How much of the Philippines have you traveled?

Hmmm... so I've been to a lot of places in the Philippines hehe 

I have to admit that I've been traveling a lot since I was a child, even preferring to stay overnight at my cousin's place than to go home haha Batang layas nga daw hehe

My Lakbayan grade is B-!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

And by April 2015, updated:


My Lakbayan grade is B-!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!
Created by Eugene Villar.

Anesthesiology

Reasons why I'm thinking of going into anes of V. Luna:
1. Because it's like intra operative I'm but with shorter duration
2. Because it's not as toxic or as on call as other subspecs with patient interaction
3. The training has q4days for duty, meaning I only get to go on duty 1-2x a week! (iyon talaga e, baka pwede pang umakyat ng bundok hehe)
4. The location is near
5. The pay is good for a residency program
6. Because I don't have to spread myself thin over the number of patients and can better give patient care
7. Only 3 years to finish and I'm already a consultant
8. I get to work while seating in an aircon room
9. I still get to see surgeries
10. I like doing skills
11. My favorite subject in med school is physiology and pharmacology
12. I may only need to work several times a week haha
13. I don't have to be empathic or sympathetic haha

Disadvantages
1. No long term follow up- may actually be a good thing esp for those patients na pasaway!
2. Dependent on other subspecs to have work
3. Dependent on a hospital to work
4. Required 1 yr service in a government hospital after training

Though I guess I could still practice as GP and put up my own clinic hehe it's just that I wouldn't be able to use my specialty to advantage

Mt Ugo Climb

Leo, Ralph and I were invited by Cy to join Mt Ugo Traverse with the Nature Trekkers Club last Nov 30 to Dec 1. We met up with them in Victory Liner Kamias. CY introduced us to her friends Carol and Marvin, but not knowing the rest of the 12 of our group aside from the team leader Suzette. We left at around 930 pm and arrived in Nueva Vizcaya at around 4 am, where a jeep was waiting for us.

When we arrived at the jump off point, it was around 530 to 6 am. We had breakfast and packed our lunch, fixed our things, and gave some of our things to be portered. Our group wanted to take our time taking photos so we volunteered to be the sweeper.

The trek consisted of a 2 to 3-hr hike uphill, then we had lunch in a barangay arriving ahead of schedule. We, Cy's group, went to a nearby hill where we can have our photos taken. Then it was a relatively easy but longer trail ahead of us to the Domolpos Village. Easy because it was flat with some trees for shade. The guide said that there will be a road soon so that the trail will only consist of 3 hrs to the school and will skip the first harder uphill part of today's trek.

Of course, there's no mountains without any elevations

A very long dry road (about 2 hours of walking like this) in this hot sun 

You're going to pass through Mt. Samiento first (O diba? Two mountains pala ang Ugo)

Mountain ranges. Lots of them in the trail.

Enjoying the view while resting

Anyway, due to our excess photo shoots, we somehow lost them along the way and followed another group which was going to camp at the summit. Their porters pointed us to the right direction, which led us to the village proper and finally to the school, where we spent the night. There was water, cr, and our dinner was served by the villagers, boodle-style containing tinolang manok and red rice. We had dinner at 5 pm, had socials at 6 and lights off at 8pm because we were to start our trek at 4 am.

At the school where we slept

Only some joined the socials, so I still don't know the other 8 members of their group. At least 4 of them did the socials with us. They bought 1 bottle of gin cuadros and it was a good thing we have some sachet of juice as a contribution. When we consumed it, they slept already. But we were still restless so we went outside for a while, appreciated the moon and went back inside after about 10 to 15 minutes, especially when Ralph developed fever.

I was awakened by around 1030 pm because of the cold, gathered my jacket, and fell promptly back to sleep. I was awakened at 1230 pm, and couldn't sleep again after that so we just talked and helped cooked breakfast of corned beef, spam and hotdog at around 2 am.

At around 3:30 am, our trek started. It was still a relatively flat first hour, but then there was about a 30-40 minute assault to the campsite. We reached the campsite a few minutes prior to the sunrise. It was beautiful :) Since there were also some trees, unlike in Pulag and in Apo, it was also a bit dramatic hehe

The nice about-to-rise sun

Sunrise in Mt. Ugo with a sea of clouds

Enjoying these raisinets with the sunrise. Yummy! 

