My Unknown Voyage

My unforgotten Mt.Napulak Climb

2010-02-11T14:08:00.001+08:00

THE MOUNTAIN:
Towering a height of 1200 feet above sea level, Mt. Napulak is cuddled by the towns of Miag-ao and Igbaras, Iloilo City. It stands huge, brown and dusky with a massive rock formation atop, makes it appear like a woman’s breast. It is home to the largest single flowering plant called Raflesca also called the corpse flower because it smells like a rotting flesh.

The Mount Napulak National Invitational Climb hosted by The Higher Grounds Mountaineering And Ecological Society in ILOILO headed by Jay Plantinos and by The Talahib Eco-Trekkers ILOILO led by Edison Aperocho in cooperation with the IGBARAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT brought me there together with my climbing buddies Bonedoc, Ma’m Sheila Alcazar and Sir Dawn Alcazar and 50+ (?) other noble mountaineers. Thanks guys! It was achingly awesome!!!

THE COST:
What and how much did it cost me? (1) A week of 16 hours straight hospital duties, (2) an infected ingrown which dragged me to Emergency Room (3) a debate with an MD for an urgent excision/drainage of the pus, an antibiotic argument and a demand that my wound should be healed in 3 days doc. Hehehe (4) sleepless nights (5) and of course 1 aircraft. My early morning plane ride to Iloilo City abandoned me for being 20 minutes late. I was heartbroken Uhuhuhu. I had to buy a new ticket twice the price of my early morning flight.... pocket broken. Waaaahhhh!

THE CLIMB:
It was a cool early morning of January 22nd 2010 when I, Bonedoc and my new friends Sheila and Dawn went to "super", Iloilo's famous wet market to catch a jeepney ride from Iloilo City to Igbaras. The organizers of the climb met us at the Tourism Office and from there, we rode a motorcycle which dropped us at a Basketball Court in Brgy. Lab-on. There, I met Mario and Anna who are Spanish exchange students from Ateneo de Manila who are into exploring Philippine outdoors. Interesting!

It was a little over 9am when started to walk and the sun was beaming hot burning my skin. As we passed by the rice fields, I looked up for an ameliorant view of the peak I yearn to conquer. So near yet so beyond far tsk tsk tsk.! We were told that its going to be a 2 hour trek from the tree line to the last water source then another 3hour ascend to the peak. Oh my God! Will I make it? I muttered. I was unfit, untrained, and a newbie for this climb but does Bonedoc knows that I am a fragile, flibbertigibbet cry baby too? If he doesn’t, then I bet I’ll have his brain fried sooner or later.

We’ve perambulated for 2 hours, traversed the lacunas on our way, tried to fit my steps on the little breadth of the trail, catch what seemed to be my last breath and still have not seen any sign of vegetation but this one lonely corps tree. I started to wonder why am I agonizing to push my way up the hill when all I wanted was the Dinagyang fever and my hunee? I may have the penchant for the outdoors but I was never physically prepared for this climb. I was like a wimpy yellow toad with an orange 30liter pack on her back and a dangling tongue trying to leap the cliffs. OMG rabbit!

We took several breaks and nibbled on chocolates and jellies to regain the energies we lost along the way. However, every stop only prepared me for a harder terrain. How I wanted to throw away my bag and just finish the climb. Panting through the open rocky trail, we finally reached the line of trees which clothe us from the burning heat of the sun. For a newbie climber like me, the 2 hours of joggling motion traversing the interiors of Mt Napulak to the last water source was eternity. We sat on a path beside the stream and oh my it was a relief to be inactive. It was only 1pm and we were told to not only to cook lunch but dinner as well and be ready at 3-330pm for the assault. I tried not to move the whole time for my limbs were in throbbing pain. I ate lunch like I haven’t eaten before (kaing karpentero). However, it felt like a dream when my climbing buddy dokie sat beside me as he pointed out to the trees punctured by woodpeckers. Elbows to elbows, we gazed up into the woods and savoured the moment. In forty winks, I dozed off as Bella and him as Edward in the Twilight movie. Ilonggo version.bwahahaha

