Boracay, truly an Island Paradise (Thanks to DEDP)

My being part of the Division Education Development Plan (DEDP) was a kind of an unexpected venture. I was assigned as an ADHOC member and as one of the lead writers for the ALS (Alternative Learning System). I have had lots of opportunities, however hard were the demands for the group to finish the grand plan. Top of it all, would be the knowledge on making a feasible plan that I gained. As soon as the plan was packaged, presented, approved and enhanced further, the Division Office of the DepEd in Sibugay rewarded our endeavor with a trip to the Island Paradise Boracay, and there we went and enjoyed from Feb 26 to March 1! (I also posted a blog about my visit to Boracay on my other page: http://darwin-beachbuddy.blogspot.com)

Best Wishes to my cousin Lynlyn and his husband Billy!

Malubal Falls: The Revisit (Dec 28, '08)

This morning at around 8, I prepared the "head" of the lechon as our pasalubong for our friends who were waiting at Malubal. I also bought a small can of fruit cocktail and a can of condensed milk as we would be making a buko salad at Dude's home. Audz, Edz and I went off to Malubal., and got there past 10:00 am. Audz had to fetch Sargz and his friend JR so Edz and I just waited at Dudez place. Dudez came over after some minutes and soon enough Audz, Sargz and JR arrived. Audz cooked lechon paksiw while Sargz, though quite tired got some buko. After the rice and the paksiw were done, we wrapped our baon, as we would be revisiting the falls, this time with Sargz. Dudez' mother was delighted that we left her some lechon paksiw.

At almost 12, we started walking. Sargz had to really rush with our trip, because he'd be playing a championship basketball match at around 4:00 pm in Guinabucan. With that, we had to get at the crossing Piling, through a habal-habal ride. We were six, so loading us all in one habal-habal would be a crazy thing, considering both our number and size. But then, we proceeded with it as the driver was OK. JR seated on the front, I was next to the driver, Dudez followed, Sargz, well, in standing position (there's just no other way to fit us all in) came next, Edz, had to face Sargz' rear bumpers, having positioned next and at the back most was the superior leader, Audz. I could really feel the strong compression of us all. Sargz had his hands holding on my shoulder and it felt so tickling! But I couldn't move - doing it would endanger everyone. I was so helpless. Anyhow, we reached Piling and paid the driver 30 pesos.

We got to the place, earlier than the last time we got to the falls. Moving down the cliff wasn't as difficult as we already have had the experience to do so. The falls was reduced of its water, most possibly due to the lower amount of rainfall. But the majestic view of the falls was still there. It was only Dudez and I who were swimming on the water. But after we took our lunch through a boodle fight, everyone swam already. We had Sargz took a picture with us. He wished the group was complete. But Jenz and Armz were attending to other invitation(s), they just couldn't be with us. At almost 2 pm, we climbed up the side of the falls to go home. We were making lots of fun as we were on our way back home. Sargz and JR took a habal-habal ride after we bid goodbye with our distinct group sign.

Edz, Audz, Dudez and I dropped by Malubal Elementary School. We took pictures of our selves there. (The pictures (falls and school) are albumed at my friendster account). Audz and I left Malubal at almost 3:00 pm. I got home at 4:15 and dressed up to attend the Mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral. The Celebration was on the Feast of the Holy Family.

Tres Andanas Falls: Twice Lost, but Got there Anyway

Sargz (Kevin) has been telling the group about "Tres Andanas" Falls in Guinabucan. It was last December 8 that Audz (Dwight) and I went to Guinabucan just to see the place of Sargz in San Fernandino. We'd be back to go to the waterfalls, Sargz has been proudly telling us about. Yesterday, Audz and I went back again to Guinabucan, and by the time, to set our feet at the falls. We left Ipil at around 8:30 am and got to Malubal at past 9 am. We gave our presents to Dude'z mom. She was so thankful with our gesture. Dude'z dressed up and went with us. We dropped by Ed'z place and she also went with us to Guinabucan. Sargz was just outside his house when we got to the place. We grilled the marinated pork we brought for our lunch. I and audz gave our gifts to sargZ mom and she too was grateful with our presents.

