
2025
Philippines,Mar 2025: The AGTA PALANAN IP ORGANISATION (APO) is now launching its very own research initiatives! Their first projects are already underway, focusing on soil analysis in areas targeted for reforestation and identifying the best cacao species and cultivation methods suited for local Agroforestry systems.
What makes this especially inspiring is that most of the research team is composed of Agta community members themselves. This marks a major step in empowering local Indigenous knowledge and leadership in environmental and agricultural innovation.
A formal agreement has also been signed between APO and the University of Zurich (UZH), ensuring that the Organisation will receive an additional 5–10% for all services provided by the Agta. This not only supports fair compensation but also encourages greater Agta participation across future projects.
Both APO and UZH are learning and growing together—blending traditional wisdom with scientific research for sustainable progress.
📩 For more information, reach out to Mandy Plata, APO's point of contact, at manzkalahe@gmail.com.


Philippines,Feb 2025: The HEE Group has successfully created a 3D map of the Palanan region, a powerful tool now being used to pinpoint and mark the exact locations for seedling planting.
One of the key goals of this initiative is to establish a "green belt" around previously deforested areas. This strategic reforestation effort not only helps restore the environment but also aligns with Filipino environmental laws, which protect productive lands from future deforestation.
By planting Cacao seedlings through Agroforestry systems, the project provides a sustainable way to protect the land—while also delivering economic benefits to the Agta communities through cacao production.
It's a win-win for people and planet—guided by Indigenous knowledge, science, and sustainable practices!

Philippines, April 2025
We're proud to share that 100% of the financial contributions to this project will directly benefit the Agta people—the very community leading the tree-planting efforts on the ground.
All decisions on how the funds will be used have been guided by a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) led by Mr. Mandy Plata from the Agta Palanan Organization (APO).
"During the Census Project, we had the opportunity to speak with a wide range of Agta community members—across genders, ages, and occupations. We asked them what they love about their community, and what challenges they face. With these insights, we can now make more informed, community-driven decisions on how to allocate the APO funds most effectively," Mr. Plata explained.
This project is more than reforestation—it's about empowering a community to grow, thrive, and shape its own future.

Philippines, April 2025: "Nursey ready". We (APO, ISU, UZH and PNU) are very happy to achieve our results and much more to "refresh" ourselves inside the nursery.... I hope the seedling will fell the same!!!




Philippines, 2025: "Knowing Better to Move Better"
From December 2024 to February 2025, a dedicated team of researchers—led by Mr. Mostafavi and Mrs. Lea Kerrer—embarked on an ambitious and impactful mission: conducting a comprehensive census of the Agta communities in Palanan.
This project wasn’t just about numbers. Every Agta household was engaged in a meaningful dialogue through a wide-ranging series of questions designed to capture their needs, perspectives, and way of life. Simultaneously, critical work was done to map (using GIS technology) culturally and ecologically significant areas—such as sacred sites, water sources, cultivated lands (primarily rice and coconut), and zones essential for the community's daily sustenance and continuity.
All collected data is strictly confidential. Every partner and researcher involved must sign a data-use agreement to ensure respectful and responsible handling of this sensitive information. The findings will now undergo in-depth analysis and processing.
Some data has already been shared by UZH with ISU and APO, and NCIP will soon receive a detailed copy outlining land use and occupation within the identified zones. If you want to know more about it, please contact rudy@rksmedia.co.uk.
This is just the beginning—true change starts with truly understanding.

One of the talks about Agta.and IEP opportunities in Palanan Campus (Echague, Cabagan and PNU Alicia).


