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Saturday, November 21, 2020

Exploring California: Where to Watch the Sunset on Top of a Hill in La Habra Heights

I love watching sunsets wherever in the world I am. So, every time I learn of a new place with a great view, I try my best to go there. Sometime ago, my youngest son and his friends posted some nice photos online when they were on top of a hill with an expansive view of the valley.

with my favorite hiking buddy

Earlier this week, our Daniel brought his dad and I to the same place that they nicknamed Top of the World. I was quite surprised to see that the entrance is another part of the Skyline Trail which we have hiked before from Powder Canyon and another time from Schabarum Regional Park.

towers of power

We arrived there about an hour before sunset so there was time to explore a bit before climbing the not-so-steep incline going to the highest point. We passed a couple of pylons (towers used for carrying power lines high above the ground) which added interesting elements to some of our photos.

father and son

When we got to the top, I was delighted to see a large part of the valley spread out before us. We could even faintly see the downtown LA skyline from that distance. I wanted to follow the trail going down on the other side but there wasn't enough time to get back before dark. So we reserved that thought for another day.

sunset vibes

Looking around, it was a bit disappointing though to see discarded items like beer bottles and food wrappings here and there left behind by some visitors :( We plan to go back with trash bags next time and help clean the place up.

the moon came early!

We stayed for almost an hour and I wished I'd brought one of our portable lightweight folding chairs because there aren't any soft grass to sit on, just the dry ground. Still, the sunset was worth the wait. We watched the sky turn different colors until dusk fell and the valley lights started twinkling.

twinkling lights of the valley behind us

Since there weren't any lamp posts along the trail going back to where we parked, we used our phones' flashlights and made a mental note to bring our rechargeable LED headlamps in the future.

trail head

To those who'd like to explore this place, enter 799-401 Skyline Trail, La Habra Heights, CA 90631 on Google Maps. The trail head is located at the very end of Punta Del Este Drive. If you're bringing snacks, kindly take your bottles and other trash to dispose of at home. Let us protect our environment so that more people can enjoy nature for generations to come :)

Exloring California: 8 Tips for Those Planning to Hike the Pumpkin Rock Trail

Ruth Floresca California , environment

Halloween is almost here so it's not surprising that a lot of people suddenly want to see the Pumpkin Rock located in Norco, California. I actually didn't know about its existence until I came across several posts about it on Instagram a couple of weeks ago. Because it made me curious, I made plans to visit it with hubby and we were able to go there this past weekend.

thankful for the lady who offered to take this photo of us

Here's sharing some tips to make your trip worthwhile:

1. Plan to go there very early in the morning to avoid the crowds. I saw an IG post that said they had to wait two hours in line just to take a photo with the Pumpkin Rock! My husband and I left home at around 6:30AM and made it there a few minutes past 7AM. I wanted to catch the sun rise behind the rock but it was unfortunately cloudy that morning. Still, the cool air was nice as we hiked up. We were able to take photos with "Jack" after the two groups in front of us.

view of the Pumpkin Rock from the longer but not so steep trail route

2. Check the weather forecast before going and wear an extra layer of clothing if it's going to be cold in the morning. A light jacket would be easy to take off and tie around one's waist in case you'll feel hot later on.

what my pants and shoes looked like after the hike

3. Wear comfortable closed shoes with good sole traction. Also, if you don't want to get your legs all dusty, wear pants instead of shorts. I don't recommend following my husband's example of wearing slippers! Being a barefoot runner, he sometimes tend to not wear shoes when he knows we're just going for a short hike. I only became conscious of it when a few hikers pointed it out and marveled how he was able to move easily along the dusty trail.

Crestview Drive as seen from higher up the steep trail near the fire hydrant

4. Park along Crestview Drive. It's a long curving street right beside one of the trail heads just up the Equestrian Center. Hubby and I found a spot a few yards from the yellow fire hydrant. Being first timers there, we mistakenly climbed the steeper trail near it but which surprisingly made for a faster hike up to the halfway point (around 10 instead of 25 minutes). I wouldn't recommend it though for rookie hikers. Going down, we chose the gentler route even though it was three times longer.

FYI, there's a smaller pumpkin rock further to the right of the big one

5. Bring a trekking pole / hiking stick (or two) if you have one. I regretted that I didn't bring mine because there are some steep and slippery areas along the trail. Even though the ground was very dry, a lot of small loose rocks and pebbles can make you lose your footing. We've seen a lady fall and slide down on her bottom when she slipped. Thankfully, she wasn't hurt and was still able to laugh about it.

Don't forget to bring something to hydrate with!

