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Schools must have gardening programs for kids

In sixth grade, one of my favorite teachers Mr. Serapion Metilla introduced us to serious gardening. I became the president of the school’s garden club, and with him as adviser, we became weekend gardeners complete with a large greenhouse, a complete toolshed, and a corps of young and enthusiastic volunteers.

IRAIA thoughts
IRAIA thoughts

Mr. Metilla (who lived nearby in a mini-tropical forest environment, a stone’s throw away from the Sacred Heart parish church) supplied us with all the plant stocks, seedlings, and garden lore we needed. On weekends, we combined our garden work with Scout activities (since he was also the scoutmaster), including occasional overnight camp-outs on the school grounds. This further increased our volunteer force and hours. Continue reading “Schools must have gardening programs for kids”

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Luisita farmers to start impeaching Noynoy

SUNBURNT, WITH CALLOUSED HANDS AND GNARLED BARE FEET. Marching in their hundreds or thousands, with their families, and their supporters, under the scorching sun or pouring rain. Peasant masses streaming once more into Manila, with a sheaf of papers in their hands. This time, the papers will not just be a renewed cry for genuine land reform, but a resounding demand to impeach the sitting haciendero president for violating the constitution.

I have a dream, and this is one. One of many, actually, and a minor one at that. My dream is that the beleaguered farmers and workers of Hacienda Luisita, who are still being denied the land that should already be theirs, be among the first citizens to file an impeachment complaint vs Noynoy Aquino.

IRAIA thoughts
IRAIA thoughts

The Tarlac peasants, joined by many thousands of supporters, will then march — and I mean really march by foot — all the way to the Batasan to deliver and file their complaint in time for the SONA. I hope to join them, perhaps not all the way from Tarlac, but at least from Monumento or Balintawak, partly riding my bike and partly by foot.

Maybe my dream won’t become reality, or not immediately. But we can all dream, can’t we? I often dream doing great stuff while riding my bike, and a few of them have turned true. Maybe this one can, too. #