I Part Seas

I just came from a very meaningful weekend leadership retreat in Tagaytay. It was quite an experience to sit there with potential servant leaders of our apostolate but it was even more heartening to know that I am with people who are or will be instruments of God's influence to a lot of other people the Singles Apostolate touch base with.

Ang astig.

I was sent an invite to join the "I'm No Moses" Seminar several weeks back but I only confirmed a couple of days prior to it. I have reservations about it really, not knowing what to expect. Plus the fact that I have lots of things supposedly planned for this weekend that I have to clear up first, I needed something to justify my participation.

Eto yung makulet na part.

It was a Tuesday (or Wednesday?) morning. Ilang araw na lang bago yung seminar at kelangan ko na ayusin lahat if I am to confirm AND in fact I need to know IF I will confirm, to start with. I needed a sign.

Nagluluto mom ko ng breakfast and, as usual, she has the FM radio turned on (tuned in to any station, just to have an ambient sound). That morning, she was tuned in dito sa isang jologs na FM station. Alam mo na yan, yung station that plays equally jologs songs and has DJ's that will pass as hosts for comedy pubs with flying colors.

I was brushing my teeth then when out of their usual playlist, may Christian song na tumugtog. I was like "huh?". It was totally out of the blue for them to play such song. I specifically paid attention to the lines "still You hear me when I'm calling..." and so I thought "Onga naman, minsan lang Niya ko tawagin pero kung ako naman, halos palagi ko Siyang kinailangan and He din't fail me."

So ayun, taking it as a sign, I confirmed my attendance to Shep Ali and Ther of the Teaching Team that day.

*****

Ia, Laurie, I-am-Sam, Pam, Obi
We're the 9th batch to attend the "I'm No Moses" Seminar. The Teaching Team of the Singles Apostolate of St. James the Great Renewal Movement regularly conducts this to budding servant leaders of the community. I'm totally elated that they consider me as one, totally in awe that God named me into it.

I'm No Mo Batch 9 Attendance: Paul, Len, Obi, Gian, Mike, Kris, Bianca, Sam, Laurie, Pam, Jan, Ia, Del, Karmi, Aweng, Zsa

It has been a very humbling and enlightening experience to join this retreat. Ang daming realizations at sobrang enjoy! For me, it's God's way of refueling my desire to serve. Just when I needed it most, He called me to join I'm No Mo to keep the high up in me. I'm still lost in words to fully describe how I feel right now.

Basta, ang galing!

So super thanks kay Bro... our Lord God for the opportunity to serve you!

Thanks to the Teaching Team, St. James the Great Renewal Movement, and the rest of the people behind the 9th I'm No Mo! I can't thank you enough for organizing the seminar.

Salamat sa Angels' Hills! Parang wala kami sa AH... ansasarap ng pagkain, for a change! Haha! Sana ganun ulet sa August... ahaha!

Mark, idol, special shout out to you. You're the man. Thanks sa lahat! Sigaw ka lang "summon Obi!" pag kelangan mo ng tulong sa Fellowship or whatever I can help you with for the community.

Syempre, thanks mucho sa lahat ng co-participants ko! It has been a very fun and memorable event with you guys. Angas.

*****

Share ko lang 'to... because I'm better off writing than talking.

Anyway, leadership was never an alien concept to me. I organize mountaineering climbs. I interact with peers in airsoft games. I coordinate with crewmates when sailing. I am a team lead of eight at work. AND I have a whole slew more of kabibohan in life that in one way or another I was called on to "step up".

I've never had any problems that I can't handle when dealing with these endeavors. But of course, it's because I am either conditioned into it OR the talents required for it are in me all along.

It's so totally different in the apostolate.

I was always called on to do things I've never truly been accustomed to do in my life. I'm even called on to do things that I don't really do outside the community!

Now, when I look back at what I've done for the apostolate, especially for my class (SE14), I realized that I was never really truly equipped to do what I should but, alam mo yun... we made it through. The class made it through.

I might have screwed up some but God did not fail to provide and correct things and do miracles when I least expected it. I realized, hindi ka Niya tatawagin para sa isang bagay kung hindi mo kakayaning gampanan yung role na iyon. And just as how Moses was called into ministry, just let it be. God will always have His way of doing the rest, of equipping you of just what you'll need to do things for Him. Yun ang astig na part dun.

Yes, I can proudly say "I'm Moses" now... and I'm ready for my burning bush, Lord God.

Can I request for my magic staff to be fine-tuned to part Manila floods? Haha!

*****
Who Am I
by: Casting Crowns

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

I am yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
Cause I am yours.
I am yours.

Next Mountain Please

Not so far as a month from our Mount Pulag expedition, Team AIM is cooking up yet another climbing trip up north. After a couple of email exchanges (thanks God for technology!), the choices are Mount Cinco Picos (Five Peaks) in zambales and Mount Mariveles (Tarak Ridge) in Bataan and the dates are either on the long weekend of April 4-6 or April 18-19.

We've scaled Cinco Picos before so if we are to push through with the April 4-6 schedule, we'll take a different route... a longer, more arduous one (as if our first Cinco Picos climb is not). However, Tarak Ridge is a first for all of us plus there's a side trip to Corregidor! So in the end, Mount Mariveles on an April 18-19 schedule outweigh the Mount Cinco Picos long weekend.

Here's an informative site I searched on the net regarding trekking on Tarak Ridge...
http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/tarak-ridge-1130.html


* pic-napped from lakwatserong.ticsay.ph

And here's our proposed itinerary:
Estimated Trek Time: 5 hours

April 18, 2009 - Saturday, Day 1
04:30 - Assembly at Cubao Five Star Bus terminal (Bataan Transit Bus)
05:30 - ETD to Mariveles, Bataan
08:30 - ETA Barangay Alas-asin (Jump Off); Register at Barangay Hall
09:00 - Start Trek
10:00 - "Triangle" clearing
12:00 - ETA Papaya River; Lunch
13:00 - Resume Trek
15:00 – ETA Tarak Ridge (Tarak and El Saco peaks)
16:30 – Back to Papaya River; Set camp
18:00 – Dinner; Social
20:00 - Lights out

April 19, 2009 - Sunday, Day 2
05:00 - Wake-up call; Prepare Breakfast
06:00 - Break camp
06:30 - Start descent
08:30 - ETA Barangay Alas-asin (Jump Off); Buy food in Market
09:00 – ETD to Villa Carmen
09:10 – ETD to Corregidor
10:00 – ETA to Corregidor
10:30 – Lunch/Swimming/Tour Corregidor
15:30 - ETD from Corregidor
16:30 - ETA to Barangay Alas-asin
17:00 - ETD to Cubao, Manila
20:00 - ETA, Manila

*****

Estimated Expenses

* Bus fare from Cubao to Mariveles, Bataan (Five Star Bus) = P534 (two way)
* Barangay Alas-asin Registration Fee = P40
* Jampong Trail Registration = P10
* Lunch in Corregidor = P220

That's just around P800 rounded total. But I recommend bringing at least P1,300 per pax for any expenses we might incur along the way. Take note that the boat ride from Villa Carmen to Corregidor is not yet factored in but it should not cost as much as P200 per pax given we were about more than 10 in the group.

*****

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
· 2 liters Drinking Water
· Off Lotion or any mosquito repellant
· Sets of clothing (Cool fit shirt or Mesh shirt)
· Trekking Shoes/sandals
· Cap / Bush hat
· Arm Warmer
· Leg warmer or Tights or Leggings
· Trekking shorts or Pants
· Thermal Jacket
· Hand Gloves

Mount Pulag - Day 2

Day 2 of Team AIM's Mount Pulag expedition...

Ang nakaraan...

Sasapit ang kaarawan ng ating bidang si Obi (hindi tunay na pangalan). Naisipan niyang mamundok kasama ang mga piling kaibigan. Pinag-usapan ang dapat pag-usapan at pinag-kwentuhan ang dapat pag-kwentuhan hanggang sa mabuo ang mga plano... "AAKYAT TAYO SA BUNDOK NG PULAG"! Kasama sina Lakay (hindi tunay na pangalan) at Jessiemer (tunay na pangalan), naka-uto sila ng labing-lima pang tao para sumama sa paglalakbay!

Pag sapit ng ika-dalawanpu't walo ng Pebrero, tumulak ang grupo patungong Baguio sa harap ng kaguluhan ng piyesta ng Panagbenga at narating ang liblib na lugar ng Kabayan, Benguet. Dito sinimulan ng mga walang magawa sa buhay ang paglalakad patungong tuktok ng Bundok Pulag. Sa unang gabi ng kanilang paglalakbay, naranasan nila ang hirap, pagod, gutom, at utot ni Mher at Lu (hindi tunay na mga pangalan).

Tatagal pa kaya ang grupo para sa isa pang araw ng pananatili sa bundok?

Mararating kaya nila ang tuktok na hinahanap?

Mamimigay kaya si Gelo ng Speeem Senwhiiich (Spam Sandwich)?

Sino kaya ang makakatuluyan ni Bok... si Kim Chiu o ang bestfriend niyang si Gerald Anderson?

Abangan hanggang sa susunod na kabanata ng...

"KAPAG HANGIN ANG ITINANIM!"

*****

Sa pagpapatuloy...

Day 2 - Page 7
Sunday
* 2:42AM - wake up
- assault preparation
(Ang aga ko nagising. Bad trip. Aaaaang lamig lamig! Tagos laman! Pinilit kong bumangon para mag-ayos na ng gamit para sa assault papuntang Pulag summit. Lekat talaga si Eva, pang tatlong tao ang sinakop sa tent. Sa ibang mga tent, maingay na ang grupo ni Lou at Gelo. Utot na naman ata ang pinag-uusapan nila.)

