Henry David Thoreau

Ramos Pond in Barangay Macatbong, Cabanatuan City, Philippines, is home to several species of fish, notably Tilapia mossambica, mudfish, catfish, carp, small shrimps, and molluscs. The three ponds are surrounded by bamboo, narra, mahogany, mangoes, java plum, acacias, ipil, eucalyptus, and many other tree species. Migratory birds are often spotted hunting for snails at certain times of the year. I consider this place a humble version of Thoreau's famous Walden Pond. It is a shame that unthinking local authorities once attempted to convert an area adjacent to this picturesque place to a garbage dump. The feisty residents of this small village, who had better environmental sense, fought hard for their rights to a clean and healthful environment and won.