JUST BEFORE SUNRISE, ANN AND BILLIE DUMALIANG LED THE WAY TO THE PEAK OF A ROCK FORMATION KNOWN AS TATAY. It is the highest point in Masungi, from where you can survey a vast landscape of karst and forest, a green corridor of some 2,700 hectares that the sisters have devoted their lives to protecting and restoring. They’ve grown up with Masungi and have always thought of the place as a sibling. “Our dad probably spent more time here than with us. So yes, it’s like our younger brother,” says Billie. “And it’s also like my dad’s mistress. But the time that was spent caring and protecting the area was just infectious to everyone on the property, so that’s how we grew to love it.”
There’s a saying that we will only conserve what we love, and we will only love what we understand. How do we begin to understand a world that is so wide? It begins with getting to know a place and its inhabitants: the tide pools at the shore, the wilderness at the edge of the city, your backyard garden. Spending time in nature, being with nature, and entering into conversation with everything around you. Seeing for yourself the intricate web of relationships between the mushrooms and the trees, the birds and the seeds, finding ourselves belonging to this web of life, and approaching creation with the reverence and enchantment that we might have had when we were children.
This story is from the February 2024 edition of Vogue Philippines.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2024 edition of Vogue Philippines.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
eternal poetry
In an exclusive interview with Vogue Philippines, BULGARI's FABRIZIO BUONAMASSA STIGLIANI and MAURO DI ROBERTO talk about how an appreciation for craftsmanship and technique makes it possible to realize poetry in precious stones.
evan ever evolving
Unpindownable and unputdownable, model, actor, and all-in-one wunderkind Evan Mock makes magic in perpetual motion.
SCENE STEALERS
In recent years, the landscape of local cinema has changed dramatically with an influx of new and talented actors. Meet three Filipino leads rewriting the script, ushering in a new era across all facets of filmmaking.
FORCE sensitive
Designer Kelvin Morales premieres his latest collection, translating resonance in barongs, structured pieces, and a neutral palette spliced with ultramarine.
twm FLAMES
SASSA JIMENEZ and VESTIDO are a match made in circular fashion heaven. By MARBBIE TAGABUCBA.
INSIDE OUT
It’s all overcast skies and solitary roads. Something in the air shifts when ANNE CURTIS explores Tokyo.
reel.and REAL
NICO SANTOS is intent on breaking boundaries and becoming a beacon of pride. By VICTORIA GOLDIEE
tracing LIGHT
Behind the firsts in the history of Philippine cinema is a family who draws with light.
shadow PLAY
ZELDA WILLIAMS wants to make friends with her monsters
CHANCE ENCOUNTERS
How a series of serendipities helped a women-led artistic team bring Gabriela Serrano’s sophomore short dream-time