The mountain at the back is where we’re heading to.On May 22, Tuesday, at around five in the morning, I was already busy preparing my things. My back pack, filled with extra shirts, toothbrush, toothpaste, face towels, mobile phone, fifty pesos worth of assorted bread from Goyo Sy’s bakery and three pieces of hard boiled eggs. These were my “bayon”. I also brought with me a small water jug and of course my camera as I need to take pictures along the way.
I took a bath with the help of one “takure” of hot water. The “balde” of water was so cold that I cannot bath without mixing it with one pot of hot water. I have to wear a comfortable shirt, and “maong” pants and my most comfortable walking shoes.
While having my cereal breakfast prepared by my wife Marian, I was contacting my younger Brother Elbert in Campalingo to make sure that the two big boxes of school supplies and relief goods are delivered on time. We stayed in “banwa” where my in-laws are and the goods were stacked in Campalingo where my parents are living.
I already requested Elbert the night before as we were in Pili together attending the last night of their Barrio Fiesta. I have to remind him again that very early in the morning so he’ll not forget. He might have taken bottles of beer in Pili the other night and he forgets about my request.
Actually, days ago, me and my batch mates were already discussing the plan and three of them agreed to join me but they never showed up for reasons not clear to me so I ended up doing the task myself.
With the help of Alan Roco, a friend from Campalingo who owns a tricycle, the two boxes were brought to Tatay Antonio’s house in Banwa and from there we proceeded to the house of Analyn Rocero – a classmate of mine during Elementary in Campalingo. Her sister happens to be one of the teachers in Layag and from there, we went straight to Taclobo. I am really thankful that Analyn agreed to come with me.
We were dropped at the Resurrection Hill gate. That was about quarter to seven in the morning. Not long enough one SMT (Sibuyan Mangyan Tagabukid) arrived and two more guys arrived shortly. They will help us carry the goods to Layag. Since the boxes were big and difficult to carry, we decided to borrow empty sacks from the nearby small sari-sari store owned by Mr. Newbo Romero who happens to be a classmate of my father and my wife’s father too. We borrowed four “sakos”. It would be easier to carry the goods in a sakos than in boxes. In exchange of the goodwill of Manong Newbo, I bought two hundred fifty pesos worth of “tinapay” to be distributed to SMT’s. Resurrection Hill where the trek started.
This is my first time going to Layag and I am excited. I am a nature lover and I have planned several times already to trek to Layag and it’s going to happen only now.
We started trekking at almost seven in the morning. I have to condition my mind that it’s more or less four hours walk as mentioned by our guide. Depends however if we walks fast, in 3 hours or less, we’ll be there.
I have to text my wife that we’ve now started walking so at least she knows as she asked me to update her from time to time.
We’ve passed by several kaingin sites and plantation of cassava, banana, papaya, camote, pinya, sayote and other crops. There are lots of fruit bearing Bayabas, Mango, Kasoy and Lumboy along the way. I couldn’t help but stop and pick up ripe Lumboy along the way. 
First stream that we came across with. Need to take some rest.
We've now reached the area where you can see the majestic Mt. Guting-Guiting. I have always dreamed of climbing Mt. Guiting2 but due to some limitations, I cannot do it at least for now. I have to be contented with the most that I can have – go the nearest. The majestic mountain which was declared National Park by President Ramos year 2002 is now right behind my back.
Reaching half point. At the back, covered by clouds is the Mt. Guiting-Guiting.
We stopped for a while, ate some more bread and had some more water. Of course, I have to take some more pictures. We rested some more minutes and then begun our trek downside the hill. I have to change again my shirt for the second time as it’s really wet. It can be literally squeezed and a small glass will be filled with my perspirations, yaikkss!
I was told that we will now be crossing the rainforest area hence expect a cooler temperature. I started to be cautious this time as I am hearing stories of huge snakes crawling in the rain forest area. At the back of my mind, I am still too young to die, hahahaha! Kidding aside, I am praying while walking just to make sure we’re safe.
If during the first half of the trek it’s more of walking upward against steep and narrow hills, this time, it’s more of downward steps here, there and almost everywhere, very steep and narrow trails at that.