Siyempre, photo-ops with the sunrise, solo-solo, then by group hehe CY's group went to a fallen log somewhere in front, and generally had the rest of our photo shoots there, despite the other views hehe Then it was 7 am already, so we had to go up to the summit, had another set of photo-ops with the Mt. Ugo marker, then started our descend a little before 7:30 am.

Mt. Ugo

The descend was steep (some saying it resembles Akiki trail), and it was a really good thing that I have a trekking pole. (Yes, it was really really useful for this mountain!) After about 2.5 km of steepness, there comes a relatively easy flat but longer trail. I feel that we could trek continuously throughout the end, but instead, we stopped at around 11 am in some dry pine forest where we can lay down in the cool shade. We left at around 12:30 am, and continued the hike from then, which was really, an easy trail for me. So from the back, I was able to catch up with a lot of them, until I reached Nilo who was the pacer. We rested in the 5 km marker, where there is another steep descent coming. Aside from the descent, it was also very exposed to the sun, so it was also very hot and dry. The dry loose rocks where the ones that made the descent hard and slippery. After that part, you will reach the water source, and it was another relatively flat descending trail. According to the porter, it was about an hour's trek if I were fast enough. Eventually, there's a small gate, ascend again for about 20 minutes, then another flat trail. And here is where people got lost hehe

On the way down, there would be lots of pine trees (route looks like that of Akiki)

Since I was way ahead of CY's group, I wanted to lay down under a big mango tree or in this shady downhill part, where I get to see a view of the mountain ranges and the fields. Unfortunately, I can't do that because I only have less than 200 mL of water left at the time. So I just went ahead. But maybe, if only I didn't lack water, I would have stayed up there, enjoyed the view, have photo-ops by myself hehe
zzzz

At around 3 pm, we reached the sari-sari store where people can buy refreshments. After which, there is only about a km left going to the hanging bridge and to the road where the jeepney is waiting, usually takes 20-30 minutes according to the guide.

Since we were early, we chatted for a while and waited for the others to catch up. After more than an hour of rest (it was already 4 plus), and all of them went ahead (I waited for CY's group), I trekked back again to see what's keeping them! Haha (Oo na, ako na ang mainipin!) It was about a 30-minute uphill hike for me (no bags, no stops, just two trekking poles and my belt bag) before I finally saw the end of our group. We stopped by shortly in the refreshment stand and continued the last km to the jeep, hurried them along when I realized it's 5 pm.

We passed the fields and did some photo-ops in the hanging bridge. By the time we reached the jeep it was already dark.

The hanging bridge at the end of the trail

All in all, Mt. Ugo was a great mountain to climb, with a lot of flat trails albeit longer to trek. There were always views of mountain ranges, pine trees, plains. We trekked a total of 32 km to do the traverse from Nueva Vizcaya to Benguet... and that's not yet counting the trail where we got lost hehe

Strawberry fields

Davao Side Trips

After climbing Mt. Apo, it was a loooong line to the shower. So due to random picking up of names, I was part of the first half. We showered first, ate dinner afterwards. We ate in Jenny's Fried Chicken since we learned that it was dirt cheap and because of the picture we had on our way to Mt. Apo. Then we walked around for a while, inquired on the videoke. The rest of the group already showered by this time, and we again had dinner on Bulca Chong, where they served spicy bulalo. Yum! Then we went back to the videoke for one hour of singing despite our raspy voices from the coldness of Mt. Apo.

The next day, we woke up late at around 8 am. We had breakfast in Tapsi's, looked at a few souveneirs in a nearby shop. Due to the time constraint, JM and Sha weren't able to join our city tour. We rented a jeep to go around the city for about PhP 2000 to be able to tour Eden Nature Park, Philippine Eagle, Crocodile Farm, and the Zip Line, ending with a dinner in Jack's Ridge, supposedly. Good enough since there were 10-11 of us... If it pushed through! Unfortunately, since we were late in starting, and our driver got lost, we weren't able to go to Eden Nature Park and Crocodile Farm. Though we did bought some pomelo and durian along the way. Cesar needed to be at the airport because his flight was at 8 or 9 pm.

