Around Laguna, Philippines, almost the last frontier of flora and fauna here in the south right after Metro Manila, cutting trees is unabated, in the name of industrialization.
The latest casual
ty is Sta. Rosa, where a sprawling 1,000-hectare residential enclave dubbed Makati of the South or Eton City, is now under construction.
This high-end subdivision will have a 35-hectare man-made lake for its highlight.
In one of the storms that flooded and ravaged this southern part wayback 2007, some residents from Bucal, Calamba City would be heard cursing a well-known land developer for turning a big portion of the town into a golf course, and for making them swim in the muddy floodwaters. Laguna Lake overflowed and there was just not enough trees nor watershed to protect the city from flooding.
Meanwhile, Mount Makiling spewed stones into nearby residents as if it were an active volcano during the same storm. Quarrying has eroded the mountain, and the ravishing goes unabated so that one can see the clear baldness of a big portion of the mythical mountain from one of its sides.
Right in the heart of Canlubang, inside an old golf course, grows old old trees protecting people from heat and storms. Indeed, this is mother nature's another last frontier.
Laguna is used to be inhabited by hundreds and thousands of species of plants and trees.
When to learn the lesson? Maybe next time that mother nature throws its wrath.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Stop cutting trees!
Local and foreign tourists visit this healing spring
Iron, magnesium, sulphur, and borax are minerals extracted from these cinder pebbles which serves as the ground flooring of this modest-sized hot pool in Laguna, Philippines.
This is what actually what differentiates Laguna Hot Spring (LHS) from other resorts in the place. It is unglazed, and not tiled.
"I felt yuck the first time I saw what were under my feet. Then I got some water in the palm of my hands and I was surprised that it was clear," said Geraldo de Leon.
"I was even surprised with the small fish that were surviving under what-was-not a salty water. Once they bite into your foot or leg they gave a tickling sensation."
De Leon has suffered from two hypertensive strokes and he can hardly move his left arm due to some problems in his upper back muscles.
"I feel great and strong every time I soak in this pool," he said.
The water from LHS is a natural hot spring coming from the surrounding mountains including the famed Mount Makiling which is said to be a volcano although it never had any history of eruption.
The action of water-- once it comes in contact with what-looked-like burnt stones produce the mineral substances-- believed to be responsible for many healed cases of arthritis and skin allergies.
Sulphur and borax are also believed to make the skin smooth; and iron and magnesium are believed to be good for focus. Magnesium compounds are actually used in medicine as laxatives and antacids and "plays a major role in manipulating important biological polyphosphate compounds like ATP, DNA, and RNA." (Wikipedia)
The water is also believed to be good for treatment of neuralgia and myalgia.
Many Koreans also frequent the place.
This is what actually what differentiates Laguna Hot Spring (LHS) from other resorts in the place. It is unglazed, and not tiled.
"I felt yuck the first time I saw what were under my feet. Then I got some water in the palm of my hands and I was surprised that it was clear," said Geraldo de Leon.
"I was even surprised with the small fish that were surviving under what-was-not a salty water. Once they bite into your foot or leg they gave a tickling sensation."
De Leon has suffered from two hypertensive strokes and he can hardly move his left arm due to some problems in his upper back muscles.
"I feel great and strong every time I soak in this pool," he said.
The water from LHS is a natural hot spring coming from the surrounding mountains including the famed Mount Makiling which is said to be a volcano although it never had any history of eruption.
The action of water-- once it comes in contact with what-looked-like burnt stones produce the mineral substances-- believed to be responsible for many healed cases of arthritis and skin allergies.
Sulphur and borax are also believed to make the skin smooth; and iron and magnesium are believed to be good for focus. Magnesium compounds are actually used in medicine as laxatives and antacids and "plays a major role in manipulating important biological polyphosphate compounds like ATP, DNA, and RNA." (Wikipedia)
The water is also believed to be good for treatment of neuralgia and myalgia.
Many Koreans also frequent the place.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Hi!
Cant' customize my blog due to some errors... ooops! Hi, call me Ana.
I am from the Philippines; from the historic city of Calamba, where our national hero, Jose Rizal lived. He calls the Philippines a country full of sunshine.
I am inviting friends to come; let us talk over a cup of coffee about anything and everything under the beautiful sun.
I am from the Philippines; from the historic city of Calamba, where our national hero, Jose Rizal lived. He calls the Philippines a country full of sunshine.
I am inviting friends to come; let us talk over a cup of coffee about anything and everything under the beautiful sun.
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