Father’s Day is a time to honor the men who have shaped our lives, and for my sister Billie and me, this day is always one of immense pride and gratitude. When people look at Masungi Georeserve , they often see our faces, but when they experience it, they experience our Papa’s humble heart and big soul woven into every nook, crevice, and rope in the place. My dad poured everything he had into Masungi—20 years before anyone took notice, twenty years before restoration was in fashion.
He did this at a time when the edifices of large, lifeless buildings and industrial-scale development were, frankly, tempting to go by and what was simply honored as success. He used not only his life savings and skills in engineering and gardening, but his vision, love for nature, and unwavering dedication to push the creativity and thoughtfulness that make Masungi special. It is his spirit that tenderly nurtured it from a barren, lifeless area to one that is now a sanctuary, not just for people, but for many forms of life.
Growing up with our dad was an adventure in itself. While raised in Metro Manila, our childhood wasn’t filled with typical toys like Barbies that our peers played with; instead, we spent our weekends in the wilderness, taking long walks in the mountains, marveling at the stunning views, and learning how to navigate and take solace in the unexplainable power of vast wild areas. We stumbled and rolled down steep inclines as little girls, gaining scratches along the way, .