2012 Tree Planting Gallery

Brief report from Tancho de Guzman, president of UPVAA:

We were able to accomplish the Tree Planting Activity which was initiated by the UP Varrons Alumni Association, Inc. last Saturday, Nov 17.

Out of the 56 members who signed up for the event, 33 members (17 alumni and 16 undergrads) were able to make it. We left UPLB at around 7 am and arrived in Siniloan past 9 am. Mr. Rey Lorido, the Farm Manager of the UP Laguna-Quezon Land Grant (UPLG), welcomed the group and gave a briefing on the activities of the UPLG.

We were able to cover essentially half hectare of the assigned area (Mr. Ben Arizala, the current Manager of the UPLG had initially advised us to work only on one-half hectare for the project). The staff of UPLG already prepared the planting holes and distributed the seedlings (bignay, lipote, marang, white and red lauan, lagong laparan, and banilad) beside them. All we need to do was perform the actual planting. Prior to planting, Vrod Frank Cortez demonstrated the proper basal application of the fertilizers and soil amendments, and assigned some members to do task.

The weather was very cooperative – no rains that we anticipated, and because of this, we were able to accomplish the tree planting before lunchtime. It is worth noting that two former managers of UPLG, our very own vrods Sonny Camacho and Pat Malabrigo, joined the activity. Vrod Frank and especially Sis Virgie Barraquio showed the rest of us that they still have the stamina level of the undergrads in managing slopy terrains.

We will re-visit the site next year and check who among us have really the green thumbs. We plan to put up a marker (probably, a wooden billboard) regarding this UPVAA project at the entrance of the planting site. The detailed follow-up activity will be tackled this coming Varrons year-ender.

On behalf of the UPVAA, I would like extend my gratitude to all those who participated in the tree planting. Special mention to our alumni who provided monetary support to the activity – Sis Lilian Macam and Vee Cardenas, and Vrods Nestor, Philip Sarreal and Lino Blanche. Thanks also to Vrod Nick Briones for providing discount on the use of his two jeepneys.