Working with Haribon Foundation will bring your consciousness to the protection of the environment and conservation of species but I didn’t expect it can get very literal than that.
October 5, 2010
I woke-up at 4:00 am to organize my backpack that weights more than 12 kilograms. It has been 6 years since I did this kind of preparations of going to the mountain. I don’t know what items to bring; I counted on bringing stuff that will make me clean and happy along the way. I arrived in the office a little earlier than 6 am. The short travel from my apartment in SM North to Anonas, Cubao already gave me an idea on how much work my back will do in carrying my stuff.
Joining me in the travel were Kuya Jim, one of our consultants; Ate Jen, staff from our accounting department and Angie, our training assistant. We took our breakfast in a Pares House in Masinag, Antipolo at around 7 o’clock. Kuya Rene, our driver, said that Pares House is a favorite stop-over point for travelers who want to fill their stomach. It is true indeed, because they serve sumptuous sisig and pares recipes that look very ordinary but will give you nostalgic eating experience. Sad though because that morning I was really overwhelmed of the idea that I will be walking in the mountain and that lost my appetite for gastronomic adventure. So, I just took my household favorite hotdog and egg with coffee.
We arrived in our staff house in Infanta, Quezon at exactly 11 am after the crazy ride in the mountain of Antipolo, Laguna and Quezon. We rested for thirty minutes then we took our lunch. My instinct was telling me to eat a lot so that I can consume enough energy that I surely need for the physical activity ahead of me.
We had our lunch at Queen’s Cake Restaurant, a famous pastry shop in the town. They have cakes in different colors and shape, which are always present in a many occasions in Infanta. It was funny however that we didn’t order for cake that afternoon. We settled for a simple treat of eating an overly-stuffed relyenong bangus and fresh chopsuey. On the side, I ordered hot tea with calamansi to calm my stomach.
Kuya Jim had been reminding us that we need to start our journey to Sitio Pangatloan, Gen. Nakar earlier than 3 o’clock because it might rain along the way and the river can grow bigger. And so at two thirty, we left the office. Kuya Jim didn’t join us in the travel since he has another commitment to attend to the next day. With us were Kuya Nove, the community organizer in the area, and Ate Rona, one of our site staff.
We started our travel by riding on their local tricycle that is bigger than what we have here in Metro Manila. It was a short ride in the Magsaysay Highway. Along the way we received very warm welcome from big hawks enjoying the dense breezy air of the mountains. The towering mountains of Sierra Madre have succulent green skin that shines under the blue sky; such spectacle is giving me reasons to be proud of our country. However, part of the panoramic view is prominent signs of disgrace in our environment. There were patches of denuded forests because of logging and kaingin. The construction of the Magsaysay road created a long thread of destruction of the forest. I don’t know how to call what they did in the mountain but they sliced its faces to reconnect Quezon Province to the metro via the city of Marikina.
We came to that point that we have to start walking because of the dangerous curves and inclination of the trail. At first, it was full of fun; we were very engaged to the sceneries in 360 degrees. It was like you need to observe everything that comes to your senses. My eyes were busy capturing the heights of the mountain and every species that dwells on its layer. There were many things that I only see in the magazine and National Geographic. It was my first time to get up-close and personal with the pitcher plant. The one I saw dominated its host-tree, that’s why at first I thought that pitcher plant is a tree but thanks to Kuya Nove who corrected my impression. There were trees that have red leaves, some have white while others are small, floppy, and curly and others are big and scary.
… And there’s the river.
October 5, 2010
I woke-up at 4:00 am to organize my backpack that weights more than 12 kilograms. It has been 6 years since I did this kind of preparations of going to the mountain. I don’t know what items to bring; I counted on bringing stuff that will make me clean and happy along the way. I arrived in the office a little earlier than 6 am. The short travel from my apartment in SM North to Anonas, Cubao already gave me an idea on how much work my back will do in carrying my stuff.
