What does one year of action mean for ancestral land and nature in Quezon, the Philippines?

The Putol Pati Kew Project made a significant contribution to the three communities it supported by strengthening the security of their ancestral lands through the planting of native trees. This was not merely a simple activity; it also prepared the Dumagat-Remontado youth to defend their ancestral domains when the time comes for them to lead their own communities. The elders’ guidance became the foundation that kept the plans aligned, deepened understanding of the importance of following each step of the process and ensured that every decision was made through proper consensus involving everyone.

Gratitude from the three communities

“This is our very first project as Indigenous youth in our community, and I am especially happy to learn about the native trees found within our ancestral land,” shared Sonny Calara Jr. in gratitude for the project. He also led the project in the third community, Dinigman. 

“We became more responsible and gained a deeper appreciation of how we can uphold Indigenous knowledge, systems, practices and spirituality (IKSPS), which we have long wished to practice,” Calara Jr. added.

In the upland area of the ancestral domain, Makid-ata, they too expressed their gratitude. “After six months of watching over the native trees we planted, we believe they can now be transferred to the ground to serve as protection for the boundaries of our community, especially now that land leveling is approaching our area due to the construction of windmills, as well as the looming development of the Kaliwa Dam in our great Agos River. These trees will serve as guardians of the free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) processes that were upheld to resist these destructive projects,” said Henry Vertudez, one of the leaders who diligently watched over the growth and strengthening of the native trees. 

Vertudez no longer studies and therefore does not need to leave the community. For the Indigenous youth in the area, this is a major step forward, as their community is facing serious threats that could displace them from their own territory if they do not unite in protecting it.

In the community of Maksa, which has also experienced land grabbing by outsiders, they, too, conveyed deep gratitude. Elder Winnie Quierrez shared that this project is meaningful because it helped Indigenous youth understand the significance of their community’s history of struggle and the fight for the rights of Indigenous Peoples to their ancestral lands.

Strengthened connections and experiences

By being chosen as the 2025 GLF Mountain Restoration Steward, the GLF has provided UGBON with meaningful experiences that inspired the organization to continue its work. Its core mission focuses on creating documentation to identify the important cultural elements within our ancestral domain and to broaden the scope and understanding of the responsibilities that come with it. This has helped me, and others, prepare ourselves to become facilitators of this work so that it can be passed on in the same way it has been handed down through generations by our ancestors.

I also got to attend YEEHA! (Youth Engagement and Empowerment Hive in Asia). I was able to join other Indigenous youth from across Asia and learn about their plans for their communities as the next leaders of their respective Indigenous groups. Though how they help may differ, the goal remains the same: to care for and protect our ancestral lands for generations to come.

Ways forward

There are still many challenges that we, the Indigenous youth, will face. Looking back, our community has long experienced struggles in protecting our ancestral lands against selfish plans that seek to exploit the sacred life of nature. More than ever, we need to deeply understand why we must restore our lands and care for one another so that the mark on our hearts will remain a symbol of our steadfastness.

At present, UGBON is gaining broader recognition and engagement. We are reaching out to local governments and larger platforms to highlight initiatives such as the Putol Pati Kew Project, while strengthening our collective care for and love of nature. 

We will continue the work we have begun and keep sharing our efforts, letting our actions and care be symbols of success.