tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31888541183931590842024-03-13T08:48:27.123-07:00LAGATAW<b>where the vagabond is home</b>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.comBlogger178125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-10592415416185698662020-03-08T04:17:00.000-07:002020-03-08T04:37:48.022-07:00Being in the Right Place at the Wrong Time<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UlKFJnyuqxRgHuTK6JHP1Gn_tgjvLWjUgBo06Htpj5tVkP7ImGxi885yRkeWrPcgeEDBHhUbjq-7Jm5bwmrP3hu1dxkQfPnbw_Rs_maPQoxeAh-9mMTu5GMLa-QjuYcv-6x41lgOAzPt/s1600/morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UlKFJnyuqxRgHuTK6JHP1Gn_tgjvLWjUgBo06Htpj5tVkP7ImGxi885yRkeWrPcgeEDBHhUbjq-7Jm5bwmrP3hu1dxkQfPnbw_Rs_maPQoxeAh-9mMTu5GMLa-QjuYcv-6x41lgOAzPt/s640/morning.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once you dub this place as a 'hidden paradise' it ceases to be one</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How do you travel? Do you travel just to find a venue for
your being: your youness? Do you go to the beach or the mountains so that you
and your friends could run around; or play <i>hugot</i> songs on JBL speakers; or to
celebrate the birthday of your kid; or to sport your top-of-the-line drone; or
to drown yourself in your <i>‘bigay ng seaman friend ko’</i> whisky; or to find
isolation for your pot session; or to enjoy the bonfire; or to flirt with a
coworker and have sex? Then it’s still about you: not the beach nor the
mountain. I understand, that’s what we mean by having fun. We probably cannot
have that fun in a mall. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>That’s the default idea for enjoying a place or ‘getting
a life’</b></span>. </span>I am not suggesting that we stop this practice altogether! That would
be outrageous. What I’m getting at is that we try to explore some channels for our
idea of fun.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="color: blue;"><b>Let’s try to give room to the idea of enjoying the place by letting
it be</b></span></span><b>;</b> by letting the moment be about the beach or the mountain and not how you can
utilize it for the sake of your fun. No, it’s not just for the solo travelers. In
a Celestine Prophecy kind of world, like-minded individuals could gather in a
place, not necessarily interacting with each other but individually celebrating
the being of the place.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IMztWPAAllWWhsWN9jQCucnogb4agXYp-mqxPXA9xKlqyESRxBrS3Qy3MbAAo13ZUE5gVvUscD6Q8GAp1e3H-rTmLmxJi6bh2Vz2Iv70EH3NA_rkzn5-kKeR8FeCnZqIjeN9FPQEJzRC/s1600/the+cove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IMztWPAAllWWhsWN9jQCucnogb4agXYp-mqxPXA9xKlqyESRxBrS3Qy3MbAAo13ZUE5gVvUscD6Q8GAp1e3H-rTmLmxJi6bh2Vz2Iv70EH3NA_rkzn5-kKeR8FeCnZqIjeN9FPQEJzRC/s640/the+cove.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Later that day, my isolated tent would be joined by a group of seventeen, then of five, of four, another four, and another four.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lagataw treks have always been that way. The climb party may
gather at some stations and have some discussion (that could get loud sometimes)
but these discussions are normally about how nature tamed and controlled us, and
not us utilizing nature; it is about how it is to be in a place. And when we do
get loud,<b> <span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it is in celebration of our victory over ourselves: for pushing our
limits and limiting our push</span></b><span style="font-size: small;">,</span> or a joke as a temporary relief from the battle
we call the climb. We get to know ourselves deeper by acknowledging our own
extents and limits that nature has shown us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last weekend, I was thrilled by the idea of being on a quiet beach--to be in a
space-time reality where it is all about the beach and not about me or my
issues in life. I just wanted to listen to the sound of the waves and get to
know the cove; how it is at night and how it is as I peep through my tent in
the morning; to enjoy the ebb and flow of the waves evidenced by their lulling
sound in the dark. Unfortunately, the place that has been dubbed as a hidden
paradise was indeed a paradise for those who wanted to have fun. Talk about
being in the right place at the wrong time! And the sound of the waves was
drowned by the general idea of fun that night; the music of the cicadas was muted
by the chorus of <i>‘hindi tayo puhwedeeee, pinagtagpo pero di tinadhana’</i>
by a group gathered around a bonfire; and the glimmer of fireflies was adulterated
by LED fairy lights. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How naïve was I to
think that a place that has been YouTubed as a hidden paradise could still be
hidden on a weekend! I should give Wednesday a try next time.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><i>Saksi ang piping lampara sa gabing puno ng 'kasiyahan'. Play in Dolby surround 7.1 system</i></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sayang ka kung wala kang nakita sa ulan kundi ang basa sa
iyong katawan. Sayang ka kung wala kang nakita sa araw kundi ang sunog sa iyong
balat. </i>I want to extend the lyrics of that song to <i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Sayang ka aking kaibigan
kung wala kang nadama sa kalikasan kundi ang iyong pansariling kasiyahan.</b></span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-80213519909851410322020-01-11T20:20:00.002-08:002022-06-21T01:05:10.858-07:00I've become so used to memes that I've lost the talent to create titles to blog posts including this one. See, there's a period. How could this be a title?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUBGS0qDevT4gEIVmu5g8rwzxnOw0deUWGFuVozF6gw-MrK44ondv7doAVxjmAewWOKHeMHmFsxVWZvnEhe4wLVZSo2J3MNmKZOafhacYpIPAoyRewVIowODCNkn_J6TcDKZkOFRmbWnL/s1600/20200112_112243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUBGS0qDevT4gEIVmu5g8rwzxnOw0deUWGFuVozF6gw-MrK44ondv7doAVxjmAewWOKHeMHmFsxVWZvnEhe4wLVZSo2J3MNmKZOafhacYpIPAoyRewVIowODCNkn_J6TcDKZkOFRmbWnL/s400/20200112_112243.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This morning a friend asked 'Ser, kelan ka magbabalik?' And before I could give an honest answer, the whole history of lagataw flashed through my mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fifteen years ago, I went hiking for the first time. Then it became a goal. I'd make it a point to climb a mountain once a month. I made a list, a little black book, a blog. Then it became my nature. It was no longer an effort. My world had been rearranged. I just woke up one day and all my friends had hydration packs and trekking poles instead of Marlboro packs and sticks. I gravitated towards heights wherever I lived. Cantabaco and Alegria when in Cebu; Batulao when in Tagaytay; everywhere when in Benguet; and a slackline when in the city. Then I became procreative in my passion, adding a handful of nouns in the glossary of Philippine mountaineering. In case you didn't know, I coined Bakun Trio and Luzon 3-2-1, without any intention or vision, whatsoever to make them the standard name to those itineraries. They were just pompous titles to my albums in the now defunct multiply.com. And not so long ago, I added the highfalutin terms, KKB and Timbak U. And only a chosen few were able to understand. This was probably the pinnacle of my outdoors life. The outdoors had literally become my career. It was a lie when I would post 'the return of lagataw' on my wall, because there was no return, so to speak. My absence was just an effort to suppress the itch to climb. Climbing was my default drive and the question 'Kelan ka magbabalik?' required no answer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And suddenly today, that question has become meaningful. It has become something I can relate to, something I have to ponder upon. And now it requires an answer I cannot readily give.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Will bringing back this backpack full of camping stuff straight out of the holidays guarantee the revival of lagataw?</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-88629089621191548642019-02-22T09:05:00.000-08:002019-03-21T22:38:41.076-07:00The Larry Project (Phase 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zrtU70LNlJQX-AoQtfUSkJfK4nM7dQNeB-4izMAPScwpPkxws2Rkjl6ua4FQd2Te8Wt4QfpquY1E6J8Z0M-G1t9-1MHUWRegesDAq60Sfgz2YB4gqHsf1twU4Hla5-vkDZL8C-oGnQXx/s1600/The+Larry+Project.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zrtU70LNlJQX-AoQtfUSkJfK4nM7dQNeB-4izMAPScwpPkxws2Rkjl6ua4FQd2Te8Wt4QfpquY1E6J8Z0M-G1t9-1MHUWRegesDAq60Sfgz2YB4gqHsf1twU4Hla5-vkDZL8C-oGnQXx/s640/The+Larry+Project.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't see in Larry Apolinario the same spark I saw in John Ray Onifa. It was Kevin Jauod, the race director of Tracing Iraynon-Bukidnon Trails (TIBT), who convinced me to initiate The Larry Project. Larry's first race was the inaugural TIBT 2017 in Laua-an, Antique (his hometown) where he crossed the finish line a few minutes behind the champ John Ray in the 21K category. We couldn't afford to support both Larry and John Ray so Stingray (John Ray) had to be the first to try it internationally. Meanwhile, Larry joined a few races (both road and trail) in Panay and Negros but none of these races were marathon distance. When I found out that his personal best in 21K was 1:17, it was my cue to launch The Larry Project. A few hours after I posted my solicitation call on my Facebook wall, donations started pouring in including a $100 pledge from a friend in the US. I immediately booked a roundtrip ticket for Larry and registered him for Pilipinas Akyathlon (49K). It was going to be his first ultra distance. I then messaged Jonathan Sulit of Talahib Eco Runners (Larry's team) for additional support and they were able to raise more funds than needed to cover Larry's new trail running shoes, living allowance in Baguio for 7 days and his registration for KOTM's Old Spanish Trail (50K) which was scheduled 7 days after Pilipinas Akyathlon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The initial game plan was just experience and exposure but when I checked the start list and saw no formidable contender we had to change our mission: we'll take the top spot! I summarized exposure and experience for him in front of the course map. I taught him basic course map reading, focusing on warnings against possibilities of straying off course. I taught him how to utilize the elevation profile and the placement of aid stations in strategizing. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXrWZDk4qlhlgoC9AUTMaNwT60qPwml_F4yo-6wzQI2ukkjYIKV2XIy7Jife4y42DkIPvYBwIVIoN7Pchb38Dbgcx8vX5ovd2yDc6nxH-Ya898khTOBSAwEYfyGSM7DiajJWNT2VxRLGO/s1600/Larry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="324" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXrWZDk4qlhlgoC9AUTMaNwT60qPwml_F4yo-6wzQI2ukkjYIKV2XIy7Jife4y42DkIPvYBwIVIoN7Pchb38Dbgcx8vX5ovd2yDc6nxH-Ya898khTOBSAwEYfyGSM7DiajJWNT2VxRLGO/s640/Larry.jpg" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">summarizing exposure and experience in the form of a map reading lesson<br />
(photo courtesy of Limuel Lajo of Talahib Eco Runners)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He did succeed in not straying off course and not mistakenly following the 21K route. But I forgot to tell him that on road sections one may not see as many trail markings as hoped. I could only advise him that in sections where he is in doubt, it'd be better to wait for another fast runner to confirm whether they are on the right track. And so he did. He was a strong bet in the race, consistently leading the pack until that fateful section where he had to wait for the runner following him. It was the last 5km of the 49-km course. At the last aid station the two of them were cheerfully having their last fill. The news was relayed to us at the finish line that they both had agreed to leave AS5 at the same time and sprint their way to the finish line. Then he had his first lesson on cramps! And it cost him 7 minutes for the championship title settling for second spot at the time of 6 hours and 35 minutes. He hated himself for the cramps but I just told him that things could have been worse. For a first timer on many levels, it was a perfect play. Some experienced racers go off course or trip and fall. That would have been too hard for him to forgive himself if it had happened to him.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWdnCDC8XKNrMD1uK8AwAlUy8f3b27nFwpachJNJJ7RGxUpGIjLqlYS8iIn0LqdXUASUdOXP-UK3x2VY0NJg60Whbab7W3PvgoP5Dp7xC8yIB2BfiteXg8iDtc4UFAf7VFxlMVjGY6XOl/s1600/20190210_110954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="1363" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWdnCDC8XKNrMD1uK8AwAlUy8f3b27nFwpachJNJJ7RGxUpGIjLqlYS8iIn0LqdXUASUdOXP-UK3x2VY0NJg60Whbab7W3PvgoP5Dp7xC8yIB2BfiteXg8iDtc4UFAf7VFxlMVjGY6XOl/s640/20190210_110954.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awkwardly, he seemed to have gotten the hero's welcome at the finish line instead of the top finisher.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But there was no time to celebrate as another 50K was coming up. After a day's rest, he was again conditioning his muscles on the track oval of Benguet State University. Coming into the KOTM Old Spanish Trail 50K, we were both confident. I pointed out only two names to watch out for: Al Telias and Edgar Puruganan. Although Larry crossed the finish line about 45 minutes ahead of Al Telias in the Akyathlon, Al had the home court advantage as he was not only the course record holder for the OST but also the champion of the same course in the last three consecutive years. In the first two hours of the race, owing to his poor headlamp, Larry had to stick close behind Al Telias, who had better lighting equipment. When the first rays of the sun showed, Larry broke loose never to be overtaken again. In the end, Larry set a new course record clocking in at 6 hours and 39 minutes in the 56-km Old Spanish Trail.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiHmIpB4Sr_Z-muhiJzTk39KHeOgCc4oNN1pPJanVyaFtoe7AJ3q3qiNqFeTJrR435LcjX9iFcVEuW4HedA4cT_FJxc_zvXb6rYOgi4j0b-k7EA5nuUElbb8c2XnQKM7UaWOuzmBIshph/s1600/The+Larry+Project+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="864" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiHmIpB4Sr_Z-muhiJzTk39KHeOgCc4oNN1pPJanVyaFtoe7AJ3q3qiNqFeTJrR435LcjX9iFcVEuW4HedA4cT_FJxc_zvXb6rYOgi4j0b-k7EA5nuUElbb8c2XnQKM7UaWOuzmBIshph/s640/The+Larry+Project+.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larry winning the OST 50K of KOTM series and as predicted, Al Telias and Edgar Puruganan were the only challengers. (Photo credits to Ken of Wild Spaces)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That was the story of glory and might of Larry Apolinario's first ultra distance and first race outside Western Visayas. But I was left wondering why there was no sign of jubilation on his face. He was just constantly on his phone talking to his family and friends not of success and victory but mostly of when he was coming back home. Later on in the evening I told him to thank our major sponsors through Messenger and I was, to say the least, shocked to hear him say 'Napasalamatan ko na to nung Akyathlon a!' I just composed myself and told him 'Mas okay ang paulit ulit na magpasalamat kesa sa paulit ulit na manghingi'. Then I realized it was essentially a difference in perspectives. His was the traditional version where the main motive for gratitude is benefit. Mine was to express gratitude to someone who had intended to help regardless of the benefit. Then I asked myself, what benefit did Larry get out of his back-to-back podium finish? Many of you who are able to read this may say, it's the priceless experience! Fame and popularity matter the least to Larry who's a community-oriented Iraynon from Antique. We never asked if the experience was really priceless for Larry. He's a simple country boy who believes in the principle that when there's hard work there should be reward: material reward. He ran 100 kilometers within 10 days and for what? For a mug? A trophy? I thought all these would matter to him because they do to me. Little did I know that he's from a different world. We have the luxury to appreciate experience because we're through appreciating money. But that's not necessarily the case for Larry. Winning for him means taking home something to celebrate with his community.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vhqcTIeFojMEZh3UAw8FegXuiBaxL00cGzLCiFrzE-Xad8n-1-XsjfvdWlHJqh0iKY8Tg_uSZeFyR3rUiHkBitbRH83wWGEK3LY7qeYD6UsHbTlrAvkIyXGU0E8Glzc5I4h5vaxPhizV/s1600/52719287_837136709962704_3247102649958400000_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1440" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vhqcTIeFojMEZh3UAw8FegXuiBaxL00cGzLCiFrzE-Xad8n-1-XsjfvdWlHJqh0iKY8Tg_uSZeFyR3rUiHkBitbRH83wWGEK3LY7qeYD6UsHbTlrAvkIyXGU0E8Glzc5I4h5vaxPhizV/s640/52719287_837136709962704_3247102649958400000_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Back at home, batchoy made for a simple yet great celebration</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I regret a bit having to subject Larry to such physical struggle and then not giving him the reward he had expected. It was basically our victory that Larry had won for us. It was what we dictated he should be happy about. But as far as Larry was concerned, it was just a waste of his time and energy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We did explain that there would be no cash prize but he gave it the benefit of the doubt that just maybe there would be at least a thousand pesos. In hindsight, it may have been better if we had just handed to him the whole amount we had raised. That wouldn't have changed the facts. It wouldn't have made Larry any less fast than he is. Larry would still be one of the fastest trail runners in the country; one of the few who could pose a threat to John Ray's supremacy. The only difference is that it would have made him and his community where he serves as a barangay kagawad happier.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P4fuJD8RPYHnwBeJjkPpCf9R3cEQOZQ8KmS44zH9-S5cLUnzF6K98kyBqcn7k-Xd3lKAG7-XBCfM0TkRdKb5mLurIUJHs52k78SNv985N2wNz9rSv-0SeYwa57mosgvH_1FKmudNz6P7/s1600/JR+and+Larry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P4fuJD8RPYHnwBeJjkPpCf9R3cEQOZQ8KmS44zH9-S5cLUnzF6K98kyBqcn7k-Xd3lKAG7-XBCfM0TkRdKb5mLurIUJHs52k78SNv985N2wNz9rSv-0SeYwa57mosgvH_1FKmudNz6P7/s640/JR+and+Larry.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It would have been exciting to see the two of them again (for the third time) in the same course. Sadly, Larry was no longer allowed to take a leave from school to join The Cordillera Mountain Ultra. He had been absent for a long time.</i> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was an epiphany of sorts for me. It made me realize that just like many of us, I had been swallowed by the pervasive system of what was once a marginalized community. This community has come to confuse raw sports with financial capacity. I was reminded of the movie 300 where Leonidas asks allied soldiers what their professions are and he gets a potter, a sculptor and a blacksmith in response. Like the Spartans, who were born and raised to fight, many Filipinos in the hinterlands have the physical gifts fit for an international trail racer. But the thing is, the glamour and hype of the popular trail races in the country have made us believe that our office workers who can afford science and technology to somehow transform them into runners is all there is. We have volunteered to shun the thought that there are legit elites out there just waiting for that coveted prize money as opposed to the clamor of Facebook fans. They don't have the star quality so leave them to Milo Marathon, we say. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWCgbee50xI5qrVppTKKmNd8lxKWP8XNOj_uejBe-8ateSipYhrX6TRKCwLRc_4BBjXqaSpFGU4yj3TI2q4aLzvmkwP4m4qoUgiCnnMOVUXlR37MX17m3mbOzWI17RER6agmvmAK5JOhz/s1600/DSC_1385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWCgbee50xI5qrVppTKKmNd8lxKWP8XNOj_uejBe-8ateSipYhrX6TRKCwLRc_4BBjXqaSpFGU4yj3TI2q4aLzvmkwP4m4qoUgiCnnMOVUXlR37MX17m3mbOzWI17RER6agmvmAK5JOhz/s640/DSC_1385.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It was humbling to be part of The Moalaboal Highlands Endurance race whose prize money attracted the elites of the Visayas including the Milo Marathon queen Mary Joy Tabal. Believe me, our trail running idols don't stand a chance against them.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have nothing against lawyers or doctors who've made names in the local trail running scene. In fact, I respect their dedication and discipline. Their perseverance is inspiring. It inspired the teacher in me to train and keep believing that someday I could also step on to that podium. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-mFrf1QV8ChZ4kL0gKuiEIQlIGvowHlbVc5ViV6CHLIuGFM2Vbxipxeiix6lh9fanuwWJRVA_vNincCkfimQ6Sh3BtSnBFur_IMkyEpr9oR7VzhYxAgOmDhobK8mwg5YwfmfsM0a6LSD/s1600/ryan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-mFrf1QV8ChZ4kL0gKuiEIQlIGvowHlbVc5ViV6CHLIuGFM2Vbxipxeiix6lh9fanuwWJRVA_vNincCkfimQ6Sh3BtSnBFur_IMkyEpr9oR7VzhYxAgOmDhobK8mwg5YwfmfsM0a6LSD/s640/ryan2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>There was a time when a 17-year old mountain boy Josiah Ballagan would speed past Ryan Blair (without cheating). It's what's inside that envelope that makes the real elites come out.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe I just miss the time when Josiah Ballagan would go neck and neck with the Kenyans and The North Face Adventure Team for the 15,000-peso prize money in the TNF 100 trail race. Sadly, these days, even medals have been preceded by environmentalism. I like the idea of a no-frills trail run. It has led to healthier lifestyles of our office workers. But this shouldn't stop the original idea of sports: where the mightiest is honored and rewarded accordingly.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNQJ6l2wqsEhyhQ6idBLcNXrY7ljzeA2V4mRdvuyJyJdrDxHU9Hu3QPQ2B5yBBuTe8XHqg_7HbktRVLRqIierCUaoTK6ZnOxd4x-oYTPwwquAePpgWGYkA86Qsg6cGXymCkLph60ZdX1j/s1600/RJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="651" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNQJ6l2wqsEhyhQ6idBLcNXrY7ljzeA2V4mRdvuyJyJdrDxHU9Hu3QPQ2B5yBBuTe8XHqg_7HbktRVLRqIierCUaoTK6ZnOxd4x-oYTPwwquAePpgWGYkA86Qsg6cGXymCkLph60ZdX1j/s640/RJ.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">(not Larry's message...this is of another elite runner)<br />When there's nothing up for grabs. It becomes more of a recreation than a sport. It becomes a mere pastime for the office workers who have extra cash to enroll in a gym and buy foam rollers . The real athletes lose interest.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Honestly, it's easy to discover gems among local runners. You just have to have the right formula! And removing cash prize from the equation is probably not the way to do it. With this, I have resolved to just channel support for Larry to races where the dedication and hard work of our athletes are reciprocated with some reward. And that's The Larry Project Phase 2. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTFTTnlt2q62O8DFfcFeoXZKn1nWxxe-0XA2VYwpleQV-2-Ghh0Kzk1bdSTNXxf273U6SD2dgPhufkJX78qdL91sIxIN4XjQAAFCGwk58-jDTyTF_llAIQoDiYYPbMuZTnHrtDuPFTZ_X/s1600/DS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="693" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTFTTnlt2q62O8DFfcFeoXZKn1nWxxe-0XA2VYwpleQV-2-Ghh0Kzk1bdSTNXxf273U6SD2dgPhufkJX78qdL91sIxIN4XjQAAFCGwk58-jDTyTF_llAIQoDiYYPbMuZTnHrtDuPFTZ_X/s640/DS3.jpg" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fortunately, there are still races in the Visayas that acknowledge the hard work of real athletes. If you want to see the real elites and how you fare alongside them, join this race.</i></td></tr>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-55054364819908223622019-01-20T07:07:00.001-08:002019-02-22T19:23:16.752-08:00How to Organize Treks the Lagataw Way<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91TaPkizDD8CWZQfsga47Tn_I57pxP4ePjV4DyljudPGlvymX8ZBpRyaPEqhUDhrKWF-0qQ52zytElRvCixbcaQ8H18cZ9WwA5NNzeHr05Lc0p10FORZdS8vvbgfe1BpRzJN1W-WCUGp2/s1600/invitational.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91TaPkizDD8CWZQfsga47Tn_I57pxP4ePjV4DyljudPGlvymX8ZBpRyaPEqhUDhrKWF-0qQ52zytElRvCixbcaQ8H18cZ9WwA5NNzeHr05Lc0p10FORZdS8vvbgfe1BpRzJN1W-WCUGp2/s640/invitational.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first event I organized where I was joined by strangers (2011).</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In my previous post, I presented the motivation, reasons and deterrents for organizing hikes. In this post, I will share to you how to be successful in this business.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am not the best organizer in terms of capital and income. But I can say I am a successful one. To give you an idea of how successful my events are, the slots of each of my event get sold out within 12 hours after I give the cue to make a reservation deposit. That's not 13 'going' guests. That's 13 determined trekkers who have deposited a non-refundable reservation fee for a not-so-affordable event.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">How did I come to achieve this level of success? Here's my formula.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>BRANDING</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Be Iba</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is always wise to be unique. Even in the food industry where the commodity is a necessity; where <i>carinderias</i> don't have to care about being different from the rest, they still try to put some twist in their <i>adobo</i> and take pride in their secret ingredient. On the other hand, in the tourism industry, your service is technically luxury (as opposed to necessity). People have the option to say <i>'sa susunod na lang.'</i> You really gotta be as unique as possible to be preferred.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpuEEP0ghw-cqvOvgleJxRYzbiPcwNcmDTBi81XqlLzdBP9lBZgAyTYx3brEkoTbhsWspAHGuJUucqQWRCegEIksQwRSy9aiwD3XyRQdlupqSr0iqgWH60o1gomsEChRiJAPnJFVxPGl1/s1600/immersion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpuEEP0ghw-cqvOvgleJxRYzbiPcwNcmDTBi81XqlLzdBP9lBZgAyTYx3brEkoTbhsWspAHGuJUucqQWRCegEIksQwRSy9aiwD3XyRQdlupqSr0iqgWH60o1gomsEChRiJAPnJFVxPGl1/s640/immersion.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Lagataw treks, we want our participants to learn about the locality we immerse ourselves in</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lagataw treks are different from many organized treks in a lot of ways. We have the screening of guests to ensure harmony and safety in the climbing party. We normally don't have detailed itineraries, thereby training the guests how to develop confidence, self-reliance and a sense of oneness with nature. We seldom bring tents and boost the local economy through 'homestays', and in turn offer a priceless immersion experience to the guests. We have non-mainstream destinations, some of which offer no qualified local guides. We also incorporate a lot of more-than-just-hiking activities. To name a few, we have the <i>Talakayan</i> that promotes awareness in a lot of fields of expertise while getting to now each speaker better; the meal teams that develop camaraderie; some sort of in-the-field BMC 2 where guests are trained how to 'smell' the trail and to distinguish class A water source from class B and class C. There was also even a time when we disallowed make-up and power banks in order to optimize the epiphany experience of the participants.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These things give the participants not just bragging rights but some room for growth as a user of the great outdoors.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Be Worthwhile</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is not enough to just 'be <i>iba</i>'. Because you can be <i>iba</i> by promoting fornication or drugs in your events. More than being <i>iba</i>, you should uphold quality of experience. Like in blogging, don't just focus on SEO. Pay attention to content. It is the content of your event that makes it worth the event fee. The quality of the experience turns your service into a beneficial 'luxury'. Aside from the elements that make Lagataw treks unique, one shortcut to ensure quality is to ditch the quantity. We choose to maximize the price and minimize the pax: not the other way around. Don't squeeze twenty participants into a Delica. Make sure you are able to interact with each of your participant. Nobody should feel alone. We prefer homogeneity but we also welcome diversity. During the first Kapangan-Kibungan-Bakun trek, I was joined by very strong athletes (7 of them), that many would consider 'harkor'. In the second successful KKB, we limited the climb size to just 6pax (including me) to make sure that we are able to meet the 2-day-1-night itinerary. In the third KKB, it was a very diverse group of individuals who ended up becoming very good friends whose group chat is still active even after 2 years. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK4a2e_DZLBKNKEwH-bFdF85c8tsVCvsVbIkHV0T7IJ1HQnpX2zhy0xsBWx_XZMcMIo58-P70YGOjP5mQCOlFcHQ0b6bfDqeF7EL2A_jqs1m30JU6isLh1VVuEojX4nuYacUCtBHTgZ7K/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="978" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK4a2e_DZLBKNKEwH-bFdF85c8tsVCvsVbIkHV0T7IJ1HQnpX2zhy0xsBWx_XZMcMIo58-P70YGOjP5mQCOlFcHQ0b6bfDqeF7EL2A_jqs1m30JU6isLh1VVuEojX4nuYacUCtBHTgZ7K/s640/6.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the jumpoff of the unguided pioneering Kapangan-Kibungan-Bakun trek</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Don't be Microsoft: Be Apple</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It also helped a lot when lagataw treks got to be known as a <i>'paunahan ng reservation deposit</i>.' Aspirants would literally queue up online waiting for the go signal to deposit their reservation. The screening and referral-based admission also added to the elusiveness of lagataw treks. And our prices don't dive down with the <i>bagsak-presyo</i> marketing strategy. This projection of the image that we don't need guests and that the guests need and want us filtered out the entitled whiners among the guests and the <i>kuripots</i> who count the value of every penny they spend on your service or product; who love to measure discomfort more than pleasure. <i>Yung van walang headrest! </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Be the Good Guys</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is crucial how you position yourself in the market. Is yours the <i>kwela</i> event? the educational one? the hardcore? for the <i>pa-cute</i> type? Sometimes the brand, just like your market, surfaces naturally. There was a time when lagataw treks were considered 'only for the hardcore.' Many did curse the traumatic first lagataw invitational trek in 2015. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In this generation, the 'good guys' sell in many markets. People will support you if you say NO to single-use plastic, or if you care about the pandas and the sea turtles. Try to incorporate this in your branding. Again, this agenda was not orchestrated. We just naturally felt the urgency to channel some funds and effort to the dreams of some promising athletes. Another facet of the lagataw brand is education and empowerment. This branding came even before the first Talakayan. We also wish to make our guests capable and knowledgeable. We empower. Our Don't Ask Don't Tell policy is sometimes misconstrued as one of greed and selfishness. On the contrary, however, we actually tell a select few our destinations and itineraries and encourage them to be organizers themselves. Why would we refuse the opportunity to spread our travel philosophy through these empowered organizers who'd do the same forward?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo49KWrSr998qdN9zZe2raErNN8lirU2Rp5ET90I4OhgKrhdAjzVMl63iI1ZkVoM6KQh0qE3DzgoLPFNi6NGuHnR2V9lhGyKjaPSxh2IZVWakm_FB2HdDDzXCcRAGrnc_ih-Xng0ogaxkV/s1600/DSC09258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="615" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo49KWrSr998qdN9zZe2raErNN8lirU2Rp5ET90I4OhgKrhdAjzVMl63iI1ZkVoM6KQh0qE3DzgoLPFNi6NGuHnR2V9lhGyKjaPSxh2IZVWakm_FB2HdDDzXCcRAGrnc_ih-Xng0ogaxkV/s640/DSC09258.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even before Lagataw treks, we already supported the dreams of local young athletes.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>TARGET MARKET</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like in any business, you really have to determine your target market. Filipinos are now travel fiends. They work their asses off and finally, on a long weekend, they clog NLEX and SLEX. This market of travelers is huge. Pick one group. Here are some of them.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The Millennials</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In this industry, the largest type of market shared by maybe 80 percent of event organizers are the 'millennial' hikers (not necessarily pertaining to a certain age group but to a homogeneous group based on attitude towards hiking). They're the ones who would just key in the name of the destination, say Mt Pulag, on the search bar of Facebook. Then they'd scroll through a list of organizers and check their star ratings. It doesn't matter whether they know the organizer personally or not. This is a good market. They are the determined ones. They pick a date, set aside some amount, and round up some friends to go with them. Destination: either Mt Ulap or Mt Pulag. Most of them are in hurry to tick that 'climb a mountain' or 'get inked by Apo Whang Od' item on their bucket list. So they're rarely the <i>backout dancers</i>. Most of them are the yuppies...the cute ones...the same market of H&M and Uniqlo. You can sustain a weekly business with this market. With them, you really don't need to worry about being <i>iba</i> and giving quality experience. It's a huge market.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The Mawnteynir</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another market is the 'mountaineers'. Back in the day, we'd call them the 'freelance mountaineers'. Unlike the millennials, the term 'BMC' rings a bell to the mountaineers. They usually belong to at least three climbing groups on Facebook. They know pinoymountaineer.com. They are familiar with the many mountains across the archipelago and they've classified them according to difficulty. Their bucket lists could be '9/9 mountains'; 'island highs'; or 'notorious knife-edges'. Because of these specific bucket lists (compared to 'climb a mountain' of the millennials), the freelance mountaineers have a lot of choices (not options). They consider a lot of things before joining a climb. 'It has to be Guiting-Guiting.' or '<i>Kanlaon na lang ang kulang ko</i>'. So what happens when a mountaineer commits to 'join' a Mt Arayat event and suddenly Mt Kanlaon opens? They back out. Many freelance mountaineers click 'join' and 'interested' in at least three events happening on the same date. Some of them could be rich and some of them are<i> kuripot</i>. They compare the price of a Mt Halcon trek by organizer A to those of organizers B to Z. Their excuses could be to the tune of '<i>Ay sayang G2 pa naman, kaya lang gusto ko kasi traverse hindi balikan</i>' or '<i>Ay, wala bang side trip sa El Nido?</i>'. Many of them want to have the best of everything for the least price. We can't blame them. They're just practicing wise consumerism.</span><br />
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<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The High Society </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There's also the <i>alta sociedad</i>. They're the <i>artistas</i> and the models. They don't care if you priced your Mt Sembrano hike at PhP5,000 as long as you provide a private <i>manong</i> porter and there's <i>taga-bugaw</i> for the bugs and <i>taga-latag ng tabla sa puddle para di maputikan ang shoes</i> (peace tayo Don Gibo). Your chef should also pay attention to their dietary restrictions. <i>Non-dairy please</i>. <i>No gluten ha</i>. They're the best target for your Himalayan and other international climbs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The Lagataw Trekkers</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7DVrLv8agIagoTs-mhNVCemqfvffrOVE5RktDc1nsbPT2ScJsjQBnt_FcJxAgEavoH27UEPvnbItWQWja9C2cDYCmARBf7S55Qq1WvkmQHoCzC5aF9ouRVQy5f8N6O20mmJBcUA2TIyF/s1600/DSC05865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7DVrLv8agIagoTs-mhNVCemqfvffrOVE5RktDc1nsbPT2ScJsjQBnt_FcJxAgEavoH27UEPvnbItWQWja9C2cDYCmARBf7S55Qq1WvkmQHoCzC5aF9ouRVQy5f8N6O20mmJBcUA2TIyF/s640/DSC05865.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at one of our favorite destinations: Tacadang</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In my case, I can't risk the lives of the millennials or replace my Mt Baloy destination with Mt Ulap. I also have no time for the indecision of the freelance mountaineers. And I prefer to teach and empower, not serve and be a slave. So I've chosen a certain target market. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It's not like, the market has already been there. This market just naturally coalesced out of the standards set in lagataw treks. It's difficult for me to assign one qualifying term for this market other than lagataw trekkers cuz they're as unique as the trek itself. They're all experienced. They're responsible. They want to learn. They want to see their limits. And they want to just spend some time with like-minded individuals. Pretty generic terms. If you've joined lagataw treks, you might want to comment below what you think your common denominator is. Because all I know is that, you all don't want to carry tents. Your </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">payong</i><span style="font-size: large;"> always comes handy. With the exception of Eina, you guys have started looking for buyers of your 50L packs and switched to day packs. You're all way over the </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">'pasikatan</i><span style="font-size: large;">' phase. '9/9' doesn't mean much anymore: just '</span><i style="font-size: x-large;">banayad'</i><span style="font-size: large;"> or </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">uphell</i><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>THE POLITICS</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZFKk-bf1kISWBO9VjvN3r3mHNSOJuxAMLvelYwLUhvJqUGuOXAXIpu5e4f5Qryl1H20hOVlKezYdxewytjXztAm8lO1BhT3yjcxE2u5hF8faHd9-r-plUnDkxz4mYRST4Hb-ttTQHNF0/s1600/kapangan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1081" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZFKk-bf1kISWBO9VjvN3r3mHNSOJuxAMLvelYwLUhvJqUGuOXAXIpu5e4f5Qryl1H20hOVlKezYdxewytjXztAm8lO1BhT3yjcxE2u5hF8faHd9-r-plUnDkxz4mYRST4Hb-ttTQHNF0/s640/kapangan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">planning a project with the mayor of Kapangan, Benguet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">To some extent you really have to join 'the system'. If you can't beat them, join them, so they say. Make friends with people in authority. Stop engaging in fruitless discussions on Facebook. Results are obtained at the mayor's office not on Facebook. Discuss your intentions and projects with the tourism office, not the ranting tourist. I know my friend Marie (one of the 8 petitioners for the closure and rehabilitation of Mt Sto. Tomas) is gonna frown upon this but I am not proud of playing my 'blogger' card once just to climb a 'closed' mountain in Mindanao. It was a selective closure. Some were admitted depending on the purpose. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Avoid making enemies. Don't mind the <i>bashers</i>. What you say publicly against a particular someone will backfire on you someday. If you have to, don't mention names. Attack the attitude not the person because that person is more than just that attitude. If you have to name names, <i>chismisan na lang sa pm</i> with a few confidants.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>RESPONSIBILITY</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Most successful businessmen are the ones who have first-hand experience and knowledge of their product or service. You can choose to be this and do a reconnaissance climb before your event. Or you can also be one of those organizers who still say 'Mt Kibungan'. Sadly, Some of us are just advertising or marketing graduates turned organizers. It's fine if your event is just a weekly Mt Ulap hike because repeating the event will make you familiar with the journey like the back your hand. The problem is some would just copy-paste an itinerary, crop out the watermark of an image and launch a powerful sales pitch for an event regardless of whether he/she has seen the place or even know how to pronounce the name of the destination. Both ways can lead to profits. It's really totally up to you. But adventure tourism is quite a tricky industry. It takes more than just marketing. If you think Facebook can build you an empire in just six months, make no mistake Facebook can also destroy that same empire in just six hours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The big difference is, organizing treks is not my bread and butter. I have a good boss who will approve my request to be assigned in Baguio or Cebu or to grant me a sabbatical whenever I want. The income I get from organizing is not as much as what my day job gives me. So, I have the privilege to choose guests and to cancel events and still not get hurt economically. More importantly, I was a very active solo hiker before I became an organizer. I have learned to value my life more through the risks I took traveling solo and immersing myself in uncharted regions. I acknowledge every attendant risk in my treks. I space my events out because I consider the best season for every destination. As mentioned, quality is of utmost concern in Lagataw treks. I revisit the place before the event to make sure the event goes without a hitch. Some of my returning guests also know that I have recurrent nightmares a few days before the climb. I am usually reluctant to carry out major treks. And when some room for disaster or when politics threatens to ruin the event, it would be a great pleasure to cancel the event and give refunds. When you put the welfare of your guests on higher priority than profit, their trust and confidence in you grows and you get a loyal customer base. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6AsnHQy7osDV6NvznqX5NXC6t0z5kb8pCv2PkEB7DoPHZQNYta1Lb2LtFBx7AvaXMF8OzCRsosa_om-VaRXSXwCErcvy1yR6WKoTPICypFn4KjHRqtQVj4aAOmVN7gKQDDIh270R9ybn/s1600/45125592_10213523576304469_120950080101416960_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6AsnHQy7osDV6NvznqX5NXC6t0z5kb8pCv2PkEB7DoPHZQNYta1Lb2LtFBx7AvaXMF8OzCRsosa_om-VaRXSXwCErcvy1yR6WKoTPICypFn4KjHRqtQVj4aAOmVN7gKQDDIh270R9ybn/s640/45125592_10213523576304469_120950080101416960_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recently, we were all ready and excited for a KKB that includes the A-team of lagataw treks. It was canceled but the participants couldn't be stopped. They set out on an epic let's-play-it-by-ear journey in the Cordilleras. And I just waited for them in Baguio where we celebrated their success. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is just my own formula. There are a lot of bigger and more successful organizers. You can also consult with them. Just remember: for as long as you can sustain and meet your desired goals, you're successful.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-81994678640629625162019-01-14T07:09:00.001-08:002019-01-20T07:15:51.445-08:00Why Organize Hikes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOVB3WIYbK1hCVnfOz0uaBZ1xSzdXuMx4tE2i3vaXxU44LqObTG40ZcJ2UiI_PC8C7uk-nnNh-UTFdIIQYAWHjUm1uiUcFfw7KoDYZ7Fzoj2l6A1ozhXAx6wOnvk4I-xMz5bnTW1vI_DA/s1600/DSC01448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="410" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOVB3WIYbK1hCVnfOz0uaBZ1xSzdXuMx4tE2i3vaXxU44LqObTG40ZcJ2UiI_PC8C7uk-nnNh-UTFdIIQYAWHjUm1uiUcFfw7KoDYZ7Fzoj2l6A1ozhXAx6wOnvk4I-xMz5bnTW1vI_DA/s640/DSC01448.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in the day, I would only climb with the same buddies. But like everything else, hiking had to evolve.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br />Why Organize?</b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I once wrote an article on <a href="http://www.lagataw.com/2013/04/i-climb-alone-because.html" target="_blank">'Why I Climb Alone'</a>. This time I'll be telling you something quite the opposite. I organize hikes. Why?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">First off. It's lucrative. You can earn as much as PhP30,000 over the weekend with just a full-van-capacity climb size of 12 pax. And that's after the costs. Did you know that there are organizers who charter a whole bus for their participants. Do the math. Pretty attractive, eh? One event every month is enough for you and your family to get by, you'd say. Well, at least you're well over the PhP10,000 poverty line income once set by NEDA for a family of five.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Secondly, there's no second reason! Let's face it, pera-pera lang yan. It could come from the event fee that you get directly from your guests or from the 10kg weed you bring down from your destination. Fame? Sex? I'm not the best person to ask.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">However, while there's one big reason and plenty of other little reasons to organize hikes, it is not a walk in the park at all for an organizer. There are things that will make you think twice before organizing a hike.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>The 'Backout Dancers'</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Some hikers have coined the term 'backout dancer' to refer to those 'joiners' who back out at the last minute. Unless you have a non-refundable full prepayment policy, backout dancers will really hurt your income.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>The 'Backout Drivers'</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If there are backout dancers, me and my small-time organizer friends also find challenge among backout drivers. They'd commit but on Day 0 they'd give you a lot of lame excuses. The truth is they just want you to raise the price of their service. Nyeta!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Bad Trip Bad Weather</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What happens when inclement weather hits your schedule and destination? You cancel. Bye-bye event fee. Or you can try to be bida-bida. WE SURVIVED TYPHOON INENG! But good luck! Don't get me wrong. Danger thrills me too. Where's the adventure when there's no risk? But that's just me. It's a different story when you're taking other people who trust that when you give them the go signal that means you've got everything figured out. They pay you to check the extended weather forecast; to plan an evac; to bring all the survival tools; essentially, to take them to hell and out of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>The Risk</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Just because your destination is Mt Ulap doesn't mean there are no risks. Risk is directly proportional to how 'pabebe' your guest is. Let's not judge them. Let's judge your promise: your sales pitch. WITH ME, YOU CAN GO ANYWHERE! I've had three near-death experiences myself. And I am not even counting those times when I was alone on a trail with little to no food and hydration, in the dark or under intense heat. I know my extents and limits but once I'm on a mountain, that means I've signed a probationary contract with death. How much more if you're with twelve other individuals whose capabilities you know little of?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>The Whiner</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't get a lot of these entitled dissatisfied guests but they could really hurt an organizer's business when they start talking on social media just because he/she didn't get to see the sea of clouds promised by the promotional materials.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>The Anti-YOU</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">No matter how responsible or virtuous your enterprise is, you can't please everyone. There will always be people in the industry who will do everything to bring you down. But, like they say, no one will bring you down if you're not already up there!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>The Politics</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You'll see this in a lot of aspects in hiking.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You'll hear of a municipal ordinance requiring organizers to apply for a business permit at the destination's LGU.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You'll learn of a memorandum banning the entry of hired vehicles in an area unless the operator is from that area.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You'll get acquainted with a tourism officer who is more interested in knowing how much you're charging every guest than in providing you with capable guides.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There may also be a tourism officer who will give you the red tape because you don't kiss his ass.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There could be a park ranger who will also disallow you from trekking because the guide you hired is someone from the other side of a family feud.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It won't be long before TESDA comes on the scene. Believe me, they will.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So why do we still organize hikes? Well, some have learned how to deal with backout dancers, or to do away with backout drivers, to ignore the bashers, to mitigate risks, to pacify whiners and to get around the politics. And to most, the profit still outweighs the challenges so they carry on. Some of us also see hikes as an avenue for other social enterprises. You can spread awareness about causes and agenda you espouse. You can recruit people to a philosophy or principle. You can solicit help to help others in return, or you can also sell shirts and make your own brand.