Going Mangroooovy With Oplan Broadcastreeing

This blog is a reflection of my life. While I blab a lot about beauty products that I have tried or books that I have read, I would also love to document some firsts. About two weeks ago I planted some mangroves together with my peers from the Philippine National Police. See, this is what happens when a girl who was raised far away from seashores is let loose in the coasts of Northern Samar to plant some mangroves. Come let’s deal with my cluelessness and prepare to laugh with me. Or try not to laugh at me. Seriously. (^-^)

Yours truly at the center with my peeps from Allen Police Stationl, PO1 Castillo (left) and NUP Maristela.

Short Notice

Tree planting activities are not new to us so even if it was just a short notice, we were good to go. The PNP has a strong community relations aspect which allows us to participate in lots of different activities outside of the office. We were told that it was just a tree planting activity but when we arrived at the venue we realized that we would be planting mangroves in knee deep waters. Well, had I known, I would have brought shorts and flip flops and not just jogging pants and Stan Smiths. At that point I had to decide if I would go down to the water or not. The sun was 2 pm hot and the water was murky. But I was like, “Heck, why not? I’m already here. I might as well try it” I thought. I took my shoes off and folded my jogging pants as high up as possible.

Let’s “Get Down” To Business

The venue was a very picturesque place just off the National Highway in Brgy. Dao, San Jose, Northern Samar. The entrance was a privately owned home and in order for us to reach the watery part where we were supposed to plant the seedlings, we had to cross a concrete bridge that led to a lighthouse. As soon as we were handed the seedlings, we went down from the lighthouse to the water through a creaky ladder.

Careful there. The ladder's a bit dangerous and those rocky shells are a bit of a menace. :)

I often say that ignorance is bliss, but not in this situation. I was ignorant about the ‘stones’ right at the bottom of the ladder which I did not know were actually a bunch of shells that solidified overtime and were sharp and rough edged. They scratched my toes right on contact. Ouch!

It's a one for all, all for one thing now. One of us slips and we all go down! Ha ha

I was ignorant too about the water; I thought it was just regular murky water. Hell no! It was muddy and slippery underneath which kind of held my feet back every step of the way. I focused my thoughts on not slipping because it would be seriously embarrassing, not to mention dirty. I was like “left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot, don’t slip!’

Planting Time

This is how a mangrove seedling looks like. You plant it by putting the rooted part into the soil. That's an image I got from Google because I don't have any photos of it from our actual planting. 

Image from www.kanepa.co.jp

“Magtanim ay ‘di biro.” We were not nakayuko naman maghapon but it was fun because there were many of us doing the whole thing. It was fun that I almost forgot that it was also really hot. It's just another day in the PNP service. (^_^)

Yes. Magtanim ay 'di biro. :) 

Mangroves and What They Do

Why the fuzz about mangrove planting? Here are the deets according to www.denr.gov.ph.

"Mangrove forest is also known as the “rainforest of the sea.” It grows well in tropical countries, including the Philippines. Mangroves are an important part of the coastal and marine ecosystem that includes the seagrass and the coral reefs. Of the world’s more than 70 mangrove species, around 46 species are known to occur in various parts of the country." 

MANGROVES PROVIDE ECONOMIC AS WELL AS ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS, SUCH AS THE FOLLOWING:

• THEY ARE A GOOD SOURCE OF PRODUCTS LIKE ALCOHOL, MEDICINE, TANNIN, CHARCOAL, TIMBER AND HOUSING MATERIALS
• THEY SUPPORT FISHERIES PRODUCTION AND AQUACULTURE;
• THEY PROVIDE NURSERY GROUNDS, SHELTER AND FOOD FOR FISH AND OTHER SEA CREATURE;
• THEY PROTECT COASTAL COMMUNITIES FROM STORM SURGES, WAVES, TIDES AND CURRENTS;
• THEY ACT AS CARBON SINK BY REDUCING ORGANIC POLLUTION ALONG SHORE AREAS;
• THEY SERVE AS RECREATIONAL GROUNDS FOR WILDLIFE ENTHUSIASTS; AND
• THEY STABILIZE THE COASTLINE BY REDUCING EROSION.

...And to Cap Things

Here’s my little dramatic post afterwards that I posted on Instagram. I captioned it as my small first step in helping the environment. I do hope those would grow strong and the fishes would find home and that the trees would protect the coastal areas, God forbid, come storm surges. 

I also took this selfie right after the activity. I was thrilled when I saw that my face still looked fresh even after going through heat and sweat. Here are the products that I used before stepping out into the sun: Maybelline White Superfresh Powder in Honey (SPF 34) and Maxipeel Concealing Cream in Fair (SPF 20).

These two babies kept me protected and looking nice. Bravo! (All photos are from Google.)






Afterwards, we took the time to take some photos on the venue. That's us, waving and the view is from the top of the lighthouse. 

What shall I say. Just a well spent Saturday afternoon. All in a day's work. Cheers!

XO,

NUP Posion :)