Sad... Happy... Sad... Happy...

The inevitable happened. I brought work at home. Dammit.

Mabibilang lang sa daliri (sa isang kamay!) ang mga beses na nagbitbit ako ng trabaho sa bahay. In my 8 years of IT practice! And sadly, yesterday was one of those instances. Got off work at 8:30-ish last night and hog-tied myself in front of my laptop till 2AM!

Olats. Di na mauulet to. Syet.

*****

In the lighter side of things, it's the Wonder Twin's birthday!

Wooot!

I called Cheng this morning on my way to work and was able to talk to the darlings who almost can't be bothered dahil nanonood daw ng all-time peborit nilang High Five! The sis sent me their latest pics in Sydney... anlalaki na nila! Kaka-miss. Lalo na nung sumigaw sila ng NINOOOOOONG pagka hello ko sa cel. Huhuhu... iyak na lang ako.

3rd from left is Lei while Liz is on the rightmost
Anyway, happy birthday Lei and Liz! Tito Ninong loves you!

Weirdos of the World... Unite!

Idol ko si Lewis Carroll. Siya yung weirdong sumulat ng "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and its sequel or what we more commonly refer to as "Alice in Wonderland" because of the film adaptation. Dito makikilala ang ilan sa mga sikat na weirdong karakter sa mundo ng Sining katulad nila Humpty Dumpty, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, The Mad Hatter, at siyempre ang Queen of Hearts ("Off with his heaaaaaad!").

Siya si idol Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson sa personal)
Isa sa mga akda niya ay ang tulang Jabberwocky.

Ito ay tinagurian literary non-sense dahil nung panahon na iyon, siya at siya lamang ang nakakaintindi sa mga pinagsusulat niya sa tulang ito. Ang weird no? Sa point of view ng gumawa may sense siya pero sa point of view ng nakararaming mambabasa, wala siyang kahulugan.

Kaya sinubukan ko gumawa ng sarili kong "sensible non-sense" in honor of idol Lewis. It's fun this way that I could write and express what I want and publish it to the world without worries of being misinterpreted, misunderstood, or censored. But it's weird in a way that you are writing to give away to others what you feel or what you wanted to convey and yet here you are with a wickedly unintelligible work.

Astig.

*****

Jump the Bang
by Obi, 1/14/09

go jump the bang!
the wicketmaster's wily wonking.
yar getting haggedy dear
and raggedy at that.
woe when yar tick's are tripping!

i know, told yar.
i know since the tick are young.
butterfly flitters
and roosters snickers,
but I truly nay jump the bang.

yar hanging tight.
you learned the wicket pickets.
so soon the bang twitches you over.
ad infinitum.
like it yar's a'twitching?
like it bang's a'swoop?
like it tick's a'tripping?
ad infinitum.

i never snagged a pick, yar said glum.
i never did.
i ride the tide with kicks on the side
and wait till bang I snaggeth.
poorly deary,
that's how I work it.

Now That You're Near

I just finished practicing the pieces I’ll be playing tomorrow with the band.

Four songs in total: Everyday, One Way, Forever, and Now That You’re Near.

Four songs for the Lord.

Four songs that made my day special despite stress at work; despite hang-ups and hassles and regrets in life; and despite a lingering pain that like nightmare recurs to haunt me when I’m most vulnerable and ON the most vulnerable part of me – my heart… naks!

Proof that in the end of the day, there’s always positivity in everything and that it’s a personal choice if we are to count what God provided us or fault Him for what WE ignored to see.

So as I end the night, I want to acknowledge His blessings for me today and I pray:

Lord God, I might fail to see what joyful things You’ve brought to me for I have been more eager to recognize the problems that came along…

…but tonight as I lie to wait another meaningful tomorrow, let me lift to You not what is lacking in me this day but my thanks for how the day has been good to me.

Lord, thank You…

…for the blessing of these fingers so I can play Your songs.
…for the blessing of this voice so I can sing Your songs.
…for the blessing of this talent to share Your songs to others.
…for Hillsong United and the many artists who raised their lives to You and inspire a million others to walk Your path.

Lord, thank You for giving me reasons…

…reason to go to work and be enthusiastic about it despite things that should be bothering me a great deal.
…reason to still love when I was rejected, to still care when I was ignored, and to still give concern when I was unwanted.
…reason to appreciate this day even when it was not at all “perfect”.
…reason to believe that love and life has been good to me today.

Lord, thank You for the gifts…

…gift of friends who share my joys and my pains.
…gift of the people around me who never fails to show me life’s teachings.
…gift of a loving family who are there for me no matter how complicated these things we go through.
…gift of another day in my borrowed LIFE!

Lord God, I have a LOT of other things to be thankful of just for this day alone and thanks doesn’t even worth to amount for all of it. But rest assured that my path, my mercy, my servitude, my everything is to You alone.

Amen.

Idiot's Guide to the Mountains (Part 3)

To continue with part three (and last) of my condensed guide to mountaineering...

(Adapted from the UP Basic Mountaineering Course)

While here's a link to Parts 1 and 2 for reference:
Idiot's Guide to the Mountains (Part 1)
Idiot's Guide to the Mountains (Part 2)

*****

Part 3: In the Mountains

Leave No Trace Principle
(I just picked the relevant points...)

Plan Ahead and Prepare:
* Know the area and what to expect.
* Repackage food to minimize waste.
* Select appropriate equipment.
* Respect other visitors' desire for solitude.

Camp and Travel on Durable Surfaces:
* Concentrate use in resistance areas. Avoid places where impact is just beginning.
* Camp away from existing water. Conserve water. Avoid polluting water sources.

Dispose of waste properly:
* Bring out inorganic and organic waste, including food scraps.
* Dispose of human waste responsibly.
* Minimize soap and food scraps in wastewater.

Leave What You Find:
* Avoid damaging live trees and plants. Leave natural objects.

Minimize Campfire Impacts:
* Fires are sometimes appropriate, but firewood selection, gathering and use, as well as careful campfire site selection and fire tending are critical to minimizing impact.

Respect Wildlife:
* Enjoy wildlife at a distance. Never feed the wildlife. Store food securely. Minimize noise. Avoid sensitive habitat. Avoid disturbing wildlife.

