High on Club Balai Isabel

RENDEZVOUS By Christine S. Dayrit
(The Philippine Star)

Within every adult is a child who cherishes precocious memories that are relived upon visiting familiar places. For the young once and the young ones, it is time to hone your wanderlust because exploration is the key to rediscovery.

When I was a child, I remember waking up to Sunday mornings as our home was reverberating with the thunderous pounding of piano keys as if announcing a foreboding omen of a fortuitous eruption. The sound would ascend with even more fortitude followed by a deafening silence. After a few more seconds, the “tremors” would begin slowly yet powerfully, this time accompanied by a resounding applause. I raced down the stairs in my pajamas to our lanai to find out it was my mother, Mama Mila, and her very best friend my Ninang Norma Francia playing the piano. They were rehearsing for their concert and their piece was about an erupting volcano.

I have always been fascinated by volcanoes, the nearest one to home being Taal Volcano, one of the smallest and bewitching in the world. Many of us have viewed its alluring beauty. Between 1572 and the present, more than 41 eruptions have been recorded with the great eruption of 1754 lasting close to six months. Just like Mt. Pinatubo, it darkened the skies over Manila for days that people during that time literally walked around the city carrying lanterns even at 10 in the morning. It is most probable that this eruption finally closed the open channel to the sea.

It is precisely this unpredictability that makes it an enigma, a phenomenon, an attraction worth visiting, appreciating and immortalizing. Last weekend, my family and close friends rediscovered this exquisite volcano within a lake. What better vantage point to be at where one can appreciate the volcano in style and luxury than at the Club Balai Isabel, located in Talisay, Batangas. The resort is just a 20-minute drive from the scenic Tagaytay ridge. From the ridge, just before the Picnic Grove, we took a right on Ligaya Road, drove down the winding yet picturesque way where we captured million-dollar views of Taal Volcano and Taal Lake before finally retreating to the lovely Mediterranean-themed Club Balai Isabel.



Gracious couple Nelson and Cecille Terrible, who own this cozy sanctuary, warmly welcomed us to this charming property. It was a memorable weekend as all my siblings replete with nieces and nephews and my best friend and two-time CMMA awardee Bum Tenorio, good friends Ana and Will Antonio who gamely posed for photos by the romantic volcano. Their adorable kids Raine and Cyrus were also ecstatic as they played by the beachside with their favorite uncle Mukesh Advani. Our friends Carol and Cris Parker were determined to catch some exotic fish in the lake.

Our rambunctious group hied off to the floating pools, which are actually suspended pools of filtered water from the lake. Utilizing state-of-the art technology, this is an ingenious way to fully use God-given resources. This particular spot is a well-appointed section of the resort with wooden bridges. It also has huge inflatable and movable trampolines which we used like boats where we all gravitated, bonded and synergized with nature’s bounty.

As the sun was beginning to set, the skyline was bathed in golden pink light against the summer tropical sky. The mountainous terrain beckoned like a mecca as wild sculptured landforms heralded a geologist’s dream. From the floating pools, some peaks jutted out from the lake like a giant moth’s wings, the natural scenery created by volcanic basalt pressing down on sandstone. The dramatic caldera of Taal Volcano is often compared to a woman — hauntingly beautiful, alluring, captivating, dangerous but never dull or boring … neither were our spirits.

With the setting sun as the backdrop, a wine bar was set up by my youngest sister Yvonne with the assistance of the Club Balai bartenders and staff.

We had an abundance of brews and spirits, even a specially concocted limoncello that my brother-in-law Benny Soliven brought from Chateau Herencia in Tagaytay. The cuisine was as delightful as the company. Nelson spoiled us with this very special organic cuchinillo; the skin was succulently crispy and the tender meat was perfect with the sweet and spicy lechon sauce. The lechon manok was so juicy and tender; the tawilis caught from the lake were fried to crispness. There were also pancit canton and beef and chicken sate with gooey peanut butter sauce, as well as the crispy banana turon in a creamy langka sauce.

