SER!

With Ser Mijan and Ser Carl (of CDO) in Mt Dulang-Dulang during my Mindanao 1-2-3 exped in 2008

The first time I heard it, I was all like SAY WUH?! I mean why would they call me Sir, I hadn’t even met them? I know you felt the same way too…or something like it! My climb mentor knew I was a bit irked by the sound. But he told me to just address male mountaineers as Ser and the females, Mam. So, on the trails of Mt Romelo in Laguna, I learned my ‘Good Morning Ser!’ and ‘Good Morning Mam!’ It took me about five climbs to finally get myself to say Ser and Mam without internal friction.

The terms Ser (Sir) and Mam (Ma’am) are widely used by mountaineers in Luzon and their guides (particularly those in Mts Apo, Pulag and Kanlaon). To me, the term ser betokens respect, regard, and brotherhood! With it, comes the emotion of familiarity which is quite distinct from the emotion elicited by the terms tol or bro. It’s like when someone addresses me ser, it makes me feel like I am qualified to be his/her friend. It makes me feel like I am ‘somebody’. But to each individual Pinoy mountaineer, the connotation of this term evolves. From the trying-hard-to-belong type, it transforms into i-respect-you-elibs-ako-sa’yo then it metamorphoses into para-na-kitang-kapatid and to the opposite sex it could transform into pwede-ba-kitang-mahalin? Whichever order the evolution takes, the flavor of camaraderie is never lost.

When I take this term with me to Mindanao and Visayas, most mountaineers refuse to be addressed as such. They say it’s a little bit too ‘heavy’. They say they don’t deserve to be called sir or mam. But either out of impulse or instinct, I still say Ser (and Mam). Some get converted and start imbibing the culture. But some still struggle and others just can’t embrace the practice. But at times, I feel like I’m the one who has been converted by mountaineers in the south. I like the way Abyan sounds. Bai and Miga have always been in my system. And in Benguet, I address the elderly guys who give me trekking tips as Apo. I guess, it’s a matter of how you articulate the term. If the feeling is genuine, then the second person learns to appreciate it.

But there are cases in which your regard for the person evolves and gets confused with other connotations. Some of my long-time climbing buddies have become really close to me that we now call each other on a first-name basis. Some become more of a brother to me and we now call each other bro, tol, tsong,  brod or brader. But there are also some of my city friends that I half-consciously address as Ser. This happens when I’m having this cool socials-type conversation with them. They just get surprised when I blurt out SER in the middle of the conversation.

I don’t know how the culture started or who started it! But I thank the person who coined the terms SER and MAM!  It created an identity among mountaineers (in Luzon at least). This term is a mark of the fraternal bond between two or more Pinoy mountaineers (both old school and newbie). It is a passport for the novice to rub shoulders with the oldies. And this comradeship can never exist on the beach or the country club! So if you wanna experience this unique culture, CLIMB!

 Akyat tau Ser/Mam! Saklang kita Padi! Katkat/Saka ta Bai! Taklad ta Abyan!

CLIMBFUL FEBRUARY

Alone atop Mt Pulag (February 20, 2011: 1200hrs)

Another month has ended and a few more mountains have just been crossed off my list. And I met some more new mountain buddies: I finally met Sir Migs Castillo, Ma'am Cham Derige who was with Sir Melo Sanchez during my invitational climb Sir Rheyson Cornilla who was very helpful in my physical conditioning joined me on my Pico traverse on the second weekend of February. Sir JM Quezada whom I met in pinoymountaineer.com happened to be my neighbor. We had a T5-Ice session at Grilla. I also met Sir Bhenjo Bernardo of Sabiterz Tribe a couple of times in February and I was with his group during his birthday celebration in Anawangin Cove last weekend (March 5-6). 

Mt Pico de Loro traverse day hike (Feb 12, 2011)

Aside from being friendful, my February has been my most climbful month in the sense that I accumulated 9,225+ masl (30,200+ ft asl) of climbed elevation. My February opened with the First Lagataw Invitational Climb in Mt Pulag (2922+ masl) via the Akiki-Ambangeg route on February 5-7. The weekend after, I traversed Mt Pico de Loro (664+ masl) for the second time this year from Ternate to Nasugbu in a day.

