A HUMBLE BEGINNING
Kool Earth was organized on September 15, 2007 as a result of consultations made by local doctors affiliated with the Aklan Medical Society and other health professionals in the province of Aklan.
The founder of this noble movement is an acknowledged physician and a staunch environmentalist Due to the serious threat posed by global warming, Dr. Cynthia De la Cruz, who was then the President of the Aklan Medical Society, convened a group of people to form a body that might help to address this threat.
Doctors, science journalists , broadcasters, and representatives from various businesses grouped together along with the men in uniform during the first meeting. At the meeting Dr. Cynthia introduced her concept for the organization. Everyone present expressed their ideas and then declared their commitment, and joined to support the new organization which they decided to call ‘ Kool Earth.’
The first President elect of Kool Earth was Mr. Mario Balandra, (who has now been deceased). Meetings were at that time held on a regular basis on the second floor of the Bread and Butter premises .
Tree planting was one of the first projects tackled by Kool Earth. It became a regular program in places like the Eco Park, Tangalan, Mobo and Kalibo.Communication students of Northwestern Visayan Colleges and the ROTC cadets provided the man (and women ) power to support this endeavour. The 601st Aklan) Community Defense Center, 6 RCDU, ARESCOM, Libas, Banga, Aklan provided Kool Earth with a ready source of seedlings for planting.
M/Sgt Roda Roble WAC, PA, is one very dedicated member of KOOL EARTH. In every medical mission that Kool Earth took on together with the Aklan Medical Society, she would always be present to provide security and men ( women) power support.
On the front line Kool Earth is supported by Bombo Radyo, Jomer Soriano, Jessie Reyes of Panay News and Jun Aguirre of Hala Birada. They undertake the dissemination, publication, and documentation of Kool Earth’s activities.
With the young and energetic Dr. Bea Diel as secretary, the activities of Kool Earth invariably run smoothly. Coordination amongst the officers and members is expedited by means of her endless text messages. She not only informs the officers and members of the meetings, but also thank them after each strenuous activity.
Dynamic , committed, and full of enthusiasm, Dr Cynthia De la Cruz, never tires of thinking, planning and networking, together with numerous other things that fill up her busy day. She is both a doer and also a thinker.
The week before Typhoon Frank’s unwanted visit to Kalibo, Kool Earth met to discuss the implementation of the ‘Disaster Preparedness Training Program’ for the barangay tanod, but before we could finalize our plans, Frank stole the opportunity from us. Kool Earth remained undaunted. Dr Cynthia went on to organize the HAPAF, the Help Aklan Program After Frank.
With Kool Earth and the Aklan Medical Society at her side, she was able to persuade the Capiz Medical Society to send not only relief goods, but also managed to encourage the reservists volunteers from 603 (Capiz) CDC, 6RCDU to provide man power for the clean up drive in partnership with the local government unit in Kalibo. Kool Earth also joined in the clean up of the streets in Kalibo, assisted in the distribution of relief goods organized by the Philippine Red Cross.
Kool Earth continues to do it’s job quietly, though we have so many plans for the future. One of the ongoing projects of Kool Earth is the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) that is now mandatory to all of the villages in order to lessen the accumulation of garbage around the town which clogs the canals and sewage system when the rain pours down.
The new President, Chita De la Cruz-Heap is one of the dedicated members of Kool Earth, and was Vice President until she was recently elected as President. She and Dr. Cynthia De la Cruz are like Trojans when it comes to the welfare of the environment. There is never a dull moment with these two as they are both fast workers. They were described by Dr. Cynthia’s children as the local Batman and Robin duo. Cynthia, the brain and beauty whilst Chita is the muscle and the mouth.
The founder of this noble movement is an acknowledged physician and a staunch environmentalist Due to the serious threat posed by global warming, Dr. Cynthia De la Cruz, who was then the President of the Aklan Medical Society, convened a group of people to form a body that might help to address this threat.
Doctors, science journalists , broadcasters, and representatives from various businesses grouped together along with the men in uniform during the first meeting. At the meeting Dr. Cynthia introduced her concept for the organization. Everyone present expressed their ideas and then declared their commitment, and joined to support the new organization which they decided to call ‘ Kool Earth.’
The first President elect of Kool Earth was Mr. Mario Balandra, (who has now been deceased). Meetings were at that time held on a regular basis on the second floor of the Bread and Butter premises .
Tree planting was one of the first projects tackled by Kool Earth. It became a regular program in places like the Eco Park, Tangalan, Mobo and Kalibo.Communication students of Northwestern Visayan Colleges and the ROTC cadets provided the man (and women ) power to support this endeavour. The 601st Aklan) Community Defense Center, 6 RCDU, ARESCOM, Libas, Banga, Aklan provided Kool Earth with a ready source of seedlings for planting.
M/Sgt Roda Roble WAC, PA, is one very dedicated member of KOOL EARTH. In every medical mission that Kool Earth took on together with the Aklan Medical Society, she would always be present to provide security and men ( women) power support.
On the front line Kool Earth is supported by Bombo Radyo, Jomer Soriano, Jessie Reyes of Panay News and Jun Aguirre of Hala Birada. They undertake the dissemination, publication, and documentation of Kool Earth’s activities.
With the young and energetic Dr. Bea Diel as secretary, the activities of Kool Earth invariably run smoothly. Coordination amongst the officers and members is expedited by means of her endless text messages. She not only informs the officers and members of the meetings, but also thank them after each strenuous activity.
