Do we have a La Mesa Eco Park thread? if none i'll start one ,hope you can also contribute articles and photos , i am amazed w/ this park , yes i still believe we Filipinos can make a difference in our environment .

La Mesa Eco Park: Paradise found
by Donna Corpin
It used to be that fresh air meant going to Baguio, boating meant Burnham Park (again in Baguio), swimming pools meant Laguna, hiking meant Mt. Banahaw, and picnics meant Tagaytay. All those places entailed some planning and considerable budget.

What if there was one place that offered everything--right within the metro?

Since August 2005, the La Mesa Watershed Resort and Ecological Park in East Fairview has been the one-stop destination for all of the above. Quezon City residents and non-residents alike have been flocking to the park to commune with nature without actually going out of town. Anyone with at least a hundred bucks can go there on a whim.

Although Fairview is often regarded as being on the fringes of the city, it’s still relatively close. From Makati, going there would take an hour at least on a good day.

Once on Commonwealth Avenue, it’s pretty hard to picture how a natural enclave can sit in the middle of all the smog, traffic, and crowded streets. Past the imposing Sandiganbayan building, the reek around Manggahan, and the squatters on Riverside, unpolluted and breathable air would be most welcome.

Entering a fenced subdivision is even more unconvincing as the way to a park full of promises. But there on the outskirts of the suburb, all misgivings die and give way to awe when a high drop on the left is seen and a majestic expanse of water magnetizes with its soft waves on the right. It’s like being caught between the devil (the precipice looks like it well slides down to the bottomless pit, albeit covered in greens) and the deep blue sea--which is what kids will no doubt call the La Mesa Watershed. It’s a reservoir more than 70 feet deep, the principal source of Metro Manila’s drinking water.

The Ecopark spans 33 hectares, 10 of which is already operational. It lies within the La Mesa Watershed which measures 2,700 hectares and is straddled by Rizal Province, Caloocan, Marikina, and Quezon City. There’s even more greenery as one enters the park proper. This is no surprise as rare species of plants and animals are aplenty. Fifty pesos gives access to all the park has to offer from 8 AM to 5 PM all days of the week. Those inside before 5 in the afternoon can stay until 6 PM.

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^^ What facilities and amenities can be found there? :dunno:

^^ boating , picnic, camping , a nature walk .....

La Mesa Eco Park Opens
Annaliza T. Villas, Manila Bulletin

QUEZON CITY - Listen to birds chirping, have a picnic, take a walk while enjoying nature's display, bathe on salt water pools… appreciate the seclusion, value and beauty nature in La Mesa Eco Park in East Fairview. Continue below.



Nestled in the heart of Quezon City, the La Mesa Eco Park attracts the people for so many reasons. This garden-like park provides opportunities for visitors to relax and unwind while enjoying a wide variety of trees and plants, particularly orchids.

In addition to excellent recreation, the park also boasts of its salt-water swimming pools.

Known as the only park having salt-water swimming pools open for public use in Manila, La Mesa Eco Park administrator Delia Abesamis asserted that it is one of their facilities that no other park in Manila has.

"It is the only salt-water pool in Manila open to the public. With a swimming fee of P30 and P60 per person, swimmers can enjoy clean, and healthier water," said Abesamis.

Manage by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and other private firms, she disclosed that salt-water pools require more supervision and upkeep compared to ordinary swimming pools.

"Health experts say salt-water pool is healthier than ordinary pool, which has chlorine content. The maintenance of salt-water pools is more expensive than ordinary pools but we see to it that pool water is clean and safe for the public," she said.

Aside from its salt-water pools, the park offers a broad range of recreational opportunities including camping, while children can play on green fields.

"Visitors can use the amenities at the park, tables and chairs, which had been specifically constructed for the families, so they can enjoy their quality time together while having fun. We also provide cooking and grilling areas if they want to prepare their meals hot and fresh. Unlike other parks, we do not restrict the visitors to bring in foods and drinks," she enthused.

But she noted that visitors should clean their spaces before leaving, emphasizing on the cleanliness of the nature park.

"We also want the visitors to be accountable in maintaining the cleanliness of the park. As long as they keep the park clean, we allow them to do their own cooking," she added.

For the orchid enthusiasts, the Orchidarium is the 'must-see' area. It is an enclosed orchid trail exhibit featuring a wide variety of orchids in bloom from the Philippine Orchid Society (POS) and some donated by Senator Franklin Drilon.

Some of orchid species and ornamental plants to be seen at the Orchidarium include Aerides odora, Ascocen-trum aurantiacum, Cymbiduim finallysonianum, Dendrobium anosmum, Dendrobium crumenatum, Dendrobium secundum, Eria ornata, Lipares condylobulbun, Macropo danthus philippinensis, Paphiopedilum haynaldianum, Paphiopedilum philippinense, Ascda, Hilo Jewel, allied Cattleyas, standard Dendrobiums, Oncidium Sweet Sugar, Phalaenopsis shelleriana, Renanthera storiei, Rhychonstylis praemorsa, Trichoglottis amesiana, Trichoglottis latisepala, Trichoglottis philippinensis, Trichoglottis tamesii, Vanda lamellate, Vanda luzonica, Vanda ustii, Waling-waling, Ariods, Bromeliads, and Ferns.

Abesamis averred that many are amazed with the orchid collection displayed that some wanted to buy them or take them home. She revealed it is one of the park's difficulties - how to handle deceitful people.

"There are people who pick flowers without permission, especially if the guards are not looking. We appeal to people to just appreciate the beauty of the flowers," the Eco Park administrator lamented.

For corporate functions such as seminars, conventions, parties and conferences, she said the park's cluster of pavilions can be used.

"We have Narra, Neptune and Ipil pavilions where companies can hold corporate functions. Christmas parties had been held here also," she added.

Through the park is not yet being opened fully and still need more resources to finish the park has been open for the general public since April.

Aside from relaxing, Abesamis said that students also visit the place for the educational purposes. To encourage Quezon City students, 50% discount can be availed while entrance is free for senior citizens. She said around 250 individuals troop the park every day and guests are foreseen to surge as rehabilitation and progress continues. The park is predicted to be fully operational on March 2005 where visitors can go fishing, go boating, camping and biking, among others.

"We are currently putting up the boating lagoon and viewing deck. We also plan to put up biking trails, meditation area and hopefully by Mach we have already completed all the facilities," Abesamis said.

To keep the park smoke-free, Abesamis appealed to people not to insist on entering their vehicles.

"As much as possible we do not allow the visitors' cars to enter the vicinity of the park. It is our responsibility to protect the nature and an element is to keep the air clean free of pollution, that is why we do not allow vehicles to enter the premises of the park. However, admittedly, sometimes it is hard especially if we have VIPs and officials visiting the place," she said.

Inaugurated on April 28 of this year, La Mesa Eco Park is a joint effort of the Quezon City government with Mayor Sonny Belmonte, Metropolitan Water-works and Sewerage System (MWSS), Bantay Kalikasan Foundation, private firms and other sponsors.

The establishment of the park was to uplift the environmental consciousness of the people in Metro Manila.

"The park may be a good place for them to value God's gift to mankind," marked Abesamis.

According to Delia Abesamis, La Mesa Eco Park administrator, the park has been there since the time of the Marcoses.

After decades of being overlooked, with the support of the Quezon City government and other officials, Bantay Kalikasan, private companies and donors, the La Mesa Eco Park on of the oldest park in Quezon City, was revived to a nature park.


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^^ I am happy to see this. We had a thread before when there was an issue about certificates of title being granted inside the La Mesa Dam reservation and the beneficiaries are MWSS employees. Some big houses were already built. I hope that they had put a stop to that. The La Mesa Dam reservation should be preserved and protected. This is the main source of potable water in Metro Manila.

I really don't get why stuff like this doesn't get promoted more
it seems like all you see thats promoted in MM is the shopping, clubbing and intramuros.
imo tourists would probably like to go to parks like this and unwind. see a unique part of nature.
kinda like Stanley Park in Vancouver :)

seems like younger generation prefers seeing scrapers :)

more photos

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google find

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Wow! That's really good news. Sana ma-maintain nila.

Nice photos, dinabaw. :okay:

how to I get to the Eco Park coming from Espana?

That's all natural right? Nothing man-made? :dunno:

There looks like there's a chlorine filled pool, but other than that... it's amazing to think this is in the vicinity of Metro Manila

I never thought such a beautiful ecological paradise exist in middle of a bustling city. Planning a short visit to this place will be one of my sight seeing priorities on my next vacation.

That's all natural right? Nothing man-made? :dunno:

not really replanting the trees are made by man :colgate: but over all look its like in a natural setting :okay:

This is just adjacent our subdivision in Commonwealth, QC but I didn't get to visit it the last time I was there.

how to I get to the Eco Park coming from Espana?

HOW TO GET THERE
Take a Fairview-bound FX, bus, or jeepney. Or if you drive, drive to Fairview. You will be passing along Commonwealth Ave. and passing by the following landmarks: UP Diliman, Iglesia ni Cristo Templo Central, Ever Gotesco, Sandiganbayan, Litex, Mercury Drugstore Commonwealth (along Regalado Avenue).

For Cars: 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.

For Commuters: Get off at the East Fairview Subdivision. At the gate, you should find plenty of tricycles that can take you to the Eco Park.

This is just adjacent our subdivision in Commonwealth, QC but I didn't get to visit it the last time I was there.



HOW TO GET THERE
Take a Fairview-bound FX, bus, or jeepney. Or if you drive, drive to Fairview. You will be passing along Commonwealth Ave. and passing by the following landmarks: UP Diliman, Iglesia ni Cristo Templo Central, Ever Gotesco, Sandiganbayan, Litex, Mercury Drugstore Commonwealth (along Regalado Avenue).

For Cars: 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.

For Commuters: Get off at the East Fairview Subdivision. At the gate, you should find plenty of tricycles that can take you to the Eco Park.

many thanks Lili!

Kool Place,di mo mafefeel ang pollution ng Commonwealth pag nasa Eco Park ka, i like Rock climbing ,Boating, Rapelling dyan...syempre di mawawala yung Cycling,swimming at site seeing...nung punta ko jan may ginagawang hotel.

^^ nako ha hindi dapat may hotel diyan ang laki ng Manila diyan pa nila ilalagay dapat camping site or log houses lang.

Is it true that Payatas dumpsite is just to the right of La Mesa Dam? Check this link...
http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=14712131&x=121097102&z=15&l=0&m=a&v=2


:ohno:

it's kinda weird that ngayon lang nagawan ng thread to while i was rooting for this back in the past QC threads... kaso puro malls na pinag-uusapan sa thread na yun... it's even harder to create a separate thread then with all the regionalism and everything.... (you know... post now kung hindi appealing, see it never sa frontpage) it's even weirder ngayon palang nagtatanong ang mga SSCers (specifically the oldies) kung saan ba talaga eto...

yes SSCers.. we do have a beautiful park in the metro...

Is it true that Payatas dumpsite is just to the right of La Mesa Dam? Check this link...
http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=14712131&x=121097102&z=15&l=0&m=a&v=2
:ohno:

actually malayo-layo pa...

The pond needs circulation, it's stagnant. Fresh water must be piped in (inflow) and also outflow of the water should be flowing for it to remain clean. You can tell na madumi yong pond.

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ang cute nung banaue inspired na garden... :D

cool pics

Please post news reports and pictures of the tropical rainforests left in country today. Include the ones that can be found sporadically in the cities. For example:
Quezon City - La Mesa Dam Eco Park, NA Parks and Wildlife, and the QC Memorial Circle.
Manila - Mehan Garden, Chinese Garden, and the Manila Zoo( that is not only home to starving animals but also towering decades-old trees).
Laguna- Maria Makiling (UP Los Banos Botanical Garden)

Davao City still have alot of rainforests....just travel 15-20 minutes from the city centre and you're already on its footstep.

here's an example of recreating a logged area , the 80 hectare Eden Nautre Park this is 95% MAN-MADE rainforest !!!


Eden photos....

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/7541/db70086514c88546ee4b0d1sy6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
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i'll post more .. the Baracatan rainforest in Toril which is just 15-20 minutes from city center.

yo dinabaw! grabe naman yung 15-20 minutes :D nung pumunta tayo i think almost an hour yun ha, and mabilis pa takbo natin nun.. :D

^^ oi ingon ko rainforest kay sa Toril naa naman rainforest ,pero kanang Eden murag 45 minutes hehehe

@waway: kini way minutes....hahaha

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/308/page22bqb1.png (http://imageshack.us)
“PTA Ground”, a 7 hectare sports area at the heart of Davao City, Philippines that has been the venue of athletic competitions and public activities has lately become idle as the city government pondered on its future as it plans to set up an athletic ground outside the center of the city.

Recently a decision was made to convert it into a nature park, the brainchild of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as he patterned it after the 843-acre Central Park in New York City. The Human Development International lauds the decision of the Mayor to establish a mini forest park in the center of the city amidst bustling traffic and tall buildings for it will give people the opportnunity to commune with nature in the very heart of the city. Further instill a high state of public consciousness on the need to protect and preserve the environment. This project is part of the Mayor’s all out effort to bring a “people centered and ecologically balanced development” in the city as it grows to become a great bustling metropolis in the country and in the East Asian Growth Area comprising of countries like Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and others. It is the largest city in the world in point of area and endowed with nature’s
beauty and resources making it not only a food basket but also an important tourist destination.

The mayor said big trees from other areas can be transported and planted in the projected nature park called "balling". The city government is determined to pursue this P70 Million project which will be a model for other cities to follow. It is expected that planting of the big trees will be finished by the year end.

Ian Jon Mendoza, HDI Philippines Executive Director and Ambassador of the Call to Save the Mountains of the World lauded the City Mayor for the remarkable project. Mendoza said, that said undertaking supplements the Call to Save the Mountains of the World done at Mt. Apo, Philippines last February 25, 2003 which the mayor himself has supported - a Davao Initiative that has become a global movement

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/4346/page22cwo7.png (http://imageshack.us)
Above: Proposed Lay-out of the Nature Park
Topmost Right: Shows trees being installed as an initial step in converting the newly elevated area.
Bottom: The Central Park in New York City from
which the idea was patterned by the City Mayor


www.humandevintl.com/hdforum/page22.html

Davao Nature Park


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@waway: kini way minutes....hahaha

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/308/page22bqb1.png (http://imageshack.us)
“PTA Ground”, a 7 hectare sports area at the heart of Davao City, Philippines that has been the venue of athletic competitions and public activities has lately become idle as the city government pondered on its future as it plans to set up an athletic ground outside the center of the city.

Recently a decision was made to convert it into a nature park, the brainchild of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as he patterned it after the 843-acre Central Park in New York City. The Human Development International lauds the decision of the Mayor to establish a mini forest park in the center of the city amidst bustling traffic and tall buildings for it will give people the opportnunity to commune with nature in the very heart of the city. Further instill a high state of public consciousness on the need to protect and preserve the environment. This project is part of the Mayor’s all out effort to bring a “people centered and ecologically balanced development” in the city as it grows to become a great bustling metropolis in the country and in the East Asian Growth Area comprising of countries like Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and others. It is the largest city in the world in point of area and endowed with nature’s
beauty and resources making it not only a food basket but also an important tourist destination.

The mayor said big trees from other areas can be transported and planted in the projected nature park called "balling". The city government is determined to pursue this P70 Million project which will be a model for other cities to follow. It is expected that planting of the big trees will be finished by the year end.

Ian Jon Mendoza, HDI Philippines Executive Director and Ambassador of the Call to Save the Mountains of the World lauded the City Mayor for the remarkable project. Mendoza said, that said undertaking supplements the Call to Save the Mountains of the World done at Mt. Apo, Philippines last February 25, 2003 which the mayor himself has supported - a Davao Initiative that has become a global movement

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/4346/page22cwo7.png (http://imageshack.us)
Above: Proposed Lay-out of the Nature Park
Topmost Right: Shows trees being installed as an initial step in converting the newly elevated area.
Bottom: The Central Park in New York City from
which the idea was patterned by the City Mayor


www.humandevintl.com/hdforum/page22.html

I've always wondered why nobody in Manila considers copying New York's Central PaRK - it would be literally a breath of fresh air to the polluted Metropolis. This is the first time I've found out they're going to have one in Davao - thou I've never been to Davao it doesn't surprise me that they've got a project like this with Mayor Duterte - he seems to be a man who knows very much the value of time; preferring work and action over the more pleasurable debates, discussions, investigations our Senators are fond of. Isnt Davao also the place where firecrackers are banned? How I wish someone would copy that here in Manila, we dont need firecrackers - we could just have a "centralized" fireworks display like what they have in the US, Sydney and other major cities.

I've always wondered why nobody in Manila considers copying New York's Central PaRK - it would be literally a breath of fresh air to the polluted Metropolis. This is the first time I've found out they're going to have one in Davao - thou I've never been to Davao it doesn't surprise me that they've got a project like this with Mayor Duterte - he seems to be a man who knows very much the value of time; preferring work and action over the more pleasurable debates, discussions, investigations our Senators are fond of. Isnt Davao also the place where firecrackers are banned? How I wish someone would copy that here in Manila, we dont need firecrackers - we could just have a "centralized" fireworks display like what they have in the US, Sydney and other major cities.

Manila have La Mesa Park (if you consider the metro), the nice thing about Davao City it's very young and huge. One of the priority projects of Davao is Clean and Green, our environmental awareness is high maybe bec of Mt. Apo , the Philppine Eagle and rare species of flora and fauna .
yes we have " no fireworks" ordinance ... sometimes it's already deafening not hearing any fireworks for almost 6 years :colgate: but i hope the Davao intergrated council (all Davao provinces) will come up n as you said centralize fireworks display in the middle of Davao Gulf :cheers:

more than 50% of Cebu City's land area is Timberland and Watershed...
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1020454.jpg

Urban Jungle...
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m303/michaelragandac/P1100809.jpg

kailan daw mag open ang PTA park?

Does anyone have actual natural rainforest pics?

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Audubon International certifies Malagos Resort as cooperative Santuary
Malagos Garden Resort host a rare collections of indigenous Philippine flora and fauna with several species of butterflies also thrive in its enclosed sanctuary area. With in its area, a birdspark has been built to ensconsed rescued and rehabilitated birds. The resort has an unpretentious amenities for quiet relaxation, catching up with one's reading, or satisfying one's aesthetic sense by looking at vari-colored plants and flowers so arranged with simplicity.

The landscape artist had used rooftops of shedhouses, trellises, fern trees and fences to support orchids and ornamentals creating an over-all harmony of quiet and relaxed ambience.

There is a waterfall – its presence a cooling effect – that seems to flow with a very slow movement of the waters down a man-made creek into a pond at the entrance of the resort.

An attention-getter are rows of orchids blooming profusely.

Just looking at the flowers for a few minutes in such a quiet atmosphere will draw one's attention to nature's power to create such a wonderful and marvelous harmony of colors.

The resort is definitely Filipino in concept. Even the materials used for the garden's infrastructure were carefully made from selected native materials.

The most striking feature of the resort is the garden occupying over half of the entire area and fully planted with native orchids and orchid hybrids coming from the Puentespina orchid laboratory.

"Our original concept is to make this garden a sanctuary fornative orchids, many of which are endangered" said Charita Puentespina, popularly known as Davao's waling-waling lady for having "returned back home" the waling-waling after almost a century ofneglect.

Puentespina was the first to successfully culture the waling-waling in 1985.

The once forested portion of Malagos, was part of the home of the waling-waling which disappeared due to neglect and habitat degradation.

Other amenities of the resort like the restaurant and the swimming pool were added last year.

The Garden resort is a jewel to the Puentespinas – a vision of a dream taking shape; an island haven providing an alternative to sands, beaches and the sun, said Bert Puentespina Sr.

Does anyone have actual natural rainforest pics?


Mt. Apo


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http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/4773/molavecenturytreell7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

My gosh... kelangan ko makapunta dito. Mukhang virginial ang place. Last punta ko sa Mt Apo was 21 years ago. At wala pa akong kamuangmuang sa mundo.

http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/5120/hopefallspbasebruceglicux2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
a waterfalls in the rainforest of Marilog District, Davao City ..here you can also find tarsiers living in the wilds

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/850/baracatanforestpbasebrutq4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
rainforests in Baracatan ,Toril District , Davao City

My gosh... kelangan ko makapunta dito. Mukhang virginial ang place. Last punta ko sa Mt Apo was 21 years ago. At wala pa akong kamuangmuang sa mundo.

lol... hindi puede ang di na virgin doon gusto ni apo sariwa :jk: :lol: oi tagal na noon punta mo, halos mag kasabay tayo ng last climb ko sa Apo.

lol... hindi puede ang di na virgin doon gusto ni apo sariwa :jk: :lol: oi tagal na noon punta mo, halos mag kasabay tayo ng last climb ko sa Apo.

I was 6 years old nung time na yun. Kasama ko yung mga kamag-anak ni mama. Matagal na yun and the only thing I can remember yung hot spring within the vicinity but not sure kung saan yun.

galing 6 years old! :okay:you survive it ! yung hot spring i think is lake agco , well kung gusto mong ma climb uli summer is the best.

galing 6 years old! :okay:you survive it ! yung hot spring i think is lake agco , well kung gusto mong ma climb uli summer is the best.

Thanks for the info. Actually hindi naman talaga kami ng climb up to the summit or something like that. Mga few feet from the base lang kami then after that bumaba din kami. I think it was a great experience pero my memory is so clouded na na I cant remember any scene.

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/gors_iligan/limunsudan_falls.jpg
Limunsudan Falls, Brgy. Rogongon, Iligan City
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/gors_iligan/d18a99b9.jpg
Tinago Falls Trail, Brgy. Ditucalan, Iligan City
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/gors_iligan/e82119b4.jpg
Rainforest and rapids of Maria Cristina Falls
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa35/gors_iligan1/Ilig___bove204.jpg
Rainforest and rapids of Maria Cristina Falls

HIDDEN TREASURES OF ILIGAN

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/boats2.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/boats1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/lagoon.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/canopy.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/ampitheater.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/tortoise.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pond.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/koi.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/fountain.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/fishing.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/map.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/wall.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/trail.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/stairs.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/reservoir.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/parks13.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/parks14.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/parks1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/parks2.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/parks3.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/parks4.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/parks5.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/parks6.jpg[/IMG

[IMG]http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/parks7.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/parks12.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/parks15.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/parks11.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/parks8.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/parks10.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/parks9.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/gors_iligan/limunsudan_falls.jpg
Limunsudan Falls, Brgy. Rogongon, Iligan City
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/gors_iligan/d18a99b9.jpg
Tinago Falls Trail, Brgy. Ditucalan, Iligan City
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/gors_iligan/e82119b4.jpg
Rainforest and rapids of Maria Cristina Falls
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa35/gors_iligan1/Ilig___bove204.jpg
Rainforest and rapids of Maria Cristina Falls

HIDDEN TREASURES OF ILIGAN


nice nce Gors ... ii've been to Maria Cristina Falls several times it's awesome!

I love the La Mesa Ecopark. Kaya lang, ang daming lamok at iba pang insekto kaya dapat may dalang lotion! ;)

Mt. Apo


http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/6831/mtapoivan1006id9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/5184/2549114620079263817nrnvyq9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4013/109356072vdwydnphuw8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/8613/2513330150079263817zjabfd0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/271/mtapoivan105035ap8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/7097/2987283390079263817hvqitf7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/4773/molavecenturytreell7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

My goodness! Hindi ko inakalang may ganito sa 'Pinas! :shocked:

^^ yung kahoy sinj? kung hindi lang naubos noon mas malalaki pa dyan sana. more Apo pics...

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/8927/109357393pteytzfsbh5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/671/109355871nqvdlxfscp5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/4641/30nu3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
the upper portion was devasted by forest fire in late 90's from El nino , now it has regrown .

Wonderful Mt. Apo pictures! Some of the plants look almost primeval.

^^ pang Hollywood movie setting ah!

well if all the rain just went to our drainage, which most likely goes into our rivers, which goes into Manila bay, then it's pretty much useless water. I'm surprised La Mesa isn't a national park

it is a national park....that is why there is a fuss on its preservation....

anyway, if you have not visited the la mesa eco park...do so....you will be amazed that there is such a place right in the heart of metro...there is a P50 entrance per person (cheaper for kids)...another P100 per person...if you are going to use the swimming pool..the picnic tables and huts are free..the big big pavilions though (for parties) is about P5K up...there is a fishing lagoon, a boating lagoon, an orchidarium, hiking trails....bike trails...and the most beautiful part of it...is its cool...even at mid noon...because of the trees...

Hi, We actually planted a lot of orchids in la Mesa Dam area Orchidarium but due to theft , etc....... Very few native orchids survived!

anyone here with access to metro manila's high-rise penthouses?
please post pictures of your roofdeck amenities.
i would like to see photos of union bank's, pbcom's, and rcbc's rooftops, etc..


i am reposting some of mine and other's roofdeck shots.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff125/pentas_photos/malayanrooftop.jpg
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff125/pentas_photos/Helipad_1.jpg



below is my favorite, somebody posted this here in ssc one year ago, i think
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff125/pentas_photos/VernesGo.jpg

Posted earlier:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff137/verdigris_photo/testingthewater.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff137/verdigris_photo/malayanpool.jpg

The Pool at The Shang Grand Tower

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/373660570_ad1250e6fd_b.jpg
Photo by Edwin Rodriguez

Shang Grand. Ganda

the pool at the roof deck is relatively small . .

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j104/sq0111204/DSC00031.jpg

Corinthian Executive Regency

The pool looks nice and the views are breath-taking. A few ornamental plants should soften the outline.

Emerald Mansion yata

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff137/verdigris_photo/IM000468.jpg

St. Francis Tower

Ang ganda ng pool sa penthouse nila no? :banana2:

http://www.thestfrancistowers.com/ph_launch_img/penthouse_launch_03.jpg

Crescent Park Residences - 7th BTO (Build To Own) Project of G&W @ BGC


Infinity pool on the 3/F:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Crescent%20Park/InfinityPool2.gif

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Crescent%20Park/InfinityPool.gif

^^cool...ang lamig siguro dyan pag-gabi...

btw, sabi nila, bad feng shui daw yung infinity pool, ibig sabihin daw, aagos palabas yung swerte mo

St. Francis Tower

^^Why Shangrila Ortigas roofdeck pool looks so prestigious is because of the glass fencing and chrome handrails.


More Malayan Tower pictures. My hometown favorite, of course:)

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff137/verdigris_photo/scootingwithdragonflies.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff137/verdigris_photo/untitled.jpg


Malayan skylounge
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff137/verdigris_photo/skylounge.jpg


http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff137/verdigris_photo/tutubiornottutubi.jpg

Hehehehe, more Malayan Tower pictures I took from the main thread:cheers:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff137/verdigris_photo/malayanlounge2.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff137/verdigris_photo/roofdeckpool.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff137/verdigris_photo/malayanlounge.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff137/verdigris_photo/tarapoolandunionbank.jpg

I asked about the Malayan Plaza skylounge rentals and very affordable. Six hours' rent for just 10k includes the pool and the lounge itself. This could accommodate more than 150 people.
We might hold our Christmas party reunion up there if available.
Views are spectacular! Thanks for the pictures.

Can anyone teach me how to post pictures? I have tons of jpegs I want to share but could not attach them to the postings:bash:

Do we have Makati executives on this blog? Please post pictures of your corporate meetings, I am sure you guys hold your meetings at your respective penthouses

I have not seen Ayala PSE, GT, Pacific Plaza, and One San Miguel's upper level amenities(hint, hint).

Kensington Place - 2nd BTO Project of G&W - Bonifacio Global City

http://www.readyforoccupancy.com/KP-01.jpg


Forbeswood Heights - Bonifacio Global City

http://www.readyforoccupancy.com/KP-02.jpg

Can anyone teach me how to post pictures? I have tons of jpegs I want to share but could not attach them to the postings:bash:

Do we have Makati executives on this blog? Please post pictures of your corporate meetings, I am sure you guys hold your meetings at your respective penthouses

I have not seen Ayala PSE, GT, Pacific Plaza, and One San Miguel's upper level amenities(hint, hint).

When you hit POST REPLY or QUOTE...
on the icons on top - below the left and right arrow - An ICON of POSTCARD.

Click on it. that is here you can put the URL of the picture you want to post.

Usually you can open an account on flicr and photobucket so they can host your picture.

Can anyone teach me how to post pictures? I have tons of jpegs I want to share but could not attach them to the postings:bash:


http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=458527

Thanks @Ryan, @The Rick. I will try it.

St. Francis Tower


Quote:
Originally Posted by joybook_5000
Ang ganda ng pool sa penthouse nila no?


^^Shang Ortigas roofdeck pool as shown by @Therick looks so much better than Shang Makati's. Especially if the ortigas one really is at the rooftop--like, 200meters up there?!?!

that would make it the highest location for a swimming pool in the philippines, i guess

Vivere Suites Rooftop Restaurant and Pool - Filinvest Muntinlupa

http://readyforoccupancy.com/Vivere-1.jpg

http://readyforoccupancy.com/Vivere-2.jpg

http://readyforoccupancy.com/Vivere-3.jpg

http://readyforoccupancy.com/Vivere-4.jpg

http://readyforoccupancy.com/Vivere-5.jpg

^^nice pix The Rick, i hope you post more. And please include makati, rockwell, fort boni, and eastwood hi-rise penthouses if you have any. I am so curious what PBCom's skylounge looks like. Corcorus, you say you live in makati, have you already figured out how to post your pictures?

^^cool...ang lamig siguro dyan pag-gabi...

btw, sabi nila, bad feng shui daw yung infinity pool, ibig sabihin daw, aagos palabas yung swerte mo


not really, i would perceive it this way - aagos palabas ang lahat ng malas :)

wow, the high-rise pictures here are awesome!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid16/p06588442a1f95ac7f4aeaba7a784ee41/fdef71bf.jpg


where jollibee's head honchos land to avoid traffic..
took this from one of the moderators postings, queetz i think.

no greens or gardens up there, it seems.
its executive penthouse probably has very nice amenities and vistas..

makati helipads, nice shot!

roof gardens would have made these more pleasing to the eyes:)

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/2349/mtlo2uk5.jpg

Photo taken by my bestfriend who used to work at PBCom, 52nd floor.

anyone here with access to metro manila's high-rise penthouses?
please post pictures of your roofdeck amenities.
i would like to see photos of union bank's, pbcom's, and rcbc's rooftops, etc..

^^ PBCom rooftop pictures could only be taken from a helicopter:lol::lol:


below is my favorite, somebody posted this here in ssc one year ago, i think
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff125/pentas_photos/VernesGo.jpg
..

^^it will be wishful thinking to find too many pictures, unless they build a taller building near it to get a vantage point:nuts:
but i hope some pbcom executives share pictures of their penthouse meetings, xmas parties, etc. I am sure they hold their xmas party up there.

Yesterday, I visited the Albay Park and Wildlife in Bogtong, Legazpi. The last time I was in the place was before the typhoons struck. Fortunately, the park is still up and running, a popular destination for local and domestic tourists especially families. Entrance fee is 20 pesos for adults, 10 for kids.

Description: A picnic grove and a park rolled into one, this place is the best way to commune with nature right in the heart of Legazpi City. Have a satisfying get together with your family and friends while roaming the park which houses 347 animals belonging to 75 species.

For complete list of animals and more information click here (http://tourism.albay.gov.ph/apwl.htm)

http://tourism.albay.gov.ph/images/apw1.jpg
Entrance (I forgot to take a photo of the entrance! lol so I borrowed this from the Albay tourism site)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9310.jpg
Map

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9295-1.jpg
Ligñon Hill in the background

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/100_9209.jpg
Ornamental Plants/Garden

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9311.jpg
Admin Building

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9312.jpg
A nice place to relax and commune with nature

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9313.jpg
Benches and shaded areas

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9299.jpg
Flowers make the place more pleasing to the eyes

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9298.jpg
The gardens are well-maintained

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9296-1.jpg
The butterfly garden (kaso locked so i didnt get to see any flutterbys lol)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9297.jpg
More benches

Reptiles

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9305.jpg
Burmese Python

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9292-1.jpg
Reticulated Python ('Sawa')

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9293-1.jpg
Reticulated Python ('Sawa')

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9288-1.jpg
The Snake Gallery

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9285-1.jpg
Iguana

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9251-1.jpg
Crocodile

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9252-1.jpg
Crocodile

More birds

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9248-1.jpg
Wild birds, geese, ducks, etc.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9247-1.jpg
Cassowary

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9245.jpg
Ostrich

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9243.jpg http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9250-1.jpg
Ostrich and more wild fowl

A family of deers

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9283.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9282.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9284.jpg
^Find the deer

Tiger
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9264.jpg
^^This is one of the most popular areas of the Park even though the tiger is almost always quite lethargic and just keeps lazing around at the back. I couldn't take a picture of the tiger itself because he/she was too far back in his/her cage to be visible in the camera's viewfinder :lol:

Meanwhile, let's settle for a miniature 'tiger' instead.....
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9263.jpg
^^saw this kitty leisurely strolling just outside the tiger's cage :lol:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9307.jpg
more monkeys they're in there somewhere, just not that visible in the photo lol

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9306.jpg
The Legazpi Airport Tower (view from inside the park)

The park is lush and verdant, still the same beautiful and relaxing tambayan I knew since college days.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9259-1.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9258-1.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9261.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/100_9262.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/ec402336.jpg
Panoramic view of Ligñon Hill from inside the park

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/8d7c7fdd.jpg
Panoramic view of bleacher, biking lane, central roadway. lagoon and bridge gazebo

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Albay%20Wildlife%20Park/e7f61ef6.jpg
Panoramic view of Ligñon Hill, lagoon, bridge/gazebo and playground

Helicopter view of Tektite Towers...
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg108/vavaboom2k7/2K71222-23%20OCC%20TOP%20OFF/TektiteTowers.jpg



Some more major buildings...
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg108/vavaboom2k7/2K71222-23%20OCC%20TOP%20OFF/OrtigasCenter2.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg108/vavaboom2k7/2K71222-23%20OCC%20TOP%20OFF/OrtigasCenter.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg108/vavaboom2k7/2K71222-23%20OCC%20TOP%20OFF/Megamallview.jpg

This one taken at Meralco Avenue flyover one Sunday morning...
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg108/vavaboom2k7/2K71222-23%20OCC%20TOP%20OFF/OrtigasCenter2k71223.jpg[/QUOTE]

ano ba iyan, puro ortigas na lang, i hope makati folks could send pictures of their roofdeck amenities. And i suppose the rockwell, eastwood, and fort boni residents have several of their own.
AWESOME, JAW_DROPPING shots, btw, Vavaboom. Thanks!

