I’ve followed by heart, and it led me to Mt. Pandadagsaan—to trails only heard on tales, to experiences I’ll keep for life, and to people who were so generous with their time, heart, and effort. They say it takes a village to raise a child, I say it takes a whole running community to complete a marathon, most particularly if it is a road-to-trail kind of event.
Sometimes, it takes years before we get to see the bigger picture of why we have to do or undergo certain things in life, of why our greatest desires are never granted. But probably in the grand scheme of things, maybe everything that we are doing right now is just a practice, a preparation for something bigger.
For some reason, the meaning of ‘fun’ has now evolved into a pretty much messy definition. From what used to be a chill hike – to temporarily escape the strains of mundane life – now we’re pressured with time, endless assaults, unforgiving downhells, and intense mental battles.
4 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible chronicles the journey of Nepalese mountaineer, Nirmal Purja, fondly called Nims, and his quest to climb all fourteen mountains that are higher than 8,000 meters.
Before 2020 ended, my friends and I decided to do a hike to one of Cebu’s notorious trails: Mt. Babag. We all know how risky hiking is in this ‘new normal’. Those who have been in the outdoors know the potential injuries, trail hazards, and now, virus infection this pursuit of passion entails. Here’s what happened in our recent ascent to Mt. Babag.
While Sogod does not usually come to mind when talking about ‘renowned’ tourist destinations in Cebu, this humble town remains one of my favorite go-to places. Not only that it’s serene, but the whole town also exudes nature’s beauty.
Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range in the Philippines, fondly called the “Backbone of Luzon”. It spans almost 700 kilometers in length with its highest peak standing at an elevation of 1,266 meters above sea level. It has hindered numerous typhoons that are coming from the Pacific Ocean from devastating the provinces of Luzon. It is also considered as one of the most biodiverse areas in the Philippines.
Alto Peak is known as the highest peak in Eastern Visayas. But to me, Alto stands beyond its height. The experience we had during our hike and camp on this beautiful sanctuary goes beyond elevation and trail class difficulty. During this hike, I’ve realized how society has fooled us to come up with a very modest description of beauty.
Mt. Kapayas (locally known as Lantawan) is one of the notorious hiking destinations located in Cebu, particularly in the Municipality of Catmon. It stands at around 783+ masl and provides a breathtaking view of the municipality’s neighboring mountain ranges.
Ichigo Ichie is a self-help book compounded together by authors Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles. It is a short and simple book that hopes to provide a practical guide on how to relish and live every moment of our everyday experiences. Because in this age of digital distraction, instant gratification, and superficial engagement, it becomes more and more difficult to make sense of the moments manifested by the universe to us.
Dakilanglaagan 