Dynamic , committed, and full of enthusiasm, Dr Cynthia De la Cruz, never tires of thinking, planning and networking, together with numerous other things that fill up her busy day. She is both a doer and also a thinker.
The week before Typhoon Frank’s unwanted visit to Kalibo, Kool Earth met to discuss the implementation of the ‘Disaster Preparedness Training Program’ for the barangay tanod, but before we could finalize our plans, Frank stole the opportunity from us. Kool Earth remained undaunted. Dr Cynthia went on to organize the HAPAF, the Help Aklan Program After Frank.
With Kool Earth and the Aklan Medical Society at her side, she was able to persuade the Capiz Medical Society to send not only relief goods, but also managed to encourage the reservists volunteers from 603 (Capiz) CDC, 6RCDU to provide man power for the clean up drive in partnership with the local government unit in Kalibo. Kool Earth also joined in the clean up of the streets in Kalibo, assisted in the distribution of relief goods organized by the Philippine Red Cross.
Kool Earth continues to do it’s job quietly, though we have so many plans for the future. One of the ongoing projects of Kool Earth is the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) that is now mandatory to all of the villages in order to lessen the accumulation of garbage around the town which clogs the canals and sewage system when the rain pours down.
The new President, Chita De la Cruz-Heap is one of the dedicated members of Kool Earth, and was Vice President until she was recently elected as President. She and Dr. Cynthia De la Cruz are like Trojans when it comes to the welfare of the environment. There is never a dull moment with these two as they are both fast workers. They were described by Dr. Cynthia’s children as the local Batman and Robin duo. Cynthia, the brain and beauty whilst Chita is the muscle and the mouth.
A little girl who has the heart of volunteerism at her early age......
Early in 2010, KE elected Chita de la Cruz- Heap as its new President. Since then she has never stopped talking to people about the importance of a clean environment, and the benefits that the residents of Pook will derive from this project once it is fully operational.
Despite the busy schedules of the current members who include doctors, dentists, various business groups, media practitioners, and also the men in uniform, Chita still managed to secure their support in any way she could. According to her,” Little times put together can become BIG time.” Even school children aged between seven and thirteen volunteer their time at weekends. Children enjoy working at the site. According to one thirteen year old, Cindy Casalmer, it is more fun to help at the site, since by the end of the day it is they, the children who will benefit from this project.
Mrs. Roberta Marte-Belveder is the owner of the site, who is at present residing in the USA. She keeps in touch with her sister, Mrs. Lucy Marte-Reloj in order to learn how the project is progressing, and in what way she and her family can continue to support this cause.
Chita managed to keep everyone informed of the ongoing progress of the project by organizing a free local medical check up for residents of Pook. The check up is held every last Saturday of the month at the Don Simeon Library and is presided over by Dr. Remedios Gammad, a retired doctor, assisted by her sister, Mrs. Clarita Fernandez, a retired Med Tech and Mrs. Luz Marte- Reloj, also a retired nurse, all from the USA.
The aims of Kool Earth for the year are : 1) Make the site fully operational. 2) To schedule a fun run to be held in August 15 3) to hold a Mr. & Ms Kool Earth beauty contest in December (pending) 4. Other Initiatives.
Each members are encouraged to take initiatives on incentives schemes and collection of segregated "basura" to help in the advocacy (i.e. Adopt -A-Street of Kauswagan Movement in Numancia led by Sec. Megs Lunn is an impressive small step towards bigger step of having a cleaner, greener and healthier environment). Others too are encouraged to do the same in your small capacity.
There are many more things to do but little resources. KE slowly is establishing some initiatives to raise funds and motivate the younger generation to join the group, wishing that KE will have more vibrant and active members all over the province - Aklan.
Despite the busy schedules of the current members who include doctors, dentists, various business groups, media practitioners, and also the men in uniform, Chita still managed to secure their support in any way she could. According to her,” Little times put together can become BIG time.” Even school children aged between seven and thirteen volunteer their time at weekends. Children enjoy working at the site. According to one thirteen year old, Cindy Casalmer, it is more fun to help at the site, since by the end of the day it is they, the children who will benefit from this project.
Mrs. Roberta Marte-Belveder is the owner of the site, who is at present residing in the USA. She keeps in touch with her sister, Mrs. Lucy Marte-Reloj in order to learn how the project is progressing, and in what way she and her family can continue to support this cause.
Chita managed to keep everyone informed of the ongoing progress of the project by organizing a free local medical check up for residents of Pook. The check up is held every last Saturday of the month at the Don Simeon Library and is presided over by Dr. Remedios Gammad, a retired doctor, assisted by her sister, Mrs. Clarita Fernandez, a retired Med Tech and Mrs. Luz Marte- Reloj, also a retired nurse, all from the USA.
The aims of Kool Earth for the year are : 1) Make the site fully operational. 2) To schedule a fun run to be held in August 15 3) to hold a Mr. & Ms Kool Earth beauty contest in December (pending) 4. Other Initiatives.
Each members are encouraged to take initiatives on incentives schemes and collection of segregated "basura" to help in the advocacy (i.e. Adopt -A-Street of Kauswagan Movement in Numancia led by Sec. Megs Lunn is an impressive small step towards bigger step of having a cleaner, greener and healthier environment). Others too are encouraged to do the same in your small capacity.
There are many more things to do but little resources. KE slowly is establishing some initiatives to raise funds and motivate the younger generation to join the group, wishing that KE will have more vibrant and active members all over the province - Aklan.
