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The Greenpeace Experience

Visiting Greenpeace Southeast Asia has been the most exciting thing that our group has done. Even though we drove through a very rocky and challenging organization hunting, we were able to get the chance of interviewing, what we did not expect as a really accommodating international group.

As our group decided on giving focus on environmental issues and concerns, we settled on inquiring into three agencies/organizations. They were the MMDA, Greenpeace Southeast Asia and Center for Environmental Concerns. We immediately sent an email to MMDA at first, but was unfortunately been rejected by their server right away. So we did call all possible telephone numbers and ended up all hanging for nothing. We did not expect that calling them will not only lose lots of phone credits, time and hope; but also leads us to greater chance of cramming as we now walk through dangerous narrow edges while counting up just a few weeks before the submission.

After contemplating of what probably we should do on our future, we finally took the other possible chance which is Greenpeace. We emailed them, called them several times and waited for almost two weeks for their confirmation. Thankfully we were able to contact them earlier since the available person for them to provide interviews has a very limited time and full-packed schedule; considering that most of them go through lots of office works and activities outside their premises.

As we all have the plans being polished, there comes another challenge, our transportation. Their office is located in Quezon City, far away from where we all live. We all do not know how to commute there through jeepneys and buses. The fastest way to go there is through riding the LRT and the MRT. So we all agreed to push this decision, which is also our last resort setting aside the facts that MRT is dangerous and sometimes could not be trusted, and that this is the first time for most of us to ride the MRT. Pretty exciting, right?

We arrived to our destination alive and with flying colors. From the Vito Cruz LRT Station, we have resisted the urge to jump out of the train until we reached this MRT station called GMA Kamuning. From there, we walked along EDSA until we found transportation going through Tomas Morato. We were a bit early for our appointment. It was eleven o’clock when we reached their office. So we decided to have our lunch to kill off remaining hours.

We had the interview with Ms. Abigail Aguilar, a toxic campaigner of the organization. She sufficiently answered all of our questions and was even delighted to tell how Greenpeace started from its old Canadian roots. She explained mostly everything well that we didn’t even need to ask further questions about Greenpeace. The office tour followed, showing how most of their workers deal literally with the environment. The organization has also allowed us to film inside and take pictures of their work area. At the end of the interview and the tour, Ms. Abi gave each of one of us a little notepad and a sticker as a souvenir and physical advertisement for one of their current programs in their detox advocacy. Of course, we had our group picture together with Ms. Abi in their mural located in their reception area.

At the end of the afternoon, we all went home happy and fulfilled for we have successfully visited and interviewed an organization.

This visit opened our senses on how different organizations (like Greenpeace) are contributing ways on protecting and preserving the environment. This project definitely helped us gain further realistic and logical insights on how we, as individuals should work for it too: to correct and rectify our mistakes and to help the environment grow and survive healthy for our future. As we all know, we are all part of this society. Keeping in our minds that we are all equal in experiencing the benefits and the burdens of this living civilization -- Diaz Additional Personal Experiences

Han

For me, these people like Greenpeace is really working hard to make our environment better. So people should be more conscious with their little action for worsening the environment. It was a nice experience visiting Greenpeace and learn a lot of information.

Aguilar

We went through a lot of trouble to be able to visit the organization and I honestly just wanted to get it over with. It was hard to get their permission and it was hard going there. They say that all will make sense at the end of your troubles. It was true. When we reached Greenpeace, I was honestly happy that we would get to meet the people who work there. Visiting the organization gave me a lot to think about the environment and how I could help change it for the better.

Tanggawohn

Our Greenpeace trip really opened my eye to a lot of things. The compassion of the Greenpeace members really inspired me to be more concerned about our environment. Knowing all the things they've done to make our planet cleaner made me want to make a difference too. I hope that with our video, we get to inspire more people to make a difference.

