Ann and Billie Dumaliang – Guardians of Masungi Georeserve
By: Rhea Vitto Tabora
Conversations about sustainable tourism in the Philippines often circle back to one name — the Masungi Georeserve. Nestled in the rugged rainforests of Rizal, this limestone haven is more than just a conservation area. It’s a battleground, a sanctuary, and, for sisters Ann and Billie Dumaliang, a lifelong calling.
Named among TIME's Next Generation Leaders in 2024, their fearless commitment to safeguarding a fragile ecosystem has captivated global audiences. Their work becomes even more significant in a country grappling with land grabs and deforestation.
Ann and Billie's passion for conservation runs deep, rooted in childhood weekends spent exploring Masungi under the guidance of their father, Ben Dumaliang.
Billie explains, “Our father inspired us to get involved with Masungi Georeserve. He instilled in us a deep appreciation for nature and the environment. Growing up, we witnessed his dedication to conservation and environmental stewardship, which significantly influenced our own values and aspirations.”
Their early connection to Masungi sparked a deep-seated commitment, building the foundation for the legacy they are now passionately carrying forward.
The breathtaking limestone formations at Masungi Georeserve
Conservation Beyond the Surface
Masungi Georeserve isn’t your average eco-park; it’s a critical part of Philippine biodiversity. It is a 2,700-hectare expanse of prehistoric limestone formations and home to over 400 species of flora and fauna.
Amorphophallus Pungapong
Philippine Flying Dragon
Spotted Wood Kingfisher
Mollusks: Hypselostoma latispira (H.l) masungiensis (microsnail)
"The JC’s Vine is one of the most breathtaking species for us. Masungi is the laboratory of the JC’s vine and we work closely with researchers to study it. We were also able to donate specimens to the renowned Kew Gardens in London."
- Billie Dumaliang
The Georeserve also serves as an important water reservoir for nearby communities, helping to alleviate the persistent flooding problems in Rizal and Metro Manila.
However, protecting this natural resource is far from easy. The sisters have had to deal with constant threats from illegal loggers and land grabbers, some of which have escalated into acts of violence against their rangers. In an interview with TIME, Billie cited a chilling incident from 2021 when two rangers were shot.
“Masungi Georeserve faces complex conservation challenges,” she says. “Threats of violence, illegal land grabbing by organized syndicates, and unauthorized fencing, often involving resort owners and professional squatters, are just some of the ongoing risks. Quarrying and interference from political and business entities add further risks, straining resources needed for protection. Proposed developments like a wind farm within protected zones could disrupt local biodiversity, while disinformation campaigns attempt to erode public trust."
They even receive inconsistent support from local authorities.
"The attempt to cancel Masungi’s Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has undermined the project, increasing the reserve's vulnerability to these pressures."
Rather than be cowed, they’ve doubled down on their commitment.
"Urbanization and land use change pressures will keep growing, so conservation projects also need to accelerate education and mobilization efforts to gain stronger power and influence to defend our landscapes. We need to create champions out of our leaders, lobby for stronger policies and enforcements, and create a community of advocates," says Billie.
The sisters focus not just on physical conservation but also on intangible lessons about resilience and adaptability.
“We have learned the importance of resilience, persistence, patience, and a good sense of humor. We have reflected many times on how shortcuts bring power to the wrong people, and investing that much or more in the community empowers more people for the better,” Ann says.
"It takes an ecosystem of doing good to make the scale of change we want. As we embrace that and stay consistent in our values despite hardships, the force for good becomes more powerful — not just for Masungi but for many who care about the places they call home. We have also learned to take care of ourselves. We aren’t beaten until we give up, and long-term initiatives like restoration and environmental conservation require finding joy in the process."
Innovative Strategies for a Fragile Ecosystem
What makes Masungi stand out isn’t just its breathtaking terrain but the innovative strategies the Dumaliangs have implemented to sustain it.
They follow UNESCO's Global Geopark model which focuses on balancing conservation, education, and sustainable development. This approach helps preserve Masungi while encouraging local community involvement, scientific research, and eco-friendly tourism.
“Unlike many other reserves, Masungi’s conservation efforts are heavily community-led,” Billie explains. “The Masungi Geopark Project mobilizes nearby communities and stakeholders in reforestation and long-term conservation, enabling local stewards to take active roles in restoring over 2,700 hectares of degraded land surrounding the reserve.”
Meanwhile, their “low volume, high value” ecotourism strategy ensures that visitors not only enjoy the site but also leave with a deeper understanding of the environment.
Immersive guided tours along eco-friendly trails allow people to experience Masungi in ways that underline its ecological significance.
Ann shares that every ranger is trained not just to engage with visitors but also to take an active role in protecting the environment. Despite the challenges, these rangers remain committed to this dual responsibility, creating a sense of authenticity and a deep connection in their interactions. Their dedication ensures that every conversation with visitors feels authentic, heartfelt, and impactful.
