We make chemical fertilizer.

I adopted it as my home when I was 20 years old.

I lived out there in a very simple shack.

This was 1975.

And I decided to live simply here

in the island this is my home.

In 1994, code and code development

started creeping in, meaning foreigners started coming in,

discovering the place, buying up land, skyrocketing

the prices of land.

I had the little foresight to see

that if we allowed this to happen all over, before you

know it, we would not be able to see

a little patch of beach left, because everybody

is going to fence it off.

So what I did, I started buying up the properties adjoining so

that we have a little coastline now.

And when I got that, I said, what's this going to be for?

Is it going to be a resort?

I said, no.

So I decided, why don't we make this a learning center

to learn experientially the ways of responsibility?

[NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

We are trying to re-invigorate, rekindle the Filipino culture

of caring, sharing, honesty.

These cultural values of Filipinos are getting lost.

90% of the children in the Philippines

don't know how to swim.

Yet, they know where the mall is.

That is why this little place that we have here is a little--

almost like a rebellion to money.

[CHUCKLES]

Filipinos who will see it says, wow, what a beautiful place.

It doesn't look like the Philippines.

And our answer is simple.

That is what the Philippines is, if you only took care of it.

[GENTLE WAVES]