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Here’re the winners to the Traveling Storybook Contest

Thank you to all educators and students for your participation! We have received many amazing stories on how you envision the future schools would look. After much deliberation, here are all the winners! The grand prize winners each wins a Lenovo V14 laptop and all other runners-up gets a Sodexo voucher worth PHP 3,000.

Terms & conditions apply

Travestory
Educator Category Winners
1
Univ 1

Saint Joseph College of Rosario Batangas Inc.

Julie Ann M. Tenorio

Read submission  

2
Univ 1

Top Tots Academy

Jennifer Sun

Read submission  

3
Univ 1

Bangal Elementary School

Erwin M. Mallari

Read submission  

4
Univ 1

Everest Academy Manila

John Carlo Elopre

Read submission  

5
Univ 1

University of the Philippines

Joel Donato

Read submission  

Student Category Winners
1
Univ 1

FEU Institute of Technology

Jay Tenedero
2
Univ 1

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa

Van Ryoko Aguilar
3
Univ 1

Sorsogon State University

Theopany Grace Diaz Dioneda
4
Univ 1

Bulacan State University - Main Campus

Christian L. Balagoza
5
Univ 1

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa

Von Rocci P. Aguilar

Lenovo EdVision Summit

A virtual platform consisting of conferences and exhibition, for educators to exchange ideas and learn about latest technology on learning and teaching, supported by Microsoft and Intel vPro® platform.

EdVision

Technology is changing the way students are learning. To better prepare students to excel in the digitalized world, Lenovo EdVision Program offers a complete set of innovative solutions that are tailored to the needs of students.

EdVision

Total innovative education solutions to support e-learning needs

EdVision

Working directly with educators and schools to deliver end-to-end solutions

EdVision

Innovation driven by collaboration with schools, educators and industry peers

Benefits at a Glance

To School

  • IT-enablement product trainings/ webinar for teachers conducted by Lenovo and partners (Microsoft, Intel etc)
  • Entrance and exhibition opportunity at the annual Lenovo EdVision Summit
  • Funding support in the development of Lenovo Smart classroom
  • PR, case study, online exposure for schools
  • Computer lab dress up (with Lenovo and Microsoft)

To Teacher

  • Teacher and student ambassador program
  • Seeding units
  • Leadership skills training workshop
  • Exclusive discount of Lenovo products
  • Computer lab dress up (with Lenovo and Microsoft)

Program Benefits

Benefits Platinum Gold Silver
Exclusive discount on Lenovo products to teacher/students ✓ ✓ ✓
Technical update through webinars/newsletter ✓ ✓ ✓
Lenovo Office Tour ✓ ✓ ✓
Press release on partnership ✓ ✓ ―
Automatic inclusion for case study ✓ ✓ ―
Product trainings (Lenovo, Intel, Microsoft, AMD) ✓ ✓ ―
Technical workshop by Lenovo and partners ✓ ✓ ―
Student Ambassador Program ✓ ✓ ―
Student Apprentice Program ✓ ― ―
Teacher Ambassador Program ✓ ✓ ―
Seeding units ✓ ✓ ―
Sponsorship to school activity (One time) ✓* ✓* ―
Participation at annual Lenovo EdVision Summit ✓ ✓ ―
Opportunity to exhibit at Lenovo EdVision summit ✓ ✓ ―
Computer lab dress-up (Lenovo and Microsoft Branding Collaterals) ✓ ― ―
Co-fund in the development of a Lenovo Smart classroom ✓* ― ―
Apprenticeship ✓ ― ―

* Kindly check with your Lenovo Education Specialist for more details

Lenovo offers an ecosystem of solutions that can be employed together to offer the most optimal classroom learning and e-learning experience, making the transition between prior ways of learning, and transformative ways of learning the smoothest possible. Read our program brochure to understand how you can benefit from participating in this program.

