MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The health crisis and the prolonged government quarantine protocols bring a feeling of helplessness among many Filipinos, often resulting in anxiety and depression. Among the most effective ways to get back a sense of purpose or control is to tend plants and see them grow. Connecting with nature also makes people feel calmer and less stressed.
Being one with the commemoration of World Mental Health Day and in support to Filipinos in their overall wellness journey, Globe has partnered with Philippine Native Tree Enthusiasts and The Mead Foundation for its #PlantHappinessPH Mental Health and Well-being campaign. Together, the three organizations hope to encourage a positive and consistent simple routine of caring for plants.
The Globe campaign on TikTok gathered momentum before World Mental Health Day, creating a movement of Filipinos celebrating their simple joys online as part of self-care for mental health. The campaign has since garnered 207 million views and continues to encourage Filipinos to find their joy through different activities, including planting.
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The Philippine Native Tree Enthusiasts is an environmental civic group passionate about environmental conservation through the propagation of native trees. On the other hand, The Mead Foundation is focused on the reforestation of denuded areas in the highlands of Iba, Zambales, in collaboration with local Aeta communities.
The partners hope to share the benefits of planting native trees and common fruit trees with more people. They also intend to initiate conversations around mental health that will ignite a movement of plantitos, plantitas, and plantTikTokers to create a globe of good.
Sarah Queblatin, Permaculture Designer and Educator, Co-founder and Executive Director Green Releaf Initiative pointed out the benefits of rearing plants during the a recent TAYO (Tulong, Alaga, Yakap at Oras para sa mga Tagapagtaguyod ng Edukasyon) Naman webinar hosted by the Department of Education and Globe.
“Nature increases our immunity to fight viruses, bacteria, and various illnesses. It heals our nervous system by reducing stress, anxiety, and environmental fatigue. It invites us to be calmer and makes us happier. Working with nature is therapeutic. You have to experience it. We already have the means to recover inside of ourselves, but because of disasters and challenges, we tend to forget it,” Queblatin said.
For the #PlantHappinessPH campaign, the Philippine Native Tree Enthusiasts and The Mead Foundation carefully selected seeds and seedlings of native trees such as Supa, Molave, Bignay, Banaba, Salingbobog, and common fruit trees such as Langka and Guyabano and packed these for propagation and replanting. Globe will be giving out the seeds and seedlings for free.
These native and common fruit trees were chosen to increase the biodiversity of their ecosystem. They are also more resilient in their own environment, more efficient at carbon sequestration, and improving the soil and water quality.
“Mental health is a growing concern in the Philippines so we want to help divert Filipinos’ stress and anxiety to a more productive hobby. Planting is one of several health hobbies that people can pursue mental health. And by giving out seeds/seedlings, we hope this makes it easier for people to get started on their mental health wellness journey,” said Jobelle Yap, General Manager of The Mead Foundation.
The seed packs may be claimed by visiting 0917 Lifestyle at https://0917lifestyle.com/products/philippine-native-tree-seeds-and-seedlings and checking out using the promo code SIMPLEJOYS. Seedling deliveries within the Greater Manila Area will be done within ten working days, while seed deliveries in other areas will take 15 working days, excluding Sundays and holidays.
Globe also encourages everyone to join the advocacy by participating in the #PlantHappinessPH #AtinAngSimpleJoys dance challenge in TikTok, https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSeJK3Xck.
Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 15, which seeks to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. Globe is committed to upholding the United Nations Global Compact Principles and contributing to 10 UN SDGs.
To know more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.
