Life is one journey as they say. Adventure makes it more exciting. Friends make it memorable.
Last March, the Spotted Deer of Cebu visited the 2nd and 4th highest peaks of the Philippines, Mt. Dulang2x traversing Mt. Kitanglad. Marking its significance to Mother Nature, an exciting Eco-Agro Adventure conducted by the Zzubu Ecotourism Society exhibited a relevant awareness on the tourism and agricultural aspect of Bukidnon and the neighboring areas of Region 10.
March 9 2011, the Spotted Deer arrived at the port of Cagayan De Oro at around 6am where we met up with our guide Peter John Muring from the Bukidnon Mounteering Outdoor Club. We went straight ahead to Bukidnon’s most popular and the number one producer of pineapple nationwide, the Del Monte Plantation at Camp Philips, Bukidnon. The Del Monte Plantation covers a vast area of 9000 hectares of pineapple fields. The biggest pineapple can be seen once you enter Camp Phillips, but unfortunately it can’t be eaten, it’s only a replica. Hehe. Then after that fruitful pineapple tour, we went to our jump off area Lantapan, Bukidnon. Anyone who wants to climb Mt. Dulang2x requires a ritual to be conducted by the natives of Bukidnon, the Talaandigs asking permission to the mountain god of Mt. Dulang2x, the Magbabaya, to allow us with our desire to climb their sacred place. Unfortunately, due to group security reasons, we can’t push thru with the ceremony late at night. It has been reported that a barangay official together with some police officers have been ambushed. March 10, 2011 early morning, we headed to the place of Datu Malunay, the tribe leader of the Talaandigs to pay tribute. A very composed man of his age, Datu Malunay greeted us with a warm welcome. We met our porter Yoki Sarangga, a native Talaandig. He had a scar on his face from nose to ear and a stab wound from the back went straight thru his armpit. He looks terrifying on the outside having those kinds of scars and marks on his body. But for me, the impression that I had is different. The scars are symbol of his bravery and strong will to survive. He narrated to us how he got those scars, and indeed, he is one hell of a man. I need not to mention the load he carried was very heavy, with no shoes on (he said “Ang tiil maayo rag iya kung masamdan, pero ang sapatos kung maguba dili maayo ug iya” – “My feet will heal if it sores, but the shoes can’t be repaired on its own”) and wearing only his tshirt, amidst the drop of temperature to 7 degrees Celsius. He is an example of a professional porter that promotes good tourism. On the other hand, the Spotted Deers very eagerly placed one foot forward to the other while catching every breath climbing the steeps of Mt. Dulang2x. It was nothing for us. Every sweat and tiredness was compensated with fresh air, bruises substituted with smiles and the pain was taken away with camaraderie. Our reward is a breath-taking view of the mossy “Manny’s Garden”. Then twilight came in and we need to settle down for the night. We had our camp just 5mins away from the peak of Mt. Dulang2x.
On our second day, we summit the peak at around 10am. From then on, we started to traverse. Mt. Kitanglad, here we come! Shuffling around bushes, struggling with our heavy packs and that slippery mud and wet trail are all part of the package. Take note, we all had a part of that “Kiss the Wall Trail”-a 90 degree trail. It’s quite technical indeed. Blood-sucking leeches are just like normal to us. Unknowingly, we got at the top of Mt. Kitanglad at almost 5pm. We were greeted by the sign that says “Only the strong survives”. Flattering! Most of us still have leeches on their shoes. Then the biggest news came in while preparing our dinner, it was about the tsunami incident in Japan. Quite shocking but it happened. We all prayed.
The next day we got up early at 4am. Alas! We can’t believe what our eyes were seeing. The largest bed of clouds I have ever seen. It was a wondrous experience. It’s very fascinating to see the mighty sun setting up above on its mighty throne, leaving the undisturbed scenery of vast clouds covering the whole city of Malaybalay. All her beauty exposed, Mother Nature. We can’t help ourselves but to feast with our eyes on her gift. Every moment was captured by our cameras. An adventurous experience shared by our friendship with all the natural wonders that is bestowed by Mother Nature. Then it’s about time to leave, but the spirits are still high. On our way to the exit point, we met uniformed men. We greeted them, and salute! Hehe.. Then we started to fiddle around with their things. We grabbed our chance to take photos of their service riffle, Carbine and M16. It was all part of the package. Hahaha. Nonetheless, our experience made our bond stronger. It’s not important how many mountains you climb or peaks you summit. What makes it significant is when friends share the same goal; friends had struggle the same hurdles and friends rejoiced with the same success. Camaraderie can’t be bought anywhere; it can be gained thru time, tested by trials and difficulties. Everything was a great memorable experience at D2K.
For all the efforts, I would like to thank Mr. Lex Tyler Berame aka Teteng Maldita, Clem Ryan Alcos, aka Teteng Buhawi, Noel Ortega aka Baby Leon, Eduardo Nillas aka Derek Clamsy, Christian Rivera aka Boy Bawang, and yours truly the blogger. D2K 2011.
*Watch out for the next blog. Our waterfalls experience with Ayanz Gelves, Joy Gelves, Giovanni Enecio and Nowher'em Angie Mae Peñalosa.
