This article will help relive the moments in Tawangan, a 4-day expedition in the Cordilleras after Christmas of 1998 when we were all in our shining moments. It was an "alpine" climb (by tropical standards" in the highest points in Luzon participated by 29 trekkers mainly from our club, the PAL Mountaineering Club. 8 from the Loyola Mountaineering Club attached their team to us.
Climb covered 3 mountains-Mt. Panatoan (2,422 M ASL), Mt.
Pulag (2,922 M ASL), and Mt. Babadak (2,589 M ASL). To reach the jump-off
point, we took an 8-hour bus ride to Baguio and another 6-hour jeepney ride in
the mountainous roads of Benguet. I headed a group of 10 members, most of which
are professionals. Apru Apruebo led the Balagbag Boys which included Lex E.;
Barry Barcelo led a group of mostly members including Christine Medina. Romy
Valdez, our EL was with the Balagbag Boys. Average temperature was 12°C,
manageable if not for the intermittent rains and gusty winds.A major climb feels like a summation climb. The Ballay walk and the hanging bridges remind me of Ugu, Sagada and Kabayan. The trek to the schoolhouse is like the Natib trek without the humid air. Lunch at the lake is a Lake Venado setting of Apo. A most impactful scene for me was the walk on the rice terraces amidst the fog with two mountain peaks at the background. You can’t escape the crossing at the last of the 5 hanging bridges where the mighty river was gushing in all the white steam against the backdrop of trees with flowering petals. Walk in the clear running stream is like the Majajay trail. The lunch at the river is the Gabaldon river crossing done with the Loyola Mountaineers. Second day is San Cristobal and Banahaw rolled into one. Last day is undoubtedly Pulag.
During the solitary moments in the trail when the
temperature was dropping, I said some prayers, both for myself and for all of
you that I committed to do so in my Christmas cards to you. I said thanks for
the good health, the good fortune, the strong family support and the company of
friends. I also asked the sacred mountain to clarify my personal and
professional directions for the coming years. The Cordillera mountain is powerful enough to
grant me that.
It was a most fulfilling week, a good summary of all the
climbs for the year. I did not experience any fatigue nor shortness of breath. Our 9 meals were well planned, slept an
average of 7 hours in the camp, would knock off at 9 and wake up at 4 or 5 in
the morning. I only felt tired when I
boarded the bus in Baguio to go back to Manila dawn of 31st December to reach
Manila before New Year. After breakfast
in the house at 7 AM, I was soundly and deeply asleep for the next 6 hours,
enough recharge to meet the New Year.
Happy 1999.
Shining moments in the expedition:
- The wash up with a view at the Palancha arranged by TJ and Jojo Ramos
- Drying up tents and other wet
stuff at the Palancha grassland with a great view
- Jeeps on time at the pick up
station arranged by Mitch and Romy at a fair price
- Presence of guests Larry and
TJ. Larry recorded schedule and highlights
- The sentimental weather from
the grassland to the Ranger station perfect for muni-muni
- The fine Plateau weather at
breakfast time perfect for cooking but not long enough to cover packing
- The fine Plateau weather at
dinner time perfect for cooking but not long enough to cover eating
- The assault to the peak led by
Apru and the Balagbag boys with winds pulling them down to the ravine but
completed somehow with the Loyola climbers
- The reformed, detached
Balagbag Boys during the trek
- Lex Evangelista humbly sweeping, Gerry Balignasa ably assisting
- The shortened distance between
the 2nd day camp to the Plateau to Romy’s surprise and to our delight
- The cold, windy and rainy
weather nearing the Pulag Mountain range
- Black garbage bags, clear
backpack bags generating heat while in motion
- The hot water prepared from an
MSR Expedition of TJ at the Plateau campsite at the height of the strong winds
and rain. What presence of mind!
- Tents that wouldn’t leak,
tents that can be set-up and dismantled so quickly when rains and wind batter
the campsite. Perhaps all including the Loyola Mountaineers’ Coleman held on.
