lush in the city

This place is Quezon City’s open secret.

Who would have thought that there is still a sizeable amount of verdant greenery in the Philippines’s most urban place? Inside the heart of Fairview Subdivision is an enchanted place full of matured trees and spritely vegetation. Well on second thought, the trees were most necessary if only to protect Metro Manila’s water source.

But it took an organization called ABS-CBN to foster care and develop the area with picturesque pathwalks and ingenious improvements, city dwellers would be most appreciative. The area has a retro designed swimming pool filled with salt water. No chlorine is needed. There is a fitness section where one can participate in a series of excercises such as rope climbing and sit-ups. An ampitheater is created for open area concerts and gigs. There is supposedly a lagoon where one can merrily row a boat for a hundred pesos for thirty minutes. And there is even an elegantly done, asian inspired function hall directly overlooking the boats floating along the water area. Obviously, the hall could be a nice wedding reception area.

If you have your camera with you, everything you see can be a source of camera clicking inspiration. The thoughtful fountains and benches, the imperious statues of a  water god (could be Poseidon, could be Neptune) and a nymph riding on a giant turtle’s back, the meandering steps – all to produce a wondrous, magical place called La Mesa Dam Eco Park.