A Typical Trekking Day for the 15 Days

Daily personal care rituals at the outdoor basin

Repacking on the 1st day. Porters pre-selecting the lightest duffle bag

The view from the room that can kill

Gears needing a break

Prayer stones

A Typical Trekking Day for the 15 Days

-Wake up at 5-5:30 AM at 5 degrees C.
-Line up for the toilet in your sleeping or trekking clothes.
-Get fresh air outdoors at 6 AM.
-Take sunrise pictures for 30 minutes.
-Return to room at 6:30. Pack duffle bag and bring it out at the door for the porter pick up.
-Take breakfast with group at the dining hall 7:00.
-Take medication. Brush teeth. Apply sunblock at 7:30.
-Pick up daily requirement of drinking water.
-Dress for hike 7:45.
-Start trek at 8:00 AM. Start morning prayers.

-Stop for lunch at about 11:00 AM.
-Order lunch.
-Lunch after 1 hour.
-Leave for the next destination at 2:00 PM.

-Arrive at destination usually after 2-3 hours.
-Proceed to designated room.
-Unload baggage. Set up bedding.
-Add more layers of clothes.
-Choose meals for dinner.
-Dine with group at about 7:00 PM.

-Retire at 8:00 PM.

Typical outdoor toilet and shower area. Photo by Larry Honoridez

The 30th of May was one untypical day, an exceptional night. Spent in Tengboche, the group honored one man a "39 at 39,000 M." The man who saw that we are properly funded and budget well accounted for. Spent in the company not with his family but with friends, it was one memorable night for us. Because that Wednesday, we tasted apply pie. Belated Sir Dom.

Tengboche night shot by Larry

Smart Link Support

Smart in their print ad placed in all the major Philippine papers this 2 June Saturday used this photo with the copy "Yes, we can. Smart Link joins the record-setting Filipina Mt. Everest climbers in proving to the world that indeed, Kaya ng Pinay." Photo of the 3 Pinay climbers was requested from us on 30 May, Wednesday while we were on the way to Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok to board our Philippine Airlines flight back to Manila. We selected 3 photos from the hard disk of Mr. Banny Hermanos.

Unfortunately due to the large size of the files, we could not transmit the material via email. As we were on the way home, our Thai Bahts were in short supply. Cost per 20 minutes of internet at the airport was 200 (or about 150 pesos, compared to 10 Bahts per hour at downtown.) Down to the last few seconds of our 20 minutes, our google mail failed to transmit. Then Cesar suggested I post the file in my blog for our contact in Manila to pick up. However we run out of Bahts. Fortunately, Dave, a fellow Pinoy who was browsing next seat finished reading his emails had 6 minutes still of unused load. He kindly offered to us strangers his remaining balance.

Smart got only 1 of the 3 files but met its deadline. Thanks to Banny for the photo whose name did not appear in the credit, to Dom who relayed the text message to our contact on how to pick up the large JPEG file and to Dave who before landing in Manila told me he will check out the foto.

Cesar, the Smart personnel holding the flag had his 24 hours on fame this Saturday for prominently posing with the Carina, Noelle, Janet and their sherpa guides Lakhpa Geljen Sherpa, Pasang Nuru Sherpa and Bemba Choti Sherpa. Smart satellite properly beemed to the radar in a clear sky kept us in touch with our friends in Manila while we were at the most popular base camp in the world, Everest. Hearing our voices, they were comforted that we were safe.

Lama Orvin enjoying a private conversation at the base camp station

Janet placing a call immediately upon setting foot at the base camp

Carina in an intimate moment
Our major supporter, Philippine Airlines. Thanks to John Fortes and Fabie Espino

Enroute to Manila via PR 731

Hike to Khumjung

Hike to Khumjung, site of the highest elevated hotel in the world

The 2 hour trek to Mt. Everest Hotel from Namche Bazar where one can view the Mt. Everest peak in this western part of the Sagarmatha Park reminded me of various mountain trails in the Philippines.

At an altitude of 3,440 M ASL, landscape is the grassland of Mt. Pulag with no trees, only grass and short shrubs.

After hiking for a few steps, the sight shifts from grass to a backdrop of jagged teeth like the saw of Mt. Guiting Guiting.

The trail leading to hotel is laid with volcanic rocks in various shapes and sizes it is like reaching the peak of Mt. Apo.

Except for the rich, unique Nepali culture which is evident in every village we pass, it was as if we have not left the Cordilleras in this first one third part of the Everest Base Camp expedition.

As the Himalayas looms larger and closer at 4,000 M ASL with its glacier laced peaks, we see lesser similarities with the Philippine mountains.

The Himalayas now stands distinct and grand, deserving of the claim the world's trekking capital. Everest is majestic but gentle enough to have received us, innocent trekkers from the tropical Philippines.

-Posted in Bangkok

Nepal Photo Captions III. Success Story

Sherpa carrying metal parts of a helicopter from base camp

UK camp. Venue of paragliding take-off

First lunch, Day 1 at the riverside

Most abused duffle bags with maximum allowable weight of 15 kilos

Waiting for the 3 Pinays and their sherpas at the base camp

Rocks on ice

At the most luxurious Japanese hotel

Larry and Orvin

Waiting to be transported

Tengboche. Nepalis send their prayers via stones, prayer flags, via manual and automated wheels

Success

Noelle Wenceslao, Carina Dayondon and Janet Bellarmino, 3 Pinays reached the summit of Mt. Everest from Tibet early morning of 16 May 2007. The 3, known for adventurer races in the tropical setting in the Philippines had a vague idea what trekking in Mt. Everest was when invited by Mr. Art Valdez 3 years ago.

Only after their training at Denali, India in 2004 with their Pinoy counterparts including Leo Oracion and Pastor Emata did they understand what alpine climbing was all about. They knew it would be tough.

Their accomplishment set 2 world records: 1st Pinay on Everest and 1st women in the world to traverse from Tibet to Nepal. While physically fit, the Pinays declared that they could not imagine how they would have done it without each other, their support group from the North and the South side, their sherpas and the blessing of Everest. Everest has been most kind to the Filipino climbers giving them fair weather in all their expeditions to which all the Filipino contingent is most grateful.

Noelle, Carina and Janet express their sincere thanks to Mr. Art Valdez, expedition leader for his vision and detailed guidance, Dr. Ted Esguerra for his medical assistance, to the corporate sponsors who helped fund the 2007 Kaya ng Pinay expedition, to the PALMC support and documentation group led by Mr. John Fortes and Banny Hermanos, to their loved ones and Filipino supporters who prayed for their success and to their super sherpas who pushed and pushed them until their safe completion of their mission.

Everest trekked by English, Europeans, Americans, Koreans, Malaysians, Japanese and other nationalities has now a mark in the summit for the Philippines, thanks to the quests of the 3 Pinays and the 4 other Filipinos.

-Chito posting from Katmandu

Trekking Sagarmatha National Park

25 May 2007
Trekking Sagarmatha National Park is walking over 120 kilometers in a rolling elevation of 2,980 meters ASL to 5,360 in 16 days at a temperature ranging from negative 0 to 20 degrees C at an average of 4 C.

To enjoy the panoramic sights of the world’s trekking capital, one need not be a hardcore mountaineer. But one must be physically, emotionally and mentally prepared.

The Himalayas demands Baga, lungs for respiratory to cope with the thinning oxygen as elevation increases. Sikmura, stomach for digestion to process Nepali food to fuel for the energy requirements of the physically demanding activity trekking an average of 4 hours a day for 16 days. Tuhod, knee and joints that are strong and free from pain for the repetitive movement every minute of walking. Bulsa, budget for food, water, inn and porter in all 16 stops budgeted at $ 50 a day to include the charter flight to Lukla. Gamit, gears to keep your body dry and warm, never mind if not clean all throughout. Company especially those supportive of your endeavor to lighten up the ordeal. An oxygen percent rate in the range of 70s to 90s indicates capability to combat AMS which we all did. Heartbeat below 105 is a healthy indication of not overworking. (Thanks to Larry Honoridez and Ralph Pilapil for the readings.)  What ties them all up is "Buo ang Loob."

Trek can be broken down in five parts, even in steps to those who lack patience and endurance. 1. The 45-minute flight from Katmandu to Lukla in a prop jet. 2. The descending and ascending trail to Namche (2 days) at the alternating slopes of 2 mountains beside the highly charged gushing river. Still tropical in setting, the trail gives a preview of the glacier laced Himalayas mountain peaks including Mt. Everest from a distance. 3. The demanding ascent to Tengboche, gateway to the alpine elevation where trees and vegetation no longer thrive. 4. Slow and difficult ascent to the Base Camp in loose rocks, soil and even sand. 5. Glacier, ice and running water at the Base Camp. Going back is altogether another episode.

Each step from Lukla brings one close to the Himalayas. As the range becomes bigger, I proportionately become smaller. Amidst the grandeur of the range, glacier laced peaks, blinding snow, pine vegetation, mighty flowing river, I in the Himalayas have turned just a speck in God’s awesome creation, humbled but thankful.

The Himalayas, truly the world’s trekking capital. Trekked in the company of fellow Pinoys to share with the Pinoy nature lovers.

-Chito

Should one be unable to trek down due to illness, there are other options to return to the airport: via a helicopter rescue at a steep price of $ 5,000 via sherpa basket or a yak.

Banny and the Russian rescue helicopter at Lukla airport

Pinoy mountaineering club on the world's trekking capital

PALMC Support Group at Tengboche

Today, 10th May Thursday, lunchtime Nepal time is our 3rd day of trekking in Nepal, the world’s trekking capital. 7 Filipinos and 1 Manila based Portuguese under a tropical mountaineering club PALMC are threading on new grounds never been explored by a Philippine based club. Start of the journey was Katmandu, capital of Nepal where we were flown to Lukla on a chartered plane. Lukla, at 2,840 meters ASL was officially the start of trek that would lead the group to the Everest Base Camp at 5,364 MASL in a span of 9 days and then descend back to Lukha in 9 days.

EBC at 5,360 M ASL

Mid-day on the 3rd day, we started at Namche Bazar for an acclimatization to an elevation of 3,780 MASL at Khumjung in 3 hours.

The 8 members of the group with age range from 32 to 50, composed mainly of young businessmen and office managers led by PALMC ex-president Banny Hermanos are sharing the trails proudly with international club trekkers predominantly Koreans, Japanese and Europeans. Well taken care of by Nepali guides Rodyu and Chandra and the 4 young porters Sherpa, we have been treated to sights and sounds of glacier laced peaks, rushing rivers at high altitude and low temperature of about 11 degrees C. Group is ably guided by a seasoned international traveler Gonci de Almeida, a Portuguese who has adopted manila as his main home. Rico Cabusao sees to our medical and kitchen needs and lawyer Orvin Diaz entertains us.

Pinays descending at Khumbu Ice Fall from Everest Summit Tibet Side
welcomed byMr. Art Valdez 18 May 2007. Two records were set:
1st Pinay at the Everest Peak and 1st Woman in the world
to traverse Everest. Kaya ng Pinay! (Photo by Mr. Banny Hermanos)

The group’s main mission is to document the trail that leads to the Everest Base Camp as a future reference to the typical Pinoy mountaineer. Captures in sights and sounds by ace photographers Banny Hermanos, Dom Goduco  the current footage collected so far is inspiringly awesome.

Philippine Flag Proudly Flying at High Altitude

Post Press Conference Socials at Katmandu after the successful bid 24 May

As the group prepares to meet up with the other PALMC Auxiliary Group lead by Chairman John Fortes at the base camp to welcome the 3 Pinays handled by Art Valdez who will attempt to reach the summit from the Tibet side, the group is all hyped up with the preview of the Himalayas. 

The interest created by the successful climbs to the peak of Leo Oracion, Pastor Emata and Romy Garduce in 2006 inspired us to retrace their base camp routes so that the base camp, which once was a dreaded target for most Pinoy mountaineers can be made within friendly and affordable reach through our experience.

World Class Photographer Banny Hermanos with his supporters

Our obligation to our followers is to share our story. Because a story kept like a stored memory is like having no story at all. As time, inspiration and communications linkages allow, we will post more stories.

Philippine Camp at Everest Base Camp

Chito Razon posting from Khumjung, 3,780 meters ASL (Sorry, under time pressure)

Photos posted at Katmandu 25 May 2007

How I Post My Stories

How I post my stories

1. Internet cafes with regular power supply
2. Use of satellite dish in remote areas
3. Internet cafes at centers
4. Satellite phone
5. Internet powered by solar panels

In internet cafes, the farther you are, the more expensive. In Lukla, site of the airport.

Khumjung, transmitted via satellite dish.

Our cafe Namche Bazaar where they give special discounts to Pinoys at 600 Rupees per hour. The operator was infatuated with Janet that he allows us to transfer our memory card to our hard disks for a song. In Thamel, Katmandu it is 15 Rupees per hour, slightly more than 12 pesos.

Via satellite phone relayed to a party in Manila at P 15.0 per minute using a pre paid Smart Link card. Battery charging is from 100 to 200 Rupees per hour. The inn owners use expensive solar panels to generate their power supply.

Spot the 4 satellite panels on top of the roof at our Lobuche Lodge at 4,930 meters ASL. 3 of our porters relaxing. Temperature at about 10 degrees C.

John Fortes' Account. Larry's Tips

An Account of John Fortes Trip from Katmandu to Lukla and trek to Namche Bazaar
28 April 2007 sent via Email

People,

We arrived Lukla yesterday morning through a bumpy ride across mountain ranges whose beauty are really spectacular. We landed in a short landing strip of Lukla. Pilots are OK. I suggest you take Bonamins before taking the flight. We got delayed trekking to Phakding as we waited for the 2nd flt from Kathmandu as most of our supplies are there. Our personal baggages were with us though.

We got to Phakding and went straight to our lodge. clean and comfortable. nice food too. Thick blankets are provided.

830am the following day we started our trek to Namche Bazaar. The trail is a rolling hills. We crossed hanging bridges 4 times and had lunch along the way. We girded the mountain sides by the rushing river. After lunch, the trek started to climb. Some 30 some 45 degrees. The difficult parts are the stone steps due to uneven distance and height.

We reached Namche after 8 hours. Our doctor, Jodell got AMS at this early stage which slowed us down considerably. Locals do it in 4-5 hours.

We will stay extra night here at Namche due to Doc's condition. So far accommodations are good. Food is good. Later you will be able to adjust as to what food to eat. You can order anything on the menu.

It's good we have an agency taking care of us. We have one guide and 3 porters. Arrival at Kathmandu is a nightmare if you don't have an agency to assist you when you go out of the airport.

It's getting really cold us we go up and expensive too.

That's all for now.

John

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Helpful Tips from Larry on Namche Travels

There is no restriction in bringing in videocam and camera in Katmandu and Namche.
A duffel bag is better than a backpack if you are travelling with several transpo transfers. It’s easier to unload your stuff upon your arrival at the lodging house.
Allowed baggage load at Lukla flight is 15 kilos only. You have to pay the excess load at 61 rupees per kilo.
There is no problem with airport porters. They can carry 2 bags weighing about 60 kilos or more.
Once you start trekking all your expenses will be Water (Lukla 80 rupees/liter, Nache 50r/liter, more expensive beyond namche) Hot shower (200 rupees) and some extra food. The rest is shouldered by the Agency.
Computer (Internet 600 rupees/hr) is available at Namche and Tengboche only. Battery charging is (100 rupees/ hr). Cellfon signal is at Kathmandu only. Bring at least 2 bottles of Coke (500ml) each from Kathmandu. Coke is too expensive in Namche to wash away your thirst!

Happy meet up with Larry

Based on Nepalese Rupee currency conversions, estimated costs in Pesos are:

1 Rupee is at P .73 pesos and US$ 0.02 cents
Water at 80 Rupee per Liter is at P 58.40 or US $ 1.79
Shower at 200 Rupee is at P 146 Pesos or US $ 4.47
Internet per Hour at 600 Rupee is at P 438.0 or US $ 13.40

-----------

Notes from John posted 27 April 4:32 PM

The trip itself is quite an experience.
Our flight to BKK on PR730 was on sked. We were asked to try the restaurant at the airport called Magic. Yes everything there was spicy but cheap. Monet Trespeses-PAL Country Mgr gave us very sweet lanzones. Yes better than our own.

At the waiting lounge for the flight to Kathmandu, we met 2 Japanese and 2 Norwegians-all going to Katmandu. The Norwegians were at a loss as what to expect at KTM. We told them our agent Henry can help them. So upon arrival we introduced them to Henry and they were taken care of.

There is only one counter for no visa persons. You should have a ready passport photo as this is required. Or else this might delay you as you will be asked to have your photo taken at the airport.

Outside the terminal, (just like ours) taxi drivers ask for contract. Normally it will cost you 200 rupees to your hotel. The problem is with the porters. So if you have an agent taking care of you, you don't have to worry a thing. Just take out your baggage and give it to your agency who will be there waiting for you. In this case Henry. The reason-Henry is married to a Filipina so it's a plus factor.

Immediately we were whisked to our hotel, checked in and went to sleep. Almost midnight.

More to come.

Trekking Preparation 1st Post

Trekking Preparations Made Within Reach at Quiapo

All the personal preparations one needs for an expedition trek to the Himalayas are all in the vicinity of Quiapo.

Upon the advice of Dr. Jodell Coates, consult with Sports Medicine Doctor, Dr. Edmund Martinez at the Hospital of the Holy Infant Jesus at Laong-Laan St. near the corner of A. Lacson Ave. (Sampaloc District) presenting the results of laboratory requirements* for an indication of a trekker’s state of health.

Most of the laboratory testings can be done at the nearby hospitals (St. Jude, UST, DOH, Infant Jesus). Laboratories at Rizal Avenue (Sta. Cruz District) in front of the DOH can process your requirements in half a day, in time for presentation to the Sports Doctor at 11 AM-2 PM at his Laong Laan clinic. Make sure you bring your specimens taken after a 10-hour fasting.

Chest xray is at P 140, CBC is P 90, routinary blood, rine and fecal analysis for P 770. Sexually related screenings are at P 740. At the Avenue Medical Lab at 1728 Rizal Avenue, this is estimated at P 1,500. Stress and advanced pulmonary tests available at the St. Jude Hospital will cost an additional P 3,000. Dr. Martinez charges a nominal consultation fee for the interpretation and supplemental diagnosis. He takes a particular look at the borderline blood reading values and the bones.

What we dread in alpine climb is the prevention of the Acute Mountain Sickness symptoms, which occurs in unacclimatized people who ascend to altitudes greater than 2,500 m. The sandy basin of Gorak Shep Everest Base Camp is at 5,160m (16,929ft ASL). The prescribed antidote is Gingko Biloba at 24% flavonoids and 6% terpenoids. The Health Express at the SMC City San Lazaro is at a reduced price of P 5.33 per capsule/30mg. Petroleum Jelly, for the prevention of dryness is sold at any nearby drugstore.

First aid requirements such as triangular bandage, elastic bandage, sterilized gauze pads will cost less than P 150 at the medical supplies at Rizal Avenue.

Your protection against the blinding whites of the snow and the sun is a rated UV sunglasses sold at Pedro Paterno St. With treated and graded lens, add P 850 to your P 1,500 quality frame.

Thermals are available at 168 Mall at Soler St. Undershirt and pants are priced at P 450-750 per set. For the outer garments, there are ukay-ukay all around in case you can live with them.

Document the awesome Himalayas with either a digital or a film camera available along R. Hidalgo St. Supplement your digital camera with a spare li-ion batttery pack (less than a thousand for branded Nikon) and an extra gigabyte of compact flash (P 800 for a gig).

Viewing the chronicle of Michael Palen of BBC entitled Himalaya that spans over 2,000 mile length of the mountain range for 6 months that started in Pakistan/Agfhan mid May 2003 ending in Bhutan in April 2004 gives you an advanced feel of the expedition. Particularly interesting is the trek from Annapurma to the Everest Base Camp. This BBC documentary titled Michale Palin Pole to Pole is spotted at Arlegui St. Complement the video with a reading of Abner Mercado’s “Sa Bubungan ng Mundo” available for P 150 at the National Book Store (Recto or Avenida). The Lonely Planet’s Nepal and Tibet makes a handy reference but for a stiff cost of P 1,500.

As Michael Palin says in his documentary, Himalayas is the natural way to get high. Paraphrased, "if it opens our eyes to the epic and the magnificent land, to experience not only the demanding physical travel but also a spiritually satisfying journey."

Lastly, after all the preparations have been made, do not forget for thanks and divine guidance at the Quiapo Church.

This alpine trek is made within reach to us because of Quiapo and its nearby districts.
------------------

*Physical preparation and capability based on health conditions as indicated by the medical tests recommended by Expedition Physician Nepal Dr. Jodell Coates covering a.) pulmonary b.) stress c.) liver, kidney and blood condition and d.) absence of sexually related viruses

**Personal First Aid Kit
1. triangular bandage (2 or 3)
2. elastic bandage 3-inch width (2)
3. sterilized gauze pad 20 pads.
4. anti histamine also for possible allergies. (Cetirizine (Virlix) 10 mg/tab 5 tabs).

Tragic Ironies

Tragic Ironies

Professor Liviu Librescu, 76, a Romanian-born Israeli academic survived the Holocaust but was executed by the bullets of Cho Seung-hui. The professor was one of the 32 victims in the Virginia Tech shooting of the 23-year old South Korean student.

Julia Campbell, 40 won over the insurgents and the natural calamities in Bicol but lost in relatively peaceful Batad, a barangay of the town Banaue.

Cho, the assailant attacked violently in words and in action:
"You had a hundred billion chances and ways to have avoided today. But you decided to spill my blood. You forced me into a corner and gave me only one option. The decision was yours. Now you have blood on your hands that will never wash off”
"You have vandalized my heart, raped my soul and torched my conscience," "You thought it was one pathetic boy's life you were extinguishing. Thanks to you, I die like Jesus Christ, to inspire generations of the weak and the defenseless people."

US President George W. Bush in a poetic tone projected a very caring president:
"Laura and I have come to Blacksburg today with hearts full of sorrow. This is a day of mourning for the Virginia Tech community. And it is a day of sadness for our entire nation."

"I know many of you feel awfully far away from people you lean on, people you count on during difficult times. But as a dad, I can assure you, a parent's love is never far from their child's heart. And as you draw closer to your own families in the coming days, I ask you to reach out to those who ache for sons and daughters who will never come home."

The well-loved Julia from her blog is an adventurer and as such, a risk taker. She survives them all until the last few days she was to leave. She is remembered for her blog line, “Buhay pa tayo,” still alive reeling from the effects of the typhoons and floods of Bicol. Such a tragic irony that a recreation took Julia’s life.

