Comprehending the Cultural Landscape of Mount Makiling: A Road to Community Well-Being Necessary to Enhance Ecosystem Integrity

Abstract

During this fast-paced era, cultural activities in a landscape can be disregarded in favor of monetary gains from socioeconomic activities. However, it is essential to nourish the soul as well; hence, the study aims to understand the cultural landscape of the legendary Mount Makiling, a small mountain mass in Luzon Island, just an hour south of Manila, the Philippine’s capital. According to the story, the mountain has a deity and goddess named, Mariang Makiling, who has been always there when local people need help. The story of this deity has been closely intertwined with the life of local people even to this day. Interviewing key informants along with review of literature was done to verify the cultural activities in the cultural landscape of Mount Makiling and the corresponding impact on well-being of the community. Results presented emerging themes such as panata (religious vows) during local festivities, social gathering, and communing with nature. Respondents expressed their satisfaction with what they are doing as part of their culture, handed to them through oral traditions over generation. During fiestas, they enjoy helping the community and honoring their God, and when they visit Mount Makiling’s sacred groves, they enjoy reconnecting with nature and with the mountain deity, Mariang Makiling. Cultural activities are opportunities to socialize and deepen relationships with friends and families, hence, uplifting personal and community well-being, essential in helping sustain the overall Mount Makiling landscape ecology. A framework is proposed to do more public awareness of the cultural activities that should trigger community participation in activities, supportive of Mount Makiling biodiversity conservation that should enhance landscape integrity for abundant ecosystem services for the local people.