20th Anniversary of Laguna del Lagarto Lodge in Costa Rica Leading Charge in Ecotourism

20 years ago the Laguna del Lagarto Lodge was one of the first hotels to lead the charge for ecotourism in Costa Rica when it first opened its doors in 1992 and proved it can have a powerful impact on residents and tourists alike. Denver, CO (PRWEB) June 23, 2012 The Laguna del Lagarto Lodge is celebrating its 20th anniversary and was one of the first hotels to lead the charge for ecotourism in Costa Rica. When it first opened its doors in 1992 the lodge proved it could have a powerful impact on residents and tourists alike. In 1974 the German international banker Vinzenz Schmack found himself accepting a job transfer to Costa Rica and in 1981 he was able to fulfill a lifelong goal of owning a large piece of land. He purchased 275 acres of primary rain forest in the northern zone near a small hamlet called Boca Tapada for $5,000 (USD). Locals quickly dubbed Vinzenz the crazy German and they werent the only ones. Schmacks Guatemalan wife refused to go inspect the property. When Vinzenz asked his wife, but I thought you said you would go to the end of the world with me? she was quick to respond, I didnt realize the end of the world was so close. At the time of the lands purchase the public electricity line was 10 miles away and there were no phones. The only way to reach the property was with a 4W drive vehicle with snow chains on the tires during the dry season and by horseback during the rainy season. Eventually his wife did go to the newly purchased land and now the looming question of what to do with it began to linger. After several years of unproductive, experimental agricultural ventures Schmack was still not sure what to do with his property. For several years Schmack basically did nothing with the land believing that the right idea would come to mind. He resisted the temptation to sell the trees to loggers and sawmills and finally in 1989 at a cocktail party in San Jose his friend helped him discover the lands purpose. The idea was to convert the land into a reserve and make it accessible to tourists interested in nature. This idea was a risky venture due to the complete lack of infrastructure and rugged terrain of the land. However, Schmack was determined to succeed drawing on the strength of the possibility to contribute to the development of the area, provide employment opportunities to a region decimated with unemployment, and protect the rain forest all at the same time.

And succeed he did. In 1992 he officially opened Laguna del Lagarto Lodge. After two years of extensive lobbying the community and the lodge finally received public electricity. Schmack paid for the final mile out of his own pocket and received a plaque of recognition from the village for his determination and financial contributions. In 1999 after similar efforts the lodge got the areas first telephone line. Not only was Schmack able to help bring new infrastructure to the area but also his lodge created jobs for nine area residents. But to leave it at nine residents getting jobs is a gross understatement. Schmack has provided international education opportunities for many of his employees and has also given loans to area residents that allowed them to start their own prosperous businesses. Schmack is a member of the Rotary Club of San Jose and has played an important part in bringing Rotary members from the United States to do a variety of social projects, including free three-day dental clinics, school supplies, painting and refurbishing the school desks, donations of medical supplies, and on a grant of $22,000 the two schools of Boca Tapada and Santa Rita received computers. A month away from turning 78 Schmack is now pretty much retired and has passed the lodge on to his son Kurt. The crazy German has proven how tourism can contribute to the development of a poor isolated area, how local people, through this example, have learned to value the richness of the rainforest and how he, in some way, has contributed to the awareness, that to maintain and preserve the rainforest for future generations, can be more profitable than cutting it down and, thus, destroying its beauty with all its exuberant flora and fauna.
http://www.sfgate.com/business/prweb/article/20th-Anniversary-of-Laguna-del-Lagarto-Lodge-in3657347.php

*ABS-CBN Foundation defends Palawan ecotourism project The Philippine Star Updated June 21, 2012 12:00 AM 2 comments to this post MANILA, Philippines - Controversy has surrounded the Eco-Academy Project of Bantay Kalikasan of the ABS-CBN Foundation in Brookes Point, Palawan when a leader of one indigenous people (IP) federation accused the organization of forcibly taking over sacred ancestral land and cutting 25 trees. The group is asking for P2.3 million in damages and litigation fees. Unfazed by the accusation, ABS-CBN Foundation managing director and environmentalist Gina Lopez stood her ground and defended the presence of the organization in Brookes Point.

