First Philippines Holdings Corp. (FPH) and its associated companies, First Gen Corp. (First Gen) and Energy Development Corp. (EDC) recently organized a tribute to Oscar M. Lopez, clan patriarch and chair emeritus of the Lopez Group, for his life-long environmental advocacies.

 

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje and Sen. Frank Drilon led prominent personalities from government, business and the  academe  who joined the cocktail reception dubbed, “For Love of Nature.”

 

The event also marked the formal launch of three ground-breaking books on biodiversity conservation, providing a fitting highlight for the tribute to a man who is known for his love of nature and environmental advocacies.

 

EDC’s “Rafflesia of the Philippines” presents the latest taxonomic information on the 10 Philippine species of Rafflesia, the largest single flower in the world. First Gen’s “Generations” shows photographs of majestic mountains, natural rivers, streams, volcanoes, as well as the flora and fauna living in various power plant sites of First Gen across the country.

 

“Philippine Native Trees 101” is a guidebook replete with photos and descriptions of native Philippine trees. The book, which is supported by EDC, aims to educate Filipinos about native trees and the benefits they provide.

 

During the tribute for Lopez, his son and current FPH chair Federico Lopez described his father’s love for nature as “infectious,” and that it has become “our own mission to inspire current and future generations of leaders at our companies and the communities we touch, and to feel the same passion he has—and now we have—for nature and the environment.”

 

Copies of “Rafflesia of the Philippines” and “Generations” will be donated to universities and other institutions, groups and individuals who are seriously committed to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.

 

“Philippine Native Trees 101” is available at Hortica Filipina Foundation Inc. in New Manila, Quezon City, and Miriam College Environmental Studies Institute. Call tel. 0917-4650281.