My brother-in-law Boom Boncan and sister Jaqui brought out their disco music from the ‘80s to complement the party mood. It began to gently drizzle as Cecille nostalgically narrated how Nelson reacquired this fabulous property.

“The property used to be owned by his family during the ‘50s and ‘60s. It has changed hands many times until in 2005 it was offered to us by the bank, which had foreclosed on it from the owner. Nelson wanted to develop it as a residential community and initially did not plan to make it a resort. But after building a few houses, weekenders came knocking at the door wanting to spend holidays and weekends. They are amazed to see Taal Volcano up close from the lakeshore. Initially the few houses built that are owned by overseas Filipinos served as lodging for guests. The owners leased the houses to us. The demand for rooms grew even more when we built the clubhouse and swimming pool. To satisfy the demand, we built two more buildings with rooms for rent. And the demands grew even bigger, so now we have over 100 rooms and it’s still growing. Last year, we acquired the adjacent property, which used to be used by Meralco Foundation. This year, we are acquiring another adjacent property which has the (circa 1700) church ruins,” Cecille said.

The couple enthused that Club Balai Isabel is committed to helping conserve the environment, especially the area around Taal Lake. In developing the resort, the team at Club Balai Isabel minimized cutting down trees wherever possible. The resort also has its own sewage treatment system that is effective enough to produce irrigation-grade water.

“The scope of our definition of ‘our environment’ is not limited to the confines of the resort. The town of Talisay is Club Balai Isabel’s home, and we’re prepared to do our part as a member of the community. One of our projects for 2008 is a solid waste management program that consists of creating awareness among the citizens of Talisay. The idea is to help them realize that keeping both town and lake clean is beneficial to everyone, since their main sources of income are tourism and fishing,” said Nelson.

We retreated to our well-appointed bedrooms in the lakeshore villas with an awesome view of the dramatic Taal Lake and volcano. Everything at Club Balai Isabel was comfortable, convenient and elegant. All villas are decorated with cotton chintzes, the sitting rooms are paneled and cozy, while sunny yellow colors add a cheery mood. The stylish rustic setting reminds one of the recent film Vicky Cristina Barcelona. The lakeshore villas with the loft, being the biggest two-floored bedroom with kitchen, have bright white bedspreads and, looking out the bay windows, one could stay put and paint a thousand photos of the rowing boats crossing the majestic lake. One can actually set foot on the volcano island, trek or even ride a horse to reach the rim of the main crater and wonder in awe at the view of a small island and the serene lake that formed in the gaping mouth created by the 1911 eruption of the volcano.

Club Balai Isabel offers an array of activities that can be enjoyed on the island. When the conditions are right, wakeboards and catamarans add splashes of color to the lake as they race around it. The resort offers a unique twist to the usual island experience. It is home to many species of birds and fish including the rare maliputo, which is a kind of mackerel that can be found in the waters around the volcano island. The resort is also the perfect place to hold gatherings, workshops company outings or special celebrations for over 100 people.

Luckily Club Balai Isabel is a haven from the city without being too far away. More than a lakeside residential resort, it is also a community where you can relax, connect, be with nature, and have an active lifestyle with all the comforts of city living. In this resort, waves whisper and the Mediterranean elegance roars.

It’s going to be a sizzling summer; enjoy the tropical fervor and get high on Club Balai Isabel.

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The "sea" snake of Taal Lake

There's more to Taal Lake than just the spectacular breathtaking view

by Arvin C. Diesmos

We are standing on the windswept shores of Barangay Buso-buso in the town of Laurel in Batangas Province one lazy afternoon in February. Looming less than two kilometers from us is Volcano Island, better known as Taal Volcano. Although rising just a little over 1,000 feet from the waters of Lake Taal, it commands a forceful presence.

And it is not difficult to see why. Taal Volcano has inspired myths, legends, mystical and romantic tales, and—in the past 400 years of our written history—pure terror. Taal Volcano is, in fact, internationally recognized as among the most dangerous seismic localities in the world.

