University of Perpetual Help enhances learning through outdoor education

More than 170 students of the University of Perpetual Help - Dr. Jose G. Tamayo Medical University signed up for a fun-filled and highly education program called Marine Environment Exposure Tour or MEET. The program was designed by Louie and Chen Mencias to provide an opportunity for students to learn about environmental issues and consequently increase their awareness on practical solutions. Using the outstanding features of La Luz Resort in San Juan, Batangas, the participants went through three activities - a tidal pool interpretation, snorkeling activity in the fish sanctuary and a mini-adventure race.

Although the program had been running for four years, NSTP Coordinator Andre Capuyan said that this has been the most hilarious so far. In the mini-adventure race where students answer questions pertaining to a lecture on the marine environment, they were also required to perform certain activities that promoted team work, raised their level of confidence, encouraged leadership and tested their ability to follow instructions. On the race towards the finish line teams were required to don on funny costumes, lock arms and work their way towards the finish line as one unit. One student remarked,"We learned so much from this experience. I wish that I can go through it again, and again and again..."


Some have mixed emotions regarding which was their favorite activity. First timers say that wearing the mask and snorkel was such an unforgettable experience for them. They absolutely love seeing fishes and live corals and floating above such a colorful and wonderful ecosystem that most people take for granted. Some even start out being afraid of the water. Proper facilitation provides a pleasant exposure that allows participants to go beyond their comfort zone and explore an environment that is totally alien to them. Fear is replaced with appreciation and concern. A few even considers the experience life changing.


To some the mini-adventure race tops it all. The aura of competition provided the right motivation for them to work as a team, follow instructions and have fun at the same time. A slight modification in the activities made it even more challenging. This year, students had a chance to get on a kayak and paddle their way around the raft and back to shore. As more emphasis is given on the concept of global warming, students were able to articulate their ecological footprint and carbon emission. Concepts that used to be as foreign as ET. These two concepts represent one's impact on the environment on a daily basis.


Dr. Larry Avelino, NSTP Director was pleased with the feedback and looks forward to more exposure trips for their students in the future. Outdoor education has been proven to develop life skills and make people more capable to handle issues in their lives and in their communties. Schools are encouraged to bring their students outside of the classroom and go through meaningful experiences that will teach them to become responsible citizens.

For more information on how your school and students can benefit from this program, send an email to wildexpeditions@yahoo.com.

U.P.SKIN DIVING CLASS EXPLORES THE REEFS OF LIGPO AND SAN PABLO

Forty college students of the University of the Philippines Diliman enrolled in the Skin Diving class of Louie Mencias stayed at Diver’s Sanctuary in Ligpo, Lemery to explore reef areas and apply their skills in the real marine environment. Aside from a few, most of them have snorkeled in the sea for the first time. With mask, snorkel and fins they swam over the shallow reef areas between the resort and Ligpo Island.


They saw several Pacific blue starfish, brittle stars, clownfishes in their anemones, butterfly fishes, several species of hard corals, basket sponges and other reef fishes and marine life forms. On the second day, they were taken by boat to the reef in San Pablo,fronting Dive and Trek Resort.


While most of them thought that their experience in Ligpo was awesome, the one over in San Pablo was even more incredible. They were able to feed the fishes by hand and had close encounters with various species of reef fish including the sergeant major or abudefduf which is abundant in the area. There were also several species of parrot fish that are used to seeing divers, hence are not afraid of people. The reef is a best practice site for reef rehabilitation and enhancement. It's case study was featured in the book "Sustainable Solutions" compiled by Ford Foundation and launched during the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in South Africa in 2002.


Through clam restocking conducted by the Marine Ecosystem Council, Inc. (MEC) the reef sprang back to life and became valuable both to fishery and tourism. MEC was co-founded by Mr. Mencias in the mid 90's and he headed this volunteer organization for eight years. The students were likewise amazed at the giant clams (Tridacna gigas) that were on the reef. They were seeded eight years ago and grew in size. Most of them are now spawners, contributing millions of eggs and sperm in the water column that serve as food for fishes. They are also dispersed by currents and waves to nearby reef areas. Clam restocking in marine protected areas (MPA) has been proven to restore damaged and over-fished reef areas. As long as the seeded clams are protected and left on the reef, they become source of nutrient and food and provide a good substrate for corals.

Much gratitude goes to Mr. Allan Lao, manager of Diver's Sanctuary Resort for being such a gracious host. Many thanks to Karlo Yap, former President of U.P Marine Ecosystem Council (UP-MEC) the student organization of MEC for taking all the wonderful photos in this article. Thanks also to Roxy Bugayong, another ex-President of UP-MEC and member Apple Adan for joining the group and providing support. To the students who joined the activity, may you explore the marine environment more and in your own ways become stewards of this valuable resouce.


