#taralinisinnatinto

[womanlalaboy]

#TaraLinisinNatinTo: The Initiative

Zero-waste is a lifestyle I’ve been trying to fulfill for a very long time now. It’s a slow, unsteady, and anxiety-filled journey. And there was a point in this experience that made me step back and ask myself, “am I doing enough? Is deciding to consume less enough?” I got an answer when I saw a post from a friend. It was a call for volunteers to help out in their clean-up operation in Cavite City .

THE JOURNEY

Idel Laza- Velasquez, a mom of 2 cuties and a swimming coach started #TaraLinisinNatinTo with a couple of her friends. She got the idea from a video she saw about a lawyer from Mumbai who cleaned up a once severely polluted beach. That initiative caught the attention of many communities and the Indian government so Idel thought to do the same thing at Cavite City checkpoint. She said that the coastal area is the first and last place you see when you enter and leave Cavite City; and the sight of a beach that resembles a waste dump doesn’t indeed make for a good impression.

Though it motivated her to take a huge leap and establish #TaraLinisinNatinTo, Idel’s advocacy didn’t simply start with a Facebook video. A part of her journey is when she started free diving with Seazoned, Sisid and later on became a member of Freediving Coaches Of Asia. “You can't really appreciate the ocean when it's full of garbage,” she further added. 

When asked how she manages her time being a full-time mom, a swimming / diving coach, a very outgoing  person  and an active advocate, she simply said that regardless of how busy it gets, she always make sure to save some time for their monthly clean up. After all, it’s only once or twice a month and the busiest is only during summer. Her kids are also older now so it has been easier to bring them to the clean ups and her swimming lessons. I had the chance to play with these kids and it’s really fun to be on their shoes. It’s almost always summer for them. They spend days filled with adventure as they can always get to join their mom’s beach trips, swimming and diving lessons, and clean-ups on top of the activities they do together as a family like skateboarding and cycling.

THE FUTURE

Apart from Idel’s daughters, kids from San Lorenzo Ruiz Elementary School are often present in this initiative. They regularly volunteer in the cleanup along with the school’s teachers and officers. It’s one of the greatest things to witness during a #Tara! Cleanup. In my first few visits, I saw more kids than adults doing the dirty job, and they don’t do it like some people to get attention and praise online or to push a brand’s CSR. I guess it goes with their age- they are simpler, more energetic and more competitive. The kids I encountered there are naturally helpful, welcoming and chatty. They’ve probably gotten more trash compared to the adults I cleaned up with. We honestly couldn’t catch up to their speed. 

Idel said that kids are the ones who need to be taught the most. San Lorenzo Ruiz Elementary School is actually the nearest school to the Heroes’ Arch or where we regularly hold the clean-up. The kids have been so used to seeing the coastal area in its disgusting and appalling state. This February, I’ve seen a lot of them at the clean-up and we finished way earlier than expected. Right after finishing their breakfast, they went straight to the sea and Tara Linisin Natin escalated to Tara Ligo. “They are the future. They need to understand the importance of environmental care. That way, as they get older, they will have a wider understanding and they will be smarter when it comes to figuring out how to solve the environmental problems of the future,” Idel added.

THE NOW

How Idel and the Tara! gang managed the project for more than 2 years is quite simple. They kept encouraging people they personally know to help out. To get a wider reach, Idel posts a monthly publicity material on their FB page, her personal FB account and on various environmental FB groups. All the information a volunteer has to know from what to bring, when they can participate and where the clean up is regularly being done are available on those posters. There have been a lot of support and love for the initiative since they started the clean ups and the people willing to help out are increasing by number.

The initiative isn’t also asking for much. Donations are welcome especially reusable gloves, rice sacks, rakes, snacks and water for the volunteers, but one wouldn’t feel pressured to give. What this cause really need more than anything is the volunteer’s time to help out. A simple share on Facebook about their monthly coastal clean-up also helps a lot in spreading and encouraging people to lend a helping hand. 

Apart from coastal clean ups, Tara! participates in other environmental drives like tree planting. Idel volunteered for a mangrove planting project of JCI Cavite City and an adopt-a-school project with San Lorenzo Ruiz Elementary where you donate and help the school. She said that doing these things leaves a positive impact on her. It makes her feel good knowing that she’s doing something no matter how small it may be.

