werproblems

[werproblems]

GAME OF NATURE by Bernalyn Pardillo

Every day, there is a fire in the mountains of Tuguegarao in Barangay Bagay; it has been almost a week since that happened. Their mayor is now investigating with the police, and there are crowds roaming the neighborhood where the fire happens at night. And even if there were guards around, there was still a fire, which they quickly extinguished.

On the other hand, there is a house nearby in the area where the fires started. Edgardo lives here with his mother and father; he recently returned from Manila, where he attended university. His father and mother were farmers. He was the only child. Despite his parents' work, they managed to get Edgardo out of college. He has completed a BSED Major in Filipino. He returned to their province for a vacation and to help children who could not yet read or write in Barangay Bagay while waiting for his Board Exam. One of the alleged perpetrators of the fire was Edgardo's family. That's why Edgardo joined the vigil every night to stop people from suspecting his family.

They guarded the mountains of Barangay Bagay on the sixth night, with Edgardo holding a flash light and arnis while walking around with his childhood friend Emman to see the area. Emman suddenly felt he needed to use the bathroom. 

“Edgardo my stomach hurts, I need to get this shit out of my system.” Emman said while touching his stomach.

“We are far from our house Emman!’ Edgardo said while whispering loudly.

“Maybe I'll just be there behind that tree to vent my resentment.” Emman said while pointing the big and tall tree.

“Okay, I’ll wait you here.’ Edgardo answered.

While Edgardo is waiting, he’s checking the surroundings using flashlight. He thinks he has a strong attachment to the spot where he grew up, his memories came back when he was young in this place.

“Emman! You remember when we were kids? On this spot, we always play here every afternoon.” Edgardo said while smiling.

“We'll escape from our mother because we don't want to sleep at noon. That used to be our only problem but now there are too many, because we already understand what is happening around us.” Edgardo said while bitterly smiling.

“I'm hoping it stays the way.’ Edgardo said while he’s looking up and imaging the scenarios when when they were young.

He heard a crack in the back of the tree where Emman was easing resentment.

“Emman? Are still there?’ Edgardo Lucas asked.

Emman didn't answer, so Edgardo  walked closer to the tree and nervous excessively, he prepared the arnis he was holding. When he put on the flash light where his friend should have been, he was shocked to see that Emman was no longer there, he also looked around to see if Emman was just hiding but there was no trace of Emman around. As a response, Edgardo dashed to the other troops.

“Hey! Did you see Emman? He suddenly disappeared?!” Edgardo asked while he is panicking.

“Didn't he go around with you?’ Ka Tonyo said.

“Yes, I was with Emman earlier. He said he was going to poop, so he went behind the tree and I checked him after a few minutes because he was quiet when I spoke and he was no longer there behind the tree.” Edgardo explained.

Ka Tonyo urged their other volunteers to accompany them to the location where Emman had last been seen, and Edgardo accompanied them to show them where. When they arrived at the location where Emman was last seen, they accompanied each other in exploring every nook and cranny of that area. Until the surroundings lit up, they found no sign of Emman, but that night there was no fire. Edgardo's companions went home as he was acting like a moron and thinking about what had happened to his friend. They already reported it to the police.

News spread immediately in their Barangay that Emman was missing. Many say that the tikbalang may have taken Emman because that is where he was last seen in the big tree where the tikbalang lives. There was also no fire when Emman disappeared, so tikbalang is also the suspects in the fire that has been going on for several days but Edgardo did not believe it.

A few days ago, Edgardo is busy arranging his equipment for the children he will teach to write and read in their Barangay. He preoccupies himself first so as not to think too much about what happened to his friend. The police are still investigating the fire that is happening in their barangay and about his missing friend. After arranging his belongings, he went to the front of the barangay hall where he would teach the children. He started teaching the children, the topic is how we should love our nature and some children asked Edgardo.

“We need to love and take care of our nature because that is our responsibility as human beings.” Edgardo said.

“Sir, why is there always fire, the plants and trees are being depleted, is nature taking us away because we don't take care of nature?’ Boboy asked one of his active student.

“Maybe that's one of the reasons but we don't know if it was really intentionally destroyed.’ Edgardo answered.

“Okay, let’s end this class. See you tomorrow.” Edgardo said.

He said his goodbyes to the kids and gathered his things, while the kids helped him clean up. After that he go home and thought of a plan on how to catch the culprit in the loss of his friend and the start of a fire in their barangay. He knew that the culprit was not Tikbalang. People were too blind, looking for blame to cover up the person who sinned. He thinks the police haven't really investigated because until now there has been no update, so he will take steps to end it all.

When the sun began to set, he was ready for what he would do later. When it got dark all around, he left and went to the big tree where his friend had disappeared. He climbed to the top of that tree and waited for what might happen. During the few hours he was at the top of the tree, he heard someone walking and talking nearby. He peered in and saw a guy talking on a keypad cellphone.

 “Hey, where are you?’ the guy asked  to the person he was talking to on the cellphone.

“I'll be there in a moment.’ the man answered

“Okay, I will wait you here under the big tree.” He replied.

Later on, Edgardo heard a footstep again, it looks like this is what this man is waiting for. He peeked again and he saw the familiar person. He was shocked because he saw his childhood friend, which is Emman. Edgardo almost fell from the tree because he was shocked and didn't realize it, so the two people under the tree  turned their attention to him and Edgardo came down from the tree, he was already seen so he had no choice. When Edgardo was getting down he immediately asked Emman.

“What the hell does that mean? We searched for you for a few days before knowing that you were still alive, without a scar, and that nothing bad had happened?!” Edgardo said aloud and wondered.

“Let me explain Edgardo.” Emman answered.

“Okay okay.”  Edgardo said.

“When I was about to take off my pants to poop the night I was with you, I saw Jay-Ar throwing gas.”  Emman said while pointing to that unknown guy named Jay-Ar.

