Trail Is To Trial

In just one weekend when I was about to experience to climb a mountain, it has already a realization and gives more definitions to what life is all about. As a Christian, I had the perspective on how I view this kind of outdoor activity in real life. The itineraries, which represents the journey that requires faith. From my home which is my comfort zone going to a place where courage is to be tested. Instead of watching in front of television on a weekend, it’s me, taking the risk of exposure to an environment where I did not learn to live with. It is a matter of choice, either to spend a time at home and nothing to discover, or going to a wilderness and back home with a story to share of a new perspective may found.

I admire the words of Gideon Lasco, a medical doctor, a mountaineer, in his open letter to parents ( allow your child to climb mountains), “ I want you to be passionate about life, the passion for the peaks that can find its way in all else that you do; mountains out there are metaphors for the larger adventure of life.” Truly that climbing a mountain has a great impact to my life and it leaves a desire to my heart to climb more. I am now convinced to this kind of an outdoor activity that might create a positive change to someone’s life. Maybe next time I will have the group for a climb and I want to make sure that their perspective in lif, somehow, will make a change. And that change must be rooted from our great Creator, like the summit that any mountaineers are aiming for, teaches us to be focused on our goal for His glory alone.

I am now in the segment of my life where I’m searching that will confirm my calling to a ministry for God’s glory. Two years ago when I had a dream, that is why I tried my best to make my pulag dream come true. I know that God gave me a vision and I have to discover it. I don’t want to become reliant to the kind of vision I have, because I might be deceived, emotions can be deceived. For now, I love mountains not because it closely relates to what I had dreamed about, it is because mountains taught me a lot of things and the best reminders of the big picture that God has already prepared for all of us, it is the summit, where we are able to see 360 degrees. The view of the trails from the top represents the trials we conquered.  Of course, there’s a different level of difficulties from ascent to descent. Sometimes mountain gives us harder way going down from the peak that probably means to be more cautious after reaching the triumph or simply the summit. The pull of gravity that ease our steps in our descent and yet needs control to balance our weight, represents that no matter how easy the situation you are in, you have to control yourself in order to not fall into cliff which is sin.

Another exciting part in hiking is the clearing at the summit. This is the part where the view is completely visible, meaning without rain, clouds or fogs. Unfortunately, the reality is not all climbs have its clearing that sometimes leads to disappointment. But adventure will never stop there. Failures are nothing for a man determined to succeed. Like anyone who has experience a lost and never quits, until he finished his battle and go for the next round. So whatever view we may witness at the top, we should be thankful because after all, we are not alone, our Ultimate Guide is always on our side.

Just Blessed

"Count your blessings, name them one by one." We usually hear this phrase from Christian songs, an expression from one's heart who experienced God’s embrace of blessings and grace. This is what I actually did and I had my testimony in our Church, praising God’s goodness and His works in me, to my wife, to my daughter… in my family. (Sorry, we don’t have photos)

                Wayback in late 2012 to year 2013, I’ve faced a lot of plans, failures, regrets, confusions, and decisions. I felt that God was so distant for He couldn’t get me off from my chaotic situation. The more I questioned Him, the more He concealed the answers. The only one thing I am very sure is His presence even if He seemed so distant that time, why? Simply because I always felt the need to pray, I learned to praise Him amidst of depression eating me slowly. Until, a serious situation came, I didn’t have a job that time though I tried my best but opportunity didn’t gave me a chance. We’re renting an apartment (until now), we have our monthly expenses, and it was already month of March (2013) and still we had no savings yet for the coming enrollment of the following school year. So, it’s the education of our child was the main problem that time. Truly God will not leave you, nor forsake you. For parents who dedicated their child to the Lord, He Himself will make a way to provide. God gave me “no choice” that time but to return to my previous employer where I resigned and reapply. On the same month (March 2013),I was very glad I’m back! Praise God for we’re able to support our daughter’s education in a Christian school where she first learned to declare God’s goodness at their younger age. Thanks to her teacher that shows the true passion in teaching, dedicated to her calling of what the Lord has called her to be.

                Blessings continue to overflow; a new motorcycle that we’re praying for a year was already answered with a bonus of gears and accessories. The “Sunday” which I never expected to be my restday because I’m working in a mall, God intervenes and I know he sees my heart’s desire to worship with my family every Sunday, and so He does. My climb at Mt. Pulag, I considered it as a bonus but I know it has a purpose. So I’ll climb again with a purpose and souls to win. The educational trip for our daughter answered. Peak season approached, a memorandum from my employer regarding “no restdays on December” was undone. Praise God!!! All Sundays of December was mine, none of my colleagues requested to me for a change of restday to their.  Therefore, I was able to attend 3 Christmas celebrations of the 3 Churches, with our daughter’s participation in their Christmas presentation. All Glory and Honor to God! As parents, it’s a treasure for us to see our daughter offering her talent and perseveres for God’s glory.

