MANGROVE LOVING PENGUIN: Spreading the Gospel of Running & Mangroves in Magallanes

 

Runner's High.  Helper's High.

These are the natural highs that the Mangrove Loving Penguin talked about when I was invited to give an inspirational message at the 2025 DepEd Bicol Run in the idyllic town of Magallanes of the beautiful province of Sorsogon. 

In support for the Bicolano athletes competing in the Palarong Pambansa 2025, the 2025 DepEd Bicol Run was conducted simultaneously in all DepEd Divisions/School Districts of Region 5  on Aprl 26, 2025 pursuant to DepEd Regional Memorandum No. 00297, s. 2025.   All school districts identified their venue for the aforementioned event.

Tarp poster of the 2025 DepEd Bicol Run of the Magallanes South District

In the case of the Magallanes South Distrct, the run route identified  is 5kms from the Municipal Hall in the town poblacion to the covered court in Brgy. Caditaan.  After the 5km run, the next activity is a mangrove planting activity inside the 10-hectare Caditaan Mangrove Forest.  It is quite inspiring to see the teachers of DepEd organizing something that will benefit the student-athletes.  It is summertime and the teachers are supposed to be enjoying their summer vacation but many of them took a break from their vacation to lend their time and resources to help.    

Program of the 2025 DepEd Bicol Run of the Magallanes South District

In between the 2 activities of the 2025 DepEd Bicol Run was a program and in that program, the MLP was given the honor of delivering an inspirational message.  After the perspiring, how about some inspiring? Though a shy guy in years past, I have learned to be a talker.  Have learned to harness the power of talking. For me,  talk is the start of action, meaning conversations and discussions are essential prerequisites for taking action and achieving tangible results.  While talking alone is not enough, talking to inspire is crucial to any endeavor. 

The Mangrove Loving Penguin delivering the Inspirational Message.  Talking about Runner's High and Helper's High  

And talk I did on that morning of April 26 in the Caditaan Covered Court. It was a golden oportunity to spread the gospel so they say. An opportunity to spread the good news of running and mangroves with the goal of helping the listeners understand more and appreciate running and mangroves and the benefits they bring to our human lives.     

PSDS Isaias Bernas of Magallanes South District giving the Certificate of Appreciation to MLP    

Book of Running

Have always noticed the rosy glow on the faces of runners during and after the run. 

And this was true with the teachers, students and other participants who joined the 2025 DepEd Bicol Run in Magallanes as they sat down inside the Caditaan covered court, listening to the progress of the program. The glowing skin often seen in runners is due to increased blood flow during exercise, which delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the skin, aiding in its repair and regeneration. Research have shown that better oxygenation of the skin helps with the regeneration of new skin cells, leaving behind supple and glowing skin.  Sweating also plays a role, as it helps flush out toxins and moisturize the skin, contributing to a natural glow.

The benefits of running goes beyond skin deep. Running offers significant benefits for both mind and body.  In a 2023 article, the Run DNA blog enumerated the physical benefits as well as the mental benefits of running.  They are:

Physical Benefits:   

1. Enhanced cardiovascular health.

2. Weight management and muscle toning.

3.  Improved joint and bone health

Mental Benefits:

1. Building mental resilience

2. Elevation of mood

3. Enhancing focus and clarity

Of special note on the mental benefits of running is item 2 -   Engaging in a short sprint or a long slow distance run leads to the release of endorphins and serotonin. Endorphins are naturally occuring hormones and neurotransmitters in the body that act as the brain's natural painkillers and mood boosters.  Serotonin is a chemical messenger (neutransmitter and hormone) that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including mood regulation. sleep, digestion, and blood clotting.  Both endorphins and serotonin. known for their mood-elevating properties, give rise to the renowned "runner's high", a state of elevated mood and heigthened well-being. 

On that Saturday (Apr 26)  inside the Caditaan covered courts, looking at the faces of the teachers of the Magallanes school district, some of their students, and project management staff of First Balfour who just finished the 5km fun run early in the morning, they clearly and collectively were showing signs of runner's high.    

As they say, pictures speak louder than words.  So, we are showing photos during and after the fun run:

At almost 2 dozens, the First Balfour team was one of the biggest delegations to the 2025 DepEd Bicol Run in Magallanes.    

 

The Blue-clad First Balfour runners were a sight to behold on the streets of Magallanes. 

 

Teachers of the Magallanes South District showing fine form in their run. 

Smile till the finish line. Prof Cy Soreda of Sorsogon State University

That's our boy. Architect Ruvill Villagomez representing La Consolacion Batch 8379 from Iriga City  

First Balfour project manager Jeune Ace Tagaza with  MLP. 

Carabao grazing while teachers jog on the road to Brgy Caditaan

MLP enjoying a local snack at the finish line.

All smiles at the end of the 5km fun run.  Sure sign of Runner's High

Truly, these are photos of people getting high on runner's high. The MLP's 1st point on his inspirational message ends. The 2nd point starts. 

Book of Mangroves

The 2nd point is Helper's High. 

What is helper's high? It refers to the positive, euphoric feeling experienced after performing an altruistic act.  What is an altruistic act?  Altruistic act might be described as charitable or benevolent or kind, for these words also convey the idea of acting for the good of others, acting to help others.   

If altrustic acts can indeed generate a natural high for us humans, what then are acts we can engage in to have that positive and euphoric feeling. There are many. Here are some examples of acts (from the blog Calm ) that generate Helper's High:

1. Volunteering in the community.

2. Donating to charity.

3. Helping strangers

4. Offering emotional support for others.

5. Getting involved in community clean-up.

6. Sharing skills as mentor.

7. Donating blood.

8. Performing random acts of kindness. 

There are many but allow me to focus on a particular activity that is quite relevant in these challenging times.  It is actually a combo of items 1 & 5 on the aforementoned list.  In this time of climate change where the Philippines is one of the most vulnerable  countries to the adverse effects of climate change despite its contribution to the global carbon emissions being very small at less than 0.5%.   In these challenging times,  what we here in the Philippines can do and must do   to mitigate and adapt to  climate change is to propagate & protect mangrove forests.  By doing so, us Filipinos can and will help our beloved Philippines deal with the existential threat that is climate change.  

Say what?  Allow the MLP to elaborate. 

In Aug 2021, the World Economic Forum   published an article entitled Why planting mangroves can help save the planet . Such a timely and relevant article. The article highlighted the magic of the mangroves. Planting more of them could help restore the health of planet's land, seas and climate.  The main benefits of mangroves are fourfold. 

First, mangroves play a crucial role in safeguarding coastlines by mitigating the risk of flooding and erosion.  The aerial roots of mangroves act as a barrier to retain sediments, thereby preventing erosion.  Moreover the roots, trunks and canopy of mangroves reduce the force of oncoming wind and waves, and this, in turn, mitigate the risk of flooding.  According to a 2016  World Bank study, a 500-meter-wide mangrove forest can reduce wave heights by 50-100 percent in general, while during typhoons and hurricanes the reduction can be 60-90 percent. 

Illustration showing the role of mangroves in safeguarding coastlines. Source: World Bank  

Second,  mangroves also serve to protect marine habitats from harmful nutrients and runoff that can harm seagrass, cora reefs and fisheries.  The mangrove root help filter water coming off from the land, including pollutants, pesticides and agricultural runoff.  Mangroves therefore maintan water quality and clarity. Without natural filters like mangroves, dangerous conditions like red tide and algal blooms can proliferate. 

Third,  mangroves boltster animal and fish populations by serving as nurseries.  The intricate root systems provide nursery habitats for many marine creatires, allowing them to forage and grow while remaining protected from predators.  The leaves, or the nutrient-rich layer of decay they form amongst the roots serve as the "foundation of the the coastal food web" according to Smithsonian Ocean.  

Fourth, mangroves serve as a major "blue carbon sink", meaning they effectively capture and store large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmoshphere and ocean.  This process, known as carbon sequestration, helps to mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. Researchers found that mangrove forests stored up to four times  as much carbon as other tropical forests.      

But what is happening to the mangrove forests? Globally and in the Philippines?

Unfortunately, mangrove forests are among the most threatened habitats in the world and losses are rampant across the globe.  According to a 2024 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN),  50% of mangrove ecosystems assessed globally are at risk of collapse (classed as either Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered) by 2050.    Mangroves are facing significant deforestation,  with the primary drivers being land-use conversion for aquaculture, agriculture and urbanization. 

Global Red List of Mangrove Ecosystems. Source:  IUCN

As can be seen in the  Global Red List of Mangrove Ecosystems, the mangroves in the Philippines are classified as bordering between  Near-Threatened and Vulnerable.  There are bad news and good news according to a 2024 World Bank technical report.  Bad news, the total mangrove area in the Philippines has gone down from 285,316 hectares in 1996 to 270,166 hectares in 2010.  Good news, it has slightly increased to 274,399 in 2020.   When government and communities help each other, positive things happen.  There is hope.

Which brings us to the good people of Barangay Caditaan of the magaya-gayang municipality of Magallanes of the beautiful province of Sorsogon.  Specifically to the officers and members of United Caditaan Mangrove Conservation, Inc. (UCMCI)  led by its President Danny Batolbatol and Secretary Nenia Gima.  This people's organization (PO) has been at the forefront of taking care of the Caditaan mangrove forest.  The UCMCI signed a Community-based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) with the DENR back in 2002 for 25 years. The CBFMA  provides UCMCI with the tenurial security and incentives to develop, utilize, and manage the specific portions of the forest lands. Working in tandem with UCMCI is a  youth environmental organization formed  six years ago called the Task Force Kalinga Kalikasan (TFKK).     

Drone shot of the portion of the Caditaan Mangrove forest facing the sea (Ticao Pass). Source:  Vicente Marcel de Lima IV.