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">So there, I've presented the motivation the deterrents and the reason in organizing hikes based on personal experience and observation. I'm sure you can share more. Feel free to comment below.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And if you find this post helpful or informative, don't forget to share it.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-45470314936308852852018-09-21T00:01:00.003-07:002018-09-21T00:01:43.067-07:00Somewhere Only We Know<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHphAQqXxgfIzkUqLEw5fGGRYpt4dFpBbgGXQrcQGOX4BKcbpnjexAsY9YHOH0Yiikwh9CRfUCHECqCrl00bpSVcDib3JxFV54cK-SzVcbDamrasxQ_0AlpnYZzEA-5PPWtoWb1Kr_1f4/s1600/birthday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHphAQqXxgfIzkUqLEw5fGGRYpt4dFpBbgGXQrcQGOX4BKcbpnjexAsY9YHOH0Yiikwh9CRfUCHECqCrl00bpSVcDib3JxFV54cK-SzVcbDamrasxQ_0AlpnYZzEA-5PPWtoWb1Kr_1f4/s1600/birthday2.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My birthday is just around the corner and since I'm not leaving the country this time, I'm racking my brains for a good destination. And these images keep taunting me!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_n_ldcG6qThweRPv-FKMb70wzooqJxCbZeFudiKP-oJZEHAh4ICktnJLlhYzX69QnDYNKqkXqcVUWbX4eVagiiq3fxZeDU7lDSED1LSy5MxdTR1oJkd2icEJ6DEJVuEsPyvTbz_1vxc1/s1600/birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="1074" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_n_ldcG6qThweRPv-FKMb70wzooqJxCbZeFudiKP-oJZEHAh4ICktnJLlhYzX69QnDYNKqkXqcVUWbX4eVagiiq3fxZeDU7lDSED1LSy5MxdTR1oJkd2icEJ6DEJVuEsPyvTbz_1vxc1/s640/birthday.jpg" width="531" /></span></a></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-25723120920293826122018-09-03T04:32:00.000-07:002018-09-03T04:32:48.642-07:00Profile Picture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmerHynv5WboOOytsZyEKJjkYoq9g3ZwMit97236-BS9wR6XWg_wdlB7Dg5j-Y4QmESDjV7ixEzrh97elPa30y92xlDbB0hkiMOs2hQdKotR9eymJi2QbqAkko6c9VyyNqxa8nx-ZxygL/s1600/dayhike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmerHynv5WboOOytsZyEKJjkYoq9g3ZwMit97236-BS9wR6XWg_wdlB7Dg5j-Y4QmESDjV7ixEzrh97elPa30y92xlDbB0hkiMOs2hQdKotR9eymJi2QbqAkko6c9VyyNqxa8nx-ZxygL/s640/dayhike.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Namiss ko lang bigla ang ma-excite gumamit ng profile pic na may sea of clouds.<br /><br />Before I knew it, I'm way over it na pala. I know...wala pala akong Facebook. Pero if I should make a new account, sea of clouds wouldn't be a big factor in choosing a profile picture.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In one world a sea of clouds profile pic would say 'astig ka'. In another it would say 'you're a newbie'. Whatever it is, your profile picture somehow summarizes who you are in social media. In fact, nung nag-oorganize pa ako ng treks, I would quickly reject applicants whose profile picture is Mt Maculot. Sorry na. Judgmental lang talaga.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pero your time will come. Pagsasawaan mo rin yang Mt Kinabalu profile pic mo. Sa ngayon, namnamin mo lang muna kung ano ka.<br /></span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-66798676242962536052018-08-31T20:04:00.002-07:002018-09-03T04:08:02.119-07:00TRAPPED<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIDPiYCRw_ziL0TVHbBjWYqQCGCGAiikZmazcafbGDPPmvVeDO_mF3yMAqtRkuQAeL3NpIoswhdz4PEM5fFQgLwYpSvUT7Cv5tna61Wk9WANvjsAHKbA-E371cDKLlFyU0dpMtFpBVIqT/s1600/tacadang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIDPiYCRw_ziL0TVHbBjWYqQCGCGAiikZmazcafbGDPPmvVeDO_mF3yMAqtRkuQAeL3NpIoswhdz4PEM5fFQgLwYpSvUT7Cv5tna61Wk9WANvjsAHKbA-E371cDKLlFyU0dpMtFpBVIqT/s640/tacadang.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I miss my childhood years. Back then, I'd just knock on neighbors' doors, and me and three of my friends would be off to Pantalan. Now Carigara Bay has been transformed from a once clear and blue bay to a murky body of water--a helpless victim to siltation due to unregulated logging for more than two decades. But the sunset is still beautiful. No big ships still dock there so its long stretch is still a lovely place to spend the late afternoons. Two decades from now, a young Carigaran-on today could be reminiscing about this sunset.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I want to go solo camping in Alegria but a guide is required now. I don't mind the fee, I just don't need some unsolicited company.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am now in the tiny island of Mactan but all the beautiful shorelines have been fenced by resorts. So much for my Boca del Cielo daydreaming!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Apparently what we see in movies where you just get outside and find a place where you could contemplate and meditate has become more and more elusive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But I believe I'll find one such place once again. I just know so.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-12135522667522337122018-07-20T18:58:00.002-07:002018-07-20T18:58:37.335-07:00How To Save A Life<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHnJklKYYbuzFGf3MILB-4cFlJaJoYL9cHMtz0-x0_laTWerHaxZLX6PbCIaOMCMFqQfkfmqsYdgPl7JtJiYLV4GpcCn8YwX45oHH546OcjsNJ2kI5ptPcKny1Tsd0Qytssgq08Z_ipro/s1600/earthpad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="784" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHnJklKYYbuzFGf3MILB-4cFlJaJoYL9cHMtz0-x0_laTWerHaxZLX6PbCIaOMCMFqQfkfmqsYdgPl7JtJiYLV4GpcCn8YwX45oHH546OcjsNJ2kI5ptPcKny1Tsd0Qytssgq08Z_ipro/s640/earthpad.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I would have stayed up with you all night had I known how to save a life</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Based on the photo above, which guy, do you think decided to commit suicide the following day?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Karamihan sa atin na mga hikers ay escapist. Umaakyat sa kabundukan upang makalimutang sandali ang masalimuot na buhay sa kapatagan. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ten years ago, a very good climb buddy invited me to climb Mt Cristobal just the two of us. <i>'Bro, bat ngayon? Huwebes pa a!'</i> ang reply ko sa text nya.<i> 'Sige mauna na lang muna ako sa Majayjay tas sa Sabado kita na lang tayo sa San Pablo!'</i> Ganun talaga yun, there was no way to dissuade him kung may maisipan syang gawin. Masaya ang naging akyat namin pero batid ko sa tema ng mga pahiwatig nya nung nag-iinuman na kami kinagabihan na may mabigat na dinadala ang kaibigan ko. Alam ko naman na na may problema sya kasi yun lang naman dahilan namin pag umaakyat kami nang dalawa lang kaming magkasama. Ang ibig sabihin nun, may problema ang isa sa amin. Subalit, kagaya ng kinagawian, we'd climb and laugh the night away without discussing our problems and the following day, we'd realize how trivial our issues were and how beautiful life is. Kaya ayun panay block ko sa mga pahiwatig nya.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kinabukasan bago sya sumakay sa bus papuntang Manila, isang tapik sa balikat at isang sulyap sa ngiting hindi malilimutan ang paalam nya. Little did I know, that was the last smile I would see of him.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVz5Uemm6fmjgkj1bewO69_LyL0c6lOxDSc6a3HyBuiqjNhMJNxjIslaYXpdxC4gJnMYCGK7Rc9hRNiNkB09bZfG1Z4pIM5RMIaFmq7MiY5TpmEmxR1n-BTfWS4X7btpRD5M7LcWXUN7M/s1600/nix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVz5Uemm6fmjgkj1bewO69_LyL0c6lOxDSc6a3HyBuiqjNhMJNxjIslaYXpdxC4gJnMYCGK7Rc9hRNiNkB09bZfG1Z4pIM5RMIaFmq7MiY5TpmEmxR1n-BTfWS4X7btpRD5M7LcWXUN7M/s400/nix.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rest in peace brother</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sari-saring circles of friends nya ang nagtipon-tipon nung lamay nya -- may mga tattoista, punkista, mountaineers at mga kababata nya. And all of them were wondering kung bakit sa akin, na bagong kaibigan lang, nagpaalam si Nixon. Ngunit may isa ding anggulo kung saan hindi pagpapaalam ang pakay nya. Maaaring isa pala akong baka-sakali sa araw na yun. Baka-sakaling mabigyan ko sya ng dahilan at pag-asa na mabuhay pa. And I am forever thankful to him for considering me as such and perpetually resentful of myself for refusing to be his baka-sakali, for blocking all the signs and for thinking that his problems were too small and that the strange tapik and ngiti were all too corny. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This photo was taken that night the song 'How to Save a Life' by The Fray made so much sense. I really would have stayed up with you buddy all night had I known how to save a life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I am advising all of you not to commit the same mistake I made. If God gave you the gift for words, the opportunity to be a very good friend to someone, use it no matter how silly it would look. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Always remember that the prelude to suicide could be as positive as a carefree smile.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't judge. Save a life! </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGCqPClusH8NC03H4XxqhgUPdX0VRbgp-ZTswC-w-DT1dZ61f-pL6P7UQodHz5Uvz2mZfUcr7LesdBAK_FTYv73nVCXtIQZdC5LUgO-0i2ImM5qD5WjR3Na2tBGxymA23xCUJeuQW9KxW/s1600/nixnme.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="763" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGCqPClusH8NC03H4XxqhgUPdX0VRbgp-ZTswC-w-DT1dZ61f-pL6P7UQodHz5Uvz2mZfUcr7LesdBAK_FTYv73nVCXtIQZdC5LUgO-0i2ImM5qD5WjR3Na2tBGxymA23xCUJeuQW9KxW/s640/nixnme.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>When God took you back He said hallelujah you're home!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Blooger's note: This was originally posted on my defunct Facebook page. I have decided to post this on my blog so that the message may be perpetuated and that more good lives may not be wasted. Please share to spread awareness on depression and mental health.</span></i></b><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-51817793629975626822018-07-14T20:11:00.002-07:002018-07-20T19:00:01.131-07:00On Phone Calls and Privacy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFzNyOjDdB-qFpPDsrMLyIV9JbJP-u3B2m17-OiPJFShtUDuVOZYSyM8Nr2pP8V_blWUQCeV8GVnERhyRaySbhSjmroTLQAnIfg18ktt-oH6wegelrawZxQ7-O6HFc6C-EAesjG6AErcf/s1600/Sorry%2521Can%2527t+talk+right+now..png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFzNyOjDdB-qFpPDsrMLyIV9JbJP-u3B2m17-OiPJFShtUDuVOZYSyM8Nr2pP8V_blWUQCeV8GVnERhyRaySbhSjmroTLQAnIfg18ktt-oH6wegelrawZxQ7-O6HFc6C-EAesjG6AErcf/s640/Sorry%2521Can%2527t+talk+right+now..png" width="425" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In one of my recent sessions with my learner, we discussed <a href="https://www.wsj.com/video/how-to-turn-your-phone-into-a-walkie-talkie/1ACA0744-A39A-4FB3-9A86-60D1E995DE60.html" target="_blank">a three-minute video from The Wall Street Journal (online) </a>focusing on how voice messages could be more practical than </span><span style="font-size: large;">text on Messenger, WhatsApp, Line and other messaging apps. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It starts with the fact that phone calls have largely been replaced by text messages and it goes on to the prospect of text messages eventually becoming replaced by voice </span><span style="font-size: large;">messages. </span><span style="font-size: large;">A phone call, the video says, requires your instant attention. A text message, on the other hand, gives you the leeway to carry on doing what you are tied up </span><span style="font-size: large;">with at the moment and the freedom to choose not just what and when to reply but also when to open the message. This is the reason why texting has become more </span><span style="font-size: large;">popular. In a sense, it gives you greater control of your time and privacy. But, according to the video, the microphone icon on messaging apps has slowly gained popularity</span><span style="font-size: large;"> in many business settings. To some, it could be bothersome to key in every character of their message. What would require a full minute to key in all the </span><span style="font-size: large;">characters in <i>'Please let me know when you'll be available for a discussion on the beta testing of our new inventory system'</i> could be reduced to a quarter of the time </span><span style="font-size: large;">and much less mechanical energy. Moreover, in text messages, there is more room for misinterpretation of the emotion or mood that you want to go with your message.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But our discussion centered on how phone calls have all but become classified as a crime. We have put too much weight on our freedom and privacy and upheld respect to </span><span style="font-size: large;">the highest level and relegated friendly human interaction. We are now expected to respect others' privacy and time and have agreed to become cautious and hesitant to </span><span style="font-size: large;">express our voiced<i> 'pangungumusta' </i>to our friends fearing the receiver would be disturbed and annoyed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I have already went semi off-the-grid, I am no longer able to see the life stories of my friends on a daily basis on their 'walls'. Once again, after a very long </span><span style="font-size: large;">time, I have been blessed with the ability to miss relations. On my time with Facebook, I barely missed my friends because I knew their lives were just a browser </span><span style="font-size: large;">away. And now that I miss them, I am not satisfied with just text chat on Messenger. Shameless as it may sound, I have started feeling the longing to hear their voice. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, it seems that many of my friends are still generally in the 'one browser away' time zone. A few would reply instantly and would be very happy to engage in an </span><span style="font-size: large;">extended chat, which makes me genuinely delighted. But many still consider it bothersome to drop a line. Surprisingly, contrary to what the video says, we could </span><span style="font-size: large;">somehow speculate emotions even through text messages or the absence of which.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's funny how times have changed.</span><br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-21783720029667957332018-06-23T07:32:00.004-07:002018-06-23T09:52:30.501-07:00Life In Transit<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqrvdd2pQoPzj5hP6eDD29v6jGvWMjVuWdFZO0otCr0tOfa0xSPSfPzAAzQsWnVqD6Z6r07QrwjvlOEyLHvblXdIGMfMUGC28IXifMs1HBFGnFGp5_Kz239k4joJ9GaY3N_OrW8H3rT8-/s1600/DSC07709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqrvdd2pQoPzj5hP6eDD29v6jGvWMjVuWdFZO0otCr0tOfa0xSPSfPzAAzQsWnVqD6Z6r07QrwjvlOEyLHvblXdIGMfMUGC28IXifMs1HBFGnFGp5_Kz239k4joJ9GaY3N_OrW8H3rT8-/s640/DSC07709.JPG" width="424" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I miss my bus rides to Baguio and back to Manila!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I miss listening to the music they played. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I miss looking out the window.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My bus rides had always been about surrendering to and living in the moment. I loved the stops and the length of time the ride had to take. It reminded me that I was inside the bus and that I couldn't do anything about it: that there was no point worrying about things. I loved the music I'd hear on board. It didn't matter what song they played. What mattered was the fact that some artists put together all their gifts to create that song. I loved looking at the views that presented themselves out the window. I would always imagine I had been on Mars or on the Moon for a long time and I'd instantly feel happy looking at each withered leaf and twig on the ground. I'd always be filled with awe, wonder and joy looking at how Life thrives on Earth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a beautiful life!</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-24125685366409496252018-06-18T08:28:00.001-07:002018-06-23T07:35:41.042-07:00A Facebook-free Life<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuVmEA4t1dj4vBc4lBpWN8dj8twcV1yQSpzZ9I5ony78mLThy2IGSoEplmT0VfzOT3s-yQ0tm8IAHIakVxd2FZD-hlJr3cZ5gHUM4FuOSAkpIQs3YB_75NHuZYRbxvR89I7drGBISPKg8/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1199" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuVmEA4t1dj4vBc4lBpWN8dj8twcV1yQSpzZ9I5ony78mLThy2IGSoEplmT0VfzOT3s-yQ0tm8IAHIakVxd2FZD-hlJr3cZ5gHUM4FuOSAkpIQs3YB_75NHuZYRbxvR89I7drGBISPKg8/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo taken during my talk at AkyatCon 2.0</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's been a week since I deactivated my two Facebook accounts. And I feel free. I no longer feel like I'm living a life that others wanted to see or that I wanted others to see. I can't say it had been a bad life. But I sure can say it had been a life preoccupied with vanity. Now I can feel more peace. The clamor in the audience has died down. The audience has disappeared. Now I can catch up on my reading and blog posts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blogging is quite different. My audience is anonymous. And I like the thought that I am not actively drawing people into my blog. I love the idea that people who land on this page are those who are genuinely interested in the content of the post. And what a pleasure it would be to see authentic appreciation again through typed comments as opposed to the clicked 'like' button! I am aware that there are only a few of you who get to read this post because I can't link this on my Facebook page now. I like it that way. That's how Lagataw gained a good following in the past. This is also how I filtered the audience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But apart from giving vanity a very powerful blow (I have always had this long-standing war against vanity), the bigger reason I deactivated my two Facebook accounts is that I wanted to focus on the things I truly love--writing and farming. They have been continually back-burnered because I had to give way to the life that Facebook had dictated I should live. I'm not sure if it's just me but working from home, I would sometimes find myself letting Facebook occupy 8 straight hours of my day. Like many of you, I have become drawn to glib memes that offer temporary entertainment and tiny bits of wisdom and trivia. But once, I found myself in a bookstore and leafed through the pages of a World War 2 book and I felt that it was what reading was supposed to be. It should involve materials that are published by real publishers. And I am happy now that I find more time to read real books not just 'Facebooks'. And hey, this has been my second article for this month. In the past, I could barely write one article within a month. Farming will come real soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Along with the deactivation of my Facebook accounts was the deletion of thousands of photos, files and videos in my Drive C. There was one moment in Antique that made me realize that the value I put on my 'treasured' photos is not real value. Maybe I'm just like you. We're reluctant to delete photos because we think that someday we'd be needing a particular photo for a variety of reasons: it could be as proof for a precious moment in time; for reference in status posts or probably for a research. But about a week ago, I was having dinner with a very good friend. It was a special dinner because we both talked about deactivating our Facebook and going back to the old ways of keeping in touch-- through call or text or probably snail mail. And I realized, I was not taking any photo of that dinner. I did not feel the need for a proof or memory of that special dinner. I was just okay with it being a fleeting moment. You see, we often love to immortalize things. Why can't we just embrace our humanness--that we can't contain time? It's called 'past' for a reason. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So there, I've so far freed about 5GB of space in my drive. And I'm planning to have a second or probably a third decluttering session with my computer. Doing this does not only declutter my drive but it also declutters my life. When I lose one file that's one less file to think about; when I lose 500 Facebook contacts, that's 500 less individuals to preoccupy myself with. As a result, I find more time for myself. I am able to channel more energy into more things that matter more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm definitely loving the change, or shall I say this revival of my old ways. Now I don't have to keep monitoring likes and purposelessly scrolling down my news feed. I am able to cultivate new worthwhile habits.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-67768914808899051262018-06-09T22:18:00.002-07:002018-06-19T18:22:53.328-07:00Mt Baloy: The First and The Last.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOEIlwFKzrHx3KkendnxPCOD9Khi5iZ_Ua4zJR3ZdGaGGYMyYqi2LEYPVFvkR5xCpygf61dVYF62a6bR3XHW4tYUP_y9iEfpvWGWmp5OfeJS2diBZTWMFZzE1tnGeX6rKocGQbIc25PYq/s1600/baloy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1301" data-original-width="1600" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOEIlwFKzrHx3KkendnxPCOD9Khi5iZ_Ua4zJR3ZdGaGGYMyYqi2LEYPVFvkR5xCpygf61dVYF62a6bR3XHW4tYUP_y9iEfpvWGWmp5OfeJS2diBZTWMFZzE1tnGeX6rKocGQbIc25PYq/s640/baloy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On my fourth attempt, this decade-old quest was finally fulfilled.<br />
With my buddy and brother by choice Kevin Jauod<br />
Photo by Mark IAL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">I should be writing a great deal about my recent Mt Baloy climb. After all, Mt Baloy has been my toughest nemesis of a mountain. And we took a route that is less taken by hikers: the circuit from San Agustin to Busog. But I guess this is what they call retirement phase. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;">Honestly I was just like our local guides Kevin Jauod and Jonathan Sulit when I came back down. All I cared about was getting myself and my stuff cleaned up...not a lot of stories! It was like, 'okay tapos na!' The great joy I felt was only at the summit because it had been my fourth ascent and this time it was a success. I couldn't stop myself from doing the handshake - chest bump combo with Kevin. But I have to warn you, as my fellow Antique Trilogy graduates Jack Goswami and Abu Chabaya confessed, Mt Baloy (at least the route we took) is still the toughest of the three mighty mountains of Panay. And you only go there with the superhuman locals, Kevin and Jonathan. Without them, our climb would have been a great ordeal. I might have called it off on Day 2 again, just like my previous attempts.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwl18Jw_tI-AXWUaZH357anf34GB8T2yt7HVnAqfpU13ar7EEe0h-3yXx2_RyH0V_EtsdkmGFSS8SSi9mtte69isFiyn_a_Pe4h3EAE1SJYFXmGiOSmB9ZXZb0h7jRkgfJHf8XVzto9Kk/s1600/34774694_2225991540752301_448109906680086528_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwl18Jw_tI-AXWUaZH357anf34GB8T2yt7HVnAqfpU13ar7EEe0h-3yXx2_RyH0V_EtsdkmGFSS8SSi9mtte69isFiyn_a_Pe4h3EAE1SJYFXmGiOSmB9ZXZb0h7jRkgfJHf8XVzto9Kk/s640/34774694_2225991540752301_448109906680086528_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So there, my first success on Mt Baloy could be my last climb. So much for my 'mountaineering' stint. I'm now going to focus more on the more real aspect of living. It's been great guys. Thanks for following. You may continue following my blog but this time it's going to take on a new form. We'll see what's coming.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-7754297605541814552018-05-29T21:51:00.002-07:002018-06-19T18:23:20.372-07:00Tracing Iraynon Bukidnon Trails (TIBT) 2018 Race Report <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7NwJcFcTLg2JXPgRwui2kRHI1CUXw3-e0x6ok3Pq3CIBxTzx8uF2m0mQBwfiKvR_GyodlAlsKiwo1hQZ4H6nhPGNzHT0v0k8iSuoj7nGGVGH5Lv2aZpNbmDfHpl6UM-HeYO66gUrrYCt/s1600/33963867_1836466203042635_6400570142371086336_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7NwJcFcTLg2JXPgRwui2kRHI1CUXw3-e0x6ok3Pq3CIBxTzx8uF2m0mQBwfiKvR_GyodlAlsKiwo1hQZ4H6nhPGNzHT0v0k8iSuoj7nGGVGH5Lv2aZpNbmDfHpl6UM-HeYO66gUrrYCt/s640/33963867_1836466203042635_6400570142371086336_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top two finishers of the 50K distance teaming up to battle the sweltering summer heat of Antique and the unforgiving talahib of Laua-an. <br />
(photo courtesy of Mark Ian Vescatcho)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-PH;">The
inaugural 50K of Tracing Iraynon-Bukidnon Trails has been a testimony of the
struggle, fortitude, defeat and victory of the human spirit! Everyone came
prepared, so they thought. But what transpired during the race proved to be an overwhelming shocker even to those who had reconnoitered
the route before the race. In the end only seven of the pioneering
twenty-two brave warriors crossed the finish line within the 15-hour cut-off
time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-PH;">The 50K
race was indeed an insurmountable test of one's being that it almost eclipsed the might of the equally challenging 21K and 11K courses.
