5th without you

Mar 8, 2021 As I watched the sun set beautifully today, I was painfully reminded of how we watched the center of our universe slowly descend from our sky to disappear permanently, leaving us in darkness. The love you have selflessly showered us all these years has been keeping us warm even long after you're gone. enveloped in darkness 5 years ago. When the sun permanently set in our universe. "Joni, joni please don't cry, you'll forget me by and by...." So goes the song. One of my mama's favorite songs, one that I always teased her about - teasing her that she's too old. And she would always whine in reply, I'm not old. I'm not getting old - making me tease her more. She used to tell us all the time that she didn't want to be a senior citizen. She didn't want to grow old and weak. I suddenly thought of this song and remembered that 5 years ago today, mama's words came true. She never got to be a senior citizen. She passed away at the age of 59 - a little over a month before she was supposed to be a senior citizen. I miss you every day ma. Unlike Joni, I won't forget you by and by. I won't forget you ever.

view from the TOP...ten mountains

"You can never truly appreciate the beauty of a mountain unless viewed from afar.." - i read this somewhere though i don't remember where. but it seems to be missing a line.
."..after conquering its heights!" - this, for me is a most fitting next line.

A few years back, i discovered a new and interesting hobby. ang pamumundok.
Mountain climbing. trekking. hiking.
It's hard to write them in order but well...
here's the TOP ten boondocks for me

10. MANABU PEAK

Batangas-760m

This peak, like Mt. Malipunyo, which incidentally is its neighbor, has a cross on its peak. The campsite is like a wide lawn placed 700 meters above the ground.

9. MT. ROMELO

Mt. Romelo in Siniloan, Laguna, actually attracts visitors not because of the mountain itself but the cascading waters of the Buruwisan Falls. 

The one and a half hour walk to this waters is really worth it. The one and a half hour going back.... Hmmm... That seems neverending!

8. MT. CRISTOBAL

Quezon/Laguna - 1415m
Also called the Devil Mountain, in contrast to its twin Mt Banahaw, (which is the "holy mountain") this dormant volcano is lived up to its moniker. This really tested my strength, endurance and faith.. not only once did i think of giving up and going back...cliff left and right... slippery and muddy trail... (strike 2 ako!) non-stop rain, going up, setting camp and climbing down.. hunger and fatigue...and the fear of the unknown... Legends surround this so called "Devil's Mountain" which we heard prior to the climb. But well, I'm blessed to have guardian angels around me so I got up and back home in one ...except for some cuts, scrapes, and sore and aching body.

At the cold crater of a dormant volcano

Walking to the mystical Devil Mountain..

7. MT. BATULAO

Batangas-811m

My very first mountain. This mountain is a beginner's climb, but climbing it in the rain is no joke.Though we weren't able to reach the summit because of time and weather, the campsite is a sign that this is a popular destination for campers. The once uneven landscape is just like a garden on high.The guides and the local people are doing a good job maintaining the cleanliness and the orderliness of the place.

Happy Meal!

6. MT. MALIPUNYO 

Batangas/1005m

The first time I climbed this mountain range, we met this
and i had the chance to have a "kodak moment" with it.

The highest mountain in Batangas, Mt Malipunyo is actually a mountain range. I've had the opportunity to climb it twice, first was a day hike in which we walked for almost 10 hours from Batangas to San Pablo, Laguna. This is a memorable mountain because of the wild animals I almost met - a wild boar which fortunately didn't come very close), an alamid in the custody of some locals, and had a chance to take a picture with-, the sea of clouds that were covering and suddenly opening up to offer a wonderful view of Batangas and because this was the venue of a friend's birthday.

Day 2 of my second time here, we woke up to a foggy birthday morning.

There were balloons, a cake-a real mernel's chocolate cake, adobo for breakfast and a lot of fun and laughter. It would probably be one birthday party that's hard to forget. 

5. MT. ISAROG

Camaries Sur 1870m

It's the highest peak in the Bicol region and the highest point I've ever been. At 1870 MASL (meters above sea level), I was expecting a breathtaking-never-before seen view from the top. But instead, a great view surprised us somewhere in the middle of the "Patag-patag" trail, where a view of the perfect cone of Mayon volcano can be seen from afar. Halfway through, a clear stream was where we had our lunch. The water was just perfect to cool down our hot and tired bodies.

creepy campsite

Mayon!

4. TARAK RIDGE

Bataan -1130m at the peak
This is one of the farthest (the other one is Bicol -Mt Isarog)  i've been to conquer the heights of a mountain. Tarak Ridge is located in Mariveles, Bataan. A mere 5 hour trek would take you to the campsite. I like how both sides of the ridge offer majestic sights, and from the peak, a whole new world is opened up.

From where I was sitting in this picture, the island of Corregidor is visible

At the summit, I bravely climbed a tree at the edge of a cliff just to get a hopefully awesome shot..

3. MT. DAGULDOL

Batangas / 670m

Towering over the famous Laiya beach in San Juan, Batangas is Mt. Daguldol. Walking by the sea is a good jump start, but very exhausting if done at 2pm on a bright, hot and sunny summer day. Most of the trail is not covered with shade so as much as I wanted to reach the top quickly, very frequent water breaks are needed. But once you reach the camp site, it is refreshing and cool, with a breathtaking view of the waters below. There is also water source in one of the lower camp sites in this mountain so going thirsty is not a problem. I even had the luxury of taking a bath before sleeping. Brr~~

Chef for the day. with the misty cool air around me, the hot stove didn't seem so hot.

2. MT MAKILING

Batangas, Laguna / 1090m

No need to go any farther. Mt. Makiling for me is one of the best mountains i have ever climbed, though surprisingly, not the first one. Aside from being the backdrop of my beloved university, it is a kind of border between some parts of laguna and batangas. I climbed this mountain from the Sto. Tomas side. The view of Batangas is spectacular! I didn't bring a camera for that day trip so i had to be contented with the shot from my trusty camera phone.

1. MT. MACULOT

Batangas - 830m

I heard from my friend, who was climbing this mountain with me, that this is the 2nd MOST romantic place in the Philippines. I don't know where she got that info, (or I probably forgot) and i don't know what's the first, but upon reaching the famous "rockies", (so named because of, what else rocks all over the area), I almost believed her. Looking at the Taal Lake, of course with the "smallest" volcano that is Taal, from this point of view is a first for me. And boy what a treat.

As soon as i reached the rockies, this just overwhelmingly welcomed me. I quickly forgot the more than 2 hours of walking, climbing, and sometimes sliding upon seeing this wonderful creation of God. It was as if the heavens would suddenly open and pour a stream of angels, complete with halo, wings and trumpets. It was just so WOW!

At the end of the day, as the dark claims the night, well,
just look at that! I'm speechless. Rockies shot from the camp site.

Some mountains are like deja vu of other mountains, but ultimately, every mountain has its own unique beauty and wonder. These are just the top ten mountains, but it doesn't mean that the other mountains I've climbed did not leave an impression. I haven't climbed for almost a year now... My feet are aching to once again be in communion with the earth. And my eyes are itching to see the world from a bird's (or angel's?) point of view.