Monday, December 21, 2009

UP College of Medicine Diamond Jubilarians

This 20 December, I was privileged to witness the UP College of Medicine Alumni Society’s recognition of the Diamond Jubilarians (50 years after graduation from College) as organized by the Silver Jubilarians (25 years after CM) in Homecoming Ball 2009 aptly tagged as “Pagbabalik sa Bulwagan ng Talino at Galing.”


It’s a decade long tradition of the college of this premiere learning institution of honoring the seniors’ post-graduation and at the same time providing the younger alumni an opportunity to sow back to UPCM resources so the institution can continue to inspire and support the current and forthcoming interns.

Honoring teachers and the religious is stirring given the nobleness of the profession and the service associated with the calling. Paying respect to doctors now in their diamond years who have alleviated physical and emotional pains and saved lives at the prime of their professions invites praise.

While I have not been involved in the medical profession, my experience in dealing with them is enough to respect them with high regard (as a recipient of heath care myself with no educational medical background and a beneficiary of superior medical care for my parents). In this event, the doctors were not experts but as humans trying out a field they perhaps did not have the time to do before. They organized events which is reserved for marketing practitioners, sang and danced like anybody else, got tense for their production numbers, did menial tasks like falling in line, waiting for turns and queues and reminiscing their mentors and tormentors in college. Balancing science and the arts, they conducted activities common only to the liberal arts and social science graduates among us.

I shedded a tear when a medallion was awarded to an 80 year old doctor who did exemplary work doing rural service and a pioneering research.

I approved the performance of Batch 1959 singing Somewhere and Tonight sensing their drive and desire to entertain well.

I cheered when Batch 84 flagged their completion project as the lead batch for this years’ recognition.

I joined the crowd shout when a favorite teacher was called on stage.

I admired senior professors going on stage with regal bearing projecting confidence and wisdom.

It was an organized event with not much fanfare. It was not a showbiz affair but it was star studded with individuals who mattered and shone. The activity at the Sofitel Hotel from 3 PM to 10 PM was a grand moment because it paid tribute to the men and women who dedicated their lives in service.

I joined the honoree who led the prayer with a special intention for them. That I, be like them, an alumnus who had not forgotten that it was UP Beloved who molded that value, a successful practitioners passing on blessings to the institution and to others so the college can continue to enlighten others.

Quoting Albert Schweitzer “I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve” 

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Plan a Climb via CyberSpace

In Simple Steps via CyberSpace
  1. Start with a clear purpose why you want to climb. Read PALMC’s “Why Do I Climb?”
  2. Set the destination to climb. Choose initially from the listing of Metropolitan Mountaineering Society list of itineraries. (Update to http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/)
  3. Locate the mountain in the map. NAMRIA guides you. (Update to http://wikimapia.org/)
  4. Complete equipment requirements. Review PLDT’s MC expedition checklist.
  5. Before you leave, check the weather in Weather News or call Telephone # 813-0679 for daily forecast. (Update to http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/ or http://www.tropicalstormrisk.com/)
  6. Climb. (Cyberspace cannot do this for you!)
  7. Complete your climb with a journal. Read Meralco’s Pulag Chronicles. (Update to http://ialman.livejournal.com/ for narration and visual or http://www.ironwulf.net/)
  8. If climbing is for you, check out affiliated clubs in Bundok’s listing. (Update to http://mfpi.wordpress.com/)
  9. If it really is for you, put up a club. Trace UPM’s club history. (Update to http://upmountaineers.multiply.com/)
  10. Be guided by the Wilderness Ethics (still the same):
• Prepare well.
• Respect local practices.
• Be conscious of your impact on the wilderness.
• Camp well.
• Carry down all garbage.
• Practice healthy sanitation.
• No chemicals on the river for washing yourself and dishes.
• No fires.
• No smoking.
• Respect space of others.
• Be involved.

Embrace the new thinking of “Leave No Trace."
First published December 26, 1995, updated Dec 2009 Chito Razon

Foto courtesy of Rico

Monday, November 30, 2009

Danger Lurks

Extreme sports excite because they take away the monotony and humdrum of routine living. New experiences and situations show up unexpectedly catching one by surprise. One can not really prepare for them but one can maintain composure and presence of mind to cope with them.

