MANILA, 18 May 2021 — National and local government officials, tourism officers, and artistic directors, will gather virtually to feature the celebration of Philippine festivals in safe and sustainable ways on the 45th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” as part of the “Sustainable and Green Philippine Festivals” series.
 
The episode, hosted by three-term former Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 20 May 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda.
 
Joining the online conversation are resource persons including Assistant Secretary Verna Covar-Buensuceso of the Department of Tourism (DOT), Mayor Celso Olivier Dator of Lucban, Quezon, JC Cadiao-Perlas, provincial tourism officer of Antique, and Rommel Flogen, artistic director of Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival, and Alphonsus Tesoro, National Committee on Central Cultural Communities of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to discuss Philippine festivals in the better normal and encourage communities to embed sustainable and green practices in observing various festivities through shifting to online events, avoiding wasteful consumption, promoting sustainable lifestyles, practicing recycling, banning the use of single-use plastics, and using eco-friendly materials, among others.
 
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, countries, including the Philippines, have imposed lockdowns and quarantine restrictions to avoid the spread of the virus. Businesses and celebrations are mostly undertaken virtually, particularly meetings, gatherings, and festivals.
 
More than a year into the quarantine, Filipinos are continuously finding innovative means to celebrate, paving the way towards sustainable and greener festivities which gave birth to the collaboration between the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the DOT for an online program that allow Filipinos abroad to enjoy Philippine festivals “virtually” amid the pandemic.
 
As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.
 
This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.