Linking with people, nature through a club

The 35^th PALMC anniversary cum Christmas party organized by the current leadership headed by Chairperson Shirryl Goduco drew a sizeable turn out at the Escalades Tower function room in Barangay Murphy Cubao last 29 November 2014.

It generated even more attention online both pre and post event from members and friends all over the continent, thanks to the Facebook posting.

The gathering had the elements of a conventional Christmas party: registration with a modest fee, pre-prepared and pot luck food, program hosted by special friends, games participated in by member couples, gifts and prizes, musical numbers, Christmas decors among others.

Touches of artifacts of a typical mountaineering club gathering which defined the club were in place: a photo exhibit, awarding tenured members present with at least a decade and a half years logged as members, accomplishments for 2014, sampling of the program in 2015 to come, food and booze, LCD projector and audio system for the slide and video showing and most importantly, booze.

Important must-haves defined the event: an opening remark of founder John Fortes highlighting the message that membership is driven not by events and activities but by relationship which explains why linkages transcend time; club’s social responsibility tapping its affinity with nature through the organization of rescue operations shown in video by VP Francis Davantes entitled Flight of Hope https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spmq51XcKRo ; a 20-minute slide showing of some climbing highlights from 2000-2014 created by Dom, projected with his son and the presence of members.

The President Russel Aguinaldo admitted that the club is facing some membership and activity situations partly contributed by the transitions or the corporate restructuring and other reasons. Sad, that a pioneering mountaineering club still has to overcome these challenges.

But towards the end, with more senior and illustrious members catching up with the gathering and the showing of the highlights of half a decade of PALMC, memories of ecstatic moments with club members, climbs, travels, camp site socials, assaults, land, boat and air transfers quickly triggered a flashback.  Strong memories of a past event that comes suddenly flashed into most members’ minds. This validated John’s message that the club built and nurtured relationship with people, co-climbers, community and with nature.

And if just a sight of a single photo in the past is enough to trigger those ecstatic memories, the club must really seeded a special linkage with its membership.

Happy Anniversary. Merry Christmas and Congratulations!

Some notes:
-John, typical of his colleagues was among the 1st to arrive and of course the 1st to leave. Know more about John and MFPI at this site: http://mfpi.wordpress.com/about
-After the showing, it took some time for the guests to leave as stories were still narrated. The activity was followed up eventually with a post gathering at an undisclosed place.
-Credits to the organizers whose names escape me as of the moment.
-For an idea on the attendance, refer to the fotos posted by other members.

A hot welcome to visiting club members

On short notice, people came to a venue geographically at the center of the city. Not asking who would be there but by simple deduction from the invitation of ex President Banny Hermanos that ex President Jazz Aquino and wife  Xenia are in town, familiar PALMCERs would show up. True enough, call and people will be there and were there. Never mind if there was a suicide drama happening at the Guadalupe Bridge along EDSA on the appointed time and the zipper truck lane at C5 has been unzipped (lane dedicated to plying big trucks). Yet people showed up and stayed way past midnight at Silly Labuyo along Shaw Boulevard.

To the Buriwisan aficionados of the 90’s, the location was a familiar place as this was the area where weekend trekkers would hang around to wait for group mates before boarding a public jeep headed for Siniloan in Laguna. To the urban workers of the 21^st century, this area called Greenfield is now one of the choices for night outs along the boulevard (among them are the Pioneer Center and the Capitol Commons developed by the Ayala and the Ortigas Group located at the Pasig Provincial Ground.) But the PALMCERS of the 90’s (or late 80’s), this was the venue where members from different continents of the world gathered just to be socially within reach for an enjoyable drink, eat and talk.

There were not much stories about climbs but about current events and other personalities particularly those not present that evening. Center of the talk about the recreation common to the attendees was the value of a club, the group and the associations with the climb. 

At the background are Tim Toledo, Jun Feliciano,
 Ding Cailipan, Tere Collado, Carol B. , Xenia A.

People gather on short notice because a shared experience on climbing mostly pleasant is forever remembered. The experience is memorable because it is a group activity which solo or individual climbing cannot replicate. Even if the club at current situation faces issues on membership as narrated by current President Russell Aguinaldo, it can always look back at its heritage and history as the very foundation why it is still here even with the changing climbing landscape and the shifting corporate structure.

Perhaps it is true that friendships built on climbs are the ones that endure. To think, there was even no discussion on when the next climb will be. Thanks to those who sponsored the drinks and for the guests from other continents.

Memories of Himalayas-Celebrating and Going Home

How does one reward himself for a successful feat?  Enjoy the moment.