* 3:15 - I'm prepped up
(I'm good to go. Sandamakmak na ang tinapal ko sa sarili ko para hindi maramdaman ang lamig. Here's what I wore and brought up to the summit that day...

~ 2 layers synthetic shirts
~ woolen jacket
~ windbreaker
~ layered hiking shorts
~ hiking pants
~ 2 layers socks
~ violet bonnet (kelangang sabihing VIOLET)
~ shemagh (yeah... that cultural scarf na ginagawang fashion statement ng mga bading)
~ boonie hat
~ gloves

waiting for my sunshine
My assault bag contents:
~ raisins
~ water bladder
~ pen and paper
~ mobile phone (ni Eva!)
~ headlamp

Day 2 - Page 8
* 4:01 - assault starts
(The group left the camp at exactly 4AM. Malabong kayanin ni Eva yung lamig kaya nag-paiwan na lang siya sa campsite. 17 kaming umakyat patungong summit. ANLAMIG! Can't state that any less. O.A. talaga sa lamig!)

* 4:32 - 1.5KM mark
- "pusakal" following us
(We reached the 1.5KM mark, meaning we're just a kilometer and a half to the highest peak of the mountain. There are lots of sub-peaks around the perimeter at this altitude and the infamous dwarf bamboos are endemic already around the area. May pusakal [pusang kalye] na sumabay samin sa pag-akyat sa peak. Habang pagod na pagod kami, yung pusa eh walang ka-effort effort na sumuot suot sa pagitan ng prusisyon namin.)

* 4:41 - Stopover (Overlooking Baguio)
(Madilim pa din nung una kaming tumigil. Kitang kita from up there yung mga ilaw ng Baguio. Parang nasa Antipolo ka lang overlooking Manila kaso mas malamig by 10 times.)

* 5:01AM - may signal ang Globe!!!
* 5:14 - several summits in sight
- Grassland summit ang target
(More sub-peaks in sight. Kita na at this altitude yung outline ng buong Cordillera Mountain Range. Sayang talaga hindi ako masyadong nakapag-research about the other significant mountain peaks visible from Pulag. Mas maangas yun if I can turn in directions and point out that this is the summit of blah blah blah.)

Day 2 - Page 9
* 5:34 - summit! (7 Centigrade)
(Victory! We reached the Pulag peak! Tinanong ko ang hightech na relo ni Danilo at ang sabi we're currently at 7 degrees Celsius. Ang angas! Matapos ang walang humpay na photo ops, siksikan kaming lahat sa mga dwarf bamboos habang hinihintay yung sunrise. Yung mga kasama naming photographer nagkanya-kanyang setup na ng tripod sa mga strategic locations.)

(May dumating na bagong grupo kasunod namin. Ang lupit ng mga attire nila, nakaka-lalake! May naka shirts at pants lang habang yung mga babae parang naka-daster na tela lang. Samantalang kami kulang na lang mag broke-bakan para makahanap ng init! Para lang silang nag wo-walk in the park. Asar eh.)

(Behind us is the infamous Akiki Trail. Bulletday [balang-araw], I'll be able to traverse that path too. Konting praktis pa at more mountain experience. PLUS sisiguraduhin ko na may thermal jacket na ko pag balik ko sa Pulag!)

sun!
* 6:29 - Team O goes down to Camp 2
(Di na yata kaya ng grupo ko yung lamig. Isa isa nang nagyaya bumaba pabalik sa campsite. So nagpaalam kami sa Team M at nauna nang bumaba. Kasabay pa din namin yung pusakal.)

* 7:17 - 1.5KM mark
- running downslope with Johann
(We're back at the 1.5KM mark! Sinubukan namin tumakbo ni Johann pababa sa isang slope. Ang angas ng pakiramdam! Parang isang maling tapak lang eh tilapon at gulong na kami to Kingdom-come! Tsaka sarap ng momentum... ambilis! Photo ops na din kami ng sandamakmak along the way back to the camp. Not far from the summit inabot na kami ng Team M dahil sa kaka-posing namin.)

* 7:35AM - back to campsite 2
(Inabot namin si Eva na tulog pa din at naghihilik. Bida ka na namang lekat ka!)

* 7:55 - breakfast preps
(Menu of the Day: itlog, tuna, papaitan, kilawin, corned beef, noodles, at half-cooked rice. Yum yum!)
* 8:56 - break camp
(Cleaning of the campsite and packing up everything. Pinaka-ayokong part ng trekking ang mag pack-up ng tent. Dammit.)

* 10:21 - packed up and ready to go
- my tent is a shit to fix
(As if hindi pa kulang na kamuhian ko ang mag pack ng tent, hindi pa nakisama ang tent ko. Dahil siguro bago, lekat sa hirap itupi. Naka ilang re-rolls kami bago ko pa naayos. Hagya ko nang naisaksak sa carry case niya.)

1.5KM Mark
Day 2 - Page 10
* 10:30 - bye Campsite 2
(Start trekking down. Sweeper position na naman ako. Hay, buhay!)

* 11:07AM - music in I-pod: "Hate that I Love You So" by Rihanna and Chris "beat-her-up" Brown
* 11:23 - sumama mood ko dito
(Hindi ko alam kung baket.)

* 11:27 - Camp 1 stopover
- chocnut break
(Thanks sa chocnut Dric!)

* 11:40 - resume trek
* 12:27 - Ranger Station
(According to a Manong at the Ranger Station, the trek from that point up to the summit is at least 2500 meters above sea level. Mataas na din, in fairness.)

* 1:20PM - bye Ranger Station
(Paid 1.1K for each guide. Dinagdagan na lang namin. Ambait naman ni Manang at Manong.)

Day 2 - Page 11
May utang ka spaghetti kay Piglet!!
(Walang kinalaman sa trek. Gusto ko lang isulat para maalala.)

* 2:56 - DENR ulit
- buy tshirt
(Back at the DENR station, naligo yung iba sa amin. Bumili na din ako ng "I survived Pulag" na tshirt para souvenir. Nag-alay din ako ng calling card sa memorabilia wall nila. Habang ang iba naman bumili ng chicha sa kalapit na tindahan.)

(Nag hingian na din kami ng mga kontak numbers at email. Isinulat ko sa Multiply ng Team AIM yung mga kontak namin.)

http://akyatitmountaineers.multiply.com/

Day 2 - Page 12
* 3:31 - bye DENR
* 4:37 - Pingkan Jo Eatery
* 4:47 - resume trip back to Baguio

sea of clouds
* 5:41PM - Baguio!
(Ang traaaaaaffic! Dahil sa Panagbenga, andaming sasakyan.)
* 6:01 - Good Taste Resto
(Ay grabeng LAMON ang ginawa namin dito. Sulit tong resto na ito. Price range is around 110-150 only but the serving size is REALLY gynormous and sulit sa sarap for its size! Lekat. can't describe it. Basta must-visit ito when you're in Baguio. What's weird is that I was always in Baguio. Wala atang taon na hindi ako umaakyat ng Baguio. Pero hindi ko alam itong kainan na to, and they've been there for a long time already.)

Grub List (for Obi, Eva, Johann pa lang!)
- Fried Rice for 6
- Lechon Chopsuey
- Beef Broccolli (Brocolli? Broccoli? Whatever!)
- Miswa with Wual Eggs

(Dito na din kami nag koleksiyon ng kontribusyon. Ang mura ng trip namin in fairness. Parang lumalabas wala pang 2.5K ang gastos namin all-in-all. Very tipid trip I must say.)

* 7:10 - bye Good Taste
(Hinatid na kami ni Manong Driver sa Victory Liner.)
* 7:40 - Victory Liner, Baguio
(Bid goodbye to Manong Driver na binigyan namin ng 9.4K, may pasobra ulit para sa isang malupet na tip. Dahil sobrang bugbog yung pink nyang jeep sa pag-akyat at baba ng Ranger Station. Good job!)

Day 2 - Page 13
* 7:57 - bus now
(Nakasakay na kami. Ansarap nang nakapag reserve ng tickets. Andaaaming chance passengers dahil sa Panagbenga!)

* 8:13PM - bye Baguio, hello Nyunyu Land! Zzzz!!!
* 9:48 - Sison stopover
(Pangasinan)

* 1:28 - Victory Liner, Cubao
(Naubusan na ng tinta ang ballpen ko. Bumaba na ang iba sa amin. Gento yung order ng pag-uwi namin...

Kamachille - Dric and company
North Ave - Johann and Eva
Kamuning - Gents and company
Cubao - Mher and company, Jiji and Scal
Ayala - Obi and Gelo
Pasay - Dan and Ayn

* 2:03AM - home sweet house!
(It's weird na hindi pa ko pagod at this moment. Ye, masakit katawan ko pero yung pagod wala talaga. I can't wait for our next climb. Sobrang sulit ang lahat sa trip na ito. Malupit talaga pag maganda ang pagkaka-plano ng lakwatsa!)

Team AIM

*****

Acknowledgement...

Lord God!
(Syempre Ikaw muna. Thanks, Men! Ang lupet ng binigay Mo sa amin... buhay, lakas at kakayahan, kaibigan, pagkakataon, kasiyahan, at higit sa lahat yung mga malulupet na tanawin tsaka etong mundo mismo na napakarami pang dapat i-explore in a lifetime. It was really a humbling experience to see such a wonder that You've created. Salamats ulit... You're the Man!)

Team AIM!
(Good job! I'm so proud of you. Kaming old-timers, kahit papano di pa din tayo kinakalawang mga bok! Yung mga first-timers naman, galing nyo! Pulag agad? Hahaha! I'm looking forward to AIM high for more mountains with you guys! So saan next... Bataan o Pinatubo ulet? Yung mga nagpahiram sa akin ng phone... Ayn and Eva. Dan... para sa i-Pod. Salamats!)

