On April 1 and 2, 2025, more than 400 people came together for the Masungi Nature Defense Camp—and what a powerful gathering it was. 

People from all walks of life set up tents, shared stories, sang songs, and stood side by side in defense of one of the most significant limestone ecosystems in the country. 

From fisherfolk of Laguna de Bay and Indigenous leaders from Tanay, to long-time supporters we’d only known online, to former trail visitors who fell in love with the place years ago—it felt like a family reunion for a cause that connects us all.

The camp was more than a peaceful protest. It was a celebration of what we’ve built together over the past 25 years: the quiet, determined work of healing land once scarred and forgotten. But it was also a heartfelt response to a heartbreaking decision by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to cancel the very agreement that gave life to Masungi as we know it.

Signed in 2002, the Supplemental Joint Venture Agreement between the DENR and Blue Star, our conservation partner, was meant to ensure “optimum use of the land, minimum disruption of the existing ecosystem, and maximum preservation of the environment and enhancement of the land’s natural attractions.”

Under this agreement, the DENR committed to deliver the designated area—known as Lot 10—free of claims, illegal occupants, and encumbrances. That promise, however, was never fulfilled. The land was not cleared as agreed. Still, Blue Star pressed on. Against the odds, they began the painstaking work of rehabilitating and protecting the non-buildable areas—reviving a degraded landscape into a thriving ecosystem now home to over 800 documented species.

These efforts, which quite literally saved Lot 10, have remained consistent with the intent and terms of the agreement. As the work evolved—introducing nature trails, conservation infrastructure, and protective measures—the DENR and other agencies authorized and consented to these activities. 

In doing so, they explicitly recognized Blue Star’s right to responsibly carry out its conservation work in the area. These initiatives not only safeguard biodiversity but also deter land-grabbers and illegal activity, serving as both sanctuary and shield.

It’s here that a quiet revolution has taken root. Through the dedication of Blue Star and the Masungi Georeserve Foundation, we’ve shown that conservation doesn’t have to mean exclusion—that protecting nature can go hand in hand with community engagement, livelihood creation, and the nurturing of a new generation of environmental stewards.

At the camp, local musicians played as the sun dipped below the cliffs. Children practiced native martial arts like Sikaran. Wellness sessions and art spaces fostered connection and creativity, while local snacks were served with laughter and pride. One participant, Joel, even walked all the way from the DENR Central Office in Quezon City to Masungi—a journey of over 42 kilometers and 10 hours—just to stand for nature.

The air was filled—not just with music and conversation—but with something deeper: a sense of shared purpose, of being part of something far bigger than ourselves.

In a time when environmental defenders are often misunderstood or maligned, we’ve learned that the most powerful way to tell our story is to open the gates and let people in. Let them walk the trails, hear the birdsong, feel the wind in the trees. Let them see for themselves what is at stake—and why it’s worth protecting.

Masungi is more than a place—it is a living, breathing symbol of what’s possible when people believe in something greater than fear, politics, or profit. It is a community of dreamers, protectors, and ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

The camp reminded us of this: The story of Masungi isn’t ending. It’s only just beginning.