A commentary: NO to Mt. Apo stairway!

Recently, the mountaineering community was shaken by the Kidapawan City's proposal to build stairway to the country's very own Mt. Apo. The proposal will constitute a 7km stairway with 16,620 steps that will cost atleast 2.5 million pesos. The intention was to promote tourism by giving an ease in climbing the Philippines' highest mountain via building concrete stairways, hanging bridge across the Marble River, and "state-of-the-art public restroom" along the mentioned river and Lake Venado.

People will see me biased on this issue as I belong to the mountaineering community, but still I insist to the public my strong stand point in condemning this proposal. I may not be knowledgeable enough by law as I am a BS-Accountancy graduate, but no higher education needed to understand such.

There are lots of commentaries and statements that I read in the net stating their support with the project, but let me comment for some:
1. There are comments that they don't disagree with the project since the Floras and Faunas in the Mt. Apo are already been disturbed and if the community is insisting this as the main defense, the community should think twice as we at the first hand created the mountain's wound. This supports the statement of the proponents as "Also, by building structures along the pathway leading to the peak, it would discourage tourists and local to create a new trail and other mode of activities that will further destroy the natural park. At least 64,053 hectares of the mountain is considered part of the Mount Apo Natural Park".

-  Well, we must admit that the community maybe guilty of this, but the as we all know, there are principles and ethics that mountaineers follows to lessen the impact. And, letting a further destruction is not a wise decision, it's just like legalizing a rape towards a prostitute.  Also, as I look into the explanation that further destruction of the Natural park will decrease once the project was up and running, I find it paradox as the tourism encourages people to come, and we all know that number of visitors is parallel to the number of garbage and  environmental impact despite how much effort done to maintain the cleanliness. Even the country's top Malls can be an example for this, you can never find a perfect clean public CR from the malls as compared to high ranking hotels that not everybody can afford to go.

2. Also, some insists that tourism will give the local residences of Kidapawan City an opportunity for more income.

-With the budget 2.5 million pesos, many useful projects can be done, from commercialism that opens lots of job opportunity up to education that broadens their knowledge that again opens up for more job opportunity.

3. Some saying that we should take a look at the Japan's Mt. Fuji before complaining to the project. They say that Mt. Fuji project was successful and does not impacted much in the mountain.

-All I can say is that we all know how much disciplined the Japanese are, bring the discipline in every Filipino and future foreign visitors of the project and it will be a different case.

Again, I strongly oppose the proposal. NO to Mt. Apo stairway.

Pls see other blogs for more commentary:

*Philippine Mountaineering
*Pinoy Mountaineer

Benguet - Baguio City

Baguio City

Lies at the north of Metro Manila, specifically at the heart of CAR or Cordillera Administrative Region, an urbanized city called Baguio City, claims the title as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines". Mainly caused by the cold temperature created by the high altitude of the place as it stands at 1,610 MASL, it's title was designated by Philippine Commission back in 1903.

Baguio City was established by Americans back in 1900 century wherein the site originated in an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway. It's name came from a word of an indigenous language of Benguet, bagiw, which means "moss". Celebrated it's 103rd anniversary of city-hood in September 2012, the Baguio city was charted as a city back in September 1, 1909.

Baguio City have grown much popularity which lures not just country's local residents and citizens but also foreign nationalities. In fact, there are jokes that spread throughout Manila and nearby provinces that it was already been invaded by a neighboring Asian country, which is evidenced by their population. Well, that is just a joke, but it serves as a mere proof of it's inviting atmosphere and beauty. Yes, you read it right, the Baguio City does not just offer a cold breeze and temperature that Summer escapees are looking for, but also views that pleases your eyes.

There are lots of good places to visit the the city of Baguio, from the city's central park, the Burnham Park which can be compared to Manila's Luneta Park, to the city's business center, the Session Road, to the popular Camp John Hay, Mines View, Wright Park and Botanical Garden, to the Tam-awan village that brings you back to old times, to the Philippine Military Academy and even the President's summer residence, the Mansion, to the religious place such as Grotto and Baguio Cathedral, to the Strawberry fields, and many more.

Baguio City is also popular for it's different products, from cheap fresh vegetables, to fresh strawberries and it's products, to Pilinuts and Lengua de Gato, and even the famed Ube Jam of Good Shepherd. 

Aside from the wonders, the Baguio City boast a festival that is most awaited by many. Celebrate for the whole month of love, February, the Baguio city held their famed Panagbenga festival in respect to the season of blooming and as a way to recover their city from a historic devastation created by an earthquake back in 1990.

 Visiting the city of Baguio could be quite expensive as you have to spend much with the fare and hotels to stay, but transient houses are available here. They can help your wallet ease with damage created by high rates of hotel. Not as luxurious as the former, but good enough for an economic stay.

photo thanks to ph.new.yahoo.com

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

There are lots of north bound bus terminals located at Cubao. Buses such as Victory liner, Saulog Transport and Genesiss Transit that links Manila to other provinces such as Nueva Ecija, Pampanga & Pangasinan can be use to reach the city of Baguio.

You may opt to use public transportation and have a DIY or Do-it-yourself travel where you can choose the most economical and your top choices with regards to places to stay and to go, plus the privilege of owning your itinerary totally. However, you may also opt to take packages that offers both private transportation and a sure place to stay, although you may find some constraints in your itinerary, the private package offers a lesser hassle travel.

