Bahandi sa Kabakhawan

About the project

Educational art project Bahandi sa Kabakhawan translated from Bisaya as Mangroves Treasures is devoted to the mangroves protection in the Philippines and supports mangrove protection educational programs in Negros Oriental by Big Blue Network.

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.
William Butler Yeats

The Marine Ecosystems Research Program

Mangroves are one of the marine ecosystems that the Grade 10 students of the Zamboanguita Science High School have been learning about for the past four years. Although the students may live next to the ocean, they have never visited the mangroves, gone tide-pooling in the seagrass, or snorkeling to see the corals and fish. The Marine Ecosystems Research Program provided by Big Blue Network gives them the opportunity to gain knowledge of the ecosystems in their local community in the classroom (or modules) and in the field. It also helps them build life skills like critical thinking and analysis, communications, and teamwork. The students learn scientific methods while doing field surveys and conduct their own research projects.

The students learn the importance of protecting and restoring what remains of these invaluable ecosystems that are so interconnected. Curiosity is encouraged through hands-on experience in the actual ecosystem instead of in the classroom and seeking out the answers to their own questions. Tasting the salt on the mangrove leaves, sinking in the rich mud while measuring and identifying the trees, nurturing a variety of species to grow in the nursery, and capturing video of the animals and insects creates lasting memories and an understanding of the essential benefits these habitats provide.

This program is sanctioned by the Department of Education and benefits from the strong support of the teachers and cooperation with the school.

The Bahandi sa Kabakhawan Art Exhibition helps support the community education and student activities in Zamboanguita and beyond. We are grateful to the artists who took the time to learn about mangroves and created their art works in support of this project as well as to Jane (Evgeniya) Spiridonova, owner of Pinspired, whose vision and inspired efforts have made it all possible.