By JUMAN KEVIN TINDO / BSU-MT. COLLEGIAN

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet—In line with the international celebration for the ‘Save the Frogs’ day, The Collegian (MC), the official student publication of Benguet State University (BSU), joined this environmental endeavor through its “Save the Frogs: MC’s Literary and Arts Workshop” activity on April 28.

With the aim to create an avenue for the participants to appreciate the ecological and environmental benefits of frogs through literary and art expression, this activity was attended by at least 30 elementary and high school students, as well as staff of the Mountain Collegian at BSU’s Strawberry Hall and at its Nature Park in Bektey, Ampasit.

“MC has always believed in the power of pen, in the power of writing. It strongly advocates the principle of transcending boundaries through writing. Through this activity which MC has conducted, the participants can be able to appreciate the environmental contributions of frogs and its conservation through drawing and writing,” said Jordan Abad, MC’s editor-in-chief.

Furthermore, according to Abad, MC was inspired by the “Save the Frogs” movement by Dr. Kerry Kriger which has come to the rescue of this species. “Who can imagine that this four-legged, wide-eyed amphibian has a vital value to the environment? We believe that through a simple thing as writing or drawing, these amphibians can be saved,” added Abad.

The workshop started with a lecture on the ecological significance of frogs by biology professor, Dr. Erlinda Bestre from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) of BSU. She emphasized that amphibians, especially frogs are regarded as good ecological indicators.

“Due to their high degree of sensitivity, either during tadpole stage or as adults, they respond to very slight change in the environment. Such responses have been used to indicate habitat fragmentation, ecosystem stress, impact of pesticides, and various anthropogenic activities,” stressed Bestre.

She also stated that in order for the remaining population of frogs to survive, people must save, maintain, and enhance their natural habitat; people must also be informed and educated; and of course people must abate climate change through planting more trees and not to burn garbage.

“Save the environment, save the frogs, and save yourself,” exclaimed Bestre.

After the lecture, the participants visited a frog habitat at BSU’s Nature Park located at Bektey, Ampasit. It was explained that frogs usually croak in the evening to declare their territorial and mating calls.

“Marami po akong natutunan sa pagpunta po natin sa Nature Park. Natutunan ko pong pahalagahan ang kalikasan at pagandahin pa ito lalo (I learned a lot in going to the Nature Park. I learned that the environment must be protected and for us to beautify it further),” commented Rithan Haize Dullona, a participant from St. Louis High School-Balatoc.

Abad also said that the drawings and essays made by the participants will be published in the Mountain Collegian’s literary folio, Kalaleng. “It would be a way for us to share the simple yet great things these students came up with,” he said.

“We start them young because we believe that they will tell of the importance and conservation of frogs to their classmates and family. We hope that this activity would be an annual and continuing activity of the MC,” said Dr. Grace T. Bengwayan, MC’s adviser. In her closing remarks, she thanked all who supported and gave donations for the realization of the activity. # nordis.net