Philippine Mountains Commemorated in Stamps

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.

-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.



November 2006, Filipino conquest of Mt. Everest in stamp was in circulation in the mails. PhilPost and the First Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition Team launched the Conquest of Mt. Everest Stamps commemorating the first Filipinos who have made it to the top of the world’s highest mountain.

Three Everest climbers, Heracleo "Leo" Oracion, Erwin "Pastor" Emata and Romeo Garduce, made the Filipino’s proud for their individual feats. Oracion and Emata were both members of the Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition team headed by Usec Art Valdez.

Oracion became the first Filipino to reach the summit on May 17,2006. He was followed by Emata, and then Garduce.

Oscar M. Lopez, Chairman & CEO of the First Philippine Holdings Corporation, Usec. Art Valdez of DOTC, newly appointed Postmaster General Hector R.R. Villanueva and PhilPost Chairman Atty. Franco Loyola attended the launching ceremony.

The conquest of Mt. Everest stamps’ colorful designs were done by PhilPost in-house designers, Jesus Alfredo D. Delos Santos, Victorino Cerevo, graphic artist Richard Allen Baron and printed in Litho-offset machine.

The stamps feature the panoramic view of Mt. Everest and the spectacular trek of the Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition Team all the way to the summit. (Alvin Fidelson).
http://www.philpost.gov.ph/news.php?vlink=mt_everest

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

Stamp prices as sold in the Central Post Office at Liwasang Bonifacio:
Sold Out Oct 2008-Guiting Guiting Commemorative Sheet P 22.00
Sold Out-Philippine Mountains Commemorative Sheet P 24.00
Sold Out-Philippine Mountains Topical Stamps P 96.00
Sold Out-Philippine Waterfalls Topical Stamps P 96.00
Still Available-Philippine Filipino Conquest of Everest


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

Coastal Clean Up Fotos

Fotos showing scope of the clean up by photographers, RNDBau , Freddie D., Mon Corpuz, Zer Cabatuan and as indicated courtesy of Vic M.

International Coastal Cleanup

On 20 September, 2008, Saturday at 6 AM in San Dionisio Paranaque, the Philippines joins an international activity in over 76 countries of cleaning up its own coastal shore. 

This is under the International Coastal Cleanup, organized by The Ocean Conservancy the world’s largest volunteer event of its kind. 

Last year when the Philippines also participated, about 378,000 volunteers from 76 countries and 45 states cleared six million pounds of trash from oceans and waterways and recorded every piece of trash collected.

This year with the sponsorship of Coca-Cola and other allied agencies as Ocean Conservancy's Philippine Coordinating Organization, the International Marinelife Alliance Philippines and sponsors, the Philippines manifests its commitment to clean oceans and waterways in our own backyard. 

The event is expected to begin at 6AM in the morning, and will finish before lunch-time. To join, simply form a team of your friends and group yourselves into a team of four (4) members each.

For more information, you can also visit The Ocean Conservancy Website at http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_icc
or contact Victor Z. Manlapaz Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. Project Officer, Environment Tel.: (02) 866-2582 Fax: (02) 866-2398 Mobile: 0917 886-6054 Email: victor.manlapaz @ ccbp.com.ph

Other references http://www.slideshare.net/vicmanlapaz/2008-coke-international-coastal-cleanup-final-v-sept-11-2008-presentation-595375

Important Notice:
Due to the larger number of participants this year in the Coastal Cleanup, the Roxas Boulevard Cleanup site can no longer accommodate all of the 2008 volunteers. In light of this, the DENR has identified San Dionisio, Paranaque, as the new National ICC Cleanup site - approximately 5 kilometers away from the SM Mall of Asia heading towards the Cavite Coastal Road.


The San Dionisio site has a much larger coastal area, is an endangered avian habitat, and has a much greater need for a cleanup. Both Coke and non-Coke employee-participants who volunteer through the Coca-Cola Foundation are requested to proceed to the Coke tent on the day of the event to confirm registration and attendance. 300 Coke Barkada t-shirts will be made available to those who pre-register for the event (while supplies last!).
To pre-register your team, please send the complete name, cellphone #, and email address of your four (4) team members to me by Sept. 5, 2008. For more information for this event, please call 866-2582 or 0917 866-2398. Thanks!

