MANILA, Philippines—In school, we learn not only our lessons but also about life. That was the message of the stories that were read at Saturday’s Back to School-themed Inquirer Read-Along which featured rising star and Angelicum College student Eula Caballero and Sophia School principal Ann Abacan and teachers Salie Lorico and Marnie Buenaagua.
The Sophia School teachers kicked off the session with a reading of “Klasmeyt” written by Centeno San Miguel, a story about children standing up against bullies.
First-time reader Caballero read Rene O. Villanueva’s “Ayokong Pumasok sa Paaralan,” a story about a bee who initially refuses to go to school but later realizes that he can have the most fun in life in school.
Caballero, who appears on TV5’s Saturday sitcom, “One of the Boys,” said she had fun as a storyteller because of the children. “I am really fond of kids and it’s fun that I get to be with them in an opportunity like this one. They were playful but also respectful. They were not shy; they all smiled warmly at me so it felt very fulfilling to be with them.”
Own views
“The children participated actively and were full of opinions and ideas. That’s what I liked about them. I really like children who have their own way of thinking and stand up for their own views,” she said.
Caballero is currently finishing high school through the Angelicum home schooling program and advocates the importance of education.
She said she tries her best to balance her time between work and school. “We are given modules and we can do our schoolwork at our own pace. Going to school is important because education empowers people. It’s not just the basic lessons. You learn how to behave properly, what is the right thing to do, and you learn to be wise also.”
“I have other passions too. Before I got into acting, I really wanted to be a chef. So I have to do well in my academics if I want to pursue my dream and take up culinary arts in the future,” she said.
Trust parents
“From the story, I hope the children also learned the importance of trusting our parents. There are no parents who would wish for anything bad for their children, so I hope the children will learn to listen to their parents,” Caballero added.
More than 50 children from the Hands-On Manila Foundation attended the session.
Finish studies
Twinkle, a sixth grader at Antonio Regidor Elementary School in Manila, who came with his younger sisters Mary Joy and Mary Rose, said he never missed a day of school.
“I want to finish my studies so I can help those children who were not able to go to school,” he said.
He believes that studying hard would help him fulfill his dream. “I want to become a police officer so I can arrest crooks,” he said.
Twelve-year-old Mary Joy, also a student at Antonio Regidor, said she wanted to finish her studies and become a nurse to help her family. “So I can take care of my parents when
they are sick and to help others in need.”
Aside from Math, nine-year-old Mary Rose loves reading and writing. “I want to become a teacher so I can teach those children who can’t write,” she said.
Saturday’s session at the Inquirer main office was hosted by Inquirer Libre editor in chief Chito de la Vega and was held in cooperation with Sophia School, Healthy Options,
Dunkin Donuts, Hands-On Manila and Francis Garcia of TV5 Network. Marielle Medina and Rafael L. Antonio, Inquirer Research
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