Dumaliang sisters: Pandemic ‘strengthened team’s resolve to protect Masungi Geoserve at all costs’

Sisters and Masungi Georeserve managing trustees Ann and Billie Dumaliang are an inspiration not just to women and the youth, but also to the many people helping protect the environment for a better future. 

For their efforts for the conservation area in Baras, Rizal, they were cited at Vanity Fair’s Changing Your Mind Travel Awards in February.

“To be recognized on such an international scale by such a renowned magazine gives us a lot of inspiration to continue the work na ginagawa namin, so I feel very honored and excited to be part of [the magazine] in some little way,” Billie told GMA News Online in a Zoom interview.

“Nakakataba rin talaga ng loob marinig. We want conservation at best to be something that everyone appreciates and puts value in even past those who are so intimately tied with the practice,” added Ann.

In January, Masungi Georeserve received the WaterChangeMaker Award for its contributions to the Marikina watershed.

It was also recognized in 2018 at the 14th Conference of Parties of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity as a global model for conservation innovation and excellence.

Starting young

Growing up in a family involved in the reserve, it’s no wonder that the sisters nurtured the passion to protect the area at a young age.

“Some of our family members were also involved in its conservation in the 1990s, so noong bata pa kami, pumupunta talaga kami sa lugar so [itong] Masungi. Parang little brother na namin,” said Billie.

“The people we look up to, lagi silang nandito nung bata kami, and they would bring us with them so we’re really intimately connected with the place,” she added.

While the sisters achieved most of their goals for Masungi after fully committing to it in 2015, they admitted there were still many hurdles along the way—land grabbers, for instance, and of course the pandemic.

“It’s quite a challenging time since last year when we found out na there’s this mining quarry group that illegally got a permit to basically extract resources out of a protected area. Since then, there have been many other challenges,” Ann said.

“There have been about five land grabbing attempts that we had to deal with only last year. It’s quite challenging especially since we’re extending this scale of our forestation work to the areas around Masungi,” she added.

Even with the challenges, Ann and Billie continue to be strong and committed to what they have started.

“It’s a challenge that we are so willing and eager to take because this simply means that we really are making a difference and changing how things are being done on the ground,” Ann said.

“The last year that we had, it really just gave us the opportunity to grow even bigger and just be stronger than how we expected ourselves to be at this age,” she added.

The loss of tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic had also taken a toll on their mission, but it only made them realize how dedicated they were.

“We had to find ways to keep [our] park rangers employed and engaged even if walang tourism, so I think do’n talaga namin nakita how important it was to be able to focus on ’yung conservation and protection efforts,” Billie said.

“Naging mas malakas lang ’yung resolve nung buong team to try to protect Masungi at all costs,” she added.

Visitors and supporters

The sisters said they wouldn’t have gone this far if they didn’t receive help from Masungi’s supporters.

“I think we were very lucky nung pandemic. Naramdaman talaga namin ’yung power nung experience ng mga bisita, kasi they were trying to do their own part in keeping us afloat,” said Billie.

“We’re so grateful for the community and at the same time, I want to acknowledge our team [who] stood strong and really stayed with the project despite the uncertainties and challenges,” Ann added.

According to Ann, while everyone went home during the quarantine, their park rangers and supervisors stayed to ensure that the place is taken care of.

“It’s just so heartening to see all of us take that extra step together just to make sure na hindi mapapabayaan yung Masungi despite the pandemic and everything that’s happening. Nakakatuwa. Bayanihan talaga,” she said.

Aside from their achievements, they are most proud of their teamwork and their love for what they are doing.

“Everytime nagkakaro’n [kami] ng recognition, the people we’ve worked with view it as their victory, as well, which it is. Do’n ako pinaka natutuwa kasi we’re bringing pride to everyone and the Philippines,” Billie said.

“We do it relentlessly. Even if there are challenges, talagang patuloy pa rin. Hindi natatakot, hindi umaatras para talagang ma-establish yung Masungi and mapabuti pa kung ano yung ginagawa namin dito,” Ann added.

