Environmental Awareness and Nature Preservation

The San Beda Mountaineering Society has engaged in tree planting activities while they are on the way to the peak of the mountain. This was the highlight of the very first climb for the year at Mt. Maculot, Cuenca, Batangas. The seedlings were donated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The trees planted were 50 Gemelina seedlings on top of Mt. Maculot. Likewise, considering the need to promote environmental awareness in the Bedan community, there were four seedlings of mahogany planted within the school premises.

Aside from the tree planting activities, there were symposia sponsored by SBMS to further promote environmental awareness in the Bedan community. The first symposium was about Global Warming. The speaker was Mr. Sam Ferrer of the Green Forum. The symposium discussed how global warming happens and the ill effect of this phenomena. There was the challenge posed to us about how to overcome this phenomena. We had to take steps to prevent the effects of t Global Warming.

The second symposium conducted during Kampaligiran 99 was about the care of the environment and with a focus on irresponsible mining. The irresponsible mining companies create a havoc of problems to the community where they operate. The case cited was that in San Mateo, Rizal where they are about to feel the ill-effects of irresponsible mining.

Awareness of the Cultural Heritage

The San Beda Mountaineering Society participated in the UP AIT Convention held at Bangkok, Thailand. SBMS was able to promote our cultural heritage through the interaction among the Thai people participated in the convention. It was also an opportunity for the group to visit the scenic spots in Thailand which was very much similar to the Philippines. This is in connection with the objective of SBMS to promote an awareness of our cultural heritage, wherein the group was able to share their insights on beautiful places visited by SBMS in the country.

The training climbs were also an opportunity to appreciate the wonderful places in the country. The Mt. High Peak climb, considered as the most difficult of all the climbs for this year gave an opportunity for the group to visit some places which were not so much explored by other mountaineers.