I can feel my knees are beginning to shake. I need to control my downward steps otherwise I’ll fall and I’ll be nowhere to find. I am getting really old, I have to admit!
Inside the rainforest is indeed a new, exciting and enjoyable experience. We came across ice-cold water streams. I get to see indigenous species of palms, orchids and shrubs. Some species of birds were flying right before my eyes. How much more if I am already inside Mt. Guiting2 area? How is wish I can do get inside the parks perimeters some other day. I don’t want to miss the experience. I took pictures, here, there and almost everywhere that the battery of my camera is almost gone. Wheew!! This couldn’t be I said to myself, I should have everything documented by pictures.
The picture shows one very narrow and steep trail that we almost have to crawl our way up.
Giant rainforest fern towering along the trail leading to SMT’s village.
My Sony Ericson camera is my saviour. I still can take pictures using my cell phone not having the same quality though. I have to turn off my camera to save battery and use my cell phone instead.
We walked some more. We need to cross one more hill and pass by one more river and I was told that there is still a part we’re we need to literally climbed a huge stone as it is along the only trail that would lead us towards the village.
And yes it’s true, there is. Thanks God, SMT’s now placed a sturdy wooden ladder so we wouldn’t have to climb our way up, wheeehh! Still, difficult to climb and yes easier as there is wooden ladder. The wooden ladder was slippery that time and you really need to get a good grip of the huge stone so you’ll not fall, my goodness, this is really an experience!
Amazingly, the guys carrying the sacks of supplies seem to be comfortable and having no issues climbing with heavy sacks at their shoulders! Indeed these guys are “gifted”.
Now, we’re almost there, at this point, the small community of SMTs on the other side of the hill is already visible. I can now see and hear children playing, laughing and shouting. I am sure they’re very eager to see who these guys are coming to visit them I was telling myself. I know they are expecting a group of lowlanders but unfortunately it’s only me and Analyn and their 2 fellows who have to carry the sacks of school supplies relief goods.
Kids and their parenst in a "kamalig" eagerly awaiting our arrival.
From left to right: Mini-basketball court and the “kamalig” where the two teachers are staying during week days. Right picture shows the other view of the village's community center.
Thanks’ God we’re here! After more than three hours of trekking, we’ve finally reached the community center of Layag.
They are all smiling at us. I greeted them all “maayong aga” while distributing the bread I bought from the lowland. I was exchanging some words with one Nanay when I heard the other teacher saying “makaon na kita”, good timing, we arrived just in time for lunch.
We went to the nearby “kamalig” to eat. This is where the two teachers are staying the whole week. They go back to the lowland every Friday afternoon as their families are living there.
We were already enjoying the food when the rain fell for the second time. I am not that hungry yet but since the lunch prepared for us looks really deliciously – I cannot say no. The vegetable was freshly picked, shrimps were fresh from the streams as well. There is “Kinilaw na Talong” and “Budbod” made of cassava as well. My stomach was really literally bursting when I stopped eating. I indeed enjoyed the food. Good thing my three other batch mates did not come with me, otherwise I could have still shared the food with them, heheheheh!
Sumptuous lunch prepared by the teachers. “Manamit kaayo”, heheheh!
We have to rest for about fifteen minutes. We then mobilized the kids and their parents inside the classroom and proceeded with the distribution of the school supplies and relief goods. The two teachers distributed the supplies while I was busy taking pictures.
The small community of SMTs present were indeed very happy of the things shared by KKF. They were very thankful and wished that next year KKF would again visit them there.
It’s almost one o’clock in the afternoon when we decided to trek back to the lowlands of Taclobo. It took my backpack with some “gifts” from the parents and headed back to Resurrection Hill.
We passed by the same rivers and streams, the same steep and narrow trails and enjoy the same nature connection as we walk up and down several hills. I really enjoyed Mother Nature’s experience. I get to breathe fresh air. I get to see various plants I don’t get to see in the lowlands.
After less than three hours, we’re back along the main highway of Taclobo where we were dropped that same morning. We have to return the borrowed sacks and bought some cold juice while waiting for a tricycle to bring us back to town. It was already almost four in the afternoon and I am sure Marian and our two kids are now anxiously waiting for me.