Be considerate of other visitors:
* Avoid Conflicts
* Minimize Crowding
* Respect the Privacy of Other Visitors

Water Management
Ideally this should be the standard amount of water to bring for an overnight climb. Each individual is required to bring 5 liters of water. The breakdown is as follows:

1 Liter – trail water
2 liters – personal use
2 liters – group use

Water Discipline
* Make sure you are fully hydrated before starting the trek.
* Avoid drinking in huge gulps but in sips instead also learn to tolerate a certain period of hours without any water intake, two hours at best.
* It will be your responsibility to bring extra load of water if it’s in your nature to consume a lot of water. When you do run out of water, look for a water source

Garbage Management
Jump Off Points
* Trash of any kind should not be left at jump-off points. It should be brought back to the city for proper disposal. In some rural areas, the usual mode of disposing trash is by burning, burying and even dumping in waterways. It is better that we know where our trash goes.

* We also do not want to reinforce the locals’ behavior of collecting trash from climbers. If the locals keep on collecting trash from visitors, sooner or later, their dumping pits would not be able hold the garbage that climbers bring. Politely refuse if a local asks you to leave your trash in their pits. But if they tell you that they intend to recycle the plastic containers and tin cans, give your recyclabes to them. Giving them these items is better than bringing these back home and just throwing these away.

Individual Trash
* Individual trash is better than group trash. Small amount of trash is easier to carry than large ones. Since you will be bringing your trash back home, it would be unfair for the individual who is in charge of the group’s trash to bring it home with him.

* Every member of the group should be responsible for his own garbage. We want to instill responsibilty for our own trash among our members.

Essentials
* Ideally bring extra cash or an ATM card as back up for the trip. Always bring it with you during transit. Be discreet counting cash in public places. Leave all the unnecessary items inside your wallet.

* Cellular phone and other means of communication. Bring extra batteries for multi day trips.

* Identification Card. Any kind of identification you can carry during a climb is helpful.

* Hiking Boots. Some trekkers consider their boots as being their most essential piece of personal equipment. Trekking sandals are extremely light, but they are not going to give you good support or protect your feet. A good pair of boots is:
1. Ankle-high to prevent sprains
2. Cleated for traction
3. Sturdy enough to withstand heavy use and exposure to the elements.

* Backpack
An ideal backpack would be large enough to contain all the gear and provisions you will need for a certain trip. Since backpacks come in design and several sizes, make sure your backpack should also be sturdy enough to endure for rough handling and carrying heavy loads.

The Internal Frame Pack are designed to hug the body more closely and give the arms room to move. They provide good balance on steep ascents and ease of movement when moving along narrow trails. Features like lumbar pads increase comfort and compression straps help balance the load in the sack. Since an internal frame pack is supported only by two parallel stays, you must balance your load with more care than you would when using an external.

* Bring at least 3 lighters or match boxes and waterproofed it individually. Placing it in different locations inside the pack heightens the chances of still having a dry one just in case the backpack gets soaking wet.

* Flash Light and Batteries. Always bring extra bulbs and batteries. You can add a thin layer of petroleum jelly on joints that you think water will sip through. Pushing it further, bring an extra unit as back- up.

* folding knife
* trail water

* Wind Breaker / Rain Gear / Poncho. Tropical mountaineering is always wet so it’s mandatory to bring one.

* mess kit with spoon and fork
* notebook and pencil (I'm always the designated scribe so this is a must for me!)
* plastic bags and trash bags
* sandals
* tent
* toiletries
* first aid kit and medicines

Clothing
Layering
Layering is the process of wearing several thin layers of clothing to help regulate the heat around your body that is better than wearing one thick layer. Layering works by heating the ‘‘dead’’ air spaces around your body, thus creating better insulation. In extremely wet conditions, it’s warmer to wear layers of wet clothes than frequently change into one dry clothing.

1. Base Layer
It’s the clothing next to skin. Perspiration is a natural component of exertion, and a base layer helps regulate your body's microclimate by wicking moisture away from your skin so that it can evaporate or be passed through the other layers.

Samples: synthetic, mid-weight, long underwear (top and bottom) synthetic or wool gloves.

2. Insulation Layer
Known also as mid layer, it minimizes conductive heat loss.

Samples: fleece jacket / down / wool sweater fleece pants.

3. Outer Layer
Also known as "Shell" that shields from rain and wind. It also available in Hardshell and Softshell hybrid.

Samples: poncho or waterproof/windproof breathable suit

Maximum Carrying Load
The maximum carrying load should not exceed one-third (1/3 or 33%) of your body weight. Maximum pack weight is 25% All equipment which may be affected or damaged by water should be wrapped and sealed in durable plastic bags. Use a large plastic bag as the inner lining for the backpack to provide additional protection.

Light items should be packed at the bottom and away from the frame while heavy items should be placed close to the back. The goal is to have a balanced pack. Things which will be needed often or will require quick access (e.g., rain gear, first-aid, Swiss Knife, trail food, trail water, etc.) should be placed in the top compartment or on the other side pockets for accessibility.

Not Mountaineering Related

Bunga ng malikot na pag-iisip...

Ay Ambot
by Obi (1-19-09)

funny when the things you expect to come
will dart right past your grasp
not because you don't have enough time to catch it
nor because it has gone by too quick
not because you don't know how to take ahold of it
nor because it steers away when you try

BUT

because you let it be
you watched it pass you by
you rather wait for it to come your way
and wish that in your hands it will lie

you suck!

funny when the things you expect to come
will dart right past your grasp
because you took all haste to try and catch it
because it all flashed in a blink of an eye
because you’re mindlessly bent on snagging it
now it steers away when you try

BUT

you let it be
you rushed on the opportunity
you rather want to see the end in no time
and pray everything will turn out fine

you’re a loser!

i am both.

Idiot's Guide to the Mountains (Part 2)

To continue with part two of my condensed guide to mountaineering...

(Adapted from the UP Basic Mountaineering Course)

While here's a link to Part 1 for reference:
Idiot's Guide to the Mountains (Part 1)

*****

Part 2: Climb Proper

Pacing
* Always start with a slow pace to slowly warm up your muscles. Then gradually change your pace to the group’s desired pace.
* Maintain a steady rhythm while trekking. When negotiating steep slopes, keep the rhythm (pace) by shortening your strides. On level ground, maintain the rhythm by taking longer strides.
* Do not allow anyone to lag behind. An isolated climber heightens the risk factor in an expedition.
* Should there be a need to stop, inform the lead or tail man so that he or she can give the appropriate order to stop.
* The pace of the group should be that of the slowest member or the person who has the heaviest load. This prevents a large team spread along the trail in very long gaps. In some cases, a struggling or an injured climber can be deployed at the rear part ONLY if he/she will trek with his/her groupmates.

