A Walk at the Last Lung of Manila | Arroceros Forest Park

"I think that I shall never see, a poem lovely as a tree." 

- Joyce Kilmer

When I was in elementary, I remember my English teacher taught this poem entitled "Trees" written by American poet Joyce Kilmer. We memorized this poem and it is part of my life since then because it is all about the appreciation of nature through trees. In addition, my Science teacher discussed the trees - its parts and functions in the ecosystem. We also experienced to draw trees and putting verdant colors in it as part of our output in Arts.

It is such a best thing to stay in a forest park to feel relaxed in the natural ambiance with trees and plants.

Trees played an important role in our lives as part of our garden and backyard and looking at them forms a relaxing feeling because of its lush, verdant color. It is proven that trees protect our planet from global warming and natural disasters as well with providing food, fresh air and shelter for humans, animals and plants. It also serves as inspiration for poets, artists and nature lovers where they usually go to nature parks or forests. Also, trees can be found in the cities in order to moderate the hot climate in the metro. In our country, there are very few forest parks in the urban areas particularly in Metro Manila. Forest parks can serve as a habitat for trees, plants and animals and providing fresh, cool air in the city. 

The old signage of Arrocero Forest Park with few etchings and rust. 

The new signage in a tarpaulin teemed with its verdant background.

Within the busy streets of Manila, you can find the Arroceros Forest Park in the Central District of Ermita. This park is located in Antonio Villegas Street (formerly known as Calle Arroceros), adjacent to Lawton Park and Ride Terminal and LRT 1 Central Station and it is near in the foot of Quezon Bridge where you can enjoy the view of Pasig River. It plays an important role since it is the only forest park in the city dubbed as the "Manila's last lung." It was developed in 1993, the 2.2 hectare urban forest is a home of 61 different tree varieties and 8,000 ornamental plants, providing a habitat for 10 different bird species. The riverside park is also houses the central offices for the Division of City Schools. In fact, it is operated by the City Government of Manila and Winner Foundation.

The pathway inside the park where you can enjoy walking in a trail.

The view of Quezon Bridge from the park.

The Pasig River seems gradually improved because of its clean water, hence there will be more actions
to be done for saving the river from pollution.

It is very relaxing to walk in this forest park. You can forget the hustling scenario of the metro from colossal traffic jams, scorching hot weather and the serene ambiance of nature in the middle of the city. You can enjoy the view of Pasig River and the Quezon Bridge from this park and most important thing, you can experience a breathe of fresh air from trees and plants and listening to the humming and chirping of the birds inside the park. However, what will happen if this park will be lost?

The place was under the threat of destruction in 2003 where it was closed by then mayor Lito Atienza for the construction of school administration building and teachers' dormitory on a portion of the park despite protests from environmental groups. It was reopened in 2007. Ten years later, the park was threatened again because of the city government's plan to transform this place into a school gymnasium. Therefore, the environmentalists won the fight, but reports say that Mayor Joseph Estrada only delayed it.

The  park caretaker, Mr. Antonio Magno, having a quiet moment, reading newspaper as a form of recreation.

I've got the chance to talk to the 88-year old caretaker of Arroceros Forest Park, Antonio Magno. He is a former columnist who found his happiness in this park. In a quick conversation, he told me that the preservation of this park relies on the next generation of people. The future of this forest park depends on the youth. 

Based on his statement, we should take care of this forest park because it reminds us that the City of Manila is living because of the trees and plants that provide fresh air despite of the smog and polluted air in the Metro. It protects the city from the extreme heat of the sunny weather and a place where you can relax from the busy and exhausting routine of urban life. It is a place which is rich in history as part of the Calle Arroceros - a rice trading site during the Spanish era, a street where the Chinese traders established their mark in the Parian, one of the first streets where modernization of buildings took into place and an archaeological site where old Chinese artifacts are found in this area. Lastly, it is the only place in Manila where there are dense population of trees and plants and a habitat for birds amidst in the city's concrete jungle. 

Mosses are growing in the stone walls of the park.

Ornamental shrubs.

An ecstatic feeling to see the roots branching to the octagonal stones in a concrete trail.

Nowadays, we are experiencing problems in our nature, a conflict between urbanization for progress versus saving the environment. In fact, every city or municipality should establish permanent forests, tree parks, or watershed with an aggregate size equivalent to at least two percent of its entire are which is stated in Republic Act 5752. We need to help one another to protect the last lung of Manila.

Different varieties of trees such as molave, narra, palm and even fruit bearing plants are common in this park.

As individuals, we need to make an action to save the forest park. We need to equate our love of nature in our aim for urbanization because trees and plants are the only things that provide fresh air and oxygen in the world that we are living. The next generation of people should stand firm to protect the last and only forest park in Manila. According to the South African cleric, Desmond Tutu, "The world's forests are a shared stolen treasure that we must put back for our children's future." In other words, if there are no forests and trees, the future will suffer from different problems to humanity such as climate change and natural disasters such as drought and flood. 

Trees are life. It provides life for all living things.

A concrete trail  where you can see logs as you walk along the forest park.

I will end up this note by saying, protect the Arroceros Forest Park right now to save the nature to maintain the life of the city and the lives of the people for the future of the City of Manila.
#SaveTheLastLungOfManila
#ProtectArrocerosForestPark

You may also check this post Lawton Stopover: A Walk from the City Hall to the Post Office

Date of Travel: September 29, 2018