The majority of Brookes Points residents do not want mining in their area, what the foundation is doing is presenting the community alternative livelihood sources by promoting ecotourism, Lopez said. She questioned the motives and agenda of the group. This is the same group that endorsed mining inside Mt. Matalingahan. This is the same group that did not do anything when there was garbage, broken bottles and drinking in the area, she said. The ABS-CBN Foundation denied cutting trees. An evaluation done by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) identified several dead and dying trees as being hazardous. In the interest of the community, the local government, along with the Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) and DENR representatives, carried out the clearing activities. Lopez said, Why did not this group complain when thousands of living trees were in danger of being cut due to mining and hundreds were cut due to mining exploration? Now that the place is clean and indigenous culture is being explained to all, this group says we are violating the sacredness of the place. How about the sacredness that will be violated when enormous holes are dug endangering rivers and agricultural lands nearby? The Bantay Kalikasan Eco-Academy is a joint venture of the municipality of Brookes Point and the ABS-CBN Foundation. A memorandum of agreement among the foundation, the municipality and the Sangguniang Bayan allows the foundation to develop the Sabsaban Falls in Brookes Point into an ecotourism area. While the local government has been promoting the falls as a tourist destination for decades, it is now being used as a venue where people can learn indigenous culture, cuisine, and biodiversity. The project is backed up by a resolution made by 183 indigenous people (IP). In fact, the IP community living near the falls agreed to co-manage the project, recognizing that it will ensure the sustainability of the ecotourism site. It is not a business; all proceeds revert back to the community. The intention is to send a strong message that taking care of the environment can uplift the lives of people by providing alternative livelihood that ensure the preservation of biodiversity, Lopez said.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=67&articleid=819259

Eco-tourism, culture hub in Floridablanca

November 14, 2011, 6:05pm

FLORIDABLANCA, Pampanga, Philippines The Provincial Government of Pampanga will transform the mountainous village of Nabuclod in this town into an eco-tourism and cultural destination. Governor Lilia G. Pineda disclosed Monday that her administration is eyeing the construction of cultural village, zip lines, hanging bridge, native restaurants and other tourism facilities here. This developed as Pineda inspected another newly-constructed view deck facing the province of Bataan and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) to complement the zip lines. She and Floridablanca Mayor Eddie Guerrero said the project also aims to provide livelihood to the Aeta communities, whose cultural identity is being preserved. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel) Ejercito brings pride to Laguna STA. CRUZ, Laguna Governor Jeorge ER Ejercito has set another milestone for this province after being its first governor to be conferred the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award in ceremonies held in Malacaang recently. Given during the 2011 Outstanding Public Officials and Employees Awarding Rites, it is the highest and most prestigious award given by the President to an individual his exceptional or extraordinary contributions that had nationwide impact on public interest, security and patrimony. He is known for his K2: Kinse Kumpleto Serbisyo Publiko Kontra Kahirapan at Gutom program, among others. (Ferdinand F. Castro) Cavite PPO-NBI partnership cited CAMP GARCIA, Cavite The partnership between the Police Provincial Office (PPO) here and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been strengthened by their sharing of information, Senior Superintendent John C. Bulalacao said Monday. This partnership was shown recently when NBI agents and PPO intelligence operatives arrested last weekend Antoni Pumpa Loreto at his house in Dasmarias City, this province. Loreto is one of the suspects in the October 29 holdup at Robinsons Place mall in Dasmarias in which three people were fatally shot. (Anthony Giron) Pangasinan kicks off exercise month LINGAYEN, Pangasinan Monday was full of fun and exciting events for all provincial government employees as the 3rd sports festival dubbed Angguan Tan Ehersisyo ed Kapitolyo (ATE-K) 2011 kicked off at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center, here.

Earlier, Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr. declared November as sports and fitness month for the province with employees involved in activities aimed at promoting their physical, intellectual, social and emotional well-being. Espino said the month-long sports festival inculcates the spirit of teamwork, self-discipline and helps strengthen inter-office relations. (Liezle Basa Iigo) PNRC opens new Tarlac chapter TARLAC CITY The Tarlac chapter of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) is now Central Luzons regional blood center after its newly-renovated building was recently blessed and inaugurated here. With no less than PNRC Governor Rosa Rosal and incoming PNRC Governor Leslie Espino at the helm, the newly designated Red Cross regional center was blessed by Tarlac Bishop Florentino Cinense, DD in a ceremony likewise attended by Tarlac Governor Victor Yap, Vice Governor Pearl Angeli Pacada and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and PNRC Tarlac Chapter Chairman Jesus Chua. (Mar T. Supnad)
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/341276/ecotourism-culture-hub-floridablanca

