The month of April used to be the hottest month in the Philippines. The fields are green, mango trees are blooming and the fruits are just so inviting. The beauty of the sea is inviting as well: its ebbing, the sparkling sight, the cool feel on your skin.

            But time has changed, and it is beginning to get worse. The month of supposed-to-be summer started to have all the rains, and not only in Philippines, but the whole world is affected. The spring in Germany had snows as well. These happenings are not funny, they are simply scary…

            Why are these changes happening? There is one obvious reason. The nature is getting back on people, on us. For years, He had blessed the Earth with abundant natural blessings, and great scenery. Earth was so beautiful, it was wonderful! Life was simple way back then, and its simplicity is dazzling more and more with splendor. However, people had started to be curious on all things. People forgot the spirit of satisfaction. We had started to make our what-if’s a reality.

            It was not bad; it was for good, in fact. As how Jesus had stated in the Bible about the parable of talents, we are expected to use such talent, so we could have it forever. But we have forgotten one important point in utilizing such talent: that we are taught to use that talent only for the betterment of everyone. People had forgotten one important virtue in life, and that is one simple principle that all of us are taught of since we are small kids. The virtue of discipline is lacking in all of people nowadays.

            We all dream of highly developed and industrialized countries, but we start to forget that the seas and other bodies of water are suffering. We all dream of seeing high-rise buildings and have provincial places industrialized as well, but all of these plans means cutting down the trees and flattening the mountains. We were overwhelmed too much to be known around the world having the biggest shopping malls, that led to expansion of land up to the middle of the sea. All eyes are to the future of robotics and other most advanced technology, but no one had kept an eye on the dying Mother Earth. No one made a move until one day; Mother Earth acted to save herself.

            Volcano eruption that almost removed one province from the map did not wake up the Filipinos. On top of the ashes, they started a new world, it was good, but it was sad. Nobody learned anything from the event. Another volcano erupted, and still nothing happened. Shortage in rice supply was rampant, and still nobody thought it was the nature at work. People blamed the government, and created great buzz on corruption and cheating, but none had risen that it is in fact an environmental issue.

            Internationally, tsunamis had come, tornadoes killed many. Earthquakes here and there are reported more often this time compared to the past. Many private and governmental units reached out and helped the people affected by these calamities. But after they had risen from the tragedy, nobody cared to teach them how to take care of the environment. Nobody gave funds to restore the nature that was destroyed.

            The issue of shortage in oil production led to political issues and emerging civil wars, and many people had died. Each country’s money has been used to fund these fights for oil production. Many soldiers had died not understanding why they were sent to those crazy fights. But no country, not even the most intelligent and richest country ever existed supported the fight against environmental abuse.

            People laughed on the various tactics that environmentalists had used. We all laughed on those gimmicks. Nobody absorbed the lessons behind those gimmicks. We just laughed, and forget, and never remembered.

            And now, people are complaining, the times are changing. The weather is starting to act crazy. The life is no longer easy. But, we are not entitled to do the complaining. We are the reason why it is all happening. It is all because people forgot the importance of self-discipline and teamwork. The simple thought of one person “there is somebody who can do the cleaning for us” could be a thought of the millions, hence, who is left to do the cleaning? Nobody. No one, hence we are left with all the trashes swimming in the bodies of water until all the fishes die. We are left with high-rise buildings and biggest shopping malls ever built, having those rich people left seating comfortably in their air conditioned rooms counting money, while the majority is fighting for their lives because of hunger and heat.

            One day, I have heard somebody asked, is there a chance? Can Mother Earth still be saved? I simply said, I do not know, but if people will start to live up on the virtue of self-discipline and teamwork, maybe there is a better future. If everybody would put in their minds that trash cans are invented not for display, but rather for something of good use, maybe there is a chance. If companies invest more on air, solid and water waste treatment, maybe there is a chance. If people would stop to think that good life is only in the Metro, maybe there is a chance. If people would care enough to give the homeless, or the illegal residence by the bridges a good place to live, maybe there is a chance. If each person who owns various transportations mean, be it a car, trucks, jeepneys, etc., think more of the future rather than how to to be rich*, maybe there is a chance.

            If people will not only think of earth on days like March 28, 200, an event started by Earth Hour, but rather support the organization each and every day, maybe, there is a chance.

            Let us all make Mother Earth part of our family, part of our dreams, and part of our future plans.

* Come to think of a future wherein you have the money, but you cannot go out of your house because if you do so, you’d be dead because of the radiation from the sun, will you ever be able to enjoy all the fruits of your labor?