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Mount Manunggal: Why Getting Lost Is Never A Waste Of Time
There’s a fine line between adventure and disaster. Lost in the middle of nowhere after our Mount Manunggal climb, I was walking that razor-thin line with a heavy backpack and two other hikers. There was a time in my life when being lost felt deeply uncomfortable, like I was completely out of my element. Yet, here on this hike with my new friends, I feel oddly at home. Instead of panicking, I felt calm. I looked at my companions, and I saw panic written all over their faces. And who wouldn’t be? With the sun beating down on us, our water bottles were running low, and unmarked trails, it had…
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Ngipon sa Ilaga and the Quest for Perfection
I’m a train wreck perched precariously in Ngipon sa Ilaga. Full of flaws and limitations, every inch of me is a mess and chaotic. I’m a short-tempered, careless, immature, clumsy, stubborn, and disorganized nonconformist. And I embrace every flaw and mistake I have made. That’s why society hates me. The modern world thinks I’m an outcast and a nutcase. Yet, as I stand at the top of Ngipon sa Ilaga, I feel fabulous and free. I don’t feel the pressure of being imperfect. I don’t feel inadequate, exhausted, and frustrated with my messed-up life. And I’m enjoying every second of this imperfect, unplanned, and spontaneous nature trip. As I soak…
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Marmol Cliff And My Enchanting Time Travel Adventure
There’s an atmosphere of fear, darkness and uncertainty everywhere in Cebu. From a welcoming land of endless summer bliss, Cebu has turned into a somber island of barricades and masked troopers. Whether you’re buying essentials in a mall or hiding in a secluded spot like Marmol Cliff, you’ll feel the wrath of Covid-19 wherever you go on our island. Yet, even with the on-going chaos and fiasco, my enthusiasm for exploring places is spiking. And, truthfully, I’ve even been traveling to a slew of awe-inspiring places, amid the pandemic. From the picture-perfect ruins of Ayutthaya, Thailand to enchanting Marmol Cliff in Tuburan, it’s been a whirlwind of adventure ever since…
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Sibonga And Its Therapeutic, Enriching Mountains
My heart raced. With each breath, my heart pounded loudly like the rhythms of a tribal drum. As I was standing precariously on a steep slope in a secluded mountain in Sibonga, I could feel sweat dripping into my eyes and my mouth going dry. And, with a torn left glute and 24 hours of no sleep, this outdoor exploration in Sibonga seemed like a recipe for disaster. As I was taking a deep breath, and soaking up the scent of soil, I felt a wave of joy flooding through me. My heart fluttered with excitement, with each step and every obstacle I conquered. Moments later, I found myself at…