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Unlock Limitless Learning with Lenovo and Microsoft

Microsoft Education helps deliver personalized learning for every student with devices built for the classroom and beyond. With affordable Windows 10 devices starting at $219, it's easy to get the latest devices into the hands of students quickly and within budget. Schools get built-in, always up-to-date1 safeguards for their devices and data.

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1For the supported lifetime of the device. Additional hardware and/or software requirements may apply over time for updates.

With the average learner going digital over 10 ½ hours a day2, it adds up to more than half a billion hours of yearly use at school, home, and everywhere in between.

So what’s the key to building a laptop that’s ready for 24/7 computing?

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2 https://kaiserfamilyfoundation.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/8010.pdf

Related Distance Learning Resources

Lenovo, along with internal and external partners Microsoft and LanSchool, have created these free and available resources with you in mind

EdVision

Distance Learning Toolkit Webinar

EdVision

Using LanSchool Air for Remote Learning

EdVision

Microsoft Teams for Education Webinar

EdVision

From Ideas to Presentation. Learn Design Tips with Microsoft Powerpoint

EdVision

Learn Time Saving Tools to Make You More Productive with Microsoft Excel

Case Studies

EdVision

Education Technology: Saint Paul School's Customer Success Story

Read more >
EdVision

Baltimore Public Schools Case Study

Watch video >
EdVision

Cardinal Gibbons High School Case Study

Download case study >
EdVision

Greensboro Day School Case Study

Download case study >

Eligible Products

EdVision

Lenovo V14

Designed to keep you productive and your data secure, it’s a dependable everyday business partner.

Learn more >
EdVision

ThinkBook 14 and 15

Built for business, designed for you.

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ThinkPad T and X Series

ThinkPad systems are engineered for durability. We know your business depends on your PC to keep you going. So every ThinkPad is made to endure.

Learn more >
EdVision

ThinkStation P330 and Mobile Workstations

ThinkStation P Series workstations deliver powerful performance.

Learn more >
EdVision

ThinkCentre M Series Family

M Series Tiny desktops deliver big-business performance with impressive processing power and platform stability.

Learn more >
EdVision

Latest News, Promotions and Upcoming Events

New Portfolio of Smarter Technology for Education with VR Classroom 2

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Expanded Portfolio of Education Software Solutions to Better Enable Distance and Blended Learning

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Bridging the Classroom and Distance Learning Divide to Keep Students Connected and Supported

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Register your Interest

Register your interest in Lenovo EdVision Program and learn how you can lead digital transformation in education with innovative end-to-end solutions

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© 2021, Lenovo Group Limited. All rights reserved.     Privacy policy

All offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings, prices, specifications or availability at any time without notice. Models pictured are for illustration purpose only. Lenovo is not responsible for typographic or photographic errors. Information advertised has no contractual effect. Lenovo, include other Lenovo marks referenced – ThinkPad, ThinkCentre, ThinkStation, ThinkVantage, and ThinkVision are trademarks of Lenovo. Intel, the Intel logo, the Intel Inside logo and Xeon are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Microsoft, Windows and Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Saint Joseph College of Rosario Batangas Inc.