My Columbia Titanium Mobex which was very helpful during my day hikes in February

On the third weekend (Feb 19-20), I did a double traverse double day hike expedition covering Mt Timbak (2717+ masl) and Mt Pulag (2922+ masl). I see March to be full of beaches but come April, I’ll be up in the mountains again! See you on the trails!

ANAWANGIN as of 2011

Anawangin in 2007: photo courtesy of my good friend Tanya G. solis

 Imagine an uninhabited cove lined with pine trees instead of coconut trees. Imagine more…got the picture? Now put fine sand and clear water on the shore, and on both ends of the cove, hills that change color according to the time of day! Then try imagining the uninterrupted humming of the waves as they touch the shore. Relaxing isn’t it?! How about adding a cool bunch of mountaineers?! Voila! You’ve got the Anawangin of 2007!

Anawangin today

You want the present day picture of Anawangin? OK, add a hundred or more huts on the shore fronted by five local stores that resemble the shanties of Payatas. Then divide the whole length of the cove into four properties each with their own incongruous design of picket fences (and banners might I add). Then add a bunch of Derek Ramsey wannabes playing Frisbee and all those urbaneers with their moms and dads and children…all from planet look-at-me-look-at-me! No, that’s not Puerto Galera! That’s still Anawangin!

I know this may sound unbelievably selfish on my part but it’s really good when you see a place before it gets invaded by urbaneers. You see nature at its best! You get the perfect time to relax and de-stress! Once urbaneers flock the place, it becomes a grotesque mix of the city and Mother Nature!

Yes Anawangin is no longer the beauty that we once adored. But it should not be considered as something totally bad. The division of the cove into four properties spurred competition among caretakers and with competition, the customers are served better. If you really wanna know the truth, I kind of enjoyed it more than I did Nagsasa Cove in 2010. The prices of goods and services there are now fixed. Four years ago, it was difficult for visitors to estimate what Mang Manuel (the caretaker) meant by donation. Some would give P1000 which makes Mang Manuel frown at P500. There are more things you can buy there now… and more bathrooms. In other words, Anawangin has become more convenient. So if you’re going for an adventure-flavored convenient getaway this summer, head for Anawangin.

The following information may be of help to you!

TRANSPORTATION

Personal Vehicle:   

(The following is a personal account of Tanya G. Solis’ trip to Anawangin in 2007.)

To get there, you have to traverse the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and exit at San Fernando, Pampanga (60kms. from the Metro Manila (Balintawak) exit of the NLEX). San Fernando is one of Pampanga's bigger business hubs so expect some traffic. From San Fernando, cross a "flyover" bridge to connect you to the highway going towards Lubao, Pampanga (Gloria Arroyo's hometown). Drive this road straight for around 30 kms. more and you will reach the Layak junction in Bataan where you will take a right towards Dinalupihan. Follow the route towards Olongapo (left) when you reach the fork indicating "To Olongapo" and "To Dinalupihan proper". This is where the mountains of Bataan begin and it is not unusual to find some people hawking animals (i.e., pythons, monitor lizards, crabs, hawks, civets, etc.) from the forest, either as a companion or your next meal! Illegal, yes, run-of-the-mill, no. A short drive further, you will take a left to get to the Tipo junction that will serve as the "shortcut" entrance of Subic Bay Management Authority (SBMA).
From the guards, get directions on how to get to the Kalaklan gate of SBMA (approximately 13kms). En route to Kalaklan, you may want to stop and have a bite to eat at one of the many dining establishments inside SBMA. From Kalaklan, drive north for another 25 kms. through Olongapo (be sure to stop at the "Coffee Shop" on your way back and have a gooood "Jumbo Taco"), Subic Town, and Castillejos to get to San Marcelino, Zambales. A quick drive inside San Marcelino, you will arrive at the T-junction going left towards San Antonio. The scenic drive to San Antonio will give you a foreboding of things to come at the beach of Anawangin. Upon arriving at San Antonio proper, make a left at one of the sidestreets (for good measure, ask for directions at San Antonio town) that will take you to Barangay Pundaquit. 5kms more and you arrive at the jump-off point of Pundaquit, Zambales. At Pundaquit, you will able to spot the islands of Capones and Camera (another story altogether). Negotiate with any of the resorts there to accommodate your parking (the one we got was "Canoe Resort" and they charged PHP60 per person per day, parking included). From there, charter a boat to take you to Anawangin (boat costs around PHP500 to PHP600 round trip good for 3-4 persons). Another 30mins on the water of breathtaking views of islands, mountains, cliffs and clear water, and you will arrive at the lovely shores of Anawangin...
P.S. Those who get to read this and want to go to Anawangin, a word of
warning... YOU MESS UP THE PLACE, I KILL YOU, Y'HEAR!!!

