Contributor

THIS SPACE has been silent for a while, but we will strive to make up for lost time.

Last Wednesday, we greeted the first day of October in Barangay Marahan, Marilog District, captivated by the first light shining on the vast sea of clouds suspended in the valley below. Curious as to how a sea of clouds is formed, we found that it is generally found in valleys or over seas in very stable air mass conditions. The Japan Tourism Organization offers a beautiful explanation: “The morning chill causes mist to rise in the mountains, forming fluffy clouds that flow through the valley like streams of silk.”

We had previously made arrangements with Ricardo Obenza Jr., a respected environmentalist and Datu Bago Awardee, to visit his haven. The Marahan Botanical Garden offers a much-needed sanctuary—a place to refresh, recharge, and truly absorb what nature has to offer. The entrance is a brief pause in the line of vegetable stalls, marked by a small wooden sign welcoming trekkers. It’s easily missed, but the effort to find it is richly rewarded; perhaps its hidden quality is one of its unique charms.

The trail proved to be a wonderful walk, despite the residual mud from the previous night’s rain. Stepping beneath the dense canopy of trees instantly had the effect of lifting any worries that had been locked on our shoulders. We could breathe easier immediately as a profound sense of peace washed over us. Even with the uncertainty of the trail’s destination or the challenges we might face, the trek was delightful, especially punctuated by the easy banter of our group of journalists. They, in particular, should be grateful that technology has advanced to the point where all their filming equipment fits into a single backpack, a stark contrast to the days of lugging heavy cameras, tripods, and computers.

We were graciously welcomed by Dodz Roxas, who met us before we reached the entrance—a gem who serves as both a knowledgeable guide and a passionate environmentalist.

Dodz drew our attention to freshly planted, endemic saplings secured by protective sticks. He shared that some individuals who participate in tree-planting mistakenly uproot these fragile specimens. Throughout the mountains, various endemic trees, including Lauaan, Narra, and Yakal (all hardwood species), were randomly finding their footing and their space in the forest.

In a ubiquitous sign upon entering the seminar hall, we read the message: “One finds it hard to maintain a small garden; what more if you’re maintaining a small forest! Preserving the forest is no big deal as long as you have the desire to make a change and make the world a better place to live in.” No truer words have been said.

Obenza’s goal is “to regenerate forest biodiversity for the ecological sustainability of humans and other living organisms.” And this can be done through continuous planting of trees, plants, herbs, and other things that can take root in the soil, in water, or even air.

He argues there is no reason not to plant for food or greenery, even in the smallest spaces. For those living in a condo, he suggested that various herbs and vegetables can thrive in small pots. He views this not only as a hobby but as one of the best ways to ensure food security. His experience during the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the critical lesson of growing your own food, and it even helped him discover edible species previously thought to be useless.

Obenza believes that planting should be a fundamental habit. Now 82 years old, he remains dedicated, continuing to visit the botanical garden to care for his plants and assist environmental groups, schools, and civic organizations keen on saving the environment.

“If we plant, I found that water comes,” he said. This entire area was once heavily logged, and when he first arrived in the 1970s, the land was dry and largely barren, dotted only by dried saplings planted without proper intent or simply for compliance. There were also invasive species that he had to meticulously remove to allow for the land’s proper regeneration.

We are all aware of the impact of humanity’s careless exploitation of our planet Earth. Initiatives by environmentalists across the globe to mitigate the ill effects of climate change have begun to make a tangible difference, one example being the recent report that the ozone layer is starting to improve. However, Davao City, a rapidly growing metropolis, faces its own distinct challenges. The fast-paced construction of private infrastructure, the rapid development of real estate encroaching upon former agricultural lands, and the toll all these factors take on the environment are matters we must seriously consider.