Stealing socials. Drinking. At the Namche Bazaar lodge going down, deprived of socials on the way up, it was natural to crave for beer. Beer drinking was made more enjoyable with singing and dancing accompanied by a live guitar plucking. While conducted only a several minutes, it was memorable nevertheless as there was a true cause to celebrate. (View Banny Hermanos’ May2007 Filipino climbers jamming at Namche Bazaar Nepal).

Food trip. Every chance to try out a menu different from the Nepal staple food is looked forward to. When we bumped into successful Everest peak trekker Regie Pablo, we indulged in a food trip in a newly discovered outlet. KKB of course.

Shopping. No denial to a craving for a technical stuff. After all, who else deserves the finest equipment but those who survived the unknown. One must discern which is genuine or an imitation.

Partying. Thanks to the Filipino community based in Katmandu and the recognition earned by the successful summiteers, we too were accorded the same hospitality and courtesy. We are grateful for their extraordinary hosting.

Saying thanks and appreciating  the company, sponsors and fellow trekkers from Manila and Katmandu. Like any other completed tropical climb, an interaction with fellow trekker opens up a discussion on anything about the climb. It can be serious, comical and most of the time simply trivial. No talk was seen as off topic.

Communicating and documenting. This extends a 15-day trek to an open-ended period for as long as we talk about the trek. This expands the coverage from a motley group to a wider community especially with the advent of social network. Instantly triggering memories are photos from our colleagues both amateurs and professionals (Banny, Dom, Cesar, Larry, Rico among others).

Like a cycle, it starts with a plan and ends with a completion. Celebrating the completion opens up new opportunities to eventually provide reason to celebrate again. But before the glory was the humbling start.

 Fotos from the collections of Rico C. and Larry H.

Buo ng Loob article on Baga.  Sikmura,  Tuhod,  Bulsa at Gamit.

Memories of Himalayas-End of Day and Quarters

We were slowly walking, puffing, huffing and panting looking down at the trail so there is no perspective on the distance still to be trekked.

Priceless.  Kuha ni Banny H.  Ako ba ang nakaupo?

All of a sudden when we looked up, there was a formidable illuminated structure that blocked our sight 
signalling "that's it for the day." Panning to our right, the range was framed with a live person validating to us that we 
too can make it. Suddenly, the fatigue and loss of breath were transformed to ecstasy and recharged energy.

Medyo relax pa

At the end of the day, a place to stay, eat, clean, sleep and rest awaits us. It's a simple concrete enclosure with a table, a window, a small dark box that serves as a rest room and a sleeping room walled by wood with an elevated platform to sleep on.

At the far end of the lodge is a corner that serves as a kitchen. Power supply is minimal generated by solar panel. While arrangements have been pre planned, arriving at the lodge is met with anxiety triggered by thoughts whether the body can live with the temperature, pessimism for unappetizing food and doubts of insufficient energy to chew and to clean the plates. 

Wala yatang heater dito

In the deep of the night when nature calls, will the flesh have the inertia to move and to be erected? But the more difficult dilemma to face comes on the morning after.  Upon waking up, this question is repeatedly asked to the self, "Should I stay or should I go?" We did go and proceeded.

Si Rizal, Mabini o Bonifacio ba ang nasa isip ko?

The base camp is a tent camp. No more lodges, no more inns.  Shelter is contained within the fabrics of the structure framed by poles. Temperature is managed by the technical properties of the fabric and the sleeping bag. Between your back and the floor are thin layers of sheets that absorb the low temperature. What added warmth was the company and camaraderie.

Kampo kasama sina Rico, Cesar, Banny

Life at the base camp is living exposed to the elements.

Way back was a breeze. From Lukla airport to base camp took us 9 days. Going back was in 6 days. Less anxiety and with more confidence.

Ang ganda ewan ko kung sino ang may kuha

Stay at the lodges was more relaxed. No more concerns on the unpredictability of Acute Mountain Sickness. Destination was known, pacing can now be predicted.  

Somewhat the lodges were more homey. Windows with a view can be better appreciated.

Mga tambay sa labas

But has the relationship among us deepened? Not yet as the feat we have succeeded to accomplish has to still sink in.

Months and years later, what have I realized? Borrowing from Edwin Berbaum, writer of "Sacred Mountains of the World", "At Everest, we feel ourselves at the center of the world, not just Asia, not just the Philippines but the WORLD."

-Memories of a journey May 2007 recalled Sept 2014.

