Mount Banahaw
>> Friday, July 13, 2012
four years ago, with my boy-cut hair, i had my first activity with the guidance team.
do you guys, still remember this? this was just one of those days. just so amazing!
They say that great individuals don't make great teams, but
the guidance office has to contradict with this notion. It is undeniable
that the guidance office is composed of bright and intelligent staff. With this fact, it has conquered not just the
basic guidance and counseling for the students, but has been continuously
excelling in academic terms to ensure excellence and quality service in
the nature of the job that the office is handling. Thus, fulfilling
its vision and mission.
The key to a great team is
having the right ingredients cooked together, wit, brains, skills and talents
are essentials but not enough - the main ingredient is right relationship. To
intensify the team's relationship, the guidance staff went on a two-day group
intensification activity at Mt.
Banahaw, Dolores Quezon,
away from the busy street of the everyday life, with the guide of the outbound
team from Lakbay-Kalikasan., July 21 to 22, 2008.
The start of the Journey
Around 5:30 in the morning, the 9 guidance staff along with the
Vice President for External Affairs (VPSEA), Atty. Jesus Mayo and his
secretary, Mrs. Humilis Almarez, geared up with hiking suits and backpacks
gathered in the university parking lot, all set for the 2 days
trekking to Mt. Banahaw. Exactly 9:45, the group arrived at Brgy. Kabuhayan, where backpacks were
unloaded with unnecessary stuff. Facilitated by the outbound team, S’John,
S’Raffy, and TL Ron, the staff was gathered in a meeting place of one of the
sects in the barangay, Tres Personas Solo de Dios and was
briefed with the dos and don’ts. It was also forbidden to mention the word
“cult” for it might be a foul word for the residents. Right after, the staff
had themselves ready by doing some stretching and kicking and was soon walking
toward the foot of the mountain where there were makeshift of souvenir stores.
Thus, starting the journey to the first campsite - Crystalino Falls, a 30 meter waterfall, almost
two hours away from the foot of the mountain, where the group enjoyed the adobo lunch packed in banana leaves.
During lunch, the expedition leaders, told about the process of climbing Mt. Banahaw.
Pilgrims would first cleanse their sins in the Crytallino
Falls; the second
stage is the Salamin Bubog where one
should see his own reflection in the water. Not seeing your own reflection
would mean that you are not yet fully cleansed and have to start from the foot
of the mountain again. But one’s you see your reflection; it’s a sign for you
to walk to next stage called Durungawan.
Once you peep into the Durungawan,
you must see the virgin forest which looks like bouquets of broccoli from afar.
A place they termed “paradise”. Again,
if for any reason and one fails to see the paradise, it means, he is not yet
ready and need to repeat the process all over again. The whole group was all
excited but with three to four days to reach the top, there might be a need for
a whole off from work first. Right after the hefty lunch, the team went down to Brgy Kabuhayan, which just took 45
minutes of slides and lending hand, to get the things needed for the overnight
camping. With this, the group recognized the value of responsibility and
concern for the other members.
The candle in the Cave
The next stop was the “Batong
Namamawis”, where it was believed to be producing oil despite any weather.
Before the group was allowed to go near the place, it was advised to remove
sandals and hats as a sign of respect. The group offered a prayer and each one
was given the chance to go around the huge colored black rock and feel it’s
moist before entering the cave. The very first activity was performed in the
cave, the staff was divided into two, and the first group who entered the cave
first was given candles to guide their buddies who were still outside the
cave. And by two's, the group entered the tunnel leading to one of the
river, with cautious in each and every step for there are portions that are
slippery and surrounded by sharp, protruding stones. One wrong move would give
one a bumped in the head. The group was gathered in the middle of the cave to
share each buddy’s experience. In the said activity, the importance of
dependency and responsibility were highlighted. Each one realized
the importance of having some one to guide them in the dark and the
responsibility to give light to the other person. With this, it was realized
that giving a candle for someone doesn’t just help the other person but
lightens one’s own path at the same time.
