ZETS Eco Cultural Adventure Part2: Zenith of Camaraderie

Zzubu Eco Tourism Society (ZETS) once again gathered together to partake another challenge to strengthen the bond of friendship thru an experience we recently had at Mt. Apo National Park. The comely place of Davao allured us to explore the culture and to gratify the fairness Mother Nature’s gift.
Davao comes from the word “Daba-daba” which means fire. It harks back in the past and brings to mind tribal wars, drum beats and ritual fires along the river bank. The early inhabitants occupying the eastern shores of Davao are the Manobos, Tagacaolos, Guingans, B’laans and Itas; while on the western portion are the Mandayas and Bagobos. (Source: Davao Region Situationer 2006, Dept of Tourism, pg. 11)


Davao is sanctified by a diversity of people.

Mount Apo is a large solfataric potentially active stratovolcano on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, at altitude 2,954 metres (9,692 ft). It is the highest mountain in the country and overlooks Davao City-40 km northeast, Digos City-25 km southeast; and Kidapawan City-20 kilometres (12 mi) west. Its name means "grandchild". Apo is flat-topped, with three peaks, and is capped by a 500-metre-wide (1,600 ft) volcanic crater containing a small crater lake. It is a source of geothermal energy, but the date of its most recent eruption is unknown, and none are verified in historical times. (Source: Wikipedia.org)



From Sta. Cruz Ecoterminal we met up with our first guide Sir Michael who welcomed us. Then we proceeded to Digos via bus. Upon reaching Digos, Mr. Julius Paner (from the PAIC Office) then reviewed the guidelines of our trip. We huddled with our second guide, Sir Lito and went on to Tibolo. From the Cultural Village of Tibolo, the discernable view of the peak pumped up our juices.


The following morning, we geared up and fleeted to our jump off area. The team started at Baruring and advanced to the military camp to solicit consent to climb the mountain; since it was in the verge of the campaign period for local election. Nonetheless, we were permitted to climb under their protection.







As the moon shines vibrantly, we snuggled down as we shared our food together. Thankful enough that we were about to reach the summit campsite. Stars became more visible as the temperature gets lower. I couldn’t get my feet off outside too long fewer than 4°C. So I warmed myself inside the tent.

The grandeur of the peak served as our tool to know each other well. The pang of hunger, numbing pain and the excruciating weather will uncover the true attitude of a person. We climb to keep ties stronger. The pulchritude of a mountain comes in convergence with the joyous people ascending it.

Mount Apo National Park gave us a first-class experience.
We got back from our starting point the following day. Five habal2x are waiting for us at Baruring. The sun set and the twilight fell. The rock-strewn road was covered with mud as the rain poured. But the habal-habal (motor bike) drivers less cared about the rain. It was my first time to see a man carry 13 backpacks, a total of more or less 200 kilos on the motor bike. This happens only in the Philippines. It was indeed a “wild habal-habal ride”.