Philippines, February 2025
Over the course of ten inspiring days, the HEE Group—represented by Mr. Schlaepfer and Mr. Mostafavi—visited the ISU campuses in Echague, Cabagan, and Palanan, as well as the PNU Campus in Alicia. Their mission? To present and promote the International Exchange Programme (IEP), a groundbreaking initiative developed in collaboration with these institutions and supported by the Embassy of the Philippines in Bern and Senator Loren Legarda.
The response from students was overwhelming. Many expressed strong interest in working alongside the University of Zurich (UZH) on research projects with the Agta communities in Palanan. A wave of formal proposals poured in through this portal, and the application round for 2025 has now officially closed.
We’re thrilled to have identified an outstanding group of candidates for IEP 2025. These students are currently engaged in exciting field projects across Isabela, focusing on interviews and Theory of Mind research. Once their data collection is complete, selected candidates will be invited to UZH’s Irchel Campus to write up their findings as part of a CWT (Conclusion Work Thesis).
We’re hopeful that some of these bright young researchers will go on to pursue Master’s and PhD studies with us—continuing to build bridges between cultures, disciplines, and futures.
Philippines, Feb 2025
HEE Group Inspires Students Across ISU and PNU Campuses!
Between February and April, the HEE Group visited several campuses of ISU and PNU, delivering engaging lectures on the International Exchange Programme (IEP) and introducing exciting research opportunities available in the region.
Over 450 undergraduate students from Forestry, Agronomy, Psychology, and Education took part in these sessions. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with many students applying to join the programme—and some are already actively contributing to ongoing research projects!
The selection process for official candidates will take place once the current research phase concludes in August 2025. Mr Mustafavi "We’re thrilled by the enthusiasm and talent of the students and look forward to welcoming a new wave of researchers soon!"
Philippines Apr 2025: Say hello to the Dream Team of the HEE group! During the next two months they will be at the fieldwork. This dynamic crew takes the lead on developing the majority of our projects. This time, their work goes far beyond data collection — they’re the ones planning expeditions, handling permits, and connecting with community elders to respectfully secure formal consent. Their energy, dedication, and teamwork are the driving force behind our field success! Thanks for all of you guys (from the left: Salvador, Princess, Alvin, Lady Ann, Aiza, Ammai, Handsome Rudy, Christel, JonJon, Jamaica, Ismael, Michaela, Christian,Mandy, Caleb and Dinalin).




Philippines, March 2025: With the wisdom of Agta elders and the collaboration of the APO and ISU, four vibrant new sites have been chosen to kick off our Reforestation Programme! These locations were carefully selected and marked thanks to a stunning 3D map developed by UZH.Each of these reforestation hotspots now holds 500 thriving seedlings—fully funded through generous donations via AgtaBook. That’s 2,000 new trees ready to grow and restore the land!Now comes the exciting part: planting them! Our next step is to get every seedling into the ground and log its exact GPS location, planting date, and the name of the person who planted it.And here’s where it gets even better—soon, you’ll be able to track your tree(s) right here on this website through an interactive map! You’ll also be able to see a full breakdown of the Reforestation Programme’s costs for total transparency.Let’s grow something incredible together!
Agta leader chooses the place to be reforested... The transportation of 500 seedling of native species on the way!

Philippines April 2025: Following the directives of the Nursery School, 20% of the nursery space will be dedicated to forestry research and experimentation. This exciting initiative aims to deeply involve students from the ISU Palanan Campus in hands-on scientific work while generating valuable data to support the Agta Palanan Organization (APO). Currently, two key experiments are already underway: One is based in Soil Analysis. A great part of a successful reforestation programme success relies on the the soil conditions. The ISU students will have the opportunity to collect and analise four selected reforestation sites. Resuming, Their tasks include collecting soil samples, sending them for laboratory analysis, and comparing the phisical and chemical results. Based on these findings, recommendations may be made to enhance soil quality and improve seedling establishment rates. The second project focuses on identifying the most adaptive cacao seedlings for different regions. Students are measuring the response of the seedling for different soils an levels of light, This ewperiment analysing physical traits—such as seedling weight, root axis length, leaf area, and other growth indicators—to determine which varieties show the greatest potential for successful cultivation. These projects not only provide students and APO with valuable research experience, but also deliver practical, science-based solutions for sustainable agroforestry in Agta communities. It’s a step forward in bridging academic knowledge with local impact.
PROJECT 01_25: Soil Samples and Analises
PROJECT 002_25: Cacau Agroforestry (2 varieties)

