PASKOokum 2018: Alibijaban Elementary School

" It's not about how much we give but how much love we put into giving."

                                                        -Mother Theresa-

We, the Skookum Mountaineers, wish to thank all those who have helped in making PASKOokum 2018 a meaningful event for the students at the Alibijaban Elementary School, in Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon.

As our chosen community for the year, it is our actually our first time to hold Paskookum outside our usual tramping grounds. Nevertheless, we remained true to our advocacy of reaching out to communities in far-flung areas, with the aim of creating smiles and sharing our blessings.

On behalf of the children/students, parents and teachers at the Alibijaban Elementary School, we say our unending gratitude to the generosity of the following sponsors, many of whom have actually shared their blessings every Paskookum Outreach Climb that we have facilitated over the years:

GS Oil Field Solutions Ltd. Co.	Team E1	Celia Rocamora
Josephine Bautista	Tropang Kape	Alvin Fernandez
Marigil Santos	Romel Alcayde	Carol Saplala
Angelo Matthew Santos	Nancy	Joy David
Monette Beltran	Marvin Dineros	SKF Finance Team
Phil John Gil Wycoco	Tony Marquez	Nieda Galapon
Senen Quizon	Janice Loyola	Allan Pore and Family
Pam Quizon	Jude Penamora	Tenten Manaois and Family
BLGF, Department of Finance	Jun Limpin	Roy Dela Cruz and Family
Aissa Buno	Menard Martin	Dhan Osalla
Jackie Lou Chua	Kat Quiambao	Glen Beason
Sgt. Nina Del Rosario	Cha Jimenes Andres	Charmaine Sarmiento
Angel Adriana Druja	Dimple Marquez	Mabel Cantor Dumigpe
Bea Kendra Druja	Melai Marquez	Jaime Octavo Joson Jr.
Sofia Ester Letaba	Marc Taruc	Divine Garduque
Lara Gwyneth Dagdag	Randell Llige	Johna Pascual
Aloha Nietes Valdez	Sie Nna	Stours
RJ Santiago	Paul Vincent Elima	Badfrog
Xenia Andres	Alexis Penamora	Kris Techico
Studio West	Carrie May Rosales	Eileen Dy
Sharon Mendez	Cunanan-Guerrero Family	Sunshine Caralde
Lucho Boom Boom	Eric Angeles and Friends

We also acknowledge the invaluable efforts and contributions of our volunteers who participated and joined us for #Paskookum2018. Your help, much less, your presence during the program itself boosted our confidence. Thank you for believing in our advocacy, for believing in us.

Paula Xenia M. Andres	Freddie Ignacio	Yannah Marrela Posecion
Domingo Arambulo Jr.	Jaime Octavo Joson Jr.	Dhan Osalla
Glean Beason	Janice Loyola	Harry Robles
Kurt Zion Calura	Antonio Marquez	Brian Dwight Samson
Sigrid Alanis Calura	Tony Marquez Jr.	Leonard Mack Samson
Roy Dela Cruz	Chino Marquez	Rome Tongohan

Again, we hope that each and eveyone of us c share happiness. As what we always say, there is a Skookum in each and everyone of us.

Allan Calura              Bette Quiocho          Bryan Bognot           Isagani Dagdag    
Jaime De Leon           Lennon Vic Del Socorro           Oliver Gil Beltran

Kibungan Cross Country - Tri-Provincial Traverse

Kibungan Cross Country Traverse also known as "KXC", (though really not a cross country hike) is a hike starting from the town of Kibungan in Benguet, descending to the town of Licungan / Sugpon in the province of Ilocos Sur, and finally making that final push to the municipality of Santol, La Union. In this regard, KXC is also popularly referred to as "tri-provincial traverse".

On to Kibungan, Benguet

With a call time of 2200H, members of our group began to trickle in at the McDonald's EDSA corner  Quezon Avenue (also in the corner of Panay Avenue) as early as 2130H. While I live relatively near the area (maybe the nearest among all us hikers), I was the last one to arrive at 2215H (sorry guys, the usual traffic problems). After stashing our gears at the back of the van and brief moments of chit-chat, we eventually left for Baguio City at 2245H.

