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| The first (soon-to-be) tree I planted |
I've always wanted to go tree planting. I can't remember the first time I realized I was in love with trees, but when I did, I just can't stop. Back in 2012, when I first set foot in Baguio, I can't stop myself from stopping and adoring every huge tree I come across. And did I take pictures! Now that I think about it, I must've looked like a weirdo, taking photos with and of trees while the other tourists are busy with the actual spots and destinations.
Growing up in the humble province of Antipolo (yes, it started as a province of Rizal before it became populated and named the capital city). There used to be only 4 houses in our area. The vast land that separates the houses were dominated by trees--fruit-bearing and not, tall and short, thin and thick. When our humble turf started attracting attention of settlers from everywhere, the vast populace of trees and the food-bearing plants we had in our backyard started thinning. I think it was then that I started missing the trees we used to have all around us. I think it was then that I realized that we have been cutting down trees faster than we could plant them.
And so, this recent trip is extra special for me. I went tree planting and in Mt. Banahaw, no less. The tree planting I will share in this post. The topic of Mt. Banahaw and why it's special to me will have to wait for another. *wink wink*
So, the tree planting. As usual, I joined another group of outdoor-goers I found on Facebook. When I first read the words "Tree Planting" I already know that I'm joining. I then messaged the organizer and learned that he was also with me on my first adventure in a cave which was also my first interaction with The infamous Pagsanjan Falls. Although back then, we didn't get to talk as much as we did now. Fun!
D-Day. I left Manila aboard a DLTB bus (which station was a pain to track in the wee hours of the morning) and arrived at half past 6 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. I then went on with my breakfast at the hotel and restaurant situated directly in front of the station. Food was great. It was truly awesome to be served a genuine sinangag and not the pretentious white rice with oil and ground garlic chips people serve in the main city. I like the restaurant because I get to eat good food and also because of their slightly entertaining menu. Here's the list of the ones that kept me entertained while sipping my tea: Top silog, Pancit ulam, 1/2 fried chicken, chicken curvy (oh wow!), liver steak, Mike bihon (who's Mike? hehe), and lomie/loumie. :)
At 7, the organizer, Marco arrived. We then headed to our destination with the hour and a half trip filled with stories of other places we've been privileged to visit. Of all, it was the story about how Calaguas Island is now a total tourist destination with all its huts and night life and ever-growing popularity amongst beach goers that stood out for me. Don't get me wrong. I like that more and more people are experiencing the beauty of the island. It's my favorite and I like that people are appreciating its beauty. Only one thing I'm worried about is that it become populated and destroyed. Two of the things that humans in general are so good at. I feel so great that I get to visit the island when it was still "new". You can read my Calaguas Island trip here.
Back to the trip. We boarded the jeep bound to Majayjay (Mahayhay) and alighted at Bukal where we boarded a tricycle that drove us up to the Brgy. Hall. Here we met our fellow tree planters, met our guides, registered, bought the plants (they call it seedlings but they're grown plants so I will call them so), bought our lunch, and headed out. 2 tricycles brought our group to the jump off point where we started our trek that, according to the itinerary, would take an hour. I think we took more than that with all the rest stops we had to take. The terrain was actually friendly, it's just that some of our co-hikers are beginners. It's all good. At least I got the chance to drink in the green, enjoy the beauty of nature, and inhale lungfuls of fresh air. Sarap!
The sun was high up when we reached the spot delegated for our tree planting activity. You see, we didn't really climb Mt. Banahaw since it's still closed to the public after, drum roll please.. suffering gravely from the hands (and feet) of humans. It's closed for rehabilitation and would open again in 2018 (fingers crossed).
I forgot the name of the tree we planted but they're supposed to block the wind when they're full grown. Block the wind and protect the food-bearing plants behind them. So we planted soldier trees. Woah!
There were 7 of us and each were given 3 plants. We left the site with 21 new plants and light hearts with the thought that we did something, though small, for our planet. I would like to come back after how many months or years to see how tall my trees have become. :)
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| Posed for the camera after planting :) |
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| Fave part of the trek up. I like that it looks like a tunnel of vines minus the darkness. |
Tree planting done, we then went back to the path towards Bukal Falls. We passed it on our way to the site. That is also where we left one of our fellow hiker to rest. She apparently has an asthma (if I remember correctly) and so, her lungs couldn't handle the strain of the trek. She was sleeping when we get there and her fellow teachers (yes, we hiked with teachers. awesome!) took photos of her and laughed at her when she realized we were all watching her sleep. Haha!