Looking back, I recall several encounters which only now after watching National Geographic and Discovery Channels I have accepted as life threatening.

While Trekking in the forested trail in Batanes, green thin long snake landed at the backpack of the lead a few meters in front of me. Fortunately it drifted away swiftly and I kept on walking quietly.

On my return back from the Halcon peak to Lantuyan, tired and exhausted, I had to cross a wall that got eroded that drops to a rocky surface about 50 meters down. The rocks I was holding on to were slipping and I was getting ready to fall preferably at the back using my backpack as support. Suddenly, as if a miracle happened, I recalled someone lifting me up to the landed platform a few meters away. I took it nonchalantly and proceeded to meet up with my friends TJ and Mitch on the other side.

In the 80’s when Pico de Loro was still not that popular as Mt. Maculot, I joined a PALMC group for an overnight climb. We camped at the slopes accessible to the staging point of the peak. That night, I was awakened by a hissing sound which turned out to be snakes outside the tent. I kept still, thinking it would go away in a while to which they did. I never discussed it the following day but got a validation that snakes do abound in the slopes.

One of my most memorable and difficult climbs was the Tawangan-Pulag traverse of PALMC with the Loyola Mountaineers. It was a long and cold climb as somewhere midway, it was raining non stop. Cold wind was blowing hard where the temperature dropped slightly above 5 degrees C while trekking. Due to exhaustion, the energy needed to fuel a strenuous trek was slowly getting depleted. Somehow, the technical outfits and a handful of candy bars kept us going until we reached the campsite to recharge and to raise our body temperatures.

Man vs. Man. There was a potential threat to life not by nature but with guns and ideology. Our climb to Mt. Natib was timed with the ASEAN meet at Subic Bay where Heads of States including US President Bill Clinbton would attend. Apparently, there was a military clean up at the Bataan mountain noted as a lair of friendly forces. In a ridge, we were unexpectedly entrapped by rebels. We were given a quick lecture on their cause and eventually released safe and sound. We continued with our socials that night as if nothing happened.  A similar incident happened while we were about to climb Mt. Tapulao the 2nd time around.  Our ascent was deferred for several hours pending clearance from the Barangay as allegedly there was an ongoing operations in the area.  There is wisdom this time around for prevention.

When we were just starting, we were hot on unexplored expeditions relying only on topical maps for destinations. An attractive target for us was Mt. Silangan in Bataan known for waterfalls and sharp drops. Novice as we were, our group, composed of young climbers got lost in place which could be a potential habitat of unknown forces. Relying on our instincts, we were eventually led to a ledge which was one of the most awesome sites we have ever discovered.

A similar situation is a solo climb in Caliraya to meet up friends at the waterfalls which is only less than 20 minutes away from the Japanese garden. By stroke of luck, I ended up circling around the area from early afternoon to sunrise going nowhere with no one to ask directions from. I eventually found the asphalted road the next morning but missed the company of friends. What could explain this? Folklore they say just like what lost trekkers experience in Banahaw and San Cristobal.

There are minor incidences. Such as tripping in the rice terraces in a Cordillera traverse breaking my favorite lightweight high tech umbrella at the rice field. In the same region, sometime in December, our trek was welcomed by large and hard hailstones while trekking. Without protective helmets, to get hit in the head can be fatal.  Poison ivy and leeches when not handled well can be hazardous to one's health.  Getting trapped in Mt. Talinis' quicksand has no escape.

The worst is surviving socials in a company of heavy drinkers and senior climbers especially with people one is not comfortable with. But with the passing of the night, fellow climbers tone down too.

Danger lurks in unfamiliar territories and situations. As I look back and recall about the danger trekking lurks, I am reminded of what St. Augustine wrote about adventure “People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering.”

Indeed now, I wonder how I managed. I believe that while there are forces that threaten, there too are strong and good forces that protect. I am thankful that I overcame them because I have been guarded. Be careful. Happy Thanksgiving.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Customer Ecstasy

I  learned from an ISO workshop (International Organization for Standards, a quality management system) that the ultimate measure of success is customer satisfaction. Customers, in the end are either satisfied or dissatisfied.

Satisfaction is a never ending quest. Initially, its final test is winning customer loyalty. It then progresses to customer obsession. Now it is customer ecstasy.

Just like climbing. Why I talk favorably about the recreation is due to the loyalty it earned from my participation. When we leave everything including work days and urban friends for a climb is a manifestation of obsession. When nothing else comes in between daily chores and the outdoors maybe due to the ecstasy derived from the activity that we cannot live without. The natural high starts to build up from the packing days or hours before the assembly escalating during the bus ride. It peaks upon reaching the summit and tapers down at the socials.

Have you ever asked why we keep on coming back to Pulag or our favorite trekking destination?

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Link me up

Got these leads.  Link me up.

Site Under Development http://geocityposts.palmc.net
Posted by Adminat September 11, 2009

This space will serve as the holding domain of the Philippine Airlines Mountaineering Club (PALMC) website and blogs of members around the world.

Heartfelt thanks to Mitch Soria and Chito Razon for their online work in documenting PALMC activities and events at http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/4033/

There are lots of To-Do’s for this site including:
- compile all posts, articles and information from PALMC Geocities site.
- concurrent with building up the site structure, contact PALMC elders for copies of trail notes, preferably in PDF format to be uploaded to site for posterity.
- upload different themes for free blogs/sites for PALMC Members only
- set up social networking capabilities of main site and subsites within the website and including external site connections to club and individual Facebook and Twitter accounts, among others
- set up site-wide guides or instructions on getting account with http://PALMC.net/
- get PALMC board approval

— Merci, 09-11-09

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

UPDATE: 10-24-09
1. Guestbook in Tripod has been copied for file – from the first message by Mitch Soria in 05-05-1997 to latest post dated 09-22-2009 by jing cano.
2. Finished copying all posts/articles and available photos archived in PALMC Geocities website

Note: Some articles’ posted dates need to be confirmed with respective authors. Dates of some articles were extrapolated when such information in the article were non-existent.

UPDATE: 10-25-09
Mashable Announces Geocities to Close 10-26-09 – http://mashable.com/2009/10/25/geocities-closes-2/
UPDATE: 10-27-09
As of 5:10 AM. Pacific Standard Time (Los Angeles), the PALMC Geocities site is still available and accessible.

Monday, November 02, 2009

GG Icon of Mountaineering

Geocities/TheTropics/Shores/4033 is gone.  This is the material I have for now on Guiting-Guiting. Anyone who copied the articles?

Guiting-Guiting, Icon of Mountaineering

Apr 12 1998, 3:00 pm

We are back after 6 days from Sibuyan Island, an island of the Romblon province and 12-16 hours by a slow Viva boat from Batangas City. Island is isolated and has maintained its undeveloped state mainly due to the difficulty of transport and the economic condition. Showcase of the island is Mt. Guiting-Guiting (2,058 meters above sea level ASL, 17 degrees Celsius, strong winds, and cloudy skies.) It is considered a tough climb.
For a regular climber, G2 can be considered a culmination climb reminding you of Banahaw de Tayabas at first as you approach the foot of the mountain; Banahaw de Dolores and Makiling during the ascend, Apo, Hibok-hibok, Batulao, Durungawan at Mayo's Peak and distinctly Guiting-Guiting at the gorge. To reach the summit, one climbs a 9-hour trek on the first day from 0 ASL and a 6-hour assault to the True Peak passing through gorges most of the way. It requires some rock climbing to cross boulders.

G2 is a mountain of courage and bravery, power and humility. It demands courage, guts, determination, visualization and a strong faith. Once completed, the climb teaches one to be humble and to be powerful. It blesses one with a thought that in our day to day reality, the power of Mt. Guiting-Guiting is right behind us to push the limits of our humanity making our dreams and undertakings happen for us. Thus the power is not to be abused and to taken with utmost meekness. For to abuse it means losing the power temporarily given us.

Our group has been so blessed that our True Source allowed us to experience this moment made available only to a few.

With this Easter climb, we climbers are to dedicate all our undertakings to greater causes. Or else the grandeur that is of Guiting-Guiting may just be put to waste.
Happy Easter!

