Asia Pacific Regional Meeting 2023
Event Report
After two years of being conducted online because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asia Pacific Regional Meeting finally had its first hybrid meeting!
The Philippines hosted APRM once again after its first time in 2018—this year, it was hosted by the 3 Philippine IFSA Local Committees: University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Forestry and Natural Resources (UPLB-CFNR), the Association of Filipino Forestry Students – UPLB (AFFS-UPLB), and Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) from the 9th to 15th of April 2023.
In line with the 2023 International Day of Forests, the regional meeting focused on the theme “Forests and Health,” wherein a mindful understanding of Philippine Forest Resources for the Academe, Industry, People, and Environment was important. Fifteen in-person delegates flew from the Philippines, Indonesia, and India, while approximately 60 delegates participated online throughout the week.
Sessions
Welcome Session
APRM held its opening session on the 10th of April 2023 at the College of Forestry and Natural Resources, the University of the Philippines Los Baños, with the presence of distinguished guests: Dean Marlo D. Mendoza (UPLB CFNR Dean), Dr. Analyn Codilan (UPLB CFNR Associate Dean), DR. Rosalie Mendoza of (UPLB CFNR College Secretary), Dr. Doracie Zoleta-Nantes (SLSU President), Dr. Juanita San Jose (SLSU College of Agriculture Dean), Forester Richard Valle (SLSU LC Adviser), as well as CFNR and SLSU professors.
Dean Mendoza from UPLB CFNR and Dr. Zoleta-Nantes from SLSU welcomed all the delegates and guests by opening remarks, while Dr. San Jose shared an inspirational message. The current IFSA Internal Councilor, Isabelle Dela Paz, briefly presented the background of IFSnd why regional meetings—specifically APRM—are an integral to how the organization functions.
SLSU Clonal Nursery
The first session of APRM focused on the clonal nursery located at the premises of SLSU in Lucban, which was presented by Forester Eraldwin A. Dimailig, the Focal Person and Project Leader (Production) SLSU National Greening Program Clonal Forestry Project.
Clonal Nursery serves as a forest conservation, regeneration, and rehabilitation effort of Southern Luzon State University. Forester Dimailig discussed several methods and practices that SLSU performs for clonal propagation, such as grafting and stem cutting. At the same time, they also did the hedge garden to collect planting materials through stem cutting. For. Dimailig also discussed the effectiveness of clonal nurseries in producing high-quality planting materials and increasing their production. He even added additional information on how to make wine out of Bignay fruit and how to mass-produce Coffee Beans, furthermore, according to For. Dimailig, having ery is vital for forest conservation, regeneration, and rehabilitation, in which producing many planting materials is possible in a clonal nursery to address the flaws in propagation through sexual reproduction. Aside from production, clonal nurseries can also help preserve endangered tree species effectively.
Ecotourism in the Philippines
The second session of APRM focused on Ecotourism in the Philippines which was presented by Dr. Rogelio Andrada II and served as a situation on the present setting of ecotourism in the country. It encompasses the development of ecotourism throughout the years as well as the challenges encountered in advancing these goals in a developing country, fulfilling its mission of synchronizing the endeavors of biodiversity conservation and economic prosperity. He also discussed the different approaches in ecotourism that some countries performed on a global scale as well as their lacking factors and deficiencies to meet the demand of conserving biodiversity without compromising its equitable value, even going as far as arguing that no country has ever managed to perfect the full application of proper ecotourism practices and that further development is required. He envisioned that one day soon, that ecotourism as a developing aspect of tourism aimed at sustaining and protecting the natural beauty of the environment while minimizing the social, physical, psychological, and behavioral impacts would persevere to be able to continue existing for generations that are yet to come and for the generations that will come after it.
Future Opportunities in Forestry
This session highlights the opportunities for Filipino forestry graduates as well as the collaboration of the students with international proponents and vice versa. It showcased the initiatives of the universities in the conservation and management of forests and the different partnerships of universities with the local companies and government, national government, and non-government organizations in the forestry sector.
