Wednesday, December 29, 2004

Inspiring Living


Inspiring Living

A personal essay dedicated to the egroup readers on the 2004 Christmas Holiday against the backdrop of tragedies that have struck Quezon, Aurora and the islands surrounding Indian Ocean and the sudden death of the icon of the underdogs, FPJ. Influenced by the homilies of the Simbang Gabi novena at the Gesu in Loyola and the volunteer work done by mountaineers inInfanta (MFPI) and Gabaldon (Loyola Mountaineers).

==============

Amidst the difficulties and the tragedies we faced this December 2004,there is hope.It may not be the best period to celebrate Christmas but it is during these moments when we need to hear again the reason for the Christmas season,which is the fulfillment of the promise of redemption.

We commiserate with the residents of Quezon and Aurora who survived the flash flood that hit their provinces, to the families of the over 63,000who died in the tsunami that hit the Asian countries along the coastline of the Indian Ocean and to the legion of fans of FPJ who lost their symbol ofthe underdog.

Experiencing tragedies in this magnitude, sympathy is not enough. Thus we hear about more responsible citizens rendering services and donating relief goods heeding cries for assistance. Those of us in the pleasant company of our family connected online and read emails should go beyond sympathizingand donating. We must inspire those who survived the tragedies to keep on living and to continue dreaming. Let us spot that window where we can implant a reason for them to continue to live.

Spread that light of hope this Christmas. Not to forget that it starts with us.

May pasko pa rin!
-Chito Razon 29Dec04

Sunday, December 12, 2004

Is Katutubong Elvis Relevant at this Time?

Is Katutubong Elvis Relevant at this Time?

Why stage a concert party when the east coast is still in the searchand rescue mode and not even in the initial stages of recovery? The mountaineering community at the very least should condole and console with the victims and pester the loggers whether legal or not `til they realize their wrongdoing. Why continue with Elvis even if it is on its 11th year providing the climbing crowd its distinctparty format only they can understand?

Romy Lee should continue with the concert this Friday at the UPLagoon because it is an event that has nearly achieved itsinstitutionalized status in Diliman. The mountaineering icons shouldat least be maintained so ensure their presence tomorrow even if thereare no more forests at the rate we are stripping them off.

Go to UP Friday night. Because it can still be relevant. It willpay tribute to the first batch of rescue volunteers in Infanta andNakar, Dingalan and Gabaldon who if not everyone knows aremountaineers. They risked lives and vulnerability struggling withthe restless spirits wanting to get settled. Katutubong Elvis in acasual way will forge solidarity with those present on theindignation against the rape of our forests.

Who wouldn't want to be in UP Lagoon when the guys who went to theeast were the same ones putting up the fences and shoveling the areafor the named artists who are performing only out of goodwill forRomy. Why, even beer was not arranged as of ingress time because the boys are still recovering. But with a little alignment, beer will beavailable.MFPI is supporting the concert says Casper.

The least we can do is to be therethis year. So when on the spot a singer composes an indignation songagainst loggers, it will at least be heard. Kita kits.

chito. razon 10dec04.

================

RAKENROL NAMAN TAYO!!!

Elvis is alive! He lives with our indigenous brothers!! Rock withhim and many other bands this Friday.Please come to the "KATUTUBONG ELVIS" concert this Friday, December10 at 8:00 in the evening at the UP Diliman Lagoon area. Invite yourfriends and loved ones. This will be one heck of a rocking good time.Tickets are reasonably prices at P 100.00 each (available through me,Dennis, or at the UP Mountaineers' tambayan.) We promise a good lineup of bands.Beer (and soft drinks, and food, and so much more) will be sold atthe venue.Partial lineup of bands includes:Asin, Tropical Depression, Pinikpikan, Pan, Makiling Ensemble, Jr.,Kilat, Joey Pepe Smith, Jeepney Joyride, Skabeche, Narda, Brockas,The Mongols, Peacepipe, Romeo Lee and the Brown Briefs, and many,many more kickass bands.Thank you. Thank you very much.For more ticket information, please reply to this email "denshowman"<aap_dlopez@g...>

==================Tuesday, January 13, 2004 12:45 AM

Decoding Da Vinci with Romeo Lee By TOTEL DE JESUS

If there's one peaceful soul out there who has successfully defiedthe laws of high society and nature, it can only be punk musician-visual artist Romeo Lee.In some circles, Lee is popularly known as the lead vocalist of therock band The Brown Briefs. Just recently, he organized the well-attended concert Elvis for President at University of the Philippines-Diliman as tribute to The King -- then again, without alluding to DaKing running for president.With consistent irreverence to pop culture, his solo exhibits havetraversed the unconventional and humorous. His first solo outing wasthe intriguingly titled HIStolee, which was held simultaneously withMichael Jackson's HIStory concert in Parañaque City more than adecade ago. There have been many other high-profile outings since,including last year's kick-ass Lee Almighty (after Jim Carrey's BruceAlmighty) with internationally acclaimed Filipino visual artist andformer UP classmate Manuel Ocampo.Opening the year at Finale Art Gallery in SM Megamall, Lee goes soloagain with MonayLeeSa, which obviously alludes to Leonardo da Vinci'smasterpiece. Lee explores in 36 oil paintings the various aspects ofbeing -- oh, well, Romeo Lee.Mallrats passing by the gallery can't help but notice the new versionof da Vinci's mysterious lady. Students, especially those majoring infine arts, can be seen entering the gallery and immediately gigglingover Lee's paintings. Not that they found them ridiculous but it'sthe kind of glee that only Lee can provide to the young through hisworks.Most noticeable among the works is Sadako Ini, whose subject is takenfrom a character in the Japanese classic horror flick The Ring. Leemanaged to mix the image of da Vinci's lady and Sadako, giving it aVisayan twist. Another is titled Twitty in the Big City, which hasdictator Adolf Hitler being "sucked" by a bird.There are many versions of MonayLeeSa but more conspicuous is the onetitled MonayLeeSa (backview), where the "model's" back is, indeed,depicted with details of the skull, blood vessels, brain section andanything you might see in a head autopsy. More self-explanatorymasterpieces include Lee Chon (after roasted pig), Oil Lee andHealthy Options (after that popular store of all-natural healthproducts).There is an intriguing small painting called NTTHBDIWNHTBDA. It hasnothing to do with texting lingo or a military code that can startanother spectacle at Edsa, but it actually suggests Lee's message tothe legion of fence-sitters in the art world, especially thepretentious lot whose only achievement is having a bloodstreamconsistently saturated with cannabis, nicotine and alcohol, theirhair deliberately grown long and unkempt for all the chicks -- andart critics -- to gush over what is nothing more than an "artist ako,pare" façade.But we're not giving out what those letters mean but you can find outby going to Finale Art Gallery and check out MonayLeeSa, which runsuntil January 18. Because some of the aforementioned pieces are soldalready, Lee promises to include more new paintings -- which, as ofthis writing, are still being conceptualized in his fertile mind.Please send your comments or feedback to newsfeedback@a...TODAY