Mohammad

After my visit to the organization Greenpeace, I came out with a new perspective on how polluted the environment really is and how implementation of new laws does not make society change in a flash. Awareness is key to change that is what I noticed when we started interviewing people from Greenpeace. Their campaigns usually use social media and magazines to make people more aware and take notice issues that are not popular to the public. Some issues that surprised me where ones that involved the ocean or products involving the ocean. Problems that are not massive enough to be popular with the public because it is not worse enough, are being taken care of by Greenpeace before it has a chance to worsen through time. Overall, Greenpeace has made me realize that there are problems yet to arrive involving the environment that havent been taken notice by the government and that if we do not take action it could worsen not only our for our generation but for future generations as well.

Catch more here!: http://cg115v1-0.tumblr.com/post/132721879361/greenpeaceextras

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What are the prospects and limits of your power as a citizen?

Rylan Diaz

As a citizen, I am entitled with my own personal power as a citizen in a state. I am given the freedom that everyone else has. I can exercise my liberty with however I want it to go. My choices are mine and my decisions are also mine. I control myself, my life and my destiny.

Having a power doesn’t mean that I can disrupt government services or even disobey the obedience of the society. It doesn’t give me the right to exploit other people especially their rights as co-members of this society. As a citizen, we are given the same equal power. In a democratic system, I have the power to choose my leaders. I have my free will to say my opinions and to voice out what the government is lacking.

These are just a few of what I can do with my power. What matters is always dependent on how I will use it in the most correct and right way because that’s the reason why the citizen is empowered. We shall use it with dignity and justice. As we all know, we are all involved with the government that gives us the power to gain control over it. But let us remember that our power can be restricted to certain limits that only a few people can have. Our world would all just be in chaos if we individually chose to govern the people. We want our powers to be used according to what is needed to prevent abuse that might inevitably happen.  

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What are the prospects and limits of your power as a citizen?

Shanen Mohammad

As a citizen of a state you are obliged to fulfill your duties as one. Aside from the obligations you are supposed to fulfill, there are certain limits a citizen has. For example, you are not capable of making changes in society on your own. Power in numbers is always what I noticed in the history of the Philippines. As a lone citizen you do not have the power to create change on your own. What's one person compared to a million? There are also certain prospects that a citizen of a state has. One thing is you are expected to comply with the conditions and rules laid out by the government. Another thing is fulfilling your duties as a member of the state. For example, paying taxes. As a citizen of a state, you as a member of society, is obliged to duties as well as being governed by the state. Nevertheless, one should know the limits of being one.

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What are the prospects and limits of your power as a citizen?

Xyla Tanggawohn

As a citizen of our country I have power and know the limits of it. Seeing as the Philippines is a somewhat a democratic country, I have the power to fight for what I want. I have to power to say what I want. With this power, I know that I can pursuade people with my beliefs. Everyone might not agree with what I have to say about things but having this voice to speak up is enough power to make changes. My voice can be the spark to light up the fire that might change the future of our country. Having this power, I also know the limits of it. I may have the power and freedom of speech, but one of its limits is using that voice to harm someone else. Also even though we are living in a democratic country, the laws are proof of the limits we have. We can fight for what we want but if it goes against the law, we will have to pay for what we've done.

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What are the prospects and limits of your power as a citizen?

Brittany Aguilar

I have both power and limitations as a citizen of a Philippines. They coincide with my rights and responsibilities. As a citizen, I have the power to choose the next leader of my country. However, I am not of legal age to do that yet so my power that can influence the upcoming elections is to champion a candidate to someone who I know will be voting. I also have the power to express my opinions. I have read a lot of posts on social media, especially Facebook, that have showed me that there are can be a lot of opinions on a single topic.However, I am limited to be sure of what I’m to post on social media platforms. Not everyone will agree with my views and will most likely tell me so online also. I am limited to respect their opinions and not force mine on them.

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What are the prospects and limits of your power as a citizen?

Yuri Han

By keeping ethics and morality and fostering citizenship or what we call a mature citizenship is the power as citizen. When we follow and actively support the country when they want to pursue a system in right direction that is called a act of power as citizen. Oppositely, when country is leading to autocratic or demanding and going for a unfair system we have a right to fight for it specifically in the way of voting and election. That is the biggest power given to citizen. Other power as citizen is keeping responsibilities and rights given to us in the country.

