Humace: Living with Macaques

11/07/2026

Abangan sa Born to be Wild!

SLAYYYY 💅

Soafer slayable ang mala-Mr. Suave visuals na unggoy na ito!

Abangan ‘yan ngayong Linggo sa !

LINGGO | 9 AM | GMA Network

Courtesy of Lakaw ni Paw.

08/07/2026

The rare white macaque found in Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat deserves urgent protection. Whether it is truly an albino or more likely a leucistic Philippine long-tailed macaque, it is an exceptionally rare individual that could become vulnerable to disturbance, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade because of the attention it has received. Recent assessments by the DENR indicate that scientific verification is still ongoing, but authorities have already taken steps to protect the animal and its habitat.

The good news is that the area where the macaque is frequently seen has been temporarily closed to minimize human disturbance. Local officials are also preparing a barangay ordinance to strengthen protection measures, while the DENR continues habitat monitoring and coordination with wildlife experts.

Every rare wildlife sighting is a reminder of the Philippines' extraordinary biodiversity. Protecting this unique macaque means protecting its entire forest habitat and ensuring that future generations can continue to witness our country's remarkable wildlife. Public cooperation by avoiding disturbance, refusing to share exact locations that could attract poachers, and supporting conservation efforts is essential.

05/07/2026

HUMACE and MATSING at ATBC 2026

We are proud to share that Dr. Sherry L. Paz, HUMACE Program and MATSING Project Leader, was invited to present the HUMACE and MATSING journey during the Special Session on Education and Outreach for Tropical Biodiversity Conservation Workshop at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC) 2026 at Mekong River Jing Land Hotel in Jinghong, China last June 28-July 2, 3026.

As one of the invited speakers before the workshop, Dr. Paz highlighted how HUMACE and MATSING have grown through research, education, and community engagement to foster peaceful human–macaque coexistence and strengthen biodiversity conservation. She shared the lessons, challenges, and successes of these initiatives, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among researchers, educators, students, local communities, and partner institutions.

The presentation showcased how locally rooted conservation efforts in the Philippines can contribute to global discussions on conservation education, science communication, and community-based biodiversity conservation.

We are honored to have represented Sumile community on this international platform and remain committed to inspiring more people to protect wildlife through education, understanding, and collaboration.

Together, we can build a future where people and wildlife thrive together.

02/06/2026

🏆🎨 Congratulations to the Winners of the Poster and Slogan Making Contest! ✍️🐒

As part of the Araw ng Sumile 2026 celebration, we proudly recognize the outstanding participants who showcased their creativity and advocacy through the theme:

❤️ “Ang Tinood nga Gugma sa Unggoy” ❤️

Your artworks and slogans beautifully conveyed the message that genuine love for macaques means respecting their wild nature, protecting their habitats, and promoting peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife.

🥇 1st Prize: Adrian Jay V. Taghap
🥈 2nd Prize: Angelou Rex V. Taghap
🥉 3rd Prize: James Lue Cenangote
🏅 4th Prize: 4. Dove Ladao

Thank you to all Sumile youth participants for sharing your talents and helping spread awareness about macaque conservation. Through your creativity, you have inspired the community to become better stewards of nature and advocates for wildlife protection.

👏 Congratulations to our winners and heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined!

31/05/2026

🥉🎉 Congratulations to ARJOHN TAGHAP and team as the Third Prize Winner of the Promotional Video Contest – Araw ng Sumile 2026! 🎉🥉

Your creative and meaningful video successfully brought attention to this year’s theme, “Unsaon nga Malikayan ang Panagbangi sa Unggoy ug sa Tawo.” Through your unique perspective, you highlighted the importance of understanding, respect, and shared responsibility in fostering peaceful coexistence between humans and macaques.

Your effort has helped educate and inspire the community to appreciate wildlife, protect their natural habitats, and take part in reducing human-macaque conflicts.

Thank you for lending your voice and creativity to the cause of conservation. Every story shared brings us one step closer to a future where people and wildlife can thrive together.

👏 Congratulations on winning Third Prize!

🐒🌿

31/05/2026

🥈🎉 Congratulations to LADY JANE B. CANE as the Second Prize Winner of the Promotional Video Contest – Araw ng Sumile 2026! 🎉🥈

Your outstanding entry effectively conveyed this year’s theme, “Unsaon nga Malikayan ang Panagbangi sa Unggoy ug sa Tawo.” Through your creativity and thoughtful presentation, you emphasized the importance of mutual respect, responsible behavior, and the protection of natural habitats as key steps toward peaceful human-macaque coexistence.

Your video has contributed to raising awareness and inspiring the community to become more mindful of the ways we can reduce conflicts with wildlife while promoting conservation.