Joining me in the travel were Kuya Jim, one of our consultants; Ate Jen, staff from our accounting department and Angie, our training assistant. We took our breakfast in a Pares House in Masinag, Antipolo at around 7 o’clock. Kuya Rene, our driver, said that Pares House is a favorite stop-over point for travelers who want to fill their stomach. It is true indeed, because they serve sumptuous sisig and pares recipes that look very ordinary but will give you nostalgic eating experience. Sad though because that morning I was really overwhelmed of the idea that I will be walking in the mountain and that lost my appetite for gastronomic adventure. So, I just took my household favorite hotdog and egg with coffee.
We arrived in our staff house in Infanta, Quezon at exactly 11 am after the crazy ride in the mountain of Antipolo, Laguna and Quezon. We rested for thirty minutes then we took our lunch. My instinct was telling me to eat a lot so that I can consume enough energy that I surely need for the physical activity ahead of me.
We had our lunch at Queen’s Cake Restaurant, a famous pastry shop in the town. They have cakes in different colors and shape, which are always present in a many occasions in Infanta. It was funny however that we didn’t order for cake that afternoon. We settled for a simple treat of eating an overly-stuffed relyenong bangus and fresh chopsuey. On the side, I ordered hot tea with calamansi to calm my stomach.
Kuya Jim had been reminding us that we need to start our journey to Sitio Pangatloan, Gen. Nakar earlier than 3 o’clock because it might rain along the way and the river can grow bigger. And so at two thirty, we left the office. Kuya Jim didn’t join us in the travel since he has another commitment to attend to the next day. With us were Kuya Nove, the community organizer in the area, and Ate Rona, one of our site staff.
We started our travel by riding on their local tricycle that is bigger than what we have here in Metro Manila. It was a short ride in the Magsaysay Highway. Along the way we received very warm welcome from big hawks enjoying the dense breezy air of the mountains. The towering mountains of Sierra Madre have succulent green skin that shines under the blue sky; such spectacle is giving me reasons to be proud of our country. However, part of the panoramic view is prominent signs of disgrace in our environment. There were patches of denuded forests because of logging and kaingin. The construction of the Magsaysay road created a long thread of destruction of the forest. I don’t know how to call what they did in the mountain but they sliced its faces to reconnect Quezon Province to the metro via the city of Marikina.
We came to that point that we have to start walking because of the dangerous curves and inclination of the trail. At first, it was full of fun; we were very engaged to the sceneries in 360 degrees. It was like you need to observe everything that comes to your senses. My eyes were busy capturing the heights of the mountain and every species that dwells on its layer. There were many things that I only see in the magazine and National Geographic. It was my first time to get up-close and personal with the pitcher plant. The one I saw dominated its host-tree, that’s why at first I thought that pitcher plant is a tree but thanks to Kuya Nove who corrected my impression. There were trees that have red leaves, some have white while others are small, floppy, and curly and others are big and scary.
… And there’s the river.
To cross the river, we have to check our perfect balance in a boat that is a little narrower than the usual canoe. Adding to our excitement is our very lean 40-yr. old boat captain, Ate Julie. Because of the limited space of the boat, we had to go by-twos, which was a challenge to Ate Julie. But Ate Julie proved that she has the strength and stamina to transport all of us to the other side of the river despite of the rain and the disturbing current not to mention our weight and of our luggage.
Then we have to walk again in a very stiff trail to our destination.
The community is situated almost at the heart of the mountain ranges of Sierra Madre; there are mountains everywhere. On my estimate, only 30 families inhibit the place. People rely largely on farming that is just enough to sustain the need of the whole community. Many have vegetable garden in their yard while some raise chicken and ducks for their source of meat and protein. Though it may seem that living in the place is very challenging, Sitio Pangotloan is very lucky to have a school in their community with special classes for the Alternative Learning Education.
We capped our day by having candle-light dinner followed by the serenade of native ducks while we were sleeping.
October 6, 2010
I woke-up early to witness how the sun rises in the mountain but that morning was a little gloomy. Thick clouds were covering the mountains and the mist kept dancing with the butterflies in the school garden. We just enjoyed the cool weather and gave our best poses for the picturesque serene sceneries. Joining us in our romance with nature were birds in various flocks: kalaw, maya and small others that I don’t know. We also revisited the river but we were not able to get close because it grown wider and bigger - and brown like a 3-in-1 coffee that is good for our breakfast.