Bus

Victory Liner has daily trips to Iba, Zambales. The first trip is at 0530hrs and the last is at 2330hrs.

FOOD AND SUPPLIES

(@ Pundaquit: per Mang Henry’s price list)

5gal h2o                                 P35

1.5L Sprite/Coke                   P40

Ice                                         P4

(@ Anawangin)

                Nova/Chippy/Marty’s (big)               P35-P40

                1.5L Sprite/Coke                             P75-P80

                Marlboro Lights                               P50/pack P3/stick

                Egg                                                  P10

                San Mig Light                                   P40

                Tanduay Ice                                     P40

                Coffee  (ready-to-drink)                  P15

                Soft Drinks (8 oz)                            P15

                C2                                                   P35

                1L h2o                                            P40

                4L h2o                                            P100-P120

                Cobra                                             P30

                Ma-Ling (big)                                  P80

                Sn Marino (big)                               P50                                    

  

FARES AND FEES

Pasay – Sn Antonio (Victory Liner)	P271
Sn Antonio municipal hall – Pundaquit (Tricycle)	P30/pax (3pax/tryk)
Pundaquit – Anawangin (boat ride + side trip: Capones and/or Camara islands)	P250/pax (7pax up)
Pundaquit—Nagsasa Cove (boat ride + side trips)	P400/pax (7pax up)
Entrance Fee (Anawangin)	P100/pax/night (P50 day trip)
Sn Antonio to Olongapo (non-A/C bus)	P35
Olongapo to Manila (Victory Liner: no reservation)	P210

OUR ITINERARY

Day 0

2330hrs

Departure; Pasay to San Antonio

The property that encloses the river

Day 1

0330hrs	Arrival @ San Antonio…wait for the other groups
0500hrs	Departure for Pundaquit. Tricycles are available round-the-clock; P30/pax 3pax/tryk. Contact persons of boat operators will also race to
0530hrs	Arrival @ Pundaquit. Buy water, gin and ice. Borrow ice box, grill and other stuff from Kuya Henry the boatman. 09266726070
0600hrs	Depart for Anawangin
0645hrs	Arrival @ Anawangin…facing Anawangin, the rightmost property encloses the river. If you camp on the other three properties, you'll be charged P50 if you wanna go inside this rightmost property to take pictures of the river. Moreover, the sand in front of this property is finer compared to the pebbly shore of the leftmost property. Plus, the water is clearer. Pitch tents, breakfast, pictures, swim
1200hrs	lunch
1400hrs	Start socials
1600hrs	Swimming, wait for the sunset
1700hrs	Prepare dinner
1800hrs	dinner
2000hrs	Socials (part 2)…minimize noise if neighbors are trying to sleep
2300hrs	Lights out