Manong Roger and Chief Mering!
(..and the driver and the guides and all the people that we met along the way and in one way or another have been instrumental for the success of our trip, saludo ako sa inyo kapatid!)

Mommy!
(Sarap ng adobo! You're the best!)

Jeff!
(Salamat sa burner, pre! Nagamit namin ng malupet.)

Conquer (for my bag & apparel), Triton (for my tent), Adidas (for my footwear)!

Globe Telecoms, para sa signal sa taas ng Pulag!

Hail Hitlah

A long overdue post for the benefit of voicing out my opinion of the film.

*****

Valkyrie
Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert!

Based on actual historical events, "Valkyrie" followed the life of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg from being withdrawn from the German African Front to eventually involving himself on an intricate plot to asassinate the Fuhrer himself, Adolf Hitler, in Germany.

Fresh from injuries sustained on the African battlefield, Stauffenberg is introduced to an underground resistance of high ranking officers and politicians. Their aim: to kill Hitler and propose a peace treaty with the Allies, thus ending the war. In order to machinate the coup, the dissenters rewrite Operation Valkyrie - a protocol that enables the Reserve Army to take over Germany in case of Hitler's death. The resistance omitted the clause that gives the pro-Nazi SS (German special security force) that same privelege, thus the sole control of Germany in case of the Fuhrer's death goes to the head of the Reserve Army, General Fromm.

Stauffenberg got the revised Operation Valkyrie signed by Hitler and in a continued effort by the conspirators, they devise a plan for another asassination attempt. Stauffenberg himself and his adjutant Lieutenant Haeften execute it by planting a bomb on one of Hitler's staff meeting in the Prussian military HQ - Wolf's Lair.

They rig the bomb inside the staff meeting and quickly return to Berlin. Together with the resistance, they force General Fromm to execute Operation Valkyrie believing that Hitler died from the bombing. Fortunately (or rather unfortunately), the Nazi dictator survive the attempt when the bag containing the bomb is moved away from where it will be fatal to the Fuhrer. And just as Stauffenberg and the rest of the conspirators mobilize to occupy Germany, Hitler with help from his trusted SS officers consolidate power and eventually root out the dissenters.

All are either executed or have committed suicide. Colonel Stauffenberg died from firing squad the same night their underground group fail the coup.

Left: Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, Right: Tom Cruise
The verdict...
The director did a good job of presenting the failed July 20 plot to kill Hitler in a way that it will be moving not only for World War 2 buffs but also to regular Joe viewers. The storyline, although mostly based on factual occurences, has been written to accommodate bits of fiction just enough to make it dramatic.

The production design did a great deal of research. From costumes to props to the actual locations, the film relives that era where the Nazi is at its height of power and makes you visualize how Germany looks like back then. It was as if you're looking at a 1950's movie setting, only not in black and white.

Of course, a posing problem of the film (and also on most Americanized foreign movies) is that characters converse in English. Obviously, expressions and intonations differ a lot between German and English and it may be off-putting for a German to see how lines are delivered or acted out awkwardly. But personally, it should be so trivial to matter if you won't be too anal about it. C'mon, you're probably not a German anyway to care.

Funny thing is that when I checked out the net for photos of the real personalities behind the conspiracy, almost all look like the actors that played them in the movie. Adolf Hitler himself looks really similar to the actor who played his persona (David Bamber). On the top of my list though is Bill Nighy who resembled General Olbricht strikingly accurate. Try to search a photo of the real General Olbricht on the net and compare it with Bill Nighy's depiction so you'll see what I'm talking about.

Great acting. Great production. Great storyline. This movie has the making of a classic if not for Tom Cruise himself. I can't figure out what's wrong with his acting in the film but he seems really out of place among stellar performances by his supporting casts... Terence Stamp (as Ludwig Beck) and Christian Berkel (as Colonel Quirnheim) first come to my mind.

Aside from that, it's totally an experience to watch the movie and worth watching on a good cinema. Know about the later part of the Nazi Germany era on a non-boring way.

8.5 of 10.

Mount Pulag - Day 1

Quick Facts:
Coordinates: (summit) 16°34'58"N, 120°53'15"E
Location: Kabayan, Benguet
Jump Off: (Ambangeg Trail) - Badabak Ranger Station
Elevation (summit): 2922 masl
Estimated Climb Time: 4-5 hours
Estimated Climb Distance: (Ranger Station to Summit) - 8KM


* Mount Pulag is the second (some claims third) highest peak in the Philippines and highest peak in Luzon.
* Major inhabitants are people of the Kankaney tribe of Benguet.
* Dwarf bamboo grass is naturally prevalent at the top of Mount Pulag.
* The Pulag peak is just one of several peaks that ring around the area as part of the winding Cordillera mountain range.

*****

It was a harried Friday for me at work but by the drop of the 6 o'clock PM mark, I rushed my arse off the office to meet the rest of Team AIM and friends at the Cubao station of Victory Liner. This set off our first climb of the year to Mount Pulag!

Trek Date: February 28 - March 1, 2009 (Panagbenga Festival in Baguio!)




Team AIM in Mount Pulag summit.
18 in all, we decided to split ourselves into two teams to have a more streamlined organization.

Team AIM (Akyat I.T. Mountaineers) Attendance:
Team M:
Mher, Cicelle, Carl, Mandric, Sonny, Dan, Ayn, Jiji, Scal, Vic

Team O:
Obi, Johann, Eva, Gelo, Lou, Gents, Francis, Paul

I co-organized this expedition with Dan and Mher as a gift to myself for my coming birthday (which is today!) and I don't think they knew about it. But it's so cool we pulled it off just right. Tamang enjoy lang ang trippings.

I started writing on my travel journal the time me and Johann arrived at the bus stop so here be the logs I made. Tara lets!

*****

(Entries were lifted from my notepad in verbatim.)

Day .5 - Page 1
Friday
* 7:49PM - Victory Bus Line (Cubao)
(Inabutan na namin ni Johann doon yung grupo ni Mher, grupo ni Mandric, at si Vic. At ang sandamakmak na higanteng bags na naka harang sa bangketa ng terminal. Sorry Bayani Fernando!)

* 7:53 - Arrival of the the HP Group
(Eto yung mga tropa na bitbit ni Gelo.)
* 8:29 - Eva's Arrival
(Ang lekat na buzzer beater.)

Day .5 - Page 2
* 8:33 - board the bus
(Kinwentuhan ako ng malupet ni Mher kaya nakalimutan ko ilista kung ano oras umalis yung bus namin papuntang Baguio.)
* 11:02 - Tarlac Stopover
(Kung kelan nakukuha na namin ang tulog namin.)

* 11:25PM - Resume Trip
(Kumain lang ako ng bacon cheeseburger. Yub yub! Dito pumasok si Scal sa kabilang bus. Laugh trip.)
* 12:23 - SM City - Rosales, Pangasinan
* 1:04 - Victory Liner - Sison, Pangasinan (Stopover)
(Kung kelan nakukuha na namin ang ikalwang attempt naming matulog.)
* 1:21 - Resume Trip
(Kumain naman ako ng hotdog dahil nainggit ako kay Dan at Ayn. Nakita namin sa isang Panagbenga Banner na pupunta si John Lloyd Cruz sa Baguio sa araw na eto. Power huuuuug!!! Eeew.)
* 1:38 - Marcos Highway passage.

Pimp My Ride ni Mang Roger
* 2:47AM - Baguio! (Caltex)
* 3:33 - call Mang Roger
- No ALAK??!!
- Bought tickets for return trip
(Si Mang Roger ang "the man" kung trip niyo umarkila ng masasakyan na jeep from Baguio to Benguet. Ang lupit ng ipina-arkila niya sa aming jeep... kulay pink! Habang hinihintay si Manong Roger the Man, bibili sana kami ng alak sa katabing convenient store sa Caltex. Kaso di na pala nag bebenta ng mamam sa Baguio past 12 midnight. Olats. Habang sila Dan at Mher eh nagpa-reserve na ng tickets para sa return trip namin sa Manila, kumain naman kami ng mainit init at greaseless pa na strawberry taho. Namit!)

Day 1 - Page 3
Saturday
* 3:48 - Mang Roger the Man has arrived.
* 4:10 - Chowking - Session Road
(Kumain ako ng chowfan for breakfast at nag takeout ng dalawang siopao bola-bola. Baon ko ito paakyat ng bundok. Na-miss namin ang mga hindi nakasamang umakyat... Odie, Ogie, Leo, kahit si Dee Dee at Wacha. OO, Wacha, pinag-usapan ka namen!)
* 5:06 - Resume trip to Benguet.

* 6:11AM - Pingkan Jo Eatery (Stopover)
- NO SIGNAL ang phone ko! Awts.
(Benguet na ito. Photo ops kami sa tabing kalsada at wee-wee break na din.)

* 7:18 - Ambuklao Dam (Stopover)
(Photo ops muna sa Ambuklao Dam.)
* 8:01 - DENR Office
(We were welcomed by the local DENR chief, Mering Tamiray.)
* 8:33 - Seminar starts.
(Mam Mering have us watch a video presentation about some of the basic information about Mount Pulag and the things to consider when trekking it. After which, she gave a short talk about what to expect from the expedition and additional reminders. She's good at what she's doing. Kwela pa [or at least, she's trying to] sa pagbibigay ng inpormasyon. Yun nga lang tinulugan siya ni Lou. Sorry siya. Haha!)

