Dr. Victoria B. Roman MHS Bags Second Place in the Division Search for Enhanced Gulayan sa Paaralan 2024

Gulayan Sa Paaralan with RFS Students

In the recently concluded Division Search for Enhanced Gulayan sa Paaralan 2024, Dr. Victoria B. Roman Memorial High School (Dr. VBR MHS) emerged second in the competition, manifesting the commitment, diligence, and innovative approach to sustainable agriculture within the school community.

This winning program, Project CULTIVATE, led by the very enthusiastic and committed Gulayan Coordinators Alijah Louise Dalde and Monnette M. Bartolo, testifies to the commitment of the school to sustainable agricultural practices and, more importantly, to enhance the general learning experience of students.

Project CULTIVATE is a school garden initiative that goes far beyond just the garden. It is a comprehensive program intended to create environmental awareness, food security, and experiential learning among the students. The project encourages both students and staff to engage in the cultivation of a variety of plants, ranging from vegetables to herbs, while emphasizing the importance of healthy eating and sustainable practices.

The School Principal, Angelo Basilio, EdD led this project wherein the school didn't plant just crops but rather experienced valuable lessons in teamwork and perseverance and the value to care for the environment. Dr. VBR MHS, through this, really proved that education may well transcend the four walls of the classroom and bring back to the community its worthwhile citizenry.

Project CULTIVATE integrates the concept of sustainable development into the school curriculum, with a focus on empowering students to take part in the planting, maintenance, and harvesting of crops. The project is structured to be interactive, where students engage in activities such as soil preparation, irrigation, and composting, all of which serve as a practical application of their science lessons.

In addition to increasing knowledge about agriculture, the program helps students to eat healthily, as it involves using fruits and vegetables grown in the garden for school meals. This will not only save the school from depending on outside food but also teach students to value homegrown food that is nutritious.

Alijah Louise Dalde and Monnette M. Bartolo have been the devoted coordinators for Gulayan. They brought Project CULTIVATE into life through their creativity, passion, and organizational skills. They collaborated with teachers and students in transforming the school grounds into a thriving learning environment where everyone can be involved in the cultivation process.

Eggplant Garden

Their vision for the project is aligned with the overarching goal of creating a sustainable and inclusive community within the school. Through their leadership, Dr. VBR MHS has successfully built a school garden that is both educational and impactful for the entire school community.

The guidance and support provided by Principal Angelo Basilio, EdD, have been extremely valuable to the success of the project. His very strong leadership has allowed several school programs to be undertaken, such as Project CULTIVATE, which are well aligned with the broader goal of improving the health and well-being of students. Principal Basilio has always been an advocate for initiatives that promote environmental responsibility, and Project CULTIVATE has been a powerful example of this.

As Dr. VBR MHS continues to grow, the school remains committed to increasing the reach and impact of Project CULTIVATE. The school has plans for introducing more innovative and sustainable practices that will hopefully inspire other institutions to take up such initiatives and replicate the kind of programs which help raise environmental consciousness and healthy living among students.

The recognition of second place in the Division Search for Enhanced Gulayan sa Paaralan 2024 only means that Project CULTIVATE has just started and will continue to reflect the never-ending commitment of the school in nurturing the next generations of leaders who understand that sustainability and environmental stewardship are important.

Dr. Victoria B. Roman Memorial High School’s second-place achievement in the Division Search for Enhanced Gulayan sa Paaralan 2024 is a remarkable accomplishment that highlights the power of community-driven projects in education. With the continued leadership of Principal Angelo Basilio, and the tireless efforts of coordinators Alijah Louise Dalde and Monnette M. Bartolo, Project CULTIVATE is sure to flourish, setting the stage for even greater achievements in the future.