For. Myranel S. Canceran, University Extension Specialist II
The Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME), through its Social Forestry Division (SFD) of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños (CFNR-UPLB), in collaboration with the Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Inc. (PGPC), conducted the 18th Youth Summer Program on Environmental Education (YSP) with the theme Youth Mobilization for Sustainable Ecosystems on May 21–23, 2025. The program’s lectures, discussions, campfire activities, environmental games, and tours were held at the Toyota Environment Education Theater (TEET) of the Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG) and the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve ASEAN Heritage Park (MMFR AHP).
The Youth Summer Program on Environmental Education is held annually to raise youth awareness and appreciation of the values and importance of caring for the environment, as well as to prepare them cognitively and ethically to willingly respond to environmental needs for the benefit of society.
A total of 39 participants from six barangays across three municipalities surrounding MMFR attended the YSP. Of these, 49% (19) were from Sto. Tomas City, Batangas; 38% (15) from Bay, Laguna; and 13% (5) from Calauan, Laguna. Participants were aged 13 to 20 years old, with 28% (11) aged 15, followed by 23% (9) aged 17, and 15% (6) aged 16. The participants were 54% female and 46% male.
During the opening program on May 21 at TEET-MBG, the opening message was delivered by For. Mae Belen L. Putian of MCME’s Social Forestry Division, followed by inspirational messages from Dr. Lerma SJ. Maldia, Director of MCME; For. Leilani A. Castillo, Project Leader of the PGPC-funded project Scaling-up the Participatory Community-based Natural Resources Management in Four Watersheds of Mount Makiling Forest Reserve and Mount Bulalo; and For. Nicasio M. Balahadia, former head of the SFD-MCME. After the opening program, lectures were delivered by resource persons on various topics: Levelling-off/Environmental Education (For. Myranel S. Canceran), Environmental Principles (For. Karla Jane P. Gonzalvo), Forests, Forest Degradation, Global Warming, and Climate Change (For. Marlo M. Cana and For. Ma. Ruffa P. Guab), the Importance of Mount Makiling as a Natural Resource and its Points of Interest (For. Angela A. Limpiada), Policies, Laws, and Regulations in MMFR and other mountain ecosystems (For. Michelle Angela T. Rafols and Ms. Maricris F. Sityar), Creative Works on Literature and Art (Ms. Gillian Katherine I. Quilloy of DSFFG-CFNR), and Environmental School/Community Project Development (For. Mary Anne G. Abadillos of MCME). Campfire activities followed at the Central Forest Experimental Station (CFES) of MMFR, featuring introductions and talent presentations.
On May 22, a lecture and exercise on Introduction to Watersheds were delivered by For. Leonardo D. Barua at the Multi-purpose Hall of the Makiling Rainforest Park. Participants then produced four outputs: posters related to the program theme (to be used as backgrounds for short role plays), scripts for the role plays, slogans, and proposed environmental projects for their barangays. During the evening campfire, a modified boodle fight and s’mores activity were held, followed by a presentation on basic survival skills facilitated by Mr. Nick M. Manlisis of the MMFR Protection and Regulation Unit.
On May 23, a guided tour, Lakbay Aral para kay Maria Makiling, was facilitated by For. Angela A. Limpiada and For. Alexis John T. Fajardo, during which participants visited the Mudspring area of MMFR AHP. An environmental amazing race took place at the Makiling Rainforest Park, led by For. Ma. Ruffa P. Guab with assistance from MCME staff, followed by a continuation of the guided tour at MBG. Afterward, participants presented their short role plays and environmental projects at TEET-MBG.
The closing program at TEET-MBG included a message from the MCME Director and feedback from participants Mr. Mark Miguel B. Maldia (Barangay San Miguel, Sto. Tomas City) and Ms. Francine Nicole C. Valenzuela (Barangay San Vicente, Sto. Tomas City). Certificates for winners in the short role play and slogan-making contests, along with certificates of participation, were awarded. Closing remarks were delivered by For. Leonardo D. Barua, head of SFD-MCME.
The three-day, two-night Youth Summer Program concluded successfully, with participants expressing that they enjoyed the activities, learned a lot, and hoped for future opportunities to join similar programs.
Photos by: MSCanceran, AALimpiada