6. Carry your water in a REUSABLE bottle and bring a bag so you can dispose of your trash when you get home. Please don't leave anything behind. I found it sad how some people felt it was okay to leave their beer bottles and other garbage strewn all over the place!

Scorched by the sun but still beautiful up close

7. Explore the surrounding areas beyond the Pumpkin Rock. Don't make that climb without maximizing your time up there. Enjoy the nice views, clamber up some of those big rocks, feel the cool breeze, and admire the pretty plants that survived summer's scorching heat.

the one and only graffiti I found nice among all the ugly ones

8. Take nothing but pictures and leave only your footprints. I know this is cliche but there are irresponsible people who need to be reminded of it because the atrocious amount of bad graffiti shows that there are those who hike up the trail armed with spray paint to vandalize the environment. The Pumpkin Rock itself looks really dirty so I opted to "clean" the writings using a photo editing app as you can see in my pictures.

Can you see the beer bottles on the ground? 😕

Lastly, don't forget to wear a mask and be mindful of social distancing protocols. Let's help each other make California's hiking trails safe and enjoyable for everyone.

pretty flowers along the hiking trail

If this blog post encouraged you to visit the Pumpkin Rock and if found these tips useful, please leave a comment below and let me know. Thank you and happy hiking! 😊

Conrad Manila Celebrates Earth Hour 2017 with Sustainable Efforts

Ruth Floresca advocacy , environment

I have become more conscious about advocating for Mother Earth's protection since I became a mom more than two decades ago because I know that my children, and the generations after them, would still need the resources our planet generously provides.

fyi, neither of us are celebrating our 60th birthday yet :p

So I am glad to see more and more establishments taking up this worthwhile cause and it was a pleasure to join Conrad Manila's first Earth Hour celebration the other day. The hotel took action locally to conserve energy and help raise awareness of climate change as part of a global initiative that is open to Hilton's more than 4,900 properties across 104 countries and territories.

With other Conrad Manila guests and team members, led by Hotel General Manager Harald Feurstein, my husband and I spent Earth Hour 2017 by joining them at the Hotel veranda where they had a symbolic formation of "60" using dozens of candles. In addition, their annual switching off of lights was done simultaneously with the Mall of Asia complex.

While gathered around the candlelit formation, Mr. Feurstein and other hotel executives also led a commitment ceremony with children of hotel staff and guests to symbolically engage the next-generation of earth savers.

Conrad Manila executives with a future earth-saver

Checked-in guests were moreover invited to actively participate by switching off their room lights for 60 minutes in a unified effort to show commitment. Conrad Manila''s back-of-the-house facilities likewise observed the one-hour lights-off initiative.

Apart from conserving a significant amount of energy consumption during Earth Hour, the Hotel's dining outlets also made an effort to make the occasion an interactive experience for diners. Brasserie on 3, the Hotel's all-day dining outlet known for its open kitchen and live action stations, featured farm-to-table organic and sustainable dishes; the famed China Blue by Jereme Leung offered guests a special four-course set menu; while special cocktail mixes complemented by a live acoustic performance took center stage at the C-Lounge.

the lobby of Brasserie on 3

An ardent environment advocate, Mr. Feurstein affirmed, "Conrad Manila is deeply committed to making a difference in the communities where we operate, particularly along environment protection, education, and social enterprise. We share a strong partnership with our local community partners for sustained environment community projects: clean-up drive, proper waste segregation and management, water recycling and energy conservation, and educational-cum-nutritional program assistance for pre-school children and their families."

In 2015, Hilton and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announced a multi-year commitment to collaborate on a water-stewardship strategy, expand sustainable seafood efforts, advance food waste efforts, and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy across Hilton's portfolio.

It is Hilton's view that sustainability is a key part of its business because water, energy, food, commodities, waste requirements, and other factors significantly impact the economics of the company every day around the world. As such, preserving the environment is a business imperative and a cornerstone of Travel with Purpose. This is the company's corporate responsibility strategy to create shared value for Hilton Team Members, guests, business partners, and communities.

young people pledging their commitment to also help protect Mother Earth

Learn more about Hilton's commitment to preserving the environment by visiting cr.hiltonworldwide.com.

