Metro Manila is renowned for being the country’s center of employment and for its museums, infrastructures and hotels, various historical spots, and colossal shopping malls. Of course, it’s also prominent for being one of the most polluted cities (name it, water, air and noise) in the Philippines. But let’s not dwell too much on that. Manila residents go out of town whenever they look for a place to relax.  “A break from the busy city” has already been the common cliché by Manileños yearning to stay away from the busy and stressful life in the Metro.

I’m a mall enthusiast. Whenever I need to unwind, I hurriedly go to malls to watch movies, have a coffee, and eat. That’s my way to release the anxiety and tension I acquire for choosing to live here in the busiest city seven years ago. In order for me to savor fresh air, I have to go beyond its boarder and traverse the way to province. Who would have thought La Mesa Eco Park changes my mind context?

La Mesa Ecopark reclines in East Fairview Subdivision in Quezon City. I’d heard about the charm of the park many times but I was just too reluctant to check it not until last Sunday. A quick two-hour tour around Ecopark alleviates my worries and makes me forget that I’m in Metro Manila. As I had previously said in my Twitter account, “I admired the place so much.” I can’t help but to tell myself that it is the best place in Metro Manila upon my arrival. Oops, I did not think I was in the city. I thought I was somewhere—far.

The whole area is enshrouded by plants of different kinds and tall trees. I literally checked which among the trees is the tallest until I get tired staring at them because most are of the same height. Cottages are built in specific compound that cater visitors who plan to spend their whole day in the park with their family. For me, the best area in the park is the tilting landscape across the lagoon covered by flowers and grasses cultivated suitably. I was in awe when I gazed at that area.

To those looking for adventures, there are different activities you can try such as wall climbing, zipline, biking, kayaking, and swimming. I haven’t tried any because my purpose of visiting Ecopark is to simply get a close contact with nature, relax, and to take souvenir photos. Street foods like taho, fishball, isaw and turo-turo are also situated around the park. One only needs Php200 to survive the whole day. That’s how accommodating the place is, I don’t need to get out just to find a place to eat. Everything is there. But families gather for picnic bring their own foods or baon.

I put Ecopark in my places-to-visit right after the sudden encounter. My experience taught me one thing: there are a lot of better places in Metro Manila. I won’t be aback if one day people from different provinces would go here not only to visit malls and museums, but also to experience the serenity of Ecopark.

Pls check http://www.lamesaecopark.com for more detailed information.

(Date of visit: November 21, 2010)