Branches of Hope: A UnionBank Ambassador’s Journey to Mapawa Nature Park
By: Neil Patrick G. Nepomuceno
On July 26, 2025, around 20 UnionBank volunteers gathered at Mapawa Nature Park in Cagayan de Oro with a shared goal: to plant trees and bring hope. As part of the GoBeyond Communities program, the activity was more than just a CSR effort—it was a meaningful experience for everyone involved. For Jerrily, UnionBank Branch Ambassador and project lead, it became a moment of personal reflection on purpose and long-term impact.
“On our way to the site, I saw tall trees lining the road and I found myself asking, why should I care?” she shared. “What difference will planting two or three saplings make? Will they ever grow strong and proud? Or will they eventually be removed to make way for infrastructure or development?”
As she stood among the trees, surrounded by fellow volunteers and the community they came to serve, her doubts gave way to hope. “The future is uncertain, but I choose to believe that one day, my tree will grow tall and live for a hundred years. I hope its shade will offer comfort to those who decide to find rest beneath it.”
Jerrily’s story is a reminder that even the smallest acts, like planting a sapling, can carry the weight of transformation when rooted in hope.
As the day ended, the volunteers left Mapawa Nature Park with muddy shoes, full hearts, and a renewed sense of commitment. Through initiatives like this, UnionBank continues to empower its employees to lead CSR-driven efforts that positively impact communities across the Philippines. Because at UnionBank, going beyond is not just a tagline. It is a way of life.