Back-to-Back Hike: The Mount Ulap and Mount Pulag Expedition

Falling in love this February? Yes, I am.

February 20, 2016. Day 1.

I once thought that if you climb a mountain the second time around, it won't be that hard like how it feels the first time you did it. That it won't be that special anymore since you've already saw what is there to see. But I was wrong. Really wrong. 

So a month ago, I was at this same spot but I can totally say that it was a different moment for me. Aside from climbing with a different group of people, my second time climbing Mt. Ulap was never easy and I don't think that it will never get easy. The air was so thin and cold that makes it hard to breath; a great challenge indeed. The trail was also not that simple but what I love about this mountain is that while you are on your way to the summit, breathing heavily and trying so hard to push yourself to the top, you can witness beauty in everywhere you go. Like nature was talking to you, whispering to you to look around and feel God's gift on that specific moment. Mt. Ulap is a beauty that no one can resist.

Mt. Ulap's Trail Sign 

February 21, 2016. Day 2.

The next day was not an ordinary day. I was able to personally watch the most magical scene one can ever witness; experiencing the famous sea of clouds in Mt. Pulag's summit was one of the best thing that ever happened to me. It was my first ever major climb and it was all worth it. Goosebumps and teary eyes, deep breaths that sounds like sobbing happily. I swear to God that I will never ever forget that feeling and that moment when all the fog were blown away by the cold morning air and soon clears the view of the clouds in front of me. With sunlight on my skin and that magnificent view that looks so soft and so precious it made me realize a lot of things about life and living. There is so much more to see in this world. You just have to be brave to take a step out of your comfort zone and explore new things; meet new people and experience moments that you will treasure forever. And for me, this is one of those magical moments. Such treasure Mt. Pulag is.

Mt. Pulag's Sea of Clouds (Day 2 Hike)

But I hope and pray that those people who says they love nature really do love nature with all their hearts. I hope and pray that after they enjoy the scenery, they leave it fresh with no trace of human's trash and other things that nature don't deserve to have. I hope and pray that like me, they will treasure every moment and be forever thankful to be in it.

To end this post, here's a short video made by my twin sister for you to enjoy.

The White Rose

She was a white rose surrounded by blood red roses. She was different. So unique, so pure. She gets everyone's attention by the way she dances with the air. You can see her smile behind those white delicate petals. You can feel her love not just for everyone and but also for herself. You were watching her like she was your only paradise. She was a perfect example of beauty. She was exceptional.

And then the storm came, so furious and hopeless. You can't help yourself to notice the white rose surrounded by blood red roses. Watching her from afar was torture, what more of seeing her having a difficult time on her own and can't barely stand up for herself? She was drowning. You can feel her sadness from where you are standing, you can feel her struggling with life. You can almost taste those bullets of tears in the corner of her eyes. You knew she badly needs someone to lean on right now. Deep inside you felt something brave and undaunted. You knew the only thing she needed right now is you.

So you finally got the courage to go near her. You sat beside her and protected her from the fearless storm with your bear hand above her head forming it like an umbrella. She looked at you. She smiled widely with her eyes so beautiful you were swept away and almost forgot reality. Next thing you know, you can hear you heart beating two times faster and so loud all the red roses around you two can hear it. They fell in love by the way you look at her, they fell in love by the way she looked at you.

Days goes by. You two became inseparable. You took care of her in every way possible. You made a small house-looking garden to give her shade from too much sunlight or from frost. You were there, watching as she bloomed so beautifully among all the other roses. As her pearl white petals curls perfectly, you can feel her love for you grow stronger. You thought you felt the same way.

So one night, you looked at her with all the love you thought you were feeling just for her. She felt it, she felt it with all her heart. She knew that this day will come; she knew she needed to make a decision. She knew that you needed someone to love you. For her, you were the loneliest man she had ever met. For her, you were the most in need of love and inspiration to live life by. For her, you were a precious gift that she had ever received. For her, you are worth it. 

She then gracefully closed her eyes. She looked so beautiful. You took a big breath and then you took her, pulled her away from the healthy earth beneath her. You knew that you hurt her in some ways but you promised yourself that it will be the first and the last time you will ever be the reason of that pain she's desperately trying to ignore right now. You promised yourself that you will do everything just to make up with it and love her two times stronger than the love that she feels for you.

As you stand up - with a white rose in your hand embracing it with love - everyone around you were in awe. They thanked god they were there at that moment, witnessing two young hearts falling in love. Oh, such true love. You too were also proud of yourself that you became part of the scene. You were like the prince and she was the princess. You love her, she loves you. Sooner or later, you two will build your own castle full of love and happiness. A world with no pain.

So as fast as you can, you made your way to the house. There, you made a new place for her to live for the rest of her life. A beautiful crystal vase full of healthy soil. She was breathing heavily, almost out of breath when you were able to put back all her roots down the handful of earth inside her whole new universe. She opened her eyes slowly and you kissed her. You whispered "I love you," she smiled with her eyes saying "I love you" back. You two were invincible.

But then as days passed by, her perfect curly pearl white petals became dirty white. Every since that day, you never failed to water her. You took care of her with all the love you can give. It was never easy. But no matter how hard you try to revive her, her beauty was no longer there. Every time she looked at you, you can feel her love grew stronger. But every time you looked at her, guilt and disgust were the things you can only feel.

You loved her. Yes, you did. But love was never enough. Love was never enough especially when you love someone that makes you hate yourself every fucking day.

And then summer came, a sunflower blooms. You looked at her, she smiled at you. You smiled back and felt something familiar. You are feeling that same feeling when you first saw the white rose. And then you looked back at the door that divides the living room from the kitchen. The wall that divides your world from the white rose's. The room that you never been able to get in for quite some time now. Then there goes guilt and digust again, came rushing into you once more.

Because you knew you were the one that killed her. You killed her with your love. You killed the white rose.

Mountains and Clouds of Itogon, Benguet

At the peak of Mt. Ulap, Itogon Benguet

This I can totally admit is one of the most memorable hike ever! Great people and great view from the summit with cold fog embracing us while we eat our packed lunch. Not an easy trail to start with plus letting the thin-cold air to be in and out of my body makes it a lot more harder than it is. Knee shaking and tired back but the view is just so wonderful, it takes all the pain away. Oh what a lovely day it was.

First of 2016: A day in Tanay, Rizal

A cat in the Palilla Wind Farm.

A smile at one of the rock formations in Mt. Daraitan

Greeny Peace Sign at the Tinipak River! Yeah!

Voyage: A Beautiful Tragedy

You are Essex.
So beautiful, so rare.
Like a princess with
fire on her eyes.
Like a demon with
a yearning desire to kill.
So go now, my dear.
Sail away and be free.
Dance with the breeze
of the ocean air.
Start an amazing adventure;
be part of a fascinating story
ever yet told.