Holy Week Northern Luzon La Visita Iglesia

In commemorating the season of lent, our 2012 Visita Iglesia took about one year planning and four months preparation to visit fifteen churches from Cebu, to entire Northern Luzon and Manila. Seven audacious friends from our company; Aninz, Gwapz, Erne, Pio, Kleng, Buison and Grengo, four pious friends from Cebu; Hija, Laine, Agnes and Mommy Dais, two spirited friends from Manila and Bicol; Lem and Dondee, respectively, joined me in this travel.

And so the trip went on seeking the fortress in the house of God.

April 04 First Church: Sto. Niño de Cebu (Cebu City)

On the eve of April 04, 2012, I convened everyone for a meet and greet on the first church at our very own Sto. Niño de Cebu Church. It looked so bizarre when everyone saw the faces of their travel mates. We started the Visita Iglesia with candle lighting and prayers for the safe trip and divine guidance.

Transportation.

I made our itinerary on a travel-wise basis; taking it on a night trip while sleeping. We booked our flight to Manila via AirPhil Express on 10:40 PM of April 04, 2012. We used a Toyota Commuter, all throughout our trip to Northern Luzon from Manila, owned by Uncle Mario (09089236100). He fetched us at the airport to meet the group and drove the van going to Baguio City.

April 05 Second Church: Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral (Baguio City)

We arrived in Baguio at 7:00 AM. It was a 6-hour drive from Manila via Kennon Road which was safer and shorter compared to Marcos Highway. Baguio City Cathedral is made of modern and architectural design.

Then we took a breakfast at Good Taste Restaurant near Burnham Park. Foods were very cheap and delicious. We met Michiko (my friend) who sponsored our accommodation in Baguio City. We toured the entire Benguet. We went first to Philippine Military Academy where we met my friend, Capt. Balunso who is a professor of PMA. After the educational tour in PMA, we proceeded to the rest of the tourist spots:  The Mansion, Wright Park, Botanical Garden, Mines View, Burnham Park, Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad Benguet and Lourdes Grotto. A welcome dinner was served also by Michiko.

April 06 Third Church: St. Mary’s Church (Sagada Mountain Province)

Leaving Baguio at 2 AM together with Mel and Jeff (our two drivers), we reached the beautiful and cold place of Sagada after five hours travel. Aunt Martina, the wife of Vice-Mayor Yodong, prepared our breakfast and welcomed us to her house.

Sagada church, old and made of rocks, suits to its heritage place. We visited the hanging coffins that traditionally enriched by the old folks. The famous Sumaging Cave was never forgotten to be explored. We left Sagada on noontime of the same day.

April 06 Forth Church: Cathedral of all Saints Church (Bontoc Mountain Province)

Bontoc Ifugao is about one hour drive from Sagada. On the way, you will see Bontoc Rice Terraces. We had our lunch at the house of Michiko’s cousin. We visited the All Saints Church of Bontoc which has a pretty contemporary structure. We left Bontoc at 2 PM and drove the beautiful mountains of Ifugao where cliffs are homogeneously made and scary somehow because of its depth.

April 06 Fifth Church: Immaculate Conception Church (Banaue Ifugao)

Banaue, being famous because of the Hagdan-hagdan Palayan (Rice Terraces), was travelled from Bontoc about three hours. What is unique of the church of Banaue is the ancient human wooden sculpture at the entrance. We left Banaue at 5 PM and travelled down the mountain going to the Valley of Cagayan.

April 06/April 07 Sixth Church: St. Peter and Paul Cathedral ( Tuguegarao City Cagayan Valley)

From Banaue, it took about six hours to arrive at Tuguegarao City. At 11 PM, we dined at the food chain of the city and took our rest at the beautiful accommodation of Ivory Suites and Hotel (078-844-2249). On the next day, everyone was prepared again to continue the trip at 7 AM. The St. Peter and Paul Cathedral is distinctive and famed of its structure. We went directly to our next destination, Aparri where I planned our breakfast at my brother-in-law’s house.

April 07 Seventh Church: St. Philomene Church (Alcala Cagayan Valley)

On the way to Aparri, we dropped by at the old church of Alcala. The church is marvellously situated along the highway where every traveller will notice the old and stunning church. The caretaker of the church told us to visit also Lal-loc Church the former cathedral of Nueva Segovia, one of the oldest places of the Philippines and was one of the first four major cities in the Philippines.

April 07 Eight Church: St. Dominic Parish Church (Lal-loc Cagayan Valley)

Being ensnared with the suggestion, we headed to Lal-loc and visited the church. Apart from being beautiful in structure of the church, it was so clean and had a good fragrance. When someone told Bishop Sibayan that we are from Cebu, he invited us for breakfast with Fr. Malana. We enjoyed the yellow watermelon and banana.

