Filipina sisters among Vanity Fair’s ‘Changing Your Mind Travel Awards 2021’ winners

Ann Dumaliang and Billie Dumaliang of Masungi Georeserve are among the winners of this year’s Vanity Fair “Changing Your Mind Travel Awards.” 

Tagged as “Conservation Starters,” the sisters were recognized for opening up the Masungi Georeserve to sustainable tourism, showcasing the area’s natural richness including limestone peaks and lush rainforests.

They have consistently protected the 430-hectare rainforest in Rizal for 20 years by helping establish monitoring trails as well integrating the local community.

According to Ann and Billie, they wanted the tourists to shift their focus from city life to a place where anyone’s breath can be taken away.

Although it would have been easier to attract city-dwellers by simply putting in signposts and having tour guides, the two came up with ways that would make the area stand out more.

“They connected rock formations with hanging rope bridges and eco-trails, offering aerial views of the karsts below and panoramics of the Sierra Madre,” Vanity Fair wrote.

The magazine took note of popular spots in Masungi like Sapot, the elevated viewing deck shaped like a spider’s web; Duyan, the gigantic rope hammock spanning a few hundred metres; and a wonderful viewpoint at the summit of Tatay, Masungi's tallest peak. 

Given the ongoing pandemic, Ann and Billie were able to make it work, despite their efforts being affected. 

“When the reserve was forced to shut during the pandemic, a quarrying company fenced off 500 hectares in our reforestation area. We started a campaign, messaging visitors and celebrities and launching petitions,” Ann said.

“It went to the top; the Secretary of the Environment came and pulled out the fence posts. The area continues to be threatened, but the movement to protect Masungi is growing,” she added.

Their goals do not stop here. During the lockdown, they also launched the Visita application which was designed to empower fellow ecotourist managers across the country.

They are also eyeing to restore the 2,700-hectare land surrounding Masungi “in the same proven way.”

“We feel strongly about helping other protected areas not to rely solely on the government, but to become self-sustaining,” Billie said.

“Shifting the Focus: The Vanity Fair Changing Your Mind Travel Awards 2021” recognizes individuals who, despite the pandemic, carried on and made changes for the better. See full list of winners here.

Masungi Georserve in Rizal has been collecting awards like the recent Water ChangeMaker Award for their efforts at protecting and restoring the Marikina watershed. In 2018, it was recognized at 14th Conference of Parties of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity as a global model for conservation innovation and excellence. — Franchesca Viernes/LA, GMA News