With us were EL Vincent Balagot, Dom Gaduco, Ding Cailipan, and Mayan Gutierrez, Malou Cabrera, Carlo Magno, Mike Pulido, Darius Jorjen, Mitch Soria, Mannix Moya, Ching-I-Wang, CBR and guides Bobet Tansiongco and Parson.

In the other group, which reached the Mayo's Campsite Thursday, were EL Christine Medina, Resil, Orly Amolar, Jonathan Almedilia, Lloyd Alcaraz, Marlon Paguila and Gilbert Lim guided by Bulod, Parson's father.
Click on the manuscript for detailed prints.

Jun Feliciano's Nepal

Architect Jun Feliciano chronicles his Trekking in Nepal in the December 1996 issue of PALMC's Trail Notes.

Click on the image to read the prints.

Tere's Siargao

Way back in 1977, a colleague from PALMC Tere Collantes has written about Siargao.

Surigao 1997 Highlights of Tere’s Trip
• Took a PAL direct flight to Surigao City

• Stayed at Tavern Hotel in Surigao @ P170/ night
• 7 and 7:30 AM boat schedules to Dapa @ P40.
• Mobility in the island via a motorbike
• Union in General Luna, 1st stop. Stay at Latitude 9 @ P50/night single
• Del Carmen stop for crocodile farm, Tagaktak Falls for power supply
• Magpupungko Pilar for rock formation, Pansukian for Cloud 9
• Overnight at Dapa at Marimar Lodge @ P75/person
• Return to Surigao via Dapa for the 7:00AM and 7:30 AM schedule



Way back then, we were already toying around with surfing.

Sunday, November 01, 2009

My Siargao

Images from an expedition in the South over land, water and air covering Davao del Sur to Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sul to Agusan del Norte landing in Metro Manila hovering over Pasig River.


Sunday, October 11, 2009

Sagada in 1998. There is still magic.

At the onset of flooding in Baguio City caused by Typhoon Pepeng, media is one in expressing, Baguio, the respite from the city has become one congested city too. Thus the recall of this article written in 1998 when we declared that to simulate the authentic Baguio atmosphere, one must escape farther up North, to Sagada.

_________________________________________________________________

There is Still Magic in Sagada

There is still magic in Sagada despite the thousand lowlanders who escaped from Baguio and the city this Christmas 1998. Like a fairy tale, it starts with a struggle of several refusals in various instances ending happily with an unexpected fulfillment.

No Ride. We missed the Lizardo Bus at the Dangwa station in Baguio for the direct trip to the town. As early as 6 in the morning of Sunday 28 December, all the 6 buses were filled up and dispatched early.

No lodging. All inns were full. Some patient travelers had to contend with the hospital bed at the community hospital. That included us.

No Food. We were rejected several times at the Log Cabin, St. Joseph, Masfierre Inn and Shamrock for food and drinks.

Still there was magic in Sagada. The Celestine Prophecy attributed it to the pure energy of the mountain. James Redfield explained it as “the need to begin expecting miracles that will reveal our true mission in life. If we stay true to our life mission and do the inner work necessary to allow us to get out of our own way, opportunities will present themselves to help you with your problems.” Yet, despite the challenging incidences that Christmas holiday, everything just flowed.

I planned this trip in December and finalized the details only in Baguio via pager with my friends in Manila the day before. All met at Chowking in Session Road Sunday from various origins. I came from Baguio, two straight from the bus from Manila and one from the beach of San Fernando La Union. Mitch Soria, a PALMC colleague, Arney Nocum, a freelance photographer and a broadcaster, Tec Mañalac, a youth leader working at the Office of the Manila Mayor and I were directed to a bus headed for Bontoc. We got off at junction and hitched a ride in an open van. We were treated to an open-air view of the Sagada Mountain together with about twenty other passegers.

Upon arrival at the cooperative store, we saw Dax and Beatrice, our friends from PSI (People Synergistically Involved) who invited us at the St. Mary's orphanage (now rented by a Canadian Funded NGO IA for Transformation). That free accommodation freed a lot of time all for us. It was a big relief to first timers Arney and Tec who had no idea what was in store for them.

