By Gregg Yan

Tingloy, Batangas – This beach is pretty remote, but somehow, it’s still covered in trash.

Mixed in with the usual influx of driftwood and seaweed are countless sachets, plastic bottles and toys – ranging from lightsabers to creepy doll heads. 

“We’ll conduct a closed loop cleanup today,” Tak Vergara of Pure Oceans explains to gathered volunteers. “You’ll each be given a mesh sack, to be filled with just one type of trash. Once done, we’ll send our sacks to proper endpoints like junkshops and recyclers. Let’s please move before the morning sun gets too hot.” 

Around 30 people from the local barangays of Tingloy, plus a contingent from the Philippine Coast Guard, have gathered along the shores of Barangay Marikaban to retrieve sachets, plastic bottles, bottle caps, ropes and anything that doesn’t naturally belong here.

Like everyone, I’ve been given a red mesh sack and assigned to pick up every plastic or foil sachet I see. I don’t have to look hard – the little suckers are literally coating every meter of this beach.

The Problem of Plastic 

Plastics revolutionized the world: they’re inexpensive, durable, nonporous, lightweight and have a million uses. They’re so tough that most will never be fully broken down by nature. Instead, they’ll photodegrade into tiny particles called microplastics. It takes some 400 years – around 13 human generations – for this to happen. 

The problem is that too many plastics are designed to be used only once. Many of the world’s third-world economies are built on a tingi-tingi culture where daily needs are bought on daily wages. 

Single-use plastics like sachets, sando bags, straws, diapers and bottles account for half the plastics made today.

A report from the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) released in 2019 revealed that Pinoys used 163 million plastic sachets, 48 million sando bags and 45 million labo bags daily. The World Bank in turn estimated that the country generated 2.7 million tons of plastic waste yearly, 20% of which ends up in our oceans. 

Global studies about plastics gauged that humanity has produced 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic, 75% or 6.3 billion metric tons of which have become plastic waste. There’s so much of it that scientists have proposed this era to officially be termed the Anthropocene, a slice of time marked on the fossil record not by fossilized bones, but nonbiodegradable plastic.

Our oceans can only absorb so much. Sea turtles and whales now mistake translucent plastic bags for jellyfish, while pelagic fish swallow gleaming microplastics mistaken for plankton. Distant islands – from icebergs in the Arctic to uninhabited sandbars in the Pacific – are plastic-ridden. Even the most remote part of our planet, the Mariana Trench at over 10 kilometers deep, is littered with yesteryear’s grocery bags. 

“We cannot keep ignoring the plastic problem, especially here in Tingloy,” says Pia Roxas Ocampo, founder of Pure Oceans, a marine conservation social enterprise. The Philippines is part of the Coral Triangle, where marine diversity levels are unparalleled. The Verde Island Passage, which includes Tingloy, has long been hailed as the epicenter for marine shorefish diversity.

Threat to Marine Biodiversity

Since 2018, Pure Oceans has been working with local communities in Tingloy to recover plastic profitably. “In truth, coastal cleanups like this aren’t long-term solutions,” adds Pia, picking up trash along with everyone. “These are simply emergency measures to protect the coral reefs that surround this island. These reefs aren’t just great dive sites – they sustain the livelihoods of people here.”

Plastics, whether whole or broken down into microplastics, threaten marine diversity. It’s not uncommon to see old fishing nets snagged onto coral heads, or undigested plastic in the guts of the seafood we eat. 

“Microplastics concentrate and encapsulate pollutants. They’re dangerous when ingested by fish or other animals,” explains Dr. Wilfredo Licuanan, a coral expert and University Fellow at De La Salle University. “Plastics don’t just smother corals either. They can cause injuries, which increases the likelihood of corals getting sick.”

For the past seven years, Pure Oceans has been working with public and private sector partners – from the municipal government to corporations and local communities – to develop practical ways to collect and divert plastic away from coral reefs.

“We’re known as the MRF Angels because we buy hand-washed plastic and foil strips from selected participants at PHP20 per kilogram,” shares Princess Aldovino, busily filling up her sack with little plastic bottle-caps. “Tons of plastic and foil have been brought to our MRF or Materials Recovery Facility and they are used as ‘pluffing’ or ‘plastic-stuffing’ for various products locally made in Tingloy. We support several senior citizens who help convert trash into useful raw materials.”  

After an hour’s work and with my mesh bag finally bursting with sachets (my wife Ngoc collected even more sachets than me), I trudge back to our collection point. Tak and Lai Manalo from Pure Oceans measure the morning’s haul: nearly 175 kilos of plastic waste, among them a cellphone, a syringe, a rubber duckie, gambling dice and some truly scary plastic dolls.

Soon we visit Caban Cove, a popular dive site. Diving here decades ago, I vividly recall having lunch in a spotless white sand beach. Now, it is covered end-to-end with broken branches, coconut husks and you guessed it, plastic. Pia and I carefully examine the debris.

“Coastal cleanups help, but each day will deposit a brand-new layer of trash. With the local community of Tingloy, we’ve developed and tested solutions to help other islands address the plastic problem,” she explains.

“We’re working on all aspects of the garbage lifecycle – from implementing corporations’ extender producer responsibility, CSR projects, developing waste management systems with local governments, environmental education for schools, plus physical cleanups along our coasts. After seven years of learning, we’re ready to replicate our solutions nationwide – but we need more partners.” 