Thursday, December 09, 2004

Luzon East Coast


East Coast of South Luzon Posted by Hello

Wednesday, December 08, 2004

Lost Grounds

Lost Grounds

The loss is more than a loss of destination for adventure lovers. It is a take on centuries of time, resources and worst of all lives. It is a deprivation not only of the affected communities but also of the whole nation.

Polilio, Infanta, Real in Quezon and Dingalan, Gabaldon, Baler in Aurora by land seem worlds' apart. To get to Polilio, you take the Rizal, Laguna route entering Siniloan. Gateway to Gabaldon and Baler is Bulacan and Nueva Ecija just way off Cabanatuan. Looking at the Luzon map, both places are at the east coast of the Philippines connected by the Sierra Madre range and the Pacific Ocean. Linked to Infanta and Baler farther North is Palanan Isabela but little is known about the place as it is not accessible by land. (This may be just the last frontier.)

Once upon a time, both places are alternative destinations to the highly commercialized and populated beaches of Batangas, Cavite and Zambales. In the 90's Quezon and Aurora fit the Lonely Planet's character of a travel adventure: remote, exotic, natural and still accessible.

Then, only trucks, 4X4s can bring you to the east coast. Reaching the ocean takes hours of bumpy ride if not days. With the road infrastructure initiated by the government in the mid 90's, these places have become accessible via almost any type of vehicle. Real has become the favorite of cyclists and motored bikers and trike riders. Baler became popular as the surfing capital made popular by Action Asia and Apocalypse Now. Initially I thought these roads were meant to bring the produce of the remote dwellers closer to the center with these eco tourism benefits just trimmings. Only after Yoyong and Winnie did I realize that these roads were meant to speed up the denudation of the forests. Cut trees can easily be transported to the mainstream and out of the country.

Like most outdoor lovers, we received this tragedy with sadness, despair and even helplessness. Once, our pristine playgrounds that give us natural high have now become danger grounds. One is no longer safe. Even a drizzle can now kill. Little did we know that the flash floods that claimed the lives of 6 "excursionists/campers" in Siniloan in November 2000 was just a foreboding of the damage that has been done to our forests; denudation beyond the threshold which will no longer hold the soils and the water.

Seeing the aerial coverage of the news stations and hearing the personal accounts of friends who attempted to trek through broken roads and ridges in mud and water, the message is clear. There are no more resources for us to relish in our lifetime. All have been lost.

We lost our playground. We have fewer destinations to go to. A small price compared to the livelihood and lives lost. And nothing compared to the loss of time and natural resources.

Has our crusading been totally useless? I hope not.

chito.razon 8dec04

sana po nagustuhan niyo ang sinulat ko.

======================

From: Kyamer
Date: Wed Dec 8, 2004 6:29 pm
Subject: Re: [palmc] Lost Grounds

Hey Chits,

Good job! Ang tanong sino ba sa e-group na ito ang active na nag-babasa ng mga literary works mo?

Eh article na sa Trailnotes ang ginawa mo, husay mo talaga. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

Kyamer

From: "WARREN"
Date: Thu Dec 9, 2004 1:52 pm
Subject: Re: Lost Grounds

Well said po mr. chito razon, but its not too late, the focus right now has shifted to our so called playgrounds, its time for us to step-up,


From: john fortes
Date: Thu Dec 9, 2004 11:25 am
Subject: Re: [mfpi] Lost Grounds

Chito,

Well said. This represents the voices that were never heard. All along, nature is proving us correct. Dont despair or even give up. For as long that there is a single tree and a single mountaineer standing - hope is not lost.

John


From: Noel Galang
Date: Thu Dec 9, 2004 12:03 pm
Subject: Re: [mfpi] Lost Grounds

that was heartfelt, thanks!


From: ruby egido
Date: Thu Dec 9, 2004 12:10 pm
Subject: Re: [mfpi] Lost Grounds

right sir, as long as there are seedlings to plant our mountains, we mountaineers are here will extend our helping hand.


From: marilet dalde
Date: Thu Dec 9, 2004 5:18 pm
Subject: Re: [mfpi] Re: Lost Grounds

no time should be wasted, no time for the arguments who's to blame, let us act now.