This breathtaking scenery is a welcome perk in our journey. Our main purpose here is to document the Lake Taal Sea Snake, a little-known species that lives in the waters of Lake Taal.

We won't, however, be diving in the lake to search for this snake—although we honestly wish we could. Instead, we hope to gather a variety of information about the snake through interviews with the local fisher folk of this community, keeping in mind that the Taaleños themselves are more knowledgeable about the workings of Lake Taal compared to us outsiders. But, who knows, perhaps if we get lucky enough, we could even catch a glimpse of this enigmatic snake.

Lake Taal

Lake Taal is one of the major freshwater lakes in the country. It places second to nearby Laguna de Bay for being the largest freshwater lake on the island of Luzon covering an area of about 26,000 hectares.

Taal Lake's environment rests in the hands of the communities around it.

Located in Batangas and right at the border of Cavite Province, Lake Taal lies less than 18 kilometers southwest of Laguna de Bay and around nine kilometers northeast of Balayan Bay off the coast of Batangas. Its waters flow into the sea through the Pansipit River, which is located at its southwest rim.

To ancient Taaleños, it is known as Lake Bombon. To volcanologists, it is a large caldera, the remains of a towering volcanic mountain that stood perhaps 6,000 meters tall until a series of turbulent volcanic eruptions nearly leveled the entire mountain.

To limnologists, it is an oligotrophic lake with a pH value ranging from 7.0 to 9.4 (this means its waters range from being neutral to being alkaline) and a bottom composed of loam and sand. And to most Filipinos, it is one of the most popular and picturesque tourist spots in the country.

Lake Taal has not always looked the way it does now. Volcanologists, geologists, and archaeologists claim that it was once part of the Batangas seas until cataclysmic volcanic forces 400 years ago shaped what we now recognize as Lake Taal. Like an umbilical cord to its mother, the narrow Pansipit River serves as Lake Taal's link to its past.

Lake Taal Sea Snake

The Lake Taal Sea Snake was described by Samuel Garman in 1881 and bears the name of its discoverer, Carl Semper, a noted naturalist who first collected the snake from the lake. To herpetologists, it is a hydrophine snake and bears the scientific name Hydrophis semperi. To Taaleños, it is most familiar as duhol.

Its color varies from black to deep blue with numerous white or (yellowish bands that encircle the body beginning from the neck) down to the base of the tail. The head and tail are usually colored black. Like all sea snakes, its tail is flat and paddle-shaped, an adaptation especially suited to living in a watery world.

The "sea snake" of Taal Lake

The Lake Taal Sea Snake is among the smallest species of sea snakes known. The total lengths of available samples of adult Hydrophis semperi range from 500 to a little over 750 millimeters.

By comparison, most other species reach lengths of well over 1,000 millimeters.

The Lake Taal Sea Snake is venomous as all sea snakes are. It belongs to the family Elapidae, which is comprised of cobras, kraits, coral snakes, and sea snakes. In fact, the venom of a sea snake is known to pack a deadlier punch than their earth-bound cousins: sea snake venom is known to be two to five times more lethal than cobras. A scary thought indeed, hut the good news is sea snakes are generally non-aggressive and do not readily attack. They also have tiny fangs and their gape is rather small. Unprovoked attacks on humans are unheard of.

Crucible of Evolution

One may ask then: "So, what's so special about this snake?" You see, in spite of being referred to as a "sea snake," Hydrophis semperi is a freshwater species and is the only known freshwater sea snake in the Philippines. More so, all available information indicates that Hydrophis semperi is found only in the waters of Lake Taal.

Scientists hypothesize that the volcanic forces that shaped Lake Taal played a major role in shaping the creatures that now inhabit the lake, resulting in the evolution of odd creatures unique to Lake Taal.

It is believed that a small population of the ancestor of Hydrophis semperi (which some herpetologists think may be the Blue-banded Sea Snake Hydrophis cyanocinctus) became landlocked and closed off from the ocean during heightened volcanic activities in the area. Through a process which evolutionary biologists call "Founder Principle," the trapped, isolated, and small population of the ancestral species (the "founder") eventually underwent an evolutionary change, evolving into a new species which is ecologically adapted to a new freshwater environment. And thus, Hydrophis semperi was born.

