March is International Women’s Month. At Mt. Camisong Forest Park and Events, it is a time for celebrating women’s achievements in the social, economic, cultural, and political fields.
This year, we champion women’s leadership and its unparalleled impact in the formation of Filipino identity and society. Following the 2026 theme, “Lead like the Babaylans, Filipinas!,” we see women leaders as inclusive community builders and protectors, spiritual mentors, trusted confidants, and group mediators.
For us at Mt. Camisong, women leaders foster a balanced and resilient community, forging a path to sustainable change–starting from our Visionary Founder, Ludette Y. Querubin.
In this especially critical time in our world, surrounded by so many uncertainties, Chairman Ludette sees a spark of hope in the vibrant, breathing forest park. “I take a bit of comfort knowing that at least within Mt. Camisong, we can continue to protect this microcosm of a healthy forest and continue to engage the community, both the internal Mt. Camisong organization and our surrounding communities, in practicing and promoting sustainable activities.” However, she also points out that bringing about lasting and meaningful change requires a sincere and collective effort. “We need to show the way by example, and by letting the community see the actual benefits from these sustainable practices. It starts with little changes, in our habits, in our appreciation of the environment. And that usually starts at home where the biggest influencer is usually a woman.”
Mt. Camisong’s resident sustainability consultant, Maria Buena Victoria Tenefrancia, fondly called “Tita Beki,” has always noticed the parallels between how we nurture our families and how nature nurtures us. This intuitive connection with nature brings about a protective instinct to safeguard forest spaces like Mt. Camisong, which she views as her professional mission. As the head of the company’s Human Resource and Development department, Tita Beki nurtures a “green” professional family where every employee feels a personal responsibility to protect and care for Mt. Camisong.
All employees–regardless of their role in the park, must understand that their primary “boss” is the ecosystem. “Sustainability is quite literally our safety net. For communities like ours, nature is our economy, our water source, and our protection against climate shifts. Sustainability is about resilience and livelihood. By training our employees the use of sustainable practices, we are giving them skills that are future-proof. Sustainability ensures that Mt. Camisong remains a source of stable jobs in a healthy environment for decades and not just for a few seasons.”
Our company‘s goal to build a community of nature’s stewards is clearly embodied by our model Forest Rangers. As the guides to Mt. Camisong’s hiking trails, our forest rangers are charged with ensuring that the park remains healthy for everyone to enjoy. This includes monitoring the land, flora and fauna for environmental changes, and educating guests on the park’s biodiversity and sustainability practices.
Ranger Abigail Aniban was drawn to the quiet balance of nature and found her way to the wild trails of Mt. Camisong. Being surrounded by nature sparked a curiosity on how all living things work together in harmony, and an appreciation of its delicate balance that keeps the ecosystem alive. These values are carried over to her work at Mt. Camisong’s trails. “Everything begins with respect for nature. Once we value it, we become more mindful of the things we do that may affect it.”
Mt. Camisong’s efforts in sustainability and mindful consumption does not stop at our forest trails. Practices to reduce waste can also be seen in our restaurants and kitchens. For Senior Sous Chef Cyril “Sky” Cruz, even the smallest decisions in how people work can impact the environment. ”For me, cooking is not just about making good food, it’s also about being responsible with the resources we have and respecting where our ingredients come from.”
At Alapaap Dining and Marahuyo Cafe, the menu items are carefully created to minimize food waste. The key to achieve this is coming up with creative ways to use leftovers or trim. As an example, banana split, a Marahuyo cafe favourite, makes use of baconized banana peels. Mt. Camisong also makes certain to support local farmers by sourcing fresh, seasonal produce directly from them as much as possible.
Senior Events Coordinator Danica Asil saw how nature has the power to bring people together. Motivated by how meaningful experiences have inspired guests to appreciate the environment, Danica takes on the challenge of producing park events and activities with sustainability in mind. “Events are often associated with waste and single-use materials, but I believe they can be both enjoyable and environmentally responsible. I hope to show that it is possible to create memorable events without compromising our commitment to protecting the environment.”
Celebrate International Women’s Month with us at Mt. Camisong. Grab your mom, grandmas, aunts, sisters, and girl friends. All women and girls can enjoy 10% off the regular rate from Mondays through Fridays (See the full post on our Facebook page). Spend a day under the sun and enjoy activities made specially for you!