SMT’s token of appreciation. Gabi, sayote, balinghoy, bundo, camote kag uyang.
The experience indeed is really worth it. Aside from bringing some joy to these deprived Kasimanwa’s, I also was able to prove to myself that I am still young, my bones are still intact, my muscles are still strong and I still have the endurance of a teen ager, heheheh!
I wouldn’t have second thoughts in trekking back to Layag again next year!
This is my first time going to Layag and I am excited. I am a nature lover and I have planned several times already to trek to Layag and it’s going to happen only now.
We started trekking at almost seven in the morning. I have to condition my mind that it’s more or less four hours walk as mentioned by our guide. Depends however if we walks fast, in 3 hours or less, we’ll be there.
I have to text my wife that we’ve now started walking so at least she knows as she asked me to update her from time to time.
We’ve passed by several kaingin sites and plantation of cassava, banana, papaya, camote, pinya, sayote and other crops. There are lots of fruit bearing Bayabas, Mango, Kasoy and Lumboy along the way. I couldn’t help but stop and pick up ripe Lumboy along the way.
Taking a break at a very narrow trail. So steep that I really have to be extra careful.
We’ve walked for around a thousand meters uphill already when it rained. I have to cover my head with a small towel and placed my back pack on top of my head so I won’t get wet, at least my head. While walking in the rain, I have to pray for the rain to stop otherwise the sack of school supplies will surely get wet along the way. Good thing, the rain wasn’t that stubborn that it stopped after about five minutes only.
When we reached the first stream, I requested some rest so we could eat some bread that we bought from Manong Newbo’s store. I am thinking that the guys carrying the heavy sacks of supplies are already hungry.
We’ve walked for around a thousand meters uphill already when it rained. I have to cover my head with a small towel and placed my back pack on top of my head so I won’t get wet, at least my head. While walking in the rain, I have to pray for the rain to stop otherwise the sack of school supplies will surely get wet along the way. Good thing, the rain wasn’t that stubborn that it stopped after about five minutes only.
When we reached the first stream, I requested some rest so we could eat some bread that we bought from Manong Newbo’s store. I am thinking that the guys carrying the heavy sacks of supplies are already hungry.
I took pictures around and resumed the trek afterwards. After almost two hours of walking up and down several hills and plateaus and crossing rivers and streams and passing by very narrow and steep trails, we’ve finally reached half of out destination.
I got a chance to check my mobile phone, I got a text message from my wife asking where we are at that point, I tried texting back but there is no more signal.
I got a chance to check my mobile phone, I got a text message from my wife asking where we are at that point, I tried texting back but there is no more signal.
First stream that we came across with. Need to take some rest.
We've now reached the area where you can see the majestic Mt. Guting-Guiting. I have always dreamed of climbing Mt. Guiting2 but due to some limitations, I cannot do it at least for now. I have to be contented with the most that I can have – go the nearest. The majestic mountain which was declared National Park by President Ramos year 2002 is now right behind my back.
Reaching half point. At the back, covered by clouds is the Mt. Guiting-Guiting.
We stopped for a while, ate some more bread and had some more water. Of course, I have to take some more pictures. We rested some more minutes and then begun our trek downside the hill. I have to change again my shirt for the second time as it’s really wet. It can be literally squeezed and a small glass will be filled with my perspirations, yaikkss!
I was told that we will now be crossing the rainforest area hence expect a cooler temperature. I started to be cautious this time as I am hearing stories of huge snakes crawling in the rain forest area. At the back of my mind, I am still too young to die, hahahaha! Kidding aside, I am praying while walking just to make sure we’re safe.
If during the first half of the trek it’s more of walking upward against steep and narrow hills, this time, it’s more of downward steps here, there and almost everywhere, very steep and narrow trails at that.
I can feel my knees are beginning to shake. I need to control my downward steps otherwise I’ll fall and I’ll be nowhere to find. I am getting really old, I have to admit!Inside the rainforest is indeed a new, exciting and enjoyable experience. We came across ice-cold water streams. I get to see indigenous species of palms, orchids and shrubs. Some species of birds were flying right before my eyes. How much more if I am already inside Mt. Guiting2 area? How is wish I can do get inside the parks perimeters some other day. I don’t want to miss the experience. I took pictures, here, there and almost everywhere that the battery of my camera is almost gone. Wheew!! This couldn’t be I said to myself, I should have everything documented by pictures.
