The Trying Year (2006)

The Trying Year (2006)
January 21, 2007

A year has ended....but another year has started....

Honestly, I don't want to chronicle my experiences on 2006... But hey, I can't help it... For me to start the year right, I have to recall, yeah recall (not mainly live with it) what has happened the year before -- at least make a list of what went right and wrong, and drew some resolutions
from there... I am not really one of those resolution-fanatic souls who would perennially make some "goal" in changing what they don't want about themselves or others don't want about them... We'll, to some point it can be very helpful. At least you have a goal. It means you have something to look forward to.. And that's one of the things that would make you busy for the year....(As if there's not much to worry and do everyday).

I don't want to sound ridiculous but I felt a heavy compulsion to make a resolution for the year of the fire pig. I guess I owe it to myself to make one... after what had happened to me last year.... Last year was one of the most trying years of my life......If I were'nt that strong and firm, I might have given up early or have gone astray........ (really)... Looking back, I can't help but give a sigh of relief.. Thank God I have endured and hurdled one of the most difficult years of my life... Ok, let me try to unravel what made me think it was one of the most trying..

Career - oh my... this was I think the most "topsy-turvy" of them all. The year 2005 was a great year for me -- full of blessings... One of the reasons was when I was promoted to one of the highest positions in my company. And yes it wasn't expected. Reluctantly though, I accepted the offer and gave it a try... It was not really my personal choice of work or section or whatever you call it -- Quality Assurance. But what the heck, I may not forgive myself if I have not tried. And so it went on... until 2006 has been the "deciding" year for me.. It was after all, a trial period for me... If it's gonna work, then I'll be for it for a long time. Otherwise, I have to go back to my first love -- programming. And I don't give a damn if people take it as a demotion or a stupid move. All I want is for me to love what I'm doing... And that is the exact opposite of what happened to me..... I began to hate what I'm doing and that gave me a negative attitude towards my work.. I became so hot-tempered and overreacting. I was stressed out -- in the truest sense of the word... I was never able to handle the tantamount stress and I finally broke down.. It's over. I felt so damn weak at that time. I felt defeated, hopeless and torn. I can only think one thing --
to get out as fast as I can.... And true enough, even after talking with the President and him giving me what I want (being a developer) just to let me stay, even after differing advices from my families and friends and even after listing the things that I may lose and give up (big salary, travel oppurtunities, power, benefits, good QA team), I tendered the irrevocable big R..And I gave it even if I have not secured another job for myself which is one of the biggest risk I
have taken. It was a shock to all but it was a decision that until now I am proud of. I may not have those "luxuries" that everyone dies for but I have given myself another kick at life. It was a breather that I badly needed.. After one month of job search, I finally had one but with a bit of a problem. It was a 6 day work (though only half day on Sat) and nevertheless, I still gave it a
try. Though it gave me the technical exposures that I wanted, my body gave up because of too much overtime (imagine almost 1am OT and start work at 10am, including Sat). From one mentally and emotionally stressful job to another physically stressful job, I know I am going in the wrong direction. I need to get up... And here I am right now working in a multinational company with a promising career exposure that I wanted, with benefits that are incomparable to companies I've been. On hopping to 3 companies in 2006, I hope that 2007 would be as challenging and promising as I pictured it to be.. Finances -- I must admit I'm a shoppaholic and an impulsive buyer. I'm not really good on money matters. I even hate to talk about it. But certainly the year 2006 was a punishment for me -- for being a reckless money spender. I
cannot account for the expenses I had with my credit card and for the life of me, I cannot trace where those stuffs went. Credit piled up and credit card companies have been my constant phone pal, or should I say dreaded phone monster. It was such a pain in the ass but I decided to close all of my credit cards and paid the amount I owed through installment. The first one was already fully paid and the other one was more manageable now. It was such a trying year
-- really. And I must admit I have lots of things that I failed to fulfill due to my irresponsible spending. But I'm thankful and hopeful that the year 2007 would be an eye opener to me. Right now, I don't have plans of getting a credit card once I settled the remaining one because I still don't trust myself when it comes to money. I hope to make 2007 a saving year and moving on in terms of money matters.

