Lamentations to a friend and brother, YORK

Lamentations to a friend and brother, YORK
By: Ma Cristina Galido
June 27, 2006
2300H

Twenty three days after a friend and a mountaineering brother died in a tragic death in Mt. Pinatubo, it was only now that I was able to really express what I felt. I guess it was really hard to accept how death would strike someone at such an early age. York was so full of promise…… a leader, an accomplished engineer, a dedicated community member, a responsible mountaineer, a loving son, and a genuine friend.

When Ronnie called me about York being lost in Mt. Pinatubo around 10 am on June 4 (which happened to be York’s birthday), I was certain he can get through with it. Afterall, he was a good swimmer, a survivor and a seasoned mountaineer. Looking at Ronnie’s eyes when we were preparing to go to Porac, I knew then that York was gone. Indeed, he was….. Hard to believe but reality slapped me with such a force that I can hardly breathe…… At that moment, I was there standing with disbelief when Ronnie, Marinehl and Ivy were crying….. There were no tears… Only me and my own disoriented self …No way it would happen to York ……No way……….How could things like that happen ….. It was one of the many realities of life that was just so damn hard to swallow and accept… It was a question we don’t want the answer, however reasonable it may be.

Browsing through snapshots of previous climbs (including the one with him) with my group in MFPI (IM 13), I can only look with disbelief at the moreno figure of a friend donning his favorite red trek pants and green hooded shirt. Uniquely handsome with his signature pair of dimples and sweet smile, he was always been a figure to reckon, a model to look up to, a leader to revere and a presence that is undeniably strong. True enough, he was one of the strong members of Grupo Trese of MFPI. As far as I can remember, he was either the sweeper or the trail leader of the group climbs. And when the group wants to climb Mt. Pulag, he was always the one in mind. That was his signature mountain. When he organized a climb with some of our group mates, together with his friends and officemates on a Halloween long weekend last year, you would be amazed at how much effort he had given for the trek. He was with his usual jolly self but with a bit of seriousness, this time because he was the organizer. And that was what admired me and the rest of the group to him --- his dedication. His dedication to the climbs that he had organized was worth a standing ovation. The Pulag climb was also my first encounter with Bjorn, his friend and officemate who was with him in Pinatubo and died a tragic death similar to him.

After his death, I have known and heard some stories of people who talked about what they learned from York when he was still alive.... stories of admiration, of love, of friendship, of dedication, of hardwork and commitment. I have mine to add to this list too. But this time it was my story of what his death had taught me. If there is one thing I can humbly say I did realize --- it was a simple yet powerful virtue of forgiveness... Yes, forgiveness...You see when we had our Holy Week climb this year at one of the most dangerous mountains in the country, Mt. Guiting Guiting in Romblon, there were some few lapses in the group decisions and led to some members having grudges. And yes I was one of them. This was the reason why I never posted a blog on my Guiting experience which I originally planned prior to the climb. York was one person I have had ill feelings with. After the post climb (which I have expressed what I felt), the last time I saw him and able to talk to him was during the MFPI meeting in Pioneer Grill. There I recall him smiling at me --- I forgot what he asked me at that time but there was a short conversation. I probably have mentioned to him about having a new haircut and he replied with the usual sweet smile
coupled with an explanation stressed on a Rizaleno accent. Though he was smiling,I saw so much sadness in his eyes. I guess I did not have the courage to ask him -- I was so engulfed with my own selfish grievances. I was actually expecting him to say sorry for what happened-- that was just it, a simple sorry. But there was none. Only then I knew later that he did say sorry to one of our group mates for the lapses on decision making in which he is part of. I have then resigned to accepting that things really happen for a reason. And three days after, I had the shock of my life when I heard he was missing. Then hours after, his death… I don't know what to feel.. or that I felt something at that time...I felt so numb at that time... there was all denial...at the time when we saw his body at Porac, at the time when we saw him at the wake... at the time of the mass, at the time that he was laid at his resting place, at the time that we released the balloons on his burial...it was all so unreal yet real. When I cried at the mass, I forgave Tatay York because he was only human and he can also make wrong decisions and judgements. When tears continuously stream down my cheeks, I also forgave myself for being selfish and for harboring a grudge on him, and because I too was also human and can make wrong decisions and judgements. I felt the weight of every tear running down my cheeks -- it was so damn painful and heavy....I wish I could hold him one more time just to say sorry and to say we all loved him..... I wish I could hugged him one last time just to let him feel I can be a friend to lean on...

