VP Duterte takes Grade 8 student along to Brunei, Singapore
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
Published Jun 14, 2023 05:54 am
A Grade 8 student from Bacolod City was the second learner to be a part of the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) “You Can be VP” as she joined Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte in her recent visits to Brunei and Singapore.
Grade 8 student Naomi (left) from Bacolod City joins Vice President Sara Duterte (right) during her official trip to Brunei and Singapore. (OVP photo)
Naomi, a Grade 8 student of Mariano G. Medalla Integrated School, accompanied Duterte in her official engagements in Brunei Darussalam and Singapore as the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Council President. The student, who dreams of becoming an architect or a lawyer, described the You Can be VP project as “a once in a lifetime opportunity.” In a statement released by the OVP to the media, she said the project gave her the opportunity to visit different learning facilities and experience various instructional modes. “Nahanga po ako sa QR code na pag-iniscan mo may 3D example na lalabas. Dahil po dito, mas mabilis mae-explain at matuturo ng mga guro sa estudyante ang mga bagay tulad ng heart ng tao, mga dinosaurs noon na hindi natin makita mismo (I admire that there was a QR code you can scan for a 3D example. Because of this, the teacher can explain faster things like a person’s heart and dinosaurs that we cannot see),” she shared in recalling her experience in visiting an international school in Brunei that uses technology through virtual reality to help learners know and understand certain topics. In Brunei, Duterte and Naomi visited institutions like the Sekolah Rendah Pusar Ulak, Seri Mulia Sarjana International School, and the SEAMEO VOCTECH Regional Center. They also visited Singapore’s Mandai Wildlife Reserve and the SEAMEO Regional Language Centre (RELC). “Nagpapasalamat po ako nang lubos sa ganitong programa, masasabi ko talaga na nakatulong ito sa akin. Hindi ko ito malilimutan (I am very grateful for this program, I can really say it is helpful to me. I will never forget this),” she said.
(Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook)
The You Can be VP program was launched last year, with Grade 9 student Trix from Dinalupihan, Bataan as its first recipient.
Then, Trix accompanied the Vice President in her inaugural foreign travel to Japan to attend the state funeral of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visit the Shibahama Elementary School.
The project’s main thrust is to allow participants to observe the job of the Vice President. It also wants to encourage learners to develop their leadership skills.
To be eligible for the program, participants must have impressive academic records and must show commitment to finish their studies and fulfill their dreams.
Aside from joining Duterte in her official engagements, Naomi said she was also able to witness her “hectic” schedule.
“Nakita ko kung gaano po ka-busy at gaano ka-pagod maging Vice President. Madami pong events, meetings na ina-attendan. Napaka-hectic po ng schedule nya. Pero kahit nakakapagod po ‘yung trabaho, nagbibigay pa rin sya ng time para ikumusta ang ating kababayan (I saw how busy and tired our Vice President is. There are many events, meetings she has to attend. Her schedule is very hectic. But even though the work is tiring, she still has time to ask about our countrymen),” she shared.
Grade 8 student Naomi (left) from Bacolod City joins Vice President Sara Duterte (right) during her official trip to Brunei and Singapore. (OVP photo)
Naomi, a Grade 8 student of Mariano G. Medalla Integrated School, accompanied Duterte in her official engagements in Brunei Darussalam and Singapore as the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Council President. The student, who dreams of becoming an architect or a lawyer, described the You Can be VP project as “a once in a lifetime opportunity.” In a statement released by the OVP to the media, she said the project gave her the opportunity to visit different learning facilities and experience various instructional modes. “Nahanga po ako sa QR code na pag-iniscan mo may 3D example na lalabas. Dahil po dito, mas mabilis mae-explain at matuturo ng mga guro sa estudyante ang mga bagay tulad ng heart ng tao, mga dinosaurs noon na hindi natin makita mismo (I admire that there was a QR code you can scan for a 3D example. Because of this, the teacher can explain faster things like a person’s heart and dinosaurs that we cannot see),” she shared in recalling her experience in visiting an international school in Brunei that uses technology through virtual reality to help learners know and understand certain topics. In Brunei, Duterte and Naomi visited institutions like the Sekolah Rendah Pusar Ulak, Seri Mulia Sarjana International School, and the SEAMEO VOCTECH Regional Center. They also visited Singapore’s Mandai Wildlife Reserve and the SEAMEO Regional Language Centre (RELC). “Nagpapasalamat po ako nang lubos sa ganitong programa, masasabi ko talaga na nakatulong ito sa akin. Hindi ko ito malilimutan (I am very grateful for this program, I can really say it is helpful to me. I will never forget this),” she said.
(Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook)
The You Can be VP program was launched last year, with Grade 9 student Trix from Dinalupihan, Bataan as its first recipient.
Then, Trix accompanied the Vice President in her inaugural foreign travel to Japan to attend the state funeral of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visit the Shibahama Elementary School.
The project’s main thrust is to allow participants to observe the job of the Vice President. It also wants to encourage learners to develop their leadership skills.
To be eligible for the program, participants must have impressive academic records and must show commitment to finish their studies and fulfill their dreams.
Aside from joining Duterte in her official engagements, Naomi said she was also able to witness her “hectic” schedule.
“Nakita ko kung gaano po ka-busy at gaano ka-pagod maging Vice President. Madami pong events, meetings na ina-attendan. Napaka-hectic po ng schedule nya. Pero kahit nakakapagod po ‘yung trabaho, nagbibigay pa rin sya ng time para ikumusta ang ating kababayan (I saw how busy and tired our Vice President is. There are many events, meetings she has to attend. Her schedule is very hectic. But even though the work is tiring, she still has time to ask about our countrymen),” she shared.