Young teacher gives time for ‘arnis,’ volunteer work

Photo & story by Oliver Samson | Correspondent

ARNIS, astronomy and volunteer work take most of the time of Elora Marie Arthel Gavino, who currently explores opportunities as she sets out to her chosen journey—teaching.

A fresh graduate of BSE General Science from the Philippine Normal University (PNU) and a board member of the Philippine Astronomical Society (PAS), she currently lectures astronomy to fifth and sixth graders at Ateneo de Manila University (Admu).

The PAS conducts free lectures on climate change and other environmental sciences topics at the University of the Philippines (UP), Admu, De La Salle University, PNU, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and other schools in Metro Manila, Gavino said. Most of the lecturers come from UP.

Blood

TEACHING runs in Gavino’s blood.

She inherited and preserves the passion of her maternal grandmother who was a grade-school teacher for over 40 years. Her cousins are also teachers.

During college she volunteered to teach English, math, as well as catechism, to fifth graders in Tondo one summer.

“I enjoy teaching,” she said. “I had wanted to be a teacher when I was still in preparatory school.”

She also tutors kids and earns outside school.

Off campus, she meets and engages with fellow volunteers, young and old alike, under the city government of the Quezon City volunteer program, to discuss plans and upcoming projects. Humanitarian works are part of her life.

She was part of an outreach to homeless families in Manila to whom they gave foods during her college days.

“Arnis”

WHEN not volunteering, she does further trainings on arnis, which is her sport. She is eyeing to climb a notch to get the blue belt and wishes to put on the black one day.

Gavino holds the conviction that a woman can protect herself and her loved ones “from bad guys.” So in 2013 she began to train under a police officer coach at Camp Crame. The trainings were free.

With the skills she accumulated in the past three years, she is now qualified to join arnis competitions.

“Arnis develops not only tight physical grip but also sharpness and firmness of mind,” Gavino  said. “As a martial art, it can be used to defend yourself and your love ones when threat arises.”

The arnis sticks (yantok) are powerful and effective tools for subduing an attacker during a robbery or burglary if you have the skill to use them as defensive weapons, Gavino said.

Stars

GAVINO teaches Admu grade school students about the moon, the stars and the solar system.

“We have to be aware also of the things that happen in outer space,” she said. “Some studies suggest that aliens exist.”

She added that will make a thesis on astronomy when she takes a masteral degree in general education.

Gavino said her thesis may reveal her thinking that the sun will explode when it reaches the point where it can no longer bear its own mass that, according to her, continuously expands.

“Its enormous blast will trigger an action that will recycle the solar system—a new beginning, a new life.”

If given resources and support, Gavino said she will teach kids, who have no access to educational materials, in Payatas, Tondo, and other communities where people eke out a living from garbage.

The eldest among three women, Gavino was a scholar of the Caritas Filipinas Foundation Inc. She shares what she makes today with the foundation’s scholars.

“Volunteer works will always be part of my journey as an educator,” she told the BusinessMirror.

Image credits: Oliver Samson