Oda alas gracias - Pablo Neruda

Oda alas gracias - Pablo Neruda
Gracias a la palabra que agradece, gracias a gracias por cuanto esta palabra derrite nieve o hierro
Gracias, gracias, que viajes y que vuelvas,que subas y que bajes. Está entendido, no lo llenas todo, palabra gracias, pero donde aparece tu pétalo pequeño se esconden los puñales del orgullo, y aparece un centavo de sonrisa.

Ode to gratitude
Thanks to the word that gives thanks. Thanks to the gratitude for how excellently the word melts snow or iron.  Thanks, gracias, you travel and return, you rise and descend. It is understood, you don't permeate everything, but where the word of thanksgiving appears like a tiny petal, proud fists hide and a penny's worth of a smile appears

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

Oda a las gracias Gracias a la palabra que agradece, gracias a gracias por cuanto esta palabra derrite nieve o hierro. El mundo paecía amenazante hasta que suave como pluma clara, o dulce como pétalo de azúcar, de labio en labio pasa gracias, grandes a plena boca o susurrantes, apenas murmulladas, y el ser volvió a ser hombre y no ventana, alguna claridad entró en el bosque. fue posible cantar bajo las hojas. Gracias, eres la píldora contra los óxidos cortantes del desprecio, la luz contra el altar de la dureza. Tal vez también tapiz entre los más distantes hombres fuiste. Los pasajeros se diseminaron en la naturaleza y entonces en la selva de los desconocidos, merci, mientras el tren frénetico cambia de patria, borra las fronteras, spasivo, junto a los puntiagudos volcanes, frío y fuego, thanks, sí, gracias, y entonces se transforma la tierra en una mesa. una palabra la limió, brillan platos y copas, suenan los tenedores y parecen manteles las llanuras. Gracias, gracias, que viajes y que vuelvas, que subas y que bajes. Está entendido, no lo llenas todo, palabra gracias, pero donde aparece tu pétalo pequeño se esconden los puñales del orgullo, y aparece un centavo de sonrisa.

Ode to gratitude

• Thanks to the word that gives thanks.
• Thanks to the gratitude for how excellently the word melts snow or iron. The planet seemed full of threats until soft as a translucent feather, or sweet as a sugary petal, from lip to lip, it passed,thank you, magnificent, filling the mouth,or whispered, hardly voiced, and the soul became human again, not a window, soome clear shine penetrated the forest: it was possible again to sing beneath the leaves.
• Gratitude, you are medicine opposing scorn's bitter oxides, light melting the cruel altar. Perhaps you are also the carpet uniting the most distant men, passengers spread out through nature and the jungle of unknown men, merci, as the delirious train penetrates a new country, eradicating frontiers, spasibo, joined with the sharp-cusped volcanoes, frost and fire, thanks, yes, gracias, and the Earth turns into a table, a single word swept it clean, plates and cups glisten, forks jingle, and the flatlands seem like tablecloths.
• Thanks, gracias, you travel and return, you rise and descend. It is understood, you don't permeate everything, but where the word of thanksgiving appears like a tiny petal, proud fists hide and a penny's worth of a smile appears.

Lines, translation, visual all grabbed from the net.

LRT MRT Connect. My recollection

LRT-MRT Connect. As an active city traveler heavily patronizing the mass transport system in Metro Manila, I keep track of expansions. When the Roosevelt station started to operate Oct 2010, I have looked forward to the moment when it would connect to North Avenue. Only now after over 3 years have I read a satisfactory explanation. It will still take years. The riding public will still have to bear the hardship. From Alex Magno's column http://m.philstar.com/opinion/show/0191a87a91d24bc7d9b3da7939290cca?t=t5tcgfhhrs6qurdg6787f6l421

Originally posted 13 March 2014

Process Based Ordering at a Fruitshake Stall

Blend of lychee, mango and melon

At Fruitastics, a fruit shake stall inside a fruit store at UP Diliman shopping center, it has a working operating system for ordering, paying and claiming.

As you enter the store, stall is at the entrance.

1. Choose number of fruits and size and get a stub with price and code.
2. Pay at a separate counter and get a stamped stub.
3. When you return, present your stub and claim. If traffic is heavy, you wait a little.

At P 65 for a 22 ounce cup of a real fruit-based shake, who would not be trooping to Fruitastics. When there are many patrons, the simple system regulates the flow.

Center is at 63 which I reach by walking from Palma Hall at 24

Stage on Screen

Indies have now borrowed the theater’s format for their medium. Indayog ng Nayatamak, the opening film of Shorts B directed by Joris Fernandez translates a dance of a relationship in a struggle in a digital format capturing in detail the human expression and movement visually and musically. Conflict is interpreted by young dancers Kelvin Joseph Barroso and  Chinky May Juntura.

