Its a different experience when you get to enjoy a large body of water that surrounds the sleeping Taal Volcano. You can now do watersports like kayak, stand up paddle surf, wind surfing and sailing.
But did you know that the Taal Lake was formally salt water and supposed to be connected to a river and the sea, but the eruption of the Taal volcano in the past sealed the river's path to the sea and trapped the salt water Tawiilis sardine fish which was forced to evolved itself to be a fresh water fish after a century of evolution.
Then the eco system of the Taal Lake changes as time goes by and it help many local communities and its 10 province of Batangas to become its source of livelihood.
But the intervention of man to the natural eco system of Taal Lake almost got its life support to 50-50, reason is that there are no proper education and awareness about protecting the lake and its natural resources, humans became so greedy and almost poisoned the lake.
We're so glad that it was not too late and we're very thankful that the local communities are collaborating with our NGO like the PUSOD Taal Lake Conservation Center or TLCC to save and protect the natural resources and animal habitat in and around Taal Lake.
And since the NGO can't do it alone, private companies and corp are willing to help them to save and protect the lake. Thanks to GLOBE for joining the cause and because of their collaborative effort, PUSOD has raised more funds to support the local communities, barangay and also the protected landscape of Taal Lake.
And with this....PUSOD and GLOBE invites us to visit them to have fun, relax and enjoy the nature wonders of Taal Lake and at the same time we can help them to raise funds for rehabilitating the lake.
A view of Taal Lake at PUSOD
Visitors can reserve a tent area, or sleep at the loft of PUSOD
also they can rent kayak boats, wind surf board and sail boat for some water sports activity
Here are the rates for the entrance fee and what part of the profit goes to the community
Also the water sports activity and Taal volcano hike trip can help PUSOD raise funds for their rehab operation.
PUSOD and its nearby neighbor KAPUSOD are helping each other to attract tourist and eco adventurers to stay and have fun by the lake.
PUSOD and GLOBE's effort can also help the fishermen of Taal Lake to try other income generating opportunities like being a boatman, tour guide, boat teacher or they can teach you how to fish.
PUSOD also has a learning center at their site
You can talk to Ms Ann if you want to know more about the history and condition of Taal Lake and its communities.
"We are vigilant in protecting Taal Lake, and its eco-system, A protection management program has been developed, which also include education to residents of coastal communities,"
- Ann Hazel Javier, Executive Director of Pusod, Inc.
"We call our CSR activities Globe of Good, Our core value in preserving the environment and helping the fishermen surrounding Taal Lake by way of giving them opportunities, and discover other means of livelihood are welcomed by the community."
- Apple Evangelista, CSR Manager of Globe Telecom.
The tribal council has spoken..
this is a tribal meeting area that was built to open and close a forum of community leaders who lived around the lake.
If you are at PUSOD TLCC, food and drinks are provided and cooked by the town folks who works at PUSOD TLCC.
They cook a lot of delicious local Batangueno cuisine.
Best ever is the pako fern salad and the crispy fried tawilis fish.
Water sports activity --- stand up paddle surf
Looks easy...all you need to do is balance
But its easier than trying surf
For me, Im going to ride this number 13 sail boat.
Btw, we built that boat last 2015, and we are so proud that we have donated our time and energy in building the hull of the sailboat from scratch.
Of course with the supervision of Michael Storer, a boatman, boat builder and champion sailor. He helped us in doing carpentry to build the hull of the sailboat.
you can read a story here c/o Juan Manila Express
I didn't got a chance to blog it because I got sick during the day when we build the boat, I exhausted myself and slept in the afternoon, the culprit is a bad tummy ache because of that pineapple juice from McDonalds.
Me and Ron, we're so excited to test drive the sailboat that we built.
It is also our first time to ride and sail a boat. Thanks to Mr. Storer as our sailboat teacher that day.
Michael Storer
best tip ever --- stay on the boat, if you are going to do something or swim around, all you have to do is stay near the boat.
Because fresh water is a bit notorious for swimmers and its hard to float on a fresh water especially on lakes.
There's Ara and Edel sailing number 11.
I didn't expected that our sail is fast, thanks to the power of the wind
Mr. Storer's hat flew away because of the wind, we sailed around trying to recover it but the wind is so strong and we sailed so fast away from the hat.
It was like were moving at around 85km/h
Same speed as a motorcycle
Mr Storer teaches us on how to use the sail and paddle for direction.
It looks easy but you need to concentrate and focus, you should focus on your direction, wind strength and also the boats balance and form of the sail.
Im not relaxing.. ahhhahaha
it was a bit tiring, because of that focus and concentration. But sailing around Taal Lake is fun.
After a day of water activity, PUSOD treated us with some loved!
yes! halo halo!
The most awesome part here at PUSOD TLCC is the view of the sunset.
The sky turned red as the sun down starts to commence
Our blogger friends didn't let a travel photo pose pass by.
Here's Athena by the lake.
And here's my fave shot. Nicole holding her camera taking pictures of the kids swimming by the lake.
Here's my landscape sunset shot
taken by OPPO F1S camera phone
Let's give some LOVE to Taal Lake!
Our day just ended, but instead we stay at the loft of PUSOD.
Globe brought us here at Shercon Resort in Mataas na Kahoy, Taal Lake.
Its one of the grandest resort in Taal Lake.
Group hug photo before eating our dinner
Got tired and prepared to sleep in our room.
We planned to hike Taal Volcano the next day, but it rained so hard at around 5am, prompting our Globe CSR manager Apple to cancel the hike.
The Taal Lake hike was cancelled, but its okay
we got more time to play by the pool of Shercon resort
Karina enjoying some Greek vibe fountain
Diving..
Arabelle diving and smiling at my GoPro cam. How does she did that?
Oh I forgot...Ara is a mermaid!
For fun, Ara brought some mermaid tail and gave a free tutorial to our female bloggers.
That's Athena diving in a mermaid suit
As Arabelle said, this is a perfect Halloween getaway, instead of wearing scary costumes, then try wear a mermaid tail for a change.
Nicole Paler enjoys being a mermaid of Taal Lake
If you want to get in touch with Arabelle for some mermaid training
visit her FB Arabelle Jimenez
and blog at www.arabellejimenez.com
After the swim at Shercon, we checked out and went back to PUSOD TLCC to eat our lunch
We met this cute little dog...named Dogster.
Pet dog of Howie Severino, who owns Kapusod.
Time to go home!
Thanks PUSOD and Globe for bringing us to Taal
PUSOD Taal Lake Conservation Center
0915 372 0612
Sitio Lipute, Barangay Kinalaglagan
Mataasnakahoy, Batangas, Philippines
https://www.facebook.com/Pusod-TLCC-193452460671208/?fref=ts
http://www.pusod.org/index.php?pg=KnowledgeTour
