Mt. Ampacao (1,889+)

MT. AMPACAO

Sagada, Mt. ProvinceMajor jump-off: Ambasing Elementary School, Brgy. Ambasing, SagadaAltitude: 1889 MASL (386 meter gain)Days required / Hours to summit: Half day, 1.5 hoursspecs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1,3

BACKGROUND

Rising above the highland town of Sagada, famous for its natural and cultural wonders, is its highest point, Mt. Ampacao. Laden with pine trees, this mountain offers a beautiful overview of Sagada. It only takes 90 minutes to reach the summit on average pace. The 'ranch', a viewpoint two-thirds up gives beautiful views of nearby villages and mountains, especially on the western side, where one can already see the mountains straddling Ilocos Sur and the Abra-Mt. Province boundary. The panorama includes Mt. Polis (SE), Bessang and Mt. Tirad, site of the famous Tirad Pass (E) and Mt. Sipsipitan (N).

SPECIAL CONCERNS

It is very easy to secure a guide for Mt. Ampacao at the guide office near the junction of Sagada's two main roads (in front of Masferre house). P600 is the standard rate for a guide, good for 1-10 persons. However, the trail is easy to follow and a guide is not necessary. Just follow the road to the ranch, and beyond the ranch there there is a branching footpath to the left, marked with a wooden 'gate'. Take this trail and follow the electric wires as a guide. It only takes 20-30 minutes to negotiate this assault, and before you know it, you're at the summit. If taking a guide, it is best to clarify whether you will be taken (and whether you will be allowed) to the summit. It is also an option to rent a jeep that will take you to the jump-off, and also take you back to the town from Lake Danum. This however is only necessary if you are pressed for time. The Sagada Genuine Guides Assocation blogsite is a helpful reference for contacts, prices, and updates.Mt. Ampacao is recommended only as a sidetrip to a Sagada adventure. It is typically a 3D/2N trip starting off from Manila via Bontoc (Cable Bus Tours, 2030hr departure, P500+) then a jeepney to Sagada (P35). In Sagada a variety of lodging places are available, ranging from P150-P400/person/night. The suggested return trip is via Baguio City (Lizardo Bus, hourly departures near town hall till 1300hr, P237).

TRIVIA

Rafael, caretaker of the Smart cellsite atop Mt. Ampacao, says hailstone showers occur during the cold months. He also says that lighting struck the tower once. Migratory birds are hunted in the mountain with the traditional bird hunting way, called "ikik".Sagada is a cultural goldmine and a true mountain haven. Lots have been written in the Internet about it. In summary, just being in the place is a nice experience, at 1502 MASL the climate is very cool and soothing. Must-visit places are Sumaguing Cave, Bomod-ok waterfalls (the Big falls), Lumiang Cave, Echo Valley, and the Hanging Coffins there. The rest are not that remarkable. The culinary experience of Sagada must also be experienced- favorites include the Yoghurt House, the Log Cabin at St. Joseph's, and Masferre's. The pinikpikan is the delicacy to try: it is chicken with a "special preparation". Also noteworthy are the native wines of Sagada (P120 per bottle). They have various flavors: lemon, persimmon, duhat (native plum), strawberry, blueberry, pear, etc. Mountain tea comes very cheap at P10 per packet. Sagada is truly a wonderful, breathtaking place!

mt.aLto peak

ALTO PEAKOrmoc City, LeyteMajor jump-off: Lake Danao National Park, OrmocLLA: 11.1061 N, 124.7097 E, 1332 MASL (unverified)Days required / Hours to summit: 3-4 days / 11-14 hours*Specs: Exploration, Major Climb, Difficulty 6/9, Trail class 3 with unestablished trails

BACKGROUND

outdoorsman Adonis Lloren shares another of his adventures - this time at Alto Peak in Ormoc, Leyte. The highest in Eastern Visayas (Region VIII), Alto Peak stands majestically on a beautiful realm, the Lake Danao National Park, home to a rich variety of fauna and flora. The domain is also home to farming communities whose vegetable plantations - and cool clime - are somewhat reminscent of the Cordilleras.

SPECIAL CONCERNS

Being exploratory in nature, 'Day 2' of the itinerary is suggested only with the company of an experienced hiker or a guide. Since there is no trail, brace yourself for thick vegetation. Otherwise, one can skip the Alto Peak summit assualt, converting the itinerary into a 2-day major climb from Ormoc City. The two lakes, Danao and Hanagdan, are rewarding enough. Just the same, prepare 3-4 days in case you are lured by Alto Peak!

TRIVIA

The area around Ormoc City is really mountainous and could serve as one of the next frontiers of Philippine mountaineering. Alto Peak is so named because 'Alto' in Spanish for 'High', in the same way that the Americans christened Mt. Tapulao as 'High Peak'.

