For the longest time, I've always debated with myself if planting a tree should be part of my bucket list instead of learning a new sport or jumping from a 100 story building. But then I thought, if I wanted to feel a teeny bit of self fulfillment, I should do something worthwhile for the environment. Yes, I try my best to not litter around and pollute, if you may. But that's way different from pro-actively doing something you know can directly affect the world you live in.
Hence, the desire to plant a tree.
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| My second tree in the ridgeline of Marikina Watershed. |
So last Friday, me and some of my co-workers woke up at 5am and travelled to Antipolo to take part in a Tree Planting activity organized by my company. Our objective was to plant 1,000 seedlings in a 2-hectare region of the Marikina Watershed. Pardon my ignorance, but it was just last Friday when I clearly understood that a watershed is a basin-like form of land usually defined by mountains or ridgelines that descend into lowlands or streams. It supposedly carries water from the rain to its “soils, groundwaters, creeks, and streams, making its way to larger rivers and eventually the sea.”
According to our Public Affairs officer, studies showed that most of the water that devastated Manila during typhoon Ondoy last September 2009 came from the Marikina Watershed. Why? Because only 20% of its 28 hectares have forest cover na lang. The trees in the entire forest area of this watershed will help prevent another Ondoy disaster, hopefully.
We all had to go through an experience I had when climbing Mt Pulag. The big difference was that in Pulag, there were trails to follow. In Marikina Watershed, there were none. And as it rained a few hours before we were scheduled to arrive, everything became so muddy. Half of my group (we were 10) kept on slipping in the slopes of the mountain and literally had to grasp branches of trees to prevent the eventual fall. Everytime this happened, we all felt the panic as seeing your friends slip and slide a muddy mountain without nothing to step on anymore, and with both hands clutching on to branches of trees, really does not guarantee safety.
But with all that said and done, I am proud to say that I've successfully planted 4 saplings! Which I've named as Marie, Maria, Mary and Mara. I think our group planted around 30+ saplings, which is not a bad number.
According to our Public Affairs officer, studies showed that most of the water that devastated Manila during typhoon Ondoy last September 2009 came from the Marikina Watershed. Why? Because only 20% of its 28 hectares have forest cover na lang. The trees in the entire forest area of this watershed will help prevent another Ondoy disaster, hopefully.
We all had to go through an experience I had when climbing Mt Pulag. The big difference was that in Pulag, there were trails to follow. In Marikina Watershed, there were none. And as it rained a few hours before we were scheduled to arrive, everything became so muddy. Half of my group (we were 10) kept on slipping in the slopes of the mountain and literally had to grasp branches of trees to prevent the eventual fall. Everytime this happened, we all felt the panic as seeing your friends slip and slide a muddy mountain without nothing to step on anymore, and with both hands clutching on to branches of trees, really does not guarantee safety.
But with all that said and done, I am proud to say that I've successfully planted 4 saplings! Which I've named as Marie, Maria, Mary and Mara. I think our group planted around 30+ saplings, which is not a bad number.
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| The mud cannot be seen in this picture, but going back down was especially hard. |
I'm wishing that my trees will grow to be as sturdy as the rest of the other trees surrounding it. I'm wishing that my trees will help in its little way to ensure that our environment is protected from whatever untoward incident that hopefully does not happen anymore. And lastly, I'm wishing that everyone who gets to see this post will also take part in a cause similar to mine's.. Hehe! I know it's long shot, but who knows? Maybe someday, I'd just hear about how you guys did the same thing while singing:
"Magtanim ay 'di biro..Maghapong nakayuko..Di naman makatayo..Di naman makaupo..
Bisig ko'y namamanhid
Baywang ko'y nangangawit.
Binti ko'y namimintig
Sa pagkababad sa tubig..
Halina, halina, mga kaliyag,
Tayo'y magsipag-unat-unat.
Magpanibago tayo ng lakas
Para sa araw ng bukas..
Just like I did. :)
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