The day afterwards, we pushed through with the Davao River Tubing, which costs PhP 500/head for an unforgettable experience and bonding! We woke up around 5 am, to get a jeep or bus going to the town (tagalang matipid ang grupo namin! Haha); It was so early, because some of us had flights at lunch and at 2 pm. LJ woke up earlier because his flight was around 6 am. We ate at a local carinderia (cheap thrills!) while we wait for the river tubes to be prepared. Then, the adventure begins! It was a blast getting washed up over and over again haha It was definitely better than river rafting that's for sure! Though people also get more accidents in river tubing hehe We missed those people who didn't share this experience with us.

Once the river tubing ended, coach took a taxi straight to the airport though he was still wet hehe He made it to his flight on time! Hehe For those leaving at 2 pm, Leo, Marlon, and Victor, they were able to try Lyndon's Ribs for an eat-and-run lunch and headed straight to the airport. They barely made it (only able to check in because they used web-check in, but the check-in counter was already closed hehe).

I was the one next on line to go the airport, with my flight at around 9 pm. We did some souveneir shopping nearby, and tried to take a nap. But found it futile, so Rose and I just went in search of Lachi's, the famous dessert place in the area. We got lost because apparently, it was moved! I almost gave up, but eventually the tricycle driver we rode on the way back knew where it was, so yey, we made it! There was no time for dinner however, and by this time, both our cash funds are low and we need to withdraw! Hehe Their cheesecake also costs less than PhP 100, and I wanted to bring home some to my family, just like what I did in Bacolod. However, I realized that I'll be bringing home Dates and Walnuts Cake from my friend who was in Dumaguete at the time, too, so I just took 2 slices of cake. (I wanted more, but I'm getting fat! Haha) Anyway, I also made it to the airport on time.

Pictures to follow

Mt. Apo Climb

Majority of us arrived in Davao on November 7, 2012 on the first (and second) flight to Davao. There were 8 of us so we rented a van to go to downtown and check in at our dormitel in Green Windows along Mt. Apo street, near Davao Doctors Hospital. Since a lot of us were sleepless from the very early flight that we took, we basically had breakfast, slept while waiting for the others, shopped for supplies in the nearby Gaisano South mall, took a nap again, and had dinner in Barbecue Boss. (Yes, we could have done a Crocodile Farm tour or something but we didn’t… Maybe if we were a bit more organized!)

On our second day in Davao (Nov. 8), we woke up around 5 am, had breakfast in the dormitel at around 6 am, and was finally on our way to Digos around 7 am. We arrived in the Municipal Hall around 9 am, waited for our permits to be printed, and was finally at the Barangay Covered Courts at around 11:30 am. While Deo negotiated with the habal-habal, most of us went around the area, scouting for food! Hehe The habal-habal ride consists of two hikers/bike and a 30-to-45-minute dirt road to get to the jump off point. We had to walk amidst the beautiful plains for about 30 minutes before we reach another stop-over and had lunch.

At the Brgy Covered Courts

Backpackers United at the Drop-off Point of the Habal-Habals (Photo Credits: Victor Ayson)

via Kapatagan Trail (plains) with rows and rows of vegetable plants

Nice view (and cute puppies) while stopped-over for lunch (Photo Credits: JM Esmeralda)

Mt. Apo was, is really beautiful. From the plains, you could see views of hills, greens, organized crops together. Knowing it is possible my last climb, I tried to take everything in. I wanted to slow down, stop, and appreciate the little things: the plants lining our path, the cool fresh breeze, listening to the wind roaring and animal sounds in the forest. I appreciated every step that I have to endure, every ounce of strength that I mustered, every branch and tree that I hanged on to climb. Nope, I didn’t try to appreciate the muddy trails, especially where my shoe would go in. But I did feel for the sweat falling off my forehead and into my shirt, my pants, my shoes, and the trail. I didn’t even bother wiping them.

A Very Muddy Trail Indeed

Backpackers United at the Emergency Camp (which I forgot the official name)

Since we were late in starting our hike, we only reached the first camp, the E (for emergency) camp. The guides and porters discouraged us from continuing for another 2-3 hours of night trekking just to get to the Goody-Goody camp, which was the original plan. It was a good thing, too because the trail was technical, and second, there were another group of campers at the time.

