31 July 2026. Laguna Quezon Land Grant, Sierra Madre Mountain Range. In mid July, a young gentleman from Paris, France, Yacine Elbakkouri emailed FEED requesting* if we could plant some trees for his Filipina friend Amanda’s birthday (August 7) to make it extra meaningful. Instead of giving a traditional present, he asked if we could plant on his behalf 17 trees in honor of his friend’s special day – a thoughtful gift that would benefit both people and the planet.
Yacine’s inspiration: “As I mentioned earlier, Islam emphasizes taking care of nature, which we believe is God’s creation. Amanda recently converted, and one of the best gifts you can give a Muslim is a Sadaqa Jariya (a gift that lasts a lifetime). There are many examples, such as financing a mosque, planting a tree, or funding a water well that will benefit people. In this spirit, I wanted to offer her a Sadaqa in the Philippines because she’s originally from your country. I thought it would be a great idea to finance a project here.
I believe contributing to a project in the Philippines would also benefit the population. Also, Amanda loves spending time looking at trees; her favorite one is the magnolia. She’s also really invested in ecology, so it was natural for me to consider such a gift. I’ve heard that Filipinos are a welcoming and kind people, so I’m excited to help you with your community-based reforestation projects.
I’ve done a lot of research to find a project that aligns with my idea, and that’s how I came across FEED online. Hope this will help for your article.“
Due to a miscommunication in the field, the unexpected mix-up turned into a wonderful surprise. Instead of planting 17 trees, FEED’s reforestation partner the UP Laguna Quezon Land Grant planted 175 trees – what could have been seen as a simple mistake became an incredible blessing. Those extra trees will help restore nature, provide future benefits for local communities, and create a lasting environmental impact far beyond what was originally planned.
When the happy news was shared, everyone chose to celebrate the unexpected generosity of the moment. A birthday gift intended to honor one special friendship had grown into something much bigger – a gift to the Earth and to future generations. Sometimes, the best surprises come from unexpected turns. Thanks to one caring Yacine from Paris and an accidental act of kindness, 175 trees now stand as a living symbol of generosity and hope rooted in friendship.
As part of the UP Laguna–Quezon Land Grant’s continuing commitment as FEED’s Living Legacy partner in upland forest restoration and biodiversity conservation, the 175 seedlings planted on Yacine’s behalf cover an approximate area of 175 square meters: 50 Lauan, 50 Katmon, 50 Malaruhat, and 25 Palong Maria seedlings done. These native species were carefully selected to enhance biodiversity, support habitat restoration, and contribute to the long-term ecological sustainability of the area.
Prior to planting, the site was prepared through clearing, layout, and marking of planting locations to ensure proper spacing and favorable growing conditions. The seedlings were planted following recommended planting techniques to maximize their survival and healthy establishment.
The tree planting activity contributes to the rehabilitation of forest areas within the Laguna–Quezon Land Grant by increasing native forest cover, improving soil stability, enhancing watershed protection, and providing suitable habitats for wildlife. Regular monitoring and maintenance activities, including weeding, brushing, and replacement planting, when necessary, will be undertaken to ensure the continued growth and survival of the planted seedlings.
GPS Coordinates & Photo Library
Use any GPS (Global Positioning System) software / applications to input the latitude and longitude coordinates to be able to remotely see the location of your trees planted. Some examples include:
https://www.gps-coordinates.net/
https://gps-coordinates.org
https://www.maps.ie/coordinates.html
The tree planting activity was conducted at a designated reforestation site located at approximately 14°29’51″N, 121°30’52.75″E. The site was selected based on its suitability for the establishment and growth of Philippine native tree species, as well as its role in supporting forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, and watershed protection within the UP Laguna–Quezon Land Grant.
Thank you Yacine for helping us restore the Sierra Madres as a gift!
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 a tree-planting experience with FEED and its partner local communities.
Direct Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFb2_0qr93g
Contact info@feed.org.ph or call +63 (0)917 552 4722 to carry out your tree planting today!
(c) Fostering Education and Environment for Development, Inc.