Now I realize how timely it was for Carlo to bring up his major climb of Mt. Kalatungan and Mt. Wiji. Fate has its unique way of nudging us toward what truly matters—and the mountains have a knack for discerning one’s character. Considering all the ongoing events in my life, it served as the perfect reset I required. At a more leisurely pace, in such a captivating place, it came precisely when I needed it the most.
If pain weren’t involved, who in the world would ever go to the trouble of taking part in sports, like trail running, which demand such an investment of time and energy? It’s precisely because of the pain, precisely because we want to overcome the pain, that we can get the feeling, through this process, of really being alive—or at least a partial sense of it.
Mt. Pangasugan was a dream waiting to happen. Deemed “The Last Frontier in Eastern Visayas”, this notorious mountain range has been hibernating on the waiting list—yearning for the day that it’d become a reality.
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.
Dakilanglaagan 