FLASHBACK

“This stomach is annoying.” Emman mumbled.

As he took off his pants he smelled  gas and heard footsteps, because of the nervousness, the stomach pain suddenly disappeared and he immediately put on his pants to see who was throwing gas. He saw a minor man wearing all black. He immediately grabbed it, and pointed at the balisong he was carrying.

“Who are you? What are doing here.” Emman asked as he pointed the balisong at the young man's neck.

“I’m Jay-A. Please, don't hurt me. I was just following orders.” He answered.

“Who ordered you?!” Emman asked nervously.

“Emman?" Edgardo calls Emman

“I'll tell you all, don't let anyone else know.” Jay-Ar whispered

That's why Emman immediately pulled Jay-ar away from that place. When they could no longer see Edgardo, Emman spoke to Jay-ar.

“So now answer my question?” Emman asked.

“I'm looking for a job, no one accepts me because I didn't finish high school. That's why when the Mayor's staff approached me and told me about it, I no longer refused the job they wanted to give me.” Jay-Ar explained.

“The mayor ordered? Why did he do that?” Emman asked in shock

“A chinese Business man wants to construct a dam in Barangay Bagay, which the Mayor has already accepted because it will pay him a large amount of money. He also wanted to evict the people living in the barangay so he gradually burned the mountains so that the people living here would lose their livelihood and to move elsewhere. By the second week, they wanted a big fire to happen in Barangay Bagay.” Jay-Ar explained.

Emman was shocked and speechless. Money has a variety of impacts. People get greedy and stop caring about the well-being of others.

BACK TO REALITY

“That's exactly what happened; I conspired with Jay-Ar to help a helper get details from the Mayor's staff.” Emman said.

“So Jay-Ar and I met here, people are afraid to come here because there is a tikbalang here that picks them up. We met today so that Jay-Ar can give me the evidence that can help us so that the people of Barangay Bagay know the Mayor's plan.” Emman continued.

“But Emman, why didn't you wake up a few days ago? I will greatly help you.” Edgardo said.

“You come back here for a vacation, not to do it; I don't want to disturb you any longer because I know you're preparing for your upcoming board exam.” Emman explained.

"Okay, let’s stop arguing. Where is the evidence Jay-Ar? " Emman said to Jay-Ar. 

“Here in the envelope, That's complete, there are the papers and pictures of the Mayor with the Chinese Business man.” Jay-Ar said.

“Thank you Jay-Ar. Tomorrow before they make the big fire, we need to let the people know about it.” Emman said.

“So what is our plan?” Edgardo asked.

“Can you own a mobile phone? It is your responsibility to email this evidence to possible platforms. Don't send our cops here because our mayor is squeezing their neck.” Emman said.

“You can leave and go home.” Emman said to the two.

They left and Edgardo did what Emman told him.

The next day, Edgardo woke up to a noise outside their house. He peeked out the window, and saw the crowd in front of their house.

“The Mayor is good at pretending.” 

“So, he was the one who investigated the fire in the mountains, that's how he was to blame.” 

"Money really does do something different."

Here are some of the ones he heard talking outside their house. The Mayor was caught, this is good news.

“Development is not bad, if it does not harm nature.”

END.

[werproblems]

What or who is Real Trash? by Bernalyn Pardillo

How will we preserve Mother Earth? They claim to place garbage in the proper container. Where is the location of the appropriate bin? If we dump the trash in the appropriate bin, is that it? What will happen next when we dump it in the trash?

Ever since I was a child, my mother has taught me how to separate perishable and non - perishable garbage because she said it could be used again. That is why, until now, we still collect plastic bottles, cans and anything else that can be sold at the junk shop. I remember when we could sell plastic bottles, cans, etc. It was our snack in the afternoon because, at that time, my parents were still short of money, so we were happy when we were able to sell them because we could buy snacks in the afternoon. Just like they say "May pera sa basura." 

When I was in junior high school, one of the requirements for pageants and contests was to include plastic bottles, cans, CDs, and so on, so that students didn't have to spend a lot of money to compete. That's nice because it teaches us how to be resourceful in life, because even though anything is trash for others, it still has a home for the poor like us.

When I was in Senior High School, our teacher told me that if he saw a candy wrapper in our school hall, he would pick it up, put it in his pocket, and then throw it away. In this way, we will contribute to the protection of biodiversity. Even if it is just a little matter, it can make a huge difference. I was satisfied with what he said, which is why I appreciated him, but one day, when my classmates and I were in the jeep on our way home, there was traffic. We saw him walking while eating a fish ball. When he finished his meal, he quickly bent down to tie his shoes, so he put the plastic cup containing his fish ball that he had eaten earlier on the side. He left after adjusting his shoelaces and no longer had the plastic cup. That day, I witnessed how hypocritical people are. They encourage us to protect the environment, but they are also one of those who contribute to environmental harm.

I am from Las Piñas City, and I have been active in a project called Las Piñas City Greening since I was a child, which was previously led by Cynthia Villar when she was still a Congresswoman here, but now it is called Clean and Green. Aiming to clean up the environment in Las Piñas City, they also planted trees and plants on the side of the highway around Las Piñas City. We also learned that Sen. Cynthia Villar, who is currently in the Philippines, is building several villages. At the start of the pandemic, she encouraged people to plant vegetables so that those who lost their jobs would have enough to eat. It's ironic that it came from her, because she is one of the environmental destroyers as a result of her modernization. There is nothing wrong with modernization, but it is not acceptable if it harms people or the environment. I once again witnessed how hypocritical people are. 