Date: Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:21:28 +0800
From: Rosendo COMPETENTE
Subject: Re: [mfpi] Lost Grounds

tochs, nagustuhan ko po ang sinulat nyo.

sayang nga, dahil di pa ako nakapasyal sa real, infanta at dingalan.

btw, kayo rin po ba si tochsr@gmail.com?

rgds,
dong


Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2004 06:14:55 -0800 (PST)
From: roy manarez
Subject: NAGUSTUHAN KO
To: tochs@pacific.net.ph

Sir Chito,

Hi! Kumusta na? Nagustuhan ko ang email message mo dahil nakikita ko. Nagustuhan ko dahil totoo. Ewan ko ba kung kailan magigising ang mga tao sa paanan ng bundok at govt. natin.

Baliwala na ang bundok na malapit sa Manila. Doon na sila napunta sa malayo. Wala ng clean up at tree planting. Meron man, mas malaki pa rin ang illegal logging at mas malakas pa rin ang govt.

See you sa March 2005.

Keep in touch.

================

Go East, Surf and Trek in Baler Aurora Oct 1998
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/4033/art22.html

Go East May 1997
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/4033/art5.html

Sunday, November 28, 2004

Philippine Mountains Stamps June 2003


Philippine Mountain Stamps issued 2 June 2003 by Postmaster General Diomedio P. Villanueva Posted by Hello

Philatetic Bulletin June 2003


Philatelic Bulletin from the Philippine Postal Corporation dated 2 June 2003 Posted by Hello

Philippine Mountain June 2003


Philippine Mountain P24.00 Souvenir Sheet Issued 16 June 2003 40mm x 30mm Posted by Hello

Mt. Guiting Guiting Stamp Oct 2002


Mt. Guiting Guiting P22.00 PhilPost Souvenir Sheet 95mm x 70mm Issued 24 October 2002 Posted by Hello

Philippine Mountains Commemorated in Stamps. Who Noticed?

In 24 October 2002, as the world was busy celebrating the International Year of the Mountain, little did we know that the Philippine Postal Corporation commemorated the event with a souvenir sheet stamp. Stamp featured Mt. Guiting Guiting valued at P 22.00 per stamp. The 95mm x 70mm sheet was designed by Alfredo delos Santos and printed by Amstar Company, Inc. It was printed via Litho-Offset 4 color process.

In the Philatelic Bulletin issued by the Postmaster General Nicasio P. Rodriquez, Jr, it cites “Mt. Guiting Guiting rises 2,058 meters above sea level. Located at Marigondon, Sibuyan Island, Romblon, Mt. Guiting Guiting is probably the only remaining mountain in the country today to boast of a complete habitat at the slope.

Derived from the local term meaning “saw-tooth,” Mt. Guiting Guiting is noted for its spectacular panoramic scenery and varied wildlife. It has also some to known as an enchanting center of biodiversity. Thus, the attributes of Mt. Guiting Guiting are perfect complements to the objective and vision of the United Nations’ Year of the Mountains. And this is our country’s share in the conservation of the mountain’s natural habitat and the preservation of our remaining forestlands.”

These stamps and Official First Day covers were made available starting 24 October 2002 at the Philatelic Division, Door 203, Liwasang Bonifacio, 1000 Manila and all Regional Offices of the Philippine Postal Corporation.

2 June 2003, as part of the Philposts continuing information drive on Philippine Mountains, it issued a set of topical stamps and souvenir sheets featuring Mt. Makiling, Mt.Kanlaon, Mt. Kitanglad, Mt. Mating-oy in Kalinga, Mt. Iraya in Batanes, Mt. Hibok-Hibok in Camiguin, Mt. Apo in Davao del Sur, del Norte and Cotobato and Mt. Sto Tomas in Benquet. 12,500 copies of the souvenir sheets with a denomination of P 24.00 were produced 200,000 of the various series of Philippine Mountains at P 6.00. First day of issue was 16 June 2003, last day of issue or as stocks allow was on 16 September 2003. Postmaster Diomedia P. Villanueva released the Philatelic Bulletin.

To the advocates of mountain preservation, this feature by the Philpost is significant as it puts the mountains in philatelic; the collection and study of postage and imprinted stamps. Stamps tell stories and chronicle events. In years to come, when the future trekkers look back at the past, they will discover that our mountains once upon a time had an imprint in stamps as part of our history of Philippine resources. As our post office moves an estimated annual mail of 2 million, the limited run of 12,500 perforated sheets would have reached a total of .63% letter senders and hopefully awed by the beauty of Mt. Guiting Guiting and our other mountains.

-tochs 27Nov2004

-Thanks to Aling Nita of Door 203 of the Philatelic Division who kindly accommodated my requests on a Saturday afternoon enlightening me on the value of Philatelic.

-If you wish to receive a copy of the commemorative stamp, send me a private mail (tochs@excite.com) stating your postal address. Include your Zip Code to facilitate speedier processing. (Limited issuance only).

-Support the Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC). It establishes, operates and maintains post offices and provides safe, fast, reliable and efficient postal services in the country. Last 5 November 2004, the PPC is now 106 years old.

-------------

Stamp prices as sold in the post office:
Guiting Guiting Commemorative Sheet P 22.00
Philippine Mountains Commemorative Sheet P 24.00
Philippine Mountains Topical Stamps P 96.00
Philippine Waterfalls Topical Stamps P 96.00
Other references on how the stamps look:
http://www.manila-galleon.com/philphilat/philpost/2003/page35html
http://www.geo.uw.edu.pl/HOBBY/STAMP/MOUNT/pilipinas.htm
http://www.manila-galleon.com/philphilat/philpost/2003/page21.html

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Remembering and Reminding of Our Mortality

Nature claims. Skilled or unskilled. We are reminded that man is mortal and is no contest to the elements. In engaging in this adventure, he struggles against man, himself and nature, most of the times succeeding, in some instances, succumbing. This November, we remember those who lost their lives in the mountains. From the Chapel of Remembrance of the Sacred Space, I spotted this prayer . . .