Julie Ann M. Tenorio

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE LEARNERS FROM THAT TIME A PANDEMIC HAPPENED Hello to you of year 2021! It has been a year hasn’t it? A year of challenges and fears and tears and seeing the ugly. A year of not seeing your friends and teachers, and struggling and trying to learn through screens. A year of adjustments and even cancellations of the good things you look forward to. How are you holding on? Are you still holding on? Can you keep up, keep going? It was such a difficult time, right? And I believe, it still is. All quarantine regulations and health and safety protocols on households and regions are needed precautions for everyone, especially you, being the young individuals that you are but it was a process to change your routine without warning. You had to stay at home at all times and wear face masks even around family because no one is truly safe from the virus even at home. You were isolated from the rest of the world for your safety. Your choices got reduced in number. You got used to all of these changes but, countless of you are still probably wishing for everything to freeze or to stop or even for the days to pass as quickly as it can, so that you can move on and never look back. Everybody knows that time does not stop for anything, though. You have to spend it by seconds to minutes to hours and days and weeks and months until you reach another new year, foolishly desiring with all your hearts that maybe a new year means the past year did not happen at all. Then again, time does not work that way. It will never be a restart, only a continuation. It will never be an end, only another chapter to look forward to. In the same way, your current academic situation did not work that way. It paused for a while, but the world has decided that the classroom is not the only place you can spend your time cultivating your knowledge, your skills and even your talents; that schools are nothing but a physical representation of a learning space; and because of the kind of world you live in, you can ultimately continue your education at home and practically anywhere where you will remain safe from the threatening virus while still gaining the required competencies for you to level up. After the past school year that you had, most of your generation has proven all these to be true despite the difficulties of many. Indeed, the continuous technological advancement of the world is a blessing but a lot still has insufficient or no means at all to keep up with the innovation of the education system and the world. However, that will change in due time. There will come a time that everybody will have the best opportunities for growth with the developing technology. Just as I promise that there is an end to the pandemic. You will be able to share the joy and ease of using gadgets and the internet and technology in everyday living. You will see your friends and classmates and loved ones soon enough – and not through your screens. You will be able to enjoy the things you enjoy doing without the restrictions of masks and face shields. You will be able to hug your loved ones without the constant worry of the consequences of physical contact. You will be able to immerse oneself to the energy of being part of your campuses and enjoy the noise of the outside world. The world will get back to how things worked but not everything will be the same, and that includes the idea and the mechanics of how schooling works. I cannot specifically say when, because it is not my place to say, but I swear to you that though your prospects still looked dreary from the point you are currently at; your tomorrow is a day closer to a better time and you are a reason why it became so. How am I even able to say so? Who am I to declare such things? My answer is this - I am from that better time. I am writing from a period none of you have come upon yet. The time when the pandemic has just become a story to the young ones but the story that became a significant turning point in the lives of the generations before them. The time when everything feels liberating because technology has opened up our world to more than what books and even the internet can offer. The time when knowledge is more than what the world has decided as essential for young people to learn and care about. The time when hugs and conversations are encouraged among family and friends to help heal voids because the heart is as important as one’s mind. The time when classrooms is not an assigned room inside a physical building designated somewhere called school, but a space of culture, fun, experiences, sharing and sustainability that has no walls nor windows; only doors that leads to your possibilities. Know that everything I described is all thanks to you. You have learned so much from your past and you are still learning a lot from your present but you will want so much more for your future and the further future. I am from a time shaped by your motivations and dreams, your experiences and hopes, your visions and need for change and your love and passions nevertheless, I am not the only one. I am only one of your million – some probably better in some aspect or another - but it is a fact that the rest are also patiently waiting for you. Whatever door you choose, know that you will see one of us as your future. Please hold on. Yours truly, A One In Your Million Possible Future.