I’ll go back to my first question. Where exactly does the trash go after being thrown in the trash? Does it become waste, biodegradable, or non-biodegradable for people as much as it goes into people's behavior? What or who is real trash? Is it the trash we throw away or the people themselves? Don't be a hypocrite; you're just deceiving yourself. For instance, we are not what our environment demands; we are what our environment requires. So let us take care of it as our mother takes care of us, pure and true, not just words. Remember, God made the environment before humans. God made humans to take care of the environment. That is why we hope to fulfill it.

When I was a child, I saw that there is still value even if it is trash, but now I am not sure, because trash is no longer just trash now. If I used to be too positive to think that I shouldn't be because it's being blind to the surroundings as if nothing is wrong. Stop being tenacious.

#Story #true story

[werproblems]

SHORT MESSAge FOR YOU, BY NATURE by Marjorie Quetua

  A Beautiful forest named Kingjenns located at the middle of the field of Monosaorue, a young and beautiful sunflower lived together with her friends or family rather. Because that is how they treat each other; family, even though they don't share same species at all. On a one sunny day, Sunshine the sunflower wakes up with a new seed being planted next to her by an old man who planted every one of them in the forest. She got curious on what plant it is, she ask herself everyday as she sees the plant slowly grow

"is the plant going to be my sister or brother?, is he/ she a snob plant?, is this plant would love and enjoy playing with me?, is this plant will--." 

"Hi!" cheerfully said by the newly bloomed flower.

Everyone startled upon hearing the loud greetings from their new fella. 

"What kind of plant you are? you're so beautiful!" ask the newly bloomed flower to the sunflower.

 "Hi there new neighbor! I'm a sunflower. A beautifully created plant just like you!"

Days passed and you can notice that the two flower; Sunny the sunflower and Ross the rose get along really well together with all of the plants in the forest. They all know each others favorites, they all love to sing, they all know if the other one is not feeling well, they all know if the other one is sad, they all know if the other one has something bothering in him/her. Tiny, the smallest plant among them always wakes all other plants around him everyday with her beautiful voice. Tiny loves to sing, actually all of the plants in the area loves to sing. Jeony, the pony like flower loves to dance. She always makes everyone happy in the whole forest. Lindor is their story teller, he always have something to share. Lindor is excellent at composing different stories and tales with lots of lessons that everybody excites always to hear. Tiara, the glow in the dark flower helps everyone sees in the dark. Rio, the biggest tree helps the soil maintain its nutrients for the other plants to grow healthy and stronger. Rio also protects plants under his shade from the heavy rains and thunder storms. Elish, the bamboo tree helps crawling plants to have crawling paths. He also protects other plants from being damage by strong winds cause of typhoons by wiggling his body to destroy typhoons. Morris, the Moringga helps the soil of the forest maintain its healthy soil for the sake of the plants there. Lao the bee, who has the biggest contribution in the forest for it to look always at its best because of the flowers he unconsciously helped to be produced. Linda, the firefly who always love to light the whole place every night  is one of the things plants are excitedly waiting every time sun comes down and darkness replace the sun. Shipo, who's species has the wider trunk among trees in the whole Kingjenns forest. Lovely, the playful snake. Her species is the one who protects the whole forest from anything who wants to harm the plants and all of them there. Kai, the fruit bearing small plants who always help their person to have nutritious meal in their table. Jone, one of the fruit bearing tree in the Kingjenns and one of those who always help their person just like Kai to always have nutritious fruits in their family's table. Patris, the British accent green leafy vegetables that is good for the heart. Janya, the orange vegetable that is excellent at caring our eyes. Daza, the Generous monkey who always help other animals in the Kingjenns forest to always have their meal. Litvia, the caring squirrels. Ethel, the industrious ants, who always help species like their size to look for their foods. Jeni, the earthworm who maintains the quality of the soil in the whole forest of Kingjenns. Vivi, the butterfly who enhances the beauty of the Kingjenns forest in day time. The forest soon be visited by a powerful person. He taken by force the land to its owner by killing him and his family. He wants to own the land not for its generous natural resources but for its spacious land. The forest full of greens and beautiful and gorgeous plants and animals lately becoming pale, and dull. Plants are becoming weak, dull and lifeless. Sunny, and her friends begun to notice everything that's happening around them. The situation of the forest is not normal, it is something that they should pay attention off because in every second flies their situation are becoming worse. The powerful person arrive again onto the forest together with his men. Plants, trees and animals are clueless of what might going to happen. The powerful person's men soon begun to start sawing trees, killing animals who gets in their way, some men started to hew down some plants. Everyone's terrified and getting trauma of what they're witnessing. Soon when heavy rain started to pour the powerful man and his men slowly leaves the forest. Heavy rain came, and the surrounding is not what it used to be before. Plants are no longer thanking the Creator for the rain; they're now afraid of rain coming into their forest because of the heavy flood they're experiencing. On the other day, the powerful man's men again begun cutting down trees, without thinking how the other small plants will survive the heavy rains and floods if there are no more trees that will help them absorb the excess water small plants can't take. After a day of misfortune for the plants, insects and animals in the forest a much brighter sun appear, which for them signifies new hope, strength and courage to keep moving. But when the sun finally appear after that day, they automatically feel frightened because any day from that time, strong rains and heavy floods may occur again once more and they'll never know if after the storm, will they be able to continue their life together with the plants in the forest. Because they might die from drowning or being plucked in soil by the strong current of water running down the forest. The plants didn't waste time, they get all the nutrients coming from the sun through their strongest method of photosynthesis and made their roots stronger, so they can hold on to the soil much tighter. The strongest storm later on came without notice and almost every plants around the forest die. The storm still hit their land with strong winds and heavy rains resulting a much more heavier flood they just experience in their whole life. Sunny and Ross's friends died.  Sunny's stem got extremely damage too, it almost take the flower off her stem. 