^^ The last pic is soooo beautiful! :D

^^ Amen to that. Sayang hindi naisama ang One Corporate Center saka iyung Union Bank. Stunning shot nonetheless!:cheers:

^^ Amen to that. Sayang hindi naisama ang One Corporate Center saka iyung Union Bank. Stunning shot nonetheless!:cheers:

@corchorus: sa One Corporate Center helipad yan kinunan ni vavaboom. :)

Here's one of Makati which shotgunX recently posted... :okay: :okay:

From John MagicEye of AdPhoto.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2046/2182842160_1f2cef95f3_o.jpg

Taken from this thread
http://www.pinoyphotography.org/forum/index.php?topic=2922.3660

^^ Very nice! Nasa alapaap ang kumuha ng pic na ito.

Do we have penthouse restaurants in the Philippines? I would imagine it would be a big hit amongst the 'hip' and sophisticated clientele.

Something like the one in Bangkok - Sirocco.

http://sam-nop.roteee.com/sites/wedding/uploads/story/198/sirocco-bangkok.jpg

^^ i think meron na nito eh.. hanapin ko.. wait..

atop the CSB Hotel i think merong cafe

yes, there was...sinara daw kasi hindi kumikita.

Shangrila Ortigas Center tennis court on low-rise roofdeck. Neat!
By the way, thanks to Shotgun X.
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/667/ortigas4ml5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

More recent photos of the Albay Wildlife Park ---> Click Here (http://yauchi.multiply.com/photos/album/61/ALbay_Wildlife_Park). They're lucky, the tiger came out of its hideout. lol

Makati Pool in the Stratosphere #3

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2419/2056458482_f511873915_b.jpg

Do we have penthouse restaurants in the Philippines? I would imagine it would be a big hit amongst the 'hip' and sophisticated clientele.

Something like the one in Bangkok - Sirocco.

http://sam-nop.roteee.com/sites/wedding/uploads/story/198/sirocco-bangkok.jpg

Yes, Vivere Suites in Alabang...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/130/320035937_1b820a2d5e_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/134/320036584_2922ac5f24_b.jpg

http://readyforoccupancy.com/Vivere-2.jpg

http://readyforoccupancy.com/Vivere-1.jpg

xDKQ-8y0JVI
Vivere Suites - Roof Top - Laguna de Bay Side (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDKQ-8y0JVI)


qkyfa9vh0LQ
Vivere Suites - Roof Top - Manila Bay Side (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkyfa9vh0LQ)

View from the Roof Deck of Malayan Plaza

http://www.readyforoccupancy.com/Malayan-1.jpg

http://www.readyforoccupancy.com/Malayan-2.jpg

http://www.readyforoccupancy.com/Malayan-3.jpg

http://www.readyforoccupancy.com/Malayan-4.jpg


nj_JbKhyQQ0
Malayan Plaza - 20th Floor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj_JbKhyQQ0)


WJsuOQW2o9U
Malayan Plaza - Roof Top (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJsuOQW2o9U)

fresh perspective/views on buildings, :okay:

Do we have penthouse restaurants in the Philippines? I would imagine it would be a big hit amongst the 'hip' and sophisticated clientele.

Something like the one in Bangkok - Sirocco.

http://sam-nop.roteee.com/sites/wedding/uploads/story/198/sirocco-bangkok.jpg


^^well, ive been to the 37th flr penthouse of the citibank tower paseo de roxas corner makati ave. they have a le souffle restaurant and a japanese resto up there. there is an outdoor mini bar but nothing like in bangkok. ours is all dark and lifeless. i heard though that the shang tower has a really nice rooftop restaurant. its a chinese restaurant but its only open for members though. maybe they have good views up there similar to bangkok's.

bangkok has been called many times the ".....blah blah modern city of bangkok". when will manila be called one?

Makati Pool in the Stratosphere #3

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2419/2056458482_f511873915_b.jpg
^^this one's nice, @therick!

Semi-elevated pool at Eastwood, thanks to @dx

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/9938/excelsiorpooltp4.jpg

Semi-elevated pool at Eastwood, thanks to @dx

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/9938/excelsiorpooltp4.jpg

My home spa is based here! That pool is always cold! Only swam in it once. Hehehe!

Not an actual rainforest, but this is from Tagaytay at Picnic Grove (which is unfortunately so dirty and unmaintained, BTW)

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r64/jborlongan/DSC_0206.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r64/jborlongan/DSC_0207.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r64/jborlongan/DSC_0216.jpg

Someone post pics of Sierra Madre Rainforests, up where isabela is. Heard the forests cover there is HOT DAMN SPECTACULAR!

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/Sab14.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/Sab15.jpg
Mt.Apo


photos by @junax

more than 50% of Cebu City's land area is Timberland and Watershed...

Where did you get this info? Cebu is an Island with ZERO forest cover since 1955, reforested, i would believe, even it is reforested, sad to say, only for the mangroves, patches though, but, timberland? a big question. Why "some" cebu people like to create stories, forest cover? like duh. And watershed? where? and if so, why buy water from bohol?
be factual... ok..

tropical forest of Davao Del Sur ....

I0G_acHOEsQ

^^ yung kahoy sinj? kung hindi lang naubos noon mas malalaki pa dyan sana. more Apo pics...

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/8927/109357393pteytzfsbh5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/671/109355871nqvdlxfscp5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/4641/30nu3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
the upper portion was devasted by forest fire in late 90's from El nino , now it has regrown .
So beautiful! I want to go there sometime.

Here's my pics of Patag in Silay City, Negros Occidental

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1169/1359176046_66dc308296.jpg
That's the new Bacolod-Silay Airport in the lowlands

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1104/1358277221_d8931e712a.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1049/1358277931_82c99795dd.jpg

"Bridal Veil" Falls

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1189/1358282167_9ca8a3a664.jpg

Pulang Tubig Falls

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1186/1358289689_2a6f6664c5.jpg

Bucari in Leon, Iloilo - Iloilo's mini-Baguio and envisioned Summer Capital

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/329439523_73cbb6e870.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/135/329440082_59fc05c5e4.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/147/329436315_01118acc43.jpg

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http://farm1.static.flickr.com/127/329443234_22d4a9cf1a.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/329445548_5f844746fe.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/132/329434960_88145d551b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/128/329434639_84f26053a7.jpg

Where did you get this info? Cebu is an Island with ZERO forest cover since 1955, reforested, i would believe, even it is reforested, sad to say, only for the mangroves, patches though, but, timberland? a big question. Why "some" cebu people like to create stories, forest cover? like duh. And watershed? where? and if so, why buy water from bohol?
be factual... ok..

if im not mistaken, the last patch of forest we have here is in alcoy area, the southern part of cebu...
i agree that Cebu doesnt have rainforests to boasts of but we are compensated to have the best economy outside NCR, imho. Take a look at japan, they are not so lucky to have natural resources to exploit but they have managed to stand up even with the lack of it. :)

if im not mistaken, the last patch of forest we have here is in alcoy area, the southern part of cebu...
i agree that Cebu doesnt have rainforests to boasts of but we are compensated to have the best economy outside NCR, imho. Take a look at japan, they are not so lucky to have natural resources to exploit but they have managed to stand up even with the lack of it. :)

the patch your talking about, that is a project, tree planting, a ghost project, and well i would agree for being the best economy, how should i put it, in expense of all of nature had given the island, thats why watersheds are infiltrated with salt water, etc. the success of an area, doesnt go with the development it has, it should be sustainable. like whats happening now, its a sad sight, coal power plant, no forest cover, infiltrated water shed, its a ticking time bomb, the question is, its good that sto. nino still provide grace, what if it will stop?

as for japan, they know sustainability, thats their character, its not cebuanos.

http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/5120/hopefallspbasebruceglicux2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
a waterfalls in the rainforest of Marilog District, Davao City ..here you can also find tarsiers living in the wilds


i love this! sa davao ba talaga to?

Someone post pics of Sierra Madre Rainforests, up where isabela is. Heard the forests cover there is HOT DAMN SPECTACULAR!

The lush forest cover of north eastern Sierra Madre stretches up to the Pacific Ocean :)

Sierra Madre, Palanan, Isabela Province
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2243/1888708870_0c8f3314c5.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2192/1888693840_f090dd17e5.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2154/1888715824_330d86b0f9.jpg?v=0
Flickr Photos by Rachel (http://flickr.com/photos/12735513@N06/) Buraga (http://flickr.com/photos/12735513@N06/)

More Flickr Sierra Madre photos:

By Wilfredo Pascual (http://flickr.com/photos/wpascualjr/141201320/)
By Wakx (http://flickr.com/photos/wak1/164716099/)

^^ BRAVO! Thanks

Where did you get this info? Cebu is an Island with ZERO forest cover since 1955, reforested, i would believe, even it is reforested, sad to say, only for the mangroves, patches though, but, timberland? a big question. Why "some" cebu people like to create stories, forest cover? like duh. And watershed? where? and if so, why buy water from bohol?
be factual... ok..

apparently you haven't been to cebu city's timberlands. true to say there's so little old-growth forests left in the entire island, but 2nd growth forests? a lot and its also growing like cebuano's environmental consciousness. if you go to various watersheds inside the city (buhisan, mananga, kotkot-lusaran), reforestation projects are very succesfull. i once visited the old cebu zoo area, which is pretty much in the mountains of the city, you'd see forest cover on the other side that are spectacular...and that mister, is factual.

we're not only a hot spot, we're also a megadiversity spot. THE ENTIRE NATION IS ENDANGERED!

http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/Hotspots/philippines/Pages/default.aspx

From: CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
overview



The world's second largest archipelago country after Indonesia, the Philippines includes more than 7,100 islands covering 297,179 km² in the westernmost Pacific Ocean. The Philippines lies north of Indonesia and directly east of Vietnam. The country is one of the few nations that is, in its entirety, both a hotspot and a megadiversity country, placing it among the top priority hotspots for global conservation.


The archipelago is formed from a series of isolated fragments that have long and complex geological histories, some dating back 30-50 million years. With at least 17 active volcanoes, these islands are part of the â??Ring of Fireâ?� of the Pacific Basin. The archipelago stretches over 1,810 kilometers from north to south. Northern Luzon is only 240 kilometers from Taiwan (with which it shares some floristic affinities), and the islands off southwestern Palawan are only 40 kilometers from Malaysian Borneo. The island of Palawan, which is separated from Borneo by a channel some 145 meters deep, has floristic affinities with both the Philippines and Borneo in the Sundaland Hotspot, and strong faunal affinities with the Sunda Shelf.


Hundreds of years ago, most of the Philippine islands were covered in rain forest. The bulk of the country was blanketed by lowland rainforests dominated by towering dipterocarps (Dipterocarpaceae), prized for their beautiful and straight hardwood. At higher elevations, the lowland forests are replaced by montane and mossy forests that consist mostly of smaller trees and vegetation. Small regions of seasonal forest, mixed forest and savanna, and pine-dominated cloud forest covered the remaining land area.

apparently you haven't been to cebu city's timberlands. true to say there's so little old-growth forests left in the entire island, but 2nd growth forests? a lot and its also growing like cebuano's environmental consciousness. if you go to various watersheds inside the city (buhisan, mananga, kotkot-lusaran), reforestation projects are very succesfull. i once visited the old cebu zoo area, which is pretty much in the mountains of the city, you'd see forest cover on the other side that are spectacular...and that mister, is factual.

apparently i am a wwf and a greenpeace volunteer FYI, scanning and apparently those aforementioned details about reforestation is negligible to reverse the sad fate of the island when it comes to its forest land, i am detailing this because, it would serve as an example. the forest that your talking about is not sustainable because of one important reason, cebu island soil composition is lime, too acidic for roots to propagate thats why trees are not that big, they look like shrubs, like the acacia tree at plaza independencia, have you seen the acacia trees of other cities? another reason, watershed is being developed because at the time that cebu still have a remaining forest cover, and that was 1946, it was just plainly exhausted due to kaingin. thats why when we are there, we are brought to TOPS, and its not a nice site, especially for people who knows what real forest is. environmentaly, its a sad scene really, and i dont know why "some" people there, try to make themselves believe that.

thats why species of importance, like the visayan warty pig, the bleeding heart pigeon, endemic to the island is already extinct, they are the indicators of functioning habitat. sad to say, the island has to experience a drastic experience to know what to do, and what is supposed to be right.

and now? a coal plant at NAGA? -- wow, its not a good news.

we're not only a hot spot, we're also a megadiversity spot. THE ENTIRE NATION IS ENDANGERED!

http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/Hotspots/philippines/Pages/default.aspx

From: CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
overview



The world's second largest archipelago country after Indonesia, the Philippines includes more than 7,100 islands covering 297,179 km² in the westernmost Pacific Ocean. The Philippines lies north of Indonesia and directly east of Vietnam. The country is one of the few nations that is, in its entirety, both a hotspot and a megadiversity country, placing it among the top priority hotspots for global conservation.


The archipelago is formed from a series of isolated fragments that have long and complex geological histories, some dating back 30-50 million years. With at least 17 active volcanoes, these islands are part of the â??Ring of Fireâ?� of the Pacific Basin. The archipelago stretches over 1,810 kilometers from north to south. Northern Luzon is only 240 kilometers from Taiwan (with which it shares some floristic affinities), and the islands off southwestern Palawan are only 40 kilometers from Malaysian Borneo. The island of Palawan, which is separated from Borneo by a channel some 145 meters deep, has floristic affinities with both the Philippines and Borneo in the Sundaland Hotspot, and strong faunal affinities with the Sunda Shelf.


Hundreds of years ago, most of the Philippine islands were covered in rain forest. The bulk of the country was blanketed by lowland rainforests dominated by towering dipterocarps (Dipterocarpaceae), prized for their beautiful and straight hardwood. At higher elevations, the lowland forests are replaced by montane and mossy forests that consist mostly of smaller trees and vegetation. Small regions of seasonal forest, mixed forest and savanna, and pine-dominated cloud forest covered the remaining land area.

to think Danjugan Island, its a small island, however its biodiversity is one of the highest in the world, theres a lot shrimp species, mollusc, coral, fish, and etc. that can be found there than the whole island of CUBA.
the whole visayan sea, its smaller than the carribean, however, theres a lot of fish to catch there that the latter. thats how HOT the philippines is.