We thank you, God, for our loved ones who were dear to us and who have now been taken from us. We thank you for the friendship that went out from them, and the peace they brought. We thank you that through suffering they learned obedience.

We pray that nothing of their life will be lost, but that it will be of benefit to others; that all that they held sacred may be respected by those who follow them, and that everything in which they were great may continue to mean much to us now that they are dead. We ask you that they may go on living in those whom they loved, in their hearts and minds, their courage and their conscience.

We shall go on living without them. We ask you then, that they, living with you, may watch over us and intercede for us. Keeping our eyes fixed on the cross of Jesus Christ, we say in groping faith that this is not the end, that our God is a God of the living.
http://www.sacredspace.ie/?lang=en#advice

================

May 1985 Rene Reyes Abel Beltran, Kit Rivera Lorna Partosa Mt. Guiting-Guiting
The UPM hosts MFPI"s annual federation climb, with Mt. Halcon as the chosen site. Soon after, the residents of Mindoro tap the UPM to help them establish the Halcon Mountaineers Halms ). This year is also remembered due to a great tragedy. Four members, including Rene Reyes and Abel Beltran, are drowned in a freak flash flood on Mt. Guiting-Guiting. Today, the UPM organizes annual climbs up Guiting-Guiting in memory of the four members it lost
http://www.upmountaineers.org.ph/article_mountains.html

October 1994 Neptali Lazaro Mt. Halcon  A death on Mt. Halcon
Lifted by MESAU from the Action Asia Magazine
The young hiker stared into the mid-distance without seeing, then his eyes rolled back and the trail guide knew he was dead. This was his first mountain climb, and tragically, his last. He was the victim of a walking expedition of monumental misfortune.

On October 19 last year, 27 climbers from four different universities in the Philippines met at the base of their country's third-tallest mountain and embarked on a trek that promised to be a bracing and uplifting outdoors experience.

Little did they know that what awaited them instead was a week of hardship and pain, as a fierce typhoon produced pelting rain, flash floods, winds that reportedly approached 150 kph. and mini landslides - a combination of elements that would turn their hike into an ordeal.
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/7933/halcon.htm

Nov 6 2000 Harold Reyes ng Las Piñas, Edward Lee ng Singalong, Ferdie Eusebio, Ryan Versola, at Rolando Jacob ng Pateros, at Jose dela Cruz ng Bulacan Buriwisan Falls
Anim namang mountaineers ang nalunod nang sila ay tumawid sa isang ilog sa Siniloan. Ang mga ito ay ang mga taga-Maynilang sina Harold Reyes ng Las Piñas, Edward Lee ng Singalong, Ferdie Eusebio, Ryan Versola, at Rolando Jacob ng Pateros, at Jose dela Cruz ng Bulacan.
http://www.newsflash.org/2000/11/ht/ht001323.htm

April 2002 Anthony Sibayan Masoc Vizcaya  Mountaineer dies in Vizcaya adventure race
Posted: 5:16 AM (Manila Time) Apr. 23, 2002
By Ben Moses Ebreo
Inquirer News Service
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya - A participant in a mountaineering congress here died after participating in one of the event's activities on Saturday. Officials of the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines Inc. (MFPI) and organizers of the 1st Mountaineering Congress here identified the victim as Anthony Sibayan of the Sagada Environmental Guides Association in Sagada, Mt. Province.

Reports said Sibayan was found by participating bikers before noon Saturday lying unconscious on a bridge in Sitio Barobbob here. Sibayan reportedly finished the race and reached the MFPI base camp in Barangay Masoc here but decided to return to a trail to retrieve a rock he left behind for the adventure race. "The rock was supposed to be returned to the base camp after kicking it down while biking. He might have thought that his participation will be jeopardized if he returned without the rock," said one of the participants.

Sibayan was taken to the Veterans Regional Hospital here but doctors failed to revive him at 3 p.m. Saturday.

According to congress participants, Sibayan and his brother Simeon and colleagues from Sagada, arrived at the base camp on Saturday dawn.

Reports said Sibayan immediately participated in the adventure race, called "Takbo-Lakad (Run-Walk)," held that morning. A check with the MFPI registration center showed that Sibayan failed to register but was able to sign a waiver showing that he would accept the risks of the events that he would participate in.

Congress registration personnel said it was Sibayan's brother, Simeon, who officially registered.

Dr. Joselito Gonzales of the Rescue 933, a group of volunteer first aid administrators at the base camp, said Sibayan had low blood sugar when brought to their tent.

But quoting doctors' findings at the VRH, Gonzales said Sibayan's death was due to cerebral edema or swelling of the brain due to alcohol.