We had brief stop overs at the PTT Gas Station in the SCTEX, as well as at the Shell Gas Station in Rosario La Union (just before the Kennon Road), for "jingle" breaks, buy additional provisions, and more importantly, for our driver to be able to unwind and have some rest. Passing through the Kennon Road, we arrived at the City of Pines at around 0345H. We then immediately went to the public market to do some much needed marketing, which took us about an hour to finish. At 0500H, we continued towards La Trinidad en route to Kibungan.

From Baguio City, Kibungan is a 2 to 3-hour drive on an initially descending terrain through the Kapangan-Kibungan-Bakun Road, until the ascend towards Kibungan town proper. We initially traversed the Halsema Highway and passed through the La Trinidad Valley until we ultimately reached the junction leading to the town of Kapangan. The roads are well paved, albeit, with brief rough portions but still, even sedans (in other words, vans can easily navigate the roads) can make their way until Kibungan.

Mt. Pulag via Akiki Trail

"Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air and behold the view. Climb it so that you can see the world, not so the world can see you."

                                                                                                   - David McCullough Jr.

The Akiki Trail leading up to Mt. Pulag (Luzon's ceiling) is known for its reputation as the most difficult route. As such, while most climbers choose to scale Mt. Pulag through the Ambangeg Trail (celebrity trail), in contrast, only a few dare to hike up Luzon's highest peak through this fabled "killer trail".

Mt. Pulag

Skookum

Mt. Pulag Summit - Just relieved that we made it through Akiki

While stories about the Akiki experience is customary in social media and in the internet, passionate mountaineers still dream to experience what it really is like to hike up this dreaded trail into the "Playground of the gods."

As there were remaining slots left in the group organized by our fellow Skookum Mountaineer, we decided to join the StourS in its Akiki-Ambangeg climb.Since we were actually last-minute joiners, Gani and I had to try our luck at the Genesis Bus Station in Cubao, Quezon City for a ride going to Baguio City. It was just unfortunate for us that they only had one cancellation for the Joybus. Hence, we chance passengers were forced to wait and just hail a bus along EDSA. Fortunately, at 2300H, a Genesis Bus (coming from the Dagupan Bus Station on the other side of EDSA, stopped. For us on a race against the clock, sitting on the bus conductor's seat and the platform beside the driver is always better than not having the luxury of time. Hence, we agreed to bus conductor's offer for us to take those respective seats until we reach Binalonan, Pangasinan, where a bus passenger will first alight from the bus. As to the second, it will be as far as Pugo. La Union. Still, we considered ourselves lucky because our bus will traverse the TPLEX and will take the exit in Urdaneta City.

We finally arrived in Baguio City at 0330H and as we still had much time to spare, we decided to eat Beef Pinapaitan in one of the eateries at the Baguio Central Terminal. From there, we went to the nearby 7-11 convenience store to buy our final provisions. At 0415H, we decided to hail a cab and proceed to slaughterhouse terminal.

As there were already a number of UV Express Vans waiting for passengers (only later did we discover that most actually are not going to Kabayan), we were upbeat that we are going to arrive at the Jump Off Point in Duacan at 0800H. At 0530H, another passenger arrived and joined us in waiting for other passenger inside the van. As a result of the ensuing boredom, we dozed-off and was awakened when the other passenger alighted from the van and ultimately proceeded to ride the UV Van bound for Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.

Worried that it was already 0730H, we eventually decided to pay for the fare of the whole van as long as we arrive in Duacan at 0930H.

Alone at the back...."Kabayan...Kabayan kayo diyan! Maluwag pa!"

True to his word, Manong Driver effortlessly negotiated the twists and turns of the Benguet Nueva Vizcaya Highway and by 0840H, we are already at the junction in Gurel. At 0920H, we finally arrived at the JOP in Duacan, and how good it really felt to be back.

So we paid for the entire van

Tara na!

So...the sign says it all

Starting the arduous trek

After a few minutes of photo-ops, we had to negotiate the steep climb to the Ranger Station. As we were nearing the Station, we were surprised that our companions (as organized by the S'tourS) were still there waiting for us.

Once at the Akiki Ranger Station, we were met by the warm smiles and greetings from the locals, who have recalled us as the mountaineers who conducted outreach programs at the nearby primary school. As the mother of Sir Geronimo put it, "Welcome Back Sir! You bring good tidings to the people of Duacan!". It was just so nice seeing them again, much less, knowing that they remembered us.