My First Attempt in Traditional Art

We dry deluged hearts,
drenched from the storm, seeking warmth
'til we love again.

Ranger Chronicles: Mt. Batulao Hike

This year, I did something I've always wanted to do for so long - mountain hiking!

Planning the first hike wasn't easy. Other than the usual first-timer whims and doubts, my mom doesn't want me to hike due to the pronounced smell of danger. Second, I'm a 6-day work slave which makes weekend trips difficult. It's either I take a Saturday off or suffer a busy, after-hike Monday with sore limbs.

But alas, the odds were in my favor! I was able to work on a solid plan and the Mt. Batulao (click the link for more info about Mt. Batulao by Pinoy Mountaineer) hike pushed through.

Batulao's charm is working on you, right? © Pinoy Mountaineer

It was a dayhike traverse. Elie, a friend who's also into hiking, accompanied me. We chose Batulao because it's a good training hike for beginners and the mountain itself is one big spectacle. The peaks are like jagged teeth and a 360-degree view of Batangas and its neighboring towns are present almost all throughout the trail. The moment you see it in pictures, a part of you would definitely wish to be there.

Before the hike proper, I made a pact with myself:
1. I will finish the hike no matter what it takes.
2. I'll ask for minimal assistance from my buddy.
3. I'll never let my buddy bring my things.
4. I'll return home... ALIVE.

I was nervous - I have no prior experience and I'm not a very active person. To make it worse, I brought a tote bag instead of a backpack because I sneaked out of home (my mom eventually found out but that's a different story).

Elie and I met in Tagaytay, had breakfast and headed to Evercrest. Instead of hailing a tricycle that would take us to the jump-off point, we decided to just walk and start the trek from there (itinerary below).

We started with a normal pace. I was adjusting, trying to feel the friction between the fine, loose soil and my rubber shoes. Majority of the mountain is not shaded, making its trails exposed to the scorching sun - you'll thank the heavens for sunblock.

Mountain Dew in the mountains

The trail is well established and is not confusing, but sometimes gets dreadfully narrow and steep (at least for me). The first few peaks are pretty straightforward consisting of continuous ups and downs. Tired hikers can always seek refuge in the huts where locals sell coconut juice and Mountain Dew (very mountain-ey!) for a few padded bucks.

After Peak 8, hikers will encounter a shaded portion which leads to a rock formation from which the name Batulao (Bato sa Ilaw) came from. The assault to the peak continues as we got back to the tree-less trail. By that time, I swear my legs were already wobbly. I remember holding on to anything I could, even squatting when nothing's out of reach. Elie would usually ask me if I'm okay and he wouldn't get any response from the enervated me. He just blurted out a "Alam mo, ako ang natatakot sa hakbang mo."

But heck,my fighting spirit was higher than this mountain! Adrenaline kicked in and I eventually made my way to the summit after scrambling and gripping on to ropes. No matter how tiring the ascent was *cue Miley Cyrus' song*, the view at the summit was breathtaking - I'd run out of adjectives to describe it.

Aside from the muscle-wrecking experience and the grandeur of the summit, there are little things about Batulao that fascinated and disappointed me:

Familiar? No, that's not the tree from the Korean hit movie My Sassy Girl, but I must say that's one good substitute. Upon seeing the tree, I got excited to sit under it! I was so close in doing so.... BUT IT RAINED. We stayed under the tree just to open a frigging umbrella and ran to the nearest hut. Guess what? After a few minutes of walking, we found out that it didn't rain anywhere else. Nice play weather.


Batulao is one abused and commercialized mountain. When we went there, a group of men had burned a portion of the mountain down making the trail dry and barren. Also, who would've thought that you could buy drinks at the summit? As much as we're trying to avoid using the mountain for profit, who could resist sugar in their veins?

Elie and I had our super late lunch at one of the carinderias in jump-off point where I got to talk to this little kid. I asked her whether she'd like to climb Batulao when she grows up and she replied with a firm no. Why? It's because she saw the body of the ill-fated hiker who fell to her death last 2012. This is not to scare first timers as this is one isolated case. However, let this be a reminder that we should always be careful and follow safety precautions to avoid accidents.

