31 July 2026. Laguna Quezon Land Grant, Sierra Madre Mountain Range. In mid July, a young girl from Paris, France, Yacine Elbakkouri emailed FEED requesting if we could plant some trees for her Filipina friend’s birthday (August 7) to make it extra meaningful. Instead of giving a traditional present, she asked if we could plant on their behalf 17 trees in honor of her friend’s special day – a thoughtful gift that would benefit both people and the planet.
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.
Planters are part of the forestry ranger team comprising: Vincent Ivan M. Donato, Teofilo N. Breganza, Jomer R. Balino, Benjie Velina and Joel Velina.
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.