We Are All Blessed: Mount Pinatubo

There is so much more in travelling.

Some photos were courtery of Ie Sindayen and Irish Gail Degala.

It was Sunday. The Shaw Blvd - EDSA was blocked because INC was doing their vigil. Ie, Irish and I decided to meet at Rob Galleria at 11 pm of Saturday. The meeting place of the entire group was 1 am in Trinoma Parking Lot. We arrived early. We stayed at the parking lot talked about a lot of stuff including the INC issue. So much for that, I met Jam, Ie's friend. Then the whole Tripsanity team arrived. Anyway, the trip made us all excited. The thought of riding the 4x4 which is by the way my ideal car, made me thrilled. It took us 2 hours to travel to Capas, Tarlac where we dined breakfast. After an hour we went to jump off point have everything ready including registration, signing a waiver, have Darz take care of things that needed to be taken care of, picture taking, buying tungkod and last but not the least - applying sunscreen.

Four of us were escorted to our 4 x 4. Ie, Irish, Jam and Moi. It was  the yellow 4x4 looks like Bumblebee, that was assigned to us. We were also with Darz. 

Bumblebee

The trip to Pinatubo crater would take 3 hours. 1 hour by 4 x 4 and 2 hours of trekking. Aside from the Manong Driver there was an assigned tour guide for each 4 x 4, ours is Mang Danilo. Riding the 4 x 4 was a dream come true. We were screaming every time there's a splash of water or the car would drift. They say travel why you're young. I wonder why I never get tired of adventure even if I'm 30 plus. 

The beauty of the place going to Pinatubo was amazing. I haven't been to Safari but I believe it looks like that. There was this point that we stopped and we got off the vehicle to take photos of the view and the cute little Aetas. 

As we entered the area we saw mountains of lahar. So I kept asking Kuya Danilo about Pinatubo. The volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo was back in 1991. I was young then. The ash falls was even experienced in Metro Manila. Thousands of people from Pampanga were affected and the provinces around them. Before the eruption several earthquakes were experienced in Luzon. Thus due to the eruption made the Mount Pinatubo a dormant volcano and the crater which became a lake became one of the destinations in Central Luzon. The crater is the highlight of this adventure. So we climbed our way up to the crater. It's easy to climb Pinatubo but make sure that you're in proper attire. The weather was perfect that day. I was glad trekking and have my feet dipped the water whenever we're crossing streams. I was glad that I got the trekking slippers from Sandugo. Ie and Jam were having fun time having their theatrical scripts delivered. Irish was busy taking pictures. I was following Kuya Danilo, it was really a "chillax climb." We met little Aetas along our way, gave them candies and searched for more Aetas as we went up but there was none as we reached the place with 2 

lovely huts and common room. 

We stopped by. From this place where we got to rest it would take 20 mins to climb the crater. After we peed and washed our face we stayed for few minutes then we walked again. The climbers were only allowed to stay until 2 pm. Everyone was excited to see the crater. You know that feeling when you were little - I was like a kid unwrapping her gift. And it was not the first time that happened - this place caught me by surprise. It was falling in love again. The happiness cannot be contained. Then we walked our way down to the lake. We took photos and we stayed there for an hour and so. Ate our packed lunch. And what else of course - PICTURE TAKING!

Then we trekked back to the place where we left our 4 x 4s. It was another 2 hours walk again. While on our way we saw the same little Aetas and gave them the remaining candies. Picture taking was inevitable and then when we bid our goodbyes. The little girl Aeta said "Ingat po kayo" it was so sincere that it sounded more like a prayer. We replied "Ingat din kayo." They headed their way home, we searched for our 4x4. 

It was about to rain. Ie and I were left at the back as if we were walking at the park and then we heard the lightning  - we ruuuuuuun! Hahaha! Until we found the 4 x 4s. 

One of the 4 x 4 was broken down. I guess the back tire got flat that they have to replace it with a log. They tied another log and towed it to keep it going but as the 4 x 4 moved the log was shattered and the guides and drivers needed to find another log for replacement. When they found one they tied it again and this time it all went well as it moved, but then again we saw this huge mudslide right before our eyes. We were scared. It could almost cover the entire way outside. Rocks were falling and the guides immediately ran and began lifting the rocks. We stayed. Waited for the signal of the guides before we could pass by. 

Mud Slide

We were the 1st 4 x 4 to pass. We were terrified. We waited for the other 4 x 4s but the problem was the 4 x 4 with a log. We waited. We were planning of what to do next. We were at the middle of the lahar mountains and we kept ourselves aware of the surroundings. By this time it's already raining. We even asked them if we could walk our way out they said No. We stayed. Almost stranded. We were scarred but calm. Then the 4 x 4 with the log was able to pass through. We all clapped our hands much to our wanting to be home safe. The rain became our blessings. 

Remembering this travel could make me cry. From the little Aetas to the Volcanic eruption back in 1991 and from the  mudslide and to almost stranded in Pinatubo. This travel is really meaningful to me. It made me realized more that I've been so much blessed in life and with a lot of travels I've experienced and despite of what happened to us in Mt Pinatubo I will never ever get tired of saying Thank you to Apo for keeping us all safe - for keeping me safe all the time. I might sometimes be tired of travelling but I will travel still. 

Treasure every travels. Don't just travel for the sake of travelling but travel because there is so much more in travelling and discover it - nurture it - feel it. Be responsible. 

It was until I reached home when I remember the little Aeta girl who told us "Ingat po kayo."

Ingat po kayo instead of Thank you that sounded more like a prayer. Thank you Little girl. 

Tripsanity

Contact Darz Amata 

0923-366-3365