A loop of promises and perils

(Second of Three Parts)

MANILA, Philippines – Stark revelations and shocking eye-openers were what the recently-concluded Amazing Race to Save Laguna de Bay, after last year’s Laguna de Buhay Bike Caravan, brought to the fore.

These two awareness events impart a micro message that, indeed, the lake is slowly and literally wasting away. A bigger picture is that its environmental condition contributes to the global climate gone berserk.

While trekking the ecological wonders around the lake awed hundreds of participants to the brains-and-brawn challenge eventually won by the Sandugo team of triathlete Leo Oracion of the Mt. Everest fame, Amazing Race made participants realize the importance of keeping its beauty and naturalness. Enthusiastic Air Force men and team AFP did not fall so far behind in skills and strategy.

Oracion, who bravely faced the greatest challenge of planting the first Philippine Flag at the world’s highest peak, is aware that nature-trippers should be responsible for their own trash no matter if it’s just a cigarette butt or a food can. Oracion saw the amount of non-biodegradables left by some mountaineers on their way to a world feat. What better accomplishment can caring for the environment precede?

A promise lake

The Laguna Lake Development Authority is not just focused on the state and form of the 2.25-B cubic meter of water in the lake and its watershed areas straddling the 14 cities and 17 towns of Laguna and Rizal, parts of the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, and Quezon, and Metro Manila. LLDA, in partnership with local governments and private groups, most especially cares for the lake’s surrounds.

The lake itself is full of promises.

Its potentials extend not only to the livelihood of fisher folk and those dependent on its waters but more so to the communities that focus on the benefits of ecotourism.

In these trying times, the lake is the promise.

Given well-placed government infrastructures on tourism and environment, communities around select spots can depend on ecotourism as potential salvation.

Loop attractions

Everyday, around 12,000 Filipinos leave the country daily to see other places elsewhere. Perhaps they have not heard of the breath-taking must-see sights in this part of the country.

If you have two days to spare, you can gain a life’s experience by touring the places of interest around the lake. The best route around scenic circumferential course starts in Antipolo starting with a visit to the 17th century miraculous Image of Nuestra Señora dela Paz y Buen Viaje to seek blessing for this brief journey.

Even if one misses Hinulugang Taktak, which is now Antipolo’s concern due to its deteriorating environmental condition, there still is the spectacle that is Daranak Falls in Tanay, Rizal. Up this road from the nature-trail in Barrio Bugarin in Pililia is the most awesome view of the lake facing Talim Island.

One will not miss Barangay Natividad ecopark in Pangil while the very natural Turumba Spring Bath Resort and the old San Pedro de Alcantara Church are along the way in Barangay Baño, Pakil.

Adventurous tourists – even if only for curiosity – must have a taste of the Exotik Restaurant in Kalayaan Highway. There is also an added-plus to this visit with the opportunity to sit up close and personal with Samantha, the “domesticated” anaconda.

Also in Kalayaan’s Barangay San Juan is the unique Twin Falls.

Next town of Paete is very famous for wood carvings and paper mache products and its St. James the Apostle church.

You will not miss a peek at how the native hand-stitched barongs of Lumban are made before proceeding to shoot the rapids in Pagsanjan and Cavinti where you can either hole in or camp out for the night.

Next day’s trip can start with a half-day passage to Caliraya and Lumot Lakes. Name any water sports – from wind surfing to kayaking to knee, wake and ski boarding – and you can do it in Caliraya resort. Facilities and amenities are first rate. For economy tourists, a pack lunch can be taken at the Pueblo El Salvador Nature’s Park and Picnic Grove nearby.

Majayjay Ecotourism Park and the famous Taytay Falls are absolute wonderments. One can opt to lodge in for another night to enjoy the healing beauty of nature.

Liliw town’s underground cemetery and the old church and Spanish houses built in the 1600s are certainly remarkably preserved. To take home are the famous Liliw handmade slippers and shoes.

Soothing to body and soul is a quick dip in the cold spring waters of Bunga Falls in Nagcarlan. According to first-time tourists, they experience “a cooling, enchanting effect” of the ice-cold water.

This tour pleasure trip can be capped with a therapeutic plunge in the hot springs of Los Baños on the way back to Manila.   

Environmental perils

“Clean as you go” is one good habit we keep from our formative years.

As Oracion has witnessed in his mountain trekking, not all tourists and mountaineers are conscious of the long-term impact of unnatural trash they leave behind.

Promoting ecotourism and environmental consciousness is a very tall order, indeed. On top of this, awareness and information campaigns on environment is just too much of a good thing that people tend to overlook “little things” and seemingly insignificant clean and green reminders. The very first “little things” ignored pile up to a mound that will soon imprint environmentally-damaging patterns.   

Very challenging is ecotourism by itself in that the very environment that the government or community intends to protect generate challenges on preservation and development. Active participation and involvement of the local community is paramount in this endeavor if we were to conserve the natural and cultural heritage of the Laguna de Bay region.

Opening up the region’s natural wonders defines responsible ecotourism both on the part of travel organizers, tour guides, the immediate community, and the government.

There are always downsides to good things. If not culturally-sensitive and environment-conscious, this may just well be a greenwashed advocacy.

Next: The True Stewards of Laguna de Bay