Recently, Idel spoke at an awareness program held in a barangay and an elementary school. She said that a big part of what they do is to highlight awareness on the effects of improper waste management and the positive impact of taking care of the environment. “We need to show people the positive effects of taking care of nature. We’ve already seen the effects of what our bad habits are doing to nature, anyway. Focusing on the positive will encourage people to change,” she said.

I’ve figured that there are many people who care and are willing to share their efforts and energy to help out, but for some, including me, it’s really hard to take concrete actions. However, Idel said that it doesn’t have to be as big as #TaraLinisinNatinTo. “I think sharing posts on Facebook helps in informing people on how to take better care of our environment. I also encourage people to bring reusable utensils, water bottles, plates, etc. to cut down on waste every time we go on a trip, beach/hike/dive. Also, I encourage cleaning up after ourselves. It's about accountability,” Idel further added.

It really has to begin from within ourselves. I find it effective to look at our own habits and see how we behave as consumers. From there we can see the bigger picture. We’re probably doing these multi-billion corporations a huge favor by cleaning up after their irresponsible product designs and our collective waste mismanagement, but if not us, who else will and if not now, when? Many people think that cleaning up the beaches aren’t making much of an impact in a global scale, but it can be a start, right? Just like what Idel believes in, “clean-ups are just the start. Awareness and prevention are still the long term solution against ocean pollution.”

MORE...

Join Tara! Linisin Natin To FB group Follow Tara! Linisin Natin To FB page #TaraLinisinNatinTo

Photo credits to: Idel Laza-Velasquez, Jhomar Dela Cruz Bartolome, Winnie Mea Marquez

[womanlalaboy]

We will be joined by a hundred volunteers from WALLEM Maritime & WALLEM Philippines Shipping this weekend, but the clean up is open for all so join if you also like to contribute to this initiative!

Sea you!

📷 : Idel Laza

[womanlalaboy]

#TaraLinisinNatinTo, April 2019 leg

at City Checkpoint Coastline BILLBOARD, Barangay 8, Cavite City

We found syringes during last month’s cleanup. Some are used, but still with their caps on. I think that’s very alarming.

[womanlalaboy]

#TaraLinisinNatinTo ‘s entry for #trashtag

It’s been a year since the locals of Cavite City started the #TaraLinisinNatinTo initiative and we’ve seen some pretty impressive improvement on the Cavite City’s coast line. 

Kudos to everyone who are spending time, money, and energy to contribute to the cause.

📷 : Idel Laza

[womanlalaboy]

We’re starting the month with cleaning up some trash at Cavite City Coastal area. You might want to join the cause and support by volunteering or donating a few sacks or reusable gloves.

[womanlalaboy]

#TaraLinisinNatinTo May 2019 leg

at City Checkpoint Coastline BILLBOARD, Barangay 8, Cavite City

We were able to get 154 sacks of trash with the help of 145 volunteers during the May 2019 cleanup. 

in just a year and 11 months, a total of 5, 008 sacks of garbage were taken out of our coastline! 

We would like to thank the following volunteers who joined us for this month’s coastal cleanup:

Wallem Philippines Shipping

Wallem Maritime

Human Nature

Cavite Varsitarian - Cavite City Chapter

Lions Club - Cavite City

Uno Caviteño

Solido Caviteño

Enterprise Singapore

JCI Cavite City

JJC Cavite City

Cavite Rescue One

Kamote Riders Cavite City

LPU - Cavite

Michigan Varial Food Trip

Cavite Nat'l High School YES-O

Gandang Kalikasan

Aggie Reyes & family

Civilians who volunteered

Cavite City gov't dump trucks and garbage collectors

Clean Up the Philippines - Official

#TaraLinisinNatinTo

would also like to thank the following for their donations:

Provincial Government Office Jesus I. Barrera

Ma'am Nika S. Cajulis

Cavite City Gov't Office Jet Barrera

Cavite City Gov't Office Marian Pinzon

Cavite City Gov't Office Mike Lu Mau LU

Ma'am Kates Ante

Sir Nico Ballesteros

Ma'am Roanne Francezca Verdeflor Ramirez

Sir Mark Dano

Logo Loco Digital Printing Services

Tropang Tara Linisin Natin To - Rosa Melo, Jeff Lopez, Jaznill Domingo

It was overwhelming to see that much people helping out to clean up our shore. Join the initiative as #TaraLinisinNatinTo continues to do the cleanup every month. We are still in need of volunteers, sacks, and reusable gloves. If you’re interested to donate other stuff like snacks for the volunteers, please help us avoid the usage of single-use plastics.

