Mt. Romelo 2008

Siniloan, Laguna
Minor Climb

Climb # 1

My so-called mountain getaway started when my office mate invited me to join an Open Climb. Sorry to forgot the name of organizer. Honestly, this is my first time to hike mountain, sleep in tent and rappel waterfall.

Pre-climb. We assembled in SM Megamall food court. The organizer orients us in the following: what to bring and what to expect.

Day 1 started as we meet up in a bus Terminal (Raymond Transport). From there we travel up to Famy. Upon arrival, we started walking up to a store were we ate our lunch and have a short period of orientation. After that, we continue our trek. As a first time climber, I experienced some difficulties due to rain and mud-covered trail. Anyhow we reached a 360 view in the highest portion of Mt Romelo. As we descend to campsite, a downpour of rain and darkness overwhelm us. Albeit my anxiousness, I tried to catch-up with my friend. His headlamp fails so we have to use mine together. And literally I crawl in the darkness & muddiness.

Upon arrival in campsite, we wash-up immediately in the river. Set our camp and prepare dinner. Me & Donald separated from the group because they rented nipa hut while we stayed with our tents. The night is long and cold, the rain never stops.

Day 2. A quick breakfast before we head toward Buruwisan Falls. Safety orientation first before we proceed with actual rappelling. I’m nervous but what the heck – I have to conquer my fear and I don't want to waste this opportunity. The difficult part is setting your feet and balance on the edge. Afterwards, you will surely enjoy your rappel downward since it’s within the falls - water dripping in your body. A designated safeguard is waiting below to catch and assist some member who doesn’t’ know how to swim (including me). Finally, we stayed a little longer swimming around before going back to the camp site.

Along the way, Donald meets up with his previous mountaineer friends. Short period of chatting and then we proceed and break our camp. We descend and by this time I experience being alone in the trail (kanya-kanyang lakad, habang nag-eemote). I passed by different climber and sometimes joined them. This is exciting since I meet new people. Upon arrival on the jump-off, we washed-up and have our dinner. I noticed that this organizer is fond with orientations, discussing lessons learned in mountaineering and socializing.

Late at night at last, we head back to the highway and hoping to catch-up with the last trip going back to Manila. Due to large numbers of climber present, our group chartered a jeep going to back Cubao.


in darkness, there is light

 
not my own photo, but this illustrate our activity

Bday gift 2008

Thanks to my colleague for giving me this picture as a birthday present – Thanks Bryan!
 One Rockwell Project/TSG Department 2008

Reminiscing College Life

In 2002, I set my feet in Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Mesa as an Architecture student.This is a blessing since we cannot afford for other university. In my time the cost of my tuition fee per semester is P500.

In earlier year, I travel Dasmariñas Cavite to Sta. Mesa every day. It’s too tiring due to heavy traffic, difficulty to commute & bad weather that sometimes cancelled classes. In 2003, I started to live in a boarding house in Teresa (near PUP Main building) – this is a memorable house since I met lot friends and experience happiest and loneliness part of my college day. I love Maggie (also my classmate) and Awuth above all.

In 2005, we (I and Maggie) transfer to a boarding house near CEA building. Transfer again in a 1- bedroom unit with her siblings near Teresa. And transfer again in a bigger 1 – bedroom unit near Legarda.

Our common joke is, we were live-in partner… living together since 2003. We were separated in 2007 while I’m taking up my thesis – due to personal reason. Anyway, we still have connections and I’m Bianca’s Godmother - Maggie's daughter.

In college life, we may experience sticking with a one person – our Best friend, but in the long run… and in reality, changes are always present. You’ll be left alone or you will have other friends. They come and go… that’s my conclusion. Its heart breaking but that’s truth.

You have to be flexible to cope up with your environment. And sometimes having many friends rather that single best friend is much better.

Thank you for coming into my life and sharing wonderful memories with you guys!
Marianne Gorospe - Maggie
Ruth Pascual - Awuth
Mary Rose Pascual
Ivy Noreen Carlos
Divine Luces
And many more

As an architecture student, we commonly have insomnia. In brighter side this helps us finish our drawings and reports. So my usual routine is: Boarding house – CEA bulding (location of architecture course classrooms) – Main building (location of minor subject’s classrooms) – Boarding house.

Luckily, every Tuesday I and Jhe meet up in SM Manila to watch movie and dinner together. Sometimes, I also attend music gig with Maggie or Awuth. Most of the times, we hang-out in a computer shop and play online games (with Jhe). Definitely that’s my college life.

Reminiscing COG

At 3rd year college, I joined a Christian fellowship in Dasmariñas Cavite. In life, there will be a moment that you will look for something – indescribable feeling, unknown loneliness and sometimes looking for something that you can only discern in line with spiritual activity. And yes, I see, hear, feel and experience unexplainable contentment within this church and the people belong to it.

At first, other questioned my decision of joining this fellowship since we are Catholic. But thanks to my mom who is very understanding and supportive to my actions.

I hooked up in every possible activity – attend sermon, discussion, fellowship, youth camp and most probably joining Sunday school as assistant teacher for toddler.

My most memorable part of life... being close to our Creator.
I realized that I can create songs for Him – praise, thanksgiving, prayer… Also it open my heart to children.. one of teacher mention I have a cheerful heart...