Gulugod Baboy the second time around

Our Outdoor org had our fun climb at Mt. Gulugod Baboy last February 23-24, 2008. It was my second time to be there.

We left Manila at around 10:30 AM via a rented van. We reached Mabini, Batangas at around 2 PM, had lunch, did some grocery shopping for our food and then rode a jeep that brought us to the jump off point. Our jump off point this time was different. We trekked for just less than an hour (as compared to our first climb in 2004 which took us more than 2 hours). We reached the camp site at around 4:30 PM where we immediately pitched our tents. After a few minutes of rest, we went to the summit. The view was breathtaking. We were surrounded by hills and down below, bodies of water. Again, we were able to witness the beautiful sunset and had our pictures taken.

The following morning, some woke up for the sunrise, but unfortunately, it was cloudy. We had a quick breakfeast, break camp and by 9:30 AM, we were ready for the trek down. This time, we followed the same route we had in 2004. By 11:30 AM, we reached Philpan Dive Resort. There we had lunch, a little swim (where my foot was scraped by a sharp stone in the beach, ouch!) and by 3:30 PM, we were ready for our trip back to Manila.

Overall, it was a good climb. It was not so hot. It rained for a while in the morning but it was not that strong. It stopped long before we started our descent. It was also an opportunity to meet and be acquainted with officemates from other accounts.

Notable note: we were more pampered when we were with Mobsters and friends ahihi. The guys in the group were in charge of carrying the tent, group equipment and most of the food. We had lesser load of water whereas the guys had more.

the mountaineer

campsite

a walk to the summit
watching the sunset. mahangin sa labas :p
ready for descent

Gulugod Baboy Itinerary

Feb 23-24, 2008 (Sat / Sun)

Beach / Trekking and Camping Gulugod Baboy in Anilao, Batangas

ITINERARY:

DAY 1

9:00 AM Assembly 7-11 Buendia (Early lunch or packed lunch)

9:30 AM ETD Mabini, Batangas

12:00 NN ETA Pier Flyover (rent a jeep going to Mabini, Batangas)

12:45 PM ETA Mabini Palengke

1:00 PM Lunch sa Palengke (rent a jeep going to Pinagbanderahan)

2:00 PM ETD Pinagbanderahan jump off

2:30 PM ETA Pinagbanderahan jump off (start trek)

3:00 PM Campsite na!!! Prepare Dinner

4:00 PM Optional to go to other summit, pitch tent, cook dinner, etc...

8:00 PM Socials

10:30 PM Lights out

DAY 2

07:00 AM Wake up call Prepare Breakfast

08:00 AM Break Camp

08:30 AM Start Descent

09:30 AM ETA Philpan Beach Resort Lunch and swimming

02:00 PM Get ready for departure.

03:00 PM ETD Philpan

03:30 PM ETA Jeppney stop going to Pier Flyover

04:30 PM ETA Pier Flyover

05:00 PM ETD for Manila

07:30 PM ETA Manila

:)

Bakit ako?

This is a commonly asked question, which I have been asking myself a lot lately. Bakit nga ba ako? Pwede namang hindi or pwede namang kami or sila. Pero bakit kailangan ako? To think na…well I know I have the option to do something but then again, I know I won’t still get the results I want. I would still have to do it anyway. So which is better? Question and exhaust myself or just do and be done with it? Another hayz.

Kwela si Lord

For the past days until now, I really don't feel good about everything. Going to work was almost a torture. So on Monday before I went to sleep, I prayed that hopefully, I’d wake up by Tuesday more energetic. But what I got was the weirdest dream so far haha. Napanaginipan ko ang isang taong di ko ineexpect na mapanaginipan ko haha. Grabe talaga. Ito ang panalong line ko sa panaginip: “Pigilan mo ako. Ayaw kong magfall sa kanya.” Wahahaha. Watda?! I woke up laughing and everytime I remember it, I still can’t help but laugh.

