Up here, overlooking what is out there–I feel too small to matter, and yet I do. Every pebble, every bud, every being does. Up here, the world I remember feels like a dream, because up here, I am one with the Earth, the trees, the wind and the sky.
Chinese New Year, February 19 2015. The Picasso Hotel and Coocgreen management decided to greet the Year of the Wooden Sheep climbing Mt. Sembrano in Pillilia, Rizal
Breakfast at Daybreak, Plain congee, Boiled Tofu and Boiled Eggs for Toni and I. The rest had the same plus Fried Chicken on the side.
It was Toni and I’s first time to participate in a Mountain Trek. We had no expectations or preparations, and of course, we knew our plant-based diet was bound to raise some eye-brows and emit gasps and groans from our trek-mates. Luckily, although our meat-less preference was met with shock and curiosities, it was nevertheless accommodated.
Running into locals as we proceeded to trek Mt. Sembrano
Our trek leader Mike told me that essentially, every Mountain is the same but the nature of each is different. He was pertaining to the culture that lived distinctly in every one, the communities that relied on them, and the wildlife that existed in it.
A sustainable community with an open greenhouse on the foot of the mountain
Live in harmony with nature. It is always humbling for me to witness communities thriving with instead of against nature. This is sustainable living at its simplest and most effective. This is the way to truly live and be a part of LIFE.
Hopping off brooks and streams on the road
Wild flowers on the side
A baby horse resting under the trees, under the soft gaze of his mom
Such gentle animals these Horses, and how reliable they are to for the farmers living around. They help transport coconuts, pomelos and other root-crops to the communities below.
More wild flowers
Coconut vendors camping mid-way to trade with mountaineers and visitors. They were even brewing coffee!
I am always touched by how hospitable locals are in this country. The Filipino heart is truly the nation’s treasure. With our warm welcome and willingness to help, accommodate and make outsiders feel at home even if it comes at a sacrifice on our part is one of the many reasons Im proud to be Filipino.
MANGGAHAN
Funny how they call this part of the Mountain where traders linger to sell and raise their animal companions dont have any mangoes near-by. There were a lot of coconut and pomelo trees though.
Goodwill coffee from Coconut Vendors
I was a bit disappointed at how the mountain vendors were using instant black coffee to drink. The mountain soil and weather is more than rich enough to grown organic local coffee beans which they can add to their variety of harvests. Seeing commercial brands poison people this deep into the woods reminds of a reality Id rather escape from.
Natures finest refreshment, plucked fresh from the Tree
There was a time when food didnt come with a price tag but rather a break of sweat, a lot of courage and generosity. We used to climb these noble trees to have a piece of their golden nectars, we used to Love the Earth because we intimately shared its bounty with others, until we forgot… We have forgotten that our food isnt produced in factories and that essentially, it is with perspiring but loving hands not dirty printed paper in which they are made available to us.
Coco eating innovation by the Coconut traders
Real food looks like this, nothing fancy or elaborate just fresh and perfect in its rawness.
Jackfruit bearing trees
See the rice sacks? That protects the jackfruit from insects. No need for expensive and toxic pesticides. Simply Organic.
What we need to conquer, Mt Sembrano
The wisdom of this mountain whispered the answers to Life questions while we humbly treaded its paths. In here, the rocks are our stepping stones , the branches our helping hands and the wind our fuel as we reached for the sky.
View from the Top
The climb took roughly 5 hours, the descend more or less 2 or 3. The mountain took away our breath only to pump fresh oxygen. It tested our will and our patience and our courage as we threaded slipper and sharp narrow-ways, it called for our camaraderie as we waited for each other , always cheering the last man behind on and teasing the ones in front forward.
Life is a climb:
The path can be slippery, narrow, somethings paved with thorns, the slopes can be too long and just when you thought it will never end, the weather will make things more interesting by making the clouds pour on ya. Mid-way you start to question yourself why you bothered threading a seemingly impossible trail, you consider going back and some do…
But if you listen to the wind and keep looking at the Sky, you know Life isnt meant to be lived backwards.
Tired and broken you muster your courage to proceed even when you have forgotten why.
At the top some start to question, This is it? This is what I set-out for? And truly it is not always something special these Mountain Tops.
But you always come down with more than you bargain for.
For you never come out the same person as you entered.
Baby waterfalls bath to reward trekkers after a long climb