Trekking Techniques
In negotiating the trail, some techniques must be kept in mind in order to provide the safest and least difficult route to the summit or objective. Some guidelines are mentioned here.

* Prevent muddy spots from turning into 10-20 foot wide mud highways. Be sure to stay on the trail if it is muddy or wet. If you walk around the mud the trail will widen and become even muddier in the future. Mud is part of the backcountry challenge. Expect it. Hike through it. It is not that difficult. You can even use a stick, walking staff or trek pole to help gauge the depth of the mud and to help you with balance.


* Foot prints will also tell you how deep a mud is. It’s faster to step on someone’s foot print than exploring an alternative path. On steep trails, boot skid marks also tells you that someone already “slipped here” so avoid it if you can. If your boot got stuck on the mud, just step backwards to let it free.


* If a log or a fallen tree is blocking the trail: check if it is safe to pass, either crawl under or walk over by stepping on joints of branches. If it is not pasable, make a detour.
* If a log is quite high to step on, you can sit on the log and make a pivoting move by moving your both legs over the log, these lessens the strain on your legs

Descending
* Reposition heavy items (mostly wet clothes or tent) at the bottom part of your pack prevents pushing your head first to the ground when you lose balance.
* To maintain balance and traction during descent, learn to dig first with your heel or the side of your foot.
* When there is a need to hold on roots or vines, first test if they are sturdy enough to carry your weight and that they do not have any thorns.
* If the terrain is too steep and slippery, face the wall and step downwards as if you are going down a ladder.

River Crossing
River crossings can be dangerous. Depth and strength of the current will affect your movement in the water. It is therefore important to assess the need to cross the river before proceeding. Check the area for other avenues to get safely across like natural bridges or shallower portions. If you are in any doubt as to the safety of a river, you should not attempt a crossing. Certain precautions can be taken when crossing a river becomes necessary:

* Loosen shoulder strap, unfasten your hipbelt and sternum strap when crossing rivers and streams - whether a log bridge, over rocks or through the water itself. This will allow you to remove your backpack quickly in case you fall into the water. Backpacks tend to float and will trap your body which is less bouyant (forcing you) under the water.
* Bend your knees and face the incoming current for better balance. Cross in a diagonal line of the river so you are able to see any approaching debris.
* Wet and mossy rocks (usually green) are very slippy so AVOID stepping directly on top of it. Set your foot “in between” rocks instead for better grip. In case your foot got stuck in between rocks, pull it by stepping backwards.


* Face the current. Water carries floating debris downstream which may hit you if you are unaware or not paying attention.
* When the water exceeds waist level, the use of a rope is recommended. A rope is strung across the body of the water diagonally downstream and used as a guide for the members crossing. Climbers should stay on the downstream side.

Flash Floods - Flash floods are lethal. Do not attempt to cross during a flashflood. The water current can turn deadly very quickly and often without any warning. The strong and fast current often carry large debris that can sweep you into the river even if you are crossing with the assistance of a rope line, trekking poles or locked arms with a fellow trekker. It is best to be cautious and wait on higher ground for the flash flood to subside as it does not last for very long. Flash floods are often preceded by a sudden heavy downpour or a long spell of rain. The color of the water may turn from clear to the color of light tea or beer to coffee. There are no observable audible signs as they may be drowned out by the sound of rain, and they are observable visually only when they are full-blown and thus already deadly. (The occurrence of flash floods may intensify in frequency due to denudation of mountain slopes, quarrying, river silting, obstructions to the normal flow of waterways and the increasing intensity and frequency of storms due to Global Warming and Climate Change.)

Rests
During rest periods, do not sit or lie down at once. Keep standing at least thirty (30) seconds to allow your pulse to normalize before sitting down. Drinking too much too quickly will induce an abrupt lowering of your body temperature.

Trail Etiquette
1. When trailblazing, avoid the indiscriminate cutting of vegetation. Do not leave hack marks as trail signs on trees. Keep trailblazing to a minimum to preserve the natural state of the wilderness. Inform the person behind you of imminent obstacles or dangers along the path.

2. When the group is unsure of the proper path toward the objective, the team should take a break to allow several members scout for the right trail or path.

3. "Short-cutting" a switchback is bad trail etiquette because it kills vegetation and loosens soil creating a new trail straight up and down the hill, which will in time get large and hollowed out from erosion. Do your part to keep our trails beautiful and control erosion.

4. Do not litter. If you find litter on the trail, pick it up.

5. Smoking on the trail or during short rests is strictly prohibited.

6. Inform the person in front of you if they dropped anything on the trail or if you notice loose straps, flaps, belts and knots on their clothes, packs or shoes that may have come loose during the trek.

Idiot's Guide to the Mountains (Part 1)

Got this very comprehensive mountaineering guide from a climbing friend in Accenture. I specifically picked some of the most important topics that will be relevant for my planned Mount Pulag trek. I believe this is documented as part of the UP Basic Mountaineering Course. Kudos, guys.

Here's the first part...


Part 1: Climb Preparation
In preparing for a climb, several factors have to be taken into consideration by the prospective climber. No backpacker - beginner or expert - can ignore physical fitness in preparing for a climb. A certain level of fitness is required for a pleasant and safe climb. The lack of preparation has made a lot of potentially great climbs end in total disaster.

Physical Fitness
To help you in preparing for a climb, we have listed down some guidelines:
* All participants of the climb must be physically fit. The best type of fitness program involves continuous endurance training through aerobic sports such as running, swimming, cycling and walking.
* Any participant in a climb who gets sick before the climb should forego his participation. A sick climber becomes a liability to the group.

The Objectives of the Climb
Minor Climbs - these are mountains that could be easily trekked within a four or six hour peroid. Basically the trek is simple, light and easy. Because of this, they are also called fun climbs or overnight climbs. These climbs are most favored by urbanites for their recreational purposes.

Making Courtesy Calls
Before heading off into the backcountry, it’s important to make your intentions known to the nearest Barangay or local government official. This way the town folk will not be alarmed by the presence of strangers in their area. Remember that diplomacy can go a long way. You will also be oriented by the locals about the general security of the area and general condition of the route that you will be taking. Find out if there’s any park fee that needs to be addresses before going up the area.

Route Planning
Route planning basicaly tackles all the aspects involved in bringing the team safely and efficiently to and from the backcountry. The route plan has two areas of concern.
1. Trip to the jump-off point: Is the process of getting the team and their gear from the city to the area at the foot of the mountain where the actual trekking begins.
2. Climb Proper: It is how will the team move about thru the backcountry to fulfill their objectives and back down again, safely and efficiently. While making the route plan you will also be able to develop and identify the following concerns of the planning and preparation phase.

