From the moment I first set foot in school, a natural curiosity about the science of life took hold. Every living thing I encountered, big or small, sparked a sense of wonder in me. Driven by a mind that loves to explore, asking questions about familiar and unfamiliar things became a habit as it’s a way for me to understand the world truly. Each school year brought a new adventure in learning, and for a third-year Plant Biology student, the First National Mangrove Youth Summit marked a significant, transformative, and eye-opening experience.

A strong love for plants has always been a guiding force, a quiet appreciation for their existence and how important they are for all forms of life. This natural interest in plants became deeper when I was given a chance to write about how mangroves in Leyte survived after Typhoon Yolanda. Seeing through different references how these coastal forests protected the land with their strong roots and how they provided homes for many sea creatures created a lasting and deep interest in saving mangroves.

The recent First National Mangrove Youth Summit was an exciting and conducive place to meet other young people who care deeply about protecting these important ecosystems. Being in a place filled with people who shared the same goal was energizing. Hearing about the amazing work and new ideas that the other young people were doing to save mangroves in their hometowns was very inspiring and showed what dedicated people can do. Listening to their stories and seeing their projects made it clear how important and urgent it is to protect mangroves, especially with the environmental problems we face today.

In this lively group of people who think alike, a passion for mangrove ecosystems that had become a little quiet was happily brought back to life. The demands of school and everyday life had slowly made that initial strong interest fade a bit. However, the energy, strong commitment, and impressive achievements of the other youth delegates at the summit acted like a spark, making that passion burn brightly again. The summit was more than just learning new things; it created a feeling of belonging and a shared understanding of how important mangroves are for keeping nature healthy, fighting climate change, and providing opportunities to people who live near the coast. It was a strong reminder that when people who care about something work together, they can make a big difference.

The new knowledge gained, the friendships made, and the renewed sense of purpose from the summit will definitely help me as I continue my path in the world of Plant Biology. The experience made it even clearer how important plants, especially key ones like mangroves, are in the complex web of life and the delicate balance of coastal areas. It strengthened the belief that knowing about science, combined with real passion and working together, is key to solving the big environmental problems we face. Leaving the summit, there was a deep feeling of thankfulness for the chance to learn, connect with others, and be inspired by everyone’s dedication to protecting these vital coastal ecosystems.

As the school journey goes on, the lessons learned and the inspiration received from the First National Mangrove Youth Summit will surely serve as my guide.

“Whatever you do, always do it with heart and fuel it with passion.”