In Memory Of Trees

One of my scrapbook graphics.

My fondest of childhood memories were playing in the sun, rolling on plains of grass, climbing trees and frolicking with the tide at the beach on sunset. Nothing could be happier than childhood embraced by nature. Imagine the fun you’ll have when you are entangled in vines on a treetop and waiting until your dad comes home to get you down than sitting at home, watching TV or on your computer.

Taken from my album "Solitude". This picture was taken in Tanghas, Tolosa, Leyte.

I thank God to have blessed me with the happiest childhood that most of the children now do not enjoy.

From my album "Ninoy Aquino Park". Taken at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center.

People have grown deaf of the cries of nature because their ears only hear the ramblings of their iPods. I am not against technology, as a matter of fact, I embrace it just like any other individual in my generation but technology will not bring nature back on it’s own. People must do it, for we were the ones who exploited it in the first place.

From my album "Riverland Park". Taken at the Marikina Riverland Park.

If you stop reading and think that this might be another one of those sermons to plant trees and recycle, think again. If this is the hundredth or thousandth voice you are hearing about saving nature, why have you not done anything? Are you even listening?

All I ask is plant a single tree to feed you the oxygen you need to live.

From my album "Baybay: A Cool Place Down South".
Taken at Visayas State University, Baybay City, Southern Leyte.

When was the last time you saw a tree? You probably see it all the time but never really looked at it. Let alone count how many there are. So how many are there?

The answer - an estimated 61 trees per person.

Trees burnt after road clearing in Antipolo. From my album "Antipolo at Sundown".

Based on NASA data, in 2005 there were over 400 billion trees on this planet and there's over 6 billion people. Given everything we use trees for, that's a piddling amount. And remember that humans aren’t the only ones using the trees to breathe oxygen from, there are about fifty times as many animals that depend on them for so much more than we actually use them for. Animals depend on trees for food, shelter and air while we live in our high-rise condos and drive our cars.

A tree full of rose apples or "tambis" in  local dialect.
From my album "Baybay: A Cool Place Down South".
Taken at Visayas State University, Baybay City, Southern Leyte.

As you scroll from one photo to another, please run by them again and think about the last time you actually looked at a tree. If it has been a while since you did, it’s about time you wake up and do something before these photos are the only ones we have of what once was a pure soul who brought nothing on this earth but serenity ~TREES.