Poe scion holds NY launch of his book on climate change

Author Brian Poe Llamanzares signing books for admirers. INQUIRER/Elton Lugay

NEW YORK—What good is an education if you only use it for yourself? This was the challenge Brian Poe Llamanzares took on after completing masteral studies on climate and society at Columbia University in 2018, and proceeding to write about climate change for a Filipino audience.

Five years later, the book A Sustainable Future made its debut at the Philippine Consulate here at a signing event hosted by the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA).

“The Philippines remains one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world. Yet there is very little literature written about climate change from a Filipino perspective.” Llamanzares told INQUIRER.net in an email interview. “I went to take my master’s in climate change so that I could bring home that knowledge and share it with my fellow Filipinos. This book is the result of years of studies and policy research,”.

Passion for public service

Grandson of the late action legend Fernando Poe Jr., Llamanzares hears the call of public service. Though he wears many hats – he is an entrepreneur, investor, journalist and philanthropist all at the same time — he is most passionate about being a public servant.

“I love my work as an entrepreneur, and I love my work as a philanthropist. However, public service remains the best way to help the most number of people in the most sustainable way possible,” he said.

Admitting that being a Poe came with many opportunities in both business and politics, the son and chief of staff of Sen. Grace Poe takes in stride impressions that he lives in the shadow of Mom and FPJ.

“For me, that was never a disadvantage. I always saw it as standing on the shoulders of giants rather than hiding in their shadows. I’m embracing their legacy and doing my best to make my family and country proud,” Llamanzares said.

His vision for the Philippines has everything to do with sustainability: better resource management, a larger renewable energy portfolio, more effective disaster preventive measures, and more sustainability programs being taught in schools across the country. The timeframe is within the next 10 years.

NaFFAA national chair Brendan Flores (left) led the book launch of author Brian Poe Llamanzares. INQUIRER/Elton Lugay

Does this mean he will seek public office as an elected official himself? It all depends. “It really isn’t for me to say whether or not it’s my time to serve. I leave that decision to the Filipino people. However one thing is for sure, if I am called, I will serve to the best of my ability wherever my fellow Filipinos see fit.” Llamanzares said.

Calling on the youth

In the meantime, he is reaching out to the youth with a message about how important sustainability is to them.

“Ultimately, it’s their future they are fighting for. By the time climate change reaches a critical juncture, I may be quite older, but the younger generations will inherit the challenge. I hope that they take on the mission early on and combat the effects of climate change to save the country from future disasters,” Llamanzares said.

NaFFAA national chair Brendan Flores, who spearheaded the signing event last March 16, couldn’t agree more.

Attendees at Brian Poe Llamanzares’ book signing event at the Philippine Center in New York. INQUIRER/Elton Lugay

“As the largest federation of Fil-Am organizations in the United States, NaFFAA was proud to host our fellow kababayan Brian Poe-Llamanzares in New York as he introduces his book ‘A Sustainable Future’. It was well received by our Fil-Am community as we felt the fire in Brian’s eyes as he shared his firm conviction for sustainability, not just today but also for future generations,” Flores said.

He said further: “Our Filipino youth are our future leaders and the hope of our motherland. I encourage our dear young friends to read this book and gain the hope for better days you need by learning about renewable energy, water management, catastrophe resilience, and, most importantly, how Filipinos around the globe could work together to solve major sustainable development challenges in the Philippines.”