Masungi Georeserve, For the Future, and more: 5 environmental organisations Nadine Lustre supports

The Filipino musician and actor has been leading by example and inspiring others to do more for the planet through volunteerism at the grassroots level

Filipino musician and actor Nadine Lustre sat down with Tatler Philippines recently for the magazine’s April 2023 issue to discuss her multi-faceted mission to advocate for environmental sustainability. Though the Tatler cover star and 2021 Gen.T honouree is best known as an entertainer online and on the big screen, her fans know that she has a passion for the environment.

Spending most of her time shuttling between Manila and the verdant island of Siargao, which is also known as the surf capital of the Philippines, Lustre has made multiple business and lifestyle changes that she hopes will impact her audience—and her community—for the better.

Here are some of the organisations she has supported over the years.

Masungi Georeserve

Helmed by sisters and 2020 Gen.T honourees Ann and Billie Dumaliang, Masungi Georeserve is a conservation area located within the rainforests of Rizal, north of Metro Manila. A beautiful weekend destination, it is home to endemic species of flora and fauna, among them an endangered jade vine known in Tagalog as tayabak. There are also wildlife such as kingfisher birds, long-tailed macqaues, and microsnails.

Despite—or perhaps because of—its biodiversity and beauty, Masungi Georserve has been a target of harassment. In 2022, it was reported that 30 armed individuals were illegally camping out on its grounds. Amid political hearings and a new controversy concerning the establishment of the headquarters for the Bureau of Corrections, Masungi Georeserve stands strong in its mission to protect the area.

This year, Lustre strengthened her alliance with Masungi, posting a video and a photo of her day trip, which included activities such as weeding and mulching. She has been partnering with Masungi since 2021 and is an honourary park ranger.

For the Future

View this post on Instagram

With a focus on youth leadership, For the Future is a non-governmental organisation co-founded by 2022 Gen.T honouree, Issa Barte. Many of the NGO’s projects revolve around environmental sustainability, tackling issues such as reforestation and raising funds for typhoon response and climate emergencies. For the Future also commits to visiting local communities and understanding their narratives from a firsthand perspective.

Lustre has partnered with For the Future, Bioten and Mad Travel for its 88k Trees project. Working with the indigenous Yangil Tribe, she and the organisations vowed to help restore the Yangil ancestral domain. Every donation with a minimum of PHP50 procured was matched by Bioten until 88,000 trees were planted to help restore the area.

Mad Travel

View this post on Instagram

In partnership with Lustre, For the Future and Bioten, Mad Travel was another collaborator in the 88k Trees project that aimed to restore areas occupied by the Yangil Tribe.

With a focus on helping others rediscover the Philippines, Mad Travel offers tour packages and hikes that take visitors to localities such as Subic and the Sierra Madre. They also carry locally made products such as organic forest honey and Aeta-made bamboo products.

This social enterprise promotes sustainable tourism and actively aims to reforest areas. Though the 88k Trees project was originally launched in 2021, Mad Travel continues to check in on the progress of the initiative. In 2022, its team returned to Zambales with Lustre to check on the tens of thousands of seedlings that had been planted.

SEA Movement

View this post on Instagram

The island of Siargao is close to Lustre’s heart. Not only does she spend a portion of her time there, but her partner Christophe Bariou also helms a sustainable private villa stay there. In 2021, Lustre filmed a live performance of one of her singles, Wait For Me, against the beautiful Siargao sunset.

Her love for the island extends to her advocacy, as she also volunteered with a local non-profit organisation called Siargao Environmental Awareness (SEA) Movement. She remains an ambassador for the group and helps to raise awareness about the seas that surround the island. Lustre has also previously been spotted reading environmental books to children, in partnership with the non-profit.

The SEA Movement is a non-profit organisation that has pledged to preserve the natural resources of Siargao for generations to come, and has partnered with local communities, businesses and government agencies. One of its programmes is the Adopt-a-Marine Protected Area, which was launched in 2020 and aims to preserve vulnerable ecosystems and species in order to protect local livelihoods and food security.

Planet Cora

In 2020, Lustre joined a coastal cleanup drive organised by Planet Cora. She, along with Tatler Philippines August 2022 cover girl Angie Mead King, spent the morning collecting garbage along Manila Bay. A non-profit organisation, Planet Cora dedicates itself to action points such as tree planting activities, water rehabilitation programmes and solid waste management, on top of other coastal cleanup initiatives. As of 2021, its cleanup activities have led to the collection of more than 130kg of waste, most of which were plastic bags.

See more honourees from the Philippines on the Gen.T List.

NOW READ

Filipino conservation photographer Gab Mejia shares their favourite photos

Medtech company Aevice Health secures regulatory approval in Singapore for smart wearable stethoscope

Philippines’ Metro Pacific invests US$36m into SP New Energy Corp

Topics

Environment Cover story Advocacy Philanthropy