Unfortunately though, I still feel the gloom. Hayz.

5 years!

Before I totally forget, I celebrated my 5th year anniversary with the company last February 10, 2008 :). I’ll be receiving a Timex watch and a shirt from the company as a token.

Sometimes I still can’t believe that I’ve been here this long.

Below are some highlights of my 5 years:

• Of course, I met new friends in the team which I’m sure will be my friends for a lifetime
• From an ASE to SSE
• Voted as Rookie of the Year in 2003 then as Best Engineer of the Year in 2006
• From ASP Classic to .NET and from MS Access to MS SQL
• From programming to analysis to programming to analysis to programming…
• A total of 4 site transfers. Can’t remember the total number of floor transfers but I’m sure it’s more than the site transfers.
• A total of 4 different (as in different in terms of management) managers.
• From a team of 5 members to currently 20 members.
• From being shielded from the directors to sometimes “rubbing elbows” with them hehe
• Q4 syndrome wahaha. Pramis. Last year lang ata wala hahaha.
• Wafer, Tortillos, Ref cake, Aysee, IO
• Pb, Sm
• Etc.

Project Anthurium

Since my brothers and sisters who are busy at the garden don’t have time to clean the flowers, I took the chance to do it when I was home last weekend. The weeds are already taller than the anthuriums huhu.

Anthuriums are expensive but we were able to buy some propagates (planting materials) when I received my tuition refund (due to a scholarship) in Second Year high school. I think we only bought 25 pieces of propagate at that time. There were also some given by neighbors and friends.

Habang ako nagpapakahirap maglinis, yung mga manok namimiyesta sa mga bvulate at insekto.

Weeds and flowers together.

Propagates that need replanting.

So where’s the weeded planting area? Unfortunately, I was not able to complete it to think that I’ve been working on it since Saturday and Sunday hehe. Akalain mong mahirap pala. So ayun, itutuloy ng kapatid ko. (Sana! At dapat lang kasi kung hindi…lagot sya sa akin hehe) I’m also thinking of converting this into real business. Well, let’s see.

Good reads:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthurium
• http://www.mixph.com/2007/02/growing-anthurium.html

Abot ko ang langit

These are pictures taken on our way home from Mt. Sto. Tomas at around 4 PM on February 1, 2008. This is already in our barangay (nasa paanan kami ng Mt. Sto. Tomas). This is a common view even during the summer. I’m always amazed while watching the fog go up the mountain. It feels like I’m in heaven :). Take note. Though the fog is thick, it doesn’t mean that it will rain.

Mt. Sto. Tomas

Mt. Sto Tomas is Baguio's highest peak and the second highest mountain in Benguet (next to Mt. Pulag). It's often a destination for hikers. The peak is 7,500 feet high and it offers a view of Baguio City, La Union province and even South China Sea. This can be reached by foot or by vehicle.

There are giant twin radars thus the place is also sometimes called "Radar". There’s an old joke that these radars are in fact giant electric fans that’s why Baguio is cold hehe (and some people really believe it :D). There are also other telecommunications towers in the area.

This is a popular place especially during the Holy Week because this is where St. Paul parish built its Stations of the Cross and so this is where the community gathers.

Last weekend, I've had the chance to visit the place again (to attend to my aunt's burial, whose house is on top of the mountain). It's freezing when you are in the shade (you need at least two jackets, a bonnet, and thick socks) but it's extremely hot when you're directly under the sun. In fact, I got sunburned and now, I have to nurse my sunburned arms and neck. What a weird weather.

Radar - Baguio's two electric fans :)
Highest peak (I guess). I'm two kilometers away.

BBBS - Big Brother Big Sister

I received the below email (just screen captured for easier posting) and I was struck because most of their projects are in the Cordillera region (where its one province, particularly Benguet, happens to be my hometown). I'm not sure if it's legit but searching further, I came across the group's website. Read on (and hope you'll be inspired and touched :)).