Turtle Release

I’m quite surprised that, of late , there has been a lot interest from my friends on Turtle Release. What’s surprising is that I have been posting pics and videos from my past escapades (since 07) but it’s only now that I get such overwhelming interest.

I am not sure what I did right but definitely am not complaining..=)
For those who plan to have a similar experience, I am writing down some here tips and info..

1. The Turtle Release site is in the Bantay Pawikan Hatchery Site in Brgy Nagbalayong, Morong, Bataan. It’s a 3 to 4-hour drive from Manila depending on the traffic. It’s going to Balintawak or Mindanao exit part that sucks, the NLEX and SCTEX part is a breeze.

2. You can take 2 possible routes via SCTEX 1) Dinalupihan exit – turn right at Pilar or 2) Subic exit then pass by Morong gate of SBMA ( much preferred option)

3. The Bantay Pawikan Foundation increases the chance of survival of the marine turtles by transferring the eggs to their hatchery site. Temperature is tracked on a daily basis so they get to predict when the eggs will be hatched. For more info on their efforts visit this site http://www.oceanheritage.com.ph/pawikan-conservation-in-philippines/

4. For those who want to support their endeavors one can adopt a marine turtle at a price of PhP 250/ hatchling. This comes with a shirt and you can have the hands on experience of releasing the turtle to the sea.

5. Turtle release is normally done in the early morning (around 7 am) or late afternoon (around 5pm) to avoid the harsh rays of the sun which can have an adverse impact on turtle survival. If you plan for a day tour you would need to leave Manila around 3:30 am.

6. Call in advance (at least 3 days) to check if there are turtles due for release on the day you intend to visit . (You may call Ate Nida of Bantay Pawikan at 0928 718 5721).

7. Turtle hatching season happens from September to March.. There are still eggs being laid at this time so the hatching might still happen until the first week of April.

8. Sometimes one can get lucky (like what happened to us last visit). There are a hundred of hatchlings due for release and there are no sponsors so we get to release the whole lot !!!

9. Given that it’s a long ride, to make the most of the travel you can also opt to stay overnight. The Foundation offers accommodation. The aircon room ranges from 2500 (good for 5) to 4500 (good for 12). You can also opt to set up a tent for a much lower rate. The room accommodations are very basic so don’t expect anything fancy. Personally for the same quality, I think it’s a bit expensive compared to the rooms in Boracay and Puerto Galera. However I am consoled by the fact that what I pay helps in their endeavors.

10. For those staying overnight you can cook your food as the Foundation has cooking equipment. You can also hire one of their staff to do the preparation and cooking.

11. You can also opt to stay in Subic since Morong is only about 20 km away.

12. In order to maximize the trip plan to do other activities on the side…like Tree Top Adventure , Zoobic Safari or Ocean Adventure in Subic. You can also visit the Dambana ng Kagitingan in Pilar Bataan. ( highly recommended, I enjoy the scenic 6 km drive from the foot to the top of the hill)

13. Since the trip entails the use of gas, if you want to make the experience carbon-neutral, plan to offset the increase in the carbon footprint by planting some trees or reducing your electricity consumption. ( Haven’t computed the amount yet but will post once I have the numbers.. =) )

That’s all I have. Just let me know if you have other queries.

Cheers.

I miss..

I miss the beach.

I miss driving through the highway with "I Still Haven't found what I'm lookin for" blasting on my CD player.

I miss feeling the chaos and the noise of the world surrendering to serenity atop a summit.

I miss this and a hundred other things.

I miss my old self.

I need to get in touch again with my soul..
Soon..

Reminiscing Europe

Next week I will be celebrating my 5th month with my new company. The world of EHS as I came to know has now faded in the background. And I have somehow gotten used to seeing my former colleagues leave my old company. It’s a fact of life: people come and go.
One thing I truly miss about my previous job is the opportunity to travel. I thank GE because it has given me the chance to be in London 3 years back, my first European visit. Looking at the photo right now of the one taken in River Thames, I can’t help but feel nostalgic.
I miss the excitement of being in a new place. Of seeing a new environment for the first time. There is the wonderment of a child for a whole new experience.
It’s this very reason that I am gearing up for my European backpack adventure next year..

My Life According to Eraserheads

My facebook notes page has a farraginous assortment of wacky Q&As, moving essays and whatnot. Here's my favorite of the bunch. the limiting latitude challenges the responder to be more creative. Enjoy..

Time to let those creative juices flowing.

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, answer these questions. Pass it on to 20 people including me. Try not to repeat a song title. Repost as ‘My Life According to (Artist)’ “

Are you male or female? Pare Ko

Describe yourself: Kaliwete

How do you feel: Futuristic

Describe where you currently live: Alapaap

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Trip to Jerusalem

Your favorite form of transportation: Para Sa Masa

Your best friends are: Maalalahanin

Your favorite color is: Butterscotch

What's the weather like: Ha ha ha

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called: Overdrive

What is life to you: Ligaya

Your current relationship: Waiting for the Bus

Breaking up: Huwag Mo Nang Itanong

Looking for: Milk and Money

Wouldn’t mind: Sembreak

Your fear: Poorman's Grave

What is the best advice you have to give: Easy Ka Lang

If you could change your name, you would change it to: Yoko

Thought for the Day: Fill Her

How would you like to die: With A Smile

Bigger Picture

There are those scenes that simply enrapture you and make you long that you were part of it. And even for a moment, however flitting, you feel a sense of surrender, of connection, of relaxation. I unearthed this photo while browsing through my files in the hard drive. It was taken in January 2008 when I made a side trip to Yosemite Park, after our annual conference in my previous company.

Four months have passed since I transferred to my new job. Time as always just seemed to whizz by. The chasm that splits my present with the immediate past has now become unleapable. I miss the side trips and mini-adventures that my previous job had to offer but I guess they are all now a thing of the past.

The various aspects that I shudder upon during my first few days in the new company have now woven intricately into the fabric of my daily life. I guess all those life-changing decisions I’ve made in the past made me more resilient.

My current job can be taxing in a lot of ways and there is always that danger of getting too self-absorbed that one misses out the bigger picture.

This photo turned out to be an eye-opener of sorts. I realized I needed that occasional dose of getting unleashed from the daily trappings of life and being thrown out there.

And so I made a pact with myself, that before the year ends, I would definitely have a “step-back-and-look-at-the-great-picture” adventure.

Goodbye Ebun!

Just learned last Sunday that Ebun in Greenbelt has already closed. I feel as if something in me died. Ebun has been my hangout of sorts. The tuna kinilaw there was to die for. Sigh... another kinilaw go-to place gone...

Tribute Video