ONAT LOPERA

It was on the 5th that a few of my officemates and I got a taste of it.

The day started really early for me. I set two of my phones’ alarms at 4AM. After getting up, I was also the designated wake-up call for some of my officemates by ringing them. Got all of my things packed and ready the night before so all that was left was the rice that I volunteered to bring. After it cooled down a bit, we put it onto those small plastic bags so that I don’t have to bring plasticware to the trek.

Before going to our rendezvous place, I swung by a grocery and drug store to get some supplies. Near the Park and Shop, in front of the Landbank ATM machine, almost everybody was there. All of us really excited. Some cameras were fired there and when we were all there, we got into a taxi and headed to JEST (Jungle Environmental Survival Training).

We arrived there and the place looks great. After looking around for a bit, we were briefed on where we would be going, what to do and not to do inside the forest. Not to touch this and that, not to be a pain for the group and if you happen to see a snake or even a cobra, we were instructed to just die right there on the spot. LOL just kidding.

And so the trek started.

With our bags of clothes, food and water, we followed the guide. Snapping pictures whenever and wherever “they” could. I opted not to swing my camera out every time I saw something new and interesting. Though I made a few shots, I decided just to trust my good ol’ brain to absorb it all in. And everyone had cameras also so I just posed with them and be in the shot almost all the time.

The first few steps were exciting. It was the first time for most of us. Downhill and uphill, the trek continued. There were a few survival know-how demos like cutting a branch to get some surprisingly good tasting water, some wild plants with its properties and how it could help when left there in the forest with nothing else but a machete, or a Leatherman. The weather was just perfect also. Even though the sun was high up, the leaves above from trees shade the route. The air was even cold on some part of the trek.

The surrounding changed every few meters. Sometimes the path was clear with vegetation on the side, with dried fallen leaves, rotting bamboo trees, prickly vines and huge trees. I kept my eyes on each of the step not to fall with my condition but every time I look up to see the surroundings, it was always a sight to see. Tripping on some vines, skidding off on some inclined pathway, branches and leaves going straight to my face were just a few of the many things that always reminded us, especially myself, that we are in the forest; we are on what we all signed up for.

We continued and met our first trek uphill. It was then and there that probably everyone thought that what we’d signed up to do was not just a stroll in the park. It was tiring, really tiring and we were only on the first 20 minutes of the trek. Of course, we all had to continue. It was either we all suck it all up and continue with enthusiasm for the destination or… I forgot, there was no other choice but that. Still, we continued. Cracking a few jokes here and there to break the monotonous tired heavy breathing sound coming from all of us.

Another uphill trek but a lot more steep than the previous one. We were near the top of the mountain. There was even a time that the path we were walking on was only a foot wide; on the left side was the mountain wall, and a long fall on the right. I admit I got scared at that point. I was thinking what if I slipped or the rock that I was holding on suddenly crumbled and brought me down with it. With a heavy backpack and a liter of bottled water on my other hand, I literally climbed to the top. It was hard work. After pulling myself up to the top, I felt a little dizzy and had sharp headaches when I bend down. I sat on this rock and breathed for relief. I thought that was it for me, but then I heard them raving about how wonderful it was at the top of the mountain. I sought for the easiest way up and then there we were, at the top.

It was so beautiful up there. The refreshing wind blowing with one of the most beautiful lush trees I’ve even seen from that perspective. It was worth it. I sat there and absorbed it all. I wish everyone could feel what I felt at that moment. It was definitely something.

Of course, after a few minutes and a dozen shots here and there, we resumed the trek; downhill. It may sound easier but with a cramping leg like I had that time, it went harder than I thought it would. It was like this Filipino saying I know, that marriage is not like a really hot spoonful of rice that you’ll just spit out when you got burned. But this time, it was the trek. Still, we’re already halfway there in the middle of the forest and quitting was, is and will never be an option, like a “conquer or conquer” kind of thing. A few hard hits on my thigh and hard stomps, the pain surprisingly faded.

We continued downhill until our guide brought us to this small cave inherited by bats. Honestly at that point, I couldn’t give a damn about those bats even if I try really hard. It was really hard getting there and I was so tired. I know everyone was but I just stood there and tried to relax all of my muscles left not aching and do really slow deep breaths. I did not came there for the bats. I even remember saying that this waterfall has got to be marvelous if it is worth all those hard work.

