Bye Summer

Summer is ending and after months of scourging heat, I’m really looking forward to the rainy season. But before I say au revoir to the Sun King, just a quick reminisce of this summer.

Escaping the city’s heat, most of my free days were spent at our favourite hang-out place– Bahay ni Lola in Mabini, Batangas. It became my second home and workplace also. Days were spent writing technical papers and grant proposals, reading books, sleeping on lazy afternoons, accommodating guests, and/or swimming with Sheldon.

Work also gave opportunities to explore new places.

First, a visit to Barangay Daraitan in Tanay, Rizal. This community and the adjacent indigenous peoples (IP) communities will be submerged underwater if the controversial Laiban Dam pushes thru.

Assisting the Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance, we also conducted an IP Summit for the Rehabilitation of the Kaliwa-Kanan and Agos River Watersheds which was held in Infanta, Quezon.  

The summit gathered almost 100 Dumagat tribal leaders from Quezon, Rizal, Laguna and Bulacan.

Another work brought me to the mountainous region of the country- the Cordillera. We visited the small scale mining communities in Barangay Virac of Itogon, Benguet - the site of the first commercial mining firm in the country. 

We interviewed small scale miners and documented their operations.

Aside from meeting new folks, also favourite part of these trips were enjoying native cuisines- tapang kalabaw with sinantol and lambanog (Quezon) and pinikpikan with etag (Benguet), yumyum.

Also highlights of this summer: spending lazy afternoons at UP Diliman and taking photographs of trees and shrubs in bloom; 

birdwatching in La Mesa Ecopark, and a recreational climb with friends at Mt. Gulugod-baboy, the highest peak of Mabini.

Goodbye summer!

xOxOx 

 April-May 2013

Wildlife Week: Birding in the City (2)

On January 25, I joined the 2013 Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) spearheaded by the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines and Department of Environment and Natural Resources. An annual endeavor since 1987, AWC aims to identify and monitor wetlands of international and national importance. 

Our mission for this day: count the waterbirds in the Las-Pinas Paranaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPCHEA).

LPCHEA hosts the few remaining mangrove forests in Metro Manila. It is a declared bird sanctuary and provides temporary haven for thousands of migrating birds taking the East Asian Flyway during the months of September to March.

We started at the break of dawn and instantly saw flocks and flocks of little egret, great egret, black-winged stilt, common greenshank, common redshank and whiskered-tern. We also saw flocks of black-crowned night heron, little heron, Asian golden-plover, Kentish plover and even endemic Philippine duck.

After four hours, we counted a total of 2,230 water birds!

LPCHEA is an important ecosystem and yet, it is besiege by different ecological problems such as marine pollution, solid waste and the threat of continuing reclamation project by the national government. If the project pushes through, LPCHEA’s mangroves, ponds and lagoons will be wiped out of the map.

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LPCHEA is located along the Coastal Road going to Cavite. The WBCP and other environmental organizations, fisherfolk groups and communities continue to oppose the planned reclamation project at LPCHEA.   

Wildlife Week: Birding in the City (1)

The fourth week of the year was full of surprises and amazing wildlife encounters. It’s mind-boggling and surreal to meet face-to-face magnificent creatures even in disturbed, hostile and highly-polluted environment.  Beauty really exists wherever you go.

Kicking off the wildlife week: birding at the La Mesa Eco-park (LMEP). LMEP is one of the very few mini-forests in Metro Manila and a favorite weekend destination of families, friends and students.

Arriving at 7:00am, we were first greeted by LMEP’s full-time residents: the kilyawan (black-naped oriole), tariktik (barred-rail), kasaykasay (white-collared kingfisher), common moorhen and white-breasted waterhen. Then migrant birds started to show up; tarat (brown shrike), tagak (little egret), susulbot (common kingfisher) and yellow wagtail. 

Above us, pair of Chinese goshawks and ospreys flew in circles.

Inside the park’s forest trail, we saw the two recently discovered residents of LMEP: the Luzon-endemic ashy ground-thrush and the scaly ground-thrush. Both birds are uncommon, inconspicuous  and very hard to see in the wild.  Thanks to the tip of fellow birding friends, we stationed ourselves near the bird's “hang-out” area. After 30 minutes of waiting patiently, we were rewarded... 

The ashy ground-thrush playfully hopped around us.

The scaly ground-thrush kept on feeding while blending itself magnificently into its surrounding.

For almost an hour, we watched these beautiful winged-creatures. We also saw a green tree-frog and another beautiful bird, a mangrove blue-flycatcher.

