EarthKeepers promote creation care in the Philippines

By Touch Barrientos, Kyla Ragasa and Matthan Bang-asan
March 18, 2026 | DAVAO, Philippines (UMC TV)

Filipino United Methodists in the Davao Episcopal Area participated in a four-day United Methodist Board of Global Ministries EarthKeepers training on climate change and environmental conservation. Video by Touch Barrientos, Kyla Ragasa, DEA Communications, and Matthan Bang-Asan.

The Davao Episcopal Area launched its first-ever Gilas Kalikasan (EarthKeepers) Learning Institute and inducted 57 EarthKeepers during a four-day gathering. EarthKeepers, a program of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, trains and encourages United Methodist clergy and laity to develop and lead environmental projects in their communities. The initiative connects faith and sustainability, enabling participants to launch projects like community gardens, solar energy projects and recycling initiatives. Kyla Ragasa has the story from Davao.

Watch video

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now

Social Concerns

(From left) United Methodist Deaconess Rubylin G. Litao, Nay Llore Pasco, a leader of the Rise Up for Life and for Rights network, and lawyer Krissi Conti, International Criminal Court-accredited assistant to the counsel of the victims’ families, hold a banner with the faces of victims at a rally in the International Criminal Court at The Hague in the Netherlands on Feb. 25. Photo courtesy of Rubylin Litao.

United Methodists denounce attacks on deaconess, drug war victims

A church commission has condemned the spread of AI-manipulated images and disinformation targeting people seeking justice for victims in the Philippine drug war.

Immigration

When fear knocks, the church answers

This 12-minute documentary in both English and Spanish captures the lived reality of United Methodist congregations in Chicago navigating fear, loss and uncertainty amid increased activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Local Church

Graphic by Ben Ward, photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Podcast: Finding unity in diversity with the Rev. Daniel Hawkins

In “Signs of Life,” a new podcast from UM News, Ben Ward talks with the Rev. Daniel Hawkins about bringing diverse church members to the table and having sometimes hard conversations to be in community together.

Related Tags

Sign up for our newsletter!