As the 21K female champion confessed, she had done two full marathons but the
struggle in the TIBT 21K was more testing than
that of the two marathons combined. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-PH;">This is not
a report on who finished ahead of whom and with what finish time. This is to
highlight the virtues that were drawn out of the core of the spirit of each
racer. Their story is what TIBT 2018 is all about. It’s a story of teamwork,
fellowship and determination all leading to an unparalleled sense
of achievement. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-PH;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I learned
of four 50K racers cooperating to search for the reflectorized ribbon markings
during the earlier part of the race. I also heard of a few experienced racers
talking others into being wiser than fighting a losing game and voluntarily
opting out of the 50K race before getting senselessly tortured by the relentless uphells to Mt Igmatungtong, the sweltering Antique heat and the razor-sharp blades of Laua-an talahib. But nothing could break the spirit of the senior high school students who crossed the finish line together barely making it to the 21K cut-off time, all
exhausted but still spirited enough to raise up a placard saying ‘Okay pa Ako!’
These stories remind us that great things are accomplished when people work
together for the greater good.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvGMgKGvhXNo_wmH1YMwLsTXX2w9gwfAg2Nnbme19kbcs4lIaUXaDQr-9GnNRzOwMoz9ojhzwbRtVuNBSo8MFWxnqjZedRp58WOW3UJCUyMi-Mmhm2tiO_hNAW_gz8P1jrSJQXiyEuBqj/s1600/34033890_1945354405499213_1427908417820819456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvGMgKGvhXNo_wmH1YMwLsTXX2w9gwfAg2Nnbme19kbcs4lIaUXaDQr-9GnNRzOwMoz9ojhzwbRtVuNBSo8MFWxnqjZedRp58WOW3UJCUyMi-Mmhm2tiO_hNAW_gz8P1jrSJQXiyEuBqj/s640/34033890_1945354405499213_1427908417820819456_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The senior high school students with their mentor after the grueling 21K battle<br />
(photo courtesy of Charles Songcayawon of Laua-an Tourism)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-PH;">But I had never been more inspired and moved by a finish line scene than the arms-link finish of the last four 50K finishers who I had left for missing. We were already tidying up the finish line area and ready to leave when one of the crew came rushing to the finish line overpowered by the news that the missing four runners were now approaching. We learned later that</span> at the KM 42 mark, three of them were ready to take the DNF ride back to the finish
line when the fourth one said ‘Tapusin natin to mga tol. Birthday ng anak ko
ngayon. Pero nandito ako kasi marami pa naman syang birthday. Itong TIBT 2018,
ngayon lang to.’ So they got off the motorcycle and decided to give it their
last-ditch effort. They braved the unforgiving challenge of the final uphell
and crossed the finish line together with each others' arms locked, all emotional, traumatized and
victorious! They are a testimony that a DNF can be turned into a victory with
just the right amount of motivation. They crossed the finish line about 20
minutes before the cut-off time. But they were not happy that they made it within
the cut-off. It was no longer about the finish time. It was purely about the
finish!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ywD0Hrmzb8oxPMDC-OYogegw3VTxDNaaMuWXNJIBGNnpzu9MDsaymPwbTjTQMe7GNSU1iAlXyDKc934HRTGJzE55sWm2W3Hcmzmo2zlUugPYuvSEDN5p7tvXzz0AmAEDTreTfZE5DCID/s1600/33923394_1836463216376267_2958024747910168576_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ywD0Hrmzb8oxPMDC-OYogegw3VTxDNaaMuWXNJIBGNnpzu9MDsaymPwbTjTQMe7GNSU1iAlXyDKc934HRTGJzE55sWm2W3Hcmzmo2zlUugPYuvSEDN5p7tvXzz0AmAEDTreTfZE5DCID/s640/33923394_1836463216376267_2958024747910168576_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The emotional finish of the last four 50K warriors. (photo courtesy of Mark Ian Vescatcho)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-PH" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-PH;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-PH;">And this just proves that those who Did Not Finish are in NO WAY less strong than those who did. Some of them just fell a little short of faith and motivation. Remember that the racer who hopped on the motorized DNF ride was the same warrior who changed his mind and resolved to face the final uphell challenge and cross the finish line as a victor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-PH;">TIBT 2018
surely showed us how far we can go and reminded us how much we could have
endured had we not given up. It tells us of teamwork and fellowship--that great things are
accomplished when at least one person’s positivity outshines the surrender of
others’--and of determination: the unyielding resolve to accomplish a mission that makes us say 'Okay pa ako!' even when our spirits have been mutilated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">These stories flooded my news feed more quickly than the runners crossed the finish line. But the sweetest of these stories is the story of the kindness of the locals. They have the least of possessions but their hearts give the most. Some households became instant volunteer aid stations offering cool refreshments to runners passing by. They were there to cheer, to hydrate and ultimately to push each racer to the finish line. Duro-duro gid nga salamat sa mga pumuluyo kag Laua-an, Antique.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgp3_j4_uAm9HfTEho6P8fOsKtc7435TWC9PRLqsOgPyV9bYEKz6vynHMQtcQMc-7AXRlmW1VbS-G-izKdQjFF4LoTAsVGHAvJqBVCmRAylY2Dpy1IitVDWYg7q0zfe06dhtOBE7nqwt2/s1600/33674521_2058158841107667_1919988657784094720_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="984" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgp3_j4_uAm9HfTEho6P8fOsKtc7435TWC9PRLqsOgPyV9bYEKz6vynHMQtcQMc-7AXRlmW1VbS-G-izKdQjFF4LoTAsVGHAvJqBVCmRAylY2Dpy1IitVDWYg7q0zfe06dhtOBE7nqwt2/s640/33674521_2058158841107667_1919988657784094720_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the locals with good cheer and hydration to offer the runners<br />
(photo courtesy of Peter Em-em)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-PH" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-PH;"><span style="font-size: large;">And like
what one of the titos said, it rekindled the competitive spirit in him and I
couldn’t agree more. If there ever will be a third edition of TIBT, I’m no
longer going to be part of the organizing team. You won’t see me giving the
race briefing and cheering each incoming finisher. I won’t be there on the
background anymore because this time I will be running it!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-88336426028736346692018-04-23T18:00:00.001-07:002018-06-19T18:24:24.267-07:00Mountain Horror Stories You Never Heard<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRYTG8e6pZHt7hI9Z4y6jGRppAZslBEiV9fRLFayX5AQiqvnU39RfFYvDzi1TM9-ReQRn2P0fVXQVcA6EamsfR7Ix_fOKOSZWlWRXqkSxXPffv11SmnCAVLFkPT5Qj3OPTxMgnDFXvGBF/s1600/creepy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRYTG8e6pZHt7hI9Z4y6jGRppAZslBEiV9fRLFayX5AQiqvnU39RfFYvDzi1TM9-ReQRn2P0fVXQVcA6EamsfR7Ix_fOKOSZWlWRXqkSxXPffv11SmnCAVLFkPT5Qj3OPTxMgnDFXvGBF/s640/creepy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fear of the unknown keeps us going.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Our imagination is easily tickled by the story of the roving couple of Mt Cristobal; or Maricar, the lady who jumped off the 'dila' of Mt Maculot; or Taong Lumot of Mt Halcon and all other horror stories of many popular mountains in the country.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But I'm not gonna talk about them this time. Instead, I'll tell you of real-life horrors during treks. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">During my first invitational trek in 2015, a friend lost his balance and almost fell into a deep gorge. It was his GoPro that made him lose focus as he was trying to capture that buwis-buhay scene but (thankfully) it was also his GoPro stick that made him regain his balance. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">About a decade ago I got my second life when I slipped at the talahiban ridge of Mt Nangtud. I was being sandwiched by my two guides. I will never forget the tail guide who was at least five meters behind me but sprung forward to grab me by my backpack. Then and there, I realized the importance of having as many guides and supports as possible especially in an exploration. Most of us try to go cheap thinking all mountains are equal in terms of technicality.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Two years ago during a reconnaissance trek in Tacadang, I earned my third life. I slipped on a stream that turns into a waterfall off a cliff not so far away. My two companions were too shocked to do anything other than stare at the tragedy-in-the-making in slow motion where I was the main character. I was being carried down by the current of thin water and for the first time, I felt the absence of friction between my body and a hard surface. I was helpless. No grip nor clench could arrest the velocity intensified by acceleration due to gravity. Fortunately, one shallow concavity on the slope was able to stop my slide. I was relieved but only for a split-second because before long I was sliding again. I had gained acceleration. It seemed like episode 2 of that tragedy-in-the-making right after the prequel. Luckily there was a second concavity less than five feet away from the edge! And there the tragedy was fended off.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Last year, I was a motionless witness to an aborted CLIMBER headliner. My friend stepped on a pebble then he slipped off the cliff-side trail. His feet were still on the trail but his buttocks were already below ground level. Luckily, there was this offshoot of a pine tree right next to where he stumbled and he clung to it. But his position was still not stable. His weight was about to pull him down the cliff but luckily another hiker was quick enough to grab him by his backpack.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On another climb last year, a guest slipped and fell about 20 feet deep. The fall was just radioed in by the tail pack as I was managing the lead pack. I did not see the scene but I know where the spot was and I could only imagine the impact of the fall. In my smile I hid my fear and shock so that the lead pack would not be affected. And in my silence I said a prayer. The guest was okay, miraculously. In her story she said that as she was rolling down, she felt the ferns the twigs and other vegetation wrapping her body and giving her cushion. But nothing like that was seen by the other guest speechlessly watching her fall down. Where she fell, she was still not certain whether it was life after death or it was her subconscious. In her prayer she told God, "You can take this body that you lent me and I'll be very happy to be reunited with my husband in your realm pero papano ang mga anak namin?!' She was crying when she remembered her children. Until it sank in that it was real. It was not her subconscious. She was alive and injury-free. During the post climb it was the biggest reason to be thankful. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">With all these we always remember to thank God for giving us another shot at life. But most often it stops there. We fail to realize that we were sort of tiptoeing the thin line between life and death: that if it had been otherwise, the world around you, for your loved ones and others who know you, would have been totally different.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But yeah, some others, like myself, start imagining parallel universes...imagining how our loved ones would have moved on without us. And we become thankful that this is the universe that persisted. That we're still on our mission and unfinished business. But we also start realizing that it wouldn't have mattered much because our problems would have also disappeared along with our stunted hopes and dreams. And this leaves us at a deadend: LIFE. It will always be a choice, even if we forget the reason and the mission. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">These stories won't haunt you in your nightmares. But they make us believe in something supernatural, nevertheless. They make us believe in God...in guardian angels...in miracles...in prayers. But most importantly they make us realize that life itself is larger than life! At that split-second, you forget about your troubles. You cling on by our fingernails with the desperation and the prayer that you could go on with your life. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While we are thrilled by buwis-buhay treks, let's be reminded that there are attendant risks to every activity we engage in. You will know how much buwis you're going to pay only when you've paid it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">TRAVEL SAFE!</span><br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-85839714980780751582018-03-19T02:37:00.001-07:002018-06-19T18:25:09.627-07:00THE MOUNTAINEER, THE TRAIL RUNNER, AND THE ELEPHANT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbS-Y35HCUx2gXCLoHTmoNd-zeGh3PnXZHbou9nQDwm5PFUU7r9iBBaOgOtAKHMhI2NFVVWdmWOWnXJjEdgIQDPZOfEp6Ax4Qtg7dKb2iLnzgiKdxFLeegHjnv2WQlPYSpz4cLpJ3JJZX/s1600/elephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="609" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbS-Y35HCUx2gXCLoHTmoNd-zeGh3PnXZHbou9nQDwm5PFUU7r9iBBaOgOtAKHMhI2NFVVWdmWOWnXJjEdgIQDPZOfEp6Ax4Qtg7dKb2iLnzgiKdxFLeegHjnv2WQlPYSpz4cLpJ3JJZX/s400/elephant.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a man was passing by a group of elephants, he noticed that one of the elephants was leashed to a small stake on the ground using a flimsy rope tied around one of its legs. Surprisingly, however, it wouldn't attempt to break away even though it could pull out the stake with just a budge of its huge legs. Filled with wonder, he asked the trainer why it was so. The trainer told him that, when those elephants were younger, they were restrained using the same set-up. A few times they tried to get away but they were still too young and too weak to break the leash. And they grew up conditioned to believe that they could not break loose.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am amused by some friends who have been climbing mountains in the country for more than ten years who would insist in hiking Mt Ugo in full battle gear. They say their BMC instructor had told them that they should always have a compass, a rope and a waterproof match! They make sure there's nothing left unticked on their to-bring list. Sleeping bag, check; multi-fuel stove, check; emergency blanket, check. Some just can't let go of these things. The old-school mountaineers have successfully passed on to many the mental conditioning that climbing Mt Ugo is (still) mountaineering.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And then I hear of 9 trail runners (3 males 6 females) who ran the Bakun Trio route in 2015 in less than 12 hours!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I guess what I'm saying here is that, there's something not so right about how a lot of us look at the activity of climbing mountains in the Philippines. A considerable lot of us think that climbing mountains is just an alternative recreational activity. Anyone can do it but one should expect that it is, by nature, difficult and the only way to get around this is to attend a lecture called BMC and equip oneself with gear. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Their formula is: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: red;">
WE ARE GOING TO THE SUMMIT = IT WILL BE AN UPHILL BATTLE = GEAR + PATIENCE + LONG TIME + MEALS</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On the flip side, there are these trail runners whose objective is to find 'runnable' trails. The summit? Some of them don't even realize that it's already the summit of Mt Sembrano.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Their formula is:</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span>
WE'RE RUNNING TRAILS = IT WILL BE A LONG RUN MINUS THE CONVENIENCES OF ROAD RUNNING = TRAINING + SPIRIT + GOOD FOOT GEAR - UNNECESSARY WEIGHT</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You see, many of us have been conditioned to believe that whenever there is 'Mt' in the name of the activity, it is automatically mountaineering. We have failed to acknowledge that times have changed. Many of the hills we call mountains have been reduced to hiking destinations. The trails are already well-established, sometimes with hand railings. Most of us believe that climbing a mountain is hard and there's nothing we can do about it. We fail to acknowledge that with regular training and a fit body, we can easily negotiate the trails that have become rather convenient. Everyone can become big elephants.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We should start to understand that climbing mountains, whether in trail running, hiking, trekking or mountaineering, is a SPORT and not just some sort of ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE open to everyone with or without proper training. Unless you start looking at it this way, the LONG TIME, THE BATTLE and THE GEAR will always remain constants in your equation. You will always be the small elephant restrained by the flimsy leash.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">P.S.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am equally amused by novices who want to take on an extended day hike (EXTENDED ftw!!!) of Kibungan Cross Country (CROSS COUNTRY, another ftw term) only because they know of some individuals who have dunnit. FYI, some things are just not meant for baby elephants! Time and training are essential for bigger things.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><i><span style="color: blue;">If you know a self-proclaimed mountaineer who needs to start training, share this post.</span></i></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-40624326278788214302018-02-20T18:27:00.001-08:002018-06-19T18:26:49.690-07:00DON'T ASK; DON'T TELL Part 2 (ON ORGANIZERS)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBreVm2-Hho9O4vcRSgsw7XEJ_bMH_jAJmJ5_5pnxqT759hFFSOivAOEj9J8i8ktLv6Ff-39TYGlwCXo2S_C2N8B2kg9Jd2qG0kdasY3p0GiPtVoWxTVj3hib0wov6HFkc8nhvldq3FHg/s1600/28276178_10211749280553111_724877777_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBreVm2-Hho9O4vcRSgsw7XEJ_bMH_jAJmJ5_5pnxqT759hFFSOivAOEj9J8i8ktLv6Ff-39TYGlwCXo2S_C2N8B2kg9Jd2qG0kdasY3p0GiPtVoWxTVj3hib0wov6HFkc8nhvldq3FHg/s640/28276178_10211749280553111_724877777_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kagaya ng pag-ibig, wala ring forever na view...yung akala mong pure nature na panorama <br />
