MT. MAKILING - FOREST ECOSYSTEM

Startled with my 5 am alarm, blinded with darkness, I decided to snooze off for more minutes. Energy penetrated from ozone casting light directly on face, I was petrified of the time. A text message from my classmate informed me that they left quarter past six and that I have to meet Joseph (another classmate) at Pala-pala, Dasmarinas as we both late from call time.

We arrived Calamba quarter past eight and directed to take jeepney with signboard either UPLB or Sta. Cruz; I asked the driver to drop us at Olivarez plaza and paid our fare. To no surprise, I found my companion Joseph, yet, asleep again. I was not expecting heavy traffic that early morning, but realized I’m on my way to Los Baños – endowed with numerous natural hot springs, which are the main attraction for local resorts and recreation facilities. About 200 private pools and resorts lined up, thus, explained the volume of private vehicles and men carrying signboard “private pool” drawing traffic.

From my window side, cannot help but notice the contour of Mount Makiling – that is said to be the sleeping/reclining profile of Maria Makiling. According to legend, the goddess Maria Makiling lives at the top of Mt. Makiling, the highest mountain in Laguna, Philippines. The Tagalogs, the predominant ethnic group in the area, consider her to be the guardian and protector of the mountain. In the legend, she once walked with the lowland people and helped them to meet their needs. She was venerated for providing bountiful harvests and other divine gifts. However, some people abused this kindness, thus, incurring her wrath, and she returned to the mountain peak, never to be seen again.

I further recalled, my scout master telling us during one of my boy scout camping that – the legend is much a part of the Tagalog culture as the mountain itself. But its cultural significance may become a thing of the past as degradation of the mountain becomes more serious over the years. The mountain’s fragile resources are endangered by land development, conversion and infrastructure expansion by private landowners and developers, Kaingin (shifting cultivation), illegal occupancy, poaching of wildlife and forest products, uncontrolled migration and rapidly increasing population.

Day dreaming and with sleeping companion reclined on his seat, we passed Olivarez plaza and dropped off on wrong destination. Waiting for our professor and classmates, Joseph’s intestines were on rage, thus, we scouted the area and found a stall offering Joseph’s indulgence – SIOMAI!

Included in our Itinerary is a hike from Flat Rocks, to Mud Spring and to Peak 2 of Mt. Makiling. Gloomy sky greeted us that Sunday morning; with such condition, our professor informed us that we could no longer climb up to mud spring for safety reason. Our professor being a homegrown talent of UPLB became a reliable tour guide on way to our hike – Mt. Makiling is part of UPLB’s land area, at the back of College of Forestry is the trail where our journey begun. After paying reasonable amount of 10 php, I immediately embraced reserve’s mysterious legend and captivating natural scenery.

It was raining, yet hot such condition promotes the growth of bacteria and fungi that is evident on various species of mushrooms we encountered on way to flat rock. There is great amount of diversity in plant species in Mt. Makiling, thick and forest floor covered with greens. In terms of plant adaptation, I observed some plants climb, on other plants to reach sunlight, while, some grow on other plants to reach sunlight. Flowers designed to lure animal pollinators since there is relatively no wind to aid in pollination.

Seed dispersal through human, animals and wind; on our way back, we collected various seeds and fruits on forest floor. There was feather – like structure, the kind of seeds that are often wind dispersed. There were also plant species that according to our DENR companion are animal dispersed seeds, like some have barbs that get tangled in animal fur or feathers, and are then carried to new sites. Other plants produce their seeds inside fleshy fruits that then are eaten by animals. The animals digest the fruit, but the seeds pass through the digestive tract, and are dropped in other locations. Lastly, seeds dispersed by human, like the Majestic Giant Toog – Indigenous tree species from Francisco, Agusan del Sur, were planted in the forestry campus as part of the ongoing reforestation and conservation program.

Several times, motorists going down trail an indication of human occupancy obstructed my meditation. Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve’s protected area status is supposed to ensure that it is free from human occupancy, cultivation and private claims. However, residents within and around the forest reserve largely view the mountain area as an economic resource. Almost 1,000 people – mostly farmers – currently live inside the reserve boundaries, according to UPLB researchers (Pulihin and Tapia). Farms, providing the main source of livelihood for these residents, now cover approximately 45 percent of the forest reserve’s total area.

Urbanization primary adversary of nature preservation, the growth of various commercial establishments, infrastructure and development of residential subdivision puts added pressure to forest reserve. “Urbanization itself is not so bad, but the changes that come with it may cause damage – wastewater disposal, other physical impacts include soil disturbances and increased in solid wastes.