Visayas Rising: Empowering Local Leaders in the Fight for Climate Justice

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

A Powerful Call for Unity at the GPP Red-Green Consultation in Cebu

On July 6, 2025, atop the tranquil hills of Mt. Manunggal in Barangay Sunog, Balamban, Cebu, a movement ignited with the fire of purpose and the urgency of our times. Under the theme "Visayas Rising: Empowering Local Leaders for Environmental Action," the Red-Green Multi-Party Partnership took a bold step forward in uniting forces for climate justice, inclusive development, and political cooperation.

Organized by the Akbayan Partylist and the Green Party of the Philippines (GPP), the Visayas Local Consultation was more than just a gathering—it was a manifestation of the Filipino people's growing resolve to reclaim the future from the forces of environmental destruction and political apathy.

A Coalition Forged in Crisis

The Red-Green Multi-Party Partnership, a groundbreaking alliance among political parties and civic organizations, seeks to chart a new course: one of inclusive green transition and ecological integrity grounded in social justice. As climate disasters become more frequent and inequality more severe, the need for a shared political agenda has never been more critical.

This series of local consultations—Visayas being a key front—will serve as the foundation for a historic National Red-Green Consultation Workshop, where grassroots insights will shape a unified environmental platform.

The Mountain that Spoke

The event's location was symbolic. Mt. Manunggal, sacred and serene, became the stage for passionate calls for environmental responsibility and community empowerment. It was here that a diverse ensemble of participants—local political party chapters, youth groups, community organizers, and regional convenors—assembled not just to talk, but to act.

From the very beginning, the energy was palpable.

The day began with “Earth Caring” activities, a ritualistic nod to the sacred bond between people and nature. Registration and a hearty breakfast followed, setting the tone for a day of learning, dialogue, and collaboration.

GPP Chairperson David D’Angelo opened the floor with remarks that reminded attendees of the urgent, moral imperative to act. Cebu Provincial Convenor Baltz Tribunalo grounded the discussions in local reality, painting a vivid picture of the environmental and social challenges facing Visayan communities.

The youth were not merely present—they were at the forefront. Tesha Arcamo of Kabataan Para sa Kalikasan – Cebu led a creative introduction of participants that resonated with enthusiasm and fresh hope.

Deep Dive into Issues, Data, and Dreams

Joseph Ramos, GPP National President, outlined the broader “green situation,” reminding the audience that climate justice is not just an environmental issue—it is a socio-political revolution.

Engr. Richard Peñaflor, GPP’s National Auditor, unveiled key findings from the Green Survey and Project Study, providing data-driven insights into community needs and climate vulnerabilities.

After a robust open forum, the afternoon was devoted to focus group discussions modeled after the “World Café” approach—interactive, rotating dialogues designed to foster creative solutions from the grassroots.

Local voices highlighted a wide range of pressing issues:

The creeping encroachment of unsustainable development in rural areas

The lack of climate-resilient infrastructure

Marginalization of indigenous practices and wisdom

Youth disenfranchisement in environmental policymaking

From these intense discussions emerged concrete recommendations that will serve as the pillars of the national red-green agenda.

Building for the Future

The final segment of the day marked a significant milestone: the establishment of the Interim Visayas Officers of the Green Party of the Philippines. This strategic move ensured that the momentum built during the consultation would not dissipate—it would be institutionalized, organized, and sustained.

With snacks in hand and spirits renewed, the participants capped the day with heartfelt closing remarks and a symbolic photo opportunity that captured not just smiling faces, but a shared commitment to action.

Beyond the Summit: A National Reckoning

The Visayas consultation is only the beginning. As Akbayan and GPP move toward national consolidation, these localized experiences will become the heartbeat of a movement that demands climate justice, government accountability, and political courage.

The consultation also made strategic use of its Php198,000 budget—a reflection of fiscal transparency and grassroots prioritization. From transport subsidies for participants from Ormoc and Talisay, to modest allocations for food, lodging, and honoraria, the event modeled a community-first approach.

A Call to Action

In a world battered by typhoons, droughts, and political inertia, the GPP Visayas Local Consultation proved that change does not trickle from the top—it erupts from the ground. As a participant and proud representative of Wazzup Pilipinas, I witnessed firsthand the birth of something extraordinary.

