THEKIDWANDERER

0 IN PREPARATION FOR HONG KONG

I’m quite excited for my first ever travel abroad. Though few days or even weeks to count but time yet travel too fast. You never realized that the moment the most awaited has already came. It is just a blink of an eye. I know I must’ve dreaming but I can’t resist the thrill-feeling. I haven’t visited yet most of the provinces in the country and here I am planning for travel abroad. It’s a pleasure, when someone asked you to join him on his vacation, just the two of you, on his special day in a special place. Why not?. I’m talking about my dearest partner. It’s not his first time though but he just wants me to join on his vacation which is more romantic for us.

Currently I’m browsing articles from our certified wanderers around the blog – o – sphere. To name a few – Chyng Reyes, Pinoy Boy Journal, Adventurous Feet. How to; Where to; Do's and Dont's. I’m just excited. I wanna get familiarized to some places which are pretty hard to pronounce and also number of words that are long enough for a name of a place.

So we got our plane tickets from Clark to HongKong. Then we will book next month for a ticket back to Manila. Most of Pinoy travellers chose Clark (Diosdado Macapagal International Airport) where fare is cheaper than NAIA. Initially our plan (pre-itinerary) is Clark to Macau then HongKong / HongKong back to Manila. Im not sure if we will be visiting Macau. It’s all up to him since it’s his plan so I give all the decision to him.

So ito ung mga aasahan kong scenes soon. For now I only have small details on my mind from these pictures but couple of weeks from now I will witness out from my two eye balls how beautiful this place would be. It will surely poke all the veins and arteries out on my eyes.

Photo source here.

More preparations to go and I will update soon. Excited with my second fly and of course travelling abroad.

I was once shouting and yelling for my school chant. Until now I know how to sing the school hymn while the left arm lifted showing my all out support every after game win or loss. This is a tradition. I know even students from other schools have the same practice. This is how we support the UAAP and the love for our Alma Mater.

Last month I was able to watch the first round match of the UE Red Warriors and Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles at the country’s newest architectural design MOA Arena. This would my first and hopefully not the last time to watch live in the UAAP Basketball. I’ve been an avid basketball fan, particularly in the UAAP games. I am a proud Warrior and this kind of occasion has been part and always part of my life.

The Red Warriors are currently tied with the UST Growling Tigers as the second winningest team in UAAP men's basketball, with 18 titles, most of them coming from the time of coach Baby Dalupan and Robert Jaworski. The Red Warriors holds the longest senior basketball championship run with seven straight UAAP titles. They also hold the longest finals streak appearances, with sixteen straight from 1957 to 1972.Source

At the moment, UE forecasted as an underdog by some of the renowned sports writers and true enough because the Warriors will no longer have the chance to make it to the final four even they will win the next games. However the spirit is still alive.

As mentioned, Ateneo nipped UE with a big score deficit during the first round 68-51. Expected then since Ateneo is one of the strongest team and aiming for their 4peat moment for this season. Nevertheless the Warriors never say die, even the students has the vigour and energy to showcase the school pride.

Here are some of the pictures during the first round match (Aug4.12) of UE and Ateneo (2ndGame), DLSU - UST (1st Game) where UST won after two overtimes, 84-82.

UE received another heartfelt loss.

However what happened yesterday was a different story. UE won over Ateneo after a crucial fourth quarter game. A regretful decision not to watch the game live since it was part of my plan a day before. I was hanging the entire game watching in front of the TV screen. Oh well at least worth the wait, UE won 79-77.

The spirit once again lifted, Chris Javier did the victorious move again after the buzzer-beating trey against the UP maroons on Sunday. Gene Belleza also helped the Warriors giving Ateneo Squad second loss for this season. He scored 28 career best and five rebounds. I was weary, my fingertips ready to update my status. It was 77 tied at 7.02 seconds. I was hoping that this game belongs to the Red Troops. And the buzz alarmed, UE won. Big heart can really beat the Talent.

Coach Boyzie Zamar: Who wants to get the ball, get the biggest heart.

Credits goes to the owner of this photo.

See: Part 1 (Ascent)

The Summit:

Almost after an hour of walking, finally the team reached the base camp. It was pretty hard for us but more fun, hindrance was present in the midst of paths yet we accepted the challenge and overcome with confidence. Close pacing was necessary due to lack of flashlights needed for muddy and steep trails, as a result camaraderie arises, and everyone contributed the strength and rendered assistance towards each other.

The delayed drinking session was continued, without a “chaser” just a plain smouldering Matador flowing softly to the throat. No more water since we were expecting that there will be a water source from the spring. Unfortunately, where the rain pours yet there are no drops from the source. So I took my rest early since more challenging will be expected by tomorrow. Just an alibi..hindi ko kayang uminom ng walang chaser. Hinyaan ko na lang silang ubusin.

I slept around 2am but never forget to set my alarm by 5:30. I don’t wanna miss the sunrise. It is one of the most important things to see on the top of the mountain, where you can witness how beautiful the sun rises and light up the sleeping world. Alarm buzzed and hurriedly woke myself up though my body would still want to lie down. I rushed outside and see the beautiful morning.

Mike asked me to go up to the grassland (the highest point) to see the entire view, neighbouring provinces and the seas. I’m not really familiar with the provinces surrounds but all I know; you can see them all 360 degrees. What a beautiful place, no words can express the feeling.

Yours truly, I asked Mike to take picture of me on the back of the Verde Strait (not sure) were also the clouds can be seen and the unknown mountain ranges.

My first foot of the summit. Yes!!~ Although this is my third ascent but to tell you honestly I haven't reach the highest peak yet from my last two mountain climbs. Bitin.

There's a rainbow always after the rain. I used to read reviews and blogs about Mount Daguldol especially to my idol Ivan Lakwatsero, all have one thing in common; rainbow showing in the morning. Sa palagay ko lang.

No one knows from the group what mountain is this. Can someone tell us? Hehe. Just a guess. It is Mount Makiling.

This is the three unknowns but later became our drinking buddies. I should call them the Lambanog guys. Haha. Anyway they dont have a group name nor recognized themsleves, they used to climb just three of them whenever they wanted to. So I asked them what name should I put on my blog for their caption -- they said. Insomniacs. L-R: Jay-R, James and Thugz. Hats off sirs, you all great.

THE DESCENT:

The moment is done. We had the evidence. We know ourselves by heart that we successfully conquered Mt. Daguldol. It’s about time to go down. Everyone has to fix and pack the things, I feel saddened but it is already enough to ease all the pressure in metropolis. Another day. Another achievement. Another praises.

The world always looks brighter from behind a smile. Thank you for these smiles folks. I'm proud to introduce these wonderful people I met - old and new friends.

L-R: Rochelle, Me, Kim, Jhudiel, Dennis, Kenneth, Camille, Renalyn, Charo, Mike and Mitchell.

These are the mud-covered trails. Of course these are expected in result from heavy rain last night. No more choice but to plunge those tiny little feet.

The real Hero. We really thank this shed who served our shield from rain and the freezing moment. Where we temporarily hang ourselves.

Responsibility. Every mountaineer who appreciate this wonderful nature should be first liable for taking care of the environment. Let us double the effort to look after the conservation of the mountains. Be the first.

Refreshments. Buko. Buko. For twenty pesos, good enough for body refreshments.

The Rock. Where you can find the rock formation as big as your mansions. Whew. Siguro ganito kalalaki ang binili ni Henry Sy para mapatayo ang MOA. Hihi. Jukjuk onli.

SIDE TRIP TO NAAMBON FALLS:

After a long way of travel down from the summit, everyone deserves a reward. Naambon falls would be the perfect prize for us. Lying down the rock under the pouring cold water from the falls shall revive the tedious body. Though the rocks are not so smooth but the boys were game. Nagpaslide mula taas hanggang baba. Feeling so kid again. Stayed for an hour so that we still have time for the Beachyventure.

SIDE TRIP TO LAIYA BEACH:

Once again a tiresome trek down but minutes to count we finally touched the ground. Yohoo.. Thanks God everyone is safe. We just keep on walking until we reach the store and bought cold Cobra energy drink. Saarap. One sipped, finish. Hindi ko ininda kung gaano kalamig. Then moved on to the service (jeep) to take a lil rest then cook for lunch. I know everyone is hungry. No breakfast from the summit down to the ground. Buko lang ayos na.