At almost 1 pm we started walking off to the falls. Sargz invited two of his friends to serve as our guide. While we were on the way, I noticed that none of us really know the place as our supposedly guides kept on asking whenever we passed by a house. Their not knowing of the place was confirmed when we were lost after we walked through Kasay - I. Oh, I remember! We passed by a Center of Daughters of Christ of Saint Vincent. It was a nice place, with playgrounds for children. Anyway, we shifted our path when someone told us that we were on the wrong way. Then we got to a house, which was nearest to the falls. The owner of that house was kind to offer us water for a drink. He pointed where the spot was - the place from our view was a forest area. We walked downhill and again, ended up lost. But we decided that we walk downstream to get to the falls. It was already more than a hour of walking. I have had an experience of walking through stony brook, but the journey we had yesterday was the longest and most challenging to date! We met two girls along the way and our thinking that there was no "tres andanas" at all was erased when the kids told us that we were already nearing the "busay". I and Audz were at the last line and when we got to the falls, everyone ahead of us was already marveling at the falls.The falls, which is at Kasay - II, has been so named "Tres Andanas" (Three Floors) with the basis of how the waterfalls are arranged. At the top, there are two waterfalls from separate streams. Both flow toward a single waterfall, which is at the lower level. Such waterfall flows towards the lowest waterfalls, which has the widest drop. We were so afraid to dive on the water because it appeared so deep. We moved down the lowest falls and then took a swim. The water was both deep and very cold, that we had to swim as fast for fear of what might be in the deep water. We left the place at 4:18 pm, upstream that time. Thanks to my jogging at the Capitol, I somehow had the physical preparation of walking long distances. We got to the Guinabucan road at 5:48 pm! We dropped by Saberon Store for a refreshment. Then, we proceeded to sargZ house. They prepared us a nice dinner - lechon kawali, with macaronni salad as our desert.This morning, we left the place to attend to the first birthday of my nephew - Mark Joshua.

Merry Christmas!

Yesterday evening, I heared the Christmas Vigil Mass with Dwight at St. Joseph's Cathedral. Earlier, I cooked pancit and escabeche for the noche buena and got ready by 6:50 pm to hear the 7:15 vigil mass. After the celebration, we went home and ate. Then we got up to the Capitol to have a party with Dwight's relatives. The spaghetti was really delicious. I met Charmaine, an student of mine, way back my first year of teaching at Marcelo Spinola School. After some shots of Emperador, we moved down and shared Tanduay with iced tea at Arturoz's. I was sending this text message I made to some friends:

Celebr8
Christmas
d
way
Jesus
ws
born
4
us.
He
bcame
human
2b
a
perfct
sacrifice-
a
gift
frm
d
Father
2save
us.
Ds
season
lyk
Christ
may
we
b
gifts
4
aders
too!

(that was exactly 160 characters)Today, I woke up around 7 am, took a bath and dressed up for the Christmas Mass at 8:15 am. Kuya Manny had the English songs ready, but because we learned that the medium should be Visayan, JC (kuya Manny's son), the LCD-Laptop operator had to shift from PowerPoint files to another files. Anyhow, the mass was solemnly celebrated. I got home straight and slept a lot. This afternoon, Dwight and I planned our travel tomorrow. We bought the things we need. I went to Daday's place but she wasn't there. She was just home and the kids were there too. I bought home a 105-peso ice cream and the kids ready loved it. Papang was there too. Later, Mamang arrived and gave Dimple and Angel some nice outfits.

Christmas Party '08

I could not have much time with my students to plan for a Christmas party because I have been attending to the needs of my Provincial Chess players, being their coach. The kids anyhow managed to inform me that they already made a plan for the party. This morning at ten, the program got started with a doxology of the ZSNHS Choir, with me as the guitarist. We sang "Emmanuel", as it is timely for the season. Last night, the choir was doing a splendid singing during the 3rd Anticipated Novena Mass, in celebration of the Feast of the Birth of our Lord Jesus at the jam packed St. Joseph's Cathedral of Ipil.