Dean Marlo started the session by introducing the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) of the University of the Philippines Los Banos at a glance. The college is the Philippines’ oldest and finest academic institution of higher learning in forestry and is home to more than 800 forestry graduates in the country. Recently, four of the students from CFNR were able to attend international mobility programs either as a participant in a conference or as exchange students. This included Mr. Jean Laurence Reyes and Ms. Isabelle Claire Dela Paz, who attended the International Forestry Students Association in Indonesia, and Ms. Rajna Coleen Carrasco, now at Mendel University in the Czech Republic as an exchange student. This only shows that even as a student, there are multiple opportunities for them to learn outside the four corners of the classroom and to grow as individuals and future foresters.
Furthermore, CFNR continuously evaluates its curriculum to ensure that graduates meet the needs of workplaces and those in the future. This is done through an internal assessment conducted every three years, tracer studies stakeholders’ needs and feedback surveys that serve as input to curriculum design and development, and more. The employer perceptions on relevant competencies and career readiness of entry-level college graduates were discussed, wherein new graduates of BS forestry are considered 2nd level positions in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Despite this, there is still a need to improve their written and oral communication skills, especially cited by Staff Bureaus, with policy development as one of their primary functions. Overall, BSF graduates have high employability as 71.16% were employed immediately within 6 months after passing the Forester Licensure Examination, while some (14.78%) were employed within a year and only a few (2.03%) after 1 to 2 years. The various ongoing CFNR initiatives and collaborative projects towards conservation and management of forests, such as the Forest Carbon Program with KLIMA-ACEN of Ayala Group, University of Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia, Kennemer Eco Solution, and GNPower Kauswagan were shed light upon, mentioning other local and international academic and research collaborations as well.
Lastly, Dean Marlo discussed the future opportunities of forestry students by discussing the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21): the historic Paris Agreement in 2015. The four objectives such as the sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources, transition to a circular economy, pollution prevention and control, and conservation and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems, show that there is still a need for foresters. Their role in conserving and managing natural resources is evident now more than ever with the rising issue of climate change and its effect on society. The session on the Future Opportunities of Forestry focuses on undergraduate studies and possible areas of work. This shows that forestry could help you become a more well-rounded person and, at the same time, be an advocate of the environment through your work and actions.
Conservation in Mt. Banahaw de Lucban
The fourth session of APRM focused on the conservation of Mt. Banahaw de Lucban, located at the premises of SLSU in Lucban, presented by Dr. Francisco N. Beltran, a professor at the Southern Luzon State University, a full-fledged Professor 1 accredited by the Philippines Association of Schools, Universities, and Colleges (PASUC); also the Head of Mt. Banahaw Forest Protection and Conservation Unit, and the Head of the Project Monitoring Team.
Diversity and Spatial Distribution of Native Bees in Mt. Banahaw de Lucban, Philippines
The last session of APRM 2023 focused on the Diversity and Spatial Distribution of Native Bees in Mt. Banahaw de Lucban, Philippines which was presented by Dr. Amalia C. Almazol, the Chairperson of BS Forestry Program and Master’s in Forestry Program in SLSU and the Secretary of Philippine Forestry Education Network, Inc. The session serves as an introductory assessment of the diversity and spatial distribution of native bees on Mt. Banahaw de Lucban about the status of bees in the area regarding their abundance, species distribution, and habitat range. They were aligned with the APRM 2023 theme, which highlights the environment. It aims to show how bees, as pollinators and bioindicators, affect an ecosystem’s health. She also further emphasizes the importance of native bees in the Philippines along with the factors that affect the migratory patterns of Native Bees in Mt. Banahaw de Lucban, their site suitability habitat, and the significance of the protection and conservation of native bees in Mt. Banahaw de Lucban in their role as major pollinators as well as bioindicators.