"Hey little bunch of sunshine, I know a place where there is no strong storms and pain. I know a place too where all beautiful things go. I know a place where there's no sadness but only you can find genuine happiness. I know a place where there's no bad people. I know a place where trees and plants are being cared of. I know a place where people love plants like us and will not do any harm to hurt us. I know a place which lead by one King; the King of all Kings. I know a place where all that I've said exist and I'm happy that you're finally going there. You may lose all your time here on earth but you'll have your eternal life in the place you're now going. My dear Sunny, I love you with the love of our creator, I will do my best to save our nature from abusive people, that's a promise and I'm sealing it with hopes and prayer for you, and for us all here who still have missions to fulfill. You can now go, promise I will be okay, you're the best sister I've ever had. Remember Sunny, you're the best sister in the whole forest." 

Ross is painfully crying while saying those line in her sunflower sister Sunny, who's dying at that moment. The light soon appear and take the poor sunflower to her final destination. In Paradise. Where their friends go after losing their final breathe. Ross pray everyday for the safety of some plants left in the Kingjenns forest. He also pray that the bad men would never come back. He pray everyday for his lost sister and family. He prays for strength, and courage that he wants other plant to acquire too. He pray for humans. He pray that may human won't hurt them again because they just want to live in this earth created by our God. They provide different resources to people every time they need one, but they don't get any thank you's coming from people. They exhaust themselves to give humans better raw materials but what are human still do? They keep asking for more and demanding for more. Natural resources cry and suffer too, we should learn how to be resourceful and be thankful to what just nature can give. Plant ten trees every time you cut one down.

[werproblems]

HOW WASTE MATERIALS CAN BECOME USEFUL AGAIN? by Marjorie Quetua

Have you ever wonder the amount of trash each people can contribute to make our planet be drowned in waste? Have you ever asked yourself why people and their machineries continually manufacture products such as plastics even if they already know that plastic can kill our planets and so do us? Well the answer is money. Thousands of factories still create products with plastic on it or even has a material that requires thousands of years to decompose because of money. People in some areas who firstly use paper bag in substitute for plastic bags especially in groceries are most likely to feel uneasy and uncomfortable because paper bags can be easily rip once a liquid product you just buy spilled inside while carrying your groceries out on your way home, and also if you’d purchased cold goods that later on produce sweats. Paper bags can sometimes be in that way or much worse, that’s why eco bags later on exist. Unlike some paper bags used in some groceries, eco bags has handles and much more durable. Also eco bag from the word itself eco, it is made from recycled materials and also unlike paper bags that you can just use 1 or 2 repeated times, you can use eco bag as long as it does it purpose and doesn’t wear out yet. Like eco bags which was recycled from plastic wastes there are a lot more of things you think doesn’t have use because maybe they are ripped apart, a little bit broken, their color has faded and doesn’t look good anymore to still use them or display on your home, or maybe they are just too old and you think they can’t do their purpose anymore, or maybe you have lots of them that’s just being stack in your house making your house look more loaded, or maybe you need an upgrade that’s why you think you need to disposed them out already but surprisingly those things that you see as a junk can become more when you recycle or let me call it “re-styling” them. One of those are the pet bottles, Milk cartons, slightly damaged pails and drums, out-of-style/ worn out clothes, bags, jeans, appliances, blankets, and different things that you can ever imagine that can still be re-styled to re-used them for us to contribute in reducing waste products that are just being dump on the dumpsite in the whole world. Those I’d mention can become more if you’ll just think creatively and be concern more to our environment; if you’ll just going to re-style them. Some projects that can be done out things that can be recycled are; the DIY no-sew zipper cases out of plastic bottles, soda bottle sprinkler, DIY recycled bird feeders out of plastic bottles, bottle cap mosaic, piggy bottle bank, DIY Kitchen storage containers, DIY Drip irrigator for plants, DIY Magazine rack out of plastic bottles, Vertical hanging garden plastic pots out of plastic bottles, DIY plastic bottle porch/ party décor, pretty plastic bottle flowers, DIY zero-electricity cooler out of plastic bottles, DIY plastic bottle Pet feeder, DIY Greenhouse of plastic bottles, DIY mobile charging dock out of lotion container, DIY Jewelry stand out of plastic bottles, DIY snack bowl out of the bottom part of plastic bottles, Quirky recycled owl vases out of liter soda bottles, DIY ecofriendly ottomans out of liter soda bottles, DIY birdhouse tree décor, Re-used coffee creamer container for snack storage, Upcycle laundry detergent bottles into a watering can, turn a milk carton into a garden scooper, Re-used honey bear bottles by making a lamp out of it, make a beach bucket out of laundry detergent containers, recycle empty liter plastic bottle into a DIY water filter, turn plastic bottle trash into a trash can, outdoor broom from recycled plastic bottles, lamp out of plastic bottle caps, airplane toys out of shampoo bottles, recycled plastic bottle jet pack for kids, recycle laundry detergent containers into toy cars, DIY wind chimes out of tin cans, DIY hand/ shoulder bags out of old jeans, DIY plant-holder out of electric fan’s cover, Re-used out-of-style jeans and turn it into cool shorts, recycle old tires and turn it into a swing or trash bins and many more.    

[werproblems]

SUNFLOWER 1000 by SarahMae Perdigon

Today is our University cultural festival. There are so many people around the school.

"Calling! Calling Ms. Sariyah Flores, please proceed to Class 3F room."

I was shocked by what I heard. I thought it's my break? We made up a concept, it's a mask booth and made a small labyrinth inside our classroom with exhibit so fold mask, which we have copied from different countries. I was in a hurry to walk when I collided with a woman, we both fell down. Scattered all the things she have so I helped her, and then I saw a keychain with a flower image. Behind itis named Alli Coleman. She immediately snatched the keychain. The woman nodded at me sparingly and hurried away from the sight. I just shrugged my shoulder. I think she's not a student here. 

