While preparing for a somewhat death-defying stunt, I was humming a song in my head that goes “First I was afraid, I was petrified…”. But we know how the song ended – I Will Survive. Yes, I have conquered my fear of heights for a few minutes, thanks to a super-secure harness in La Mesa Ecopark zip line. Audrey was really enthusiastic about going Zip Lining and I’m glad everyone including Mee-i and Monique did it. Mind you, I was the first in line to glide so I screamed all the way. I was so silly, screaming at the top of my lungs, but I’m glad I did it. I applied what I learned from my Psych degree (glad i still remembered!) which is to get rid of your phobias, you must be continually exposed to your fears. “Face your fears”, ika nga.
The evidence
before
and after
There’s a lot of things to do in La Mesa Ecopark than you can imagine. You can go wall-climbing, boating, fishing, swimming, biking and other physical activities. They have this beautiful flower terraces, an amphitheather, a fitness trail, butterfly trail, picnic grounds and souvenir shops. What’s more beautiful about La Mesa Ecopark is every time you visit and do stuff here, you are helping the environment because all of the revenues generated goes to the preservation and protection of the La Mesa Watershed. If any of you don’t know, La Mesa Watershed is the primary source of drinking water in Metro Manila. So if you help La Mesa, you’re helping yourself as well.
Wall-Climb here
Boating Station
Petron Flower Terraces
On top of the stairs, you can see the La Mesa Watershed.
The view of the ecopark from the top of the stairs.
The Fishing Wharf
Petron Amphitheater
Lamps at the souvenir shopNow, how to get there:
From anywhere in EDSA, ride a bus going to Fairview, Quezon City. Tell the conductor to drop you off at United East Fairview Subdivision. Or better yet, tell him that that you’re going to La Mesa Ecopark which is what we did. The conductor was a pleasant one who didn’t need any reminding. We rode from Cubao so we paid around 30 pesos per head. If you’re from Taft Avenue, the fare might be around 50 pesos. If you’re on a tight budget, you can ride the MRT from Taft to GMA-Kamuning Station (14 pesos) then from there, ride a bus going to Fairview, Quezon City (30 pesos). Choose your route.
When you get to the subdivision, ride a tricycle going inside La Mesa Ecopark (about 25 pesos for four people). The entrance to the park costs 50 pesos for persons measuring more than 3 feet in height. Free entrance for persons below 3 feet in height. Better measure your height first before going. LOL. They have special rates for Quezon City residents (40 pesos with valid proof of residence), Quezon City students (20 pesos with valid ID) and Senior citizens (FREE).
The every activity has a corresponding admission rates like boating (100 pesos for 4 persons for 30 minutes), fishing (80pesos per kilo of fish, 20 pesos for rod rental), zip-line (100 pesos per person), biking (50-80pesos per hour), swimming (80 pesos for persons measuring more than 3 feet in height, 40 pesos for persons measuring less than 3 feet in height and you have to wear proper swimming attire). I didn’t check out how much the rates are for paint ball, butterfly trail, and the picnic grounds but it’s all cheap. So, what are you waiting for! Check La Mesa Ecopark‘s website for more details.
Photo Credits: Audrey (1st-3rd and 5th)