We started to ascend at 3:30pm and I wanted to rest every after 5 minutes of scaling a 75 degrees inclination. I was gasping and my heart was pounding really hard. The stick Bonedoc got me helped my balance and pushed my bottoms up when my legs are almost locked and stiff. After an hour of assault we’ve reached an open and hot hot trail. There was nothing to hold on to but cogon grass and fervent hope that the nipple peak will be a sweet surprise soon. Halfway through the trail, we took a break and bonded with Sir Jay. We chatted and stared at the bald and brown mountain ranges that surrounded Mt Napulak. I couldn’t help but think of how organized, accommodating, and friendly the organizers of this climb. Never did we feel left out. Someone was always there to check on us.

As we pushed up, the tall and sharp edges of cogon grass, and bonedocks outbursts of “hunee don’t look down” my stubbornness made me turn my back and see that my life is hanging uphill and one wrong move could plunge me back to the lowlands. The never ending assault and exhaustion under the searing temperature got me frustrated and spilled my line of the day “hunee, have u forgotten?” For the others appeared to be walking in the park. Sheila and Dawn have traverses so easily, making the mountain their playground while I clustered all my strength and climbed with my legs, arms, and chin. I’m lucky to have bonedoc as my shock absorber, my guide and to have dragged me when I could no longer push and pull.
The sun has started to set when we finally reached the summit. Alleluia! I joyfully posed for pictures with the best climbing buddies I could ever have..Bonedoc, Sheila, and Dawn. It was my first “real climb” made even more remarkable for it was a national invitational friendship climb the view was spectacular and I could not describe the feeling of happiness and accomplishment inside me. A wonderful, astounding beauty, calmness, and mystical twilight seeping into my soul.

We scouted for a site to pitch our tent and took photos of the diffusing sun. After dinner, we squatted on a rock for a chat and savoured the night cap, city lights below, the swaying cogon grass and the cool breeze of Mt. Napulak. It was getting really cold so we decided to sleep. I was awakened by storm like wind hammering our tent but then Bonedoc must have pegged it firmly to be blown away.
At morning, my climbing buddies explored the huge tinselled rock atop Mt Napulak while I stayed at my favourite spot savouring the agonizing but sweet feeling of successfully climbing with the person I love most all the way to Iloilo. It was an incomparable euphoria.

As the sun radiantly evinced to shine, we gastronomically loaded ourselves, packed, and joined everyone for the group picture. It was really fun. I wish I could have met everyone. We said our prayers and started to descend. The trek down was harder than I thought. It was a narrow lose trail, almost nothing to hold on to. The slopes were steep, the small stones and rocks makes traction even more difficult. It was really a dry slippery t rail which needed absolute power to keep me from tumbling down. My toes are all curled up, my plantars blistered, and my ingrown was dreadfully in pain. I crawled down Mt. Napulak, and slid with my bottoms. I complained not just once but always. Hehehe

It was a relief when we’ve reached the lunch site where we treated for a free lunch by the hosts. It’s been years since I’ve tasted stewed chicken with ubod. Thank you guys! Mario and Anna ate with us. I was amused of how well they blended with us...the indios.hehehe.

After lunch, the flock of Napulak climbers descended to Nasadjan Falls. It was another leg of steaming trek up and down the hill. But then I thrived all the zigs and zags. All the jumps and bumps. All the heat and itch. All the pain and aches. After all, it was all part of the climb. Our group forewent the cascades because of too much heat and exhaustion. Ma'm Sheila texted Sir Jay of our plans and we hopped into a habal-habal and headed to the city. I landed on our accommodation floor and almost nailed my body to ground but Bonedoc reminded me of the socials at the Barbeque Park.

The post climb party was short but merry. Everyone was given with certificates, souvenirs, and shirts. I so love it. Each group were given a chance to air their comments of the climb. Indeed, it was successfully well organized. Congratulations to the hosts. I will forever be grateful to all the people (Sir Jay and company, Sir Jigs, Sir Mouse, Senior Mario, Seniora Anna and many others) I met to and from Mt. Napulak. To Ma’m Shiela, Sir Dawn and Bonedoc, that experience could have never been fun and possible without you. So much thanks for the loads of memory and friendship I will forever keep.

