Can storytelling save the future of Philippine rainforests and biodiversity? Stories of science and the love of nature continue to be passed on, as our Biodiversity on Wheels program rolls forward into more and more schools; like the one featured here, in Laguna.
Students raise their hands to respond to questions about nature and biodiversity.
by Karlos Marti Hebron
Oct-Nov 2014
Haribon Foundation’s Biodiversity on Wheels (BOW) visited barangay Tulo, Calamba, Laguna, in partnership with AMS Asia, to expose elementary students to the country’s rich biodiversity.
The fun-filled experience with the BOW’s implementation was organized by Haribon Foundation together with 10 AMS Asia volunteers. Participants were showered with knowledge through different activities; storytelling, learning session, and film showing, plus they get to visit the “Haring Ibon” library – filled with books, magazines, and art works to cater curious minds.
Through the learning sessions conducted by Haribon staffs, the students were exposed to the vastness of Philippine biodiversity, and were informed of the threats, and how the Philippine ecosystem shall be protected. Students of various grades met few of the extraordinary wildlife that are endemic in the Philippines such as; Bleeding Heart Pigeon, Philippine Eagle, Philippine Mouse Deer, Palawan Bird Wing, the vast Philippine Coral Reefs, and many others, and as well as the roles they play in the ecosystem. Students were also informed of the grave threats to the ecosystem; Habitat Loss, Pollution, and were educated on best ways to prevent further damage by incorporating the 4-Rs: Reuse, Recycle, Reduce, and Rethink.
After being exposed to the country’s immense biodiversity, the participants are then featured through an interactive storytelling. Here, in the storytelling, they sit through and immersed themselves with the life of Sierra and her Harp, ‘Harpa ni Sierra’.
Students raise their hands to respond to questions about nature and biodiversity.
Harpa ni Sierra is a feat of a vast mountains ranges – Sierra Madre – with the harmonious music of wildlife, vigorous, and enchanting but had soon withered in the hands of men that greed for ‘bettering’ their lives. Heaving through the landscape, ravaging the home of the animals, they had heaved away chord after chord on Sierra’s harp. Harpa ni Sierra engages little kids in an interactive way to influence them on the values of keeping the ecosystem balanced while coexisting with the wildlife in their environment respecting nature and all that live in it.
Being aware of environment’s importance through ”Harpa ni Sierra”, they are then showed a film, The Lorax, of how men’s greed could cause such devastating effects on both the animals and humans alike. With all the trees cut down, the air is polluted, thick, and musty with decay that led to the destruction of a balanced ecosystem. The Lorax is a family film that is greatly apt teaching the students of the consequences their actions toward Mother Nature entails.
The BOW implementation is of great importance as students and volunteers well their eyes with wonder, and with their minds equipped with greater knowledge on the world’s environment, and how to protect it. With little resources, many can be achieved to raising public awareness of the grave threats and sharing information on how all this can be reprimanded, giving mother earth a chance to recuperate.
The Biodiversity on Wheels is already being implemented in Metro Manila, and is now slowly branching to different places harvesting great results.