"He was in a coma when he was brought to our tent. We smelled alcohol," he said. MFPI officials shouldered Sibayan's burial and transportation expenses. His remains were taken to Sagada at 10 p.m. Saturday.
http://www.inq7.net/reg/2002/apr/23/reg_5-1.htm

November 2004 Prana Escalante Mt. Halcon  Missing mountaineer found dead on Mt. Halcon
Updated 09:04am (Mla time) Nov 11, 2004
By Joel Francis Guinto  INQ7.net

MANGYAN natives on Thursday found the remains of a female mountaineer, who had been missing since climbing Mt. Halcon in Oriental Mindoro province early this month, a spokesman for the Philippine Air Force told INQ7.net.
Prana Escalante's remains were found wearing only her underwear, Major Restituto Padilla said.
Her belongings were also missing.
Padilla could not immediately confirm the cause of Escalante's death and why she was nearly naked in the forest.
"We no longer had leads in our search but the Mangyans pressed on,"Padilla said.
The Air Force called off its search for Escalante early Wednesday.
The 21-year-old Escalante, a graduating nursing student at the University of Santo Tomas, reportedly got lost while trying to catch up with her companions who went ahead in a climb to Mt. Halcon on October 29.
http://news.inq7.net/regions/index.php?index=1&story_id=17212

Ronnel Lim of Ped Xing on Prana http://ronnel.blogspot.com/2004/11/prana-escalante-21-prana-escalante.html

Tuesday, June 24, 2008 Two mountaineers found dead, another still missing
SAN ANTONIO, Zambales: Two mountaineers from the AMCI Mountaineering Club Incorporated died here Sunday afternoon after they were swept away by strong current while crossing a creek in Barangay Pundakit.

Another mountaineer is still the subject of rescue operation of authorities.

Police authorithies from the San Antonio Police Station identified the fatalities as Joseph Felarca and Jhoana Pimentel while Thaddeus Reantaso is still missing.

Initial reports said the three victims together with nine other mountaineers, identified as Kimberly San Juan, Teejay Sakuma, Suzette Santiago, Jospeh Faulve, Marris Zapanta, Virgilio Zapanta, Lean Villongco, Boji Forcadela and Robert Joseph Torres, who were found by residents at the side of the Mount Pundakit creek on Saturday. The group was forced to go down Sunday due to Typhoon Frank.

In San Marcelino, Mayor Jose Rodriguez told The Manila Times that a road leading to Barangay Rizal of this town was swept away by strong current.

He also told The Times that Felarca the mountaineer who died Sunday was his cousin. In San Narciso, Barangay Alusiis, strong rains brought by Typhoon Frank flooded the one-kilometer highway making it impassable to light vehicles.

The rest of the province according to Gov. Amor Deloso of Zambales was pretty calm aside from usual flood in residential areas. Meanwhile in Olongapo City, a man died after he drowned along the beachfront of Barangay Barretto.

Olongapo City police director, Senior Supt. Abelardo Villacorta identified the victims as Ernesto de la Cruz, 24 of Roosevelt, Bataan.

Initial investigation said de la Cruz together with a certain Jorge Custudio was having a drinking spree at Barangay Barretto when they decided to jump over Pier B of the said barangay.
-- Anthony Bayarong
http://archives.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/24/yehey/prov/20080624pro6.html

Related post from Ialman The End of Their Journeys http://ialman.livejournal.com/123401.html

Wednesday, November 03, 2004

Wild Bonsai


Wild and Untrimmed Posted by Hello

Bantigue


Bantigue. Kamuning and Sampaloc at the background Posted by Hello

Kamuning


Kamuning, Cherry, Ficus, Kalyos, Balete Posted by Hello

Bonsai

Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower.
-Anonymous

Welcome to our small bonsai garden. It may seem that we stay in a big lot to house these collections. As a bonsai is dwarfed and aged, it is possible to place a number of them in such a modest place.

Most of them are Philippine Wild Bonsai, indigenous to the Philippines sourced mainly from Tanay Rizal and Mabacalat Pampanga. An avid Bantigue collector in Villasis Pangasinan sold to me a possession at just the price of the pot. He simply wanted me to have a piece of the unique tree, which he hunted still from the remote island of Fuga. To the professionals, these are just "materials. " To me, they are treasures.

Why the fascination for the tropical wild bonsai? Aside from the aesthetics resulting from the quality of the seed, the aging and the caring, it stands for something. “It is not replaced, it is preserved, maintained, refreshed to give rebirth by grafting and seedling.” Are we talking of just plants here?

Happiness held is the seed, happiness shared is the (bonsai) plant. Welcome, tuloy po kayo.

My references:
http://www.geocities.com/fredmagdalena/tips.html
http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/sec_prf/2004/aug/11-03.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Palace/7574/philippine.html

John Naka-san's Philosophy on the Art of Bonsai Raising:
"Bonsai is not the result: that comes after. Your enjoyment is what is important."
"It must have philosophy, botany, artistry, human quality behind it to be a bonsai."
"The bonsai is not you working on the tree; you have to have the tree work on."

Main Entry: bon·sai
Pronunciation: (")bOn-'sI, 'bOn-", 'bän-" also 'bän-"zI
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural bonsai
Etymology: Japanese, literally, tray planting
: a potted plant (as a tree) dwarfed and trained to an artistic shape by special methods of culture; also : the art of growing such a plant

tochs@excite.com

Thursday, October 07, 2004

Learnings sa Manali Session in India

Learnings sa Manali Session in India (as narrated by a member of the 1st Philippine Team to Everest)

  1. Acclimatization is important. The first few days of the climb is adjusting to the high altitude and environment. The last few days is grappling with vertical climbs and snow. Mabagal na sa umpisal, pabagal na pabagal pa sa ending.
  2. Training and orientation on alpine climb. How to deal with glaciers, hypothermia, falls, storms, etc. These are new to me. There really is a risk to life. The trainors and the seasoned ones provide guidelines to minimize the dangers.
  3. Food is different. Not your usual delicious tasting fares but basic staple food with regional influence.
  4. It is ok be with a porter. No pride involved here. All a climber brings is his personal effect. Yet in alpine climb, it still is a heavy pack.
  5. No race to the top. You have to pace yourself for the 2-3 week climb.
  6. It is expensive, very expensive. You rent equipment, you pay your porter, you pay to enter.
  7. There's no fun. After all the hard work a day, no good food awaiting at the camp dampens the enthusiasm.
  8. A tropical climber needs a training, weeks to acclimatize to the high altitude.
  9. The trainors' expertise is their familiarity and their adjusted lung power. There is no better credential than their summiting to the Mt. Everest. After all the orientation, it's a lot of on the job training.
  10. The Himalayas is a remote place. Places are named for the purposes of identifying landmarks.
  11. It is quite lonely at the top.


