2nd Bakoko (=Turlte) Day in Dumarao

On Feb. 21, 2014 we celebrated for the second time “Bakoko Day” in the village (=Barangay) of Dumarao. The celebration started in the morning with the release of the 24 remaining repatriated Palawan Forest Turtles that had been confiscated in Hong Kong in 2012 and that had ever since been kept in Katala Foundation’s assurance colony. The release took place in the buffer zone of the new protected area and was witnessed by Barangay officials and Wildlife Enforcement Officers. The Barangay was awarded a certificated of adoption for receiving the turtles. This was followed by the Bakoko Day celebration for students from the various elementary schools and the only high school in Dumarao. A total of some 90 students, 15 teachers, some 20 parents and the barangay officials were present and enjoyed the celebration which become in 2013 part of the Barangay Foundation Day Celebration. The highlight of the Bakoko Day was Quiz Bee for elementary students. For the first time we were able to give the lecture as power point presentation; this was highly appreciated since Barangay Dumarao has no regular electricity and we had to borrow a generator. Students, teachers and the rest of the audience followed very attentive the lecture and enjoyed the pictures shown. Eleven teams competed in a hard fight with each other and at the end the first prize was received by the Dumarao Elementary School, followed by Salvador Elementary School and Ramon Gacayan Elementary School who received trophies, cash prizes, certificates and tokens. Students also enjoyed colouring turtles and modelling turtles and other wildlife with modelling clay. We distributed a lot of token and school supplies and around 6 pm everybody went happily home. I would like to thank all who helped us realized this activity. Thank you very much and Happy Bakoko Day. Sabine