biglang makikiapid si hand railings pagbalik mo (photo by Ed Glipa).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Many misconstrue Lagataw's 'Don't Ask; Don't Tell' Policy as greed -- that we don't want to share the experience to others. But in truth, it's quite the opposite! We don't disclose logistical information to others fearing that these others might take the wrong people to these treasured destinations.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You bring someone who panics when his substandard burner malfunctions, you burn Mt Pulag as a result. And all of a sudden everyone else may now be required to carry a portable fire extinguisher. The old experience is lost and can no longer be shared.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You organize a climb through the Kapangan-Kibungan-Bakun route and you allow a fresh graduate of Mt Batulao to join you and she slips off Taktak or early on at the 'via ferrata' segment. All of a sudden Kibungan closes the route labeling it as 'not safe for TOURISTS'. And the qualified adventure-seekers can no longer experience the same thrill that the previous participants did.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is the main reason why I reconsider many times over before I admit an organizer into the climbing party. Many organizers indiscriminately take guests to trekking destination oblivious of the technicality of the route.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As it is, this activity of climbing mountains is just not for everyone. The incapacity and ineptitude of many tourists fuel the pervasive Safety First dogma that consequently changes not just the landscape (via infrastructure that ensures the safety of selfie kings and queens) but the whole experience as well.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-pDApOpJykiI7x3YOKhsdtT1bFsf8GyERP9NW3vudvBTh9I_xflSgfb7ESZtgXcGe7jERpJIwyfZczn0EYE7oJy3dXrmuwPmz_5JzClD05fzjb-CswBrYAkKx7WOe7zXgazgEGdGnyKD/s1600/blog+header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="1106" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-pDApOpJykiI7x3YOKhsdtT1bFsf8GyERP9NW3vudvBTh9I_xflSgfb7ESZtgXcGe7jERpJIwyfZczn0EYE7oJy3dXrmuwPmz_5JzClD05fzjb-CswBrYAkKx7WOe7zXgazgEGdGnyKD/s640/blog+header.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photograph can no longer be replicated...</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6pyD55irMT4hRS49az6d8sLoiEf1sDQEGiaJeoyhdlV_L5B88hS7XyDDPAyle4ET20XKK8Sye7beIxxTihbjVd0U2quMvF0n2QQRQ8uQVEbAwCGt6N1RzD6ENDbY3ARzxf7T2u6nua5Y/s1600/28277864_10214875262052156_1326051854_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6pyD55irMT4hRS49az6d8sLoiEf1sDQEGiaJeoyhdlV_L5B88hS7XyDDPAyle4ET20XKK8Sye7beIxxTihbjVd0U2quMvF0n2QQRQ8uQVEbAwCGt6N1RzD6ENDbY3ARzxf7T2u6nua5Y/s640/28277864_10214875262052156_1326051854_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...because now, a fence has been constructed to ensure the safety of tourists (photo by Aris Aglupus)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Remember that when you cause a mishap on a climb, you're not only jeopardizing your group. You are affecting the whole industry! So I'm not sorry if I refuse you on my treks.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We don't ask and we don't tell because we want to share!</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /><br />If you think others need to know this, don't hesitate to share it.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-42965502512772010882018-02-07T05:35:00.000-08:002018-06-20T05:13:44.899-07:00Project Onifa: A Mission; A Prophecy<span style="font-size: large;">I'm probably the creepiest stalker of Champion System (now The North Face Adventure Team) -- a team of elite adventure racers across Asia. And for a very long time, I had wanted to see a Filipino guy in their roster.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5I0Hkgb7E2T0xNhJTIbzW3gNgeaQXAPaDcVYloa_HgiKatdqfgiTTFaqPas4QrCPj1w8wlOWpA4oNV27AKe7bvDBzPVrxyI-m4krYftXOepqMUxTrm5XfQqLm8G8-r3fs4LJr_MoPG3x/s1600/ryan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5I0Hkgb7E2T0xNhJTIbzW3gNgeaQXAPaDcVYloa_HgiKatdqfgiTTFaqPas4QrCPj1w8wlOWpA4oNV27AKe7bvDBzPVrxyI-m4krYftXOepqMUxTrm5XfQqLm8G8-r3fs4LJr_MoPG3x/s640/ryan2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan Blair at TNF100 Ph 2012</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfQMobmJf8diDEPwYP6dphaJLciuEXhxZ3THRVPqO0rusBBx4bLhxs0GqUkgFXLvydnUx3O90xghixqgjWczfd78Qlmb22DBh9x39Fzayrqj1edkzRLYdBB_XIcSFnOPx_Tkb5NnjtX-6/s1600/ryan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfQMobmJf8diDEPwYP6dphaJLciuEXhxZ3THRVPqO0rusBBx4bLhxs0GqUkgFXLvydnUx3O90xghixqgjWczfd78Qlmb22DBh9x39Fzayrqj1edkzRLYdBB_XIcSFnOPx_Tkb5NnjtX-6/s400/ryan.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Safrey Sumping at TNF100 Ph 2013 (He placed 3rd in the 50K his teammate Wong Ho Chung from Hong Kong was the champion)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUvDXHm8PqIOWoFQTUTWPwMKMF01X7zdtnnMghZ7mWgnLmJU6dDzWiT24TMiYMD3VGgedULAJ-C9hFL4rZGpq6fsf0jgjimW48vx_3U4bzZRCIa23_XsR3zRqwrsoAz2EkkSg9PBmC_KQ/s1600/ryan3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUvDXHm8PqIOWoFQTUTWPwMKMF01X7zdtnnMghZ7mWgnLmJU6dDzWiT24TMiYMD3VGgedULAJ-C9hFL4rZGpq6fsf0jgjimW48vx_3U4bzZRCIa23_XsR3zRqwrsoAz2EkkSg9PBmC_KQ/s640/ryan3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stalking Ryan Blair at the race briefing during TNF100 Thailand 2014 (he was the champion in the 50K)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then during a trek in Luzon's 2nd highest mountain in 2011, I met Josiah Ballagan. He was my first project--my hope for getting a Pinoy in the team! For a while, </span><span style="font-size: large;">Josiah was carrying out the mission well, placing his name right next to the names of members of Champion System in a few race results. But he had a major injury in </span><span style="font-size: large;">2013. It was too soon for Champion System to notice and recognize his talent. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">These were some of Josiah's achievements:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirqlgRP30EpkDb5PscZyo6syaBFDDUyzaHxf19myJcN6d9IubIaK1MiwMCDALvTAUeK5mk57KtSRwzV0UsrQyjkT_Sz5JcLmvlvphTBoA3CUxdcJBV-EyeFyWHHccmuEMw-olC7N-s3TP/s1600/Josiah+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="793" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirqlgRP30EpkDb5PscZyo6syaBFDDUyzaHxf19myJcN6d9IubIaK1MiwMCDALvTAUeK5mk57KtSRwzV0UsrQyjkT_Sz5JcLmvlvphTBoA3CUxdcJBV-EyeFyWHHccmuEMw-olC7N-s3TP/s320/Josiah+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtM5ol4r67kFYaUGeHg6JPHn5c_lecIvn05Iywy-StFg8nFei0GKubTeosi8Tw2Txt_homdsG8ZageN0eepDVmUoq71j_65ggFJKOTETV8w0ovSask5_T8su0kiDz6TZtJ_5C_FNJx68m/s1600/skyrace+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="939" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtM5ol4r67kFYaUGeHg6JPHn5c_lecIvn05Iywy-StFg8nFei0GKubTeosi8Tw2Txt_homdsG8ZageN0eepDVmUoq71j_65ggFJKOTETV8w0ovSask5_T8su0kiDz6TZtJ_5C_FNJx68m/s320/skyrace+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fRxJjUyRHB5NZbRdce84Ox3nErK9wUuSx7gjmK1w2H3bx1jfAEjOKhElFjeWDSOE5dqvJPE_BF8TYla6PWRP9hiee2j-6pQ05nKsauDNJyyqDp_MTNGk-6T0ZBsha1Ndr-eyOihCHP2K/s1600/josiah+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="643" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fRxJjUyRHB5NZbRdce84Ox3nErK9wUuSx7gjmK1w2H3bx1jfAEjOKhElFjeWDSOE5dqvJPE_BF8TYla6PWRP9hiee2j-6pQ05nKsauDNJyyqDp_MTNGk-6T0ZBsha1Ndr-eyOihCHP2K/s320/josiah+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then Josiah had to go on a hiatus. At the same time, his family reckoned it would be best for </span><span style="font-size: large;">him to focus more on 'real-world' stuff like farming and finishing school. In his father's words (who is also my friend) 'Hindi ka aasenso sa takbo-takbo mong yan!' So </span><span style="font-size: large;">I just told myself, maybe Project Josiah was not really meant to be Project Champion System. Maybe it was meant to be giving Josiah a more secure future. After </span><span style="font-size: large;">representing the Philippines in the 2012 Mt Kinabalu International Climbathon, he did get a scholarship from the benevolent governor of Benguet. And he was able to get </span><span style="font-size: large;">a bachelor's degree from Benguet State University through this scholarship. That's a lot to be thankful for. After all, more than athletic supremacy, a good life is my </span><span style="font-size: large;">primary <a href="http://www.lagataw.com/2017/10/why-i-no-longer-take-part-in-outreach.html" target="_blank">intention for the people I want to support</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6LdyoGClCjdkV0KynEQo7_86MFnI7GB6zlDgfV_aFSjfEy8g48IROWGhPmaBVNqDTFDGeLD5KvIs-strVGQNmXH-rVmxr97oOG0G5n36r_5JJmRLr8OTo3y5e7MP8AG0CHE6d-sOpoJA/s1600/DSC08819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6LdyoGClCjdkV0KynEQo7_86MFnI7GB6zlDgfV_aFSjfEy8g48IROWGhPmaBVNqDTFDGeLD5KvIs-strVGQNmXH-rVmxr97oOG0G5n36r_5JJmRLr8OTo3y5e7MP8AG0CHE6d-sOpoJA/s640/DSC08819.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with the Ballagans some years ago</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Five years later, in May 2017, at Tracing Iraynon-Bukidon Trails in Antique, I met John Ray Onifa. He would become my next project. His humility, rawness and pure grit </span><span style="font-size: large;">reminded me of Josiah. And Project Champion Sytem was reloaded!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This was our conversation in June 2017:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFt6PBYRtHsPTFjWCKPNbSqg0p0pB4bID_W00DdkPRvWWpz83QT2XYvyU10KMwXgV38R58Nx52xgCUbVbaeaIHDI5wzVjR39BluyAYg2ImTd-GnbCIvquBrhFNxXsEJ90O-RI4_JDkLcQ5/s1600/1Champion+System.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="643" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFt6PBYRtHsPTFjWCKPNbSqg0p0pB4bID_W00DdkPRvWWpz83QT2XYvyU10KMwXgV38R58Nx52xgCUbVbaeaIHDI5wzVjR39BluyAYg2ImTd-GnbCIvquBrhFNxXsEJ90O-RI4_JDkLcQ5/s640/1Champion+System.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkXyMl3CS6uodyvPsloHvr_gO4GEjJlX5ZXdoJeTjzDdfvBqa5EPD8jdZzi9WUMaUBJa04R7_GbfixyHGGB8Lb-Ipwv3zZ8n9TSAgPOtYvXSsQMyvsAoaQQUvAbb5c3SRuTcjG5XVx3Yo/s1600/2Champion+System.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="680" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkXyMl3CS6uodyvPsloHvr_gO4GEjJlX5ZXdoJeTjzDdfvBqa5EPD8jdZzi9WUMaUBJa04R7_GbfixyHGGB8Lb-Ipwv3zZ8n9TSAgPOtYvXSsQMyvsAoaQQUvAbb5c3SRuTcjG5XVx3Yo/s640/2Champion+System.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9T5poB8OmXiO42OSYcPLoKNrFcPEBZDcaikSo8x3HDdlTNfMYJM7Kta05DnrdDdLmdHjGg2tnhy_DsdpHK920vyCsU954lwr2eTyZdJwpU8Sy0QNl6pNgQhtzwMwiG0VInLOsFDpGKQE2/s1600/3aChampion+System.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="673" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9T5poB8OmXiO42OSYcPLoKNrFcPEBZDcaikSo8x3HDdlTNfMYJM7Kta05DnrdDdLmdHjGg2tnhy_DsdpHK920vyCsU954lwr2eTyZdJwpU8Sy0QNl6pNgQhtzwMwiG0VInLOsFDpGKQE2/s640/3aChampion+System.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj98YmaIMGQk7HxlI7GnEAGr-dpEi9wCAcZwCmp0n0UEJWpSWGsLyMSXOkGKxUciiPMxgd4EuGgSY9Oe2mwUvnpgQ9EZhZOuklG1-NFSdT9fUrj2TbbdmiBqD5h7xkFj_l0kaBVTMrLoof/s1600/3Champion+System.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="496" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj98YmaIMGQk7HxlI7GnEAGr-dpEi9wCAcZwCmp0n0UEJWpSWGsLyMSXOkGKxUciiPMxgd4EuGgSY9Oe2mwUvnpgQ9EZhZOuklG1-NFSdT9fUrj2TbbdmiBqD5h7xkFj_l0kaBVTMrLoof/s640/3Champion+System.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-NeI569iGORKS7LbZZ31e891J48T7DyYrMLIezLUDNqsu5VCme8BzlqNWJAIH-L8xBYqLDmQipqZwytketskQlOGFy0WOvtL7q9Cf_-i9bPxjnG5tSWaDZD0u6tIemxGJjkLpEq3PQEK/s1600/4Champion+System.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="579" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-NeI569iGORKS7LbZZ31e891J48T7DyYrMLIezLUDNqsu5VCme8BzlqNWJAIH-L8xBYqLDmQipqZwytketskQlOGFy0WOvtL7q9Cf_-i9bPxjnG5tSWaDZD0u6tIemxGJjkLpEq3PQEK/s640/4Champion+System.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08GcrJeUzR5nm_GJCkWrAFWiAR0AfxzuQtOWar3dMdc5U53htyaIjmwdyzWQ7a1DQzitq3AYXn9532ckdTZVBqzp94yvm6xO8wShC2OjopWWHRllc5N44yc1Wcva80AvoWLQgT9VPVggJ/s1600/Champion+System.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="657" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08GcrJeUzR5nm_GJCkWrAFWiAR0AfxzuQtOWar3dMdc5U53htyaIjmwdyzWQ7a1DQzitq3AYXn9532ckdTZVBqzp94yvm6xO8wShC2OjopWWHRllc5N44yc1Wcva80AvoWLQgT9VPVggJ/s640/Champion+System.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I immediately registered him in The North Face 100 Thailand 2018. I just knew it was going to be a key race for him. But before that, I wanted his name to be known in </span><span style="font-size: large;">the trail running community in the country so we both solicited help from many generous individuals-- a runner blogger from Mindanao, a web content specialist from </span><span style="font-size: large;">Laguna, a doctor from Antique, a lawyer from Iloilo and the lawyer's cousin. These people have unbelievably insisted in remaining anonymous behind John Ray's success.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On the road to TNF100 Thailand, he ruled supreme in trail races by Soleus, Salomon, Mapawa and RMR.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then came THE race! I was also running the 50K and I had learned that Ryan Blair and Daved Simpat were running the 50K as well. But as I was running the rolling terrain of Khao Yai National Park in Thailand, I thought to myself 'Kakainin ni John Ray tong ruta na to nang buong buo!' I was positive he was gonna win!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As I crossed the finish line after 7 hours and 30 minutes, our friend Eduard who ran the 25K distance was approaching. There was no need to ask but I had to confirm </span><span style="font-size: large;">'Ano panalo ba?' and he said 'Syempre naman....pero tito, kailangan ka makausap ni Blair dun sa athletes' tents!' And all of a sudden I was not hungry anymore </span><span style="font-size: large;">thinking 'Eto na. Magwawakas na ang stalker status ko! Lelevel up na to!' Ryan Blair means business! He goes straight to the point and wastes no time. His speed on the </span><span style="font-size: large;">trail is matched only by his swiftness in making decisions. Among a lot of other responsibilities, he owns three outdoor companies. You can imagine how little time he </span><span style="font-size: large;">has. So he wants things to happen quickly. He expressed his genuine interest in John Ray and looked us in the eye and said 'I will know that you are interested in </span><span style="font-size: large;">this opportunity if John Ray installs Whatsapp and gets in touch with me tonight!' And we did right then and there. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUl2FL5GgAPcQ0FLSRA3cv1Vw4TT5agJpBOeY3TLABuz7SlrmzHaYFXiFMJ5pO69ZCQ_PYTaSGDUM-N8LSc6IKBjWH4zajvqs-aRFJgL2AjjGKhSWLF5v84nbF2c5F9DqUAk-kUD58AnL6/s1600/d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUl2FL5GgAPcQ0FLSRA3cv1Vw4TT5agJpBOeY3TLABuz7SlrmzHaYFXiFMJ5pO69ZCQ_PYTaSGDUM-N8LSc6IKBjWH4zajvqs-aRFJgL2AjjGKhSWLF5v84nbF2c5F9DqUAk-kUD58AnL6/s640/d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stalker no more at TNF100 Thailand 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Around 5pm while Eduard and I were napping, John </span><span style="font-size: large;">Ray roused us up. Ryan had called to invite us to dinner with the team. We were both too pooped to pop--pointing fingers as to who would accompany John Ray to dinner. Only the thought of Champion System could get me out of bed, and it was such an ordeal.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My sleepiness vanished when the realization that I was at the same table with the elite athletes that I once just stalked had sunk in. Together with Ryan were Jay </span><span style="font-size: large;">Kiangchaipaiphana (from Thailand), Asia's foremost mountain biker and Daved Simpat, an elite vertical runner from Malaysia. I basically played the role of a translator </span><span style="font-size: large;">as Ryan was interviewing John Ray and introducing the team to him. In between, I would take every opportunity to get to know Jay and Daved. Before finishing dinner, </span><span style="font-size: large;">Ryan explained briefly the terms of the contract. Did he just say CONTRACT?! His flight back to Hong Kong was at 6pm the following day. The shuttle bus would be able </span><span style="font-size: large;">to get us to Bangkok by 3:30pm. There was no way, we could get John Ray to sign the contract the following day so I convinced John Ray to just go with Ryan to Bangkok </span><span style="font-size: large;">that night and we'll just meet him in the afternoon. I could see John Ray's anxiety knowing that he'd be in the company of total strangers all by himself in a foreign land for the first time and he could barely communicate with them. I just told him 'Wag ka mag-alala. Hindi ka nila kikidnapin!' which Ryan seconded.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVtoV-Wc9TJ5pNsB4FkpawJOcIhpXke1jC5sy3K1Xed9P0J4oZF-gZ7IlQEk-WmqyjCK-WyC3Te-Voe6DePTJesfEjpyt5BVR9wjGt4iXruTYrXhgzyJz8r24pk_nYlnXEtZ_1WaKEB7n/s1600/e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVtoV-Wc9TJ5pNsB4FkpawJOcIhpXke1jC5sy3K1Xed9P0J4oZF-gZ7IlQEk-WmqyjCK-WyC3Te-Voe6DePTJesfEjpyt5BVR9wjGt4iXruTYrXhgzyJz8r24pk_nYlnXEtZ_1WaKEB7n/s640/e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the presence of the elite team</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And so in less than 24 hours of deliberation, a contract was signed. I just wish government projects were as quick as this. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You see, this was not me helping John Ray. This was John Ray being instrumental in me fulfilling my half-a-decade-old mission! And as John Ray enters this celebrity </span><span style="font-size: large;">status, it's time for me to take a back seat and go to my rightful place -- a big fan! There's been a lot of hullabaloo in the country's trail running community and </span><span style="font-size: large;">John Ray has been under a lot of pressure in the past two days! As new horizons have opened up, John Ray's world has gotten smaller. His freedom to be himself has been </span><span style="font-size: large;">limited. Behind every friend request, post tag and congratulation, lurks the constant almost automatic admonition to every stardom -- Hwag sana lumaki ang ulo mo! -- as if we all really </span><span style="font-size: large;">know him personally. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1eSLWDPej3gQTFNUx7ZjMVKyB_Oa2ffPDc0vdCEonhv4A1fgOQdyfpdpaHKnFwat7EqmH9_N7LhBICfYXxJr0yUOahahgySQ2gNVwPoVZhnLsJ5z44RilrUTnDx1x3bcoE_a4TsG4o6y/s1600/DSC02293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1eSLWDPej3gQTFNUx7ZjMVKyB_Oa2ffPDc0vdCEonhv4A1fgOQdyfpdpaHKnFwat7EqmH9_N7LhBICfYXxJr0yUOahahgySQ2gNVwPoVZhnLsJ5z44RilrUTnDx1x3bcoE_a4TsG4o6y/s640/DSC02293.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even with little sleep, he tries to attend to his Facebook account worried that his kababayans might think he's 'suplado'</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But who really is John Ray Onifa? I think I got to know him better during our four-hour flight from Bangkok today. And I'll share this to you on the second part of </span><span style="font-size: large;">this story. </span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-30733475639537721002018-01-16T22:11:00.000-08:002018-06-19T18:27:25.155-07:00Top Ten and one Hiking Stuff I No Longer Include on my Top Ten Hiking Stuff List<div class="MsoNormal">
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<br /><b><span style="line-height: 19.9333px;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">1. Bag Tags</span></span></b></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1u3wPxoZwAbsXg1Hj0yj_BLTi5WBXLIH86ZhPmHSKmeZYOWm94UEK6E2c7Meyb4kUZ6XxeWJXhY1IvxBSOzrdaFPshsTSjni-H_xpY6xzIFvtXbjWVSbe0FfQE-S3hIQAZoR5C7KmPZq/s1600/DSC08532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1u3wPxoZwAbsXg1Hj0yj_BLTi5WBXLIH86ZhPmHSKmeZYOWm94UEK6E2c7Meyb4kUZ6XxeWJXhY1IvxBSOzrdaFPshsTSjni-H_xpY6xzIFvtXbjWVSbe0FfQE-S3hIQAZoR5C7KmPZq/s640/DSC08532.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our climb ID during the first Lagataw Invitational Climb</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I used to think climb bag tags were cool. We called them 'climb ID' . They were considered a validation for one’s being a ‘mountaineer’. I had two—one during my
first Mt Pulag Climb in 2006 and another from the <a href="http://www.lagataw.com/2011/01/first-lagataw-invitational-climb.html" target="_blank">Mt Pulag invitational climb</a> I
organized in 2011. But these days, I see them as an indicator for hikers who
have not outgrown their newbie fervor. I wonder if the likes of Romi Garduce
still rave about bag tags. But bag tags are not solely for
pormahan. They serve other meaningful purposes for others.</span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">2. Anklets</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>‘Mountaineer ka ba talaga? Ba’t wala kang anklet?’</i> That was
a taunting remark that one of my earlier buddies got from his mountaineer
neighbor. He was told that the number of anklets he had round his ankle
indicated the number of mountains he had climbed. None of us ever got on this
bandwagon. Perhaps we were some of the non-conformists who became the precursors
to the extinction of this dogma in the local hiking scene. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></h2>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">3. Energy Drinks</span></span></b></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was weak! My first climb was in Mt Romelo. To those
familiar with the place, we’d consider the ‘ikalawang burol’ as a major
assault. This memory always leaves me ROFLing now that I’ve seen legit assaults
in Kibungan. During those days, I would always strategically plan the times I’d
take a sip on my Lipovitan—that would usually be right before an ‘assault’ (ROFL).
