Planting had always been his passion since he was a child and since 2013, when super typhoon “Yolanda” battered his community in Matalom, Leyte, Geldardo Dabasol decided to start planting mangroves along the shores of Punong Village. He gathered propagules that are washed to the shorelines and plants them. Since then, Dabasol has planted over 10,000 mangroves in his village, an act that captures the interest social media users posted in their accounts and were shared many times over. “I didn’t plant mangroves to earn money. I’ve just loved planting ever since I was a kid,” he said, adding that taking care of his planted mangroves was like taking care of a child.

Recuerdo, E. (2023, May 4). Elderly mangrove planter recognized. Daily Tribune, p. B16.