Stewards of our last forest

"Leave the beaten track behind occasionally and dive into the woods. Everytime you do you will be certain to find something you've never seen before."

This Alexander Graham Bell wisdom hits me smack again last March 20 during a forest tour with 5th Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. Triennial Awards finalist Rene "Tatay Ete" Vendiola and Tabunan forest warden Lucrecio "Oking" Son.

Fifty-nine-year-old Vendiola, cited for his best practices in rainforestation through initiation of the two-hectare demonstration farm in Bacong (Negros Oriental) dubbed "Liptong Woodlands," and 52-year-old Son, team leader of 13 other forest stewards under the initiative of the Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc., led 25 tour participants to a patch forest in a 166-hectare protected area in Cebu City's mountain barangay of Tabunan which is part of the Central Cebu National Park - home to the elusive and critically endangered Cebu flowerpecker and the black shama or the "siloy."

Vendiola's vast knowledge of trees and vines, as shown by his articulateness in scientific names not only in genuses but on a variety of species, stemmed from his being former research associate and field assistant (biodiversity assessment) of the Silliman University Biology Department (1974 to 1981) and Silliman University Center for Tropical Conservation Studies (1998 to 2004).

So even when Vendiola hasn't completed his secondary education, he earned the trust and respect of notable local and foreign arborists, ornithologists, and botanists, like the late Dr. Leonard Co.

"Sa una maglisod ko pag-encourage sa mga tawo kay lagi mangita man silag dunay Ph.D.," so he started devouring books on related materials. That's how he grew in knowledge and wisdom on the importance of trees. In a lecture few meters away from the forest line, he emphasized how forests act as carbon sinks.

Carbon sinks are natural or artificial reservoirs that accumulate and store some carbon-containing chemical compound for an indefinite period. The process by which carbon sinks remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is known as carbon sequestration. Trees, especially the hardwoods, absorb carbon dioxide at an average of 50 pounds per tree per year, studies read.

Meanwhile, Son who is literally a child of Tabunan shared that of 14 aspirants recruited for forest stewardship, he was the only one who passed the test with flying colors. "Ambot bitaw, pero maayo tingali gyod kog pandungog kay makaila man gyod ko sa mga tingog ug taghoy sa langgam, dali ra ko ka-identify sa species," he said. So, he was appointed team leader.

Together they ushered us to a Manunggal tree, to my excitement, because I only associate that name to a mountain. How naive!

There were around four of us who took turns in hugging the tree, crazy also to connect to the heartwood where, Vendiola said, the tree beats for us. "Dili lang gyod na siya makasulti, pero kita bitaw mo nga mo-communicate na siya. Moluyloy ang dahon if uhawon, or mangapulak ang buwak if masakit."

Such principle sent us forewarned on the impact of our noise on a "breathing forest," as we were about to enter the forest line prior to the identification of tree species. "Ang ilang voice maoy angay nato madunggan, dili ang ato," Vendiola said.

The Manunggal tree bears old scars but has at least regenerated a new skin, however a fresh cut is also carved out next to the crust. From the wound oozed scarlet sap, resembling fresh droplets of blood. "Pait ni siya pero maayo man god nis bughat, so ang mga tawo diri mogamit ani isip tambal," Son explained.

Another interesting find is the Tipolo tree. True that this species is towering and monstrous.

Vendiola's conversion to being staunch advocate for the environment is described to be "metastatic" - or that kind of spirit which spreads by invasion. He said he was initially inspired by then mountain climber Joy Augustus Young (now Cebu City vice mayor). "Slash and burn farmer ko sa una, nya kana si Joy Young bata pa na siya adto, he explained to me nga gi-destroy daw nako ang mga microorganisms sa yuta. Nya naka-learn ko sa mga environmentalists. Mo-evolve man gyod ta tungod sa atong kahibalo nya nanakod sad ang examples sa mga environmentalists sa pag-atiman sa kalikopan aron maka-encourage tag mga nagkadaiyang buhi (biodiversity)," Vendiola pointed out.

As for his special interest in Tabunan, Vendiola cited that since it is a remnant forest (or just 0.01 percent remaining of Cebu's forest), it forms part of our heritage. It should be nurtured as source of seedlings for reintroduction and further propagation. "Mao ni nabiling handumanan nga kakuhaan og semilya, karaan pa nis atong ginikanan. Nya atong ulingon?"

Son, on the other hand, is active in monitoring the "Preventing extinctions program" with CBCFI on a two-hectare buffer zone where Tugas (Vitex parviflora or Molave),Pangantuon (Pittosporum pentandrum Mamalis), Bagilumbang (Reutealis trisperma or Philippine tung), Lumbang (Aleurites moluccana or Candlenut tree), Tagibokbok (Gomphandra apoensis), Langin (Micromelum caudatum), and Akle (Albizia akle, premium hardwood) were planted last December 2011.

This is in line with CBCFI's different projects ranging from biological research, to forest replantation, rehabilitation, regeneration and protection, and also community organization.

When asked on his participation to forest conservation in the spirit of volunteerism, Son explained that the forest is actually his home. "Konektado man god ta ana niya. If maguba na dinha, kami ra man sad taga dinhi ang makaluluoy kay mawad-an mig kabuhian, nagsalig man mi tanan ana dinha --- medicine, carbon capture, food consumption."

Initially, he was given a monthly stipend of P14,000 which he divided equally among his fellow stewards. "Pero sa previous to nga project dinhi. Karon naay P400, pero sige lang kay naa man tay uma, anha ra mi mikuha og kabuhian," he said.

It is noticed that the area has an agricultural tramline facility for easy transport of farm produce, however Son's wife shared power source is still a big problem. "Weak naman god na siyag baterya," she said.

The RAFI Triennial Awards, initiated in 1996, is a search for exemplary individual and outstanding institution in the Visayas and Mindanao areas, recognizing the philanthropic, humanitarian and holistic efforts of individuals and institutions in enhancing the quality of life of various groups and communities. Meanwhile, the Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. is a group which aims to conserve the biodiversity of Cebu, particulary focusing on the unique and endemic species of the island.