We are so HOT. No amount of water can extinguish our HOTNESS!

apparently i am a wwf and a greenpeace volunteer FYI, scanning and apparently those aforementioned details about reforestation is negligible to reverse the sad fate of the island when it comes to its forest land, i am detailing this because, it would serve as an example. the forest that your talking about is not sustainable because of one important reason, cebu island soil composition is lime, too acidic for roots to propagate thats why trees are not that big, they look like shrubs, like the acacia tree at plaza independencia, have you seen the acacia trees of other cities? another reason, watershed is being developed because at the time that cebu still have a remaining forest cover, and that was 1946, it was just plainly exhausted due to kaingin. thats why when we are there, we are brought to TOPS, and its not a nice site, especially for people who knows what real forest is. environmentaly, its a sad scene really, and i dont know why "some" people there, try to make themselves believe that.

thats why species of importance, like the visayan warty pig, the bleeding heart pigeon, endemic to the island is already extinct, they are the indicators of functioning habitat. sad to say, the island has to experience a drastic experience to know what to do, and what is supposed to be right.

and now? a coal plant at NAGA? -- wow, its not a good news.

i don't see any connection between proving the existence of 'timberlands' in cebu and gloating wwf and/or greenpeace involvement. as if your involvement on such orgs to your resume would add more credibility to the argument, thats non sequitur. look all im trying to prove here is the existence of timberlands in the mountains of the city, of which you're trying to belie. if you like to split hairs here whether they're real 1st growth forests (like the ones found in less urban islands in our country) ...yada3x... IDFC. the watersheds exists. theyre there, and theyre not going anywhere, no matter how small and negligible you say it is.

oh and while im at it.
reason, cebu island soil composition is lime, too acidic for roots to propagate thats why trees are not that big, they look like shrubs, like the acacia tree at plaza independencia, have you seen the acacia trees of other cities?

do this look like shrubs to you?
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/231/468460897_e53ab5d08f.jpg?v=0
a pic from leylander's mycebuphotoblog (http://mycebuphotoblog.wordpress.com/).

i don't see any connection between proving the existence of 'timberlands' in cebu and gloating wwf and/or greenpeace involvement. as if your involvement on such orgs to your resume would add more credibility to the argument, thats non sequitur. look all im trying to prove here is the existence of timberlands in the mountains of the city, of which you're trying to belie. if you like to split hairs here whether they're real 1st growth forests (like the ones found in less urban islands in our country) ...yada3x... IDFC. the watersheds exists. theyre there, and theyre not going anywhere, no matter how small and negligible you say it is.

oh and while im at it.


do this look like shrubs to you?
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/231/468460897_e53ab5d08f.jpg?v=0
a pic from leylander's mycebuphotoblog (http://mycebuphotoblog.wordpress.com/).

bro, the term negligible, because, the forest cover of the island is not sustainable enough to protect your watersheds, if so, why, would cebu buy water from bohol? the logic is simple, no sustainable forest cover would harm the water shed, the water would be too mirky, heavy metals would be apparent and the acidity of the soil would also hamper the growth of the trees, and those trees, they look very small for an acacia?
I am not gloating, because of my affiliations, I am making my point that ever since, a patch of trees/shrubs/whatever is not a forest cover, its more categorized as a garden.
That is why, the management of our forests should be taken carefully, we dont just say yes to development just because of. What we should do is to make sure that we people of the philippines should have the last say. We should change our views, and accept the fact that our own localities is suffering because of our own degredations, we dont just enjoy because theres a patch of trees, i mean, its not enough.
The challenge is, those trees that you posted, could it sustain your sheds? if so, cebu should cut its dependence from other provinces.

this is a forest, crater lake of Mt. Silay http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/1229/1d/images.world66.com/i_/4_/ga/i_4_gallerythumb51

This is just an example, the watershed is not the only one that matters here.
http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/im/im0114_full.html

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/8375/39003718dscn4032makilinzy2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/2361/39003065dscn4027makilinsk6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

bro, the term negligible, because, the forest cover of the island is not sustainable enough to protect your watersheds, if so, why, would cebu buy water from bohol? the logic is simple, no sustainable forest cover would harm the water shed, the water would be too mirky, heavy metals would be apparent and the acidity of the soil would also hamper the growth of the trees, and those trees, they look very small for an acacia?
I am not gloating, because of my affiliations, I am making my point that ever since, a patch of trees/shrubs/whatever is not a forest cover, its more categorized as a garden.
That is why, the management of our forests should be taken carefully, we dont just say yes to development just because of. What we should do is to make sure that we people of the philippines should have the last say. We should change our views, and accept the fact that our own localities is suffering because of our own degredations, we dont just enjoy because theres a patch of trees, i mean, its not enough.
The challenge is, those trees that you posted, could it sustain your sheds? if so, cebu should cut its dependence from other provinces.

this is a forest, crater lake of Mt. Silay http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/1229/1d/images.world66.com/i_/4_/ga/i_4_gallerythumb51

This is just an example, the watershed is not the only one that matters here.
http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/im/im0114_full.html

This is quite true. I've seen a show featuring Cebu's watersheds and all these that Juicydude posted were mentioned. :okay:

bro, the term negligible, because, the forest cover of the island is not sustainable enough to protect your watersheds, if so, why, would cebu buy water from bohol? the logic is simple, no sustainable forest cover would harm the water shed, the water would be too mirky, heavy metals would be apparent and the acidity of the soil would also hamper the growth of the trees, and those trees, they look very small for an acacia?
I am not gloating, because of my affiliations, I am making my point that ever since, a patch of trees/shrubs/whatever is not a forest cover, its more categorized as a garden.
That is why, the management of our forests should be taken carefully, we dont just say yes to development just because of. What we should do is to make sure that we people of the philippines should have the last say. We should change our views, and accept the fact that our own localities is suffering because of our own degredations, we dont just enjoy because theres a patch of trees, i mean, its not enough.
The challenge is, those trees that you posted, could it sustain your sheds? if so, cebu should cut its dependence from other provinces.

this is a forest, crater lake of Mt. Silay http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/1229/1d/images.world66.com/i_/4_/ga/i_4_gallerythumb51

This is just an example, the watershed is not the only one that matters here.
http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/im/im0114_full.html

recap:

the original point of contention was "more than 50% of Cebu City's land area is Timberland and Watershed..." as stated by someone else in the thread of which you tenaciously rebutted with the following statement:

Where did you get this info? Cebu is an Island with ZERO forest cover since 1955, reforested, i would believe, even it is reforested, sad to say, only for the mangroves, patches though, but, timberland? a big question. Why "some" cebu people like to create stories, forest cover? like duh. And watershed? where? and if so, why buy water from bohol?
be factual... ok..

you questioned if there are timberlands in cebu, i said there are, though replanted but nevertheless timberland. you said it's negligible, yes, especially if taken vis-a-vis to entire island land area ratio or as comparison to the other islands such as negros and environs. but as stated, there are timberlands inside metro cebu, this is the gist of my rebuttal against ludicrous claims of cebu having ZERO forest cover and especially against counterintuitive statements questioning the existence of watersheds and/or that "cebu people like to create stories". now us having to buy water elsewhere, no question but thats not what i wanted to point out. capiche?

ps

...and those trees, they look very small for an acacia?

those trees are not acacia..and theyre huge. trust me.

recap:

the original point of contention was "more than 50% of Cebu City's land area is Timberland and Watershed..." as stated by someone else in the thread of which you tenaciously rebutted with the following statement:



you questioned if there are timberlands in cebu, i said there are, though replanted but nevertheless timberland. you said it's negligible, yes, especially if taken vis-a-vis to entire island land area ratio or as comparison to the other islands such as negros and environs. but as stated, there are timberlands inside metro cebu, this is the gist of my rebuttal against ludicrous claims of cebu having ZERO forest cover and especially against counterintuitive statements questioning the existence of watersheds and/or that "cebu people like to create stories". now us having to buy water elsewhere, no question but thats not what i wanted to point out. capiche?

ps



those trees are not acacia..and theyre huge. trust me.

bro, i am not against what you just said, however, those figures that you showed where generated by the local government, that obviously, like to place a picture of "good things never fade away" which is not, that picture that youve got, was a located somewhere in central cebu island, as far as i am concerned in my collective experience of scanning from island to island, which i am glad wwf is more than willing to invite us, and greepeace that sail all through out the archipelago. it is not enough. timberland? do you know that mangrove is consider a timber? theres a lot of it, in mactan, but not cebu, marsh palm maybe but not timber, if you consider "gatong", like ipil2x, a timber, well it is basically timber, but a savannah type.
acacia, do you know what acacia tree is? a Mimosa type, which are big, and the Confusa, which is fairly small, the one that i can identify there is a Mimosa, let say thats around 13 meters, its bark should be around at least 15-16 meters. in circumference. that one, it barely reach 5 feet. and it is unusual for acacia to be like that.
another one i dont se a dipterocarp on that picture, a tree specie that became and indicator that a recovery for a sustainable forest is immenent, for all the travels that i have, and continually reporting for tha cause, its not just cebu, its happening also in guimaras island, romblon, mamny parts in luzon. just dont get me wrong, because even here in negros island, we are experiencing same issues, its just that, we still have four national parks/reserves, and a lot of marine sanctuaries and mangroves. palawan island is tha safest, for negros, it became a center for the environment, because of its distinct character for an island to have so many, and definitely, the cause for nature is on going.
i cannot blame you if you may get mad or something, however that is the undeniable truth, and this problem start from the people living within the island, as we say, humans is the biggest threat of the environment,
i will give you a clear example, APO island negros occidental, its the most succesful sustainable development project, ever, in the whole world, same as to Danjugan Island project of Coral Cay, and Coron Palawan. going back to APO, the area is closed to tourist for now, or limited access only. why, tourists, mostly from CEBU(wether foreign or local), when they in the area, they snorkel, and they step on the corals, that took 5-10 years just to grow and inch or two. so the brgy captain, banned and limit the tourist entry, the reason, there will be no sustainability if we exhaust the resources.
The reforestation projets are good, an old growth or at least an established growth of forest of about 30-45 years, should be present. to give a vent for the planted trees, like a backbone.
another thing that we can do is to organize timber farming, it is good, why?
you create group of trees to grown upto specific time, ladderize the process of groups of trees, that makes you viable for like 12 years, because if you already harvested the last batch, the first group would be old enough for you to harvest again, *long process*, but eco friendly.
another indicator for the island of cebu, when its hot, it is really hot, even on cooler months. even at night time. some urbans like bacolod, when its a hot day, and you ride a jeepney, the air that embrace you is cool.
i am saying this, because cebu island is a good example, of a gone wrong and ugly environment and resource management.

you cannot force a certain trees which is not endemic to the place , it will just end as "pandak" ,we need to regenerate whats endemic to the place & it doesn't matter if it's shrubs or trees as long it can hold water reservoir and prevent soil erosion , but please no more loggings & kaingins

a 2 to 5 year tree growth is ok as long it covers the logged areas. grassland is good.

bro, i am not against what you just said, however, those figures that you showed where generated by the local government, that obviously, like to place a picture of "good things never fade away" which is not, that picture that youve got, was a located somewhere in central cebu island, as far as i am concerned in my collective experience of scanning from island to island, which i am glad wwf is more than willing to invite us, and greepeace that sail all through out the archipelago. it is not enough. timberland? do you know that mangrove is consider a timber? theres a lot of it, in mactan, but not cebu, marsh palm maybe but not timber, if you consider "gatong", like ipil2x, a timber, well it is basically timber, but a savannah type.
acacia, do you know what acacia tree is? a Mimosa type, which are big, and the Confusa, which is fairly small, the one that i can identify there is a Mimosa, let say thats around 13 meters, its bark should be around at least 15-16 meters. in circumference. that one, it barely reach 5 feet. and it is unusual for acacia to be like that.
another one i dont se a dipterocarp on that picture, a tree specie that became and indicator that a recovery for a sustainable forest is immenent, for all the travels that i have, and continually reporting for tha cause, its not just cebu, its happening also in guimaras island, romblon, mamny parts in luzon. just dont get me wrong, because even here in negros island, we are experiencing same issues, its just that, we still have four national parks/reserves, and a lot of marine sanctuaries and mangroves. palawan island is tha safest, for negros, it became a center for the environment, because of its distinct character for an island to have so many, and definitely, the cause for nature is on going.
i cannot blame you if you may get mad or something, however that is the undeniable truth, and this problem start from the people living within the island, as we say, humans is the biggest threat of the environment,
i will give you a clear example, APO island negros occidental, its the most succesful sustainable development project, ever, in the whole world, same as to Danjugan Island project of Coral Cay, and Coron Palawan. going back to APO, the area is closed to tourist for now, or limited access only. why, tourists, mostly from CEBU(wether foreign or local), when they in the area, they snorkel, and they step on the corals, that took 5-10 years just to grow and inch or two. so the brgy captain, banned and limit the tourist entry, the reason, there will be no sustainability if we exhaust the resources.
The reforestation projets are good, an old growth or at least an established growth of forest of about 30-45 years, should be present. to give a vent for the planted trees, like a backbone.
another thing that we can do is to organize timber farming, it is good, why?
you create group of trees to grown upto specific time, ladderize the process of groups of trees, that makes you viable for like 12 years, because if you already harvested the last batch, the first group would be old enough for you to harvest again, *long process*, but eco friendly.
another indicator for the island of cebu, when its hot, it is really hot, even on cooler months. even at night time. some urbans like bacolod, when its a hot day, and you ride a jeepney, the air that embrace you is cool.
i am saying this, because cebu island is a good example, of a gone wrong and ugly environment and resource management.

omfg that was information overload, but i appreciate it. discussions about sustainable development is a huge world of its own which i'd rather not split hairs with or sound preachy about it. don't get me wrong, i completely agree with you with the facts. i just couldn't get passed statements smack with regionalist sentiments, which i subjectively (unfair you may say), have felt from your original statements. kudos to your environmentalism.

bro, i am not against what you just said, however, those figures that you showed where generated by the local government, that obviously, like to place a picture of "good things never fade away" which is not, that picture that youve got, was a located somewhere in central cebu island, as far as i am concerned in my collective experience of scanning from island to island, which i am glad wwf is more than willing to invite us, and greepeace that sail all through out the archipelago. it is not enough. timberland? do you know that mangrove is consider a timber? theres a lot of it, in mactan, but not cebu, marsh palm maybe but not timber, if you consider "gatong", like ipil2x, a timber, well it is basically timber, but a savannah type.
acacia, do you know what acacia tree is? a Mimosa type, which are big, and the Confusa, which is fairly small, the one that i can identify there is a Mimosa, let say thats around 13 meters, its bark should be around at least 15-16 meters. in circumference. that one, it barely reach 5 feet. and it is unusual for acacia to be like that.
another one i dont se a dipterocarp on that picture, a tree specie that became and indicator that a recovery for a sustainable forest is immenent, for all the travels that i have, and continually reporting for tha cause, its not just cebu, its happening also in guimaras island, romblon, mamny parts in luzon. just dont get me wrong, because even here in negros island, we are experiencing same issues, its just that, we still have four national parks/reserves, and a lot of marine sanctuaries and mangroves. palawan island is tha safest, for negros, it became a center for the environment, because of its distinct character for an island to have so many, and definitely, the cause for nature is on going.
i cannot blame you if you may get mad or something, however that is the undeniable truth, and this problem start from the people living within the island, as we say, humans is the biggest threat of the environment,
i will give you a clear example, APO island negros occidental, its the most succesful sustainable development project, ever, in the whole world, same as to Danjugan Island project of Coral Cay, and Coron Palawan. going back to APO, the area is closed to tourist for now, or limited access only. why, tourists, mostly from CEBU(wether foreign or local), when they in the area, they snorkel, and they step on the corals, that took 5-10 years just to grow and inch or two. so the brgy captain, banned and limit the tourist entry, the reason, there will be no sustainability if we exhaust the resources.
The reforestation projets are good, an old growth or at least an established growth of forest of about 30-45 years, should be present. to give a vent for the planted trees, like a backbone.
another thing that we can do is to organize timber farming, it is good, why?
you create group of trees to grown upto specific time, ladderize the process of groups of trees, that makes you viable for like 12 years, because if you already harvested the last batch, the first group would be old enough for you to harvest again, *long process*, but eco friendly.
another indicator for the island of cebu, when its hot, it is really hot, even on cooler months. even at night time. some urbans like bacolod, when its a hot day, and you ride a jeepney, the air that embrace you is cool.
i am saying this, because cebu island is a good example, of a gone wrong and ugly environment and resource management.


as a "bihasa" in environment how would you sustain the environment w/ the growing population & and the undiscrimnate throwing of waste, now you mentioned Apo Island do you think it's sustainable say in 10 years? not directly but from its' near environs , example if you go to Mindoro you could already see waste coming fom Manila , Ecosystem is a cycle , when 1 vital part gone it's a disaster .

Why "some" cebu people like to create stories, forest cover? like duh. And watershed? where? and if so, why buy water from bohol?
be factual... ok..

its actually funny to see someone here believe cebu is now buying water from bohol!!! as a self-claimed wwf and greenpeace volunteer, i think you should have known that that "PLAN" (stressing on PLAN, because it never came to reality) was scrapped because the cost would outweigh the benefits. and that plan was made before the existence of companies that offer desalination services. services that are now present in cebu.

borrowing your line, BE FACTUAL!

thats why watersheds are infiltrated with salt water, etc.

watershed infiltrated with saltwater? i know groundwater gets infiltrated with saltwater... but watersheds like buhisan etc.etc???

apparently i am a wwf and a greenpeace volunteer FYI

im sorry but im now in doubt if youre really a wwf and greenpeace volunteer.

its actually funny to see someone here believe cebu is now buying water from bohol!!! as a self claimed wwf and greenpeace volunteer, i think you should have known that that "PLAN" (stressing on PLAN, because it never came to reality) was scrapped because the cost would outweigh the benefits. and that plan was made before the existence of companies that offer desalination services. services that are now present in cebu.


oh yeah thanks for reminding me about that. but i guess with the pace of cebu's urban development, buying water from other island provinces (bohol) might be inevitable. but is that something cebu should be ashamed of? i don't think so. aside from the obvious environmental aspect, there are inherent factors that explain cebu's shortage of water. 1st, the geographic limitation of cebu means it doesn't have large river systems and so it follows that the watershed size is limited compared to bohol's, even if its a smaller island. 2nd, the population density of the island province is twice higher than any other province in the visayas and mindanao and 3rd, industrial use of water is ever increasing proportional to the pace of cebu's urban development plus add the ordinary domestic use of water. but not to worry, if singapore can make it, even if it buys water from her neighboring country- malaysia , what's so shameful with cebuanos buying water from the bol-anons?

