Hello! My name is Anna Mae Lamentillo, and I am proud to hail from the Philippines, a nation rich in cultural diversity and natural wonders and whose 81 provinces I have visited. As a member of the Karay-a ethnolinguistic group, one of the 182 indigenous groups in our country, I have a deep-rooted appreciation for our heritage and traditions. My journey has been shaped by experiences both at home and abroad, as I pursued my studies in the United States and the United Kingdom, immersing myself in different cultures and perspectives.
Over the years, I have worn many hats — as a civil servant, a journalist, and a development worker. My experiences working with organizations such as the UNDP and FAO have exposed me to the harsh realities of natural disasters, such as the devastating impact of Typhoon Haiyan, which claimed the lives of 6,300 individuals.
During my time in Tacloban and the surrounding areas, I encountered stories of both resilience and tragedy, such as the heart-wrenching dilemma faced by a young man, a fourth-year student, three months shy of graduation who was studying for his exams with his girlfriend. It was supposed to be the last Christmas they would be dependent on their allowances. They did not know what a tsunami meant and proceeded to do what they planned to do — study.
They dreamed of traveling together after college. It was going to be their first time. They never had money to spare before. But in three months, they thought, everything would be all right. They only had to wait a few more months. After all, they had already waited for four years.
What he didn’t expect was the fact that the storm [Typhoon Haiyan] would be so strong he would have to choose between saving his girlfriend and her one-year-old niece. For months, he would stare longingly at the sea, at the exact same spot he found his girlfriend, with a piece of galvanized iron that was used for roofing pierced through her stomach.
These experiences underscored the importance of education, preparedness, and community resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
Motivated by these encounters, I spearheaded a three-pronged strategy to combat climate change and protect our environment. Through innovative platforms like NightOwlGPT, GreenMatch, and Carbon Compass, we are empowering individuals and communities to take proactive steps towards sustainability and resilience.
NightOwlGPT leverages the power of AI to bridge language barriers and enable people to ask questions in their local dialects, fostering inclusivity and accessibility to information. Whether through voice input or typing, users receive immediate translations that bridge conversations between diverse languages. Our model can now communicate effectively in Tagalog, Cebuano and Ilokano but we hope to expand to all 170 languages spoken in the country.
GreenMatch is an innovative mobile platform designed to bridge the gap between individuals and businesses eager to offset their carbon footprint and the grassroots environmental projects that are vital for our planet’s health. It enables indigenous and local groups to submit grassroots projects and benefit from carbon offsetting, ensuring that those most affected by climate change receive support.
Meanwhile, Carbon Compass equips individuals with tools to navigate cities while reducing their carbon footprint, promoting eco-friendly practices and sustainable living.
In conclusion, I invite each of you to join hands in our shared journey towards a greener, more sustainable future. Let us work together to protect our planet, uplift our communities, and build a world where every voice is heard and every life is valued. Thank you for your attention and your commitment to positive change. Together, we can make a difference.
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