Pawikan Conservation Center

We saw a road sign going to Las Casas but  we headed first to Pawikan Conservation Center.  We have no idea on how far it would   take us to get there and only relied on the signs, "Straight Ahead to Pawikan."    There were a  few signs but not  the approximate  kilometer or  minutes  away  from the center.   I was thinking  we're   just  a  few  meters  or  ten minutes  away  to the destination. After  about  more than half an hour,  we saw this arrow pointing us to  Pawikan Center and behold,  we finally reached  Pawikan!    We  would like to extend our  big thanks to  Joy's  husband,  John for  this "Straight Ahead to Pawikan"   trip.   That  was  a  no retreat- no surrender trip!    We already had two stops,  Dunsulan Falls  and  Mt. Samat  before this trip  and  already  needing and wanting  for rest.
 

We went there to visit  sea turtles  but we really don't know what to expect.  It was included in  the  itinerary but I  did not  google   it  before the trip.   We have no idea what awaits us at the center.  We were already cracking jokes on our way  to the center  that there were no  turtles  anymore and have already returned to  the sea.   And  we said it right,   but there were  three.   We were a little bit unlucky  because a hundred and fifty  baby Pawikan  were released  to the sea, a little late,  just a week before our visit.

 

The  volunteer/guide  was very kind to us and explained  about  the program of  the Pawikan Conservation Center.    There were quite a few volunteers inside  the center  and some of  these men  once  were  hunters of  Pawikan  as their  means  of   livelihood,   now turned  volunteers  to help save the Pawikan.

 

 
 There were different informative posters in the center.  It was another knowledge trip and we learned more of the Pawikan and their importance to ecological balance.

There were only three Pawikan left in the center,  Olive Ridley, Green Turtle and Hawksbill.   Olive Ridley  (above photo)  was donated to them by the owner  because the owner cannot sustain anymore to have a pet   Pawikan.  This Pawikan stays only in one corner   because,  it  grew up  living in  a  basin,  finds home  in  the corner  of the pond   and  that   corner  becomes its  habitat.  They couldn't  free Olive Ridley  to the sea because  it doesn't  know how to dive.

Hawksbill, (hunchback) and Green Turtle (see photo below)  are also  resident sea turtles at  the center. 

See more photos below.

The Life Cycle of Sea Turtle

Visiting the Pawikan Conservation Center was a great experience although we didn't  get to see eggs or little hatchlings. If you are planning to visit the center,  better call them  first  to know the perfect time to visit if  you want to see baby  turtles.  There is a season where the sea turtles come to the beach to lay their eggs  from November to December. The  turtles that  were  born here come back after 25 years.
 

There are rooms for rent in the center for those who  want to stay overnight. I can stay here for the whole day,  listening to the  waves of  the sea  while waiting  for the turtles to come.  The sound of the waves rushing to the shore make my heart beats faster.  I love the sea  but  not  for  swimming.  We  then  proceeded  to our final destination  Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar    right after that  quick visit.

And because we came here on Monday,  there were no other guests again and that's the only thing I love about  Mondays!


It was all worth the trip. It's another great exposure for the kids, and adult as well. :)

There are 7 Pawikan species in the world,   five can be found in the Philippines. Of these five,  three Pawikan  (includes  Hawksbill, Olive Ridley and the Green Turtle)  can be found in the entire coasts of  Bagac and Morong.


Pawikan Conservation Center
Nagbalayong, Morong, Bataan

LEGO PILIPINAS, TARA NA!

LEGO promotes the wonders of the Philippines and celebrates Filipino ingenuity.

A grand exhibit like "LEGO PILIPINAS, TARA NA! is one event that you shouldn't miss. It was a privilege for me to have been a part of this event where unveiling takes place at SM Mall of Asia in partnership with Department of Tourism.

The exhibit will run from August 12-27, 2011 and will feature various fun and exciting daily activities and events for the whole family.



The infinite possibilities of what the human imagination can do and love of country are the values that the leading toy company LEGO champions in LEGO PILIPINAS, TARA NA!" - the first ever LEGO Filipino-theme event in the Philippines and surely, one does not have to look far to discover the wonders of nature and appreciate historical places, as these can be found in our very own country. In partnership with the DOT, LEGO aims to promote the beauty of the Philippines through an exhibit of the re-creations of famous regional landmarks and icons, highlighted by the 18x30 Philippines map-all made of colorful LEGO bricks. From the Philippine islands to the highlands, one can marvel at the places such as the Chocolate Hills, Crocodile Farm, Banaue Rice Terraces, Siargao, Luneta and other wondrous sites like one has never seen before.


In the same way as these amazing landmarks bring inspiration to people, all great achievements start with a dose of imagination and excellence. The LEGO Pilipinas, Tara Na! event also presents the "Ang Ganda ng Pilipinas, Ang Galing ng Pilipino" photo exhibit of local personalities who were not afraid to dream, and who, through their excellent work and contributions in society, inspire others to do the same. We believe that Philippines is not just about its wonderful places but also about great people who continue to shine all over the world and contribute to our community. Ang Ganda ng Pilipinas, Ang Galing ng Pilipino" will be a great complement to the grand LEGO Pilipinas, Tara Na! display as we take price in our country;s richness natural and human resources.





Kids can have fun and learn at the LEGO Play area, while they can further challenge their imagination and join the LEGO My Own Creation, Children from 4 to 14 years old can build and have their photo taken with their creation with their cutest smile! Participants with the best creation in each age category (4-7/ 8-10/ 11-15 years old) will receive special LEGO prizes worth P5,000.oo. Photos of the participants will be displayed at the photo wall on-site and at the LEGO Philippines official website and facebook account: bricksphilippines. More excitement awaits the whole family with the LEGO Single Building and Family Building Competitions held every Saturdays from 2-4pm.

In line with the exhibit is the "Brick House for Children," a donation/charity project led by LAJ Marketing Philippines in partnership with SM Foundation. Each P1,000.00 donation given to the SM Foundation will correspond to a LEGO brick house which, in turn, will be displayed at the exhibit. SM Foundation will be the lead agency to identify DSWD's centers for children who will be the recipient of this project.

Truly, building with LEGO bricks has never been this grand and meaningful. The '"LEGO PILIPINAS, TARA NA!" event is presented by LEGO, LAJ Marketing Philippines, SM Mall of Asia and the Department of Tourism, supported by SM Toy Kingdom, the Picture Company, The Philippine Star, Mommy Mundo and Creative Juice Communications.

LAJ Marketing Philippines, Inc. is the exclusive distributor of the LEGO brand.