Forest faces. Hopes and regrets in Philippine forestry

Stories are a primary means through which we gain understanding. This publication provides an evocative re-telling of personal experiences and reflections enabling better comprehension of the struggles, dramas and tragedies associated with the changes and loss of Philippine forests. Forest Faces is a poignant reminder of what has been lost, and a paean for what might be regained. The faces featured in this book reflect the naive, the hopeful, the anxious, the fearful, the complacent, and the frustrated. Their stories talk about the prevailing poverty in the uplands, the search for pragmatic adaptations and mitigation mechanisms in the lowlands, well-intentioned policies with no serious implementation, the continuing illegal and "illegal" legal activities – painful realizations of past wrong decisions made. There is almost always a reflection on the past and what needs to be done today. There are more than 40 faces in this book, yet the stories can easily be appreciated by all Filipinos (and beyond) and valued as an articulation of thoughts and hopes that may lead to action.