Three cheers for 35 years

For a 35th anniversary, normal people might celebrate with gifts, a bottle of wine and cheese, a movie date, or maybe even a nice sit-down party. Normal people would, of course, be partial to a relaxing, stress-free time; one that doesn’t involve running 35 hours through rain or shine to commemorate turning a year older.

But the UP Mountaineers aren’t normal people.

In honor of its 35th year of holding a pioneering role in the Philippine mountaineering scene, members of the UP Mountaineers (UPM) will once again take on the traditional Anniversary Run, to be held from June 28 to 29. For 35 hours non-stop, members will run around the UP Academic Oval bearing the organization’s ubiquitous orange flag, running the grueling laps to reiterate their commitment to responsible mountaineering, environmental protection, and holistic excellence.

It’s the climb: Romi Garduce proudly poses atop Mt. Everest

Symbolic statements don’t get any better than this.

Founded in 1977 by the brothers Boboy, Benjie and Jojie Francisco, Bobbit Palaganas, Ross Lagade and Art Ellson, UPM has made its mark as one of the oldest and most accomplished outdoor groups in the country. Aside from serving as a charter member of the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines, Inc. (MFPI), UPM is comprised of people from all walks of life (i.e., high school freshmen to Herculean-like senior citizens) who share a similar passion and commitment to nature.

In the past years, the organization has achieved its goals of strengthening a community active in the promotion of responsible outdoor practices and environmental awareness through projects and activities such as the Green is Good runs and talks, the Padyak Bike Project, Talikasan Climbs, the Disaster Response Program, and Mountain Search and Rescue Team, to name a few. UPM also holds the distinction of conceptualizing its training program called the UPM Basic Mountaineering Course, one that is used as a model by many outdoor clubs in the country including MFPI and its member organizations. 

Add to that, UPM also boasts a number of esteemed members who have carried its name throughout their various accomplishments. These include Romi Garduce, the only Filipino who has completed the Seven Summits expedition (reaching the highest summits of all seven continents); Noelle Wenceslao and Janet Belarmino, the first women to traverse Mt. Everest; Illac Diaz, the founder of the Liter of Light (Isang Litrong Liwanag) Project; and botanist Leonard Co.

So what does it take to become a member?

Ice-cold success: Noelle Wenceslao and Janet Belarmino, the first women to successfully complete a traverse of Mt. Everest, hold the UPM flag.

Heart, and a whole lot of nerve. The application process is definitely no walk in the park; applicants must abide by the Spartan code of late is late, meaning that if you come in even a minute late for any activity, lecture, or climb — you’re out. Missing an activity is also a big no-no, serving as grounds for expulsion from the whole application process. But don’t worry, the UP Mountaineers aren’t fascists by any stretch of the imagination. They just believe in being the best. And being the best means learning all the ropes — be it in mastering how to pack, building a temporary shelter, completing distance-runs, and yes, even in disciplining oneself to come on time.

Last year, when I got the crazy notion of trying out for UPM, I had absolutely no idea what I was in for. A number of times, I almost wanted to quit. But when life (or the application process) gives you lemons, you make lemonade. And that’s exactly what UPM does best. Not only are its members tough as nails, they’re passionate and committed, too.

Ironically, for an organization as accomplished as UPM, the group is surprisingly low-key. Visit any mountain jump-off point or national park, and more often than not, flags of the various mountaineering groups that have “conquered” the mountain would dot the premises. What’s glaringly absent, however, is the presence of one telltale orange flag.

Flash that flag: Romi Garduce shows the UPM flag atop the summit.

If there’s anything being a member of the UP Mountaineers has taught me, it’s that we can never conquer the mountains — the mountains always conquer us.

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The UP Mountaineers Applicant’s Orientation is open to both new and experienced mountaineers, and will be held on Friday, July 6, 2012, 6 p.m. at the UP Bahay ng Alumni, Diliman, Q.C. and at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at R.O.X, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig.