My PULAGracious Experience

Mount Pulag in Kabayan, Benguet at 2,952 meters above sea level is the highest mountain in Luzon and the second highest mountain in the Philippines.  It is a favorite destination of mountaineers in the country and even foreigners for its sacred ground, endangered flora and fauna species, freezing cold temperature and the beautiful view during sunrise. I am privileged to be a member of Team Armor who conquered Mount Pulag on 20 May 2012 in coordination with Travel Factor as part of the command’s summer outing activities.

At around 0600 of 20 May 2012, we left Good Taste Restaurant in Baguio City bound for DENR and arrived thereat at about 0900 for the registration and orientation.  The orientation included the do’s and don’ts at Mount Pulag and some reminders to be strictly followed considering that Mount Pulag is considered as a sacred mountain especially for the natives.  At 1030, the group proceeded to the Ranger Station.  It was a very long and winding road wherein if you failed to take Bonamine before the jum-off, you’ll feel nauseated.  The drivers are very skilled and noteworthy during the trip was the four inches clearance of the jeep tires from the ravine that brought me into silence for prayer while my male counterparts were screaming to stop the vehicle and just walk (armor soldiers always consider the safety of the vehicle in terrains which are not tankable).  After two hours of feeling dizzy, we arrived at the Ranger Station where we had our lunch. We hired porters to carry our backpacks.  Everyone was amazed to see female porters carrying our backpacks.  At about 1330, we started the trek to the camp site. I was with the group of CMS Cabonce, PFC Mendoza and PFC Martin.  After one hour and 40 minutes hike under the continues heavy rain pour, we arrived at the camp site where we established the tents for the overnight stay while waiting for the schedule to assault the summit.  How we wished the rain to stop so we can enjoy the ambiance of the site watching the stars and the moon however, the weather in Mount Pulad is so unpredictable.  Our overnight stay inside the tent was a 360 degrees twist from the luxuries we had in Camp O’Donnell.  The very cold temperature at 18 degrees Celsius inside and more or less 14 degrees Celsius outside made everyone uncomfortable.  Nevertheless, one nice compliment from Travel Factor was the very nice dinner of adobong baboy and corn soup. With the used tarpaulin of my nephew during his birthday, a sleeping bag folded into four, a malong with bonnet, socks and thermal jacket on, and while others were chilling, I was able to sleep well.  My previous assignment in Bukidnon helped me a lot in adjusting my body with the freezing cold temperature in Mount Pulag.

How about the call of nature?  Attending to our personal necessities was one of our problems as we are not allowed to have it just anywhere.  They have designated latrines however, with the very cold temperature outside no one dared to go to the latrine.  Anyway, leave it to us, the “Zip-Lock Ladies” where we really had a very close bonding session especially with Miss Joan and Maquee whom I knew just a day before the trek.

At about 0330, we woke up and prepared for the summit assault.  The rain has stopped at 0400 so our assault was delayed for an hour.  We started our trek at about 0500 and at about 0600, I conquered the Summit of Mount Pulag and that was after one hour and five minutes hike from the camp site together with the lead guide Ate Jen and PFC Mendoza while LTC IBON, MAJOR BANDILLA and Pfc Martin were ahead of us for a couple of minutes.  After 15 minutes, MAJOR FAMOSO followed by MAJOR LICAY, MAJOR VALDEZ and Major Igmen arrived at the summit.  CPT NAVARRO was also able to make it to the top after 30 minutes thus; ten (10) trekkers from the Team Armor conquered the summit while the others only reached Peak 3 and remained at the camp site.  We missed the mass celebrated by CPT BALISTOY at the Camp Site for we waited for the others at the top.  After an hour of enjoying the beautiful sceneries at the summit which was overlooking Sagada and Kabayan and some souvenir shots with fellow trekkers and GENERAL ALCANTARA, Commander of Northern Luzon Command, we headed back to the camp site for breakfast.  

