One of the things that I really love doing is going on nature trips because it relaxes me and leaves me with very great learning experiences. This is the reason why I, together with my team mates, signed up for the tree planting activity last September 6 which was offered by our company. Our current employer was a sponsor of the La Mesa Eco Park and was open for volunteers to take part to at least one day of the tree planting activities which takes place from August to October.
I woke up really early that day, since our call time at the meeting place in Makati was 6:00 a.m. When we arrived at the Eco Park at around 8:30 am, we were first asked to gather in the cottage so one of the organizers can explain the significance of planting trees in the park.
Here are some of the things that we learned during the briefing:
- La Mesa Watershed is the primary source of drinking water of about 12 million Metro Manila residents and that it's owned by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), a government agency that supplies the water directly to the residents.
- This forest is the last remaining one of its size in Metro Manila and serves as its carbon dioxide sink. La Mesa Watershed, therefore, is vital to the city, not only because it is a primary source of drinking water, but also because its forest functions as the lungs of Metro Manila, providing it with clean air
- Due to lack of funds, illegal settling, poaching and logging, La Mesa Watershed came into disrepair and ruin. In 1999, ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. created Bantay Kalikasan (Nature Watch) and, in partnership with the MWSS, undertook the Save La Mesa Watershed Project. The project aimed to rehabilitate, reforest, preserve and protect La Mesa Watershed. The total area that needed reforestation was 1500 hectares. Today, eight years since the project started, only 158 hectares remain to be planted. Bantay Kalikasan’s strategy of actively involving the general public in the project, through its Adopt/Protect-ATree/ Hectare programs, was key to its success.
After the briefing, we were then asked to go to our respective groups for us to be given instructions on how to plant the trees properly. The process was kind of easy because the holes where the trees will be planted were already dug. It just got a little challenging for us since the rain did not stop the whole time we were planting. Still, Carina, Regor and I managed to plant all of the trees in the terrain assigned to us by lunch time. The three of us were all pretty wet, dirty, and starving after finishing our lot.
At around 12:30 pm, we arrived at the La Mesa Eco Park Pavilion, which was located on the other side of the place. The people were all really hungry that I remember the buffet line getting really long immediately after our arrival at the pavilion!
After eating, we were told by one of the La mesa Eco Park's personnel that since we’re volunteers (and probably because our company was a sponsor), we can roam around the park and get to try some of their facilites for free! Here are some of the facilities the Park is offering:
I found our tree planting activity at the La Mesa Eco Park a really wonderful experience. The activity was not only fun, but was also very fulfilling as I have contributed something in helping manage, if not resolve, the pollution in Metro Manila. In my own little way, I know I have done something in saving the planet. I’m hoping that everyone who reads this would also volunteer and take the big leap. =)
Note: The La Mesa is open for donations in Protecting a Hectare, Adopting a Tree, and Adopting a Hectare. Please click here for more details.
Lopez Picnic Grounds – Five hectares of picnic spots with grilling facilities underneath a forest of varied trees.
Salt Water Swimming Pool – Probably the only salt water pool that is open to the public. Salt granules are used instead of chlorine making the water safer and less toxic.
Superferry Boating Lagoon – To experience and enjoy a paddle boat ride, one once had to trek all the way to Baguio’s Burnham Park to do so. Now this popular activity is available right here in Quezon City.
Fishing Lagoon – Fishing is another very popular to-do at the park.
Petron Fitness and Mountain Bike Trail – Here, one can enjoy a full-body workout under the shade of trees. The fitness trail has 17 exercise stations and connects to a forested 1.2 km mountain bike trail.
Shell Flower Terraces – Two hectares of flower terraces. This is actually the dam wall of the reservoir.
Ecomuseum – A museum dedicated to environmental education and biodiversity conservation.
Butterfly Trail and Hatchery – An educational walk through the wonderful, colorful world of butterflies.Various pavilions for rent are available for private functions.
We saw that they also offer Paintball, Wall-climbing and Zipline. However, we just decided to go boating since the line for the zip line was very long, and there was no personnel manning the Paintball station.
After boating, we took a few strolls around the park, took some pictures of the place, then ate dirty ice cream to conclude the day.
I found our tree planting activity at the La Mesa Eco Park a really wonderful experience. The activity was not only fun, but was also very fulfilling as I have contributed something in helping manage, if not resolve, the pollution in Metro Manila. In my own little way, I know I have done something in saving the planet. I’m hoping that everyone who reads this would also volunteer and take the big leap. =)
Note: The La Mesa is open for donations in Protecting a Hectare, Adopting a Tree, and Adopting a Hectare. Please click here for more details.
Just wanna share...
I was just so happy when I saw the eco bags, made of organic cotton, being sold at Mark’s and Spencer's (for P295) because I know, I cannot only use one of these in contributing to help save the environment, it can also make me do my groceries with style! I can even use this bag in shopping for clothes! :) I have personally chosen the Twiggy bag because I am such a big fan of hers and the design of the bag was just the simplest and most classy in the bunch. Yipee for being eco-friendly! :)
I was just so happy when I saw the eco bags, made of organic cotton, being sold at Mark’s and Spencer's (for P295) because I know, I cannot only use one of these in contributing to help save the environment, it can also make me do my groceries with style! I can even use this bag in shopping for clothes! :) I have personally chosen the Twiggy bag because I am such a big fan of hers and the design of the bag was just the simplest and most classy in the bunch. Yipee for being eco-friendly! :) 
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