PALAWAN CONSERVATION CORPS (PCC) and CARPUS in

PPAALLAAW
USS iinn WAAN
N CCO
ON
NSSEERRVVAATTIIO
ON
N CCO
ORRPPSS ((PPCCCC)) aanndd CCAARRPPU
ccooooppeerraattiioonn w
Goovveerrnnm
meenntt ooff PPuueerrttoo PPrriinncceessaa aanndd wiitthh tthhee CCiittyy G
D
Deeppaarrttm
meenntt ooff EEdduuccaattiioonn‐‐ CCiittyy D
Diivviissiioonn O
Offffiiccee ““T
TA
AG
G--U
ULLA
AN
N SSA
AT
TA
AG
G--A
AR
RA
AW
W ((R
Ra
aiin
nyy D
Da
ayy iin
n SSu
um
mm
meerr))””
TTHHEEM
MEE:: ““BBaattaa‐‐bbaattaa M
Muunnddoo kkoo’’yy TTuukkllaassiinn aatt PPaaggbbaabbaaggoo nngg KKlliim
maa aayy aattiinngg AAllaam
Ouurr W
Woorrlldd aanndd LLeeaarrnn AAbboouutt miinn”” ((KKiiddss LLeett’’ss DDiissccoovveerr O
CClliim
maattee CChhaannggee)) Community of Bagong Bayan, Simpucan, Tagabenit and Cabayugan Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines December 1 and 3, 2009 INTRODUCTION
One of the reasons for widespread poverty in the country, and even in most parts of the
world, is the mismanagement of our natural resources and ecosystems. Our country’s
environmental sustainability, for instance, has been rated poor or low. If we must
achieve the goal of ensuring environmental sustainability, we must heed the urgent call
to properly manage our country’s natural resources and protect our environment to
improve the quality of life of our people.
You will agree that poverty is multi-dimensional and dynamic. Most of the time, it is
overwhelming. Perhaps, this is because our attempt at resolving such problems
equates to solutions that tackle the issue at the macro level.
Yet, looking closely, poverty has identifiable patterns, which can be examined closely
and subjected to detailed analysis, and broken up into components that can easily be
acted upon. The persistent problem of poverty can therefore be effectively addressed
at the local level where the poor are, where their realities are most felt, where their
ecosystems are affected, and where solutions are made and configured.
Thus, we say that moving towards the goal of sustainability requires fundamental
changes in human attitudes (mind sets) and demeanor (behavior) of individuals and
communities. Advancing in this direction is critically dependent on education and public
awareness. The concept of sustaining development is not a simple one.
There is no one road map or blue print that can prescribe how we should proceed or
move forward. Time is short and we are all called upon to act without delay or
hesitation. Now is the time to move ahead to contribute through environmental
education—in terms of the biophysical, social, economic, political, and cultural
environs—to correcting trends that threaten our common future and the future of
generations to come.
The Palawan Conservation Corps (PCC) was organized on January 1999, aims to
provide Out of School Youth (OSY) from the rural barangays of Puerto Princesa City
with a long-term program (6 months residential) of activities, focusing on four major
components: Biodiversity Conservation, Capacity Building, Skills Development, and
Empowerment. For the past 9 years of its service, the PCC houses, feeds, and
provides a planned curriculum and series of trainings/project to a selected group of Outof-School Youth.
These youths aged 18 to 24 years old pass though a rigorous
screening process whereby only the competent among applicants are selected. PCC
puts a premium on environmental consciousness, community service, and leadership.
Palawan Conservation Corps (PCC) aims to strengthen the stakeholders’ role in the
preservation of the province’s environmental resources particularly the youth as the
successor generation. The role of the youth sector will be transpired through capacity
2
building on environmental education and youth led conservation projects. At the end of
the project, a network of youth organizations will be capacitated in conducting
ecological-related activities in support to the Convention on Biological Diversity, and
participation in different conservation initiatives of the government and civil society and
one of these projects is by organizing Ecological Theater Caravan in Puerto Princesa
City.
PCC already conducted Ecological Theater Caravan in different elementary schools in
Puerto Princesa City from rural and urban communities as well as in the Municipality of
Cagayancillo. The outcome gained recognition for the principal, teachers, students and
the community who witnessed the activity. Our OSY shared their skills by performing on
stage and share the issues and challenges on environment such as climate change,
causes and effect of illegal logging and fishing, the effect of mining and the importance
and value of the web of life or the ecological balance in one ecosystem.