How can Sagada not enchant anyone? We were billeted in an old, big schoolhouse made of wood, now a rare commodity in this town. We experienced a 10° C on our first morning, the coldest ever for the year 1998 we were told. The pine trees bursting with pine cones all over surrounding the valley contributed to the cold, clean air that lingered with us all throughout our 3-day stay. Baguio may have been like this over 50 years ago with hardly any vehicle polluting the air. Like staying in a country club, we were given a welcome treat. Beatrice and Dax put up a bonfire at the school house' spacious front yard to warm us up.

Sagada to me is one modestly-sized theme park with the exception that everything is in its natural state. The country music of John Denver and Kenny Rogers played incessantly at the buses complemented the clean country atmosphere. To move from one wonder to the next, one walks for as short as 5 minutes from the Plaza (Echo Valley) to a long half a day (Sumaging Cave or the big waterfall).

We viewed the morning sunrise amidst streaks of light and mist at the Keltepan tower at the East Side of Sagada at six in the morning (elevation about 2,200 meters ASL). The group witnessed the same sun go down from the top of Lake Danum Mountain at the west side. Instead of streak of lights, the sun displayed various shades and layers of orange and blue set in pure un-adulterated air. We stayed until the threatening clouds claimed the view and the temperature dropped.

The entire town celebrated the Cañao wedding which kept everyone, residents and a close to thousand guests alive the whole night of Monday even with the 9 PM curfew imposed. This gave drinkers like Mitch and I a chance to enjoy beer at the Shamrock.

We walked North, East, South, West and trekked from 1,200 meters to 2,200 meters ASL. Dived at the waterfalls, entered the cave, patronized handicrafts, ate a lot of red rice, drank a lot of Sagada tea, met old friends like Ronald and Avic Arcilla, forged new friendships with Raul Lejano and Ron of Toyota. We expelled the urban air of Baguio and Manila and breathed in fresh ones from the mountains.


Why it there still magic in Sagada? Sagada this year was different. Different from last summer and the 1996 holidays when there was just a handful of guests. What with all these lowlanders, I thought the place has lost its charm. But in the company of Mitch, Arney and Tec and the energy all around us, nature still worked on us. It energized us to do about almost everything that can be done. It erased all the obstacles that got into our way. Means showed up when they was no ride to the town, no inns at the Plaza, no food, no way to the sunrise and no way to the sunset and no ride way back to Baguio and Manila.

We sneaked out of Sagada in a passenger jeep at 5:30 am on the 30th Tuesday to Bontoc to take the 7 AM bus ride to Baguio via Dangwa Transit. At past noon, we were perhaps the first batch backpackers to be back in Baguio from the enchanted place.

Then with the fun group of Jerry Balignasa and Russel Aguinaldo, we met up with the PALMC Group headed by Mayan, Wing, Art, Minerva, Ivy, Rhoda, Darwin, Ruel, Juno and his wife. We got a preview of the adventures of federation climbers as Jun Cipriano, Jun Martin, Gerry Girl N., Butch Ballesteros, Resil, Rudgir, Loyd, Ann, Joy and Dulce who trekked up to Pulag that same weekend led by EL Romy Valdes. We drank and narrated with gusto our stories until the bus trip, scheduled late that night until early morning, signaled it's time to go.

Traveling back to Manila on the 31st, I kept on hearing in my mind the song of the late John Denver asking to be brought home to country road where he belongs. With all these enchantment, we asked why don't we belong there too?

Recalling these enjoyable experiences, I looked back at the 5th Insight of the Celestine Prophecy, “the 5th insight deals with how we don't have to steal energy from others but instead can absorb energy directly from the universe if only we can open up to it."

Like magic, we were under the spell of this energy. It came neither from Baguio nor Manila but from opening ourselves up to the influences of nature from Sagada and Pulag and the company we were with.

Sagada, Mountain Province
26-28 December 1996

The Serenity of Sagada and Mt. Data

A stillness in the woods.  Serenity in nature.  Or serenity amidst insurgency, if you wish.

In Bontoc, the capital of Mountain Province, an Armed Personnel Carrier rumbles through the main street and helicopters fly overhead. Foot soldiers patrol the mountain roads leading to Sagada. And at the Mt. Data Hotel, helicopters and Sikorsky gunshots land men and supplies only a kilometer away, in the process destroying some vegetables. A hunt for NPA rebels is on.