Thank you for sharing your talent and helping spread a message that benefits both people and nature. Your work is a valuable contribution to the conservation efforts in Sumile.

👏 Congratulations on earning Second Prize!

31/05/2026

🎉🏆 Congratulations to Alleah Caray, Chielzy Dandan & Harvey Caballero as the First Prize Winners of the Promotional Video Contest – Araw ng Sumile 2026! 🏆🎉

With this year’s theme, “Unsaon nga Malikayan ang Panagbangi sa Unggoy ug sa Tawo,” your video stood out for its creativity, relevance, and powerful message promoting peaceful coexistence between humans and macaques.

Through compelling visuals and storytelling, you highlighted the importance of understanding wildlife behavior, respecting their natural habitat, and encouraging responsible actions that help prevent human-macaque conflicts. Your work serves as an inspiration for the community to become active partners in conservation.

Thank you for using your talent to promote awareness and positive change. May your message continue to encourage others to protect nature while fostering harmony between people and wildlife.

👏 Congratulations on your well-deserved First Prize!

31/05/2026

📸🏆 Congratulations to the Top 3 Winners of the Araw ng Sumile 2026 Photo Contest! 🏆📸

Under the theme “Irespeto ang Unggoy, Atimana ang Iyang Natural nga Puluy-anan,” our winners successfully captured powerful images that highlight the importance of respecting wildlife and protecting the forests and habitats that macaques call home.

Through your photographs, you have reminded us that conservation begins with understanding, respect, and shared responsibility. Your entries inspire the community to become stewards of nature and advocates for peaceful human–macaque coexistence.

🥇 Top 1 - Entry #4 by Hyacinth Allia Thonnet G. Adajar
🥈 Top 2 - Entry #9 by Frame Rose Taboco
🥉 Top 3 - Entry #6 by Adrian Jay Taghap

To all participants, thank you for using your creativity to promote environmental awareness and wildlife conservation. Every photo tells a story, and every story helps build a future where people and wildlife can thrive together.

🌿🐒 Irespeto ang Unggoy, Atimana ang Iyang Natural nga Puluy-anan! 🐒🌿

Message to non-winners:

While not every entry could be selected as a winner, each photograph contributed to spreading awareness about the importance of respecting wildlife and protecting the natural habitats of macaques.

Your participation helped make this contest a meaningful platform for conservation advocacy and community engagement. Every image, story, and perspective shared has inspired others to appreciate the beauty of Sumile and the responsibility we all share in safeguarding its biodiversity.

We sincerely appreciate your effort and encourage you to continue using your talents to promote environmental stewardship and wildlife conservation. Your contribution is valuable, and we hope to see your creativity shine again in future activities.

🐒🌿 Daghang salamat sa inyong suporta sa atong paningkamot alang sa malinawon nga panag-uban sa tawo ug unggoy. 🌿🐒

📸🌳🐒

31/05/2026

MATSING Team at Araw ng Sumile 2026 🐒🌿

The MATSING Team is proud to join the celebration of Araw ng Sumile 2026, standing alongside the local government, community leaders, youth, and residents in promoting harmonious human–macaque coexistence and wildlife conservation.

Our macaque-inspired headdresses (made by our brilliant volunteer artist, Mary Grace B Ranin) are more than just cute accessories, they symbolize our support for wildlife conservation and our commitment to fostering peaceful coexistence between people and long-tailed macaques in Sumile. By wearing them, we proudly raise awareness of the importance of protecting our macaques and and embracing our role as stewards of nature.

Together, we celebrate not only the rich culture and heritage of Sumile but also our shared responsibility to protect the biodiversity that makes our community unique. Through research, education, and community engagement, we continue to work toward a future where people and wildlife thrive together.

Padayon sa pag-amuma sa kinaiyahan ug sa atong mga unggoy! 💚🐒

Happy 40th Araw ng Sumile❤️

30/05/2026

Celebrate Araw ng Sumile 2026 with us! 🎉🌿🐒
Residents and non-residents are invited to join a fun and meaningful community celebration through , promoting human-macaque co-existence and conservation.

Activities include a parade, Zumba dance, human-macaque coexistence talks, social media photo and video contests, on-site poster and slogan making contest, Macaque conservation booth per pure contest, IEC material distribution, basketball tournament, modern dance contest, awarding of prizes, and disco party.

Don’t miss the launching of the Macaque Festival 2027 Plan and the exciting community competitions, including the Macaque Conservation Booth Contest Per Purok.

Come and witness a celebration for the whole community where fun, learning, and conservation come together!

See you all tomorrow at 7am until midnight in Sumile (Sunday, May 31, 2026)

Together, we promote HUMAN-MACAQUE COEXISTENCE!