Then the program was opened with my welcome remarks. I emphasized to them: "you would never have your third year life again, so make memories of fun and joy." "you will only be third year once in your entire life." There was a nice dance presentation, which was followed by search for Mr. and Miss Christmas , III-Diamond Class '08. The kids were really thrilled as their classmates did their catwalk. Parlor games followed. There was a paper dance contest. Jimboy and his partner won the game. There was also statue dance, which I joined in. Unfortunately, I was eliminated. Then we took our lunch, after which, the Chris Kringle followed. I gave my gift to Kristelle Ann and i got a gift from Jeraldin.The kids proceeded a park at Suclema. I couldn't go with them because I had to see my chess players at Central.

Blocked Road

It has been like four times that I found a hard time passing through the street in our purok. Of course, the path itself has been difficult, but it's not a big problem to deal with, as anyone in the place got used to it after having driven along the road again and again. Now what is this hard time I'm talking about? Look at this picture:

It is really difficult to drive further because the road is like blocked entirely. Those people at the left side are the ones operating that truck in the picture. They are selling water. They really saw me taking picture of them, but I knew what I was doing. They have not done it once, and they would certainly do it again. I hope they would have a parcel of their mind that would consider other passers by of the road. After all, they are not residents of the purok. Too bad!

Tennis for me was simple as it seemed to be but…

I woke up early, put my jogging wear on, placed the tennis rocket on my bag and fetched Jenny from her place to Neil’s house. Yesterday, we called for a tennis play that would be played this morning. We left the motorcycle at Dwight’s place and started hiking up the hill of Ipil Heights. It was around 4:30 am when we got to the base of the hill. We jogged up right away on the inclined road. It was my first time that I made it all the way up. Then, we started on hiking again till we reached near the National High. After some deep breathing and ample stretching, we started on brisk walking along the slope, and when we were around 70 m to where there’s a rugged path, we jogged up again. It was calorie-burning as I almost run out of breath having got to the top. Then we walked up further till we got to the highest point. Then we walked downhill to cool down. We were half way through the concrete road and decided to jug up again. It was still dim when we got to the tennis court.

As soon as there was some little brightness, we started on smashing the tennis balls with our rockets against the tall wall with imprints: “Go Tennis with Hofer”. It was difficult to hit back the balls since it was still not that bright. In my case, I got the ball flown out of the wall and I had to tediously find it each time it got out. Anyway, when the dawn completely broke, we got started on playing at the court. It was my first time to hit balls inside a court. Tennis was simple as it seemed, when I saw almost every game of grand slam events on TV. But it wasn’t easy at all. There were many approaching balls, which I failed to even hit. But as the game progressed, I got my timing, which is an important element – move back a bit and smash on the ball! I could not forget how I hit the ball with my forehand, and got it all the way in, really fast. Neil, who has been playing tennis, even marveled at what I just did. The playing got me really sweat a lot. After we felt we had enough, we walked downhill and took our usual refreshment at our “suki”.

I am looking forward to playing tennis. My father was a player himself. The rocket that I used, Dunlop (McEnroe Series) was given to him by his playmate, Dr. Vicajoy.

Happy Fiesta, Nuestra Señora Imaculada Concepcion

It was since last week that Kevin, John Dwight and I planned to go to Malubal to attend the christening of Reneheart’s (Kevin’s elder sis) son, on the occasion of the Feast of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Yesterday morning, after the jogging, the three of us went to the cold place of Malubal. It was around 10:30 am that we got there, so Kevin asked that we proceed to San Fernandino, Guinabukan for us to see his place. Along the way, Kevin was skeptic about us pursuing the trip because he felt like bashful that we would see his home. But we told him we go there for the people, not for the house. We got there at 10:46 am. I was bringing with me an apple. I was feeling thirsty so I had it eaten. We were waiting for Kevin’s mother but she wasn’t there. We learned she was washing clothes at the river.

At 11:11 am, we went back to Malubal straight to Reneheart’s home. At the time she was at the Chapel with her husband and son for the Christening Rites. It was near lunchtime when I saw Reneheart approaching, carrying her little boy. The table was prepared and the family asked me to lead the prayer. We ate the sumptuous lunch and right after, a long-neck Tanduay was served. When we were about to finish the rum, Kevin’s father came. He was already loaded; hence, he talked a lot. He ordered for another bottle long-neck of “the number 1 rum”. That really got me loaded too. At around 4:45 pm, we left Malubal and went back to San Fernandino to meet Kevin’s mom. There, I met his beautiful mom and she was so accommodating. I told her that by this Christmas vacation, our group will drop by their place to go to the waterfalls called “Tres Andanas”.