Philippines Apr 2025, Palanan: To mark the launch of AgtaBook, we hosted a vibrant series of events that brought our community together in support of a meaningful cause. During the festivities TREEMOMETER. A heartfelt thank you to Benji and Cuia Jimmy for stepping up and producing seedlings even before our nursery was up and running. Thanks to your dedication, we're now thrilled to announce that our nursery is fully operational! With the capacity to produce up to 20,000 seedlings per year, we're not only on track to offset our HEE carbon emissions—we’re also ready to help other departments do the same and amplify the impact across the board.
The journey has just begun, and we're growing stronger every day—literally and figuratively!
One memorable part of this presentation was giving the cacao fruits for them to open and taste... Later on we gave them chocolate made from those seeds!!!
Other great bmoment was when Mr Schlaepfer started to count the Agta Tales in their mother tongue (Agta Paranan)... Some leaders were intrigued since Mr Schlaepfer never spoke Agta Paranan!!!
Joining all this great actions, the Agta were invited to visit the Nursery and whwn they were inside, Mr Jonathan turned on the irrigation system!!! They screamed, laughet and ran out of the buildind!
A heartfelt thank you to Benji and Cuia Jimmy for stepping up and producing seedlings even before our nursery was up and running. Thanks to your dedication, we're now thrilled to announce that our nursery will be fully operational on july 2025 ! With the capacity to produce up to 20,000 seedlings per year, we're not only on track to offset our HEE carbon emissions—we’re also ready to help other departments do the same and amplify the impact across the board.
The journey has just begun, and we're growing stronger every day—literally and figuratively!



2024
Amid the vibrant colors, music, and culture showcased at the festive celebration organized by the Embassy of the Philippines, something extraordinary was quietly unveiled — a bold and inspiring initiative by the HEE group: the launch of a revolutionary new chocolate concept called Gathering Chocolate.
More than just a treat for the palate, Gathering Chocolate tells a deeper story. It begins in the lush, biodiverse forests cared for by the Agta, an Indigenous community in the Philippines. There, cacao trees are being cultivated not through traditional monoculture farming, but using agroforestry principles — a harmonious, sustainable approach that blends agriculture with forest conservation. This method not only preserves the integrity of the natural ecosystem, but it also empowers the Agta as stewards of their ancestral lands.
In just 3 to 4 years, when these carefully nurtured cacao trees begin to bear fruit, the Agta will gain a new, sustainable source of income — one that is directly tied to protecting the environment. With every bar of Gathering Chocolate, consumers across the world will be supporting both Indigenous livelihoods and tropical forest conservation.
The project has already garnered strong political support. Swiss Senator Bernard Di enthusiastically endorsed the initiative, praising it as a model for future collaborations between nations, Indigenous communities, and environmental innovators. He pledged his full backing and hinted at more promising projects soon to follow — all designed to uplift the Agta and promote sustainable development rooted in cultural respect and ecological care.
This is more than chocolate. It’s a movement — and it’s only just beginning.
AgtaBook Pre-Release Events
In June 2024, the AgtaBook was released during the commemorations of the Independence Day of the Philippines at the Embassy of the Philippines in Bern.
The Ambassador Bernard Faustino M. Dy hosted UZH, ISU and PNU members and made a great speech about the partnership with those institutions.
The ISU delegation was headed by Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino (University President), with special attendance from Dr. Marita R. Canapi (Commissioner, Commission on Higher Education), Prof. Agnes Reyes (Executive Director of PNU), Prof. Leticia N. Aquino (PNU - Indigenous Peoples Education Advocacy) and Prof. Isagani P. Angeles Jr. (ISU - Director of International Affairs).
Event in Zurich
SWITZERLAND, 2024

Event in Bern



In June 2024, HEE group is organising two events for pre releasing the AGTA BOOK, and present its current projects in the Philippines. The first event (12th June)
will be at the Embassy of the Philippines in Bern. The second event (14th June)
will be at the University of Zurich . Both events will have the illustrator Paulo Sayeg, making art panels and drawings related to the Agta Culture.
- 12th of June,2024- 19:00 - Embassy of the Philippines, Kirchenfeldstrasse 73/75 Bern, 3005
- 14th of June, 2024- 17:00 - Irchel Bar - University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse, 190 Zurich, 8057.



