Pasig River and Manila Bay

 PASIG RIVER


This topic was assigned by Sir. Dennis, and it is our pleasure to search about how pasig river now is, how dirty was pasig river before, and present of the pasig river.
First, The Pasig river is a river in the Philippines that connects Laguna de Bay to Manila 
Bay. Stretching for 25 kilometres (15.5 mi), it is lined by Metro Manila on each side. Its 
major tributaries are the Marikina River and San Juan River. It is also known as the 
most dirty river in the world.
Anyway, we are going to compare Past and Present’s Pasig River, and this will make us 
have more knowledge about our Pasig River.

For past, Pasig river used to be an important transport route in Old Spanish Manila.

A river transport system was established in the early 1990s partly as an effort to provide 
alternative transport routes in the metropolis. The private company managing the ferries 
had to terminate their services after a few years due to heavy financial losses. 
Apparently, the foul odour and the unsightly floating debris made travel on the ferries 
very uncomfortable for the passengers. 
On the whole, most aquatic life in the river has declined as the levels of pollution have 
increased. The feasibility study concluded that the river is presently at Class D.

Here are some of past pictures of Pasig River :

Before the mass urbanization of Manila, the Pasig River served as an important means of transport; it was the city's lifeline and center of economic activity. Some of the most prominent kingdoms in early Philippines History, including the kingdoms of Namayan, Maynila, and Tondo grew up along the banks of the river, drawing their life and source of wealth from it. When the Spanish established Manila as the capital of their colonial properties in the Far East, they built the walled city of Intramuros on the southern bank of Pasig River near its mouth.
However, After World War II, massive population growth, infrastructure construction, and the dispersal of economic activities to Manila's suburbs left the river neglected. The banks of the river attracted informal settlers and the remaining factories dumped their wastes into the river, making it effectively a huge sewer system. Industrialization had already polluted the river. As a result, It is getting polluted even until now in 20th Century.

In the present, it has been the world’s dirtiest river. Pasig river no longer work as a river, lots of people throw their garbages to Pasig river, and government prohibited fishing in the pasig river. 
These days, Government is trying to rehabilitation, but the failing disciplinary attitude of the people, in general, towards the cleanliness of river banks and esteros. This could be accounted for the prevailing ignorance due to lack of proper education and social engagement .
Here are some pictures of present’s Pasig river :

Furthermore, there are lots of water hyacinth in the Pasig river, and it causes the flood. Water in the river cannot flow to well, as a result, when it is rainy season, and it’s rainy hard, you could easily see the flooded area most of place you go near by Pasig river.
These are the pictures according to the Pasig river which is filled with water hyacinth :

As you can see, Pasig river’s pollution became one of the biggest problem in the Philippines.
If we compare these two, past and present of Pasig river, in the past, the Pasig river was used to be important transportation route and Filipino’s livelihood. On the other hand, in the present, people no longer use Pasig river as their livelihood. 
As time goes by, after Industrial Revolution, people neglected the Pasig river and ignored it. As a result, Pasig river’s condition has been terrible like now.
The most reasonable reason that we could compare is past and present’s people’s mind.
As we had a time to search and compare about past and present’s Pasig river, We realized how serious the Pasig river now is, and it touched our hearts. 
So we hope people would notice how dirty the Pasig river is, and we also hope people would protect their river as starting of cleaning river. 

MANILA BAY

Manila Bay is a natural harbour which serves the Port of Manila (on Luzon), in the Philippines.The bay is considered to be one of the best natural harbours in Southeast Asia and one of the finest in the world. Strategically located around the capital city of the Philippines, Manila Bay facilitated commerce and trade between the Philippines and its neighbouring countries, becoming the gateway for socio-economic development even prior to Spanish occupation. With an area of 1,994 km² (769.9 sq mi), and a coastline of 190 km (118.1 mi), Manila Bay is situated in the western part of Luzon and is bounded by Cavite and Metro Manila on the east, Bulacan and Pampanga on the north, and Bataan on the west and northwest.Manila Bay drains approximately 17,000 km² (6,563.7 sq mi) of watershed area, with the Pampanga River contributing about 49% of the freshwater influx. With an average depth of 17 m (55.8 ft), it is estimated to have a total volume of 28.9 billion cubic metres (28.9 cubic km). Entrance to the bay is 19 km (11.8 mi) wide and expands to a width of 48 km (29.8 mi). However, width of the bay varies from 22 km (13.7 mi) at its mouth and expanding to 60 km (37.3 mi) at its widest point.