Top Tots Academy

Jennifer Sun

Beyond the Classroom All educators, parents, and even students agree that this pandemic has changed the way we view learning. With the restriction of face to face classes, everyone was forced to adjust to a new normal that does not resemble any normalcy in the first place. Schools and classrooms are empty. Homes were converted into classrooms. The divide between the home and school has gone thinner and thinner. The situation is taking a toll on everyone in the educational system – from the administrators and teachers, to the parents and students. Months have passed, and we are all trying to adapt with what we have. Many are trying to give an honest assessment – does learning actually take place in distance and virtual learning? Being a teacher for almost a decade, and teaching kids from various age groups, and with different platforms, I would sometimes paint a picture in my head of what an ideal school will be like. I envision a school where the classroom setup is conducive to learning. I strive to be a teacher that loves the students, and work with administrators that support the teachers and the students. I dream of students and parents that are not only stakeholders in education, but also active participants in the process. Many will define an ideal school to be one that is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. While that is not wrong, there are rare cases when a school is equipped with too much technology, that some are not being utilized properly. I envision classrooms that encourage young minds to explore, and support the daily activities that they engage in. I see schools with adequate space for the children to be active, and to expend their extra energy whenever necessary. I dream of schools equipped with laboratories to let the children learn different concepts with a hands-on approach. I hope for a school that has facilities to support the development of the multiple intelligences every child possesses. In light of the recent pandemic, an ideal school is one that is equipped with adequate facilities, and with a concrete distance learning plan in cases where physical classes are not available or accessible. Aside from the physical setup of the school, one crucial thing for learning to take place is the teacher. As with any organization, the biggest asset of the school is its manpower. The school of the future should have teachers and administrators who love the children. May it be toddlers or teenagers, they are able to see through the actions of the teacher, to knowing their heart in teaching. Preschoolers need a teacher that will enable them to satisfy their curiosity, while ensuring their safety and security. Grade school children need someone to explain concepts for foundational learning, and slowly usher them into having critical thinking skills. High school and college students need someone to guide them, not only through acquiring knowledge, but also applying what they have learned. To sum it up, students need teachers who love them enough to prepare them for life, rather than to teach them to pass the subjects in school. When the teachers love the children, they will naturally be seeking for growth, both personally and professionally. They will also be seeking for fresh ideas to make sure that the students will love learning. They will not act as the primary source of information, but as facilitators supporting the quest for discovery of these young minds. They will encourage healthy discussions and debates. They will make every topic relevant not only for the time being, but also for the future. The students of the future will still be armed with their curious minds as they go to school. They will crave for experiential learning, testing their theories, and drawing their own conclusions. They will be excited to go to school, because they know that every concept they learn is a building block to what they will need in the future. They will be experts in cooperation and collaboration. They will be able to hone different intelligences, and maximize learning in the process. They will have parents who are supportive of their learning, and seeing education as a preparation for life itself. The parents will be partners with the teachers and administrators in providing learning opportunities for the children. They will ensure that the students’ success will not only be measured by the grades they receive, but by their ability to apply it in their day to day activities. Growing up, I was always told that education is a great equalizer. I lament that there is a huge disparity between the quality of education accessible to the underprivileged and to the privileged ones. It is my prayer that there will come a time when education will not come with an expensive price tag. I pray that the leaders of our nation will come to realize that investing in education is investing in the country’s future. From a teacher to my fellow teachers, I say, at the end of the day, the ideal classroom is not one equipped with all the latest technology, but one that fosters love for learning and holistic development of every individual.