One basic mountaineering etiquette is to greet everyone you'll meet in the trail. Say a pleasant greeting to the locals and send encouragement to fellow hikers.

Lastly, always keep in mind the golden rule when climbing mountains: "Leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time, take nothing but pictures, keep nothing but memories."

'Til next climb!




*This is the hike's itinerary:
0500 - 0700 - Travel from Cavite City - Tagaytay City
0700 - 0730 - Meet Elie at 711 Tagaytay
0730 - 0800 - Breakfast at Jollibee Olivarez (Tagaytay Junction)
0800 - 0830 - Travel from Tagaytay City - Nasugbu (Evercrest)
0830 - 0900 - Walk from Evercrest up to jump off point.
0900 - 1230 - Ascent via New Trail
1230 - 1330 - Summit.
1330 - 1630 - Descent via Old Trail
1630 - 1700 - Late late late late lunch
1700 - 1800 - Wash up
1800 - 2100 - Travel from Nasugbu - Cavite City. Home sweet home!

Hawak Kamay

EXO singing Yeng Constantino's Hawak Kamay at Dream Kpop

Fantasy Concert

I have a thing with Korean stars singing OPM songs.

It all started with MYMP's songs being played on Super Junior's radio program Sukira, and Donghae listening to MYMP and even tweeting Fil-Am The Voice contestant JR Aquino saying he is a fan and would like to make friends (lol that kid).

And yesterday, EXO sang Yeng Constantino's original Hawak Kamay in Dream Kpop Fantasy Concert  at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. Chanyeol and Lay played the guitars while Kris beat boxed. The remaining members sang.

It was very fulfilling. EXO is a favorite group of mine and knowing that they managed to memorize this Filipino song is just wonderful. The thought of them listening to the original just sends shivers down my spine. EXO listening to Yeng, learning how to play and sing the song. They say learning how to pronounce Tagalog is difficult, and they pulled it off effortlessly! Xiumin's pronunciation is superb, I just wish he sang more lines. They even changed some of the notes and made it higher, they owned it.

There seems to be a thing with OPM and SM Entertainment's artists. To start off with, Super Junior KRY's ballad in their 3rd album What If is a Nina original (though I prefer the Korean version). Jung sisters, Jessica and Krystal sang another Nina original in one of their 2012 Gayo performances

Someday, thank God Jessica's English is fine.

Is it just SME franchising songs from other countries like they usually do? Or some SME staff is a half Filipino or an OPM fan? Whatever that thing is, I don't know. But it's nice that in a growing music industry that is Kpop, OPM is being acknowledged.

It's nice to find out that some miles away from our archipelago, someone is listening to an OPM song. Though that person doesn't understand the lyrics, he/she finds the melody worth listening to - just like how everyone of us got addicted to Kpop.

I am a Kpop fan living on Philippine soil where the genre is highly known but is often bashed. I am a Kpop fan who is still - and forever will be a fan of Original Philippine Music. Instances such as these makes my Filipino heart proud.

The Last Hello

November 3, 2012

"Hello?"

"Andyan ba si Nica?"

"Uhm, yep. Nica, boyfriend mo to diba?"


That was the first time I heard his voice - his first hello.

"Napagkamalan kang lalaki ni Mhavs. Sam ba naman kasi 'yung pangalan mo. Ang kulit. Kung hindi pa narinig 'yung boses mo hindi pa maniniwala. Andun daw sa amin eh. Gusto mo makilala?"

"Sige."

He was my best friend's boyfriend. Since I rarely see my best friend ever since I went to college and work, we weren't able to update much about ourselves, and I consider not meeting his boyfriend a lag in our relationship.

"Hello."

"Mhavs, si Sam, best friend ko. Sam, si Mhavs."

"Hi."

He gave me a high five. He's nice and good looking - I thought, but not my type. I and my best friend's types when it comes to men are total opposites. Although we both fall for handsome men, I usually go for the ultra pretty boys while she clings to the bad boy types.

But who am I to interfere with my best friend's feelings? As long as she's with someone who'll take good care of her, I'm okay with that. And besides, based from her stories, Mhavs is indeed a nice guy. Their relationship is legal. Mhavs parents like her and what's most important, Mhavs loves her a lot - to the point that sometimes, she gets a little irritated with Mhavs' clinginess. Irritated in a funny way that she nags about how her boyfriend wants the two of them to share the same plate when eating.

