Bulusan's Heritage Trees

Pili trees in Odikin rule the village landscape.

Kagawad Eddie G. Frando : Green Councilor of Bulusan

Kagawad Eddie G Frando's souvenir shot of the Bulusan EcoTrail Run 2013 as it appears in his FB account.

Ms. Earth beauties with outgoing Councilor Eddie Frando (extreme left in the photo) and  participants  of the recently concluded Bulusan EcoTrail Run Year Three event are shown here brimming with enthusiasm and excitement. The event is an LGU sponsored activity for its continuing green awareness campaign and to boost ecotourism in the municipality of Bulusan.

Kagawad Frando an outgoing Municipal Councilor co-authored with Councilor Cecil Frades the landmark Sangguniang Bayan Resolution banning Geothermal and other industrial development in Mt. Bulusan and thereby  preserving its pristine nature in perpetuity for the benefit of succeeding generations of Bulusanons.

Mt. Bulusan is an active volcano, one of the five intensely active volcanos (or volcanoes both are correct) in the Philippines (Taal, Mayon, Bulusan, Kanlaon and Hibok-hibok) whose location is close enough to large communities to be of major concern.The Philippines has a total of 405 volcanoes of which  23 are active,  27 potentially active and 355 inactive according to the released information from Phivolcs.

The SB resolution is often cited by environmental advocacy groups in the Philippines and those sectors opposing unwise choice of location for Geothermal Projects that negatively impact the communities near it.

I have however no knowledge of the stand of the visiting beauties regarding the Geothermal dilemma in Bulusan.

Further information on the landmark Resolution: http://bulusanruralvagabond.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/bulusan-lgu-shining-moment-for-ecology/

Photo credit: Kagawad Eddie Frando of LGU Bulusan 

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Bulusan EcoTrail Run Year Three

Only on its third year and the result is outstanding in terms of overall performance. The positive impact of the Bulusan ecotrail run to the ecotourism direction of Bulusan town is one of the legacies the outgoing administration can be proud of. This is an objective assessment as shown in the reception and acceptability of the activity  to the local residents. The overwhelming support especially from the students and youth sector is so high. Ms Earth beauties gracing the event also adds up to up-scaling of this year's ecotrail run to have that look of a national event - a yearly ecotourism calendar date for Bulusan. Definitely not just a parochial community affair.

However I was not able to push my way inside the thick crowd during the fun run time of the guest beauties wearing the Bulusan ecotrail run uniform. This enabled me to focus my attention to my town mates instead whose enthusiasm and excitement rubbed on me that  day. Fun filled energy was so contagious.

In my photos, the real stars of the ecotrail run were the local runners, the interesting array of local participants, the kids all ready to run in complete running attire, the drummer boys/girls,  the medal girls attending to the details of giving away medals to the 'finisher' etcetera etcetera. And oh...don't worry about the photos of the Ms Earth beauties. There are already some posted in the FB sites of my town mates as of this hour :)

All revved up for the event

The kids in complete running uniform

Mayor Myke Guysayko (extreme left in the photo) leading the event - an eventful and bittersweet exit as outgoing executive of Bulusan town  for a new term in the Provincial Sanggunian Board.

Eye-catcher in orange hair

Bright future for Bulusan kids in ecotourism

Starting point ready to record up to the last seconds

Yes, the Ms. Earth beauties were here!

Attention to details include these too!

A 'finisher' receiving the green medal

Eager local press from Bulusan High School

A camera man from the ABS-CBN Bicol records the event.

Winner for the 3km category

Another 'finisher'

June 12 is Independence Day.

Bulusan beauties as medal girls

A finisher for the orange category

...for the yellow category

A street view of the start and finish lines of the running stretch

Bulusan's internet connection is quite strong

A deserved medal for a prepared runner

A refreshing finish

Photos: Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Young boy and the sea

 It took only a few minutes for this boy to enjoy the sea from a tentative to a let-go stance. Photos were taken in Dancalan beach now a favorite family picnic site by the local residents and those from the neighboring towns as well.

Dancalan Beach, June 4, 2013

Photos:  Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines