Wrapping up a gift to last a lifetime

As the late-morning sun shone over Donsol West Central Elementary School, a healthy mix of boys and girls resisted the urge to play to hear a “scary story” about a basura (garbage) monster. Captivatingly read to them by CEMEX Philippines President Sergio Menendez, the book, written by former TV host and news anchor Christine Bersola-Babao, captured the fancy of Donsol West and Donsol East Grade 4 students. Keen descriptions and colorful illustrations of a creature that grew day by day with the rising mass of garbage he gobbled up, the children’s eyes glowed with delight as the story progressed.

Joined by a number of Reading, Science and Math teachers, the recently launched “CEMEX-Sa Aklat, Sisikat!” (SAS) (loosely translated as “Books Make You Cool”) Reading program led by Menendez and CEMEX Philippines Vice President for Planning Paul Arcenas turned ove 60 Filipino children’s storybooks to Donsol West Principal Socorro Leosala and Donsol East Principal Prescilla Ombao.

“We all know just how hard it is to encourage children to read. Unlike the past, we now have to compete with television and computers that take their interest away from the books—not to mention the severe lack of reading material,” Ombao says.

The Reading Program is the first of its kind in Sorsogon, and CEMEX Philippines Foundation is deeply happy to implement the program in partnership with SAS.

“We see opportunties like this to reach out to kids in order to increase their learning opportunities, in this case, develop their love and habit of reading, at the same time instill in them the importance of caring for their environment,” Menendez said.

“A well thought out and well funded reading awareness promotion,” as cited by UNESCO, it was first launched in 1999 as a literacy campaign in Manila. The DepEd-accredited reading program is the only one of its kind in the country and has been integrated into the curricula of partner schools. Following a 31-day timeframe, SAS hopes to inculcate reading into the lives of the pupils, based on scientific evidence that any activity repeated 21 to 28 times consecutively develops into a habit.

The reading programg is part of the Adopt-a-Species (AAS) project of CEMEX Philippines Foundation, Inc. which was launched in 2007 in order to increase awareness and encourage private sector participation in species conservation. Donsol’s Butanding, was made the symbol of the AAS program.
CEMEX Philippines Foundation supported the two-day teacher training workshop for teachers and principals, prior to the implementation of the program. Recognized as the primary reading advocates, the instructors were taught how to facilitate discussions and generate ideas, as well as new teaching techniques, creative strategies and reading activities.

The reading program is also a part of an intensified campaign to promote biodiversity conservation. Arcenas said, “Today, we work hand-in-hand with Sa Aklat Sisikat, DepEd and the local government of Sorsogon to impart to the youth new-found knowledge and an understanding of how to take care of our surroundings through reading.”

Already, the AAS program has widened communication and introduced eco-tourism strategies in places where the whale sharks live. It is embodied in House Bill No. 3590 or the “Adopt-A-Wildlife Species Act of 2008” filed by Albay Representative Edcel Lagman early last year, setting its sights on overcoming setbacks in species conservation work.

CEMEX Philippines Foundation also supported the photo identification and genetic analysis of the whale sharks to create the Philippine Threatened Species Framework of the butanding, in partnership with Conservation International and Bantay Kalikasan.

“We know that the whale shark is an important member of Donsol, and their settlement here brings economic progress to the province,” Arcenas said.

CEMEX is a growing global building materials company that provides high quality products and reliable service to customers and communities in more than 50 countries worldwide. The company has a rich history of improving the well-being of the communities it serves, while pursuing innovative industry solutions and efficiency advancements to promote a sustainable future.
APO Cement and Solid Cement, under CEMEX Philippines, were the first cement companies to receive the Green Choice Seal Award. Brand name products of CEMEX Philippines include Island Cement, APO Cement, CEMEX Palitada King, CEMEX Rizal Super and APO Premium. For more information, visit http://www.cemexphilippines.com