A teacher’s ‘labor of love’

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

ARAYAT -- A 35-year-old public school teacher has come up with an innovative way of showing the Christmas spirit -- by making a lantern made of PET bottles and softdrink cans.

Joel Salac Leguiab, an Arts teacher at the Arayat Central Elementary School, said the "softdrink lantern," which is about five feet in diameter, is made up of more than 100 cans and plastic bottles.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

It is now displayed in front of the Municipal Hall here.

Leguiab, who is a resident of Barangay Mesulo and is also the District Laison Officer of Arayat West, told Sun.Star Pampanga that it took him weeks to finish his masterpiece which he did during his spare time.

PAMPANGA. Joel Salac-Leguiab, an elementary school teacher from Arayat Central, puts the finishing touches on his recycled Christmas lantern made of PET bottles and softdrink cans, which is now displayed in front of the Arayat Municipal Town Hall. (Chris Navarro)

The educator said he was inspired by the local government unit’s ecological solid waste program with its “Reuse, Recycle and Reduce” theme.

"Siyempre, gusto nating makatulong sa ating lokal na pamahalaan at sa ating eskuwela, kaya naisip ko na gawin ang parol na ito using indigenous materials. This is a labor of love dahil pinaghirapan nating gawin ito, at the same time we are promoting recycling para maprotektahan ang environment at gamitin ang mga available resources para sa paggawa ng mga magagandang parol kamuha nito,” Leguiab said.

Meanwhile, Municipal Executive Secretary Ador Pineda said Mayor Chito Espino will be presenting a plaque of appreciation and P5,000 to Leguiab for his unique lantern, saying the mayor commended the educator for his genuine concern in protecting the environment and supporting the waste management program of the LGU here.

According to Pineda, Espino had earlier urged public elementary and high school students to use indigenous materials to make Christmas lanterns and decors.

He said Espino has been consistent in practicing the LGU’s ecological solid waste program, adding that the LGU has recently purchased garbage trucks to be used by the 30 barangays of this first class municipality.

Pineda also added that most of the villages are now starting to operate their Material Recovery Facility in compliance with the directive of Gov. Lilia Pineda. (Chris Navarro)