Travel Journal 13-004: Baguio City

It is already more than a month when my girl had told me that she wanted to go to the Baguio City to attend the Panagbenga Festival along with her workmates. And, as I remember the excitement on me is much like when I have a scheduled climb,bringing me much sadness when I learned that the scheduled trip will conflict my work since I got due dates for the said. Fortunately, I was transferred to other job assignment making way for my leave and availability.

The day came fast, so as the increase in the excitement along with other people joining ( as said by my girl, not to mention that she's the most as she's not a frequent traveler, hehe peace :p).

Finally, it's the day before. I have to still go to work to assist my supervisor since I just handed over other assignment that was assigned to me. Fortunately, we managed to finish the work within the day, making way for me to go home in usual time. It is almost midnight when I came home, giving me less time to rest. And, thanks to my snoring brother, he almost gave me no sleep. It is just more than an hour before my cellphone beats for it's alarm when I manage to take my rest. Soon, the alarm sounds, forcing me to wake up in a drowse. I got up quick to check my things before heading to bathroom and prepare myself for the long travel.

It's still dark when I walk outside looking for a pedicab to ride. My stomach is complained as I ride the pedicab I managed to get, "Fill me first",my poor stomach said. It is because I failed to take my breakfast since no food available yet as my mom was still in dreamland when I woke up and she just woke up when I am about to leave. Soon, the pedicab have to drop me at the side of the hi-way where I can fetch a jeep bound straight to bus terminal. It took me sometime before I manage to get one. Good thing, the jeep didn't stopped long for every stop over we've passed, giving me time to buy foods at a fast food near the bus terminal. The only problem was the bus have to take some time to fill in its seat before we left the terminal.

I managed to reach the assembly point, exactly as agreed with my girl and the others. The group have to wait for half an hour before leaving for Baguio City.

The first hour of the trip is quite silent, maybe because the group was recharging since they came from an overnight shift. Then, the fun kalog moments came, the real kulits that the group been hiding coincides with the clear blue sky stating a good weather slowly came out. No dull moments even until we reach an eatery somewhere in Pangasinan (I think), where we took our lunch. They offer some exotic delicacies, but my girl and I chose Sinigang na baboy that we shared. After some time of rest, we fast headed to our destination.

The views slowly emerged the moment we reached the Kenon Road. As we travel along the mountains, the natural escapes and clear blue skies amazed the group. Soon, we've reached the Great Lion Statue that marks the boundary of our destination, the Baguio City. We took some pictures and tested the Taho w/ strawberry flavor. Then, we headed to our transient house, left our things and continued to Burnham Park. Few moments of walk, more pictures, then it's night! We brought our packed dinner and decided to take them at the transient since the whole town is already well crowded by visitors.

At the transient, the tired group took their dinner and majority have taken their sleep, but I, two of my girl's officemates, and a friend of her officemate have decided to have some shots before taking ours, where two person from the other side of the transient house approached us to ask for water. We hospitably assist them and gave some of our water, we even ask them to each have a shot before leaving. Then, we ran out of drinks and decided to take our sleep. As we head back to our rooms, one of us is already indicating the he's drunk and drowsed. Then, sleeping time.

I just barely have a sleep when someone came knocking on our room's door, and I'm the first one to wake up in four of the room's occupants. As I open the door, worried faces faced me saying, "A group member has been robbed, he lost his phones! One of us saw the suspect!". We came in panic! Unorganized, the group don't know what to do. Some tried to contact the phones, got few rounds of ring until it became out of reach. We looked for the house caretaker and found out that she's not staying in the house even if there are guests around, which caused us more trouble as we cannot knock each of the rooms without her presence. As we reassessed our stuff, the poor victim had realized that his shoulder bag with his company ID and some hygenics is also gone missing. This troubled his mind more as replacement of the ID will took a long process.

The light of the sun have already invaded the Baguio City when the caretaker came. We then knocked each room to ask if they can lend their things so we can check if one of them is the criminal. The witness have pin pointed to the group who the suspect is, but we decided to remain silent until we had evidences. As we check the stuff of other group, an local passed by and ask us if we know the owner of a bag he's holding, showing the company ID of the victim. We decided to not to magnify the issue anymore and don't report to the authorities since what's important for the victim is the ID and he indicated that it will just ruin our fun.

Then finally, we continued to where the "parade" will pass. It is already loaded of people when we reached the place. We decided to just visit the Cathedral since we can't have a nice spot to see the "parade" anymore. We walked, walked and walked, until we realized that going to the Cathedral is not possible anymore. So, we headed to the Bell Church, where they prayed and took some pictures, Strawberry farm to buy lots of pasalubong, Mines view for lunch, and Good Shepherd to buy the famous Ube and Strawberry Jam. Then, we headed to the market to buy stuff to cook for the dinner before going back to the transient.

At the transient, majority of us are already tires, thus many have taken their naps as I and some of my girl's officemates are left to prepare our dinner. After cooking, sleeping people were waken up to take the dinner then returned to sleep.

The morning came and it's time to say byebye to the Summer capital of the Philippines. The group boarded the van. We dropped by at the Pangasinan's Our Lady of Manaoag and took our lunch at a toll plaza at NLEX. Then finally, home sweet home.

BUDGET CHECK (As of February 2013).

*We took a tour package that cost us of around Php 2,200.00, but I believe this can be reduced if you can do a DIY or do it yourself tour where you can select cheapest transient house and transportation. Estimated minimum Php 1,900.00

*We have spent around Php 400-500 for the meals, but can also reduced if you prefer to cook and market. Estimated minimum Php 350.00

Total: Php 2,250.00 (excluding pasalubongs)