Monday, February 25, 2013

baLOVEbag 2013

Funclimb/outreach project at Mt. Balagbag in Montalban, Rizal.Brought to you by M.A.F.I.A. (Mars And Friends In Action)



FEBRUARY is "LOVE MONTH" indeed. We celebrated our post Valentine's Day at Mt.Balagbag in Montalban, Rizal. This project was dubbed as "baLOVEbag 2013".

It was a very worthwhile activity full of fun and SURPRISES! We spent almost an hour with the kids. We did storytelling and distributed books and school supplies. It was an "impromptu" event for we didn't have coordination with the barangay. I just knew that it is a community and we just have to gather the kids. Fortunately, we were welcomed by the barangay officials. Thanks to madam Leony and OIC Danny de Luna.












Thanks to the kind-hearted volunteers for being a part of this project. As Mother Teresa has said, 
"We cannot do great things, only small things with great love."
So from the bottom of my beautiful heart, let me thank my fellow mountaineers mem Emm Balabat, mem Jenny Espeno, and sir Milo O. Ramos Jr.; Papa A's Angels aka HARDCORE mountaineers with soft hearts Jhoanna GraceYuri Ishida, andIris Batuigas; Papa Dom, our photographer ( I therefore conclude, malakas makapagpagwapo ang SLR.hehe); my cousins who were firsttimers Ghedlaloo Marquez Fadriga andGeneroso Fadriga aka Papa JR.; my co-teachers incrediBelinda, Gelds Pedro, and Shen; and opkors, OPKORS (kaway-kaway!), our storyteller Jubebang who came just to share the story "Bruhaha". Always remember that we are all B.R.U.H.A. in our own ways.
Brave. Resourceful. Unique.HARDCORE.Amazing.

Salamat, mga ka-M.A.F.I.A! Til our next project!


*As per mountaineering experience, it was my 3rd time in Mt.Balagbag. But as the quotation goes, "You never climb the same mountain twice, not even in memory. Memory rebuilds the mountain, changes the weather, retells the jokes, remakes all the moves."
But it was my first time to notice the school in the community (considering that I am a teacher). It was also my first time to interact with the family staying in the "kubo". It was also my first time to ride a motorcycle. Yes, I did...because I have to accompany my friend who had experienced difficulty in trekking (she just came from Mt.Apo climb.hehe).
It was also my first time to climb with mem Emm, the Pinaytrekker. And it made this climb VERY special because we share the same passion for travel and adventure plus we are both advocates of WORLD PEACE (chos!).And we are going to conquer Mt.Mayon together...soon!


For the firsttimers, I salute you! I send my warmest congratulations to teacher Shane, teacher Gelda, cousins Ghed and JR, and nurse Dom.
"But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or live. Chained by his servitude he is a slave who has forfeited all freedom. Only a person who risks is free. The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; and the realist adjusts the sails."

It's fun to climb with friends but it's MORE FUN to CLIMB with a PURPOSE.
Mabuhay di lang para sa sarili, kundi para sa kapwa(hayahay!), sa bayan, at sa Diyos.

"Masarap mabuhay. Kung hindi ka nasasarapan, ibahin mo ang timpla." BOOM! ♥ ♥ ♥