- The team spirit evident in all
groupings
- Meal schedules followed to the
letter with surprisingly top quality taste
- Perfect rice all throughout
the expedition
- Water all the way
- The dip at the cold river
- Photo coverage of Ching,
Danny, Mitch, Lex, Christine, TJ
- Emil saved from falling down
the ravine
- Mitch saved from slipping in
the white wild river
- Loyola male climbers Gabby,
Gabby, Nick, Harry, Caloy shaping up and getting stronger each day
- Loyola female climbers Ching,
Jenny and Jaja relating with the group
- Freeman’s and Subs fighting or
frightening spirits
- Cartoons talk of Jojoy, Emil
and TJ
- The shortened trail between
Coral and Plateau
- The rice terraces against the
series of mountain peaks
- Rope tied shoes of Barry and
Ching
- More equis than checks from
the Balagbag Boys
- The shortcut to the emergency
campsite
- Apru and Christine’s excellent
choice of campsite for the 2nd day
- Emil and Barry’s tarp
- Reunion of Jojoy, Barry and
Emil
- Christine’s pacing, matched by Larry’s
- Apo boys reunion-Orly, Jojo,
Jerry, Art, Mitch, Chito. Loyd, Dulce and Russell were at the Baguio bus
terminal
- Art’s Baguio accommodation for his teammates Cooking area the
corridor of the Tawangan Elementary School
- Freedom to snore at the
Tawangan Elementary School classroom
- Lunch at the Lake on the first
day reminiscent of Lake Venado
- Lunch at the river on the 2nd
day reminiscent of Kabayan River
- Trail foods on the 3rd day
providing heat to the body
- Presence of mind in tent
setting, trail blazing
- Popcorn during socials, adobo
on the big dinner night by Mitch, vegetable in oyster sauce by TJ, pears in
cream on the 2nd dinner, apple in the elfin forest waiting shed, chorizo, dried
seafood of Juno
- 3 working stoves, 3 clean
cooksets per group
- Bonsai at the Plateau water
source
- Moss in the alpine forest
trees- Limatic and Larry’s violent reaction to Limatic
-The baboy damo family
- The no-show muddy trail at the Coral compensated by the all water trail to Pulag
- The all-reliable, ever dependable “reformed” Balagbag Boys
- Jojo Ramos’ map and compass reading
- Barry’s professional group
- Loyola Mountaineers determination
- Chito’s organized, discipline and equipped group
- Juno’s fatherly presence, TJ’s vigor and strong feel for outdoor survival, Danny’s endless initiatives, Mitch’s open accommodations, and Chito’s quiet presence
- Close to a thousand and five hundred pesos expense almost a week of togetherness
Romy’s confidence and cool disposition
What gift has the Cordillera’s given you? Guests Larry and TJ received them, I don’t know if they realize it. Orly, Apru and Jojo were reminded of their physical limitations, Jerry, isolation. Emil and again Mitch were reminded of their life. Mitch got a gift. even before the climb. Sub, Mokie and Freeman perhaps got the biggest package. Barry, Christine, Jojoy, Art, Lex, Danny, Juno, Jojo, Ching, Jenny, Jaja, Gabby, Gabby, Caloy, Harry, Nick surely got theirs. Romy will get what is due him for bringing all of us there.
Ruby G. of Meralco MC crafted a fitting tribute to our climb. “I should say there’s a lot of value in a
well-prepared climb. Instead of having to struggle against the forces of nature
(which we already knew would extend no mercy!), we can calmly delve deep into
our core for that intimate conversation with our soul-to give thanks for all
our blessings and pray for enlightenment and guidance. Standing as a mere speck in the vastness and
overwhelming magnificence of the Cordillera Mountains, one can’t help reflect
on one’s worth, fate, and purpose in this life. I understand some of us climb
not merely to explore the mountains but to explore our inner selves.”
Photos by Mitch Soria and Ching-I-Wang
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