Conquering Mountains: Mt Pulag Adventure

I'm posting this today because we are celebrating Araw Ng Kagitingan. Incase you don't know what is it, it comes from the word Magiting which means "Bravery". I asked some of my friends what bravery is for them and here's what i got from them:

1. "to take a step forward even if the odds are not in your favor"

2."Being able to face problems and standing true to one's word" 

3."enacting your previously not so laid-out plans"

4."plugging wires in a socket"

5. "pursuing the love of your life"

There are so many ways, little or big, bravery can be proven. In a medical student's view, i think it is something like conquering mountains. The mountains stand for bunch of exams every week, group discussions to stand for, and a whole lot more the school requires you to do. You know you can't do it with the mere strength you yourself have but still you go to your school, enter the room and take your exam. For me, that is bravery. And amidst this braveness I think I have, i know Faith resides within me. Faith, not in our own capability, but faith in Someone who is not yet finished in what He's doing in our lives. I am reminded of the verse from Matthew 17:20 that says "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

And guess what: I'm almost done with my first year in Medical School! With no failing grades! And no removals! Hallelujah! The moment I knew I passed, I sent a message to my parents and I received a reply of "Because that's what we are praying for". Haha Oo nga naman!... It's not easy i tell you because first, I got surrounded with people with different attitude from mine- they have negative outlook towards everything and the no-hope-anymore vision to what lies ahead. And there I am, listening to all their blabs. Second, there's this subject i am putting myself on a thin line between failing and passing. And here i go again, witnessing how faith really can move a mountain! Huhu GRACE. Thank You, Lord! I just pray that my positivity towards life may shine on everyone that they may also put their Faith to You and You, alone, with a hundred one percent.

Last week, I think I am brave enough to conquer something - a real mountain (literally speaking) that i only have just read on for over years: Mt Pulag. If you've not known or heard about this, this is the highest mountain around Luzon and second around Philippines, located somewhere in Benguet, with an elevation of 2922m above sea level. I have 4 layers of clothing, so you get the point. There will be times that the weather will fall zero degrees, so if you're planning to go... be prepared. (Shoutout to pareng Guyton of Physiology, I have just experienced the high altitude and low oxygen level. HAHA )

Our trek to the summit of Mt Pulag started around 1am, having a goal to reach on it before the sun rises. The trek was easy but the temperature is not (really not) and it has been a long trek, it took us almost 5 hours to reach the summit. It will use up a lot of your ATPs, so you need to have food to eat like chocolates or any other trail food your mouth is longing for. Haha The mountain has many peaks, so if you can't make it to the summit, you can get yourself there. I remembered that there are times when we say "Diri nalang ko. Makita ko man ang sunrise diri"/ "Kapoy, tama na" then, we will encourage one another "Lapit nalang. Kaya ta ni". After another mountain, thinking that it will be the last to traverse,  it will surprise you... voila! 3 more mountains to conquer. As what the song of Miley Cyrus says "There's always gonna be another mountain..." Hehehe

What I enjoyed during the trek was  you  get to encounter other people, with the same struggle yet being able to greet each other with "Good morning po". Awwwww! To cut the story short, we have reached our goal. Though I am expecting to see the sea of clouds (we haven't because as what the tour guide have said, there should be a rain during the night or day before), the skyline during sunrise is enough to take your breath away. I never thought that a reward like that will bring me in awe. Beautiful, just beautiful! When the sun finally came up,we went  back from where we started, and we get to enjoy through discovering how the place that we've sojourned, during dark, really look like.We got ourself back to the ranger station at almost lunch time. Kapoyest day ever! But worth it! This will not be my last mountain adventure. In fact, this is a start. So Mt Apo, Mt Fuji, Mt Kinabalu, Mt Everest. Relax lang kayo. Hahaha

If you wanna know how to get there, just read on some other blogs. :p