It is an undisputed fact that our ecological systems surrounding us are complex, even up the point in which we don?t know how it comes to function. The interconnections between the seemingly different activities, and living creatures in an area, are very much evident. For instance, a visit to La Union, San Juan, Philippines, showed this was the case, in which we experienced:

• Working with a local orphanage

• Understanding the importance of turtles in the oceans and going hands on in the process of transferring/storing eggs

• Planting mangroves in vital, prone locations

• Learning how to surf

The first activity was especially rewarding as we got to teach many of the kids. Though most were not that eager to engage in conversation in first meeting, after activities such as basketball, various forms of tag, heads up, arts and crafts, we found them interact with others who they didn't know and from this, smile. As this progressed, some even expressed interest in the importance of maintaining a clean environment, leading on to a deeper conversation on their personal role to be an activist.  In helping others there is definitely the feeling of helping oneself.

Next, was the involvement with turtle eggs. The entire group had to wake sometime at 4 in the morning for this, due to turtle hatches taking place in the night to avoid humans taking their eggs away. Upon arrival, we had to locate the set of prints made on the beach, and from the vertex, create a large circle as a mark of a possible place for hatching. Afterwards, a stick would be poked through the circumference and narrowing to the center, making sure to feel for a soft spot in the sand. Once this is found, one should dig, until turtle eggs are revealed. A soft mound would be placed on someone?s palm to simulate the feeling of the hatching place (for comfort purposes), and after that, into a bucket also filled with sand. This bucket will be moved to an hourly observed sanctuary with rows digged in under the sand. Unfortunately, many species are endangered, even when they can eat jellyfish (which too many of can harm the ecosystem), and maintain the health of seagrass beds, these being just few of the many examples. Every small action, therefore, on their behalf, makes a difference.

The planting of mangroves, involved an equal amount of care and scrutiny to the smallest details. For one, the right side of the plant had to be dug into the dirt, and one had to make sure that its location was in a proper place where growth wouldn?t be hindered by improper interceptions or where it would be flushed away by waves. Mangroves are extremely beneficial in mitigating the fatalities of erosions, giving stand protection from strong waves, and underwater, can be a home to fish species.

Everyday, as part of a recreational activity, our group also found the time to learn how to surf. However, many would contemplate on how this form of tourism would benefit our environment. In a holistic viewpoint with all of the four aforementioned activities, we can see that:

• In the orphanage, students can be taught on how to be an eco-warrior, and build their passion on protecting the environment

• Turtles can eat the vast number jellyfish, which if the population isn?t controlled, leads to areas unsuitable for ecotourism facilities

• Mangroves prevent natural hazards which could potentially harm places where man and creature thrive in

• Surfing generates the self-reflection on how beautiful Mother Nature can be, and builds a motivation to eradicate man-made hazards which bring about negative consequences