Leaves rustling and cold winds greeted us when we arrived at the upland area of Baras, Rizal. Located in the area is the famous geotorism destination, Masungi Georeserve.
You have probably heard or seen Masungi Georeserve on Facebook or Instagram because they are quite famous for their rope execution mimicking a spider’s web made out of cables perched on top of the limestone formations (which are totally IG worthy btw!).
Masungi Georeserve is a two – decade long reservation conservation effort. They have two trails up to date: The Discovery Trail and The Legacy Trail.
That day, we took the Legacy Trail – a 2000 hectare land area and is an extension of the Masungi Georeserve where restoration efforts are currently on-going. It was a fun 3 to 4-hour outdoor immersion and learning experience for all of us.
Here are some of the things that I learned from this adventure:
Hole in the Mountains
We came across a huge hole while taking the uphill path.
According to our guide, some people presume that a part of Yamashita’s treasure was buried around the area. Others took advantage of this belief to milk money from others. Their modus involves digging holes for a show and runs away with the money.
Our guide also shared that there are a lot of dugged holes around the area caused by this modus (which means a lot of people have been fooled!).
Professional Squatters
Speaking of illegal acts, we noticed that there were some houses on the higher parts of the forest.
According to our guide, a couple of locals, also called Professional Squatters reside up there and eventually took possession of the land.
They also put up a huge sign stating that they were accredited by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to protect the land (there was even a license number included). However, upon checking, the Masungi staff learned that the license and accreditation were not legitimate.
Contrary to their sign, these locals are one of the factors that destroy native plants in the forest because they practice grazing.
Limestones save lives
We often disregard rocks but apparently, rocks are quite important, not only for nature but also for our daily lives.
Limestone formation acts as a natural filter for rain water. Masungi, through its limestones, provide clean water source to the community around them.
Don’t just plant trees
The Masungi Legacy Trail already experienced a lot of abuse, that is why they exert double effort to restore its beauty. One of Masungi’s challenges now is to make sure that the trees planted before would soon grow and inhabit the whole forest again.
As to tree planting, I’m sure a lot of us already took part in some tree planting activities from our school or even some that were initiated by different organizations.
Well, yes, it is a good start, but we must know that it should not stop there.
Planting a tree is like leaving a baby in the forest. It will not survive on its own. The seedlings need protection and proper nurturing in order for it to survive and grow.
Teva, a sports and outdoor sandals brand, partnered with Masungi Georeserve for their Nurture-a-Grove project. The goal of the project is to take part in Masungi Georeserve’s reforestation efforts.
We all got the chance to nurture some of the young trees by weeding and mulching.
Next time you participate at any tree planting activity, make sure to ask the organization or the people behind it, about how they are planning to nurture those seedlings (do not ghost your seedlings please).
That thing called Tayabak
A megadiverse country, like the Philippines, means that it houses majority of Earth’s species and has a high number of endemic species.
Speaking of endemic species, did you know that the plant at the back of a 5 peso coin is a Tayabak or Jade vine? It is also considered as one of the top 10 rarest flowers in the world!
Nevertheless, it is already a threatened species in the Philippines. It is quite sad that it is endemic in our country, but we are now losing it because we failed to protect it.
These are just a few of my takeaways throughout this adventure. It was a fun and exhilarating experience for all of us, especially for a first-timer like me. The journey way up is rigorous due to the weather conditions, but it is all worth it once you have reached the peak!
Be careful with the rock formations also, because they are steep (but they also provide a bamboo staff to help you).
If you are planning to go for a hike, make sure to wear comfortable sandals (yes, I highly suggest wearing sandals because there is a high chance that your shoes might slip on the rocks and get wet). I changed my shoes halfway with the Teva sandals, and it made going up easier for me.
No matter how hard it is, having a great company somehow eases the exhaustion and is more enjoyable too! But shouting and loud noises are not allowed inside the forest because it might scare the animals away.
As we bid our goodbyes to everyone for such a superb day, I look back and recall what Mariel (the one who oriented us about the place) said, “Stop thinking of yourself as the only thing that matters in nature. Everything around you matters more than you”.
It is true that when humanity ceased to exist, nature can still survive. Yet without nature, we humans will die.
A simple act goes a long way. Yes, Masungi Georeserve is just a few portions of this vast planet but taking care and restoring a few hectares of land, for plants to flourish and animals to grow, definitely makes a huge impact in our environment.
Restoring a once deforested and abused land, seriously requires a lot of work. You cannot just plant as many trees as you can, leave it there and voila! deforestation solved (lol no).
Do your part. Lend a hand. Nurture a tree.
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