International Coastal Clean Up Objectives
-To remove trash/debris from beaches and waterways -To increase awareness on the extent of the marine debris problem -To popularize the concept of waste management -To promote a clean, healthy and sustainable coastal environment -To change behaviors that cause pollution

What Should I not Bring?
DO NOT BRING: Black disposable garbage bags
NO Slippers, open-toe shoes
NO Mineral water bottles or similar disposable containers
Fast Foods & Snacks with disposable wrappers as these may contribute to the litter during the event

What Do I Bring?
ICC DATA CARD
Straw Sack (Palengke)
Cap / Hat / Sunblock
Towel & extra t-shirt
Work Gloves
Rubber shoes
Reusable water-bottle ( sports bottle ) / tumbler
Raincoat for light-rain conditions
Camera
Ballpen
Plastic envelope
Pointed sticks
Tongs
Soap / hand sanitizer

Apocalypto and My Halcon

Apocalypto traces the end of a civilization and the start of a new one in the Mayan jungles before the Spanish invasion of 1492.

Viewing the film of Actor/ Director Mel Gibson starring Rudy Youngblood as Jaguar Paw is like a virtual climb to Mt. Halcon.

Set in the rain forest, it tracks the capture of an able tribe from their village to another center and the escape of its leader Jaguar running swiftly and violently for his life.

The settlers are aborigines similar to the Mangyans except that they are of American-Indian descent. A Pinoy mountaineer can identify with the tropical rainforest, the river in Lantuyan, harsh rain and the sounds of the movie shot in actual location in Veracruz and Costa Rica in South America. While the majestic waterfall is breathtaking, it nevertheless is not a strange natural resource in both the trail to Durungawan and Sablayan. The Jaguar is our baboy damo, the fatal frog is a palaka, the quicksand our kumunoy (although the only one we stepped on was in Mr. Talinis in the South).

Completing the 120 minute movie where one completed the full circle relaxed then struggling did not exhaust me out despite the violence. It must be because the sight of the virgin forest like an actual climb was invigorating.

There is something common between the movie and the Halcon climb, in keeping us suspense. It kept us guessing whether we could complete the climb (fortunately we did) and if Jaguar would succeed in returning back alive. In Apocaplyto, Jaguar escapes from his captors to return back to home, climbers go to the mountains to escape from home.

Gideon wrties about Halcon's possible re-opening for climbs.

Apocalypto is currently showing and replayed at Star Movie, Skycable Manila.

Minsan

Lahat ng bagay ay merong hangganan from Minsan of Eraserheads

The music of the disbanded popular band which we have been singing in the sosyals in our early climbs is kept alive with this thread. The flame is ignited further when their reunion concert was cut short by an impending attack of the lead singer, Ely.

Peep. Follow the thread. Post.

One night stand: The Eraserheads reunion concert, a 26 photo slideshow at the Philippine Entertainment Portal tells the story in photos.
http://www.pep.ph/photos/1001/One_night_stand%3A_The_Eraserheads_reunion_concert

Eraserheads Post Reunion
http://www.peyups.com/posts.khtml?mode=viewtopic&topic=36351&forum=19&start=0

Artist: Eraserheads
http://www.peyups.com/posts.khtml?mode=viewtopic&topic=30529&forum=19

Sabi ni Duff, "Eraseheads ang naging saksi sa lahat nglungkot,saya ,hirap ko mula high school hanggang makagraduate ako ngcollege ... Kaya ng mag reunion sila naaalala ko lahat ng nangyari sa akin nun ... Pati lahat ng ng tropa ko nun ... Masasabi ko na parte nang buhay ko ang eheads"
http://www.peyups.com/posts.khtml?mode=viewtopic&topic=36327&forum=19&start=0


What made the Eraserheads a legend.
Claudine wrote. "eraserheads inspired us all. they are the defacto spokesperson of our generation and they did it through music."
http://www.peyups.com/posts.khtml?mode=viewtopic&topic=25758&forum=19&start=0

Dedicated to Mitch, Rodell, Jong, Nelson, Ritchie, Dexter, Joy, Claude, Tonette at "sa lahat ng ng aming nakasama sa lahat ng hirap at pagdurusa, naaalala nito pa ba binigyan namin kayo ng ligaya ilang taon na ring lumipas mga kulay ng mundo ay kumupas marami na rin ang mga pagbabago di maiiwasan pagkat tayo ay tao lamang" from Para sa Masa.

