Sustaining the old corner forest with the new

Experiencing new life are these remnant trees from the time of logging 50 years ago that was followed by farming on five areas by the Linantad, Almahan, Limbago, Nabas, Sat-ao, and Piping families, leaving the trees in their shared corner point.

The mother trees of Balakbakan or Tanguile (Shorea polysperma), Salimatēk or Pospos (Lepisanthes tetraphylla), Kabitibiti, Ubanan or White Lauan (Shorea palosapis), Kaliyaan or Hagakhak (Dipterocarpus validus), Salunganan (Eleaocarpus calomala), Kiwan or Red Lauan (Shorea negrosensis), and Bitaug withstood the logging and the subsequent farming in the areas and were not felled.

Pioneer species have since grown up creating a light shade and protection area that many birds use as a passageway to the larger ridge forest.

The noisy Kasiyangsiyang or White-collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris), Saguguk or Philippine coucal (Centropus viridis), Tingaw or Barred Rail (Gallirallus torquatus) and Kalansasawi or Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus) are heard early morning, followed by the Kayumētan or Mindanao Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides affinis) and a mixed flock of passerines by late morning led by the Katimug or Mindanao White-eye (Heleia goodfellowi).

The Tambulalatuk or Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker (Yungipicus maculatus) can be heard at any time of day, and the Reddish Cuckoo Dove or Philippine Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia tenuirostris) is often disturbed in the vegetation when walking along the path. If the air terminals are rising, the Sikēp or Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) also takes flight over this area gliding across the valley.

By late evening, activities begin with the Tahaw or Philippine Nightjar (Caprimulgus manillensis) enlivening the twilight into the night, along with sounds of the Ēkang/Takdaw or Mindanao scops owl (Otus mirus) and wings of the Tagbungan or Mindanao Pygmy Fruit Bat (Alionycteris paucidentata).

The little perched water table behind (to the east) in another residual patch of forest, was the source of channeled water for the rice terrace now turned grazing in front. The lower pioneer vegetation grew in the last few years with the control of the bracken. This allowed for greater diversity and area for wildlife, with shade to assist the generation of pillar species. This has become Unit 9 in the forest management program of the Forest, Farm, and Leadership in the Margins (FFLM).

From this area starts the third Kias-u stream. Over 500 saplings of 15 species are planted on the slope down while the falcata trees are slowly removed. This is a continuing project of the youth that sustains the food, water, and biodiversity of the Ancestral Domain.