Art Camp Ecolodge… A social Enterprise
Enigmata Treehouse Ecolodge is naturally ventilated, aircon is of no use. Water is fresh from the mountain spring which refills water tanks by gravity. Waste is strictly segregated and recycled. The house is an ARTchitecture in itself which has its own pillars to avoid stress on the Acacia or rain tree which breathes through right at the center of the canopy.
Enigmata Creative Circle, Inc. is a voluntary collective of multi-disciplinary artists and service family which started the initiative on eco-peace biodiversity art education through popular media in the island grassroots community.
As social enterprise, Enigmata maintains a low-impact eco-friendly treehouse ecolodge cum training venue to help in the sustainability of the projects in Camiguin. We encourage minimal use of electricity and water. We invite our guests to adhere to principles of responsible tourism and experience our community as a living culture.
We prefer to be micro, organic and personalize service with low-impact on environment. Waste management is the biggest concern in the island.
We are starting with an initiative of carbon tax campaign to local and foreign travelers (to off set their energy consumptions) to raise funds for the schools in planting more trees. Look for the donation box in the community area.
Recycle and segregate.
Respect the smoke-free camp, cigarette buts thrown on the ground is subject to fines.
Bucket bath is always economical water-saver. Enjoy our herbal baths.
Use the stairs for there are no other options unless you are born a ninja.
Enjoy the blackouts and quiet (free from karaoke)
Drinking and bathing in mineral water is for free.
Watch the stars outside or find your way to the labyrinth.
Dry clothes in the sun, or you have the option not to wear any in private.
Keep the fresh green diet, it conserves a lot of energy.
Walk if you can… enjoy the island walk without stop lights…
Diving is dangerous, pool has no water, no need for it. The pool is deliberately deserted under reconstruction to conserve spring water and electricity. The pool needs four hours purification with silver ionizer which needs repair. So we decided to use the pool as outdoor swing garden and water garden in the future. Swim in the nearest beach or spring.
Home grown organic policy:
There are no useless things, only useless minds… (Kuya Ed)
Creative re-use, segragation and recycling is the code of ethics for creative enterprise…
The fifth year project in partnership with the Department of Education is an offshoot of environmental education Earth Camps held every year for the children and youth and mostly women teachers. Its on-going project is GAME for Children (Grassroots Advancing Multi-media Eco-education) sponsored by Arts Network Asia, Singapore which focuses on creative community enterprise as voice of children, production of Kinamiguin Children’s Biodiversity Pictionary and environmental animation plugs made by Camiguin Children. “Islakwatsa” New Media Playground for Children is co-sponsored by National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Philippines.
Enigmata organized pioneering works such as contemporary theater road show in schools as a story telling strategy on biodiversity conservation, conducts Earth Camps, short film and slides production, biodiversity concerts, and other creative workshops. The latest experiments include functional installation art using recycled materials such as bottle glass walls mosaic, wall tapestry, and contemporary okkil art revival in product development for local creative enterprise, use “super bayong” campaign for “plastic-free Camiguin,”.
In culture and the arts, Enigmata coordinated “Tell me a story Mr. Cloud Project” a short film production sponsored by Patrimoine Sans Frontieres, Paris, France with the help of our collaborator film maker Soni Kum. Enigmata served as overall facilitator/organizer on its second year “Pathways to Peace” and “Peace Fair Travel” in partnership with Ghandi Peace School, South Korea. It is also its second year as implementor in the province of the “Ani Ng Sining; Philippines Arts Festival 2007-2008 as Feabruary Arts Month Celebration.
Enigmata initiated pioneering cultural events. In partnership with local schools, Enigmata organized eco-cultural tours for ecotourism students ecotourguiding practicum, green forum, cultural shows, eco workshops for ecotourism frontliners.
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Top eco-friendly hostels worldwide
1. Gyreum, Sligo, Ireland: “Direct from Middle Earth and nestled snugly in the Irish countryside, this solar and wind-powered hobbit-hole is constructed from renewable resources, including sheep wool insulation and a ‘living roof’,” says Colm Hanratty, Web editor for HostelWorld.com.
“Designed with a reverence to the natural world, the structure aligns to the dawns and dusks of the summer and winter solstices when beams of light enter into the great central hall.”
2. Grampians YHA Eco-Hostel, Grampians, Australia: “Situated in Grampians National Park, the YHA Eco-Hostel is the epitome of eco-friendly living, utilizing solar hot water and state-of-the-art energy and water conservation techniques to reduce consumption to approximately 50 per cent of the standard hostel,” says Hanratty. “Free-range eggs are available from the resident chickens and seasonal organically grown herbs, vegetables and fruit tantalize the senses. At dusk, kangaroos congregate to eat on the hostel lawn.”
3. Reykjavik City Hostel, Reykjavik, Iceland: “Located next to one of the great geothermal swimming holes in the city, this hostel promotes energy monitoring, erosion control and extensive recycling services, while offering its pampered guests high-speed Internet access, laundry service and fully equipped kitchens.”
4. Deepdale Backpackers Hostel, Burnham, Deepdale, England: “Built around a partially covered stable courtyard and dating back to the 17th century, Deepdale transcends time, melding Old World traditions with New Age amenities. Located at a working farm, which in 2004 was voted the most beautiful farm in Britain. Deepdale is currently working with major universities to explore new forms of environmental approaches such as water recycling, wind turbines and bio diesel fuel.”
5. Enigmata Treehouse Ecolodge, Camiguin, Philippines: “Channel your inner Swiss Family Robinson with a stay in this state-of-the-art treehouse, overlooking the ocean and surrounded by white beaches, soaring waterfalls and bubbling hot springs,” says Hanratty. “Operated by a vibrant artist and environmental protection group known as the Enigmata Creative Circle, the treehouse’s existence and operation is a testament to environmental awareness, offering biodiversity workshops and conservation seminars.”
6. Hostelling International Boston, Downtown Boston:
“Located at the birthplace of the American Revolution in Boston’s Back Bay and within steps of Boston Common and Faneuil Hall, H.I. Boston is at the forefront of another uprising, the movement toward environmentally conscious lifestyles in bustling urban jungles. H.I. Boston not only provides guided tours of the Freedom Trail and kayak trips down the Charles River, but also an eco-program that pushes both staff and patrons to be stewards of the Earth by offering recycling stations, energy efficient lighting and appliances, recyclable carpet and low-flow plumbing.”
Ottawa Citizen
