With a towering height of 2, 922 meters above sea level, majestic Mt. Pulag is the second highest mountain in the Philippines. Being dubbed as the “playground of the gods”, it becomes a dream destination of every Filipino outdoorsman. In Luzon, it is literally the closest to heaven mountaineers can get!It was a dream come true for a group of mountaineers to make it to the heart and to the summit of Mt. Pulag.
It took almost two months of preparation for the Kamandag Barikus mountaineering group to gather enough donations for their Climb For A Cause entitled "Tulong-Dunong sa mga Bata ng Mt. Pulag" specifically intended for Brgy. Palansa Elementary School located at Bokod, Benguet
In cooperation with DENR-Benguet and with the teachers of the said school, we were able to plan all the target activities. Donors around Metro Manila have also been very generous so after the two month-preparation, donations were overflowing. We were able to bring 20 big boxes of school supplies, footwear, textbooks, clothes, teaching aids, and medicines to Palansa.
In cooperation with the DENR-Benguet, the group has started planning for all the target activities. They were informed that the recipient school has only three classrooms, three teachers, and has more than a hundred students from Pre-school to Grade six level. With the said information, the group got more excited to pursue all their plans. Donors around Metro Manila and nearby provinces have also been very generous so after the two month-preparation, donations were overflowing. They were able to gather twenty big boxes of school supplies, footwear, textbooks, clothes, teaching aids, and medicines for Barangay Palansa.
After much preparation and excitement, the group’s most awaited day has come. The eight-hour trip from Manila to Baguio commenced their expedition. After a light breakfast at Baguio around 2:00 A.M., they rented a jeepney that would bring them to Kabayan, Benguet.
Despite the odds such as muddy and zigzag roads going to Ambangeg and some literal pushing of the jeepney, they had finally reached the DENR-Protected Area Office around 6 A.M.
Ma'am Mering, the DENR Superintendent, has welcomed the group with a challenge of becoming part of taking care of the environment. Orientations and registration procedures were done. The group was reminded to RESPECT MT. PULAG the way every mountain should be respected. Other pertinent details about the mountain were discussed like the backgrounds of the Ibaloi and Kankanei tribes residing at the vicinity of Pulag.
After the orientation, they had to wait for a truck that would bring them to the Ranger Station because their jeepney could no longer penetrate the steep and narrow roads going to Barangay Palansa where they had to do an outreach activity for the recipients.The view going to the said school was really beautiful. The green sceneries were so refreshing and the group enjoyed the fresh air.
Then, the recipients were divided into seven groups. Mini-discussions on global warming and on Reduce-Reuse-Recycle Campaign were conducted by the members. The fun games were also enjoyed by the kids. Despite the heat of the sun, everyone participated in the whole program.
Before the gift giving part, one of the mountaineers explained to the kids the group’s mission. She told the kids to study harder and not to give up despite life's difficulties they are and may encounter someday. She told them that those books and school supplies they’ve brought should remind them of the real essence of education and that those slippers should inspire them to keep going...
She ended by saying,
“Your place is really beautiful. Continue taking care of it and be proud of who you are.”
She also thanked them by saying,
“We were more inspired by your presence and your sincere smiles. As we climb Mt. Pulag this afternoon, we will bring the joy of being with you today.”
Thanks to all who have supported us in this noble mission.
In cooperation with the DENR-Benguet, the group has started planning for all the target activities. They were informed that the recipient school has only three classrooms, three teachers, and has more than a hundred students from Pre-school to Grade six level. With the said information, the group got more excited to pursue all their plans. Donors around Metro Manila and nearby provinces have also been very generous so after the two month-preparation, donations were overflowing. They were able to gather twenty big boxes of school supplies, footwear, textbooks, clothes, teaching aids, and medicines for Barangay Palansa.
After much preparation and excitement, the group’s most awaited day has come. The eight-hour trip from Manila to Baguio commenced their expedition. After a light breakfast at Baguio around 2:00 A.M., they rented a jeepney that would bring them to Kabayan, Benguet.
Despite the odds such as muddy and zigzag roads going to Ambangeg and some literal pushing of the jeepney, they had finally reached the DENR-Protected Area Office around 6 A.M.
Ma'am Mering, the DENR Superintendent, has welcomed the group with a challenge of becoming part of taking care of the environment. Orientations and registration procedures were done. The group was reminded to RESPECT MT. PULAG the way every mountain should be respected. Other pertinent details about the mountain were discussed like the backgrounds of the Ibaloi and Kankanei tribes residing at the vicinity of Pulag.After the orientation, they had to wait for a truck that would bring them to the Ranger Station because their jeepney could no longer penetrate the steep and narrow roads going to Barangay Palansa where they had to do an outreach activity for the recipients.The view going to the said school was really beautiful. The green sceneries were so refreshing and the group enjoyed the fresh air.
Finally, they arrived at the school where more than a hundred recipients, together with their parents and teachers were waiting. The group was welcomed with sincere smiles, waves, and inspiring presentations. During the opening program, the parents and the three teachers rendered a very beautiful song. The kids had their “monkey dance” and a song interpretation which really touched the hearts of the mountaineers.
Then, the recipients were divided into seven groups. Mini-discussions on global warming and on Reduce-Reuse-Recycle Campaign were conducted by the members. The fun games were also enjoyed by the kids. Despite the heat of the sun, everyone participated in the whole program.
