Climbing a mountain requires endurance... but i guess i didn't fully understand what the word "ENDURANCE" means when i and my friends agreed with no hesitation when 
Joy Caparida-Manliguez, invited us to climb Mt. APO, no less than the highest mountain in the country, with a height of 2954 meters, it is a dormant volcano, with three major peaks & a wide volcanic crater containing the crystal clear Lake Venado. I
t was 10 years ago....look how time flies. We had our climb Oct. 21-24, 1999. It was Mt. Apo Eco Challenge & MOU signing, which took place @ Mt. Apo Peak. We took the Bobong Trek..our jump-off point was Bongolanon Falls. While hiking through thick mossy forests & steep trails...questions comes to my mind... why am i doing these?, who told me to be here??.. nobody but ME..so during those times i wanted to give up , i have no choice but to go on..there's no turning back... The hardest part was when we were havin' the night trek. It was me, honey, joy & two others (i cant recall their names). I kept on crying then..out of fear and hunger..but all i could remember was we were eating corned beef in the dark. I feel exhausted. It was almost 12 midnight when we finally reached the first campsite..As the sun rises, we started trekking again...these time its different, youve got to see a lot of species.. & you'll appreciate God's creation more.. We became 
more excited of what's next...till we 
reached Lake Venado. After havin some sightseeing & picture taking we were advised to
take our rest early in preparation for our final trek the following day. As we begun our journey to the peak, the trail became harder...plus OMG..my hiking shoes give in...so i have no choice but to hike bare foot. I just have to ignore the muds, the stones, rough terrain, etc...& thanked GOD i survived.... Upon reaching the PEAK i was speechless...whew nature simply takes your breath away...I find personal attainment....that once in my life i was able to conquer these beautiful mountain who deserves every visitors full respect. I feel so blessed that i had the chance to reached one of God's wonderful artwork....
Joy Caparida-Manliguez, invited us to climb Mt. APO, no less than the highest mountain in the country, with a height of 2954 meters, it is a dormant volcano, with three major peaks & a wide volcanic crater containing the crystal clear Lake Venado. I
t was 10 years ago....look how time flies. We had our climb Oct. 21-24, 1999. It was Mt. Apo Eco Challenge & MOU signing, which took place @ Mt. Apo Peak. We took the Bobong Trek..our jump-off point was Bongolanon Falls. While hiking through thick mossy forests & steep trails...questions comes to my mind... why am i doing these?, who told me to be here??.. nobody but ME..so during those times i wanted to give up , i have no choice but to go on..there's no turning back... The hardest part was when we were havin' the night trek. It was me, honey, joy & two others (i cant recall their names). I kept on crying then..out of fear and hunger..but all i could remember was we were eating corned beef in the dark. I feel exhausted. It was almost 12 midnight when we finally reached the first campsite..As the sun rises, we started trekking again...these time its different, youve got to see a lot of species.. & you'll appreciate God's creation more.. We became 
more excited of what's next...till we 
reached Lake Venado. After havin some sightseeing & picture taking we were advised to
take our rest early in preparation for our final trek the following day. As we begun our journey to the peak, the trail became harder...plus OMG..my hiking shoes give in...so i have no choice but to hike bare foot. I just have to ignore the muds, the stones, rough terrain, etc...& thanked GOD i survived.... Upon reaching the PEAK i was speechless...whew nature simply takes your breath away...I find personal attainment....that once in my life i was able to conquer these beautiful mountain who deserves every visitors full respect. I feel so blessed that i had the chance to reached one of God's wonderful artwork....