Hari ng Tondo by Carlos Syguion-Reyna is a zarzuela on screen of two opposing factions. Lead stars are backed up with an ensemble acting and singing with distinct roles to play in narrating the story of an aging father facing a personal and financial dilemma.

The festival is a feast in diversity not only in themes but format as well. While I miss the intimacy of the theater, the effects made up for it. I enjoyed viewing Indayog and Hari at a price within reach.

My Barber's Tales

I see several tales.  Tale, a story that may not be completely true. Or a story of someone’s actual experiences. First is the feminist statement on the role of the rural female in reforming society through underground means.

Second is the transformation of the lead female Marilou from a passive housewife subservient to her husband the community to a passive resistant supporter of a rebel movement to an active aggressor.

There are the tales of Father, Mayor, Mayora, the rebel, the fertile wife, the spinster, the military and the most colorful, the comfort women.

Beyond the tales, I see a setting in throwback days in Barber’s Tale, a movie of Jun Lana. A rustic idyllic place where pace is slow, day is long, air is clean. A place that is quiet where conversations disturb the sound of the river and the howling wind. When night falls, a single “hasag” is sufficient to illuminate the entire shack. It tells a story of setting and time. Where the center of action is in a barber’s chair whose seat is not made of foam but of an organic leaf. Razor used is not a thin razor blade but a hardened metal. This small barrio is set in a flat land surrounded by hills.  To gain access one crosses a river in a hanging bridge. To escape, one hides inside one of the chambers of a cave.


Access to the outside world is in a small box called a transistor radio powered by cell batteries and at times through an outdated tabloid and Panorama magazine. Control of the barrio is like any other community, through the Mayor, the parish priest and the commanding officer.

Those were the days when tales were told by a living creature called man where a story unfolds slowly tracing the transformation of the central character. Soon a tale will be told about the snowballing of the transformation of Marilou and Edmond to the barrio, the community, a sector and eventually to a movement.

Barber’s Tale is a creation of Jun Lana starring Eugene Domingo.  Movie was shot in Daraitan Tanay.  Photos lifted from mymovieworld.

What is shared between 1st ko si 3rd and #Y?

Watching two Cinemalaya entries back-to-back representing extreme eras made me think commonality and differences. Y kids think of immediate pleasure and group reciprocity while the oldies have deferred satisfaction and solo contemplation. The Ys have the cono language and the oldies conversational tagalog. The oldies are thrilled by memories and simple situations while the Ys by more complex stimulus; drugs, sex, smartphones, social statements.

Both Ys and the oldies have the need to be appreciated, the oldies as simple as no denial of happiness and the Ys with someone to listen to their angst. The oldies derive support from longtime friends and immediate family and the Ys from nowhere and professional help. Both experience the pain of being human perhaps on the same destructing level but the oldies confronting them with tenacity and the Ys sadly with resignation through sex, drugs and the ultimate escape, suicide.

1st and Y are two movies with diverse approaches on the human spirit. One is on number and the other a letter. Number or letter, both broken wanting for redemption and eventual salvation.

Cinemalaya 2014

Everything about Mariquina from actors, production to shoes is world class

Lifted from FB

Everything about Mariquina from actors, production to shoes is world class. Using analogy of shoe making and the search for the appropriate pair of shoes, Mariquina’s story slowly unfolds until Imelda Guevarra discovers her deeper self.

The transition from denial to grief is painstakingly detailed and is successfully engaging. Imagine an ensemble of great performances from Mylene Dizon, Bing Pimentel, Ricky Davao, Barbie, Che Ramos conveying the nuances of their roles in a polished production execution.

Film is not new breed but seasoned breed. A Pinoy showcase to the world!

Cinemalaya 2014

Dagitab. Idea seeded to further think about

Dagitab capitalizes heavily on the campus icon, logos, artifacts to give them permission to explore liberal possibilities even the extreme ones. Like "Ano ang hinahanap natin? Bakit di tayo masaya?"

Meaningful conversations between two parties may sound phony but could be sincere like talks in a static car, essay readings, Zara's bonding sessions, the beach, workshop, in the bedroom, at the barbecue stand, Los Banos and Avenue walks, barn reveals, breakfast and several others that after watching the movie.

One longs for a discussion group to thread all the various sparks together and to surface one again to the key message: explore life's liberal possibilities. (Even the actors' sensitive capture of the nuances of their roles is in itself an interesting topic for exploration, ranked in no particular order by Eula Valdez, Nonie Buencamino, Martin Del Rosario, Sandino Martin, Ronnie Lazaro and the ensemble at the professors' drinking sessions [it is said you get eureka moments in a beer garden] ).

