Bamboo sanctuary promises a serene future

A UNIQUE tourist destination in Northern Luzon is now at the forefront of combatting the impact of climate change: the Bamboo Sanctuary of Cagayan State University (CSU) Gonzaga Campus in Cagayan province.

«The CSU Bamboo Sanctuary not only provides solace to the soul but envisions a brighter and greener future for all,» said CSU President Urdujah Alvarado.

The project was conceptualized by CSU professor Marie Cauilan in 2019, which was an offshoot of her short course in Sustainable Tourism at the Asian Institute of Management.

It was then implemented by CSU Gonzaga Campus Chief Executive Officer Froilan Pacris Jr. and his team. Through the support and supervision of Alvarado, it became an extension arm of the Bamboo Agroforestry niche of the campus.

«The rich ecological landscape of the municipality of Gonzaga makes it a perfect haven for the bamboo to thrive,» Alvarado said.

The Bamboo Café, which lies at the heart of the sanctuary, is a bamboo-built outdoor coffee shop that offers a serene place where people can relax while enjoying a menu of amazing local delicacies which include bibingka, tupig and tinubong.

The tinubong is a dessert made of glutinous rice and coconut milk inserted in a bamboo node locally called tubong.

One of the major highlights of the sanctuary is the Bamboo Village, where the university built sustainable, eco-friendly, state-of-the-art bamboo-inspired cottages.

Plantations and parks

The building of these cottages was made possible through the contributions and sponsorships of the different CSU campuses.

«The sturdy walls decorated with woven bamboo peels, the soaring roofs made of tropical palm leaves, the bamboo furniture, and the natural and fresh fragrance from the bamboo seamlessly blend with the natural surroundings and offer a harmonious and eco-friendly space to relax,» Alvarado said.

The Urdujah Health and Wellness Park surrounding the Bamboo Café and the Bamboo Huts «equally provide a serene and beautiful atmosphere for all visitors,» said Alvarado. It also provides a space for recreation and relaxation.

The Bamboo Nursery and Bamboo Setum showcase 46 different varieties of bamboo, ranging from giant varieties to decorative and