TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– Meet the child prodigy of Region 8 – a seven year old boy who
knows by heart, the capital of all the provinces of the Philippines,
the capital of the all the different countries of the world, the flags
of all nations and who could point where each province of the Region
is in the map. And all these, he learned even before
he entered school.
In a recent television
interview, he said he is Joseph Benedict Amascual Cinco.
Where does he live?
“At Barangay Sto. Nino, Tanauan, Leyte.”
Does he know the Mayor
of Tanauan? “Yes, Mayor Roque Tiu. I will become a mayor like him.”
Oh! What will you do
when you become the Mayor of Tanauan? “I will build streetlights,
churches, schools, roads…”
Being introduced to
the Regional Director of NEDA, he said he is Director Gosoco. And does
he know what NEDA stands for? He said, National Economic Development
Authority. Does he know other directors? Yes, he knows Director Ernie
Hilvano of BFAR which stands he said for Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources. Yes, he does know the director of PIA which stands
for Philippine Information Agency. He loves to repeat what Governor
Petilla of Leyte once said
at the Panindugan TV program “we are the best.”
Benjo as he is called
by his parents, Rodrigo and Shiela Cinco, is now enrolled at the City
Elementary School where his teacher is aware that he is a gifted
child. His mother who is a home manager used to introduce to him the
alphabet using anything seen in the house including vegetables. The
mother said Benjo is playful just like any other child and she usually
introduces a new thing to him even when he is playing. She noticed
later on that Benjo easily retains what is taught of him.
What Sheila was not
aware of was that she made the Mackenzie Learning Method, Rule #1, Mom
Has Fun! which is a curiosity-based, judgment free, audio and visual
feedback system that allows a person to see their impact, potential
and brilliance and thus attract a more synchronized, fun and
satisfying lifestyle. The method strengthens a person’s emotional
intelligence thus allowing him to live life in greater accordance with
his essence and vitality.
He is very fond of
watching educational television programs. He knows all the basketball
players of NBA including who the most valuable player is. Asked
whether he knows how to sing, he said yes and what it is would we like
him to sing, English or Panhayhay. It turned out that he is
also watching the local channels.
From watching the
television, he knows the different tourist destinations of the Region
and the whole country. Asked about the tourist destination of Region
8, he said Leyte has the MacArthur Shrine near the MacArthur Park
Beach Resort with good accommodation, restaurant and bar.
Looking at a big map
of Region 8, he pointed correctly and fast, each of the provinces,
Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, the capital of which he volunteered to
inform is Borongan. He knows where
Leyte is and where the capital of
Leyte is and where his
hometown Tanauan is.
He could add and
subtract one digit numbers using his hands; for 2 to three digit
numbers, he writes them and add and subtract the numbers using the
right method. For multiplication, he uses an abacus.
He could speak
English, Filipino and Waray, but when asked what the capital of Japan
is, he said Tokyo and he uttered some Japanese words. When asked about
the capital of China, he said Beijing and again, uttered some Chinese
words.
Benjo plays just like
any other seven year boys but he thinks like a boy who is older than
his age.
One thing certain is
that Benjo is born with a unique gift. People who recognize that gift
must act upon it. There is a need for something new, something
honouring this fast moving world, something that could bring out the
best in this child’s genius.