Local and foreign tourists need not be discouraged, however, for the areas seem relatively safe for civilians and visitors keep coming in. But don’t travel with the military and don't go to Mt. Data at night, for the military has clamped a 7 p.m. curfew.

Sagada and Mt. Data may be reached through Baguio, with several bus lines-including Dangwa Tranco and D’ Rising Sun-plying the route  In Mt. Data, there is only the Mt. Data Hotel but in Sagada, there are several inns and resthouses-the best known being Masferre, St. Joseph’s and Daoas-all with inexpensive rates and affordable meals.

Perched 6,000 feet above sea level, the town of Sagada continues to cast a spell over Filipino and foreign writers and artists, European backpackers and cave explorers.

There are an undetermined number of caves in Sagada, some with very clear and very deep waters, and interesting rock formations. Once a native boy fell into a hole, survived on water, then emerged in another barrio a month later.

At the mouths of the caves are the burial grounds and hanging coffins of the Igorots and other tribes of Mountain Province. The tribal believe that the sprits of their departed are happier when their coffins are suspended and wedged above ground. Alas, some of the coffins with ornate designs have been stolen, and sold to antique dealers and collectors.  Some of the bones date back to 100 years.

Our native guide knocked on one long coffin and then left a lighted cigarette atop it. “Pasigarilyuhin natin siya para sumaya,” he intoned.

One large cave, Sumaging, takes a whole day to explore. Once deep inside the cave, the guide said, foreigners (men and women) have no qualms about stripping to their underwear so their outer garments won’t get wet.

Two adventurous members of our group-photographer Rex Toledo and assistant Benjie Espartero-ventured into the cave, with the help of the guides, but had to give up at a certain point because of the darkness (light from the Petromax was insufficient) and the treacherous holes.

There are pine trees all around Sagada, and a fascinating valley with well-maintained vegetable terraces. The town is not too commercialized, and it should be kept this way.  Baguio must have looked like this during the olden days.

Less publicized-but higher and colder than Sagada or Baguio-is the Mt. Data Hotel, about two-hour ride from Sagada.  From a distance you can see Mt. Pulog, the second highest mountain in the Philippines (next to Mt. Apo). And in Benguet, enroute to Baguio from Mt. Data, you will come across the highest point on the Philippine Highway System (watch for the sign), elevation 7,400 feet, with a panoramic view of the mountains and the vegetable terraces.

The Mt. Data Hotel has 22 cozy rooms, a much-needed giant fireplace, and hot and cold water, among other amenities.  By day you can hike, and watch the sun rise and set over the great Cordillera ranges.

At night, you can play chess, squabble or cards, gather round the fireplace and sing (bring a guitar along). Better still, you can, upon request, watch authentic dances and rituals of the Bontoc tribe, climaxed by an “audience participation” number in which you will be give a simultaneous massage: A Bontoc woman massages your head and back while a Bontoc man massages your feet with a stick.  (It tickles, but only at first.)

Whether Peace Zones and War Zones, surrounded by pine trees and wild flowers, far away from Manila, Sagada and Mt. Data continue to be a refuge for nature lovers. --1992

-Amadis Ma. Guerrero, Traveller’s Choice From North to South (Metro Manila Philippines: Anvil Publishing House, Inc. 1993)


Logic ng Sagada - Ang Ibang Ibig Sabihin ng Magic
26-27 December 1996

Puede Ring SAKANA for both of us or SAGAD na SAGAD. It all started when Mitch said he was going to Baguio even before the holidays. All PAL members of Commonwealth invited themselves. I didn’t. Because I was only available after the 26th. And Mitch said “magSasagada ako kung may kasama ako.” Mula noon I get inquiries and lines like “See you in Baguio on the 25th.”

Nagconfirm ako sa 074-442-xxxx 10:30 p.m. ng 25 December ”Mitch dadating ako sa 26 ng umaga. Huwag kang aalis, magSasagada tayo. Oo namang ang sabi niya.” 5 AM. Sa Session Road, malamig na malamig 12°C, nangising ng lasing “6:30 AM ang biyahe sa Sagada, magpack ka na at makita tayo sa Chowking.”

