Butuan City, Philippines — The Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor (EMBC) Summit 2025 formally opened on October 6, 2025, at the HERO Learning Commons of Caraga State University (CSU), showcasing the strong link between nature and culture through indigenous performances, local products, and scientific initiatives. The event served as a platform for partners and stakeholders to promote the integration of traditional knowledge, science, and community action in conserving the rich biodiversity of Eastern Mindanao.
Cultural Expressions for Conservation
The opening ceremony began with “Paspas,” a traditional Manobo welcome dance that was performed at the entrance of the HERO Learning Commons of CSU. The performance, known for its rhythmic footwork and graceful movements, is traditionally offered to honor guests and set a tone of hospitality and unity among communities.
Following the opening dance, the Dulimbay Theater Arts Guild presented a tricultural performance featuring “Kadal Tahu,” “Linggisan,” and “Amaemaeyatok.” Each dance portrayed a symbolic relationship between people and the natural world.
In “Kadal Tahu,” inspired by the T’boli people, dancers mimicked the movements of the Tahaw bird to illustrate resilience and cooperation. “Linggisan,” rooted in the Sama, Bajao, and Tausug traditions of Tawi-Tawi, depicted the flight of seagulls as a metaphor for harmony and healing. The “Amaemaeyatok” dance, originating from the Manobo tribe, paid tribute to nature spirits through the movements of a woodpecker, often performed during Kahimunan, the community’s annual thanksgiving celebration.
These performances emphasized how indigenous cultural expressions carry ecological meanings and reinforce the Summit’s theme, “Connecting Landscapes, Empowering Communities.”
Spotlighting Science and Sustainability
Coinciding with the opening ceremony was the launch of the BD Corridor Summit Exhibit and the CSU Natural Science Museum Database, both aimed at strengthening the integration of research, innovation, and conservation.
The exhibit, also held inside the HERO Learning Commons, presented the collaborative achievements of the DENR-UNDP/GEF Biodiversity Corridor (BD) Project within Eastern Mindanao. It featured scientific studies, biodiversity-friendly enterprises (BDFEs), and visual displays emphasizing the partnership between communities, government, and academic institutions.
Local products such as woven goods and delicacies were exhibited alongside preserved specimens of endemic flora and fauna, including photographs of the Philippine Eagle and other species found within the corridor.
Among the featured works were biodiversity and socio-economic studies by CSU and Davao Oriental State University; sustainable land management initiatives from the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Soils and Water Management; and sustainable forest management strategies from the DENR–Forest Management Bureau. Research on potential Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) was also presented, emphasizing innovative conservation approaches.
The CSU Natural Science Museum Database, launched during the event, serves as a digital platform for cataloging the flora and fauna of Caraga and the wider Mindanao region. While the physical museum remains under development, the database is expected to become a valuable reference for research, education, and conservation planning.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Dr. Rolyn C. Daguil, President of CSU; Assistant Regional Executive Director Victor T. Billones of DENR Region XI; PENRO Agusan del Norte Adelaida Borja; and Mr. Eddie Abugan of the DENR Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service. Their participation reflected the collaboration between government agencies, academia, and local partners in advancing environmental resilience.
Linking People, Knowledge, and the Environment
The EMBC Summit 2025 emphasized that biodiversity conservation is not only about protecting and conserving species and ecosystems but also about preserving cultural heritage and fostering community involvement.
By bridging science and tradition, the event highlighted the importance of collective action in ensuring that the region’s natural wealth is sustained for future generations.
With this Summit, organizers and participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen partnerships across sectors, communities, and landscapes—tying the knot between nature and culture in the shared mission of conservation.
This story is published under the DENR-UNDP/GEF Project “Integrated Approach in the Management of Major Biodiversity Corridors in the Philippines” or BD Corridor Project, which seeks to operationalize integrated management of biodiversity corridors to generate multiple benefits, including effective conservation of globally threatened species and high conservation value forests, reduce deforestation and degradation, and enhance local biodiversity-friendly livelihoods.
The project is implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and funded by the Global Environment Facility ⛰️🌱