A wonderful Sunday morning indeed.

Bird photos by Anne Larracas


LMEP, Quezon City

01-20-13

xOxOx

Also check the next story: Birding in Las-Pinas Bird Sanctuary.

blurry pretty day

lazy afternoon. a wonderful experience

first stop, visit in Metropolitan Museum of Manila to view its rare exhibit – Pablo Picasso’s The Vollard Suite

The Vollard Suite, commissioned by Ambroise Vollard, a famous art dealer, is composed of 100 pieces of copper etchings made by Picasso between 1930 to 1937

the displayed 100 pieces, original print copies and signed by the master artist, is owned by Fundacion MAPFRE and Instituto de Cultura

turning dusk, proceed to Balara to spot the Philippine Eagle Owl!!!!

not one, but a family of eagle owls - mom, pop and an owlet!!!

thanks to Karen for the wonderful owling trip

first 2012 travel post

chaotic photos, soweee. still, a pretty sight. beauty in turmoil- sign of things to come:-)

01.05.12

past, present and post stamps

heritage walk, introduction to philately and a wonderful Sunday afternoon – package in one

the Postal Heritage Walking Tour*, organize by the Filipinas Stamp Collectors’ Club (FSCC), is an opportunity to revisit the glory (and infamous) past of Metro Manila through our rich postal history

first stop is the Liwasang Bonifacio, a well-known plaza where rallies and public assemblies are held

the plaza was first named after the US military general Henry Lawton. Lawton, who gained recognition within the US Army ranks because of his successful campaign that led to the surrender of Apache leader Geronimo, was killed in Rizal by Filipino soldiers under the command of Lecerio Geronimo. well, the irony of life

another major stop is the Manila Central Postal Office, one of the dominating landmarks in Manila City

this Neo Classical Style building was destroyed during the American bombing of Manila in 1946 and was rebuilt after the war. the building was designed by Ralph Doane, Tomas Mapua and Juan M. de Guzman Arellano

meanwhile, the Post Library and Museum showcases commemorative stamps, postal relics, old mailboxes, paintings, etc . FSSC lectures and meetings as well as weekend public auction of anik-anik are conducted in this area

another highlight of this unique heritage walk is the visit to the Manila Metropolitan Theater or MET. this Art Deco Style Building, which was also designed by Juan M. de Guzman Arellano, was considered by some as “moderne”. still, MET became an icon of Philippine art and culture and hosted world-class plays, operas and events of the rich and famous

today, it looks like a war-torn building while the elements continue to fast track its decaying state. the ghostly tour inside will bring awe, sadness and chills (especially if you have six sense)

efforts are being done to revive MET's former glory but it will be a very, very expensive endeavor

other points of interest of the walk:

Aduana Building, the former Custom House during the Spanish occupation

Plaza Mexico, the port during the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade

National Press Club Building

and more – Manila Cathedral, Plaza Roma, monument of Gracia Lopez Jeana, monument of Queen Isabela II, Bahay Tsinoy, Arroceros Park, Mehan Garden, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Jones Bridge and Intramuros.

the Postal Heritage Walking Tour is held every 3^rd Sunday of the month. this free guided tour caters students, cultural hoopers, philatelists and interested individuals. for reservation, contact Mr. Lawrence Chan at 0919-3901671 or email at l_rence_2003@yahoo.com

ArtBike: Museums

with typhoon Quiel looming in the horizon, I and Ani (my bike) pedaled to Manila City from Quezon City (distance of 13 km) to join the 4th ArtBike*, a unique biking event that promotes the country's proud history, culture and talents.

this month features museums - visits to some of our vaults of arts and cultures.

first, bike ride within the old-walled city of Intramuros. been to this famous tourist spot countless of times but it’s my first time to navigate the cobblestone streets of Intramuros in a bicycle.

next stop, the National Museum (http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph). the main building houses some of the country’s treasures such as the famous “Spoliarium” of Juan Luna and the “Assassination of Governor Bustamante”, a famous and awarded work of Felix Resurrección Hidalgo.

the country’s primary museum also houses the works of our national artists – Fernando Amorsolo, Botong Francisco, Juan Arellano, etc.

then a quick stop to Hiraya Gallery (530 UN Avenue, Manila). the gallery is a small virtual space that showcases the works of new and emerging artists.

it started to drizzle when we arrived at the Metropolitan Museum (http://www.metmuseum.ph/). located at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas building along Roxas boulevard, the Met houses modern and contemporary visual paintings and installations.

the Met also kept another famous work of Hidalgo titled the “Las Virgenes Cristianas expuestas al populacho” (The Christian virgins Exposed to the Populace), the silver medallist during the 1884 Exposición Nacional de Bellas Arte, the same competition where Luna also gained international recognition. too bad, only a reproduction of the said painting is available for public viewing.

the weather turned bad when we arrived at Galleria Duemilla (http://www.galleriaduemila.com/). yet, we were received with warm hospitality by the owner Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz. the galleria showcases contemporary paintings, sculptures, paper works, installations, etc.