AgtaBook and projects in the Philippines
SWITZERLAND, 2024
Come and get a tree planted by an Agta in Northern Sierra Madre, Palanan.


All About Cacao... PIVAC Event
PHILIPPINES, 2024
In April 2024, HEE Group sponsored the participation of two members Nanet Eugenio and Enrico Cabaccan of ISU ISU (Isabela State University) Campus Palanan in PIVAC 2024 in Cebu City. Different topics such as Cacao cultivation, sustainability strategies, soil management and business possibilities, among others, were presented and discussed in PIVAC. It was a great opportunity to approach ISU Palanan members to the cacao activity, looking for spreading this knowledge to the Agta People in near future. Thanks for Myleen Corpus (ISU) and Sadegh Mostafavi for making this possible!

PHILIPPINES, 2024
Visiting ISU Cacao Programme
In February 2024, Mr. Mostafavi (HEE group) and Roy Layao (NCIP) organised a visit of the Agta Association members to the ISU (Isabela State University) Cacao Programme in Echague Campus. It was a great opportunity to introduce the Agta leaders to this new technology and to discuss about the new partnership between ISU and the Agta Association. Thanks Mrs Myleen Corpus and Dr. Ricmar Aquino to make it possible.


2023
Tree Nursery in Palanan
PHILIPPINES, 2024
In January 2024, our Field Coordinator Mr. Sadegh Mostafavi officially started to build the HEE/ISU Nursery in Palanan to attend the Reforestation Programme in Sierra Madre (more information down this page). This project could not be done without the Agta Association and our local partners ISU (Isabela State University) and NCIP (National Commission on Indigenous Peoples) support. When ready, this nursery will be used to grow native trees and cacao seedlings to be planted in key areas of the Agta region, following the Agroforest principles and practices, and certified by DENR (Department of Environment and National Resources). All the technology for cacao production and trade will follow the expertise of the ISU.


SWITZERLAND, 2024
"Agta Book" Kids version
In January 2024, the HEE group in partnership with PNU (Philippine Normal University North Luzon) started to produce a collection of School Books with Agta traditional stories to be distributed in the Primary Schools of Isabela Province. This project aims to increase the awareness about the importance of the Agta culture. It is a collection of seven books with different tales and related activities to be developed by the teachers and their students.




PHILIPPINES, 2024
Agta People and Native trees
In January 2024, while the HEE/ISU Tree Nursery is not ready, the Agta from Diago led by Jimmy Donato, produced two thousand and fifty seedlings of Bisahaw tree - Calophyllum inophyllum L. .
These seedlings have been planted along the shore in Colasi region and Diago as part of the HEE Carbon Free project for Carbon Emission Compensation of HEE group.
Thanks for Cuia Jimmy and his group for that initiative!


SWITZERLAND, 2023
Official visit of ISU and PNU


In November, we received our partners Dr. Ricmar Aquino (President of Isabela State University) and Dr. Leticia Aquino (Executive Director of The Philippine Normal University - North Luzon), to define the next steps for the running projects and design new initiatives and programmes related to the Agta people studies.
They also facilitated the meeting with the Filipino Ambassador Bernard Faustino Dy (in Bern), and designed the International Exchange Programme to be supported by that Embassy.
Thanks Dr. Ricmar and Dr. Leticia for the great partnership!

BERN, 2023
Meeting Ambassador Bernard
In November, HEE group and members of our Filipino partners ISU (Isabela State University) and PNU (Philippines Northern University) had a meeting with the Ambassador Bernard Faustino Dy, in Bern.
We had the opportunity to introduce and discuss about different projects for supporting the Agta People, such as the Agta Book, The HEE Carbon Free, Agta teachers and the International Exchange Programme.
The Ambassador decided to join our projects, giving great support for all of them!
On June 2024, the Embassy will host an event for the official launching of the Agta Book.