"Sir! My balloon is in the tree! I can't reach it!"

The girl with the summer hat and sunflower dress calling the attention of my schoolmate who sell soft balloon. Suddenly the other students buy the balloons. The guy named Alli now torn between the little girl and the other customer. I grabbed the girl attention. She pointed the tree at me. Because I was tall I immediately reached the balloon. But the moment I step on the land after jumping. I saw the little girl staring in my schoolmate Alli and the woman I collided  earlier seems so shock. After giving the balloons, I was still wondering as the child followed me. I frowned at what the girl doing. I walked inside of the booths. She's pulling my uniform, and give me a different style of mask that we don't have in the booth. 

"Ms. Beautiful I have something to tell you, can you bow down?"  

Due to the curiosity, I obeyed to the little girl. My eyes widened as she put it on the mask on me. 

"Welcome to paradise!" 

Once she shouted on me, everything is blurry and feels so dizzy. Different scenarios and places I saw. When I open my eyes there's so many people wearing masked greeted on my sight. Someone snatched my hand and Istarted to dance too many people. My lips remained pityng at what I could see.The man in the mask laughed. I stared at the man, maybe I'm dreaming?I reached his faces but my hand stopped in the air because of what he said.

“Why do you keep saying does that matter to me?You won, no happened. You're still my untouchable chiquita. Because I was drunk." 

My head heated and puzzled at what he said. He removed the mask. ls he the student council president?

"Alli?"

The man smiled at me. Eyes widened. I slowly knelt on the man who looks like Alli. The people around stopped dancing. 

“Sunflower 1000, this is your Captain speaking. Alli Coleman, will you marry me Sariyah? I promise I will love you more than what this ocean can do."

Tears welled up in my eyes as if I were the woman he proposes marriage. 

"H-Howdareyou Alli?! Then do you hate me?! You will replace me with that woman?!"

Everyone was distracted to the woman weeping she pointed the gun to me. But it was too late, I could feel the pain in my chest. Which is why I fel ldown, even blood on my lips I immediately tasted.The man who caughts weakening my body. 

"Sariyah..."

The people were getting upset. I spontaneously raised my hands to the man and caressed his cheek. Even before I closed my eyes I was able to leave a few words. 

"Why? There's someone else.."

I woke up fanned by the my classmate. By hurting angle I get up. I immediately searched to the child but there's no little girl around andt he mask left on. This is the mask the man is wearing. My eyes almost widened when I saw someone wearing it. He removed the mask. It'sA lli! The student council president. Why is he here? I was surprised to meet him. 

"Alli! I think we've met before." He turned to me. 

"I wish we've met sooner." he replied. 

Is top off what I will say with arm suddenly curled around Alli, a woman who immediately gave me stingy smile. She's that woman! She shot me! The girl I collide earlier. 

"Look, there a flowers balloon." said one of my classmate.

When I turned to the window, I saw flying in the sky flower balloons owned by the little girl.

[werproblems]

NATURE ADVENTURE by SarahMae Perdigon

When Nat got approval in his vacation trips. He arrived to a small town near the beach.  He excited. While swimming in the water he saw different fishes and creatures. Second day, he noticed that the beach was very dirty. There were a lots of paper and plastics lying all around. The third day, when he had come to swim, there's a lot of dirt around the sea, plenty of fishes die on the beach. Nat decided to report the situation and find out the cause for all the dirt. Nat looked around the beach, seeing some people throwing the plastics and papers. He went closer, and explained to the people that some fishes die because of the waste thrown. To his surprise some people was friendly and showed concern. They sharing the suggestions, that can help to maintain the cleanliness. Recyclable boxes that can be a dustbins. They paint in green color. They put the dustbins around the beach and asked the people to always throw the garbage in the boxes. They put a sign in the dustbins by Reuse, Recycle and Reduce to maintain cleaned the entire beach. His adventure has full of fun to see the beautiful nature of the beach.

[werproblems]

REBIRTH by Melanie Punzalan

In the great place of Beaumont, one starry evening, a beautiful princess was born at the starry night that conveys strong feelings of hope through the bright lights of the stars. King Theodor and Queen Georgia were delighted to welcome their daughter after many years of longing to have a child. One morning, the King and Queen gathered the people and held a simple feast for the miraculous happening in their place. It was a peaceful celebration in the Beaumont, and the people were laughing, dancing, talking, eating, and greeting the King and Queen. As part of the gathering, the people of Beaumont were given a chance to present their gift to the Princess. Every person was showing love, prosperity and also wishing the Princess to have a better life.

In the middle of the event, an uninvited guest walked and entered the Castle, and she was wearing a round hat and a long red dress and her face covered with a red-coloured satin that hid her face only to see her enchanting green eyes if you look closely at her.

When she gets near the family, she gives her lovely present to the Princess and whispers something. Everyone was looking at her and stunned at the tall lady. None of them didn’t try to stop her not until when King Theodor stood on his throne and talked like he was going to kill the tall lady.

“Who are you?”

“Why are you doing here in my Castle?”

“Who gave you the rights to touch my daughter and get near to her?”

“Can you please leave right now.” he said.

Queen Georgia was very nervous about how the strange tall lady acted inside the Castle; she held her daughter tightly and told the castle guard to drag the tall girl outside their Castle.

“Get this girl and drag her outside the castle.” she said.

“I don’t like this ugly and disgusting person to step into my castle again.” King added.

The castle guards drag the tall lady outside the Castle, but before she is entirely out, she struggles to the castle guard and shouts “I swear to God that you will pay for everything you’ve done, and I promise that your daughter will never live a perfect life. ”

“You don’t deserve a happy life, remember that” “All of the people of Beaumont will suffer, and that’s because of you.” she added.

People of Beaumont started murmuring, guessing the tall lady said those words inside the Castle and in front of the most respected family in the palace. The King and Queen ignored the tall lady’s words and focused on the guest, and acted like everything was fine.