Death - An unexpected death of a friend and a relative were more than I can handle. A mountaineering brother and friend York de los Santos gave in to the fearsome power of flood water in Mt Pinatubo at the end of the first half of the year. It was such a tragic death that all of us don't want to accept. Writing a blog about what I feel made things a lot easier to accept. The death of an aunt was also unexpected. It was harder for me because the death of these two important people in my life happened at the lowest time of career where I just resigned from work and still had no job to hold on. It was really difficult and I don't know how I was able to handle it. Maybe I was too used to the pain of losing, of sacrifice, of trials and of hardships. I thanked God I was able to hold on to HIM... I survived the bitter years of my life..

Lovelife - I must admit I get a bit irritated when most, if not all of the gatherings I've been to have had people asking me if I'm married or had a boyfriend, coupled with a big WHY whenever I give a negative response. Though shrugging off the idea, I can't help wondering why people were so keen on that subject... Oh yeah, blame it on our stereotypical society ... But what really
happened to my lovelife is not much of interest. Aside from the typical crushes and "platonic loves", I got emotionally involved with a guy not worth mentioning, and I guess not worth remembering. To make the story short, I fell in love with the wrong man again. I'm not about to elaborate more about it simply because I have learned to move on. And moving on means gaining self- respect, trust and holding on to the lessons that it has taught me. And as the new year has just started, I'm not about to make any drastic moves with regards to it. As the cliche goes, "Do not look for the right person. Rather, be the right person." I don't expect a soul to find me this soon but I secretly hope I get to know him this year. :)

Trying as it may seem, 2006 has brought me enough success to make me confident, enough trials to keep me strong and enough lessons to remind me of. With the passing of the trying year 2006 comes an optimistic and hopeful year of the fire pig 2007. Charged with experience and lessons, I am now ready to embark on a new journey this year.:)

The Camiguin Dream

Just two weeks ago, I have made one of my dream destination a reality.... I was "bragging" about it for like weeks and wow.... it was real... Camiguin was only a dream destination..... and I made it into reality... Strange but it's just near my hometown Bacolod City and yet it was so elusive to me...

When my mountaineering big brother/friend Oggie and I left Bukidnon for a day of exploration (not much of interest,, sorry but I got bored in Bukidnon though the pineapple is the sweetest that I've tasted!), I looked forward for our Camiguin adventure as we fetch a fellow IM 13 groupmate Dennis and friend Flor from Cagayan de Oro airport. When we boarded the sea ferry going to Benoni port in Camiguin, I can smell the adventure through my system... and yes true enough when I got a look of one of the islands (Mantigue Island), I knew Camiguin is a paradise... After eating at a "fishing village/resto" Tanguines Lagoon, we headed towards Ardent Hot Spring where we plan to stay for the whole of our Camiguin trip.... Good place, if not the best place to stay in Camiguin(around P1100/room).. Aside from the fact that it was seated below Hibok Hibok and provided cascading pools and a unique hot spring straight from the crater (38 degrees), it's a peaceful and nice place to relax...
Day 2 is more of rest and relaxation, that is getting ready for the next day's tight IT....