These are:
* The itinerary.
* Transportation to be used to and from the expedition.
* Possible lodging.
* The budget of the whole trip.
* The amount of food to prepare and bring.
* The type of equipment that must be brought along.

The Itinerary of the Climb
The itinerary is basically a detailed breakdown plan of the journey to be undertaken. It should contain all the vital information and contact numbers of every person involved in the team and local contacts. The value of having an itinerary is realized in keeping up with schedules to avoid unnecessary discomforts such as being forced to do late treks or to set up camp in the dark.

The itinerary is usually formulated based on the study of the map which provides an approximation of the distances to travel. The amount of gear and provisions required is determined by the established itinerary.

Trail Food
Trail meals are helpful in eliminating hunger and exhaustion during trekking. It can even act as your main meal if you fail to eat during meal time due to delayed itineraries. Trail food should meet 3 requirements:

* It should not induce thirst, since it would induce the climber to consume more water.
* Nutritious and must satisfy your body’s energy requirements. Sweets in general, meet the criteria but may require some catabolic conversions before your body can use it as a fuel.
* Easy to prepare and should require little or no cooking at all. Time and fuel constraints must be considered.

Samples of trail food: Crackers, nuts, candies, chocolates, fresh or dried fruits, corn flakes, pre-packed gelatins and the eternal G.O.R.P. (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts).

The Long Climb Up

Sabi ko sa sarili ko babawi ako ng lakwatsa pagkatapos ng SE15 Weekend retreat.

And what better way to jumpstart the wanderlust than to climb the highest peak in Luzon - Mount Pulag!

This morning, I initiated a mass email to my climbing mates in AIM for their return trip to the mountain and our first climb of the year. Danilo immediately replied and helmed the planning of the expedition. There are several trails to the Pulag peak, each with varying level of difficulties. I told him I'll be inviting first-time climbers so we better ought taking the Ambangeg trail for this trek. That's the easiest traverse to the summit.

SOOO... I'm inviting YOU! Yes, IKAW! Contact me and join na! What a cool way to welcome the start of summer in the cold mountains of Benguet!

Ambangeg Trail (southern part of the mountain), Bokod, Benguet
PLUS, to add some meaning to the trip, we are looking to tie up with other mountaineering groups who will be having outreach programs for the students and schools around the vicinity of Mount Pulag. We intend to donate some school supplies for the kids.

Here are some info regarding Mount Pulag and what to expect during the climb:
CLICK ME

Thanks to pinoymountaineer.com for the wonderful writeup!

And here's our planned itinerary...

Day Zero (Friday, February 27)
9pm - Assembly (Victory Liner - Cubao)
10pm - ETD (you guess it right! ETD = estimated time of departure) from Cubao

Day 1 (Saturday, February 28)
5am - ETA (what a wiz kid! yes, ETA = estimated time of arrival) in Baguio City
5:30am - ETD Baguio City for Kabayan, Benguet
7am - breakfast along the way
9am - ETA, DENR Station, Kabayan, Benguet
11am - ETA, Jump-off (Ranger Station, Ambangeg Trail)... eat lunch!
12:30pm - start of trek
4pm - ETA (Campsite)... set camp and rest!
5pm - prep dinner
6pm - dinner is served!
8pm - free time!
10pm - lights out (so they say!)

Day 2 (Sunday, March 1)
3:30am - wake-up call (kelangan maaga para abutan yung "sea of clouds" sa summit!)
4am - start trek to summit
5:30am - summit
7am - trek back to camp
8am - camp na ulit (breakfast!)
9am - break camp
10am - start descent
1pm - ETA Ranger Station ...lunch and wash-up
3pm - ETD for Baguio
8pm - ETA Baguio ...dinner at Good Taste and last minute pasalubong buying
9pm - ETD for Manila

Day 3 (Monday, March 2)
3am - ETA Manila

*****
Expenses
Estimated budget per head is P3,500 which includes the following;

* Manila to Baguio bus fare (Victory Liner) – P 390 x 2 = 780
* Baguio to Babadak, Benguet (chartered 4x4 jeepney is P 9500 back and forth) – cost estimate is P800 per head (Note: This will vary according to the number of participants)
* Registration Fee – estimated cost is 150 per head (via Ambangeg – Ambangeg)
* Guide Fee – P 2100 / 10 pax and 100 for every additional head (Note: This will vary according to the number of participants)
* Food – Diner (1st day), Lunch (2nd day), Dinner (2nd day), Lunch (3rd day)
* Miscellaneous – butane gas for cooking
* Lodging - 150 per head

*****

Essential Gears and Equipments

· Backpack (mountaineering standards)
· Sleeping bag / tent
· Flashlight / Headlamp (with extra batteries)
· Mess kits (utensils)
· Trash bags
· Personal medication / First Aid Kit
· disinfectant
· 2 liters Drinking Water
· Off Lotion or any mosquito repellant
· 1 pair of camp slippers
· 4 sets of clothing (Cool fit shirt or Mesh shirt)
· Trekking Shoes
· Cap / Bush hat
· Arm Warmer *
· Leg warmer or Tights or Leggings *
· Trekking shorts or Pants
· Poncho or Rain Gear *
· Thermal Jacket and Pants
· Extra Socks *
· Hand Gloves *

While most of these gears (and some) will really be helpful, it will be really heavy for your load to bring them all so I suggest you just bring what in your judgment would be very essential for your convenience in the mountains. I marked an asterisk on some of the optional gears.

*****

Just drop me a message if you want to hike with us. I need a headcount before the end of January. I'm aiming to invite people from my various circles of friends so just y'know I can get em acquainted with each other in an activity where real camaraderie gets tested... mountaineering!

So far these guys confirmed:
1. Dan the Flash (Justice League-HP tropa)
2. Ayn the Wonder Woman (Justice League-HP tropa)
3. lagay ko sarili ko... Obi the Bat Man

SE13/14 Garage Sale

Batch 13 and 14 of the Singles Apostolate of St. James the Great Parish in Alabang will hold this one day event for the benefit of the family of two of their members who need immediate help.

The garage sale will be open from 5am until 5pm on January 10 (this Saturday) at 525 Country Club Drive, Ayala Alabang Village.

SE13, I'm so proud of you for this very selfless act! God bless!