We are no longer waiting for leaders to act. We are becoming those leaders.

The Green Party of the Philippines, Akbayan Partylist, and countless grassroots allies have drawn a line in the sand. With unity, vision, and relentless dedication, we march toward a future where nature thrives, justice prevails, and the Filipino people rise—undaunted and unstoppable.

Visayas has spoken. The nation is listening.

By Ross Flores Del Rosario, Wazzup Pilipinas Founder & GPP National Vice President - External Affairs

Voices from the Heartland: Visayans Speak Up in Groundbreaking GPP Environmental Focus Group Discussion

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In a country of more than 7,000 islands, it is easy for the voices in the middle—the Visayans—to be drowned out by the political noise of Manila or the emerging influence of Mindanao. But last week, in the heart of the Visayas, those voices broke through with clarity, conviction, and courage during the much-anticipated Focus Group Discussion (FGD) of the Greening the Philippine Plan (GPP) Environmental Consultation.

The event was not just another roundtable; it was a charged arena of ideas, a community catharsis, and a declaration of both struggle and solution. Here, environmental warriors, local leaders, grassroots organizations, and impassioned advocates gathered not only to raise concerns but to build a collaborative map toward sustainable transformation.

A Circle of Truths and Testimonies

In a carefully arranged circle—designed to spark openness and equality—groups of 10 to 15 participants each sat with colored meta-cards in hand, ready to peel back the layers of their everyday realities. The seating, intentionally symbolic, dissolved hierarchies and blurred lines between farmers and professionals, youth leaders and fisherfolk.

Guided by skilled moderators, each circle was a microcosm of the region’s social and environmental ecosystem. They tackled the day’s burning questions head-on—no filters, no hesitation.

The Three Crucial Questions That Lit the Fire

What are the environmental and social issues affecting you and your organization in the Visayas Region?

What solutions do you think are needed—by you and by your organization?

What intervention or assistance do you need from the GPP to solve these problems?

These questions were more than academic prompts—they were sparks that ignited deep, honest reflection. Participants first scribbled their answers on colored meta-cards—a visual tapestry of diverse experiences—and then voiced them in front of peers, sparking not just agreement but healthy, passionate debates.

From rampant deforestation in upland areas to plastic-choked coastlines, from mining-related displacement to lack of access to green technologies, the spectrum of challenges raised was as vast as the archipelago itself. Social issues interwove seamlessly—poverty, lack of government support, youth disengagement, and corruption—reminding everyone in the room that environmental issues do not exist in a vacuum.

Solutions Born from Shared Struggle

The magic of the FGD wasn’t just in identifying the problems—it was in the collective emergence of grassroots solutions. Participants proposed actionable ideas: community-led reforestation efforts, mandatory environmental education, localized climate adaptation programs, and even livelihoods rooted in sustainability, such as bamboo farming and eco-tourism.

Some called for stronger multi-stakeholder collaboration, while others emphasized the need for transparency and accountability mechanisms to ensure government and NGO interventions hit their marks. What made these discussions different? They came from those who live the consequences of inaction every single day.

GPP: Listening, Learning, and Leading Forward

The GPP’s presence at the event wasn’t ceremonial—it was strategic and sincere. By collecting the outputs of each group discussion, the GPP commits to integrating these lived insights into its environmental action plans, creating programs that reflect the pulse of the people, not just the paperwork of bureaucracy.

This is more than just consultation—it is co-creation.

The FGD didn’t just fulfill an agenda—it rewrote the rules on how national plans should be formed: by and for the people.

Why This Matters

In an era of climate urgency and environmental degradation, initiatives like the Visayas Leg of the GPP FGD are not just important—they are essential. They prove that participatory governance is alive, that solutions don't have to come from the top, and that the true experts are those living on the frontlines of change.

In the words of one participant, a young community organizer from Leyte:

“For so long, we’ve been told what’s good for us. Today, we told them what we know, what we feel, what we need. This isn’t just an FGD—it’s our fight.”

And fight they will—with voices loud, hearts open, and hands ready to build a greener tomorrow.

Wazzup Pilipinas will continue to monitor the outcomes of this dialogue and hold institutions accountable to the voices raised. Because here in the Visayas—and across the Philippines—the people are not just participants. They are the pulse of the planet.

