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IAMRAFI: More Than Just Trees
The Story of Maximo ‘Max’ Palen, Biodiversity Specialist, 8 Years in Service
By Marco Paulo Trajano Deligero | May 8, 2018
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For the past 20 years, Maximo, or ‘Max’ dedicated his life to the preservation of the environment and making a change that matters.
Today, as the Biodiversity Specialist of RAFI, he is greatly contributing to the environmental conservation goal of the organization, and its partners.
Farming to Forestry
Maximo Palen, or Max to his friends and colleagues, hails from the Municipality of Montevista in Compostela Valley, where both his parents are farmers. He is the eldest amongst five siblings. He finished Forestry at the University of Southeastern Philippines in 1996, and passed the Licensure Examination for Foresters in the same year.
After graduation, Max worked for the Philippine Coconut Authority as a Community Development Officer & Agriculturist for three years, and spent another seven years working with the DENR Region 7 as the Natural Resource Management (NRM) Technical Assistant & Forester and serves another year as NRM Consultant in LGU Alegria, Cebu.
“Every job I had was focused on forestry and community development. This is where I am good at, and that is why I make sure to give my best all the time.”
“My family’s primary source of income was farming. This was the environment I grew up in, and so my interest in farming, nature and the ecosystem influenced my decision to take up Forestry.”
The Beginning of Max’s First Nine Years
Max joined RAFI in October, 2009 and has not regretted this decision, since he believes that his expertise was put to better use in the Foundation.
“Working for RAFI has given me the opportunity to understand the grassroots even more and help them feel that they are an integral part of nation-building.”
Max and His Contribution to RAFI
Max considers working in RAFI a mission that is worth pursuing – it is holistic, and its long-term commitment to the community is admirable.
“For me, the commitment of RAFI to the environment and community development is very admirable; we touch the lives of people on the ground through capacity building, skills trainings that will eventually help them with their livelihood, and by doing that, we also help the environment.”
Challenges Encountered: Community Partnership
For Max, one of the challenges he encounters is introducing new projects to the community.
“It is quite challenging when we introduce a new project to a certain community. Aside from the capacity building on the benefits of native trees and fruit-bearing trees, we have to make the people understand that the project is long-term in the sense that they will have to wait for a couple of years in order to gain its rewards.”
“Some people want to reap the rewards right away, and that is understandable because farming is their source of living…”
“That is why we [really] ensure that the community understands that RAFI is here to help them along the way, and that we need their cooperation. Basically, it’s a partnership between RAFI and the community.” Max added.
Making the Partnership Work
After convincing the community people, we give them technical trainings that enhance their capability and would eventually help them in their livelihood.
“Personally, it really feels good when the community feels that they are safe and are in good hands. I feel that I am the bridge that helps their community grow through the partnership and the training opportunities that we provide.” Max said.
“And by doing so, we’re able to help the environment, one tree growing project at a time.” Max added.
The Importance of Tree Growing
For Max, Forestry is more than just a job but a lifestyle; he takes care of the environment and those communities who takes care of it.
“We are now experiencing the effects of climate change like flooding, and soil erosion due to deforestation. We need to remember that even the smallest and thoughtless act against our environment carries with it a serious consequence.” Max said.
“That is why in order to help the environment we should plant a tree at least once or twice in our lives. We should commit ourselves to saving mother earth because we all live in this planet – we need to take care of it. Again, plant a tree or two, at least once in your life, that will be a huge help.” Max added.
Sense of Fulfillment
With RAFI, Max feels happy and fulfilled.
“Working for RAFI has been very meaningful for me, compared to my previous work experiences. I feel more at home in RAFI, I am valued and my skills and contributions to the projects are valued.”
“We have targets to achieve but we do it one at a time, and throughout the process, we help communities to reach their highest potential, and with that I am very fulfilled knowing that I am part of that growth.”
“There was even a time when I helped in the landscaping of the whole Kool Adventure Camp (KAC). It is fulfilling knowing that I have somehow contributed to the growth of the KAC.” He added.
Biggest Motivation
When asked on his biggest career motivation, Max humbly said that the communities are always the priority.
He believes that the community is the most important component of the Tree Growing Project. Once it has become involved as a partner, taking care of the environment will eventually follow.
“The community is the primary stakeholder. We feel that every time we immerse into the communities, especially for me who’s always in the field, we feel very welcomed. I feel that I become part of their communities.”
Remembering ‘Sir Bobby’
Max remembers the late President Roberto ‘Bobby’ Aboitiz as calm and very patient.
“Sir Bobby is a gentle and very nice guy. He listens to his people, and trusts them on their expertise. I remember the time Sir Bobby asked me to do a field research for a certain project and then make a project proposal. He then read it and without hesitation approved it immediately… that’s how much he trusted me. It was very empowering.” Max said.
On How He Wants to Be Remembered and On His Greatest Lesson Learned
When asked on how he wants to be remembered, Max simple said that he wants to be remembered as a person who can do more than what is expected of him. He makes the most out of his knowledge to be able to help the communities that RAFI serves.
On his greatest lesson, he mentioned the importance of being confident while handling the community.
“I remember a time when I was about give a presentation to the bosses, I was very nervous, but Sir Bobby and Ma’am Domi encouraged me to be confident and proceed with my presentation. They told me that this was my expertise and I should be able to share to them with confidence.” Max said.
People Who Matters For Max
“First of all, I would like to thank God for everything, I think that He really brought me to a place where I should be.” Max began sharing.
“To my family; my wife Nelia, you have been supportive throughout, I love you. To my two sons, Maximo Jr. and Paul Maxim. I hope that you continue to be good sons and eventually fulfill all your dreams, finish your education for Mama and Papa will do everything to help you finish college.” Max said.
“To our RAFI President, Dominica B. Chua, thank you for encouraging me to give my best. I appreciate every advice you have given me.”
“To Sir Anton Dignadice, thank you for your usual support and guidance to me and the RAFI-IDU team. To the IDU-BioCon, let us continue to do more than what is expected of us.” Max added.
“Thank you for this opportunity to share my story. Daghang salamat.” #IAMRAFI
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“To my family; my wife Nelia, you have been supportive throughout, I love you. To my two sons, Maximo Jr. and Paul Maxim. I hope that you continue to be good sons and eventually fulfill all your dreams, finish your education for Mama and Papa will do everything to help you finish college.”
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“For me, the commitment of RAFI to the environment and community development is very admirable; we touch the lives of people on the ground through capacity building, skills trainings that will eventually help them with their livelihood, and by doing that, we also help the environment.”
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