A Run for the Pasig River - 10.10.10

The “A Run for the Pasig River – 10.10.10” made history last Sunday to show of unity by Filipinos from all the walks for life.

I would like to congratulate the organizers for the effort in this event and to all the people who participate. It really shows that if we Filipinos will only take the initiative to make a change and if we do it together, nothing is impossible. I pray that Pasig River can truly be cleaned. There is always a hope for us. I want to believe in it.
Another proud moment for the Philippines and the most wonderful things about this is that, it's for our Mother Nature. Initial figures from SyCip, Gorres, Velayo & Co. (SGV), the country’s biggest accounting firm, placed the total number of official race starters at 116,812.

The SGV figure, once authenticated, will break Philippine marks and the Guinness World Record of 110,000 runners at the "Bay to Breakers" race in San Francisco, California in 1988.

Pasig River (Ilog Pasig) is one of the most historical rivers in the country. The river, which stretches for 25 kilometers from Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay, serves as a major transport route, source of water, and lifeline of Laguna de Bay (one of the biggest freshwater lakes in the world) as such it is a vital ecosystem and an irreplaceable natural resource. Yet, for centuries the Pasig River has been used, abused, and neglected.

Slum Area in Pasig River

photo by archeoz

Since the early 1500s, commerce and day-to-day needs have pressed Pasig and its tributaries into tireless service. The river has now been declared a critical water body because of the unspeakable amount of waste dumped into it daily by households and industries. About 330 tons of industrial and domestic wastes are discharged everyday in this waterway, depleting the biochemical oxygen needed to support marine life. Until recently, little has been done to protect the river system. Past efforts to rehabilitate Pasig River were unsuccessful because they failed to take into account the larger context of the urban environment of which Pasig River is a part.

Our fellow Filipino makes a way to change our river and I hope all of us will continue to support this.

Manila Post Office

View from the Pasig River of Manila Post Office-Philippines

Bahay Kubo - Nipa Hut

The Nipa hut is an indigenous dwellings used in the Philippines. It is also known as Bahay Kubo. Bahay Kubo came from a Spanish word “cubo” which means “cube”, because of their rectangular and cubic shape.

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The Architecture

This native house is build out of bamboo which tied together and with a thatched roof using the native nipa/anahaw leaves. Some wood, planks, and large logs are also used. This material are easily be found in the local surroundings. Basically, it is cubic in shape and raised on stilts or column/post of one or two meters depends on the area it will be constructed. It may be on solid ground, hillside, mountainside, or in shallow water. Architecturally constructed to adapt in the tropical climate of the Philippines and to be easily re-constructed or repaired once damaged by typhoon, earthquake and flood which is frequented the country. It is used by indigenous people of the Philippines, and part of rural areas or along country side are still using nipa hut. Nipa hut is also considered as National shelter in the Philippines.

You will also found this nipa hut in neighboring countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia and other countries of Souteast Asia.

Part of Bahay Kubo

A typical nipa hut in the Philippines has one, large and open multi-purpose room for dwelling which is called as “bulwagan”. Another part is the cellar where the household chores are done, called them as “silong”. This is also serves as the area for livestock pens and storage space. The walls are built of nipa and cogon leaves or sawali and woven bamboo. It has a large window on all sides, which keep the dwellings well-ventilated. It is supported by a “tukod” or legs that holding the swing shades open during the day and closing it during the night. Bahay Kubo has a ladder or “hagdan” which can be removed at night or when the people living are out. Also, some bahay kubo has an open porch or “batalan” where the jars of water are placed.

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