Closing Session
The event concluded with closing remarks from the APRM 2023 Organizing Committee Co-Heads Laurence Reyes (AFFS-UPLB/CFNR-UPLB) and Jhonel Baloto (SLSU). The two co-heads thanked the participants for their enthusiasm throughout the event and the organizing committee for their hard work and effort in ensuring that the event was a success.
IFSA Sessions and Workshops
FORGRAPH Workshop
FORGRAPH is a project led by the current Asia Pacific Regional Representatives (APRR), Christa and Faiha. This project aims to promote information regarding forestry topics through creative and aesthetically pleasing presentations and infographics.
The Awardees of “Best FORGRAPH” awarded to Group 3
On the first day of the event, the APRRs led the FORGRAPH workshop and officially started it off by having the delegates grouped into five groups. Each group had a task to research and present a relevant forestry-related topic using stationery materials. Each FORGRAPH was presented with enthusiasm and intellect, further instilling the importance of media dissemination of contemporary environmental issues.
How to Become an IFSA Official
One of the vital knowledge all LC members must learn is how to become an IFSA official. As an official for three years, speaker and current IFSA Internal Councilor, Isabelle Dela Paz shared with the delegates how IFSA helped her hone her skills and gain unforgettable experiences and opportunities. She also shared the detailed structure of IFSA that can guide them to decide which official position suits them the best, as well as the step-by-step process for the application.
Delegates and OC members brainstorming for the “How to Become an IFSA Official” workshop
During the session, the delegates brainstormed and presented the activities they would want to initiate as officials from the Internal, Membership, and External departments, stimulating their knowledge and interest in how IFSA operates as an international student-led organization. Based on the outcome of their brainstorming, the delegates would want to initiate and participate in more regional- and local-based events to build stronger relationships with nearby local committees and strengthen their bond. Other delegates also want to see more opportunity-related events, such as the Job Fair from IFSA, to guide them in establishing their desired career path in forestry and related fields.
LC Membership Recruitment
As an international organization, IFSA, and its LCs must learn how to effectively and efficiently recruit members. Laurence Reyes, the previous membership head of the Association of Filipino Forestry Students – UPLB, shared with the delegates how AFFS-UPLB recruit members and how they keep each member motivated.
Lau, President of CFNR and Previous Membership Head of AFFS-UPLB shares his LC’s Mission and Vision
After Lau introduced his LCs, CFNR, and AFFS-UPLB, the session was followed by a workshop. This activity aims to help participating members share how their LCs recruit members and how they motivate their members.
The presentation showed how LCs in IFSA invite new members to join their organizations. One of the notable ways was to undergo an apprenticeship program, which helps new members understand how the LC and IFSA work. Each LCs also has a unique way to improve and motivate members. The most common answers were movie nights and capacity-building workshops. The delegates also mentioned that knowing how other LCs work is interesting. This opportunity in itself would help them improve how their LC work.
Organizing LC Projects/Events
LC members from UGM, UNHAS, IPB, and AFFS-UPLB sharing how their LCs organize events
Projects and events are among the most important highlights for Local Committees (LCs) to create an impact. However, planning and executing it requires a different set of skills and further considerations to ensure the project and/or event will run smoothly as planned. This year, the 8th APRM managed to facilitate Asia-Pacific members with a workshop session about Organizing LC Projects/Events, with the hope of assisting members in creating better projects in the future.
The workshop began with an introduction of IFSA and IFSA LC projects as a picturization, followed by tips on how to plan a project effectively, funding resources alternatives, and also the project’s branding and promotion. To increase member engagement, the participants were then divided into teams to brainstorm and indicate some of their LC projects’ challenges and solutions to the problem, which they then were given a chance to present in front of the forum. The workshop also entailed a Q&A session to enhance participants’ understanding of the matter. It was then concluded with a closing remark and a photo session.
Delegates and OC members sharing their Jamboard output.
