Opinion

What You Can Do Matters

What You Can Do Matters

            This column is dedicated to all teachers willing to share insights from hands-on experiences in the field of teaching.  In this issue, Hands-On welcomes MS ELIZABETH B. SAN PEDRO, Social Studies teacher in Ernesto Rondon High School, Project 6, Quezon City.

            Ms. San Pedro is a regular member of Bagong Kasaysayan U.P. Diliman and Member Society P.U.P Sta. Mesa. She has also been a member of the Board of Directors of the ERHS Multipurpose Cooperative since 2006.

As a person we always want to be accepted, to be popular, to be involved, to be welcomed, and be recognized, in our family, circle of friends and in the community we live in… the feeling of belongingness.

Though I am not a literature teacher whose sentiments are simply not poetic, dramatic or romantic about the ideas of life, I believe that I can do something to be involved in an endeavor worth taking.

As an educator I have been monitoring the campaign of the current New 7 Wonders of nature that was patterned in the first successful chapter of the New 7 Wonders announced in Lisbon on July 7, 2007. This Foundation was established in 2001 by Bernard Weber a Swiss-born Canadian filmmaker, to contribute to the protection of the world’s human-built and natural heritage and to foster respect for the cultural diversity on our planet. It showcases the top 7 most marvelous and beautiful site of nature all over the world by means of global voting. It’s not just because I am a social studies teacher that I need to be aware but because it’s my passion to promote nature’s preservation and develop awareness among students.

In the first phase of the campaign our very own Subterranean River / Tubbataha Reef of Palawan, Chocolate Hills of Bohol and Coral Triangle, a new multinational participant

Spanning eastern Indonesia, parts of Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and the Solomon Islands had strong hold campaign.

And right now, in the middle of the second phase, (that will end on July 7, 2009) I’m proud to inform all the students out there that our very own Subterranean River of Palawan reached the No. 1 spot in the Forests, National Parks and Nature Reserves Category. Along with Amazon River of South America in 2^nd spot , Sundarbans Forest of Bandladesh in 3^rd , and El Yunque of  Puerto Rico, Bialowieza Forest Belarus/Poland in the 4^th place. But let us not be confident about it because last March 13 of 2009, Amazon River of South America gained the No. 1 spot. Because of the numerous voting, Subterranean River regains the lead. The current result of the ranking is pleasing but as the finale draws near, I’m encouraging all the Filipinos specially the students to exercise their part as a responsive youth to vote and actively participate.

The pride of Palawan, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River features a limestone mountain landscape, chambers of stalactite and stalagmite formations, and lush forest formations. A distinguishing characteristic of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. The underground river is reputed to be the world's longest.

If you really want to participate in a worth while activity this is your chance to be included. Since students wanted to express themselves in shaping the history of our country it takes only a click of your internet browser and log-on to www.new7wonders.com and vote. What you can do matters.

Aside from the fact that you have exercised the right to vote, though you cannot participate in the 2010 national election because of age requirement, through this campaign you can put into effect your right for a worthy cause and can be sure of 100% honest results and at the same time feel proud of your citizenship.

Dear students, fellow educators, parents and environmental activists, let us join in this exciting and momentous campaign. Having been involved in this kind of activity may not have such big impact on others yet I believe that a single MOVE will make a big difference for the world.

I have read books, gone places, and seen wonderful creations of God but the beauty of Subterranean River amazed me and realized how blessed our country is to have been endowed with such beauty. Let us indulge ourselves in making our nature well appreciated and preserved, after all this is God’s gift to mankind.

(For contributions, you may send your articles to editor-in-chief@lagunatimes.net.)

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