High school students and teachers from public schools from all over the Philippines were among those privileged to listen to former US Vice President and Nobel Laureate Al Gore during his recent forum about climate change at the SMX Convention Center.

SM Prime Holdings sponsored the event as part of its environmental advocacy, and the students and their mentors were able to be part of it through the generosity of SM’s contractors.

After all, there is nothing like embracing a green lifestyle when one is young. And while climate change is a reality, too much of doomsday scenarios can cause one to be either immobilized by fear or simply indifferent.

The teachers and students, however, came home changed, promising to do their share for the environment one green act at a time. We recently visited the Muntinlupa National High School, Mataas na Paaralang Neptali A. Gonzales, the Mandaluyong High School, and the Pasig Science High School, and they shared with us their own green initiatives.

Muntinlupa National High school: Green Gardens

More than just teaching their students to shine at academics, the Muntinlupa National High School takes the lead in helping them embrace the green lifestyle by planting tress, taking care of the vegetable garden, and learn about technology and livelihood education.

They have a Forest Farm where they plant mango trees and other vegetables; the NBP Reservation, a small park where students can hold their classes surrounded by trees, and TLE. a vegetable farm.

‘We thought of creating and developing these farms within the school premises so we are surrounded by a green environment,’ says Dean Hermoso, Head Teacher in the Science and Technology Department. ‘I also make sure that my teachers and my students attend training programs and seminars with the city government so we have more ideas and knowledge to fight climate change.’

How They Are Making the Change?

Miss Anilet Cariaga, Chemistry Teacher
‘Climate change is getting worse. It’s July now, and we should have some rainy days, but it’s still like summer Like the other teachers, I have been very active in teaching the students to do waste segregation, and after watching the forum, I’ll encourage them to do this more,’

Miss Cristina Alcantara Radam, Chemistry Teacher
Al Gore did not come here to scare us. but to give us a warming about what’s happening to the environment. I have already stopped performing experiments because even a little amount of carbon dioxide produces CFC, a class chemical compound that depletes the ozone layer and contributes to global warming.’

Karl Ericson Landrito, Third Year High School Student
‘Human behavior is difficult to change but we must, and I thank SM for leading the way through its environmental projects. As a Boy Scout. I think I can help and by leading and cooperating in projects that concern our environment.’

Rochelle Pastrana, Third Year High School Student
‘We should stop using things that can harm out environment, and share the things we know with our fellow classmates, friends, and relatives.’

At the Vegetable garden of Muntinlupa National High School, Rochelle Pastrana, Karl Ericson Landrito, with Chemistry Teachers Maria Cristina Alcantara and Anilet Carl.

Science Head, Mr. Dean Hermoso’s project forest park in Muntinlupa National High School

Pasig Science National High School: Taking on the Challenge

At Pasig Science High School, students and faculty members participate in tree planting activities, throw their trash in segregated bins, and can take Environmental Science as an elective in their sophomore year,

Mila Jose, A TLE, Values Education, and MAPEH teacher says she advocates a green lifestyle because I am ‘worried for the future generation. What AI Gore presented is the reality, and we must act decisively. Other students and faculty members are also taking on this eco-challenge.

How they are making the change?

Miss Isabel Sanchez, English Department Head
‘I admit I was not knowledgeable about climate change, but Al Gore’s presentation was so easy to understand. I thank SM for bringing him here and making a difference in my life.

Ms. Anita Gubalane, Science Department Head
‘I like SM Supermarket’s Green Bag and its MOB promotion. In fact, I would like to suggest that they conduct this activity not only on Wednesday, but everyday of the week.’

Mataas Na Paaralang Neptali A. Gonzales: Developing Eco-Values

By instilling the love for our environment during Science, Values, English, and even MAPEH (Music, Arts, PE, and Health) lessons, the Mataas na Paaralang Neptali A. Gonzales integrates academics with advocacy. Mrs. Esperanza Starks, the school’s Assistant to the Principal in Student Affairs says they help develop eco-values in the students through clean up, waste segregation, and tree planting projects, as well as through poster and slogan making contests

After watching the Inconvenient Truth forum, students became even more environmentally aware and committed to do their share.

How They Are Making the Change

Jose Arzel A. Vivero, Fourth Year High School Student
‘I learned a lot from that face to face encounter with Al Gore, and I think I can apply what I learned by telling my family and friends not to throw garbage anywhere and to care more for the environment.’

Christylle Ann Guzman, Fourth Year High School Student
‘The seminar was an unforgettable experience for which I will always be grateful to SM and their contractors for. As president of my class, I will encourage my classmates to always keep their surroundings clean and not to forget to throw garbage properly.

John Carlos A. Cuadra, Fourth Year High School Student
‘I think SM is doing good job in helping create increased awareness about climate change. On my part, think I can help save the earth by lessening the use of carbon emitting products, especially those with CFC.

Howard Elton Navarro, Fourth Year High School Student
‘One of the most significant things I learned from Al Gore is that many ways to protect the environment. I think can start doing my share by following our country’s rules and regulations in protecting the environment.’

Mandaluyong High School: A Clean New World

Mandaluyong High School’s Environmentalists: Economics Teacher Clarissa Dimaano and School Principal Rosarito Septimo with Student Council Officers Gercel Rose Galve and Janina Naisa

This school not only believes that cleanliness is next to godliness, but also has year round efforts to create a clean, healthy environment through its Brigada Eskuwela program. Mandaluyong High School Principal Rosanto Septimo admits that it takes a lot of perseverance and hard work to achieve this, but its waste segregation’ recycling, painting, and clean-up efforts have definitely paid off. Today, it is vandal and litter free, and looks very much like a newly built private school.

Attending the Al Gore forum reinforced these values among Mandaluyong High School’s students and faculty members.

How They Are Making the Change

Miss Clarissa Dimaano, Economics Teacher
‘I was shocked when Al Gore revealed that floods and typhoons are occurring today not only in third world, but also first and second world countries. I also agree with him that if ‘there is time, we should do our part.’

Gercel Rose Galve, Fourth Year High School
‘My number one commitment is start the change in myself. As a student council officer, I must discipline myself first, and then others. I hope to plant more trees, and segregate garbage – which is a must for everyone.’

Janine L. Naisa, Fourth Year High School
‘After hearing Al Gore say that climate change is not a political issue so much as a moral one, I thought that we should all take part in cleaning and protecting Mother Earth.’