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Reaction Paper - 47 Ronin

Shanen Mohammad

47 Ronin is a movie that is inspiring and sends a message that loyalty is something that could never be achieved through ruling with fear. With regards to citizenship, it shows that outsiders, in the case of the movie half-breeds, are never welcomed into their society that easily. It’s like an aquarium full of koi and suddenly a goldfish is added into the tank.  The film also shows how governance is applied in ancient Japan. For example, how lords rule their land like a dictatorship with a mix of a monarchy. Overall, the movie was a interesting and it shows how true loyalty and courage could never surpass governing people with injustice.

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Reaction Paper - 47 Ronin

Xyla Tanggawohn 

47 Ronin is a very good movie. It may seem like a fictional movie but actually we can relate the movie with citigov. Kai is half japanese and half english, since he was 'adopted' by the lord his citizenship is now japanese. The lord showing that there is governance in the movie. The 47 ronin also reminded me of the topic we had, the society represents the individual. Everyone in their place is loyal, so their loyal society represents the loyal behaviour of each individual. The movie is really good and I recommend to everyone because not only will it amaze you, the movie will also teach you lessons that you can carry on till the very end.

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Reaction Paper - 47 Ronin

Rylan Diaz

This movie is about 47 Ronin or those samurai without a master or a chief leader. Those Ronin took a life-edging event with a plan to take a revenge for their master’s (Lord Asano’s) death by killing the accused, while simultaneously pulling out Mika from her forced wedding without fearing that death would chase them. In the end, they successfully achieved their mission, bringing peace and justice to Lord Asano. Though they wouldn’t receive anything, they were allowed to die through seppuku, a ritual Japanese suicide also granting a tomb alongside their master.

CITIGOV in the sense of this movie comes in the citizenship of Kai, who’s a half English and half Japanese, tag lined as the “half-breed”. I believe, having a different citizenship in his case does not affect your chances of becoming a samurai. It doesn’t make you stop to dedicate a life in change of other’s good, even if your own death is waiting for you. Remember that it is not through citizenship we judge a person. Citizenship defines out a continuing exchange and process of socializing with others that enables them to develop their own values, attitudes and beliefs in accordance to the influences from those people around which was depicted in some parts of the movie.

On governance on the other hand, shows how Oishi, despite of being imprisoned for a whole year did not stop leading out the group. He showed great leadership in exercising power considering that no one’s controlling them anymore. He made his group believe that through his headship, they can attain and accomplish their mission or goal.

47 Ronin is overall great. The movie was able to showcase loyalty, honor, justice and bravery that does not only stir up people’s thinking and emotions but most especially, creates a real binding factor in both the leaders and the citizens. This movie manifests different perspectives on how we should take citizenship and governance into real life, in the actual world.

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Reaction Paper - 47 Ronin

Yuri Han

The movie '47 ronin' is a story about the real case in 18th century of japan that 47 Ronin, 47  ronin means words can not be called a warrior, and kept meaning to live a masterless samurai and cannot be a samurai again in the rest of the lives . Samurai were dropped into the death of the lord and the last remaining 47 persons united by looking for the honor of loyalty to the lord finds his honor.

This movie shows the citizenship of samurai. Japan puts importance of Samurai. The basis of samurai conduct is bushido, "the way of the warrior". This unique philosophy valued honour, reckless bravery and selflessness, as well as duty to the warrior's master with the purpose of giving up one's life and embracing death. There was no place for fear in the way of the warrior and this conduct of self discipline and respectful, ethical behaviour was to become the role model behaviour for other classes throughout Japan's history.

The most impressive part of this movie is in the movie they show that the lord seems able to understand the situation and does not hesitate even after death due to show humility to those who own them a lower status for multiple lord.

