US envoy tells story of Simon the Sun, other energy savers

BAGUIO CITY—More than 60 elementary school students stepped on American soil on Saturday and gathered by the fireplace of the United States ambassador’s residence in Camp John Hay here as they listened to US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr. tell the story of Simon the Sun, Wendy the Wind, Kurt the Cloud, Henry the Water and Mikko the Corn.

As if on cue, the fire at the fireplace dwindled when Thomas entered the living room and quietly settled on a wingback chair, a familiar fixture in American homes.

Above the fireplace is a huge Fernando Amorsolo painting of the signing of the instrument of surrender by Japanese Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, the  Tiger of Malaya, on Sept. 3, 1945, at Camp John Hay. The signing was in obedience to the order of Japanese Emperor Hirohito after Yamashita and his men laid down their arms in Kiangan, Ifugao, on Aug. 15, 1945.

But Thomas was here with the children to wage a different war—a war against fossil fuels and a fight for renewable energy.

R.E. for renewable energy

Thomas read the “R.E. Troopers” for the Inquirer Read-Along. It is the first of a series of stories developed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to educate young Filipinos on renewable and clean energy.

The ambassador turned out to be a lively reader with a booming voice.

He told the stories of Wendy, who signifies wind energy; Simon, for solar energy; Henry, or water for hydroelectric energy; Kurt, the cloud; and Mikko, the corn who talked about biomass and deriving energy from waste.

Thomas was an engaging storyteller, even mouthing sound effects like “Whooosh!” with flourish.

The “R.E. Troopers” revolved around friends John, Paulo, Gemma and Myra as they fly a kite and talk to Kurt about wind energy, and listen to Simon talk about solar energy. They eat sweet corn and get an introduction about biomass energy.

“But wait! Hear me! Hear me!” Thomas read and repeated the words as he talked about Henry, “your hydro friend,” and his contribution to renewable energy.

“Go! Renewable Energy! Let us all be friends and call ourselves the R.E. Troopers. Go! R.E. Troopers!” Thomas read at the end, engaging the children to repeat the call.

As the children, who came from four elementary schools in the city, waited for Thomas, Rich Rodriguez, president of Alitaptap Storytellers, roused them with a lively reading of “Munting Patak-ulan” (Little Raindrop) by Gloria Villaraza-Guzman.

It was a fitting introduction to “R.E. Troopers” as it tells the story of raindrops falling and evaporating. It was a retelling of the water cycle with a background about hydroelectric energy as well.

Rodriguez had the children enact, using their bodies, the water cycle as rains fall and water evaporates. The activity drew giggles and laughter among the children.

Divina Chingcuanco, chief of party of USAID Climate Change and Clean Energy Project, said the book is the first in a series that would feature climate change and clean sources of energy.

She said USAID would also stage its version of a “Glee” concert that will invite choirs to compete in a singing competition that will revolve around the theme of clean energy.

Storytelling contest

“In the future, we will be conducting a storytelling contest in schools. If you can understand renewable energy, then you can tell the story,” she said.

She said they are hoping that through their campaign, they can convince children and their elders to practice an environment-friendly lifestyle.

Ahrendsberg Facullo, a Grade 3 pupil at the Saint Louis University Laboratory Elementary School here, said he was happy at the way the stories were read because it encouraged more audience participation.

“I liked the story of the baby raindrop because it was [read in a] very funny [way]. Learning more about the environment has become fun. The stories made me think of taking care of the environment,” Facullo said.

The students were also treated to a snack of ice cream and cookies. They also received school supplies and gifts from the USAID.

Many of the students, however, were not aware of the historic significance of the dining table where their snacks were served. It was the same table where documents that ended the war in the Philippines were signed on Sept. 3, 1945.

They were also clueless on the identities of people in the paintings that surround the ambassador’s residence, a restricted area in Camp John Hay. A huge portrait of Gen. Douglas MacArthur at the dining room, for instance, drew blanks from some students.

Built in 1940

The ambassador’s residence was built in 1940 as living quarters for the American High Commissioner during the Commonwealth period. The L-shaped building combined Southern plantation and 1930s modernism.

During World War II, it was occupied by the Japanese forces and was a favorite of Japanese generals.

The residence sustained cracks during the 1990 earthquake, which leveled many structures in the city.

This was the second time that the US ambassador read for Baguio children. In 2007, then Ambassador Kristie Kenney read a story about eco-warriors through a session arranged by USAID and the Inquirer.

Thomas said Baguio is very important to the US not only because it was its only highland station more than 100 years ago but more so of the presence here of American firms Texas Instruments and Moog Controls that contribute greatly to the economy.

He arrived in the city on Friday for the three-day “America in 3D” program, a road show in diplomacy, development and defense. He graced several activities lined up for the program, including jazz performances and sports clinics. He also attended roundtable discussions on tourism, led a wreath laying for American victims of the 1990 earthquake in Baguio and met with war veterans here.