National Geographic Celebrates 8th Year of Environmental Advocacy with Earth Day Run 2017

Ruth Floresca advocacy , environment

The Nat Geo Run 2015 will remain one of my favorite races because it was there where I ran my very first 10k. You can read more of that story, here: http://mommywrites.blogspot.com/2015/04/national-geographic-holds-successful.html

my son and I in last year's Nat Geo Run

Now, two years later, National Geographic's Earth Day Run 2017 would help me mark another milestone as I prepare to join the 21k category for the first time -- right after running my first 16k last month, whew! I guess that's what happens when one becomes a runner; you continue to level up and celebrate how far you've come in your fitness journey! :)

This coming April 23, Earth Day Run 2017 will once more continue to raise people's consciousness about environmental issues as well as health and fitness in partnership with Cherifer Premium and World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF). On its 8th year, Earth Day Run maintains the tradition of being one of the biggest running events in the country, expecting thousands of running enthusiasts and Eco Warriors to register and run for the environment.

Nat Geo Run 2017 poster

Apart from Manila, the event will likewise be held simultaneously in the cities of Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, and Taichung to replicate the initiative adopted last year, which effectively spread the vision and advocacy of Earth Day Run across Asia.

Hoping to mobilize all Eco Warriors of previous Earth Day Runs, this year's race welcomes all previously registered participants with VIP treatment and special loyalty perks to be enjoyed on the day of the run. They will be given priority placement in front of the starting line at the beginning of the race and can claim loot bags and finisher shirts at a special express booth. They can also make use of a special warm-up and cool down tent before and after the race to condition themselves and recover in comfort.

Nat Geo Run 2017 Singlets and Sizes
blue for 5k and 10k, black for 21k and 42k

All participants are also invited to visit the 8 Years of EDR Gallery at the race village to learn about what the event has accomplished over the years, including environmental and social initiatives that has benefited with the help of registered runners. Personally, I am interested to learn how runners' participation at Earth Day Run has made a significant impact on certain communities in the Philippines as well as how our actions as individuals can affect the environment.

To be held at the SM Mall of Asia grounds, participants of all ages can join 5k, 10k, 21k, and 42k categories. Whether a newbie runner or a serious marathoner, everyone can be an Eco Warrior for Mother Earth!

Nat Geo Run 2017 Registration Fees

This year, Earth Day Run 2017 will also be sporting new features such as LED shoelaces for all distance categories to serve as a badge of pride and as a safety accessory when running at night or before sunrise. Prizes will also be awarded to costumed runners who showcase their creativity in coming up with an ensemble made from recycled materials. Lastly, to make each Eco Warrior's voice heard in this run for the Earth, there will be advocacy banners hanging above the finish line that runners can grab as they cross. These will serve as a shoutout for the environment, can be kept as a souvenir, and used for post-run selfies to amplify the message of acting now to save the Earth.

Last year's Earth Day Run benefited causes such as saving the Irawaddy dolphins at the Malampaya Sound Research and Conservation Project in Palawan; giving the Earth Hour or "Gift of Life" village in Monreal, Masbate sustainable solutions that reduce carbon footprint; conservation of the Marine Protected Area and coral reef and Apo Reef in Occidental Mindoro; and beefing up reforestation efforts in the Ipo Watershed in Bulacan, which supplies Metro Manila with fresh water.

Nat Geo Run 2017 Finisher Medals

"Earth Day Run 2017 will be the biggest version of the race yet, with more expected participants from Manila and four other cities across Asia. We're also excited to look back on our eight years of environmental advocacy and share and celebrate with our runners the positive change that they helped make possible through the years by joining Earth Day Run," said Charo Espedido, Director and Head of Content Marketing at FOX Networks Group Philippines.

"We hope that Earth Day Run 2017 not only brings communities of running enthusiasts together for the common cause of saving the environment, but also that it amplifies the important message of doing your own part today to help stop climate change and commit to sustainable solutions to save our beloved planet Earth," concluded Espedido.

Nat Geo Run 2017 Finisher Shirts

To celebrate the eight years of social awareness through fitness with special program features, NatGeo requests Eco Warriors to please use the hashtag #8withEDR when posting on social media. Register until April 16, 2017 at natgeoearthdayrun.com now!

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint by Being Part of The Plastic Solution

Ruth Floresca advocacy , environment

For many years now, my family and I have been very mindful of how we dispose our trash. After all, we only have one Mother Earth that needs our help in preserving its beauty and natural resources. This planet is our only home so ALL OF US should be doing our part in taking care of it!

we live in a beautiful world, let's help it stay this way!

While they were young, our children have been taught to always look for a trashcan and throw garbage responsibly even when they are out of the house. I’m glad my husband and I don’t have to nag them about it now that they’re in their teens and twenties. At home, we have different bins for segregating trash. There’s one for paper, one for tin cans, another for plastic containers, and another for everything else that the junk shops would not accept.

reduce, reuse, recycle, or upcycle trash and help save our planet

Although we’ve been able to considerably reduce the amount of trash that is collected by the garbage trucks, I’m always on the lookout for more ways to reduce our carbon footprints. So I was really glad to have come across a post on Facebook last month by fellow blogger Kira about an organization that came up with a brilliant idea to turn seemingly useless, unrecyclable plastic into something fantastic!

every stuff counts!

