Whether you call it ‘pasalubong’ in Tagalog, ‘sinugatan’ in Bisaya, ‘souvenir’ in English, ‘bring home’ for the Gen Z, or ‘mitot’ as popularized in Visayas State University, its meaning remains the same: a token of memory that carries a moment in time when we feel appreciated.
This word is often associated with last minute airport knicknacks, a trip to the local Krispy Kreme or donut shop, decorative mugs, T-shirts or those tiny keychains emblazoned with the name of the location you’ve last visited. After all, the point of souvenirs is to bring a little piece of the place with you back home. To capture a specific moment in time and share it with the loved ones that weren’t there to see it. Taking home something as impersonal as donuts or mugs would still be fun, but what if instead you brought something closer and more symbolic. Something so deeply personal and beautiful. Something like…a tree.
Here’s three short reasons why you should get a tree as a souvenir.
1. Its short, sweet, and personalized
Let's say you’ve been staying in Baybay city for over 5-8 months for in-person classes. Do you remember the first moment you stepped into the lush campus of Visayas State University. How the trees in the ecopark seemed endless no matter how far your legs would take you. How the deep emerald seemed to cover the entirety of Mount Pangasugan. If you wanted to bring something that represents your stay in Visayas State University, or something that fully captures that exact feeling of the first time you’ve entered the campus, why not bring a tree?
Now you may think—isn’t it impossible and frankly, very expensive to smuggle a tree back to Bohol, Surigao, or Dumaguete?
Of course it is! Not to mention incredibly unnecessary as well—especially when there are multiple orchards and plant vendors selling tree seedlings.
If transportation during traveling is still a concern, you could always purchase seed packets instead for the same affordable price. Seed packets are the perfect choice if you want to experience the more exciting and more challenging aspects of tree planting.
2. Buying tree seedlings also helps boost businesses around Baybay city
The roads leading to VSU are paved with greenery, as well as a booming market for plant enthusiasts. They just so happen to sell tree seedlings and ornamental plants that you could carry back home as your next mitot.
The Patag Rainforest Association located directly across the entrance to Barangay Patag—is one place you could get tree seedlings such as: Toog, Narra, Kalumpit, Molave, Mahogany, and Kamagong—all for 10 pesos. Tree seedlings native to Eastern Visayas are typically sold for 50-200 pesos. The tree seedlings are grown in the nursery up to its first few months. The fact that you could buy a tree for such an affordable price should already be enough to convince you, but in any case, let’s talk about the types of trees you could plant.
If you prefer larger trees—Toog, also known as magtalisai or kapullan, is a popular choice. They are large trees that reach up to 40 meters in height. Their wood is also used for construction and as a material for plywood.
The Narra with its graceful drooping branches is also popular amongst the frequent buyers due to its status as the Philippines’ national tree. It can grow up to 25-35 meters. Towering at a similar height is the Kamagong which is also a good choice for its edible fruit as well as being a valuable source of timber.
Another great choice would be Kalumpit seedlings that grow up to 25 meters in height. These trees are very popular and are widely distributed all throughout the Philippines. They are known for their edible dark red fruits which are often made into preserves. Philippine mahogany, an ideal wood for craftsmanship and furniture construction, also grows at a similar height.
If you prefer trees on the smaller side: Molave, native to Bohol as its flagship source of timber, is a relatively smaller tree which could grow up to 8 to 15 meters. It is recognized by its numerous lavender-blue flowers.
The seedlings are ready to plant and easy to carry since they are sold in plastic pots and could be bought by bulk.
Apart from the seedlings, the Patag Rainforest association also sells fruit trees in the form of grafts. Growing trees from grafts is a slightly more challenging way of planting trees, but it is worth it if you prefer having your very own fruit tree.
Lanzones and Avocado, for example can be availed for 250 pesos each! Other fruit trees sold for grafting include: Rambutan, Mangga, Durian, American Lemon, and Guyabano. All at an affordable price of 180 pesos each. (Note: These prices are intended for grafting purposes; seedlings are priced differently.)
If you enjoy bringing warm drinks such as coffee and hot chocolate, try spicing things up a bit by buying someone coffee and cacao seedlings for 50 pesos.
3. It helps the environment
Say you decide to take a leap of faith and trust in this article. You bought a seedling, planted it in your garden, and in a few years it grows into a full-fledged tree. Congratulations, you just planted the seeds for the future generation for sustainability.
Some may argue that planting trees is inconsequential in the long run, but for a country with an extensive and rich biodiversity such as the Philippines—planting the next tree, no matter what size, may just make the difference in terms of biodiversity.
(An exception can be made for the Philippine Mahogany which is invasive according to studies conducted by NT Baguinon, M,O Quimado, and G.J. Francisco from the University of the Philippines, Los Banos Forest Management Bureau.)
The essence of Mitot
At its core, mitot is an expression of the love, gratitude, and appreciation for the hometown or place that raised you. It is represented in the food that you eat, the way that you speak, and the mannerisms you bring with you everywhere. In this case, choosing to bring a tree from Baybay City would be a perfect representation of your time in VSU as a student—not only representing the trees that line the path around campus, but also symbolizing your strength and capacity to grow as a Viscan, a person, and as a future alumni of the university.