The Fortunate Encounter

Monsters are humanity’s shadows which we project. They represent our inmost fears
and the projected ugly desires and repressions. Long ago, when the forest were abundant,
the entire world worship to the Gods. Centuries later, the Gods presence were felt less and
less and the remaining untouched sanctuaries became more mysterious. Some people
believed that there are monsters lurking on the forest. Eventually, they were known as the
engkanto and the aswang.

Once Upon a time, the family of Buenaventura visits there old town. Lorenzo, the
youngest member of the family is a mischievous boy who doesn’t want to do chores. His
mom tells him stories about monsters every night, “you must be home before 6 or else the
monsters would get you” his mother said. Still, the stubborn Lorenzo stays late to avoid
chores and goes home after 6. Upon his way back home, the boy wanders into the woods at
night and ends up stumbling upon a Kapre’s world by way of the tree and was trapped.

The sleeping Kapre was startled by the sudden noise.

“who dares to disturbed my sleep? Hmm. Smells like a human kid wandering on places that
isn’t supposed to”

Lorenzo’s face turned to pale upon seeing a monster tree talking.

“Im sorry, I was stumbled upon my way home and ended up being here” Lorenzo explained.

The Kapre replied,” and why should I believe you? You think you can still get out here alive?”

“but I was just a liitle boy!” Lorenzo reasoned out.

The Kapre was blind and lost his eyes. Lorenzo was tasked to find the lost eyes of the Kapre
in exchange for his freedom. Upon his adventure in finding the lost eyes, Lorenzo discovers
the Kapres work is really helping the plants grow. When seeds are dropped his job is to help
lift them. The Kapre has the control in the forest and helps to provide fresh air to the
villagers. The Kapres that lived on the big trees assists to protect the town from the flood and
typhoons. At the end of his journey he saw the missing eyes and gave them to the Kapre and
leaves with the new realization of working hard. The task that the Kapre gave to him allowed
Lorenzo to rediscover the value of caring over the environment and biosphere.

After having his eyes back the Kapre saw the deforestation and mining from afar and was
saddened by humans actions “ This place was far from the place that I once remember. This
is not the place that I once cherished”

Years later, Lorenzo Buenaventura was now the head of the DENR department and is
continuously supporting environment advocacies. He also prevented the further
deforestation of the Philippines and is now preserving and cultivating the natural resources
most specially the Forestry.