Day 1 - Page 4
* 8:50 - Chief Mering talks.
(She continued her discussion about mountaineering in Pulag. Here are bits and pieces of what she informed us regarding our climb:

~ 3rd group na kami to climb the mountain that day.
~ Kinilala niya din kung sino yung mga assigned sa essential roles ng grupo...

Babala: Malalim na Tagalog
Dan - Leader (ang pinuno ng grupo; decision-maker at punong tagapag-paalala)
Ayn - Medic ng Team M (ang tagapangasiwa ng atensiyong medical ng Team M)
Lou - Medic ng Team O (ang tagapangasiwa ng atensiyong medical ng Team O)
Obi - Sweeper (ang tagahagupit sa mga mababagal maglakad; punong-abala sa pagsiyasat ng grupo)
Gelo - Spammer (tagapangalaga ng Spam Sandwich)

{okay, imbento ko lang yung pinaka huling role... haha!}

~ We were told to settle on Campsite 2 when we reach it.
~ WAG AWAYIN ANG SWEEPER! Kabilinbilinan ni Chief Mering. Haha!

Brief Orientation by Chief Mering
* 9:34AM - Seminar ends.
* 9:50 - Bye DENR. Trip resumes.
* 10:07 - Sa sahig with Mher.
(This is where the ride gets really bumpy. Bato bato na yung dinadaanan at paakyat na kami ng bundok. Umupo na kami sa sahig ni Mher para mas sarap buhay. Parang dinuduyan lang.)

Day 1 - Page 5
* 11:09 - Badabak Ranger Station
(Kinain ko na yung unang siopao na baon ko. Dito na din kami maguumpisa ng hike. Dito na din namin nakilala yung makakasama naming dalawang local guides na si Ate at si Kuya. Hehe yun lang tawag namin sa kanila eh.)

* 12:18 - Start of trek.
(Nagrereklamo na agad si Eva. Wala pang 5 minutes into the mountains. Stop the crap! Haha!)
* 12:41PM - first stop of Team M and Team O
(Tigil muna kami together para sa isang malupit na group pictorial.)
- I was talking with Kuya about the origin of names around the area. Akiki (the name of the harder trail going up to Mount Pulag) is a local bird's name.

* 1:20 - Camp 1 stopover
(May signal!! I love you... signal!!)
* 1:47 - Resume trek.
(Kinain na din namin yung first bag ng pasas ko. The best pasas in the world! Kelangan lang pagurin ang kakain. Hehe!)
* 2:28 - Stopover with Mandric.
(Sarap ng flat tops mo, pre!)

* 3:01 - music in i-Pod: "Crossroads" by Bone Thugs and Harmony.
(Nakaka-boring pala ang Sweeper. Bawal umalis sa dulo ng trek. Kailangang ako ang nasa pinaka huling tao sa prusisyon bukod sa guide. This is to make sure na walang ibang kasamahan ang maiiwan. Mainipin pa naman ako sa paglalakad at ambigat ng bitbit ko dahil may dala akong pang apat na tent, dalwang kilong adobong manok, at may ilang litro ng alak. Lekat!)

* 3:20PM - music in i-Pod: "I Don't Wanna Wait in Vain" by Bob Marley

blogging on the jeep ride up to Ranger Station
Day 1 - Page 6
* 3:45 - Campsite 2 arrival!
- Tent pitching
(Nag setup kami sa right side ng Camp 2 [kung nakaharap tayo sa entrance ng camp site]. Walong tent kami all in all...)

Tent 1 - Jiji and Scal
Tent 2 - Mandric and Sonny
Tent 3 - Vic
Tent 4 - Dayn and Ayn
Tent 5 - Obi, Eva, and Johann
Tent 6 - Mher, Cicelle, and Carl
Tent 7 - Gelo and Francis
Tent 8 - Lou, Gents, and Paul

(Dito ko na din kinain yung pangalwang siopao na baon ko. Eto na yung piiiiinakamasarap na siopao sa buong mundo... yung pag kinain mo ng sobrang pagod at gutom ka! Haha!)

* 4:33 - settled in our tents
(Ako, super bagsak. Sobrang O.A. na yung lamig sa labas. Pag hilata ko sa tent, para akong kinaliwang upak ni Pacquiao. Off to nyu-nyu land! Zzzz....)
* 4:50 - Obi's tent occupants, knockout!
(OO kayo yun Johann at Eva! Naghihilik pa!)
- Mher and Dan's cook off begins!

With Johann... on our way up!
* 6:26 - I woke up!
- super cold!
- food preparation
(Inupakan na namin yung adobo ko at binagoongan ni Vic. Sa sobrang sarap, hindi ako kumakain ng bagoong pero napakain ako! Panalo, Vic!)

* 7:00PM - done dinner
- 2nd mobile phone down!
- sarap umihi sa nag yeyelong lugar!
(Hours earlier, bumigay na yung battery ng cellphone ko. So for this trip, wala akong sariling pictures at hindi nagamit ang GPS ni Shiny the Super Hightech Phone. Tsk tsk! Pinahiram ako ng extra cellphone ni Ayn pero after a while bumigay na din ang battery niya. Ongapala, may signal sa Campsite 2 ang Globe kaya nakapag todo kitikitext ako!)

Day 1 - Page 7
* 7:21 - Phone #3 ready!
(Nakahiram ako ng phone kay Eva. Na namatay din agad makalipas ang isang oras ng pag text.)
* 8:18 - Phone #4 ready!
(At hiniram ko ang pangalwang phone ni Eva para makapag kitikitext some more! Thanks Evs!)

* 8:48 - Ready to sleep
- Called SST peeps at John's birthday celebration
(Sooobrang lamig na by this time. As in suot sa two layers of cloth at pasok hanggang underwear! Nabasa kami earlier ng ulan habang nag sesetup ng tent kaya after pitching it up, kanya kanya kaming suot sa mga sleeping bags namin. Sa tent ko, para kaming sardinas ni Johann sa sikip dahil ang sinakop ni Eva na space eh pang dalawang tao! Ayus ka ah! Humusay ka!)

(Magkakatabi yung mga tent ng grupo kaya nakakapag-kwentuhan kami between mga kapit-tent kahit nasa loob na kaming lahat. Sigawan lang ng konti. Sa tent nila Gelo parang may nagbukas ng old-school na generator. Yun pala naghihilik na siya. Sila Mher at Vic ang natuloy mag-inuman sa labas ng tents nila kahit parang nasa loob ng refrigerator ang lamig sa labas. May kasama pa silang dalawa pa, nakalimutan ko kung sino. Nilagyan nila ng sausage at itlog yung natirang nilaga from our dinner. Ano lasa? Mahalaga pa ba yun pag nangangatog ka na sa lamig at gutom?!? Haha!)

(Tumawag kami sa bahay nila John sa Manila dahil andun yung mga ibang opismeyts namin that night. Birthday niya. Pang asar yung moist na pumapasok sa loob ng tent. Kapag humangin ng malakas, napapagpag yung tent at nagtitilamsikan yung mga galamig na droplets sa loob. Para kaming winiwisikan sa mukha. Kaya kanya kanya kaming suot sa mga sleeping bags namin.)

(Dun naman sa tent nila Lou, may session sila. "Bio Gas Sharing" ang tawag. Palitang-utot sa Tagalog.)

AIM's tent city... my tent's on the upper right corner (blue with orange trims)
*****

Day 2 to be continued...

To Aim From Me

Writing on the Edge (Mount Pulag - March 1, 2009)
If Only
by Obi
March-1-09

If only my eyes can paint what it see,
I'll capture this moment to last forever;
The gentle breeze, the clouds, the trees,
The thoughts of you and me together.

I'll paint all the places I'd gone to,
And show you things you never knew.

If my heart can beat the happiness I feel,
It'll always beat the same -
Tip tap. Tip tap. Tip tap tip.
Can you hear your name?

Nothing makes a special beat or two,
Than the simple joy of seeing you.

If what I hear and what I feel
Can be made to last a lifetime,
I'll cherish hearing your laughter
And feel your arms in mine
Knowing there'll be more next day
And all the days thereafter.

If eyes can paint what it see...
If hearts can play beats of glee...
If smiles and hugs are for eternity...
If only.

But they can not.
And all ll I can do is write what I see;
Describe what I feel;
Speak of moments I can recall from memory.

Only letters are availabe to me.
I can only write my heart out.
And if these letters can only shout.
It will do...

"I love you,
If you only knew!"

*****

Started brainstorming and writing bits and pieces of this poem during our two-day trek to Mount Pulag (I always keep a notepad handy on most of my lakwatsa). I thought I'd share this first while I'm still writing the travel journal I wrote during our climb.

Sa mga kasama ko na Team AIM sa Pulag, konting hintay na lang. Sinusulat ko na yung trek diary naten! Hahaha!

What Comes Up, Goes Down

Click for a larger view

We made it in one piece!

4 ladies and 14 gents... atop a big heap of earth called Mount Pulag and back!

Akyat I.T. Mountaineers (AIM)
Team M
Mher
Carl
Cicelle
Vic
Dan
Ayn
Mandric
Sonny
Scal
Jiji

Team O
Obi
Johann
Eva Jane
Gents
Paul
Lou
Francis
Gelo

Unbeknown to most of these people, I half-orchestrated this expedition as a lakwatsa gift for my own birthday this coming weekend and I can't be thankful enough to these guys for making it a HUGE success! Fun, friendship, brotherhood, and just outright craziness... that climb will definitely be one of my most memorable one! Big thanks!

Photos will be posted soon. For now, enjoy the teaser banner at Dric's website.
http://rickgt23.multipy.com/

As usual, I was on journal duties on the entire journey. I'll blog down what I wrote during the climb soon.

BIG UP, AIM!