MGA BUNDOK

MT. TALAMITAMNasugbu, BatangasJump-off point: Sitio Bayabasan, Brgy. Aga, Nasugbu (KM. 83)LLA: 14.1158° N; 120.7577° N; 630 MASLDays required/ Hours to summit: 1 day / 2 hoursSpecs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3 with steep assault (100m)

Pilipinas

Tingin ng mga bobong kapitbahay ko P*** daw ako.Nagpapagamit, binabayaran. Sabi nila ako daw ang pinakamaganda at pinakasikat sa aming lugar noon. Ang bango-bango ko daw, sariwa at makinis. Di ko nga alam kung sumpa ito, dahil dito naletse ang kinabukasan ko.
Tara makinig ka muna sa kwento ko, yosi muna tayo.
Alam mo, maraming lumapit sa akin, nagkagusto, naakit.Ang hirap pag lahat sa iyo virgin eh. Tinanggap ko naman silang tao, bakit kaya nila ako ginago? Masakit alalahanin, iniisip ko na lang na kase di sila taga rito, siguro talagang ganoon. Tatlong malilibog na foreigners ang namyesta sa katawan ko, na-rape daw ako.
Sa tatlong beses akong nagahasa, ang pinakahuli ang di ko makakalimutan. Parang maski di ko ginusto ang mga nangyari, hinahanap-hanap ko siya. Tinulungan nya kasi akong makalimutan yung mga sadistang Hapon at Coñotics.Kase, ibang-iba ang hagod niya. Umiikot ang mundo ko sa tuwing ginagamit niya ako. Ibang klase siya mag-sorry, lalo pa at kinupkop niya ako at ang mga naging anak ko.
Parating ang dami naming regalo - may chocolates, yosi, ano ka! May datung pa! Nakakabaliw siya, alam kong ginagamit nya lang ako pero pagamit naman ako nang pagamit. Sa kanya namin natutunan mag-inggles, di lang magsulat ha! Magbasa pa! Hanggang ngayon, sa tuwing mabigat ang problema ko, siya ang tinatakbuhan ko. 'Yun nga lang, lahat ng bagay may kapalit. Nung kinasama ko siya, guminhawa buhay namin. Sosyal na sosyal kami.
Ewan ko nga ba, akala ko napapamahal na ako sa kanya.Akala ko tuloy-tuloy na kaligayahan namin, yun pala unti-unti niya akong pinapatay. P*** ng I**! Sa dami ng lason na sinaksak niya sa katawan ko, muntik na akong malaspag. Ang daming nagsabi na ang tanga tanga ko. Patalsikin ko na daw. Sa tulong ng mga anak ko, napalayas ko ang animal pero ang hirap magsimula.
Masyado na kaming nasanay sa sarap ng buhay na naranasan namin sa kanya. Lubog na lubog pa kami sa utang, kulang ata pati kaluluwa namin para ibayad sa mga inutang namin.
Sinikap naming lahat maging maganda ang buhay namin.Ayun, mga nasa Japan, Hong Kong, Saudi ang mga anak ko. Yung iba nag-US, Europe. 'Yung iba ayaw umalis sa akin. Halos lahat, wala naman silbi, masaya daw sa piling ko, maski amoy usok ako.
Sa dami ng mga anak ko na nagsisikap na tulungan ang kalagayan namin, siya din ang dami ng mga anak ko na namamantala sa kabuhayan at kayaman na itinatabi ko para sa *******ng kinabukasan naming lahat. Dumating ang panahon na di na kami halos makaahon sa hirap ng buhay. Napakahirap dahil nasanay na kami sa ginhawa at sarap.
Ang di ko inaakala ay mismong mga anak ko, ang tuluyang sisira sa akin. Napakasakit tanggapin na malinlang.Akala ko ay makakakita ako ng magiging kasama sa buhay sa mga ahas na ipinakilala ng mga anak ko Hindi pala.Ang tanga ko talaga. Binugaw ako ng sarili kong mga anak kapalit ng kwarta at pansamantalang ginhawa na nais nilang matamasa.
Wala na akong nagawa dahil sa sobrang pagmamahal ko sa aking mga anak. Wala akong ibang yaman kundi ganda ko. Pinagamit ko na lang ng pinagamit ang sarili ko, basta maginhawa lang ang mga anak ko.
Usap-usapan ako ng mga kapitbahay ko. May nanghihinayang, namumuhi at naaawa. **** na kase ang isang magandang tulad ko.
Alam mo, gusto ko na sanang tumigil sa pagpuputa kaso ang laki talaga ng letseng utang ko eh. Palaki pa ng palaki. Kulang na kulang. Paano na lang ang mga anak ko naiwan sa aking *******ng puder? Baka di na ako balikan o bisitahin ng mga nag-abroad kong mga anak.Hindi na importante kung laspagin man ang ganda ko, madama ko lang ang pagmamahal ng mga anak ko. Malaman nila na gagawin ko ang lahat para sa kanila.
Sa tuwing titingin ako sa salamin, alam ko maganda pa rin ako. Meron pa din ang bilib sa akin. Napapag usapan pa din. Sa tuwing nakikita ko ang mukha ko sa salamin, nakikita ko ang mga anak ko. Tutulo na lang ang mga luha ko ng di ko namamalayan. Ang gagaling nga ng mga anak ko, namamayagpag kahit saan sila pumunta. Mahusay sa kahit anong gawin. Tama man o mali. Proud ako sa kanila. Kaso sila, kabaligtaran ang nararamdaman para sa akin.
Sa dami ng mga anak ko, iilan lang ang may malasakit sa akin. May malasakit man, nahihilaw. Ni di nga ako kinikilalang ina. Halos lahat sila galit sa isa't isa. Walang gusto magtulungan, naghihilahan pa. Ang dami ko ng pasakit na tiniis pero walang sasakit pa nung sarili kong mga anak ang nagbugaw sa akin.Kinapital ang laspag na ganda ko. Masyado silang nasanay sa sarap ng buhay. Minsan sa pagtingin ko sa salamin, ni hindi ko na nga kilala sarili ko.
Dadating na naman ang pasko, sana maalala naman ako ng mga anak ko. Isang buwan pa, magbabagong taon na.Natatakot ako sa taong darating. Ngayon pa lang usap usapan na ang susunod na pagbubugaw ng ilan sa mga anak ko. Sana may magtanggol naman sa akin, ipaglaban naman nila ako. Gusto kong isigaw: "INA NINYO AKO!MAHALIN NYO NAMAN AKO!"
Sige, dumadrama na ako. Masisira na ang make up ko nito eh. Salamat ha, pinakinggan mo ako.
Ay sorry, di ko nasabi pangalan ko.
Pilipinas nga pala.