Any Greenpeace Southeast Asia member here? I'm about to join the organization but I backed out the last minute because I heard many negative things about it.

oh yeah thanks for reminding me about that. but i guess with the pace of cebu's urban development, buying water from other island provinces (bohol) might be inevitable. but is that something cebu should be ashamed of? i don't think so. aside from the obvious environmental aspect, there are inherent factors that explain cebu's shortage of water. 1st, the geographic limitation of cebu means it doesn't have large river systems and so it follows that the watershed size is limited compared to bohol's, even if its a smaller island. 2nd, the population density of the island province is twice higher than any other province in the visayas and mindanao and 3rd, industrial use of water is ever increasing proportional to the pace of cebu's urban development plus add the ordinary domestic use of water. but not to worry, if singapore can make it, even if it buys water from her neighboring country- malaysia , what's so shameful with cebuanos buying water from the bol-anons?


another way is collecting directly from rain water, some systems are now being used by farmers in Cotabato( which is being hit by dry spell occasionally) . In urban we need a big catchment to hold water from storm drainage goes to WTF piped it to every housholds . I think water is not only a concern of some areas it concerns ALL , their will be a time water will be the next black gold .

i love this! sa davao ba talaga to?

davao ang tag pero parang hindi. nagkamali yata si bruce of pbase.

heto ang sa marilog, davao city:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/marilog/IMG_0101.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/marilog/IMG_0077.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/marilog/IMG_0082.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/marilog/IMG_0090.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/gors_iligan/d18a99b9.jpg
Tinago Falls Trail, Brgy. Ditucalan, Iligan City

Tinago Falls taken last Oct 07

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/iligan%20cdo/iligan-cdo017.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/iligan%20cdo/iligan-cdo018.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/iligan%20cdo/iligan-cdo023.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/iligan%20cdo/iligan-cdo037.jpg

^^ Wow, i really think that we shouldn't be fighting over which region "Trully" has forest cover.

It should be an accepted idea that our country's remaining rainforests are in grave danger and that plenty of work needs to be done. Having said that, we musn't lose hope ever.

@juicy: what's wrong with buying water from Bohol anyway when Cebu has the money to pay for it? and oh, we do have desalination plants, so what's the fuss about infiltrated water-tables? what nature cant provide (anymore) man, through technology, can supply (even outdo)

besides, the island wasnt really meant for huge trees in the place, since you've said it yourself, the soil type does not permit it...but that didnt hamper Cebu from becoming the economic powerhouse that it is today...

the powerplant? well Mother Nature, wasnt that prudent (or was she too good?) to not give us even a tiny geyser, where else should we get our power? wind turbines? solar panel? we've got to little precious space to waste for that, besides they produce only very little energy, and mind you, Cebu is not some tiny village

apparently i am a wwf and a greenpeace volunteer FYI, scanning and apparently those aforementioned details about reforestation is negligible to reverse the sad fate of the island when it comes to its forest land, i am detailing this because, it would serve as an example. the forest that your talking about is not sustainable because of one important reason, cebu island soil composition is lime, too acidic for roots to propagate thats why trees are not that big, they look like shrubs, like the acacia tree at plaza independencia, have you seen the acacia trees of other cities? another reason, watershed is being developed because at the time that cebu still have a remaining forest cover, and that was 1946, it was just plainly exhausted due to kaingin. thats why when we are there, we are brought to TOPS, and its not a nice site, especially for people who knows what real forest is. environmentaly, its a sad scene really, and i dont know why "some" people there, try to make themselves believe that.

thats why species of importance, like the visayan warty pig, the bleeding heart pigeon, endemic to the island is already extinct, they are the indicators of functioning habitat. sad to say, the island has to experience a drastic experience to know what to do, and what is supposed to be right.

and now? a coal plant at NAGA? -- wow, its not a good news.

Different kinds of forest are adapted to different kinds of soil cover. There's a very importanht Philipine forest on limestone areas - the Limestone Forest. This is heavily felled, but the trees of this forest include some of the finest wood in the world - Molave.

Tinago Falls taken last Oct 07

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/iligan%20cdo/iligan-cdo017.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/iligan%20cdo/iligan-cdo018.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/iligan%20cdo/iligan-cdo023.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/iligan%20cdo/iligan-cdo037.jpg

wow! must feel amazing to be under that waterfalls:banana::lol:
What a beautiful shot:banana::banana:

^^ Wow, i really think that we shouldn't be fighting over which region "Trully" has forest cover.

It should be an accepted idea that our country's remaining rainforests are in grave danger and that plenty of work needs to be done. Having said that, we musn't lose hope ever.

I second the motion. If we are to compare 1900 with 2008 forest cover, it has significantly reduced the forest cover (although I don't know the exact figure).

I second the motion. If we are to compare 1900 with 2008 forest cover, it has significantly reduced the forest cover (although I don't know the exact figure).

i think from 80% total forest cover(1900) to a mere 5% today :bash:

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/8210/imgp4693axf5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
reflexion of Mt Apo @ Lake Macadac

photo by Clyde Sumatra

^^ Cool Mount Apo shot!

i think from 80% total forest cover(1900) to a mere 5% today :bash:

As what they say, 6 degrees could change the world.

Any Greenpeace Southeast Asia member here? I'm about to join the organization but I backed out the last minute because I heard many negative things about it.

well, nobody seems to like living clean, safe, and healthy, the organization promotes, no- GMO food, renewable energy, etc. for our founders, they sail to go against nuclear tests at french polynesia, against whaling, pollution, coal powered plants, etc.

the cause is simple, we have to shift our lives to a more sustainable, and long term goals. for our future sakes.

@juicy: what's wrong with buying water from Bohol anyway when Cebu has the money to pay for it? and oh, we do have desalination plants, so what's the fuss about infiltrated water-tables? what nature cant provide (anymore) man, through technology, can supply (even outdo)

besides, the island wasnt really meant for huge trees in the place, since you've said it yourself, the soil type does not permit it...but that didnt hamper Cebu from becoming the economic powerhouse that it is today...

the powerplant? well Mother Nature, wasnt that prudent (or was she too good?) to not give us even a tiny geyser, where else should we get our power? wind turbines? solar panel? we've got to little precious space to waste for that, besides they produce only very little energy, and mind you, Cebu is not some tiny village

the soil doesnt permit it anymore, because, the top soil that support trees for growing wasnt there anymore, did you ever listen to your grade four teacher about gardening? mother natures finds its way to fill the loop holes.

theres no problem buying water from bohol. my point is, if only cebuanos didnt take much of what is given by nature, maybe youre not buying water somewhere else.

money to buy, wow, i come to pass this kind of attitude, "newly rich" really never learn anything.

do you know that money is not what we need to boast, it is to make our island livable enough to sustain life, independently. sad to say, it only proves my point that cebu's dependency from other, is really taken for granted, much to my "surprise", what if leyte, bohol, and negros, would cut the supply? where can your "money" bring you? a big NOWHERE.

Different kinds of forest are adapted to different kinds of soil cover. There's a very importanht Philipine forest on limestone areas - the Limestone Forest. This is heavily felled, but the trees of this forest include some of the finest wood in the world - Molave.

maybe i havent been that keen. however, all i can expect, if ever theres one, it was made to charcoal.

92% of cebu's wood, is not from cebu, all are imports from somewhere else.

as far as lime soil, i really wonder, why sipalay, hinobaan, or subic had big trees, though the soil composition is the same, ah, maybe the mind setting is in such a way, really made to span so far.

limestone forest, sad to say, not for cebu. so bro, when it comes to forestry, cebu island ang pinaka kulelat.

ahhh, i miss camping and tking down notes. hehehehe. hey bern, added activity for me. I will volunteer sa NFEFI. wahehehe. and maybe added journey for me, i'll be going to antique to do what i do best, to scan the forest. wahehehe. i'll be going with our new team, from wwf, to check for unrecorded specimens if theres many to be discorvered, i wish i could have one, my own name as the scientiffic name. wahhehehe

theres no problem buying water from bohol. my point is, if only cebuanos didnt take much of what is given by nature, maybe youre not buying water somewhere else.

money to buy, wow, i come to pass this kind of attitude, "newly rich" really never learn anything.

do you know that money is not what we need to boast, it is to make our island livable enough to sustain life, independently. sad to say, it only proves my point that cebu's dependency from other, is really taken for granted, much to my "surprise", what if leyte, bohol, and negros, would cut the supply? where can your "money" bring you? a big NOWHERE.


it's common knowledge that urban development is almost always proportional to environmental compromise. bare in mind that environmentalism only started to trickle on people's collective conscious back in the late 20th century. oh but Cebu has always been the hub of trade and commerce in the Visayas and Mindanao, as stated by the 16th century chronicle of Antonio pigafetta. undoing the environmental consequence of centuries worth of urban development is almost impossible. but painting a grim picture of Cebu as an environmental quagmire is also outrageous and only glass-half-empty wishful thinkers would ever think of. despite the fast paced urbanization, efforts to achieve sustainable development do exists. in the end you can save your preaching, Cebu aren't for tree hugging hippies but people who wants to live in the 21st century.

it's common knowledge that urban development is almost always proportional to environmental compromise. bare in mind that environmentalism only started to trickle on people's collective conscious back in the late 20th century. oh but Cebu has always been the hub of trade and commerce in the Visayas and Mindanao, as stated by the 16th century chronicle of Antonio pigafetta. undoing the environmental consequence of centuries worth of urban development is almost impossible. but painting a grim picture of Cebu as an environmental quagmire is also outrageous and only glass-half-empty wishful thinkers would ever think of. despite the fast paced urbanization, efforts to achieve sustainable development do exists. in the end you can save your preaching, Cebu aren't for tree hugging hippies but people who wants to live in the 21st century.

bro thats 16th century, of course they dont know what conservation is those days, and for cebu? the urbanity your talking about is concentrated only to a small portion of the island, the rests, are ghost towns. cebu started to get big, when? 1993? dont tell me, that the your mindset is for a 16th century setting, bro your in a wrong era.
i know a big urban city in brazil, rio de janeiro, it is standing just beside the rain forest. you know what, i cannot blame you, if you like to be in denial. all i can say, as far as example would go, the island will be the foremost for bad environment setup example.
that is why, when we prefer development, next time, we choose whats sustainable, and dont decide on what is we know that could harm us. its better, like the parable of the ant and the grasshopper.

pero at least diba may reforestation efforts naman sa cebu, di naman ata kasalanan ng cebu yung problem since sa soil nga naman ang problem :)

;18802030']pero at least diba may reforestation efforts naman sa cebu, di naman ata kasalanan ng cebu yung problem since sa soil nga naman ang problem :)

the problem is, the once forested cebu is well devastated because of, kaingin, massive deforestation, and people are, just dont have a pakialam basically. people would rather to plant kamote than plant a tree.

and also the people, the idea of sudden development without proper assesment. we cannot just say, oops, mali pala. or eh may pera kami angas mo. i mean, what may may sumagot, eh ano kung may pera ka, eh kung d ka kaya bentahan, may ia angal ka? the problem is simple.
The forest is not there anymore, why is it, the forest is not there anymore? who cuts the trees? where did tthe trees go? who manages the forestry? blaming the government? whew, a BIG no, the blame should be put to the people. Why, because its your area, you should protect it. That should happen way before. kaya lang, wala eh. pinabayaan, kaya wala na ang warty pigs, ang mga endemic insects na dyan lang sa cebu makikita, the birds that one florish there, those are small animals, however they are indicators how serious is the people in managing the islands bounty. what did go wrong sa toledo? why is it the prestine waters, became too mirky? polution, human activity, and the unwillingness of the locality to look for better way, just for the quick money. A very not nice trait.

alam mo ba na one of the reasons kaya inilipat ang nation's first capital from cebu to iloilo is because the soil is unproductive?

marami talagang may bad blood against cebu :lol: so, anong ma ico contribute mo rather blah blah blahs about cebu's lack of forest cover, in your posts wala ka namang sinabing relevant and new that we still don't know. that issue has been said over and over again, nung hindi ka pa pinapanganak pinag uusapan na yan.

so what if the forest is not there anymore? cebu lang ba ang walang forest in the philippines? hindi naman kami namamatay sa gutom at init, hindi naman kami nawawalan ng trabaho, hindi naman nagkakaron ng flashfloods dito, wala namang catastrophic landslide na nangyari, major landslide has something to do with the soil composition naman, most of cebu's soil is not as landlslide prone as leyte's. much is being done to protect the people naman that youre views as a supposedly wwf/greenpeace volunteer would find it insignificant. and for goodness' sake, why single out cebu? tindi ata ng galit mo against cebu ah. but anyway, ganyan talaga, when much is given much is expected din, parang when something is almost perfect, people tend to see the flaws.

i can sense na iba naman talaga ang agenda mo, and its pretty obvious that youre just trying to cloak your agenda under the cover of environmental advocacy and views as a "wwf/greenpeace VOLUNTEER"

Any Greenpeace Southeast Asia member here? I'm about to join the organization but I backed out the last minute because I heard many negative things about it.

yes, issues like this.

GREENPEACE FOUNDER REVEALS HIDDEN AGENDA

Co-founder-turned-critic of Greenpeace, Patrick Moore, tells how climate change theory became the main focus of extremists after "world communism" failed, the Wall came down and a lot of peaceniks and political activists moved into the environmental movement bringing their neo-Marxism with them and learnt to use green language in a very clever way to cloak agendas that have more to do with anti-capitalism and anti-globalisation than ... ecology or science."

HERE (http://phorums.com.au/archive/index.php/t-247651.html)

Is the dwindling forest cover enough to be a threat not just only of Cebu? It's a threat nationwide. As if we do not remember Real, Infanta, General Nakar and especially Ormoc. Victims of man's neglect of nature.

Cebu is not the only victim of the kaingin system, Mindanao (especially the Teduray Highlands and the once lush Cotabato mountain ranges and plains), Southern Cordillera of Panay Island, Sierra Madre, and many more.

I'm getting tired of this indirect regionalistic tirades in SSC. The question is, what can we do to avert the worst case scenario as Filipinos?

@Juicydude. Rather than just critisize Cebu for being heavy industrialized, why don't we concentrate on a much fruitful activity like creating awareness of the environment, tree planting, etc?

@Pinoymeat. Cebu belongs to one of the Top 10 most landslide prone provinces in the Philippines according to Mines and Geosciences Bureau. The report was released after the Guinsaugon incident. Most of the landsline prone provinces are at Cordillera Administrative Region.

do you know that money is not what we need to boast, it is to make our island livable enough to sustain life, independently. sad to say, it only proves my point that cebu's dependency from other, is really taken for granted, much to my "surprise", what if leyte, bohol, and negros, would cut the supply? where can your "money" bring you? a big NOWHERE.

so bro, when it comes to forestry, cebu island ang pinaka kulelat.

So why bother? Are you from Cebu? Are you concerned, being sarcastic, or just jealous?


i can sense na iba naman talaga ang agenda mo, and its pretty obvious that youre just trying to cloak your agenda under the cover of environmental advocacy and views as a "wwf/greenpeace VOLUNTEER"

Yes his motives are obvious. I think it was also Juicydude who had nothing nice to say about Cebu before. Let me remind you Juicydude that overt negativity is a no-no here in SSC so if you have nothing nice to say about Cebu or any other place in particular, just shut up and mind your own city. Let this post serve as your first warning.



@Pinoymeat. Cebu belongs to one of the Top 10 most landslide prone provinces in the Philippines according to Mines and Geosciences Bureau. The report was released after the Guinsaugon incident. Most of the landsline prone provinces are at Cordillera Administrative Region.

Yes Cebu is one of the Top 10 most landsline prone provinces but whenever these things happen, there are no injuries/fatalities because of mass awareness and prevention. The only victims are agriculture and infrastructure and we can't do anything about that because that is nature.

@juicy: what's wrong with buying water from Bohol anyway when Cebu has the money to pay for it? and oh, we do have desalination plants, so what's the fuss about infiltrated water-tables? what nature cant provide (anymore) man, through technology, can supply (even outdo)

besides, the island wasnt really meant for huge trees in the place, since you've said it yourself, the soil type does not permit it...but that didnt hamper Cebu from becoming the economic powerhouse that it is today...

the powerplant? well Mother Nature, wasnt that prudent (or was she too good?) to not give us even a tiny geyser, where else should we get our power? wind turbines? solar panel? we've got to little precious space to waste for that, besides they produce only very little energy, and mind you, Cebu is not some tiny village

True.