                In this year 2014, with a prayer from my heart, another year of blessings to be counted and praises to the Lord our God. Me and my wife are planning to focus more on our daughter, whenever we felt the need to leave our job, we’ll leave. For Pulag, God willing..,I’ll climb again with a purpose and souls to win. Thank you very much. These are just few of the blessings that the Lord has done. God bless us all.

Duo Hike To Mt. Pulag

A month ago when I climbed Mt. Pulag with a friend and yes  it’s still fresh from my memory of the adventure and stupidity we had during our expedition. Based on experience, I have these tips that I'd like to share for those who are planning a duo hike to pulag or a small group of 3 to 5 persons. You can visit pinoymountaineer.com for news and updates and accuweather for you to know the weather during your climb. Set your date of climb a month ahead and you have to inform the Protected Area Superintendent (PASU) a week before your schedule of climb. Send a text message about the date and number of persons in your group,here’s the cp number of (PASU)  Ma’am Emerita Albas a.k.a Ma’am Mereng - +639196315402. Wait for a reply from them, if you received nothing, probably that means 'yes' you can climb.(wala lang sigurong load pangtext sa ibang network). Then all you need is to have the guts to pursue your wildest dream ever.

        So you have the date of when to climb the mountain you've been dreaming for so long? Just make sure you already have the gears/equipment for your quest, and of course, the "mammon" or 'pera.' And if you could have some exercises before your climb, that's better! At least a couple of hours of jogging everyday will bring an improvement  to your lungs for breathing. Though you can survive without this, the advantage is just you're not getting tired easily during the trek, you'll able to capture those breath-taking views without catching your breath.

     Okay? Ok! Let's say that you're ready and brave enough to the adventure. Next is buy your ticket at least 3 days before the travel date. As of October 2013, the bus fare cost about Php445.00 from Victory Liner Cubao Station to Baguio. Another option aside from reservation is by a “chance passenger”, these passengers don’t have their reservations and will cause a delay of 1.5 to 2  hours.  By the way, consider the season of when to climb, most number of climbers is during lenten season. Mt. Pulag has limited slots of hikers so getting an update is important, just 'google' it! And if you found out your chosen date is a crowded one, don't hesitate to move it earlier or later for the sake of the mountain. If you're going to ask me what is the best date to climb, I would suggest these dates:

October- 3rd to 4th week
November- 1st to last week
December- 1st to last week. It's up to you if you'd like to celebrate the 'noche buena' up there at the campsite or a 'media noche' on New Year ’s Day.
January up to 1st week of June is still okay. And since lenten season is a 'peak' season (during March or April), it is important to inform them(PASU) thru text so they could give you feedback and/or the situation of the venue.

      Let's now move on to your gears/equipment. I would suggest the things you have to bring because I don’t want you to experience the consequence of not having these. Actually, these are some of the equipment we didn’t have in Pulag.

Portable/camping stove- it’s really cold up there, you have to drink something hot. Otherwise, you’ll chill the whole night. I was just thankful I brought a tiny candle, it lessens the coldness by rubbing my hands in front of it.

Camera/Digicam- that time, all I had was my  Sony Ericsson C510 with an extra full-battery, good enough to capture views. At least, I have an evidence of being there. Just felt sorry for lending it to my sister-in-law. Wala tuloy akong camera!

Aside from the two equipment that caused us so much regret of not having them, the rest brought a big help in every part of the adventure.

2 jackets with hood(overnight at camp 2)- not enough for me and I suggest you to bring another one, make it three!

Rain coat (during the trek)- you need this simply because the weather is unpredictable. Unfortunately my buddy lost it, hoping him to pay for its lost.  Chong palitan mo yung kapote ko! Hehe!

Shoes/socks(overnight at camp 2)- I put on my socks and shoes before the Iights off but my toes still getting numb. So for you, much better to wear two pairs of  socks and then your  shoes.

Gloves- my gloves that time was my used socks,  and of course it stinks, so don’t forget to bring one.

Hat/head gear/cap/bonnet- for me it’s an optional but good to have at least one. When we’re on the trail, I had a “lampin” in my pocket rather than a face towel. It’s more absorbent and dries faster than a usual face towel. So if you don’t have a hat, this will do enough to cover your head and to wipe out sweatiness. What else? The rest depends on your instinct.

     So now, when you get to Baguio, let’s say 7:30am which is your ETA. Ride a taxi going to slaughter house, meter should only cost Php55, so ask before you say “go.” There are at the slaughter house, two types of transport vehicle are available to drop you off to DENR Visitor’s Ctr., “A-LINER”  bus  and/or  “van.” The first trip of the bus starts at around 10am while the van will leave at 8:30am. Syempre, dun tayo sa mas maaga! Fare is Php120 per head. Three hours of travel time, one stop-over for you to have your snacks or lunch. Pwede rin naman mag-lunch sa DENR Visitor’s Center or sa Ranger Station na  before the trek. At the DENR, an hour of orientation, logging-in and Php150 for Registration. After that, time for the “habal-habal!” Php300 for an hour of a “rough-road ride of a lifetime.” Kapit lang po ng sobrang higpit!

      At the Ranger station, you have to pay another fee worth Php160 per head and a guide fee of Php500. And if you’re ready to trek, your stomach should be ready too. I advise to take a heavy meal first before your  “start-trek” adventure. Once done, you may begin. Enjoy!

       That’s all for now, hope you find this helpful. Feel free to leave a comment, question and I’ll try to give the best answer  as long as I can. Much better if you could make your questions  in tagalog because  I really struggle to construct the correct grammar for my posts. Hehe! Thank you very much!

To God Be The Glory!

My Pulag Dream

Finally, one of my dreams have come true! It’s  the climb up to the top of the second highest mountain in the Philippines, Mt. Pulag(in Benguet). It’s a sudden decision that day and it brought discomfort, a bit hesitant  yet excitement was still there.  Although I planned this a year ago, I didn’t had enough preparations to make this “once in a lifetime experience” come true. The reason to the sudden decision was my working schedules and it’s difficult to have the perfect timing. And so, that day, late in the morning, I made a call to my friend/s to say “aakyat na tayo at mamaya na tayo aalis.” Since biglaan nga, three of them were unavailable and two will climb, me and my buddy. The next I phoned, of course, si “kumander”, she got mad about my decision, she worried a lot. Later on, I got her support, reminders, sweet thoughts and even prayers, instead of showing her anger. Praise God!

Duty first, of course! From my time-in @ 12 noon, while working, I had the chance to review sites regarding a duo hike to Mt. Pulag, thanks to PinoyMountaineer  and other bloggers for providing infos and useful tips. At 9 o’clock in the evening, logged out then hurried to LRT station because I need to get home to prepare my backpack. at home, i had my dinner, a kissed for my daughter and my wife and ask for a prayer. It’s already 11:30PM when we got to Victory Liner- Cubao, daming tao! Haba ng pila! That moment, I was expecting a 12AM trip to Baguio but we didn’t had the reservations so we got a ticket for a 2AM trip. I had a prayer in mind and truly God answered my prayer because we’ve had the chance to leave by 1:30AM, that’s through waiting in line of “chance passengers”. These passengers are mostly haven’t their reservations or tickets, they’re just waiting for the vacant seats until the bus reaches the departure time. So if the number of reserved tickets are less than the number of seats, they’ll have the chance to occupy those vacant seats left.

It was already 8 o’clock in the morning when we arrived in Baguio, picked a taxi going to slaughter house. Praise God for we had a trip by 8:30 via Van going to DENR Visitor’s ctr., Ambangeg. Exactly at 12 o’clock in the afternoon, we arrived at DENR for registration and orientation.

 capturing....

From DENR  to Ranger Station takes about an hour via habal-habal. We were backrider in separate habal with our bag tied at the back of the motorcycle. We’re not able to take pictures during the ride because of the rough roads uphill, it’ll be you or the camera you’re holding might fall to the cliff. 

Almost 1:30 in the afternoon when we had our lunch at the Ranger Station. 

Start Trek

approaching mossy forest

mossy trees

stop-over @camp 1 

rest

fatigued..
felt like giving up..
...and Philippians 4:13 reminds me of: "i can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

we arrived at camp 2 by 4:30PM. Here, is where we set tent

 dwarf bamboo

 

left-over of breakfast and lunch

5 o'clock in the morning when we arrived at the summit, it took an hour from camp 2. This time, my hands, toes, face got numbed. Plus headache. Actually i consumed a lot of paracetamol tablets, headache attacked me from time to time.

 some hides beneath dwarf bamboos because of the icy blowing wind

 This is my buddy, after i shared a lot of convincing topics about God's love, he's still undecided to accept Christ as his Lord and Savior.

spontaneous- lucky

mineral water refilling station

TO GOD BE THE GLORY.