When I applied for this summit, I wasn’t just looking for knowledge—I was looking for connection. Conservation work, especially in remote areas, can feel isolating. You spend so much time in the field, gathering data, working with communities, and while you know it matters, there are days when you wonder if it will ever be enough. But at the summit, surrounded by young advocates from all over the country, I felt something I hadn’t in a while: hope.

From the start, it was clear that we weren’t just here to listen—we were here to engage, challenge ideas, and push solutions forward. The sessions were packed with discussions that challenged and inspired me, from the mangrove crash course to the plenary with experts who have dedicated their lives to this work. Dr. Jurgenne Primavera’s keynote stood out the most. She broke down the science of mangrove conservation—what works, what doesn’t, and why. She debunked widespread but harmful practices, like planting mangroves in seagrass beds, and emphasized proper site selection and natural regeneration over mass planting projects that often do more harm than good. She framed conservation as a long-term movement, one built on decades of effort, research, and persistence. It made me reflect on my own role—not just as someone doing fieldwork, but as part of a generation that has a real chance to change the story.

On the second day, we stepped beyond discussions and into the very ecosystems we strive to protect. The immersion in the wetland park was a grounding experience, a reminder that what we’re protecting isn’t just a concept but a living, breathing ecosystem. The stakeholder consultation simulation reinforced just how complex conservation decision-making can be. Indeed, balancing ecological priorities with community needs requires careful thought. The youth campaign planning session pushed me to think beyond fieldwork and data, into advocacy, communication, and movement-building. At some point in the summit, I found myself thinking: we are okay. The damage is real, but so is the work being done. We are here, learning, taking action, and refusing to give up. I looked around the room and saw people who, like me, had felt the weight of this fight—but instead of being discouraged, we were ready. Ready to take action, to push for policies, to stand our ground for the ecosystems that protect us. Maybe, just maybe, we can be the generation that rebuilds instead of destroys.

I came to the summit looking for new insights and connections, and I left with both. More than that, I left with a renewed sense of purpose. This summit reminded me that change doesn’t happen alone. The challenges are great, but so is the strength of our generation. There are others, all over the country, fighting the same fight. If we stay connected, if we keep pushing forward, we might just be the turning point. Together, our efforts can ripple outward.

As I return to my work in Busuanga and Coron, I carry with me not just new strategies and knowledge, but the reassurance that I am part of something bigger. The summit may have ended, but for all of us who were there, the real work is just beginning.