This plant is called "Barak" by the people in Mt. Marami. Sounds fun and weird ...

These photos were all taken during our challenging (amid the heavy rain and darkness) climb to Mt. Marami in Cavite last 08 May 2011.  Like Mt. Cristobal in Quezon, Mt. Marami also boasts an array of flora. Unfortunately, I got only a few because of the heavy rain that lasted for ten hours.

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Your purpose is to make your audience see what you saw, hear what you heard, feel what you felt. Relevant detail, couched in concrete, colorful language, is the best way to recreate the incident as it happened and to picture it for the audience. – Dale Carnegie

I was captivated by the colorful displays and artful logo of this Tribe Art’s stall, which is located on top of Lignon Hill in Legazpi City, Albay. The logo is actually something to be proud of not only for its slick design but more so for the presence of the Philippine flag on it. For this reason, I didn’t hesitate to take a photo of it last 21 August 2011 when we went there to take a peek at Mayon Volcano‘s perfect cone and to redefine our not-so-colorful family bonding.

Photo Source (PS): iPhone 2G

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Mt. Arayat, Pampanga

Mt. Maculot, Batangas

Mt. Timbak, Benguet

Mt. Manalmon, Bulacan

Lignon Hill, Albay

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Pampu & Me

This particular story of regret was summoned into mind again when I met Pampu, who looks so much like my late best friend, on the mountain trails of Mt. Manalmon in Bulacan province last 12 February 2012.

Twenty years ago, I was this young and naive boy. I did awful things to animals, particularly the ranids. These ranids brought the worst of my childhood because of what I did to them. I toyed them; I maltreated them. Until, I learned from my grade school science teacher about their role  in balancing the ecosystem, not to mention protecting us from the lurking perils of dengue fever. Since then, I made a vow to make up for all the horrendous things I did to those helpful creatures. I refrained from putting big stones into their holes/home. I started educating my playmates on their positive impacts to the environment. I began appreciating the beautiful music they make after the long, heavy rains and I defended these frogs to my playmates who refused to stop toying them above all.

If there’s  one person who knows about my “love” to animals, it would be my uncle (Ollie) — not my father — and whose house was just standing right next to ours. My father’s obliviousness on the term animal love doesn’t bate my love for him though. He’s just not familiar with it I guess.

Then high school days came around. One day, in my sophomore year, Uncle Ollie gave me one of her bantay‘s (guard in English; the term Filipinos use for canine mammals called dogs) puppies. The delight this puppy brought that very day was overpowering for I had been wanting to have a pet and I had been longing for a best friend. I still consider that moment one of the best days of my life.

Days passed by so quickly unnoticed. Skitter, my best friend, have grown bigger than expected for just months of being with me. I fulfilled my responsibilities as best friend to her and vice versa. Skitter never failed to greet me each time I woke up in the morning and every time I came home from school. She never touched any food on the table unless served to her mouth. She never forgot to go outside the house to answer the call of nature. She never missed to bring a smile on my face even in bad days. That’s just a few of the many things she did for me, for us. Everyone in the family was nice to her because it’s been quite a while since there was “a man’s best fried” in the house.

Summertime rolled in and Skitter and I couldn’t be happier because of one thing: I’d be spending two straight months with her. The thought of being able to bring her to the green fields (to play) and to the river (to bathe) together everyday if possible is just a piece of the many exciting things that may happen in our first summer together. A couple of weeks after, my elder brother, Tom (who was studying in Manila), went home to spend his summer vacation with us. It was, of course, something to be convivial about too considering he’s been away for some time. Things went pretty fine. Tom helped me take care of Skitter; we also got busy catching up the lost times.

Like every story, this joyful summer came to an end. Tom and I had to go back to school just like the rest of our siblings, and I had to limit my time in seeing Skitter again. I thought it will end plain and simple as that, but it didn’t.

A day before Tom went back to the metropolis, I got trapped in a situation I have never imagined would cause one of my biggest, serious regrets. It was eight in the morning that day when my father approached me, while I was reading one of the books I borrowed from the public library, and directly said, “I already sold Skitter for three hundred and fifty pesos. The money is with me now. I’m sorry.” My ears suddenly passed into coldness upon hearing those words. The sorry word didn’t bring any sense to me. I wanted to scream but no words came out. I wanted to kick the person standing in front but my feet turned numbed as my heart was pounding hard. Then he continued like that wasn’t enough, “The buyer will be here in an hour so please tie her up before he comes. Listen, I know how you feel.” I answered immediately in my mind, “NO YOU DON’T!“, but I was so verbally paralyzed. Finally, he explained, “The truth is, I was just forced to do that because Tom’s vacation here wasn’t approved by your aunt; therefore, producing money for his return trip is my responsibility now. You know how much I’m earning from driving for five days. It’s not enough to send your brother back to Manila.” That explanation, however, didn’t make sense to me either.  After my father looked at my somewhat indescribable reaction for a few minutes, he left for work.

What happened next is something that still pains me much each time I remember it. … I turned her in to the buyer because I didn’t have the balls to refuse. I should — for Tom’s sake. I also killed her — indirectly. It was made clear that she was to be butchered for pulutan (pulutan is a Filipino term for a snack accompanied with liquor) on the buyer’s birthday.

Up to this day, I regret that part of my growing up years. In fact, I am still wishing I could turn back time to make things right. On the contrary, I can’t and the things I did cannot be undone so I had to just live with it. To live with the memories of Skitter whom I consider as someone. Someone who taught me the essence of blissfulness, of responsibility at a young age. This way, I am always reminded that animals are as important as humans in the end.

“Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable” Sydney J. Harris.

Photo Source (PS): Agfa Photo eClipse Explorer

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After the backbreaking reunion climb to Mount Banoi on the afternoon of 18 December 2011, the crew headed for a side trip to collect ourselves. Among the multitude of beach resorts we had seen along the coastline of Barangay Fabrica, we chose Lobo Beach Club & Spa for it’s affordability, neatness, and simplicity. On the flip side, we were just not that lucky to experience what’s in store for the “spa thing” because of one reason: it was not peak/summer season yet when we got there. I explored what’s in this resort instead. I quivered with joy when I saw a mangrove swamp at the back of the suite. My wandering feet’s lust for wonders of nature never fails to help me discover amazing things in a particular place.

I had always been vocal on how I love to look at the the mighty sun especially when it sets so this post wouldn’t be complete without my most favorite photo (from the place).

Seeing the limitless horizon as darkness approaches is just tremendously soothing to my soul — MAGIC at its best!

For those who might wonder if there  are other activities offered in the resort, don’t fret because Lobo Beach Club & Spa has playing grounds for beach volleyball, badminton, table tennis, and frisbee. But the catch is, it’s for free if you avail the exclusive accommodation.

For more information (how to get to the place, contact numbers of who to call for reservation among other stuff, etc.) about Lobo, please click these sites: tours.wowbatangas.com and www.batangas-philippines.com.

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San Fabian Beach in Pangasinan, 22 January 2012

Love is for my family because the love of a family is life’s greatest blessing. 

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18 December 2011

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To reunite with the people, who mentored me on this thrilling sport called mountaineering, is always something I look forward too since the year (2009) when I got to meet Redentor Gonzaga, Paul Basco, Katrina Dela Rosa, Rhovilyn Dadis and the rest of the now Sabit-Sabit Group on the mountain trails of Batulao, Tirad, and Timbak. Talking to these people each time we’re on the wilderness just brings so much joy. I couldn’t deny how thankful I am for what they’d imparted to me: Lessons that are to be learned from the short course called, Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC), turned out shorter because of them.  I’ve learned a lot from them directly with the mountains. I’ve learned about climbing preparations (e.g., the suitable outdoor apparel, which I admittedly ignored until my fourth climb, trail food, water discipline, etc.) to packing of equipment (e.g., light packing, which I failed to do repeatedly until my fourth climb also, ground equipment, water proofing, etc.). Moreover, on issues surrounding environmentalism like holding firm to the LNT principles. I have always admired these people because they share the same, if not more of what I can, concern to the now collapsing ecosystem. Hearing what they have to say about it is without a doubt enlightening. I can’t help but remember how Ms. Kat called my attention when I spit, for lack of a better term, without manners. I eventually thanked her for lecturing me on the ripple effects of such manner. They are the kind of people whom everyone would love to hang out with especially on the mountain trails. I’m proud to say that I owe these people BIG time.  That’s the reason why climb/s where anybody of the masters is present sure is anticipative for me.

On the 18th day of December last year, this reunion climb was held at the pristine and bushy mountain of Banoi in Lobo, Batangas. Apart from the fun we had during this reunion/climb, there are three things I vividly remember about the mountain: its clean streamlets, lush vegetation, and the encounter with the locals halfway to the summit. The Wandering Feet is but flabbergasted with the mountain’s preserved beauty. I take my hats off to the people living atop 400 MASL because they know their responsibilities for Mother Nature.

This is the marker of the summit … (YEY!)

And, of course, my new friend whom I met at the saddle. Ladies and gentlemen, meet “Snaky”.

This is to prove once again that I can talk to animals — as cute and deadly (or so I thought) as this fella. I thought I couldn’t convince him to give this unforgettable moment. Well, times like this require my ability to talk to animals, especially if it’s as daring as what you can see on the photo.

Mount Banoi truly is a preserved mountain perfect for hiking and adventure.

Mt. Banoi is my fourteenth conquered mountain.

For more information about Mount Banoi (how to get there, sample itinerary, trivia, special concerns, etc.) please click this site: www.pinoymountaineer.com.

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"I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe" D.L.

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