Para sa mga kasamahan kong kumakanta sa trail at sa sosyals.
may isang umaga na tayo'y magsasama
haya at halina sa alapaap
o anong sarap

Kay bilis maglaho ng kahapon
Sana'y huwag kalimutan
Ang ating mga pinagsamahan.
At kung sakaling gipitin ay laging iisipin na
Minsan tayo ay naging tunay na magkaibigan

Did Dave A. beat Leo O?

Did Dave A. beat Leo O to Everest at en.wikipedia?
Is Wikipedia a reliable source of info?

"That is not to say that you will not find valuable and accurate information in Wikipedia; much of the time you will. However, Wikipedia cannot guarantee the validity of the information found here. The content of any given article may recently have been changed, vandalized or altered by someone whose opinion does not correspond with the state of knowledge in the relevant fields. "

Dale Sto. Tomas Abenojar (born April 27, 1963) is a mountain guide by profession. On May 30, 2006, he was recognized by veteran Himalayan expedition chronicler Elizabeth Hawley as "the first Filipino" to reach the summit of Mount Everest. According to Hawley Dale reached the summit on May 15, 2006.[1] Abenojar was certified by the China Tibet Mountaineering Association on May 20, 2006 to have summitted Everest via the North Col on May 15, 2006 at 10:45 a.m. Beijing time.[2]

Dale Abenojar is the 2,614th Everest summiteer. In contrast, Leo Oracion is the 2,740th Everest summiteer. Both Abenojar and Oracion is in the full list of the 3,050 successful ascents of Mount Everest from 1953 to 2006. Under "Everest all" is a link to the entire list in Microsoft Excel Worksheet [2]. The Himalayan DataBase [3] published by American Alpine Club[3] had included Dale in the list of Everest North summitteers for Spring 2006 on May 15,[4].
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Abenojar

Heracleo Salumbides Oración reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 17, 2006, at the age of 32. He reached the summit at 3:30pm (local time), together with 15 [1] other climbers.
However, Mount Everest chronicler Elizabeth Hawley said on June 14, 2006 that another Filipino climber, Dale Abenojar, is the first to summit on May 15, two days before Leo Oracion.[1] Consequently, the Himalayan DataBase published by American Alpine Club[2] had included Dale in the list of Everest North summitteers for Spring 2006 on May 15,[3] .

Oración is the 2,740th Everest summiteer. In contrast, Dale Abenojar is the 2,614th Everest summiteer. Both Abenojar and Oracion is in the full list of the 3,050 successful ascents of Mount Everest from 1953 to 2006. Under "Everest all" is a link to the entire list in Microsoft Excel Worksheet [2]
Oración is a member of the First Philippine Mount Everest Expedition, whose quest to conquer Everest was supported by the ABS-CBN television network, among other entities. [4] Oración however reached the summit separately apart from his other teammates.

Oración is a Philippine triathlete who has won various adventure races. Recently, his team Coastguard-Sandugo placed second in the Philippines' adventure race, the Carrera Habagat.[citation needed]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Oracion

Read both posts at the linked site.

Revisiting Infanta

Up to Dinahican Fishing Port, Infanta in Quezon is roughly 120 kms or 3 1/2 hours away from Cubao. A similarly traveled distance brings you to Batangas in the South or to Pampanga in the North. But Infanta transports you to a place that transcends beyond geographical travel time. 3 hours is short to be set back centuries ago when population density is low and pacing slow.

Mega Maya at P 230/kilo, Tuna at P 130, Blue Marlin at P 140, Tulingan at P 60.

Before the 2004 landslide tragedy, it was a favorite destination of racer bikers and motorized trike drivers. Today it remains still to be their favorite weekend getaway. Coming from Rizal, you cross two mountains; the Rizal-Laguna boundary (about 20 kms and ½ hour) and the Sierra Madre range traversing Laguna-Quezon (about 40 kms and 1 hour).