Before the gift giving part, one of the mountaineers explained to the kids the group’s mission. She told the kids to study harder and not to give up despite life's difficulties they are and may encounter someday. She told them that those books and school supplies they’ve brought should remind them of the real essence of education and that those slippers should inspire them to keep going...She ended by saying,
“Your place is really beautiful. Continue taking care of it and be proud of who you are.”
She also thanked them by saying,
“We were more inspired by your presence and your sincere smiles. As we climb Mt. Pulag this afternoon, we will bring the joy of being with you today.”
With overwhelming joy in their hearts, each of the recipients has received an envelope containing school supplies, pair of slippers, and clothes. Some have received school bags and vitamins. The teachers, on the other hand, have also been given textbooks and teaching aids. The parents have also appreciated the simple gifts given to them. Each was so thankful for the gifts they have received.
Fulfilled, the mountaineers bid them goodbye and promised to come back again someday. Those sweet little smiles and innocent eyes of the locals of Palansa will never be forgotten...Those same smiles gave them strength as they headed towards the Ranger Station, where mountaineers prepare themselves for the actual climb.
The freezing weather at the Ranger Station (located at the height of 2, 500 meters above sea level) made everyone be more excited for the actual ascend. After a late heavy lunch (4 P.M) the group penetrated the foggy trail going to Camp 1.
The sign says it’s 8 kms. away from the summit so the more that they got excited for the trek. One even asked himself,
“Could I walk that far with my 40-liter backpack?”
The rest said, “We could do it!”, with smiles on their faces.
It was already sunset when they reached camp 1 and despite their trembling knees they had to move on to the higher ground and had to pass through the forested area going to Camp 2. It was around 8 P.M. when they arrived at camp 2.
It was really cold in there. Their bodies were trembling so they had to set up the tents immediately so they could rest. Despite the thick sleeping bags and double-jackets, gloves, socks, bonnets, their bodies were still trembling. They felt like freezing there. Each could hardly sleep.
Finally around 3:30 A.M. they had to prepare for the actual climb towards the so they could see the magical sunrise. The guide says,
“It’s a more than an hour walk before we reach the summit.”
So with our headlamps on, they started the trek. The more they got higher, the colder it became. They were so excited to witness the sunrise at Pulag. After an hour, they reached the grassland. It was already dawn and they had the first glimpse of the summit and it made them more joysful.
The sun was about to show itself. It was probably a hundred steps away from the roof of Luzon, so the climbers felt that they had to hurry for them not to miss the sunrise. Walking in a single file, they got more and more excited.
Finally, the twenty-five of them, made it to 2,922 meters above sea level, making them be on top of Luzon. The magnificent sunrise and sea of clouds phenomenon were breathtaking. They were literally higher than the clouds.
They were jumping, hugging, and congratulating one another for making it there. Those smiles from Barangay Palansa brought them to the “Roof of Luzon”, that is Pulag.
At the summit, they faced the sun, widely spread their arms and thanked God for the gift of life, for the gift of nature, for the gift of a beautiful world.
With the memory of Barangay Palansa and of the trek they had just to reach the summit, they were one in saying,
“God is great!”
Fulfilled, the mountaineers bid them goodbye and promised to come back again someday. Those sweet little smiles and innocent eyes of the locals of Palansa will never be forgotten...Those same smiles gave them strength as they headed towards the Ranger Station, where mountaineers prepare themselves for the actual climb.
The freezing weather at the Ranger Station (located at the height of 2, 500 meters above sea level) made everyone be more excited for the actual ascend. After a late heavy lunch (4 P.M) the group penetrated the foggy trail going to Camp 1.
The sign says it’s 8 kms. away from the summit so the more that they got excited for the trek. One even asked himself,
“Could I walk that far with my 40-liter backpack?”
The rest said, “We could do it!”, with smiles on their faces.
It was already sunset when they reached camp 1 and despite their trembling knees they had to move on to the higher ground and had to pass through the forested area going to Camp 2. It was around 8 P.M. when they arrived at camp 2.
It was really cold in there. Their bodies were trembling so they had to set up the tents immediately so they could rest. Despite the thick sleeping bags and double-jackets, gloves, socks, bonnets, their bodies were still trembling. They felt like freezing there. Each could hardly sleep.
Finally around 3:30 A.M. they had to prepare for the actual climb towards the so they could see the magical sunrise. The guide says,
“It’s a more than an hour walk before we reach the summit.”
So with our headlamps on, they started the trek. The more they got higher, the colder it became. They were so excited to witness the sunrise at Pulag. After an hour, they reached the grassland. It was already dawn and they had the first glimpse of the summit and it made them more joysful.
The sun was about to show itself. It was probably a hundred steps away from the roof of Luzon, so the climbers felt that they had to hurry for them not to miss the sunrise. Walking in a single file, they got more and more excited.
Finally, the twenty-five of them, made it to 2,922 meters above sea level, making them be on top of Luzon. The magnificent sunrise and sea of clouds phenomenon were breathtaking. They were literally higher than the clouds.
They were jumping, hugging, and congratulating one another for making it there. Those smiles from Barangay Palansa brought them to the “Roof of Luzon”, that is Pulag.
At the summit, they faced the sun, widely spread their arms and thanked God for the gift of life, for the gift of nature, for the gift of a beautiful world.
With the memory of Barangay Palansa and of the trek they had just to reach the summit, they were one in saying,
“God is great!”
Thanks to all who have supported us in this noble mission.
Kamandag Barikus ASAS Mountaineers
t.leslie_irang@yahoo.com
t.leslie_irang@yahoo.com
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