Then we geared up to do our intention of going to the community – to conduct an Organizational Management Training to the women’s group of Sitio Pangotloan. We were too busy that morning that we almost forget that there was a wonderful treat for our lunch.
But there showed up our unexpected visitor: a long creature that has features similar to grasshopper and walk like scorpion. I took my cellphone and recorded its every motion. It was my first encounter with that specie that later on I learned is called “stick insect”. May be, the stick insect was just so jealous that we have “sinantol” for our lunch which was a perfect match for chicken cooked in coconut milk.
Every people who visit Quezon should try sinantol for any of their meal. Like a fruit version of “bagoong”, sinantol is a good appetizer for your heavy meal. It has an extraordinary fusion of the sour taste of santol and the lame sweetness of the coconut milk.
In the afternoon, we rested in a hut inside the school premises. There we had coffee and shares of funny stories– what a lovely way to relax after our serious moments during the training.
October 7, 2010
Ate Rona and I will have to leave earlier than the rest of the group because we will be meeting the facilitators for our next training in Infanta, Quezon. So after loading up ourselves with our tasteful breakfast: dried fish, cucumber and coffee; we headed excitedly for our trekking adventure.
Instead of walking in the rice field, we walked straight beside the river to check other trails. Unfortunately, there were no available boats on that particular site and so we walked back to our original route. We passed by a family having a picnic in the riverbank. What a lovely way to spend the morning; children playing in the water, mother preparing the meal and a father looking after his children.
And there’s the river again… but this time on its frightening state, at least on my standard.
We have to wait for a couple of minutes for the boatman to arrive. That time what we had was a half-boat (literally). Because it was like they cut the boat into two and just covered the rear side and that’s it - another boat. With that half-boat and the rapid of the wide river, what I did was just surrender myself to the moment. Our boat was shaking in every small movement that we do and there were water getting in inside the boat. When we reached to the other side of the river, I thank God that it was over because that short distance was already a dare-devil ride for me.
We walked through the same trail that we had last Oct. 5. But it was harder this time since we were going up and I thought we were really trekking now. It was very hard! I have sweat all over my body. We stopped in a waiting shed were we can get a tricycle to bring us to the highway. While waiting, we met two mothers who harvested some crops in the forest. As a usual courtesy they asked where we came from and what did we do there.
After thirty minutes of waiting, we decided to walk again and see by chance if along the way we can get a tricycle.
The slope of the mountain was really hard that we have to rest (and relax) after five minutes. Being a frequent visitor to that place, Ate Rona walked faster than me but she too has complaining looks. There were several times that I have to catch-up with her steps; that even required me to exert more effort. When we reached to the point that our phones can already received communication signals, I wasted no time to call Kuya Obet, our driver, to pick us up wherever we can get through (but in my mind I wanted to say NOW, as in that very moment).
I found a shady point where we can rest but Ate Rona decided to continue walking and said that she will just meet Kuya Obet in the highway and then they will come back to pick me up. That was a very good suggestion for me. I dropped my backpack in the ground and rest my head into it like a pillow. I was so tired that I was able to sleep along the way for a few minutes. Thanks to Kuya Obet who arrived early than what I expected and everything went to normal including my blood pressure.
At the vehicle I kept talking about my big accomplishment of surviving that trail and all the great experiences I had in Sitio Pangatloan at Mahabang Lalim, General Nakar, Quezon.
So, if you are planning a unique and sincere way to spend any vacations that you may have, you might want to try that humble trip in Sitio Pangotloan. There are probably no guided tourism activities in the place – but there are many things that you can do depending on your creativity and desires to do the extreme. You can enjoy the rapid, watch birds, visit the falls or simply talk to the people who lives with nature. At the end of the day, you will have to remember everything; the slice of life in Sierra Madre.
---
October 6, 2010
I woke-up early to witness how the sun rises in the mountain but that morning was a little gloomy. Thick clouds were covering the mountains and the mist kept dancing with the butterflies in the school garden. We just enjoyed the cool weather and gave our best poses for the picturesque serene sceneries. Joining us in our romance with nature were birds in various flocks: kalaw, maya and small others that I don’t know. We also revisited the river but we were not able to get close because it grown wider and bigger - and brown like a 3-in-1 coffee that is good for our breakfast.