This scenario very probably set the stage for the evolution of other animals that are unique to Lake Taal (there is yet no final checklist of the strange creatures that lurk under its waters). For instance, another popular (and quite tasty) oddity is the Freshwater Sardinella Sardinella tawilis, the only freshwater sardine known in the world. And yes, found only in Lake Taal.

Threats

Recent studies have identified several factors that pose a serious threat to Lake Taal, the sea snake, and its many other inhabitants. Chemical pollution is a major threat. Toxic chemicals such as insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, petrol wastes, and untreated sewage from the ever growing human population enter the lake every second of the day. The sources of these pollutants are commercial establishments, agricultural plantations, factories, processing zones, and resorts.

The burgeoning fish cages are a constant source of nutrients that can tip the balance of this ecosystem. In fact, there have been numerous documented fish kills in Lake Taal due to an overloading of nutrients (mostly coming from unutilized tilapia feeds), which lead to the uncontrolled proliferation of other organisms, especially microorganisms and benthos.

This plus the overcrowded fishes in the cages deplete oxygen present in the water (known as "dissolved oxygen"), the end result is a regular period offish kills.

Fishkills due to pollution and unsustainable use of the lake

In recent years, fishery authorities and the fishermen themselves have noticed a decline in harvest of several species of fish (especially those not cultured in cages). Over-harvesting is being blamed for the decline and scientists fear that the populations of some species (including the tawilis) may be plummeting.

You probably are not aware of it but the tilapia (such as the Blue Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus) is a big threat to the native fauna of Lake Taal. This much celebrated exotic species was introduced into the country from its native Africa. It is now practically found in almost all major rivers and lakes in the country. Scientific evidence have shown that the voracious and ecologically aggressive tilapia has caused the extinction of native species of fish in areas where it has been introduced. For example, the tilapia is being blamed for the demise of a number of endemic cyprinids in Lake Lanao, Mindanao.

An overlooked yet serious threat to the sea snake is human persecution. Like most snakes in the Philippines, H. . semperi is routinely killed. In fact, they are killed simply because they are snakes. Based on our studies, a fisherman on his usual routine will typically come across H. semperi in any given workday of the week. This encounter normally proves fatal on the

part of the snake: the snake gets killed. Thus, if one fisherman kills one snake per week and we multiply that to roughly 20% of the more than 10,000 fishermen making a living in the Lake (this is our estimated percentage of the number of persons who admitted that they have killed H. semperi), then account for the total number of weeks in a given year, only then will we begin to realize the magnitude of this impact. One can only hope that man and snake can live a peacefully in each other's presence.

The Future

The Lake Taal Sea Snake faces numerous threats, real and potential. Yet with the amount of information that is available about u this species, we can only guess what its future will be like.

A great deal needs to be known about its natural history and ecology. It is an irony that such a unique and striking creature could be so poorly known. Among the most pressing questions that need a immediate answers are the following:

• How long does it live?
• When a and where does it breed?
• How many young does a female produce?
• What is the maturity age?
• What is the survival rate?
• What is its preferred habitat?
• What does it eat?
• What is its home range?
• Do populations exist outside of Lake Taal?
• How many are left?

The communities around the lake must work to preserve it

Studies on these topics could provide valuable information in order to assess its present conservation status with great confidence. Furthermore, the information can be used to identify appropriate conservation and management interventions that might be needed for the species and for Lake Taal in general. Using the snake and tawilis as flagship species, conservation measures will benefit the whole of Lake Taal ecosystem.

The government in partnership with civil society groups had already taken initial action to manage Lake Taal; this is a very important step to safeguard this unique, fragile, and very vital ecosystem in the southern Tagalog region of Luzon. But there has to be more. More than ever, there is a great need for a sustained research, management, and conservation program for Lake Taal. For this will benefit its many dependents: people, animals, and plants.