After a short talk, we drove off back to Ipil. We dropped by at “Ego’s” place and then went to the IMAVEMCO noodles factory to see my Papang. Then we went to Arturo’s place to have another Tanduay session. Then we all went home after finishing 2 Senior bottles.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

My blog has been created by me with the big help from Blogger.com, for probably the same reason as those of other bloggers. Well, I personally have this as a channel to which I may be able to document my very life – whatever might and will have come to pass as I continue with my existence here on earth. “It’s My Life”, the title of my blogsite, clearly tells that the stories here are and will not be that of others, but how their lives have and will have become part of my very life's stories, whatever the circumstances might have been and may have happen.

After having posted a number of events of my life here in this site, I have become skilled in writing, spontaneous with my expression of thoughts, more appreciative of friends and things life has to offer and top of it all, been finding answers to the question: “what on earth am I here for?”.

Certainly, I am the most avid reader of my own blog. Now that I learned that many have accessed and read through my stories, I have felt a bit flattered that they too, have taken the time to read my blog – the story of my life. To them, I thank so much for somehow, I have some people around, knowing my stories. It is an unexpected added value to this site, that they may become better, as this site fosters the unfolding of the beauty of life that lies behind this seemingly unhappy world.

Pacman's the Best!

I was about to finish washing my clothes when the "Dream Match" between the "Pacman" Manny Pacquiao and the "Golden Boy" Oscar dela Hoya was about to commence. I rushed to Ate Bibing's house to watch the fight. (Our TV just got damaged; it will be fixed tomorrow yet). When I got there, I saw some neighbors, eagerly waiting for the start of the fight. I thought at first that Pacman wouldn't simply make it, considering dela Hoya's stunning titles, advantageous height and a stronger physique. Many pre-fight analyses saw dela Hoya's success in the so-called Dream Match. When the fight was about to start, I felt like anxious about Pacman's fate. But from the first round till the eighth, Pacquiao was way better than his Mexican opponent, that the latter had to succumb to the fight for a reason that "his heart still willing, but his body couldn't sustain the fight anymore". Everyone in the house was in jubilation of Pacman's easy victory. The highway was also de-loaded of passing vehicles. The shouting of the people from nearby houses could be heard, the moment Pacquiao got his power punch on dela Hoya.

Pacman's truly the best. His most recent fight proved that a dream could come true if you worked enough for it. Congrats Philippines!

ZSNHS Students pay Tribute to Teachers

Dec. 5, this year was the day for the culminating program of the Education Week, sponsored by the English Department. The program was incorporated with Tribute to Teachers, in commemoration of the school's teachers' day. The program got started with my students of 3rd year Diamond's doxology: "God of Silence". Then the students of both campuses showcased their literary presentations.

The second part of the program was presented for the teachers. The Supreme Student Government (SSG) officers rendered a song to the tune of "...parang kaylan lang", with lyrics expressing gratefulness to teachers. The teachers also presented a song number, the "T Song". After a student representative read a "thank you" message, the SSG offered tokens to the teachers. I for one received cards from my advisory class and I thought that was heartwarming. I got all the cards read yesterday only.

These Past Days...

Bukodventure!

(Nov 30)

Jenny kept on sending me text messages to fetch Joven and proceed to her place to prepare buko salad. I brought with me a fruit cocktail and a can of condensed milk. When we got to Jenny's place, we got all the containers and scrappers ready. When we were at the coco plantation, Jenny decided to go back for a while to get a better container. Joven climbed up a nearby coconut and we got some 6 cocos. When Jenny came, she helped us scrape the coconut off its meat. Jenny was like very busy texting while we were scrapping the coconuts. She was exchanging text messages with her best friend. We thought what we got was not enough so walked further and got some more. At around 4 pm, we went bach to Jenny's house. We prepared the salad. It was so delicious. I had a pleasant conversation with her Mom as we were eating. I brought some when I went home. Thanks JenZ!

