Km 256 in Sta Cruz Zambales

Barangay Naulo Km 256 in Sta Cruz Zambales is a five hour drive from Quezon City. It is a quaint quiet barangay of a town North West of Metro Manila. The last town of Zambales, it is the favorite hangout of those who want recluse and exclusivity.

The dark blue sea and sand complement the long stretch of uninhabited shoreline both in the North and South. You would think that no one inhabits the place except for a handful of fisherman you’d spot at the horizon.

The prize you earn for a long ride to Manila is this idyllic place. Yet it has the convenience of a big rest house, furnished kitchen and master’s bedroom, television and Globe, Smart, Sun signals. What our practical group mates like best is a Pamilihang ng Sta Cruz is just over 10 kilometers away.

Some snapshots of the neighboring town Candelaria, Zambales and the activities this 23 April 2005.

Do we let Elvis finally die? Elvis is alive and recharged!

At the UP Lagoon Dec 9 Friday.

UP MOUNTAINEERS with AVENUE PRODUCTIONS present
ELVIS RECHARGED! a concert to raise awareness about the renewable energy bill.

It intermittently rained that day. Everyone was so busy. Not many volunteers came. Yet there was still fun. This project held every Christmas at the UP Sunken Garden has become an institution for UP and for the mountaineers. It’s kalokohan mixed with kagagohan under the guise of an affordable concert by known and less known rock stars. From the UPM site, Elvis had its first concert in 1993 “1993 The First "Elvis" Concert rocks UP. UPM Hosts MFPI Congress traverse climb on Mt. Banahaw from Dolores to Tayabas. Bridge is destroyed to prevent further trail abuse.”

Romeo ever since produces the Elvis concert to the delight of the UPM. He said in an article at the peyups.com portal on dekada 90’s “Ako na nga lang ang nagtitiyagang mag-organize ng Elvis. Nagbayad pa ako sa generator, di naman nagamit. Dati, may apat kaming kalabaw, ngayon binenta ko na ang dalawa para lang d'yan. Early '90s pa lang, Elvis na 'yan. May t-shirt kasi akong "I've seen Elvis" noon kaya 'yun na. Minsan nagsasawa na 'ko sa pangalang Elvis. Parang gusto ko nang palitan. Joseph Estrada kaya?" maigsi niyang pagmumuni.

This last Elvis was not that good for Romeo. He claimed he lost lots of money because the support did not come and the supporting group suddenly disappeared. He thought at the spur of the moment, “last ko na yata ito.”

Will you guys allow this to happen? Let this event, almost an artifact of Metro Manila climbers end up as history? Hope not. Romeo is holding an art exhibit on 26 Jan at the 4/F of SM Megamall. Should we help him recover?

Chito Razon 26Dec2005

Reason to Give

Accenture, an IT company based in Makati and Ortigas responded to the call of MFPI for assistance to the bursted dike and flooding victims of Mindoro by raising at least over 50 bags and boxes consisting of 3 25 kilos of rice, at least over 5 cases of instant noodles, several cases of canned goods, clothes, shoes and other items in plastic bags. Goods were systematically collected from their 6 installation offices spread out mostly in the Makati Business District. They were neatly packed and identified for easy distribution. This noble undertaking at Accenture was initiated by their senior officer Mr. Benjie Madolin who is an individual member of the MFPI. A junior employee and a resident of Calapan, Wendell Custodio helped promote the solicitation along with his colleagues Alex Ocampo and other team members.

What they turned over to MFPI needed a dedicated van to transport them all. Their donation filled to capacity a pick up and will most likely need seven tricycles to complete the transfer in the HALMS center in Calapan. To show how dedicated they were, they even manned the turn-over to HALMS early morning of Saturday, a day before Christmas. Alex Ocampo rode on the Roro where the goods were given revenue free transport courtesy of the shipping lines and the local disaster units.

From Wendel and Alex’s accounts, HALMS representatives received the contribution and quickly sorted them out at their center where the bags multiplied a hundred fold. Contributions from other unidentified donors arranged by Mr. Manny Yu have previously been allocated for dispatch earlier.

Truly the recipients of the goods contributed by Accenture and by the other unidentified donors and volunteers will not only get temporary relief but some warm glow this damp Christmas. Through HALMS, the local government units and residents, these goods will not only go along way but will reach to far flung places in Mindoro. We leave it to our Calapan sponsors who know best the needing recipients.

Christmas last year, we were dampened by the flooding in Quezon and Baler. This Christmas, it was Mindoro, Palawan and Bicol. These incidents deliver a powerful message. They remind us that we, living in the comforts of our homes are a blessed lot. It is but proper that we give and help. Still, there is Christmas. Most of us have a lot to be thankful for this season. Maligayang Pasko po!

Chito Razon 24 Dec 2005

* * *

Dear MFPI members and friends,

Over the weekend, we received urgent appeal from Halms for the flood victims of Calapan and Oriental Mindoro. Another downpour of heavy rains submerged these areas even deeper into flood waters.

A total of 1,666 families or 7,878 persons are still staying at the 31 evacuation centers in Calapan City and municipalities of Pola, Victoria and Naujan, 1,292 of whom are children.

We are appealing to all for your generosity during this season of sharing and hope. Due to logistical challenges, we encourage cash donations. However food, medicine, and used clothes are also very welcome. Further, we are also looking for parties who can lend their vehicles to transport these goods from Manila to Batangas City.

Regie Pablo is currently coordinating with Halms, Batangas Backpackers and the different NGO partners of MFPI in this drive. Dodi Principe will be heading the actual relief goods transportation and distribution in Mindoro.

Mark Murcia is in charge of volunteer recruitment and deployment to Mindoro. For now, we are requesting for 10 volunteers who can be deployed on Dec 22 and return by Dec 24. All interested volunteers, please get in touch with Mark via mobile no. 09178414614.

I will be coordinating the relief goods solication and collection. There will be 2 relief goods drop-off centers:

1. Unit 2 Ground Floor, Midland Mansions, Benevidez St., Legaspi Village, Makati. Look for fellow mountaineer, Edison Sismundo.
2. We will be at the Pioneer Grill patio area on wednesday/Dec. 21 from 7:00-10:00 pm to accept volunteers and relief goods.

As this is a continuous effort until these areas recover, all parties outside Metro Manila who wish to help may send their support to Unit 2 Ground Floor, Midland Mansions, Benevidez St., Legaspi Village, Makati.

Thank you all!
Manny Yu