Sad... Happy... Sad... Happy...

The inevitable happened. I brought work at home. Dammit.

Mabibilang lang sa daliri (sa isang kamay!) ang mga beses na nagbitbit ako ng trabaho sa bahay. In my 8 years of IT practice! And sadly, yesterday was one of those instances. Got off work at 8:30-ish last night and hog-tied myself in front of my laptop till 2AM!

Olats. Di na mauulet to. Syet.

*****

In the lighter side of things, it's the Wonder Twin's birthday!

Wooot!

I called Cheng this morning on my way to work and was able to talk to the darlings who almost can't be bothered dahil nanonood daw ng all-time peborit nilang High Five! The sis sent me their latest pics in Sydney... anlalaki na nila! Kaka-miss. Lalo na nung sumigaw sila ng NINOOOOOONG pagka hello ko sa cel. Huhuhu... iyak na lang ako.

3rd from left is Lei while Liz is on the rightmost
Anyway, happy birthday Lei and Liz! Tito Ninong loves you!

Weirdos of the World... Unite!

Idol ko si Lewis Carroll. Siya yung weirdong sumulat ng "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and its sequel or what we more commonly refer to as "Alice in Wonderland" because of the film adaptation. Dito makikilala ang ilan sa mga sikat na weirdong karakter sa mundo ng Sining katulad nila Humpty Dumpty, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, The Mad Hatter, at siyempre ang Queen of Hearts ("Off with his heaaaaaad!").

Siya si idol Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson sa personal)
Isa sa mga akda niya ay ang tulang Jabberwocky.

Ito ay tinagurian literary non-sense dahil nung panahon na iyon, siya at siya lamang ang nakakaintindi sa mga pinagsusulat niya sa tulang ito. Ang weird no? Sa point of view ng gumawa may sense siya pero sa point of view ng nakararaming mambabasa, wala siyang kahulugan.

Kaya sinubukan ko gumawa ng sarili kong "sensible non-sense" in honor of idol Lewis. It's fun this way that I could write and express what I want and publish it to the world without worries of being misinterpreted, misunderstood, or censored. But it's weird in a way that you are writing to give away to others what you feel or what you wanted to convey and yet here you are with a wickedly unintelligible work.

Astig.

*****

Jump the Bang
by Obi, 1/14/09

go jump the bang!
the wicketmaster's wily wonking.
yar getting haggedy dear
and raggedy at that.
woe when yar tick's are tripping!

i know, told yar.
i know since the tick are young.
butterfly flitters
and roosters snickers,
but I truly nay jump the bang.

yar hanging tight.
you learned the wicket pickets.
so soon the bang twitches you over.
ad infinitum.
like it yar's a'twitching?
like it bang's a'swoop?
like it tick's a'tripping?
ad infinitum.

i never snagged a pick, yar said glum.
i never did.
i ride the tide with kicks on the side
and wait till bang I snaggeth.
poorly deary,
that's how I work it.

Now That You're Near

I just finished practicing the pieces I’ll be playing tomorrow with the band.

Four songs in total: Everyday, One Way, Forever, and Now That You’re Near.

Four songs for the Lord.

Four songs that made my day special despite stress at work; despite hang-ups and hassles and regrets in life; and despite a lingering pain that like nightmare recurs to haunt me when I’m most vulnerable and ON the most vulnerable part of me – my heart… naks!

Proof that in the end of the day, there’s always positivity in everything and that it’s a personal choice if we are to count what God provided us or fault Him for what WE ignored to see.

So as I end the night, I want to acknowledge His blessings for me today and I pray:

Lord God, I might fail to see what joyful things You’ve brought to me for I have been more eager to recognize the problems that came along…

…but tonight as I lie to wait another meaningful tomorrow, let me lift to You not what is lacking in me this day but my thanks for how the day has been good to me.

Lord, thank You…

…for the blessing of these fingers so I can play Your songs.
…for the blessing of this voice so I can sing Your songs.
…for the blessing of this talent to share Your songs to others.
…for Hillsong United and the many artists who raised their lives to You and inspire a million others to walk Your path.

Lord, thank You for giving me reasons…

…reason to go to work and be enthusiastic about it despite things that should be bothering me a great deal.
…reason to still love when I was rejected, to still care when I was ignored, and to still give concern when I was unwanted.
…reason to appreciate this day even when it was not at all “perfect”.
…reason to believe that love and life has been good to me today.

Lord, thank You for the gifts…

…gift of friends who share my joys and my pains.
…gift of the people around me who never fails to show me life’s teachings.
…gift of a loving family who are there for me no matter how complicated these things we go through.
…gift of another day in my borrowed LIFE!

Lord God, I have a LOT of other things to be thankful of just for this day alone and thanks doesn’t even worth to amount for all of it. But rest assured that my path, my mercy, my servitude, my everything is to You alone.

Amen.

Idiot's Guide to the Mountains (Part 3)

To continue with part three (and last) of my condensed guide to mountaineering...

(Adapted from the UP Basic Mountaineering Course)

While here's a link to Parts 1 and 2 for reference:
Idiot's Guide to the Mountains (Part 1)
Idiot's Guide to the Mountains (Part 2)

*****

Part 3: In the Mountains

Leave No Trace Principle
(I just picked the relevant points...)

Plan Ahead and Prepare:
* Know the area and what to expect.
* Repackage food to minimize waste.
* Select appropriate equipment.
* Respect other visitors' desire for solitude.

Camp and Travel on Durable Surfaces:
* Concentrate use in resistance areas. Avoid places where impact is just beginning.
* Camp away from existing water. Conserve water. Avoid polluting water sources.

Dispose of waste properly:
* Bring out inorganic and organic waste, including food scraps.
* Dispose of human waste responsibly.
* Minimize soap and food scraps in wastewater.

Leave What You Find:
* Avoid damaging live trees and plants. Leave natural objects.

Minimize Campfire Impacts:
* Fires are sometimes appropriate, but firewood selection, gathering and use, as well as careful campfire site selection and fire tending are critical to minimizing impact.

Respect Wildlife:
* Enjoy wildlife at a distance. Never feed the wildlife. Store food securely. Minimize noise. Avoid sensitive habitat. Avoid disturbing wildlife.

