ECOTOURISM / NATURE

Masungi Georeserve
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Masungi Georeserve is a conservation area and rock garden in Baras, Rizal, Philippines, known for its unique limestone formations and restoration efforts. It's a popular destination for day trips, offering trails and experiences that combine nature appreciation with education about the area's biodiversity and conservation challenges. The reserve's history includes significant deforestation and land-grabbing in the past, prompting a youth-led foundation to launch the Masungi Geopark Project to restore the degraded land. 

Location: 
It is located in the southern Sierra Madre range in Baras, Rizal, about 47 kilometers east of Manila.

Features: 
The name "Masungi" comes from the word "masungki," meaning "spiked," which accurately describes the rugged limestone landscape. Visitors can explore the area through trails that wind through ancient formations and forests.

Conservation: 
Since the 2000s, the area has undergone extensive restoration as part of the Masungi Geopark Project, which aims to rehabilitate nearly 2,700 hectares of degraded forestland.

Visitor experience: 
The reserve offers various trails and experiences, often including a knowledgeable park ranger guide. The experience is designed to allow visitors to connect with nature while learning about the importance of conservation.

Activities: 
Popular activities include hiking trails with varying difficulty and duration, such as the Sunrise Trail, which offers scenic views of the karst landscape. At the end of a trail, there is often a light snack or traditional Filipino breakfast provided. 

Baras Kasarinlan Eco-Park

Baras Kasarinlan Eco-Park or nicknamed "Banggandang Baras," meaning "Beautiful Baras" is a public eco-friendly recreational park located in Barangay Santiago, Municipality of Baras, Rizal Province, Philippines. It was developed as a municipal initiative to highlight and preserve the area's natural beauty while promoting sustainable tourism and environmental awareness.

Launched around 2018 as part of Baras's Tourism Push (Baras is also known as the Philippines' First Organic Town and home to the traditional martial art Sikaran), the ecopark spans a small area (the solar project alone covers about 1,000 square meters) but punches above its weight in eco-innovation. The inauguration of the solar farm drew stakeholders like local government officials and solar energy firms, marking it as a model for community-driven sustainability.

Key Features and Purpose

Eco-Focus and Sustainability: The park emphasizes green practices and serves as a showcase for innovative renewable energy. In 2018, it hosted a pioneering 10-kW floating solar farm pilot project on Laguna de Bay (the lake adjacent to the park), in partnership with the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and Winnergy Holdings Corporation. This solar installation powers the park's lamp posts and lighting, testing the feasibility of larger-scale floating solar farms while monitoring impacts on water quality and aquaculture.

Attractions and Activities: 
It's designed for family-friendly, affordable outdoor fun, including: 
   Picnicking and relaxation areas;
   Fishing spots along the lake;
   Biking paths; and 
   Multi-purpose buildings for events (recent upgrades include new comfort rooms).

Unique Recognition: 
In recent years, it has been promoted as the first gender-sensitive park in Rizal Province, with ongoing enhancements to make facilities inclusive and accessible for all visitors, including women, children, and persons with disabilities.

 Accessibility: 
The park offers free entrance, making it a popular spot for locals and tourists seeking a serene escape near Manila. It's open to the public, with advisories occasionally posted for maintenance or events.