A campaign for Mount Makiling

The Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystem promotes a ‘Save Mount Makiling’ campaign in an adventurous and satisfying way. For the past three years, series of major typhoons hit the country. This kind of natural disaster, including human interventions and engagements, tends to destroy the wonders Mother Nature. Mount Makiling, one of the most majestic mountains in our country, is not new to these combined physical threats from natural and man-induced forces. TREK AND SAVE Fortified with a hundred years of being one with Mother Nature, the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) has educated a lot of brilliant minds in terms of taking care of our environment. Mount Makiling is one of the beneficiaries of CFNR’s cause. Alongside CFNR, the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve (MMFR) – a materialized body of CFNR’s goal of environmental care – is also celebrating its 100th Foundation Day. Together, CFNR and MMFR thought that the best way to celebrate a hundred of years of environmental care is to let the people be with the nature! In celebration of the centennial year of CFNR and MMFR, the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystem will launch the Makiling Trekathon: A Fun Trekking and Conservation Campaign. This event bargains a fun experience with Mount Makiling through a trekking; a charity trekking event that will foster and promote unity in the campaign for the preservation of the mountain. The activity not only enhances the awareness about Mount Makiling (its importance and conservation status), but at the same time aims to raise funds that will be used in the rehabilitation of its eroded slopes and hiking trails that were damaged during the typhoons. HOW TO JOIN? Makiling Trekathon follows the principles of marathon and/or walkathon but in the form of trekking. The trek offers two routes (two divisions): (1) 5K - the route begins at the Tamesis Hall (Administration Building), College of Forestry and Natural Resources, UPLB. The route follows the Maia Makiling Trail to the Mahogany plantation (station 4) and then back to the starting point; (2) 10K - route begins at the same point as that of the 5K's, will follow the same trail up to the Makiling Rainforest park (Station 8). Marshals and water stations will be installed along the route. The trek will be held at Mariang Makiling Trail, U.P. Los Baños, Laguna. It will start at 7:00AM on the 18th of April, 2010. It is open to all UPLB Alumni, students and staff, fitness and outdoor enthusiasts, friends and supporters of Mt. Makiling. Business entities and organizations can also participate in the event. There will a registration fee worth Php300 per trekker; inclusive of t-shirt, certificate of participation, donation for Mt. Makiling, and a chance to win special prizes. Pledge Forms will also be available for those who don’t want to shell out Php300 and would opt to find individuals/institutions/groups who will sponsor his/her trek. If you are looking for fun engagements this summer, you should consider joining the Makiling Trekathon. For as you enjoy the satisfying feeling Mount Makiling could give to you, you are helping the mountain as well! For further information, please contact: Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems University of the Philippines Los Baños Telefax: (049) 536-3572 E-mail: makilingcenter@yahoo.com Robert P. Cereno Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems Mobile: (0918) 9221008 E-mail: r.cereno@gmail.com - Press release from Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems