RA MINDANAO listens to Fr. Jett Villarin, SJ on Climate Change

RA-Mindanao had a privileged chance to listen to the outgoing President of Xavier University, Fr. Jose Ramon (Fr. Jett) Villarin, SJ, share his ideas on climate change. Kauswagan community sent 25 delegates composed of teachers, students and the Sisters themselves. Sr. Mar Cecilia stayed behind due to asthma complications. Kibangay was not able to come down due to other commitments. CDO had only 6, 2 lay and 4 Sisters. Sr. Chit was confined to the hospital for allergic reactions the night before.

We thought this was not possible anymore since at first Fr. Jett did not have the time. But when Sr. Josefa made a follow up 3 weeks ago, he gave a date. We were glad that he was able to insert this engagement in his busy schedule considering that he just arrived from Germany for the UN monitoring committee on climate change, of which he is a member. Yesterday, he asked to change the time and move it an hour earlier for there was going to be an emergency meeting of the BOT for the election of the new XU president. So, at 9:00 am today, Fr. Jett came and spoke for an hour before rushing to the board room for the election of his replacement.

This was a rare occasion for us to have him speak on the topic closest to his heart - atmospheric physics. This is going to be the first and last chance we have of him since he will be transferring to AdMU by April 2011.

Fr. Jett was able to give a very concise and practical knowledge on climate change. He was able to speak to the level of the students and to simple folks like us. He was an effective teacher, speaking in simple terms but bringing across the basic idea that we must think “carbon” and make decisive actions so as to mitigate as well as adapt to climate change. Climate change is a serious concern and we have to act now so that the young generation will still have a future to look forward to for time is running out.