A gentle breeze rolls in from the peak of the mountain, rustling the branches of the towering trees.

All I can see was the verdant mountains while we trudge the rough trail down to Sitio Pangutluan, Brgy. Mahabang-lalim. It was an awesome sight, utterly breathtaking; every step brings me closer to nature. The blades of wild grasses prick and sharp stones snag my feet but every pace is worth. A few times I was beckoned toward the sweet scent of the native flowers and rich damp earth. I was swept up in the melodies of small, brightly colored birds and visions of humble living of the locals. We passed groups of women and children who never failed to smile and wave shyly surely a sincere greeting. Although work can be hard and conditions tough, the people have a hearty appreciation of life. Five kilometers of walk with a heavy load on the shoulder is filled of chattering and laughing. Little children on their way to the school cheerfully sing songs to ease their weariness. As we walk, Kuya Nove Jun Calawigan of Haribon Foundation who worked for so many years with the inhabitants explained the vast richness of the Sierra Madre which is a home to many endangered animals and trees. There is splendor and fear in the sounds we have heard from the depths of the forest. From time to time, we could hear the deafening echoes of the chainsaw. Ang lugar na nakikita natin ngayon at ang ating pupuntahan ay idineklara ng gobyerno bilang Protected Areas pero hindi pa rin maiiwasan ang ipinagbabawal na pagtotroso at pagsunog sa kagubatan, Kuya Nove told us. Minsan nagagawa ng mga tao ang pag-abuso sa kalikasan upang maiahon ang kanilang buhay sa hirap. Huli na bago nila napagtatanto na mali ang kanilang ginawa kapag marami nang nasalanta ng bagyo at baha. Mahalaga ang maturuan at matulungan natin silang mapangalagaan ang ating mga likas na yaman. (The place that we are seeing right now and to where we are going had been declared by the government as Protected Areas but we cannot prevent illegal logging and slash-and-burn farming. Some impoverish people are force to destroy their environment to uplift their living. It is late for them to discern the adverse results of their actions when there are already a lot of casualties due to typhoons and inundations. It is essential to educate and instill to them on how they can be worthy stewards of our natural resources.) From time to time, we could also see small houses surrounded with papayas, bananas and vegetables. People stared and advised us to take care as we passed, and I could still hear the backyard music of the chickens and ducks, dogs and buffalos, as we trotted into a narrow passage to the river. The locals are friendly and they warmly welcome visitors. If there were sad tales of negligence to our forest, there were also noble stories. Some of the old men may be suspicious of our purpose but it is only because that they want to preserve their environment. Most of them have learned lessons from the previous years of people who only came here to abuse the forest, kuya Novie shared to us. Dito na ang karamihan sa kanila lumaki at tumanda. Ang kanilang buhay ay mahigpit nang nakaugnay sa kalikasan. Pipigilan nila ang anumang pang-aabuso at paninira. (It is where they have lived for all time. Their life had been strongly entwined with nature. They will prevent whatever abusive undertakings that will destroy their surroundings.) We carefully made our way down the mountainside, holding from branches to branches of trees. We were welcomed by the boatmen who helped us traversed the river. We took some rest while waiting for our turn to go aboard the banca. Flotillas of clouds sailed in the sky, playing shadows that

slow down the passage of time. Its beautiful here, one of my colleagues uttered. Excitement and fright conquered our senses as soon as the banca came to fetch us. For a moment, we were silenced as we struggled against the rushing waves. Passing through shacks of Dumagats, across rice fields and grasslands, we climbed the steep slopes that led us into our destination. In looks, Pangutluan is penned between mountains. To live in this place requires loyalty and understanding to the place itself, remote as it is and to the natural grandeur looming at its realms.