Rest for a couple of minutes then prepare for the bitchybeachventure. It's for free.

These are the best people. Thank you so much for making this adventure possible and successful. We are simply achievers. See you again on our next climb. Kudos!

CLIMB ITINERARY:

Day 1 (September 1, 2012)

1130 depart from Manila to San Juan Batangas.

1400 arrive on San Juan Town for lunch and bough stuff at Puregold.

1430 arrive at Barangay Hugom for registration and arrange fo guide.

1520 arrive at Sitios Biga and Catmon, prepare for the trek.

1545 start ascent

1730 Mang Lizardo House

1830 Buko refreshments third camp, rain start falling

2045 reach the shed where we stayed for dinner

2155 resume way to summit

2315 camp site, set up tents, resume drinking sessions (social)

0200 lights off

Day 2 (September 2, 2012)

0530 wake up

0600 sunrise viewing, went to the grassland 10mins walk from the base camp

0730 break camp

0800 start descent

1015 Mang Lizardo Place

1045 aarived at Naambon falls

1130 resume descent

1230 touch the ground

1245 rest, lunch, rest, socials -- side trip Laiya Beach

1600 depart jeep back to Lipa Batangas

1545 Lomi King

2000 Arrive Manila

Accounts for 11pax (P1,000/each)

Jeep P10,000 + (toll fees)

Registration: P35

Guide: P350

Food -- sagot ni Master Idol na may wheels na.

Foodtrip from stopover: "Personal Expenses"

REMINDERS:

• If more than 10 people, better to get a service that would bring you back and forth. A lot of trike drivers charge more than the normal fare. No available trip (bus) in the afternoon.

• It is required to get a guide.

• No matter what month you are planning to climb always put your things in a plastic bag, dont trust the rain.

• Flashlights also important.

• There's a water source on the base camp, unfortunately during our climb i dunno what happen its drained, no drops at all.

• Wake up early to witness the sunrise around 0530

• Bring extra clothes for sidetrips, Naambon Falls and Laiya Beach.

• Smokers, dont forget to buy at least two packs. Hehe :)

• You should have a spare water on your bag wether ascent or descent.

After a very long time of planning; meeting everyone’s schedule finally has been set. I would say the most coveted traverse ever has been through. Eleven people, one team – three unknowns, one summit, Christmas time. Conquering Mount Daguldol wasn’t very easy due to unexpected challenges come along in the middle of the trek. Started from a sundrenched Manila to a little rain showers throughout the length of travel down to a heavy rainfalls way to the zenith.

Meeting place at 7-11 across Shangrila Hotel between 0900-1000. Expect that “late” is just a usual business for the Filipinos. I’m not going to discuss further – so we left the store around 1130. Since the team is composed of eleven people, we settled on renting a jeep (10k) that would bring us forth and back to Batangas. It is more convenience and less expense.

We arrived noon in San Juan proper so we had our lunch then buy stuff in Puregold for the trek. I had the greatest carbo-load ever needed for the dried out traverse. Everyone is also set, putting those protective suits against direct sunlight plus the instant Vicky Belofied faces and body courtesy of 300-500% SPF. Katuwaan lang.

Thirty more minutes before reaching Sitio Catmon where the ascent officially started. Stop at Brgy. Hugom for registration P30/each and the mandatory tour guide. We chose not to take the shorelines since we already had the service that would bring us straight to Sitios Biga and Catmon. Reminder lang po sa mga magdadala ng sasakyan, medyo matarik ung daan palusong at pababa pero kaya naman ng sasakyan. Always use "primera" para chillax ang makina.

We reached the base at Sitio Catmon. Strike a pose, prepare ourselves, wear a smile, practise the bones and back, say a lil prayer for one's safe. We are ready.

Okay let's begin..

