June 29, 2013 --me, my team mates and other FitFil-ers, together with our coaches conquered Mt. Gulugod Baboy at Anilao, Batangas, Philippines.
It's a chance-like-no-other for me. I even had to argue with my parents and justify why I should go to a friend's place just to sleep over for this event. It was tough and I know I have to decide and do things that I know I am capable of, and that will not "get me off the track" in life.
Pre-trekking
June 28 in the evening, went to my friend's unit in Taguig (where our meeting place is). Slept at around 11 in the evening and woke up at around 3:30 in the morning the next day, left her house at 4:00 (though they said the meet-up time is at 4am). I walked and jogged from Bellagio up to ROX Bonifacio High Street. Most of the gimikeros and gimikeras looked at me like it was their first time to see someone with a huge bag, jogging that early. When I arrived at ROX, I was just right on time, saw few of my team mates, and all the coaches.
While in the bus, I got my things prepared because I heard the coaches talking earlier that we have to leave our clean clothes behind (for changing, after the hike). Took my clean clothes out of my back pack, in exchange of the paper plates, cups and utensils, and of course, water...3 liters of water (and that's not enough for me).
We arrived at the foot of the mountain (in the resort area --yes, there are some resorts 'round) at around 8:30 in the morning, had a short team meeting and prayer. Then we're all packed and ready to go up. Are we there yet?
I think it was already 9 AM when we started to walk. Mind you, we all thought it was part of the mountain already, but we're wrong...so wrong.
The picture below, is what we thought "going half way" up there, because of the clay-based road. After a few walks, there's a cemented road again.
Some of us were like "geez, good thing the road is not that muddy" (below). The other side of my brain says "it's kinda weird to go up to a mountain in cemented road."
My brain was right, it's weird to trek in a cemented road; and what's more surprising was when we saw this sign:
For us, first timers said "What's that long uphill walk that we did?!" we then realized that we're not done yet! and that the real hike is just about to start.
This was taken after the hike, with Coaches/Biggest Loser Philippines contestants, Hazel Chua and Raffy Tan
The Challenge
Going up there is not an easy task. The road is narrow, there are some cliff-looking edges; and just by looking at it, you know that if you slip, and if safety measures are not considered and taken care of, especially when rain pours, you'll slide down to where that "This Way To Gulogod Baboy" sign is.' I made sure that I'm climbing up according to my pace, for safety reasons.
Some of my team mates have already jested if their insurance is already paid and that he's sorry if he slides down, it's going to be like a domino effect down to the last person in the trail (just think that not all of us are lean and light to go up there easily and most of us are first time hikers).
My 3 liters of water is not enough for our trip to the top. Luckily, there are some residents who live up there who sells Ice Candies and Ice Water (the water is not literally iced, but really cold). The ice candy costs 5 bucks and 3 bucks for the water. Honestly, I was scared to drink their water. Scared that I might get diarrhea. So I made the water solely for washing purposes only. Whenever I feel exhausted, I pour the water on my head, and/or wash my face and neck. That way, I felt refreshed, and kinda gave me more energy to go forward.
Here's a pic from one of our pit stops, (L -> R) Ate Bam and my team mate Bethany
Help! I'm injured!
The first "fall" I had was when I knew that my heart rate was really high. I literally heard my heart beating from the outside, my eyes are like popping out of my face, and my vision pattern was: blurry -> ok -> blurry -> ok. So I decided to take a sit and breathe. I let all the tensions subside, and when I felt okay, I started climbing up again.
There were moments that cramps have started to show up. I rest for a bit, then move forward again. When I reached the 1st peak ('coz there are 3), I really gave myself a moment to rest. There I felt my feet aching, and guess what? cramps just started to show up again! Ate Bam, whose hobby (I guess) is to hike/trek taught me something in hiking (she already conquered 13 mountains + Mt. Gulogod B., that's 14 in total, well, if my memory serves right):
- It's better to wear "trekking sandals" (brands like Tribu, Sandugo, etc.) when the sun is up, it helps your feet to breathe from the tensions and rubber shoes are better when its rainy.
- Use the ankle when climbing up, not the "ball" part of the foot.
- A staff is very much helpful with the pressure/weight you lift when going up (or climbing --a mountain, not a tree :P)
When I told her that I have a pair of sandals in my bag, she told me to change and I felt an immediate relief and release. I gave myself few more minutes because the pain showed up again, especially on my right tendon.
When I felt better, I stood up again and moved to the 2nd peak. Here, my left tendon felt pain. I could barely stand up and walk, was thankful that one of my team's coaches, Sani, and another coach, Irene, assisted me to ease the pain. They advised me to hydrate immediately, and since I didn't bring any mentholated oil with me, we used the mentholated stick that I always carry in my stuff. It took me 15-30 minutes before I felt fine. I can do this! I know I can!
I saw my team mates from a distance. From that moment until I reached the 3rd peak, I kept telling myself these words: "One more step and I'm getting closer up there"; "Each step leads me there (looking at the 3rd peak)"; "I'll get there and enjoy the view just like what they are enjoying."
The Sound of Music
The funniest idea (I guess) that played in my mind that time was the song from "The Sound Of Music" that has the line "...Climb every mountain...Ford every stream, Follow every rainbow,'Till you find your dream." 
I was very very convinced that the said movie, starred by Julie Andrews, was taped in Mt. Gulogod Baboy and not in Austria! hahaha! plus the Carabaos that were in the scenery, it all becomes a reality in my head! hahaha!
Scenery Pics
Below are the other pictures that I took from the summit of the mountain, enjoy the view, enjoy Philippines! :)
As a proof that I conquered Mt. Gulogod Baboy, I took a picture of my feet. Unfortunately, during that very hour, it never crossed my mind to take off my socks :P
Thank you! :-)
I'd like to thank the Lord for giving me the strength and energy to walk, climb, jog that day. To my team mates, Hello fellow Champions! we had a good, one time-big time bonding, one of the things that I will dearly miss :-D To our coaches, especially Coach Sani and Coach Chloe, we're very much blessed to be our coaches. Even when she says "my pace! my pace!" it's okay, because that's the reason why we always win :-) Thanks to FitFil for the wonderful journey and experiences we have this season :-)