Why am I doing this to myself? For the pride? Or simply to complete because it is there? Now it seems I understood a bit of what Sir Hillary meant. Slightly clearer after Manali, coming from me, a guy who has known only tropics all my life. The drive though continues even if there is no sheer delight yet. For now.

It is fun to be in the company of Pinoy.

Welcome back. The team is fortunate to have Art Valdez supporting them.

-Tochs. first posted in peyups.com and palmc egroups. Sept 2004

Tuesday, October 05, 2004


Rock formation Posted by Hello

Talim from afar Posted by Hello

Snapshots from the road trip Posted by Hello

Tuesday, August 31, 2004

Batangas, Laguna Getting Too Crowded and Dense?


Foto grabbed from Larry Honoridez' FB post
Explore the Masinag-Cogeo-Bosoboso, Antipolo-Baras-Tanay loop on the east side of Rizal. Someone coined it as Marilaque Road (for Manila-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon). My loop is a 100 km route that starts from Katipunan passing through Marcos Highway, goes up to Masinag, Cogeo, Bosoboso until the descent at the Sampaloc-Infanta, Daranak-Tanay junction. The road takes you gradually from the foot of the mountain to its ridge at a height of about 2,900 feet ASL and a return back to civilization at Morong and Baras Rizal. The ride over concrete road all the way (except for a 3 km gap) exposes you to greenery and bald mountain ridges. Noted landmarks are the Paenaan Camping Farm in Antipolo, Habitat for Humanity and Foremost Farm in Barangay Pinugay Baras, Manila Seedling Bank tree farm, Mt. Kanumay (also the Susong Dalaga), Rizal Provincial Drug Rehabilitation Center in Palayang Bayan, Barangay Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal, Sierra Madre Resort, Camp Mateo Capinpin on Barangay Sampaloc Tanay and Daranak Falls.
On a motored vehicle, you can cover the loop in 2 ½ hours, a full day on a pedaled bicycle. Completing the circuit, it makes me ask, why am I locked up in a crowded and densely populated city when there is this vast open space just an hour away. Need I answer?

Explore it by day to avoid the potential security dangers. From the account of columnist Mr. Neal Cruz www.inq7.net/opi/2003/dec/04/opi_nhcruz-1.htm a lot of violations in the area have been committed in developing the area. Not to mention the set up of reconnaissance military camp towards the Tanay side. Just take the necessary precautions. At times, one takes risks to get the most out of life. See you on the road!

-Chito
30 August 2004

Mesau’s Climb www.geocities.com/mesau1982/kanumay.htm

Life in Katipunan

Subject: Life in Katipunan
1997/06/19

My Katipunan used to be a quiet street that connects U.P to Aurora Blvd. Now it connects Bulacan to Laguna. It has become like an EDSA. Worse it is now EDSA with the LRT construction constricting travel in the major thoroughfare. Crossing the overpass that links Loyola Heights to Blue Ridge used to be a feast for the eyes. The Sierra Madre on the Marikina side steals the attention from the windshield.

On a clear day, Mt. Makiling in Laguna is also visible. We have now been denied this, censored by a high wall that almost says, "You are not entitled to this appreciation." Thank you to whomever initiated this project.

Katipunan-C-5's traffic is well managed by MMDA traffic aides, religiously. Even with the volume of vehicles, traffic flows. Innovations like counter flows, closing P. Tuazon crossings; no U-turns are regular occurrences. To a certain extent they yield faster flows. At least you know you'll get to Corinthian without much stress.

But what's irritating is:
When some big shots stop traffic, violate traffic flows using uniformed men in big motorcycles to push them upfront. Our poor MMDA aides just have to give in to their bullying, while we have to wait. When the pacing is too slow that a blind beggars queuing up for your window also builds up.
When the aides in rare occasions are not in their post unpredictably. Could it be it's their payday? Or some politicians used them for other purposes? Or they simply just gave up? I couldn't see the pattern.

Patient as we are, we just have to surrender to progress. Wait for the news trees planted at Ateneo to grow and provide the shade in future summers to come. And guess where C-5 will lead us at the Sta. Maria Della Strada end and at the White Plains end to ease the long stretch of bottleneck.

Friday, August 27, 2004

Bisperas


Bisperas ng bagong taon! Posted by Hello

Spot the moon Posted by Hello

Green View, Cool Weather, Full Blue Moon, Quiet Moments at Tirad Pass on the Eve of 2002

A mouthful for a title but that's how it was tracking the path of Tirad Pass on the last day of 2001. When the rains have watered the mountains at the 3rd and 4th quarter of the year, the flora shows off its lush greenery at this time of the year giving a refreshing green view. Also at this time of the year, the Siberian cold front from the North East blows its way to the island slamming at high altitude resources as the Cordilleras. You'll need your technical clothing and equipment to keep you warm.

The full moon shone brightly the whole evening, the second time on the same month. Weather bureau calls it the blue moon occurring once every two and a half years. You can read the ingredients of your favorite corned beef risotto under the naked sky without the aid of a flashlight.

This eve of the New Year is an unlikely time to expect a quiet moment. But not at Del Pilar according to the residents. New years are quiet. There was hardly any man-induced sound in this small town even on that day. True enough while camped at the ridge of less than 1,000 m ASL, there was no sound of chain saw, motorized two and four-wheel vehicles, explosions nor people talking. Not even dogs barking. Only the sounds of crickets and other unidentifiable insects and the wind gently sliding at the solid mountain creating a rustling sound with the leaves and twigs.

