Freedom Climb 2011 (Mt. Manabu)

Last June 11-12, 2011 Detour (Jcfgim Youth) participated in Freedom Climb. It is an attempt to break United Kingdom and Ireland's record for the biggest number of mountain climbers who scaled multiple summits within 24 hours. Organized by FIMOinc. (Federation of Filipino Mountaineers).

     I  personally chose Mt. Manabu because of its distance to our home and the number of climbers there are lesser compared to other mountains.

Mt. Manabu is located at Sulok Bgy. Sta Cruz, Sto Tomas, Batangas. Approximately one and a half to two hour drive from Las Pinas. 760 Meters Above Sea Level. Specs: Minor Climb. Difficulty 2/9 trail class.(source: Pinoy Mountaineer).
We left Las Pinas around 12pm and arrived at Sto. Tomas before 2pm.We stopped at Fiesta mall to wait for Detour Cavite before heading to the jump off area.

When we arrived at the jump off area we registered and started our ascent around 3:30 in the afternoon. Guide is optional since there is already an existing trail heading to Manabu's peak. We stopped by at Mang Peryeng's kubo and had a free coffee with him while having a few minute rest. Mang Peryeng is known to be the care taker of mount Manabu.From Mang Peryeng's place the ascent became steeper. good thing there's available rope to hold on to so our ascent is not that hard. We were at the peak before sunset and had our pictorial at the white cross wearing our freedom climb shirt  to officialized our climb and participation. Being at Mt. Manabu's peak is so relaxing as you can see the wonders of God's creation. After pitching our tent we cooked our dinner and enjoyed the fellowship of each other.     

     There were some occasional rain during the night which make us sleep well. At 4am after we packed our things, we started our descent. too bad, we were not able to took a shot of us wearing our head lamp. we did not make a stop at Mang peryeng's kubo since it was too early to woke him up. we headed down to the jump off area where we had our breakfast. after we ate, took a shower, and bought some delicacies for pasalubong, we went home. I remember Ptr. Marlon had a Sunday Service to catch up. thank God they were able to arrived at Halang, Amadeo, Cavite right on time before the service begun. God is so Good!

                     
                                                                            

Detour Youth LP First Hike - Mt. Romelo

Detour's first journey happened on the well captivated mountain of Siniloan, Laguna, Mt. Romelo. 120 kms. away from south of Metro, Manila. Approximately a two and a half hour drive From Las Pinas City. known for it's stunningly beautiful falls and lushing trees.

One day while thinking of a place to hike, I came across Pinoy mountaineer's website. While looking on the mountains of Southern Tagalog, I was fascinated by the beauty of Buruwisan Falls. That very moment I decided Detour is going to be at that place. I immediately asked Rolly about my choice of location and he said, that's a good place to hike, but he doubt if the weather would permit us. It was rainy season at tht time. The trail, thought it's easy will be very difficult because of the thick mud.  

Rolly invited his fellow mountaineers to prepare us for the hike. Aldrein and Darwin Cavida of E.L.I.T.E. group Inc. then gave us a lecture on Basic Mountaineering. They also served as our guide during the climb along with the couple Mr. Jeff and Jenny.
After  physical, mental and spiritual preparation have done, we proceeded to Mt. Romelo on the 29th of October 2010.  We Left Las Pinas City aboard two jeepneys, a quarter before 5:00 a.m. and was able to reached Bgy. Dos, Siniloan, Laguna at 7:30 a.m. without traffic. We were welcomed by a few minutes of rain upon our arrival as we get off the jeep. And then we crossed a stream, a small river, then headed to the registration area. From there we had a few minute breakfast, we group ourselves, we prayed, and when the last name was put on the list, we started to climb.

as we climb, every body was so excited and was so noisy. usual jesting of youth can be heard aloud up to the first station, our first stop, and throughout the climb. We had a few minutes rest at that place, then we continued. A few meters away came along the muddy trail.our ascent becomes slower and slower because of the mud sticking on our shoes and sandals, but we still managed to pass by the two other stations and get to the base camp by 12:00 p.m. We had a few minutes break and we started our descent to Buruwisan falls because everyone's eager to see what they are hearing!(it's the falls!)
We had our lunch at the falls, after we ate some started to swim while others took a nap. I took some videos and photo's of buruwisan, rest for half an hour, stared at the beauty of surroundings  and managed to relax to prepare myself for our descent.  around 3:00 p.m. we fixed our things and left the area. matthew who's one of the last person to climb at the steep slope going to the camp area was hesitant to climb. so I encouraged him and told him there's no other way back but to climb. in which, eventually he did! thank God he was able to! I rented a horse for emergency purposes and janice, who wasn't able to take the punishment of the mud, took the horse. My wife and I managed to get down before darkness fell but, some of us didn't. And so, they experienced Mt. Romelo's enchantment. ha ha! Thanks to rols for his assistance who catch us up on our descent.
Indeed it was a fun climb, everyone has his/her own story to tell while on our way back home to las pinas. i asked everyone, uulit pa ba kayo? (are you going to join again?) for the next hike? all  of us said yes except for matthew. ironically he's with detour at Mt. Talamitam's overnight.(wait for  my Talamitam's story)  

Halang, Amadeo, Cavite Youth Hike 2003 Reminisced!