APRM 2024 Vetting
The open call for the host of the Asia Pacific Regional Meeting 2024 received one application from Nepal. The local committees IFSA Pokhara, IFSA KAFCOL, IFSA Hetauda, and IFSA KATARI presented their collaborative proposal for APRM 2024 during this session. Further details on their proposal can be seen on the official IFSA website.
With this, the present participants, and even the OCs, asked questions and stated their manifestations regarding the proposal. All concerns were entertained, and the Nepal LCs considered these in revising the proposal. All of the participants, OCs, and IFSA Officials are proud of IFSA Nepal, as they take one step ahead to be the next host for APRM 2024 even though they have just recently established their respective LCs.
Excursions
UPLB/CFNR Tour
A tour of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR)
To help the delegates better understand where they are staying, a tour of the UPLB and CFNR Campus was conducted. They visited the famous Oblation Statue – a known symbol of the University of the Philippines. They also went to some well-known spots within the CFNR, such as the College Nursery, the UPLB-EDC Binhi Biodiversity Park, the Department of Forest Biological Sciences, the Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, the Forest Product and Paper Sciences building, as well as the administration building of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources. Overall, a peaceful and educational tour was accompanied by the lush nature of the area and the joyous laughter of the participants.
FPRDI Visit
Under the Department of Science and Technology, the Forest Product Research and Institute (FPRDI) is known for researching wood and non-wood forest products. This leads to the institution being known as the center of incorporating various technologies to improve further the production and utilization of the Philippines’ forest products.
Photo Op of Group 1 in front of FPRDI
The participants visited FPRDI last April 12, 2023, where they were able to visit the experience and see the different laboratories offered. A short AVP presentation of the mission and objectives of FPRDI was presented at the start of the tour before the participants were divided into two groups. Alongside the OC, each group was able to visit three facilities, namely the Flavors and Fragrances from Forest Technology Program (F3TP), Plywood and Veneer Testing Laboratory, and Furniture Testing Center.
Group 2 at F3TP during the FPRDI Excursion
They were shown various developed forest products, such as their Mahogany wine, wherein the researchers obtained intellectual property rights on the product mentioned above. The participants have shown keen interest as the use of various endemic and exotic tree species on wine barrels has never been heard of. It is said that utilizing these species can improve the properties of the wine, especially its taste. They also visited one of the ISO-accredited laboratories of the department, the Furniture Testing Center, where first-hand experiences were made in furniture testing, such as shear, stress, and package testing. To end the excursion, all participants stopped by the Bamboo Musical Instrument Center, where they were allowed to play the marimba and angklung. The students learned to play Bahay Kubo, a folk song close to the heart of the Filipinos. The entire visit lasted half a day and was filled with fun and informative discussion. Through this, a glimpse of the current and future possibilities of forestry in terms of science and development was shown to the delegates of APRM 2023.
Makiling Botanical Garden
A tour inside the Making Botanical Garden. In the photo are the OC members, Delegates, MCME Director Dr. Maldia, and Forester Angela Limpiada
One of the fruitful excursions was held on April 13, 2023, at UP Los Baños, Laguna City. The Makiling Botanical Garden contains high flora and numerous fauna, particularly the endemic and native species that contribute to the richness of the Botanical Garden. This allows Organizing Committees (OCs), especially the delegates of APRM, to know the various endemic and native species of the Philippines, such as the Bagtikan tree (Parashorea malaanonan), Toog tree (Petersianthus quadrialatus), and Sandbox tree (Hura crepitans).
Makiling Rainforest Park
The participants of the hiking activity at Station 5 – a known spot for viewing the famous Jade Vine.
The hiking activity in the Makiling Rainforest Park leads the delegates and Organizing Committees (OCs) to experience a trail of learning and exciting ventures. The hike kicked off in the afternoon of April 13, 2023, when the guidance of the staff at Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems accompanied the participants along with the organizing committees. The first trail is from station 1 to the camping site, which is station 7, where the participants and OCs are supposed to put up tents and enjoy the bonfire, but the weather didn’t agree, and they just stayed in the cabin where hikers used for resting.
