Maraming salamat!!

By Kyra Hoevenaars

Wednesday December 15, was the last day of the environmental education project for this year. We concluded with the excursion to BFAR with grade 6C from Mauricio Reynoso Mermorial Elementary School. It was a very enthusiastic group and they were eager to learn about sustainable aquaculture done at the BFAR.

After this successful last excursion, we went to Neva’s Place, a cozy pizza restaurant in the center of Puerto Princesa, where we met all volunteers with who we evaluated the project. The volunteers had some points to improve the project, which we will implement in our future project, but overall they were very positive about their experience and the project.

After the evaluation the other guests who helped or contributed to the project arrived, the volunteers from the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Coast Guards, the bus drivers, the staff from BFAR and a representative from the Department of Education. We set up a projector which showed pictures taken during the lectures, excursions and activities and after a few welcome words by Sander, we enjoyed some delicious pizza’s.

During dinner, we shared experiences and memories from the project. Then, we thanked everybody for their effort and help during the project. There was a certificate of appreciation and a CD with pictures for all contributors, which I had the honor to hand out.

After the usual picture taking it was time to say good bye. But not a real goodbye, since we will definitely continue this wonderful project with more classes and more schools in the coming years.

Coast guards and PCGA

Girls from PCGA

Volunteers

Capt Rosalym Jasper (PCGA) receiving a certificate

Sulyap sa Karagatan, a blast!

By Jessa Garibay

I can’t help being emotional as I tap on the laptop’s keys as I put into words my experiences and memories of the soon ending Sulyap sa Karagatan project of the South Sea Exclusive Foundation.

Ah, time flies! Indeed, it is an expression commonly heard by all of us. Truly, it is what I am feeling now. I can still remember the “makings” of the education program: from the preparations of Kyra and Sander of the foundation; to Natasha and I’s internship for it; to the pilot program; and to the recruitment of the volunteers; up to the actual program – going from school to school to teach children regarding the marine environment and making them appreciate nature by bringing them close to it through the excursions. I’ve seen it all! I’ve seen how it’s made and I can’t help but really reminisce on how much I’ve learned from this experience.

I would say that my favourite part of the whole project is going on the excursions and showing to the kids mostly of what we discussed from the Sulyap sa Karagatan booklet. Furthermore, I also love going to the mangroves with them as it allows me to be my most creative while I am telling them stories about the sea under the shade of the mangroves and sitting on its roots. Also, most of them live very near the sea but never really experienced going near the mangroves to examine it, nor snorkel on the reefs. Truly, it is a one of a kind experience for everyone.

Seven elementary schools: Tagburos, Tagburos Aplaya, West Central, Mandagarat, Don Ramon Roces, Abanico and Mauricio Reynoso Elementary schools. With the help of everyone, we have made the project possible. We have touched 7 schools with our “green” and “sustainable” efforts to conserve the environment. But, the learning does not only occur from the volunteers to the students – it also happens from the students to all the people involved. Having the experience to go to the elementary schools honed me to become more enthusiastic into what I am doing. I have really learned a lot from the experience. Children are best at being CHILDREN. The children possess so much energy and potential in them that makes you want to learn more and impart more!

There are so many to be really thanked for their efforts on making this program possible. For without them, this project would not have fully bloomed into a great learning experience: the NCDO, Southsea Exclusive Philippines Inc., the City Government of Puerto Princesa, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Legend Hotel Palawan, HOBBAI, the elementary schools.. and of course, South Sea Exclusive Foundation.

Excursion at South Sea Exclusive

Recieving instructions before snorkeling

Fish identification-What did we see during snorkeling?

Jessa, reaching the kids about mangroves