:

Lake Holon: A Lake Trek to Remember

2009-02-12T15:27:00.005+08:00

"If I can do something different and extra ordinary for myself, I would be very happy"- Joy V, the author.

The author, with her new found outdoor buddies and friends, doing the "jump for nature"

I was never a real outdoor person until now. Having been confined to the comforts of an immensely busy and competitive city life, I've never went beyond reading stories of people who trekked their whole life. Yes, I have bouts of convulsive reunions with nature, but none actually required me to trek and climb like what I'm going to do in this "Lake Trek". No one told me however, that it will be "A Lake Trek to Remember".

Is this fun? It was a long tortuous trail for newbie like me..

My friend's invitation to this trek is all but unnerving. I have read and saw the pictures of his wanton explorations and (mis) adventures and although I find it exciting and thrilling in some sense, I'm totally appalled by the risks he's taking. So even if I dreamed someday, I can go to these places he went to and experience the excitement of an outdoor life, actually putting them into action is not in my fondest aspirations. Not with my present state.

I am in no shape to climb, my schedule is full to the minute and I have no idea what climbing preparation is all about. Yet, I feel some sort of an inner drive to go and plunge myself into the abyss of trekking adventure, something I've never done in my life but hoped to, that in the right time, I can possibly achieve.

So when we toyed about the idea (of me trekking) in cyberspace, I was halfheartedly joking in disdain. While I certainly liked the idea, I fear I may be cajoled into this risky adventure and get the kaboom of my life! You know- the risks, my health and everything else that is un-fun. But I also fear I may lose this opportunity to prove something for myself.

The pesky outdoor innuendos of my friend, Bone Doc irked me to excitement.I never thought such climb invitation would actually lead me to walking the hills of Tboli South Cotabato and on my way to Lake Holon, the cleanest of Philippine's repertoire of lakes. Imagine being in the comfort of my cool room in Manila and then suddenly transport yourself off to the hills of Mt. Parker. Something in between tells you that the only certainty I had was, I'm not certain if what I'm doing is right!

the fairies of Lake Holon...

I am in utter disbelief when I found myself panting and perspiring heavily on our way to the Lake. This climb was supposed to be a fun climb according to our hosts, but being a newbie climber, fun was something you won't find in our tired limbs. But walking under the canopy of forest trees, listening to bird calls, watching landscapes just elevated my excitement into some sort of an analgesia. It is an awesome experience! I keep cursing my friend for bringing me here, but at the same time, I was so thankful I joined this trekking adventure!

Tree planting before the trek...

The constant 45 degree uphill push into the open trail and under the forests made my heart beat faster and my breathing even harder. I'm having my adrenaline rush to its highest meter. At time the trail is filled with rocks that rolled under my shoes, tripping me off my balance and made me hold harder to my trekking pole. At times it was so steep downhill and the path is so slippery I have to hold on to the "gentleman-ish" Bone Doc for assistance. At times the uphill is steep I had to stop several times to catch my breath and take in some extra cool air. It's good the weather wasn't as bad as we thought it would be, giving us cool breeze while covering our skin from direct sunlight. Iit is during this time that I realized fitness preparation for climbs is a must, not an option. For me to enjoy the sceneries and nature on the way, I have to be less panting and gasping for air.

One of the better rest "stations' along the path. Me and Ma'm Psyche

According to our hosts and buddies, this trail is essentially easy- a "walk in the park". For veteran climbers, yes it was. But to newbies like me, whose fitness is even more questionable than my intentions, this is no easy trek. I only found out later that the description is incorrect. This was actually a walk in a "forest reservation and provincial park" not the Luneta type of parks!

Lake beauty and a karate fairy in harmony.

