El Nino

It's February a month shy  from official summer season, which is March but already we are sweating like pigs. News on TV and virtually everywhere say it's because of El Nino Phenomenon.

Though not yet "the worst" El Nino said the PAGASA bureau director Frisco Nilo, our body temperature and the unbearable heat in the air scream otherwise.

(photo from mindoropost.com)

In Manila, where I'm at, it's hotter than usual. But as I observed, the nights are actually a little colder, which seemed to make this hot season a little bearable. However, this makes one a little lazier to do some outdoor activities because of the humidity. We are more inclined to stay cool during free days at the mall to watch the latest romance flick.

However, because of the hot climate, isn't El Nino the best reason to gear up for a spontaneous quick beach trip in Batangas or Zambales?


However, on a larger scale, if the El Nino has been unkind to us city dwellers, the damage is worse in key agricultural provinces like Cagayan Valley and Isabela.  The irrigation has dried up in those provinces and the once rich and fertile lands have been replaced by arid soil. Corn and rice production will be close to impossible the next few months and this will affect the livelihood of our kababayans.

Other areas affected by El Nino are Benguet, Batanes, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga, Batangas, Iloilo, Guimaras, Antique, Mindoro, Negros Occidental and Capiz.

It is sad to note that some of the provinces affected by El Nino now were the same provinces greatly affected by typhoon Pepeng last year. Sad how nature cruelly subjects the country to an extreme seesaw of climates. Our fault? It's time to think of the environment. We've seen how she gets mad.

Fit and Fun Activities at the La Mesa Eco Park

Okay so La Mesa Eco Park is a nature park, but that's not all! It is an ecological zone where one can find healthy, fit and fun activities to try and enjoy! As much as possible, I want to visit this place on a regular basis =)

1. Picnic Grounds - Five hectares of picnic spots with grilling facilities underneath a forest of varied trees.

2. Salt Water Swimming Pool – Probably the only salt water pool that is open to the public. And according to some sources in the internet, the salt granules are used instead of chlorine making the water safer and less toxic. My family and I wanted to swim but at that time there are already about 100 people in the pool at 9 am on a Sunday, so we weren't allowed in. (Entrance fee is 80 pesos per head)

 

3. Boating Lagoon - Similar to the paddle boat ride of Baguio’s Burnham Park. (100 pesos boat rental for 30 minutes, maximum capacity of 4 person in a boat) This one is super fun!!! Plus the lagoon is wide with lots and lots of trees, so it's as if one is transported in a rainforest-y river.

4. Fishing Lagoon - one of the most popular to-do in the park

5. Butterfly Trail and Hatchery - entrance fee is 25 pesos park head

6. Trying the E-Jeepney. This is one of the few things that made the place really special and truly eco-friendly. Imagine a nature park with a service that emits smoke? The E- Jeepney is one of those little things that made the Ecopark a real deal, making the place really truly care for the environment. The jeep doesn't run on gas, it doesn't emit smoke. The ride was very smooth. I hope all  jeepneys and vehicles are electronic to minimize smoke.

7. No smoking everywhere. I admit, smoker here. And there are no cigarettes in stalls, positively no smoking zone! And for about a full day, what can a smoker do if there are no cigarettes in the area? I almost forgot I did't smoke for the entire day! Liberating!

8. Organic Products. There is a store inside that sells organic products and albeit exotic like carrot, papaya andmalunggay noodles, and daguey fruit from Nueva Vizcaya. Almost vegetarian fare but really healthy I believe.

9. Overnight camping facilities are also available, seen boy scouts camp here

10. Wall-climbing.  I haven't tried this but some of my friends did! This is nice because the wall is set up in the open air plus you'll know that you're breathing fresh air because of the many trees that surround the area!

11. Paintball field. Ive tried paintball before in Enchanted Kingdom and it's super fun! So I wanna try it here. Painball gear and field rental is 150 pesos per person, so tag your friends along!

12. Zip lining. Now this is one of those fun and interesting activities to try in La Mesa Eco Park. Some of my friends have tried this, but I'm too chicken to try. boo. The zip line cuts across the boating lagoon 

13. Horseback Riding. Yes some horses abound the whole complex! And it's quite exciting too!

14. Biking. There is also a biking activity where one can rent a bike for only 150 pesos an hour.

15. Jogging. Of course jogging or even brisk walking. The whole area is a very very good place to exercise your lungs because you'll be breathing in fresh fresh air.

 

This place is a very chill and healthy way to spend one of those weekends. A whole day of trying out these fun and fit and healthy activities is a fresh breath better than spending hours walking in a mall. So spare a weekend and tag your friends along to have a green, clean and eco weekend!

(photo credit: me. and www.bluegreen.blogspot.com and www.maniladailyphoto.blogspot.com)

The La Mesa EcoPark

Is a dam and an ecological reservation site in Quezon City in the Philippines. It is part of the Angat-Ipo-La Mesa water system, which supplies most of the water supply of Metro Manila. The La Mesa Dam is an earth dam whose reservoir can hold up to 50.5 million cubic meters occupying an area of 27 square kilometers.

The La Mesa Ecopark is located in East Fairview Subdivision, in Quezon City. It is in the heart of the La Mesa Dam Watershed which is the source of the Metro Manila water supply. The park which used to be a neglected area was recently developed to become a haven where Quezon City folks could escape from the euphoria of urban living.

While inside, one could experience a nature park inside the city. I swear, I have become an advocate of this park ever since I set my foot on it in 2009 with my mom who is a fan of nature parks. She likes the trees and breath of fresh air, plus if we're not on the move to our province to Batangas, she almost always wanted to go to Eco Park to see vast greens.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE
Entrance Fee: 50 pesos
Special Rate: 40 pesos for Quezon City residents, 20pesos for Quezon City students, and FREE for Senior Citizens
Tel. No.: 430-4051 and 430-5207
Email Address: lamesaecopark@abs-cbn.com
Website: www.lamesaecopark.com

HOW TO GO TO LAMESA ECO PARK
by car: Take Commonwealth Avenue towards Fairview. You will be passing the following landmarks: UP Diliman, Iglesia ni Cristo Templo Central, Ever Gotesco, Sandiganbayan, Litex, Mercury Drugstore. Turn right at East Fairview Subdivision’s Winston St. then right at Marlboro St. all the way to Pall Mall St. where you should turn left. Turn right at the first corner. You will enter the La Mesa Dam Guard House. There is only one road to take then turn left to the parking lot, in front of which is the gate to the park. The lagoon is further down the path.

by public transportation: from SM North Edsa take a Fairview-bound FX, bus, or jeepney and tell the driver that you're goping to the La Mesa Eco Park, get off at the East Fairview Subdivision. At the gate, ride a tricycles that can take you to the Eco Park.