By Nova Regalario.
In the celebration of Father's Day , we pay tribute to the pillars that we share in the care of nature – the role models of farmers.
Father Alfredo Canon comes from the province of Leyte. He ventured to Manila and settled in San Pablo, Laguna.
Carrying his brain (bolo) and radio, father is ready for his fight. The day will be spent in the midst of heat and rain. From time to time, the bag made of plastic is also wrapped so that his small body does not get wet.
On the other shoulder hangs a transistor radio to pick up news about the weather, national issues, and so on.
"When there are many trees in this area, the birds will increase," said Father Fred, with the radio and bolo as his only weapons to prepare for the restoration of the cut trees.
Although he is old, he still wants to participate for good change. "Even if I can't reach the growth of the trees, what we will plant here will be for the next generation," added father.
Father Fred is among the members of the San Cristobal Farmers Association (SCFA) who are advocating to restore the previously damaged forest of Mount San Cristobal, part of Mt. Banahaw San Cristobal Protected Landscape.
Despite the obstacles and lack of finances, Dad Fred preferred to share his skills and time to propagate native trees.
It is also getting to the point where his physical body is weakening. Once when I went to visit the group in their land preparation I noticed that Father Fred was not there.
Later I saw him coming up to the high part of where we were standing. Tiredness and emotion can be seen on his face.
"How are you?" my question
He answered and said that he had a fever last night. Fortunately, he had a medicine in his pocket which he took after dinner. He also remembers the day-long work of preparing the ground for the upcoming tree planting activities.
Dad Fred admits that he was once a part of destroying Mother Nature by cutting down trees for a living. Despite this, he still sees room for conversion to nature, as he has been transformed.
Even before the Haribon project started with SCFA, Dad Fred was already fulfilling his role in nature. Every time he goes up to the foot of San Cristobal for his vegetable garden, he also plants a tree.
Dad Fred is a father, son, brother, uncle, and grandfather who in a simple way becomes a part of nature care for the next generation.
“Every time I come home from my plantation in the mountains, my fatigue is relieved when I see my grandchildren. Seeing the children happily playing while I lie down and watch them is a relief from any tiredness," said father.
When I went up again with the group, I learned that Father Fred had fallen ill and the doctor had advised him to temporarily reduce the strenuous activities.
I visited him at their home and according to him, he is temporarily planting native seedlings while we can't join him in planting the trees.
After a few months, Dad Fred's strength returned. According to him, he is happy to be together again climbing the mountain. But there is also a little sadness because despite the planting, there are still damages in the plantation area by people who do not fully understand the value of trees and nature. Despite this, he is still positive that the time will come when people will fully understand the value of forests.
In our conversations, this is the lesson that really resonates: whatever you have to share – whether it's small or big – the important thing is to give with all your heart and soul.
Many life stories can be rooted at the foot of Mount San Cristobal or any mountain or plain that I travel to. These are stories that inspire and value every person's life.