Not until we got to the Lake that I realized that, the preparation, the stress, the fear and the dream- it's all worth it. And even more!Lake Holon is astounding and is idyllic as any other beautiful lake in the country. The crystal clear lagoon is flushed against a backdrop of lush forest hill surrounding it, forming the crater of the once volcanic Mt. Parker. And the campsite is similar to the front sit of an opera house- you can see a 360 view of the beauty of the Lake and its background!

This was a dream coming true for me, and every second I have to savor it. I still stare in disbelief- of the lake, the people I'm with, and the place I am right now. It was a picturesque dream! And I'm living it!

I watched the group pitch tent and prepare food, getting my hands into something I knew and asking questions about the basics of camping out in this lovely place. I find it interesting that climbing gears has been this sophisticated and that camping out can turn into spree of food indulgence despite the distance and isolation it beams. We had adobong kangkong and sinigang for dinner! And were eating under the clear moonlight sitting on rocks! Is this really this good?

Okay na ba? Get the lake huh!

After we ate, the boys had a little chat and kidding around. I explored more of the place since the moon gave us more light than we wished for. My camera went busy. They told me stories of this place. I told them some of my outdoor fears too. This was the first time Im out in the woods and into the lake. And this is just amazing.

When the lights went off, I thought I couldn't sleep. But the cool breeze outside our tent is seeping under my skin I felt it was cozy enough to sleep. So I doze off.

When we woke up, sunlight was already all over the place, the cool morning breeze still there and the lake in astute beauty as before. Some of the guys were cooking, the others paddling a boat towards the other side of the lake to fetch drinking water. Others simply wander around the lake. I wanted to sleep some more and lazily dream about this place. But I am in this place now. I have to enjoy it.

I went out and frolic with the others near the lake side. After we had a bountiful breakfast, we took a dip into the lake. The guys went boating spree obviously enjoying their time out in the lake. They paddled pushed and swim like they were kids of nobody. They just frolicked oblivious to their stature and shape.

The TAMAC staff doing their traditional jump for nature. Fun is their motto.

After that we packed our things and then took some more pictures of us and the place. I had to document I've been here. And this will obviously not my last here. Now I'm beginning to think of coming back. Then we had the traditional TAMAC "jump for nature". Its amazing how this guys take so much fun on what they do. To think, they're guys of no ordinary lives. So I joined them and...whoa!

We started trekking back after our prayers. My heart went heavy knowing I'd be leaving this place now, and thinking with my busy life in Manila when will I ever go back here again? Not even me knew. But I made a resolve that Id go back, no matter how long. And that I will be going outdoors more often. My friend Bone Doc is now even cajoling me again to join our batch climb to Mt. Apo this December. I can only sigh in disbelief. Here we go again!

I'm glad there were people like my friend who spent time just so new climbers like us will experience and enjoy God's loving gift of nature. This people were total strangers to me, yet somehow, I felt lucky I made my first precious moments of nature with them. They helped me realize doing something I want and extra ordinary for myself. And they are just as happy as this one soul had formed an attachment to nature and life.

The Lake Holon Trekkers on their final picture before leaving " A lake to remember"

I hope I'd be back here soon ( or in any other outdoor adventure). For as long a s I am fit and crawling, being one with nature is something to look forward to..

hello earth!

2009-01-21T21:32:00.002+08:00

hi there! Just checking out. I've been very busy these past months but I'll be back soon. Hopefully soon!

My MBS2 experience

2008-11-13T20:56:00.010+08:00

I just arrived from my Mindanao trip where I attended the Mindanao Blogging Summit (MBS2) in General Santos City. It’s been almost a month but the summit is still worth remembering. Thanks to Avel Manansala ( Bariles of GenSantos.com ), the organizers, and sponsors of the said event.

Gensan is not new to me. As a kid my nanay would take me to Gensan to visit distant relatives and we would go to Makar because that’s where we board Sulpicio Lines whenever we go to Manila. However, I was used to calling it Dadiangas but the place has changed so much so does its name.