Furthermore, Mt. Makiling Rainforest Park is an enjoyable place to spend two days without an internet connection, just enjoying the beauty of nature with the delegates and organizing committee (OC). On the first day, in the evening, at the camping site, they played more games, and it was very fun because whoever lost in the game had consequences, which would be danced in front of everyone. They ate together and slept together as well. They were sharing happy and sad life events. The organizing committee also taught delegates Tagalog words, and delegates did the same. They were also sharing how hard and fun it is to be a forestry student and what culture each has. In that way, they gained and learned knowledge from each other. Aside from that, they also love taking pictures of them together. They began hiking from station 7 to station 14 on the second day. Even though it was raining, they were all excited to go hiking.
At station 14, they could see a species of Rafflesia – Rafflesia lagascae, a corpse flower with rotting flesh odor. But the one they encountered had no odor. They also visited the Mudspring Trail; this site is one of the mud pots left on Mount Makiling. The temperature of boiling mud can reach 80°C. They enjoyed the view of Mount Makiling a lot. They are so happy to have hiked to this mountain. It was an exhausting experience, but it was all worthwhile.
To end the hiking activity, the delegates were able to meet and talk with the Professors from CFNR. Dean Marlo thanked the delegates for visiting the Philippines – especially the College of Forestry and Natural Resources. He wishes that the activities held during APRM were a worthwhile experience for the delegates.
Fun at APRM
On the 9th of April 2023, the OC and participants kicked off the event with a Welcome Party kicks off the fun at APRM. Although it was a long flight, the delegates put on their best smiles and enthusiasm in playing games and getting to know other delegates and OC members.
The traditional IFSA auction also took place during the event, where the OC and delegates prepared valuable objects from their respective countries and put them up for auction. One of the most bid items in the auction was the Lipote wine – a wine made from a common fruit from the Province of Quezon, and a bucket hat from Kilimanjaro. In the end, the auction successfully garnered PHP 9,005 or approximately 150 euros which will be dedicated to supporting IFSA members from Asia Pacific to attend future IFSA events.
The first picture of the OC with the delegates of APRM 2023.
Of course, what is an IFSA event without an International Night? The delegates and OC members enthusiastically shared about their LC and countries during the LC presentation and prepared valuable souvenirs/objects from their respective countries. The Filipino delegates and OC members also prepared traditional Filipino food to share with our delegates.
At the end of the event, the delegates and OC had an afterparty where they shared their parting messages and enjoyed the night with karaoke and drinks! It surely is not a permanent goodbye for everyone.
Testimonials
Nurmalita Widyasari Putri (LC UGM)
Impossible is nothing, also nothing is impossible—that sentence still verified to me until today I give a speech in front of you all. I could not have imagined it before, and I can’t believe I am here, have a catch up with all of you, share our thoughts, and learn together regarding our lovely forestry major.
I want to express my gratitude and affection during this event. First of all, I’d like to say thank you very much from my deepest heart, the amazing OC. Thank you for your willingness to help us in all situations, especially your dedication to grading up our forestry knowledge, and also the affection that has been given to us through your dedication, tolerance, and understanding of us. All of them were such incredible new experiences with you all.
Besides that, I would like to apologize if there are any concerns or mistakes from us. Sometimes, we want to say something that we mean in our mind, but it’s not interpreted well when we say it. However, our bond has been getting stronger by the day. So, we could know and understand what we said to each other.