  

Drone shot of the portion of Caditaan Mangrove Forest facing the interior (Brgy Caditaan and Brgy Salvacion).  Source: Vicente Marcel de Lima IV

Within the 10.3 hectares of the Caditaan Mangrove Forest are 24 mangrove species.  Based on a recent site survey of the area by the PO with guidance from the Magallanes MENRO, these are the mangrove species present (with local name in parenthesis):

1.  Avicennia marina (Bungalon or Apiapi or Miapi)

2.  Avicennia officinalis (Bungalon or Apiapi or Miapi)

3.  Avicennia alba (Bungalon or Apiapi or Miapi)

4. Avicennia rumphiana (Bungalon or Apiapi or Miapi)

5. Rhizophora mucronata (Bakhaw Babae)

6. Rhizophora apiculata (Bakhaw Lalaki)

7. Rhizphora stylosa (Bakhaw Bato)

8. Aegiceras corniculatum (Saging-saging)

9. Aegiceras floridum (Saging-saging)

10. Camptostemon philippinensis (Gapas-gapas)

11. Xylocarpus moluccensis (Piag-ao)

12. Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea (Nilad)

13. Heritiera littoralis (Dungon)

14.  Sonneratia caseoralis (Bonot-bonot)

15. Xylocarpus granatum (Tabigi)

16. Sonneratia alba (Pagatpat)

17. Ceriops tagal (Tungog)

18.  Excoecaria agallocha (Buta-buta)

19. Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (Pototan)

20. Bruguiera parviflora (Langarai)

21 Bruguiera cylindrica (Pototan)

22. Acanthus ebracteatus (Lagiwliw)

23. Acanthus ilicifolius (Ragoyroy)

24. Nypa fruticans (Nipa)

 

At 24 mangrove species, that makes Caditaan Mangrove Forest the most diverse mangrove forest in the Bicol Peninsula.  Headlining this line up of mangrove species in Caditaan is the Gapas-gapas mangrove. With roughly 1,200 specimens in the wild in the Philippines, the Gapas-gapas is classified as endangered by the IUCN.   Rare and impressive.  Mangrove diversity is crucial for the health and resilience of coastal ecosystems.  The natural world shows us how different, unique species can all thrive together in the harmony of a balanced ecosystem like the Caditaan Mangrove Forest.   The more that the people in and out of Magallanes should be helping the barangay and people's organization(s) in Caditaan take care of the mangroves. 

Letter of Magallanes South District (DepEd) to TFKK. 

Thus, the initiative of the Magallanes South District of the Department of Education to include in the 2025 DepEd Bicol Run   the mangrove planting activity in Caditaan is an admirable and worthwhile one.  It seeks to promote environmental awareness and protection alongside its educational objectives. MLP actually echoed this in his inspirational message  when he encouraged the teachers to include in the lessons they teach their young students the benefits that mangroves provide to the community.  The reception by the teachers  to this encouragement was positive. Heartwarming to see and hear the enthusiasm from the teachers to the inspirational message. 

And this enthusiasm was duplicated in the actual mangrove planting following the program.  Smiles and gusto were abundant clearly showing the helper's high the teachers, students and First Balfour employees were experiencing as they planted the Avicennia marina seedlings (in the hundreds) on that late morning  of April 26.  Again, we will let the photos do the talking.

Teachers of the Caditaan public school having a group photo with MLP before the mangrove planting activity

UCMI Secretary Nenia Gemi with Architect Ruvill. 

SorSU's Prof Cy getting her feet wet. 

FB Project Manager Jeune Ace leading by example.

First Balfour project staff following the smiling example of their project manager.

MLP smiling under the sun planting an Avicennia marina seedling.

MLP with UCMI President Danilo Batolbatol with WWF representative beside a rare Gapas-gapas mangrove.

The leaves arrangement of the Gapas-gapas is characterized as simple, alternate and spiral.  The blade shape is obavate.    

UCMI President showing the Bunot-bunot mangrove which is a favorite of fireflies.  

A big Avicennia marina in front and a big Avicennia rumphiana at the back.  The bark of A. rumphiana is darker and rougher compared to the bark of A. marina which is similar to that of a guava tree which is smooth with thin flakes.  

Leaves of Avicennia rumphiana (on the left) and Avicennia officinalis (on the right).  A. officinalis leaf is wider and longer plus it tastes  salty. 

The Pagatpat  is a pioneering mangrove species as it is often found in the fringes reaching out to the sea. 

Rhizophora apiculata is referred to as Bakawan Lalaki for the simplevidentiary reason that it has 2 little balls at the base of the leaf formation.  

The mangrove planting participants all smiles  with the mangrove hand gesture.   

Truly, the participants of the 2025 DepEd Bicol Run organized by the Magallanes South District (Department of Education) had a double dose of natural high:  Runner's High and Helper's High.  A worthy bonus for living the Gospel of the Book of Running and the Book of Mangroves.

Mabuhay ang 2025 DepEd Bicol Run.  Mabuhay ang Caditaan Mangrove Forest.