The month of October 2026 puts the Permaculture G.A.R.D.E.N.’s (Growing Appreciation toward Resilience, Development, Entrepreneurship, and Nutrition) role as a living laboratory into its full purpose with a series of guests conducted their learning visits, engaging students in hands-on experiences, birdwatching sessions, and meaningful lectures.

Gulay Pa More (GPM)! Makiling 2 Participants’ Learning Visit

The UPOU, through its Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), hosted a learning visit on 18 October 2026, for participants of GPM Makiling 2 at the UPOU Perma G.A.R.D.E.N. as part of the nationwide observance of National Peasant Month, showcasing the abundance of the Los Baños community, Mount Makiling biodiversity, and the people and organizations working to protect and sustain them.

The UPOU Perma G.A.R.D.E.N. was seen as a fitting addition to the GPM Makiling 2 fiesta, as it reflects the university’s commitment to sustainability and regeneration. The garden also recognizes Mount Makiling as its fifth zone, known as its “inspiration”, highlighting the mountain’s role in shaping the garden’s ecological vision.

During the visit, participants explored the garden, providing a meaningful platform to recognize the knowledge, resilience, and enduring contributions of farming communities to society and the environment.

A total of seven GPM participants and two GPM organizers participated. It was facilitated by Ms. Maryjane Reondanga, Program Development Associate (PDA) of the UPOU Perma G.A.R.D.E.N., and Ms. Raizza Anna Alforja, Project Staff.

Learning Visit of the Philippine Outbound Educators Institute (POEI)

Four POEI staff members conducted an ocular visit on 20 October 2026, to assess the garden’s features, facilities, and learning opportunities as a potential destination for POEI’s Outbound Education programs. The participants expected to identify activities and connections to sustainability, environmental education, and experiential learning that may be incorporated into future educational trips in partnership with UPOU. 

Second Run of the De La Salle Santiago Zobel (DLSZ) Social Formation Program

Following the successful partnership between the UPOU, through FMDS, and DLSZ for the Grade 11 STEM Social Formation Program in Academic Year 2025–2026, DLSZ is once again partnering with UPOU to provide more than 200 students with the permaculture experience. This comes as the school implements the strengthened Senior High School curriculum, under which Grade 11 STEM students are now divided into three pathways: Allied Science, Engineering, and Architecture.

Despite these pathway divisions, UPOU and DLSZ believe that the Permaculture G.A.R.D.E.N. remains relevant and beneficial to all three groups as part of their social formation. The program continues to serve as a shared learning space where students from different strands can explore sustainability, environmental responsibility, and agriculture through direct, hands-on experience.

The program runs on 05 and 12 August, 21 October, 11 and 24-27 November 2026.

Birdwatching Activity of the Haring Ibon UPLB

In celebration of the UN World Migratory Bird Day, the UPOU, through FMDS, hosted a birdwatching activity organized by the Haring Ibon of the UP Los Baños as part of their event titled “Birds without Borders 2026” on 25 October 2026. The event aimed to promote appreciation for birds and their habitats, encourage participation in birdwatching and citizen science, and raise awareness about migratory bird conservation.

A total of 20 registrants participated, together with the UPOU team: Dr. Jabez Joshua Flores, permaculture consultant, and Ms. Karizza Claire Layugan, Project Technical Assistant.

UPLB Institute of Animal Science (IAS) Students’ Enrichment Activity 

Eight undergraduate students and one faculty member from the IAS-College of Agriculture and Food Science of the UP Los Baños held their learning visit as part of their requirement in their course ANSC 191: Livestock and Poultry Welfare Assessment on 26 October 2026. This visit aims to bring to life classroom learning about One Welfare and One Health. During the activity, they visited the poultry animals (quack doctors) of the garden to better understand the integration of animals in a permaculture system, how to enrich animal’s lives, and the benefits of positive human-animal interactions.

Ocular Visit of the British School Manila (BSM) and Make A Difference (MAD) Travel

Representatives from the BSM and MAD Travel held an ocular visit and planning meeting on 28 October 2026 with the UPOU, through FMDS, in preparation for the upcoming experiential learning program for BSM, a partnership between UPOU and MAD Travel.

MAD Travel is a social enterprise that designs and facilitates immersive learning experiences connecting students, educators, corporations, and volunteers with communities and environmental initiatives across the Philippines. With the partnership agreement, they will introduce the UPOU Perma G.A.R.D.E.N. as a learning venue for the BSM Year 4, where Grade 4 students will explore topics such as soil health, composting, biodiversity, food systems, and regenerative agriculture. It is believed that learning directly from practitioners and engaging in hands-on activities will enrich their classroom learning and foster a deeper appreciation for sustainable living among youth.

The visit was facilitated by Dr. Jabez Joshua Flores, Ms. Maryjane Reondanga, and Ms. Raizza Anna Alforja.

Learning Visit of the Fukuchiyama Seibi High School, through UP Rural High School (UPRHS)

The UPOU Perma G.A.R.D.E.N.’s October lineup of activities was completed with a learning visit by a Japanese delegation through the Academic and Cultural Exchange Program of the UPRHS on 29 October 2026. Students and faculty members from their partner school, Fukuchiyama Seibi High School of Kyoto, Japan visited the garden with a key focus of discussing the integration of permaculture into water systems and conservation. As El Niño intensifies, Dr. Flores emphasized how permaculture offers practical, climate-resilient strategies to capture, store, use, and share water, while reducing waste and protecting vital natural resources. Participants further observed permaculture practices that support biodiversity, soil health, food security, and climate resilience. The activity provided an opportunity for cultural exchange, allowing students from both schools to connect through their shared interest in the environment and experiential learning.

It was a meaningful October for advocating permaculture. The garden had grown more than crops and bird species, it cultivated teamwork and a stronger commitment to caring for the Earth, for the people, and fair share. 

For inquiries, please visit https://url.upou.edu.ph/PermaGuidelines or email us at [email protected]. 

Written by: Raizza Anna Alforja • Edited by: Larry N. Cruz

Sustainable Development Goals