BACKGROUND
Part of the residential program of PCC is the teaching of Basic Ecology, where the OSY
learn to value the importance of a healthy environment and to understand the
significance of interconnection of all living organism that creates the balance in an
ecosystem, such as forest, fresh water, grassland, marine environment and others.
During the program, PCC discovered the hidden talents of the students in one of our
activities which require them to perform in relation to the topic on basic ecology. Since
then, the acting skills of the OSY were enhanced through basic theater workshop.
Series of relative trainings and workshops concerning the environment were conducted
where performers for the actual play were selected.
And that was the time when PCC’s Ecological Theater Caravan born. PCC and our
OSY put this into reality; we showcase different issues, challenges and development in
one environment. The Ecological Theater Caravan was able to share the talents of our
OSY through performing on stage showcasing the importance of the environment as
well as the issues that affect one ecosystem.
The Ecological Theater Caravan was already shown in different coastal barangays of
Puerto Princesa, particularly in elementary schools of Honda Bay, Ulugan Bay and the
city proper. The Ecological Theater Caravan composed of different stage plays that
tackle environmental issues such as, the causes and effect of global warming and
climate change; the effect of mining; biodiversity and its importance; the good benefits
of fish sanctuary; the ecological balance; and the importance of the web of life.
3
OBJECTIVES 1. To share the talents and knowledge of PCC’s Out of School Youth students on
environmental conservation.
2. To increase children’s/youth awareness on the issues that our Mother Earth
facing now a day’s especially the issue regarding Global Warming and Climate
Change.
3. To help students acquire a set of values and feelings of concern for their
environment and the motivation for actively participating in environmental
improvement and protection.
4. To let students understand the causes and effect of global warming, climate
change and illegal activities that causes damage to the environment.
5. To inculcate the youth of Puerto Princesa the value of having a balance and
healthy environment.
6. Educate the successor generation on the ecological and economic importance of
preserving the Palawan’s rich and unique biodiversity and habitat.
THEATER CHARACTERS
Stage actors and actresses --------- 25 OSY of PCC’s Residential Program Batch 12
Narration
--------- Ms. Gerly Camangeg
Script writers
--------- Mr. Edilberto Magpayo and Mr. Napoleon Sitchon
Direction
--------- Mr. Timothy Joseph Fernandez
The Actor of Ecological Theater Caravan – PCC Batch 12 4
THE ECOLOGICAL THEATER CARAVAN 2009 The Ecological Theater caravan was held on December 1 and 3, 2009 in four selected
elementary schools in four rural barangays of Puerto Princesa City these are; Bagong
Bayan Elementary School, Simpocan Elementary School, Tagabenit Elementary School
and Cabayugan Elementary School. These four barangays were identified among few
other barangays in Puerto Princesa which environmental destruction is widespread.
Two of those sites, barangays Tagabenit and Cabayugan are within the Puerto Princesa
Subterranean River National Park where the world famous 8 kilometer navigable
Underground River is located.
The Ecological theater caravan is a series of stage play focusing on different
environmental issues especially the issues of Global Warming and Climate Change,
advocating environmental protection and
awareness. It is composed of 12 stage plays
namely;
1. MAY PAGBABAGO BA? (Is There a
Change?): A story that seeks to find a
proof/evidence with regards to the
climate change and global warming.
2. PAGLALAYAG NI KAPITAN KATALA
(Captain Cockatoo’s Journey): Depicts
the continuing loss of our natural forest
which affects the habitat of many wildlife
and threatens their very survival.
3. OH KLIMA! (OH! Climate): a story about the effect/s of cutting down of trees and
its relation to the global warming and climate change.
4. BALANSENG
(Balance Living):
importance and
organism’s role in
also explained the
balance living
ecosystem.
PAMUMUHAY
explains the
value of each
an ecosystem. It
good benefit of a
in a balance
5. ANG
SANGTUWARYO
(The
Sanctuary): the story talked about
the importance of establishing
Sanctuaries and MPA’s in order to
protect marine life and marine
ecosystem from destructive ways of
fishing. Sanctuaries and MPA’s are also an effective way of ensuring sustainable
fish catch in a certain area where it was established.
5
6. USAPAN SA BAYBAY (Discussion at the
Shore):
an
animated
conversation
between human and marine animals. It
demonstrates the human activities that
pollute the seas.
