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| Calabacita High School (76k)
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| High School Students (68k)
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| Waiting for class (75k) |
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| Marzon Sajulga. (103k) |
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Part 5: The High School
The Calabacita High School has 372 students in four grades, and 10 teachers. Some of the students come from an adjoining barangay, which does not have a high school. There are 2 classes in each of the early grades, but only one class in the final grade. This is because of student dropouts, mostly due to a need for young people to go to work to help support their families. (Education is mandatory in the Philippines through 6 years of elementary school.)
We arrived at the High School too late to see the morning's flag ceremony and the daily cleanup activities. As usual, we were quite a novelty. Some of these students had never seen a foreigner before and we drew a crowd wherever we went. The high school students were quite camera shy. Whenever Jim brought the camera up to his eye, the students would scatter. So he used an old photographers trick (being an old photographer himself), and kept the camera hanging by its strap on his chest. He just pointed his body in the right direction and pressed the shutter release. Most of the pictures turned out just fine.
This was one of the last days of the school year, and things were a bit chaotic. While some of the students attended classes, others were involved in a variety of other activities. Some of the boys were mixing concrete for a school improvement project. We saw two groups of students rehearsing plays which they had written, and which they would perform in class later that day. (We did not attend the plays, as we were afraid our presence might upstage the performers.)
This was also a day when the teachers had to complete their grade reports for the year. We joined them in the school library while they worked on their papers. Licita, the science teacher, showed Jim the chemistry book she uses for her classes. Most of the schools in the Philippines are quite poor and cannot afford expensive lab equipment or chemical reagents. The chemistry course is designed to use common household chemicals and native plant juices whenever possible to keep costs down. It seems a very clever approach.
Just before lunch, another teacher (Dolores Comique) asked if we would like some coconut juice. We didn't quite know what to expect, but we said yes. We were then very suprised when she sent for Marzon Sajulga, said to be the best tree climber among the students. There is a coconut tree growing on school grounds, next to the library. Before they picked the coconuts, however, Licita notified the man who had planted the tree. A large crowd quickly formed. Marzon climbed the tree and began dropping green coconuts to the ground. The coconuts were cut open with a bolo (a large, heavy knife used like a machete), some students washed a pitcher and glasses, and we were served fresh coconut juice. It was slightly sweet with just a hint of coconut flavor, and quite refreshing. Next, Mrs. Comique removed the flesh from the inside of the coconut shells. It was soft and sweet, with a mild coconut flavor. The whole process was unexpected and a great deal of fun.
So, we learned a great lesson. When someone suggests something new or different, it is often best to say yes. The result will usually be interesting and can be quite enjoyable. If you say no, you will never know what you missed.
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