SOK RUTUNG, July 25, 2026 – The spirit of preserving “Mother Earth” colored the afternoon at the Divine Mercy of Jesus Parish, Sok Rutung, Saturday, July 25, 2026. As part of a series of activities leading up to the grand event of the Golo Koe Festival 2026, the Bamboo Project Launching activity was held, combined with a Joint Viewing (Nobar) of the Documentary Good Practices of Young People.
This event was attended by the ranks of the West Manggarai Regency Government, the leadership of the Labuan Bajo Diocese, representatives of NGOs (Yakines, Kehati, Pangan Bernas), as well as hundreds of congregations and Catholic Youth (OMK) of the Sok Rutung Divine Mercy Jesus Parish.
Vinsen Gande, Head of the Environmental Section of the Golo Koe Festival 2026 Committee and Head of the Environmental Agency, explained that this activity has strategic momentum because it coincides with the commemoration of World Environment Day, World Oceans Day, and World Mangrove Day. He explained that this project focuses on planting bamboo and sugar palm in three villages: Pantar, Golo Lucan, and Tanjung Boleng.
Vinsen Gande explained the philosophical value of the tree, where the sugar palm is likened to “mother’s milk” for the Manggarai people because of its abundant benefits from the roots to its processed products.
“Our main goal is to build a commitment between the government, Church, people and NGOs that planting trees is a sustainable program to care for creation,” he said.
Deputy Regent of West Manggarai: Synodal Collaboration for Environmental Sustainability
In his remarks, Deputy Regent Dr. Yulianus Weng emphasized that the success of government programs depends heavily on synergistic collaboration with the Church, as “the same people are referred to as the Church’s people.” He also highlighted the government’s commitment to the environment as an absolute requirement for current international aid.
Furthermore, Dr. Yulianus Weng praised the selection of bamboo as a conservation priority.
“Bamboo is the largest plant capable of absorbing CO2 and producing O2,” he explained.
He also promoted the economic aspects of the project, noting that Labuan Bajo already has a bamboo processing plant and the potential for consuming bamboo shoots, which are beneficial for health. However, he added an important caveat: “Don’t just plant them and let them go; we must protect and nurture them so they don’t die.”
Father Vicar General of Labuan Bajo Diocese: Giving Dignity to Nature
Representing the Bishop of Labuan Bajo, RD Richard Manggu expressed his high appreciation for the efforts to build a “bridge of encounter” between environmental stakeholders. Referring to the encyclical “Laudato Si’,” Father Vikjen urged the congregation to abandon the view that places humans at the center of everything (anthropocentric).
“Earth is not merely an accessory, but an equal partner with humanity. Nature has a dignity that we must respect,” he stressed.
He also challenged the committee and congregation to conduct a real evaluation of previous tree-planting activities so that they are not merely ceremonies, and to encourage good practices such as the use of tumblers to minimize single-use plastic waste during the festival.
In addition to the launch of the bamboo project, marked by the beating of a gong, the afternoon event also provided inspiration through the screening of a documentary film showing the good practices of young people from various villages such as Compang Longgo, Pantar, and Golo Bilas in preserving local food and the environment.
This activity is expected to be a spiritual oasis and educational space for the younger generation to be actively involved in realizing sustainable tourism in Labuan Bajo.
“Stepping Together, Restore the Earth”
Contact Person: Heribertus Ratu (0813984619570),
Publication and Promotion Section, Golo Koe Festival 2026 Committee
Website: festivalgolokoe.com