Output of the Discussion. Post Script Thoughts:

• The two key characters are in need of sparks to level them all: the husband from the search of a lost love, the wife from an interaction. When found, it spiked his sexual urge and zest for life starting with preparing breakfast for his wife. For the wife, the affair without a guilt leveled her up. The young writer wrote inspired.
• Reset if you lose, at a loss and get muddled. Find it back, you get refreshed.
• Only when one faces a similar encounter of the many moments staged can one internalize what Dagitab is really all about. The idea was seeded to further think about.
• Eventually, there may never be a resolution because man's search for meaning has no concrete answer.
• Thus "tuloy pa rin ako."

Cinemalaya 2014
Discussed with Yman M. 6 August 2017

Joy, Pain and Hurt Feelings in Sundalong Kanin

I felt the pain the young characters go through. I related to the struggle of Badong choosing between friendship and revenge for a violation. I empathized with the love of an elder brother. I shared with the joys of bonding and friendship through common artifacts and object. I got hurt with the betrayal. That to me is Sundalong Kanin.

Pinatibay niya ang aking dibdib.

Cinemalaya 2014

Children's Story for Adults' Sensibility

Children's Story, an entry in Cinemalaya 2014 Festival on raw gladiator fight starring Buboy Villar, Miggs Cuaderno, Gloria Sevilla, Nathan Lopez jolted me for the boldness of the theme on grit and forgiveness with no closure.

The sleek technical craft deployed by Director Roderick Cabrido brings out the smell, taste, look and sound of raw grit. The initial presence of actors Nathan Lopez, Miggs Cuaderno, Buboy Villar, Gloria Sevilla effectively defines their characters to engage the viewers on who they are. Yet in spite of the grit, one feels for the humanity and the softness of their persons.

Two sentences that drive the Al and Jun to pursue "Sumusuko ka na ba?" and "Kakalimutan din natin ito!"

Beneath the tragedies, dirt and throbbing pain is hope from the tested brotherly love. Moving and thought provoking!

Cinemalaya 2014

Grit-courage and resolve; strength of character.
Clench (the teeth), especially in order to keep one's resolve when faced with an unpleasant or painful duty.

Bwaya, my opening indie film in 2014's Cinemalaya

Bwaya, a well crafted execution that captures the true sentiments of simple people. Humanity is dramatized thru tone and dramatization. The Agusan marshland, bwaya, a floating schoolhouse and a marginalized community were the novel elements to stage a universal message of a mother's emotion for loss, a sense of community and the concrete experiencing of the various stages of change from shock, denial, revenge and eventual acceptance.

Director Francis Xavier Pasion effectively puts across the message through the films' tonality, choice of actors and their interpretation and the technical technique. The slow pace, subdued lighting, crawling banca movement contribute to picture the character of the place and the theme.

While lifted from a true story in Agusan,it is presented not as a semi-documentary but as an interesting story with an intro,several highlights, conflict and a resolution.

Meeting Director FX Pasion and
Actor Karl Medina after the screening

Practitioners of change management will appreciate this 2014 Cinemalaya entry. A community with shared values can relate, a family moved and an individual touched.





Updates: Karl Francis
http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2016/07/09/1600882/no-role-too-small-karl-medina
http://entertainment.inquirer.net/191588/bwaya-otwol-director-francis-pasion-found-dead-in-qc-unit

Bohemia along Malingap St.

Bohemia is no longer just at Malate or in Cubao Expo. There is a destination at Malingap st. in Teacher’s Village Quezon City with a similar character. Like a Food Court in an outdoor setting, there is variety of food stalls representing various cuisines. Stalls have their distinct modest architecture and food specialties. Backyard, a stall serving pizza and processed meat is a creation of an assortment of second hand items.

Stall owner, a Norwegian-Filipino is in a hospital radiology construction venture. While the business arrangement among other concessionaires appears to have no written rules, there seems like a structure. Beer is available only at the beer outlet managed by the lot owner. There are no competing menus with other stalls. Rest room is shared. Cuisines available per stall are Lebanese, American, Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, Filipino and Mexican. Customers can cross order and stay in their favorite seating area.


This compound at 33 Malingap st Teachers Village
between Kalayaan Ave and Maginhawa has no identifying name except that it is a place with limited parking space, visited by students, young professionals and the adventurous. Its other main difference from the mainstream food outlets is the stalls are manned by the owners themselves. They talk with authority about their food line from ingredients to preparation including financials. It operates only late in the afternoon and stays open until early mornings.

When this Malingap outlet starts featuring a live band in one of the elevated stalls in the future, I wonder if it will add to its non-traditional character.

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

Grabbed from Luis B.

The compound now has a name-Z Compound. Visiting recently this 2015, a new find is a Mexican resto Hijo D Pita. Hijo fulfills the expectation of a food trip. Place is bike friendly but bikers are advised to bring their own chain.


Z Compound will close 31 December 2018.

Escapade

A recent escapade in Asia is in a relatively small island at 704 square kilometers (and still expanding) and with its forest reserve intact. Population of about 5 million (changing depending on the taxi driver) is inhabited by a mixed Asian race primarily Chinese. This country is modern with a heritage. While strict and quite authoritarian, it is a bit tolerant.

• Taxi driver says to his next passenger by cell phone, "There is a major jam, allow at 20 minute delay, OK?"

• "Next time you file for a GSF refund, do it before entering the Changi immigration so I can see the items, OK?   This time I will refund."

• 20 seconds before the pedestrian traffic sign turns from Red to Green, construction workers cross the street.

It is walk friendly with exclusive pedestrian lanes from end to end, foliage from maintained trees providing protection to trekkers from the harsh sunlight. The air is refreshingly clean.
Its compactness allows mobility North to South. Board the bus, call a center for a taxi or van, hop in the North South, North East and Circle lines to move around anytime of the day.
It is a shoppers’ paradise (which is a secondary in my interest for this trip.)
You feel at home and think like work when in the central business district.

But it is a food trippers’ ecstasy. As diverse as street food to formal dining, Asian to Continental, visualize it, you will see it cooking.

View with me the documentary of the “Roamer,” the intrepid traveler in Singapore. While a part of a group, every opportunity to see the other way is grabbed. Not that extreme though as I have to be on track for the appointed moments of the exclusive family festival.

Thanks to our (family) sponsors. While a stay in the city is relatively still affordable, their generosity upgraded me several levels higher making this memorable extended weekend quite a luxurious one.

Singapore and family, a great way to fly.

Chito 7 July 2010

Taking a ferry boat ride again in the city

The over 20 kilometer MMDA Pasig Ferry ride from Escolta in Manila to Pinagbuhatan in Rizal costs me P 95 pesos and 90 minutes in time excluding stops and connecting land trips.

The full stretch was split into two trips, the 1^st part at the upper urban section from Old Manila to Guadalupe and the 2^nd from Guadalupe to the mouth of the Pasig River converging to Laguna da Bay in Pinagbuhatan. Operational stations were Plaza Mexico, Escolta, Sta Mesa PUP, Sta Ana, Guadalupe and Pinagbuhatan.

Boat used was matched with the number of passengers per trip.  6 passengers from Escolta to Guadalupe sat in an 28 seater open boat while the sole passenger from Guadalupe to Pinagbuhatan (me) was transported in a 6 seater boat. I was brought to Pinagbuhatan by 5 crew, the operator, navigator and 3 aides. Boat was manned by an all MMDA crew except for the portion in front of Malacanang where a coast guard joined the ride. Ride was well documented and properly communicated to a base. Passengers signed a manifesto, time of departure and arrival were logged and reported, life vests installed in every passenger's seat and head count regularly made. Schedule though was not strictly followed to the minute.

Post 

Speed was determined by the state of the water and the landmarks. It travelled very slowly at the Malacanan Palace, fast and slow in some bends and fast at the Pasig side. Sights of interest other than the traditional landmarks and ferry stations were the bridges the most popular are Jones, Ayala, Mabini, Guadalupe.

When launched, it was meant to provide the commuters an alternative means of transport from East to West and vice versa. However, with the patronage, schedules, waiting time and the boat sizes it does not seem like an alternative means of mass transport.

The experience was refreshing. Wind from the moving board provided the breeze. Ride provided a change of pace from the routinary ride of the metro rails. There were no turnpikes, no announcement on the stations and as of this ride, no mad rush to get out of the station.  For someone with an affinity for water, the Pasig river traverse was a relaxing and even a rejuvenating one.

The 50 Most Influential Films About Travel

They don't call them motion pictures for nothing: Audrey Hepburn, in Roman Holiday, was the face that launched a thousand trips. Celebrate the chemistry between movie magic and real-world settings with a look at the 50 best film journeys.

http://www.cntraveler.com/daily-traveler/2013/10/photos-movies-around-the-world

Traversing Mt. Amuyao

Traversing Mt. Amuyao

Achieving a Sense of Accomplishment in a Climb

Traversing Mt. Amuyao an adventure that brought us trekking from Makalama, a sitio of Barlig, Ifugao up to Mount Amuyao at 2,628 Meters ASL down to the Bangaan and Batad junction in 20 walking hours in 3 days.

This expedition was simply a result of a whim to go on a trek this Labor Day during the MFPI Wednesday socials. So many choices were presented with no particular destination selected until the last moment. There was Kanlaon, Talinis, Napulauan.  Only that Thursday night 28 April did I learn that it will be a weekend at the mainland Luzon.

This 3-day weekend turned out historical and an enriching one.

Mt. Amuyao is the 8th highest mountain in the Philippines with an elevation of 2,628 meters (8.865 feet). The summit shows a breathtaking panorama of the entire Cordillera range. Wild orchids and the elusive pitcher plant as well as other rare plants abound.  Students from the Forestry School whom we shared the summit with doing research on the flora were having difficulty identifying the plant varieties within the perimeter of the summit.

While pitching our tents at the cemented grounds of the summit, hard objects from the sky hit our backs and heads. They turned out to be hail shower in the form of small pellets.  We had to seek protection as the shower ran for about 5 minutes. It caused a deafening noise while hitting the galvanized roofing at the summit. Too bad we had no video camera to record the moment. (We found later on that Mt. Pulag had a similar incidence that late Saturday afternoon.)

That was just the start of a fascinating experience. The sun set its radiating glow amidst the layers of mountain ranges at the West side past 6:00 PM.  Its disappearance brought down the temperature level to less than 10ºC.  The rainfall and the wind gave us permission to bring out the fleece, thermals, and gloves, headgear and those high profile jackets.  Its appearance the following colder morning was even more dramatic. Rising up several thousand kilometers away from our viewpoint, it radiated its glow in several layers of mountain and in the floating clouds. The newbies among us were silenced.  The rest including the students said, like yesterday, it was the start of another day.

What else were exposed? Laid bare before us were the picture perfect sight of a river, sight of rice terraces forming an amphitheater, waterfalls cascading from a terrace, the view from Simon's door, balcony with the rice terraces as the backdrop. Reaching each destination was a fascination: the village of Cambulo from the top, view of Batad from the viewpoint, reaching the rest stop from Batad. All these sights would make a thick coffee table book.

The trek made us look back. Stepping into history, we got involved with architectural brilliance of the Ifugaos even if we were no architects.  Walking in the wall of rice terraces, we noted that the nearer were to a sitio, the more secure the steps were and the less chances of falling and slipping. We walked through the well-maintained trail from Barlig to Amuyao shifting to the wilderness trail from Amuyao to Pat-yay, leading to the challenging steps from Pat-yay to Cambulo.

Butch lectured on History, his. There was a rewind on Kanlaon when the students died, Pulag via Tawangan without water for several days, equipment in the early days, trek to Nepal, outbound seminar in Oregon. Further on, we heard encounters with the NPA, early experiences with the UPM, PAL MC, Negros Mountaineering, relief operations in Vizcaya after a landslide, drinking, giving drink to Boy Siojo, climbs with Buboy Francisco, Fred Jamili, Chang Guzman and other illustrious climbers.

We lost things and perspective but we found them again. Regie lost his Nokia phone at the van but found it before the trek.  Mike lost his sandals at Batad and found it at the Bangaan junction. Justin lost his vegetarian diet to a gamy duck but gained his energy. He lost his American nationality and found a new personality (momentarily that is.) Regie lost his missing trail to Cambulo from Pat-yay but found confidence and company the next morning.  Butch lost his liquor flask, which made Manong find his bearing. Butch lost his listeners and audience but found new contacts. Mike's lost his GPS waypoints and his topo map but found a new destination. Chito missed the groups' company from 5 to 15 minutes each destination point but still found them waiting. Jong lost his climbers for a day, but found his self.

We picked up Tony Boy's penchant for cleanliness.  We appreciated his raw culinary skills and role as a “housewife.”  We too listened to Mike's never ending stories on gear and the tragedy of his back and tummy.  We were all eyes on Justin's vegetarian and health diet and his Asian treks made more animated after round of stainless.  Regie always guided us to be on track with our schedule while Butch saw to it that we reach our destination.  Chito was of course appreciated for just being present and staying quiet.

We saw a Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde in Manong, another one in Simon.  Extraordinary events happened: A flask that would have turned into a bolo.  A red rice that turned into risotto. An American with a Philippine made equipment.  Filipinos with American equipment. The P 100.00 Gin Bilog from another sitio. A P 800.00 luncheon at Cambulo. Raining every 3:00 PM.  Simon in every sitio: in Pat-yay, Cambulo.