I was the encoder for Math Area at the Regional Team Supervision at Buayan
(Nov 28)
Sir Dodong, our school head asked me to be the encoder for math area, to prepare the PowerPoint presentation of the Math Report on the Teaching Demonstration. I got there at past 7:30 already. I was tasked to edit the pictures of the observers in such a way that those would be incorporated in the slide presentation. I finished ahead of time so, I asked Ma'am Hepshie, the Math Supervisor that I go home ahead. She asked me if everything was ready. I assured her that the presentation was ready to be shown anytime. She brought me to where the tokens were and gave me one. She was so good to do that to me. I drove back here and got home at 11:00 am.

Ipil Soared in Chess in SLC Meet '08
(Nov 19 - 22)
Both the elementary and secondary chess reaped gold medals at the SLC Meet, Chess Tournament. Board 1 Elem. and Sec. Girls and board 2 Elem. and Sec. Boys, won first. Board 2 sec. girls and board 1 elem. boys, settled for silver medals. Ipil Delegation was proclaimed over-all champion in Elem. (B/G) and Secondary (G). I'll be coaching the Sec. Girls Chess this coming Provincial Meet (Dec 22).

Getting physically fit

(Nov. 16 - present)

It has been 14 days of brisk walking, jogging, sitting up. Be it on a slope, a concrete road, a rugged path, a plain street, I wake up at 3:20 am to get my self clothed athletically and text on my friends to wake them up too, to start each day right with a brisk walking and a strenuous jogging. Earlier, for two days, I got my self warmed up with walking, through a 30 plus-minute hike in Sanito. Then, on the third day, I hiked up the Capitol Hill with Jenny, Dwight and Joven. It was indeed calorie burning as my shirt really got wet. When Dwight and I squeezed it, the hot sweat was really dripping down. Waking up early has been like a daily routine. As the hill-hiking progressed, we invited hikers - Almie, Noime, Leevani, Corazon and some other walkers. My 140 BP is now down to 130/90! I pray I get to sustain this one.

The experience up the hill has been so worthwhile. There have been many times that I saw meteors, scratching brightly in the dawn sky, stars that simply amaze me with their arrangements in constellations, the reddish to golden morning eastern sky, the edges of the shorelines, the cottony fogs that kiss the grounds, the serenity of Buluan Island and the beauty of Ipil.

Happy 60th Bday Mamang!

This morning I left Mamang my check, asked her to have it cashed and told her that she get some for her birthday. She was going to have her senior citizenship celebrated at IMAVEMCO. At the time I have a class so I did not have any idea what they (Daday and Daylin) prepared for Mamang. After my class, I went to the market to by some shoes at the UK. I bought 2 pairs for the price of 500 bucks only. I intended it for my jogging activity. I proceeded to IMAVEMCO Office and found out that they were being evaluated. She gave to me my money from the check she cashed from a bank. I couldn't wait anymore for the party so I went home. I went up to WMSU to check my locker there. I found some friends and we moved, walking down the hill. My motorcycle was just dragged down by my friends. They said, I really have to take a walk as an added exercise. I told them that we have some food at home for my Mamang's birthday. We went there and ate. They greeted Mamang.

Unexpected drive off

It's been two days since audZ and I have not gone out. Last night, we went out at our usual hangout place. EdZ was texting with me, and her texts were kind of meaning they (she and audZ) had a fight. After some exchange of messages, sir Ariel with her wife got to where we were and asked me if I could help his wife prepare a PowerPoint presentation. We (audZ, arvee and I) went to their place and there, I gave a help to his wife. Sir Ariel gave me a Spanish style sardines. We left the place and proceeded to Tiayon to see the "air", viZe. After viZe and arvee had a little talk, we brought arVee home.