·          Lake Danum-Mitch’s favorite. Except that his meditation at the peak was cut short by my hurrying up. Some guys said 8 minutes to the Lake. True enough, exactly in 8 minutes, we were there. Pero saan ang daan papuntang Demang?
·          The Lardizabal Series-you’re not in the track. Go back and set into my lot if you want to do cross-country at Mt. Ampacao. He was accommodating enough to pick us up at the main road to St. Joseph and showed us the back down to St. Joseph. My name is Lardizabal. Sir, where is the way to Mt. Ampacao?
·          The Ramon Series-are you here for the ___? Bawal dito. Ano ang tunay mong pangalan? Come on , tell the truth.
·          The Lizardo Line Series-Senior citizen and students-No ID, No discount. Smoking With Free Ride. No Smoking, no free ride. Pero nasaan ang Pulag?
·          The Novi Encounter at Chowking-kung sasama sa Pulag, kung si Wing ay pupunta sa Sagada and kung kailan aakyat si Mayan. Most importantly kung sino ang kasama ni Noving babae.  At bakit siya hindi kasama sa PAL?
·          Go to Sagada House-is it the same as going to Sagada weaving?
·          Inn Hoping-ang Shamrock, para sa mga rockers
·          Ang Country Inn-ang most expensive sa rooms at sa beer
·          Masferre-ang pinakamatagal sa service
·          Ang Log Cabin-ang pinakamasarap at pinakasosyal. Isnubish rin
·          St. Joseph-pinakahomey. Mapiyaaw-ang pinakamalayo.
·          Village Bistro-ang pinakamadilim. Casa Olahbinan-pinakamaiinit dahil sa fireplace
·          Casa Hamada-pinaka accommodating
·          Jayvee Gayoso and Jet Araneta-sino sila? At ang gaganda ng mga chicks nila. Isama mo narin ang 4-wheel drive nila.
·          Ano ang scientific massage-pressure per inch. Magkano?
·          Ang kwento ng babaeng ma kasamang puti-ang lost camera at and lost guide from Bontoc. Sino sa dalawa ang sisipinging ko.
·          Whatever Mitch Wants, He Gets-guide sa kweba, si Willy and Exekiel. Photographs from Peter the Singaporean and Gerardo the Brazilian. Ano ang address nila?
·          Bidang bida ako-kasi sabi ng hapon sa akin “Herro.”
·          Ang mga tanong ni Mitch-Nasaan si Wing, Nasaan si Art. Nasaan ang Kiltepan Tower? Nasaan ang beer? Bakit walang mist sa bibig dahil walang ilaw. Bakit simang ang babae sa Tamaraw FX? Kasi lumampas daw sila sa Baguio. Bakit lito ang mga babaeng taga bangko sa St. Joseph? Kasi walang bangko. Sino si Mario de Vera at bakit puro Solano ang kwento nila? Kasi puro Louisians.

It was trip well worth. Pagadating sa Baguio hindi makapagrelate sa tao sa Session Road, sa mga barkada sa likod ng Mountain Crest at sa top of the world. At nagpakalasing.

Bakit? Kasi iyan ang logic ng Sagada. Happy New Year!

Chito Razon 17 Jan 1998 Revisited 11 Oct 2009

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Pinoy M

Gideon Lasco of  http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/ wrote this appeal for volunteers.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Looking for Heroes

Looking for Heroes this 26 September 2009

It was as if it was an ordinary Friday to Saturday night even with the incessant rain. ANC 27 on Skycable though announced that Typhoon Signal No. 1 Code Named Ketsana will cross Metro Manila

It's a mother’s instinct to remind her children that with the impending storm; the best place is the home. In our younger days when we were staying at the 2/F of a “botica” along “Kayle Commercio” in a small town in Northern Luzon, we as a family would prepare for the storm. Supervised by our father we would secure the handles of our glass pane windows so they would not flip flap when the winds blow, collect water in the pale and bottles for our water needs, check that flashlights and other alternative sources of light are working and maintain our provision for drinks and food for the next days. It is that training from our folks that seeded disaster preparedness in all of us as we moved out to a bigger city.