The night in the mountain
Right after the activity ,the group headed up crossing rocky and
slippery pathways, each one giving a helping hand to each other. When the
destination was reached, the group built tents in front of the altar which
serves as a vigil place for pilgrims and devotees. After bathing in the
cold and fresh water from the river, the group headed for sinigang dinner which was followed by a group activity called
“helium stick”. Using a 3-meter stick, the group was divided to two. There is
really no helium in the stick; it is the way that the team works that makes the
stick go up. Each group should place the helium stick on the ground, have it up
again and walk to the center all together. The stick should be on the back of
the members’ index finger. This is the only way for the group to support the
stick and not be parted to any of the members’ finger. It sounds easy but it’s
actually triply hard. The stick would typically go up instead of going down.
Everyone’s move should be synchronized.
It took time for the two teams to complete the task. It took a lot of
practice, suggestions and tries but no one gave up. In this activity, the group
was reminded with three things: (1) that a group always has a leader to lead,
therefore, members should learn how to submit their selves to the leader’s
voice; (2) although there’s a leader, there should still be openness to
suggestions from group members, and; (3) sensitivity to the needs and weakness of
the team as a whole.
The night won’t be complete without
the social night. Led by Atty. Vic Mayo, the group gathered in a circle, each
one gave praise to God for the blessings that each received within the group. A
sharing that led into tears and laughter, teasing and revelations. Although,
all tired and muscle ached, each one still found time to share stories and
giggled with new discoveries. In this activity, each one learned to understand
things that were not revealed before and at the same time, appreciate each one as a whole.
The Second Day, July 22: Trusting in
the dark
Everyone was already awaked by 7 am. While waiting for the
breakfast, the group took pictures as everyone made different poses. The group
ate itlog na maalat, daing, dried squid,
rice and pancit canton for breakfast, enough carbohydrates to keep the group
going for another half day of activity in the mountain. After enjoying the
sumptuous breakfast, the group fixed the tents and packed things up for the
last activity which is “Trust Walk”. Who ever think that “Trust Walk” is not
possible in the mountain and in the rivers should have a change of mind,
because the guidance group just did. Again, it was divided into two groups, the
first group was the one blindfolded in the mountain course while the second
group’s turn was the river course. Different location but both were difficult.
Tracking the mountain slopes was slippery and there were lots of uneven trails
while on the river course, there were lots of stones in different sizes. As
everyone would know trust walk is a matter of trusting your partner. Believing
with what he commands you and not listening to destruction around you. It is a
challenge both for the one blind folded and the guide. The guide is solely
responsible for the partner’s safety and should be the navigator to avoid
obstacles. The guide, therefore, learned about the challenge and responsibility
of taking care of another individual’s well-being. The one blind folded learns to trust, listen
and rely to the other person. The group hollered as everyone surpassed all the obstacles
without getting wounded, without giving up amidst the absence of something, and
trying the best to cover up for each other’s flaws. When everyone’s finished
with the course, the group headed to one of the mountain rivers, which was said
to be 30 ft deep. Everyone wants to reach the mini falls, but for one to go
taste the water of the falls, one needs to cross the 30 ft deep river, however, not
everyone knows how to swim. The group worked hand in hand helping those unable
to swim to cross the river. Finally, everyone was able to taste the natural
mineral water and freshened each body with cool splashes coming from the mini
falls.
All soaked with the river’s water, the group headed back to the
campsite ready to go back to the city. The group thanked God for the sheer joy,
fun, excitement and safe achievement of the activity. And for another reason, the fact that the
guidance staff is not just a group of intelligent people working together for
personal gain but a team that will work all together for the achievement of the
whole.
Great individuals don’t make a great team. This will only
serve as a myth for the guidance team. For as long as the team understands each
other and accepts each other’s weaknesses, the guidance staff will remain as a
great team- a strong and effective team.
It doesn’t matter how many countless steps and slips did it take the
team to reach the destinations. No one mind knowing. The team is all but busy
looking and caring after one another, determined to reach the destination,
making sure that no one was left behind.
and so, this is beauty!
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