Mt Pinatubo with AMCI Batch 2k6

JAMCI 2007

Kibungan

Malabrigo Point

Malabrigo Lighthouse

Lobo, Batangas

Sept 15 2007

Anawangin, Zambales

Anawangin photos

Mt Kibungan Sept 22-24 2006

They said it was a pretty cool mountain. When i saw pictures of it, i had to go. This was a Training Climb (TC4) for the 2006 BMC trainees where I am training director. I wanted this to be TC3 so more members could join. AMCI board thought otherwise, They preferred Ugo. How many times have these people gone to Ugo? And how many more times will they do that again?

No offense to TB. Mt Ugo is a pretty cool mountain. In fact this was the first mountain i had climbed, ever. And i knew nothing about the sport. I joined a photographer friend who was already climbing with the PNB mountaineers. Of course, being new at this, i brought more photo equipment then mountaineering. It was an experience.

Now, Kibungan is different. Walls here and there. Steps. Steps carved off the rocks. Rope handrails were there for climbers to hold on to. One wrong step could cause a fatality.

I had volunteered to be sweeper. In my group were Paulo & Joyce. Aries and Aileen joined us, although they were just trainees then. They had completed the 3 required training climbs but i was able to convince them to join this.

Day three, everyone had packed up and began the day's trek. I decided to stay for a little while longer. me and my group, that is. We went over to a cliff overlooking a very large portion of the mountain range. They called it the view deck. Very appropriate, since you could see everything from here. Even the group who started trek an hour earlier.

There was no pressure at all on this climb. Everybody was doing well. The team's pace was fine. Something everybody looks for from the regular city life. Thats why i climb.

Care for some Roti?

Care for some Roti?

Twelve midnight and i'm sitting in my hotel room watching TV. I had been window shopping all evening and had forgotten about dinner. Looking out of my hotel window, the lights of the streets have not died down. So i figured i'd go down and look for a quiet place to eat. I've tasted the chinese food at Jalan Alor. I wanted to try something else. Walking down Jalan Pudu, i find a local restoran and have some chicken fried rice and a cold tea with milk.

"Want soome roti pesang? Or with beef? Or chicken?"

"What?"

"This." Pointing to the freshly heated dough on the 'hot plate'.

I've always wanted to know what that was. And why some people i see mix it in some curry sauce of some sort. I also did not like the idea of how they cook it - mashing and stretching (by hand) to get a consistently slim paperlike piece of dough. Remember the way, as kids we'd play with clay dough and flatten it with our palms? Yes, that way. Letting it cook on the hot surface, just enough not to be brittle. Then, leave it on the stove some more to cook.

"Ok, let me have a piece, please. The plain Roti" Will try something else some other time.

The next day, i'm having roti for breakfast at the hotel. And then at work with some friends. If in Pinas we had the pandesal, here, they have their roti.

Palaui road trip

Looking down the cliff reminded me of my visit to the Batanes islands. the sight of a fifty meter cliff keeps me close to the railings and on solid ground. There are two islands a couple hundred meters away to the north. And in between, rough, white top waves. Passing by the channel an hour after, was one of those boatrides where we really had to hold on. Cape engano is on this northernmost tip of the Palaui island. It serves as a beacon for seafarers. a 30 meter structure stands tall and overlooking the coast.It would be nice to talk some history about this lighthouse, but i am no hostorian nor am i a writer. I just like to make short notes about my trips on the shallowest level. That way i dont have to write anything complicated or get myself in trouble.

From the cove, it would take us a short 30 minute trek. We arrive here and meet Arnold, Odie and Fred. They are here for their second night camping. And it must have taken them two something hours from the island port on the other side of the island. We would leave them to try their luck, again, at another sunset shoot. The weather and the clouds were not on our side this time.

The boatride around Palaui showed the various characteristics of the island. On the north is the open sea. Only Camiguin and Fuga is 4 hours north on rough seas by boat. The inner coast had reefs and beaches both for diving and snorkling. Some areas have been designated as fish sanctuaries and therefore offlimits to any activity. Game fishing has so far been the common sport among the island's visitors.

Amiboy and his two boatmen prepared breakfast of Sinigang and barbequed fish over an open fire at beachside. We let them do their thing as we went around the beach to shoot anything that would catch our eye.

The day started out slow and dull. But it picked up a bit when we got to the Angib beach on the mainland. After circling Palaui Island. The weather was warm and the tide was setting out. The beach was 'ok'. Clear waters, white sand and not too much trash. Anna didnt like the seagrass though. I brought along my snorkling gear just in case we find an exceptional place to use it. For now, it was kept dry. We did not visit the snorklng areas we were told about. Again, that’ll be something to come back for.