On our third day (Nov. 9, 2012), it was a long hiking day. Since we were late, we woke up around 4 am, ate breakfast, break camp, and started hiking. And hiking. And hiking. In the forest, you would appreciate the technical routes of branches and trees, stones, leaves. I tried to appreciate the animals and birds, but I couldn’t find any... But I can listen to them sometimes. I appreciated the shades given by the canopies of the forest and the anti-slip hold given by the rocks.

Nearby water-source to our camp (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

Parang sa Kanlaon trail lang, trees to go over... (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

... and trees to go under... (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

Goody-Goody Camp (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

We reached the Goody-Goody camp around 8 am, where the other campers were eating breakfast and breaking camp. Deo was now pressuring us at this time to hurry our pace because there was another group of campers. So much for appreciating the plants and the trees and the route, right?

After the forest were the boulders. Since Mt. Apo is a volcano, there was a part full of many rocks that you have to climb. It was murderous because of the scorching sun. There was hardly any shade because the clouds were below us! Only the soothing wind was rewarding. I just had to stop for a while to appreciate its cool breeze. But then, the cold wind was also harder to breathe especially when one is carrying a heavy pack. I did feel my nostrils constrict because I have a cold, making it harder for me to breathe, especially once the air gets cooler. I can feel my heart beating fast because of the effort I had to endure.

End of the covered forest, and gasp, start of the scorching heat (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

With the sulfur coming out of the volcano (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

Such a mesmerizing view while going up the boulders (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

Pang inspiration picture ito. Melted by the scorching heat pero going up pa din (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

The rocks seem to go on forever... (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

Since I wanted a slow pace, despite the urgent pressure coming from Deo, I just volunteered to be the sweeper. That plus, I was just feeling really sad and down on this second day of climb. It’s like unconsciously, I don’t want to reach the summit… yet. I was so glad in taking my time, going through my own pace. I really don’t want to hurry along. But on an ordinary day, I would have like the challenge of going through those rocks, despite the heat. I don’t know what’s wrong with me… or do I? I was just so slow that people were offering me water and chocolate, and the porter offered to carry my bag. Since I was a bit dizzy at the time with dimness of vision, I relented and gave him my bag. Despite that, I still had easy fatigability and occasional dimness of vision, so I was just going through my own pace, letting them all go ahead of me, as long as one of the porters stayed with me. (I diagnosed myself with syncope!) Eventually, the climbers from the other group overtook me… and I reached their sweeper hehe We talked for a while, and I realize that talking with locals and new people seemed to lift my spirits. I don’t know why. It’s like… I’m just sad with the other group. Why is that? I don't know why, I'm happy with them... right? But that will be further reflected upon in my other blog.

Finally reached Boracay at the endless mountain of boulders (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

"Yes, we're going to scale that um 80-degree wall behind us in 30 minutes" (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

 Anyway, on a less personal note, after the boulders, there was the place they called “Boracay” because of the sand. There was a big rock where we could rest and shade ourselves from the sun. By the time I arrived, the rest of the Backpackers United started the trek going through the almost 90 degrees. The other group of campers rested and had their lunch there. The sweeper team, consisted of Leo, Victor, Marlon, and me stayed for a while. Leo and I wanted to even sleep because it was so hot, and it was 1-2 hours away from the camp site anyway. I just wanted to trek when there’s no more sun. But there was a problem of lack of water supply at this time, because of the heat of the sun and the boulders. I wasn’t hungry, more of thirsty only, and just really sleepy. (Well, could be because of this deep sadness that I’m feeling.)

Fight! Kaya pala with less than 30 minutes i-assault eh! (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

 Eventually, around 1 pm, we started our trek going up the almost-90-degree wall. It took us less than 30 minutes, and when we reached the end, Lake Venado was waiting for us. We walked around, had our pictures taken. The rest of the BU was also up at the summit, waving down at us. Anyway, it was another 30 minutes of up trek going to the campsite, where they were already having lunch.

