SWAC launches Healing Garden

The School Wellness Advisory Committee (SWAC) under the Office of the Student Affairs and Services (OSAS) spearheaded the Healing Garden, a project that aims to impart awareness on botanical medicine to achieve a healthy yet sustainable living; provide a restorative school and working environment; and improve the psychological, emotional, and spiritual health of individuals through nature interaction.

“Let’s take care of this through our hearts and hands,” reminded Ms. Analeen Suelto, Senior High School Principal, as she delivered her welcome remarks during its launching on July 14, 2017 at the CARD-MRI Development Institute, Inc. (CMDI) Bay Campus grounds.

Staff and students gladly participated in the event where everyone got the chance to plant various herbs and seedlings around the native bahay kubo. “It’s nice to have a garden, a stress reliever,” expressed Ms. Aiko Gravador, Research Assistant.

Ms. Marites Pedraja, Operations Director of BotiCARD, Inc., commended CMDI for promoting the traditional method of healing through herbal plants. In her inspirational message, she also explained its importance and benefits to the school community. “Keep on growing and developing the wonderful garden that you initiated,” she encouraged.

CMDI does not only develop staff and students academically but also hones individuals to become stewards of a healthy environment.

Ribbon cutting
Ms. Marites Pedraja, led the inauguration of the Healing Garden. (From left to right: Mr. Marlo Dave De Pedro, Compliance Officer; Ms. Rona Almagro- Angulo, Program Officer; Ms. Marites Pedraja, Operations Director of BotiCARD Inc.; Ms. Dianne Ubaldo, Module Developer; and Ms. Analeen Suelto, Senior High School Principal.

The planting ceremony
Staff and students actively and joyfully participated in planting variety of herbs, spices, and ornamental plants.

Big smile
Ms. Iya Aspiras, Committee Chair, expressed satisfaction on the fruitful beginning of the project.

By Dianne B. Ubaldo; Photos by Johanna Rañola