Never has a climb resulted in a great sense of fulfillment. We trail blazed from Barlig to Amuyao working on instinct how far our waypoint was to the next major point. We relied heavily on Butch's intuition to direct us to some semblance of civilization from Amuyao to Pat-say. We stepped on stones created out of architectural resourcefulness. We were shown refreshing sites that were too much for the eyes can take. We were provided an abundance of food and water for us to keep up with the challenging trails. We were sheltered with so much comfort.  Stepping out of the Batad-Bangaan junction, we felt good, we ventured on this expedition. Regie speculated that we might have been the first batch of trekkers to traverse the Barlig-Battad trail. Pioneering treks like this is nothing new to Butch during his PALMC days in the 80's or was it the 70'a.

While we were delighted on so many splendid views, we were not that awed no matter how many and how grand.  Perhaps we were asked to look at nature with the freshness of an innocent child. To paraphrase Edwin Bernbaum's Sacred Mountains of the World, we have to see the mountains with "eyes bright and clear, hearts open and free, (so) we stand once again at the beginning and source of all that is and all that may be." Then when we listen to our stories again, see our fotos after the climb and read this article, we, Butch, Regie, Tony Boy, Justin, Mike, Chito and Jong say thank you for showing us the grandeur your creation both in the nature and in the people around us.

CBRazon 3 May 2000

For more details, contact Regie Pablo, for GPS waypoints and plot contact Mike Vaca, for fotos ask for Tony Boy De Leon, for what really happened, ask Butch Sebastian.

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Mount Amuyao

Alfonso Lista, known by the early Ifugaos as "mun-u-upag" or bubbles of from, it was a big barangay of Mayoyao. In 1955, R. A. 1222 transformed the prosperous and vibrant barangay into a regular municipality of Ifugao. Alfonso Lista, named after the first mayor, continues to exude vast potential for economic growth.  Its industrious inhabitants have developed a number of livelihood industries for income generation. These include orchid development, food processing, cattle and goat raising, fish cage agriculture, handicrafts and farming. Visitors to the area will be awed to see its many attractions, among which is the Magat reservoir in Sto. Domingo, the mysterious Stone Wall at Namillangan and Pibkan Water falls at Dolowag.

Mount Amuyao (Mayoyao) The 8th highest mountain in the Philippines with an elevation of 2,628 meters (8.865 feet), the summit provides the climber with a breathtaking panorama of the entire Cordillera range. Wild orchids and the elusive pitcher plant as well as other rare plants abound.

Lumawig Stone (Mayoyao) A huge enchanted black rock held by only 3 smaller stones in the middle of the Balangbang River, it is widely believed to hold the future of the town. As long as the stone stands, the Mayoyao people will stay strong and happy.

Makhaligwa & Lebhong Burial Caves (Mayoyao)Famous for wood coffins and the remains of the first Mayoyao, legend tells of an attentive lizard leading the people to these 3 funeral chambers and designating each one for man, woman and child.

O’phaw Mahencha Falls (Mayoyao) Known as the Leap of Mahencha (6 km from the town proper), the falls feature a series of high cataracts.  Local folklore says a beautiful woman named Mahencha had to jump 13 to 15 meters into the water to retrieve her native amber necklace, which fell while she was taking a bath. A waterfall and a natural pool represent each of the maiden's leap. Truly a sight to behold.

Apfo’or Burial Tombs (Mayoyao) The tombs are large stone mausoleums containing the bones of the town’s ancient warriors and elite. The constructions of these stone igloos reflect the resourcefulness of the Ifugao in adapting his stoning techniques for a multitude of uses.

Akakoy Viewpoint & Park (Mayoyao) Located 600 meters from the town hall, the site offers a good vantagepoint from where the Alatabang rice terraces cluster as well as all of central Mayoyao and the Isabela plateau can be viewed.

Mount Nagchayan (Mayoyao) The site of fierce battles between the Japanese troops and Fil-American troops in World War II, the mountain now stands as a symbol of peace. Several grottos where the Japanese hid as well as stonewalled trenches and foxholes dot the terrain. Someone looking hard enough will be able to find rusty shells used in the many battles.

Tenogtog Waterfalls (Mayoyao) Five kilometers from the town proper, 3 natural pools rising about 12 meters from each other mark this beautiful spot. The waterfalls from the top pool cascade to the next in fluid succession.  Untouched by human hands, these natural pools provide clear, Cool Mountain spring water for anyone to enjoy.

From the site http://www.tourism.gov.ph/ifugao/attract.htm