April 07 Ninth Church: Our lady of the Rosary Church (Aparri Cagayan Valley)

We were three hours late for our prepared breakfast in Aparri. From Tuguegarao, it can be travelled in two hours. Kuya Allan, my brother-in-law, was very kind. He prepared the homemade breakfast for us. After which, we headed to Our lady of the Rosary Aparri Church where there is balcony for churchgoers.

April 07 Tenth Church: Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus Church (Pagudpud Ilocos Norte)

From Aparri, Pagudpud is a five hours drive. On this route, you are travelling the northern tip of Luzon on its seaside. Patapat viaduct and Blue Lagoon were eye-catching. We arrived Pagudpud Church at 4 PM where we met Lemuel, who had his flight from Manila to Laoag. On its few hours to sunset, we visited the famous Bangui Windmills. The twenty turbines powered by strong wind are situated along the windy and wavy seashore of Pagudpud.

April 07 Eleventh Church: St. William Cathedral (Laoag City Ilocos Sur)

After three hours drive, we had our dinner at Formosa Grill in Laoag City. The church of Laoag is very well-known for its structure and you will be stunned by its attractive interior. The belfry where the face of Virgin Mary is seen was indeed captured by our lenses. The lights to its Capitol Building and parks are dancing to its colour.

April 07/April 08 Twelveth Church: St. Paul Cathedral Church (Vigan City Ilocos Sur)

From Laoag, Vigan is two hours drive away. We went straight to our accommodation, Villa Angela Heritage House. Gladly, I early booked the room despite of many travellers and famous people staying in this place because of its traditional and aged structure. Everyone took the rest and prepared for another adventure in Vigan. Ms. Cris (the manager, 09193156122) arranged our free breakfast at 6 AM. The requested four calesas also arrived and ready for tour. It was Easter Sunday, as thanksgiving, we attended a mass at St. Paul Cathedral of Vigan City before our tour had started.

April 08 Thirteenth Church: St. Augustine Parish Church (Vigan Ilocos Sur)

St. Augustine Parish Church is located within the city of Vigan. It is one of the old churches of the place and famous to its magnificent dark orange and old belfry.

From this location, riding on calesa, we headed to Crisologo Museum, Pagburnayan Jar Factory, Baluarte and Hidden Garden where we had our sumptuous lunch. Everyone was excited to unwind as we packed ourselves going to the famous Cabugao Beach Resort, thirty minutes drive from Vigan City. We spent the whole day at the beach and decided to go back to Vigan for our pasalubong and experience the night life shopping at Calle Crisologo, the famous heritage street of Vigan, before we head back to Manila.

April 08 Fourteenth Church: Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Manila)

After ten hours drive from Vigan City, we arrived in Manila at 7:00 AM. We travelled to Quiapo Church, Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene for our morning prayers.

April 08 Fifteenth Church: Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church (Baclaran Manila)

After thirty minutes drive from Quaipo, we arrived at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Baclaran Church. We finally had our long breathe for we had reached our last Visita Iglesia. We gave thanks, we wished and we prayed for the completion and safety of our travel. We finally made it.

The fifteen churches visited, despite of hardship and sleepless nights, are the indication that we structured our friendship and religiously renewed our faith. Together with our prayers, we speak to God that may all our wishes come true and that our very good friend GRENGO, as our companion on this superb and exemplary journey, is on His kingdom having the eternal repose and peaceful journey of his own VISITA IGLESIA.

Retrieving myself...

I know i am not perfect, ive got my flaws... But somehow it made the better me. So its time to replete..
And i am going back to where i have started though its painful. Its time to metamorphose my domicile.

KABAYAN, PASKO NA! …ASAN KA?

Klima…..

Bisekleta…..

Bote…..

Kahon (Balikbayan)…..

Sa loob halos ng isang taong pamamalagi sa bansang Hapon, hindi maikakaila ang mga pagbabagong naganap sa aking buhay. Maraming pagkukumpara, pagtatanto at mga pangarap. Dito nabuo ang mga pagpupunyagi at pagsusumikap. Ang mabigyan ng pagkakataon na makapunta rito ay siyang pinapangarap ng nakararami. Mapalad kami sa pagkakataong ipakita at pagtibayin ang aming kakayahan sa larangan (enhinyero) na aming tinahak. Sa simula’t sapul, kaba, takot at saya ang aking naramdaman nang lumapag ang aming eroplano. Batid ko rin iyon sa mukha ng aking mga kasamahan. Marahil dahil sa ang ilan sa amin ay baguhan at umaasa sa kapangyarihan ng pagkakaibigan na siyang aalalay sa isat-isa sa panahon ng aming pamamalagi. Subalit ang mga pangamba ay pansamantalang inilipad ng hangin ng aming mamasdan ang ganda ng paligid. Naisip ko, sana kapiling ko ang pamilya ko.