Be considerate of other visitors:
* Avoid Conflicts
* Minimize Crowding
* Respect the Privacy of Other Visitors

Water Management
Ideally this should be the standard amount of water to bring for an overnight climb. Each individual is required to bring 5 liters of water. The breakdown is as follows:

1 Liter – trail water
2 liters – personal use
2 liters – group use

Water Discipline
* Make sure you are fully hydrated before starting the trek.
* Avoid drinking in huge gulps but in sips instead also learn to tolerate a certain period of hours without any water intake, two hours at best.
* It will be your responsibility to bring extra load of water if it’s in your nature to consume a lot of water. When you do run out of water, look for a water source

Garbage Management
Jump Off Points
* Trash of any kind should not be left at jump-off points. It should be brought back to the city for proper disposal. In some rural areas, the usual mode of disposing trash is by burning, burying and even dumping in waterways. It is better that we know where our trash goes.

* We also do not want to reinforce the locals’ behavior of collecting trash from climbers. If the locals keep on collecting trash from visitors, sooner or later, their dumping pits would not be able hold the garbage that climbers bring. Politely refuse if a local asks you to leave your trash in their pits. But if they tell you that they intend to recycle the plastic containers and tin cans, give your recyclabes to them. Giving them these items is better than bringing these back home and just throwing these away.

Individual Trash
* Individual trash is better than group trash. Small amount of trash is easier to carry than large ones. Since you will be bringing your trash back home, it would be unfair for the individual who is in charge of the group’s trash to bring it home with him.

* Every member of the group should be responsible for his own garbage. We want to instill responsibilty for our own trash among our members.

Essentials
* Ideally bring extra cash or an ATM card as back up for the trip. Always bring it with you during transit. Be discreet counting cash in public places. Leave all the unnecessary items inside your wallet.

* Cellular phone and other means of communication. Bring extra batteries for multi day trips.

* Identification Card. Any kind of identification you can carry during a climb is helpful.

* Hiking Boots. Some trekkers consider their boots as being their most essential piece of personal equipment. Trekking sandals are extremely light, but they are not going to give you good support or protect your feet. A good pair of boots is:
1. Ankle-high to prevent sprains
2. Cleated for traction
3. Sturdy enough to withstand heavy use and exposure to the elements.

* Backpack
An ideal backpack would be large enough to contain all the gear and provisions you will need for a certain trip. Since backpacks come in design and several sizes, make sure your backpack should also be sturdy enough to endure for rough handling and carrying heavy loads.

The Internal Frame Pack are designed to hug the body more closely and give the arms room to move. They provide good balance on steep ascents and ease of movement when moving along narrow trails. Features like lumbar pads increase comfort and compression straps help balance the load in the sack. Since an internal frame pack is supported only by two parallel stays, you must balance your load with more care than you would when using an external.

* Bring at least 3 lighters or match boxes and waterproofed it individually. Placing it in different locations inside the pack heightens the chances of still having a dry one just in case the backpack gets soaking wet.

* Flash Light and Batteries. Always bring extra bulbs and batteries. You can add a thin layer of petroleum jelly on joints that you think water will sip through. Pushing it further, bring an extra unit as back- up.

* folding knife
* trail water

* Wind Breaker / Rain Gear / Poncho. Tropical mountaineering is always wet so it’s mandatory to bring one.

* mess kit with spoon and fork
* notebook and pencil (I'm always the designated scribe so this is a must for me!)
* plastic bags and trash bags
* sandals
* tent
* toiletries
* first aid kit and medicines

Clothing
Layering
Layering is the process of wearing several thin layers of clothing to help regulate the heat around your body that is better than wearing one thick layer. Layering works by heating the ‘‘dead’’ air spaces around your body, thus creating better insulation. In extremely wet conditions, it’s warmer to wear layers of wet clothes than frequently change into one dry clothing.

1. Base Layer
It’s the clothing next to skin. Perspiration is a natural component of exertion, and a base layer helps regulate your body's microclimate by wicking moisture away from your skin so that it can evaporate or be passed through the other layers.

Samples: synthetic, mid-weight, long underwear (top and bottom) synthetic or wool gloves.

2. Insulation Layer
Known also as mid layer, it minimizes conductive heat loss.

Samples: fleece jacket / down / wool sweater fleece pants.

3. Outer Layer
Also known as "Shell" that shields from rain and wind. It also available in Hardshell and Softshell hybrid.

Samples: poncho or waterproof/windproof breathable suit

Maximum Carrying Load
The maximum carrying load should not exceed one-third (1/3 or 33%) of your body weight. Maximum pack weight is 25% All equipment which may be affected or damaged by water should be wrapped and sealed in durable plastic bags. Use a large plastic bag as the inner lining for the backpack to provide additional protection.

Light items should be packed at the bottom and away from the frame while heavy items should be placed close to the back. The goal is to have a balanced pack. Things which will be needed often or will require quick access (e.g., rain gear, first-aid, Swiss Knife, trail food, trail water, etc.) should be placed in the top compartment or on the other side pockets for accessibility.

Not Mountaineering Related

Bunga ng malikot na pag-iisip...

Ay Ambot
by Obi (1-19-09)

funny when the things you expect to come
will dart right past your grasp
not because you don't have enough time to catch it
nor because it has gone by too quick
not because you don't know how to take ahold of it
nor because it steers away when you try

BUT

because you let it be
you watched it pass you by
you rather wait for it to come your way
and wish that in your hands it will lie

you suck!

funny when the things you expect to come
will dart right past your grasp
because you took all haste to try and catch it
because it all flashed in a blink of an eye
because you’re mindlessly bent on snagging it
now it steers away when you try

BUT

you let it be
you rushed on the opportunity
you rather want to see the end in no time
and pray everything will turn out fine

you’re a loser!

i am both.

Idiot's Guide to the Mountains (Part 2)

To continue with part two of my condensed guide to mountaineering...

(Adapted from the UP Basic Mountaineering Course)

While here's a link to Part 1 for reference:
Idiot's Guide to the Mountains (Part 1)

*****

Part 2: Climb Proper

Pacing
* Always start with a slow pace to slowly warm up your muscles. Then gradually change your pace to the group’s desired pace.
* Maintain a steady rhythm while trekking. When negotiating steep slopes, keep the rhythm (pace) by shortening your strides. On level ground, maintain the rhythm by taking longer strides.
* Do not allow anyone to lag behind. An isolated climber heightens the risk factor in an expedition.
* Should there be a need to stop, inform the lead or tail man so that he or she can give the appropriate order to stop.
* The pace of the group should be that of the slowest member or the person who has the heaviest load. This prevents a large team spread along the trail in very long gaps. In some cases, a struggling or an injured climber can be deployed at the rear part ONLY if he/she will trek with his/her groupmates.