I Part Seas

I just came from a very meaningful weekend leadership retreat in Tagaytay. It was quite an experience to sit there with potential servant leaders of our apostolate but it was even more heartening to know that I am with people who are or will be instruments of God's influence to a lot of other people the Singles Apostolate touch base with.

Ang astig.

I was sent an invite to join the "I'm No Moses" Seminar several weeks back but I only confirmed a couple of days prior to it. I have reservations about it really, not knowing what to expect. Plus the fact that I have lots of things supposedly planned for this weekend that I have to clear up first, I needed something to justify my participation.

Eto yung makulet na part.

It was a Tuesday (or Wednesday?) morning. Ilang araw na lang bago yung seminar at kelangan ko na ayusin lahat if I am to confirm AND in fact I need to know IF I will confirm, to start with. I needed a sign.

Nagluluto mom ko ng breakfast and, as usual, she has the FM radio turned on (tuned in to any station, just to have an ambient sound). That morning, she was tuned in dito sa isang jologs na FM station. Alam mo na yan, yung station that plays equally jologs songs and has DJ's that will pass as hosts for comedy pubs with flying colors.

I was brushing my teeth then when out of their usual playlist, may Christian song na tumugtog. I was like "huh?". It was totally out of the blue for them to play such song. I specifically paid attention to the lines "still You hear me when I'm calling..." and so I thought "Onga naman, minsan lang Niya ko tawagin pero kung ako naman, halos palagi ko Siyang kinailangan and He din't fail me."

So ayun, taking it as a sign, I confirmed my attendance to Shep Ali and Ther of the Teaching Team that day.

*****

Ia, Laurie, I-am-Sam, Pam, Obi
We're the 9th batch to attend the "I'm No Moses" Seminar. The Teaching Team of the Singles Apostolate of St. James the Great Renewal Movement regularly conducts this to budding servant leaders of the community. I'm totally elated that they consider me as one, totally in awe that God named me into it.

I'm No Mo Batch 9 Attendance: Paul, Len, Obi, Gian, Mike, Kris, Bianca, Sam, Laurie, Pam, Jan, Ia, Del, Karmi, Aweng, Zsa

It has been a very humbling and enlightening experience to join this retreat. Ang daming realizations at sobrang enjoy! For me, it's God's way of refueling my desire to serve. Just when I needed it most, He called me to join I'm No Mo to keep the high up in me. I'm still lost in words to fully describe how I feel right now.

Basta, ang galing!

So super thanks kay Bro... our Lord God for the opportunity to serve you!

Thanks to the Teaching Team, St. James the Great Renewal Movement, and the rest of the people behind the 9th I'm No Mo! I can't thank you enough for organizing the seminar.

Salamat sa Angels' Hills! Parang wala kami sa AH... ansasarap ng pagkain, for a change! Haha! Sana ganun ulet sa August... ahaha!

Mark, idol, special shout out to you. You're the man. Thanks sa lahat! Sigaw ka lang "summon Obi!" pag kelangan mo ng tulong sa Fellowship or whatever I can help you with for the community.

Syempre, thanks mucho sa lahat ng co-participants ko! It has been a very fun and memorable event with you guys. Angas.

*****

Share ko lang 'to... because I'm better off writing than talking.

Anyway, leadership was never an alien concept to me. I organize mountaineering climbs. I interact with peers in airsoft games. I coordinate with crewmates when sailing. I am a team lead of eight at work. AND I have a whole slew more of kabibohan in life that in one way or another I was called on to "step up".

I've never had any problems that I can't handle when dealing with these endeavors. But of course, it's because I am either conditioned into it OR the talents required for it are in me all along.

It's so totally different in the apostolate.

I was always called on to do things I've never truly been accustomed to do in my life. I'm even called on to do things that I don't really do outside the community!

Now, when I look back at what I've done for the apostolate, especially for my class (SE14), I realized that I was never really truly equipped to do what I should but, alam mo yun... we made it through. The class made it through.

I might have screwed up some but God did not fail to provide and correct things and do miracles when I least expected it. I realized, hindi ka Niya tatawagin para sa isang bagay kung hindi mo kakayaning gampanan yung role na iyon. And just as how Moses was called into ministry, just let it be. God will always have His way of doing the rest, of equipping you of just what you'll need to do things for Him. Yun ang astig na part dun.

Yes, I can proudly say "I'm Moses" now... and I'm ready for my burning bush, Lord God.

Can I request for my magic staff to be fine-tuned to part Manila floods? Haha!

*****
Who Am I
by: Casting Crowns

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

I am yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
Cause I am yours.
I am yours.

Next Mountain Please

Not so far as a month from our Mount Pulag expedition, Team AIM is cooking up yet another climbing trip up north. After a couple of email exchanges (thanks God for technology!), the choices are Mount Cinco Picos (Five Peaks) in zambales and Mount Mariveles (Tarak Ridge) in Bataan and the dates are either on the long weekend of April 4-6 or April 18-19.

We've scaled Cinco Picos before so if we are to push through with the April 4-6 schedule, we'll take a different route... a longer, more arduous one (as if our first Cinco Picos climb is not). However, Tarak Ridge is a first for all of us plus there's a side trip to Corregidor! So in the end, Mount Mariveles on an April 18-19 schedule outweigh the Mount Cinco Picos long weekend.

Here's an informative site I searched on the net regarding trekking on Tarak Ridge...
http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/tarak-ridge-1130.html


* pic-napped from lakwatserong.ticsay.ph

And here's our proposed itinerary:
Estimated Trek Time: 5 hours

April 18, 2009 - Saturday, Day 1
04:30 - Assembly at Cubao Five Star Bus terminal (Bataan Transit Bus)
05:30 - ETD to Mariveles, Bataan
08:30 - ETA Barangay Alas-asin (Jump Off); Register at Barangay Hall
09:00 - Start Trek
10:00 - "Triangle" clearing
12:00 - ETA Papaya River; Lunch
13:00 - Resume Trek
15:00 – ETA Tarak Ridge (Tarak and El Saco peaks)
16:30 – Back to Papaya River; Set camp
18:00 – Dinner; Social
20:00 - Lights out

April 19, 2009 - Sunday, Day 2
05:00 - Wake-up call; Prepare Breakfast
06:00 - Break camp
06:30 - Start descent
08:30 - ETA Barangay Alas-asin (Jump Off); Buy food in Market
09:00 – ETD to Villa Carmen
09:10 – ETD to Corregidor
10:00 – ETA to Corregidor
10:30 – Lunch/Swimming/Tour Corregidor
15:30 - ETD from Corregidor
16:30 - ETA to Barangay Alas-asin
17:00 - ETD to Cubao, Manila
20:00 - ETA, Manila

*****

Estimated Expenses

* Bus fare from Cubao to Mariveles, Bataan (Five Star Bus) = P534 (two way)
* Barangay Alas-asin Registration Fee = P40
* Jampong Trail Registration = P10
* Lunch in Corregidor = P220

That's just around P800 rounded total. But I recommend bringing at least P1,300 per pax for any expenses we might incur along the way. Take note that the boat ride from Villa Carmen to Corregidor is not yet factored in but it should not cost as much as P200 per pax given we were about more than 10 in the group.

*****

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
· 2 liters Drinking Water
· Off Lotion or any mosquito repellant
· Sets of clothing (Cool fit shirt or Mesh shirt)
· Trekking Shoes/sandals
· Cap / Bush hat
· Arm Warmer
· Leg warmer or Tights or Leggings
· Trekking shorts or Pants
· Thermal Jacket
· Hand Gloves

Mount Pulag - Day 2

Day 2 of Team AIM's Mount Pulag expedition...

Ang nakaraan...

Sasapit ang kaarawan ng ating bidang si Obi (hindi tunay na pangalan). Naisipan niyang mamundok kasama ang mga piling kaibigan. Pinag-usapan ang dapat pag-usapan at pinag-kwentuhan ang dapat pag-kwentuhan hanggang sa mabuo ang mga plano... "AAKYAT TAYO SA BUNDOK NG PULAG"! Kasama sina Lakay (hindi tunay na pangalan) at Jessiemer (tunay na pangalan), naka-uto sila ng labing-lima pang tao para sumama sa paglalakbay!

Pag sapit ng ika-dalawanpu't walo ng Pebrero, tumulak ang grupo patungong Baguio sa harap ng kaguluhan ng piyesta ng Panagbenga at narating ang liblib na lugar ng Kabayan, Benguet. Dito sinimulan ng mga walang magawa sa buhay ang paglalakad patungong tuktok ng Bundok Pulag. Sa unang gabi ng kanilang paglalakbay, naranasan nila ang hirap, pagod, gutom, at utot ni Mher at Lu (hindi tunay na mga pangalan).

Tatagal pa kaya ang grupo para sa isa pang araw ng pananatili sa bundok?

Mararating kaya nila ang tuktok na hinahanap?

Mamimigay kaya si Gelo ng Speeem Senwhiiich (Spam Sandwich)?

Sino kaya ang makakatuluyan ni Bok... si Kim Chiu o ang bestfriend niyang si Gerald Anderson?

Abangan hanggang sa susunod na kabanata ng...

"KAPAG HANGIN ANG ITINANIM!"

*****

Sa pagpapatuloy...

Day 2 - Page 7
Sunday
* 2:42AM - wake up
- assault preparation
(Ang aga ko nagising. Bad trip. Aaaaang lamig lamig! Tagos laman! Pinilit kong bumangon para mag-ayos na ng gamit para sa assault papuntang Pulag summit. Lekat talaga si Eva, pang tatlong tao ang sinakop sa tent. Sa ibang mga tent, maingay na ang grupo ni Lou at Gelo. Utot na naman ata ang pinag-uusapan nila.)