Bangal Elementary School

Erwin M. Mallari

Saan Dinala si Novo ng Libro? Kuwento ni Erwin M. Mallari Ngingiti, tatango at titingin sa malayo sabay muling magbabasa. Paglipat lang ng pahina ang maririnig sa silid-aralan pagkatapos ng uwian. Kapag narinig na ito ni Maam Len ay alam na niyang kausap na ni Novo ang mga libro. Halos araw-araw ito kapag tapos ng klase. “Novo, saan ka na ba dinala ng iyong pagbabasa?” pabirong tanong ni Maam Len. “Kahapon po ay kasama ko ang mga sinaunang tao. Tinuruan nila akong gumawa ng apoy,” pagmamalaki ni Novo. “Noong isang araw naman po ay nasa Antarctica naman ako. Napakalamig pala po doon,” dagdag niya. “Sana’y dalin naman nila ako sa hinaharap. Siguro mas maraming libro akong mababasa doon,” bungisngis ni Novo. “Aba, kahit sa hinaharap pala ay magbabasa ka pa rin” laking tuwa ni Maam Len. “Maam, gusto ko po sanang dalin ang mga librong ito kaso ang dami po nila, at saka sayang po para mabasa ng mga kaklase ko.” “Dalin mo ang gusto mong dalin Novo, tulad ng pag-akay sayo ng mga libro sa iba’t ibang lugar,” Gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi ni Novo. Namili na si Novo ng mga libro, pero may isang kakaibang libro ang tila pumukaw ng kaniyang atensyon. Sa pagbukas ng libro, sumabog ang liwanag. Naglaro ang mga maliliit na bituin. Pumagaspas ang mga libro. Napangiti si Novo dahil isa na naman itong paglalakbay, nakasakay siya sa malaking libro. Ibinaba siya sa kanilang klasrum pero nagtataka siya bakit siya nandito. Kakaiba ang pagkakaayos ng klasrum may isang malaking tv sa harap. Ilang sandali pa ay dumating na ang kaniyang mga kaklase bitbit ang kanilang mga bag pero pansin niyang hindi na ito ganoong kalaki. Inilabas nila ang mga tablet at kanilang laptop. Kinagulat ito ni Novo. “Nasa hinaharap na ba ako?” bulong niya. “Uy, nagawa mo na ba ang assignment natin Novo?” tanong ni Tasha “Ha, hindi pa e. “ Naramdaman ni Novo na may bag siyang dala. Mayroon din siyang laptop na dala. Alam ni Novo kung paano gumamit nito dahil na rin sa kaniyang pagbabasa at pakikinig sa kaniyang guro. “Narito pala, mayroon ako, “ hagikgik niya. “Nasaan pala ang iba nating kaklase parang kakaunti lang tayo, “ “Ha, makakasama natin sila mamaya kapag nagsimula na si Maam Len, video conference naman tayo.” namangha lalo si Novo. Tiningnan niya ang orasan at isang oras pa bago magsimula ang klase. Nakita niya si Kairo na bumibigkas at nagbabasa ng ingles. “Kairo ano yan?” bulong ni Novo. Hindi siya narinig nito pero nabasa niya sa screen ang Ai English Learning, narinig na niya ito dati. Isang software kung saan may magtuturo sayo sa pagbabasa at pagsusulat ng ingles. Batid niyang mahina sa ingles si Kairo pero namamangha siyang nakasasabay na ito sa nagtuturo sa kaniya. Naputol ang kaniyang pagkatulala nang makita niya ang dati’y nakikita lang niya sa tv. “Isang Virtual Reality Gear!” Suot-suot ito ng kaibigan niyang si Enel habang inaalalayan siya ng iba niyang kaklase. Mapapanood naman ang nakikita ni Enel sa projector sa gilid. “Isang paglalagbay sa Amazon forest,” nakikita ni Novo ang nakikita ni Enel pero ramdam niyang mas masaya at kapana-panabik ang nakikita ni Enel habang suot ang VR. Hindi na makaupo si Novo, gusto niya na itong subukan. “Ikaw naman Novo,” wika ni Enel. Gustong mapatalon ni Novo nang marinig niya ito. Pagkasuot, sa isang iglap ay nasa Amazon forest na siya. Damang-dama niya ang kagalakan lalo’t nakaiikot pa siya at nakapaglalakad. Halos makita ng mga kaklase ni Novo ang lahat ng ngipin niya. Sumisigaw, tumatawa at napatutulala sa pagkamangha. Kahit nasa loob lang sila ng klasrum ay maari na silang makaikot sa buong mundo. Nagring ang bell, napatigil ang lahat at sabay-sabay nag-ayos ng gamit, umupo silang lahat. Pagdating ni Maam Len. Hindi maiwasan ni Novo mag-isip kung kasama ba niya ang kaniyang guro sa paglalakbay. “Sino ang nakaliban ngayon?” tanong ni Maam Len. Inilista niya ang mga sinabing pangalan. “Maari ninyo nang buksan ang inyong mga laptop, ipinadala ko ang mga ating aralin at babasahin ngayong araw.” May natanggap na message sila Novo sa kani-kanilang online classroom, isang link para sa bagong aralin. Naroon na ang mga e-book at instructional materials na kakailanganin nila. Napansin ni Novo na kumpleto ang mga kaklase niya. Binuksan niya ang attendance tab at naroon ang mga kaklase niya na nakikinig online sa kanilang bahay. Kahit ang isa niyang sakitin na kaklase ay naroon at sumasagot sa tanong ni Maam Len. Natapos ang ilang aralin. Oras na ng recess, lumapit si Novo kay Maam Len. “Maam, bakit po kaunti lang tayo dito? nasaan po ang iba kong kaklase?” pagtataka ni Novo. “Novo, nasa bahay. Minsan kasi hindi makapasok ang iba mong kaklase dahil sa ilang dahilan. Pero dahil sa online class puwede silang matuto kahit hindi pumasok ng iskul. Matuto pa rin kayo kahit wala sa loob ng silid aralan.” “Maam, paano naman po ang mga libro na binabasa ko? Wala na po bang libro?” hindi maubos ang tanong ni Novo. “Nasa library Novo, maari ka pa rin magbasa ng mga libro doon. Pero maari na rin magbasa gamit ang iyong laptop o tablet ng mga e-books. Ang e-books ay kaparehas din ng libro na nakasave sa iyong gadgets. Kahit ilang librong e-books ay maari mong mabasa kahit saan,” paliwanag ni Maam Len. “Parang may library na akong dala!” sigaw ni Novo. Pero sa pagkakabanggit niya ng salitang library ay naalala niya ang kaniyang paglalakbay. Tumingin siya kay Maam Len. Nakangiti lang ito. “Novo, dadalin ka kahit saan ng iyong pagbabasa. Paalam.” Sa pagkurap ni Novo ay nasa dating library na siya. Isinara ang libro nang nakangiti at masaya.

