Biologue Jan-Mar 2017

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My ABM Valentine

by Tricia Suanes

To put a little play and balance the work of the Valentine’s Sale, this year’s Executive Committee organized a mini event on the 17th of February 2017 – My ABM Valentine. Similar to the wintery holidays’ kris kringle, participants would surprise their Valentines with gestures or gifts of love. Many gave gifts, flowers and food (not to mention the famous Yum burger which got popularized

by Jollibee’s 2017 “Crush” commercial). The event was the perfect cherry to top off the sweet week, truly making not only the participants, but everyone in the org feel the love.

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Planting a Legacy Chamber 41 Batch Project

by Leann Sala “From a small seed a mighty trunk may grow,” –Aeschylus Last March 26, twenty-two representatives from UP ABM prepared and planted 500 tree seedlings in preparation for the rainy season. In partnership with FEED, a non-governmental organization which promotes sustainable education and tree-planting, UP ABM sponsored the establishment of a Philippine Native Tree Seedling Bank at the UPLB Land Grant located in Siniloan, Laguna.

Tree planting as the chosen activity for a batch project was a challenge. Given the season is not suitable for tree planting, the chamber consulted experts on the matter at hand including DENR, FEED, and Jelaine Gan of UP Haring Ibon. Discussions and suggestions came to the idea of tree nurturing and planting, that is, preparing the seedlings for planting in the wild later on.

Leaving UPD at 6:30 in the morning, the group of twenty-two travelled to the UPLB Land Grant in Siniloan, Laguna welcomed by Ms. Anne Bakker and Ms. Diane Penales of FEED. The activity started with a talk from Forest Ranger Allan Libarnes on the mission and vision of FEED and LQLG’s tree planting advocacies. He also thanks the volunteers for choosing to take initiative in helping them raise awareness and funds for research on the diverse flora and fauna in the Philippines. After quick questions and a speech from one of Chamber 41’s batch heads: Ullma Lindo, the trek to the planting site began. The trek took roughly 20 to 30 minutes from the welcoming site, and upon reaching the area work was distributed. Accompanied and guided by seven members from the UPLB LQLG, the volunteers bagged soil evenly and then planted 500 new native Philippine tree seedlings.

Tiring as the activity may have been, the volunteers were rewarded with a good lunch and a great view to overlook at. In addition to this, we received a surprise performance from Lyn Lumbago, a leader of the T’boli tribe in Sarangani Province who decided to stop by. Upon hearing about our activity, she wished to express gratitude through an Earth dance. The short dance was very heartfelt, with Ms. Lyn teaching us as she explained how the trees (and nature itself) is deeply connected to culture.

The closing remarks followed after, with UP ABM receiving a certificate of gratitude for participating in the said activity.

The batch project of Chamber 41 was a great way to end the month, especially since March was the month for environmental awareness. Hopefully this project did not simply end but marked the beginning of a legacy – the succession of more tree planting activities, the strengthening of this new partnership and friendship, and most importantly, the flourishing of a new advocacy.

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