Exploring La Union, Local Style

 

First Stop : Gidday, San Vicente, La Union

La Union Aksyon Kalikasan Chapter is still in its inception and I was fortunate enough to be invited as one of the pilot participant for their intended program.

I prefer advocacy based tourism rather than commercial tourism. My time is so valuable that I prefer to do it with small contribution to the community or society I am visiting.

Sad to say, areas who have been secret gems of the locals once discovered by commercial tourist becomes exploited. There should be responsible tourism and the LGU’s should take active participation in protecting their local environment. Tourism should generate fund but it should also protect the wildlife, trees and faunas that are indigenous to the area.

One particular place that I really like is located in San Vicente, La Union and locals call it GIDDAY. It has the combination of plants and faunas, birds, corals, the foreshore is very rich in animal inhabitants.

I love Mother Nature but I am not a forester so recognizing each plant and animals in their scientific name does not apply to me.LOL

From what I can understand, GIDDAY meant sloping area but it is a well forested and very accessible from the main road. We were informed that it was about 55hectares, and one local said that the place might be owned by Senator Gringo Honasan. It will be a hearsay until the leaders of the chapter is able to get in touch with him. There is so much biodiversity in such an area that it must be protected.

As far as I know, a paper (study) was written proposing that these area be made into a Marine Protected Area (MPA) and rightly so.

Campers and visitors are the major contributors of trash in the area. Sad to say most tourist or visitors does not apply the principle of “ leave no trash behind”. It’s really basic when you get to think of it. You do not visit somebody’s house and leave your trash there.

But these are my personal rants, if your really do care for the environment help in ways that you can actually do and be one of the movers of the green movement. Everything starts from within. Changing your lifestyle is included. Be true to yourself and not just for a show.

As these is my personal repository of rants and personal views, not necessary informative in nature, you can just enjoy snippets of videos and pictures, hopefully you will enjoy them as much as I enjoy sharing them in the vast online verse.

Till next blubbers 

Plastic to Paver, How to Lessen Solid Waste

My time spent on anything I consider that will make an impact to society is very valuable. I have this personal belief that I should not waste my time on anything that is not productive either in personal growth, career and advocacy's.

Being invited to partake in another greening activity was a welcome idea. Truth to be told, I was very interested because the invite included a meet up with a project developer of “plastic to pavers project”, Engr. Andrew Rimando, Project Lead of LORMA Colleges in La Union.

I was very much interested on what type of technology was used and if it can easily be replicated in the Aeta Community I am with. It is a best solution as it encompasses solution to several waste management issues that Philippines are facing.

I have arrived within the time frame agreed time for picked up, 4am to 5am. It is easier to travel at night with less build up traffic but nonetheless uncomfortable. Travel time from Dau, Pampanga to San Fernando, La Union takes about 5 hours to 6 hours.

Met up with fellow greens who participated in the AKSYON KALIKASAN First Batch of Green Leadership Academy last June 2019. We intended to explore the possibilities of creating a sustainable, responsible and interactive eco-tours.

The replication process is very viable as the technology is available and the data with the procedure have been done by the Lorma Senior High students.

Engr. Andrew Rimando leading the way to the LORMA Colleges Campus

During the meet up with Engr. Rimando, we were also invited to meet in person their College Director, Dra. Caro Macagba, who later on i realized is very pro-active in the issues of green movement. She is very proud of her co-workers achievement and encourages them to look for more avenues in helping the environment.

on our way to the science lab

the test samples

finely grounded PET bottles, grounded in an industrial shredder

part of the sampling data method

with Dra. Carol Macagba and the future green leaders 

Hopefully, there will be other leaders of the academe in the private sectors will emulate her passion.

Exploring La Union, Local Style

First Stop : Gidday, San Vicente, La Union

Gidday Entry Point at Brgy. San Vicente, the area is 55ha, was proposed to be an MPA,
 3 baraggay covers the whole area and the most accessible is from here

the lush greens and the foliage will surely take your breathe away

get awed at how bio diversity emerges from one point to another

the tree shall give you love if you show respects towards them

see how the tree is supporting the slope from erosion
and catching the waves of the sea

be content that there are others who share the same thought as you

the entry point to a coral cave, waves was so strong i opted not to explore

am talking to groot hehehe

La Union Aksyon Kalikasan Chapter is still in its inception and I was fortunate enough to be invited as one of the pilot participant for their intended program.

I prefer advocacy based tourism rather than commercial tourism. My time is so valuable that I prefer to do it with small contribution to the community or society I am visiting.

Sad to say, areas who have been secret gems of the locals once discovered by commercial tourist becomes exploited. There should be responsible tourism and the LGU’s should take active participation in protecting their local environment. Tourism should generate fund but it should also protect the wildlife, trees and faunas that are indigenous to the area.

One particular place that I really like is located in San Vicente, La Union and locals call it GIDDAY. It has the combination of plants and faunas, birds, corals, the foreshore is very rich in animal inhabitants.

I love Mother Nature but I am not a forester so recognizing each plant and animals in their scientific name does not apply to me. :-)

From what I can understand, GIDDAY meant sloping area but it is a well forested and very accessible from the main road. We were informed that it was about 55hectares, and one local said that the place might be owned by Senator Gringo Honasan. It will be a hearsay until the leaders of the chapter is able to get in touch with him. There is so much biodiversity in such an area that it must be protected.

As far as I know, a paper (study) was written proposing that these area be made into a Marine Protected Area (MPA) and rightly so.

Campers and visitors are the major contributors of trash in the area. Sad to say most tourist or visitors does not apply the principle of “ leave no trash behind”. It’s really basic when you get to think of it. You do not visit somebody’s house and leave your trash there.

But these are my personal rants, if your really do care for the environment help in ways that you can actually do and be one of the movers of the green movement. Everything starts from within. Changing your lifestyle is included. Be true to yourself and not just for a show.

As these is my personal repository of rants and personal views, not necessary informative in nature, you can just enjoy snippets of videos and pictures, hopefully you will enjoy them as much as I enjoy sharing them in the vast online verse.

Till next blubbers