Let me introduce you to The Plastic Solution. Basically, they encourage people to stuff as many clean and dry trash (so there will be no decomposition of organic matter inside) into plastic bottles as possible until they are filled. The stuffed bottles, called eco-bricks, are then collected and brought to various places where they build structures like libraries, schools, and houses.

see, even the wrappers of pain reliever patches served a purpose!

Please watch the video below to learn better how this is done. You can also read their instructions to eco-brick making, here. Imagine, together, we can turn plastic pollution into a simple solution that is making a big impact! So gather those soda, juice, and energy drink bottles; rinse them and dry upside down before using.

Since last month, we’ve been able to fill several bottles already with those small stuff that are usually tossed in the wastebasket – empty packs of chips and noodles, plastics used to seal jar lids, candy wrappers, courier pouches, tiny plastic strings from clothes’ price labels, etc. etc.

these plastic strings from the label off my dry fit shirt are now inside an eco-brick

Seriously, if you look throughout your house, I am sure you’ll find a lot of things you can stuff inside a bottle right now! And to make it easier for your family members to also acquire the habit, place bottles in several areas like the kitchen, the bathroom, and bedrooms because, really, there is always something that could be stuffed inside a bottle instead of being tossed as trash.

eco-bricks made in less than a month

For more information and to get updates, like The Plastic Solution on Facebook and find drop off points for the ecobricks, here.

Disclaimer: I am not part of The Plastic Solution team; I just blogged about this because environment protection is one of my personal advocacies. So kindly direct all inquiries to them. On a side note, you can read my other posts related to caring for our environment, here. Thank you 😊

Experience the Christmas Season at Nuvali with a Magical Lights and Sounds Show and More!

Ruth Floresca environment , family

I like going to NUVALI because it seems to always have something new to offer every time I visit. In fact, just last month, my husband and I were at Nuvali's Camp N, for the launching of its exciting activities for both new and skilled bike enthusiasts.

one of the must-visit areas in Nuvali this Christmas

This December, we went to Nuvali again and discovered more stuff we can do there! First, we checked out Ayala Malls Solenad 3 and watched the latest Disney movie, Moana, in one of four nice cinemas. I highly recommend parents to watch this film with their kids. It has memorable characters and a lot of beautiful songs!

Moana in Nuvali Cinemas

Next, we went around the "Christkindl Market" holiday village that's being held until the end of the month and features traditional and modern gifts for sale including affordable items that fashionistas would love. If I have little girl, I'd probably have bought one of those pretty matching mommy and daughter outfits I saw in one of the booths! There's also a Christmas Bazaar that offers unique local goods from Laguna.

shop for gifts at Nuvali's Christkindl Market

New Cockroach Bait Revealed as Captain ZERO

Ruth Floresca advocacy , environment

FACT: No matter how much you keep your house clean, there's always the possibility of cockroaches getting in, especially if you have neighbors who are not as conscious as you are about cleanliness. In that case, it's better to always have an effective product that could get rid of cockroaches since we all know these pests are carriers of all sorts of diseases, right?

photo credit: callnorthwest.com

Unfortunately, many pest control agents are not only strong enough to kill roaches, they can also be harmful to people. The good news is, there are now effective roach control products that are safe for humans. One such brand to try is Captain ZERO. It is formulated using a combination of very low toxic compounds including its main ingredient call Trihydroxyborane.

Unlike other cockroach killers, Captain ZERO Cockroach Bait acts as food bait and comes in paste form. Homeowners simply have to put it in shallow containers and place those in areas where roaches often thrive like the kitchen, bathroom, and garage.

eliminate "ipis" at home by using Captain ZERO

Canaan Hill Farms and Honey Garden: Biliran's Promised Land

Ruth Floresca advocacy , environment

Every successful venture is earned through determination and hard work. In Eastern Visayas, there used to be a place overgrown with cogon grass that now attracts visitors from all over the country.

breathtaking view from the top of the hill

Canaan Hill Farms and Honey Garden started as a dream. Eduardo Espinazo, a fisherman married to homemaker Priscilla, raised nine children -- six boys and three girls. According to their eldest son, Sandro, they grew up trying to make ends meet. "We'd eat cassava for breakfast and lunch, and corn for dinner. My siblings and I would also walk five kilometers to and from school."

