BMC 101 - Version 2.0

The Skookum Mountaineers has held its 2nd Basic Mountaineering Course 101 at the "Loud House ni Jaime" in Roxas District, Quezon City last January 23.

First, we had a boodle fight for dinner courtesy of Sir Allan, our ever-reliable Skookum chef. We really enjoyed the food. Then, the lecture and discussion immediately followed.

The event was graced and conducted by Sir Roy Dela Cruz, former President of the Globe Adventure Club, and also a past-President of the FEU Outdoors. He is also one of the stalwarts of the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines, Inc. (MFPI).

Some of us belonging to the 1st batch of inductees already had our BMC 101 prior to our induction climb in Mt. Ugo last year, but still we chose to participate to at least refresh, or even widen our knowledge of mountaineering.

It was really a fun-filled evening as we even had a boodle fight during dinner. It was really a worthwhile experience for us to continue to hasten our knowledge of mountaineering, and of the outdoors as well.

Mt. Balungao - Small but Terrible

As our yearend climb, we decided to traipse up the slopes of Mt. Balungao last December 31. In case you are wondering, Mt. Balungao is located in the town of Balungao in Pangasinan.

Mt. Balungao taken from the winding road heading to the Balungao Hilltop Adventure

Mt. Balungao...taken from the TPLEX...clearly resembling a woman's breast (Susong Dalaga)

We arrived at the Balungao Hilltop Adventure (previously knows as Mt. Balungao Hot and Cold Spring Resort) at about 0730H and were gleefully assisted towards the registration area. After signing waivers, we secured a guide (Joven was the guide assigned to us) and put on our hiking gears.

The trail is located at the back of the hall cum registration area. While Mt. Balungao is just a shade below 400 meters in height, it is known for its incessant assault from base to summit. The good thing is that the trail is established and forested up until the grassland just before the summit. As such, many mountaineers especially those based up north have included Mt. Balungao among their training climbs.

It was 0815H when we started the climb. From the base, we scaled rocks and boulders (maybe a sign of its volcanic past...yes Mt. Balungao is a dormant volcano) and even had to cling on to the roots of trees for support. There are a lot of kakawate trees in this part of the trail. This rocky/bouldery trail shall continue until the upper portions, where you will pass by a bamboo grove (similar to that in Pico de Loro). This will then give way to the grassland, which signifies that you are already very near the summit.

Thank you...Thank you

We acknowledge the invaluable assistance and support that our benevolent and thoughtful donors and sponsors have extended in furtherance of PASKOokum 2014. You efforts have greatly contributed to the success of this commendable program.

The kiddos saying thanks to our donors and sponsors

You made the whole village happy

....ang blessing ko'y kayo...

They were really very happy.

While words constantly remain deficient, the Abeling Tribe are truly grateful that you have made the difference of touching their lives. The smiles that we have seen and the happiness that glowed from the faces of the children are truly priceless.

Some of our sponsors

We earnestly hope that you will continue supporting the future outreach programs and social climbs of the Skookum Mountaineers.

May you and your families be blessed a thousand-fold in return.

Aliah Travel and Tours
Workplace Design Center
Jasmin
Siony Valdez
Alpha May Melegrito
Marvin U. Zapanta
Richard A. Quiocho
Angelo Matthew B. Santos
Phil John Gil B. Wycoco
Senen M. Quizon
Atty. Jennylyn V. Reyes
Atty. Shirley C. Tuazon
Atty. Arthur Catabona
Atty. Lorraine Taguiam
Atty. Donna Gragasin
Nathan ni Lorie
In-Check
Elsa Mallari
JC and Tina Salazar
May Lorraine Saddam
Emmelyn Serafico
Monique Borromeo
Roy Dela Cruz
Zamora Brothers
Kinawag Family
Finance Team CBRE
CBRE Admin
Sharon Relos
Nina Mendiola
Verlie Gatchalian
Celia Rocamora

Special Mention to the following sponsors who decided to join us during the Gift-giving and Feeding Program.

Eisha Barriga 
Bernie Tenerife

The Skookum Mountaineers would also wish to thank the following people who extended invaluable assistance before and during the Program Proper.

Kapitan Omeng
Mrs. Vangie Tabaquero
OIC of the School (sorry I forgot the name)
The parents who helped us in preparing the Chicken Noodle Soup
The other Barangay Officials who helped us in maintaining order and gathering the children

To all the Skookums who participated during the planning, preparations, collection of donations, packing, much less, participating in PASKOokum 2014. Hats off to you guys.

Allan Calura
Jaimel De leon
Lennon Vic Del Socorro
Bryan Bognot - (marami sponsors ang nagbigay sa kanya...sorry di ko alam mga pangalan)
Espi Lang
Erickson Marzan
Nelson Apostol
Charmaine Sarmiento
Lorievie Mariano
Geovanni Tacla
Isagani Dagdag
Bette Beltran
Oliver Beltran

Until next time...let us continue to pay it forward!