Later on I switched to Cobra (Pag meron ka nito wala kang talo!) and a few times
to Extra Joss. My last energy booster was Cobra Smart (the green one). Then I
got naturally tougher so now, nothing beats natural spring water from spouts
along the trail.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></h2>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">4. Speakers</span></span></b></h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23AzpX4JAHBTCec8qsJZW6YhK-dpiSsIfJNB4dnYvCcUGMRuhAjvVQy3jzvaJmgsemBdLsvOvwd6RW1YwiB_qUmkcwXEWv8TRDb-TdAR9r-SfxNay_vNzepxvfY3m9iPz9WgAbtp8Tprh/s1600/speakers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23AzpX4JAHBTCec8qsJZW6YhK-dpiSsIfJNB4dnYvCcUGMRuhAjvVQy3jzvaJmgsemBdLsvOvwd6RW1YwiB_qUmkcwXEWv8TRDb-TdAR9r-SfxNay_vNzepxvfY3m9iPz9WgAbtp8Tprh/s400/speakers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot my speaker on the picture?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We don’t know how it all started but mobile public music
came to be an indispensable element in a quintessential road trip. Almost all
teen movies feature this. Remember White Chicks? <i>‘Makin’ my way downtown walkin’ fast faces pass and I’m homebound’</i> Them
girls luvit. But on the mountains it should be 50 percent Bob Marley, 20
percent Jack Johnson and 30 percent others. Well in the Facebook era, the
others share has now become 60 percent in order to accommodate Charlie Puth and
Ex Battalion among too many others. I’m
not gonna lie, I used to think industrial music was necessary to make a trip
fun. I would include a minimalist speaker in my minimalist camping list.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It took a long time for me to realize how much more I could
appreciate the music of nature—the orchestra of the whispering breeze the rustling
leaves, the chirping birds and the flowing river. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Now that’s real minimalistic and
organic!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">5. To-bring list<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Who did not go through this things-to-bring checklist? Back in
the day, there were no climb organizers. Clubs would assign a leader to take
responsibility for the climbing party. Freelancers would e-mail (yes not pm) or
call other freelancers for a planned hike. At times newbies would form a team
with other newbies. With scant logistical information available, hiking (even
just Mt Batulao) was a daunting challenge then. So every hike was supposed to
be carefully planned and every member of the climbing party was supposed to be
responsible for themselves. And everyone had to keep a checklist of things to
bring. Many of us still do this but when you climb a lot, all those things on
your list almost always stay in your pack even after the climb. And there’s no
more need for this checklist. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">6. Topo Map</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Google Earth Pro in combination with Google maps has
rendered NAMRIA topographic maps unnecessary for me. There was a time when they
would be just like bag tags and climb shirts—a testimony for one’s ‘hardcoreness’.
<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqawnabmMnqfqoPVls62aTGJQl5dguKtlE8-KSevRjkcdUodQkF3cCjNUf5ZCTqpUoB2HWLnVxnQiW1z-28uDg0Dsvhici89unn6fqH8266dukyByg1Cn9ogCUy0td2Dk3QBYnR5KevvCK/s1600/planning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqawnabmMnqfqoPVls62aTGJQl5dguKtlE8-KSevRjkcdUodQkF3cCjNUf5ZCTqpUoB2HWLnVxnQiW1z-28uDg0Dsvhici89unn6fqH8266dukyByg1Cn9ogCUy0td2Dk3QBYnR5KevvCK/s640/planning.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For my guideless Mt Amuyao trek in 2006, I had to buy two scales of a NAMRIA map that includes Mt. Province</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am able to navigate Google maps using a wide range of
scales as opposed to the 1:50,000 or 1:250,000 scales of NAMRIA which are centered
on a limited area only. I am not a professional mapper. There might be things
that you can get out of a NAMRIA map that you can’t from Goolge. But I know for
sure Google has ground level view and NAMRIA doesn’t. And you need to buy a new
NAMRIA map if you want the updated edition, unlike Google which is constantly
updated.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">But better than physical and virtual maps is your ability to
read the actual terrain—the antecedent to the contours on your topographic map.
Strive to get to that level where you are able to decipher trails and water
lines based on your actual point of view on the actual terrain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">7. Climb Shirt<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGCqPClusH8NC03H4XxqhgUPdX0VRbgp-ZTswC-w-DT1dZ61f-pL6P7UQodHz5Uvz2mZfUcr7LesdBAK_FTYv73nVCXtIQZdC5LUgO-0i2ImM5qD5WjR3Na2tBGxymA23xCUJeuQW9KxW/s1600/nixnme.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="763" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGCqPClusH8NC03H4XxqhgUPdX0VRbgp-ZTswC-w-DT1dZ61f-pL6P7UQodHz5Uvz2mZfUcr7LesdBAK_FTYv73nVCXtIQZdC5LUgO-0i2ImM5qD5WjR3Na2tBGxymA23xCUJeuQW9KxW/s640/nixnme.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first Luzon 3-2-1 deservves a climb shirt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I think almost all of us hikers, old and new, have had a
climb shirt at least once in our hiking life. Climb shirts give us a sense of pride.
We would sport it at bus terminals and on trails. And the word CONQUERED should
always be printed in bold.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">These days, I have no vanity specifications for my shirt. As
long as it’s dri-fit, it will do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">8. Earth Pad<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHnJklKYYbuzFGf3MILB-4cFlJaJoYL9cHMtz0-x0_laTWerHaxZLX6PbCIaOMCMFqQfkfmqsYdgPl7JtJiYLV4GpcCn8YwX45oHH546OcjsNJ2kI5ptPcKny1Tsd0Qytssgq08Z_ipro/s1600/earthpad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="784" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHnJklKYYbuzFGf3MILB-4cFlJaJoYL9cHMtz0-x0_laTWerHaxZLX6PbCIaOMCMFqQfkfmqsYdgPl7JtJiYLV4GpcCn8YwX45oHH546OcjsNJ2kI5ptPcKny1Tsd0Qytssgq08Z_ipro/s640/earthpad.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the versatility of earth pads also includes wind protection when cooking and mat during socials and while sleeping in tents</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I don’t know if the new hikers have this word in their
hiking vocabulary. But there was a time when earth pads and ground sheets were
as ubiquitous as dreadlocks and tattoos among hikers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">An earth pad is that rubbery sheet we’d use to give form to
our backpacks while trekking and serve as an indigenous Therm-a-rest sleeping
pad at camp. <br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I never bought an earth pad cuz I didn’t know how. My ‘inductor' just gave me one. And I mysteriously lost it just when I was starting to lean
towards minimalism. But I still miss the extra comfort it would give me when
sleeping in a tent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">9. Malong</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOQ8GvySirwrLqH6az4zCaBOQbT8bGAQe7mnASzuHhfEoUD8_BUxACM2lDo4hUbirzS5R0LPXEnavcuNXCs6n4dDDEqE98pU7euAiNvMcnydJoaAfMquorsQ7sTlWiu9rP_Ygfcy6sGpd/s1600/%252Bt-%25C2%25B0+093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOQ8GvySirwrLqH6az4zCaBOQbT8bGAQe7mnASzuHhfEoUD8_BUxACM2lDo4hUbirzS5R0LPXEnavcuNXCs6n4dDDEqE98pU7euAiNvMcnydJoaAfMquorsQ7sTlWiu9rP_Ygfcy6sGpd/s640/%252Bt-%25C2%25B0+093.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I think everyone who climbed Mt Romelo during its heyday had a
malong during the socials. It would have been a perfect time to ask the question
<i>‘Dong, taga asa mo?’</i> I’m not gonna explain how useful the malong is. The only
one I owned was also given to me by one of my earlier climbing buddies. I have
not used a malong since I (again) mysteriously lost that gift. If I had the
chance I’d buy another one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">10. Outreach Programs<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-0i59MuZitm0VI0G1zQJvtVwpftLGAmH1hmKEGP27RzumR8vlyV63uNmaAzzoU1TMQZClghTCST69-_dyIkUDokYE2wvlQjZUpwTuo10IIAUa6SbguKsZLuXjWU__7tv0ie4g95AZHtI/s1600/206070_450342568317216_58693544_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-0i59MuZitm0VI0G1zQJvtVwpftLGAmH1hmKEGP27RzumR8vlyV63uNmaAzzoU1TMQZClghTCST69-_dyIkUDokYE2wvlQjZUpwTuo10IIAUa6SbguKsZLuXjWU__7tv0ie4g95AZHtI/s640/206070_450342568317216_58693544_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visayan Trekkers Forum Freedom Trek Visayas 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">This topic should be a separate post. But I’ll try to keep
my point concise. In 2012 I was one of the main organizers of Freedom Trek
Visayas (Visayan Trekkers Forum). We selected a remote village (not necessarily
a climbing destination) as a recipient for our medical and back to school
outreach activity. It was my first and I thought we were just going to breeze
through it but I did not expect that it would get an overwhelming response from
the village folks. I saw people with untreated diseases (which for us
city-dwellers would just be quickly remedied by things in our meds box) lining
up even though it was just a vaccination and basic medication activity. Fortunately
we had some extra medicine and the most benevolent medical practitioner with
us. That’s when I realized that there is a real and existing need for medical
missions in remote areas in the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Let me make it clear, I support outreach programs as they
are. What I despise are misdirected and vainglorious outreach activities. Many
misunderstand the Igorots. We think that because they are ‘katutubo’ they are
poor. Some of them actually have more cash than us. They’re hidden cold in
their cabinets. And why would you give slippers to an old man whose soles have
grown lugs in the sixty years he has walked the trails barefoot?! They
appreciate your intentions, don’t get me wrong. But maybe we don’t need to go
far away if we just need to genuinely help. At PGH there might be a patient
right now who needs financial aid for his surgery. He might be graduating soon and could be the best president of the Philippines in the future. Help
comes in many forms, not just pens and paper. You can gather the DoTA players
in your barangay and teach them the Pythagorean Theorem or the SAS Postulate. You
can declutter your room and give your old Raggedy Ann doll to a little girl on
her birthday.<br />
<br />
But really nigga?! A selfie is necessary?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>11. Top Load</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BJMEpBagexFbj3aduVGtko_uIFHE9oIxYbQSKUafkXoJyjr_M5kg01SAtArsbq5L5BHJZ6hwVWgxrSVNz2QA5IptKfw7myP2uEmsjVtMeksEwnxqa-P4_LJIwhqfVzsf_sXLBhMesGTr/s1600/ETD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="717" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BJMEpBagexFbj3aduVGtko_uIFHE9oIxYbQSKUafkXoJyjr_M5kg01SAtArsbq5L5BHJZ6hwVWgxrSVNz2QA5IptKfw7myP2uEmsjVtMeksEwnxqa-P4_LJIwhqfVzsf_sXLBhMesGTr/s640/ETD.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a necessary top load because this bus to Sinacbat was really packed inside. And it just hit me! This was taken a long time ago because top loads are no longer allowed on Halsema Highway these days.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Admit it, you once hopped on to the roof of your monster jeep and 'whoooed' and 'wheeed' as it coursed through the winding country road.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I used to do that too. And everyone knows that your butt will hurt if you don't find the perfect spot to sit on. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">These days, I'd secure a seat inside the jeepney. I see no point in climbing up other than taking a groupie for keeps.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">There could be other things that I no longer do
or use but failed to include in this top-ten list. Maybe you can help me remember them. There’s a
comment section below. And hey this post was meant to be humorous. No hard
feelings man! If you like it, share it.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-669496133379701322018-01-03T12:12:00.000-08:002018-06-19T18:27:59.837-07:00The Lagataw Difference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCr-OCerRYgxrrhtD0NaHlTS2eJq0zzYBS1hdzEWmiHEJjTmtT_A2qMa-KZT0qNpT5Z_bJgmcgBLpsLjV9n_nTp6AynE_vvqzh3N0LcyoCOUHSkrVCUxxqEB1hev466Iv4iKD04dwboftG/s1600/tbt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCr-OCerRYgxrrhtD0NaHlTS2eJq0zzYBS1hdzEWmiHEJjTmtT_A2qMa-KZT0qNpT5Z_bJgmcgBLpsLjV9n_nTp6AynE_vvqzh3N0LcyoCOUHSkrVCUxxqEB1hev466Iv4iKD04dwboftG/s400/tbt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the destinations we take our friends to. (photo by Josh Pasia)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">When I was kid I was the only child in the family who had
roamed beyond the two-block radius around our home before reaching the age
of six. In fourth grade, while everyone was using saw dust to show creativity
in our map project, I used crushed egg shells for my map of Leyte.
I have always had this thirst for uniqueness and discovery; to do what others do differently. And I’ve
taken this principle even in my treks. Here are some of the things that make
Lagataw treks different.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoSubtitle">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoSubtitle">
<i><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Route</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOPPiJhboI6hFRJQLoWoVC3LxI9wUg4NZhr-zJsaM8dWd0PwxAmFII-E8lt4yfgQ5lsRz-sc1DqBREsQWx-10Xd26Dq-VXf3_nMLA7e4pVemPapBXyz2gjWM2YF8ULEzMfeCcEGhIJFfs/s1600/kevinjeff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="1469" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOPPiJhboI6hFRJQLoWoVC3LxI9wUg4NZhr-zJsaM8dWd0PwxAmFII-E8lt4yfgQ5lsRz-sc1DqBREsQWx-10Xd26Dq-VXf3_nMLA7e4pVemPapBXyz2gjWM2YF8ULEzMfeCcEGhIJFfs/s640/kevinjeff.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone knows how easy a climb Mt Timbak is. But they have not tried starting from Lake Ambuklao.</td></tr>
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In Lagataw treks we choose routes that are not frequented by
mainstream hikers. These local trails meander through scenic landscapes as
opposed to conventional hiking routes where the views are often only found at
the summit. The views in our routes are all so scenic that you'll sometimes
hear <i>'Hwag na kayo mag-picture dyan.
buburahin nyo rin yan pag nakita nyo ang mga susunod na spots.' </i>And because
we want to keep these routes unspoilt, we observe the ‘don’t ask don’t tell’
principle.<i><br />
</i><br />
<span class="SubtitleChar"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></span>
<span class="SubtitleChar"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></span>
<span class="SubtitleChar"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
Trail</span></span></i></b></span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAQQqIs-AEh_59xcXfnrj7nXKb-doRmLOBSJpKOu1X4GW_2Ak0ngwXyicdEftyirMBtV3vnTLYDvXithIq_p7tDq8MJ-iKaTT8lNJzPbSIDEY_L0auGBAi3VpbNXIy0nA0DeSIgWzR-f4/s1600/ferrata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAQQqIs-AEh_59xcXfnrj7nXKb-doRmLOBSJpKOu1X4GW_2Ak0ngwXyicdEftyirMBtV3vnTLYDvXithIq_p7tDq8MJ-iKaTT8lNJzPbSIDEY_L0auGBAi3VpbNXIy0nA0DeSIgWzR-f4/s640/ferrata.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The idea of conveying 12 participants down this slippery boulder always gives me nightmares before the trek.</td></tr>
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The trails we take are immaculate. They are used only by
locals, so you won't see a lot of unpleasant debris from mountain tourists. And
because they are used by locals every day, they are conveniently passable; no
bushwhacking needed. The trails, however, are oblivious of the ineptitude of
many mountain tourists. The trails only care about conveying locals from one <i>sitio</i> to another in the shortest
possible distance. As a result, they would often involve steep ascents and descents.
They also don't take into consideration the limitations of your Vibram outsole.
You'll be treading on virtually all kinds of terrain: rolling pebbles, mossy
boulders, mossy steps, mossy hard clay, narrow fringes of rice paddies,
dilapidated suspension bridges, etc. Experience in the outdoors is necessary in
Lagataw treks. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i><span class="SubtitleChar"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Take Five</span></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpwKlRqQKXy1sP-IrntvhoNOf2GhJMRynHJ_aCM_xJJhcsdoifY4vlbhuyzPZXeghVogl_uG4yfH6ng6RnfJdJ2KaKRlNyZKG3MTihjutDnQZUjbQAFyPHTw1byjgxdCAr1Kv3YcVz8kS/s1600/cafe+rocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpwKlRqQKXy1sP-IrntvhoNOf2GhJMRynHJ_aCM_xJJhcsdoifY4vlbhuyzPZXeghVogl_uG4yfH6ng6RnfJdJ2KaKRlNyZKG3MTihjutDnQZUjbQAFyPHTw1byjgxdCAr1Kv3YcVz8kS/s640/cafe+rocks.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I, myself, would really love to have our socials here. Unfortunately, our itinerary can only afford an extended take-five on this 'cafe on the rocks'</td></tr>
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The whole course is dotted with picturesque views and we've chosen the best
spots to relieve your tired muscles. These spots, if they were near Manila,
would be independent destinations in themselves. They make it very difficult to
draft the itinerary because everyone would wish to camp at each of these spots
but we've got limited time so we only spend a few minutes there. That’s how our
take-fives are.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">The Climbing Party<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFGZnMTeSngkmoMeRWQTUabqnnzCqvrAjQMBnieOLBzKqgZP327XwagyHGqaY7zf-QeuVyY395dNTQK2pYNOzUqr6o7wK6mlO1Y41tTrsfGzi0uCDc7N9AS6kSPPQ1elYYkdoCq2TW_fy/s1600/the+A+team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="1539" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFGZnMTeSngkmoMeRWQTUabqnnzCqvrAjQMBnieOLBzKqgZP327XwagyHGqaY7zf-QeuVyY395dNTQK2pYNOzUqr6o7wK6mlO1Y41tTrsfGzi0uCDc7N9AS6kSPPQ1elYYkdoCq2TW_fy/s640/the+A+team.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the most successful and memorable treks we had was participated in by this small but homogeneous team.</td></tr>
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We make sure that the team is as homogeneous as possible in
terms of pacing and attitude. We profile aspirants according to their ‘trekking
resume’ including recommendations from mutual friends. Strength and endurance
are integral criteria in the screening. But many forget that dexterity and the
ability to negotiate technical terrain are equally important. But most
importantly, we look for attitude. We respect and encourage diversity in
personality, gender, creed, and body size. But we are very particular about
good attitude towards travelling with strangers. Are you a good team player or
you expect to just lull yourself on a hammock and just wait for the <i>‘Kainan na!’</i> call? Can you acknowledge
that sometimes you could be wrong or you’re the know-it-all who would join a
climb and dictate where and when the whole party should camp and take rests, or
how the socials should go? We don’t need someone who wants to modify the
itinerary and the guiding principles of Lagataw treks to cater to his/her own
idea of a good trek?<o:p></o:p></div>
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The homogeneity and the small size of the team as well as
the length of the journey make it possible for each participant to interact
with other members of the climbing party. This is very difficult to achieve in
a day hike at Mt Ulap where you have more than twenty guests. In hikes like
that, the sole objective is usually to be able to say 'been there, done that,
got the shirt'. But we want to go beyond traveling as strangers in one group.
We want the team to be a community of like-minded individuals interacting with each other and learning together the teachings of the terrain and the small community they immerse themselves into.<br />
<br />
As a result, some participants of previous Lagataw treks
become really close friends that they even form their own mini teams and trek by
themselves sometime after the event. This makes us feel proud that something
good has come out of the trek.</div>
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<span class="SubtitleChar"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">The Pre-Screening</span></i></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="SubtitleChar"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtPzzhnsOtrmMWQvietBi3Fr6dZvsAh6Uv5SBbAVp5TCevjZdMzDFwiOSUocWeSCvYLX3BWM-yg2FxMwhb_Xhx8sh3Xp7LU6q4mgJ1EkaWBzyCBQRw8WpO811Nh6Q36YYrhJnQZXRpvFi/s1600/pm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="769" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtPzzhnsOtrmMWQvietBi3Fr6dZvsAh6Uv5SBbAVp5TCevjZdMzDFwiOSUocWeSCvYLX3BWM-yg2FxMwhb_Xhx8sh3Xp7LU6q4mgJ1EkaWBzyCBQRw8WpO811Nh6Q36YYrhJnQZXRpvFi/s640/pm.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one's a good introduction.</td></tr>
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Perhaps the most novel feature of Lagataw treks is the screening process. One
easy criterion to qualify you or not is your first question. Most who
immediately ask <i>'Magkano po event fee?'</i>
<i>or 'Patingin po ng itinerary'</i> are
immediately seen zoned. We prefer to hear <i>'Kaya
ko po ba to?'</i> <i>or 'Gusto ko sana i-try
kaya lang qualified po ba ako?'</i> We could get really prejudicial during this
first inquiry phase. If you ask ‘How much?’ and that information is included in
the very short event description, you would be regarded as ‘the typical entitled
millennial guest who has no time to read’. There was also one time we had to
ignore someone because his profile picture seemed to shout ‘I’m a mountaineer!’
because of his proud <i>Taong Bundok</i> statement
shirt. Your profile picture says a lot about your character. After all, you’ve
carefully selected that among a gazillion of your photos to best represent who you
are. Sadly, we have a bias against someone whose profile picture features Mt Batulao.
We don’t aim to be loved by a million. We prefer quality over quantity.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Empowerment and Education<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HPIQ_ZGTHBM86s1YZjkMtAP5R9uk9JnydIo6bog0i1OJBdrtiBYn_1KGCnKp96LsRKouJV-4Sw3ya69wA5Gwo0yaDz1tV6-iPcC1xDswR2p-hwTOJzBTLnghQ2A8Ko1616jM7XqnOtNh/s1600/El+Caminante.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HPIQ_ZGTHBM86s1YZjkMtAP5R9uk9JnydIo6bog0i1OJBdrtiBYn_1KGCnKp96LsRKouJV-4Sw3ya69wA5Gwo0yaDz1tV6-iPcC1xDswR2p-hwTOJzBTLnghQ2A8Ko1616jM7XqnOtNh/s640/El+Caminante.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They've temporarily named their group El Gagos. They met as strangers in the soft core edition of Lagataw Tenglawan Extreme. Then they started exploring areas in Kapangan, Benguet. And look what they've found! They've organized groups to this breathtaking view deck and I haven't even seen it! Couldn't be any prouder. (photo by Reyn Tancio)</td></tr>
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We believe the outdoor adventure community in the
Philippines has gotten too big. Many hikers follow one pervasive protocol: I’ll
make the reservation deposit and someone will find a way to get me to that
selfie spot. We want to empower our participants. We hope that when the trek is
over they will have learned how to distinguish water that is safe to drink or
to somehow determine the right way even without the directions of a guide. We sometimes select
some participants to lead the team and others to handle radio communication so
that they can have a taste of responsibility and power. We want them to know
that each of them can be leaders. And in order to further spread this culture
and knowledge we teach and encourage them to organize their own events. Many
think that the ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ principle revolves around the concept of greed. But in
fact, we’re actually just choosing who to tell.</div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Meal Teams<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhog7N-vSOJwv0sVoAiRVDhIFQsg3Ta_d9ZgUHKYQ1hrdzq1hFVFa7ISwTgXh5oj9UrBwmryRxDMKYuZJo1QQS_YmQoxxt9Ift6JJUyXjvL2884bVIu8sJwUG65RsG9-lwYY4qdJPUsPKQN/s1600/witchcrafct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="1130" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhog7N-vSOJwv0sVoAiRVDhIFQsg3Ta_d9ZgUHKYQ1hrdzq1hFVFa7ISwTgXh5oj9UrBwmryRxDMKYuZJo1QQS_YmQoxxt9Ift6JJUyXjvL2884bVIu8sJwUG65RsG9-lwYY4qdJPUsPKQN/s640/witchcrafct.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jane admits that cooking rice is the only thing she knows in the kitchen. But she gladly (and nervously) accepted the challenge given to her by the breakfast team leader to prepare some soup at 4 in the morning.</td></tr>
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Another unique feature of Lagataw treks is the Meal Teams.