It was my first time to sleep over at Gensan and my first blogging summit experience. Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! Is all I could utter? A lot of thanks to my equally laagan buddy Bonedoc for bringing me there.MBS2 experience was really an eye opener for me. I never thought that Mindanao bloggers are that enthusiastic and growing in numbers! I was surprised to learn that everyone really came from a different background, profession, age group, and personality. Some even traveled as far as Zamboanga!

“Oh my what the heck am I doing here? Why did this blog savvy doctor bring me here? “I felt so indifferent knowing I am not a computer and technology enthusiast. I’m not even a writer. But hey I learned a lot and met a lot of interesting people, enjoyed the overflowing coffee, freebies, and food, food, and more food. Moreover, got to tour Gensan!

First stop, Gensan Fish Port! No wonder Gensan is progressive. Thanks to the giant tunas for really making the city the Tuna Capital of the country. It was a thrill to be up close with the freshly catch huge tuna being carried by masculine fishermen.

this tuna...

not this tuna catch

Then, we headed to Saranggani Highlands. The sun was burning hot but the view of a sarrangani bay from the hilltop is awesome. Cameras clicking and bloggers kept posing!

After mathematics misunderstanding at the canteen, we headed to the champs mansion. Yes, we were like kids who loitered and posed around Manny Pacquiao’s home. Thanks to the brother of Sir Avel for accommodating us. My favourite part of pacman’s house his receiving area where he framed his winning and glorious moments.

It was really amusing. Idol! Last stop is Pacific seas where we got a taste and a chance to buy tuna products for pasalubong.It was almost lunch and I was tired but happy from the tour and from the MBS2 itself. I left Gensan with so much pride and amusement. Congratulations to the organizers. I’m looking forward for more bloggers’ summit in the future and thanks to all the people I met and talked to during MBS2!

My closelip flight...

2008-10-15T20:31:00.000+08:00

I feel like my heart will "burst"t as I sat of my plane seat in disbelief.

I am flying to Davao and nobody in my clan knew about it. I wrecked my nerves with white lies (bad me) just to follow the longings of my heart! I am so excited and enthusiastic about this "close lip" adventure just a week ago. Now, I'm not anxiously sure .

This is not the first time I boarded a plane. It is however, my first ever "close-mouthed air travel". The totally silly and morbid thought of my body thrown off the plane (like a party popper) and into some mountain ranges hounds my mind to no end. I’ll be in hell and my prayerful mum doesn’t have a single clue.

Is insanity the consequence of my work or is it just my conscience haunting me?

Worst, the plane went through an "air turbulence", pumping liters of blood into my atria and ventricles faster during the whole 2o minutes! As the aircraft went into a shaking frenzy, I saw some passengers felt nauseous and dizzy as I do. This scene made me realized I am far from my morbid hallucinations.

I'm close to being normal.

My lips started to utter words of worship and resentment as I always did whenever God juggled my head every time I do crazy stuffs. Then the sky cleared up. Perhaps my prayers have truly pleased the Father. We had one comfortable ride through the remaining of the flight.

Excitement, fun, and a joyful experience flowed into my system as I think of the reason why am I setting my foot on Davao. Why? I think, I'll keep it as a little secret for now.

Ligaya will be in Gensan for the second MBS!

2008-09-29T22:32:00.000+08:00

Okay, let me get this straight. I'm a newbie blogger and a bit autistic. Well, sort of. ..

I still think blogging is just a private, personal online diary. Nothing sort of what other bloggers published to the outside world. And frankly, had it not been for BoneDoc, I would have been repulsed by the thought of having to sweat my brain out and post something like this.

No, really!! You think I am kidding???Ever heard about the slave driver and push over Dokie? Did you?!

What on earth is MBS2?!! And where the heck is the "sidebar" of a blog?

Look now what he got me into. I am attending MBS2. I don't have the the wits of a "true" blogger (is there such an adjective?) but I am very eager to learn blogging. Yep, you read me right, no thanks to ob-c Dokie.

I should what??!!Register for MBS2?!When? Now na??!!!

