The Westin Manila, a MICHELIN Guide–selected five-star hotel, recently turned over donations to the HARIBON® Foundation in support of its Forests for Life Movement, a long-term rainforestation initiative focused on the conservation and restoration of Philippine forests.
The turnover ceremony was held on November 6 at The Westin Manila, attended by key representatives from the hotel, the HARIBON Foundation, and birdwatcher and photographer Camille King.
The hotel’s Rainforestation + Protection of Avian Life fundraising campaign was conceptualized by the marketing team led by Assistant Director for Marketing Communications Meghann Hernandez. The initiative aligns with Marriott International’s Serve360 sustainability program and was launched in June 2025 in observance of World Environment Day.
“We understand the importance of environmental health to our well-being,” said The Westin Manila General Manager Alexander Dietzsch.
“As a hotel focused on holistic wellness and sustainability, we want to do our part in sowing seeds for the future—not only trees, but also knowledge that will connect the community in preserving the world we live in,” Hernandez said. “We launched this fundraising campaign to foster environmental stewardship in a way that is familiar to most. We wanted to highlight that our forests are also home to local flora and fauna that all play important roles in the sustenance of life on our planet.”
Dietzsch and Hernandez also serve as co-chairs for the Philippine councils of the Marriott Worldwide Business Council and the NextGen Marriott Business Council, respectively. Both councils promote community engagement and sustainable growth within the local hospitality industry.
To spotlight local biodiversity, the campaign featured a collaboration with birdwatcher and photographer Camille King (@hellobirdieph), who has become an advocate for environmental conservation after witnessing the effects of deforestation and illegal wildlife trade.
“I can’t forget the sounds of chainsaws in the distance, trucks hauling logs, and seeing barren mountains stripped of trees that serve as natural habitat for our local fauna,” King shared. “Very few people know that we have a total of 761 bird species in the Philippines, of which 274 are endemic or can only be found in the country. The presence or absence of birds is an indicator of the health of an environment. Birds are pollinators—they help disperse seeds, and they help control pests, so their presence in any area is beneficial for people as well. One way to help protect them is by supporting conservation organizations such as HARIBON.”
The campaign, which ran from June to September, generated funds equivalent to 50 seedlings to be planted and maintained by HARIBON. The donation will support rainforestation site preparation, seedling production, nursery establishment, and maintenance, as well as training and livelihood programs for partner communities.
As a token of appreciation, The Westin Manila gave each donor an illustrated postcard of the Magnificent Sunbird (Aethopyga magnifica), based on a photograph by King. The design underscores the campaign’s advocacy to protect endemic avian species.
In July, other Marriott properties in the Philippines also adopted the campaign to further strengthen awareness on forest and wildlife conservation.
Established in 1972, HARIBON is the Philippines’ first and oldest non-governmental organization dedicated to biodiversity conservation.
For more information, visit www.westinmanilahotel.com or follow @westinmanilahotel on Facebook and Instagram. Inquiries may be directed to +632 8256 2020 or [email protected].
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