by Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, Basilan May 24 (PIA) – The
Philippines Naval Forces West (NAVFORWEST) in partnership with the Philippine
Daily Inquirer conducted a two-hour Read-Along session with children done
simultaneously throughout the country’s naval units through teleconference.
NFW Public Affairs Officer Lt. Karen A. Abulon
(PN) said in a press release that the read-along theme is anchored on the maritime
environment, which aims to provide an interactive, wholesome, and entertaining
medium for the Philippine Navy and its units across the country through video
teleconferencing.
With ages ranging from 7 to 12, fifteen
orphans from Kanluran ng Ama, an orphanage operated by the Puerto Princesa City
social welfare and development office, were joined by 30 dependents of
NAVFORWEST officers and personnel in the simultaneous Read-Along sessions by
Alitaptap Storytellers Ate Ruth and Kuya Rod, Navy personnel Ate Doris, and
celebrity reader Cheryl Cosim.
The Read-Along was held last May 19 at the
Headquarters of the Philippine Navy in Manila, and simultaneously conducted at
the Naval Station Apolinario Jalandoon in Barangay San Miguel, Puerto Princesa
City; Philippine Fleet in Cavite; Naval Education Training Center in Zambales;
and five other naval bases across the country.
According to Lt. Roy Gajo, civil military
operations officer of the NAVFORWEST, the storytelling sessions coincides with
the 114th Anniversary of the Philippine Navy and featured stories such as
"Si Pilandok sa Pulo ng Pawikan," "Domino and the Whale",
and "Si Carancal Laban sa mga Bongbongeros" and these were read to
the children.
"These stories aims to provide an avenue
for the kids to learn the significance of reading and learning, and that
nationalism and environmentalism concerns are important parts of
multi-stakeholder interests regardless of age," Gajo said, adding that
this is a repeat of last year's simultaneous read-along sessions with PN's
teleconferencing technology group.
Veteran journalist Redempto Anda, Southern Luzon
correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, for their part said that the
stories on biodiversity, the ocean, mangroves and conservation of nature were
an integral part of the Read-Along project.
"Teaching nature conservation and love
for the environment should begin at a young age. PDI is thankful that the
Philippine Navy is actively supporting sustainable projects such as this,"
Anda said. He represented PDI at the NAVFORWEST and participated as session
facilitator.