7. WELGA (The Protest): a story where
mangroves and other marine life tries to
evacuate as a sign of their protest against
humans for their irresponsible and
unsustainable consumption of natural
resources.
NG MADENGGOY SI PIWI
PAWIKAN (When Sea Turtle
was Fooled): a play that gives
moral lessons and an eye
opener to the youth to take care
of their environment and value
the importance of marine turtles.
9. GULAYAN NI MANG GORIO
(Gorio’s Vegetable Farm): a
story that tells about the
undeniable effects of global
8.
warming specifically the rise of sea level.
10. TAG-ULAN SA TAG-ARAW (Rainy Day in Summer): Another story that tells
about the effects of climate change and global warming. It talks about the
unusual shifting of weather conditions as a sign that the climate is really
changing.
11. MAGKAKAUGNAY (Interconnectedness: The web of Life): This stage play
explains the interconnectedness of different organism, valuing and explaining
individual role in the ecosystem.
12. ANG KABALIGTARAN NG GENESIS (Genesis in reverse). A reverse version
of the popular Bible book Genesis. It showed the irresponsibility and abuses of
humanity in the environment.
It was participated by 25 OSY under the Six (6) months Residential Program of Palawan
Conservation Corps as actors and actresses, written by Mr. Napoleon Sitchon and Mr.
Edilberto Magpayo, narrated by Ms. Gerly Camangeg and directed by Mr. Timothy
Joseph Fernandez.
Before the show starts, Mr. Edilberto Magpayo, PCC Executive Director gave
entertainment to the audience to energize them. He taught some folk and children
songs and accompanied it with action while singing to make all the audiences
participate. After the brief energizer the program started with a prayer led by Ms. Gerly
Camangeg, PCC Finance Officer followed by the introduction of Palawan Conservation
Corps given by Mr. Edilberto Magapayo, a welcome message given by the respective
6
Teacher in Charge TIC of four schools and the lively, educational and ecologicalthemed theater play followed.
Mr. Magpayo also stressed that the program was sponsored by Carpus a Non
Government Organization from Germany. He mentioned that Carpus is a big help for
PCC’s to continue their environmental advocacy, particularly on the issue of climate
change and global warming. He also added that the Residential Program of PCC for the
OSY was in partnership with the City Government of Puerto Princesa, headed by Mayor
Edward S. Hagedorn.
Photos: Practice, costume and props making, preparation and actual theater play. The Ecological Theater Caravan in four rural elementary schools in four rural barangays
of Puerto Princesa was a very successful. Nearly a thousand students, teachers and
community members from four rural elementary schools attended and witnessed the
ecological theater play initiated by the Palawan Conservation Corps in partnership with
the City Government of Puerto Princesa and Department of Education- City division
office with the funding support from CARPUS – Germany.
Practice
25 OSY - actors and actresses during their intensive theater rehearsal at the stage plaza
of Barangay Bancao-Bancao.
7
Costume and props making
PCC staff, volunteers and alumni busy in making costume and props.
Preparation and stage setting
8
ECOLOGICAL THEATER CARAVAN 2009 HIGHLIGHTS
BAGONG BAYAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The Teacher in charge while giving her welcome message. Students and teachers awed and amazed while watching the theater play. Mr. Edilberto Magpayo PCC Executive Director facilitated the energizers and the students actively participated. Ms. Gerly Camangeg PCC Finance Officer, emcee and narrator of Ecological Theater Caravan 2009 A scene from “the Protest” A scene from “Interconnectedness: Web of life” 9
SIMPOCAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Clockwise from left (top) is the Teacher-in-charge of Simpocan Elementary School giving
her welcome remarks, the students followed by scenes taken from “Madenggoy” and
“Interconnectedness: Web of life” respectively.
10
TAGABENIT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Highlights of Ecological Theater Caravan in Tagabinet Elementary School
11
CABAYUGAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Cabayugan Elem. School Principal delivering her opening remarks. Mr. Jose Majid Ibrahim, PCC Volunteer with the students before the theater play starts. A scene from “May pagbabago ba?” Students flocked before stage and making thunderous applause after every play to praise the job well done stage play. A scene taken from “Si Piwi ng Madenggoy” A scene from “Interconnectedness: Web of Life” 12
Group picture with the students and teachers
---END-- 13