It's the hike!

Mt. Samat Hiking with friends and colleagues

It was a guh-reat weekend!

I went with some of my friends and colleagues on a hike to Mt. Samat. Last year, I also did the same, but only with Marlon, but now, we called up some of our friends to join us. From the arch that welcomed tourists to the “Dambana ng Kagitingan”, we left our cars and dragged our backpacks up the hill.

It’s a 7-kilometer hike, with curves and ‘shortcuts’ (trails that go uphill through the woods, making the actual distance from the road to the top much shorter). Off we went to some shortcuts, off the roads and into the woods.

It was drizzling—we were short of breath, had wet shoes and clothes and were unattractively sweaty. Still, I marveled at the scent of the wet soil, grass and trees as we stepped on drenched fallen leaves and branches, and fought against gravity and our aching heels, holding onto tree trunks and stones.

I also loved the feeling of being wet in the wilds. Sweat mixed with rain drops on your forehead. You'd be thinking, "Is it the sweat that's dripping or just the rain?" Never mind! I was on a mission to hike up the steep, slippery trail!

I half-expected to find snakes. I half-expected I would fall off because of the steep slippery ground, and at one point, I did fell. It was hilarious! I laughed hysterically as Marlon described how quiet it was until he heard a loud thud ahead of him. That thud apparently was me falling flat on my ass as my sneakers betrayed me of its grip on the soil. Good thing I didn't fall, otherwise I would be rolling over my friends and officemates like a snowball.

I also marveled at the fog. Lots of it. You almost couldn’t see anything, especially if you’re driving. Cars had flashing hazard lights and drivers were being extra careful by really slowing down on the steep curves and honking.

It was so cold but we barely noticed because of all the sweating, until Neslie's sister, who joined us in this hiking, pointed out how when you breathe out, you see ‘smoke’…Wow! I felt I was in a Russian movie.

When we reached the top, veterans and their families were there to attend the Araw ng Kagitingan (Bataan Day) Celebration, an event commemorating the soldiers who fought against the Japanese. Lots of politicians and their entourage. Oh, the president was there as well. We got to see him up close! He looked exactly how I imagined him to be.

We ate breakfast there ‘like there’s no tomorrow’ before we hitched at Conrad’s pick-up truck on the way down.

Jump shot with my officemates. So gay!!! Hahaha

Conrad, me, Brixx, Marlon and Mon - the Mommaz Boyz.