Deep in the night inside a secure tent in the company of friends, it sets you up to ask the important introspective question for the moment, "What's in store for me in 2002?" "No expectation," if you are in Manila. "Nothing drastic I hope," if you've been reading the papers and watching the late afternoon TV news coverage.

But in this setting in Tirad Pass, it counters all the apathy and cynicism of the city to prod "if deeply rooted in the earth, there's a lot still to live for." If only we can firmly imprint this always so we can also be hopeful of our future.

Before 9 PM Monday 31 December 2001, we were down in Manila after several interconnecting and adventurous bus and jeepney rides to welcome the New Year ready to face what's in store for us. Chito Razon with Jonnell Tan, Chris Platten, Gigi Rodriquez

Chito Razon 31 Dec 2001

Friday, June 18, 2004

The Outdoors in A New Light

The Outdoors in A New Light

Stepping out of the Banny Hermanos’ module of “The Outdoors in a New Light, I can’t help but appreciate the works of Mr. Ed Songco featured in his offbeat website http://eds1979.dk3.com . Ed’s works exemplify the principle shared with us on a strong center of interest. See how he anchors his composition with a strong visual element in Capones, Akiki, Tarak and Flowers.

And humbly Ed states “Kindly lower your expectations; photography is not my profession, I just want to capture some moments, and keep them in my collection.”

View the album and judge for yourself. All of them will end up being your favorites. Thanks Ferdz (another graphic designer) for sharing his album with us. Ferdz is also another skillful visual and web artist. His works at http://www.ironwulf.net/ speak for himself.

-Chito
18 June 2004
Ed can be contacted at eds_1979@yahoo.com
Ferdz can be contacte at ferdz@ironwulf.net

* * *

The Outdoors in A New Light

When you escape to the outdoors and you relish the experience, you wish the moment can linger a little more. Photography comes in to capture the light.

That's the message I picked up viewing about a hundred of slides presented by PALMC president and workshop lecturer Banny Hermanos in the MFPI Creative Outdoors Photography Workshop held last 3 April at the PAL Learning Center in Padre Faura.

Taken by no less than the lecturer himself, the slides dramatize graphically the module of the workshop: the basics on the principles of photography and creative effective compositions.

Banny pointed out the principles using his works in finding the center of interest; recognizing the graphic elements of design as line, shape, form, pattern, texture and color and using the visual elements of balance, proportion, scale, content, rhythm and repetition. In words, they seem overwhelming, in pictures, they are breathtaking.

On behalf of the handful of participants who showed up for the free show, we can only be grateful. Seeing the slides of Banny is already in itself a treat. When in time we ourselves are creating better compositions from the techniques shared, we will appreciate creating
the light even more.

CBRazon 6 April 2004

Saturday, June 05, 2004


Tawangan Bridge Posted by Hello

Surface Mail Posted by Hello

First Jump Posted by Hello

Noon Posted by Hello

Milestone Posted by Hello

Tapulao Dec 2003 Posted by Hello

Elevated Walk Posted by Hello

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

The Seamless 15-Minute About Half a Kilometer Elevated Walk in Makati Business District

The Seamless 15-Minute About Half a Kilometer Elevated Walk in Makati Business District

Have you tried this? Get out of the Ayala MRT terminal and enter at the SM gate leading to the new SM Makati. Your elevated walk starts the moment you step out of the MRT. You weave in at the Glorietta Complex (the former QUAD) and connect again to the parking across the bus terminal. Cross Makati Avenue and it's a non-stop walk up to Salcedo St. near the Makati Medical Center.

Perfect for a lunch break exercise. Complete it in less than 15 minutes one way unless you get drawn to the Makati working class you meet along the way. Major attractions are the new Glorietta Mall, the Enterprise Building and the Paseo de Roxas crossing.

How far is the distance? I got this report:

“The new elevated walkway running along Greenbelt 4/Ayala Museum connecting to the Glorietta is about 1,355 m from the corner of Dela Rosa/Legazpi toLandmark. The stretch from Landmark leading to the Ayala Center Terminal is 100m to the bottom of the stairs. It's hard to give a figure up to Park Square 1, since there are several possible routes.

  1. If you decide to go through Landmark and cross to Glorietta, take the main mall between Glorietta 2 and Glorietta 3 ("Makati Mall"), turn right and walk along the edge of the Activity Center, and then turn right again at the main mall of Glorietta 1 leading to the cinema ticket lobby, then cross to Park Square1, then that would be a distance of approximately 280m.
  2.  If you take the walkway all the way to the terminal, walk along West Drive, cross to Goldcrest and walk along Park Square Drive, then cross South Drive from Abenson to the arcade of Park Square 1 (fronting Perfect Pitch), that would be about 425m (including the stretch of walkway from Landmark down to the terminal. Estimated length of the stretch of walkway along Dela Rosa from the corner of Legazpi to the current end near Herrera is about 680m."


Catch you at the elevated walk. Also worth considering the 400 M Moro Lorenzo indoor gym at the Ateneo Loyola Heights Campus.

http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?US=0&collid=226079670103&page=1&sort_order=1

Thursday, April 08, 2004

How Safe is the Water Out There in the Wilderness?

Date: Wed, 07 Nov 2001 10:26:55 -0000
How Safe is the Water Out There in the Wilderness?

It happens to even the prepared climber that the safe water we bring runs out leaving us with no choice but to drink from the available water source in the wilderness.

