• Mount Dulang-Dulang
    Travel

    Mount Dulang-Dulang: A Climb To The Enchanting Mountain

    My heart was racing. Anxious and nervous, beads of sweat formed on my forehead, and my mouth turned dry. Shit! Will I make it? Will I make it back home in time? I was in a race against time, and I was losing. These thoughts hammered into my head as we were heading to Davao City after our Mount Dulang-Dulang climb. The unforgiving slopes, slippery moss, and rocky steps of Mount Dulang-Dulang were behind me. But the race against time continued, and a new challenge was waiting.  As we navigated through the night, we were enveloped in a thick fog that reduced visibility to nearly zero. We had to slow…

  • A beautiful collage of Mount Hamiguitan
    Travel

    Mount Hamiguitan: A Journey To A Magical World

    What’s the difference between a cat and a man? A cat, as they say, has nine lives. But us, humans? We only have one shot. And that’s why I try to make every moment count. I seek experiences that fill me with peace and happiness. I read books that whisk me away, indulge in mouth-watering food, create memories with my family, and conquer mountains like Mount Hamiguitan.  And despite all the challenges, I celebrate life.  Strangely, on my latest trip around the sun, it seemed like I wasn’t celebrating a milestone. Alone at an airport terminal, I ate a simple meal for dinner on my birthday while waiting for my…

  • Lake Holon: A Weekend of Adventure And Stunning Views
    Travel

    Lake Holon: A Weekend of Adventure and Stunning Views

    Can you fall in love with a place? Because I swear Lake Holon just gave me butterflies. Standing atop the Lake Holon view deck, I was mesmerized by its jaw-dropping scenery.  With its towering peaks and dreamy shades of blue and green, it’s a stunning sight and a place where exhausted souls recharge.  I rubbed my eyes to see if the view in front of me was real.  And it was as real as the air we breathe.  So, I soaked up the scenery and snapped photos.  And when I looked at my phone, the images were surreal and heavenly (no filters needed).  For years, I had dreamt and yearned…

  • Mount Amuyao: The Infinite Stairway To Heaven
    Travel

    Mount Amuyao: The Infinite Stairway To Heaven

    Why the hell do I do it? Why scale a mountain that promises agony and infinite gut-wrenching possibilities? And why lace up my hiking shoes, carry a hefty backpack, and drag myself up a behemoth like Mount Amuyao?  Here’s the deal: Every ruthless, giant mountain I’ve faced serves a buffet of above-average pain and uneasy moments.  I’ve dealt with twisted ankles, aching knees, cuts, bruises, cramps, dehydration, and blisters that look like props from a horror movie.  Yet, I push on and invite all the agony.  Why keep pushing through the grimacing and wincing?  Am I a masochist? Why do hikers like me willingly sign up for a world of…