* 3:15 - I'm prepped up
(I'm good to go. Sandamakmak na ang tinapal ko sa sarili ko para hindi maramdaman ang lamig. Here's what I wore and brought up to the summit that day...

~ 2 layers synthetic shirts
~ woolen jacket
~ windbreaker
~ layered hiking shorts
~ hiking pants
~ 2 layers socks
~ violet bonnet (kelangang sabihing VIOLET)
~ shemagh (yeah... that cultural scarf na ginagawang fashion statement ng mga bading)
~ boonie hat
~ gloves

waiting for my sunshine
My assault bag contents:
~ raisins
~ water bladder
~ pen and paper
~ mobile phone (ni Eva!)
~ headlamp

Day 2 - Page 8
* 4:01 - assault starts
(The group left the camp at exactly 4AM. Malabong kayanin ni Eva yung lamig kaya nag-paiwan na lang siya sa campsite. 17 kaming umakyat patungong summit. ANLAMIG! Can't state that any less. O.A. talaga sa lamig!)

* 4:32 - 1.5KM mark
- "pusakal" following us
(We reached the 1.5KM mark, meaning we're just a kilometer and a half to the highest peak of the mountain. There are lots of sub-peaks around the perimeter at this altitude and the infamous dwarf bamboos are endemic already around the area. May pusakal [pusang kalye] na sumabay samin sa pag-akyat sa peak. Habang pagod na pagod kami, yung pusa eh walang ka-effort effort na sumuot suot sa pagitan ng prusisyon namin.)

* 4:41 - Stopover (Overlooking Baguio)
(Madilim pa din nung una kaming tumigil. Kitang kita from up there yung mga ilaw ng Baguio. Parang nasa Antipolo ka lang overlooking Manila kaso mas malamig by 10 times.)

* 5:01AM - may signal ang Globe!!!
* 5:14 - several summits in sight
- Grassland summit ang target
(More sub-peaks in sight. Kita na at this altitude yung outline ng buong Cordillera Mountain Range. Sayang talaga hindi ako masyadong nakapag-research about the other significant mountain peaks visible from Pulag. Mas maangas yun if I can turn in directions and point out that this is the summit of blah blah blah.)

Day 2 - Page 9
* 5:34 - summit! (7 Centigrade)
(Victory! We reached the Pulag peak! Tinanong ko ang hightech na relo ni Danilo at ang sabi we're currently at 7 degrees Celsius. Ang angas! Matapos ang walang humpay na photo ops, siksikan kaming lahat sa mga dwarf bamboos habang hinihintay yung sunrise. Yung mga kasama naming photographer nagkanya-kanyang setup na ng tripod sa mga strategic locations.)

(May dumating na bagong grupo kasunod namin. Ang lupit ng mga attire nila, nakaka-lalake! May naka shirts at pants lang habang yung mga babae parang naka-daster na tela lang. Samantalang kami kulang na lang mag broke-bakan para makahanap ng init! Para lang silang nag wo-walk in the park. Asar eh.)

(Behind us is the infamous Akiki Trail. Bulletday [balang-araw], I'll be able to traverse that path too. Konting praktis pa at more mountain experience. PLUS sisiguraduhin ko na may thermal jacket na ko pag balik ko sa Pulag!)

sun!
* 6:29 - Team O goes down to Camp 2
(Di na yata kaya ng grupo ko yung lamig. Isa isa nang nagyaya bumaba pabalik sa campsite. So nagpaalam kami sa Team M at nauna nang bumaba. Kasabay pa din namin yung pusakal.)

* 7:17 - 1.5KM mark
- running downslope with Johann
(We're back at the 1.5KM mark! Sinubukan namin tumakbo ni Johann pababa sa isang slope. Ang angas ng pakiramdam! Parang isang maling tapak lang eh tilapon at gulong na kami to Kingdom-come! Tsaka sarap ng momentum... ambilis! Photo ops na din kami ng sandamakmak along the way back to the camp. Not far from the summit inabot na kami ng Team M dahil sa kaka-posing namin.)

* 7:35AM - back to campsite 2
(Inabot namin si Eva na tulog pa din at naghihilik. Bida ka na namang lekat ka!)

* 7:55 - breakfast preps
(Menu of the Day: itlog, tuna, papaitan, kilawin, corned beef, noodles, at half-cooked rice. Yum yum!)
* 8:56 - break camp
(Cleaning of the campsite and packing up everything. Pinaka-ayokong part ng trekking ang mag pack-up ng tent. Dammit.)

* 10:21 - packed up and ready to go
- my tent is a shit to fix
(As if hindi pa kulang na kamuhian ko ang mag pack ng tent, hindi pa nakisama ang tent ko. Dahil siguro bago, lekat sa hirap itupi. Naka ilang re-rolls kami bago ko pa naayos. Hagya ko nang naisaksak sa carry case niya.)

1.5KM Mark
Day 2 - Page 10
* 10:30 - bye Campsite 2
(Start trekking down. Sweeper position na naman ako. Hay, buhay!)

* 11:07AM - music in I-pod: "Hate that I Love You So" by Rihanna and Chris "beat-her-up" Brown
* 11:23 - sumama mood ko dito
(Hindi ko alam kung baket.)

* 11:27 - Camp 1 stopover
- chocnut break
(Thanks sa chocnut Dric!)

* 11:40 - resume trek
* 12:27 - Ranger Station
(According to a Manong at the Ranger Station, the trek from that point up to the summit is at least 2500 meters above sea level. Mataas na din, in fairness.)

* 1:20PM - bye Ranger Station
(Paid 1.1K for each guide. Dinagdagan na lang namin. Ambait naman ni Manang at Manong.)

Day 2 - Page 11
May utang ka spaghetti kay Piglet!!
(Walang kinalaman sa trek. Gusto ko lang isulat para maalala.)

* 2:56 - DENR ulit
- buy tshirt
(Back at the DENR station, naligo yung iba sa amin. Bumili na din ako ng "I survived Pulag" na tshirt para souvenir. Nag-alay din ako ng calling card sa memorabilia wall nila. Habang ang iba naman bumili ng chicha sa kalapit na tindahan.)

(Nag hingian na din kami ng mga kontak numbers at email. Isinulat ko sa Multiply ng Team AIM yung mga kontak namin.)

http://akyatitmountaineers.multiply.com/

Day 2 - Page 12
* 3:31 - bye DENR
* 4:37 - Pingkan Jo Eatery
* 4:47 - resume trip back to Baguio

sea of clouds
* 5:41PM - Baguio!
(Ang traaaaaaffic! Dahil sa Panagbenga, andaming sasakyan.)
* 6:01 - Good Taste Resto
(Ay grabeng LAMON ang ginawa namin dito. Sulit tong resto na ito. Price range is around 110-150 only but the serving size is REALLY gynormous and sulit sa sarap for its size! Lekat. can't describe it. Basta must-visit ito when you're in Baguio. What's weird is that I was always in Baguio. Wala atang taon na hindi ako umaakyat ng Baguio. Pero hindi ko alam itong kainan na to, and they've been there for a long time already.)

Grub List (for Obi, Eva, Johann pa lang!)
- Fried Rice for 6
- Lechon Chopsuey
- Beef Broccolli (Brocolli? Broccoli? Whatever!)
- Miswa with Wual Eggs

(Dito na din kami nag koleksiyon ng kontribusyon. Ang mura ng trip namin in fairness. Parang lumalabas wala pang 2.5K ang gastos namin all-in-all. Very tipid trip I must say.)

* 7:10 - bye Good Taste
(Hinatid na kami ni Manong Driver sa Victory Liner.)
* 7:40 - Victory Liner, Baguio
(Bid goodbye to Manong Driver na binigyan namin ng 9.4K, may pasobra ulit para sa isang malupet na tip. Dahil sobrang bugbog yung pink nyang jeep sa pag-akyat at baba ng Ranger Station. Good job!)

Day 2 - Page 13
* 7:57 - bus now
(Nakasakay na kami. Ansarap nang nakapag reserve ng tickets. Andaaaming chance passengers dahil sa Panagbenga!)

* 8:13PM - bye Baguio, hello Nyunyu Land! Zzzz!!!
* 9:48 - Sison stopover
(Pangasinan)

* 1:28 - Victory Liner, Cubao
(Naubusan na ng tinta ang ballpen ko. Bumaba na ang iba sa amin. Gento yung order ng pag-uwi namin...

Kamachille - Dric and company
North Ave - Johann and Eva
Kamuning - Gents and company
Cubao - Mher and company, Jiji and Scal
Ayala - Obi and Gelo
Pasay - Dan and Ayn

* 2:03AM - home sweet house!
(It's weird na hindi pa ko pagod at this moment. Ye, masakit katawan ko pero yung pagod wala talaga. I can't wait for our next climb. Sobrang sulit ang lahat sa trip na ito. Malupit talaga pag maganda ang pagkaka-plano ng lakwatsa!)

Team AIM

*****

Acknowledgement...

Lord God!
(Syempre Ikaw muna. Thanks, Men! Ang lupet ng binigay Mo sa amin... buhay, lakas at kakayahan, kaibigan, pagkakataon, kasiyahan, at higit sa lahat yung mga malulupet na tanawin tsaka etong mundo mismo na napakarami pang dapat i-explore in a lifetime. It was really a humbling experience to see such a wonder that You've created. Salamats ulit... You're the Man!)

Team AIM!
(Good job! I'm so proud of you. Kaming old-timers, kahit papano di pa din tayo kinakalawang mga bok! Yung mga first-timers naman, galing nyo! Pulag agad? Hahaha! I'm looking forward to AIM high for more mountains with you guys! So saan next... Bataan o Pinatubo ulet? Yung mga nagpahiram sa akin ng phone... Ayn and Eva. Dan... para sa i-Pod. Salamats!)