Salamat, mga Pinoy! You’re all awesome! 

‘Til the next leg!

[womanlalaboy]

#TaraLinisinNatinTo, April 2019 leg

at City Checkpoint Coastline BILLBOARD, Barangay 8, Cavite City

[womanlalaboy]

#TaraLinisinNatinTo  x  Clean Up the Philippines - Official

at City Checkpoint Coastline BILLBOARD, Barangay 8, Cavite City

more than 70 volunteers came to support the cause and clean up the Cavite City coast. We've collected 84 sacks of garbage out of our coastline.

A huge thank you to the following amazing people:

Asian Development Bank (OAFA FM, Food Services, Gas Station, Housekeeping, Pest Control)

ATALIAN

Newcore Industries Internatinal Inc.

Cavite Nat'l High School-Supreme Student Gov't

Junior Jaycees Cavite City

JCI Cavite City Magiting

Cavite City Lions Club

And to the many civilians to joined us

AWARENESS and PREVENTION are still the long term SOLUTION against ocean POLLUTION.

📷 : Idel Laza

[womanlalaboy]

#TaraLinisinNatinTo, March 2019 leg

at City Checkpoint Coastline BILLBOARD, Barangay 8, Cavite City

[womanlalaboy]

#TaraLinisinNatinTo, February 2019 leg

at City Checkpoint Coastline BILLBOARD, Barangay 8, Cavite City

The kids immediately went for the sea when they finished picking up trash and having their breakfast. #TaraLinisinNatinTo became #TaraLigoTayo real quick.

[womanlalaboy]

#TaraLinisinNatinTo, February 2019 leg 

at City Checkpoint Coastline BILLBOARD, Barangay 8, Cavite City 

#TaraLinisinNatinTo is a local initiative organized by Idel Laza. This has been going on for months, but I was only able to join the clean up this year. We’ve got 66 volunteers for the February leg and 218 sacks of garbage out of the coastline.

Big thank yous to:

San Lorenzo Ruiz Elementary School Cavite Varsitarian-Cavite City Chapter Lions Club Cavite City Cavite Rescue One Brgy. 8 Pulo 3 Brgy. Officials Brgy. 58-M Patola Brgy. Officials Tosbas Clothing Mind Cavite City government dump trucks and garbage collectors

and to the many civilians who helped and supported this cause.

You’re amazing, Pinoys!

📸 : Idel Laza 📸 : Winnie Mea Marquez

[womanlalaboy]

Tara! Linisin Natin ‘To x Tara! Tugtugan Na!

Back-to-back events on the 17th of this month. Hate to miss all the fun and the conservation spirit, but I’ll be in Baler on the 17th through the 20th so I’ll just spread the word. 

The initiative has been expanding and we’ve been recognized by the LGUs and other NGOs. We’re hoping to spread the positivity and love to encourage other communities to recreate what Tara! has done so far. 

We are the solution. And we’re celebrating the efforts that made the Cavite City Coast cleaner. Join the initiative!

[womanlalaboy]

Join us in our monthly coastal clean up at Cavite City. Just bring your own tumbler, reusable gloves and if you could donate sacks, that would be greatly appreciated. 

Sea you all soon!

📷 : Idel Laza

[womanlalaboy]

We still need more volunteers for tomorrow’s clean up as well as sacks. Join the initiative!

📷 : Idel Laza

[womanlalaboy]

#TaraLinisinNatinTo needs volunteers for this weekend’s coastal clean-up. Join the effort!

📷 : Idel Laza

[womanlalaboy]

#TaraLinisinNatinTo, March 2019 leg

at City Checkpoint Coastline BILLBOARD, Barangay 8, Cavite City

With a total of 110 volunteers for the month of March, we managed to get 201 sacks of garbage out of Cavite City coastline.

Big thank yous to:

San Lorenzo Ruiz Elementary School

Cavite Varsitarian-Cavite City Chapter

Lions Club Cavite City

Cavite Rescue One

GPTA Cavite City

CNHS Batch 2005

Julian Felipe Elementary School

YES-O

Tosbas Clothing Mind

Cavite City government dump trucks and garbage collectors

and to the many civilians who helped and supported this cause.

We’re getting there, Pinoys! The changes look drastic and we’re loving it.

📷 : Idel Laza 📷 : Winnie Mea Marquez