TAGUM CITY—He was their Teacher Rey.
About 120 pupils listened attentively and occasionally exploded in laughter as Mayor Rey Uy became an educator for over an hour during the Inquirer’s Read-Along session here on Friday.
Interspersing his storytelling with lectures and jokes, Uy—known for his strict governance—turned out to be an excellent teacher as he read “Learning to Care for Mother Earth,” published by the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Climate Change and Clean Energy Project (CEnergy), to Grade 5 and Grade 6 pupils of Magugpo Pilot Imelda Elementary School (MPIES).
Illustrated by Beverly Ann Bailaran, the story takes on a group of Grade 6 pupils of Bonifacio Elementary School on a tour to the Climate Change and Clean Energy Center, a repository of knowledge and information about environment protection and conservation.
“Your passion to contribute in helping protect our environment should always be strong,” Uy, 56, reminded his young audience before the start of the activity.
The session was conducted as more than 200 community environment and natural resources officers from across the country gathered in another venue here to talk about the impact of climate change and other environment issues.
Uy was visibly enjoying his time with the children, playing out his “Teacher Rey” character well.
“Have you trimmed your nails already? Let me see your hands,” the mayor said, making the rounds to inspect the children’s hands. Many were amused.
Eleven-year-old Honey Joy Hagonoy took down notes on a recycled notebook as she listened to Uy narrating the story of Marie and her classmates on the environment tour.
“I want to become like Waste Buster,” Hagonoy said, referring to one of the four environment “superheroes” in the story. The other Eco-Defenders are Switch Ninja, Marine Crusader and Water Warrior.
Hagonoy said Waste Buster’s character resonates with her, “I want to help in getting rid of garbage and other waste so the air we breathe would always be clean.”
Uy also urged the pupils to help in conserving energy and other resources, as well as taking care of school facilities.
“Take good care of your school chairs, your classroom … so our future children can also enjoy learning using these facilities,” he said.
When asked about some ways of protecting the environment, the pupils said in unison: “Follow the 3 Rs—reduce, reuse and recycle.”
Rikki Dio, 10, said she loves to watch colorful fish and corals in their natural habitat. “I want the seas and rivers to be always clean. I would not throw garbage anywhere, especially when we go swimming in the sea. I want to be Marine Crusader.”
Ana Isabel Valdez, the school principal, said the children had been learning about environment conservation in class so they were able to relate with the story. She said she might consider forming “eco-defenders” at MPIES.
Also present during the read-along were Danilo Villas, city environment head of Makati City and president of the 350-strong Philippine League of Local Environment and Natural Resources Officers, and Oliver Gonzales, his counterpart in Batangas City.
The children were treated to an impromptu quiz show, with Mayor Uy as the host. Three won Guyito toys while another went home richer by P100 given by Uy himself. Colorful notebooks donated by USAID were also given. Frinston L. Lim and Joselle R. Badilla, Inquirer Mindanao