Manong Roger and Chief Mering!
(..and the driver and the guides and all the people that we met along the way and in one way or another have been instrumental for the success of our trip, saludo ako sa inyo kapatid!)

Mommy!
(Sarap ng adobo! You're the best!)

Jeff!
(Salamat sa burner, pre! Nagamit namin ng malupet.)

Conquer (for my bag & apparel), Triton (for my tent), Adidas (for my footwear)!

Globe Telecoms, para sa signal sa taas ng Pulag!

Hail Hitlah

A long overdue post for the benefit of voicing out my opinion of the film.

*****

Valkyrie
Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert!

Based on actual historical events, "Valkyrie" followed the life of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg from being withdrawn from the German African Front to eventually involving himself on an intricate plot to asassinate the Fuhrer himself, Adolf Hitler, in Germany.

Fresh from injuries sustained on the African battlefield, Stauffenberg is introduced to an underground resistance of high ranking officers and politicians. Their aim: to kill Hitler and propose a peace treaty with the Allies, thus ending the war. In order to machinate the coup, the dissenters rewrite Operation Valkyrie - a protocol that enables the Reserve Army to take over Germany in case of Hitler's death. The resistance omitted the clause that gives the pro-Nazi SS (German special security force) that same privelege, thus the sole control of Germany in case of the Fuhrer's death goes to the head of the Reserve Army, General Fromm.

Stauffenberg got the revised Operation Valkyrie signed by Hitler and in a continued effort by the conspirators, they devise a plan for another asassination attempt. Stauffenberg himself and his adjutant Lieutenant Haeften execute it by planting a bomb on one of Hitler's staff meeting in the Prussian military HQ - Wolf's Lair.

They rig the bomb inside the staff meeting and quickly return to Berlin. Together with the resistance, they force General Fromm to execute Operation Valkyrie believing that Hitler died from the bombing. Fortunately (or rather unfortunately), the Nazi dictator survive the attempt when the bag containing the bomb is moved away from where it will be fatal to the Fuhrer. And just as Stauffenberg and the rest of the conspirators mobilize to occupy Germany, Hitler with help from his trusted SS officers consolidate power and eventually root out the dissenters.

All are either executed or have committed suicide. Colonel Stauffenberg died from firing squad the same night their underground group fail the coup.

Left: Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, Right: Tom Cruise
The verdict...
The director did a good job of presenting the failed July 20 plot to kill Hitler in a way that it will be moving not only for World War 2 buffs but also to regular Joe viewers. The storyline, although mostly based on factual occurences, has been written to accommodate bits of fiction just enough to make it dramatic.

The production design did a great deal of research. From costumes to props to the actual locations, the film relives that era where the Nazi is at its height of power and makes you visualize how Germany looks like back then. It was as if you're looking at a 1950's movie setting, only not in black and white.

Of course, a posing problem of the film (and also on most Americanized foreign movies) is that characters converse in English. Obviously, expressions and intonations differ a lot between German and English and it may be off-putting for a German to see how lines are delivered or acted out awkwardly. But personally, it should be so trivial to matter if you won't be too anal about it. C'mon, you're probably not a German anyway to care.

Funny thing is that when I checked out the net for photos of the real personalities behind the conspiracy, almost all look like the actors that played them in the movie. Adolf Hitler himself looks really similar to the actor who played his persona (David Bamber). On the top of my list though is Bill Nighy who resembled General Olbricht strikingly accurate. Try to search a photo of the real General Olbricht on the net and compare it with Bill Nighy's depiction so you'll see what I'm talking about.

Great acting. Great production. Great storyline. This movie has the making of a classic if not for Tom Cruise himself. I can't figure out what's wrong with his acting in the film but he seems really out of place among stellar performances by his supporting casts... Terence Stamp (as Ludwig Beck) and Christian Berkel (as Colonel Quirnheim) first come to my mind.

Aside from that, it's totally an experience to watch the movie and worth watching on a good cinema. Know about the later part of the Nazi Germany era on a non-boring way.

8.5 of 10.

Mount Pulag - Day 1

Quick Facts:
Coordinates: (summit) 16°34'58"N, 120°53'15"E
Location: Kabayan, Benguet
Jump Off: (Ambangeg Trail) - Badabak Ranger Station
Elevation (summit): 2922 masl
Estimated Climb Time: 4-5 hours
Estimated Climb Distance: (Ranger Station to Summit) - 8KM


* Mount Pulag is the second (some claims third) highest peak in the Philippines and highest peak in Luzon.
* Major inhabitants are people of the Kankaney tribe of Benguet.
* Dwarf bamboo grass is naturally prevalent at the top of Mount Pulag.
* The Pulag peak is just one of several peaks that ring around the area as part of the winding Cordillera mountain range.

*****

It was a harried Friday for me at work but by the drop of the 6 o'clock PM mark, I rushed my arse off the office to meet the rest of Team AIM and friends at the Cubao station of Victory Liner. This set off our first climb of the year to Mount Pulag!

Trek Date: February 28 - March 1, 2009 (Panagbenga Festival in Baguio!)




Team AIM in Mount Pulag summit.
18 in all, we decided to split ourselves into two teams to have a more streamlined organization.

Team AIM (Akyat I.T. Mountaineers) Attendance:
Team M:
Mher, Cicelle, Carl, Mandric, Sonny, Dan, Ayn, Jiji, Scal, Vic

Team O:
Obi, Johann, Eva, Gelo, Lou, Gents, Francis, Paul

I co-organized this expedition with Dan and Mher as a gift to myself for my coming birthday (which is today!) and I don't think they knew about it. But it's so cool we pulled it off just right. Tamang enjoy lang ang trippings.

I started writing on my travel journal the time me and Johann arrived at the bus stop so here be the logs I made. Tara lets!

*****

(Entries were lifted from my notepad in verbatim.)

Day .5 - Page 1
Friday
* 7:49PM - Victory Bus Line (Cubao)
(Inabutan na namin ni Johann doon yung grupo ni Mher, grupo ni Mandric, at si Vic. At ang sandamakmak na higanteng bags na naka harang sa bangketa ng terminal. Sorry Bayani Fernando!)

* 7:53 - Arrival of the the HP Group
(Eto yung mga tropa na bitbit ni Gelo.)
* 8:29 - Eva's Arrival
(Ang lekat na buzzer beater.)

Day .5 - Page 2
* 8:33 - board the bus
(Kinwentuhan ako ng malupet ni Mher kaya nakalimutan ko ilista kung ano oras umalis yung bus namin papuntang Baguio.)
* 11:02 - Tarlac Stopover
(Kung kelan nakukuha na namin ang tulog namin.)

* 11:25PM - Resume Trip
(Kumain lang ako ng bacon cheeseburger. Yub yub! Dito pumasok si Scal sa kabilang bus. Laugh trip.)
* 12:23 - SM City - Rosales, Pangasinan
* 1:04 - Victory Liner - Sison, Pangasinan (Stopover)
(Kung kelan nakukuha na namin ang ikalwang attempt naming matulog.)
* 1:21 - Resume Trip
(Kumain naman ako ng hotdog dahil nainggit ako kay Dan at Ayn. Nakita namin sa isang Panagbenga Banner na pupunta si John Lloyd Cruz sa Baguio sa araw na eto. Power huuuuug!!! Eeew.)
* 1:38 - Marcos Highway passage.

Pimp My Ride ni Mang Roger
* 2:47AM - Baguio! (Caltex)
* 3:33 - call Mang Roger
- No ALAK??!!
- Bought tickets for return trip
(Si Mang Roger ang "the man" kung trip niyo umarkila ng masasakyan na jeep from Baguio to Benguet. Ang lupit ng ipina-arkila niya sa aming jeep... kulay pink! Habang hinihintay si Manong Roger the Man, bibili sana kami ng alak sa katabing convenient store sa Caltex. Kaso di na pala nag bebenta ng mamam sa Baguio past 12 midnight. Olats. Habang sila Dan at Mher eh nagpa-reserve na ng tickets para sa return trip namin sa Manila, kumain naman kami ng mainit init at greaseless pa na strawberry taho. Namit!)

Day 1 - Page 3
Saturday
* 3:48 - Mang Roger the Man has arrived.
* 4:10 - Chowking - Session Road
(Kumain ako ng chowfan for breakfast at nag takeout ng dalawang siopao bola-bola. Baon ko ito paakyat ng bundok. Na-miss namin ang mga hindi nakasamang umakyat... Odie, Ogie, Leo, kahit si Dee Dee at Wacha. OO, Wacha, pinag-usapan ka namen!)
* 5:06 - Resume trip to Benguet.

* 6:11AM - Pingkan Jo Eatery (Stopover)
- NO SIGNAL ang phone ko! Awts.
(Benguet na ito. Photo ops kami sa tabing kalsada at wee-wee break na din.)

* 7:18 - Ambuklao Dam (Stopover)
(Photo ops muna sa Ambuklao Dam.)
* 8:01 - DENR Office
(We were welcomed by the local DENR chief, Mering Tamiray.)
* 8:33 - Seminar starts.
(Mam Mering have us watch a video presentation about some of the basic information about Mount Pulag and the things to consider when trekking it. After which, she gave a short talk about what to expect from the expedition and additional reminders. She's good at what she's doing. Kwela pa [or at least, she's trying to] sa pagbibigay ng inpormasyon. Yun nga lang tinulugan siya ni Lou. Sorry siya. Haha!)

