Wellnessfest

In Manila, Richard Merk presided over a meeting of musicians and organizers of a big open-air jazz festival aimed at supporting the "Save the La Mesa Watershed" project. The conceit is part of the "Wellness Festival 2005" on Nov. 12, an all-day event intended to create awareness on the life- sustaining benefits provided by 2,700 hectares of forest called the La Mesa watershed.

The watershed, located in Fairview, Quezon City, and adjacent to the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges that extend through Caloocan and Rizal Province, is also the site of the La Mesa Dam, which supplies water for millions of Metro Manila   residents.

In 1998, it was discovered that 1,200 hectares of the watershed had been denuded due to kaingin farming. A study showed that the forest would be gone in five years if no one moved to remedy the situation.

Enter Gina Lopez of Bantay Kalikasan, the environmental arm of ABS-CBN Lopez 'Foundation. In 1999, Bantay Kalikasan was put in charge of rehabilitating and protecting La Mesa. Lopez proudly reports that 1,000 hectares of La Mesa has since been replanted with 40 native species of trees and that some 1,200 squatters have been relocated.

The goal now is to convert 33 hectares within La Mesa Dam into a resort and ecological park that would provide a respite and sanctuary for people choking from pollution in the city. Only 60 percent of this undertaking is finished.

Lopez is always thinking of ways to make people come and appreciate the natural wonders of La Mesa. "I thought it would be nice to have an event that would celebrate today's widespread quest for wellbeing, in this place where people could bask in natural surroundings and breathe fresh air. So we decided to hold the Wellness Festival.”

Music and more

What to expect during the festival amid the lush forest of La Mesa: organic food, massage and spa services, instructional yoga and other stuff associated with nourishing the mind, body and spirit.

“And then I thought it would also be nice to have a cultural activity in the evening."

Lopez wanted jazz music for a cause, so she turned to Merk, a jazz singer who has been gaining a reputation for organizing charity gigs.

Merk immediately went to work and, at the meeting, named the musicians he wanted on the bill: Jaqui Magno, Mon David, Sandra Lim, Lyn Sherman, Verni Varga, Arhtur Manun-tag, Aretha, Eddie Katindig, UP Jazz Ensemble, Ugoy-Ugoy Band, Romy Posadas, Elimir Saison Quartet, Rey Cristobal, Joey Quirino, Henry Katindig, Roger Her-rera, Cielo Lumacad, Meong Pacana, Norman Ferrer, Marcy Es-trella, Dingdong Boogie, Ramon Guevarra, Uly Avante, Mar Dizon, Michael Alba, Ricky Posadas, Tots Tolentino, Michael Guevarra, Cesar Aguas, Edgar Avenir, John Lesaca and Cooky Chua, among others. Mitch Valdes has been asked to host the show.

In London, Geldof declared: "We don't want people's money, we want them to hear what we want to say."

In Manila, Lopez mused: "I can't change the country. But I hope to build a paradise in La Mesa."

The above text was excerpted from an article by By Pocholo Conception, Contributor, Courtesy of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, June 29, 2005

NOTE: Look for a schedule of appearances by the above line-up of musicians in this space within the coming week.

CONTACT: Telephone 415-2272 loc 4551

Fax: 410-9670

E-mail: kalikasan@abs-cbn.com

Web: http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com/

Jazz for La Mesa Wellness Festival, Nov. 12