We pick through more layers of refuse. I dig out a twisted piece of seaglass, keeping it as a reminder that some things just don’t belong in the big blue. “For many Pinoys, conserving the oceans starts at home. Thinking before buying and properly segregating our waste might just prevent trash from ending up here,” gestures Pia. 

We leave the area after a day’s work. Though spiritually satisfied, we barely made a dent in the tidal wave of plastics assailing the quiet island paradise. Despite this, it’s still rung with corals, still teeming with fish. 

Two hundred million metric tons of single-use plastics will be produced this year, equivalent to 10 million fully-loaded dump trucks. 

How many tons will end up at sea? How many new layers of trash will be added to the beaches of Tingloy and the world’s other islands?

Picturesque natural wonders, warm hospitality, and unique cultural identity – this is the Philippines, offering something for everyone. It’s no wonder millions of foreign tourists continue to visit the country.

Whether you are a balikbayan seeking to reconnect with your roots or a foreign tourist eager to explore the local hotspots and hidden gems, one thing’s for sure: the Philippines is the place to be this summer.

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• Revel in Metro Manila’s nonstop energy
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• Food-trip around Bacolod
  Bacolod City is a foodie’s paradise. As the capital of Negros Occidental, the country’s largest sugar producer, the city is home to many delicacies including chicken inasal, cansi, and piaya. Not to mention, food-tripping around the city’s bustling street food scene and top restaurants has become more seamless as you can simply hitch a ride in inDrive. 
• Explore Cebu’s natural and historical wonders 
  Cebu is where the rush of city living and the peace of island life intersect.  The Queen City of the South boasts pristine white-sand beaches and multiple waterfalls, such as the Kawasan Falls. Despite its urban growth, the island still exudes old-world charm as it is home to historical landmarks such as Magellan’s Cross, Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu, and Fort San Pedro. And getting to these landmarks is now easier than ever, as travelers can simply book an affordable ride with inDrive.
• Beat the heat at Baguio City
  Baguio provides travelers respite from the heat in the south, as its location along the Cordillera Central Mountain Range creates a cool and temperate climate. True to its title as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio entices travelers with its lush green spaces, such as Burnham Park and Baguio Botanical Garden. They can also hitch an inDrive ride heading to indigenous sites such as the Tam-awan Village and Ifugao Woodcarvers’ Village.
• Relish in Iloilo’s old-world charm
  Just a ferry ride away from Bacolod is Iloilo, a province rich in colonial history. It is home to religious landmarks such as the Sta. Ana Parish of Molo and the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, and heritage sites such as the Nelly Garden Mansion. Travelers can also experience Iloilo’s underrated beaches by island-hopping around the Gigantes Islands. So whether you are going on a city heritage trip or you need to head to your island-hopping meet-up spot, inDrive has your back.

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On the way to Nasugbu in Batangas from the Municipality of Los Baños in Laguna, we passed through Lipa City; and – craving for something “local” – we were led to Liam’s Lomi House.

Okay, this is a must-know: Liam’s Lomi House is a two-time champion of Lipa’s Lomi Festival. So yeah… having high expectations is to be expected.

@outragemag #Lomi in #Batangas? For this #lgbtq trip, we tried #liamslomihouse in #LipaCity and had doubts if turning it into #fastfood ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine

But – removing the food vlogger BS – how was it for us, sa totoo lang?

Una, this is an extremely popular place. Nagkakaubusan ng parking, hindi enough ang seats so nag-aagawan ng tables ang mga tao, the queue to order can get really – really – long, and so on. For an open-air resto, siksikan pa rin dito.

Ikalawa, if I think of lomi as fastfood, this is what comes to mind. You know the “system” – i.e. queue to order, look for a seat, order will be delivered to you, and so on. Because of this, the place can get impersonal; don’t expect to experience the Batangueño warmth here, trabaho lang all in this place.

And now… ikatlo, how was the food?

1. The “style” of Liam’s Lomi House is similar to lugaw. That is, they have a “base”, the basic noodle soup. This is then added with the topping you order. For instance, if you ordered lechon lomi (₱135), you get the same-tasting lomi as beef lomi (₱135) or liver lomi (₱125)… except for the topping.
2. Aside from the toppings, this one has no other sahog. No gulay or lamas or whatever.
3. Batangas lomi has malapot – or thick or viscous – sabaw. Almost laway-like. If you’re not into something like this, avoid na lang. Although the sabaw becomes runny naman over time.
4. There are other offerings – e.g. various types of silog (from ₱45 for silog to ₱140 for lechonsilog, liemsilog, chicksilog and so on). Those toppings for the lomi are what you get here, too.
5. Saving grace nila is the pork BBQ on stick. If you’re a fan of Amber’s BBQ, you’d get the appeal here. You get a properly cooked still-juicy and manamis-namis na BBQ.

Liam’s Lomi House is now a tourist trap; too many drop by this place because it has made a name na. Good for those who liked what they got. We’re happy for them.

But kami? It’s back on the road for us… as we look for more – and much better – lafang venues.

Liam’s Lomi House is located at Gen. Luna St., Sabang, Lipa City, Batangas. For more information, contact 0917 208 9535 or email liamslomihouse@gmail.com.