Nag mumuni-muni hehe (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

The Lake Venado (is this the old Crater?) after the assault, but it's not a potable water source
(Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

I wasn’t really hungry; I was just thirsty, dirty, and sleepy. So I changed clothes and slept, barely ate lunch and just drank. I woke up when there was a little drizzle, a little time before we had to hike to try for a sunset summit. Not everyone was into it, but since I had a mission, I just HAD to do it. We had to wear our raincoats over jackets and thermal wears and shirts, because it was cold, reaching about 12 degrees, if I remember correctly.

Our campsite (still early in the afternoon, why do we have to hurry through the boulders anyway??)
(Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

Resting on top of the near-by bleacher-like bench hehe (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

We hiked to the summit, hoping for a view of the sunset. It was just hope, but it was successful! We had a glimpse! People were screaming whenever we get a clearing! Hehe We also had to remove our raincoats and jackets for pictorial purposes hehe But soon, it became dark and we had to go down. And from that glimpse, I knew I had my answer. Sigh… Anyway, we had dinner inside the tent. Hardly anyone wanted to drink, so we barely had socials. (Besides, everyone knew each other anyway.)

Sunset picture at the summit (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

When one of us went out the tent to pee, he commented on the stars. Some of us who were still awake (Rose, JM, coach, and me) stargazed for a while until we were freezing! They were just SOOOO many of them, so many bright stars! It would have been nice to sit somewhere, stargaze in silence, and reflect on life for a while. It was so beautiful, I could have cried if I was alone. I saw two shooting stars. And I knew it was another sign. My last night in the mountain was just perfect.

We woke up around 4 am, break camp, and went to the summit. There was a bit of a drizzle at this time, so I wasn’t in a hurry that there would be a clearing (and yes, I was again the sweeper by choice). Leo and I were the sweepers, but we didn’t go directly to the topmost area of the summit, where most of the BU where located. We went to the rock nearest the sunrise. Hence, when the sunrise appeared, Leo and I were in the pictures! Hehe That sunrise summit was so majestic I could have cried if I wasn’t shouting for happiness and excitement.  If I was alone. If I had my own thoughts only to ponder. But since there were a lot of us, and we were all excited and ecstatic, I just can’t cry! But it was a perfect sunrise! (That now, my eyes are getting misty reminiscing about that sunrise, writing about it.)

Yey, the sun made it through the clouds! :) Ecstatic and very good position for pictorials hehe
(Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

Shh... Quiet... Mt Apo is talking to me here (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

Backpackers United at the Sunrise of the Summit of My. Apo

At around 7 am, we eventually had to start going down. After all, there were the deadly boulders made murderous by the scorching sun. We don’t want to go through the deadly sun, right? (How I wish that we just traversed through the Kidapawan Trail. But my colleague said that Kidapawan was the easiest trail, so Kapatagal was still harder than Kidapawan.) We eventually stopped near the end of the boulders for breakfast.

Going down the steep wall, happy, hot, and covered in my white jacket. Time to take it off!
(Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

Quick Picture in Boracay (Photo Credit: Leo Pineda)

Dahil kulang ng water, we used the berries on the trail as trail food and juice. Berry power! (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)

Breakfast Amidst the Boulders. Ayun ako o... Nasa pinaka shadiest part ng picture na ito hehe (Photo Credit: Deo Calumba)

Back to the Kapatagan Trail (with Mt. Talomo, I think, behind) - Photo Credit: Victor Ayson

It was easier going downhill than uphill, obviously, as we were able to finish the route in one day. And by this time, I was more accepting about my fate, so I was also happier I think. (That’s how I fooled myself anyway.) We were listening to our own music portals and singing our hearts out while hiking! Hehe

We had lunch in the place where we had our lunch on the first day. Some played with the cute puppies there, while some played basketball, while yours truly sat, put my feet up, and tried to get some rest (failed because we just chatted)! Afterwards, it was another short walk to the jump-off point. It was another round of habal-habal to the barangay basketball court, and a jeepney ride back to Davao City.

Nope, this climb was not a blurry hazy memory or dream. It was a memorable climb.

Kapatagan Trail on a clear sunny day (The first day was rainy so it was cloudy) - Photo Credit: Victor Ayson