Let’s be honest. When you hear the word “feast,” you probably think food. Maybe a lechon, some pancit, at least a buffet table. So if someone invites you to the Feast of the Forest in Palawan, and you show up expecting a picnic, you are going to be slightly confused — and probably holding a shovel.
Here’s what it really is.
The Feast of the Forest is an annual tree-planting event held in Puerto Princesa, usually around June, and it is precisely what it sounds like. Instead of parading through the streets or watching cultural dances, people wake up early, put on old clothes, and hike into the uplands to plant thousands of tree seedlings. Not exactly a party, but it has its own kind of energy.
This event has been around for decades and was established to protect Puerto Princesa’s forest cover, which, by the way, is one of the city’s most significant assets. We are talking about an area that includes part of the UNESCO-listed Subterranean River National Park, so yes, this is kind of a big deal environmentally.
Now, this might sound like something only students and government workers are forced into, but you would be surprised how many people show up. Locals, tourists, NGOs, even members of the military — all hauling seedlings and getting their shoes caked in mud by 7 a.m. That’s the vibe: show up, dig a hole, plant a tree, sweat through your shirt, and call it a day.
There is usually a brief program before planting begins. The mayor might speak. Someone from the DENR will definitely say something about sustainability. Then they hand out seedlings, and off you go. No performances, no floats, no costume contests — just a solid reminder that the environment is not going to save itself.
[Photo by Sheila Condi]
