Regina Paz La’O Lopez: A Woman of Principle and Distinction

Since time immemorial, nature has been the prime source for man’s needs. Whether for nourishment, clothing, shelter, medicine or recreation purposes, nature’s bounty remains to be the major factor for human existence. So it is only prudent and practical in every sense that proper safeguards (pertinent laws and guidelines) must be established to ensure the protection of biodiversity and sustainability of natural resources.

Choosing this year’s recipient for the Seacology Prize showcases the culmination of years of hardwork and dedication for one of the country’s premier environmentalist and philanthropist, Gina Lopez. The award is given to “… an indigenous islander for exceptional achievement in preserving the environment and culture of his or her home country.” This goes with a cash incentive of $10,000 and the recipient to be brought to the United States for a public awarding ceremony.

Born Regina Paz La’O Lopez, she pursued her life’s mission of service after fulfillment of studies in Assumption College, Newton College of the Sacred Heart in Boston, and the Asian Institute of Management. Guided by the slogan “Service to Humanity is Service to God,” Gina Lopez went out of her way and dedicated some 20 years of missionary life as an Ananda Marga, to teach yoga to children and the underprivileged in India, Africa and Portugal. Upon her return to the Philippines, she continued her life of service, this time to the Filipino communities. As Managing Director of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, she initiated programs that advocate social responsibility and environmental protection.

February 14, 1997 marked the inaugural of the first media-based emergency rescue hotline in the country, Bantay Bata 163, which consequently won the United Nations Grand Awardee for Excellence and bested 187 countries across the globe. After establishing Bantay Kalikasan (Nature Watch) as a safeguard against would-be environmental issues like forest denudation, air and water pollution and irresponsible waste disposal, the program received the 1997 International Public Relations Award of Excellence for the Environment and the 2009 Outstanding Manilans Award for the Environment.

Amidst the recognitions on environmental protection, Ms. Lopez continued to expand awareness and literacy by initiating television programs (Sineskwela) focused on Math, Science, English, Values and History for the Primary Level, and Philippine Literature for Secondary Level. For this, she received the UNESCO Kalinga Award; a first ever for a Southeast Asian.

Although Lopez was denied appointment as full-pledged Environment Secretary by the Commission of Appointments on an 8-16 vote last May 3, 2017, that did not deter her from continuing her mission to help save the environment and poverty alleviation for the Filipino. Thus, Ms. Gina Lopez received a unanimous vote to be this year’s recipient for the 2017 Seacology Prize for her “deep commitment to the culture of the Philippines and a passion for protecting the biodiversity in the Philippines” (as based on a statement by Seacology Chairman Paul Alan Cox).

To-date, Ms. Gina Lopez spearheads the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, La Mesa Watershed Reservation, and Save Palawan Movement, among others. Although she staunchly oppose mining, she remains in full support of renewable energy in the Philippines.

“My passion is to take care of the environment and address the poverty in the country. I remain convinced that we can have a country without poverty if we take care of the environment and institute mechanisms wherein the community around benefits.” Gina Lopez.

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