Tour in Banaue before heading to Mt Humalophop
Last 20th to 22nd of July 2014, I was with the Backpackers again to climb Mt Humalophop which is about 1190 MASL located in Hingyon Ifugao. But it wasn’t just a mountain climbing activity, It was an outreach program for the kids Of Ifugao. A simple gift that we all know would give them a lot of hope.
It was past 9 in the evening when our bus left Manila and we arrived in Ifugao around 6 in the morning. We were welcomed by the famous “10 minutes” Miss Ermie Bahatan in DepEd Lagawe Ifugao. Soon you’ll find out why she’s called the “10 minute lady”. hahaha Before
we started our trek to Mt Humalophop, we went first to Miss
Ermie’s crib to get some breakfast. Yeah! (lakas maka ‘crib”)
hahaha Then we went to Banaue Rice Terraces to witness the said heritage site.
We arrived in Banaue past 11:00. It was BEAUTIFUL. I’m
glad that the locals were able to preserve this magnificent
view. I’m so thankful that I was given a chance to see this Rice Terraces. You showed of again Earth! So this is were the famous “10
minutes” began. We were all busy taking picture and of
course, we all savour the moment that we have that time. The 10
minute lady shouted , “10 minutes”. hahaha We were timed. Oh
sh%t! We’re not used to this. hahaha “5 minutes” and so on.
Then we left the place to have lunch in Viewpoint which has the same
view.
After
our tour to some places in Ifugao, we headed to Brgy Mompolia which
is the jump off point to Mt Humalophop. We were welcomed by Brgy
Officials and some Police Officers. They even prepared some food for
us before we took off. A pampered day for mountaineers. At exactly
3:30 we started our trek.One of the guide is a Policeman named Jerry.
This guys is so cool. He always make sure that no one is left behind.
I asked him if there were group of Mountaineers who have been in Mt
Humalophop and he answered, “No one except us who conducted Medical
Mission before.” My excitement boosted knowing that we are the
first group of mountaineers who will conquer this Mountain. oh yes
baby! It’s so on!
Lets get it on Mt Humalophop !
A 10 minute walk on a solid ground. Then we found ourselves inside the jungle again. Oh this is so cool. Jerry says that it’s a 2-3 hour trek. Really huh? The weather was fine when we started our climb. The trail is somehow difficult due to some steep slopes of the mountain. It was more than 2 hours and I realized that we’re way too far from basecamp. Yes we are just half way. hahaha 2 hours for local is 4 hours for us.
We took a lot of 5 or 10 minute break during this climb. Chill lang mga dung =) We all thought that we’re near the campsite since we’ve been trekking for almost 4 hours and and its dark already. But then we’re not. We’re still way far from the said camp. It rained and the trail gets harder specially when we’re on the rice field. Man it was really hard! I thought it was fun walking on a rice field. No it ain’t during night time! Cliffs are about 3 meters high. We were really really careful that time.
No
one gave up on this trek. Despite the 6 hour trek.Tired muscles, cold
and soaking wet. We pushed ourselves to the limit coz we know that
this is no ordinary climb. This is an outreach program for the kids
of Humalophop Elementray School. We reached the school (our campsite)
at exactly 9pm on my watch. I was so thankful to have set foot
on this school. Then I realized how hard it is for the kids to
come to school everyday just to study. So I didn’t complain. I only
came here once.I don’t have the right to complain.
The
next day, it was a big day for the kids and for us. We were strangers for them.
Probably thinking what the heck are they doing here. The day started
for all of us by singing our National Anthem. A flashback during my
Elementary days. After a few introductions for us as Visitors. We
started our mission. To give out simple gifts that we brought for
them. I honestly don’t know how to write about this.It’s really
hard. I’ll let the photos tell you the story.
Let’s
keep it real people. We don’t appreciate simple things like these
right? Well, they do! And it melts my heart seeing this kind of
appreciation that they’re showing because of our presence and the
gifts that we have for them. The smiles on their faces almost made us
cry. After
we gave them the school supplies, we said our goodbyes. Sad but happy
that we were able to let them feel that we care for them through small and simple things. We packed our things and started our descend at around 9:30 in the morning and reached jump
off at 2 pm.
At
around 4 in the afternoon, a tribe which i forgot the name was
waiting for us in one of the schools in Ifugao for their
presentation. As i understood the presentation, it’s a ritual on
how they plant their rice. I don’t know. I just loved it. At least
they were able to preserve the culture that they have and we were
there to witness it. Thanks to Miss Ermie Bahatan for
organizing this for us.
We’ve
come to an end of my story. I know it’s not a lot. It’s really
hard to tell or to describe my experience during this climb. I
hope the photos justifies it. One thing is for sure, Me and my new
friends that i was with, learned a lot because of this outreach. I
personally learned something. That we all have to appreciate simple
things, to be contented on what we have and stop complaining about
how hard our life is here in the city. Coz from what i’ve seen in
Ifugao, life is simple. They keep it SIMPLE. Thank you to the
Backpackers, Ka-Eskwela, Miss Ermie Bahatan and mostly, to those
kids who made me realized how important everything is. You have
touched my heart you little fellas. I will see you once again.
That’s a promise.
Your turn to talk, Speak up!