PASKOokum 2015 - Tujakap, Duacan, Kabayan, Benguet

                                           "A simple act of kindness creates an endless ripple."

For its annual PaSkookum, the Skookum Mountaineers went up north last December 12-14, 2015 for the benefit of the students at the Duacan Primary School in Kabayan, Benguet. Duacan is the jump off point for mountaineers aiming to climb the breathtaking Mt. Pulag through the Akiki trail (the killer trail).

Paskookum 2015 was made possible in coordination with the teachers of Duacan Primary School led by Ms. Jolina Pilo. Unfortunately, Ms. Pilo had to attend a seminar in Baguio City during the program. Nevertheless, other teachers and some locals ably filled-in her shoes during the proceedings.

Christmas really came early for the students of Duacan Primary School as seven iron-willed Skookums, namely: Isagani, Bogs, Ericson, Allan, Jaimel, Bette and Oliver, bucked the odds and traveled all the way to Kabayan, Benguet for Paskookum 2015.

It was already 1000H when we arrived in Duacan. Still, the children remain to be in high spirits. As Bette, Jaime, Bogs and Gani took charge of facilitating the Paskookum Games 2015, Allan, Ericson, and Oliver went to the chopping board and with the help of some locals, prepared the yummy chicken noodle soup that we shall serve thereafter.

The boy on the left sang a song about his mother who left him when he was still very small...so touching.

Happy Kiddos

Trip to Jerusalem

The boat is sinking...

Engr...ano ba pangalan ng game na 'to...heehee

We are the kings of the Kitchen

The glimmer in the eyes of the kids were very inspiring. Their youth and idealism were perhaps unmatched as they gamely participated in every event that was set. Most of us turned emotional when a kid sang a local song in their own dialect which, according to one parent, was about the mother who left him when he was still very young. Yes, we were elated to at least share our happiness to this kid for even just a moment.

After the bonding moments, the kids started to loosen up and interacted with us. Now, laughter, smiles, wonderful moments, and even parents brimming with pride, filled the room.

The gift giving followed. Among the simple tokens that we shared with the kids were school supplies (papers, pencils, erasers, notebooks, crayons, among others), rain boots, rain coats, story books, chocolates, candies, vitamins, caps, head bands, and other paraphernalia. The smiles on the faces of these kids would really wipe the worries of a weary heart.

 

Vitamins

The children likewise enjoyed the chicken noodle soup that we have prepared for them. A simple yet delicious meal for all of us to share.

Hmmm yummy

Naimas adding?

Although we were somewhat short with personnel at that time, we did our best to multi-task. As such, we are gratified to say that Paskookum 2015 was a tremendous feat for the Skookum Mountaineers. Of course, we have also created a lot of new friends by spreading good vibes to those who would least expect the same from total strangers.

In this regard, we share our pride and the never-ending heartfelt gratitude of the kids at the Duacan Primary School, including some students at the school in Poblacion (as we also left school supplies, boots and rain coats for them) to our magnanimous and caring sponsors:

Dr. Reuben & Celina Guerrero                               Darwin & Celia Rocamora
Belle Eniv                                                             Sharon Firme Mendez
Vanessa Cunanan                                                  Aliah Travel & Tours
Maria Tajao                                                          Joy Due-David
Zyl Delfin                                                            Baffy Belgar
Daphney Maravilla                                               Carole dela Merced
CBRE Corporate Finance                                       Ten Ten and Saio Manaois
Jocelyn Castro                                                     Alpha May Melegrito
Lorevie Mariano                                                   Marven Laurino
Dennis Berino                                                      Kristine Joy Adriano
Lucille Morata                                                     Paul Legaspi
Lysa Alab Legaspi                                                Sonny Boy Abit
Donnah Delas Alas                                              Radzma Mojica
Zareene Estomo                                                   John Viado
Loren Mabelle Sarmiento                                    Neil Cabral
Johann Gonzales                                                  Senen Quizon
Angelo Matthew Santos                                        Phil John Gil Wycoco

Welcome Friends...yes we have made friends

The Thank You Card that we have received from Ms. Jolina

Study well and do good always

We earnestly hope that you will continue supporting this worthy cause. Again, on behalf of the kids in Duacan Primary School, thank you for the smiles and happiness that you have helped us create and share....thank you for the love.

