A few weeks ago, Councilor Celoy Chan of Legazpi invited me to arrange a group outing to Mayon Volcano. The first time I set eyes on it, en route to Camarines Sur, I was awed by its splendor, its very unique land contour. The volcano has a certain undeniable… presence.
Several weeks ago Councilor Chan took us on a lava tour, wherein we rode this really sturdy motorcycle all the way through the passage that had been created by the lava — to a mountain of lava rocks. Two friends and myself meditated on this rock and what we felt was awesome! I could feel the volcano’s strength — and was touched to feel a sweet and nurturing heartiness in its magnificence. I was deeply touched and in tears!
So when the invitation came to climb to Camp One, I immediately said yes. More than a physical exercise for me, it would be like coming closer to the mountain’s essence. What would I feel then?
Hmmmm…On the first part of the climb, I felt quite proud of myself.
Imagine: I had never climbed a mountain before — and here I was attempting this climb. I was with my 12-year-old son Benjamin; a few other media people — including the group of Trip Na Trip headed by Jason; the UP Mountaineers; Marit Yuchengco and Racqui Garcia of the BK Board; and Karina Escudero, BK eco-tourism manager for Region 5. Celoy even arranged for the Red Cross and some AFP guys to come along. We felt very looked after! One highlight of the experience was meeting Ricardo Belleza — a 75-year-old government employee who has climbed Mayon 400 times! My goodness, who would have thought this sprightly, wizened man could be so bold? Articulately, and with well-deserved authority, he gave us tips for the climb: we shouldn’t drink much, should bring something sweet to eat for energy.
So now comes the moment of truth: I would never have made it without my porter! Aside from carrying all my stuff, Salito very attentively held my hand at every crossing, guiding me through it. Sigh...I must further admit that, at times, I had two porters! My son Serafin on my left and Salito on my right. They were fabulous — sweet, capable and very attentive.
My friend remarked, “Gina, you are spoiled!”
Starting at 7 a.m., we made it up there in two and a half hours! Not bad! At Camp One we then rested — there were puddles of really clean water; I even dozed off — and later on we climbed a bit higher and meditated again. Those few minutes made me feel the strenuous climb was all worth it. For brief interludes I even felt I was energetically inside the volcano — it was magical!
Now, the way down was loooong… and I actually felt it was more difficult than the climb up. So I advised Celoy that — for the unexercised urban creature — he might want to have a few carabao to ride on in the future.
My son, on the other hand, was really happy. He was up at Camp One in the first batch. He was livid because we didn’t go to Camp Two and was confident he could make it to the summit. And of course, true to form, he was one of the first ones down.
I need to make mention of Daniel Yuchengco, seven-year-old son of Marit and Tito Yuchengco, who was the youngest climber that day. The only time he had to be lifted on someone’s back was on the way down, when the cogon grass was just so tall, he couldn’t see where he was going.
All in all, I would say the experience was one to be treasured. If you are wary, don’t worry — there are really good porters around. It’s great exercise. You will be left with a hefty appetite — and in need of a good massage — but maybe, like me, the energy of the volcano will leave vestiges in your consciousness that you can treasure forever.
I must also mention that the day before the climb we went up Lignon Hill, where we passed through two tunnels — places where the Japanese once hid during the Second World War! One tunnel had a really tiny entrance (see Benjamin) and the other tunnel was amazing! It was actually cemented inside — and was waist-deep in water. I felt like I was going through a piece of history and wondered what it must have been like back then.
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For those interested in experiencing a hike up Mt. Mayon, call AA Yaptinchay at 0920-9555446, 729-9127; Councilor Celoy Chan at (0927)950-8844; or Angelie at the ABS-CBN Foundation, 922-4842.