Mangrove Matters PH Inspires Youngsters with a Mangrove Talk at The Raya School

March 31, 2025

Quezon City, Philippines — Mangrove Matters PH (MMPH), a youth-led organization dedicated to mainstream mangrove conservation through science communication, advocacy, policy-lobbying, and application of nature-based solutions, visited The Raya School in Quezon City on March 7, 2025 for an engaging learning session with preschool students on mangroves.

Matthew Vincent Tabilog, the Founder of Mangrove Matters PH, presented the newest initiative of MMPH which was Mangroves For Kids, a presentation dedicated for young students to learn more about mangroves that is less technical and more digestible for them. The discussion sparked curiosity  as the children asked questions like:

• Why is the bakhwan tree in the saltwater?

• How does it grow?

• Why are there lots of bakhawan in the Philippines?

• Why is it important?

“It is really important to have young children be involved in learning about mangroves. This ecosystem is not normally mentioned in textbooks and as a country with abundant mangrove forests, appreciation and information are really vital to know why we have to take good care of our environment because the ecosystem protects us as well”, Tabilog said.

Presentation of the Mangroves For Kids with the preschool students

After the talk, Tabilog expressed why mangroves truly matter to the students.

“I kept on emphasizing that mangroves are indeed SUPERHEROES. Mangroves are often underappreciated but it is of paramount importance for us to know that our mangroves protect us from storms against typhoons, safeguarding coastal communities. As such, our mangrove forests contribute to food security as this coastal habitat is a nursery ground to commercially-important fishes and crustaceans captured by our fisherfolk, which then later go straight to our dining tables. I love how they were so engaging and so curious about our mangroves”, Tabilog added.

The artwork of the preschool students on mangroves as superheroes

The MMPH team is really grateful for Teacher Leia Flameño for the invitation. As part of their Bakawan Project, the students created a simple mangrove simulation to showcase the wonderful features of mangroves during their Project Fair on March 20, 2025 at the school.

Simulation of a mangrove ecosystem made by the preschool students.

“While searching for resource speakers for our project, we discovered Mangrove Matters PH and their advocacy for raising awareness about mangrove conservation. One of the core values we hope to instill in our students is makakalikasan, and through this project, they have shown us how even young children can demonstrate a deep concern for the environment. We are truly grateful to Mangrove Matters PH for supporting our Kinder students and providing them with the opportunity to learn more about mangroves, helping them grow into Filipinos who can bring a positive change in the world,” Teacher Leia said.

MMPH is looking forward to expanding its Mangroves for Kids program, fostering a new generation of young mangrove heroes.

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Contributors of the Mangroves for Kids Presentation:

• Head Writer - Teacher Genea Nichole Cortez

• Content Writers - Eugie Cinco, Genus Daquinan, Nathalia Mostiero, and Cyril Embalsado

• Layout and Designers - Venice Unabia and Matthew Tabilog