Making a difference, one tree at a time

MANILA, Philippines - Tagaytay Highlands, the country’s premier destination for luxury living, celebrated the International Day of Biodiversity a day in advance last May 21 with the tree-planting activity “One Tree at a Time.” 

Over 100 members, homeowners, officers, and employees of Tagaytay Highlands, Belle Corporation, and Highlands Prime Inc. planted fruit-bearing trees such as guava, aratelis, atis, duhat, bignay and kalumpit at the Bird Sanctuary along Midlands Road inside the Tagaytay Highlands complex.

This activity is a follow-through of last year’s highly-publicized tree planting event of the same title that involved partnership with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and was in line with Tagaytay Highlands’ commitment to plant one million trees in 50 years. Last May 22, the community joined the whole world in planting locally-endemic trees under the global Green Wave campaign of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity. For its massive tree planting efforts and other environmental initiatives, Tagaytay Highlands was recognized by the international institution as a “Friend of Biodiversity.”

Tagaytay Highlands general manager Claire T. Kramer opened the activity with a reminder to everyone that tree planting is not just a project but a commitment. She said, “We still face a long stretch to fulfillment, but keep in mind that in this endeavor, it is more a life-long engagement  a never-ending noble work for Mother Nature.”

Tagaytay Highlands general manager Claire Kramer reminds everyone that tree planting is not just a project but a commitment.

Rogelio R. Cabuñag, newly appointed president of Belle Corporation, also joined the activity, thanking everyone who took part in this environmental affair. Recognizing the importance of joining hands to save the world from environmental degradation, Cabuñag asserted, “Let this act (of planting trees together) remind us of the significance and responsive role expected from each one of us who are privileged and are chosen to become part of this beautiful community.”                                                                                        

Apart from planting trees, Tagaytay Highlands, now in its 17th year of redefining relaxation and reshaping the idea of a weekend getaway, is in synch internally and externally in fulfilling the noble mission of preserving the diverse species of flora and fauna inside the exclusive complex. Club president Jerry C. Tiu shared, “We are finding ways to curb our consumption in water and energy; maximizing resources not just in the name of profit but more out of a deep concern for future generations. Similarly, existing facilities and measures are being implemented by the F&B and Housekeeping departments.”

The simple act of planting trees is a significant way to help protect the environment by offsetting carbon dioxide emissions to help slow down global warming.

Tagaytay Highlands Club president Jerry Tiu gets down to work.

Cabuñag noted, “To express our gratitude for the beauty and blessings that God, through Mother Nature, has bestowed upon us, we are challenged to become good stewards of all His creation which has been entrusted to us.”