^^ Wow, i really think that we shouldn't be fighting over which region "Trully" has forest cover.

It should be an accepted idea that our country's remaining rainforests are in grave danger and that plenty of work needs to be done. Having said that, we musn't lose hope ever.

True. Those guys involved in these petty senseless fights should know better.

I'll sum it up into two words....

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

:cheers:

^ And your point is?

*rereads title: Tropical Rainforests in the Philippines*

wow! must feel amazing to be under that waterfalls:banana::lol:
What a beautiful shot:banana::banana:

ya amazing. mejo masakit lang sa balat ang hulog ng tubig.

thanks. iligan is home to numerous waterfalls aside from the famous ma cristina. 2nd highest waterfalls in the phils is the 2-tiered falls located in limunsudan.

do you know that money is not what we need to boast, it is to make our island livable enough to sustain life, independently. sad to say, it only proves my point that cebu's dependency from other, is really taken for granted, much to my "surprise", what if leyte, bohol, and negros, would cut the supply? where can your "money" bring you? a big NOWHERE.

that's why we're building a powerplant in case that would happen...

and once again, we're not buying water from Bohol or anywhere else...why we're even selling Mineral Water all over the Visayas (Nature's Spring :lol:)

bro thats 16th century, of course they dont know what conservation is those days, and for cebu? the urbanity your talking about is concentrated only to a small portion of the island, the rests, are ghost towns. cebu started to get big, when? 1993? dont tell me, that the your mindset is for a 16th century setting, bro your in a wrong era i know a big urban city in brazil, rio de janeiro, it is standing just beside the rain forest. you know what, i cannot blame you, if you like to be in denial. all i can say, as far as example would go, the island will be the foremost for bad environment setup example.
that is why, when we prefer development, next time, we choose whats sustainable, and dont decide on what is we know that could harm us. its better, like the parable of the ant and the grasshopper.


after a long exchange of thoughts the bottom line of your argument is still more of the same. I have to decipher my earlier statements for the benefit of comprehension to the less comprehended....again.

1st...
i don't refute your earlier scientific contentions about our environment but i gave you an objective historical explanation. is the past of our doing? and is my mind set back to the 16th century for citing the historicity of the state of our environment?

2nd...
have you been to brazil?
fact: brazil experiences fast deforestation rate (http://news.mongabay.com/2005/0603-bloomberg.html).

3rd...
to say that only a small portion of cebu is urban enclave and the rest *sic* "are ghost towns" is by itself a counterproductive anti-cebu false rhetoric, but let's be generous and have your rule of thumb. as cebu is without doubt, the most progressive and economically viable province in the Philippines, yet at the same time, by your qualifications...is a conglomerate of ghost towns, what do u make of the other provinces then?


again, save your preaching, your replies have been more of the same rhetoric with an ever increasing use of ad hominems such as claming that we're in "denial". to which i say is unjustified and undermines the intelligence of the cebuanos. cebu is not the wretched of the earth, we know what where doing. and where doing more than better. never chew more than you can swallow.

Tropical rainforest surrounding the twin lakes Balinsasayao & Danao few kms. uphill from Dumaguete.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/5135/balinsasayaohi7.jpg

Danao is such a popular name , there are also Danao in Cebu & Samar :)

Danao referrs to any body of water, may it be a lake or something. Its prevalent in the Visayan languages.

THE 30 HIGHEST MOUNTAINS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Rank - Mountain - Elevation (meters) - Location
1 Mt. Apo 2956 m Davao and North Cotabato
2 Mt. Dulang-Dulang 2938 m Kitanglad Range, Bukidnon
3 Mt. Pulag 2922 m Cordillera Range, Benguet
4 Mt. Kitanglad 2899 m Kitanglad Range, Bukidnon
5 Mt. Tabayoc 2842 m Cordillera Range, Benguet
6 Mt. Kalatungan 2824 m Kalatungan Range, Bukidnon
7 Mt. Ragang 2815 m Piapayungan Range, Lanao del Sur
8 Mt. Maagnaw 2742 m Kitanglad Range, Bukidnon
9 Mt. Singakalsa (Timbak) 2717 m Cordillera Range, Benguet
10 Mt. Amuyao 2702 m Cordillera Range, Mt. Province
11 Mt. Panotoan 2689 m Cordillera Range, Benguet-Ifugao
12 Mt. Kapiligan (Cawit) 2670 m Cordillera Range, Ifugao
13 Mt. Tagubud 2670 m Davao del Norte
14 Mt. Abao 2661 m Cordillera Range, Mt. Province
15 Mt. Napulauan 2642 m Cordillera Range, Ifugao
16 Mt. Osdung 2617 m Cordillera Range, Mt. Province
17 Mt. Lumuluyaw, 2612 m Kitanglad Range, Bukidnon
18 Mt. Halcon 2582 m Oriental Mindoro
19 Mt. Cauitan 2569 m Cordillera Range, Mt. Province
20 Mt. Alchanon (Alchanar) 2567 m Cordillera Range, Mt. Province
21 Mt. Baco 2488 m Occidental Mindoro
22 Mt. Bangbanglang 2464 m Cordillera Range, Mt. Province
23 Mt. Mayon 2462 m Albay, Bicol Region
24 Mt. Sapocoy (Saporay) 2456 m Cordillera Range, Kalinga-Apayao
25 Mt. Pawoi 2456 m Cordillera Range, Mt. Province
26 Mt. Balatucan 2450 m Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental
27 Mt. Kanlaon 2435 m Negros Oriental, Negros Island
28 Mt. Malindang 2404 m Misamis Occidental
29 Mt. Candalaga 2402 m Davao Oriental
30 Mt. Tuminungan 2400 m Kitanglad Range, Bukidnon

grabeh ang "TIKAL dri" CvC nxad padungan ani! undangon tani basin padungan naxd kay TAE. hehehehe! :)

grabeh ang "TIKAL dri" CvC nxad padungan ani! undangon tani basin padungan naxd kay TAE. hehehehe! :)

Human na bai or ako maatubang nimo if sugdan pa nimo. :lol:
Lisud kaayo mohimo og ambassador of goodwill, bwahahaha!!! :D

[COLOR="Blue"][B]THE 30 HIGHEST MOUNTAINS IN THE PHILIPPINES

27 Mt. Kanlaon 2435 m Negros Oriental, Negros Island
]


I think Kanlaon would be properly adressed as "Negros Island" and not Negros Oriental or Negros Occidental only. Better if you put them both. Why? The peak of the volcano is the exact boundary of the 2 provinces. Even though Occidental shares 70% of the volcano (border Of San Carlos City, Murcia, Bago City, La Castellana and La Carlota City) and National Park (Mount Kanlaon Natural Park), the Oriental side is occupied by the city bearing the name of the volcano (Canlaon City) and also shares a quarter of the National Park and the danger zone.

Kanlaon National Park (now commonly called Mount Kanlaon Natural Park) is one of the oldest in the country (declared in 1936) and holds a rainforest with high biodiversity of endemic and rare birds, reptiles, rodents and hoofed-mammals.

Three other rainforest areas of the island of Negros are the Northern Negros Forest Reserve, Tablas Plateau, Southern Negros Forest Reserve.

Just an added info: in the past years Negros Island's forest cover (that was severely reduced) scored a +1% forest growth. Such a miniscule percentage but at least we have turned the deforestation rate around. I hope it still holds on until the next generation.

thanks to dx's crisp and crystal clear Ortigas Center pictures: ADB and Malayan Tower roofdecks, probably taken from Discovery Suites Hotel

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2145/2385175550_09c07eb22f_b.jpg

Fairways Tower Roof Deck Amenities (di pa tapos eh, work still in progress)... pics courtesy of Cynch! Thank You! Enjoy! :)

For Fairways Tower unit owners.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i143/cynchyap/BGCityzens/Fairways%20Tower_052908/IMG_2347.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i143/cynchyap/BGCityzens/Fairways%20Tower_052908/IMG_2335.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i143/cynchyap/BGCityzens/Fairways%20Tower_052908/IMG_2336.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i143/cynchyap/BGCityzens/Fairways%20Tower_052908/IMG_2337.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i143/cynchyap/BGCityzens/Fairways%20Tower_052908/IMG_2348.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i143/cynchyap/BGCityzens/Fairways%20Tower_052908/IMG_2350.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i143/cynchyap/BGCityzens/Fairways%20Tower_052908/IMG_2353.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i143/cynchyap/BGCityzens/Fairways%20Tower_052908/IMG_2354.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i143/cynchyap/BGCityzens/Fairways%20Tower_052908/IMG_2352.jpg

I like the function room at Fairways Tower - it is really SPACIOUS!

Congrats to all unit owners here!

Fairways Tower Roof Deck Amenities (di pa tapos eh, work still in progress)... pics courtesy of Cynch! Thank You! Enjoy! :)

WOW! Congrats to Fairways Tower owners, this is a good investment and the amenities area is really awesome!

Woah ang ganda. Congrats to the unit owners of Fairways!

Thank You guys! Will post an update when FT is really done na. :)

^^ Nice and Elegant! Hope you can show us some skyline pics soon kuya Boe.

^^well, ive been to the 37th flr penthouse of the citibank tower paseo de roxas corner makati ave. they have a le souffle restaurant and a japanese resto up there. there is an outdoor mini bar but nothing like in bangkok. ours is all dark and lifeless. i heard though that the shang tower has a really nice rooftop restaurant. its a chinese restaurant but its only open for members though. maybe they have good views up there similar to bangkok's.

bangkok has been called many times the ".....blah blah modern city of bangkok". when will manila be called one?

Michael that shoud be 34F. ;)
Here are some views from up there...
Ayala Side
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2243/2324207533_09aa650ce3.jpg?v=0

Rockwell Side
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2401965279_71572ae704.jpg?v=0

View from the Top
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2005/2402794850_4b544ba0aa.jpg?v=0

There's also one Resto on top of City Garden Hotel along Makati Ave and here's the view:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/2401961117_ccb4774dd5.jpg?v=0

old photos na mga to, but hope you guys like them. :D

^^ Nice and Elegant! Hope you can show us some skyline pics soon kuya Boe.

^^ Francis, we'll do a photo shoot session sa rooftop pag-uwi ko diyan like I promised. :)

:) sige kuya. sana may DSLR na ako nun. para mas matino kuha natin. :banana: excited na!

Fairways Tower Roof Deck Amenities (di pa tapos eh, work still in progress)... pics courtesy of Cynch! Thank You! Enjoy! :)

thanks, nice pix! And finally, more roofdeck shots at fort boni in our compilation here.

from flickr (can anyone identify from which building these pictures were taken?)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/2576157847_888f19ea1d_b.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2576157687_5dfc9ddc4b_b.jpg?v=0

by boracaybeachbum (http://www.flickr.com/photos/boracaybeachbum/)

^^ very nice, but asking the same question, where in makati is this?

anyway, here are some of Tyronne's fantastic ortigas shots, thanks so much, especially for the most magnified Unionbank roofdeck photo i have ever seen.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/2576464513_9142fa4396_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/2576439707_1587cf0fc6_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/2576432479_d36a291801_o.jpg

Is there a bar with a nice view in Metro Manila? Something like the New Asia Bar in Singapore, Sky Bar in Bangkok, ...?

Even Jakarta has them.. so there should be one in Manila, right?

Yes, there are some:

1. City Garden Hotel, Makati, rooftop restaurant
2. Crown Regency Hotel Makati, Tops Chill out bar, rooftop
3. Citadel Inn Makati Hotel, rooftop terrace
4. Hotel Intercon, Bahia roof top restaurant
5. Philamlife tower Makati, exclusive only to members
6. Vivere Suites, Northgate, Alabang, rooftop

Am not sure if it's still open but Tektite has a Via Mare restaurant at the top floor.

Sogo Hotel-Quezon Boulevard corner Roces in Quezon City has one. :)

Yes, there are some:

1. City Garden Hotel, Makati, rooftop restaurant
2. Crown Regency Hotel Makati, Tops Chill out bar, rooftop
3. Citadel Inn Makati Hotel, rooftop terrace
4. Hotel Intercon, Bahia roof top restaurant
5. Philamlife tower Makati, exclusive only to members
6. Vivere Suites, Northgate, Alabang, rooftop

The Tower Club in Philam Tower. Very nice venue for corporate gatherings. Been there many times.

Sogo Hotel-Quezon Boulevard corner Roces in Quezon City has one. :)

Sogo Skyroom. Cheap SML beer. No aircon but superb 360 degree view of MM!

Am not sure if it's still open but Tektite has a Via Mare restaurant at the top floor.

Sadly, no more at Tektite tower. Their branch in Ortigas area is beside Medical City, Ortigas AVenue

The Tower Club in Philam Tower. Very good for corporate gatherings. Been there many times.



Sogo Skyroom. Cheap SML beer at 35 bucks. No aircon but superb view!

Sogo? how many floors? My idea of Sogo is "motel". :)

Sadly, no more at Tektite tower. Their branch in Ortigas area is beside Medical City, Ortigas AVenue

What replaced the Via Mare resto in Tektite?

By the way, don't forget Top of the Citi in Citibank Tower.

Sogo? how many floors? My idea of Sogo is "motel". :)

And it is from the same chain. But the Skybar is decent. The building isn't very tall but as you know, QC is a city built on a hill and QC doesn't have that many tall buildings to obstruct the view.

But the best view I think isn't from the top of a building. Go to Antipolo's Cloud Nine instead.

Sogo? how many floors? My idea of Sogo is "motel". :)

Not sure how many floors as the number escapes me now but it is not tall at all. The key to having unobstructed 360 views is its location among shorter buildings and a higher elevation in that part of QC.

If you are not familiar with this building (D&E Building), it is painted with red and yellow SOGO colors, there is a Jollibee at the corner and if you take public transport just say "PANTRANCO".

What replaced the Via Mare resto in Tektite?

By the way, don't forget Top of the Citi in Citibank Tower.

Oh yes, I forgot to include "Top of the Citi" in Citibank Tower, Makati. I've been there, too, cool.

Via Mare is replaced with "Straight Cuisine", rooftop of Tektite Tower.

A blog talks about a rooftop bar at Iseya Hotel on Padre Faura corner del Pilar though I'm not familiar with it.

Here's the link: http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/philippines/back-to-manila.html

Not sure how many floors as the number escapes me now but it is not tall at all. The key to having unobstructed 360 views is its location among shorter buildings and a higher elevation in that part of QC.

If you are not familiar with this building (D&E Building), it is painted with red and yellow SOGO colors, there is a Jollibee at the corner and if you take public transport just say "PANTRANCO".

jeep going to Sogo... you must be joking. :)

jeep going to Sogo... you must be joking. :)

Joke lang po. :lol:

22 Prime (the former Serendipity Lounge). Not rooftop or top floor but still with great views of the Ortigas skyline.

http://discoverysuites.com/press26.html

A cut above
By Johanna D. Poblete
Published at BusinessWorld, Arts & Leisure Section
28 February 2008

“There’s a lack of artifice in naming a food establishment located on the 5th floor “Restaurant 5,” and another on the 22nd floor specializing in premium steaks as “22 Prime” – these names are easily remembered and self-explanatory.

However, they don’t do justice to the dining experience, particularly in the latter case. 22 Prime, the Serendipity Lounge of Discovery Suites transformed, used to be a recreational area exclusive to the hotel’s guests. But there’s more to life than playing billiards or partying with one’s laptop, so the place was opened to the public last November as The Steakhouse.

Two months later, additional gloss and a solidified ethos of two sticking to top quality only – steak or otherwise – made it 22 Prime.

“Good food, like everything else, starts with the very best ingredients,” noted Annabella Wisniewski, president of HSAI Raintree (which operates the Discovery chain of hotels), at the press launch.

She is referring to what HSAI Raintree corporate Chef David Pardo de Ayala would later reveal is wagyu beef from the same Snake River Farms in Idaho supplying Thomas Keller’s triple Michelin star restaurant The French Laundry, and the Borges oils created by Spanish “conjurer chef” Ferran Adria available at the salad bar. It doesn’t get any better than this.
BEEFING UP

Stepping off the elevator onto 22 Prime, one is confronted with shine – all reflective surfaces gleaming with polish – and smiles from personnel asking where one wishes to be seated or what one wishes to drink. Such a welcome is the norm in places where one expects to spend quite a lot and therefore feels entitled to royal treatment, but the smiles seemed genuine, even for pauper press.

The 40-seat restaurant has a bar and wine rack, boardroom, two function rooms (Savannah accommodates around 18 people, Clermont up to 60), and, of course, the lounge itself. Chairs are heavy and high-backed, and there’s a panoramic view, but it isn’t so ritzy as to make a pair of jeans out of place.