Trekking Techniques
In negotiating the trail, some techniques must be kept in mind in order to provide the safest and least difficult route to the summit or objective. Some guidelines are mentioned here.

* Prevent muddy spots from turning into 10-20 foot wide mud highways. Be sure to stay on the trail if it is muddy or wet. If you walk around the mud the trail will widen and become even muddier in the future. Mud is part of the backcountry challenge. Expect it. Hike through it. It is not that difficult. You can even use a stick, walking staff or trek pole to help gauge the depth of the mud and to help you with balance.


* Foot prints will also tell you how deep a mud is. It’s faster to step on someone’s foot print than exploring an alternative path. On steep trails, boot skid marks also tells you that someone already “slipped here” so avoid it if you can. If your boot got stuck on the mud, just step backwards to let it free.


* If a log or a fallen tree is blocking the trail: check if it is safe to pass, either crawl under or walk over by stepping on joints of branches. If it is not pasable, make a detour.
* If a log is quite high to step on, you can sit on the log and make a pivoting move by moving your both legs over the log, these lessens the strain on your legs

Descending
* Reposition heavy items (mostly wet clothes or tent) at the bottom part of your pack prevents pushing your head first to the ground when you lose balance.
* To maintain balance and traction during descent, learn to dig first with your heel or the side of your foot.
* When there is a need to hold on roots or vines, first test if they are sturdy enough to carry your weight and that they do not have any thorns.
* If the terrain is too steep and slippery, face the wall and step downwards as if you are going down a ladder.

River Crossing
River crossings can be dangerous. Depth and strength of the current will affect your movement in the water. It is therefore important to assess the need to cross the river before proceeding. Check the area for other avenues to get safely across like natural bridges or shallower portions. If you are in any doubt as to the safety of a river, you should not attempt a crossing. Certain precautions can be taken when crossing a river becomes necessary:

* Loosen shoulder strap, unfasten your hipbelt and sternum strap when crossing rivers and streams - whether a log bridge, over rocks or through the water itself. This will allow you to remove your backpack quickly in case you fall into the water. Backpacks tend to float and will trap your body which is less bouyant (forcing you) under the water.
* Bend your knees and face the incoming current for better balance. Cross in a diagonal line of the river so you are able to see any approaching debris.
* Wet and mossy rocks (usually green) are very slippy so AVOID stepping directly on top of it. Set your foot “in between” rocks instead for better grip. In case your foot got stuck in between rocks, pull it by stepping backwards.


* Face the current. Water carries floating debris downstream which may hit you if you are unaware or not paying attention.
* When the water exceeds waist level, the use of a rope is recommended. A rope is strung across the body of the water diagonally downstream and used as a guide for the members crossing. Climbers should stay on the downstream side.

Flash Floods - Flash floods are lethal. Do not attempt to cross during a flashflood. The water current can turn deadly very quickly and often without any warning. The strong and fast current often carry large debris that can sweep you into the river even if you are crossing with the assistance of a rope line, trekking poles or locked arms with a fellow trekker. It is best to be cautious and wait on higher ground for the flash flood to subside as it does not last for very long. Flash floods are often preceded by a sudden heavy downpour or a long spell of rain. The color of the water may turn from clear to the color of light tea or beer to coffee. There are no observable audible signs as they may be drowned out by the sound of rain, and they are observable visually only when they are full-blown and thus already deadly. (The occurrence of flash floods may intensify in frequency due to denudation of mountain slopes, quarrying, river silting, obstructions to the normal flow of waterways and the increasing intensity and frequency of storms due to Global Warming and Climate Change.)

Rests
During rest periods, do not sit or lie down at once. Keep standing at least thirty (30) seconds to allow your pulse to normalize before sitting down. Drinking too much too quickly will induce an abrupt lowering of your body temperature.

Trail Etiquette
1. When trailblazing, avoid the indiscriminate cutting of vegetation. Do not leave hack marks as trail signs on trees. Keep trailblazing to a minimum to preserve the natural state of the wilderness. Inform the person behind you of imminent obstacles or dangers along the path.

2. When the group is unsure of the proper path toward the objective, the team should take a break to allow several members scout for the right trail or path.

3. "Short-cutting" a switchback is bad trail etiquette because it kills vegetation and loosens soil creating a new trail straight up and down the hill, which will in time get large and hollowed out from erosion. Do your part to keep our trails beautiful and control erosion.

4. Do not litter. If you find litter on the trail, pick it up.

5. Smoking on the trail or during short rests is strictly prohibited.

6. Inform the person in front of you if they dropped anything on the trail or if you notice loose straps, flaps, belts and knots on their clothes, packs or shoes that may have come loose during the trek.

Idiot's Guide to the Mountains (Part 1)

Got this very comprehensive mountaineering guide from a climbing friend in Accenture. I specifically picked some of the most important topics that will be relevant for my planned Mount Pulag trek. I believe this is documented as part of the UP Basic Mountaineering Course. Kudos, guys.

Here's the first part...


Part 1: Climb Preparation
In preparing for a climb, several factors have to be taken into consideration by the prospective climber. No backpacker - beginner or expert - can ignore physical fitness in preparing for a climb. A certain level of fitness is required for a pleasant and safe climb. The lack of preparation has made a lot of potentially great climbs end in total disaster.

Physical Fitness
To help you in preparing for a climb, we have listed down some guidelines:
* All participants of the climb must be physically fit. The best type of fitness program involves continuous endurance training through aerobic sports such as running, swimming, cycling and walking.
* Any participant in a climb who gets sick before the climb should forego his participation. A sick climber becomes a liability to the group.

The Objectives of the Climb
Minor Climbs - these are mountains that could be easily trekked within a four or six hour peroid. Basically the trek is simple, light and easy. Because of this, they are also called fun climbs or overnight climbs. These climbs are most favored by urbanites for their recreational purposes.

Making Courtesy Calls
Before heading off into the backcountry, it’s important to make your intentions known to the nearest Barangay or local government official. This way the town folk will not be alarmed by the presence of strangers in their area. Remember that diplomacy can go a long way. You will also be oriented by the locals about the general security of the area and general condition of the route that you will be taking. Find out if there’s any park fee that needs to be addresses before going up the area.

Route Planning
Route planning basicaly tackles all the aspects involved in bringing the team safely and efficiently to and from the backcountry. The route plan has two areas of concern.
1. Trip to the jump-off point: Is the process of getting the team and their gear from the city to the area at the foot of the mountain where the actual trekking begins.
2. Climb Proper: It is how will the team move about thru the backcountry to fulfill their objectives and back down again, safely and efficiently. While making the route plan you will also be able to develop and identify the following concerns of the planning and preparation phase.

