IN MEMORIAM: GINA LOPEZ-ROY
At first, this page extends its deepest condolences to the family of former Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez-Roy.
Born from a privileged family known for its business conglomerate, her exposure to the harsh realities has brought her to the idea of uplifting the downtridden. From being a missionary she experienced hardship that for her meant a challenge for her mind, body, and spirit- through living in a life of prayer and service- by teaching yoga, and ran pre-primary schools and children's homes for the underprivileged.
Born from a privileged family known for its business conglomerate, her exposure to the harsh realities has brought her to the idea of uplifting the downtridden. From being a missionary she experienced hardship that for her meant a challenge for her mind, body, and spirit- through living in a life of prayer and service- by teaching yoga, and ran pre-primary schools and children's homes for the underprivileged.
To some people her earlier experience may hath meant sacrificing her life of privilege or even her family ties since her decision as a missionary meant disagreements betwen her and her parents; but in her return to the Philippines to work for the family corporation years after, and by taking up the role of managing director of the ABS-CBN Foundation, comes the idea of service that's closer to her view.
That by founding the hotline Bantay Bata 163 for children suffered from abuses, followed by Bantay Kalikasan for environmental rehabilitation, and a myriad of organizations closer to her vision, these brought her prominence in philantrophy and in cause-oriented action.
And because of this, even President Duterte, who despite detesting the Lopezes for being "yellows" and "oligarchs" found her as an exception, by appointing her, abit temporarily, as Environment and Natural Resources Secretary during its first few months to its thumbs-down decision by the Commission on Appointments. Quire brief indeed but her programs were all acted with urgency particularly against large-scale, exploitative, and destructive forms of developmental aggression, and by promoting the sustainable upliftment of communities.
With her strong desire for sustainability and oneness with nature she helped raise into public consciousness that the idea that environmental advocacy is not merely the preservation of mountains, forests, and waterways, but also in tipping the scales of social justice in favor of the marginalized.
And to think that despite her privileged upbringings, she understood that the business of extracting wealth is evee complicit in the uneven distribution of it. Thus, this became a reason for interest seekers within the government and in the private sector to oppose her confirmation as DENR Secretary, along with other concerned individuals like Agarian Reform's Mariano and Social Welfare's Taguiwalo.
But despite being unconfirmed didn't stop her from promoting the need for a genuine inclusive development. Regardless of interest seekers steadfastly trying to assert their exploitative goals, generations of peoples continue to defend their lands against the encroachment of large-scale mines and other forms of development aggression; but to think that there are privileged individuals who are willing to contribute in such lofty goals, Gina Lopez-Roy was a rare one- a really active paricipant in a quest one may say as impossible.
With her example, hope that more public officials and conscience-driven individuals will have a heart like hers: of being sensitive to the futures of children, communities, and ecologies; and ready to defend them with passion and urgency, with the willingness to go beyond material and social trappings all in extending solidarity to those suffering in the margins.
Thus, this page, like others concerned, again join the rest of the community in mourning her passing. Her body hath been indeed lifeless, but her vision makes her alive and youthful in everyone's presence, the torch she prepared is now to be passed.