May God bless you and your loved ones.

We are Skookum!!!

- Allan Calura
- Jaimel Mina De Leon
- Bryan Bognot
- Ericson Marzan
- Isagani Dagdag
- Bette Quiocho-Beltran
- Oliver Gil Beltran

A big thanks also to our Skookum Driver....Mr. Elmer Cariaga.



***credits to the abovementioned Skookum Mountaineers for the Photos

#paskookum #skookum #skookummountaineers #outreachclimb #akiki #MtPulag #KabayanBenguet
#createhappiness #shareyourblessings #cordillera

 

 

Mt. Arayat - Traversing the pride of the Central Plains

Growing up in the fertile plains of Central Luzon, Mt. Arayat is one of the then very few mountains that I am familiar with. Knowing that it was an extinct (or was it dormant?) volcano so close to home added to the mystique that it radiates everytime we would pass by the North Luzon Expressway on the way to and from Metro Manila. As such, there always was that desire in me to climb this sentinel of the verdant plains and home to the mystical Mariang Sinukuan. Hence, with our supposed climb in Mt. Pulag, we finally decided to do an Arayat Traverse (“ArayTrav”) dayhike as one of the needed practice climbs.

Mt. Arayat (taken from the highway in Arayat Town)

It was already 0420H when we arrived at the Bataan Transit Terminal in Cubao, Quezon City (it shares the same terminal with Five Star Bus). At 0440H, the bus went on its intended journey as we desperately tried to get some needed sleep. We were so fortunate to be stirred at the right time as we were roused from our deep slumber just as the bus reached the Robinsons Starmills.

We then debated amongst us if we are going to take the jeepney towards Arayat town and from there, just hail another jeepney going to Magalang or go straight to the SM Public Transport Terminal and wait for the 1st trip going straight to Magalang. Until we finally decided to try our luck at the SM Public Transport Terminal.

The jeepney ride from SM in the City of San Fernando to the town of Magalang went on for 40 minutes. I’d say it was the better choice for us sleep-deprived individuals. We went straight to Jollibee Magalang (opposite the Municipal Hall) for breakfast. On the other side is the terminal for tricycles that would take us to the jumpoff in Brgy. Ayala, which is about a fifteen minute ride. Less the formalities, it was already 0800H when we started to hike.

Mt. Tagapo - Hiking in the middle of Laguna Lake



While we were already along EDSA going southbound at that time, we were still debating where to go for a hike. And since it is the end of the APEC Holidays, we anticipated the traffic down south as countless vacationers troop back to the Metro. Hence, we decided to proceed to Binangonan, Rizal to try our luck for a parking space (our only consideration actually), before we proceed to Talim Island and hike up Mt. Tagapo.

Mt. Tagapo...up close from the grassland

Mt. Tagapo in the middle....Bundok ng Susong Dalaga

We then arrived in Binangonan at 0715H and tried to look for a much-needed parking space. We first tried to park at the nearby church, but since Sunday mass was on-going at that time, we decided to push our luck somewhere else. Good for us, we eventually were able to secure a parking slot (along the road) on the side of the local hospital.

After buying some of our supplies, we proceeded towards the port, bought packed lunch, trail food and water, jumped into the boat headed for Brgy. Janosa (which incidentally was the first boat in the queue), and waited for the departure time (0800H).

A usual scene at Binangonan Port

The boat left Binangonan Port at exactly 0800H. Along the way, we were treated to views of birds diving for fish from the lake, a series of fish pens, and locals doing some fishing. The boat then made a brief stopover in Barangay Buhangin to drop of some passengers. A few minutes later, we were already in Brgy. Janosa.