Feeling more and more tired, suddenly there it was, a man-made dike. We crossed it and then we came upon this trail, tire tracks trail towards the camp site. A few dozen meters walk and we finally arrived. All that was left to do is to find a spot and lie down on those bamboo benches and breathe. It was such a great feeling reaching the camp site.

Beside the camp site was this creek. We headed towards it and freshen up. The water was clear and cold. Washing my face felt like paradise at that moment. It was so refreshing. I headed back to the camp and asked around whether they brought swimming clothes with them. A few didn’t. Suddenly, the creek became the best way to cool off after that 3 hour trek. I changed to my swimwear and headed down. A few of my officemates were already on the water when I came in to join. The water was even better when I was on it. It was so beautiful. The clear, crisp water felt so nice and with a view like the ones seen on travelogue shows, it was a slice of heaven. I said to one of my officemates that the entire trek was really worth it for that small creek.

I asked whether the waterfall was anywhere near but I found out that the waterfall was scratched out of the destination points of the trek for it was about 5 hours away, at our pace, before we could get to it. I wasn’t disappointed at all, even though the waterfall was initially my main goal, the main drive for the trip. I thought of the state we were all in, especially the state I was at that time, dead tired, and being just-recently trek devirginized, I said to myself that I’ll conquer that waterfalls some other day.

A few chitchats, laughs and dozen of pictures later, it was time for lunch. I brought some cooked rice and I was really hungry, so the diet was off. I bet everyone knew that thing about any kind of food will definitely taste great for tired and hungry eaters, and ours was definitely not it. We had a huge feast and it was really great. Tres bien. There were store-bought precooked meals, from tins, greens picked from around the camp site and rice cooked on bamboo. We all just dug in and enjoyed every mouthful. When everyone was full, there was only one thing to do and that was siesta. I picked a spot and laid my back on the bamboo bench and had a quick cat nap. When I woke up, everyone was on their small groups talking with each other.

It was about 2PM when we decided to head back to civilization. They said that the walk back was about an hour long, on our pace of course, but it wouldn’t be that demanding just like the morning trek. So then I bid farewell to this small place that I would definitely never forget. We were all talking about getting ourselves some halo-halo when we got back to the city as the icing and appropriate finale for the trek when while on the walk, we looked to our left and there it was, that infamous mountain where just a few hours back, we were on the top of it. It was such a great feeling looking at it and having conquered it. A few more meters and we hit concrete. We’re at Subic Technopark. It was like a natural thing what happened next; we all just clapped and cheered signaling the end of such tiring but fun and fulfilling experience. I couldn’t be any more proud of myself at that moment. Being this sickly old git, I made it.

But then, no one, well maybe the guide and one of my officemate’s husband, was prepared for what was next; another trek on the woods towards the JEST camp. There were objections, I was one of them, I was even suggesting calling a cab and have it pick us up from there. There was regret from almost everyone but we were there already and a few more meters would definitely hurt but we had to walk it towards the real finish line. We were all tired, the mind set was “it was over”, but that short trek was probably the hardest part of the day. We came out from the woods to this boarding house near the JEST camp. We all headed to the main office and got cold refreshments. It was really obvious that everyone was really tired but we can’t help but smile that at that point, with the cold drinks on our hand and we could finally breathe easily. It was really over.

It was finally time to go home. We thanked our guides and headed to the bus stop. We decided to cancel the halo-halo trip and opted to go straight to our houses for some much needed rest. We waited for a few minutes and then the bus came. Our spirits were high up again with the sight of the bus and after we were all seated, we all gave ourselves the most satisfying applause. I didn’t cared even if there were other people on the bus, I just clapped for myself and all of us.

Crossing the SBMA bridge, my thighs started to give up. We bid our farewell there and 3 of us headed to 7-11 for some cold drinks. A tricycle ride after, I was home with aching thighs (until now) and a few “battle scars”. It’s going to be a really great story to pass on.

And so there it was, one of the best things I’ve ever done in my entire life. It was really hard and tiring but with beautiful sights to see and along with such great company, it was all worth it. Every step, every ache and every laugh we all had, every memory worth keeping.

I came, I saw, I maybe be aching but I conquered.