Last Sunday, June 25, 2006, when we went to the spot where their bodies were found, it was not only to offer prayers for both of them but for us to also accept their untimely demise and move forward. As we offer those flowers and candles, the presence of a small butterfly and raindrops evading the lighted candles were enough to ease out the pain, at least for the moment. As we went back, I know that some of us still cannot fully accept what happened but I do know one thing -- York is happy seeing the people he cherished and loved.

With grief and sorrow still lingering on his family and friends, I wish and hope that all of us will one day muster enough courage to look at death with such credence and face it with fearlessness the way that I believe our dear friend York did. I know that he struggled a lot to survive (his bruises and wounds can speak to
that) but more than that, I believe that he was able to look at death with such gallantry that I know he always possessed. Even at his last moment here on earth, he still made his families and friends proud of him. On my part, he earned my respect and admiration --- for putting his friend’s sake way above himself. Such gallantry, such courage, such heroism ….. Farewell, dear friend and brother, you are the genuine BRAVEHEART.

A shot from the view deck of Mt. Guiting Guiting, Magdiwang , Romblon...

a shot from Mt Manabu, Batangas

This is so far my first climb for this year..... A few text from my IM groupmates led us to this magnificent mountain. Offering a 360 degrees view of the Batangas peninsula, one can't help but marvel at this beautiful scenery.. Indeed, this is one of the most trekked mountain..

Though we had our "less than a day" hike, it was an experience that kicked off a year of mountaineering adventure... A nice chat, a few chuckle from the other trekkers... a good jumpstart for a whole new year of adventure.. Hope to know more mountaineers, more mountain to conquer, more lessons to learn... AND more nature to wonder with this year...

The Hongkong Experience (Jan - May 2004)

I feel a bit funny because I have to sort of recall my experiences way back ...... exactly 2 years ago... The Hongkong Experience was indeed worth reminiscing... The place, the people, the fun, the busy life --- these what makes Hongkong so unique. I have to admit I was so overwhelmed with the oppurtunity to travel to Hongkong. The thought of going to Hongkong sends mixed feelings to me. Above all these, there is one thing that really excites me --- SHOPPING.. A self-confessed shoppaholic, I already concocted an imaginary list that varies from clothes to electronics. True enough, Hongkong is NOT Hongkong if not for its shopping magic charm. I must say you can buy all sorts of stuffs -- from steam iron, jewelries, luggage bags to mp3 player at a reasonable and really cheap prizes. And take note you can ask for discounts. Filipinos are well known for being the one who would ask for a bigger discount... Must have adopted some sort of "dramatic plot" which leaves the vendor no choice but to give the item for such a low low price (example is a HK$150 bag bought for only $65). No one can surpass the Filipinos when it comes to this....

My favorite experiences when I was in Hongkong include the Ocean Park, the Peak, Lantau island, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Mongkok escapades. The Ocean Park is simply amazing - with vast arrays of wonderful creatures and vomit-inducing rides. The Abyss experience will give anyone a feeling of having half of your body suspended in the air while the other half is going down.... Extremely exhilarating but worth a try. This was actually what scared me prior to our next ride which is the Mine Train. Just looking at the Mine Train, with a set of huge trains built on top of the ocean is really scary.... I mean I cannot imagine myself riding into something that goes around revolving and rotating and actually feeling the nakedness of the sea and air... And this is not the typical ride that finishes fast. This is the longest ride of my life --- really ... and the pacing is slow that you can feel your actual fall... I have to admit again -- I did something stupid.. Clinging so hard on Avnher's hands (my officemate) and shouting so loud that everyone looks at me with a funny look when the engine has not even started is one of the many funny and stupid things I did with this ride... But I didn't care anymore.... All I was thinking was that I have to release that monster fear I have inside and that is the only way I can think of at that moment... Whoa.... The Hongkong experience is something worth reminiscing.....

Gulugod Baboy - Sepok Island Adventure (Dec 2 - 4, 2005)

This is an experience so memorable that I hate to leave.... The beach, the people I am with (my MFPI IM 13 groupmates), the serenity was just so overwhelming I can't help but reminisce... The boisterous laughter than can break an eardrum... the lively exchange of gifts and announcement of raffle prizes... (which I have won the second prize by the way)... the games that were so spanking, participants so bouncy, so full of energy... that they will give everything for the spirit of fun.. The exhilarating feeling of being on top of the boat breezing through the sea wind and islets presenting before my eyes...




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Ibang klase talga ang Grupo Trece.. Masaya.. makulit... maginoo... Medyo Bastos... matulungin.. palabiro... maingay.... mabangis (mga babae) ... palaban... may kanya-kanyang diskarte, palaging nagbabangayan... pero sa bandang huli... magkakasama pa rin kami sa pagbuno ng mga plano namn para sa mga akyat at mga proyekto para sa Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines (MFPI)....