I’d like to say thank you to our softie boy and also the best singer, Renzo. Thank you for our goddess inspiration of IFSA, Ms. Isabelle. Thank you so much, our game master, Llor. And also thank you so much for your very hard work, our head and Co-head of the OC, Lau, and Jhonel. Thank you so much to our beloved regional representatives, Christa and Faiha. Who brought us together in the Philippines. Last but not least, thank you so much for our lovely all of the OC from the College of Forestry and Natural Resources, the Association of Filipino Forestry Student University of the Philippines Los Baños, and the IFSA LC Southern Luzon State University. I hope we can meet together at the next opportunity, whenever and wherever we are. Break a leg. Keep the spirit, young Forester! IFSA for a world that appreciates forests. Goodbye, and very nice to meet you all!
Ivee Marasigan (LC AFFS-UPLB)
Opportunities are there to be seized, even if they scare you. Participating in APRM 2023 as the delegate of AFFS-UPLB from the Philippines is one of my best decisions for 2023. Involving oneself in an international opportunity is daunting in itself. Still, I am proud that I took the courage to open a bigger world for myself and meet friends outside the daily experience my comfort zone can give me.
In APRM 2023, I was able to learn more about what the forestry profession holds, how it is growing inside and outside my region, and how I could involve myself more in associations such as IFSA to not only have a better understanding of the international climate surrounding forestry but to be able to extend more of myself to contribute to its advancement and visit places that made me appreciate the career path that I am journeying in. Above all, I met incredible individuals from Asia-Pacific who share my passion for serving humanity by safeguarding the forests. We exchanged relevant information about our local committees and our programs, shared and took pride in our diverse cultures, and created bonds that will last even after the event concludes. Courage and competence are indeed the formulae to make the most of life opportunities.
All of these experiences from APRM 2023 will surely hone us as holistic and competent future foresters who are ready to take the call of Mother Nature in rallying on the frontline and conserving the forests for the benefit of the present and future generations.
Tri Nadia Asrini (LC UNHAS)
There were many trials that the UNHAS delegation and I faced before going to the Philippines for APRM 2023, and there were also many worries before APRM 2023. However, all of that was cured after we arrived in the Philippines. The organizing committee made us calmer and more fun during the event. I will testify on three things: the service the committee provided, the benefits and knowledge gained, and the impression the committee gave.
- In terms of services provided
Starting from where we live, the food and facilities are more than adequate. Especially for us Muslims who are fasting, the committee pays more attention to us. Help us to eat sahoor and so on.
- Benefits and knowledge gained
The first benefit is that the Philippines was the first country I visited, even though I had never thought of going to the Philippines before. After going to the Philippines, I felt like coming back! Apart from that, during APRM, we conducted many workshops where I learned a lot in small groups at each workshop, starting from compiling work programs, making informative posters, learning a lot about the recruitment process from other LCs as well as about conservation, dendrology, and endemic flora and fauna from the Philippines which the presenters of APRM 2023 conveyed.
Apart from that knowledge, I also felt that I was developing in English during APRM, my English was not very good, but all those present at APRM did not mind that I felt it helped to hone my language skills. Apart from that, as a forestry student, I also enjoyed visiting the Maikiling Botanical Garden. I also discovered lots of new species here, very beautiful. And yeah I met Rafflesia in the Philippines, that’s cool. What a great experience. I got a lot of knowledge here, it’s not enough if it’s only conveyed through writing.
- Impression of OC
VERY VERY AMAZING. I learned a lot from OC, cooperation, how to be responsible for the tasks assigned, togetherness, and unforgettable fun. All OCs are very very kind and care about each other. If I watch OC I learn how to be a good OC. THANK YOU SLSU AND UPLB. ah, and also I learned a lot of Tagalog like salamat, maganda, pogi, Magandang umaga, and so on, so many words but I can’t say them here. Last but not least THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR all the committee’s hard work! BIG HUG FROM UNHAS ❤️
Shinta Kusuma Dewi (LC UGM)
It was such an amazing experience and opportunity to join APRM 2023. One of the biggest decisions I made for being brave to fly to the Philippines and volunteer to be a delegate from IPB University. I learned how to work in IFSA Globally, solving the problems in forestry so that I can contribute to our world of forestry and the environment. Better perspective to looking forward to our issues throughout the APRM that I’ve never learned before. We were able to get to know our local committees and their programs and also exchange our local culture to enlarge our knowledge.
