MANILA, Philippines - To the tune of "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" played by the MMDA Band, men and women in yellow shirts trooped to Times Street, Quezon Avenue, and West 4th Street in Barangay West Triangle in Quezon City on Friday morning to plant about 1,000 seedlings of yellow caballero and golden shower trees to commemorate the first death anniversary of former President Corazon Aquino.

The tree-planting event was also the launch of the Kasama Ako sa Pagbabago Campaign spearheaded by the Yellow Ribbon Movement (YRM). The initiative seeks to support President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III's call for all Filipinos to pursue moral transformation for a better Philippines.

"Tulungan natin si President Noynoy Aquino dahil mahirap tahakin ang daang matuwid. Sana tayong lahat ay magbago," said Margie Juico, founding chairman of YRM and chairperson of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Fr. Joy Tajonero leads the people in a prayer for President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. Credit: Karen Galarpe, abs-cbnNEWS.com

YRM spiritual adviser Fr. Joy Tajonero led YRM members and supporters in a prayer for President Noynoy. The group also recited the "Panata sa Pagbabago" which called on people to be honest, true, helpful, and generous, among others.

The "Panata" called for an end to "dayaan, panloloko, singitan, gitgitan, agawan, and palusot," among others.

For Cory and the environment

Pinky Aquino-Abelleda, daughter of the late President Cory and sister of President Noynoy, planted a seedling herself in front of the Aquino residence on Times Street.

Pinky Aquino Abelleda (in black, back to camera) plants a seedling in front of the Aquino family home. Credit: Karen Galarpe, abs-cbnNEWS.com

"This is in memory of mom. It's also good for the environment. Thank you sa lahat," she told reporters.

Pinky Aquino Abelleda (in black) joins supporters in the march to Times Street. Credit: Karen Galarpe, abs-cbnNEWS.com

Joining YRM in this endeavor is the West Triangle Kapitbahay Movement, a group of President Noynoy Aquino's neighbors.

"Kami'y nagpapasalamat at kasama kami sa pagbabago. We are supportive of President Noy at itong bagong pag-asa," said Frankie Dayrit, president of the neighborhood association.

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) gave full support to the campaign, not just by directing traffic in the area, but also by donating the seedlings and providing manpower help in planting.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) under Secretary Ramon Paje also donated seedlings.

"Lahat ng ginagawa natin di lang para maging symbol [ng pagbabago]. We have to be the change we want to be," said Francis Tolentino, MMDA chairman.

Ms. Earth beauty queens Larissa Ramos of Brazil (Ms. Earth 2009), Sandra Seifert (Ms. Philippines-Earth 2009 and Ms. Earth-Air 2009), and Rene McHugh (Ms. Philippines-Air 2010) also graced the occasion. Seifert said they are happy to support this initiative.

As if on cue, a yellow butterfly lands on a "Kasama Ako sa Pagbabago" sticker as members of the Yellow Ribbon Movement look on. The ladies say, "That's Tita Cory!" Credit: Karen Galarpe, abs-cbnNEWS.com

Businessman Pocholo Pascual, 38, brother of actor Piolo Pascual, was there with his mother. They are both YRM members.

"With President Noy, ang tingin ko, gusto niya mag-start tayo sa maliit na bagay. Lahat, start [change] within yourself then from there go [forward]," Pascual said.

Aside from planting seedlings, YRM members and supporters gave away yellow-and-black car stickers with the words "Kasama Ako sa Pagbabago" printed on them.

YRM is an advocacy group supportive of President Noynoy Aquino's challenge to Filipinos to bring about genuine transformation to restore the pride and dignity of the Filipino.