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.

Mt. Balagbag - Traversing the Balagbag Loop to Maranat Falls and back

If mountaineers consider Mt. Tapulao in Zambales as the "poor man's Akiki", Mt. Balagbag may be aptly referred to as "Mini Tapulao". That is of course, without the pine trees, chromite, and the cold weather.

Mt. Balagbag

Nevertheless, the trail is pretty much the same, all uphill from the jump off point in Licao-Licao up until the summit that is also notably called "Helipad". Aside from that, the trail is similarly open (mostly grasslands and cogon) so prepare to be toasted by the hot sun. Lastly, the trail also has big rocks which could really test one's knees and resolve.

Nonetheless, Mt. Balagbag is one of the mountains that are more accessible from Metro Manila. All you have to do is ride a bus going to Tungko in the City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan (as for us, we boarded the bus at the Five Star Bus Station in Cubao). It took us basically an hour travel time until we alighted at the intersection in Tungko. There is a Jollibee at the intersection should you wish to have breakfast first. There are other fastfood joints at the intersection but Jollibee would be the more popular choice since it is open round-the-clock. However, another alternative would be to eat breakfast at the eateries in Licao-Licao.

The jeepney terminal is located near the public market after the intersection (note that there is also a market at the back of Jollibee just before the church but this would be the wrong one). Go past the intersection and follow the road going to Norzagaray, then turn right at the opening before BDO and Shell Gas Station. Go past the market as the jeepney terminal is located at the end of the compound (eastern side).

The 1st jeepney departs for Licao Licao at 0530H and the fare is P28.00. Travel time is 45 minutes to 1 hour (depending on the traffic and the instances a passenger alights from or hails the jeepney).

Mt. Pulag 2 - The Sea of Clouds

Initially, we were roused by the unforgiving cold at around 0100H and as every minute pass, the night's stillness and tranquility were slowly overwhelmed by the mindless banter of people who chose to be oblivious to others who were still trying to get additional sleep.

At 0300H, since the biting cold made it even harder for us to doze off, we decided to prepare for the early morning assault to the summit. It was really freezing cold at that time. Consider this, I purposely left bottles of water and energy drinks outside our tent, and these really turned cold as if these were just taken off a freezer.

Also, with the increase in activity, the camp site came back to life. There were already those who opted to start the assault early as the lights from their headlamps can be seen slowly inching up in the mountains.

It was already 0415H when we started to hike. The cold weather and the thin air made the hike harder. Nevertheless, the twinkling stars in the clear and vast sky served as an incentive for us to to go on.

When we arrived at an intersection, we chose to scale the harder/shorter route (most hikers would proceed via the longer/winding trail). And at 0530H, we finally reached the highest point in Luzon. There were already quite a number of hikers entrenched in their spots, so we chose to settle on the southeastern portion of the summit.

At 0545H, as more and more hikers converged in the summit, the rays of the sun started to dawn on the horizon. And of course, comes with it is the magnificent sea of clouds for which Mt. Pulag is revered for.

Mt. Pulag - Where the Sea of Clouds welcomed us to the Playground of the Gods

***This is a narrative of our friendly-climb in Mt. Pulag last February 15-16, 2014, before Skookum Mountaineers was established.

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Climbing Mt. Pulag which, certainly includes experiencing its very cold weather and witnessing the magnificent sea of clouds is a must for every Filipino mountaineer. May it be through the gentle Ambangeg, the mysterious Tawangan, the challenging Ambaguio, or the "killer trail" Akiki, conquering Mt. Pulag provides that fulfillment that outdoor-lovers crave for.

Mt. Pulag

The tower of the Cordilleras

So when an invitation came for us to hike up Luzon's highest (and supposedly the Philippines' 3rd), we immediately answered in the affirmative. As it was the peak season, we were then forced to avail of the services of a local tour operator. Among the would-be Skookums in our group that time included Allan, Lennon, Gani, Bogs, Jaime and Bette.

We left the urban jungle that is Metro Manila on Valentines Day, which incidentally was also a"payday Friday", so we really had to scamper to the Victory Liner Bus Station in Cubao for the 9:30PM trip to Baguio City. As fate would have it, we were delayed by an hour as it was already 2230H when we left Cubao for Baguio City.

With only the 15-minute stops that the bus made in Tarlac City and in Sison, Pangasinan, we were able to reach the City of Pines at 0330H of the following day.