Typhoon Ketsana noisily passed without causing distress as everyone we knew was secured in an elevated and protected gated village somewhere in the Diliman district. Meralco provided uninterrupted power supply, Manila Waters ran dry only for a short while. Citibank Savings was online and nearby Rustan’s Fresh was normally operational with no long queues. PLDT linked us without fail. So did Globe though not that stable. Bayantel’s DSL kept us abreast of our Face Book but only until early afternoon. Prime Internet dial-up (Pacific) and Globe Tattoo took over.

It really was as if it was a regular rainy Saturday.

But as Skycable’s ANC 27 and Teleradyo DZMM on Cable 26 started broadcasting a sampler of what’s happening in the Marikina Valley did we really realize that we were building up to a disaster in a mammoth scale. Facts and figures were fed by studio and field reporters. Questions were asked from resource persons. But as I was fed images and sound bites, heroes were gradually flashing in the mind.

Young radio reporters from DZMM and ANC 27 like Alvin Elchico, Bernadette, Carl Balita, Atom Araullo, Wheng Hidalgo, Dennis Datu, Johnson were reporting news as they happen, without any bias, judgment or blaming, they were molding into the new breed of heroes in my mind. They asked to right questions from the resource persons, they showed impactful visuals yet still protecting the sacredness of the victims.  They were straight forward, honest and fair enough not to exaggerate nor dramatize the sad plight of the victims. Along with the rescuers from the government, I honor them. The news reporters and the rescuers have given something bigger than themselves, in the conduct of their profession.

Surely, there were others more but for that fateful Saturday, they were my heroes.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Home in Manila

Welcome back to Manila. You know you are back when instead of ponds, lake and the open sea you drive and wade through floods.

You know you are back when instead of fresh fish, customized kalan and lanzones displayed in rattan basket crawling with black ants you are asked for an upsize by a friendly fastfood staff.

Yes you know you are back because you navigated the 45 kilometer stretch from Sta Rosa to Katipunan in 4 hours on a rainy Tuesday early evening, only slightly shorter than the 209 kilometer stretch from Butuan City to Davao City.

I am indeed home. But as Henry Miller, an American novelist and painter said, "One's destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things."

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Off the beaten Track: Siargao

Off the beaten track. Images of Siargao, Surigao

The long trip from Davao to Siargao Island in Surigao is the highlight of my South Central Mindanao land sojourn. Not only was it the longest travel, it was the most exhilarating and the most adventurous.

Adventure spanned several provinces: Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte and finally Surigao del Sur. It started out in private vehicle, shifting to Roro, motorbike, walk in wooden bridges, oversized boats culminating in several Bachelor public bus.

The 1st 6 hours brought us to San Francisco in Agusan, the next 2 hours to the archaeological site Butuan City, another 2 hours to Surigao City, gateway to Siargao Island. 3 hours were spent in the sea. The last 45 minutes brought us to Cloud 9, literally in Cloud 9, a state of extreme happiness .

Arriving at the surfing site at around 4 PM, was enough time to catch the last streak of sunlight but sufficient time to watch the spectacular display of balance and grace of the foreign and inland surfers.

The gushing waves, blowing wind and cool breeze for the last few minutes of day break were enough to recharge us after the grueling traveling hours. Nature blessed us as those momentous short moments in Siargao. According to the Australian and Japanese surfers we talked to in the evening, what we captured were the best surfing moments for the week. Just as we left the shoreline the following day, rains started to pour changing the mood of the sea.

Destinations off the beaten track make attractive targets. The desire to step on Siargao Island, the surfing capital of the Philippines has long been an obsession ever since The Lonely Planet featured it in its initial edition. This year, by a confluence of events, elements were in place for me to experience this hidden tropical jewel that faces the open sea, the Pacific Ocean. Off the beaten track combined with Cloud 9 exhilaration makes a natural high.

Thanks to associate Jovert Pondoc who went the extra mile to ensure that nothing comes my way to perform my assignments well and to see what I want to see. Shobee, Jiv and Rigel showed up by chance who have been gregarious and hospitable all the way. Without them, the activity would have been more than doubly difficult and expensive. The Lonely Planet, another constant companion with its tips and maps made me get the most pleasure at the least cost.

Today it was General Luna. Next it will be Pilar, Socorro and Dinagat.

Enjoy the images captured by the intrepid traveler to South Central Mindanao. A completion of my visit to the wonder called Mindanao.