Can you believe this!? I told auDz that we go to Malubal. I didn't know what kind of spirit got into us, that we travelled straight to RT Lim, with my un-tuned up, not-so-ready motorcycle. We got there at around 12:17 am! We proceeded to Malubal and edZ was there waiting at the school and we arrived at the place at 1:03 am. They talked for a while and then we proceeded to dudeZ' home. dudeZ went down and talked with us. He was so amazed that we went there at such time of the day. DudeZ' mother was awaken by our presence. She got the bedding ready and I and audZ took a nap. We woke up at 6:45 am and by past 7:00 am, we headed back to Ipil. DudeZ' mother offered us a breakfast but we were really hurrying up to go home. And so we drove off to RT Lim. Along the way, I told audZ that my motorcycle should be one of the most "laa-gan" vehicles! It has already landed and driven Basilan Island and today, it run through the road to Malubal!

A Mole of Thanks DudeZ!

A mole is 6.02 times 10 to the power of 23 particles. It is the number that approximates the count of stars that are visible on a cloudless, clear night sky. That also assumes the amount of thanks I told to dudeZ before, I and the rest of the gang who went to Malubal last Saturday, left the place yesterday.

Last Friday (Nov 8), audZ skillfully convinced me to go with them to Malubal. He told that there's a high and big waterfalls. Everyone in the group knows how crazy I am for nature tripping. dudeZ was there when he did that. audZ knew how busy I would be by Saturday. I should be present for the awarding ceremony of the 2008 Ipil District Meet, commentator on a weeding mass and guitarist for the Interlude choir's singing at 5:15 pm mass. But what made me plan to go with them was what dudeZ told me: his mother anticipated for my coming to their place. At past 4 am Saturday, I woke up and ask my sis Engr. Pedragosa to take my place as wedding mass commentator. Thank God she said yes. I drove off to the groom's place to inform him and he told me it was OK. Then I proceeded to Kuya Manny's house to ask him to accompany the choir, because I couldn't be present. He too was positive.

Everything worked as planned so I, JenZ (with her digicam), audZ, armZ and rambo went off with dudeZ (the cool host) from Ipil to RT Lim. We got there at around 9:10 am. Then via habal-habal, we got to Malubal at 10:00 am. dudeZ's mother was so welcoming when we got at dudeZ' home. After some conversations, she got the table ready and served us delicious, nutritious, hot and whole native chicken soup. We ate and ate and it was so right to do to get our selves so ready for the adventure of a lifetime!

The Adventure: Day 1 "From the Big Waterfall to the Smaller"
(Survivors: armZ, dudeZ, jenZ, rambo, me, audZ, edZ)