A peek at the menu – which has an educational sketch of a cow and its various parts from chuck/shoulder to brisket/shank all the way to the bottom round cut – offered the surprising discovery that despite serving USDA-certified prime beef, 22 Prime specialty steaks were priced at a minimum.

The 400-gram rib eye steak and the 220-gram filet mignon sell for P1,195 each; the 150-gram filet mignon petite for P1,050; 180-gram three-piece grilled Wagyu beef medallions for P1,100; and the 180-gram New York striploin steak fell to P950. There was even a house burger offered for a mere P395.

What was going on here?

“It’s very reasonable, compared to the other restaurants where the prices are P2,000-P3,000,” admitted HSAI Raintree Vice-President and Discovery Suites General Manager Bobby R. Horrigan. “This is an amenity for the people who come here and for our in-house guests; we don’t want to make the costs very high. People ask us: ‘So how do you make money?’ I have the rest of the hotel to figure it out, so we’re making money in other places.”

However, Mr. Horrigan has managed it, the chef is unstinting in his requirement for the food.

“I worked very hard to make it a really pleasant experience for all, from the appetizers to the meat…Prime beef is hard to find, even in the States, most of it lands in the specialized restaurants and steakhouses, what most people use [at home] is choice [beef]. We go a step further, because not only are we using prime US beef, but we are using the best brand, which is Angus,” Mr. Pardo de Ayala noted.

Only 1% of beef qualifies as prime, which is determined by the size of the muscles and the content of marbling (or intra-muscular) fat – the more you have it, the juicier the steak.

Angus cattle are special in how they are bred, fed, and pampered, all the way to their primes. Wagyu, a relative of the famous Kobe beef from Japan, is vastly popular, and 22 Prime serves the best kind.

“This is called culotte, the end of the sirloin, it’s a relatively new cut in the Philippines… we are really using top cut used by Thomas Keller. In other restaurants you also find wagyu but it’s not naturally fatty, from a super-fatty cow, so it’s like eating a slab of fat and it’s stressful to cook in the kitchen, P3,800 a kilo will melt away if you’re not very careful,” he said.

“It’s also how you would cook the meat, you don’t take a piece of shank and grill it, [because] it’s going to toughen like rock.”
HOLY COW

The chef is particular about his meat. Portions are predetermined precisely so Mr. Pardo de Ayala would have “that critical mass of juiciness.” He prefers US beef over Australia because it is grain- or corn-fed rather than grass-fed, and apparently more tender and better-marbled. The average Filipino also supposedly eschews the “beefier, meatier taste” of Aussie beef, which changes flavor depending on the seasons.

The meat is vacuum-packed in plastic and chilled when it arrives. He opens it up, trims the loin, portions it, repacks, and then refrigerates. When it’s prepared, a five-minute interval before cooking allows for a nice seared color and flavor, and five to 10 minutes before carving or serving ensures that heat transfers from the surface to the center of the steak and juices redistribute themselves evenly and aren’t lost when cut.

Such care explains why the plated medallions of wagyu, fillet mignonette and rib eye, were an ideal medium rare. Cutting a portion released a bit of the ruddy juice, and biting into the slice was succulent indulgence.

To the side, sauces (usually two are served) were Forrest mushrooms, three peppercorn, teriyaki barbecue, three mustard cream and horseradish cream – but the bare beef was enjoyable in itself.

If one had to choose, particularly for the best-seller rib eye, the chef recommends peppercorn sauce, consisting of black, green and red peppercorn – a spicy pick-me-up.

I could have done away with the parade of appetizers that heralded the main course’s arrival and been satisfied. But why pass up a plate of baked Oysters Rockefeller in its bed of sea salt? The New Orleans delicacy has befuddled restaurateurs since its creation in 1899; the original Alciatore receipe remains a family secret, but it hasn’t stopped people from enjoying the buttery mix of oyster, aniseed, spinach, and lemon.

Also notable is the homemade Chef Rick’s Cheese Bread, created by Executive Chef Rick Abasta, which is sun-dried tomato bread with broiled four-cheese topping and baby greens. I had double helpings as it’s a perfect pre-meal snack, if you like biting into crusty bread topped with melted cheese and a dash of peppercorn. Warm, fuzzy feelings continued with the soup sampler of lobster bisque, soup du jour of peas, and French onion soup – the latter has a delightful mix of melted Gruyere and Emmental.

A sweet finale of pandan sansrival, apple tarte tatin and chocolate marquise topped the meal, each trying to outdo the other in sweetness, although points to the sansrival for being milky rather than dry, and to the marquise for the pistachio bits that kept it interesting. On a normal day, guests can select any slice from the cake bar, while having a cup of Illy coffee or tea.

There’s more to be discovered in terms of the signature drinks and the salad bar with plethora of Borges oils that come infused with different flavors – ginger, cinnamon, basil, cardamom, to name a few, and an expensive selection of homemade dressings.

The chef also intends to introduce a T-bone steak, and new items in the raw bar selection, such as tuna tartar.

His vegetables are so well-cooked even the most stubborn kid won’t object to them, and his creative twists to potato side dishes are also worthy of attention.

At the end of the day, 22 Prime intends to keep the customer happy, whatever his leanings. The most sophisticated businessmen have actually sent back the fat for tostado, and the chef obliged.

“A hotel has advantages that a free-standing restaurant doesn’t have. I think that we are one of two, maximum three, outlets in the entire Manila that serves this kind of beef,” said Mr. Pardo de Ayala.

“The gastronomic steak concept was hot in the States about four years ago, now it’s getting hot here. The next hot trend in Manila will be the wine-centered restaurant… In that kind of restaurant, the wine comes first and the food follows. [But] here, the food comes first and the wine follows.”

22 Prime is open from Monday to Sunday for lunch from noon to 2:30 p.m., and dinner from 6-10 p.m. For inquiries and reservations, call 683-8222 loc. 3702 or 3722.

^^ prices are not bad....thanks for the info. Discovery Suites is really good....love the room, breakfast, location.

The Century Imperial Hotel on Timog Avenue, QC has a restaurant on the roof deck...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3128/2862213030_e548ec52e8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/2861385073_5d80b70081_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/2861389329_92dbf19bb6_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2861390649_32e5882b9c_b.jpg

But what about the Makati skyscrapers? Whats on the top floors?

last na pumunta kami dito....andaming tao...

sana pagandahin pa nila

^^Beautiful place in the heart of the metro.more of this, less of malls please!!:)

^^ I agree!!! :)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/boats2.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/boats1.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/lagoon.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/canopy.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/ampitheater.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/tortoise.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pond.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/koi.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/fountain.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/fishing.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/map.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/wall.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/trail.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/stairs.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/reservoir.jpg
awesome! this was the venue of the SSC Metro Manila-June 2008 Meet. :)

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/4641/30nu3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


This took my breath away!

I hope to visit Davao this year and climb Mt. Apo.

bro thats 16th century, of course they dont know what conservation is those days, and for cebu? the urbanity your talking about is concentrated only to a small portion of the island, the rests, are ghost towns. cebu started to get big, when? 1993? dont tell me, that the your mindset is for a 16th century setting, bro your in a wrong era.
i know a big urban city in brazil, rio de janeiro, it is standing just beside the rain forest. you know what, i cannot blame you, if you like to be in denial. all i can say, as far as example would go, the island will be the foremost for bad environment setup example.
that is why, when we prefer development, next time, we choose whats sustainable, and dont decide on what is we know that could harm us. its better, like the parable of the ant and the grasshopper.

I thought your anti-environmental degradation then why comment about cebus municipalities as ghost towns?
the concentration of development in the center of cebu even helped in sparing the northern and southern towns from further exploitation...that is why those towns were promoted for eco tourism because it still holds a good and unpolluted environment! (its so obvious that your unreasonable comments are just meant to hate and destroy cebu)

Though our forests are not that virgin as what your standards could be, but still its green and clean and we still have something to be proud of and show to our visitors, like our beautiful beaches, coral reefs and our mountain ranges..
Even if its limited and not so perfect like the other regions who are gifted with lakes, big rivers and the highest mountains but still we value and love what we have been given...though highly urbanized cebu still attracts tourist who are interested in nature and outdoor adventure, we are not only limited to urban living/activities, which means Cebu is not that poor in terms of natural environment. but still, like what all of us need to do, we have to be aware of and act in preserving and rehabilitating our environment before its too late...

I still believe that with the awareness and good programming of our local government Cebu lsland will soon bring back its bountiful environment, its own unique and simple beauty...But we cannot compete to the perfect ones who are so gifted cause this is just what god gave us and we are contented with it...we dont need to boast that we are the best and top of everyone, we just need to care for it...

A true environmentalist doesn't need to have a lot of words and comments cause its just useless.. he needs to set as an example, to act, find ways, and support not even thinking of what place it may be...cause even the smallest island can affect the whole world!

Where did you get this info? Cebu is an Island with ZERO forest cover since 1955, reforested, i would believe, even it is reforested, sad to say, only for the mangroves, patches though, but, timberland? a big question. Why "some" cebu people like to create stories, forest cover? like duh. And watershed? where? and if so, why buy water from bohol?
be factual... ok..

^^
Be factual din! see and experience it yourself! siguro ang nakita lang nang taong to is yung bundok lang likod nang metro cebu...hehehe! try going to the provinces dodong! and watershed? yes, its true we have but not enough for the future growth of our very attractive metropolitan! hehehe! buying water from bohol is just a future plan when the city needs more than the island can provide, for now we are producing water even to the whole philippines! (you know nature spring miniral water dodong?) hehehe! kasi dumadami ang taong pumupunta dito for job oppurtunities..our concern is not only environemnt but also in providing good economy to all the people in the philippines, so hindi lang ang cebuano nakikinanbang pati ang ibang outside cebu is nakikinabang din sa development na pinaghirapan nang mga cebuano...so wag mo kaming maliitin na para bang wala na kaming halaga! hehehe drama!

the patch your talking about, that is a project, tree planting, a ghost project, and well i would agree for being the best economy, how should i put it, in expense of all of nature had given the island, thats why watersheds are infiltrated with salt water, etc. the success of an area, doesnt go with the development it has, it should be sustainable. like whats happening now, its a sad sight, coal power plant, no forest cover, infiltrated water shed, its a ticking time bomb, the question is, its good that sto. nino still provide grace, what if it will stop?

as for japan, they know sustainability, thats their character, its not cebuanos.

Bakit ba parang gusto mong magstop magbigay ang santo nino nang grasya sa cebu..at meron kapang mga baka hindi magprovide ang bohol nang tubig sa cebu at electricity ang leyte sa amin...grabe talaga ang hate mo sa cebu no na parang wish mo maghirap ang ang buong Isla...siguro naiinggit ka lang sa development na nangyari dito...hehe! and dont even think that we dont aim for sustainability, cause we are working on it..part parin kami nang pilipinas no and look at our country's situation, apiktado parin kami sa mga pangyayari! hindi mo kaagad masasabi na kaagad agad makalevel na namin ang japan in terms of sustainability...papunta pa kami or tayo dun, o sinali na kita ha...and we are positive! hehe!

HIndi pa ako nakakita nang picture dito nang palawan...i was there and the island is really forest covered....paglabas mo lang kunti nang puerto princessa city kita mo na virgin forest talaga...palawan is superb in rainforest!

I took this during my visit in the island...hindi ko lang nakunan yung talagang makapal na bundok...kunti lang yung napicture ko..mostly sa el nido na...:)

Palawan

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1026/544195545_9d36a6cabf.jpg?v=0


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Hi peeps! I'm new here. Actually, not that new because I have been lurking in skyscrapercity forums since 2006. Hehe.

About the topic, I would like to add some perspectives kahit konti man lang. Someone here who is actually commendable sa pagkaenvironmentalist nya is not doing the best possible way of convincing people to do better. He sees problems about the environment as inherently evil and people who are using these resources are to blame. I think you are in your initial reaction phase but man, you have to outgrow that perspective. You cannot blame the entire populace of an island for their environmental woes just like that. They may be the direct or proximate cause but if you add socioeconomic and historical angles, it helps you understand things better and instead of the spiteful rhetoric of your posts, siguro we would see ones that reflect concern and empathy. For instance, the people who have engaged in harmful farming practices are not really the selfish folks you believe they are, but mostly subsistence farmers. The same can be said of those who are practicing harmful fishing. These people are just trying to survive and since we are organisms that need to use our environmental resources, we actually do some level of damage. Which leads me to the second point: Protecting our natural resources is costly. To square off some patch of forestland as a hands-off zone entails spending. Cleaner technology has a lot of initial costs, although some may eventually be less costly in the long run. Therefore, many countries had to sacrifice their environment while they were progressing. And mind you, Japan is a good example of this (the Japan which is one of the most efficient countries of the world in terms of energy or CO2 per GDP). I have been to a lot of forests in Japan and most are actually not primary growth (yung original na nagcolonize sa island or mountain) but are replanted areas. The pattern these days because of the economic system we have in the world is that countries need to reach a certain level of economic progress before they can really protect and manage their environment and natural resources.

That said, in the case of Cebu (which is really in a bad state environmentally speaking, not yet as bad as Manila of course) we could learn lessons from the experience of other places and use whatever wealth we generate and invest some of it in the rehabilitation of our forests. I'm glad that the works to rehabilitate and protect Mananga-Kotkot-Lusaran areas are at least legally in place. All we need now is the political muscle to enforce them. This area will greatly help our water woes. And while the supply side is almost always the focus, there are some things which can be done on the demand side. For example, correct pricing of water should be there. Water should actually be more expensive than it is now. Many studies have shown that this actually leads to the sustainable consumption of water (Kay mahal man so magtipid ang mga taw as compared to now na there is a lot of wasteful usage of water). That may be hard to swallow at first but it will be for the best. And there's the rub--apparently this is not so politically viable. No politician has enough balls to increase water price. They would always look at ways of obtaining more water (like the Inabanga Bohol option which is politically strained) and just overlook some improvements that could possibly be made in how we are using the water.

Pasensya na for this long lecture (I am a teacher after all, hehe. Bata pa ko ha). But I sometimes suddenly get passionate about these things. Hehe. Just like Mr. Juicydude I think. You have a good stance there but the forests will not grow thick if that's how you handle things. There are always compromises to be made for the most pragmatic solutions.

P.S. Of all the falls I have been to, I would say Tinago Falls is the most beautiful..The hidden valley and the lagoon and that cliff that is almost 180 degrees around you..It is actually worth every step down the steep stairs you have to take going down there. Hehe.

Maria Cristina has the power though and would have probably been very stunning before the powerplant was installed. Sa old pics, the entire width of the cliff face had 5 main falls and what remains now are only the 2 smallest roots of the falls. I am not saying though that we need to get mad about this. The plant after all is produciong power for many places in Mindanao.

ALL is not lost and there is HOPE.... it's the WILL of the people

A good example of logged forestland

Eden Nature Park 99% man-made...

http://www.tabblo.com/studio/stories/view_super/160343/i4188804/

man-made river in Eden ...

http://wilstop.info/2008/07/04/travel-destination-eden-nature-park-davao-city-philippines/

once a burnt area from 1980's El Nino forest fire, mountaineers replanted the area & now it's totally rejuvenated Mt. Apo w/out the plants the lake will be totally dry...

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/8210/imgp4693axf5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
reflexion of Mt Apo @ Lake Macadac

^^ The mountain looks photoshopped into the picture, but when you look at its reflection on the lake, it kinda disproves it. :colgate:

^^ i guess it's the camera setting :colgate: but the lake really exist not photshopped hehe the trail & the lake was named or renamed MACADAC(Mt. Apo Mountain Climbers Association of Davao City) for their effort of replanting trees, protecting & keeping Mt. Apo clean. :)

here's another shot of Lake Macadac...

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/9607/22016122hp2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Macadac Lake

Camp site in Macadac Trail...

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/8154/30951092970e3dc81587bhu9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


efforts of the mountaineers came into fruition, replanted trees are now 10-20 years old...

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/1738/309501832328745c0136biz1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^ It's so pristine looking that it comes off as surreal! :shocked: I'm glad that there are still places in the Philippines that have remained in their natural state and that developers haven't ruined. Keep it up! :okay:

Wow, just wow.... I am really praying hard that we can save all our remaining forest and rehabilitate the other.

Just amazing.... and I have seen the forest of NZ

Wow, just wow.... I am really praying hard that we can save all our remaining forest and rehabilitate the other.

Just amazing.... and I have seen the forest of NZ

I remember my sister's catholic school's motto:

ora et labora

Pray and work.

We must add work to our prayers I guess to achieve what you're saying. Hehe.

