UNLIKE their senior counterparts, millennials express their activism in different platforms and avenues. The availability of numerous options, like social media, has given them to pursue their brand of activism not only in the streets but also in cyber space to push for social change.
Waves for Water, an international nonprofit organization currently present in 21 countries that works on the front line providing clean water to communities in need, has made a stand regarding the Philippine Rise (also known Benham Rise). Its young members visited the controversial site on June 11 and 12, a perfect time for celebrating the country’s 119th independence.
“Reaching the Philippine Rise and contributing in our own capacities—whether it was through photography, writing or joining the flag-raising activity, ignited a more profound sense of being Filipino,” Jenica Dizon, director for operations of Waves for Water, said in a recent mail interview with the BusinessMirror. “We felt honored to be able to not only witness but take part in a historic event.”
“Having done such in the midst of heroes, we come home from the trip with a deeper understanding of what we sung every morning once as school children, the ending line more sobering and heartfelt,” Dizon added.
No cakewalk
DIZON said their group coordinated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’s Northern Luzon Command, which functioned as the principal component of the trip to the Philippine Rise.
As for the team, Dizon added the expedition was treated like any typical activity that involved briefing, designating roles and preparing the necessary paperwork. She said a trip to any remote part of the country is not a walk in the park.
She recalled that the drive to Casiguran, Aurora, tested their physical capability, as they had to endure a total of nine hours of travel through winding roads and inclement weather. Moreover, Dizon said there were also challenges in communication, as mobile-phone signal was weak most of the time.
Water wave
FOUNDED by professional surfer Jon Rose, Waves for Water came to Dizon’s attention after the group helped the country rise from the devastation of Supertyphoon Yolanda. At present, it has provided a million Filipinos access to clean water across 35 provinces through filtration and rain-catchment systems.
According to Rose, the turning point to pursue the advocacy was when he was exposed to the water-shortage problem in the different parts of the world, often overlooked in idyllic locations with perfect waves.
A few years later an unassuming Facebook tag brought Carlo Delantar, the current country director, to respond to the clean-water crisis. Dizon joined the group two years ago. Along with a talented and diverse team of photographers and volunteers, they formed Waves for Water Philippines.
The local office is run and operated by passionate millennials all in their 20s who have resonated with the organization’s “do what you love and help along the way” mantra.