"Yes, there are no iPods (here),” says the smiling Tinky Cabanatan, who helps run the Junior Farmers Club (JFC), a back to nature educational program. “These (children) will have to wait until they know how music is made the natural way before they get drowned in the synthesized and electric world.” In fact, she continues, “next week, we will be focusing on musical instruments that don't require electricity, such as the piano, the guitar, the flute, their own whistling, and the kulintang (traditional musical instrument made of brass),” and hopefully, they can learn “on how (harnessing untarnished nature) can be fun.”

Promoting music appreciation the traditional way is but one of the various projects offered by the JFC, of course, with others including actual farming, visits to animal sanctuaries, and paper making, among others all activities not usually taught to very young children, but already necessary, Cabanatan says, to teach children to “doing their share in going green and saving the earth from further destruction, so, yes, our group would rather plant trees than go to Timezone,” she says.

Advocates of Nature

JFC, as an endeavor, was started in 2000, when its founders volunteered to work in, among others, Manila Zoo, Ninoy Aquino Wildlife Park, and in Tagaytay Residence Inn. Then, they noticed that even though the parks mainly catered to children, smoking cigarettes was allowed in them, so that the children are exposed to secondhand smoke, while supposedly enjoying nature, so the initial move was to make these environments safe for children “by regularly telling the (adult) visitors not to smoke.”

Eventually, the group started making caring for the animals, too – making “edible toys made from coconut and melons, swings for the birds and monkeys, et cetera,” Cabanatan recalls. It was, thus, only a matter of time for the two interests care for children, and care for nature  to intertwine, this with the establishment of JFC, which “later on moved to more spacious parks that had more comprehensive conservation and educational programs, (such as the) Fun Farm, the Horse Sanctuary, Paradizoo, Zoobic, Paradise Ranch, and Animal Island.”

Facing Challenges

Cabanatan invested a seed money amounting to P25,000, “mainly for representation and for transportation,” she says, especially since the success of the endeavor largely relied on the support given by sponsors (who finance the project), the land owners (who own the venues where the project is done), and the school teachers (who help implement the project). “Over the years, I've had three dozen corporate sponsors, nine generous land owners, hundreds of volunteers, and over a thousand participants. It’s been exhausting, but (ithas been very) rewarding,” Cabanatan says. “I (have been getting) a lot of goods and goodwill in return for my investment.”

It is doubly rewarding, too, that all over the country, there are now “satellite JFC programs, from ‘Planting Days’ to ‘Coffee Days’ to Fishing Days’ all (intending to help children appreciate nature).”

For Cabanatan, “Metro Manila has seen a world of excess  buffet  meals, mall expansions, proliferation of junk food and electronic entertainment, et cetera.” These excesses, and how many are used to them, serve as the biggest challenge for JFC. “It has been challenging to get the children to live in consciousness on where things come from (e.g. how many trees are cut to make paper, how many gallons of water are wasted if they don't turn off the faucet properly, et cetera),” she says. “So the proponents of JFC are always) torn between revealingfacts of natural resources to the young ones, and the tendency to give information overload.”

To balance the learning, Cabanatan believes forming partnerships with adults supervising children. “The schools and the parents are my partners partners in sustaining the children's interest in caring for Mother Nature,” she says.

All Praises

Cabanatan’s effort is getting recognition from many – especially from parents, whose children join JFC. Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla, for one, notes how “maybe some parents will find it challenging to find time to take their kids to the countryside/outside of Metro Manila to enjoy these nature oriented programs (that JFC offers, so) I highly recommend this. Even adults get to learn and enjoy a lot,” he says. Couple Billy and Eliza Valtos agrees, saying that JFC allows for their sons to “go fishing, enjoy the rustic outdoors, and enjoy the simple things in life (something of a) good break  from living in a condominium community. Nature (continues to be) a good teacher on how things grow.” And architect, and proud grandfather, Bobby Manosa believes that the experience has taught his grandchildren to accept nature more, as “they become more mindful of their ways towards plants (and animals). Hopefully, they grow up bringing these values wherever they go.”

Joining JFC costs P1,000 per child per weekend, with the fee covering camp equipment/tools, and meals, among others. Smaller activities, however, are only charged from as small as P150. An additional P500 is required for JFC membership. “The (fees) are very fair, very affordable – a small price to pay to bring up my children to be aware and caring individuals,” says Caroline Sevilla, who notes how her children “now enjoy planting in our backyard, eating vegetables, and identifying different animal species.”

Thus, Cabanatan says JFC will continue “to educate children in the outdoors; continue to deliver a message that caring for Mother Earth and its elements can also be fun. Since children grow up and may succumb to an anti-back to basics mentality, we need to manage (them) better (earlier),” Cabanatan ends.

For more information, contact Animal Island, Fun Farm, Zoocobia, and Pardizoo through (63) 9208309894.