With all that being said, I will continue my career in forestry, use what I learned in APRM 2023, and bring back all of the experience and knowledge I got to my country and its people.
I would like to say thank you very much to the OCs for all the facilities we got since day 0 to our departure was amazing, and of course, I met such amazing people from different universities. My impression of the campus was really beautiful. All nature was pure, and even I was amazed by Maikiling Mountain, which was protected since it was a virgin nature. I would like to say thank you so much to UPLB and SLSU for accommodating and for accompanying us the delegates during the event. I will never forget the beautiful memories we made during this event.
Aira Rose D. Bauzon (OC SLSU)
Being a part of APRM OC has allowed me to have a variety of experiences that I had never had before. It is also an honor to be known by people from other countries, such as Indonesia and India, and to show them what is special and unique about the Philippines, particularly in the municipality of Lucban.
The International Night/LC Presentation is one of the best events planned by APRM OC because it gives all nationalities a chance to showcase or introduce to one another what is available in the country they are from. However, we were not able to bring everyone to the initially planned locations that demonstrate how each local council has created a way to showcase the beauty of every location in various nations, so the Indonesian delegation demonstrated traditional costumes, which were attractive to look at because they were colorful and had different designs, as well as the famous foods that each nation is known for. Even the Indian delegate gave a lively performance! But not only the Indonesians and Indians represented what their country has; even we Filipinos introduced various beautiful places, delicious food, and unique traditional dresses. We Filipinos also introduced the famous food of Lucban, which is pansit habhab with a traditional way of eating that is bahhabi which means you need to use your mouth to eat the noodles and the kiping, which is one of the ornaments of every Lucban that we have made known. Even the organic buffalo milk tasted different flavors that it represented.
I can say that being part of the APRM OC is one of the experiences that I will treasure because of the many things I have learned. Knowing people of different nationalities is fun because you can meet different people that you don’t expect, experience things that you wouldn’t do otherwise, and also make friends with whom you can only feel different.
Conclusion
As there were no recorded casualties and all the delegates were properly accommodated during their stay, and the interaction between the two parties was fully maximized. The event was, therefore, successfully executed!
On behalf of the Organizing Committee and delegates, we would like to thank the administrations of the University of the Philippines – Los Baños, College of Forestry and Natural Resources – Dean Marlo D. Mendoza, Associate Dean Analyn L. Codilan, College Secretary Rosalie C. Mendoza, Dr. Crusty E. Tinio (TREES Director), Dr. Lerma SJ. Maldia (MCME Director), AO Eric Luis Cabrido, and to the CFNR, TREES, and MCME Staff; and Southern Luzon State University – SLSU President Dr. Doracie B. Nantes, Dean Juanita San Jose, and For. Richard L. Valle (SLSU-IFSA LC Adviser). We would also like to extend our gratitude to the session speakers For. Eraldwin A. Dimailig, Dr. Rogelio Andrada II, Dean Marlo Mendoza, Dr. Amalia Almazol, and Dr. Francisco N. Beltran. Lastly, we would like to extend our gratitude to the DOST – Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) for opening their doors, and allowing the participants to experience and learn about the Philippines’ forestry sector in terms of research and development.
We would also like to express our deepest appreciation to our sponsors: – Forest Foundation Philippines, UPLB Forestry Society, UP Varrons Ltd., and Cadapan’s Canteen. We would also like to acknowledge our supplier Salad Country for the food. Thank you for your support in making APRM 2023 a success.
It was a pleasure serving with you all in making this event a success and seeing as that the event will remain a lasting memory for us all, we’d hope to see you all again next year in Nepal for APRM 2024!
For a world that appreciates forests,
APRM 2023 Organizing Committee and Delegates