I will share with you all the things that I could recall about this hike in summer of 2003 in Pakil, Laguna. I can't even remember the month! Huh! Sign of.......wisdom? he he! As I have said, Rolly and I are the ones who( I can't think of the proper word to describe) organized? No, it wasn't planned! I don't think so, coordinated? Not again,!I think I would say convened the youth for this climb. Why did I choose to say that word? Little did I knew about mountaineering that time. We did that climb without knowing the proper attire, gear, things to bring, etc. in climbing any mountain.In short we're not properly oriented. Our pictures will attest to this. Ha !Ha! Poor Rolly didn't even show  up that day! Thanks to Ian, Aldrein and his fellow mountaineer who served as our guide. Only a few months ago, after we had Basic Mountaineering Seminar, Darwin told me that after we did that climb Rolly did a post climb as a consequence.

Pakil, Laguna depending on the traffic, is approximately a two -hour drive from Las Pinas City. A few kilometers away from Sta. Cruz , Laguna and 114 kms. away from Manila . I drove my car and others hired a jeep , so I don't  have any idea regarding fare cost on public transportation. I'll ask Rolly to help me post more information about this place.

I would say it was a fun climb, as we walk up that grassy land  we've never met any mountaineer  along the way unlike our recent hike, except for one local , riding with his horse. Probably the area  is not that known to mountaineers during that time of our climb.After an hour of trekking we've reached the first hill and took a rest for five minutes. I felt exhausted, took a sip of water then walked again. After a while, we crossed a barbed wire fenced heading towards the falls. As we get near the place everyone got excited upon hearing the rushing water from the falls. There's a steep slope going down to the falls. Everyone managed to get down. And then, finally! We arrived at the place.Huh!

Everyone was so happy seeing God's wonderful creation especially when we've reached the falls after two hours of trekking.( Sulit ang Pagod!) Upon seeing the area, the visual reward is worth the effort. Everybody just awed by the beauty of mother nature.Everybody can't wait to swim on the clear water of the falls.We spent about an hour and a half at the place, had lunch, socials, then we head back to the jump off area . It's also good that I didn't know what I supposed to know about climbing way back then.  If not, that would not be a fun climb perhaps.

Thank God for protecting us and for giving us the strength to endure the scorching heat of the sun. Everyone went home with happy faces!

    

"Let the field exult, and all that is therein; Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy."     Psalm 96:12

Detour - Youth Rebirth

     Detour is a group of young people of Jesus Christ Full Gospel Int. Mission located at #7 Zenia St. . Vergonville Subd. Las Pinas City, Philippines.It is  headed by our Senior Pastor Rev. Bienvenido A. Bayas. 

     On the 25th of September 2010 , Youth Ministry was revived after more than a year of silence. We appointed new set of officers who are willing to give their time and talent to lead this group of young people. Myla Dimapilis, Louise Anne Bayas, Dennis Dimapilis, Bodjie Delos Reyes, Matthew Castro, and Patty Sarreal were chosen and commissioned on the following day by our Senior Pastor during the morning service. Since then, a regular Fellowship of Youth is held every four o'clock of Saturday.

     The following Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010 we had our lunch together at Eggyman, a small Tapsihan along Aurora Drive near the church. We had some brainstorming and made our plans there for the last quarter of 2010.

      One of my ideas to encourage youth in joining our group is an outdoor activity. So, we set a date for hiking and asked my friend Rolly Bolocon to help us organize the activity. Because Rolly and I did the same thing on one of our daughter Churches in Halang , Amadeo, Cavite, which I served as a Pastor from 1998 - 2003. We brought them to Pakil, Laguna on the summer of 2003. Rolly in turned referred me to his fellow mountaineer Darwin and Aldrein Cavida of E.L.I.T.E Group Inc. (more of this on the next episode)

     So what's my role then for these youngsters? I served as their mentor. My wife Desiree, on many occasions has done a lot of help on  our meetings. I would say she is a master in breaking the ice. My goal here is to develop their leadership skills and God given talent . For every youth to come and surrender their life to Jesus, join us as we journey through life.

     Jesus said, I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life!