Eighteen years have passed since the incident happened in the Castle. Everyone lives an everyday life at that moment. Princess Emily will celebrate her 18th birthday in 2days, and everyone was busy planning for the big event in the Castle. Every year the King and Queen give their daughter a magnificent and fabulous birthday party for their only daughter, and their reason for that is because they think that their daughter was a gift from God. The celebration was the way to give back to their people who pray for them having a child. The day has come, and the Princess will turn 18. Everything is already prepared and ready for the big celebration. The people of Beaumont entered the Castle and also the VIP guest from the other Island. They started to enjoy the moment inside of it. The King and Queen welcomed their daughter down the spiral stair, and the Princess was wearing a green dress that suits her body.

“You look stunning, my daughter.” King Theodor said.

“You looked like your mother when she was young back then.” He added.

The people of Beaumont welcome the royal family and greet the Princess a happy birthday. The King stood at the centre, preparing for a toast.

“For my beautiful princess who is very kind to the people and also who loves taking care of the plants and flowers, Happy Birthday.”

Before the King says cheers, the King holds his chest and falls and loses his consciousness. After the King, Queen Georgia also lost her consciousness. Princess Emily panicked, and everyone in the Castle was shocked at what happened to the King and Queen. They rush the King and Queen into their bedroom, and they call the Doctor to check upon them. Princess Emily was anxious after they heard King Theodor and Queen Georgia’s condition from the Doctor.

“I didn’t know what caused the King and Queen to collapse earlier; I didn’t determine their disease.” the Doctor said.

King Theodor and Queen Georgia remain unconscious after what happened earlier. At her young age, Princess Emily is the only one who manages the palace and takes the position for her parents even though she is the one who will handle the Beaumont for their people.

Beaumont was now facing a more significant problem when they figured out that they didn’t have the source of food and water since last week because of the drought. The people of Beaumont were now devastated; the leaves turned yellow, the tree didn’t produce fruits, the plants are now dry, and the sea didn’t have fish or any kinds of seafood, and the river that made freshwater is now dehydrated. The people of Beaumont are begging for food and water because they didn’t know where they would get their food sources since the other Island was so far from their Island. The people of Beaumont went to the Castle and informed Princess Emily about the current situation because they didn’t know what happened to the environment. They started to protest outside the Castle, shouting, ranting and making loud noises.

“Your majesty, I’m sorry to interrupt you, but the people of Beaumont are outside the castle, begging to see you regarding their concerns on what’s happening.” the castle guard said.

“Please let them in.” Princess Emily replied

“Your majesty, the people of Beaumont, were worried and concerned about their food and water supply.” said the man who is in his 30s to the Princess

 “This is all your fault; this is why everyone is suffering.” the woman said.

“Your parents do everything they want; that’s why many trees are now gone.” she added.

“We have to take action before everyone dies.” said the old man at the back

Everyone started to murmur and say their concerns and ask so many questions to the Princess. Princess Emily didn’t know how she would respond to them because she didn’t know the possible reason for these problems and why these things happened, but after a few minutes, she came up with words by saying assurance to the people.

“Don’t worry, people of Beaumont; I will do everything to bring back our resources. Everything will be back to normal, and people will drink fresh water and eat some healthy food. For now, we have to know what is the possible reason behind these problems, and we have to determine how to solve this thing.” Princess Emily said

“Also, I want the cooperation of the people of Beaumont to save the remaining supply of food and water and designate the food properly for the people.” she added.

Everyone leaves the Castle, and Princess Emily is left alone inside, thinking if she will say all these things to her parents. But she found herself in their garden sitting at the bench while looking at her favourite flowers, that is very colourful and vibrant to see when you look them far away, the smell from the soothing-scented lavender, sweet-smelled like hyacinth and freesia and also roses that have the best smelling flowers in the garden. All her flowers are now dry, and their colour is desaturated. While she stares at the park, A tall lady appears at her back and starts to talk.

“Everything that happened is not your fault.”

“Your parents take everything for granted; they didn’t appreciate the environment and place that was given to them.”

“They cut trees to build other structures.”

“They destroy the land to prove that the place of Beaumont is beautiful, successful, and powerful.” said the tall lady.

“How will I get everything back?’ Princess Emily said.

“Find the last seed.”

Princess Emily thinking, what could the tall lady words mean? How can she stop all these things? How will she find a seed? She tried to remember all the memories and what her parents have done since she was a kid. She tried to remember all the stories she has read since her parents were busy. One time she remembered there’s one book that she read repeatedly since she was a kid. The book is about how God provides a little kid with a precious gift and that is a seed. It was the weirdest gift to be received but it was meaningful if you understand why it was given to you. She also remembers an old woman who always visits her garden and tells her random stories about nature and about the different flowers which is the reason why she is fond of the flowers and plants. She came up with the idea of asking for help from the people of Beaumont. They search inside and outside the castle on where the seed that Princess Emily told them.

“How will we find that seed?” said the young man.

“Beaumont was so big to find that seed Princess.” said the old lady

“This is so hard we can never find that thing.” said the young man who was wearing a cowboy hat.

After more days of searching for the last seed, the people of Beaumont lose their only hope to make everything back to normal. Princess Emily talks to the people of Beaumont and at that moment she gathered information about the history of Beaumont and how it was known as the beautiful mountain that is rich in natural resources and natural habitat and how her parents handled Beaumont. That time she learns all the dirty secrets of her parents, how cruel they are in the environment and how they hide the food and keep them in storage without thinking about the people of Beaumont.

Princess Emily came back to the castle and headed to her room. Her cheeks are burning while her hands are trembling while slamming the door close. She put herself in bed and started to cry, because of the information that she found out. She blames herself for not doing anything to protect the people of Beaumont.