Our country is facing very tough problems: unrelenting poverty, political upheaval, social unrest—just to name a few. Yet scientists and naturalists observe that we, as a nation, seem to be overlooking an equally important challenge that we have to confront right now: a full-scale ecological meltdown.

All these things we pondered as we strode on the shores of Lake Taal. Under a mid-day sun, some groups of men, women, and children are fishing from the shores. We approached them, curious to investigate the day's harvest. A wispy old man in his late '70s handed us a rusty tin plate with a dozen sweet-smelling tawilis, grilled fresh from an open fire. We gladly accepted.

We hope to come here again and study this snake more actively. When we return, we hope to learn more details about its life. We also wish to discover more of the charms, secrets, and other strange animals of Lake Taal. And perhaps when we come back, we can even learn to dive.

This work was funded by the conservation and environmental grants of the Ford Motor Company Philippines through the Project HerpWatch Luzon 2000 awarded to Arvin C. Diesmos.

Arum C. Diesmos is an ecologist and Researcher at the Herpetology Section, National Museum of the Philippines and the current president of the Wildlife Conservation Society of the Philippines, Inc. He is presently based at the National University of Singapore.

Marefe C. Lagda and Norydel F. Tresnado are biology graduates of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas and are presently undertaking field research and a conservation awareness program on Hydrophis semperi and the Lake Taal ecosystem.

Rafe M. Brown is an evolutionary biologist and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Texas, Austin, USA. He has been collaborating with Filipino herpetologists for the past 10 years on field studies of Philippine amphibians and reptiles. He is presently based at the University of California, Berkeley.

Taal Volcano: Batangas, Philippines

BACKGROUND

Taal Volcano, said to be the smallest active volcano in the world, is a famous tourist spot 50 kilometers south of Manila. Its mysterious shape, as well as its location of being on an island within a lake within an island, makes it a unique geologic wonder, fascinating thousands of tourists – and scientists – yearly. Tales of lost cities, submerged ancient ruins, and peculiar sea creatures add another dimension to the legendary volcano. For outdoor enthusiasts, the mysteries of Taal are unraveled with an adventure that entails crossing Lake Taal, and taking a 45-minute climb to reach the Crater Lake of Taal Volcano.

Unknown to many, Taal was once a colossal volcano, rising to 5800 meters, two-thirds the height of Mt. Everest. Due to its prolific volcanism, however, this grand mountain became reduced to a lake, the present-day Taal Lake, and the once-enormous volcano became Taal. This is the reason why, at the summit of Taal, you would see a circle of highlands: Tagaytay (W), Mt. Batulao (SW), Mt. Maculot (SE), Mt. Malipunyo (E), and Mt. Makiling (NE). A lofty Mt. Banahaw looms in the distant east. Some of these mountains once formed the outer rim of the grand mountain, once the highest peak in the whole of Southeast Asia.

An air of this prehistory remains in Taal, although tourism has a more marked presence. Horses (P400) and even umbrellas will be rented to you upon your arrival, and some will offer themselves as guides. As you go up the 1.7 km trail called “Daang Kastila”, the rocks have a volcanic quality, as expected, and steam vents would be encountered, giving off a sulfuric odor. The path is wide and the ascent benign. Be reminded, however, that this trail is dusty and exposed to the sun, hence it is best done early morning. Nice views abound along the trail, including the structure which is the “Taal Volcano of postcards”, Binintiang Malaki (NW). Near the summit the trail will be a bit steep, but still easy. The culmination, upon reaching the summit, is of course beholding the Crater Lake.

As you gaze downwards to the green, 2-km wide Crater Lake, volcanic steam would effuse up the vents at the NE edge of the lake, and varicolored rocks layer the cliffs that wall the lake. You could trek all the way using down the lake using alternate trails, taking ~30 minutes, and take a refreshing swim. The waters beneath are 100-150m deep, and are mildly sulfuric. Amazingly, there is an island in the crater lake, called Vulcan Point. It is thus an island within a lake within an island within a lake within an island!

