Siniloan, Laguna — August 8, 2025. Despite the overcast skies, the spirit of collaboration shone brightly as 125 eco-volunteers from One Meralco Foundation, Rockwell, Rockwell Land, and Radius joined forces with Fostering Education and Environment for Development, Inc. (FEED) for a meaningful tree-planting event at the Laguna Quezon Land Grant, nestled in the heart of the Sierra Madre mountain range.
More than a simple planting activity, the initiative was a collective act of giving—restoring ecosystems, strengthening communities, and reaffirming a shared commitment to climate resilience and ecological restoration.
The event, organized through ongoing dialogues between FEED and its corporate partners, focused on promoting long-term environmental stewardship and community empowerment. With guidance from forestry experts and local partners, volunteers planted 1,000 native trees across designated zones: 500 Maraluhat, 100 Malalansones, and 300 Lipote. These species were carefully chosen for their ecological compatibility and resilience, ensuring they will thrive and play a lasting role in forest recovery.
The Sierra Madre mountain range serves as a natural shield that protects Luzon from devastating typhoons—but its strength depends on its forests. Without trees, this vital protection weakens, leaving both people and ecosystems vulnerable. The volunteers’ efforts directly contribute to restoring this “living shield,” reinforcing the resilience of the environment and the communities that depend on it.
Participants were also introduced to FEED’s Ridge to Reef (R2R) framework by Anne Marie Bakker, highlighting how protecting upland forests directly benefits rivers, reefs, and coastal ecosystems. Reforestation in Siniloan reduces soil erosion and sedimentation, helping maintain water quality and protect marine biodiversity downstream. Followed by the introduction of Forester Rey Lorida about the long history of illegal logging in the Sierra Madres and how they struggle and keeping the effort to end it.
To ensure the sustainability of the initiative, the activity integrated FEED’s Tree Nurturing Program, which focuses on long-term monitoring and maintenance of the planted seedlings. This follow-through ensures that every tree planted continues to grow, sustain, and strengthen the forest ecosystem.
The day began with an energizing warm-up led by Rose Bocado, setting a lively tone for the volunteers before they trekked to the planting site alongside local Forest Guardians. These guardians, together with local residents, played a vital role in the event—preparing meals, guiding participants, and sharing their knowledge of the land. Their involvement showed that conservation thrives when corporate responsibility is rooted in community participation.
The collaboration between One Meralco Foundation, Rockwell, Rockwell Land, Radius, FEED, and the local community demonstrated that giving goes beyond resources—it is also about time, effort, and genuine care. One Meralco Foundation, one of FEED’s long-time partners in reforestation, continues to play an important role in advancing shared goals for environmental restoration and community empowerment.
The event embodied a powerful message: collective care is self-care. A healthy environment nurtures healthy communities, and in turn, these communities sustain the individuals within them.
By the end of the day, the forest floor of Siniloan bore the fresh promise of renewal—1,000 seedlings now standing as symbols of hope and regeneration. For the volunteers, the experience was more than a corporate social responsibility activity; it was a reminder that caring for nature is an act of caring for one another.
In the quiet rustle of newly planted leaves and the shared laughter along the trail, one truth stood out: when we give back to the planet together, we restore not just the land—but life itself.
Photo Library:
Tree-Nurturing Program with FEED
Immerse yourself in nature and explore our Tree-Nurturing Program in Siniloan, Laguna, nestled within the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges. Witness the untouched beauty of Mother Nature—watch this video for a glimpse of the experience.