Ann said the challenges brought by the pandemic also helped strengthen their team.

“[It] shows resilience and waving through [which] can really create something magical and wonderful and we’re all capable of doing it especially when we do it together,” she said.

They also believed that being sisters helped make their work easier and enjoyable.

“We’ve been roommates since forever so may telepathy na kami of some sort. If something happens, we know what we should do. We know what each one can do better than the other,” Billie said.

“I think in terms of communication with each other, we’ve already mastered that and trust, of course, since it’s built on a lifelong relationship,” she added.

‘Powerful’ adversaries

Inspired to keep going, the sisters are staying firm in their choices even as they face seemingly bigger adversaries.

“Minsan tinatanong din kami na ‘hindi ba kayo natatakot kasi you’re up against malalaking tao?’ Sinasabi namin sa kanila [na] they might have more money and resources but we have twice the metabolism so we have more energy and creativity,” Billie said.

“Marami tayong advantages that they didn’t have before. We have resources so if we move fast, if we move creatively and bravely, we can make that change na hindi nagawa ng past generations,” she added.

With all the resources available in this time and age, Ann and Billie believe that being informed is the right way to fight back against injustices.

“That’s a lot of power that comes with the information so don’t get discouraged by seeing all of these things. It’s a wonderful thing that you can see all of these. The question now is what do we do about it? Do we sulk or do we make use of the resources we have to make a difference?” Ann said.

Aside from empowering the younger generation, they are also strong in their belief that women are as capable as men, given that almost half of Masungi’s team members are female.

“Never take gender biases for what they are. There are always ways to break the stigma and to be more than what people think of us and there’s a different power or perspective that women have to offer,” Ann said.

“[Women and young people] are the bravest and most driven towards stopping exploitation of vulnerable communities and corruption. If not for their attention, things would turn out so much different. Never think that your voice is a tiny one especially if we’re talking about quality of life and moving towards a more equitable and just society,” she added.

Billie added that with the challenges of being a woman, especially in the Philippines, one must believe in their own capabilities and strengths.

“Meron nang mga engraved na cultural stigmas against women but you don’t have to listen to those if you believe in yourself, your dreams and your humanity. There’s no reason not to achieve and reach your goals,” she said.

“To all the Filipinas out there, just continue on. Do not listen to anybody that puts you down just because you’re a woman and always keep growing and reaching for the stars because we can make it,” she added.

Bright future

After several achievements, including protecting 60-million-year-old limestones, nurturing more than 40,000 native trees, and providing 200 households with water filters, Ann and Billie believe that there are still a lot left to do.

“Marami pa kami kailangang gawin kasi nakikita namin na kailangan yung solusyon ay long-term at kailangan hindi lang Masungi yung nagsi-speak up for mga kagubatan natin and watershed. We have to include and empower everyone so for this year, it’s about saving Masungi together,” Billie said.

“Kailangan malaman ng taong bayan [how nature saves us] para [sila] ang poprotekta sa Masungi at sa iba pang importanteng lugar dito sa Pilipinas,” she added.

The sisters said that with more young people helping in environmental efforts, they see a bright future ahead.

“One of the things that really inspire me is the youth sector when it comes to protecting the environment so ramdam na ramdam ko’yon pagdating sa mga kabataan how environment and sustainability is at the forefront of their agenda,” Ann said.

“It’s really something they look for and so I’m quite hopeful that in the next years, we will move towards a more sustainable society and that more people will start putting an emphasis on conservation,” she added.

They said they also counted on more industries to make efforts in helping protect nature.

“I’m hoping that the gaps when it comes to resourcing and financing for our conservations can be closed a bit more. Hopefully, that unfolds in the next coming years and for our protected areas to really be genuine protected areas na pagdating mo on the ground, protektado na sila,” Ann said.

Billie also called on volunteers who wish to help in the reforestation of a 2,700-hectare area around Masungi Georeserve.

“We do need a lot of people so ino-open namin yung doors namin to groups who may want to contribute in different ways,” she said.

Interested parties may send a message to communications@masungigeoreserve.com or visit their website. – RC, GMA News