Earth Day on Good Friday 2011

At the recent Kamayan para sa Kalikasan Forum held last 3rd Friday, April 15, 10:30am-2pm, at Kamayan-EDSA, the forum session practically on the eve of Holy Week this year, all the participants in attendance stood up, joined hearts in a collective act of reflection and Contrition and prayer for atonement along this 11-year-old global Poem/Prayer of Earth Synergy (translated into over 15 languages, first prayed in unison in ceremonies held in six countries during Earth Day 2000, and repeated every year since then).

We suggest that this also be done by families and groups in solemnity in appropriate venues anytime within that weekend from Earth Day/Good Friday to Easter Sunday. Let's all take this collective act of prayer very seriously. This prayer deserves that measure of respect.

A Giant Leap for Humankind

For Earth Synergy
in the new millennium
nations of the world
come together as one,
in body, mind and spirit,
to stand in reverence
before the rest
of the bio-diverse
citizens and elements
of our living planet Gaia,
to take full responsibility
for past and present
environmental destruction,
and to lovingly commit
a conscious synergy of efforts
to rescue and heal,
conserve and exalt
our Mother Earth.
.
This is a giant leap
for Humankind
right back to the bosom
of our home planet,
undoubtedly a euphoric
historic event
that heralds
a new way of life
for all Earthians,
as we enter the new
millennium.

Amen.*

Written by a Filipino environmentalist in October 1999; translated into Bengali, Danish, Filipino, German, French, Japanese, and Swedish, before Earth Day (April) 2000. By now the translations number about 20. A multi-nationality solemn ceremony, called "Handshakes and Hugs for Earth Synergy," was created along with the poem and centered on the sharing of personal responses to it and a chorused recitation of It. Versions of this ceremony have been held in at least six countries during Earth Day 2000, and in more and more places during commemorations of Earth Day (April 22) and World Environment Day (June 5) all these past years. Usually just recited in unison, "Amen" can best be sung, along the Spirit of "Sing Out (our Love, Peace, Joy) 2011", now on its last preparatory month.

*Instead of mere chorused proclamation of firm afirmation, let's Sing out ths "Amen!" To start learning the "Sing Out - Amen" song for the "Sing Out 2011" global initiative, let's familiarize ourselves first with Amen song's repeating melody pattern. Click here and listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9dyBOtQ70k

Then bring back this blog on-screen by pressing at the Facebook tab and then at the blog's link to bring back this blog page, with the music still playing out. Look at these words now to see how the "Sing Out 2011" themes would replace the alternating purely-"Amen" lines. Reading on the blog and listening to the background, sing out loud for a dozen cycles (here is one such cycle)...

Aaa-men -- Aaa-men -- Aaa-men -- Amen -- Amen!
(Siiiing Out - Ouuuur love -- Peeeeace joy -- Sing Out -- Sing Out!)
Aaa-men -- Aaa-men -- Aaa-men -- Amen -- Amen!

Try to get two or three other people to sing with you. That's it. You've started learning the song.
Next, try teaching this song to some other people in your immediate circle... you may use the Youtube link

Ding Reyes
Readdingz. April 21, 2011