Everest Academy Manila

John Carlo Elopre

Most schools today still follow the traditional four-walled style of teaching. There is a lesson plan that is more or less the same each year. Rooms are decorated with the alphabet, a historical reference, or even motivational quotes that I think most students are too busy or distracted to even notice. When I think of the future, I want students to be able to feel their classrooms and be comfortable without judgment, without fear of failing the expectations of their parents. Feel being the keyword, allowing the technology to be part of their education as it is a major part of their entertainment. Instead of simple posters, I wish rooms of the future will be decorated with augmented reality imagery. We already have this technology on our phones. If we can search various things online, I hope students of the future can explore 3D models of examples of the alphabet, hear the notes of the nursery rhyme in one flick or click. We can have students who are exploring the world in the safety of their classrooms, learning the basics of core subjects but also seeing how they are applied right away. Of course, if we are talking about real-world scenarios, we would not be seeing “Allan bought 70 watermelons and 50 pineapples” because that does not make sense. If we could easily visualize things with these AR materials, we would not need to exaggerate. Better yet, grant them access from their desks, not as a distraction, but as an indication of what skills or interests one kid might have. With this, the teacher can differentiate and hone the skills without being forced to follow a rigid educational system. I pray that by then, we would have found cheaper and sustainable ways to produce these AR posters and educational materials. Following this problem of an old and possibly outdated educational system, I hope that our future leaders would focus on digital literacy and internet awareness. A school does not need to be “high-tech” and expensive to promote being responsible when connected to the internet. We just need the right amount of motivation and inspiration or else our future generation of students will be more susceptible to the dangers of the internet. If we can promote safety in our Health and Physical Education classes, we can do the same with digital citizenship for all subjects, not just with Computer classes. The truth is constantly being challenged in our modern times. This puts all subject areas in danger as students might encounter false information and fake news. Each learning opportunity should allow students to explore why misinformation could lead to consequences. It would be easy to visualize this and to contextualize this using Augmented Reality. This is a challenge now, but we are not incapable of fighting back or being steadfast.

