2010 IN REVIEW

Year 2010 is almost over. Another challenging year is going to take over which is believed to be giving more challenges ahead. While our Mother earth is presently battling for survival in the midst of the climate change issue, our local setting is also facing with so much hardships.

Same with what happened to our young group called Local Government of Sta. Cruz Adventure Club. In a span of 3 years, this club has created so many shifts in the hearts and minds of its members while also fashioning a paradigm for responsible adventure and environmental conservation.

Year 2010 is extremely awesome. Our accomplishments are way beyond the expectations. Despite having financial scarcity, we still managed to defy all odds and carried on with our thrusts. Below are LOGSAC’s accomplishments in review for year 2010:

A. ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION. Two major events relating to environmental conservation, protection and rehabilitation were initiated by LOGSAC in 2010. First was the Nature Treat (Mangrove Growing at Tajos Beach, Sta. Cruz) held on February 19, 2010 in consonance to the observance of its 3rd Foundation Anniversary.

Second was the club’s participation to GASA SA SUBA, a Sibulan River Conservation Project with the LGU of Sta. Cruz as the lead implementer along with the private sectors, NGAs, EcoGov, Barangay Governments, etc.

There were also events wherein LOGSAC had been an active stakeholder such as the OPERATION KONTRA BAHA PARENTING STAGE, PISTA SA KINAIYAHAN MANGROVE PLANTING, HOLY WEEK MONITORING, MT. APO CLEAN UP DRIVE, EARTH DAY TREE PLANTING AT EDEN NATURE PARK, EARTH DAY COASTAL CLEAN UP AT PEARL FARM RESORT, among others.

B. ON CLUB CAMARADERIE. In order to strengthen the bond of the club, several out-of-town events were joined in by LOGSAC like the MFSM Foundation Day at Hi-Ponds Resort on January, MFSM Island Congress at Marix Resort on June and the Kalingawan sa Aylan at Bislig Surigao on September.


Club-initiated meetings were also customarily conducted, as well as the holding of LOGSAC 3rd year anniversary and the just-concluded 2010 Christmas party.

C. ON CLIMB, CLIMB AND MORE CLIMBS. If there was one thing notable in 2010, that’s basically the sudden twist of climbing destinations of the club. Our usual Mt. Apo backyard was not solely the venue of our climbs. There were members who have successfully scaled Mt. Pulag in Benguet, the 2nd highest peak in the Philippines. Papong also used to climb Pico de Loro, the highest point in Cavite.

Other mountains climbed by the rest of club members are Lake Holon in South Cotabato, Samal Traverse Trekking, Mt. Pandadagsaan (White Peak) in Compostela Valley, and Udalo Mountain Range in Malita, Davao del Sur.

D. OTHER ACTIVITIES PARTICIPATED. 2nd Annual Freedom Climb, Phoenix Race for the Heart, 3rd Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge, Octo-Trek Monitoring and Sibulan River Water Measurement.

DANREV BROÑOLA SORMOUNTS PICO DE LORO

Danrev Broñola (a.k.a. Papong), one of LOGSAC’s chartered member, has finished another minor climb to Cavite’s highest point – Pico de Loro – on December 26, 2010. Also known as Parrot’s Peak due to its parrot beak-like structure when seen in the Cavite shores, Pico de Loro is Cavite’s highest point with an elevation of approximately 664 meters above sea level and is part of the Palay-Palay mountain range.


“What’s good about the mountain is that it can easily be climbed even for first-time climbers. It’s always an option as leisure climb destination in Luzon with easy trail, forest shade and good campsite” said Papong. He also pointed out that the summit of Pico de Loro offers great panoramic view overlooking the entire Cavite landscape and Corregidor Island. Along the way, there are also waterfalls which can be alternatives when one seeks a longer stay in the area.

