For one day, 150 elementary pupils from across Camarines Sur traded their classrooms for a kingdom built on courage, teamwork, and readiness. Held on July 17, 2026, Resilience Kingdom 2026 is one of the flagship activities of the month-long CamSur Resilience Festival, organized by the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur through the Environment, Disaster Management, and Emergency Response Office (EDMERO).
What started as a simple disaster quiz challenge has since evolved into something far more immersive — a hands-on and adventure-based learning experience where knowledge is not just memorized, but lived.
The young participants journeyed through six (6) learning stations, each one designed to build a different piece of the resilience puzzle.
Their adventure began at the Typhoon Castle, where pupils learned to track typhoons using PAGASA data and understand how storms move. This knowledge translates directly into knowing what emergency supplies to prepare and how to plan safe evacuation routes before and during a typhoon.
From there, the journey led to the Flood River Adventure where they crossed a monkey bridge and took on a rope rescue exercise. Beyond the thrill, pupils practiced real river-crossing techniques used in flood emergencies, learning that survival often depends on teamwork and quick thinking under pressure.
At the Earthquake Cave, the pupils uncovered the science behind earthquakes, rehearsed proper safety protocols, and discovered why every household needs a ready Quake Bag when the earth starts to shake.
The Firefighter Village turned young learners into first responders for a day — introducing them to the different classes of fire, proper firefighting methods, and how to navigate smoke-filled structures. They took part in a bucket relay firefighting drill and learned hands-only CPR, skills that could one day help save a life.
At the Climate Change Forest, the lessons turned toward the planet itself. Pupils explored waste segregation and proper waste management, learned how long different materials take to decompose, and discovered the importance of wildlife conservation. The station's lessons on proper tree planting came full circle with an actual tree-planting activity — a reminder that in Camarines Sur, protecting the environment and building disaster resilience are two sides of the same coin. Through initiatives like these, CamSur continues to champion the interconnected goals of environmental protection and disaster resilience.
Their journey culminated at the Junior Rescue Academy, where pupils put everything they had learned to the test in a quiz challenge that showcased just how much knowledge and skill they had gathered throughout the day.
For Jellian Sepagan, a Grade 6 pupil from Salvacion Elementary School, the most unforgettable moment was the river crossing.
“The most memorable is the river crossing po kasi mas nakaka-enjoy po na nakakaba kasi tatawid po sa lubid then sa baba po yung ilog. Very careful po doon kaya na-experience po namin kung anong gagawin kapag may baha.”
Ten schools sent their brightest young resilience advocates to take part: Bato North Central School, Buhi Southeast Central School, Cagbunga Elementary School, Don Tomas Garchitorena Elementary School, Montessori Children's House of Learning, Inc. – Nabua, Nabua West Central School, Parubcan Central School, Romero Elementary School, Salvacion Elementary School, and Salvacion Integrated School.
Official Quiz Challenge Result:
- Overall Champion – Salvacion Elementary School (Bato)
- 1st Runner-Up – Nabua West Central School (Nabua)
- 2nd Runner-Up – Presentacion
Even before the results were in, Jellian was already beyond grateful for the one-day experience and the learnings they had. “Marami po akong natutunan sa activities kasi po it gives learning to us. Kung hindi man po kami manalo, the important po is may natutunan kami.”
She also spoke about why the experience mattered beyond the fun and the games, “Importante po ito kasi po para po pagdating po ng araw na may mga ganon pong sakuna, makakapaghanda po kami at alam na po namin kung ano yung mga gagawin.”
Before heading home, all 150 participants went home with Quake Bags and were officially recognized as Junior Responders — young advocates for preparedness and environmental care in their homes, schools, and communities.
Through Resilience Kingdom 2026, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, through EDMERO, continues to invest in the next generation — raising Camarinenses who are ready to prepare, protect, and lead with resilience.