To the critical ones, the drinking the water from the wilderness is considered fatal especially so if this is not filtered or boiled. For your peace of mind, what you can do is take a sample of the water and have it tested for contaminants. Remember to identify where it was taken and when so you can share the results with fellow climbers. (Much like remembering the snake or the dog when bitten by them.)

When you reach the Metropolis, have it tested for:

  1. Water Potability
  2. Total Platecount and Coliform Testing
  3. Comprehensive Micro testing

You will know if the water you drank will cause your trouble.

Testing however comes with a fee:
Water potability test is P 300.00, coliform is P 980.00 and
microtesting is P 3,000.

For microbiological testing

  1. Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) * -FTI Compound, Taguig, Tel. 823 8071 to 82 loc. 2188, 2189
  2. UP-Natural Sciences Research Institute, Southeast corner Quirino & Roces Ave, UP Campus, Diliman QC, Tel. 920 5301 to 99 loc.
  3. 6803 SGS * - Don Tim Bldg 5468 South Luzon Expressway Makati Tel. 817 6231

* also for chemical testing

For chemical testing

  1. Philippine Institute of Pure and Applied Chemistry (PIPAC) - Ateneo Campus, Katipunan Av. QC, Tel. 924 4587, 924 4601 to 20 loc 2921
  2. UP-Institute of Chemistry CS Bldg., Diliman QC, Tel 920 5432, 920 5301 to 99 loc. 6546


We hope that someday, someone prime moves this initiative to test the water at source as a service to the climbing community. He could be working at these institutions, a scholar, a technical student or a simple hobbyist. A club and a company or the government can sponsor. What about a grant?

Sample application:

  1. Is Halcon water really safe?
  2.  Is the Pulag water source from Camp 2 pure?
  3. Can we drink the water from the Papaya River in Tarak?
  4. What about Banahaw? In the Daguldol camp site?
  5. What is the level of contamination in the Maculot water source?
  6. In Famy?
  7. Where do you get water in Makiling? In Cristobal?
  8. In your own homes and watering holes?


07nov01

Tuesday, April 06, 2004

The Outdoors in a New Light

The Outdoors in a New Light

When you escape to the outdoors and relish the experience, you wish the moment can linger a little more. Photography comes in to capture the light.

That's the message I picked up viewing about a hundred of slides presented by PALMC president and workshop lecturer Banny Hermanos in the MFPI Creative Outdoors Photography Workshop held last 3 April at the PAL Learning Center in Padre Faura.

Taken by no less than the lecturer himself, the slides dramatize graphically the module of the workshop: the basics on the principles of photography and creative effective compositions.

Banny pointed out the principles using his works in finding the center of interest; recognizing the graphic elements of design as line, shape, form, pattern, texture and color and using the visual elements of balance, proportion, scale, content, rhythm and repetition. In words, they seem overwhelming, in pictures, they are breathtaking.

On behalf of the handful of participants who showed up for the free show, we can only be grateful. Seeing the slides of Banny is already in itself a treat. When in time we ourselves create better compositions from the techniques shared, we will appreciate even more this creating the light workshop.

tochs@excite.com 6 April 2004

Tuesday, March 30, 2004

Tribute to the Hosts


Two years ago, John and Banny gave serious consideration to rejoining the officer ship of the club. Now, March 2004, they just successful hosted the 25th MFPI Mountaineering Congress. I wrote this about two years ago.

============

Tribute to the Hosts

"Times have indeed changed," recounts Mr. John Fortes in a social gathering at the Laiya Beach last 11 May 2002 put together by the club under Jo Abian in his honor.

We climb to seek solitude and idyllic state offered by nature. Now we climb to find that we bring the noise and the clutter we are escaping from with us in the mountains.

That's the startling perspective John shared 23 years after he founded the PAL MC in 1979.

While 23 years seemed just like yesterday, the state of degradation on the environment made that yesterday looked like a century away.

Banny Hermanos on seeing a flock of crowd and the increasing number of nipa huts in Barangay Hugom said, "This place is now a place for all. That's the price we paid for accessibility."

He recalled way back in 1987, while looking for an alternative initiation climb for Famy and Maculot, he and Timmy Toledo stumbled into Laiya as an isolated lost paradise with pristine beauty. There were no resorts-only a handful of bancas. With just a map and the drive for something new as an operations manager for the club, they discovered Mt. Catmon after traveling for two hours in a Toyota 4X4 landcruiser from San Juan Batangas. Today Laiya is a mere two and a half hour drive away from EDSA via Lipa.

"See that island?" I asked Dom Goduco incumbent Treasurer and major influencer of the club, while pointing South West from the beach. "I finally landed in Marinduque last week." We go as far as Batanes, Polilio, Camiguin to get disconnected from it all. Yes within our midst, are still islands we have not explored.

Marinduque I promoted is one theme park that brings you back in time. It takes you just half a day to circle the 959 square kilometer island visiting all its 6 municipalities. The capital Boac is a livable Nayong Pilipino. To move from one end to the next, you skirt around the coastline in an hour from west side. Aside from snorkeling, you can climb Mt. Malindig with an altitude of 1,147 M ASL in 4-5 hours and cap your weekend in a relaxing hot spring. Best of all, it is still not a destination. Where else can you budget a P 600.00 weekend in a 6 hour travel from Manila in such a setting?


John in the late 70's. Banny in the 80's. Us now in the 21st century. Three generations that span decades of climbing. They thread on new grounds searching. While the discovery in itself is satisfying, the fulfillment is in letting others follow. We who are threading through the paths established pay our tribute to them quoting the philosopher Homer, "a guest never forgets the host who had treated him kindly." Thank you for opening these places to us.

Chito Razon 15May2002
The LoneRider writes a similar perspective.