By Lianna Roc

The Office of Campus Ministry (OCM), Ateneo Institute of Sustainability (AIS), Art Guild, and Sandigan Matanglawin joined forces for their first-ever collaboration as they unveiled their Eco-Art Exhibit entitled “Plastic Ka Ba?” at the Senior High School Red Brick Road on Friday, January 31.

The launching of the exhibit began with a short reflection period led by Dr. Leland Dela Cruz at the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Chapel that primarily centered around the theme of “Responding to the Cry of the Earth.”

“We are called to walk with each other in this path to ecological conversion,” he shared, highlighting the importance of small but consistent efforts to help the environment.

He closed his short reflection with his hope for the ASHS community, stating “I hope your Eco-Art Exhibit will lead to the gradual conversion of the eyes… After all, I think we must ask for the grace to see and hear the whisper of the Earth that beckons us to engage personally on a deeper level with God’s creation.”

After the reflection period, Sir Jay Nagas of the OCM led the audience towards the Red Brick Road, where he shared the symbolisms behind the exhibit. He described that it unfolds in ‘phases,’ since it is shaped as a giant parcel made with bubble wrap and other commonly used plastics for delivery packages.

“Inside this giant parcel contains images of picture-perfect beaches—but as participants move out of this box, the illusion of a beautiful beach, which was once alive with soothing waves, is seen to be overwhelmed with waste,” he narrated.

Asked about the message they wished to convey, Sir Jay mentioned that it aimed to inspire the community to ‘examine their lifestyles,’ and highlight the prevalent culture of overconsumption.

“This [exhibit] challenges us to live in a way that nurtures all creation—[to] use the Earth’s resources responsibly, embrace simplicity, [and] prioritize efficiency rather than excess.” 

Finally, the Eco-Art Exhibit was officially unveiled by the A-Team, as the singers of Sibol performed their own rendition of ‘Paraiso,’ to close the program.

In an interview with Sandigan Matanglawin’s Overall Co-Head Gian Martin, he shared that their primary concern was being able to grab the attention of their audience.

“[We really wanted] to reach the majority of the ASHS community, kasi like every advocacy naman, if kulang yung tao na gumagawa at kumikilos—walang mangyayari. Kailangan sama-sama tayong nagtutulungan para makagawa ng change sa mundo.”

Sir Jay Nagas shared similar sentiments, saying, “We wanted to create a disturbance. That’s why the concept of the exhibit is a huge parcel where we can all donate plastic, which sends a message that all of us are contributors [to] the impact of the ecological crisis.”

“The Ateneo strongly practices the Ignatian spirituality of seeing God in all things—[but] how can we have a concrete experience of God when He himself created nature and yet it is diminishing because of us [ourselves]?” he further adds.

With that being said, Matanglawin Co-Head Gian Martin, alongside the OCM, AIS, and Art Guild, calls the rest of the ASHS community to take action for our planet as well, even outside this exhibit.

“We hope that you can join Matanglawin and the Ateneo as a whole in protecting our environment—and sana through this exhibit we can be reminded of the dangers of overconsumption of our natural resources.”