LOGSAC Xmas Party 2010 – MORE THAN THE USUAL FUN

On December 22, 2010 we had our LOGSAC Christmas bash celebrated in a very humble and simple way. We were supposed to conduct a mangrove replanting and clean up at Tajos Beach (a perennial venue of every club gathering) but because we fell short of the time considering the members’ respective yuletide commitments, we just ended up having a short club meeting and an all-night party afterwards. The meeting resolved several internal club concerns, yearend evaluation and future plans for 2011, especially the much-awaited international edition of Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge.

Except for Doray, Badi and Chicay who were all dangling with work schedules; all members were enjoying the night. Our dinner was also very simple highlighted with a budols fight (a cruel version of buffet) featuring sinugbang pandawan and pork, fish salad and other indigenous delicacies.


After our dinner, we started our merrymaking. As usual, Red Horse was our sole potion. At around 12 midnight, everybody was not in their conscious mind. I left the place with Junjun Libre unnoticed by the other intoxicated members.

At this point, LOGSAC would like to thank all persons who have shared their generosity which enabled the event to be successful. Special thanks to Hon. Andy Ugduracion, Hon. Oliver Enot, Hon. Mila Lim and Ms. Josephine Devera of TDEVS for giving financial support.

LOGSAC Christmas Party 2010

Merry Christmas to one and all.....more activities to be undertaken next year, more mountains to climb and more beers to drink without getting drunk.....

Donors are welcome in this event. See you all

Snickers - NEVER CLIMB WITHOUT IT

Snickers power bar has been my long-time partner in mountain climbing. I started pocketing this stuff 3 years ago and its merit is notable with its numerous nutrient content suitable to combat trail exhaustion and hunger without the threat of taking too much carbohydrates.

Snickers is a chocolate bar made by Mars, Incorporated. It consists of peanut nougat topped with roasted peanuts and caramel, enrobed in milk chocolate. Its nutrient composition is outfitted for high altitude mountaineering activity highlighted with saturated fat, petite amount of cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, Vitamins A and B12, Thiamin; among others.

With me seeking more mountains to climb next year, Snickers will always be part of my life’s adventure.

A memorable climb to White Peak

Grassy steep trail. Rope-assisted assault. Banakon encounter. Romance with leeches.

These are some experiences we gained while joining the Technical and Documentation climb conducted by the Mountaineering Federation of Southern Mindanao (MFSM) last November 27-30, 2010 at Mt. Pandadagsaan (White Peak), New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province. The technical team was composed of fourteen (14) hardcore mountaineers, an all-male platoon spearheaded by MFSM chief Engr. Albert Gabriel. I was then accompanied by my club-mate Papong.

Indeed, the mountain was highly technical. Our trekking was warmed up by a 2-hour river trekking, afterwhich we had our lunch at Ya-uno, a tributary stream having potable water source and just an inch before the real sheer assault going to Camp 1. The trek to Camp 1 was extraordinary. We were greeted by an intricate track, attacked by epoxy-inspired leeches and stumbled for countless times. It was the first time I heard Papong breathing with so much impunity. With all our feet feebled, we stayed overnight at Camp 1.

On the second day, we departed very early from Camp 1 going to Peaks 1 and 2. The trail became very narrow having difficult rope tracks including dodgy face-the-walls and deep cliffs on the other side. At around 12:00 noon we took our lunch at a mossy forest area, so beautiful that we instantly forgot all the fatigues. While watching the scenery and taking pictures, the mossy forest reminded us of the movie Avatar. It was picture-perfect, even a contender for FAMAS Best in Cinematography award. At around 1 PM, we reached Camp 2.

The third day was more than a descend. White Peak has a lot of cruel things to offer to its visitors. Apart from the already difficult trail going down, we were also helplessly held by heavy rain along the way. Then there was that King Cobra trying to greet us. I couldn’t hardly remember my fellow mountaineers talking upon seeing that little beast while suffering body pains.

After surviving the climb, we all have something felt in common – HAPPINESS. White Peak is worth climbing for. For me, a mountaineer should climb this mountain before he can consider himself a full-fledge mountaineer. It’s a climb that you can really be proud of yourself for pacing another phase of self-esteem.

Dare White Peak now fellas, I’m posing this as a challenge to all Mindanao mountaineers.