On 29 July 2026, the Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG) welcomed students and instructors from De La Salle Araneta University in Malabon City, Metro Manila, for their Service-Learning activity titled “MASID-MUSEO: Exploring Anatomy and Embryology through Museum and Botanical Learning.” Organized by the instructors of the Gross Veterinary Anatomy and Embryology Laboratory, the program aimed to provide students with an enriching learning experience beyond the traditional classroom.
As part of the activity, the students visited selected learning facilities within the University of the Philippines Los Baños, including the J.A. Solis Museum of Veterinary Anatomy, Parasite Collection, MBG, and the Dairy Training and Research Institute.
At the MBG, the participants were guided by the Educators for Nature Tourism student volunteers of the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems. During the tour, the students learned about the diverse plant collections, native Philippine trees, and the importance of biodiversity conservation in the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve.
The activity provided the students with a meaningful opportunity to connect their classroom lessons with nature while fostering a greater appreciation for environmental conservation and the role of plants in supporting healthy ecosystems. (Article by Forester Angela Limpiada, photo courtesy of Elyza Trisha Arceta)