I guess my best friend will be happy with him, and I'm more than happy for her.



November 13, 2012,

"Boi, patay na bf ko."

There was no hello, but silence.

"Ha? Hala?"

I realized my reply was as bad as bullshit. It wasn't comforting, it was more of like.. doubting. Maybe because I was in denial or for some time I thought she was joking, which is natural of her, but she's not.

"Oo boi. Naaksidente sa motor."

Then it hit me, she wasn't joking. I wasn't close to Mhavs yet, but I wasn't oblivious of the pain. It was a rare kind of pain, but it was stinging.

My best friend is in deep pain, but knowing her and her personality which is a ton stronger than mine, I know she will surpass all of these. The recovery of losing someone eternally would surely last longer than moving on from a break up, but definitely possible.

And the situation just shows how short life is. I was shocked that he was someone I met just a few days back, and now he's gone. He's even younger than mine. I couldn't remember his voice and his hello anymore, nor I could even recall how his face was since I only saw him under the night's post lamp. My memories of him are never vivid.

The people we meet everyday, always offer them the best hello that we could give. For we will never know, that hello would be our first and last.

So, hello?

To The Person Who Inspired Me To Draw

For some weeks, this title was owned by someone - and it's not you.

I was in deep regret that I forgot that it was you. The things that you do and the sacrifices you had done to be with your beloved pen and canvass. The lines and strokes you make out of passion and experience. How would I be able to forget that, but yes I did.

I was lost for a while, blinded by the gloss of all things mundane. My thirst for affection proved me gullible, and failed to look beyond real intentions. The radiant light emitting from someone and the charm that came with it colored my cheeks a frequent tint of blush - to find out that it's all light, blush and nothing else.

As I start with a few illustrations out of boredom and excitement of trying new things, I remember your childish ideals. I smile at the thought of it, and it makes me feel that I have been doing well in adding fuel to your fire of dreams.

To the person who inspired me draw, I have to be honest that this title will be given back to the person who held it for the past few weeks.

For you never inspired me to draw,

you inspired me to be an artist :)

Stranded

I'm a little bit stranded, but maybe, it won't take a while. The way is not too crowded. In case it receives love, it's more than willing to cling, if it doesn't, the strings aren't too attached.

Talking to the World

"Anong year mo na?" The bantay of the food stall where I bought my super late lunch made the initiative to start the conversation as I sat on one of the stools while waiting for my food.

I don't usually start conversation with strangers, sometimes I wish I have the initiative, but the shy side of me keeps me from doing so. However, I love talking. I love meeting new people, especially those who have a different story from mine.

"Ang laki pala ng UP no. Nung nag-college kasi ako sa Iloilo, ang liit lang ng college namin eh. Dito mas malaki pa sa subdivision." She sat next to me as I started eating. To cut the long story short, she's a newbie here in Manila. She went with her husband and her two-year old son to help with her brother-in-law's computer shop business in Taguig, while she is the bantay of the food stall owned by her brother-in-law in UP.

This isn't the first time I got to hear a story like this. My course in college lets me meet different people from all walks of life; fishermen to juvenile fish divers, activists and even "payed" activists, prostitutes, families of 12 children and others. Everyone has a unique story of their own, tearjerkers and laugh-worthy life stories.

That is why I love the profession I'm planning to enter. Though I may not end up doing the same work in the future if I don't get accepted as a researcher, I will forever treasure the experiences I had while doing research in college. It's our edge among other professions who only measure quantity over quality. You may know how many families live on 300 pesos a day, but knowing their daily activities, witnessing how difficult it is to live that way and being part of it is more fulfilling.  It's like talking to the world that is oblivious to you. A world that others tend to forget because they keep concentrating with their own busy lives while thinking that the world only revolves around them. It is not the way it is.

Our conversation lasted until I finished eating. She was able to tell a lot about herself, her family and her queries about life in the city. As I bid goodbye, I promised that I'll be back to talk with her again. It is a good break from my academic and virtual life; writing thesis, tweeting and blogging. I'll definitely be back not just to grab a bowl of delicious grilled meat, but also to have a bowl of life stories as well.