“What have I done.”

“I don’t know what I will do?”

“How?”

After a few minutes of crying, she sat up staring blankly while holding her necklace. A necklace that she has was from her mother but the truth is, it was given to her by the tall lady when she was a baby.  She notices that there’s something strange in her necklace and there she found out that there’s something inside of it. She figured out how to open the heart shape necklace and a few minutes after she opened it, there she found the last seed.

“Oh my God, it’s true!”

Princess Emily plants the last seed in her garden and guarding it like it was the most precious thing in life. The people of Beaumont found out the seed and there they realize that there’s always hope. The hope that makes a bigger change in their life. The seed begins the germination process after being planted. The root begins to extend and develop a roots system at one end while a stem forms at the other end. The stem started the process of making its way upward and eventually past the soil’s surface. As the stem begins to grow leaves and develop flowers and fruit. The people of Beaumont started to harvest and take care of nature again. Annually they celebrated the thanksgiving harvest every Princess Emily's birthday. Before they celebrated it magnificent and fabulous while inviting other royal families to other Islands. But this time it was only for the people of Beaumont who sacrifice and put hard work into taking care of the environment. Queen Georgia and King Theodor learn their lesson in handling the place of Beaumont, that’s why they gave the throne to their only daughter Princess Emily. People of Beaumont learn to appreciate the importance of the environment in them and for their animals.

“A simple small seed can bring new hope, and that last hope will bring us an opportunity to change the wrongdoings in the past.”

[werproblems]

MOTHER EARTH by Melanie Punzalan

In the beginning, when God created heaven and the earth, the earth was having no regular shape and form, the deep blackness such as you see when you close your eyes and the atmosphere that is not suitable for life.

As stated in the books Judeo Christian tradition, it said that God created the universe in six days. On the first day lights, the brilliantly golden sparkling thing that gleams and brightens the surroundings that drip upon your skin. The next is water, a tasteless and no-taste liquid at room temperature that has the ability to dissolve much other substance. And on the third-day soil, a mixture of organic matter, minerals, water, air, and countless organisms that together support life and refers to sandy load or clay. Next is the star, a naturally luminous body visible in the sky especially at night, as if God sprinkled them like sugar upon the perfect black cake. On the fifth day are animals, a living creature such as a dog, lion, or rabbit, and rather than a bird, fish, and insect. And on the last day is human, a species that is highly intelligent among the other primates that are characterized by walking on two feet, opposing thumbs, five fingers, and binocular color vision and with notably less hair than others of the species Homo sapiens.

The Earth’s shape is round and consists of two colors which are blue, which represents waters, and green, which represents the land. Earth possesses a few exceptional qualities when compared to the other planets, it contains water, atmosphere, territories, and even something that can be observed and studied that typically is unusual or difficult to understand or explain fully. Earth is the planet where humans live. It is the planet among the eight planets of the Sun and the fifth largest among them. The Earth is like a mother because she is the only planet where humans and any other species can live because it has the essential substance like water, air, and land that support the life of the earth and it’s just like how the mother supports their child and provides them the life that they had.

Mother Earth developed life into a countless form that often seems that is wealth in diversity has always existed in the planets but, that is not the case to see it as beautiful for everyone else. The huge external and internal forces have changed the nature of the earth many times since its birth. Occasionally, nature reminds us of the existence of these forces and other devastating effects that a living creature can encounter. Mother earth tears welled from deep inside and coarse down the cheeks because the land is polluted. Deforestation is at an alarming rate with hectares of forest being burned and cut each second. Trees that hold the soil together and make it difficult for erosion to take place and also for the home of plants and wildlife. Miners are destroying the land by bringing waste earth and rocks to the surface and underground coal fires that are emitting toxic gases. Mother earth tears split over and flowed down her face like a river escaping into a dam because water is polluted. Sewage, garbage, and liquid waste from the household and industries contain harmful chemicals which can make the water poisonous for aquatic resources. Mother earth eyes bleed in pain because the air is polluted. The livestock industry is polluting the air through a number of greenhouse gases that spread into the atmosphere through animal waste and for the people. The loss of energy in the form of soot and other harmful gasses from cars, trucks, and any other vehicles are major air pollutants in the environment.

People of the world and children of Mother Earth, should come together and start saving the planet. You can’t depend and rely on the government to save the planet because some of them don't care about nature and the only thing that they care about is money. Each person should take a small step because every little step counts in saving the world. We should start putting collective effort into trying this initiative because the planet needs us right now. People start knowing the 3R (Re-use, Reduced, and Recycle) and think of other alternatives to using things that can harm the earth.  It’s high time we start taking care of the Earth because it has given us the sea, food, water, land, and other resources that we have utilized for our everyday lives.

[werproblems]

MADRE NATURA by Dave Remolacio

Once upon a time, a boy was walking through a wood and he though the could hear a sad cry, as though someone was crying while singing. Following the sound he came to a big, round, mysterious, grey fountain. The sad sobbing seemed to be coming from the fountain pool. The boy swept aside the pool's dirty surface water and saw a group of grey fish swimming in a slow circle through the pond. With each lap they made, their little voices opened and out came the sobbing sound. 

Amused by this, the boy tried to catch one of these incredible talking fish. But when he stuck his arm into the water it turned grey right up to the elbow. As this happened, a huge sadness entered into him, and he suddenly understood how sorrowful the fish was feeling. He felt just like the earth on his arm; dirty and contaminated.

 He quickly pulled his arm out of the water, and ran from that place. Butt he arm stayed grey, and the boy continued feeling sad. He tried so many times to cheer himself up, but nothing worked. That was, until he realised that if he were to make the Earth happy then that happiness would be, in turn, transmitted back to him, throught he earth on his arm. 

