San Francisco, Philippines: LCTMNHS wins the 'Battle for the brain, skills and talent for DRR 2013'
By Jonathan R. Nudalo, Monica P. Tan and Jonavieve Mae Otero
San Francisco, Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines - Global Warming & Climate Change are the words now ordinary to hear even to the young but how sure we are that we had really internalized the real meaning of global warming and climate change. Lots of explanations were given, propagandas in televisions were shown and headliners in newspaper were read, are all these things effective?
The Department of Education served as strong partner of the local government unit of San Francisco in promoting and educating the students about Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation has made an avenue that the significance of the two will be understood. A Battle of Brain, Skills and Talents for DRR 2013 were showcased as a way of celebrating DRR Consciousness Month celebrated every month of August. This is now on it’s second year which involve different competitions such as Role Play, DRR Jingle, First Aid, Poster & Slogan Making. With these activities students were able to portray and visualize the possible effect when we damaged our source of life. Students also were able to sing from the heart about their feelings on the negative impact of climate change through DRR Jingle and they can differentiate their town compared to other on how secured they are, living in the safe municipality like San Francisco.
The six secondary schools namely Lorenzo C. Tanza Memorial National High School, (LCTMNHS)-Principal Romeo Formentera; Camotes National High School-Principal Mila S. Surbano, (CNHS); Santiago National High School (SNHS)-Principal Marilyn D. Limpio; Campillo Progressive School Incorporated (CPSI)-Sinesio Gonzales; Consuelo National High School (CNHS)-Principal Jocelyn I. Formentera; and Cabungaan National High School (CNHS)-Principal Mila D. Bojos compete the District Secondary DRR Contest for this Battle for the Brain, Skill and Talent for DRR 2013, that was one of the MDRRMO program integrated in the school which as part of the mandate of the RA 10121. These contests hosted by the Camotes National High School held last September 4, 2013.
The host school Camotes National High School was once also recognized by the SEAMEO as one of the school in the Asia who had School Disaster Risk Reduction Best Practices through the involvement of the student in the Red Cross Youth Movement headed by the energetic principal Mila S. Surbano and Municipal School DRR-CCA Coordinator Marianila C. Barral.
The objectives of the said event is to develop communication skills and gain self confidence; develop social growth; improve environmental awareness; impart DRR-CCA learning in the communities where they belong and become advocates in helping global environmental problems.
The DRR Jingle which is added to this year contest for Battle for the Brain, Skills and Talent for DRR 2013 highlighted the occasion. LCTMNHS DRR Team bringing once again the bacon and fame to their school during District Secondary DRR Contest through a Battle for the Brain, Skills and Talent for DRR 2013 which officially pronounce as grand champion for the second time around competing six other schools.
LCTMNHS was a djudge as first for DRR Role Play which participated by Noreen Nudalo, Wendelyn Zanoria, Bernadette Macusang, Casiano Bensig Jr., Christilyn Casinillo, Manilyn Varquez, Faith Mae Bojos, Joshua Russel Bensig, Dianne Melon, Ralph Ryan Dela Cerna, Merie Rose Maurillo, Romer Ranoco II. Ronie Lucero and Jhonford June Orbeso. They also won the DRR Jingle the following students joined Eva Bancale, Mary Lou Sampan, Jamaica Amancio, Mia Gracia Capao, Edith Camille Dela Peña, Reymon Sabayton, Dheavon Melon, James Aljun Solijon, Dexter Galagnara, Jerome Sarmiento, Nicolette Chase Gonzaga, Jasmen Formentera, Mae Jaira Flores & Mark Joseph Camongay. Champion for First Aid Contest focus on how to response head injury with Mary Lou Sampan, Romer Ranoco II, Casiano Bensig Jr., Ricardo Almacin Jr., Cynthia Sampan. Second placer - Poster Making - Ester Ruth Gonzaga and 2nd Placer - Slogan - Lister Formentera. Their coach is Mrs. Jonavieve Mae Otero, School DRR-CCA Coordinator assisted by Mitch Batomalaque.
Other winners of the individual competitions were Zaivelle Faith Herda of Campillo Progressive School Inc. and John Clevin Formentera of Consuelo National High School got the 1st and 3rd place of the Slogan Making Contest while Reychan J. Plenos also from Consuelo NHS was the 1st place winner and Lief T. Gella also of CPSI was the 3rd placer of the Poster Making Contest. In the group competitions, role players from Cabungaan NHS placed 2nd and Camotes NHS placed 3rd in the Role Play. In First Aid, first aiders from Camotes NHS and Cabungaan NHS placed 2nd and 3rd respectively while in the DRR Jingle Contest, performers from Camotes NHS also were the 2nd place winner and CPSI performers placed 3rd.
Municipal Vice Mayor Allan A. Arquillano graced the occasion who inspired the organizers, teachers and students to internalize the real essence of the affair. He said that we will not do it for the sake of the contest but urging young generations to prepare and be ready always for the threatening impact of hazard and climate change.
These selected students coming from different schools were trained and participated in the previous Disaster Risk Reduction Activities inputted by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office (MDRRMO of San Francisco) under the leadership of Rosalinda C. Serion-MDRRM Officer.
Education plays a crucial role not just on the lectures and tests given to the students about MAPEH, Filipino, English, Science and other required subjects but it is all about the good seed we had planted to the innocent minds and heart of the youngsters. The big challenge to the educator is “Had made it grown and rooted?
It may be a difficult question to answer but as long as application is there surely things would be better. The school had strictly implemented the monthly tree planting and growing activity and promoted the proper segregation of wastes.
There are others find it a burden in protecting their environment while other continue to destroy it but in San Francisco there are still gentle hands that will continue to fight this battle for life. The education had accepted the challenges in helping the world to be once again a better place to live in. This thing will start in the school and will start from the teachers.
San Francisco is not just promoting the protection and management of the environment but instead spearheaded the action of building grassroots resiliency. Students are not after for the simple prize and fame but they are on the lifetime knowledge they had gained in joining the said competition.