These are:
* The itinerary.
* Transportation to be used to and from the expedition.
* Possible lodging.
* The budget of the whole trip.
* The amount of food to prepare and bring.
* The type of equipment that must be brought along.

The Itinerary of the Climb
The itinerary is basically a detailed breakdown plan of the journey to be undertaken. It should contain all the vital information and contact numbers of every person involved in the team and local contacts. The value of having an itinerary is realized in keeping up with schedules to avoid unnecessary discomforts such as being forced to do late treks or to set up camp in the dark.

The itinerary is usually formulated based on the study of the map which provides an approximation of the distances to travel. The amount of gear and provisions required is determined by the established itinerary.

Trail Food
Trail meals are helpful in eliminating hunger and exhaustion during trekking. It can even act as your main meal if you fail to eat during meal time due to delayed itineraries. Trail food should meet 3 requirements:

* It should not induce thirst, since it would induce the climber to consume more water.
* Nutritious and must satisfy your body’s energy requirements. Sweets in general, meet the criteria but may require some catabolic conversions before your body can use it as a fuel.
* Easy to prepare and should require little or no cooking at all. Time and fuel constraints must be considered.

Samples of trail food: Crackers, nuts, candies, chocolates, fresh or dried fruits, corn flakes, pre-packed gelatins and the eternal G.O.R.P. (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts).

The Long Climb Up

Sabi ko sa sarili ko babawi ako ng lakwatsa pagkatapos ng SE15 Weekend retreat.

And what better way to jumpstart the wanderlust than to climb the highest peak in Luzon - Mount Pulag!

This morning, I initiated a mass email to my climbing mates in AIM for their return trip to the mountain and our first climb of the year. Danilo immediately replied and helmed the planning of the expedition. There are several trails to the Pulag peak, each with varying level of difficulties. I told him I'll be inviting first-time climbers so we better ought taking the Ambangeg trail for this trek. That's the easiest traverse to the summit.

SOOO... I'm inviting YOU! Yes, IKAW! Contact me and join na! What a cool way to welcome the start of summer in the cold mountains of Benguet!

Ambangeg Trail (southern part of the mountain), Bokod, Benguet
PLUS, to add some meaning to the trip, we are looking to tie up with other mountaineering groups who will be having outreach programs for the students and schools around the vicinity of Mount Pulag. We intend to donate some school supplies for the kids.

Here are some info regarding Mount Pulag and what to expect during the climb:
CLICK ME

Thanks to pinoymountaineer.com for the wonderful writeup!

And here's our planned itinerary...

Day Zero (Friday, February 27)
9pm - Assembly (Victory Liner - Cubao)
10pm - ETD (you guess it right! ETD = estimated time of departure) from Cubao

Day 1 (Saturday, February 28)
5am - ETA (what a wiz kid! yes, ETA = estimated time of arrival) in Baguio City
5:30am - ETD Baguio City for Kabayan, Benguet
7am - breakfast along the way
9am - ETA, DENR Station, Kabayan, Benguet
11am - ETA, Jump-off (Ranger Station, Ambangeg Trail)... eat lunch!
12:30pm - start of trek
4pm - ETA (Campsite)... set camp and rest!
5pm - prep dinner
6pm - dinner is served!
8pm - free time!
10pm - lights out (so they say!)

Day 2 (Sunday, March 1)
3:30am - wake-up call (kelangan maaga para abutan yung "sea of clouds" sa summit!)
4am - start trek to summit
5:30am - summit
7am - trek back to camp
8am - camp na ulit (breakfast!)
9am - break camp
10am - start descent
1pm - ETA Ranger Station ...lunch and wash-up
3pm - ETD for Baguio
8pm - ETA Baguio ...dinner at Good Taste and last minute pasalubong buying
9pm - ETD for Manila

Day 3 (Monday, March 2)
3am - ETA Manila

*****
Expenses
Estimated budget per head is P3,500 which includes the following;

* Manila to Baguio bus fare (Victory Liner) – P 390 x 2 = 780
* Baguio to Babadak, Benguet (chartered 4x4 jeepney is P 9500 back and forth) – cost estimate is P800 per head (Note: This will vary according to the number of participants)
* Registration Fee – estimated cost is 150 per head (via Ambangeg – Ambangeg)
* Guide Fee – P 2100 / 10 pax and 100 for every additional head (Note: This will vary according to the number of participants)
* Food – Diner (1st day), Lunch (2nd day), Dinner (2nd day), Lunch (3rd day)
* Miscellaneous – butane gas for cooking
* Lodging - 150 per head

*****

Essential Gears and Equipments

· Backpack (mountaineering standards)
· Sleeping bag / tent
· Flashlight / Headlamp (with extra batteries)
· Mess kits (utensils)
· Trash bags
· Personal medication / First Aid Kit
· disinfectant
· 2 liters Drinking Water
· Off Lotion or any mosquito repellant
· 1 pair of camp slippers
· 4 sets of clothing (Cool fit shirt or Mesh shirt)
· Trekking Shoes
· Cap / Bush hat
· Arm Warmer *
· Leg warmer or Tights or Leggings *
· Trekking shorts or Pants
· Poncho or Rain Gear *
· Thermal Jacket and Pants
· Extra Socks *
· Hand Gloves *

While most of these gears (and some) will really be helpful, it will be really heavy for your load to bring them all so I suggest you just bring what in your judgment would be very essential for your convenience in the mountains. I marked an asterisk on some of the optional gears.

*****

Just drop me a message if you want to hike with us. I need a headcount before the end of January. I'm aiming to invite people from my various circles of friends so just y'know I can get em acquainted with each other in an activity where real camaraderie gets tested... mountaineering!

So far these guys confirmed:
1. Dan the Flash (Justice League-HP tropa)
2. Ayn the Wonder Woman (Justice League-HP tropa)
3. lagay ko sarili ko... Obi the Bat Man

SE13/14 Garage Sale

Batch 13 and 14 of the Singles Apostolate of St. James the Great Parish in Alabang will hold this one day event for the benefit of the family of two of their members who need immediate help.

The garage sale will be open from 5am until 5pm on January 10 (this Saturday) at 525 Country Club Drive, Ayala Alabang Village.

SE13, I'm so proud of you for this very selfless act! God bless!