The rock formations of Capones Island

Day 2

0500hrs	Call of nature…the lines get longer as more people wake up. Wash your hands before  preparing breakfast
0600hrs	Prepare breakfast
0700hrs	Breakfast
0730hrs	Break camp
0830hrs	Departure for Capones Island
0930hrs	Arrival @ Capones Island…when the waves aren’t very strong, the boat may ‘dock’ at the rocky shore with the steps that lead to the lighthouse. Otherwise, the boat will have to berth in one of the other beaches in the island. Swimming
1100hrs	Head back to Pundaquit
1120hrs	Wash up
1200hrs	Take the tricycle to Sn Antonio town proper
1230hrs	Take the bus to Olongapo . Lunch at Mcdo/KFC/Jollibee/Chow King etc
1400hrs	Take the bus (Victory Liner) bound for Manila.
1730hrs	Home Again

ADONISEXTREME

adonisextreme.multiply.com

Before lagataw.com came to existence, there was adonisextreme.multiply.com. This was the birthplace of Lagataw. It was where my next few steps were nurtured by the climbers I look up to ‘till today! It was where I was inspired to climb by the pictures of the climbers I was emulating! I thought I’d never be able to do what they could! But look what they’ve done! My feet won’t stop moving!

OLAY MC at Capones Island (photo from Sir Erick Bautista's multiply page)

I’d like to start with a group that I constantly exchange information with. OLAY Mountaineers was this cool bunch of guys and gals who were the one-mountain-today-and-another-tomorrow sort! I became close to OLAY mountaineers in multiply.com through our funny and cordial comments in our posts. I never climbed with any of them but I have drunk with Mikoy (Jan Michael Arejola). And Erick Bautista who happened to be my neighbor was my guest at home a couple of times. And last month (2 days before my first invitational climb), we met again in Megamall. I squeezed myself in his five-day vacation in the Philippines from Singapore. I don’t know how they came together but before I knew it, the group just got bigger and bigger until some switched to diving, some went abroad and still some just settled down! Sir Randaile ‘Daile’ Tugade was the halimaw of the bunch. He was the master planner of most of their events. I had been a big fan of his page (particularly his album on Mt Amuyao) even before I bought my first trekking shoes. Sir Daile still organizes climbs for their group and although these climbs are no longer as noisy as they used to, they are still as extreme!

Mikelmags road trippin' in Dumaguete (photo from mikelmags.multiply.com)

Another multiply buddy who became more of a brother to me is Michael Magdadaro aka Mikelmags. He is a righteous man! That’s an understatement. I once told him, I would trust him more than I would another me. When I visited Cebu in 2008, he toured me around the city and told me of an untouched paradise in Samboan. He provided camping stuff for me and my friends when we camped at Cebu Mountain View. Last December I did what little I could to help him around Manila when he came for a photography workshop. Knowing this guy gives me hope that there really are still people out there who are genuinely altruistic! And their passion to share is what drives me to pay it forward! He has lain low on the outdoors and focused on photography. But his heart has never really shut up the call of the wild!

adonis n adonis in Calinog, Iloilo

Another Cebuano brother happened to be a namesake of mine. Adonis Meandro Abao, has climbed with me three times since we met in multiply.com. He led me through Osmeña Peaks down to Kawasan Falls in 2009. He climbed with me in my first attempt on Mt Baloy-daku in Iloilo in 2009. And last December (2010), he brought me to Mt Kanlaon. Though only O-peak was the success in our climbs, the companionship and adventure compensate for the foiled mission.

with Alvin in Mt Apo

Mark Alvin Evangelista shares with me some of my greatest adventures. Our unguided Mt Tenglawan exped was an unforgettable test of our instincts and fortitude. Our G2 experience was a test of our patience and endurance. Our Arayat traverse was a test of our luck. And our Amuyao ‘tragedies’ was a test of our being responsible. My last climb with him was in Mt Apo via Sibulan trail (Aug 2010). It was his temporary farewell climb. He is now in the Middle East and it pains me to know that he’s no longer readily available for my topak climbs. Just like AM Abao, Alvin can make do with my “ETD Manila and ETA Manila” itinerary! We don’t ask questions. We are allergic to detailed itineraries. We just pack our bags, head for the bus station and let the adventure roll! That’s my definition of a climb buddy!