Davao City as Ecotourism Destination

Davao City evokes delectable fruits (controversial durian, antioxidants-laden mangosteen, seedless pomelo, and sweet-smelling banana), fine beaches (Samal Island is just five minutes away by boat), and religious sites (historic San Pedro Cathedral and the Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague). Unknowingly, Davao is also one of the top ecotourism destinations in the Philippines. The Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the culture and natural history of the environment, taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem while producing economic opportunities that make the conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people. In a workshop conducted at Los Baos, Laguna a few years back, ecotourism is defined as an environmentally sound tourism activity in a given ecosystem yielding socio-economic benefits and enhancing natural and cultural diversity conservation. Actually, ecotourism refers to the business of nature travel. Its main focus is environmental awareness and activities range from purely educational (such as studying ecosystems), hobbyoriented (like photo expeditions into exotic habitats), or thrill-seeking (mountain climbing comes to mind). Davao has four ecotourism attractions and most of them are for educational purposes. These are: The Philippine Eagle Center (the only one in the country), Malagos Garden Resort, Eden Nature Park, and Davao Crocodile Park. Each has unique ecosystems and different come-ons.

Lets discover each of them. Some 30 kilometers northwest and about an hours ride from downtown Davao, the Philippine Eagle Center is the transient home of the countrys national bird. Here, visitors will see several male and female eagles being induced to breed in captivity. Dont fail to see the first tropical eagle conceived through artificial insemination. The bird was given the name Pag-asa (the Tagalog word for hope). Pag-asa connotes hope for the continued survival of the Philippine eagle, hope that if people get together for the cause of the eagle, it shall not be doomed to die, said Dennis Salvador, the executive director of Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF). PEF manages the eagle center. A private, non-stock organization, it is dedicated to saving the endangered bird. By using the Philippine eagle as the focal point of conservation, we are, in the process, saving wildlife and their habitat, said Salvador. The eagle center has been doing its best to educate the Filipino people as to the importance of the bird and its habitat. Its facility was actually opened to the public in 1988 to raise awareness among those who visit the center. Majority of its visitors are children on school-sponsored field trips. Many of these children came from all over Mindanao, Salvador said. We use the opportunity to tell them about the importance of wildlife conservation. Our mode of dissemination ranges from providing lectures, slide and film presentations, to guided tours. Foreigners and adults also visit the center. Knowing what they are doing and how the birds are faring is one of the highlights of my visit to Davao, said Melvin O. Uy Matiao, an information technology specialist from Dumaguete, after his visit to the eagle center. Not far from the Philippine Eagle Center is the Malagos Garden Resort. Travel time from the metropolis is about 30 minutes. Originally part of an orchid farm that grows the world renowned waling-waling orchid and other exotic plants, the site was later redeveloped to become an ecological center as well as a getaway for city dwellers. Today, Malagos Garden Resort offers visitors a myriad of orchid varieties, exotic plants, tropical fruit trees, which may be available for picking, and a bird park that houses several endemic species. An environmental conservation center is also located within the vicinity where the Amazing Bird show is held every afternoon for the purpose of entertaining as well as educating visitors in the park. Theres more. At the Petting Zoo, you get a glimpse of donkeys, miniature horses, goats, sheep, and other farm animals. All these will surely give both children and adults lots of educational fun. Not to be missed is the heavenly butterfly sanctuary, which houses more than 70 different kinds of butterflies. Once you enter the place, you will have the opportunity of watching butterflies floating if not wrapping around you.

