On its 20^th Anniversary, Bantay Kalikasan recently kicked off its first Eco Festival at the La Mesa Eco Park’s Amphitheater.

Bird watching together with the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines

Earth Warriors united to celebrate the first ever Eco Festival in order to spread environmental advocacy and introduce visitors to organizations and ways they can engage in the advocacy.Approximately 200 participants registered early to partake in different activities such as bird watching, bamboo advocacy, native plants and trees identification, Zumba fitness, basic gardening, nursery and potting activity, and sustainable tourism.

Basic gardening, nursery and potting activity with the La Mesa Watershed Team at the Eco Festival

Leave No Trace’s Trainer and Educational Partner sharing the seven Leave No Trace Principles

Lito De Veterbo,Leave No Trace’sTrainer and Educational Partner shared the seven Leave No Trace Principles that aims to educate the people to leave littleimpact to the environment.

“The Leave No Trace Principle is a set of guidelines to minimize our impact to the environment and at the same time enjoying the outdoors responsibly.”The 7 principles are, 1) Plan ahead and prepare, 2) Travel and camp on durable surfaces, 3) Dispose waste properly, 4) Leave what you find 5)Minimize campfire impacts, 6) Respect wildlife, and7) To be considerate to other visitors,” Veterbo explained.

Other environmental advocates also took part on the said event. One of them is Fredo Ochavo, a volunteer of IPO Watershed Project, who shared the importance of watersheds,particularly Ipo, which supplies water to the La Mesa Watershed, the source of water to 12 million residents of Metro Manila.

Musicians such as Kawayan 7, GuthBen Duo, and JR Estudillo also graced the event.

Hopefully magkaroon tayo ng taunang event na kagaya ng ganito na mai-bahagi natin sa bawat miyembro ng ating pamilya at sa mga mamayang pilipino na ma-experience nila, ma-enjoy nila, sama-sama silang kakanta, sasayaw at matututo sa mga bagay at mga activities na ginagawa natin para sa ating kalikasan ,” said Sarah Agcaoili, Park Administrator of the La Mesa Ecopark.(We hope we can do this every year so we can engage more people and families, for them to experience and enjoy the festival. They’d get to dance and sing all together and they get to learn the things we do.)

“Kami ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng ating mga partners, sponsors at mga taong indibidwal na tumulong para maging possible at successful itong ating Eco-Festival. Kami rin ay umaasa na sa mga susunod pang activity na kagaya nito ay muli po namin kayong maanyayahan na tumulong at makiisa. Ang inyo pong taos pusong pagsuporta at pagtulong para sa kalikasan ay patuloy na nagbibigay ng lakas sa amin para ipalaganap ang ating mga advocacies and awareness regarding environment protection. Sa muli po, ang Bantay Kalikasan or kami po sa Bantay Kalikasan ay naniniwala na "Every Filipino, an Earth Warrior," she added.(I’d like to thank our partners, sponsors, and other people who made this festival possible.We also hope to have more sponsors and participants. We hope there will be more people whowill have the willingness to help the environment in the ways they can for we at the Bantay Kalikasan believes that “Every Filipino can be an Earth Warrior.”)

La Mesa Eco Park is a 33-hectare ecological park that provides natural amenities where people can retreat to and enjoy the beauty of nature. It was established to support the Save the La Mesa Watershed Project.

To know more about the environment arm of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc., visit www.abs-cbnfoundation.com.

For reservations, visit www.facebook.com/lamesaecoparkofficialor call 430-4051 or 430-5207.