Another key aspect of their work is their focus on detail and maintenance.
“We design structures with a profound respect for the character and intricacies of the area,” Ann shares. “Our decisions consider the kind of vines we have and the way they creep, the growth trajectory of trees over the years, and the behavior of animals endemic to the landscape.”
The Dumaliangs emphasize authenticity in everything, ensuring that what they build contributes to the landscape’s natural narrative.
"We avoid introducing man-made structures that detract from the natural experience, preferring to build them only when they enhance the landscape’s narrative. If they do not serve this purpose, we simply choose not to build," Ann says.
“Through this commitment to authenticity, detail, and careful stewardship, we strive to ensure that the area remains a living testament to harmony between nature and design and that it endures gracefully for generations to come,” she adds.
Masungi Georeserve’s iconic Sapot, a web-style viewing platform
Why Storytelling Matters
The Dumaliangs believe that every rock, tree, and ridge at Masungi holds a story worth telling. And this storytelling is their “secret weapon” in promoting sustainable tourism.
When visitors hear the backstory — how the land was exploited and how communities came together — they leave as advocates. They don’t just trek through; they take a piece of Masungi’s fighting spirit home with them.
As Billie poignantly puts it, “It is important to tell the story of a landscape and its people to visitors. Weaving in different elements can foster a strong and unforgettable bond that will make visitors life-long advocates of nature and change the mindsets of an entire generation.”
She says, "Education is at the heart of what we do. If people don’t understand how important and urgent conservation is, we won’t get the public support that a big project like this needs. Teaching locals and visitors is a long-term strategy to keep our mission of protecting the landscape going."
Ann adds, "Travelers and communities allow us to give voice to remote places that often go unnoticed as they are destroyed. By interacting with these areas firsthand, they are also less vulnerable to disinformation and tactics run by syndicates. Travelers and guests also lend different expertise and resources later on that may be difficult for us to cover on our own."
Through their focus on storytelling, they are not just preserving a georeserve but cultivating a generation of advocates. And perhaps this is Masungi’s greatest legacy — a reminder that the fight for nature is one worth waging, vine by vine, tree by tree, story by story.
A Deeper Connection to Nature
For Ann and Billie, their work isn’t purely scientific or economic. It’s also deeply spiritual. Ann reflects, “Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the profound spirituality embedded in conservation—a dimension that often goes unspoken.”
She recalls a poignant moment from a debrief at an event in Davos last year when an elder remarked, “It is not even about living better, but living well.”
For Ann, this simple observation reframed the work they do. “The challenge for world leaders — and for all of us — is how to enable this critical reframe. How do we move beyond transactional relationships with nature to embrace its intrinsic worth?”
It is this mix of the practical and the spiritual that gives Masungi Georeserve its unique identity as both a conservation hub and a symbol of what humans and nature can achieve together.
The Rewards of Stewardship
International recognition has become not just a badge of honor but a safeguard. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recognition in 2019, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) Action Award in 2022, the Biosphere Sustainability Award at the 2024 Asia Pacific Social Innovation Partnership Awards (APSIPA), and the recent recognition by TIME create public pressure to protect Masungi.
"It has given us a bigger platform to tell our story to the world. TIME has profiled some of the world’s largest movements and inspirational leaders, so our inclusion gave us the inspiration that the world is watching and looking after Masungi’s story," Billie explains.
But what makes it worth it for Ann and Billie isn't the recognition. It's leaving something behind for others to love and protect.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Ann and Billie's story reminds us that while the problems our planet faces are daunting, the solutions start with individuals willing to dream big and take bold steps. Their legacy at Masungi Georeserve is not just in the biodiversity they fight to protect or the forests they have restored—it’s in the minds they have inspired to carry their vision forward.
Masungi isn’t just guarded by the Dumaliangs; it thrives because local communities, volunteers, and visitors are encouraged to take ownership of its mission. By rallying people from all walks of life, the Dumaliangs have transformed conservation from a solitary effort into a shared responsibility.
“We advise young conservationists to keep going despite the challenges,” Billie says. “The change we make in the environment and people will be worth the hardships and the risk.”
Their dream isn’t just for Masungi Georeserve but for a future in which sustainable travel and nature conservation are an intrinsic part of how humanity moves forward.
"In the next decade, we envision the Masungi Georeserve playing a pivotal role in Philippine conservation efforts by significantly increasing biodiversity and facilitating the return of native species that once thrived in the region. We will continue to be a model of what is possible when we dream big and act boldly towards a better future. Additionally, the Georeserve will work towards eradicating illegal land grabbing and destructive activities inside key biodiversity areas, ensuring that these areas remain secure for future generations," ends Billie.
All photos provided by Masungi Georeserve
If you know someone who deserves recognition as an Asia’s Sustainable Travel Changemaker, please click on the link below to nominate your candidate or even yourself. Or you can also email us directly. Please read our privacy policy.
SELECTED FOR YOU