The summit of Taal Volcano is also an excellent viewpoint, affording a view of the above-mentioned mountains forming a ‘circle’ around Taal. The volcanic edificies of Taal, The nearby structures, including the crater of Mt. Tabaro (site of the most recent eruptions) and its lava fields (SW), can also be explored given ample time. The Kaygabok shoreline is the jump-off for this trek although interconnecting trails do exist (ask the local guides). In the summit and throughout the volcano, the winds are refreshing and the views even more so: Taal Volcano is one of the best daytrips from Manila.


TRIVIA
There have been +/- 33 eruptions of Taal since the 18th century; its most recent eruption was in Sept. 3, 1977. The town of Tanauan was once in present-day Tagaytay; it had to evacuate and rebuilt in a farther location due to one of the eruptions. However, it has kept its old name, Tanauan, which means “View site”, referring to its once scenic location, now flocked by tourists.

Elders say that sharks once swam the waters of Taal Lake. Moreover, therein dwells the Lake Taal Sea Snake (Hydrophis semperi), known to locals as duhol. It is color black or blue, banded with yellow or white stripes, and grows from 50-70 cms in length. It is venomous, much . So brace yourself in your bancas when crossing the lake! Not to worry though: “sea snakes are generally non-aggressive and do not readily attack”, says Arvin Diesmos, who wrote an article about the sea snakes.

Volcano Island is at present a thriving community of more than 5000 inhabitants, whose main industries are fishing in Taal Lake as well as tourism: there are stores selling food and drinks at the summit.

Reference: Lahing Kayumanggi

Taal Volcano - Visiting a Unique Island Volcano

By Luvi Marie Corcuera

On the largest island of the Philippines, Luzon rises the Taal Volcano, an active volcano located in San Nicolas and Talisay in Batangas. Consisting of an island in Lake Taal situated inside a caldera that was previously formed by an enormous eruption, the island volcano is about 50km from the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

Taal Volcano has been erupting a large number of times and several of those times violently. These eruptions have caused loss of life and property in the vicinity with a considerable death toll estimated to be approximately 5000-6000 casualties. Despite the alarming numbers, it is considered to be an great place to visit when it is calm and in it's less active state due to the elements that make this island quite unique.

Geological Information

The Lake Taal being located in in the Philippines, forms part of a chain of volcanos the lie along the western side of Luzon island. These volcanoes created by the subduction of the Eurasian Plate beneath the Philippine Mobile Belt are now either active or dormant in nature. The Lake of Taal which houses the volcano lies inside a 25 to 30km caldera which was formed by four violent and high intensity eruptions anywhere approximately 500,000 to 100,000 years ago.

Ever since the caldera's formation, subsequent eruptions eventually created one more volcanic island inside the caldera. This island is known as Volcanic Island and has an area of about 23 square kilometers that consist of craters and overlapping cones. So far 47 different craters and cones have been identified to be on the island.

The Crater and the Inner Island

Volcano Island already a volcanic island also contains a lake which is about 2km across on it is largest axis, this lake is called Crater Lake. Crater Lake a calm and serene warm body of water has inside it yet another volcanic island, and this is called Volcanic Point. This specific volcanic island is known to be the world's biggest island within a lake on an island within a lake.

These elements of Taal Volcano makes it a unique place to visit when it is not on it's most active state. There have been 33 recorded eruptions since 1572, now it lies in a dormant state and has been so since 1977 although the volcano has been showing signs of unrest since 1991. This has been evident with relatively strong seismic activity, ground fracturing events, and the formation of small mud geysers within the different parts of the island.

Even with the apparent state of unrest the volcano is experiencing, there has been a lot of visits to the island not only by the volcanologists and scientists, but also by the tourists and media. Lake Taal presents a unique opportunity to visit one of the wonders of nature which has taken hundreds and thousands of years to create, this uniqueness alone makes this an great place in Paradise Philippines to visit for the more adventurous and curious.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luvi_Marie_Corcuera