El Presidente

Leading a group of leaders is extraordinary. I’m a Melancholic-Phlegmatic person, one trait I posses is being a leader and most of the time I want it my way.  The AMC was formed to train student to become a good servants of God, specializing in mountains hence the formation of our motto “mountains and multitude”.

Vision:

A Christ-like mountaineer,

Skillful in Mountains

Serving the Multitude.

Mission:

As Christ’s Ambassadors, the AMC is commited to climb every spiritual MOUNTAINS

to grow, equip and harmonize ourselves with God and nature and to serve

the MULTITUDES in relieving their pains and

preparing them to meet Christ.

Objective:

1. Soul winning

2.Spiritual Recreation

3. Environmental Protection

With this Ideals AMC wants to promote this to every indivual that are intersted to partake in the work given to us, you guys are so much welcome.

“My experience leading this group”

I thought its easy but its not. Our group is composed, if I am not mistaken about 100+ individuals now, included in the counting are those who graduated last march 2009, those who transferred, those that are considered benign and the activistas. The latter was composed of first of all, my roommate Racky Albania(my whiner but ever supportive communication leader), the old folks (Adjing, josel, MJ, kuya glen, weedz, jef, my room8 and I) The newbe’s (batch 3, 4, 5 and 6) I may not list all your names but I love you guys. Recently we conducted our “Induction Climb” in Luisiana Laguna.

They are so noisy in the jeep, (another tnx to racky for their undying jeep). We also use the same jeep with kuya vic our driver, this time we are 32 packed inside a 24 capacity jeepney. The canned sardines (what’s the term, I’m loosing my grammar) situation did not hinder their mouth in expressing their feeling of joy. I will suspect them of having fever or some kind of sickness if they will behave along the way. I consider it a usual practice inside the group and cannot be halted but can be minimized. We hit the un-famous but amazing cave last September 19, 2009 at around 12nn. It includes what I dubbed as “the vagina” where caver is needed to be pulled out like a baby. We are so confident that we can all pass the obstacles (tnx to sir Aser) hehe. The muddy tra il was ended with a great view and called water in the falls nearby. We find diving place there and enjoy until racky, fell when the stone his holding on collapsed giving him remembrance of cut in the shin. I am so happy being with them(hope they can read this).

My experience leading this group is not easy, but it’s FUN…..

p.s Thanks to our regular guests, sir onin,banjo and eli, see u the next AMC activity..

(pix to follow)

AMC, Camporee and Mt. Pulag is nearing

I copied this article from Pinoy Mountaineer by Sir Gideon Lasco

Mt. Pulag/Akiki Trail (2,922+)

MT. PULAG (AKIKI TRAIL)
Kabayan, Benguet
Major jump-off: Brgy. Doacan, Kabayan (Akiki)
LLA: 16°34′58″N 120°53′15″E, 2922 MASL
Hours to summit / Days required: 10-11 hours / 3 days
Specs: Major Climb, Difficulty 7/9, Trail class 3

BACKGROUND
The Akiki trail is a more challenging route to Mt. Pulag, dubbed as the “Killer Trail” by mountaineers because of its steep slopes. It requires 10-11 hours to reach the summit from this trail, whose up-and-down paths pass by Eddet River (3 hours) where one can camp, rest, and bathe, and continuing to what is dubbed as Marlboro Country (3-hours), so-called because its brown, wide landscapes evoke those seen in the cigarette commercials. Just like the other trails to Pulag, this trail would then pass by the montane forest (3 hours) until reach the grassland area. After the challenging trek, the summit views are rewarding, and the saddle campsite affords a closer access to the summit, being just 15 minutes away.

The name of the trail is onomatopeiac in origin, derived from the small brids whose high-pitched chirped sounds like “Aki-ki-ki…”. It is unsurprising that this trail would be named after a bird call, because Mt. Pulag is a bird sanctuary, home to 143 species of birds. Rare species include the whiskered pitta (Pitta koctri) and the Luzon water-redstart (Rhyacomis bicolor).

Last August we are told by our Adviser Master Guide Aser Neph Torres that AMC will assist in the upcoming SSD wide Camporee that will be held here in AUP this coming October 19-24. Rappeling, Rock climbing and backpacking are the main dish, to be serve by us (AMC), I am so excited with what is going to happen including the mt. pulag investiture climb. Be ready guys and prepare your time and time. Hope that everyone can join the two major events we will be hoding.

the story of my 1st marathon race

while cooking @ papaya river with clyde”bading2x” Apacible

1month before the Makiling Challenge8, carina invited us to participate in the said event. Preparation happens, AUP-tagaytay market run and I think the Bataan Expedition can be consider as my preparation(hehe) and the rest of the story goes like this:

One of the physical preparation one should undergo before climb is Jogging, but the best is running(the difference between jogging and running is like Day and Night, ref. highaltitude.wordpress.com blog title “real runners dont jog” by Jerry Karundeng)

Running starts to enter my system, it’s like an urge to defecate, uncontrollable feeling.