By 11:15 a.m, we packed up and started hiking toward the falls. 11:55 a.m it was, when we landed our feet on the cool water of the falls. It wasn't that challenging trek since the way to the falls was just a little grassy and bushy. The only steep path was a 30 - meter way to the big waterfall. The first great sight we saw was a rapid along the river. We hurriedly sat down through its rocks and took pictures of ourselves. The water was very cold. dudeZ lead the way with his cousin edZ in moving down through slippery, inclined rocks, which were constantly splashed with volumes of bubbly, white waters that rush down an 80 - meter slope of rugged rock formation. We did some picture takings at some safe and nice points. The sight from the top was breathtaking. But to simply marvel at what we saw wasn't the challenge: it was getting to the bottom of the waterfalls uninjured and with all the stuffs we have intact! We were kind of systematic with what we did. With a big help of a strong vine, we lined down the right side of the falls and passed our things person-to-person. After everything was in place, we took our first jump at the falls. Earlier, dudeZ was jumping like three times already before we got there (at the "board"). edZ kindly took pictures of us when we were jumping, staying, swimming, hanging and making all sorts of fun at the falls. It is truly hard to tell what we felt and did, but our pictures could tell a lot. At around 2:44 pm, we moved down further to get to the smaller waterfalls. After a distance of around 12 meters, we came across a top of another waterfall. But it could not be seen completely as it dropped almost perpendicular to its base. added to that was the very steep large rock formations that seemingly hide its magnificence. I told them: "we can't have it all". With dudeZ as our guide, we climbed up a steep forest. I have an acrophobia but I had to walk on with the group as we had limited time to get to the smaller, twin falls. It was at such journey that I felt the spirit of adventure. I was really looking around and I saw sorts of plants that were mostly wild. After passing through a portion of the forest area, we had to move down through stony river, with many tiny falls. We stopped at some point, to again, take pictures. After a while, dudeZ signalled that we were nearing the "small falls". We didn't see it entirely at first sight because we were starting at its top. dudeZ slid right away through the smaller part. It was so amazing to note that a waterfall can be a sliding board at the same time. We all followed him, and once all our things were safely placed on the river's side, we started making fun in the small waterfalls. I told dudeZ that I liked it better because of its strong water drops. At around 4:30 pm, we packed up and started to walk back dudeZ' home. At the time, I was like drained of my energy reserve. That was so untimely as we had to trek through the steepest, longest forested path we passed along that day. Edz earlier told that passing there would be like walking with our chin and knees, meeting together. Indeed it was the hardest for me. We were half way through the path when I felt a very painful muscle cramp on both of my thighs. Every time I step up, the pain just occurred and there came a point that the group had to stop with me for a while. Audz cheered me up strongly, but the pain recurred as we climbed up. We stopped like four times, and walked after each time the pain subsided a bit. I was really needing water at the time. dudeZ walked as fast to get to a house, to ask for water. Once we got to the "plain", the pain was totally not felt anymore. What was needed by me at the time was water. Audz was walking ahead but close to me. He kept on shouting at dudeZ, but the latter could not be seen and did not reply. Earlier dudeZ pointed at a tree, of which he told was where we could get water. Audz and I kept walking while looking at the tree. We thought it was that near, but we had to walk through a muddy, grassy-bushy path to get there. Once we got there, dudeZ brought a glass of water and it was truly quenching my thirst. There was a little brook on that place and we washed our feet in there. We were really nearing the place of dudeZ as we already saw the National High School of Malubal. Once we got to the highway, we took pictures of ourselves. We took a cool bath at dudeZ' place and his kind mother prepared us a very healthy dinner - veggies and rice. After the dinner, we moved to the other (nearby) house of dudeZ, where the group had a real good time. Afterwhich, we slept at dudeZ' house - giving ourselves a break, for another adventure by the next day. Rambo went back to Ipil because he has a friend to attend to importantly.(Sunday, November 9, 2008) We woke up early, with jenZ getting herself ready to go back to Ipil for a while to give the digicam to her sis as it would be used for an important occasion. dudeZ mother prepared coffee for us, afterwhich a nice breakfast of dried fish and paksiw. That really got me loaded! I, armz and audz, together with edZ, walked to Ma'am Virgie Gonzalo's palace. (Ma'am Virgie is our surrogate supervisor and she is the Filipino teacher of jenZ, audz, dudeZ and armZ). JenZ was on her way to Ipil. Ma'am Virgie offered as iced tea with biscocho. We were talking a lot of things. At around 10:00 am, jenZ arrived back, bringing another digicam (my sis').

We took pictures around and then soon enough, we headed to the Malubal National High to get signal for our mobile phones. There we sent text messages and then head back dudeZ' place. DudeZ was there along the way with edZ's little bro, who was also geared to go with us for the day 2 adventure. As we arrived dudeZ' home, we found out that another WMSUan, Jeanny, a comsci student was there near the house. We called her up and she joined us. But she couldn't accompany us with the day 2 journey to the falls because her father would not allow her so. dudeZ packed up rice, armZ and edz prepared the buko; the water containers were filled, and so we started walking for the day 2 adventure. We stopped at a store and bought canned sardines and corned beef for our lunch.

Adventure: Day 2 "From the smaller to the bigger waterfalls" Survivors: armZ, auDz, dudeZ, edZ, edZ little bro, jenZ & me.

The way, which we used as the exit in day 1 became the road we took to get to the smaller waterfalls. AudZ headed the group as he was geared up with a pair of boots and a bolo. As we walked through, I came to remember my ordeal the past day. The sharply edged grasses just wouldn't hurt me anymore because I was wearing a sweater that dudeZ lent to me. Then we came to the muddy path, with thick fern vegetation side-by-side. Then we finally got to the steep forest. Most of us had to walk bear-foot as the dried leaves-covered forest soil was moist and slippery. dudeZ was at the last in line so he took pictures of our actions going down and down the lush, sloped forest. I was packed with enough energy, having taken multivitamins and it was yet the time when I started to really burn up calories and so, though my thighs were really working that hard, it did not cause any cramps. We stopped by a big tree and took pictures of ourselves. It was like dramatic because the ray of the sun was directed to us. Then, we started hearing the rushing of the water, giving the sign that we were almost there. As I looked around, I could see glossy, dark blue dragonflies, along with a variety of wild plants growing just anywhere. When we got to the river, I got the camera and took picture of the waterfalls at once. I, dudeZ and edZ's little bro were the first to jump unto the refreshing water.

