Sea of Clouds in Mt. Pulag

Haiku on Mt. Pulag

Mt. Paliparan in Tanay, Rizal

When you need to decide on something unexpected,  you get more than what you expected.

This was proven by the experience I had with my fellow climbers last February 16, 2018.

Mt. Paliparan was just an option as our team got to the registration area when the list of climbers for our original destination - Mt. Nagpatong - had just reached the limit - 500 persons.

"We will realize our objective" that is, to reach the peak of the mountain. This we agreed on.

The trek started at 9:00 A.M. Footpaths were visible but the tall varied grasses along the way suggested that the place is not frequented by climbers.

Steep ascents, rocky cliffs, and a tour guide "who just know the way to the destination but barely speaks" posed us great challenge.  The feeling intensified as some climbers whom we incidentally met in the mountain boldly expressed their unwillingness to proceed to the peak.

Our determination to get to the summit overpowered the threat of hard-to-find handholds and footholds.

The gloves, the ropes and our prayers enabled us to survive the fear of losing grip.

The peak, 562 m above sea level, was finally reached at 12:00 noon.

As we summitted and I surveyed the vast expanse below, I felt a sense of achievement.

Next, the sidetrip to the Dumagat community that made us explore the grassy slopes once more. Thirst came as we ran out of water. It took us I think an hour of walk to get to the place. Water from coconut fruit which amounted to 35Php quenched our thirst.

Then, we proceeded to the place called Tungtong Falls. Getting to the falls was even more taxing as we needed to trek, not wade, the seem-to-be drying up Tungtong river.Towering grasses and the rock-strewn route which seemed to be never ending set the creeps. The trail was rough as in ROUGH. I felt as if we were led somewhere else by the guide. I got assured of safety when we came across a man at the far end of the river.

Finally, the rocky cliffs to Tungtong falls, the kind that would end your life if you lost a grip. We got there at the time that climbers who came ahead of us were enjoying cliff diving.

The dive site advances danger rather than a challenge to me. Yet, young women tried the activity. One slipped off the cliff and experienced accidental plunge. She got saved of course but just the same, everyone was terrified.

From the falls to the station was an almost 2-hour uphill climb. Ropes and our great desire to get to the plain kept us moving.

At 5:00 P.M., we finally arrived at the barangay hall of Cuyambay.

End of the trek but not of my desire to climb more. The unskilled tour guide, the grassy slopes, the rocky cliffs, the seem-to-be never ending Tungtong river, the incident at the cliff diving site and the uphill climb back to the barangay hall, all these contribute to the making of my remarkable climb.

Yes, we settled on something unexpected but we got more than what we expected - a new adventure that didn't just strengthened us physically but above all, spiritually.

As I chose to go on...

Mountain climbing has always enlivened me. I never remembered saying "No" everytime I am invited to join in such an activity. Just like what happened last June 3 when Rose one of my colleagues suggested a climb, I immediately raised my hand in approval despite the fact that June 5 was the opening of classes for us. Four others agreed to come with us. However, the night before the activity the "four others" backed out. In spite of that, Rose and I pursued the trek. Oliver, Aileen and Rizza joined in. The destination was the peak of Mt. Daraitan in Tanay, Rizal. 

The trip was long. We left Taytay, Rizal at 4:00 A.M. and reached Barangay Daraitan at 9:00 A.M. 

The process for the registration of climbers was orderly and we were assigned to a tour guide who gave us the orientation of the activity after we signed up. 

The climb began at 10:00. We took the assault trail. The trek was very challenging that I lost track of time. On our way up, we encountered two groups of climbers who were finding their way back. One's remark even sounded discouraging. Nevertheless, we went on.

First station, and we felt as if we're almost physically drained. We rested for a few minutes.

We moved on and reached the second station. The feeling of giving up was felt but we ignored it. Again a few minutes of rest.

And at last the peak. Oh my God, the view was amazing! Physical fatigue left me. 

The white gigantic limestone formation transformed the acrophobic me to a courageous climber who took the challenge of standing right in the summit not only to enjoy the picture taking session but also to take pleasure in the panoramic vista of the place down below.

Then, we started the journey back to the foot of the mountain. We traversed the forest. The rock-strewn yet slippery path tested our endurance to the core that I thought we would not be reaching the next destination before night time. I was wrong. We overcame the difficulties and got to Tinipak river at almost 5:30 P.M. 

Awe-inspiring was the river. The limestone formations were like a fortress in a Greek castle of the ancient time. It was a marvelous sight. 

We plunged into the water and let our bodies delight in the relaxing feel of it. My sprained ankles and strained muscles were rehabilitated. 

Definitely, Rose, Rizza, Aileen and Oliver experienced the same as we were all noisy again while walking on our way back to the barangay station.

We got back to Taytay at almost 10:00 P.M. The trek used up my energy. Despite that, I felt great for, once again, I and my friends conquered another summit, the  2358 ft. above sea level, Mt. Daraitan.

Nature's breathtaking formation: Palawan Underground River

Of the places I've been to, this one totally put me in awe. The stalactite and stalagmite formations amazed me the core that no exact words would come out for me to appropriately describe what I saw in the place. No filter, no camera trick, whatsoever. Further, the photographs summarize my group's  45-minute tour in the subterranean river.