Triskelion History

The Triskelion Grand Fraternity was organized on October 4, 1968 by four Arts and Science students from the University of the Philippines, in the Diliman campus, Quezon City, Philippines. The fraternity was originally named Order of the U.P. Triskelions. The group swelled in ranks and gained its recognition when the Greek lettered TAU GAMMA PHI was adopted. Few years later, chapters from other college and university campuses in the Philippines were established.

The TAU GAMMA PHI aims for promoting to achieve the ideals of fraternal brotherhood. The fraternity believes that it must forge its members to embody qualities of leadership, commitment, persistence, trust, integrity, respect, and vision. This fraternity aims for academic success, personal, career and spiritual growth, active participation in the community through service and social activities. The TAU GAMMA PHI is connected to developing a best-in-class brotherhood organization; a student organization that embodies its own ideals and mission in accordance to fraternity's Tenets and Codes of Conduct.A member of TAU GAMMA PHI is called Triskelion. Triskelion is a"Three Legged Symbol"as shown on the fraternity seal, and its origin is a mystery. A Triskelion has always lived up to the motto, "it will stand no matter where you throw it", which accompanies its seal --Strength, Free Will and Brotherhood.

TRISKELION - The conglomeration of Three Dynamic Forces in the Universe.FORTIS - inner and outer strengthVOLUNTAS - free will and initiativeFRATERNITAS - brotherhoodMISSION - Our Statement of PurposeThe Tau Gamma Phi exist to:Develop Triskelions who shall be Leaders among menFoster Positive Change in the Fraternity System and in our SocietyVISION - Our Common Aspirations1. Leaders among menExcelling in their chosen fields of endeavor2. Change Agents in the Fraternity System and in our SocietyAdvocating inter-fraternity peace & cooperationEngaging in friendly competitionSupporting good governanceModeling active community service

16 TRISKELION PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP

By Founding Father Bro. Tito Venida 1. Great leaders never desire to lead but to serve.2. Great leaders are original.3. Great leaders grow leaders.4. Great leaders lead themselves first; in doing so, they inspire others.5. Great leaders are God-centered.6. Position doesn’t make a man a leader; True courage does.7. Leadership demands personal sacrifice.8. Great leaders are independent and tactical thinkers, they master, control and discipline themselves.9. Great leaders are never intimidated. 10. Great leaders know who they are.11. Great leaders are constantly seeking for wisdom and knowledge. Therefore if you desire to be a great and effective leader, you must give yourself to the study and never graduate from the University of Life.12. Great leaders speak their knowledge at the right time, in the right words, to the right person.13. Great leaders know where to draw strength. For years and years I used to pray for strength but never received an ounce of it. Why? Because all the strength I ever needed are already in me.14. Great leaders are not afraid of rejection and criticism. They are not discouraged by them.15. A great leaders life becomes the property of those he serves.16. Leadership is the ability to control knowledge and power.
Note: "These 16 principles of leadership, if applied, will make a fruitful and significant life."