University of the Philippines

Joel Donato

Iginulong ni Apple ang kaniyang wheelchair sa tapat ng computer para makapagklase. Paboritong teacher ni Apple si Teacher Rue. Maliban sa earth sciences, si Teacher Rue din ang guro nila sa Homeroom, kaya siya nag-aasikaso ng klase para magamit nina Apple ang mga natutuhan nila sa iba’t ibang klase sa makabuluhang paraan. Ilang saglit lang ay nakapasok na si Apple sa interface ng classroom ni Teacher Rue. Nasa isang gubat sila ng ilan niyang mga kaklase, sa di kalayuan makikita ang kapatagang may nabibitak na lupa dahil sa tagtuyot. Ginalaw-galaw ni Apple ang mouse niya para masigurong may control siya sa kaniyang avatar na si Apolinario. Apol for short. Ipinangalan niya si Apol kay Apolinario Mabini na tulad niyang naka-wheelchair din. Mukhang mandirigmang henyong naka-wheelchair si Apol mula sa panahon ng mga mananakop. Kung kaya ni Apolinario Mabini, kaya din ni Apple! “Magandang umaga class!” bati ni Teacher Rue. Hindi makita nina Apol ang avatar ni Teacher Rue Sa halip, mula sa gubat mismo ang tinig ni Teacher Rue. “Nasa Bulubunduking Sungay kayo ngayon. Sino ang makapagsasabing saan ang bulubunduking sungay.” Agad nagbukas ng search engine si Apple para mahanap ang tamang sagot pero bago pa siya makapagtype, nasagot na ito ng isa niyang kaklase, si Audie, na ang avatar ay si Amaia. Tulad ni Apple, ibang kasarian din ang piniling avatar ni Audie. “Ang Bulubunduking Sungay ang namamagitan sa Laguna sa Silangan at Cavite at Batangas sa Kanluran,” sagot ni Amaia. “Tama!” sabi ni Teacher Rue. Nagpalakpakan ang mga kaklase nila. Kahit na puwedeng gumamit ng search engine, may halaga din talaga ang stock knowledge, puna ni Apple. Kasi nga taga-Biñan si Audie, kaya malapit sa kaniya ang mga alamat ng Sungay at ng Lawa ng Bay. Doon niya ipinangalan ang sarili, sa lumang pangalan ng lawang Mai. Nagpatuloy si Teacher Rue, “Nasa panig tayo ngayon ng Batangas, malapit sa Sto. Tomas. Nakikita niyo ba iyon? Tuyong-tuyo ang lupa! Tignan niyo ang tuktok ng Bundok Makiling, parang may salakot na ulap! Mamatay na ang mga pananim kung hindi pa uulan! Bakit kaya naiipon ang ulap sa bundok? Alam ni Apple ang sagot kahit hindi tumingin sa kaniyang notes. Nagsalita siya sa tinig ni Apol, “Nasa Rain Shadow ang Sto. Tomas. Mula sa hilagang-silangan umiihip ang Amihan kaya naiipit sa Bulubunduking Sungay ang ulan na babagsak sana sa Sto. Tomas!” “Tama!” sabi ni Teacher Rue. Si Apol naman ang pinalakpakan ng kaniyang mga kaklase. “Kaya niyo kayang mahanap si Mariang Makiling para pakiusapan siyang ibaba ang mga ulap para mabuhay ang mga pananim ng Sto. Tomas? Sabay-sabay sumang-ayon ang mga avatar nila, “Kaya!” Sandali pa lang silang umaakyat ng Bundok Makiling nang may narinig silang nakakaawang tunog mula sa isang bangin. “May usang nalaglag sa bangin at hindi na makaakyat!” Sabi ni Hadassah, ang avatar ni Heidi. Gusto ni Heidi ng pangalang mas malapit sa kaniyang kulturang Muslim. Kahit ang avatar niya ay may