But there are negative things that happened to manila bay because of our wrong doings .

But the government says they have a solution.

With then Mayor Lito Atienza's program Buhayin ang Maynila (Revitalize Manila), in 2002, the local government made the initiative of enhancing the seaside promenade of Manila through urban renewal, upkeep and improvements. What later became known as Baywalk, the facelift of the 2 km strip of central public space aimed at creating a venue for social interaction and recreation.

With reference to it colonial history, Manila's waterfront expresses power through the dominant classes which uses the Baywalk for exercise, fishing or socialization. The mix of land utilization and social activity provides public access to the edge of the sea, and counters vagrancy and mendicancy. Reviving Manila's waterfront through the Baywalk injected vibrance and historic appreciation into the public space with the statues of Arsenio Lacson, Ninoy Aquino and Evelio Javier placed in key areas.

At the onset, lack of funds hampered the revival of the Baywalk. Eventually, planning for the Baywalk means understanding and regulating diversity of functions with appropriate policy.

Manila Bay is the premier international gateway to the country’s political, economic and social center. 

The Bay has been known for its strategic importance ever since the pre-colonial times. One of the 

finest natural harbors in the world, Manila Bay was a focal point of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. 

The Bay has been a scene of many battles, and until today a historic naval base in Cavite stands, 

guarding the entrance to the Bay. 

The Manila Bay area is a place of many striking contrasts. Monuments and sculptured images of heroes past 

stand amidst glass, steel and concrete skyscrapers. Centuries-old churches are a stone’s throw away from big 

shopping malls and posh hotels. The walled city of Intramuros – the bastion of Spanish rule, Corregidor’s ruined 

barracks and artilleries – testimony of heroism in World War II, ancestral houses, museums and historical markers 

take one down along memory lane. Theater and open-air performances offer a cultural interlude. 

GROUPMATES

Ryan Matthew Melliza

Josh Rabb Tabion

Justin Seo

Lean Granflor

Carmelo Totanes

COMMUNITY

While there continues to be discussion over what actually defines a community, for many people it is a sense of cohesiveness among a group of people. For generations, an individual’s community served a vital role in terms of offering camaraderie and acting as a support system. 

With our society moving at a faster and more detached manner due to technology, busy schedules and the 

frequency at which we change jobs, homes and locations, it makes it harder and harder to feel any sense of 

community. It is too easy to become isolated in our homes and yet isolation tends to beget a sense of

loneliness and depression not to mention the breakdown that can occur in communities due to a detachment from others—increased violence, substance abuse, mental 

illness and so forth.

The idea of community may simply come down to supporting and interacting positively with other individuals who share a vested interest. Whether your vested interest is in the well-being of your neighborhood or extends to the well-being of your global community, you may consider: 

• Participating in random acts of kindness. 

 • Acknowledging a passerby in your neighborhood or 

 at work.

• Attending community events.

• Volunteering.

• Meeting your neighbors.

• Buying from local merchants.

• Making an extra effort to talk with someone who may 

 have a different background or perspective than your 

 own.

• Supporting schools, which tend to be cornerstones in 

 a thriving community.

• Organizing or attending a neighborhood or 

 community party.

• Spending less time on the internet or watching 

 television and more time outside.

• Joining a club or other social organization.

• Personally greeting newcomers to your community.

A strong community benefits the individual, the community as well as the greater society. People of all 

ages who feel a sense of belonging tend to lead happier and healthier lives, and strong communities create a more stable and supportive society.

GROUPMATES

Ryan Matthew Melliza

Josh Rabb Tabion
Justin Seo
Lean Granflor
Carmelo Totanes

Educational Trip in LAGUNA :)

We had an Educational trip last August 4, 2013 in Laguna for our subject Environmental Science.
we visited different lakes in Laguna. the first lake we visited is the Sampalok lake.

 is the largest of the Seven Lakes of San Pablo, Laguna. Nearly half of the lake's depth has a shallow depression at the lake's bottom, indicating its volcanic origin. The lake is located behind San Pablo city hall and is dotted with fishpens and small cottages built on stilts.

   

Our second destination was the Pandin Lake.

