Season 5-From Timber to Stewardship
Season 5 of 9
After God restored my confidence and my three sons had begun to recover from the loss of their father, I felt it was time to return to the forest that had become such an important part of our family's life.
Our family owned a private forest, and in 2012 I applied for a Private Land Timber Permit (PLTP). After complying with all the legal requirements, I was granted a permit to harvest timber from our property.
Many people were surprised. Who would have imagined that a retired Certified Public Accountant — and a woman — would become involved in legal timber harvesting? Some people even joked that I had become a "legal logger."
I simply smiled. They saw timber. I saw another opportunity to learn.
A Different Kind of Accounting
As a CPA, I had spent years working with financial statements, receipts, journals, and books of accounts. In the forest, my work was very different. Instead of counting pesos, I learned to measure trees in board feet and understand the responsibilities that come with managing forest resources.
It was a completely different kind of accounting.
When God Said "Wait"
But God had another lesson waiting for me.
After securing the permit and paying the required forest charges, I was not able to harvest a single tree. The government imposed a nationwide log ban.
At first, I was disappointed. Months of preparation had come to an unexpected stop.
Looking back, however, I now see that God was gently redirecting my path. The log ban gave me time to slow down, observe the forest more carefully, and appreciate it beyond its timber value.
A Change in Questions
Instead of asking, "How many board feet does this tree contain?"
I gradually found myself asking, "What else can this forest teach me?"
That change in perspective transformed my journey.
The forest became more than a source of timber. It became a classroom.
I began paying closer attention to the plants growing beneath the trees, the wisdom shared by Indigenous communities, and the remarkable role that Philippine medicinal plants have played in caring for families for generations.
A Closed Door, A New Chapter
What seemed like a closed door became the beginning of another chapter.
God did not stop my journey. He simply changed its direction.
Instead of leading me deeper into timber, He led me toward stewardship, gardening, and the lifelong study of herbal medicine.
Author's Notes
I am a retired Certified Public Accountant from the Philippines and a lifelong student of herbal medicine. I am not a licensed physician, pharmacist, or herbal medicine practitioner.
The information shared on this website is based on my personal experiences, continuous learning, and research, and is intended for educational purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice or a substitute for professional healthcare.
I also encourage readers to respect Philippine environmental laws, including regulations of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), when foraging or cultivating plants.