A reflective experience at Mount Purro on TALAB 2024- Disconnect to connect: Connect to care

Our trip to Mt Purro Nature Reserve (MPNR) was a truly memorable experience. Through this activity, we were able to commune with nature and be free from the stresses of day-to-day life and the urban landscape. Being immersed in nature is always a moment of reflection, where we not only experience spiritual wellness but also confront the realities of humanity's relationship with the environment—much of which has been destructive.

Visiting Mt Purro also opened our eyes to the challenges its founders, Mr Alberto “Toto” Malvar, 2024 Lux in Domino Awardee, and family, like many other environmental advocates, faced. From the slow process of reforestation to the struggle of communicating with authorities, the founders of MPNR, with the close guidance of the Dumagat tribe, have fought tirelessly for this vital cause. We had the opportunity to hear and share stories, as well as engage in meaningful discourse about the importance of protecting the environment. The entire experience was a powerful demonstration of the principles outlined in Laudato si', and we left with a renewed sense of connection with and responsibility for our common home.