PASKOokum 2014 - a priceless moment with the Abeling Tribe

The Skookum Mountaineers had its first ever Outreach Program last December 7, 2014 for the benefit of the children of the Abeling Tribe of Sitio San Pedro, Brgy. Iba, San Jose, Tarlac. While Typhoon Ruby (international name "Hagupit") was then currently wreaking havoc in the Eastern Visayas, we took the risk to proceed with our planned Gift-giving and Feeding Program in coordination with Tribal Chieftain "Kapitan Omeng", and some teachers of San Pedro Elementary School led by their Officer-in-Charge, and a member of the faculty, Mrs. Vangie Tabaquero

Charm, Nelson and Geovanni

At 0520H, we arrived at the McDonalds located near the Siesta Junction in Tarlac City and had breakfast. We then proceeded to the Tarlac City Public Market to buy additional provisions for the chicken noodle soup that we shall serve to the kids of Sitio San Pedro. Surprisingly, the all boys Marketing Team was composed by Skookums, Bogs, Allan, Espi and Oliver.

Allan and the Chieftain of the Abeling Tribe...Kapitan Omeng

...at Sitio San Pedro Elementary School...with Mt.Tangisan in the background

Happy Kiddos

Smile

Excited

Marami sila pero kayang kaya yan

San Jose Circuit - Seize the Trail (Mt. Tangisan, Mt. Bungkol Baka, Mt. Caoayan)

Contrary to the misconception that Tarlac is composed only of flatlands, there is actually a mountainous area on the western part of the province where it shares boundaries with Zambales. Actually, there are mountains in the towns of San Clemente, Mayantoc, San Jose and Capas that are now slowly gaining prominence as mountain climbers' paradise. Since a number of us Skookums are sons of the province of Tarlac, dubbed as the "Melting Pot of Central Luzon", we consider this as our coming home climb (Nevertheless, it also was our "ocular climb" for our planned outreach program in Sitio San Pedro, Brgy. Iba, San Jose Tarlac this coming December 2014).

It is the first time for us Skookums to attempt a circuit climb as well. For starters, a circuit climb is made when mountaineers successfully summit a series of mountains that are usually located within close proximity of each other. It may be a dayhike, an overnight climb, or an extended hike that may last three to five days. In other cases, it may be called as Trio Climb (as in Bakun Trio) or even a Trilogy Climb (as in Nasugbu Trilogy). Another Circuit Climb that has become popular to mountaineers over the years is the Kibungan Circuit in Benguet.

The San Jose Circuit ("SJC") actually refers to the series of mountains that straddle the town of San Jose in Tarlac. Nevertheless, the term San Jose Circuit has evolved in the mountaineering world and now refers to the hike (usually a dayhike) wherein three (3) mountains namely: Mt. Caoayan; Mt. Bungkol Baka; and Mt. Tangisan, are scaled.

For this climb, four Skookums namely: Allan, Gani, Lennon and Oliver dared to answer the challenge.

We decided to meet at Mcdonald's Eton Centris (along EDSA before Quezon Ave.) at 0145H. At 0200H, we were already on our way to rustic Sitio San Pedro, San Jose, Tarlac. Even with our leisurely pace, we reached Tarlac City at 0400H. After spending minutes going around looking for an eatery, we just decided to eat breakfast at the Mcdonald's located on the junction just opposite Tarlac State University.

It was still dark when we arrived in San Jose (0520H), and since at first, we thought we still had to go to Brgy. Iba where we were advised by one barangay official that we still had to backtrack and find our way back towards the Monasterio de Tarlac and turn right towards the gravel road leading to Sitio San Pedro. So much with the thinking that we were still very early haahaa.

"Double Shot"

Waiting for the sunrise

dare to climb

We were already in Brgy. Iba before sunrise

PASKOokum 2014 - Abeling Tribe

The Skookum Mountaineers invite you to participate in its outreach program with the Abeling Tribe of Sitio San Pedro, Brgy. Iba, San Jose, Tarlac this coming December 7, 2014.

We aim to distribute toys, school supplies, slippers, toiletries, medicine, vitamins and even pre-loved clothes to more than 500 kids. We shall likewise treat these kids to a merienda after the program.

PASKOokum Shirt designed by Ms. Jaimel De Leon

You may chip in your donations in cash or in kind to this worthy endeavor. For more details, kindly contact Jaime  (+639175537819) or Bette (+639228689893). You may also approach any of us Skookums that you personally know should you wish to personally join the activity. You may likewise send us an e-mail at skookummountaineers@gmail.com.

We really appreciate your help and consideration. Thank you very much.