Philippines is the center of
Biodiversity in the World. It holds a diverse Ecosystem; a sanctuary for the
endangered species; and a home to unknown living creatures. I was able to watch
the latest documentary made by ABSCBN, entitled Sa Dagat At Bundok - The
Philippine Biodiversity Expedition. I
was enticed to watch it as it unveils the natural resources and the magnificence
of our country.
Scientists from different parts of
the world come to study the country's biodiversity. These people emanate to
discover new species, to identify the endangered, and give Filipinos a reason
to be proud of its country aside from its people. Their excitement to discover
new species hooked my eyes on the film. How I wish we, Filipinos, could be as thrilled
as them in discovering more of what our native land can show. We have an array
of different natural resources that boosts its own fauna and flora. It only
takes passion to take care of the vast abundance of nature gifted to the land
of The Orient Pearl.
In the film, they showed one of
the marine sanctuary found in Anilao, Batangas where I saw beautiful sea
creatures who are nocturnal. They showed a well preserved dam, the Anggat dam watershed,
where it hosts some of the new breed of frogs and an adept environment for the
wild animals. Furthermore, the hosts mentioned that Tawilis, a kind of fish found only in
the waters of Taal Lake, may soon be susceptible to vanish. Scientists climbing
up to the mountains of Banahaw to find new plants that our country may vaunt about. If you
should know (Yes you, the reader) there is a museum in California where it
houses the Philippines most priced treasures including the pictures of the
environmental Filipino advocates. Still, I wonder, why can’t we have that kind
of museum here in our country? And Yes! During that expedition they found a new breed of Shark and more. :)
What the documentary film taught
me is to protect and preserve our ecosystem. As much as we enjoy the blue
lagoons, white sand beaches, the scenic mountain views, we have to learn to
protect everything we have been blessed with. Yet, we are all culpable in
committing a crime against Mother Nature. Like us, the animals and plants are
inhabitants that need to be well taken care of. They need fresh air to breathe
like humans. We need to keep a homeostatic environment because one way or
another we benefit from each other. But when will we begin?
It is not a shame to be a part of
a cause especially when it involves environmental issues. We all have voices to
be heard and concerns to address. Yet some of those remain in Facebook statuses
and Twitter tweets. If some are just so shy to go out and shout their love for
the environment, they can just manifest their affection in their deeds. If I have
to be one of those, I will start it by not using plastics and throwing garbage
anywhere. With such movement I can influence friends, hoping that they too will
pass it onwards. But I will not limit myself there because I know there is so
much work to do in preserving my home. Hence, to answer the question when will
we begin, we have to move NOW. There is no right time. Do not wait for tomorrow
or friends. Move on your own. Others will surely follow. There is still hope
that we can prevent everything that will hurt our ecosystem. Urge yourself to
be a catalyst for change. It is not mediocrity to be an environmental advocate.
A View of Taal Lake
Anggat Dam.
MOVE. CARE. SHARE.
Koi
