Taking Cue From Miley Cyrus

Like I said, I was never the mountain climber. Last Saturday's forest-building activity was another reminder of how much I hated am not into mountain climbing. Nothing against mountain climbing itself; I have just learned to decipher what battles to lace my gloves for.

This treeplanting activity is the culminating event of The Cordillera Challenge. I was really excited to join and even woke ahead of our party to get ready. At 3:30am, I was up and about getting my gear on. The venue is an estimated 2-hour rough drive from Baguio. Upon arriving, a great number of sleepyheads gathered together to have a quick cup of coffee before having the orientation.

Antok Gang Member 001

Antok Gang Members 002, 003, 004...

Benguet Coffee

Message from Cordillera Conservation Trust
JP Alipio (left) saying that before, there were just 25 of them who were moving to reforest the mountains and how at this event, there are now about 300 who are helping out.
Ben (right) guided our group all throughout. He patiently listened and answered the countless "Are we there yet?" cries.

Yihee. My husband saying thanks, in behalf of BridgeComm, to everyone who came to help out.
Volunteers consisted of employees of Globe (specifically their photography and adventure groups), employees of Holcim La Union and Bulacan, and students from JP's class

That, you are :)

Beautiful children by the entry point

We were told that we will be divided into 3 groups: the creek area (lowest point), mid-level, and the peak. Knowing my lack of skills and fear of descent, I decided to stay by the creek area. My companions, however, chose to conquer the peak which was supposedly a 40-minute trek. 40 minutes? I could do that. So off to the peak we went armed with a sack of 20 seedlings each.

Seedlings

Spell unprepared: J-E-A-N-S

Meeting Manang on the way

An hour later, we still weren't halfway through. My shoes were slipping. My bag was feeling heavier. My sweat was creating its own pool. And the sun was generously burrowing itself into our napes. This was no 40-minute climb and there was no turning back.

Taking a break

Pagod na. 

Tempted to plant seedlings on the way up to lighten our load, haha

"Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na ako."
- Kalabaw, 2010

I could list a million rants but I'll take what I learned from the hike instead:

Reconcile with haphazards. Sometimes, we get stuck in a rather challenging situation that we did not sign up/ prepare for. Deal with it.

There are no shortcuts.

Keep going. Because you can even when you think you can't.

Find rest in your breath. We will all eventually get through.

In the end, the experience embedded lessons to grow in me and 15,000 trees to grow on Cordillera grounds.

:)

A attempt to capture the view from where I dumped my exhausted self after reaching the top

Checking out the scenery/ praying for trail food

"Dear Ate Charo, Itago niyo na lang po ako sa pangalang Frank."

The brave challengers prepare for a group photo. Congrats, everyone! 

Such a feelin's comin' over me.. Sing it!

A matter of perspective and all is well.