Silvania also gave us a quick tour of her compound, working stations, their vintage car collection, etc.

raining still, we arrived at Avellano Gallery (House A-19, 2680 F.B. Harrison, Pasay City). the gallery showcases unique spiral metal installations, glass work, etc.

decided to break out from the group (missed the GSIS Museum) because of the bad weather and an expected long ride back to QC (more than 20km). encountered the wrath of Quiel on the return trip – strong winds and blinding downpour, exciting hehehe. but when both brakes of Ani failed, it obliterated the fun, tsk.

a very informative day and wonderful urban bike tour :)

ArtBike

10.01.11

Manila – Pasay

*the ArtBike was conceptualized by group of friends who loves biking and art. thru this initiative, they hope to promote the country’s diverse natural wealth, talent and culture. ArtBike is held every first Saturday of the month.

going south?

need to be in UST last weekend and since i'm already stuck in the metro, why not try something new or something "classic"? like the old-school Philippine National Railways (PNR) trains!!!

PNR began operation in 1875 as the Ferrocarril de Manila-Dagupan and has been the primary railway system of Luzon for more than a century. however, due to continues neglect and overgrowth of informal settlers, the train lost its glamor and was associated to decay and blight.

went to FTI (near Bicutan) station and was surprised that trips to Alabang-Tutuban (and vice versa) are already available every hour. the train is already OK in terms of cleanliness or decency hahaha. the fare is quite cheap. the Alabang-Tutuban fare only costs P20.00. plus no traffic.

but be prepared and make your bag dukot-proof. since the trips are still limited, expect the train to be crowded.

Stops of the Alabang-Tutuban Route:

• Tutuban, (branch off from Blumentritt, near Tutuban Mall, Manila)
• Dapitan (Sampaloc, Manila)
• España (Sampaloc, Manila)
• Sta. Mesa (near PUP-Sta. Mesa, Manila)
• Beata, (Pandacan, Manila)
• Paco, (Quirino Avenue, Manila)
• San Andres (Manila)
• Vito Cruz (Manila)
• Buendia (Makati City)
• Pasay Road (Makati City)
• Edsa (under Magallanes ramp, Makati City)
• Nichols (near Gate 3, Taguig City)
• FTI (Taguig City)
• Bicutan (Taguig City)
• Sucat (Paranaque City)
• Alabang (Muntinlupa City)

trips going to Malolos, Bulacan (Northbound) and Binan all the way to Bicol (Southbound) are already available but still limited. will try it in the coming months :)

Ents

always fascinated with our native flora, reading local books and field guides, but alas, have difficulty remembering plant names, more so scientific names. plus the fact that there are more than 14,000 flora species in the country, woooh

mas madaling tandaan ang mga ibon hehehe

very glad to be able to join the 1^st "tree walk" of the Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society, an organization dedicated to the promotion and propagation of native species. for three hours, we explore the different areas of UP Diliman campus and visited 60+ native trees. some are lurking inside woodlands and garden patches dominated by exotic plants while others are in plain sight, but still unnoticeable to most passersby and motorists.

encountered native trees such as the buyaboy from Batanes. the leaves are use by the Ivatans to create raincoats and hats

native palm trees - taraw and endemic Manila Palm

native ficus trees, hawili and tangisang-bayawak. ficus trees are the lifeline of the forests, providing ample food to many species of birds and bats

salimbobog. they said that the flower of this tree is more beautiful than Cherry Blossom. can’t wait to see it when it blooms in summer.

the Philippine teak. can only be found in limestone forests of Batangas and Mindoro.

the beautiful shrub Leea guineensis (no local name) and more...

also learned interesting facts on already known native species,

how to distinguish male and female pili tree

mabolo is one of the many kamagong trees

and the narra, our national tree, is also common in our neighbor countries

love the flowers of botong. reminds me of Eywa...

UP Diliman

07.02.11