PHILIPPINES, 2023
Water pump in Diago
In August, with the help of the Agta Association and coordination of NCIP, the Diago Community built one
deep-well in Diago. This new water resource will benefit around 35 families which live in that area.
Thanks Jimmy Donato for making it possible!

Great Job!!! The NCIP Region 2 Office accomplished a great task for stating up the Reforestation Programme in Sierra Madre. During the month of April, NCIP organised and officialised an Agta IP Association with the help of the Agta leaders of Palanan.
This Association will facilitate the implementation of the HEE Carbon Free initiative and other future projects with the same profile involving the Agta Peoples.
Thanks for Anne Sugguiyao, Roy Layao, Ladylyn Ballesteros and Gener Cabaldo, and all other members of the staff.

Agta IPs Association
PHILIPPINES, 2023
Reforestation Programme in Sierra Madre
PHILIPPINES, 2023
In March 2023, HEE group started the implementation of a Reforestation Programme in partnership with its local partners and the Agta peoples of Sierra Madre - HEE Carbon Free. This pilot programme aims to neutralise the emissions of Carbon of the HEE group. It will be needed around 25000 trees to be planted per year, and these seedlings will be produce and planted by the Agta, under the coordination of CoSel and University of Isabela. A tree nursery for producing more seedlings has been designed and will be build in Palanan (North of Sierra Madre). We expect to have more Research Groups from UZH to join the programme when expanded. A number of 800 seedlings of native species were already acquired this month from the Dumagat of Quezon benefiting 65 families of that area. A 3D map of the Palanan region was made to help identifying the key areas to be reforested.





ZURICH, 2022
Collaboro Project starts in December 2022
Prof. Andrea Migliano (Department of Anthropology, University of Zurich) has been awarded an ERC consolidator grant called COLLABORO: Adaptive history of human socio-cognitive development. This project will add to other successful past and current research projects carried out the Human Evolutionary Ecology Group (HEE) at UZH.
We are very thankfull tp SERI (State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation) in Switzerland for supporting the projects approved by ERC.
During December 2022, a great number of applicants for the five PhD positions have been interviewed and soon HEE will have new research members.
We are also working to start new field sites in other countries!
FIeldwork in Diago

In November 2022, Meike Gunter and Gina Menn went to the Philippines for Data Collection. During 40 days, they worked together with our local team in the AGTA communities of Diago and Dipagden.
PHILIPPINES, 2022
PHILIPPINES, 2022
Agta Book
The Agta Book is in its final editorial phase. This book project illustrates the Agta lifestyle with photos, presents texts of scientists and professionals working with the Agta, and also immortalises the Agta traditional stories. The book illustrations are made by Paulo Sayeg and its contents will be written in four Languages (Agta, Tagalog, English and German).

PHILIPPINES, 2022
Research Centre Facility in Palanan
Following the aims of the signed MOU with our local partners (Isabela State University and Lyceum of the Philippines University), we finished the refurbishment of the building located at the Isabela State University, Campus Palanan. This building will be used as a Research Facility Centre, which can accommodate six researchers and storage all equipment for our future field work expeditions in that region.



ZURICH, 2022
Nomads Forest Survival Course
In September 2022, the HEE group offered a Forest Survival Course for its team and other members of the Department of Anthropology, to prepare students for fieldtrips.
The course was designed by NOMAD and tailor-made for our field sites, focusing on Risk Assessment, Medical Emergencies, Infection Control, Remote Areas Communications and tracking, Emergency Evacuation, Camping Equipment among other topics. NOMAD also provided professional medical kits for emergencies in remote areas.
For this training, NOMAD provided two HCPC registered paramedic instructors, both with military backgrounds and extensive expedition experience.
Since the HEE group is increasing, we are planning to offer another Forest Survival Course in 2023.


Department of Evolutionary Anthropology
