DIANA LYN VELASCO

Nature Valley- Brand Manager

We would like to thank all the volunteers who did not only registered and ran last May 30, 2010 but went of out of their comfort zone and planted trees. It is amazing Filipinos can truly be united not only for fun but for a great cause. Congratulations to all volunteers who made a difference to make this world a better place to live in!

Nature Valley stands for a healthy and balanced lifestyle as well as to live in a greener and healthier environment!. We believe running is one of the natural ways to stay fit and planting tree is one of the natural ways to nurture nature.

On the 30th of May 2010, we used our feet to run while last July 10, 2010, we used our hands to dig and plant trees. Someday we will look back that we did something to protect and conserve our forest. We did this not for ourselves but for the future generation and for the glory of God!

Name: Nelson A. Ferrer

Age: 26

How does it feel to be a hero of Nature?

It was grateful to be a hero of nature in a simple way. I was very proud that i joined the activity. The experience was so valuable that money can't buy. It help me in many ways like achieving my goal to plant a tree..hehe, having additional friends and extra knowledge from the tourist guide and from the DENR representative. I hope that there would be many heroes like me who will protect mother earth sooner.

Why joined the tree planting?

Tree Planting activity is my long time dream cause I like to help preserving mother nature in a healthy, friendly and easy way knowing that many nature-related-tragedies that occuring nowadays. Planting trees is one way of restoring mother nature that's why I grabbed the oppotunity to join the activity.

May Dominica L. Umayan-Romana

I am 40 years old

While the Nature Valley Run was our (my sister Jo and I) third funrun...it was the first in many things that makes it one of the most memorable and enjoyable funrun we have ever had, just to mention a few, the Nature Valley Run was the first funrun we registered early..the first funrun we ran with a timing chip..the first funrun we thought was very well organized indeed..the first time we had tasted granola bars and loved it, and most important of all, the first funrun we did that was dedicated to helping the environment. Having said all that we would like to thank you for that experience and would like to encourage you further to keep up the good work!

It is so kind of you to think of us, the runners and tree-planting volunteers as heroes when you know what I think? It is you.. the organizers of Nature Valley, the sponsors and the staff of DENR who are the real heroes. You are making a big difference in your own way to make our country a better place to live in. You see the need to make a change and take up the challenge to do something about it..and we are indeed lucky to have you there to "make us look like heroes". Thank you for taking up this project and sharing with us your vision and good deeds.

Speaking of another first time..it was the first time my sister and I got involved in the environment and planted trees. It was nature tripping at it's finest because we knew we were not just there to enjoy the spectacular view and make new friends..we were there with a purpose and that is to give back to Mother Nature! If we had the chance to do it all over again..we certainly will!

So, thank you for making it possible for people like me and my sister too, to have more initiative and awareness with what is happening to our environment and to believe that in our own little and special ways each and everyone of us can also make a difference in helping preserve our land's resources and take good care of our environment. 

Godbless always!Mabuhay tayong lahat!- May

Doneil P. Hementiza / 27

How does it feel to be a hero of Nature?

It feels great to be a Hero of Nature. There's excitement and joy as I trekked to the top of the 'mountain/hill'. There's success and serenity as I reached our destination, the White Flag for group one. But above all, there's a sense of fulfillment as I plant each trees like Narra and Molave. The cool breeze and beautiful scene gave me inner peace and made me realized that there's really heaven on earth that we should love and protect.

Why joined the tree planting?

I joined the tree planting primarily because Nature Valley and I have the same advocacy, to stop the effects of climate change. I have been part of different community services, but i can say that i made a big difference through the Nature Valley Tree Planting Activity. The time I spent to this great cause, and the experiences I gained are priceless. The effort I exerted and the contribution I made are valuable.

Mary Joy Borhillo

Actually, I would like to thank you guys for that wonderful opportunity you have given me. To plant trees and be part of your activity to preserve and save nature are what I considered as one of my greatest achievements that I have accomplished in my life. I have been dreaming of being a volunteer of such kind of activity for such a long time, since I am really an environmentalist and really love to see our nature greener and something that our next generation will be proud of inheriting from us, and thank you for making that dream come true..I really enjoyed the place and it's really nice that you have chosen that place for that kind of activity. You didn't just give us an opportunity to be a volunteer to help save mother nature but actually you gave us an opportunity to relax, refresh our mind and body from busy and populated city of Manila, meet new friends, see the beauty of nature, and experience mountain climbing ( oh this is actually my first time to climb a mountain! :)) all in one half day..

I will be very glad to be part of your next tree planting activity, once again. So I hope that you can include me and my friend, since I told her about such wonderful event and she is really willing to join, for the next schedule of tree planting on August 07, 2010.

Oh by the way, I forgot to thanks Nature Valley for freebies that you have given away. I love the Nature's Valley Granola Bar..It's so yummy..:) I also enjoyed the trip from Manila to Bulacan since there were some trivia and info about some places that the tour guide was telling us.. (He's actually so funny and has a good sense of humor..:) 

Another thing that I really appreciate is the fun run you have held last Summer.. That was the greatest run I have ever attended in my life, so far...:) Really awesome and very organize...:)

All in all, it wasn't just a mere tree planting activity but it was a fabulous, fantastic and educational trip...:)

God Bless you all guys and may there be more activities like this that your company will be having from now and forever..:)

Many thanks and again congratulations on a very successful event!!

Sincerely yours,

Emi Flores