Eco-trailing, horseback riding, biking, swimming and other adventure games are also some of the available amenities within the premises of the Malagos Garden Resort. I had been to the place twice and it was worth each trip. You can find Eden only in the Holy Bible. But in Davao, there is such thing as Eden Nature Park, a beautiful man-made resort nestled at the foot of Mount Talomo in Toril. Its brochure said: It is truly a testament to how mans ingenuity and concern for the environment can create a paradise on earth, making Eden a must-visit ecological tourist destination in the Philippines. At 2,650 feet above sea level, Eden Nature Park offers breath taking views of Davao City and the Davao Gulf. This place was a remnant of logging concessionaires in the 1970s and was covered only by a blanket of wild grass, our guide said during our tour. Jesus V. Ayala, who owned the area, saw the potential of the place in 1971. So, he instructed his people to make terraces carved out of the mountain slope. As this developed, thousands of pine tree seedlings were planted to revitalize the area. Bamboo, which are native to the place, were left to flourish. Years later, growing pine trees created canopies, allowing other trees and plants to grow and create secondary forest. Today, there are over 100,000 pine trees spread in about 80 hectares, making the resort 95 percent man-made. Today, the once-barren piece of land provides a relaxing alternative to the bustling city life with its cool weather and unpolluted air. Some visitors who had been to the place suggest bringing a jacket if you plant to stay past five in the afternoon. If you enjoy hiking, you can follow the mountain trail the resort has created. Carved along towering trees, creeks, and boulders, it is an experience of a real adventure and a test of endurance and determination to finish the entire course. Be in touch with the sights and sounds of nature as you walk along the four-kilometer trail, the brochure said. Going back to the city, proceed to Maa Diversion Road and visit the Davao Crocodile Park. With about 700 crocodiles, the park is making waves as one of Davaos popular tourist spots. The park is an establishment that showcases a state-of-the-art crocodile farming system in the Philippines, says Philip Sonny Dizon, the owner of the park. It has the most recent crocodile farm design equipped with modern facilities and equipment. Actually, the park is more than just a crocodile farm; it also houses other kinds of animals and plants. As one visitor observes, Although the park is not a full-pledged zoo, it is one of the few places in the city where children and adults can learn more about the rich flora and fauna of the region and the rest of the Philippines. As soon as you enter the park, you will be greeted by colorful birds of all kinds: Eagles, parrots, and lovebirds. Many are placed in cages but there are birds that are merely tied to their bird houses. If you are a bird lover, you will surely enjoy the experience. Of course, youd also find snakes, monkeys, and freaky lizards, too.

Just like in Malagos Garden Resort, Davao Crocodile Park has also its own version of butterfly haven. Upon entering the Butterfly House, you will see butterflies flying around, crawling on the floor, drinking water on festive plates, and even mating! The brochure says it all: Learn the notable and unusual life cycle of a butterfly from larval caterpillar stage to spectacular metamorphosis into a familiar and colorful winged adult form. If ecotourism is your thing, then these places are reasons for you to visit Davao City.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/284085/davao-city-ecotourism-destination

*Gourmet Farms is now an 11-hectare eco-tourism attraction

MANILA, Philippines - Gourmet Farms, purveyor of organic produce and recent SGS certification awardee for its coffee and tea production, celebrated its 25th anniversary under a canopy of moon and stars. Heading the reception line at The Dining Room was its founder, farmer Ernest de Leon Escaler who, a quarter of a century ago, began his own version of the green revolution in his own inimitable way with a two-hectare farm at Km 52 Aguinaldo Highway, Buho, Silang, Cavite. The occasion served as a reunion for the so-called Gourmets Caf babies who, in the late 80s, comprised the urbanites who frequented treks to Tagaytay retreats and Batangas beaches and made Ernests then log cabin caf a must-see, must-eat, must-market pitstop. Now, the Farm has extended into an 11-hectare eco-tourism range with a country store-caf and a restaurant where one can savor true farm-to-plate experience. Among the well-wishers were Italian Consul Adrian Stefanutti and Angela, Gracita Sieber, wife of Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber, Rep. Lani Mercado Revilla, former Philippine Ambassador Ching de Leon-Escaler, Atty. Lisa Marcos, Jesuit fathers Nono Alfonso and Karel San Juan, Dominican Sisters Concepcion and Rosario, Trining Pannacucci, the Katigbaks of neighboring Villa Pura, Herbal Cove neighbors Andy and Celia Tanseco-Lising, sportsman Ricky Palou, photographer Pancho Escaler and a hundred other friends.

Gourmet Farms founder Ernest Escaler and Fr. Luis Candelaria, SJ, congratulate each other on the success of the fund-raising event for the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Foundation. Headlining the post-dinner concert at the beautiful al fresco gardens were Jose Mari Chan, Janet Basco and Sheila Valderrama who mesmerized three generations of fans with their retro and pop hit songs. Gleefully cheering the all-time favorites were Fr. Luis G. Candelaria, SJ (Father Candy to many), and founders (host Ernest, Freddie Puno, and Babes Oreta) of the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Foundation, the beneficiary of the concert.

It was truly a night for celebrating the iconic Farm that popularized the buzzwords gourmet and lite in the Philippines. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=818099&publicationSubCategoryId=87