“We need to be outdoors, to see the clouds, to feel the rain, to run across the meadows. The wild expands the human soul.” Thus, theologian Thomas Berry articulated a philosophy for valuing the earth. And I repeat that quote I used in my pre-summer feature article titled “Embracing Nature, Wildly and Gently” in Woman Today a decade ago.
The Philippines has a great outdoors, beneath mostly blue skies and across many ecosystems from terrestrial to aquatic. Mountains, forests, seas, rivers, streams, lakes, waterfalls, volcanoes, caves, fields, and more comprise the natural wealth of many provinces across three geographical regions. Here, plants and animals, of widely varied species around 75% of which are endemic, provide benefits both aesthetic and utilitarian (food, shelter, clothing, medicine, industrial/commercial raw material).
Adventurous souls, or plain getaway seekers, have many ways to make at least three days most memorable. Hike, walk, bike on rugged trails. Climb, trek in the mountains. Dive, snorkel, swim, boat-ride in blue-green sea and comb fine-sand beaches. Explore caves. Visit national parks with forests, flora and fauna, wildlife sanctuaries. Be in awe of breathtaking landscapes. Stroll in the integral community and interact with the local people whose unfading love for Nature can also rub on you. Of course, take photos and videos of sights and experiences to cherish and share. Much to enjoy, without causing harm to the environment as ecotourism promoters and environment advocates would remind all visitors.
Some place suggestions, mostly from the experiences of some true-blue environmentalists:
Hiking/Trekking/Mountaineering: Banawe, Sagada, Mt. Pulag National Park (highest peak in Luzon) in the Cordillera region; Batanes (northern island declared a heritage and ecotourism zone), Mt. Apo in Davao (highest peak in the Philippines), Chocolate Hills in Bohol; Southern Sierra Madre in Tanay, Rizal; Mt. Makiling in Laguna.
Water Adventures (swimming, diving, surfing, and other activities): Palawan (including its Underground River which was chosen as one of the world’s top wonders of Nature, and Tubbataha Reef, a World Heritage site), Boracay, Bohol (Panglao), Cebu, Siargao, Camiguin, South Cotabato (Lake Sebu), Panay islands, Bicol region (including “butanding” sighting in Donsol, Sorsogon), Batangas, Zambales, La Union, Aurora province; Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud).
Volcanoes, Caves: lake-surrounded Taal Volcano in Tagaytay, Cavite; perfect-coned Mayon Volcano in Albay; caves in Sagada and in Biak-na-Bato park in Bulacan.
Close encounters with Nature are also expected to sow in the hearts of many tourists a desire to protect the places and experiences that delighted/trilled them for a few days. That’s a good springboard to environmentalism (manifested in lifestyle choices and advocacy) and stewardship which Pope Francis espoused as care for the earth in his encyclical book, Laudato Si.
Millenial and Generation Z youth, this is a chance to get your limbs and energy to do something bigger and lasting. #
Note:
Erlie Lopez is a Writer, Poet, PR Consultant, Environment Advocate. She can be reached in her email address: erlielopez@gmail.com.
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