In this particular journey, we brought with us a rope, (lent to us by dudeZ' mama) which audZ and armZ tied on a big rock at the top and dropped the rest of the rope along the slope of the falls. I took the challenge of climbing up the falls using the rope. I made it! Jenz was supposed to take picture of my climbing but the cam was not ready. AudZ took his turn and he made it too. At the time, I sat on where the water dropped. It caused a decrease in the volume of water drops. The next challenge was to jump from the top of the falls to its base. dudeZ, armZ, audZ and edZ small brother made their successful jumps. My acrophobia caused me a second thought about jumping. The group tried to cheer me up but I was already like creating an image of an extended rock formation just at the base of the falls, making me decide not to take the risk. I contented my self on just sliding down the falls. After some swimming and jumping, the group got the lunch ready. We shared on a limited food and it was good for in that way, we'd be trekking with a not-so-heavy sensation. We had shredded buko as our dessert. We took some rest at a log, which was lying on the rocks across the river. Then, we refreshed back at the shaded part of the river and took lots of pictures. At around 3:15pm, we got all our things brought to the top of the falls and got ready for another round of walking.

The river was indeed fascinating. As we were walking against the flow of the water, I saw many beautiful sights just anywhere - the rocks, the wild plants, the gentle flow of the water were all wonderful. Then we got to the part where we had to climb up a forest and walk through its edge. The rope was so helpful as it was used as an added support in climbing up the cliff. If one would accidentally fall, the destination would be a shallow river! But we successfully passed through the forest, with the cover of the picher as the sole mortality. It fell down on the waterfall that we could not see completely. It was also the part where the tall waterfalls was near. Just a few meters away, we saw again the majestic waterfalls. We swam across it and got to its base to take a cold shower. At the time, I was already missing the place. We took some pictures of the place and at 4:30 pm, we climbed up further to go back dudeZ' home. ArmZ was the most helpful because he had to go first to tie up the rope at the higher portion. He had also to rush untying it for we still had some more slopes to pass. As soon as we got to the plain, we started talking many things. We even jokingly said: "Is there any hard way here?!" "Where's the difficult road?"On the way home I came to realize many things about taking adventures:

1. Use energy wisely. Do not overuse it and reserve some for the final journey.

2. Bring and drink just enough water. Just take one shot at a time to quench thirst and save an amount for the last km.

3. While on the cliff or steep, slippery path, never let go of the thing that supports. Make sure that it is strong enough to carry your weight.

4. Don't be unreasonably pathetic. Everyone is struggling to survive and so be kind to the group.

5. Eat less. Eating a lot is a no, no as one might feel heavy while walking/trekking.

6. Wear protective gears - on a grassy path, sweater is really ideal. Rubber sandals are also good for walking on a rocky river. The cloth one wears should also be light enough. Baggy clothing can get heavy when wet.

I know I'll have some more, but this one's really the most important:

7. Pray, pray and pray. God still holds our fate. His blessing and guidance keep us safe and sound.

When we reached the Public Market, we saw Ma'am Virgie. She served us cold Coke and pie bread. It was a nice refreshment after the long walk! Then we proceeded to dudeZ' house and got our selves ready to go back home to Ipil. As we were about to leave, I told dudeZ' mother: "te, I really don't know how to thank you for your kindness, but thank you, thank you so much!" She replied: "I'll welcome you here, just as how God welcomes his guests". It was so heart-warming. Then the habal-habal were already outside. It was drizzling a bit, but we had to wait for edZ to say goodbye. As soon as she arrived, we bid adieu. We got to RT Lim at past 6 pm. Then we took a ride on a Rural Bus and when we arrived Ipil, we parted our ways with each of us bringing the spirit of Malubal adventure we'll always be proud of and never put to oblivion.