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STARWEEK FEATURES MINDANAO GEOTHERMAL FIELD: FOR
LOVE OF NATURE
[PHOTO - A bird's
eye view of the Energy Development Corp.'s Mindanao geothermal production field
in Kidapawan City, North Cotobato (top). The Salix tetrasperma with submerged
roots in Lake Balantian, Negros Oriental (above). The Scylla serrata, or
mangrove crab, is found in estuaries and mangroves across Asia (above right).
The white-eyed moray eel, Siderea thyrsoidea, is a tropical species that lives
in rocky and coral reefs (right). Photos on this and the following pages are
taken from the books "Generations" published by First Gen Corp. and "Rafflesia
of the Philippines" published by Energy Development Corp. Used with permission.
Photos by George Tapan]
MANILA, SEPTEMBER 17, 2012 (PHILSTARweek) By Dina Sta. Maria - Every
so often we are reminded of the beauty and bounty of the Philippines, of the
incredible diversity of species in our terrestrial and marine environments.
Flowers, trees, fishes, mammals, birds... many of them found only in the
Philippines, inhabit our forests and our rivers and ocean depths. Strange
creatures, beautiful blooms, majestic growths, simple and at the same time
complex in structure and function, our world beyond city traffic and urban
squalor is a blessed environment indeed.
Unfortunately, most of us may never get the chance to see these wonders of
nature up close.
Recently, three books were launched that enable us to see and get to know –
up close through breathtaking photographs and informative texts – many of these
wonderful gifts that Nature bestowed on our land.
[PHOTO- The golden-crowned flying fox is a rare fruit bat endemic
to the Philippines (top left). The Philippine eagle owl, Bubo philipensis, is
endemic to the Philippines and found in the forests of Catanduanes, Samar, Bohol
and Leyte (top right). A Rafflesia blooms at the Mt. Porras, Sibalom Natural
Park (above left). A little boy is dwarfed by the giant Rafflesia
schadenbergiana (above). The book that should guide our tree planting efforts
(left).]
First Gen Corp.'s Generations and Energy Development Corp. (EDC)'s Rafflesia
of the Philippines are handsome tomes, the former chronicling the unique
environments around First Gen's various geothermal plant sites all over the
country, and the latter a primer on the magnificent but little known Rafflesia,
the largest flower in the world.
The third book, Philippine Native Trees 101, a joint project of the Green
Convergence for Safe Food, Healthy Environment and Sustainable Economy, the
Hortica Filipina Foundation and the BINHI Project of EDC, should guide our
tree-planting efforts so that we reforest our land with the trees that God gave
us.
Going through these three books is a wonderful adventure. From baby turtles
struggling to reach the ocean to towering trees deep in the forest, from birds
with showy plumes to a little red flower on the forest floor, what makes the
experience even more enriching is that all of these are right here in our
country.
Sadly though, we are also reminded about how fragile our world is, how
imperiled our land. We have lost over three-fourths of our original forest
cover, many of the flora and creatures endemic to our country are heading toward
extinction, and our land and waterways are threatened by pollution and
unmitigated development.
It is perhaps with this in mind that the books were launched at an occasion
that paid tribute to an extraordinary man, Oscar Lopez, patriarch of the Lopez
clan behind First Gen and EDC. Well into his 80s, Lopez has been a lifelong
environmentalist, long before the term came into vogue. He admits that "I did
once seriously think of going into farming," and although he went into the
family businesses of energy and media, Lopez never stopped pursuing what he
calls "my passion... learning as much as I could about trees and other plant
life."
[PHOTO- The Philippine warty pig, Sus philippensis, is one of
four known wild pig species in the Philippines (above left). The 100-foot
Casaroro Falls in Valencia, Negros (left). Old growth forests (above), which
dwarf humans who venture into them, need to be preserved, as only about 10
percent of such forest cover remain. Photos by George Tapan]
His learning has not stopped, and neither have his efforts towards
reforestation, towards protecting the different species and their natural
habitats. His guiding principle in successfully running the Lopez businesses
fortunately still holds true for his heirs who now steer the companies: "We are
stewards of our businesses and our businesses are, in turn, stewards of the
environment in which they operate and prosper."
With these three books, we get to share his continuing passion, albeit
vicariously, and in so doing, we hopefully develop a passion for our
environment, and nurture a deep and active love of Nature.
Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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