THE LAMESA ECOPARKI wish to share a very meaningful experience I’ve had this week touring the amazing 33-hectare La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City, an exhibition of nature’s majestic beauty within the city.
As I write this, I am obviously still enjoying my time as a balikbayan in our beloved
So like the curious balikbayan that I am, I took time to visit this park that I’ve heard so much about initially from my good friend, humanitarian Robbie Fabian of Bantay Bata.
Earlier this year, Robbie gathered some LA-based Fil-Ams to meet two brilliant gentlemen named Dave Pardo and Marlo Mendoza who came to LA to spread awareness about Bantay Kalikasan, a very important program under the ABS-CBN Foundation.
Dave and Marlo conducted an excellent presentation on the evolution of the ecopark project, which took years to take off because of so many hard-to-resolve issues, among them fundi
ng and public property squatting.
After many years of struggles and even the tragedy of death because of this effort, Metro Manila finally has a larger than life ecopark that Filipino families and other visitors can enjoy right within the realms of a busy metropolis.
Personally, I was very impressed with what they have accomplished. There is a certain level of peace you feel when you set foot on the park. It’s like being transported from the busy city life into the tranquility of nature. Less than two minutes into entering the park, I could’ve sworn I was in the deep jungle somewhere in the province. For the first time in many many years, I actually heard the sounds of kuliglig!
Dave and Marlo personally gave me a tour of the Ecopark, which features, such attractions as a saltwater swimming pool, a fitness and natural trail, an amphitheatre, flower terraces, orchidarium, boating lagoon and butterfly trail and hatchery.
I know us Pinoys love to go to the mall on the weekends with our families as our form of recreation and bonding. But I personally feel that taking our families to the ecopark is also a nice and refreshing change. This way, our families spend quality time learning about our natural resources.
The next time you visit the
The development of the La Mesa Ecopark is a concerted effort among Bantay Kalikasan, the
I applaud the efforts of this collaborating group. Hats off especially to the ABS-CBN Foundation Bantay Kalikasan team, to Dave and Marlo, and of course the indefatigable Ms Gina Lopez.
Bantay Kalikasan has taken on a major role in this important project, including management, development, reforestation, protection, environmental education, as well as marketing and fundraising.
Even with the remarkable strides they have accomplished, this organization still needs help sustaining the efforts so that future generations can enjoy our natural treasures.
Bantay Kalikasan needs our help!
For example, efforts are in full swing to stock the ecopark museum with learning resources that children can benefit from.
The museum as it is right now is a good start but it’s no match for the kind of museums we have here in the LA area.
There are many areas in the ecopark project that need boost, and we can make a difference by offering our assistance.
Dear kababayans, Bantay Kalikasan could sure use any help we can give. If you or someone you know would like to help out, please contact me at monet@monetsalon.com.
In the meantime, a pleasant weekend to all of you!
(Published March 17, 2007 Los Angeles Asian Journal)
*The author is a professional beauty consultant and owner of the popular salon chain Monet & Reflections Salons. Monet is also the executive producer of the longest running Fil-Am awards gala, Reflections Awards (now on its 19th year). He is a known “queenmaker” or discoverer of young beauties who have gone on to achieve their dream of becoming beauty pageant titlists. For more on Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or send an email to monet@monetsalon.com.