Down, down, down we went to the falls. It was a different terrain with larger trees and colder wind brought forth by the falls below. I love it. While going down though, even as I marvel at the beauty around me, I am already dreading our way up when it's time to go home.
At last we reached the falls. But before jumping in the cold water which sir Raffy and sir Ramil kept telling us is ice cold (I got really excited and scared at the same time), we had our lunch first. This was another exciting experience for me. We ate together on a banana leaf. It wasn't my first but I also can't remember the last time I had that. It was awesome!
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| Food is yummier when shared :) |
Lunch done, it's now time to meet the falls and its icy cold water. But before that, pictures!
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| Thanks to sir Raffy for the pictures :) |
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| About to jump! |
The teachers, apparently, have no plans of going into the water and actually have other plans after the trip. And so, they're off to their next adventure: Piyestahan while Marco, sir Raffy, and I remained behind. And just like what they warned us about, the water is, indeed, icy cold. It really did feel like the water you take out of your refrigerator to drink. Teeth chattering, fingertips numbing cold. Wow!
And yet, we went in, swam, and dove. It was so refreshing especially after hours of walking under the sun. Totally amazing.
Here's a little trivia. According to sir Raffy, during rainy season, the water falls from high up the mountain, falls down on the 10-foot deep basin before running down onto another, smaller falls and its smaller basin, then running down the river of large rocks. Though it's been raining, it wasn't really the rainy season and so, we weren't lucky enough to see and experience Bukal Falls in its full grandeur. Please watch the video to have a clearer image of the falls.
And now comes the dreaded ascend. I usually like going up than going down since the latter seems to be more dangerous for me but the ascend from Bukal Falls is really something. I am quickly reminded of the metal stairwell we climbed up when we went to Pagsanjan Falls. But that's shorter. Yes, steep as that one was, the steps are definitely fewer. This one was extra steeper and longer but I managed and survived. Hoorah!
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| Look at how steep the walk up is! Woah! |
After washing and tidying up at the Brgy. Hall, I asked sir Raffy for the basketball I saw the kids playing with earlier that day. I play like a kid but I still like to play basketball even when all I do is shoot and run after the ball then take shots again. That was another fun part of the day and thanks and salute to sir Raffy for giving in to my whims. :)
The day is ending and I have hours of travel ahead of me. We said our thanks and bid our goodbyes. Aboard a tricycle for the last time that day, Marco was kind enough to ask the driver to stop for a while so I can take a photo (a video actually) of Mt. Banahaw. But just like how it's been all day, it remained shy and covered with clouds. It's still very pretty though.
One last treat before the day ended, I ate a pancit habhab while listening to some "tito jokes" one of the barkers is throwing at the merienda selling ladies in the station. The jokes are funny given that I usually find the jokes of older people funny. The day ended well and I, smiling as I remember it now. :)
Here's an overview.
According to Marco, the DENR launched a project where farmers are given thousands of seeds which they will nurse and plant for the rehabilitation of our forests. Thousands of new trees with roots that will prevent soil erosion and landslides, thousands of new trees with leaves that give off pure oxygen, thousands of trees that will help cool down our planet and prevent its destruction. I can only imagine how beautiful a world can that be with the addition of thousands of trees in our forests.
On our way down to Bukal Falls, I get to talk to sir Ramil, the President of the Philippine Farmers Association of Majayjay, Laguna. Formerly known as Abaca Farmers Association, the members agreed on changing the name to "attract more attention" and also, to not be caged with abaca which was their main product from years ago. Now they also plant and sell vegetables after admitting that the market for abaca has grown weaker through the years.
Through the project of the DENR, 7,000 seeds went to the municipality of Majayjay. 7,000 seedlings that the Philippine Farmers Association of Majayjay, Laguna, nursed and nurtured for planting. While talking to him, I realized that doing so wasn't easy. It takes huge amounts of labor, patience, and dedication.
The bad new is, they almost don't get anything out of it. For people whose primary source of income is their plants, these farmers are actually spending more on fertilizers than earning anything from selling the plants or its fruits.
The good news is, you can help them by buying their plants and you can help yourself and the Earth we call home by planting them. If you can't go directly to these farmers to buy and plant their seedlings, get in touch with me and I will redirect you to the right people who are organizing tree planting activities. If you know anybody else, ask them. I salute people like them who think and work towards the betterment of our planet. They also help the farmers and us, by spreading awareness of what we can do for the world. Naks!
And here's the video I made of this trip. Enjoy!
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