A great and exciting way for me to start bloggin' is to be in flesh with fellow blogger for the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit on October 25-26, 2008s at Family Country Hotel and Convention Center, Gen. Santos City. It will be a great experience for me that will somehow "hook" my attention to blogging. I heared there will be food, freebies, games, infos, friends and more in this summit! Thus, I'll be packing my bags one of these days and fly back to my homeland in Mindanao!

Shucks, that sounds like an entry to the hodgepodge of fiona. No, I am Ligaya and I should be Ligaya joining MBS2, not some coerced newbie blogger bored to death!

Maybe I should just take my time in that summit and have some fun.. Or attempt at least, on making myself one conscious mindanaon. Thats what matters.Newbie blogger or not.

Thanks to these sponsors! It will make all this hard work worth remembering!

CO-PRESENTERS:
NOKIA (Philippines), Inc.
Mayor Pedro B. Acharon, Jr.
Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio
ABS-CBN Regional Network Group
Bariles Republic
GOLD SPONSORS:
ACLC-Skeptron Ventures, Inc.
Gregoria Printing Press
International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
Grab A Crab Restaurant and Coffee Club 101
SILVER SPONSORS:
Asia United Bank
NoKiAHOST.COM - P5/day Philippines Webhosting
Family Country Hotel and Convention Center
East Asia Royale Hotel
BRONZE SPONSORS:
GensanSALE.COM - AnyThings for Sale in Gensan
Blogging from Home Book
Pacific Seas Seafood Market
Shalom-Crest Wizard Academy
Generals Logimark Exponent
Prints and You
Sta. Cruz Seafood, Inc.
Dellosa Design Builders, Inc.
Forest Lake San Carlos
Rolees Bakery & Cafe

Blogging coercion at its best! Why I am blogging from now on

2008-09-29T21:53:00.000+08:00

I'm going to tell you why am I taking time to wrinkle my forehead now and looking at my blank blogger post board. You see, I have this difficulty of putting my thoughts into one comprehensible piece of reading material . One more thing, I get eye strain galore staring at any computer monitor. Heck, I couldn't even last longer than one hour on my PC!

You know what I think? It's pretty cool being a blogger. Or at least, earn some semblance of the millions who frolicked on blogosphere. But that's all about what I can muster. I don't have that drive to even start or create my own blog!

Well, at least until one guy intruded into my silent, blissful privacy and convinced me to blog. Its been months since my friend BoneDoc ~~a dispassionate blogger and brilliantly compulsive writer~~ encourage me to write.

Here's what he did:

Hacked into my PC (with my permission of course)
Verbosely set up a blogger blog with my name on it (yes Ligaya is my idea)
He had a one-on-two lecture (with me and Rain), a crash course actually on blogging whatyamacallit..
He even dragged me to the Wordcamp 2008, and made me listen (or see) to blogophobes getting a turn on Wordpress!(shh!.not M.M.)

Thus, here I am folks and you will soon discover how lunatic I can be. Or has been.

Wait! Of course I have my personal reasons for blogging lest I would be called a hypocrite. Or should I be? For one, writing is a good way to stimulate once mind. By stimulate I mean the non hormonal type.Some say its a better way to enhance writing skills. At least, I will have an opportunity organizing my thoughts and a way of expressing and rediscovering myself huh?!!! Two, I still think blogging is a virtual diary where I can put my heart out, reveal my thoughts and uncover my soul, under the terms of my disclosure policy of course. Three, I hope at least one single soul can relate to me as I write about my life's journey. Which leads me to my fourth reason- meet new friends and learn from the too (yipee I won't be autistic and anti social anymore! hahaha).

Now, that is one big reason don't you think?!!

I am....

2008-09-02T14:33:00.000+08:00

Like the WATER.....
flowing,
nurturing,
raging.

Like the WIND.....
chilling,
calming,
coiling.

Like the FIRE.....
blazing,
burning,
inferno.

Like the EARTH.....
evolving,
breathing,
burrowing.

A SPIRIT.......
mysterious,
frolicsome,
wandering,
fervent,
loving,
endless....