Being Girly in a Man’s Field

Sometimes I look around and laugh at where I ended up. I work as a forester. You know, boots covered in mud, surrounded by chainsaws, giving instructions to a team of mostly men, climbing up slopes just to check the health of a tree. It’s technical, physical, and sometimes really exhausting. And still, my friends are surprised when they see me doing it.

Why? Because I’m “girly.”

Yup. I like fixing my hair even if I’m just headed to the nursery. I wear light makeup to site visits because it makes me feel good. I care about aesthetics. I notice the way a leaf curls, how the colors of foliage blend into the landscape, how trees can be arranged to tell a story. I like pretty things. I talk softly. I get emotional sometimes. I’m just a ghoOOOOrL.

Because let’s be real. People don’t expect someone like me to be in the field. When you ask them, they expect foresters to be gruff, rugged, sunburnt men with calloused hands and no-nonsense attitudes. Not a woman who speaks softly and notices color palettes in tree bark. (Whattt??)

I started to question if I was too soft, too gentle, too emotional. I wondered if I needed to act tougher or speak louder just to be taken seriously. But the more time I spent doing the work, the more I realized that my softness wasn’t a weakness, it was actually my strength. Yiiee!

I know my craft. I studied it, trained for it, and now I live it every day. I know the science. I understand tree physiology, soil health, root systems, and how to design landscapes that are both sustainable and beautiful. I’ve led transplanting operations, dealt with storm-damaged trees, checked risk zones, and managed nursery teams. I’ve worked in the rain, under the harsh sun, even during those days when the job felt too heavy emotionally and physically. And I still showed up. Fully. Authentically. As myself.

Sure, I might not look like the “typical” forester. But maybe it’s time to change the picture. Let’s bring color, creativity, and compassion into the field. Because guess what? Forests aren’t just about hardness and strength. They’re about balance, growth, and nurturing. (maisingit lang lol)

Always,

Prei