Then we geared up to do our intention of going to the community – to conduct an Organizational Management Training to the women’s group of Sitio Pangotloan. We were too busy that morning that we almost forget that there was a wonderful treat for our lunch.
But there showed up our unexpected visitor: a long creature that has features similar to grasshopper and walk like scorpion. I took my cellphone and recorded its every motion. It was my first encounter with that specie that later on I learned is called “stick insect”. May be, the stick insect was just so jealous that we have “sinantol” for our lunch which was a perfect match for chicken cooked in coconut milk.
Every people who visit Quezon should try sinantol for any of their meal. Like a fruit version of “bagoong”, sinantol is a good appetizer for your heavy meal. It has an extraordinary fusion of the sour taste of santol and the lame sweetness of the coconut milk.
In the afternoon, we rested in a hut inside the school premises. There we had coffee and shares of funny stories– what a lovely way to relax after our serious moments during the training.
October 7, 2010
Ate Rona and I will have to leave earlier than the rest of the group because we will be meeting the facilitators for our next training in Infanta, Quezon. So after loading up ourselves with our tasteful breakfast: dried fish, cucumber and coffee; we headed excitedly for our trekking adventure.
Instead of walking in the rice field, we walked straight beside the river to check other trails. Unfortunately, there were no available boats on that particular site and so we walked back to our original route. We passed by a family having a picnic in the riverbank. What a lovely way to spend the morning; children playing in the water, mother preparing the meal and a father looking after his children.
And there’s the river again… but this time on its frightening state, at least on my standard.
We have to wait for a couple of minutes for the boatman to arrive. That time what we had was a half-boat (literally). Because it was like they cut the boat into two and just covered the rear side and that’s it - another boat. With that half-boat and the rapid of the wide river, what I did was just surrender myself to the moment. Our boat was shaking in every small movement that we do and there were water getting in inside the boat. When we reached to the other side of the river, I thank God that it was over because that short distance was already a dare-devil ride for me.
We walked through the same trail that we had last Oct. 5. But it was harder this time since we were going up and I thought we were really trekking now. It was very hard! I have sweat all over my body. We stopped in a waiting shed were we can get a tricycle to bring us to the highway. While waiting, we met two mothers who harvested some crops in the forest. As a usual courtesy they asked where we came from and what did we do there.
After thirty minutes of waiting, we decided to walk again and see by chance if along the way we can get a tricycle.
The slope of the mountain was really hard that we have to rest (and relax) after five minutes. Being a frequent visitor to that place, Ate Rona walked faster than me but she too has complaining looks. There were several times that I have to catch-up with her steps; that even required me to exert more effort. When we reached to the point that our phones can already received communication signals, I wasted no time to call Kuya Obet, our driver, to pick us up wherever we can get through (but in my mind I wanted to say NOW, as in that very moment).
I found a shady point where we can rest but Ate Rona decided to continue walking and said that she will just meet Kuya Obet in the highway and then they will come back to pick me up. That was a very good suggestion for me. I dropped my backpack in the ground and rest my head into it like a pillow. I was so tired that I was able to sleep along the way for a few minutes. Thanks to Kuya Obet who arrived early than what I expected and everything went to normal including my blood pressure.
At the vehicle I kept talking about my big accomplishment of surviving that trail and all the great experiences I had in Sitio Pangatloan at Mahabang Lalim, General Nakar, Quezon.
So, if you are planning a unique and sincere way to spend any vacations that you may have, you might want to try that humble trip in Sitio Pangotloan. There are probably no guided tourism activities in the place – but there are many things that you can do depending on your creativity and desires to do the extreme. You can enjoy the rapid, watch birds, visit the falls or simply talk to the people who lives with nature. At the end of the day, you will have to remember everything; the slice of life in Sierra Madre.
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by Kuya Edel
nakakaloka! ang haba ng story! :)
ReplyDeleteoo nga eh.. sobrang haba ba? sige next time medyo iklian ko lang! thanks ate van
ReplyDelete