To mark the month-long National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) 2025 celebration, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, through the Environment, Disaster Management, and Emergency Response Office (EDMERO), stirred interest and encouraged the students’ participation in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM).
Seven tech-ready schools competed in an animation contest on July 16, 2025 at the Digital Transformation Center, Cadlan, Pili. A day after, a quiz challenge was held with 32 schools participating in the high school level, while 9 schools competed in the elementary level at the Fuerte CamSur Sports Complex.
“Ang importance kasi nito is para ma-engage natin ‘yung mga youth. Sabi nga natin, sila ‘yung future natin. Kung mawala na tayo dito sa mundo, pwedeng sila na ‘yung mag-continue ng knowledge. Through this engagement, pwedeng sila na din ‘yung magpatuloy ng disaster resilience. Since resilience is paghahanda, dapat masiguro natin ‘yung next generation na mas ma-equip sila, mas handa sila sa kahit anong calamity or disaster na ma-encounter nila,” shared Jennifer Estrada, RN, EMT-B, EMS Unit Head of EDMERO.
Animate to educate
On July 16th, seven schools showcased their storytelling abilities and craftsmanship. Young animators from CamSur Animation, Nabua National High School, Naga City Science High School, San Roque High School, Tandaay Provincial High School, University of Nueva Caceres, and the University of Saint Anthony colored the day with their exceptional talent and skills in animation.
Each participating school was represented by a five-member team composed of an animator, a scriptwriter, a dubber, and editors. Before the competition started, each team picked a theme for their output concerning the environment, disaster resilience, and disaster preparedness.
One of the participants, Jennelyn Casaul, a Grade 12 STEM student from Naga City Science High School, shared that although they had limited time to prepare, they were able to conceptualize possible DRRM topics a day before the contest.
“Mas lalo pa pong maho-hone si mga abilities kan mga future animators po sa mga susunod na panahon, ta ngunyan po kaipuhan talaga nin arog kaining mga animators kasi sa fast-paced world na nag-eevolve si technology, kaipuhan ta din makipagsabayan. Especially si mga new generations na nahuhumaling sa mga arog kaining bagay, garo mas nakaka-catch pa ning attention ninda. ‘Pag nagdakol pa ini, mas dakol pang matatabangan especially sa mga information na kaipuhan tang i-present through animations like arog po kaini,” shared Casaul highlighting the impact of animation contest to the future generations.
The criteria for judging are as follows: excellence in visual interpretation of the story, concept, or topic accounts for 30%, relevance to the theme and conveying a powerful message account for 30%, online reaction votes also account for 30%, and imagination, creativity, and originality account for 10%, totaling 100%.
Online voting is ongoing. The winners will be announced on July 31, 2025, during the Closing Ceremony of the month-long celebration.
Battle of wits
Usually, quiz bees cover Mathematics, English, Filipino, and Science, but with the NDRM 2025, the quiz challenge is all about disaster preparedness. On July 17th, nine elementary schools competed with their wits and pride. The quiz bee consisted of three phases: easy, average, and difficult, each with corresponding points.
Princess Leona Canabe, a sixth-grade student at Romero Elementary School in Bula, shared her experience in the tie-breaker round for 1st and 2nd runners-up.
“Medyo kinabahan po kami at natakot kasi po nagtie-break at gusto po talaga naming ma-represent ‘yung school. Kaya sa school po namin, thank you po sa walang sawang pagsusuporta, see you in the next [quiz challenge],” said Canabe, happily expressing her gratitude for their achievement. Canabe and her team was hailed as 1st runner-up in this year’s exhilarating quiz challenge.
In the second half of the day, high school students’ abilities and analytical thinking were put to the test, with 32 schools participating.
Venice Iris Muñoz, DRRM coordinator and coach for Zeferino Arroyo High School in Iriga City, expressed her gratitude to their school for allowing her to guide the team into their first-ever tournament in the celebration of NDRM 2025.
“This competition opens the minds of these young ones. Pinapahalagan nila ‘yung awareness about DRRM. Not just DRRM itself, but also how to take care of the environment, especially ngayon nga, kaunting ulan lang bumabaha na. So, very important po ‘yun in case na mga bata pa sila, ngayon pa lang naca-catch na natin ‘yung interest nila sa mga ganito,” said Muñoz.
She extended her appreciation to the Provincial Government, led by Governor Lray Villafuerte, for making this event possible, and to the EDMERO.
Montessori Children’s House of Learning Inc. in Nabua stood out in the competition, after being hailed as the champion in the elementary level, followed by Romero Elementary School in Bula, and the University of Saint Anthony in Iriga City. Palsong National High School in Bula secured the title as champion in the high school level, followed by Naga City Science High School and the University of Saint Anthony, Iriga City, as the 1st and 2nd runners-up, respectively.
The winners will not only be bringing home a cash reward and a certificate, but will also be awarded a scholarship grant from the Provincial Government.