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Reaction Paper - 47 Ronin

Brittany Aguilar

47 Ronin is a movie about a group of masterless samurai who avenge the death of their master. They do this despite being branded as ronin and threatened with death by the Shogun should they try to seek revenge. The movie shows their unwavering loyalty to their master who, even in death, they respect and honor. Even though they were afraid to die, they went through with the plan to kill the person who was the reason behind their master’s death.

CItizenship is evident in the movie throughout the movie. One is through Kai, who was called a half breed because he was half Japanese and half English. The other characters treated him like he was as lowly as trash because of his mixed breed. Kai was treated as though he did not belong to any country. His citizenship is a question through out the movie. Another is through Lord Asano, who committed seppuku, the act of disemboweling oneself, because he was attacked Lord Kira (although he was tricked into doing so). I do not condone seppuku but I can see how for him, it was his duty as a citizen of Japan and subject of the Shogun. He did what he thought he was his duty and this is what it means to be a citizen during their time.

Governance was of course seen through the politics in the movie. Lord Asano governed those under him, his samurai, fairly and justly. If one was to make a mistake, he would be punished accordingly. The same goes for the Shogun at the end of the movie. He clearly told the samurai that they would be killed should they try to avenge their master and he followed through with his order. He planned on executing them as common criminals. However, he understood the motives behind their actions, they simply performed bushido—the way of the samurai— and justly gave them the option of committing seppuku and the honor of being buried with their master. He was a just and strict ruler who dealt both punishment and rewards justly.

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CG 115 v1.0 Visits Greenpeace Southeast Asia

Watch the main video here: https://youtu.be/238_74iPNmM Watch the behind the scenes/extras: https://youtu.be/PAiCrbwhmW0 (Photos taken by Shanen)

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What major insights have you gained in your visit?

Yuri Han

From our visit from Greenpeace, I learned a lot about what is happening on the world specifically the climate change,forests,oceans,toxic pollution and so on. They told us that Greenpeace is  an independent global campaigning organization(which does not accept donations from governments or corporations)that acts to change attitudes and behavior,to protect and conserve environment and to promote peace by catalyzing an energy revolution,defending our oceans,protecting the world's ancient forests,working for disarmament and peace and creation a toxic free future. The most interesting thing was they have lots of plans to improve our environment and already contributed a lot to the environment.

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What do you hope to achieve in your visit?

Yuri Han

I hope to achieve from our organization(Greenpeace) about how to stop or even reduce our environment being polluted. I want to know what solutions do they have to make our environment better and future projects about Greenpeace. I want to achieve that people including us will think serious about pollutions. And also to let them know and give importance to the small things or actions that makes our environment worse.

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What major insights have you gained in your visit?

Brittany Aguilar

After visiting to Greenpeace, I learned that their cause is much bigger than what I expected. Being an international organization with an office in the Philippines, I knew that the issues that the Philippine office were handling were, of course, related to the Philippines. From the interview, Greenpeace has done a lot for the past years. They were able to make policies and have bills passed. I also learned that many people also support the organization’s cause. Since Greenpeace is a non-government organization, they rely on funding from donors to be able to do their projects. Many people support their advocacies and I am glad that they do.

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What do you hope to achieve in your visit?

Brittany Aguilar

The problem that our group chose was pollution. We contacted the MMDA, Center for Environmental Concerns, and Greenpeace. Greenpeace was the only one to answer us and accommodate us. What I hope to achieve in the organization visit is that we would be able to have our questions answered. I hope to see how big Greenpeace’s role was in promoting environmental stewardship and see how, as students, we could help their advocacy.

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What major insights have you gained in your visit?

Shanen Mohammad 

<>After the visit I have a clearer understanding as to what Greenpeace actually is. Based from the experience I found out that behind being an environmental non-government organization (NGO), Greenpeace's history is very unique and inspiring to those who seek adventure and save the environment. Nevertheless, this organization strives to save our dying planet through means of modern day technology. I discovered problems that I never would have thought would affect us greatly. Our visit to Greenpeace was an eye-opening spectacle from my perspective.