Wildlife in the Classroom program promotes the deepening of the learning process through purposeful outdoor activities. Authentic learning promotes the assimilation of "life effectiveness skills" that capacitate humans to be responsible global citizens. As one student pointed out after the field trip,"Thank you for the wonderful experience... It was my very first time to go out of the city and it would be my most unforgettable experience. Everything I saw on television, in the newspapers and in magazines, I saw in real life....The experience helped me build my self-esteem and trust on myself."

Let us know how outdoor education changes you. Leave your comments and suggestions.

For more information on clam restocking, visit www.ecorephil.blogpost.com. To learn about the link of environmental protection to tourism, visit http://www.tourismplan.blogspot.com.

Down to Earth in Cagayan

From ME magazine January 2006
I am more of a seasoned diver than a spelunker, but an invitation to a caving expedition in Cagayan was too great to resist. After all, Cagayan is known for its more than 300 caves, most of which are still unexplored. After being told that we will be entering wet caves, I took my wet suit, fins and buoyancy compensator along with my caving hat and explorer lights. Feeling like a cross between a diver and a mountaineer, I joined a team for an adventure to the caves of Baggao.
It is famous for Blue Water and Duba cave systems, two unconnected caves that present their own challenges. It was the middle of summer and yet Blue Water is very wet, and we had to do a lot of swimming and crawling through gushing water. In the first main chamber is a waterfall that drains into a huge lake. The team measured the depth in the middle of the lake with a depth sounder – it measured seven meters or 24 feet. The water was cold but refreshing – the kind of cold that stings the skin but does not penetrate the bones.

With fins on, my companions and I swam across the dark water towards a waterfall – better than having to scramble across slippery rocks and boulders along the edge of the lake. As we got closer, the force of the water pushed us back such that we had to swim diagonally across the flow to get to the water’s edge. The waterfall drop was not high and we managed to climb up to the top. Stalactites adorn the ceiling and interesting formations lined the tunnel like sculptures in a gallery. Crystals embedded in the rocks sparkled when light was shone on them.

A deep cut on the rocky terrain shows the power of water to shape and mold hard rocks formed millions of years ago. The subterranean river, which runs across the cave system creating sumps, tubs, streams and waterfalls, was such an enchanting sight, and the sound of gushing water reverberated across the long corridor. I can only imagine how much water drains out through this cave during the rainy months. Some chambers must get cut off due to flooding.

Blue Water is a newly discovered cave system and it presents many opportunities for exploration. The water is indeed blue and flows out through the mouth and into a lovely river. Several mini waterfalls and pools fringed with beautiful ferns and exotic plants line the river, making the hike a photographic delight.
In Duba, the challenge was to crawl through a small hole against a strong surge of water in order to get to the next open chamber. At one point, I had to hold my breath and grasp a rope to avoid being washed away by the current. It was an adrenaline pumping experience, to say the least.

Before heading back to Manila, we stopped over at Peñablanca, a mere 30 minutes drive from the provincial capital, Tuguegarao. It is accessible by well-paved roads and offers lodging facilities. Blessed with numerous cave systems, 4,136 hectares in Peñablanca were declared Protected Landscape in 1992. There are 378 caves in the area and only 75 had been documented by the National Museum in 1977.
Considered a spelunker’s haven, Peñablanca offers caving at various levels of difficulty, from simple day explorations to multi-day extreme caving. Callao is the best known and developed, and is a popular tourist destination. Of its seven chambers, three have dramatic natural skylights. A chapel was even built by the local folks in one of its chambers.
Callao is enormous in size, but is not challenging as Sierra, where I had to belly-crawl through a 7.5 meter wormhole called Celica’s Passage. The beautiful speleothem and speleogems are all worth the effort. But the guide told us that Odessa, Jackpot and San Carlos caves are even more difficult. Shafts and drafts mean serious roping and rappelling. They are all flood-prone and require a lot of swimming through passages, sumps, lakes and cascades. Odessa-Tumbali measures 12.6 kilometers and is said to be the third longest cave system in the country. San Carlos is considered the most technical, and one of the most challenging in the Philippines. A subterranean river runs through it and there are a lot of tight spaces that require crawling – not the place for claustrophobes.
As my friends and I relaxed along the banks of the Pinacanauan River, thousands of hungry bat flew in pulsating formations from the safety of the cliff-top caves to feed in the forest. To witness the circadian flight was the perfect finale to a week-long exploration of some of the country’s most beautiful cave systems. I have barely scratched the surface, and I am eager to return for more exciting explorations and wonderful discoveries.