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By
the time you're done reading this article, online
or otherwise, you have consumed a part of the earth's
resources. And consumption correlates to wastage,
in terms of carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse
gases. Whether we use the computer, turn on the light,
or switch on the electric fan, we use electricity
and the generation of electricity is the result of
fossil fuel burning and powering the electrical power
plants. This is what we call carbon footprint –
the amount of carbon we produce and release in the
atmosphere every time we do something, whether mechanically
or electrically.
Wanna reduce your carbon footprint and feel a little
less guilty? Then go visit the La Mesa Ecopark in
Quezon City. What used to be a dwindling forest reserve
around the perimeter of the La Mesa dam has been converted
into a nature park for those who long to see lush
greenery and foliage within the concrete jungle of
Manila.
Nature-trippin’
The
Eco-Park has plenty of sights and locations to cater
to the needs of the whole family. Near the park entrance
sits a boating lagoon. For P80 per boat, a family
of four can enjoy an hour's worth of boat ride around
the former spillover pool of the La Mesa Dam. Upon
entering the park itself, you will be awed by the
decades-old trees and ferns that crowd the Lopez Picnic
grounds. Gigantic narra, acacia and mahogany trees
line the place, together with wild flowers and orchids.
The picnic tables and grills can be used free of charge.
And for the nostalgic picnic experience, you can set
up your blanket anywhere within the five hectare park.
On
one corner of the park lies the saltwater swimming
pool. For P80 for adults and P40 for kids, you can
relax and enjoy the experience of swimming in the
ocean, without the fear of riptides or man-eating
fish. Across the pool is the fishing lagoon where
fresh tilapia, catfish, and bangus are kept in stock.
You can rent a pole for P20 and buy some bait if you
want to try fishing. Catch-and-release is encouraged,
but if you decide to keep the fish, you'll be paying
P90 per kilo of fish you catch.
For
the fitness-conscious, there is the Petron Fitness
Trail where 17 exercise stations are located. This
also includes almost two kilometers of winding bike
trail under the thick canopy. But for those who just
want to relax, there's the Shell Flower Terraces.
A 117-step staircase will lead to the top of the terrace
overlooking the whole park. Just behind the flower
garden is the La Mesa dam itself, which supplies fresh
water for the whole Metro Manila and its neighboring
provinces. The flower gardens are best for couples
who want to have their prenuptial photo shoots.
Gettin’ there
Getting
there is easy. If you are bringing a car, just take
Commonwealth Avenue from the Elliptical road going
to Fairview. When you reach the East Fairview Subdivision,
there are signboards posted all the way to the Eco-Park.
But if you’re taking public transportation,
just take the bus going to Fairview and alight at
the entrance of East Fairview Subdivision. From there,
there are tricycles that could ferry you to the park.
The tricycle ride is expensive though if you are riding
alone since it costs about P50 one-way.
Admission to the park costs P50 if you are not a Quezon
City resident, but only P40 for QC residents who show
a valid ID with their address. Students of QC schools
get discounts as they are charged only P20.
There are packages too, ideal for club or company
teambuilding sessions. Pavilions can be rented at
the range of three to five thousand pesos. Entry for
a certain number of people is free depending on the
size of the pavilion that will be rented for the day.
Earth Savin’
Aside
from all the activities available in La Mesa Ecopark’s
amenities, the best thing visitors could do within
the park’s confines is to help reduce carbon
footprint, which can be done by adopting a tree. For
only P250, visitors can now take part in saving Mother
Earth by helping augment the funds used to protect
the ecosystem within the watershed park. And on top
of its earth-saving benefits, adopting a tree entitles
the new “parents” to a free admission
to the park and a certificate of adoption inside the
watershed.
Global
warming is really upon us. But even baby steps—such
as supporting the La Mesa Ecopark—taken by each
of us could help save the environment.
For reservations / inquiries
Call +632.430.405, 430-5207, 430-5207 (telefax)
Email lamesaecopark@abs-cbn.com
For more info, visit www.lamesaecopark.com; www.bantaykalikasan.com;
www.abs-cbnfoundation.com
For
direct deposits: Banco De Oro Unibank Account No:
1270 8477 49;
Account Name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc./Ecopark
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