The picture shows one very narrow and steep trail that we almost have to crawl our way up.
Giant rainforest fern towering along the trail leading to SMT’s village.
My Sony Ericson camera is my saviour. I still can take pictures using my cell phone not having the same quality though. I have to turn off my camera to save battery and use my cell phone instead.
We walked some more. We need to cross one more hill and pass by one more river and I was told that there is still a part we’re we need to literally climbed a huge stone as it is along the only trail that would lead us towards the village.
And yes it’s true, there is. Thanks God, SMT’s now placed a sturdy wooden ladder so we wouldn’t have to climb our way up, wheeehh! Still, difficult to climb and yes easier as there is wooden ladder. The wooden ladder was slippery that time and you really need to get a good grip of the huge stone so you’ll not fall, my goodness, this is really an experience!
Amazingly, the guys carrying the sacks of supplies seem to be comfortable and having no issues climbing with heavy sacks at their shoulders! Indeed these guys are “gifted”.
Now, we’re almost there, at this point, the small community of SMTs on the other side of the hill is already visible. I can now see and hear children playing, laughing and shouting. I am sure they’re very eager to see who these guys are coming to visit them I was telling myself. I know they are expecting a group of lowlanders but unfortunately it’s only me and Analyn and their 2 fellows who have to carry the sacks of school supplies relief goods.
Kids and their parenst in a "kamalig" eagerly awaiting our arrival.
From left to right: Mini-basketball court and the “kamalig” where the two teachers are staying during week days. Right picture shows the other view of the village's community center.
Thanks’ God we’re here! After more than three hours of trekking, we’ve finally reached the community center of Layag.
They are all smiling at us. I greeted them all “maayong aga” while distributing the bread I bought from the lowland. I was exchanging some words with one Nanay when I heard the other teacher saying “makaon na kita”, good timing, we arrived just in time for lunch.
We went to the nearby “kamalig” to eat. This is where the two teachers are staying the whole week. They go back to the lowland every Friday afternoon as their families are living there.
We were already enjoying the food when the rain fell for the second time. I am not that hungry yet but since the lunch prepared for us looks really deliciously – I cannot say no. The vegetable was freshly picked, shrimps were fresh from the streams as well. There is “Kinilaw na Talong” and “Budbod” made of cassava as well. My stomach was really literally bursting when I stopped eating. I indeed enjoyed the food. Good thing my three other batch mates did not come with me, otherwise I could have still shared the food with them, heheheheh!
Sumptuous lunch prepared by the teachers. “Manamit kaayo”, heheheh!We have to rest for about fifteen minutes. We then mobilized the kids and their parents inside the classroom and proceeded with the distribution of the school supplies and relief goods. The two teachers distributed the supplies while I was busy taking pictures.
The small community of SMTs present were indeed very happy of the things shared by KKF. They were very thankful and wished that next year KKF would again visit them there.
It’s almost one o’clock in the afternoon when we decided to trek back to the lowlands of Taclobo. It took my backpack with some “gifts” from the parents and headed back to Resurrection Hill.
We passed by the same rivers and streams, the same steep and narrow trails and enjoy the same nature connection as we walk up and down several hills. I really enjoyed Mother Nature’s experience. I get to breathe fresh air. I get to see various plants I don’t get to see in the lowlands.
After less than three hours, we’re back along the main highway of Taclobo where we were dropped that same morning. We have to return the borrowed sacks and bought some cold juice while waiting for a tricycle to bring us back to town. It was already almost four in the afternoon and I am sure Marian and our two kids are now anxiously waiting for me.
SMT’s token of appreciation. Gabi, sayote, balinghoy, bundo, camote kag uyang.The experience indeed is really worth it. Aside from bringing some joy to these deprived Kasimanwa’s, I also was able to prove to myself that I am still young, my bones are still intact, my muscles are still strong and I still have the endurance of a teen ager, heheheh!
I wouldn’t have second thoughts in trekking back to Layag again next year!