I jog, i mean run once a week, but only for short distance, not until I get to know some of the runners inside campus, they invite me to join them in the races they will participate on but my schedule as nursing student wont allow.

My first marathon took place in UP Los Baños, the Makiling Chalenge8 held last sept. 13 2009. I didn’t attend my Orientation for duty that morning to push through with the race.

Before that, our level chair in nursing announced that those who will be block as team leader, medicine nurse and head nurse which i belong will have an orientation during the race day 8am. My 1st ever marathon will be sabotage. It was not a good news for me, I tell myself that duty is more important so i will no longer join the race, the singlet is enough. during that day I ask my friends who are around if they want to go with me for Bataan expedition and 3 of them responded.

Sept 10-12, 2009 (3:30pm) we pack up for our Bataan expedition planning to summit Tarak Ridge and Mt. Samat. The group is composed of Gritchen “TOTO” Adorador, Clyde “Bading2x” Apacible, Jackson “Hakson” Ortaleza and Jerome ” theapprenticerunner” Lagumbay.

In the roots of papaya river

We reach Balanga Bataan at around 10:30pm and headed our way to Brgy. Alasasin/Alas-asin. The four of us rely on our Itinerary from Pinoymountaineer for it was our first time to be there. (Tnx to sir Gid, more power pinoy mountaineer)

We made it to the Ridge at around 2pm(friday) and descended an hour after strong wind and fierce rain combined hitting us on the way down the ridge, we managed to see some part of the view but the rain and wind duo wont permit us to behold it long enough.

We have a nice photo in Papaya river( i’ll post some of it asap) and tnx to bading2x for taking such a subtle pix.

welcome

help!!! (winding road of Mt. Samat)

We manage to enter the gate of the famous and historic Mt. Samat 11:30am(saturday) through the winding long road about 6-7km and ride the mini elevator 2pm, we hit the again the seems non ending road but discover some shortcuts and reach the Pilar crossing at around 4pm and head back to cubao, heavy traffic catch us in San Fernando Pampanga and Edsa, our estimated 5 hrs travel back in AUP was extended for another 3 hrs. We reach AUP 11pm, TOTO and I hurriedly pack our things to continue with the next day activity, the most awaited Makiling Challenge8.

We reach the meneses compound at around 1pm, we found our race mates already resting. We ate our dinner/breakfast and after I soak my aching feet on warm water we hit the floor and rest about 2am.

The sad part is finding sleep(finding nemo) I know that it is cause by excitement and the orientation i will be missing. I look at the wall clock its approaching 3am when I manage to close my eyes and sleep.

The sound of the talking people, walking feet and scratching spoon and fork sounds like a trumpet blown on my ear. It was race day. My body wants to rest but its D-Day, how can I?

Praying inside the huge cross in Mt. Samat(dont collapse)

After some turning and stretching I started to rise and do my morning rituals (wewe, wash my face and brush my teeth) I ate 2 pieces of banana that morning. My goal is to finish less than 1hr and be on top 5o runners to hit the line.

Tension circulate my cardiovascular system when we reach the Baker hall. Seeing a lot of runners on their stretching routine. Some of us commented about other runners way of running and I myself looking at those individuals whom I sense to be the fast, faster and fastest.

As first timer I try to stick with whom I consider pro. I ask about the Check in thing, where to leave my things etc. (tnx to RJ for the info’s)

After the briefing and orientation which I don’t mind because the sound of the runners talking+the rain drumming on the roof of the hall is clearly heard than the announcement. We check-in outside the hall on the shaded part. After a moment, they announce the start of the race, I positioned myself just near the frontliners. the word Go! was heard and many go follows like ” oh! Go na daw” and the rest of us started to take our pace. On the distant front of me was Toto, trying to take Sabal and the Fastest dudes as his pacer, not until the 1km where I managed to pass him, his complaining of leg cramps. I hesitate to help him(don’t judge me pls. hehe) my goal is to just follow one of the runners. I noticed that his not speeding up anymore and maintaining his pace, I pass him. Seeing another what I feel veteran again I stay behind him speeding up as he speeds.

My first 3km seems ok, overtaking my considered pacers, but it is not always Christmas, km 4-6 becomes steep, and other racers becomes stronger and faster. I overtook the 21th runner, and trying to do it again for 2 more runners I stand in the 18th place. My problem is how to pass the 17th placer. Sir ? speeds up a little and I notice that its his steady face now. I try to stick close to him, when I go level with him I greeted him good morning and he replied by smiling with some tooth missing. We become like running buddies up to the first half of the course, hearing from him complaints and mumbles about how steep the trail, he must be on the bed sleeping if he didn’t join the race, its just a waste of time etc(but i know his just kidding, real runners never whine cause even whiner doesent want somebody who whines: ref. baldrunner.com; article ” the 40 runner’s comandment.

