Sparkle artists volunteer for coastal cleanup in ecotourism area

Several Sparkle artists came together to clean up the Las Piñas Paranaque Critical Habitat & Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA) on Friday morning.

Organized by GMA Network Inc. and Nestle Philippines for the Kasambuhay ng Kalikasan project, the cleanup drew the likes of Rabiya Mateo, Yasser Marta, Rain Matienzo, Vanessa Pena, and Bea Arboleda. They braved both the rain and the heat to participate in the event.

Waste was collected and also segregated, then processed for its environmentally-appropriate endpoint. Recyclable materials are sent to recyclers, some wastes are picked up by the LGUs, and non-recyclable plastics are washed and dried for upcycling.

It was a significant project as the LPPCHEA is the first critical habitat in the country, and hosts at least 82 migratory and resident bird species. The place is also one of the last remaining protected areas for mangroves, and is home to fishing areas with one of the biggest biodiversity for mussels and shellfish.

Additionally, the Philippines has the third largest coral reef area in the world, but is also the third biggest contributor of plastic in the ocean.

^{Photo courtesy of Joy Marcelo}

In an interview, Sparkle AVP of Talent Management and Development Joy Marcelo shared how environmental projects like these are important for the artists.

“Sobra kaming masaya. I’m very happy lalo na sa Sparkle, we have socially-conscious artists,” she told members of the media.

“So 'yung mga artists that came today, actually, they volunteered kasi very conscious sila na kailangan natin talagang gumawa ng kilos to help our environment," she added.

Marcelo also said that the management truly appreciates the motivation of their talents to help out.

“Natutuwa kami, [they said,] ‘Ms. Joy, we want to go. We want to spend time and do our part in cleaning up the environment.’”

Marcelo emphasized that the Sparkle artists are not just here to provide entertainment, but to also use their platform to bring positive change.

“'Yung mga shoots namin, hindi lang naman importante 'yung itsura ng artista. We also need to have a good environment. Maganda dapat 'yung background kung saan kami nag-sho-shoot and all. It’s also important that we are very proud of our country, na ang ganda, ang linis. Hindi lang maganda, malinis pa," she said.

Marcelo also cited how the network educates and informs the public about protecting nature through documentaries, specials, and dramas like “Lolong.”

“For us at Sparkle, everything that our artists do always resonates. Like their fans, people who look up to them may get their inspiration. So we would like our artists to be examples.” —JCB, GMA News