OA Bloggers with some of the Espinazo siblings

As the Espinazo children finished their studies one by one, the husband and wife were finally able to "breathe" from the heavy financial obligations of putting the kids through school. In 2011, the family bought six hectares of land in Caibiran, Biliran to finally help realize Eduardo's dream to become a farmer.

an indian mango tree laden with fruits

La Granja de Reyna: a Place for Planting and Reaping

Ruth Floresca advocacy , environment

Martina Reyna is an agricultural engineer by profession. She worked in government for four years before deciding to cultivate her in-laws' large plot of land in Tacloban City. According to her, La Granja de Reyna's original area was 15.8 hectares, the first property bought by her husband's parents in 1935 for P500 and a sack of rice.

a view from the top of La Granja's hill

Many years later, as neighboring owners started selling their lands, the Reyna property expanded into 51 hectares with one hectare donated for senior citizens. Tina started developing La Granja and registered it with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in 1994. It is now home to 13 varieties of fruit trees, 5000 coconut trees, high-value crops used as salad ingredients, and several kinds of livestock.

one of the lettuce plots

The farm harvests around P2,000 worth of lettuce in a day and supplies these to Chowking and Ocho, a local restaurant in the city. It also produces a continuous supply of organic fertilizer totaling 500 bags per week, ready for delivery.

a beautiful torch flower growing at the entrance of a hut

Revisiting Costales Natures Farms Where My Organic Agriculture Journey Began

Ruth Floresca advocacy , environment

As a girl growing up in Laguna, I never really thought back then about the healthy food being served on our table. I just knew that many of the vegetables, even the rice, we eat came from my grandparents' or a relative's farm or garden. It was simply natural to be regularly consuming homegrown brown rice, red bananas, and other fruits like lanzones, rambutan, and guyabano plucked from trees surrounding our house.

a glimpse at life in the province

Even eating native chicken and eggs laid by them were not out of the ordinary. We'd cook tinola using green papaya and dahon ng sili from neighbors or buy cooked viand from our friendly neighborhood maglalako who knows how to whip up the most tasteful local dishes.

harvesting lettuce with a deep appreciation for organic farming

It wasn't until 2012 when I got to fully appreciate the many benefits of organic and natural farming. I credit the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) for introducing me to Sir Ronald Costales who owned a fully integrated organic farm in Majayjay, Laguna.

this sign about agriculture and tourism says it all

Ato Belen's Farm: Ensuring the Survival of the Next Generation

Ruth Floresca advocacy , environment

San Pablo City, Laguna is a beautiful place where you can find many wonderful destinations. It is home to the famous seven lakes as well as farms that practice organic agriculture. Apart from Forest Wood Garden, which I wrote about recently, there's Ato Belen's Farm that's also located in the area.

Ato Belen's greenhouses where they grow various vegetables

Initially launched as a plant nursery and family farm in August 1987, Ato Belen's has since become a fully-integrated and diversified farming operation. Its advocacy is to promote family farming to ensure the survival of the next generation. It is still ran and managed by the Belen family where both parents and their five sons are all involved in decision-making when it comes to farm management.

with Brian and Sir Ato -- my OA Blogger Ako jacket blended in! :D

Brian Belen, one of Sir Ato's sons, is an Agri Business graduate from U.P. Los Baños who left the corporate world to help out with the family business in 2010. He shared with us their journey of selling seedlings and establishing an orchard 29 years ago; procuring and growing livestock (hogs, cows, goats, and ducks for making salted eggs) in 1989; and being devastated by Typhoon Milenyo in 2007, which uprooted majority of their rambutan trees.

fresh rambutan and salad made with organic veggies

Saturday, November 21, 2020

Exploring California: Where to Watch the Sunset on Top of a Hill in La Habra Heights

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Exloring California: 8 Tips for Those Planning to Hike the Pumpkin Rock Trail

Friday, March 31, 2017

Conrad Manila Celebrates Earth Hour 2017 with Sustainable Efforts

Monday, March 06, 2017

National Geographic Celebrates 8th Year of Environmental Advocacy with Earth Day Run 2017

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint by Being Part of The Plastic Solution

Monday, December 12, 2016

Experience the Christmas Season at Nuvali with a Magical Lights and Sounds Show and More!

Friday, December 09, 2016

New Cockroach Bait Revealed as Captain ZERO

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Canaan Hill Farms and Honey Garden: Biliran's Promised Land

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

La Granja de Reyna: a Place for Planting and Reaping

Saturday, November 05, 2016

Revisiting Costales Natures Farms Where My Organic Agriculture Journey Began

Friday, October 28, 2016

Ato Belen's Farm: Ensuring the Survival of the Next Generation

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