We can’t present to you a gourmet chef in the house. That’s because we believe
that with teamwork you are all capable of serving the most sumptuous meal
outdoors.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We divide the whole climbing party into three teams—Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner teams. Usually the stronger ones belong to the dinner team so
that the tail pack will have some hot soup to sip by the time they get to the
camp site all tired and testy. The tail usually belongs to the breakfast team. They
often have to wake up very early to prepare our breakfast. Some see this as
some sort of consequence for being slow and weak. But we’d like to see it as a
reward for the faster and stronger ones who prepared dinner the previous night that
gave the other teams the perk to not do any task after the day’s tiring trek. Those who are organized and systematic when
working usually belong to the lunch team. They make sure that no time is wasted
while preparing lunch <i>en route</i> to the
destination for the day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Each team is responsible for the procurement, conveyance,
preparation and after-care of the meal assigned to them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This system not only promotes camaraderie, teamwork and
sense of responsibility among team members but it also ensures the proper distribution
of load and work among each of the participants.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Ecotourism<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AFFShEWKk3UeSEaLeIyy_xJzU1pmVx5UU6nYsqVh4r6YKRo_hBxbxPTN84bjre1fVBqbPWaFkWie9JsazN118_Fo7JhyphenhyphenKmS3iotGF3GsjpR05-judNU4ds_h5N7tWdpGbkkrClNR76sJ/s1600/immersion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AFFShEWKk3UeSEaLeIyy_xJzU1pmVx5UU6nYsqVh4r6YKRo_hBxbxPTN84bjre1fVBqbPWaFkWie9JsazN118_Fo7JhyphenhyphenKmS3iotGF3GsjpR05-judNU4ds_h5N7tWdpGbkkrClNR76sJ/s640/immersion.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A local farmer showing us how rice is harvested stalk by stalk using an implement called 'lakum' (photo by El Caminante)</td></tr>
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As learning is an important tenet in Lagataw treks, we want
the participants to learn about the life in the remote areas we visit. What better
place to learn these things than a local house? One of the things you’ll learn when
you spend the night at a local house is how much they value rice in the
Cordilleras. You may also learn an interesting way to start fire. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
We also discourage participants from bringing alcoholic beverages and encourage them, instead, to try local wine like <i>tapey</i> and <i>basi</i>. We also buy some of our ingredients in the small village stores.<br />
<br />
Through these practices, we are able to minimize our impact; build environmental and cultural awareness and respect; provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts; provide direct financial benefits for conservation; generate financial benefits for local people; and deliver memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host community’s political, environmental, and social climates.<br />
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But aside from giving way to the principles of ecotourism, homestays and local stores also free us from the unnecessary burden of our tents and some goods.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">The Guide<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWWGNHI5hdRliA16m8gwCflO4BXGEFFo6dQozGa6u2J4VW3RXCJf1e21auNf5254m6X76akGCpwhElOQiYwqsS6dzUBjtbB0Nmn3OPYY_NJCtnDEwwNsO5u1NijQRPaWYNh6DPJ5H3MRL/s1600/23a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="1467" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWWGNHI5hdRliA16m8gwCflO4BXGEFFo6dQozGa6u2J4VW3RXCJf1e21auNf5254m6X76akGCpwhElOQiYwqsS6dzUBjtbB0Nmn3OPYY_NJCtnDEwwNsO5u1NijQRPaWYNh6DPJ5H3MRL/s640/23a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first Kapangan-Kibungan-Bakun mega-trek was completely unguided </td></tr>
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As we have previously traced our routes without the aid of
local guides, there could be segments where we’ll be trekking by ourselves. In
these segments we give you the opportunity to learn one very useful outdoors
skill—to ‘smell’ the trail. We let you lead the way and decide which way to
take at forks. It’s fun to learn how to read maps but isn’t it more exciting to
learn how to read the actual terrain—what the contours of your topographic map
represent?</div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">The Socials<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There doesn't have to be any liquor. Sometimes brewed native coffee is enough to provide a stimulating discussion.</td></tr>
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And because we want to minimize our physical and behavioral impacts
in the locality, we avoid the traditional raucous kind of socials. We drink, if
at all, in moderation and we make sure that we don’t disturb the peaceful night
of the villagers.<br />
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During the socials, we try to get to know each other better.
We sometimes put the spotlight on each of us one by one. We encourage you to
speak about either your field of expertise, your hometown, your hobby,
basically just about anything that points to you. When we’re too tired, we just
hit the hay right after dinner.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It is the mission of Lagataw treks to revolutionize trekking
in the Philippines. We want you to learn about adventure hand in hand with responsibility.
So if you’re the one who wants to get off that ‘Here’s my event fee get me to
that selfie spot’ bandwagon, we’re waiting for you!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>If you think others need to read this, don't forget to share it.</i></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-46101067432497253032017-12-18T22:39:00.003-08:002018-06-20T05:14:15.869-07:00Tacadang Circuit: A Journey to your Soul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqf-rkaWPWYIMkVfk7yV7cSWWS-A4wriKDt5p2Qus0aB29dJsQVNNOHl7xgUjYbDN0h4oNJbZPTf5dUxgh5L-i4zGr_Vg_XJUHHdPVtcr8L-ytaXnUKMiygaoOwdz5vINJqPk-pYk7J7j/s1600/les+eng.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1228" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqf-rkaWPWYIMkVfk7yV7cSWWS-A4wriKDt5p2Qus0aB29dJsQVNNOHl7xgUjYbDN0h4oNJbZPTf5dUxgh5L-i4zGr_Vg_XJUHHdPVtcr8L-ytaXnUKMiygaoOwdz5vINJqPk-pYk7J7j/s640/les+eng.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The rice terraces of Les-eng hemmed in by the plateau of Batangan and nourished by Talaktak Falls.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We first shared this route to some friends in August 2015. The objective was to offer a select number of outdoors people not just a journey through the hidden trails of Kibungan but also a journey to oneself. The route we take is unknown to mainstream hikers. Two years has passed after the first group did the Tacadang Circuit, and still you won't meet other hikers on the trail at least during the first two days. Mainstream hikers are often too busy sitio-bagging at Kibungan Cross Country. This route is dotted with mesmerizing views that make every trekker linger which, much to the organizer's distress, consequently delays the desired camp site ETA. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUAfvS1rgfbm8dsnbYGLA2X52mOdtXmcd31_uCQixVDIS76w6yBAKnvIFzudISVV8xnj04pcWr-P6trusGvj3wM5NJRqQUHreeH1ICD7NJvDwuge74txbiOk-ai_jlCNwRx8IF9SGfNoH/s1600/bangin2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="1110" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUAfvS1rgfbm8dsnbYGLA2X52mOdtXmcd31_uCQixVDIS76w6yBAKnvIFzudISVV8xnj04pcWr-P6trusGvj3wM5NJRqQUHreeH1ICD7NJvDwuge74txbiOk-ai_jlCNwRx8IF9SGfNoH/s640/bangin2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The route is precariously beautiful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8kwlbbaA04e0X7DndjZqyx6CNn8lr8yTOy91Ps7Yxe2PMp_1EkZ8qFYUuX0LbwX0fD0s4a0VlFkvrpvDzzyG7X6WAQe6nNOvgqAjAYy8OmSUSOaDLQJsXPdf_QoWDguM2dFMG2HwgroC/s1600/bintana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1474" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8kwlbbaA04e0X7DndjZqyx6CNn8lr8yTOy91Ps7Yxe2PMp_1EkZ8qFYUuX0LbwX0fD0s4a0VlFkvrpvDzzyG7X6WAQe6nNOvgqAjAYy8OmSUSOaDLQJsXPdf_QoWDguM2dFMG2HwgroC/s640/bintana.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I never knew cliffs could get this photogenic.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWrPOfJ1lFo1HxalNcQ7L_DuM8oEi-Rj1W-4bjWAWC69Kfj9OgVuv70BCuDPXqbPSySBHmIXga0sJ6T2H5GaBMlHvT8qNUublfvlJ-qbak3WengGyIIb1CUTxoK2e1HpilWiEryg7-1mM/s1600/batangan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1474" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWrPOfJ1lFo1HxalNcQ7L_DuM8oEi-Rj1W-4bjWAWC69Kfj9OgVuv70BCuDPXqbPSySBHmIXga0sJ6T2H5GaBMlHvT8qNUublfvlJ-qbak3WengGyIIb1CUTxoK2e1HpilWiEryg7-1mM/s640/batangan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The captivating panorama of the rice fields in Tacadang</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6sbXqL2HFlngViCMwxJEVd8PvTZopohabDl07MzmIWw4_ZNhoN2aOGd7Vr3331rpw0tWcNwwKaZjodpYTkLHBPuTjkPmo1hz7ZICTmHuy2pwD1FVJqIHgDl0iBruDvBoeF5gzatF5K2U/s1600/falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1309" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6sbXqL2HFlngViCMwxJEVd8PvTZopohabDl07MzmIWw4_ZNhoN2aOGd7Vr3331rpw0tWcNwwKaZjodpYTkLHBPuTjkPmo1hz7ZICTmHuy2pwD1FVJqIHgDl0iBruDvBoeF5gzatF5K2U/s640/falls.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ravine is lined with countless waterfalls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmmwIadYcJg4R4aNz0xPl5Ht140ZQIiXvpK4uNgI4BWmg8mO7s3PuKpgmojWXhHNhTIkBifz9enSG03My9D7Ukyjs7CONpyFIHh8LGzZkJ7huWaZjEI4TLQt_rAfN3leD9uNgz30OZ_6-/s1600/G0520790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1210" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmmwIadYcJg4R4aNz0xPl5Ht140ZQIiXvpK4uNgI4BWmg8mO7s3PuKpgmojWXhHNhTIkBifz9enSG03My9D7Ukyjs7CONpyFIHh8LGzZkJ7huWaZjEI4TLQt_rAfN3leD9uNgz30OZ_6-/s640/G0520790.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a rainy day, the valleys cry rivers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFV8GTXeWhP73RmtQgW43guXbjhKL4HILkx4V06DRfOcjy6kAPshv0RZOHm-2QmOtilZnm0v2gFD-mKEnILqOcZ4fLsoqkYp9AeZG9RASVC7uNYkaQ3il81iDHc_clQ_MbH6TG0WVF6FuO/s1600/bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="1370" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFV8GTXeWhP73RmtQgW43guXbjhKL4HILkx4V06DRfOcjy6kAPshv0RZOHm-2QmOtilZnm0v2gFD-mKEnILqOcZ4fLsoqkYp9AeZG9RASVC7uNYkaQ3il81iDHc_clQ_MbH6TG0WVF6FuO/s640/bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every spot in the journey, including a simple bridge is good enough as a destination in itself.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghviUxI6WglbqsHJhBhiB_uYkxbZ1jTMEvtmb_mRvJspOFzR5l491p5EMIBdQ5J-5VZAz8Lroy5ZzFH_Luc0mhLzae9m8TojkUT1tS10aHgzpoTcJvBMXFAvSTkaJLw8kXIZFdUCGCYzcf/s1600/pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="983" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghviUxI6WglbqsHJhBhiB_uYkxbZ1jTMEvtmb_mRvJspOFzR5l491p5EMIBdQ5J-5VZAz8Lroy5ZzFH_Luc0mhLzae9m8TojkUT1tS10aHgzpoTcJvBMXFAvSTkaJLw8kXIZFdUCGCYzcf/s640/pool.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many feel resentful that we have to leave this pool of the gods too soon.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It will not boast 15 'mountains' on the route but the toughness of the circuit has made many participants ask themselves why they had joined the trek. Day 1 starts at 8 am and normally finishes at 10pm with trekkers all too pooped to pop. Day 2 is gentler as it starts at 9am and the party reaches the camp site by 4pm. Day 3 is almost the same as Day 1 in terms of length and physical demand. Rigorous training is necessary.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWXJzeyPRcg4rHSzDtEDDF16MegWUkpwvJWCgj9iMTM7Z8dClepR4g2abk952p4ZGoxE4HSPyGuAOBxC-_maJgT2V_0dHxBd67miWzRj9a4QLgaAdApuu7vSC3r5Wdm5r5FHJJdWUeTtX/s1600/les+eng+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1270" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWXJzeyPRcg4rHSzDtEDDF16MegWUkpwvJWCgj9iMTM7Z8dClepR4g2abk952p4ZGoxE4HSPyGuAOBxC-_maJgT2V_0dHxBd67miWzRj9a4QLgaAdApuu7vSC3r5Wdm5r5FHJJdWUeTtX/s640/les+eng+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The night sky is enchanting. (Photo by Kevin Jason Manuel)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtW1fyGsCXIi2UQZfLU97KlBM-uqyZmoHMh1mJ4WSEZIuzGRHm_S_q1DVzIVOE74Pz8s8WcKnRF-f8WpL78WPkoLMMgfguiAguQeO7bzrKm9tZ17gWwAJjK-8Idz2DO_Z7sZ2wsZu38yAN/s1600/les+eng+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1474" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtW1fyGsCXIi2UQZfLU97KlBM-uqyZmoHMh1mJ4WSEZIuzGRHm_S_q1DVzIVOE74Pz8s8WcKnRF-f8WpL78WPkoLMMgfguiAguQeO7bzrKm9tZ17gWwAJjK-8Idz2DO_Z7sZ2wsZu38yAN/s640/les+eng+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And you wake up to an equally mesmerizing morning view.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-B0cenm7a-rWD78RKhyk4l6GOLsBkJi8x-g8lM3m5mF1wnZJvO1xZxLsG52a2QnmFcn8YLO0uf9qGgt1l14NH5s_tX8M-dvrXSPEJavaCkVnTKXlB4VatJRSsBoymSv2l2L34zfHye2M/s1600/rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="1179" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-B0cenm7a-rWD78RKhyk4l6GOLsBkJi8x-g8lM3m5mF1wnZJvO1xZxLsG52a2QnmFcn8YLO0uf9qGgt1l14NH5s_tX8M-dvrXSPEJavaCkVnTKXlB4VatJRSsBoymSv2l2L34zfHye2M/s640/rainbow.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And before the day ends, a sky full of hope greets you with a smile.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Quyvt-oiJWH49ngXuYnhHe5ko8ZDs7hgIkZN2BTUEb2IwQ3gO8cFB-pbhnqfeVg6FEvK6QXaTGYx_I0wBqHDfO4aD8TFOwvb50-AxwX3MDDFfbBZ5qFdP5ydMUVmBnt9WAzwmnqpYtUv/s1600/IMG_5233-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="1171" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Quyvt-oiJWH49ngXuYnhHe5ko8ZDs7hgIkZN2BTUEb2IwQ3gO8cFB-pbhnqfeVg6FEvK6QXaTGYx_I0wBqHDfO4aD8TFOwvb50-AxwX3MDDFfbBZ5qFdP5ydMUVmBnt9WAzwmnqpYtUv/s640/IMG_5233-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's hard to believe that gems like this have remained hidden in the Philippines for a long time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-90uyHeGTWYelP7q2UxhdKGnEzmXfI_rvv87k16TDEpuZQ9UZ6IHC3iJrMUrj-uausKU-EqNWVSU600EDlZgZ_aaD5Mf2WQ3I_guOarWuyAuUVhJyCjLc3MDHb1R2vV90pjxWjdze3j7W/s1600/stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1474" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-90uyHeGTWYelP7q2UxhdKGnEzmXfI_rvv87k16TDEpuZQ9UZ6IHC3iJrMUrj-uausKU-EqNWVSU600EDlZgZ_aaD5Mf2WQ3I_guOarWuyAuUVhJyCjLc3MDHb1R2vV90pjxWjdze3j7W/s640/stairs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But as it is, real beauty is always hard-earned.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So if you're the type who hates getting stuck in a trail full of traffic, or you're the type who's sick and tired of adjusting to the ETA of your team's slow tail pack, or you're simply the one who wants to subject yourself to physical pain in a journey to experience an epiphany, or probably you're a couple who wants to put your relationship to the test, join us this February 16-18, 2018 for an unforgettable journey to the heart of Kibungan and to the depths of your spirit.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LLzW29F-cCVZ_vcsfL9bQUYF3quDdZH8fHDw1PVIe2jBQ5G5WW1dMS8Y8SVB6JZ-PQXNmtvCXM3o_v0PO9o-fpSDWP-PLLusaHvZZpKJbQj4xn1MuEuf9V4OLeMjaQU0RmTsXNAxkZ-f/s1600/half+moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1474" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LLzW29F-cCVZ_vcsfL9bQUYF3quDdZH8fHDw1PVIe2jBQ5G5WW1dMS8Y8SVB6JZ-PQXNmtvCXM3o_v0PO9o-fpSDWP-PLLusaHvZZpKJbQj4xn1MuEuf9V4OLeMjaQU0RmTsXNAxkZ-f/s640/half+moon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If this route were more accessible to mainstream hikers, it would be dangerous to get stuck in trail traffic at this segment, unnecessarily prolonging your itinerary. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpal2zVJ3ZqyBIJf2miRgoBnpyayIij9Y1HJJmjoFmFU21ANY_z59jHEQwsZUXalTvmruHXGY5bx-ZGrxrFbnmW8r1j7Ye8Ttux4JhQlweJ-XfXNRLek8rttbjqxF17shNg7-WGnQE_Di/s1600/G0871318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1260" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpal2zVJ3ZqyBIJf2miRgoBnpyayIij9Y1HJJmjoFmFU21ANY_z59jHEQwsZUXalTvmruHXGY5bx-ZGrxrFbnmW8r1j7Ye8Ttux4JhQlweJ-XfXNRLek8rttbjqxF17shNg7-WGnQE_Di/s640/G0871318.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But it's nice to share the trail to a few qualified individuals.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWARzS-qdqmWf4LpkV1s1LB1ZNsCi1l4EmInNbH7sfuHgM_u1AA3qSQMDqrfkMXuIRqyu6jfvz-gBS3oUH4QvNK7P6TzrZUQhucImVPUYbS0vB1_AHA36I6dAJEEiIH97PD9xB8d8tw0Yj/s1600/ferrata2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWARzS-qdqmWf4LpkV1s1LB1ZNsCi1l4EmInNbH7sfuHgM_u1AA3qSQMDqrfkMXuIRqyu6jfvz-gBS3oUH4QvNK7P6TzrZUQhucImVPUYbS0vB1_AHA36I6dAJEEiIH97PD9xB8d8tw0Yj/s640/ferrata2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#relationshipgoals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">See you at Tacadang Circuit 2018. Check out our Facebook page for updates and communication. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is your passport to an even more epic trek -- The Kapangan-Kibungan-Bakun-Ilocos Sur trek in November 2018.</span><br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-73457189351869074872017-12-12T21:32:00.001-08:002018-06-19T18:30:18.206-07:00HIKING DAW PO HINDI MOUNTAINEERING<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7lfq2JVagp8UCPJB0eUXOW5VxsLg6Z_OSKIjz0MZg7bk2eC62cAWjWeF1iywDRfEJjSg0Hoe64zEVMWPq72VuHbcaQZ9_DNpBZi2rXkMxaLBOzdqCBpLVHK1drRYAxRFNq8nDBqk0hOo/s1600/legs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1474" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7lfq2JVagp8UCPJB0eUXOW5VxsLg6Z_OSKIjz0MZg7bk2eC62cAWjWeF1iywDRfEJjSg0Hoe64zEVMWPq72VuHbcaQZ9_DNpBZi2rXkMxaLBOzdqCBpLVHK1drRYAxRFNq8nDBqk0hOo/s640/legs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>What's the plural form of 'neck'?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sobrang dami na po natin ngayon at unti-unting nag-eevolve ang terminology sa larangan ng pag- akyat ng bundok. Mukhang kailangan na ng panibagong <a href="http://www.lagataw.com/2012/01/e-camp-my-e-camp-at-mt-apo-emergency.html" target="_blank">Bundokipedia</a> para sa mga bagong kataga na ginagamit ngayon ng karamihan.<br />
<br />
Tampok sa post na ito ang pagbabago sa wika ng mga umaakyat hindi lang ang mga common mountaineering misnomers and misspellings kundi pati na rin ang mga bagong usbong na mga kataga at paggamit ng mga ito.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">1. CLIMB / CLIMBING</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Parang THUMB MARK lang yan. Huwag po bigkasin ang B</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">2. PACING po hindi PHASING</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">3. G2; D2. May ilang mga purista na ayaw makarinig nito. They insist it should be Guiting-Guiting and Dulang-Dulang. But these terms have gained some following. Umabot na rin to sa K2...H'wag nyo po ilipat sa Pakistan ang Kota Kinabalu. Teka baka may bundok na rin na K-12.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">4. TREKKING....hindi po TRECKING at TREAKING</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">5. BACKPACK. Hindi ko pa personally naririnig to pero meron daw ilang nagsasabi ng BAGPACK instead of BACKPACK at ang sinisisi nila ay si Dora</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">6. ITINERARY po. Hindi ITIRENARY</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">7. TARAK RIDGE daw po. Hindi MT TARAK</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ang Batangan, Dalipey at Les-eng ay mga pangalan po ng sitio sa Brgy Tacadang. Hindi po yan MT DALIPEY, MT BATANGAN, MT LES-ENG at MT TACADANG. Baka gusto nyo isama na rin ang MT JUMP-OFF at MT EXIT para makumpleto lang ang 20-mountain EXPEDITION ninyo.</span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />8. ASCENT/DESCENT po. Madalas pangngalan ang kailangan sa kontekstong pinaggagamitan natin ng ASCEND/DESCEND. (e.g. Ilang oras po ang ASCENT?...hindi ASCEND)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">9. STEEP po hindi STIFF. Iba din po ang STEPPE. Ingat sa spelling</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">10. TRAVERSE. May mga naiirita sa expression na RevTrav. Ganito po paliwanag dyan. Sa philosophy of language this could be a case of 'direct reference theory' versus 'mediated reference theory' (itanong nyo na lang kay Wikipedia).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ang pinagmulan nyan ay may mga nauna nang naging popular na traverse routes sa ilang mga bundok kagaya ng Mt Amuyao. The traditional traverse route is Barlig to Batad. Pero may mga gusto ng mas malupit na challenge kaya nagsimula sila sa Batad at lumabas sa Barlig. Ngayon hindi sila makapagpasya kung ano itatawag nila sa ruta na yun in order to avoid confusing it with Barlig-Batad. Kaya tinawag nila itong Mt Amuyao Reverse Traverse (RevTrav). Ang pinaglalaban naman ng ilan is that a traverse is climb entering at one point of the mountain and exiting at another. So basically traverse pa rin ang Batad to Barlig. At walang may inatasan na magpasya kung aling ruta ang original traverse. Ang mungkahi nila is instead of RevTrav, just call it either Mt Amuyao (Barlig - Batad traverse) or Mt Amuyao (Batad-Barlig traverse).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">You may comment below the hiking misnomers that you know.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>PS:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>How true is it na mali daw paggamit ng term na TREE PLANTING sa Banahaw? Ang ibig sabihin daw po ng tree planting events dun sa Banahaw ay Backdoor.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>#ayonsaakingbubwit</i></span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">PPS:<br />HIKING daw po. Hindi MOUNTAINEERING.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sukatan kung gaano ka ka-millennial na hiker. Sagutin kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng mga sumusunod:</span><br />
