Blog

Five years ago, during his annual Christmas retreat with the Brothers of the Servants of the Word in Tagaytay, lay missionary and Holy Trinity Community (Davao City) member Dennis Villegas had a vision: a mountaintop road network with various structures.  He felt called by God to build this project.  Returning home, he immediately began searching for suitable land. A year later, on the Feast Day of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, he found the perfect location in San Miguel, Arakan, North Cotabato.

He named the developing land the Dangpanan Center, and four years later, it was officially registered with the SEC as the Bulwark Project Foundation Inc.

To commemorate the fourth anniversary of acquiring this land (October 5th, 2024), a collaborative medical, dental, and optical mission was held with Healers Going Forth and the MCKS Caring Heart Foundation.  This mission provided vital services to 188 beneficiaries. A celebratory lunch, featuring an abundance of lanzones and rambutan, followed. The day concluded with a Mass officiated by Fr. Felix Bontog, MJ, offering thanks for God’s unwavering love, generosity, mercy, graciousness, and faithfulness.

For many, the devastating effects of climate change were once distant realities, glimpsed only through news reports. But in recent years, flooding, extreme weather, and resource scarcity have become tragically commonplace. These challenges—exacerbated by climate change—include more frequent and severe storms, increased drought, rising sea levels, heightened health risks, resource shortages, poverty, displacement, and environmental degradation.

The Bulwark Project Foundation, Inc., a foundation dedicated to faith, renewal, and mission, is committed to raising climate change awareness and empowering youth to become environmental advocates. Partnering with I-Syoot Multimedia Production, Bulwark brought A Thousand Forests, a full-length musical film, to Davao City and nearby provinces. This film follows five children from diverse backgrounds who participate in a Forest Camp, learning and showcasing science-based solutions to climate change. Through their compelling narratives, the film serves as an eye-opening experience for students and youth, highlighting the urgency and impact of climate change.

A Thousand Forests powerfully communicates several key messages:

• The critical global goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
• The Philippines’ ambitious commitment to reduc e emissions by 70% by 2030.
• The importance of nationwide participation in tree planting, as mandated by the Arbor Law, for all Filipinos aged 12 and above.
• The vital role of trees in carbon sequestration and lowering global temperatures.
• A call to action for individuals to reduce their carbon footprint through lifestyle changes.

Beyond climate action, the film also tackles relevant challenges faced by today’s youth: over-reliance on technology, social media pressures, mental health concerns, and body image issues. It simultaneously promotes positive values such as honesty, hard work, perseverance, and the importance of strong family support.

The film premiered in Mindanao on September 20, 2024, at the Assumption College of Davao, captivating 1,500 senior high school students with overwhelmingly positive feedback. Bulwark Project is eager to expand the film’s reach to more schools across the Davao region, inspiring a new generation of environmental stewards.