Bontoc National High School

Bontoc National High School is a beautifully situated campus in San Ramon, Bontoc, Southern Leyte. I am returning to visit the school for the second time. The principal Mr. Florintino Taotao welcomes me. Last year I donated a gas range to the school for use in the food processing department, and he thanks me for it. He points out that students are working at not only learning academics but also learning life skills. Last month was nutrition month, and one of things I notice is that students are being pushed to understand that life styles contribute a great deal to their health. In the past, education was focused almost exclusively on academic subjects. Health awareness, however, is something that can really benefit students in their later life. Particularly in areas where medical care is minimal or non-existent it is important that students know as much about medicine as they can. The school, like others I have seen, has a field where students learn about agriculture, fisheries, and food processing. These are areas where science and technology can be integrated in real hands on experiences.

I visited the classroom of Mrs. Marissa Caday who taught science and food processing. She showed me different kinds of food that that the student had made including tomato wine. She offers me some, and I was amazed to see that I liked it. It should be noted that my family has never had much to do with alcohol. My grandfather, after a life of not drinking, on his deathbed was asked if they could get him something, and said, "Yeah, give me a Pabst." Then he died. So I am at first reluctant, but then decide that a few sips will not turn me into an alcoholic. haha. I am ensured that the tomatoes make this wine nutritious. The lumpia Shanghai made of vegetables is absolutely delicious--Lami is the Visayan word--and the sauce is wonderful too. Mrs. Caday also shows me some of the projects her students have worked on including a model of a water turbine. I got to meet two of her classes, and give them my quadratic equation juggling performance. They were absolutely wonderful to teach!!!

In the afternoon I got to meet again a very dynamic English teacher named Sir Joseph Añevesa. Last year he showed me his approach to teaching English which involved having students learn and analyze the meanings to English songs. For a country where music is so important, this idea really works. Sir Joseph, talked with me about the needs for a computer so that the students can utilize the software that they have. I talk with him too about the idea of having his students correspond with mine through articles about what life is like. The idea of having a blog where students from Ancona and Bontoc National High School can read one another's work would help both groups so much. Students in Southern Leyte need as much experience as they can in using English language. Most students here know three languages, but knowing English well really opens up many more job opportunities. And I emphasize to Sir Joseph that my students often have no real idea about how people in other countries live. I am really hoping that this project will take off! I am hoping that we can do something about getting another computer there.

Are you reading this Greg?!?!?! Hint hint

Before I leave I want to mention another outstanding physics teacher, Mrs. Aura Orillo-Aguilar and Ma'am Erlinda Orais who is the assistant principal at Bontoc National High School. I taught one of Aura's classes last year and they were spectacular students.