After that, the boy so a ugly and orc woman. First he feel scared but he wanted to know the name of old woman. He walked going to the woman and he heard that a old woman was crying. He ask the old woman. 

"Who are you? and why are crying?"

 The boy is full of curiousity and confusions The old  woman answered but still crying. She said

"Hello little boy I am Madre Natura, I cry because I am too tired on what people done on me. They destroyed me and they're careless on what action they does. I am to disappointed on my image that people didn't care and love me. I believe little boy that I can live without human but human cannot live without me."

The old woman was continuing on crying but the boy was too shocked and confused about the old woman says. He ask her again. 

"Who really are you? Don't tell me that you are the mother earth!”

Madre Natura answered the question the little boy. 

"Yes I am, I am the mother earth. And I wanted to say that I cant longer take this anymore. Any time I will die. So please! I’m begging you to tell this to everyone that preserve me not only for them but also for the next generation. So please take care of me."

The boy was teary eyed and feel sorry the old woman and the was respond. He hug the old and says

“I feel sorry and I feel bad on what we've done to you. I will be your instrument for your begging for. I willingly take this responsibility. I am sorry. I know my pollution and diseases that very relevant too your earth. And one of those are water pollution, that cause of contamination of aquatic lives. Next is that air pollution that can cause of skin diseases and pneumonia that very risky to human life and to yours. The next is soil pollution can also cause of contamination to the plants. Also our improper ways of trash that have big contribution that cause of your distraction. I will be your warrior starting today.”

The woman felt better and pleasant. She stopped on crying and she change her physical appearance and it turns to a Beautiful Natural woman. And feel thank to the boy. She hug the boy and says

“Thank you for the promises, I’m rooting and I will guide you. So go on and start to change the stigma.”

From then on he set about looking after the country side. He cared for the plants, he did what he could to keep the water from being polluted, and he encouraged others to do the same. He was so successful that his hand started to recover its normal color. When the grey had disappeared completely, he started feeling happy again, and he decided to go and visit the fountain. When he was still some way from the fountain he could hear the fish singing happy hymns, and he heard them joy fully splashing in the crystal clear water soft hat magic fountain. That symbolized he satisfied the old woman named Madre Natura. 

It was plain to see that the Earth had returned to its original happiness; and the boy felt even happier at the sight.

#nature #story

[werproblems]

Improper Ways of Waste Disposal by Dave Remolacio

It is a given fact that our existence in this world is temporary but this world’s existence may live until a hundred or even a thousand of years. We are conscious about this world’s problems about our environment and we all wish that the next generation wouldn’t have to witness the impurities of this world but to remember the day that we conquered these challenges as our victory. There are numerous problems regarding our environment that we, humans, actually witness. Tracing them, we can come up with one root. It is the improper ways of waste disposal. Lack of knowledge and discipline about waste disposal is something we must avoid in order to fulfill our responsibility as stewards of the Earth. People with education are knowledgeable about conserving our environment like recycling and use of organic fertilizer because it is included in our curriculum but then, not all of us actually apply it in our daily life. Not to mention that besides us, there are also other species that are affected in the drastic changes of our environment. For example, creatures that live in the bodies of water like fishes are highly affected when their habitats are destroyed by garbage some people throw. Lakes and rivers which are more near and relevant to humans are mostly the victim of improper waste disposal. Trees and plants are also affected because of soil pollution. Soil pollution is a big problem for agriculture and economy.

Waste disposal can be defined as any method used to discard unwanted substances or materials. Poor waste disposal activities engender severe environmental problems on a location.

Improper waste disposal is the disposal of waste in a way that has negative consequences for the environment. Examples include littering,hazardous waste that is dumped into the ground,and not recycling items that should be recycled.

CAUSES

1. Ignorance: Ignorance of people about proper waste disposal.People are unaware  of consequences of their unwise acts.

2. Laziness: Can cause improper garbage disposal because people not following the correct rules of proper waste disposal their always throw it what place they want and they have no care what will be the effect of it.

3.Greed: Can cause improper garbage disposal for example burning tires of wheel and plastic instead of keeping it or trade the excess automobile cars tires to maximize on it.

EFFECTS

Affects our Health

Like lung disease,heart problem,skin irritation,problem or abnormality in breathing and more.

  Affects our Climate

As some waste decomposes,it releases greenhouse gases into the athmosphere.Like trapping of hear on earth that may effect of abnormality of weather condition like more storm or typhoon coming per year is happening until now.

Air Pollution

The open burning of waste causes air pollution or greenhouse affects.for example burning of rubber and plastic.

Soil Contamination

Is caused by the presence of man made chemicals, the softness of the ground, having smelly soil vapor and other alteration in the natural soil environment.

Infections to humans

Skin irritation and blood infections resulting from direct contact with waste ,and transmitting bacteria from waste to infected wounds.

How can we solve this?

- Decomposed your waste is an option for getting rid of your households waste. You can compost lost of items: food waste, animal waste, yard waste, and much more.

- Recycling waste is another option for getting rid of waste. There are many different things that are recyclable: paper, tin, aluminum, plastic and much more.

Buy products that are good for the environment

Instead of purchasing those plastic pop bottles, find a way that you can buy things that are more environmentally friendly. Some of this include bottle openers, calendars, coloring books, and much more.

It  is very sad to know that many lives have been sacrificed because of this calamities that have come. Many places in the Philippines are down to flood every time when typhoon comes and worst, a  large number of families have lost their shelters and have nothing left for them. Their wealth was ruined by storms, floods, etc. We are experiencing very hot weather because of greenhouse effect and global warming. Many kinds of disease occur because of untidy surroundings. Others can no longer smell the breath of fresh air. All of this are the effects of improper  waste management.

So what are you waiting for, stop improper disposal. And we do the THREE R's Reduce, Reused, Recycle for the betterment of our country.

#RRR WeRProblems