suot ding hijab. “Tulungan natin! Pero paano?” Tanong ni Apol sa kaniyang mga kaklase. “Noong huli nating klase nakahanap ako ng mahiwagang lubid, kaya lang limangpung talampakan lang ito. Maabot kaya nito ang usa?” sabi ni Kulas, ang avatar ni Nicholas. Sinipat ni Apol ang lalim ng bangin at ang layo ng usa. Ayon sa kaniyang app na pangsukat, tatlumpung talampakan ang lalim ng bangin habang sampung talampakan ang lawak nito. Sabi ni Apol, “Kailangan natin magcompute ng hypotenuse!” Mula sa mga sukat ng ahon at lawak ng bangin, nabilang nilang humigit lamang ng kaunti sa tatlumpu’t anim na talampakan ang layo ng usa sa bingit ng bangin. Kayang-kaya itong maabot ng mahiwagang lubid ni Kulas! Pinakilos ni Kulas ang isang dulo ng lubid na parang sawang lumingkis sa usa. Nagtulong-tulong ang mga avatar para mahatak ang kawawang usa. “Mahusay!” Sabi ni Teacher Rue. “Naaalala ninyo ang leksiyon ninyo sa Math! Pero may pilay ang usa. Alin sa mga halaman dito ang makakatulong mapahupa ang pamamaga ng binti ng usa?” Ginamit ni Apol ang image search sa mga halaman sa gubat. “Naku, lipa iyan, nakakalason iyan kahit madanggi lang!” babala ni Apol sa isang pulumpong may hugis pusong dahon na may kulay pula sa gilid. “Puno ito ng is-is, ginagamit ng mga ninuno natin para maglinis ng kaldero at plato,” sabi ni Amaia. “Ito! Tuba ang tawag dito. Malamig na mainit sa pakiramdam, nakapapahupa ng pamamaga!” sabi ni Hadassah. Gumagawa na siya ng panapal gamit ang mga dahon para makatulong na makapaglakad muli ang usa. Biglang may tinig na dumagundong sa buong kagubatan! Galit ang tinig ni Teacher Rue, “Sino kayo para mangaso sa kagubatang aking pinangangalagaan?!” Nagpakita ang avatar ni Teacher Rue bilang si Mariang Makiling, galit na galit at nanlilisik ang mata. “Hindi po kami nangangaso, nagpunta kami para humingi ng tulong ninyo!” sabi ni Kulas. “Paano ninyo mapapatunayan gayong kitang-kita ko kayong may dalang sugatang usa? Malamang, iuuwi ninyo ang kawawang hayop para kainin!” ang bintang ni Mariang Makiling Nag-isip si Apol para mapatunayan ang kanilang mabuting hangarin para sa Sto. Tomas at sa usa. Nagsalita si Apol, “Makikita niyo po sa kaniyang binti ang itinapal na tuba ni Hadassah.” “Tama,” dagdag ni Amaia. “Kung masama ang balak namin sa usa, ay hindi na namin ito gagamutin. Ang totoo po, gusto lang namin humingi ng ulan para sa mga pananim ng Sto. Tomas.” “Ganun ba?” Kumalma ang tinig ni Mariang Makiling. “Siya! Marahil nga’t mabuti ang hangarin ninyo sa aking gubat at kabundukan, kaya tutulungan ko kayo.” Hinangin ang natipong mga ulap sa tuktok ng Makiling at bumaba patungo sa Sto. Tomas! Nangitim ang mga ulap at umulan! Nailigtas nina Apol ang Sto.Tomas! “Napakahusay ninyo,” sabi ni Teacher Rue. “Mukhang gamay na ninyo ang mga aralin ninyo! Bawat isa sa inyo ay makapagkakamit ng agimat na magagamit niyo sa susunod nating klase!” Napahiyaw sa tuwa at nagpalakpakan ang mga kaklase nina Apol. Paborito talaga niya ang homeroom ni Teacher Rue.