Singing songs for Mother Earth
Lou Bonnevie wants you to keep it clean and green one song at a time
‘Time to put down your cellphones, turn off your PCs then go out there and take a look around. - Lou
Singer-songwriter Lou Bonnevie thinks there are times technology, particularly social media, undermines her years-long campaign for greater environmental awareness.
“Napapasama (kapag) nasobrahan,” she told Bulletin Entertainment on the prevalent use of computer-related communication tools. “I have to be honest na nu’ng una, I thought it would be of big help in spreading awareness relating our thrust, and we made use of it too. Kahit ngayon nga eh, we usually communicate naman our projects through social media.
“Pero ang nangyayari kasi, ang mga tao nakaupo na lang, nakatingin na lang sa mga feeds nila, nila-like na lang ’yung mga posts namin. Wala nang umaaksyon.”
She hopes people would be jolted out of the daze via the annual Earth Day Jam tomorrow at the Luneta.
“It’s time to put down your cellphones, turn off your PCs then go out there and actually take a look around,” she challenged. “Ask yourself, ‘What do I need to do? How can I make my environment greener, better? Huwag ka lang like ng like sa Facebook – do something about it.”
Lou pointed out some people have grown dependent on others and too much so when it comes to caring for the environment.
“Hindi na, tama na. Huwag tayong umasa kahit kanino. Dapat tayo mismo ay kumilos na, ipakita natin na kaya natin, na may disiplina tayo. Keep the balance right. Hindi pwede na umuusad ang teknolohiya, ang industries pero napapabayaan naman natin ang paligid natin.”
In the Philippines, waste disposal and waste management remain the biggest “sins” against the environment, said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Cherished advocacy
The 51-year-old artist has been spearheading Earth Day Jam for 17 years now, and she is not about to let up.
She said, “I’m proud of what we have achieved through the years. Marami akong mga nakausap na jammers telling me how they’ve become more aware of environmental concerns through Earth Day Jam and dumarami pa kami. I’m hopeful na patuloy pa kaming lumaki at umingay sa darating na mga panahon.
She added: “Hindi ko actually in-expect na tatagal kami ng ganito but I’m very happy that we have come this far. We need to have more of this today lalo na at marami pang dumarating na distractions. More than just awareness we want people to take action, right here, right now.”
Among acts joining the six-hour long marathon shindig are Abra, Autotelic, Brat Pack, Brownman Revival, Chicosci, Gloc-9, Gracenote, Imago, Kitchie Nadal, Mayonnaise, Moonstar88, Nina, Noel Cabangon, Philia, Rouge, and Slapshock.
“We have come together united in our aim to save Mother Earth,” Lou intoned. “We hope that by coming together under one stage, we can inspire our followers to do as we do at ’yan ay ang isapuso ang pag-papasulong ng (malinis na) kalikasan.”
As always, Earth Day Jam is free to the public.
“We expect some 10,000 to 15,000 attendees. First time namin ito sa Luneta and we believe it’s going to be a nice celebration. Siyempre holiday ’di ba, ta’s open air, may grassy area, parang picnic ang ambiance,” Lou said.
There are no political figures invited, thank you.
“Because we’re not political at all, that simple,” said Lou. “If ever, we’re hoping na ’yung mga nakaupo eh naririnig din kami somehow. If they want, they could lend us a hand. Okay lang hindi pero I think if we all get together, the public, the private sector, the government, mas maganda.”
Safe and sound
People should not be worried about security come concert time as Lou assured “we’ve done our assignment when it comes to that.”
“The City of Manila promised to help us in terms of security. We have also coordinated with the Manila Police and they promised to provide us people. Meron din kaming mga K-9 units, tsaka may mga bouncers din kami hinire on our end.”
Asked about future plans, Lou shared, “We are hoping that by our 20th year we will be able to bring Earth Day Jam not only sa provinces but also abroad. We also want to create an album. Hopefully, all of this will come to fruition by then.”