Through the blog and their writings, we learned straight away what drives them. Such is the power of the word, either written or in video form. They give away our inner most selves. Does web logging put us writers at risk? Ingat lang po.

Map courtesy of the PALMC Bontoc Circuit

The kindness of Baler folks

The kindness of Baler folks, the wonder of nature in a grand magnitude

“Saan po ang mataas na tuktuk dito na kita ang lahat?” casually inquired from a first aid volunteer at the Sabang beach front. “Yung may pulang bubong sa dulo nitong beach. Balik muna kayo ng bayan, labas sa palengke at tuloy kayo sa may Pingit.” “Salamat po,” we replied. Simple instructions that went with hand gesture led us to Ermita Hill.

“Malapit na po ba ang matandang balete tree?” Mga 5 kilometro na lang. Kaliwa dito. Pag may natanaw kayong Iglesia ni Kristo sa highway kanan kaagad. Ikot lang sa iskwelahan at matatananaw niyo na.” “Maraming salamat po.” From the waiting shed where we inquired, it was about 5 kilometers in my odometer as described.

“May mabibilhan pa bang buko?” “Pagmaramihan wala na po. Subukan niyong kumanan diyan tapos ng palengke. May isang bahay sa may kanto na nagbenbenta ng buko. Di po naman alam kung nagpaakyat sila ngayong Sabado.” After some more inquiries, we found Manang near the cockpit with several thousands of buco freshly picked by the nagpipitas. We had to haul them by ourselves. She served us buco for our rehydration.

As impulsive backpackers, we cover as much as we can from the leads we get from any source; maps, internet, public assistance handouts, waiters, front desk personnel, man on the street, tricycle driver, street vendor, even technical data from the weather bureau. In this Baler visit, we saw all the places we wanted to see, thanks to the kind and helpful residents of Baler. When inquiring how far the Manuel Luis Quezon monument was, our Bay’s Inn waiter picked at random accurately provided us with an approximate walking time and the exact corners to cover.

The desire to assist was not isolated. On the way out of the town proper, a portion of the main road was closed due to the Holy Week procession dis-orienting us. We stopped by and asked a fellow on the street, “saan po ba ang palengke?” The guys did not simply tell us to go straight. He counted 3 blocks and even gave the street name “Recto” to turn left.

While walking the wall dividing the Canili River and the gorge, we spotted a resident going to the same direction. Casually I asked, “Magandang hapon po. Ito na ba ang Canili?” That opening question was readily answered with a string of other relevant info. On the spot, we learned that the wall was constructed to divert the water towards Pantabangan, Canili was the last Barangay of Ma. Aurora, our next stop would be the province of Viscaya, in about 30 minutes time, we will be driving through cemented roads. Our handy resource person assured us that we were just about 2 hours to Cabanatuan. (As we parted, only then did I notice the grand gorge again. So overwhelming that I failed to take a second look at the ducks roaming around freely at the lake.)

The most difficult were those not indicated in the map. The road out of Baler via Ma. Aurora where we discovered the awesome gorge was easy to trace. So was the challenging dirt road up to the PAGASA station. As it was the peak season and Barangay Labasin could only offer limited rooms, we were willingly supplied with information from the personnel on where to go next. We eventually got not one room but an entire empty resort for a song.

Finding where to buy buco was the most challenging as there are truly no buying centers, only temporary makeshifts. Through the Baler folks where we were served a hundred per cent with all our inquiries for directions , we found it. That to us was the ultimate destination, more than the grand points of attractions.

Baler made us experience what Marcel Proust a French literary artist in early 19th century wrote, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” People take the centerstage more than the landscape. It has always been for Baler, all the time. Happy Easter!

-Chito

Finding buko

Balete estimated to be 600 years

Chasing waterfalls. Field testing technical gears

River at Canili that stands still like a Lake

Awesome gorge across Canili River

Flagellants on Good Friday

Accommodation for a song

Radar hat

-Fotos by Marc C.