There’s more to animals at Malabon Zoo; They teach love, social issues, personality traits (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20090125-185385/Theres-more-to-animals-at-Malabon-zoo)

http://images.inquirer.net/media/newsinfo/inquirerheadlines/metro/images/pic-01250259390794.jpg

During this time of the year, several animals take center stage at the Malabon Zoo and Aquarium as a faithful reminder that once upon a time, the ancient Chinese found much affinity with the animals surrounding them to put them in a place of honor known as the Chinese Zodiac.

Malabon Zoo owner Manny Tangco places the white rat, the rabbits, and the “bayawak” (the local lizard/dragon) in a glass cage near the foyer where they could welcome the guests that troop to the zoo daily.

The zoo’s snake—the rare 150-kilo Albino Burmese python—and the orangutan are also taken out of their cages for special picture-taking and petting sessions with the zoo guests.

The mighty Bengal tigers, for safety reasons of course, are kept in their cages but always welcome the guests with their loud roars.

The black and burly Philippine wild pig or boar, while also fenced in, may delight kids with a little feeding time with the zoo’s food pellets.

The Chinese Astrology animals (with the exception of the domesticated horse, dog, goat/sheep, and rooster) are all featured at the Malabon zoo as part of the local festivities for the Chinese New Year.

Good way to educate

According to Tangco, the Chinese New Year celebration is a good way to educate the zoo’s visitors about the importance of animals in the ecosystem and ultimately in the lives of humans.

“We always want to take every opportunity to help people be aware of animals and nature in general so they will love them and take care of them,” Tangco said.

As one of the zoo’s posters put it: “People conserve only what they love. People love only what they know. People only know what they are taught.”

Tangco said the Chinese Astrology is a perfect example in teaching people—particularly the children—on how animals are usually held in great esteem by some people like the Chinese.

He added that apparently, people saw themselves as not any different from their faunal counterparts they even took time and effort to learn their own personalities from observations of the animals’ characteristics.

Showing the huge yellow and white Albino Burmese python named Cheesecake to a group of student visitors at the zoo that day, Tangco explained how snakes are often seen in the wild as attentive and organized in zeroing in on a prey and then going for a decisive kill.

Personality traits

As each animal sign is said to embody the personality traits of persons born under their animal sign, Tangco also related to the group how a person born in the year of the snake are often described as philosophical, organized, intelligent, intuitive, elegant, attentive and decisive, much like their animal counterparts.

Tangco added that Filipinos can also take their cue from this year’s central animal figure, the ox, to be as hardworking and “bullish” as much as possible especially since the world’s financial woes that started last year are expected to hit the country this year.

“What you visualize is what will happen in the country. The ox, for example, is one of the hardest working animals around. So Filipinos must work as hard as them this year,” said Tangco.

This year’s Chinese New Year celebration will also be a more festive one for the Malabon zoo since the birth of two Bengal tigers last month.

The baby tigers—aptly named “Tiger Economy” and “Global Warming”—were borne by the zoo’s widely popular tiger couple named “Gloria” and “Erap.”

The Malabon zoo has always been an important educational tool on environmental awareness particularly for children who, in their youth, have only been exposed to modern technology and not much to the animal world, Tangco said.

Social relevance

True to that aim, he said, they have always named their zoo animals with social relevance to teach young visitors not only about the environment but even political and economic issues.

“Tiger Economy” and “Global Warming” were chosen as the cubs’ names this year to symbolize the two big challenges that the country and the world are set to face.

Tangco said every time “Tiger Economy” is presented to zoo visitors, they visualize a more robust economy this year instead of the gloomy economic meltdown that has been the buzz-word towards the end of last year.

“Global Warming,” on the other hand, seeks to remind visitors of the extreme climate changes that have resulted in the death of many animals due to the loss of their natural habitat and sources of food.

Bengal tigers, for example, used to number 100,000 but are now down to only about 2,000, Tangco said.

Nowadays, many people turn to the television set or computer for recreation.

Rare interaction

Tangco cited the benefits of technological advances but stressed that people should never lose their affinity and love for animals, which have long provided help and sustenance for humans even before computers came into the picture.

The Malabon Zoo, by offering rare views of and interaction with animals often seen only in pictures by the young generation, will continue to teach people how animals and nature should be taken cared before they all disappear into mere pictures we surf on the Internet.

Philippine Eagle Center

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Baguio Botanical Garden (photo by rodlam)

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Pine forest (photo by nicole ricasata)

hi guys! sorry for the off-topic but I can't help asking if you have contact numbers of these beautiful rooftop gardens/ pools and how much they rent the venues for weddings (if they do)??? I'm getting married december 2009 and I have always wanted a rooftop garden/ poolside wedding... please please help!

thanks so much ;)

hi guys! sorry for the off-topic but I can't help asking if you have contact numbers of these beautiful rooftop gardens/ pools and how much they rent the venues for weddings (if they do)??? I'm getting married december 2009 and I have always wanted a rooftop garden/ poolside wedding... please please help!

thanks so much ;)


Try Vivere Suites they have roof top restaurant and also have a decent size function room on the roof top...

From the Vivere Suites Thread... posted by [DX]
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http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/7923/dotdiscoverdavaoposter2lu4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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WoW! Davao

WoW! Davao

Ana gyud! Tangkilikin ang sariling atin haha.

Could you guys post pics of the Maragusan hike and climbing up and down the many-tiered falls. 2 years ago we climbed only 3 levels and 2 levels at the other end of that route because we didn't bring ropes and equipment. It was a really nice place but a bit far, hehe, and the road was very dusty. We were in the back part of a multicab pickup. That trip was so memorable.:banana:

Ana gyud! Tangkilikin ang sariling atin haha.

Could you guys post pics of the Maragusan hike and climbing up and down the many-tiered falls. 2 years ago we climbed only 3 levels and 2 levels at the other end of that route because we didn't bring ropes and equipment. It was a really nice place but a bit far, hehe, and the road was very dusty. We were in the back part of a multicab pickup. That trip was so memorable.:banana:



^^ you mean Tagbibinta falls or the Aliwagwag Falls?

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/tonioboi/marag2.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/tonioboi/marag3.jpg
tagbibinta falls.

Here's the summer capital o Davao Region Nabunturan ....

MARAGUSAN: "Maragusan Valley as the Summer Capital of Davao Province"

DOT XI has identified Maragusan as an eco-tourism destination in Southern Mindanao. Its cool invigorating climate, numerous waterfalls, hot and cold springs, inland resort resorts, lake, verdant valleys, lush forests and its rich cultural heritage of the Mansaka tribe make the municipality a conducive haven for adventure travel.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/tonioboi/marag4.jpg
view from the HAVEN'S PEAK

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/tonioboi/MARAG.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/tonioboi/marag5.jpg
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photos courtesy of @riancobrz

you mean Tagbibinta falls or the Aliwagwag Falls?

I think both bai..on both ends of the mountain man located diba?

Tagbibinta is nearer to the cold spring resort right while Aliwagwag is on another end of the trail?

^^ Aliwagwag is in Davao Oriental and the longest waterfalls in Asia mga 100 stairways

Aliwagwag Falls....

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/3944/8687uw1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://jojiealcantara.multiply.com/photos/album/164/M_Magazine_2nd_Issue#4

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/9844/aliwagwag2sa9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/8228/aliwagwagfallsok9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

more of Comval...

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1886/2318016640db3e0da58fbkl3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

mao ba ning cold spring bai?

Compostella Valley is home 50 plus waterfalls , 100's of cold and hot springs!

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2310/2397570481fcdfc445d1bib6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Aguacan Cold Springs Resort, Maragusan, Compostela Valley

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2296/2397577937ebed517cf7bct3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
In Aguacan Cold Springs resort, Maragusan, Compostela Valley. You can swim with the fish!

photos by debbie_sion(flickrs)

if don't want cold try Hot spring in Comval...

Kanlawig Hot Spring

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/3815/2397569677e3f74ddb5cbpr6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/288/23983841980c28695b36bzd0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

rainforest in Davao City....

Wild Water Rafting...

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8749/whitewateraftingindavaoxo4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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Aah, it was not Aliwagwag bai, just the other end of Tagbibinta. I forgot the name. And yes, Aguacan Cold Spring. We also went to Toyozu hot spring, and also to the White Water rafting! Hehe I fell from the raft so it was quite memorable too.

We also drove around IGACOS (the whole island, though we werent able to visit Talikud ISland), whatta nice place. I guess what remains is to climb Mt. Apo and try the ziplines next time we visit. :):banana:

My friends were scared in Nabunturan because of the banakon. Ahehe.

^^ zipline ba kamo?

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/5654/3231214108d64856891abis8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

anyway if you want malapit meron ng dalawang zipline venue ( Davao Outland Adventure & Xtreme City)sa DC and the former caters the longest zipline in Asia! ..oppss meron pa pala sa Eden Nature Park but if you want adventure and scenery rolled into one ...hands down it's Camp Sabros!:okay:

^^ zipline ba kamo?

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/5654/3231214108d64856891abis8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

anyway if you want malapit meron ng dalawang zipline and one caters the longest zipline in Asia! ..oppss meron pa pala sa Eden Nature but if you want adventure and scenery rolled into one ...hands down it's Camp Sabros!:ok:

Ok bro, will look for you next time we visit. Ahehehe. :lol:.

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ang ganda nang mga lugar sa davao region...nakasali din yung hometown ko ang COMVAL...yahooooo...:banana:

The Deer Park in Ocampo

http://www.cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Destinations%2Fdeer-bg.jpg&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD

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Bird watching at Magarao Wetlands

http://www.cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Destinations%2FBIRD+07.jpg&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD

Dolphin Adventure in Ragay Gulf

http://www.cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Destinations%2FDOLPHINS+PANORAMIC01.jpg&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD

The Aviary

http://www.cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Accomodations%2FEcoVillage%2Feco-8.jpg&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD

Fishing Wharf

http://www.cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Accomodations%2FEcoVillage%2Feco-24.jpg&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD

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Campsite

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Bravo! :applause: Bravo! :applause: Bravo! :applause:

The Aviary

http://www.cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Accomodations%2FEcoVillage%2Feco-8.jpg&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD

Fishing Wharf

http://www.cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Accomodations%2FEcoVillage%2Feco-24.jpg&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD

http://www.cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Accomodations%2FEcoVillage%2Feco-6.jpg&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD



Campsite

http://www.cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Accomodations%2FEcoVillage%2Feco-16.jpg&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD

http://www.cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Accomodations%2FEcoVillage%2Feco-19.jpg&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD


:bow: more of this places!

Bicol? super wow! I never thought we have that here. I almost couldnt believe. :okay:

OMG!!!! Meron na niyan sa CWC?!? Makes me wanna pack my bags now and fly ti my beloved province. :shocked:

awesome davao! i love it.

Bulabog Putian National Park - Iloilo’s Protected Natural Reserve

Bulabog Puti-an National Park is a protected rain forest area known for being a living museum of flora and fauna. Hundreds of local and foreign tourists visit the 847 eco-tourism park to immerse in the area’s natural attractions such as its various forms of wildlife and more than 30 caves.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3624/3318775123_8a997aa9e6.jpg

The caves of Bulabog Putian National Park is an important historical, paleontological, archeological site since it was used as a hideout by the revolutionary forces in Iloilo during the Spanish occupational period. Many of the caves’ walls still has text inscribed by the war heroes of the past. One of these text reads: “Los Republicanos Juran Morir Antes Que Entregarse,” or The Republicans Swear To die Before Surrendering.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/3322796834_fec94c94e8.jpg

The trail to the caves is ladden with limestone rocks, the same material used for the construction of the century-old Dingle Church. If you’re planning to visit, better wear sturdy rubber shoes to make your trek easier.

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Bulabog Putian National Park is more frequently visited during the summer time especially the holy week to bathe in the mountain spring resort or explore the park’s vast area.

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Bulabog Putian National Park spans parts of Dingle and San Enrique. To get to the park from Iloilo City, ride a “Dingle” jeepney in Tagbak Terminal, Jaro. Once in the town proper, you can hire a tricycle, which will take you to the park’s receiving area. The entrance fee in Bulabog Putian National Park for locals is P8 and P80 for foreigners. There are tour guides available for P180.


Taken from Explore Iloilo (http://www.exploreiloilo.com/bulabog-putian-national-park.html)

Yes, Vivere Suites in Alabang...

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to date, manila DOESNT have its own rooftop bar that is as modern and sophisticated as what u find in the world's renowned metropolitan cities (bangkok being one of them)

vivere doesnt compare with bangkok's numerous penthouse bars or 'skybars'. this is one area that manila needs to invest on. but good thing in two years time, we will have our very own when metrobank will finish its 77 storey tower in fort bonifacio... the website article says that the topmost floor will be devoted to grand sky lounge with 360 views of the city:cheers:

top of the citi is worth a visit but it doesnt come close to the true meaning of a 'chill pad'. the last time i was there, there were no proper outdoor seating areas and all lights were out. the indoor dining area has dark tinted glass depriving you of nightime views

u can type in bangkok skybars in google to see what i mean

Photoshoot at Fairways Tower BGC (The beautiful pics were taken by our talented mod Phman/Francis):



Hope you'll enjoy looking at these photos.

Pano:
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the day shots:

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Drop off area
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Grand Lobby (the structure exudes an exclusivity feel, but not to the point of making visitors shy away) :)
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View from the top
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Roofdeck (one would love to hang out there during one windy afternoon...sana may ala al fresco dining furnitures)
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Hallway to the Function Rooms (pwedeng reception sa kasal)...notice the color scheme of wood panels.
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Pwedeng magsenti at dusk...
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Or magwork out sa roofdeck gym exclusive sa mga tenants.
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Then take a dip in the pool afterwards
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Or just enjoy the scenery...
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Wormview...
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Friendly neighbors...
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And here are the views from up there...

The view to 'die' for:
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Seibu Tower, Serendra and SOMa. The Singaporean Embassy is a block away from Seibu Tower.
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Ortigas and the rest of Fort Bonifacio
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Regent Parkway, Essensa, McKinley Hill, Heritage Park (Libingan ng mga Bayani)
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If you look farther, you'll see planes on departure or final approach...Mt Makiling is also looking majestic from afar.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3337409394_cf39fc784c_b.jpg

Unobstructed view of Makati Skyline with Manila Golf on the foreground
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And of course...the famed sunset at Manila Bay
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1245/3337460354_3ca79e62d0_b.jpg

Makati skyline at night
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Fireworks at MOA
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3336652019_45bdd4fa58.jpg

Sorry guys, there's too much photos. I hope my collection did not consume too much of your bandwidth...:)

Albay Park and Wildlife
by HOLAA802 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/holaa802/)

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Albay Park and Wildlife
by HOLAA802 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/holaa802/)

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Environmentalists explore Negros rainforest (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20090407-198272/Environmentalists-explore-Negros-rainforest)

A team of environmentalists from the United Kingdom and the Philippines set off on Sunday on a two-week biological expedition into the interior of the North Negros Natural Park to explore unchartered areas.

Robert Harland, a director of the Negros Forest and Ecological Foundation Inc., said the 13-man Negros Interior Biodiversity Expedition team included scientists, biologists, mountaineers, teachers and logistics experts.

It is led by London-based James Sawyer, a veteran of many similar expeditions to 25 countries and in environmental protection projects, including five years of managing the Negros Rainforest Conservation Project.

“This is the first biological exploration of the interior of the NNNP, a unique area not scientifically explored to date,” Sawyer said.

With a land area of 80,454 hectares, the NNNP is the largest forested area on Negros Island and is home to many rare, endemic and endangered species.

It covers the cities of Talisay, Silay, Victorias, Cadiz, Sagay and San Carlos and the towns of E.B. Magalona, Murcia, Toboso, Calatrava and Don Salvador Benedicto.

Sawyer described the NNNP as “a biodiversity hotspot of great importance.” But its rare and endemic species “are under grave threat from illegal logging, hunting, exotic pet trade and unauthorized land use,” he said.

Rated as one of the top ten most important areas of forest in the world, the NNNP is home to a multitude of rare and endemic species, while also playing a vital role in watershed protection for surrounding communities, Harland said.

“We all feel very privileged to have the opportunity to be part of this ground-breaking expedition,” Sawyer added.

The expedition is partnered by the Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation, Inc (NFEFI), which undertook biodiversity surveys between 1999 and 2006 with Coral Cay Conversation in parts of the NNNP covering Talisay, Murcia and Silay, which are all part of the watershed of Bacolod City, Harland said.

Paul Lizares, chairman of NFEFI, said they supported the initiative as it would raise the profile of the park’s threatened habitats.

“As a key recipient of data from the expedition, and of all other benefits, we will work with the team to ensure that maximum benefit comes from the venture,” he said.

The expedition also includes seasoned British filmmaker Tara Watney, who has produced many documentaries, dramas, feature films and commercials. She will make a documentary that is expected to be aired by television stations in many countries.

Albay Park and Wildlife
(April 6, 2009)

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