One of the country’s best Chemistry educators- this is what Mr. Ronaldo Reyes, a mentor of Tabaco National High School (TNHS) has proven when he got the spotlight of the 9th National YES Summer Camp awarding ceremonies as he emerged as one of 2011 National YES-O Awardees during the National YES Camp held at Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City on May 1-5, 2011. He also received an award last September 30, 2011 in Quezon City for being adjudged as one of the Outstanding Science Club Advisers of the Philippines. All these awards are due to his implementation of a promising and comprehensive project, the Project Rain Gauge.
Reyes’ great achievement was not a big doubt, as his title bespeaks of the outstanding deeds he has done not only as the school-based and division YES-O adviser but also as the adviser of the school’s Project Rain Gauge (PRG) Team. Given with such a big responsibility in the YES-O, he managed to take much concern on the major problems in his locality when calamities arise, specifically the destruction caused by strong typhoons and heavy rainfall. He believes that monitoring the amount of rainfall plays a vital role in enhancing the climate change adaptation measures of his community. With his perception and knowledge, he initiated the provision of the Rain Gauge Project in the school-based organization which aims to create public awareness on the significance of monitoring the rainfall to make TNHSians and and Tabaquenos always disaster ready in case of floods, landslides and droughts. Aside from implementing the importance of using a rain gauge, he also organized the “Big Brother Gift of Knowledge in Science” program whereas YES-O officers freely offer science tutorial classes to academically-challenged students during free time.
In like manner, his role as an adviser of the school-based organization does not end in the four corners of the school rather he extends his scholarly duties in his community by initiating various projects such as coastal cleaning, river and canal clean-up, tree planting programs, symposia and awareness campaign on global warming and climate change, 3Rs campaign and proper waste segregation.
On the other hand, Glanelle Ivy Cea, the PRG Team President bagged the 2nd place in the Environmental Heroism Act Contest in the said National YES Camp. As a teenage environmentalist and a concerned citizen of the society, she actively coordinated with the officials in her community and conducted several environment-related activities such as tree planting programs, coastal and river clean-up, community services, global warming awareness and disaster preparedness campaign with the Alternative Learning System (ALS) students, street children and several youth in their locality. She believes that the youth has a great role in making a great change to save Mother Nature against its battle from global warming, if they will all work hand in hand to achieve this goal.
Bringing back the bacon home was indeed a great honor for the school’s PRG Team. Both realized that with all the persons they were able to encountered in the conduct of their programs, young and old, all inspired and motivated them to continue what they have started because they are not actually after for the winning rather for the true essence of the competition- to educate more people regarding disaster preparedness and global warming awareness to save Mother Nature. Because of these awards, we became eager in conducting more PRG activities and continuously link with more schools and community in the implementation of the Project Rain Gauge.
Glanelle Ivy Cea, the PRG Team President, receiving her award during the 9th YES Camp at Teachers' Camp, Baguio City on May 1-5, 2011
