25 February 2017, Sierra Madre Mountain Range. Today, on the annually observed People Power Day* – also referred to as the “EDSA Revolution Anniversary” – of the Philippines, we honour all our Filipino heroes who demanded the return of our Democracy in any way they could.
Instead of taking to the streets, even in peaceful recognition of the EDSA Revolution, 21 Students & Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) enabled the planting of 140 Philippine indigenous Red Lauan (Shorea negrosensis) trees in the longest mountain range, the Sierra Madre*, mentioning:
“Whilst we might be the ones affected by Climate Change brought about by others, we are also the ones who can change it”. – Alexandrea Clarisse Sagutin, with Jeffrey Manangan planting the native Philippine Red Lauan tree.
University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Forester Rey Lorida, Farm Superintendent in charge of managing the Laguna-Quezon Land Grant (LQLG), shared: “You know, I was once a new graduate of UPLB and offered several functions in large corporate environments back then, but somehow – maybe because I am from the area, and patrolled these 10,000 hectares my whole life – I just could not bear to leave this place”. FEED knows why, because without a true eco-warrior like Forester Rey to organise and manage our teams of planters, farmers, foresters and foragers (some illegal and informal), there may not be any biological diversity conservation efforts being catered to by our SAVE Participants.
*The Red Lauan Tree, Classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List 2007
Red lauan numbers have become depleted due to logging and slash-and-burn agriculture. Red lauan is a valuable timber, which is exported to be used in furniture, boat and building construction.
The red lauan most likely occurs in a number of protected areas throughout the Philippines, such as the Sierra Madre. However, despite this so-called protection, illegal logging activities can continue to pose a threat.
The red lauan flowers between April and May, during which time the blooms are visited by insects for pollen. Following pollination, fruits develop and appear between March and June. The red lauan is found only in the Philippines, occurring on the islands of Luzon, Pollilo, Biliran, Negros, Samar, Leyte, Mindanao and Basilan.
Source: http://www.arkive.org/red-lauan/shorea-negrosensis/
Sierra Madre Mountain Range, Photo Courtesy Wikipedia.
Thank you to our February 25th SAVE eco-warriors for helping us Plant for Peace!
^Those who purchased seedlings, couldn’t make it but will join the next SAVE planting.
| 1 | Armel John De Vera | 14 | Jeffrey Manangan |
| 2 | Karen Cabiltes | 15 | Alexandrea Clarisse Sagutin |
| 3 | Renz Marion Valdivia | 16 | Resyl Joy Fano |
| 4 | Eloisa Baldovino^ | 17 | Dave Rhi Esmama^ |
| 5 | Camille Quiambao | 18 | Christeen Cereno |
| 6 | Arianne Alexandra Ignacio^ | 19 | Jacquiline Padit |
| 7 | Jeanne Christine Ramos^ | 20 | Maynard Capil. |
| 8 | Kristine Joanne Olmedo | 21 | Jaevis Carl Tuquib |
| 9 | Rodgine Garcia | 22 | Joseph Tuquib |
| 10 | Gretel Abling^ | 23 | Robert Julius Balangat |
| 11 | Kristina Talusan^ | 24 | Maria Rejina Balangat |
| 12 | Saddam Bazer^ | 25 | Melody Rumingan^ |
| 13
27 |
Dieza Aninao
Jimmy Z. Bantog |
26
|
Ms. Anna Liza Tinsay
|
Special Mention
In the absence of FEED’s VP of Operations, Diane Penales, 5 red lauan seedlings were planted in the name of her grandfather Mr. Orencio Amigo who at 76 years of age, was recently diagnosed with and is now recovering from Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease (HCVD), CAP (refers to a bacterial pneumonia caused by pathogens), Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) II-III, Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) and Mitral Regurgitation. We planted for all his hard work and for his now speedy recovery.
SAVE Planting Photo Collage – 25 Feb 2017
Click on the individual images for the original size /close-up.
About the Sierra Madre
The mountain range serve as å typhoon barrier, effectively tempering the incoming storms from the Pacific Ocean’s unpredictable behaviours before reaching the central mainland.
In the north, the range starts in the province of Cagayan and ends in the south in the province of Quezon, along the border of Laguna province where we panted 130 native Philippine trees. In the province of Nueva Vizcaya further north, the Caraballo Mountains connect the Sierra Madre Mountain range with the Cordillera Central range.
The Sierra Madre range spans Aurora, Bulacan, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quezon, Quirino and Rizal provinces – or approximately 236,000km. The Pacific coast of Luzon along the Sierra Madre is less developed as the lofty and continuous mountains forms a bold and an almost inaccessible shore, exposed to the full force of the northeast monsoon and the waves of the Pacific Ocean. Some of communities east of the mountain range and along the coast are so remote they are only accessible by plane or boat. (Source: Wikipedia)
Since the 1900s, the forest habitat has been and continues to be threatened by human intervention. Settlers living at the lower portions of the slopes generally are supported by work in logging and charcoal-making, while some portions of the forest are already secondary growth forest.
About People Power Day
*People Power Day is annually observed on February 25 in the Philippines. This is a special observance for the country: it’s a non-working holiday only for schools. The history of People Power Day is connected to snap elections of President Ferdinand Marcos, that were held on February 7, 1986. The elections were violated, that resulted in demonstrations and protests. Amidst the controversy, Marcos was proclaimed as the winner of the elections and all 50 opposing members of the Parliament walked out in protest.
The main events of the revolution took place on a long stretch of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Manila on February 22-25. The mass protest involved over 2 million Filipino civilians and several political, military and religious groups. The protest culminated in departure of Marcos and Corazon Aquino was proclaimed as the legislate President.
Source: https://anydayguide.com/calendar/1788
More Information / Contact FEED
For more information on or to join Students & Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE), visit: email info@feed.org.ph, or call/text: +63 (0)917 552 4722.
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