In this chapter, I choose to close the door

I ended the month of love with heartaches, writing only in the book of life the words I wish I had said earlier.

and open a new one.
- Mariacurls

As I live in a void full of thorns from the past, I set out on a new journey to open a new book that begins a story of how I begin to end the women's month with a mangrove tree planting activity.

March 23, 2024

Sprouts of Hope 🤍

How it all began:

A. The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers Danao Student Chapter (PICE CTU-DSC), together with the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers-CSC CTU Danao Chapter (IIEE-CSC CTUDC) and the Institute of Computer Engineers of the Philippines Student's Edition (ICpEP.SE), collaborated with the SK Chairman of Tawsan, Guinsay, Danao City, for tree planting to happen.

B. A joint meeting led by the President of IIEE-CSC CTUDC has gathered the three organizations to talk about the planned tree planting and the organization's role in the upcoming endeavor.

As the letters for the activity have been approved, the endeavor will commence.

I, Maria Flores, a part of PICE CTU-DSC, participated in the mangrove tree planting at Sitio Tawsan, Barangay Guinsay, Danao City, from 7 AM to 9 AM.

PANANOM SA KABUNTAGON ALANG SA TANAN

The Tawsan, where we plant our mangroves, is situated at the back of the Colegio de San Antonio de Padua, Inc.

Before we arrive at the location, a long walk is a must if you don't have any vehicles because it is quite far from the main road.

When we arrived at the location, the guardian of the Tawsan gave us a seminar and told us to be safe when planting the mangrove.

Maria's Perspective:

When I saw the wet land where we will plant our mangroves, I suddenly realized that it was just like my life.

It needs a new hope, a new breakthrough. To toughen its core and to create a connection within my soul.

What I need is to plant good and pull out every little bad thing that was implanted in my life.

We were given three mangroves to plant, and everything is just so calming.

I don't know why, but it feels like a new beginning has been awakened in me. It tells me to feel nature, heal through it, and begin a new vision of life to revisit the past without dwelling on it.

And here, my journey begins with these pictures:

A group photo has then been taken:

It is indeed a heat-scorching activity, but it went well despite being under the sun for too long.

And my heart has also been quite healed by nature's natural air and warmth.

And then, we went home. To our home that molded us and will continue to become our beacon of light with a hope that has been given to us in this activity we set forth.

My life has been a battle. For years, we've suffered a great loss, and we continue to fight that battle. A battle of life and death in this world where our lives are borrowed.

Just like how we plant trees, may we never forget to find hope, even if it is buried under the land. May we never lose faith in believing that everything happens for a reason, just like we never lose faith in believing that a plant will sprout and grow into a beautiful living thing.

Adios!
-Mariacurls