Going down seems easy, letting the gravity pull you down but the trail seem so slippery not to focus on.

on the last league of the race Sir? managed to stick with me again, until the last 200m where I sprint ahead of him to the finishline. I finished 17th among 251 runners with the time of 0:58:17 on 12km race.

We waited for mam meriam to be awarded, finishing 4th overall among women, when…………….

I was shock to hear my name awarded 3rd on the age category 13-23yrs old and followed by Carina 1st in 13-23age cat for female. To sum up we received 3 awards that morning.

As we return to carina’s place food awaits us. After the heartily brunch we all head back to AUP, RJ and sir Jerry returned to AIIAS.

I appreciate everything that happens to me that day. I thank God alot for providing me extra energy to finish the race, meneses family, ella our photographer and the group aka. AUP runners.

Hope our plan to organize running club here in AUP be realize ASAP.

salamat pala kay toto sa pagpahiram ng pamasahe( di ko pa nababayaran)….

THE CHRONICLE

I’m from the province of Bicol the land of the “ORAGON” which means great people, people with ability, and sometimes bully and boastful comes as its negative meaning, visayan folks has a word sounding the same but never incorporate it with us (-:.

My father is Romeo Lagumbay, his working as a electrician in Libya in the continent of africa( a big tnx to sandra for the correction) he has been a very good father to me, providing my needs specially in my studies. Lorelie Asaja my loving and caring mother, as a teacher she needs to divide her time for me and her students, there enters my grandmother. Nanay as what I use to call her, take charge in babysitting me when my mother goes to school, they are the few, not mentioning the rest,  significant people in my life whom I am most thankful of.

I study my daycare in Kinalansan Day Care Center, Kinalansan Elementary School in my primary year, I finish high school in MCA Montessori school in Fort Bonifacio Taguig and currently on my senior year here in  Adventist University of the Philippines(AUP), taking BS in Nursing.

my proud groupmates(Group 3-the best)

the AMC family during the Vesper service in PIC sponsored by us

My passion in climbing mountain starts when I scale the heights of Mt. Marami with Happy Family(I thank you guys for the experience and family like bonding). The Ambassadors Mountaineering Club rise its popularity when Ptr. Bryan Tolentino youth pastor of Philippine International Church inside AUP founded the club, my mountain  experience grow broader meeting other students that has the passion and love of outdoors and nature as mine. I met sir Po(thank you sir), our 1st one of a kind president, my co-Group 3 , Josel, Racky, Rod, Me an, Carina, Jhade, Berly and Jen mae( I love this group)kylan kya ulit tyo makakapag climb n sama-sama prang Valentines Hiker hehehe. I takled a lot of mountains with the group and even TTL( trip trip lang), I’ll confess I climb more TTL than official group climbs. I love  adventures and running comes with it. Try to open the next blog to read on my 1st marathon race story.

the valentines hiker(TTL yan)

Mt. Tapulao, Zambales (Philippine team)

In the Beginning

September 28,2009

Monday (11:50am)

I enter the ITC(information technology center) inside our library in Adventist University of the Philippines, if you are not aware of this (un)famous university it is situated in barangay Puting Kahoy Silang Cavite, along tagaytay road and inbetween the famous, Special Action Force on the northern part and Philippine National Police academy on the other side. My intention is to research for my presentation of Papanicolaou smear test for cervical cancer and Trans vaginal ultrasound but I ended up opening the Pinoy mountaineer website by sir Gideon Lasco(tnx sir, it was so informative). While reading on his new post article I try opening the blog of sir Jerry Karundeng aka. highaltitude of team HardCore, i havent finish on reading about his blog on the 102km Bataan Death March Ultramarathon that’s why, unfortunately or fortunately I typed the wrong key word instead of highaltitude.wordpress.com, highatitude was entered lacking the “l” on it. The pc monitor showed  “Get another wordpress.com blog in a second” instead of the expected profile. I didn’t close the page though, idea flashed on my mind, how about trying it, i think it wont hurt but maybe payment is needed. I open the agreement form and scan some of it, base on my understanding it was free of charge unless you are needing extra space for your blogs and somewhat improve your page (I hope my understanding is correct, heheh) I started to fill up the forms, it’s just like filling up the Facebook and friendster forms, the hard part is choosing my username, I think of something like mountaineering and running, which I like most can be put together. I come up with “sakatdalagan” it is composed of two Bicolano words “sakat” which means climb and “dalagan” run. While working on my blog I open highaltitude’s blog(I come to know his blog when Carina, mam Meriam and I first browse it because of his post about the Makiling Challenge 8 (I will post on it later) last Sept. 13, 2009, we run with him there), I was so interested in running that’s why I try reading on the happenings in the running community here in the philippines. I am a usual visitor of Takbo.ph site, trying to view races that my schedule together with my friends can join. as a student my time runs along with the academic schedule(hope so!! hahahaha) It’s already 1:25 pm, class starts @ 1:30pm, i need to catch up with my academic schedule hehehe, if you want to make your own blog, use my username and try to get it wrong (e.g http://dalagansakat.wordpress.com) hehehe. I hope it works..