2019 Balik-Butuan Butuanons Plant and Hug Trees in CSU

On one sunny day of May, a number of Balik-Butuan Butuanons trooped to Caraga State University to grow and hug trees. Having the passion to contribute something of relevance in their trip back to Butuan, Butuanons from all over the globe came to Caraga State University for tree growing and tree hugging.

Caraga State University joined the city government in the celebration of the 2019 Balangay festival the whole month of May 2019. CSU through the Public Information and Alumni Relations office with the City Tourism of Butuan led the tree growing activity for the balik- Butuan people. Some fifty Mahogany seedlings were planted by the balikbayan beside the delineated lot area of 1,000 square meters for the envisioned Ba’ay hung Alumni which will be erected very soon.

As requested by the Butuan City Tourism office, the Public Information Office and Alumni Relations Office Director, Dr. Sonia R. Low led the group in the tree hugging at the CSU Eco-Park.

According to the book Blinded by Science by Matthew Silverstone, trees provide health benefits for mental illnesses such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and depression. Children function better cognitively and emotionally when they interact with plants. Although many believe it’s the green open spaces that contribute to the effect, Silverstone demonstrates that the vibrational properties of trees and plants offer health benefits.

Hugging a tree increases levels of hormone oxytocin. This hormone is responsible for feeling calm and emotional bonding. When hugging a tree, the hormones serotonin and dopamine make you feel happier. It is important to use this “free” space of a forest we were given by nature to holistically heal ourselves.

Tree talk and tree hugging are fun and invigorating. Those who hugged a tree said that they felt cool, joyful, and positive. One Balikbayan muttered, that she wanted to do it again and again.