Back at our lodge, we'd download photos taken for the day. It was a Good Friday and no people were around. And Mel's restaurant was closed for the day. We were allowed to cook our own dinner though. Maybe if we had known, we might have been more prepared. So, we had to have our dinner somewhere else. We rested early in preparation for the next day's long drive back to Manila.

As we were about to leave, we had a really long chat with Engineer Cortez. Apparently, He owns the guest house we stayed in. He also has a fleet of buses that plyed tuguegarao to sta ana. And best of all, was planning to put up a beach front resort. Now, all we need are kayaks and a very knowledgable tour guide. This got us thinking that we'd really be back soon. Of course, we had to put on the table some ideas that we'd like to have in the resort.

The drive back home was very long. We had to head back a day earlier than what we had planned. My trip to Malaysia could not be adjusted. So, maximizing the time and holidays we had, I would get 6 hours of rest before I had to be at the airport. Thats another story.

Daguldol

San Juan, Laiya, Batangas
Brought first time climbers, Janina and Myki to Daguldol. What an experience!!! for them...

We started early in the evening. Four of us with the help of a local guide, made it to the campsite by 1030. It was drizzling. The ground was muddy. Janina was tired. But it was an experience for the four of us, never having climbed here before. Thanks to Aries, the mood was always fun and lively.

Back down the next day, we stayed at La Luz for lunch and some R&R. Beach, Snorkling and two dives at one go. Lunch was great!!! Salamat Nette and the assistant chefs. Lets do that again. Next time, without the Daguldol part.

28 Kilometers

28 Kilometers into the run and I am about to let go of the three who I hung on to since the Nagtahan bridge. They were much stronger, more in shape, looked older, and definitely runners. They kept a conversation going while i struggled to catch my breath and stumble from time to time while trying to keep pace. They had caught up with me 8 kilometers into the run where i was running alone. I decided to stick it out with them for a while and picked up my pace. I am running at a speed i knew for a fact would tire me sooner. But in a draft like this, changing pacers keep the group running further and faster. As the kilometers wound down, i realized how much help a running group can do. I gave up the chase when two of them signalled they were going to pick up the pace. After a few minutes, the third guy eventually realized i was slowing him down and signalled he was going ahead as well. Or maybe it was just that short glance from him that gave me the idea.

Now i'm on my own. But i will not give up now. I am 14 short kilometers away from the people who said they would wait for me at the finish line. 14 kilometers away from a goal i have been preparing for for the past five months. Besides, my time now was better than i had expected. The morning sun was cooperating and stayed low behind the clouds. I am alone again. My training runs only lasted up to this distance.

I have now collected 13 colorful bands, distributed on strategic locations along the route to ensure we're on the right track. Or that no short cuts are taken. The amci support people who are on bikes were visible. But now, there is only one. The others have gone back to the slower AMCI runners needing more of their assistance.

This C5 stretch of the course is where i have always had trouble. In my past marathons, the morning sun had was already up and blazing hot. This time it is still low enough for it to be a sweet pleasant morning. I have to get through this stretch before the heat turns up and becomes unbearable.

I don’t like running. I like biking, trekking, swimming, skin diving, scuba diving, table tennis, photography, darts, billiards, travel and even collecting stamps better. But then, i would rather run than play badminton. What i like about running though, are the results; I can do all the other activities with ease. It’s also a fun way to "leave all your troubles behind".

Anyway, four kilometers to go and Vicky is at one of the water stations handing out cups of water to participants. I gave her a little shower from the cup she handed out to me. We were all in an excited mood now. A short while later two other friends on bikes, tintin and jaycee come to heckle me on finishing. They were unprepared to do the marathon this year so settled for the 10k run earlier.

Runners, who join a marathon for the first time, aim at just completing and coming out alive. Of course, this is talking through my experience. After the first race, me and some friends slept the whole afternoon at Miguel's place after some noodle soup. I was aching all over but glad i survived.

The next race, i had a timed goal. It wasn't just to finish but to do it in less than four hours. I was prepared then, and almost missed it by a couple of seconds. Seconds, no kidding!!!

After a couple 10k races, you should become more familiar with your personal pace and running techniques. At this point, you should be able to approximate within a couple of minutes how long a race would take you. There is now no sense in joining a race unprepared and without a time goal.

What i do: I set a time goal to finish the race and train for it.

85. That’s the numerical order i come in among the 42k runners. I am 4 minutes short of my goal. Oh well, so much for that. There's always next year...

Running Thoughts

I'm running and I’m excited. I have never run this fast before and i feel i could run even faster, but not now. In due time. Maybe next year. Maybe NEVER.