After some photo ops at the camp site, we started the hike back to the Ranger Station at 0900 and had our boodlefight of rice, corned beef, century tuna and scrambled eggs for lunch.  Although the menu was for breakfast, the trekkers enjoyed the meal.  At 1300, we left the Ranger Station by foot bound to the Jeep Terminal that was more or less 500 meters away.  The driver and the jeep were already waiting for us and we took Bonamine again to prepare ourselves for the trip along the winding road.  At 1400, while onboard the jeep, we left the terminal bound to the DENR Station to log out and buy souvenir items.  We also had a side trip to the famous Ambuklao Dam of Benguet.  At 1630, we arrived at the AFP Transient Facility in Navy Base, Baguio City where we had our wash-up and prepared for entrucking  back to Headquarters Light Armor Division.

Although I am not a certified mountaineer, I have conquered mountains from Luzon to Visayas and Mindanao such as Mount Mahagnao in Leyte, Mount Samat in Bataan for two times, Mount Musuan in Valencia, Bukidnon trice and Mount Pinatubo twice, my trekking experience in Mount Pulag, Kabayan, Benguet is the best experience worthy to be written in my blog.  Aside from being the highest mountain in Luzon and the second highest mountain in the entire Philippines, conquering Mount Pulag requires a lot of patience and preparation like the physical condition of the trekker and the equipment used for the duration of the trek. No words can explain the fulfilment I had for being called as Team Armor’s First Woman Conqueror of Mount Pulag.  Likewise, seeing the female and male natives working as porters and our overnight stay at the camp site made me feel blessed because of the quality of life I have.  Likewise, it was one way to thank God for His wonderful creations and take part in its preservation and conservation.

Kudos Team Armor for conquering Mount Pulag and thank you Mr Ron Gabadon, Expedition Leader of Travel Factor and his assistants Eds and Arjay for making our trek full of fun and adventure!  To our Commander, MGEN CARLOS E LUCES AFP, thank you so much Sir for the support.

Mount Pinatubo Escapade

My first wish list for Summer 2012 already came true.  At exactly 10:00A.M., 19 April 2012, our group reached the crater of Mount Pinatubo in Zambales, Philippine after two (2) hours of walking.  Although it was already my second time to climb the mountain, I still enjoyed the trek, captured more photos and burned a lot of calories! I couldn't believe, Tatang named me as "Superwoman" because according to her, I was not tired despite of the very long walk.

A pose with Ate Teth Allardo at the signage 15 minutes before reaching the crater

The long and very rocky road to Mount Pinatubo.

The crater of Mount Pinatubo.

Wish List for Summer 2012

Its more fun in the Philippines!  Definitely yes! For the past years, my summer was focused on working and working and working and I did not have time to unwind and enjoy the favorite season of our fellows. For this year, I have four wishes and hope that I would be able to make at least two of these to come true.

First and foremost is the trek to Mount Pinatubo, Zambales on the third week of April.  Although I was able to climb this famous mountain sometime in 2006 when I was assigned in TRADOC, Philippine Army, I still want to conquer it for the second time around to experience the short trek compared to the six (6) hours we had before.  I am excited for this trek for the reason that people close to me will be joining us and I will not be wearing battle dress uniform with an M16 rifle and bandoler with loaded magazines.  That time, our students were having their marches and bivouacs thus, we have to be in full combat gear.  This time, I will be a tourist for this activity.

Secondly, I want to treat myself by swimming in the beautiful beach of San Fabian, Pangasinan on the last week of April.  My nephew will be celebrating his 7th birthday on 28 April and on the 29th is my mother's second death anniversary and I am planning to have the two occasion celebrated in the beach with people close to me as guests.  This venue is perfect to relax myself from the busy schedules I had for the past months and spend quality time with the people I love.

My third wish for this summer is to conquer Mount Pulag.  Actually, our boss has this plan and I was tasked to make the plan and do the coordination with Travel Factor so I will take the opportunity to join their group.  In addition, I am being challenged by a group of people featured in Rated K sometime in March 2012 who have physical disabilities who conquered the mountain.  They have prosthetic legs and yet, they were able to make it to the peak!  If they can, why can't I? 

My last wish is to visit Capas Shrine.  Yes, its just our neighbor and I have been assigned in Tarlac for years but still unable to get inside the shrine.  I only reached the gate of the shrine when our students had their map reading and I was tasked to supervise them.  Hopefully before the summer ends, I can get inside and look at the names of my relatives who died during World War II.  Likewise, there is a picnic ground inside where I could spend quality time to people close to me.