Paluto at P40 compared to P 180 at Farmers

Sight alone is a feast. The Rizal-Laguna boundary imposes a view of the Metro Manila skyline with Laguna de Bay and Talim Island at the foreground. The Sierra Madre ascent and descent display an infinite depth of mountain ranges, coconuts, trees and gorges. End to end, you drive to a well-paved concrete highway with minimal traffic interrupted only by a series of checkpoints in the Laguna and Quezon provinces.

To Polilio in 3 hours at P 180. Bus ride to Infanta from Manila at P 180.

2008, 4 years after the massive landslide where thousands of trees from roots to branches were uprooted rolling down to the river and to the Lamon Bay and Pacific Ocean, there appears to be no traces of destruction.

Resorts are bustling with guests from the nearby provinces (including my colleagues from work, Rolly and Alex). Fish is in abundance and townfolks as courteous, modest and helpful as ever.

Fishing vessels dock in late AM at Dinahican Fishing Port

Infanta is at the forefront of a new wave of development when the 100 kilometer plus Infanta-Marikina road opens before the end of 2009 exposing another segment of the Sierra Madre to further expansion and hopefully not exploitation.

Rolly, Alex, Jonnell

It felt good to have come back. It brought back the same feeling I had the first time I explored it a more than a decade ago.

In the company of friends, the hardworking sales associates who simply wanted to relax and urban workers escaping from the entrapment of malls, targets and deadline did not deter us from enjoying socials at the Baywatch. What was originally a 5 PM enroute was moved to 7, 8 and eventually past 9. Over squid, blue marlin, light drinks and engaging conversations, at least for once, time did not matter.

A 7 kilo Tuna gently cut by Marissa for the novice fish buyers

Chito Razon 8 June 2008

Flash Report from Nepal

Re: News from Nepal

We received a flash news from John Fortes at 7:45 PM 1 May that the 4, Gonz, Joshua, Ivy and Leo made it to the summit of Island Peak today at around 10 AM on separate intervals. They are all safe and on the way back to avoid an impending storm. Congrats to the 4, we look forward to the stories.

In palmc yahoo groups goncalo de almeida wrote:


Dear all,

Namaste from Nepal! We've been in Katmandu for 3 days preparing the logistics of our adventure. All is under control and we are set to leave tomorrow. We are in good spirits and looking forward to the mountains.

We just came from Rum Doodle where we saw the footprints of our previous adventure as well those of Leo and the everest expedition.

Those of you who want to consult our IT, please ask it from John or Banny. We will update you every time possible. We will also try to call John from the satelite phone either at the summit or during Ivy's induction.

Warm regards from Leo, Josh, Ivy and Gonz

Island Peak Info- captured slide show of the itinerary prepared by Larry and Team
Cesar's Photo Album- view 123 pre-screened photographs

Calendar Boy

Can't help but post this one taken by Banny.

29th MFPI Congress and Climb

The UP Mountaineers, MFPI and the Province of Aurora present the 29th MFPI Congress and Climb. Hike, climb, surf, bike, and beach bum for 5 days, from 8 Tuesday to 12 Saturday April 2008. The province is yours to explore.

29th MFPI Congress and Climb

Hosted by the UP Mountaineershttp://www.fedclimb08.co.nr

Pick you links.

.

Reconstructing how the MFPI Vision was crafted

The workshop, facilitated by Ms. Susan Quimpo was one of the most productive academic exercises I have done. A conference which combined a subject matter where one is passionate about with work stream is surely an enjoyable activity. It was two days and a half of fun and work at the DAP Center and Tagaytay Picnic Grove in Tagaytay on 4-5 December 1999.

Butch Sebastian, then president of MFPI assembled a small group that subjectively represented the sentiments of the community. Composing the group were seasoned, hardcore and novice climbers, delegates from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao with varying opinions and perspective on climbing. Completing the team was relatively easy then. Participants were pre-selected although the invitation was open to all via egroups posting. At the session, present were Butch, Regie, Jong, Beth, Lolong, Reina, Eric, Jude, Arnold, Ding, Bebot, Ricky, Kat, Wena, Yay, Val and Chito.

