ROCKCLIMBING AND RAPPELING IN QUEZON, BUKIDNON

Businessmen and investors recognize the town of Quezon, Bukidnon as the home of Bukidnon Sugar Milling Corporation (BUSCO), one of the two sugar mills in the province.

Travelers and passersby cannot turn their eyes away from the marvelous white rocks that wall the grand mountains while tracking the Pulangui Bridge that borders Quezon and Maramag. Below the white rock cliff is the wonderful, refreshing Blue Water Cave.

The white rock cliff

HOW I WANT TO SPEND MY CHRISTMAS BIRTHDAY

It's a great feeling to immerse with the humble people in the mountains. It's my desire to be exposed to the way they live everyday. If given a chance, I would spend months living in their peaceful community, away from everyday's humdrums.  

While exploring the outdoors, I pass by mountain villages and meet people with innocent but curious looks. While conversing with them, I get to know more of their happy and hassle free life. And I understand that their very simple living teaches them the art of contentment that keeps them the happiest people in the world.

CLIMBING MT. KALATUNGAN: A Quick Guide

THE MOUNTAIN  

 Mt Kalatungan, a.k.a Catatungan, is a volcanic mountain in Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao. PHIVOLCS has no recorded eruptions of this stratovolcano, yet classified potentially active. The mountain range stretches along the areas of Valencia, Maramag, Talakag and Pangantucan. The prominent summits are Kilakiron in Valencia and the twin Kalatungan and Lumpanag summits most accessible in Pangantucan.

MT. PAN DE AZUCAR: A STRAINING BUT SWEET TREK

Mt. Pan de Azucar a.k.a. Mt. Manaphag in Barangay Tambaliza, Pan de Azucar Island in Concepcion, Iloilo is one of the steepest mountains in the Philippines. The humble tower of 606 meters ASL is a much more difficult ascent compared to other small mountains like Matutum, Balatukan and Malindang. It’s interesting features include its cone shape, rocky 90 degree cliffs and the astounding overlooking view of the islands.

At Iloilo airport, 4:00 PM…

I didn’t know where to go and what to do. All I knew was I wanted to trek a mountain. And I’ve heard about Mt. Manaphag. Absent a planned I.T., a solo trekker, however, can be spontaneous with millions of options.  

MONEY FROM GRASS

THIS IS NOT A TREKKING TALE. 
This is a story of the people I usually meet on the trails...

 Here's a published article: SAYAWAN WOMEN REAPS MONEY FROM GRASS  in http://otopphilippines.com. 

"Tikog", a weed of the sedge family naturally thrives in swampy areas. A lot of these weeds can be found in many towns of Bukidnon--- Pangantucan, Talakag and Impasugong to name a few.

Tikog ready for weaving.

 These plants in the mountains may be pest to some but a blessing to our native brethren. With God-given weaving instinct, they utilize tikog to make native mats, bags, place mats and other decoratives for their own use and for commercial purposes. Yes, they reap money from this grass.

GIVE LAKE SEBU: A Trip Beyond the Usual

Two weeks after the hearty GIVE Bukidnon, the main GIVEr, Heiz of the Journeying Pinay, seemed to have more to give. A well coordinated giving was set in Lake Sebu, the summer capital of Southern Mindanao. This place offers a complete treat to tourists who want to relax and unload the stress away. A highland municipality of South Cotabato, Lake Sebu can brag for its cool weather, lifegiving lakes, 7 series water falls, interesting rivers and springs, scenic landscapes, outdoor adventures and interesting T'boli culture.

Honestly, I’ve been to Lake Sebu so many times. At first I did it solo, and later convinced other visitors, friends and big groups that could even make a community. I did camping alone outside a full-packed lodge, screaming at the country’s most awesome zipline, joining a strange group in a boat tour, trekking to 7series waterfalls, visiting a T’boli cultural house, witnessing cultural presentations, get dressed in full T’boli costume and eating different menus of tilapia.

So what makes this trip unusual?

UNUSUAL and memorable due to the fact that I (Trekero) and my buddies Heiz (Journeying Pinay) and Glen (Escape Manila) did not just visit the place to satisfy ourselves with its offerings. We did it to engrave genuine smiles to the faces of the welcoming T’boli community with our simple gifts. And this is what I want to brag this time.

It was 3:30 am when Glen and I departed Davao. At 9:00 am, we finally arrived at the Lake Sebu’s School of Living Tradition. A very long trip, indeed. 

ARRIVAL

The weather was so fair when we arrived at Lake Sebu. Heiz and Maria Todi, the manager of School of Living Tradition awaited for us. It was so overwhelming being welcomed by the smiling kids.

The school of Living Tradition situated right beside the highway.

GIVE BUKIDNON: Traveling and Giving

The GIVE Project is an initiative by Heiz Ramos, the Journeying Pinay. GIVE stands for Give Intensely, Victoriously, Enthusiastically. Because of her love for the tribe, she wants to impart something to them especially the kids. This lady believes that there's more to travel than by simply seeing places and bragging about them afterwards. She wants to do something that would somehow leave a simple happiness to the community she visited. That's the most meaningful travel, indeed.   

After the successful GIVE Ifugao, she happened to visit the green province of Bukidnon. She then decided to make the province the next venue for the project. After almost a year of conceptualization, GIVE Bukidnon was finally realized. The event would have been conducted earlier, but it was me who couldn't identify the venue. I wonder what took me so long. After all, we ended at my very hometown. Heiz (Journeying Pinay), Lai (Pinay Travelista), Bon (Contour Blog) and I (Trekero) visited the scenic barangay Pigtauranan--- the home of Lake Napalit.

Her initiative leaves me speechless, so I'm just gonna tell you the whole story through pictures...

Upon entering the barangay, the GIVErs Lai, Heiz and Bon excitedly posed before the lake.