I placed myself after the leader since I missed climbing. It was eight months ago before this third ascent. I prepared myself, went to gym four to five times a week and spent more on cycling. I need my legs well prepared for the narrow cliff and steep. I need to have a longer stamina for this climb. Along the way, first five to ten minutes right after the jump-off we met group of UP students who went from Naambon falls and greeted as tradition. Then I keep going as I need to follow steps and the pacing. After likely ten minutes, sweat flows thoroughly and I heard myself panting. Mukhang tutumbasan lang sampung minuto ang dalawang buwang kong preparation.

I looked Jha and the girls. They look so fresh and still wearing a smile. They looked excited and confident, but look at their faces, filled out with adobo oils..and I know they were running out of breath as well. Tama ba?! Hehe

Finally Gene and I reached the first shed after fifteen minutes of non-stop walking. I feel exhausted, I need to open my mouth as wide as I can; I need to breathe. We took rest for couple of minutes while waiting for others who might’ve been resting already. My mind refused to ask what time will we get to summit because I know it would be 5-6 hours of walking. So i need to save more energy. I opened lollipop before resume so that my body itself produces saliva against hydration.

Another more minutes of walking until we reached the first group of houses ( I dunno who owned the house, forgot to ask) they offered halo-halo. Sa kasamaang palad nakataob lahat ng baso pati ung box ng lalagyan ng yelo. So what other guys did is to look for talangka. There is a small river on the side with flowing water and where villagers wash their clothes.

Finally, we reached Mang Lizardo place. The popular name in the blogsphere from the people who conquered the mountain. Rest for couple of minutes while looking at the highest point covered with thick fogs and clouds.

Waiting for couple of minutes until everyone relieve. So these cute oldies couples passing through us riding horse with some bits and pieces that I think need to bring down the village. I'm so fond despite the fact that they were oldies that they can still ride a horse. Hats off.

Resume walking again after couple of minutes rest.

Then we reached the third camp. So I put my bag down and get 20 peso bill. While sipping, out of curiosity I walked up on the other house where other villagers busy packing up copra. They said, it will send to Lucena City. So I asked one to taste. I like it. I crush it into small pieces using my teeth then sip the juice and throw the “sapal”. While it the midst of rest, the clouds seems to be not friendly enough for us.

While in the midst of rest, the clouds seem to be not friendly enough for us. In a bit of minutes rain will fall down. So we rushed out, pack our things and started walking faster than a normal pace. Nung marating na namin yong batuhan, dun nag umpisa umiyak ang langit. It was a heavy rain. No resthouse, just coconut trees who cannot cover us from the rain. Isa pa madilim dilim na ang paligid. Good thing I was able to bring plastic bags. I asked time to secure my clothes and gadgets. Wala rin akong dalang flashlight, pero may payong ako, at kulay pula. No more pictures, all gadgets are secured and so we proceed the night trek. You can’t explain the feeling of walking in the rain under the declivity of the steep in a dark sorroudnings. San ka pa? But then it’s the will conquers the extreme challenge. Our objective is to get unto the final shed where we can stay the entire night if the rain wouldn’t stop.

The shed served as an evacuation centre, we can’t proceed to the summit since the rain continuously falling. The instincts told us to stay until the rain stops. Everyone is wet; the place getting colder, the winds freezes our tiny body. So we need to change clothes at least to fight against the foggy environs. And so the guide leaves us there since he still need to go down for his family. Cook for dinner, then a little drinking sitting. Until few minutes later, three campers (the three unknowns I mentioned in the first part) passed through. Nagtanong lang sila kung ilang minutes na lang before summit.

The cold weather didn’t win. We have the best group ever. No one beats the jester. Good looking actors, we have the best entertainers, we have the general, we have the Ch.2 president. What else lookin’ for fellas?! Walang humpay na tawanan, sa gitna ng tagayan. Oh ha.

…hip hop dong puge puge, puge puge na hip hop pa.

Around 9:30 after dinner and in the middle of drinking session, the rain stopped. We only heard raindrops from the trees. So everyone shall decide to carry on to the summit. Majority wins, proceed to the summit around 10pm. Ginawa namin close pacing, mabagal man ang mahalaga ligtas. And the rains is about to fall again, prayer works. Instead of thirty minutes walk, it ended up to one hour. Not a problem atleast everyone was safe. Finally we hit the summit!!!