Lake Pandin is one of San Pablo’s seven lakes (the other 6 are Lakes Bunot, Cabilato, Yambo, Palakpakin, Muhikap and Sampaloc). It is just approximately 2 hours away from Manila, which is another happy factor since you don’t have to go that far to experience serenity that Lake Pandin could offer.

There’s actually a water rafting tour being organized by the wives of the fishermen in the area and is supported by the local officials. According to some blogs I’ve read about Lake Pandin, it was the fishermen who built the rafts to give their wives something to do and earn from. These rafts are now being used to take the tourists from one point of the lake to another.

It has a Twin Lake named Yambo, but unfortunately we did not get to visit it.

The third and last lake we visited was the Bunot Lake.

you have to walk 15 minutes from the road so that you can reach the Bunot lake.

Bunot is known for its cultured tilapia and fishpens for Nilotikafingerlings. Bunot has a normal surface area of 30.5 hectares with a maximum depth of 23 meters. Bunot is a convenient site for picnics. It is a real haven for nature lovers. Ideal for swimming and relaxation.

Lake Bunot is called because of the course of their routine patrol work, some Spanish soldiers came upon a quiet lagoon and wanted to know its name for record purposes. They inquired from a man husking coconuts by the side of the lake. Thinking that the soldiers were asking for the native name of the coconut husk, the man replied: "Bunot."The Spanish soldiers left, muttering the word "Bunot, Bunot," thinking that it was the name of their newly-discovered lake.

The next destination was the Material Recovery Facility or MRF.

A materials recovery facility, materials reclamation facility, materials recycling facility or Multi re-use facility (MRF - pronounced "murf") is a specialized plant that receives, separates and prepares recyclable materials for marketing to end-user manufacturers. Generally, there are two different types: clean and dirty MRFs.

And finally, our last destination was the Bato Springs. 

Bato Springs is a resort in San Pablo City, Laguna a 2-hour drive from Manila. It is located between two legendary mountains - Mt. San Cristobal and Mt. Banahaw. This resort came into existence in 1981. Before Bato was opened to the public the swimming pool is formerly a river where several spring waters was coming out beside the river bank. Bamboo shoots were inserted to catch the water for drinking. 

Bato Springs resort is a perfect venue to unwind with nature, a place that has been spared by modernization, a natural home ground for butterflies, dragonflies and birds. It is one of those places in the South of Manila where you can bring your friends over and relish the natural beauty of Laguna. It is on the border of Laguna and Quezon, on the foot of Mount Banahaw, about 2-hour drive from Manila and 15 minutes away from San Pablo City proper.

We really enjoyed this Educational trip. :)

here are some pictures :)

GROUPMATES

Ryan Mathhew Melliza

Josh Rabb Tabion

Justin Seo
Lean Granflor
Carmelo Totanes

Environista

Mother Earth is now in Danger! Calling out all the SUPERHEROES of the EARTH! You are tasked for a very important mission, save humanity and promote conservation of our environment!THE BIGGEST, GRANDEST and MOST AWAITED FASHION in LYCEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES UNIVERSITY is now on the search for the NEXT ENVIRONISTA 2013 with its theme, MARVEL: AGENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT!

That was the Event on how the Students of Lyceum Of The Philippines University (Manila) can show or save our Environment in means of recycling things to build a superhero Costume.

Recycling is one of the best ways for you to have a positive impact on the world in which we 

live. Recycling is important to both the natural environment and us. 

When we recycle, used materials are converted into new products, reducing the need to consume natural resources. If used materials are not recycled, new products are made by extracting fresh, raw material from the Earth, through mining and forestry.


Recycling helps conserve important raw materials and protects natural habitats for the future.

Using recycled materials in the manufacturing process uses considerably less energy than that required for producing new products from raw materials – even when comparing all associated costs including transport etc.


Plus there are extra energy savings because more energy is required to extract, refine, transport and process raw materials ready for industry compared with providing industry-ready materials.

The Environment is the most important resource for life.
We get water,power and Oxygen from the Environment.
It helps to clear pollution and is a large habitat for animals.
We get lots of resources from there but if we use too much and it doesn't come from sustainable forests
we may run out of resources.
Which is not good.

that's why they made this event so that we can see the importance of our environment and the importance of recycling.

Do your part to reduce waste by choosing reusable products instead of disposables. Buying products with minimal packaging (including the economy size when that makes sense for you) will help to reduce waste. And whenever you can, recycle paper, plastic, newspaper, glass and aluminum cans. If there isn't a recycling program at your workplace, school, or in your community, ask about starting one. By recycling half of your household waste, you can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.