Day 1 - Page 4
* 8:50 - Chief Mering talks.
(She continued her discussion about mountaineering in Pulag. Here are bits and pieces of what she informed us regarding our climb:

~ 3rd group na kami to climb the mountain that day.
~ Kinilala niya din kung sino yung mga assigned sa essential roles ng grupo...

Babala: Malalim na Tagalog
Dan - Leader (ang pinuno ng grupo; decision-maker at punong tagapag-paalala)
Ayn - Medic ng Team M (ang tagapangasiwa ng atensiyong medical ng Team M)
Lou - Medic ng Team O (ang tagapangasiwa ng atensiyong medical ng Team O)
Obi - Sweeper (ang tagahagupit sa mga mababagal maglakad; punong-abala sa pagsiyasat ng grupo)
Gelo - Spammer (tagapangalaga ng Spam Sandwich)

{okay, imbento ko lang yung pinaka huling role... haha!}

~ We were told to settle on Campsite 2 when we reach it.
~ WAG AWAYIN ANG SWEEPER! Kabilinbilinan ni Chief Mering. Haha!

Brief Orientation by Chief Mering
* 9:34AM - Seminar ends.
* 9:50 - Bye DENR. Trip resumes.
* 10:07 - Sa sahig with Mher.
(This is where the ride gets really bumpy. Bato bato na yung dinadaanan at paakyat na kami ng bundok. Umupo na kami sa sahig ni Mher para mas sarap buhay. Parang dinuduyan lang.)

Day 1 - Page 5
* 11:09 - Badabak Ranger Station
(Kinain ko na yung unang siopao na baon ko. Dito na din kami maguumpisa ng hike. Dito na din namin nakilala yung makakasama naming dalawang local guides na si Ate at si Kuya. Hehe yun lang tawag namin sa kanila eh.)

* 12:18 - Start of trek.
(Nagrereklamo na agad si Eva. Wala pang 5 minutes into the mountains. Stop the crap! Haha!)
* 12:41PM - first stop of Team M and Team O
(Tigil muna kami together para sa isang malupit na group pictorial.)
- I was talking with Kuya about the origin of names around the area. Akiki (the name of the harder trail going up to Mount Pulag) is a local bird's name.

* 1:20 - Camp 1 stopover
(May signal!! I love you... signal!!)
* 1:47 - Resume trek.
(Kinain na din namin yung first bag ng pasas ko. The best pasas in the world! Kelangan lang pagurin ang kakain. Hehe!)
* 2:28 - Stopover with Mandric.
(Sarap ng flat tops mo, pre!)

* 3:01 - music in i-Pod: "Crossroads" by Bone Thugs and Harmony.
(Nakaka-boring pala ang Sweeper. Bawal umalis sa dulo ng trek. Kailangang ako ang nasa pinaka huling tao sa prusisyon bukod sa guide. This is to make sure na walang ibang kasamahan ang maiiwan. Mainipin pa naman ako sa paglalakad at ambigat ng bitbit ko dahil may dala akong pang apat na tent, dalwang kilong adobong manok, at may ilang litro ng alak. Lekat!)

* 3:20PM - music in i-Pod: "I Don't Wanna Wait in Vain" by Bob Marley

blogging on the jeep ride up to Ranger Station
Day 1 - Page 6
* 3:45 - Campsite 2 arrival!
- Tent pitching
(Nag setup kami sa right side ng Camp 2 [kung nakaharap tayo sa entrance ng camp site]. Walong tent kami all in all...)

Tent 1 - Jiji and Scal
Tent 2 - Mandric and Sonny
Tent 3 - Vic
Tent 4 - Dayn and Ayn
Tent 5 - Obi, Eva, and Johann
Tent 6 - Mher, Cicelle, and Carl
Tent 7 - Gelo and Francis
Tent 8 - Lou, Gents, and Paul

(Dito ko na din kinain yung pangalwang siopao na baon ko. Eto na yung piiiiinakamasarap na siopao sa buong mundo... yung pag kinain mo ng sobrang pagod at gutom ka! Haha!)

* 4:33 - settled in our tents
(Ako, super bagsak. Sobrang O.A. na yung lamig sa labas. Pag hilata ko sa tent, para akong kinaliwang upak ni Pacquiao. Off to nyu-nyu land! Zzzz....)
* 4:50 - Obi's tent occupants, knockout!
(OO kayo yun Johann at Eva! Naghihilik pa!)
- Mher and Dan's cook off begins!

With Johann... on our way up!
* 6:26 - I woke up!
- super cold!
- food preparation
(Inupakan na namin yung adobo ko at binagoongan ni Vic. Sa sobrang sarap, hindi ako kumakain ng bagoong pero napakain ako! Panalo, Vic!)

* 7:00PM - done dinner
- 2nd mobile phone down!
- sarap umihi sa nag yeyelong lugar!
(Hours earlier, bumigay na yung battery ng cellphone ko. So for this trip, wala akong sariling pictures at hindi nagamit ang GPS ni Shiny the Super Hightech Phone. Tsk tsk! Pinahiram ako ng extra cellphone ni Ayn pero after a while bumigay na din ang battery niya. Ongapala, may signal sa Campsite 2 ang Globe kaya nakapag todo kitikitext ako!)

Day 1 - Page 7
* 7:21 - Phone #3 ready!
(Nakahiram ako ng phone kay Eva. Na namatay din agad makalipas ang isang oras ng pag text.)
* 8:18 - Phone #4 ready!
(At hiniram ko ang pangalwang phone ni Eva para makapag kitikitext some more! Thanks Evs!)

* 8:48 - Ready to sleep
- Called SST peeps at John's birthday celebration
(Sooobrang lamig na by this time. As in suot sa two layers of cloth at pasok hanggang underwear! Nabasa kami earlier ng ulan habang nag sesetup ng tent kaya after pitching it up, kanya kanya kaming suot sa mga sleeping bags namin. Sa tent ko, para kaming sardinas ni Johann sa sikip dahil ang sinakop ni Eva na space eh pang dalawang tao! Ayus ka ah! Humusay ka!)

(Magkakatabi yung mga tent ng grupo kaya nakakapag-kwentuhan kami between mga kapit-tent kahit nasa loob na kaming lahat. Sigawan lang ng konti. Sa tent nila Gelo parang may nagbukas ng old-school na generator. Yun pala naghihilik na siya. Sila Mher at Vic ang natuloy mag-inuman sa labas ng tents nila kahit parang nasa loob ng refrigerator ang lamig sa labas. May kasama pa silang dalawa pa, nakalimutan ko kung sino. Nilagyan nila ng sausage at itlog yung natirang nilaga from our dinner. Ano lasa? Mahalaga pa ba yun pag nangangatog ka na sa lamig at gutom?!? Haha!)

(Tumawag kami sa bahay nila John sa Manila dahil andun yung mga ibang opismeyts namin that night. Birthday niya. Pang asar yung moist na pumapasok sa loob ng tent. Kapag humangin ng malakas, napapagpag yung tent at nagtitilamsikan yung mga galamig na droplets sa loob. Para kaming winiwisikan sa mukha. Kaya kanya kanya kaming suot sa mga sleeping bags namin.)

(Dun naman sa tent nila Lou, may session sila. "Bio Gas Sharing" ang tawag. Palitang-utot sa Tagalog.)

AIM's tent city... my tent's on the upper right corner (blue with orange trims)
*****

Day 2 to be continued...

To Aim From Me

Writing on the Edge (Mount Pulag - March 1, 2009)
If Only
by Obi
March-1-09

If only my eyes can paint what it see,
I'll capture this moment to last forever;
The gentle breeze, the clouds, the trees,
The thoughts of you and me together.

I'll paint all the places I'd gone to,
And show you things you never knew.

If my heart can beat the happiness I feel,
It'll always beat the same -
Tip tap. Tip tap. Tip tap tip.
Can you hear your name?

Nothing makes a special beat or two,
Than the simple joy of seeing you.

If what I hear and what I feel
Can be made to last a lifetime,
I'll cherish hearing your laughter
And feel your arms in mine
Knowing there'll be more next day
And all the days thereafter.

If eyes can paint what it see...
If hearts can play beats of glee...
If smiles and hugs are for eternity...
If only.

But they can not.
And all ll I can do is write what I see;
Describe what I feel;
Speak of moments I can recall from memory.

Only letters are availabe to me.
I can only write my heart out.
And if these letters can only shout.
It will do...

"I love you,
If you only knew!"

*****

Started brainstorming and writing bits and pieces of this poem during our two-day trek to Mount Pulag (I always keep a notepad handy on most of my lakwatsa). I thought I'd share this first while I'm still writing the travel journal I wrote during our climb.

Sa mga kasama ko na Team AIM sa Pulag, konting hintay na lang. Sinusulat ko na yung trek diary naten! Hahaha!

What Comes Up, Goes Down

Click for a larger view

We made it in one piece!

4 ladies and 14 gents... atop a big heap of earth called Mount Pulag and back!

Akyat I.T. Mountaineers (AIM)
Team M
Mher
Carl
Cicelle
Vic
Dan
Ayn
Mandric
Sonny
Scal
Jiji

Team O
Obi
Johann
Eva Jane
Gents
Paul
Lou
Francis
Gelo

Unbeknown to most of these people, I half-orchestrated this expedition as a lakwatsa gift for my own birthday this coming weekend and I can't be thankful enough to these guys for making it a HUGE success! Fun, friendship, brotherhood, and just outright craziness... that climb will definitely be one of my most memorable one! Big thanks!

Photos will be posted soon. For now, enjoy the teaser banner at Dric's website.
http://rickgt23.multipy.com/

As usual, I was on journal duties on the entire journey. I'll blog down what I wrote during the climb soon.

BIG UP, AIM!