Management Committee of the Bamboo for Life Project of the Rotary Club of Makati Central Foundation, Inc (RCMC Foundation, Mr. Edgardo Manda, Mr. Willy Segovia and Atty. Rene Valdecantos together with the trustees of the RCMC Foundation, Mr. Conrad Perreras, and Mr. Dex Quintana attended the CORBAMDEV Regional Bamboo Conference held at the Benguet State University(BSU) last July 30, 2008, during which they turned over to CORBAMDEV bamboo seedlings that were sourced from China through a PAGCOR grant. The RCMC Foundation shared the cost of the imported seedings with the First Gentleman Foundation. The 1,000 seedlings arrived from China last May 30, 2008 and were shipped direct to the Benguet State University for the CORBAMDEV and RCMC Foundation's bamboo nursery.

The group of RCMC Rotarians had earlier visited the bamboo nursery to evaluate te technical aspects of establishing a bamboo nursery and to see howBSU manages the day-to-day care for the seedlings.

During the conference, Mr. Ed Manda challenged the various groups involved in CORBAMDEV to motivate more communities / barangays in Benguet to be part of the bamboo project. "If we get more and more partners, we'll go a ong way to reforest and provide livelihood to farmers. We also encourage the students (forestry nd agriculture) to actively participate and continue research for development. This project is our contribution to global warming mitigation. We believe that after five (5) years, Benguet will be like the Anji of China. This is the grass of hope," said Mr. Manda.

Mr. Willy Segovia seconded te challenge of Mr. Manda to involved the whole province in the bamboo propagation and suggested BSU to create project teams with specific goals to address the many facets for the progress of the project.

On bealf of the CORBAMDEV Council headed by Dr. Rogelio Colting, President of BSU, Mr. Jack Dunluan thanked the RCMC Foundation for making Benguet as its pilot area for the Bamboo for Life Project. "We are very glad that you have chosen BSU because this is the center of education here. But, of course, this is not only for Benguet but for the whole of Cordillera... It is very embarrassing though that it is you, the people from Manila, wo are initiating and encouraging us, instead of us doing it for our own provice," said Mr. Dunluan.

Dean Dante Chichioco of the BSU-College of Forestry later on presented a report on various activities CORBAMDEV has conducted such as seminars, trainings, workshop and planting of seedlings. Prof. Romy Sta. Ana, President of the Philippine Bamboo Foundation and Technical Consultant to the RCMC Foundation, also reported that thirty two (32) species of bamboos were received by BSU from China. Mr. Conrad Perreras also gave a presentation on behalf of the BambooPhil, a network of Bamboo experts and advocates, of which he is te Chairman.

Also present at the conference were Bishop Carlito Cenzon, Mrs. Olga Dangwa, Atty. Damaso Bangaoet, Jr, Chairman of Winaca Foundation, Mr. Rogelio Bibal, International Adviser of the Pacific Bamboo Resources, Trustees of the CORBAMDEV Council, representative from different barangays / communities, students from BSU-College of Forestry and BSU officials.

The whole day activities was capped with a simple dinner tendered by the RCMC Foundation at the BSU Canteen.