Some of my multiply buddies have moved on with their lives after five years of climbing and travelling. Some of them are already in foreign lands.  But I’m still here, climbing and still thinking of what to do for the rest of my life. l feel lucky to have met Ivan Basio, Emmanuel David, Drew Amolar and Billy Morales before they tire of walking the trails. I know someday I will…just like everyone does. But Sir Edwin Gatia is right. Let’s make the most of life while we are still young and able!

The SECOND LAGATAW INVITATIONAL CLIMB

Alvin Evangelista on top of the Carrot Rock at Mt Tenglawan

I have decided! The destination for the Second Lagataw Invitational Climb is Bakun, Benguet! I’m planning to organize a BAKUN TRIO (Tenglawan-Kabunian-Lobo) Expedition from April 21 to April 24. (Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday). The budget is 2k-2.5k per person depending on the rent for the monster jeep!

The town of Bakun is in the northwest of Benguet. It is bounded by Mankayan, Benguet on the east and Ilocos Sur on the west.  It is 86 km away from Baguio City. This town of Benguet is difficult to access. If you want to use public transportation, there are two daily trips to Sinacbat (the jumpoff to Mt Tenglawan) at the Trading Post (KM5). The trip to Sinacbat takes about six hours. As the bus turns off the Halsema Highway at Sinipsip, the road gets bumpy and dusty! 

The highlight of the Tenglawan climb is the carrot rock. This resembles Pico de Loro’s monolith. Only, it looks as if it’s about to fall! It juts out of the surface at an angle of around sixty degrees to the horizontal. There was a metal cross fixed on top of the carrot rock when I climbed it in 2008. The hike up Mt Tenglawan is not very taxing. It’s probably just like climbing up Tarak Ridge from Papaya River. Me and my buddy Alvin Evangelista didn’t rely on water sources, although, we saw a clear brook on the way to the summit. 

The descent from Mt Tenglawan to Bakun dam is breath-taking and precarious at the same time. The views as one approaches the chasm that divides Tenglawan and Kabunian will remind you of the New Zealand you see in movies! The wall of Kabunian which backdrops the verdant plateau near Tenglawan is lined with long waterfalls. My guide in Mt Tabayoc showed me a video on the Legend of Kabunian. It talks of a man (or a god) who got fixed to the boulders of the mountain whose ‘lingam’ turned into a fountain of healing water! Or something to that effect! The final descent to the dam is one of the steepest I’ve experienced. There’s a rope on the near-vertical trail of loose pebbles but I hope this is enough to make you overcome your vertigo!

I can’t vividly describe the scenes in Mt Kabunian cuz we trekked it at night! But from the fence that lines the trail I could tell that it is even more vertiginous! The photos of others who have climbed Kabunian are spectacular! This is the best place to practice your skill in nature photography!

The wall of Mt Kabunian lined with waterfalls

The last leg of the expedition is Mt Lobo. This is the easiest of the three and can be trekked in a day. It’s an open trail so we'll need cover against the sun!

I want to limit the number of participants to just sixteen carefully chosen individuals. A lot of friends have been making reservations but I can’t guarantee any slot. I require training climbs before the expedition. I’m sorry if I have to disqualify some of you! I reiterate, I DON’T REQUIRE FEES! I JUST REQUIRE SPEED, ENDURANCE AND GOOD MANNERS!

TRAINING CLIMBS are scheduled on the first three weekends of April.

ARAYATRAV (day hike)

TARAK RIDGE (overnight)

MAKTRAV (dayhike)

Participants should attend at least one of the three.

I am very much hoping that I could provide an event shirt for this. AND THE SHIRT IS OPTIONAL. It’s expensive! So I discourage you from buying it! And for those who attended the First Lagataw Invitational Climb, I really hope I could have the shirts made before the Second Lagataw Invitational Climb kicks off!

ITINERARY COMING OUT SOON!

For a preview of the expedition click HERE