Four months ago, i decided I’d start training and see where I’d go from there. It was going to be tough; work, mountaineering activities, photography and some so called friends. Everyone had to be satisfied but prioritized. I have to admit, i might have put one in front of the other unintentionally, or did i?

It’s late in the evening when i should be having dinner, watching TV or on my computer figuring out how to work this Photoshop software. But i chose to run, Dinner and Photoshop can wait until later tonight. I am now up to ten kilometers per run and i think i should be doing more, at least that’s what I read in the training programs. I have a month and a half to go.

A couple of friends, who i have conned to running in the evenings with me, run at their own pace. I try to heckle them in running faster to take my mind off the boredom off the run. But they'll just smile and give me a tired look.

A couple of days after, I have now surpassed the 15k and now work on doing 20K next week. Ten days before the marathon and i am doing my 25km runs at a decent pace to break my past record of under four hours. Progression of the training has been fast. Too fast that i am afraid will be my failure in the end. But i like to think that everything will be fine.

The training days have come and gone so fast. A day before the race and i am biking. A little later, swim to keep my mind off the run. But technically, it'll get my cardio and mind up in preparation for tomorrow.

Three times, i have finished the marathon. The last two, under four hours. I was talking to a friend a couple of days back. And i do remember doing a 26 miler way back when i was in the sixth grade, i think. But i couldn’t consider that a race since i walked most of the way with a neighbor friend of mine. An aunt even offered us a ride, but we wouldn't. I remember, after crossing the finish line, i got home and jumped on my homemade go-cart and drove off to play in the clubhouse.

My thoughts for tomorrow's race... I did not reach a 35k on my training runs. My average pace is 12.25. I never trained to run during the day when the sun was up. I am not prepared. We’ll never be ready. But being optimistic i think I am looking at 3:50:00 or better. 3:50, because i do not expect to be running the whole time. If i were, I’d come in at 3:26:40. But that’s like going to happen only in one of those fantasy movies. So, for now, let’s just hope for the best.

Ambaguio-Akiki 17-21 January 2007

38 hours of trekking. 20 hours of bus and jeepney rides. A full pack of shelter, clothing and provisions. All spread out on five days of cool and calm weather. Our destination was Mount Pulag. A journey which would take us from Bayumbong in Nueva Ecija to Baguio City via the Ambaguio - Akiki trail.

The fun part of traversing the mountains is that you'll never know what to expect- land slides, bad weather, medical emergencies, equipment malfunction and getting lost. So, in preparation, expect for the best but plan for the worst. We were lucky.

Days one and two had us counting waterfalls, hanging bridges and waiting sheds. The sights were wonderful but this was probably the most uneventful time of the climb. We had accomplished to tire ourselves of the long trails, trekked with our headlamps to light our path and condition ourselves mentally, for the cooler climb ahead.

Day three was going to meet up with the second half of the team joining the climb to the National park. We were more relaxed, more rested as we got closer to day three campsite. We even took our time to cook lunch and rest at the grasslands camping ground. The planned campsite for day 3 was at the saddle, past the summit of Mt Pulag, a good hour-thirty of walk from the grasslands.

With lots of time to spare, the team rested at the saddle. Pitched camp and prepared our hot dinner. The saddle is an open area where the wind comes from all directions and adds the bite to the already chilly weather.

Sunsets at Mt Pulag are always a treat. On the summit, as you scan the horizon, 360 degrees of mountain ranges. The sun sets, the temperature at the valleys drop and create oceans of clouds around the neighboring mountain tops. A sight so unreal.

This was an Induction climb for the members of the BMC 2007 who were not able to join the first. We had set our sights at Lumot-Sumagaya in Mindanao. Everything was set except that the board felt that we needed more members to join the induction. So, they scrapped it altogether and dictated Mt Pulag instead. An induction clmb is what it is and just as long as you enjoy the climb, thats all that matters.

The new members got inducted on day four at the summit of Mt Pulag. The golden rays of the sun came up to greet them. Spectacular!!! I have been on this summit at sunrise a couple of times and its always the same. Not too many people wake up to a sunrise as wonderful as this.
Trekking down Akiki trail is one experience you shouldn't miss. A bright rainbow shown in front of us as we were decending. The Local DENR calls it the killer trail. It’s a killer to the knees, thats what it is. Some of the members of the team were complaining of dead toenails. I'm just glad that was the worst that happened.

Day four campsite was at the Eddet River. There was a pool in the river where we could soak our tired bodies in the freezing waters. This was the rest we had all been waiting for.

The last day was just a short three hour trek and a wash-up area. The jeepney ride to Baguio was long though. We got to Baguio in time for dinner before I got my bus ride to Manila at 10pm.