News—SVD Farm managers discuss Laudato Si' Plan, solid waste management during second day of Laudato Si' Seminar
Tagaytay City—The SVD Laudato Si' Farm concluded its first-ever Laudato Si' Seminar last May 24, 2024, following the first day of the seminar last May 22, 2024.
The two-day seminar, held at the St. Peter Fishpond and Gazebo, was part of the SVD Farm's celebration of Laudato Si' Week.
During the second day of the seminar, the participants learned about the Laudato Si’ Plan and solid waste management.
Alongside the SVD Farm, SVD Tagaytay Community, and general public attendees from the seminar two days prior, delegates from the SVD-ALS (Alternative Learning System) also attended the second day of the seminar.
The second day of the Laudato Si' Seminar began with the Body Prayer, facilitated by Ms. Marcelina Cacal, Spirituality Officer.
After the opening prayer, Mr. Juan Miguel Tolentino, Corporate Communications Department Head, facilitated the first session of the day about the "Laudato Si' Plan."
Mr. Tolentino discussed the theme of Laudato Si' Week, "Seeds of Hope," emphasizing that even small efforts for creation can grow into significant impacts. He highlighted the words of Pope Francis—"Everyone’s talents and involvement are needed."
Participants were then guided through a recap of the Laudato Si' encyclical, reflecting on its chapters and how their teachings apply to everyday life. Key terms such as "ecological conversion," "common good," "sustainable development," "throwaway culture," and "integral ecology" were explained.
The session also focused on guiding the participants towards creating a Laudato Si' Plan, under the framework provided by the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, an initiative by the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
Mr. Tolentino asked the participants to reflect on their interpretation of the concept of "community," noting that while the Earth is our shared home, individual communities provide practical starting points. He encouraged those in leadership positions to consider their broader communities (such as their LGUs, NGOs, schools, or parishes), while others could begin at home.
The session suggested activities aligned with Laudato Si' Goals, such as tree planting, sustainable fashion, and blessing natural spaces, each addressing a specific Laudato Si' Goal.
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Create and submit your own Laudato Si' Plan for your family, school, parish, or other institution to the Laudato Si' Action Platform through the link below:
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Near the end of the day’s first session, the seminar was graced by the presence of Fr. Samuel “Sam” N. Agcaracar, Executive Director of the SVD Farm and Rector of the SVD Tagaytay Community.
In his short message, Fr. Sam thanked the attendees for their support of the institution’s sustainable knowledge efforts. Afterwards, he shared his personal ecological conversion story, talking about how he grew up as a farmer and studied at an agricultural school in Claveria, Cagayan. He shared how he initially resisted his agricultural past, an instinct he recalled with shame. According to him, it was during the process of founding the SVD Farm that he reconciled with his history of connection with God’s creation, a process that changed his life and countless others.
Read more about Fr. Sam’s thoughts about ecological conversion and eco-missiology in Missio Inter Gentes, the journal of the Divine Word Institute of Missions Studies (DWIMS), at the DWIMS William R. Burrows Library. A sample of Fr. Sam’s work can be found through the link below:
https://www.svdlaudatosifarmfoundation.org/2023/06/newsfr-sam-agcaracar-svd-discusses-eco.html
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Ms. Joylene Leynes, Head of Operations Management Department, and Ms. Karen Peji, Head of Sales & Marketing Department, led the seminar’s final session, discussing “Solid Waste Management."
Ms. Leynes and Ms. Peji covered topics including types of solid waste, the importance of segregating trash, and the rejection of the "throwaway culture" described by Pope Francis.
The concept of a circular economy was introduced as an ideal model for achieving sustainable development, contrasting it with the linear economy
Practical advice was provided by Ms. Leynes and Ms. Peji on how to practice a circular economy, emphasizing the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling resources. Proper disposal, sustainable sourcing, efficient use of resources, extending product life, and resource recovery, such as rainwater harvesting, were also discussed. Ms. Leynes, as OMD Head, shared how the SVD Farm does its part in practicing sustainable development.
Ms. Leynes and Ms. Peji delved into the different ways of how to practice composting, particularly in the context of home environments. They discussed the waste hierarchy and advocated for proper segregation and disposal of trash.
Afterwards, with the assistance of Ms. Leynes, Ms. Peji led a practical demonstration of composting food waste, explaining the process to the attendees so that they could implement similar methods in their own communities.
The day concluded with a heartwarming ceremony where participants who attended both days of the seminar were awarded certificates of participation.
As the closing prayer, the seminar attendees joined a collective recitation of "A Prayer for Our Earth," written by Pope Francis in his encyclical. The prayer was led by Mrs. Thelma A. Park.
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The two-day Laudato Si' Seminar was the SVD Farm’s first-ever activity of the sort. The seminar was well-received by the participants.
Read about the second day of the Laudato Si' Seminar, May 24, 2024, through the link below.
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For reservations and other information, including ways to support and connect with the SVD Farm, contact us through:
📞 0905-106-5499
📧 contact@svdlaudatosifarmfoundation.org