Frances Mary Bareno BSBA OM 1 NSTP SAT 3:00- 6:00 PM

REFLECTION PAPER
TAKAKURA AND BRIQUETTE MAKING

Briquettes comprise of a compressed block of coal dust or

other combustible biomass material including charcoal,
sawdust, wood-chips, peat or paper, used for fuel. Briquettes
are mostly used in places where cooking fuels are not easily
available.

The biomass briquette are the most important way to get

cheap and renewable fuel from the unprofitable waste. It is
efficient and uniform energy production by uniform
combustion, heat production with less ash or smoke
production, lowest moisture content and the most important,
cost effectiveness.

In doing the activity, first we gathered all the materials needed

for the briquette making: Flour, scraps of papers, water, rice
husk, basin and salt. First, one of our group member soaked
the paper with water for 4 hours before we actually do the
briquette making process. Then, we mixed thoroughly the soaked paper with the flour, rice husk and
added salt to it. Afterwards, each of us divided the mixed paper and form it round like munchkins. We
weren’t able to bring container so we just used a shoe box. We were asked to put let it dry manually since
we weren’t able to use the briquette machine because the one in charged for the machine is not available.
For the mean time, we placed it somewhere near the garbage and of course we put our names on it so
that It won’t get lost. It took us a while to go back there in TC because we were so busy and a lot of
activities were popping that interfere our NSTP class. As we went back to USC TC, our project was no
where to be found and it would cost us money and time to make again. There was a group who still had
there project and we just observed if the finished product would really work without the use of the
machine. Sadly, it didn’t work after all the trials that the group made. They sprinkle some alcohol after
lightning up the paper but it didn’t work. Probably, there was a problem in mixing the ingredients and
probably the paper was not squeezed properly that made the paper still wet inside. Therefore, I conclude
that if we were able to use the machine and our product wasn’t lost probably we could really see the
difference of our product to the other groups. At least, we could actually see how our product worked.
Other than the Briquette making we also perform the Takakura . The Takakura Method requires a bit more
effort than digging a hole, throwing in your food scraps, and hoping for the best. This uses two fermented
solutions, containing microorganisms that are cultured from locally available materials, and a fermenting
bed to create a seed compost. Organic waste (food scraps) is mixed with the seed compost and left to
breakdown in a ventilated container.
Frances Mary Bareno BSBA OM 1 NSTP SAT 3:00- 6:00 PM

REFLECTION PAPER
MANGROVE REFORESTATION
“Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world. Indeed, it is the only
thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead.

The University of San Carlos has been active in

planting mangroves for the past 10 years. It is one
of the activities part from the NSTP class that the
university has implementing each year. One of the
objectives of the activity is to immerse and explain
to the students the importance of mangrove
planting to our environment.

According to my research, Mangrove trees have

adapted to growing in salt water and hosts a wide
variety of wild life. The mangroves are extremely
important for the reproduction of fish, shrimps,
reptiles, sea turtles and birds.
Mangrove forests are one of the world’s most
threatened tropical ecosystems. More than 35% of the world’s mangroves are already gone. The
figure is as high as 50% in countries such as India, the Philippines, and Vietnam, while in the
Americas they are being cleared at a rate faster than tropical rain forests.(WWF)

The Mangrove Reforestation was held at Brgy. Cotcot, Liloan, October 20, 2019. Students were
instructed to go to the USC TC for we will be gathering and will depart there together to the said
area along with the other NSTP groups. Our call time was to be there at 5:30 am, attendance were
checked by our NSTP subject teacher, Ms. Bagano. It took a while for us to depart because majority
of the students were not able to arrive early in TC. Those students who don’t have private cars
rode a small jeepney that the university has provided. Upon our arrival at the planting site, we were
gathered for a short orientation on before we will be given the seedlings to be planted. We were
asked to find a partner and each will be given 2 mangroves to plant.
As we went to the planting site, everyone was shocked and kinda disgusted because we have to
step on a black mud. We were struggling as we walked to where the mangroves are located because
the mud was very sticky and some portion are very deep when we stepped on it. Because of the
experience, I was able to come up a lot of realizations. I have realized that the mangrove planters
and other farmers job is not easy because it is very tiring to be under the heat of the sun and walking
around the mud. I appreciate their efforts in contributing for the environment. As an individual, I
should value the environment as much as what the mangrove planters are doing. In our own little
ways, We can contribute not just freshness of our environment but as well the how these plants
can help save our lives in terms of floods.