<br />
1. PTPA<br />
2. CTTO<br />
3. OP<br />
4. LF<br />
5. RFS<br />
6. FF<br />
7. UP<br />
8. YGPM<br />
9. JOP<br />
10. HM<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">If you think someone you know needs to know this, don't hesitate to share it.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-28172075803293079672017-12-11T04:42:00.001-08:002018-06-23T07:42:23.273-07:00Koi Grey on Outdoor Education<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc9Yy1aQ-gWtdpcL1d1TxyWw53u0aJIrey-UnjMFWBFVs8GzZF_A7TICNJaK7WvR9iQq3JodaFVg_6BGi_9OJGGv4QNyBKNGn1wQ3MUMqkVhoTEi1A5hDwWs9bwDClmhD-2w56ATtJ8W8/s1600/Koi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc9Yy1aQ-gWtdpcL1d1TxyWw53u0aJIrey-UnjMFWBFVs8GzZF_A7TICNJaK7WvR9iQq3JodaFVg_6BGi_9OJGGv4QNyBKNGn1wQ3MUMqkVhoTEi1A5hDwWs9bwDClmhD-2w56ATtJ8W8/s640/Koi.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koi Grey in Nepal. Photo by our good friend Kat Marasigan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">There is no need for a biography of this man. Everyone knows Koi Grey and his outdoor exploits. </span><span style="font-size: large;">What I want to share of him to you is his unconventional learning process. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Like I said elsewhere, the hiking community in the country has ballooned in the last few years. And outdoor education has been challenged mostly by sales pitches of event organizers. You will always get educated by the outdoors one way or the other. The difference lies in who your teacher is. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>Introducing Koi Grey</b></span><br />
<br />
<b>Highest level of formal education:</b> 2nd year high school<br />
<b>English communication skills (written):</b> above average<br />
<b>English communication skills (oral):</b> average<br />
<b>Photograjournalism:</b> above average<br />
<b>Panitikan: </b>above average<br />
<b>Physical education:</b> above average<br />
<b>Geography:</b> above average<br />
<b>Nutrition and health science: </b>above average<br />
<b>Oriental philosophy: </b>above average<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNt4Jsf5Koq08kA_QmPe7gMvgTJ5T3EtHD9vBimpXEQdPW_wc1XitQxhqzbvPuq-bmnPW5g0CcmPQuOia9uMme1o_5AEoa-t8-Kkwx2MiFbp2XljQmS4jyVVR2V6uC6kkWUKmG10smRD7/s1600/mystics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="685" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNt4Jsf5Koq08kA_QmPe7gMvgTJ5T3EtHD9vBimpXEQdPW_wc1XitQxhqzbvPuq-bmnPW5g0CcmPQuOia9uMme1o_5AEoa-t8-Kkwx2MiFbp2XljQmS4jyVVR2V6uC6kkWUKmG10smRD7/s400/mystics.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A typical chat between two believers of mysticism and oriental philosophy. We both believe in mystical alignments and the cosmic abode of ideas.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Obviously he learned all these in the great outdoors. He exposed himself to a certain group individuals which served as a medium for the active exchange and flow of education. For instance, there was one time he heard a friend say 'P-O-V'. From that point on, he would grab every opportunity to practice using the term P-O-V.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That's basically the message of this post. If you surround yourself with people who love to talk about <i>tae</i>, you'll definitely learn a lot about <i>tae</i>, including not just its smell, but also its consistency, and the different ways to dispose of it. And there's nothing intrinsically wrong or bad about <i>tae</i> education (and absolutely no need for euphemisms). It's totally a matter of preference. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now would you rather learn about <i>tae</i> or flambe?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The outdoors is a melting pot of different forms of education. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So choose your outdoor university.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2018 academic year opens soon! </span><br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-61295297269009729352017-11-21T22:24:00.002-08:002018-06-20T05:01:14.521-07:00LAGATAW'S OVERSEAS BACKPACKING TIPS (INTRODUCTION)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixS_P4ZxPSMT2D8OGZyTWSBjzULc7wqMF7V-BqPhdaBLKAqAT0QMJfPfptdh013LdIawG-VP5HDihSE5Wvx6iyc-xVKxUstitPU3vMNPyHX2rUB5bv4HSN2dl5W2OtG0b5gQ44LLYeRsX/s1600/changi5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1228" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixS_P4ZxPSMT2D8OGZyTWSBjzULc7wqMF7V-BqPhdaBLKAqAT0QMJfPfptdh013LdIawG-VP5HDihSE5Wvx6iyc-xVKxUstitPU3vMNPyHX2rUB5bv4HSN2dl5W2OtG0b5gQ44LLYeRsX/s640/changi5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at the world's best airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Filipinos travel a lot nowadays. Expressways get congested during long weekends. Yuppies now have more extra cash for travel. And some have already started going off Philippine shores. But still many hesitate to try overseas travel for two main reasons: logistics and cost. The fear of not knowing what to do once we get to a foreign land still haunts many of us like it used to scare the generation of our parents who would just avail of the services of travel agencies and tour operators if they wanted to go on an overseas trip. And many still think that it is very expensive to travel abroad. But the world has changed a lot. And these things that still hold us back should already be matters of the past.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In my next series of posts, I'll be giving you tips on how to do DIY backpacking while not burning your wallet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It should be noted, however, that at the time of writing, I have just started backpacking. My first overseas trip was in 2014 and since then I've traveled to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka. My advice may not be relevant if you want to go backpacking in Europe, America or Australia.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">To make your travel worthwhile, consider answering for yourself these four questions.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. WHEN?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It helps a lot when you pick a special time to travel. It gives additional motivation for you to really carry out that planned trip. In my case, I try to do it every year sometime around my birthday. I find it a good way to celebrate my special day. Most of us give ourselves a leeway to spend a lot during our birthday. Some try to treat all their friends to a booze-up till the break of dawn. I prefer treating just myself to an experience that will help me learn and grow as a person. I try to experience different cultures.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. WHERE?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_mUx1dpatt0oPPa8JbiPk6V6SbQvgLf_JslKNe3OxKmJM6IzFMOi7Njt4oglPnl_7BcAB7gxD-n6_ZQRav9s0M9R8oyAAgiblGqG-JdA3G5JByF7h_upYc0qog2Sw2kOEQy5ukWrb-fo/s1600/passport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="1180" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_mUx1dpatt0oPPa8JbiPk6V6SbQvgLf_JslKNe3OxKmJM6IzFMOi7Njt4oglPnl_7BcAB7gxD-n6_ZQRav9s0M9R8oyAAgiblGqG-JdA3G5JByF7h_upYc0qog2Sw2kOEQy5ukWrb-fo/s640/passport.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I prefer to put together 3 or more countries in one journey. If there's one possession of mine that I want to get dirty that's my passport. I love to see many stamps on the pages of my passport. They say you wouldn't know a country if you only spent a few days at its tourist destinations. I say I've lived in the Philippines for more than 3 decades but I still don't know all of it. It doesn't have to be your goal to fully know one country's geography or culture. Getting there alone is already something. Being there will definitely create a change in you. And that's basically my goal.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. WHY?</b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG70X_HVIi6jEvzXocDhjg7RQFJmGML2LutRoYTwKFA3hDH_m9oZ0okNQSL7i-38Ih3GHNpBqd_B_2xsFLxq4NKvf8ZvOE_OTGLEBC4qr_60N1k4siIeiuZd1HMbc9PQOO0aQ6UHg-QMqG/s1600/25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1474" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG70X_HVIi6jEvzXocDhjg7RQFJmGML2LutRoYTwKFA3hDH_m9oZ0okNQSL7i-38Ih3GHNpBqd_B_2xsFLxq4NKvf8ZvOE_OTGLEBC4qr_60N1k4siIeiuZd1HMbc9PQOO0aQ6UHg-QMqG/s640/25.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">awe-struck by the wonder that the hands of the ancient man have created</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">A few people travel abroad for special reasons like a Thai massage training at Wat Pho or Ayurvedic Medicine in Sri lanka. But most of us travel to other countries for the usual reasons. To see monuments or to try different foods and sports. In my case, I love to see the wonders that the hands of man have made. I love to see ruins of great empires. I also love to see the creations of contemporary architects and artists.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSTgJgrMlqLDWHWg7DHTuzqTM9rZgoEnESTIjbgzCpp4NKlOMNsaI1oqQ2eLzUyH7beOpDyOY1qpA8nBSjsMIBfGKbKRrx-2P91xilt4K21P1dl_qSlkgy_X3npATah8Z96YGjxCYB-nK/s1600/SG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1228" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSTgJgrMlqLDWHWg7DHTuzqTM9rZgoEnESTIjbgzCpp4NKlOMNsaI1oqQ2eLzUyH7beOpDyOY1qpA8nBSjsMIBfGKbKRrx-2P91xilt4K21P1dl_qSlkgy_X3npATah8Z96YGjxCYB-nK/s640/SG.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mesmerized by the creation of the hands of the modern man</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. WHO?</b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhl2ahy_JnhdSev4vlP7TVS3XhaIvlO4wlzQP7SF9ra9ok1XSfUK7JMkm68342gTa3YTL9Xl5TUdOPPQgPmrbKalxsShPUHrZ2dtfUmdekArItGRPxoxFEKqBp_SJhkKesuvLISV2fnob7/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1487" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhl2ahy_JnhdSev4vlP7TVS3XhaIvlO4wlzQP7SF9ra9ok1XSfUK7JMkm68342gTa3YTL9Xl5TUdOPPQgPmrbKalxsShPUHrZ2dtfUmdekArItGRPxoxFEKqBp_SJhkKesuvLISV2fnob7/s640/cover.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">travel only with thy betters or thy equals; if there are none, travel alone - The Dhammapada</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">I love traveling alone. I believe that 'more companions' means 'more chances of your trip getting ruined.' I hate wasting (time, money and energy). But honestly, when I find myself alone in the monuments I'm visiting, I always wish that some friend or a family member was there. I always think that the happiness I am feeling when I'm at a good place would be greater if I was sharing it with someone dear to me. So pick the right companion or travel alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188854118393159084.post-43882213366653912012017-10-08T22:56:00.000-07:002018-06-20T05:02:00.936-07:00Why I No Longer Take Part in Outreach Projects<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpJBF2gx2T3jV7y-7B6bPAzU5WAdCdBHVD-VVivtiUAAElwY05IN06IH9jQ8EIkKlDhXmk94fInpMT1gRnoxJ3EZLnB2W-_8V7hWwkgxpvkfByw7QX-psfhtdNcibFTZPszz4A_2-rpGI/s1600/11889633_945450665518795_1952818836942061533_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpJBF2gx2T3jV7y-7B6bPAzU5WAdCdBHVD-VVivtiUAAElwY05IN06IH9jQ8EIkKlDhXmk94fInpMT1gRnoxJ3EZLnB2W-_8V7hWwkgxpvkfByw7QX-psfhtdNcibFTZPszz4A_2-rpGI/s400/11889633_945450665518795_1952818836942061533_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a reason why I wouldn't give this Igorot guy a pair of slippers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;">I am not some big corporate guy. You probably make more money
than I do. But I find a way to help others financially, not that I feel I have
a moral or divine obligation to do so. I just feel that it's the right thing to
do, but most importantly, because I am a product of philanthropy myself. I was
on scholarship from high school 'till college. And this example of my
benefactors helped me see the universe as a product of meaningful accidents or
fate and fortune. It was an accident that I was born a Filipino citizen that's
why I was not eligible for a working holiday visa when I was 25 and wanted to
pick apples in Australia for a living and a holiday. Some Yoshihiro could do
that because he was, by fate, born in Japan. And he could earn 3 months' worth
of my salary, (just working at 7-Eleven in one month) because he was
accidentally living in that society. But we can't just whine about our fate and
envy others' fortune. We can choose to emancipate ourselves from this bondage
of fate, and eventually make our own destiny. The inspiring<a href="http://www.lagataw.com/2014/03/how-pooping-outdoors-changed-my-life.html"> story of Apo Elmer,</a>
whose dream to ride an airplane was realized all because he did what he was
born to do--farming--and firmly believed in that dream, is a good example of
making one’s own destiny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVlDkqwwmrssbC-JE4cMPw_jXjDUMOMjuKjkrhLY5r6XR3cTP6PMAZLfnjzRwIBMRofYAn-MHE9Yq4MoqqmoJhUsQGUZ070Rysqs-uwFGmCw_ANI_K-bHYZPmzEviP9tfKFU-V4J5isye/s1600/22361226_1227917053981491_1870291668_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="624" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVlDkqwwmrssbC-JE4cMPw_jXjDUMOMjuKjkrhLY5r6XR3cTP6PMAZLfnjzRwIBMRofYAn-MHE9Yq4MoqqmoJhUsQGUZ070Rysqs-uwFGmCw_ANI_K-bHYZPmzEviP9tfKFU-V4J5isye/s320/22361226_1227917053981491_1870291668_n.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.lagataw.com/2012/02/pilipinas-akyathlon-results.html">Josiah Ballagan</a> has a similar story. He was just doing what
he was born to do--run--when I met him at their home on the foothills of Mt
Tabayoc in Benguet. I saw his great potential as an athlete so I registered him
in <a href="http://www.lagataw.com/2011/05/north-face-100-camsur.html">The North Face 100 (50K, CamSur) in 2011</a> where he finished 4th. It was his
first trail race. It was 50km and he was still barely 17 then. In 2012, he
finished second in <a href="http://www.lagataw.com/2012/05/tnf100-baguio-2012.html">The North Face 100 Baguio (50K)</a>. That same year, with the
help of the Philippine Skyrunning Association and the benevolent Nestor
Fongwan, the then governor of Benguet, I sent him to the Mt Kinabalu
International Climbathon in Malaysia where he finished just 37 minutes behind
the world champion Kilian Jornet. His outstanding performance in that
international race prompted the governor to give him a full scholarship at
Benguet State University. Four years after that run, he earned a college degree
and now he has a job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;">I prefer this idea of effecting a change—where you focus on
an individual instead of a big community. I am not a fan of one-time-big-time
outreach programs. Sometimes, the proud selfies of the donors last longer that
the slippers they donate. Like I said, I am not some big organization. I can
only effect a very little change in this world. I cannot help a whole community
in a long term case. But with the help other little hands and small pockets, I
can help create a lasting change in an individual.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;">And this year, we've seen two individuals brimming with
talent—the elite runners from Antique, John Ray Onifa and Rene John Ello.
However, little hands and little pockets can only afford to help one individual
so we've chosen Onifa. We saw his running caliber when he breezed through the
21K race in <a href="http://www.lagataw.com/2017/05/tracing-iraynon-bukidnon-trails-tibt.html">Tracing Iraynon-Bukidnon Trails</a> in Antique. Through the help of
some individuals and organizations (who I really want to mention here but whose
preference for anonymity we need to respect), the proceeds of the lagataw shirt
was able to support Onifa in two of his trail races in Luzon—the Salomon Xtrail
32K and Soleus Cross-Country Challenge 12K- where he emerged champion (in both
events).</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnS_lwRFGHyoe1SDPmn0567bwxXgEEZgiAnKTfFP6gTkWz_K0C9gA-D7mY0H7uFu4zImGfcUmi2rYUPowLvpvjzl-Gj2Odj_Yl5vAHgw_V7xyaNkmNyEfhipyn5mv_ZTZ7lDF52ITxKSI/s1600/20264590_1499841803413009_4447531267825544823_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="797" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnS_lwRFGHyoe1SDPmn0567bwxXgEEZgiAnKTfFP6gTkWz_K0C9gA-D7mY0H7uFu4zImGfcUmi2rYUPowLvpvjzl-Gj2Odj_Yl5vAHgw_V7xyaNkmNyEfhipyn5mv_ZTZ7lDF52ITxKSI/s640/20264590_1499841803413009_4447531267825544823_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;">Seeing the talent of this promising athlete, the office of the
governor of Antique, Rhodora Cadiao (coincidentally a party-mate of former
governor Fongwan of Benguet) through the Provincial Youth Development Office
headed by Rexon Nodque, gave Onifa a job and a scholarship grant. Onifa
couldn't contain his joy when he heard this news. He couldn't believe that
great things could come just by being the best that you can be—whatever you are:
a farmer, a fisherman or a runner. After TIBT, he has added more trophies and
titles to his already large collection, the most recent of which is the Milo
Marathon qualifier in Iloilo. But we want to extend this feat overseas. We're
sending him to The North Face 100 Thailand in February 2018. And we need more
small hands and pockets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaeqF2dH8vHTg4SyCuolJQCmtS4bUwh1KPmA1qk1QGNcEsJF5DymyTdKkk4r3zLXsyzs0eRrFVVeyHfhIZzaPMRCVU_A_XjIA9FXF6GkgEJe0Mfmr3aykG7xq3GIzml_fkeK5xqFFRAf3/s1600/onifa+bkk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="1203" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaeqF2dH8vHTg4SyCuolJQCmtS4bUwh1KPmA1qk1QGNcEsJF5DymyTdKkk4r3zLXsyzs0eRrFVVeyHfhIZzaPMRCVU_A_XjIA9FXF6GkgEJe0Mfmr3aykG7xq3GIzml_fkeK5xqFFRAf3/s640/onifa+bkk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;">In this world of meaningful accidents and fate, you can
choose between two things—you can be one who firmly believes in your dream and
tries to be the best of who you can be, or you can choose to be the wind
beneath that believer's wings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;">Join me in sending Onifa to the finish line in The North Face
100 Thailand 2018.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixau-paaCjblHeUm7n3ji6aNhE9IvF-oPgOc2GAPVuRU18tXthgmy_9XNP3V0x2sC2mrMm3w7W8gANe1UUz3a3LEJn7ppZ2QAh5cI4YdqHWnQ7Clr2lKwgv3JR8yT2tlk5rUdWKSwLr2M4/s1600/apple+green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="1024" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixau-paaCjblHeUm7n3ji6aNhE9IvF-oPgOc2GAPVuRU18tXthgmy_9XNP3V0x2sC2mrMm3w7W8gANe1UUz3a3LEJn7ppZ2QAh5cI4YdqHWnQ7Clr2lKwgv3JR8yT2tlk5rUdWKSwLr2M4/s640/apple+green.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dri-fit; neon green</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Get a piece of this limited edition shirt. When you wear this
shirt, it may not remind you of a mountain that you have conquered or a
monument that you have visited. But let this shirt remind you that you have
helped in creating a lasting change in this world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;">Even the flutter of a butterfly’s wings can create a
hurricane halfway across the Earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><br />For details, visit our page on Facebook.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" ></script><noscript><p>Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Lagataw"></a><br/>Powered by FeedBurner</p> </noscript></div>LAGATAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222594947377742011noreply@blogger.com3