Life Preserved at The Preserve

August 28, 2025

I just knew it was going to be a great trip at The Preserve right as we unloaded our camping gear from the car. Under our assigned gazebo, a young sandy aspin crawled out and ran at us. From the other direction, a black cat meowed in approval. If the animals could talk, they would be spieling a well-rehearsed welcome greeting. Instead, we got a wagging tail, a clingy shadow, and a furry tummy for me to rub. It was a Monday. We got the entire campsite and Cedie the dog’s attention to ourselves.

Upon entering the gates, The Preserve breathed into a vast, spotless compound of ipil-ipil, acacia, avocado, and mango trees where bare wooden gazebos stood beneath, ready for tent setup.

The campsite offers onsite convenience for its campers: each camp has a sink, trash bin, and sufficient space between gazebos; modern toilets and gender-neutral showers; solar lamps for nighttime use; and a free Starlink connection.

Past the gazebos stands River Retreat, The Preserve’s two-story vacation house and accommodation for bigger gatherings.

The Preserve personifies the name with its sustainable practices and ecotourism aptitude. The expanse is evergreen with the ambition to preserve endemic trees and fauna, such as fireflies and dragonflies, and to represent the natural beauty of Tanay, creating a preserved pocket of nature.

The Preserve aspires to embody the essence of nature and outdoor adventure by rehabilitating and maintaining the area’s organic charm. As pursuers of taking responsibility for every waste that we produce, they put forward the golden mountaineering rule, “Leave No Trace,” as their main advocacy. Since they opened, they have been committed to practicing CLAYGO, which is instilled among all campers, ensuring everyone gets to contribute to the grand scheme of preserving the environment. Food waste from campers is also collected and processed through the Bokashi method, and will be utilized as a soil enhancer for vegetation. They are now working on a rainwater harvesting system for the toilets and handwashing facilities, “no single-use plastics” implementation, and more aggressive information dissemination on sustainable camping practices. Camping has never been more conscious and noble; a reminder to support businesses that support the environment.

I sank into my camping chair, facing the rocks towards Lanatin River, which was just as still as everything around me. It was a sunny afternoon with nothing to hear but faint distant conversations, trees dancing in the wind, fitful barks from Cedie and his friends, the cat at my feet, and my thoughts conceding peace and just what was present. The sun was not down yet, but The Preserve had made a lasting impression, adding to my resounding musings of coming back. Core memory and variety of life, preserved at The Preserve.