by Reynald Bolinget, Jennifer  T. Longchasen, and Genevieve B. Kupang

On November 15, 2025, the Baguio Central University (BCU) Graduate School exemplified the profound synergy between academic scholarship and environmental stewardship. Educators from the Master of Arts in Elementary Education (MAEE) program spearheaded a community extension initiative at the Quezon Hill Eco Park in Middle Quezon Hill Barangay, Baguio City.


Turning Debris into Gold. BCU Green Guardians repurpose typhoon-fallen branches and leaves as protective mulch, nourishing the soil.

This undertaking marked the second phase of BCU’s sustained intervention, following a comprehensive ocular inspection conducted by a dedicated multi-stakeholder team. This planning group was led by the Barangay Captain of Middle Quezon Hill, Hon. Potenciano L. Martinez, alongside BCU’s Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Genevieve B. Kupang, the GS Community Extension Services (CES) Coordinator, Dr. Jennifer T. Longchasen, and PHAS student leaders Ms. Josefa Dampilag and Ms. Joy Belle Bidang.


Project Green Guardians: MAEE Students Clear Eco-Zone Ahead of Biodiversity Documentation.

A Multi-Dimensional Academic Mission: Honoring Ancestral Wisdom and Modern Science

True to the Graduate School’s goals, this initiative integrates the university’s four-fold functions: instruction, research, community extension services, and production/publication. Organized under the specialized classes of Modern Science Teaching and New Trends in Curriculum and Instruction, Project Green Guardians demonstrates that at BCU, graduate studies transcend theoretical mastery.

We aim to imbue our scholars with eco-spirituality—a deep-seated value system that recognizes the sanctity of nature and the vital role of “oxygen parks” in sustaining communal health and spiritual well-being. This spiritual connection is deeply rooted in the Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) of our ancestors. For millennia, Indigenous Peoples have served as the ultimate stewards of the earth, guided by the belief that the land is not a commodity but a sacred relative.

By cleaning and restoring Quezon Hill, our graduate volunteers serve to honor the values of community reciprocity and environmental kinship. We draw inspiration from the indigenous philosophy that we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, but borrow it from our children. This project bridges modern curriculum with the time-tested wisdom of indigenous habitat management, ensuring that our stakeholders lead with both scientific knowledge and a profound respect for the natural world that has sustained us for generations.

Championing Global and Regional Goals

 This endeavor serves as a catalyst for strengthening volunteerism in pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By restoring the park’s ecological integrity, BCU directly contributes to:

SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) – Enhancing green urban spaces for inclusive, resilient living.

SDG 13 (Climate Action) – Mitigating the urban heat island effect through habitat restoration.

SDG 15 (Life on Land) – Protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity.

Furthermore, this mission aligns with the broader ASEAN Community goals of habitat restoration and environmental sustainability, ensuring that local actions resonate with regional ecological preservation.

Step by Step, Branch by Branch

Equipped with a vision of “Together We Build Better,” the MAEE teachers labored with patience and solidarity. Their efforts included: 1) Path and Stairway Restoration, clearing debris from stone steps to ensure safe passage for park visitors. 2) Oxygen Park Vitalization, scrubbing moss from stone tables and clearing fallen branches to revive areas for reflection and social gathering. 3) Terrestrial Care, pruning overgrown vegetation and clearing pathways, branch by branch, to breathe new life into the park’s habitat.

Stewardship and Sustained Action

 The restoration of Quezon Hill Eco Park is more than a singular outreach activity; it is a manifestation of BCU’s belief that educators are the primary guardians of the future. Through this initiative, the volunteers helped reconstruct not only a public garden but also a collective sense of responsibility. By nurturing the health of our “oxygen parks,” BCU ensures that the community continues to benefit from the life-giving oxygen and serene beauty that only a preserved terrestrial habitat can provide.

A Legacy of Stewardship: The Evolution of Project Green Guardians

The restoration of Quezon Hill Eco Park is far from a singular event; it is a unfolding narrative of BCU’s institutional commitment to the planet. Building on the formidable momentum generated by the MAEE team, the next phases of this ecological journey showcase the depth and multidisciplinary strength of the BCU Graduate School.

Advanced Leadership and Scientific Documentation

On November 22, 2025, the mission ascended to a new level of academic rigor as Doctoral students from the PHAS (Public Health and Administration), EDMGT (Educational Management), and MAAS (Master of Arts in Applied Statistics) programs rendered their specialized service.

To ensure that restoration is guided by data and biodiversity preservation, Masteral students from various programs have begun the vital task of Taxonomic Documentation. By identifying and cataloging the existing flora and fauna within the park, BCU is creating a scientific baseline to monitor the health of this urban ecosystem. This research component transforms the park into a “living laboratory,” aligning with our mandate to produce localized and relevant environmental research.

Aesthetic Renewal and Pollinator Restoration

Oxygen Park Cleansed, Quezon Hill Eco-Zone Breathes Sacred Life Anew Through MAEE’s Binnadang Volunteer Hands.

The physical revitalization of the park also includes structural and biological enhancements:

Infrastructure Revitalization. Dedicated teams are focusing on the “facade” of the park, painting the roof of the entrance and the main facade to provide a welcoming and orderly environment for the community.

Nurturing the Pollinators. In a move toward sustainable ecological restoration, volunteers will plant native flowering species chosen to attract and sustain butterflies and bees. This initiative recognizes the role of pollinators in maintaining Life on Land (SDG 15) and ensures the park remains a vibrant, buzzing sanctuary of interbeings, of life.

Continuing the Narrative

This subsequent chapter of dedicated volunteerism and advanced leadership reflects the joy of community service. It demonstrates that at BCU, we do not just “clean” a space—we study it, we heal it, and we beautify it for the long term. This comprehensive effort and the detailed results of the doctoral and masteral interventions will be featured in the next series of our publication. We invite our readers and stakeholders to follow this journey as we continue to build a more sustainable, inclusive, and eco-spiritual future for our beloved City.

Together We Build Better: Restoration, Research, and Restoration.

#Together We Build Better: For our city, for our land, and for the generations to come.

#BCUGreen Guardians

#BCUGraduateSchoolsoarshigher