GROUPMATES

Ryan Matthew Melliza

Josh Rabb Tabion

Justin Seo

Lean Granflor

Carmelo Totanes

You and Me Against the City

As a country grows into urbanization, it must deal with some negative effects. People move into a city, and thus have moved out of the country. There are less farmers tending crops and livestock, so more food is shipped from farther away. The population of the city grows, and so it has to deal with an increase of pollution and of garbage production. The city needs to find places for all of these people to live, and perhaps, work.


Since the industrial revolution the world has witnessed the rapid expansion of its metropolises. For years humans have been flocking to these urban centers in search of jobs, commodities, entertainment and other phenomena that can commonly be found in cities. With this grand, not so new invention which most of us exploit, one must wonder what negative effects city living might have on our health. 



When populations of animals are clustered together certain dangers arise that threaten the well being of each organism. Notably in China, Japan, India and the United States which contain extensive cities humans battle the health risks that come along them. One such well-known city in the USA which has documented and studied the biological threats to its inhabitants is New York City.

A press release from the Department of Health is not necessary to let New Yorkers know that their home is hazardous to their health. Walking along any street in Manhattan the average observer can smell car fumes in the air, see the filth in the gutters and occasionally witness a purse-snatching. The potential for catching communicable diseases or being injured in some way is severely heightened in concentrated populations like New York. 



Some of the alleged pollution problems are water contamination, excessive noise and the presence of smog. Several diseases have spread throughout the city in recent years including the flu, West Nile Virus and meningitis. Another biological contaminant that has been found in NYC recently is Anthrax. This substance being sent through the postal system and other crimes endanger the well being of the citizens of this famous city. Anything from a car accident to an intentional murder or shooting can cause an unnatural death. Additionally, freak occurrences like terrorist attacks can kill or infect populations of people like those in New York City. These factors increase the likelihood that residents of a city will contract a particular disease, suffer from an environmentally caused illness, die in an accident or be the victim of a violent crime. Dangers associated with cities threaten the most basic biological feature that urban, suburban and country humans possess, life.





GROUPMATES
Ryan Matthew Melliza
Josh Rabb Tabion
Justin Seo
Lean Granflor
Carmelo Totanes

HIV/AIDS AWARENESS

HIV Awareness.

HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus which attacks the body's immune system - the body's defense against diseases. When someone is described as living with HIV, they have the HIV virus in their body.

HIV can be transmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluid of someone who is infected with the virus. That contact usually comes from sharing needles or by having unprotected sex with an infected person. An infant could get HIV from a mother who is infected.

HIV and AIDS can be treated, but there are no vaccines or cures for them.

WE SHOULD ALL BE AWARE OF HIV. ESPECIALLY TEENAGERS.

thats why Lyceum of The Philippines (Manila) Held an Exhibit last august which shows how HIV/AIDS can affect us.

What HIV Does to the Body

The virus attacks specific lymphocytes called T helper cells (also known as T-cells), takes them over, and multiplies. This destroys more T-cells, which damages the body's ability to fight off invading germs and disease.

When the number of T-cells falls to a very low level, people with HIV become more susceptible to other infections and they may get certain types of cancer that a healthy body would normally be able to fight off. This weakened immunity (or immune deficiency) is known as AIDS and can result in severe life-threatening infections, some forms of cancer, and the deterioration of the nervous system.

Although AIDS is always caused by an HIV infection, not everyone with HIV has AIDS. In fact, some adults who become infected with HIV may appear healthy for years before developing AIDS.

HOW TO PREVENT OR AVOID HIV/AIDS

The main way to prevent HIV infection is to avoid activities that put you at risk, such as unprotected sex and sharing needles and other injecting equipment.

If you have HIV you can pass it on to others if you have sex without a condom, or share infected needles, syringes, or other injecting equipment.

It is important to continue to practice safer sex even if you and your sexual partner both have HIV. This is because you can catch another strain of the virus that your HIV medication may not be able to control.

We should always remember that we are responsible on what we are doing or on decisions that we will choose.

"Its not who you are but what you do that puts you at risk"

GROUPMATES
Ryan Matthew Melliza
Josh Rabb Tabion
Justin Seo
Lean Granflor
Carmelo Totanes