‘Heads of State’ Review: A Political Action Farce Elevated Only by Naishuller's Artistry

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In Heads of State, director Ilya Naishuller—known for the kinetic chaos of Hardcore Henry and the surprise hit Nobody—trades blood-splattered mayhem for PG-13 polish. What should have been a fun, irreverent political action comedy instead collapses under the weight of its own emptiness, saved only by Naishuller’s irrepressible flair for action and the offbeat charisma of stars John Cena and Idris Elba.

From the opening frame, it’s evident that Heads of State wants to be a breezy popcorn flick with a geopolitical twist. Cena stars as President Will Derringer, a former Hollywood action star inexplicably elected Commander-in-Chief—an idea that feels less like satire and more like today’s news cycle repackaged with a wink. Elba plays UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke, who views Derringer as a joke—until they’re forced to team up after a terrorist attack downs Air Force One en route to a NATO summit.

It’s a setup that screams buddy action comedy with global stakes, but what follows is a clunky patchwork of exposition-heavy dialogue, lazy tropes, and paper-thin character development. The script, penned by Josh Applebaum, André Nemec, and Harrison Query, relies so heavily on cliché that you can almost predict every beat before it lands. Toss in a power-hungry Vice President (Carla Gugino), a remorseful hacker (Stephen Root), and a ruthless villain (Paddy Considine, phoning in menace as Viktor Gradov), and you’ve got a streaming-era stew of narrative familiarity.

Yet in the midst of this narrative chaos, the action shines.

Naishuller doesn’t disappoint when the fists fly and bullets rip. Despite the PG-13 limitations, he stages tightly edited and surprisingly inventive set pieces—a slapstick-heavy skirmish that channels Jackie Chan, a brutal mirrored vault showdown, and a slick shootout scored to the ever-overused yet effective “Sabotage” by Beastie Boys. It’s in these moments where Heads of State almost convinces you it could’ve been more than forgettable content.

Cena and Elba bring some much-needed chemistry and levity, riffing off each other with a natural rhythm that keeps the movie from flatlining. Their scenes hum with buddy-comedy energy, an echo of their dynamic in The Suicide Squad, though played with less bite here. Cena leans into a clumsier, more comedic action persona, which plays surprisingly well against Elba’s grounded authority. It’s a pairing that deserves a better script.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas, however, feels adrift. As MI6 agent Noel Bisset, she has her action moments—including an intense hand-to-hand fight—but lacks any real connection with the other leads. Her character is underwritten, her motivations barely explored. It’s yet another Hollywood outing that fails to tap into the star power she once wielded in Indian cinema. Chopra’s crossover may have paid off financially, but creatively, it remains stalled.

Jack Quaid, as CIA agent Marty Comer, fares even worse. His performance is a flat echo of Ryan Reynolds-esque sarcasm without the charm. He drags down the momentum in every scene he’s in, a frustrating presence in a film already struggling to justify its 114-minute runtime.

What Heads of State ultimately suffers from is the modern streaming ailment: the illusion of cinematic storytelling, without the substance. It’s visually passable, intermittently exciting, and completely forgettable. The dialogue feels AI-generated, with characters repeatedly re-explaining plot points for viewers distracted by their phones. Nothing sticks. Nothing matters. It’s content, not cinema.

Yet, Naishuller’s direction remains the sole lifeline. His ability to shoot coherent, engaging action—even when neutered by studio restrictions—is commendable. You sense a director desperate to unleash, restrained by a system that favors generic appeal over artistic risk. Had he been allowed to go full R-rated, Heads of State might have delivered the edgy thrills it teases. Instead, it’s a cautionary tale about what happens when creative talent is smothered by algorithm-driven storytelling.

In the end, Heads of State isn’t a complete failure. It’s a frustrating near-miss—a showcase of great action craft trapped inside a hollow shell. It may entertain in bursts, particularly when Cena and Elba are on screen, but it never quite earns its place in memory. Like most direct-to-streaming offerings, it disappears as quickly as it arrives, another casualty of the endless content treadmill.

Final Verdict: Watch it for the action and the Cena-Elba banter. Forget everything else.