Day 3 -- First we went to the Old Vulcan where you had to climb the Mt Vulcan and got to witness the 14 Stations of the Cross... Quite interesting for the nature lover... Above, you get to have a glimpse of the famed Sunken Cemetery... Mt Vulcan was a good tune up for Mt Hibok Hibok trek that we planned for Day 4... After descending, we headed towards White Island which is what I am looking forward in Camiguin... On board the boat going to a small island (really, it's all white sand... nothing but whitesand..so pure and powdery white), I was so awed and mezmerized at the beauty before my very eyes... I don't want to sound overacting but really it was so unbelievable that such a place existed in my our country... So beautiful, unbelievably beautiful... Our IT only includes a 1-hr stay in White Island as we need to go to Katibawasan Falls and Sunken cemetery for the sunset view. After an hour of staying in White Island (spotted a couple of celebrities), we have to bade goodbye to a paradise that we promised to visit again... Going back to the shore we saw the active Mt Hibok Hibok and the Tres Marias, we headed to Katibawasan falls which was so tall and powerful, having one of the coldest water in that island... After an hour of stay, we were set for the Sunken Cemetery to get a glimpse of the sunset.. True enough, Sunken Cemetery was a simple yet a symbolic structure in Camiguin... Dennis and I climbed through the large cross.... On top was a nice view of the sunset... Quite scary though because the handle seemed rusty and I was holding it too tight -- afraid of falling, that is... Sunset was incredibly beautiful... We took our own pictures of sunset with Oggie on the shore to take photos of us on the cemetery...... Then we headed home... As we were having dinner, we had sort of problem as we never anticipated that climbing Hibok Hibok requires getting permit from the DENR (due to an incident involving a group of students who got lost on the mountain) ... That's where we had to decide whether to climb Hibok or not... Our IT has a 5AM start trek... to be able to descend early to buy "pasalubong"... Flor and I were obviously disappointed... For one, I really wanted to pushed through climbing the mountain as we were already there... We thought of finding ways until we decided to have the "shopping" in the morning -- which includes Lanzones and other stuffs (thanks for Joseph, the Ardent Spring attendant who helped us for the information that we needed) ... and an 8AM DENR appointment for the permit.. Luckily it was not that difficult and we had to spare only a small time... Take note also that climbing Hibok requires a P100/person (for Filipinos) registration fee and P500 for foreigners..

Day 4 - After a 6AM lanzones shopping and an 8AM appointment with DENR, we got ready for the trek at Hibok... And thanks because the jumpoff is right behind our duplex... just on the vicinity of Ardent Hot Spring... We started trek at 9AM and reached the summit at around 1AM... We got to explore the summit and the ridge part where we saw the lake (a small one, that is) , got to meet 2 foreigners from England and Canada & a local, and had an exhilarating view of Camiguin... Mt. Hibok Hibok trail was initially a steep ascend, then a gradual one, and an open trail with cogon grass & boulders just before the summit... We started descending at around 2PM and reached the jumpoff at 530PM just before getting dark... Perfect timing... The rest of the night was more on packing our stuffs getting ready for the early ferry boat going back to Cagayan then to Manila ... It was our last day in Camiguin and we promise to come back again... 1 week is not enough to explore Camiguin... There were a lot of Cold and Hot Springs that we never got to explore much and many more beautiful islands and beaches... (I am planning to take my parents and siblings in Camiguin when I come back)

Day 5 - After our last breakfast in the ARdent Resto, we headed towards Benoni port and I was quite interested with the "jumping boys"... I tried to take some pictures of them having their signature leap... and it was really fantastic... We then talked about how lovely Camiguin was when we were already onboard the ferry, promising to come back again... Indeed it was fulfilling adventure... a memorable one... Though our pockets were a bit more "holed down", we did enjoy the trip...

Now, my Camiguin dream is no more a dream, it is now a reality ....a memory to reminisce.... and I am happy because I made it come true...... Some people just dream and never got to make it real... I dared to change it.........

Before the Camiguin dream travel

It's been a while since my last blog... I haven't much time, that is..

It's 8 days before my dream trip to Camiguin... yes Camiguin... one of the most beautiful islands in a region where people are scared to go to because of insurgents -- Mindanao.. Rather than being pessimistic and anxious about getting into a "chaotic" (as they say) place like Mindanao, I would prefer to go there and see it for myself.... Since its my first time in Mindanao, I'm excited... really... Aside from the fact that I really wanted to travel, I'm eager to meet the people.. learn to know their way of living.....

Here are my dream destinations here in the Philippines:
(1) Batanes -- I loved the culture, the way of living, the serenity
(2) Camiguin -- the beach, the mountain, the lanzones...
(3) Palawan -- the beach again(to say that I'm a beach lover is an understatement), the islands, the nature tripping as a whole, the caves, etc..

So 8 days from now, I'm gonna have one of dreams transformed into reality, thanks to my mountaineering friend and groupmate Oggie. Also coming with us is a fellow MFPI IM 13 Dennis.. Whoaahhhh... Camiguin , here you go.. !!!!

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)....