It started by asking in an open discussion “Who are we?” guided by these key questions:
What do we do? What do we enjoy doing? What is our role in the community? Who are our leaders? What is our unique contribution? What do we do best? What do we value? What do we retain? What do we change? How do we treat each other? How are people recognized formally and casually? What is our image of success? How do we handle the good times and the bad times?

Then it led to clues on how we can be better members molding an imagined future or a vision. From here, honest-to-goodness assessments were discussed on “Where we are right now.” Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats guided us. Questions asked were: What forces are influencing the group? What changes are we going through? What influences our values? What empowers us? What dis-empowers us? What don’t we know? This forum provided the opportunity for each one to contribute in shaping the vision.

Having established an imagined future, we proceeded to defining it. Participants were individually given paper and colored pens to visualize in drawings the vision as described. Outputs were presented to the group and posted for further appreciation. Truly, visions are better rendered visually than verbally.

We then synthesized all the salient points to move forward answering the big question, "How does success look like for MFPI?"   The most relevant contributions and suggestions to create a set of practical goals and actions were highlighted. Goals were integrated into the group’s daily activities. Programs were developed and action plans made.

These then were now crafted in words in a final long session. Everyone must agree to each word and punctuation of the statements.

The result is what we posted in this article. Does it need revisiting? Read for yourself.

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

Slides courtesy of the late Dr. Raymundo S. Punongbayan

5 December 1999, a motley group of climbers was invited by then MFPI President Butch Sebastian to craft a Vision Mission for the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines Incorporated (MFPI).

Seven years ago, the vision was defined against the backdrop of what were then in the popular mindsets of the climbers:

-With a desire to climb complemented by a commitment to the preservation of the mountain eco-system
-With a sense of adventure tempered by a due regard for safety
-Whose enjoyment of the climb is bounded by a healthy respect and sensitivity for fellow mountaineers and the local communities they encounter.

We saw then a Philippine mountaineering community aware of both their right and duty to be responsible mountaineers leading to the statement of the mission-to promote responsible mountaineering by setting standards for climbing behavior ensuring:
-Our commitment to the preservation of mountain eco-system
-Development of skills necessary for safe enjoyment of climbing
-A healthy respect for fellow mountaineers and local communities


Over the past years, we saw the climbing community engaged in activities which were not directly taken into consideration then. Among them were:
-Number of climbers has grown in leaps and bounds re-classing the recreation from an extreme activity to a mainstream one which media gamely picked up.
-Competitive adventure sports which were not in fashion before gained acceptance and participation from the climbing community. Climbers provided a pool of winnable participants in either local, regional or international races.
-Expanding sights not only in tropical climbs but alpine as well.
-Opening up to the possibility that the Pinoy given the training and logistical support can climb the roof of the world.
Mission Vision practitioners say that a hard and fast rule to process check its relevance is to challenge whether the vision has been achieved, the stakeholders still share the missions’ sentiments, end result is doable taking in account a tangible goal, an execution plan, a visionary leader and more importantly is a shared purpose.

Consider that in spite of major developments, climbers still have a high regard for safety although un-quantified, there is still a consciousness to preserve the mountain eco-system although it appears not to high in priority and even with the differences in views amongst clubs, members, climbers and the manner to run the federation, there is still a considerable respect for the diversity of opinion. There are those though who clamor for wider representation. Some vouch for a stronger lobbying presence, geographical division and of late international accreditation. While there is a mention on building skills, one noted the absence of physical fitness in the framework.

Is it time to re-visit the Vision Mission? Popular sentiment of the stakeholder which is composed of the member clubs, the individual members, incumbent officers, suppliers, and communities we affect and the support groups we tap can give tell-tale indicators. All of them have stakes to protect. Each one has its own priority. Indifference, apathy, resignation at one and involvement, commitment, contribution at the extreme end offer hints is to whether the sentiments are still shared. Are the stakeholders getting more or less involved with the mission?

What I know is as we root for the first Filipino climber or the first Filipino climber or the first Filipino team to step foot on the peak of Mt. Everest, the climbing landscape has been changing immeasurably. Maybe so, it is time. Unless the community now has turned its affiliation somewhere else and just leave the MFPI to where it is.

What’s in your mind matters. What do you think?