KLIMA

Ang taglamig ang unang sumalubong sa amin. Nakakaaliw pagmasdan ang mga munting yebe na bumabagsak. At nang makarating kami sa aming tirahan, sa aking bagong silid hindi ko maipaliwanag ang aking nararamdaman. Kaba ulit. Oo, dahil sa maraming buwan dito ko gugugulin ang aking panahon. At sa gitna ng kuru-kurong yaon, nawaglit ang kaba ng aking pagmasdan ang tanawing dungaw sa aking bintana, ang dalampasigan at mga isla na pawang bumabati sa aking pagdating. Lumakas ang aking loob sapagkat kung tuluyang hinahalikan ng dagat ang dalampasigan at buong puso niyang niyayakap ang isla, buong puso ko ding yayakapin ang bagong yugto ng aking buhay, maging masaya o masalimuot man ito. Bagkus ang tiwala at panalangin ang siyang mangingibaw. At sana kapiling ko pamilya ko..

Taliwas sa lamig ang siya namang init ng pagtanggap ng aking mga kasamahang Hapones sa trabaho. Mababait at masigasig sila sa pagtatrabaho. At bilang dayuhan, kailangan makipagsabayan at iangkop ang ating mga pamamaraan. Salat man sa karunungan ukol sa pananalita at kanilang kultura, naitayo pa rin ang bantayog ng pagkakaibigan. Mahirap sa simula ang pakikibagay datapuwa’t kung ito ay ating pag-aaralan mabubuo ang ating kumpiyansiya sa sarili. Katulad ng unang karanasan sa “Skiing” sa Nekoyama, sa gitna ng malabundok na yebe, pag-aralan natin ang bawat hakbang upang makasabay tayo gaano man kadulas at kahirap ito. Bumagsak man tayo ng maraming beses, alam natin na may alalay sa ating pamilya. At sana kapiling ko ang pamilya ko..

Sa tagsibol naganap ang maraming paglalakbay. Sagana sa magagandang tanawin ang bansang Hapon. Ang kapaligiran nila ay pinangangalagaang mabuti kahit nasa pagragasa sila ng makabagong teknolohiya. Ang pagkakaroon nila ng disiplina sa lahat ng bagay ay siyang bukod-tangi na labis kong hinahangahan. Ito ay makikita mo mapasiyudad man o kumunidad. Sa mga siyudad ng Kobe, Kyoto at Osaka, ipinabatid sa akin na tayo ay hindi malayong maging tulad nila. Hindi maikukumpara nang higit man sapagkat kung anu man ang estado nila, ito ay dahil na rin sa pansariling disiplina at respeto sa kapwa. Sa Hiroshima, nagbalik tanaw ako sa isang makasaysayang pangyayari. Kay lungkot pagmasdan ang pangyayaring dulot ng isang malagim na digmaan.  Paanu na nga ba ang mga taong nawalan ng mga minamahal? Mapalad tayo nariyan ang ating pamilya, mapagmahal at maaruga. At sana kapiling ko ang pamilya ko.

Sa tag-init, naranasan ko sa Tokyo and bugso ng napakaraming tao. Sa sobrang dami nila at abala, may oras pa ba sila sa pagmamahal? Hindi ko alam, pero sana. Ang katanyagan at kagandahan ng Tokyo ay sadyang bukod-tangi. Ang matataas at magagandang artitektura ay lalong pinapaganda ang kapaligiran. Sa kanilang makabagong teknolohiya pinapadali ang lahat ng bagay. Huwag naman sana ang oras para sa pamilya. At sa Tokyo Disneyland, makikita mo ang isang paraiso, makulay at madekorasyon. Idinisenyo ang lugar para sa kasayahan. Karamihan ay mga bata ang nanduon kasama ang kanilang mga magulang. Aking natanto, kay palad ng mga batang yaun, may oras sa kanila ang kanilang mga magulang. Anu kaya ang pakiramdam ng anak na nawalay sa magulang at ang magulang na nawalay sa anak? Nang akyatin naming ang bundok ng FUJI, kakaibang tagumpay ang aking naramdaman. Nang mga panahon iyon, buong puso akong nanalangin nawa’y pangalagaan Niya lagi ang aking pamilya katulad ng pangangalaga Niya sa mapagbuntung- hiningang tanawin na aking natatanaw. Sa bawat tagumpay natin, walang kasing sarap pa sa makahulugang palakpak na maibibigay ng ating mga minamahal. At sana kapiling ko pamilya ko.

At sa taglagas, maraming mga piging ang aking dinaluhan. Maraming masasarap na pagkain, kuwentuhan at tawanan. Totoo man at nakakabusog, kumain na kaya ang aking pamilya? Kasing sarap kaya ito ng pagkain ko ngayun? Sa matunog kong pagtawa, nababalot din kaya ng halakhakan ang aming tahanan.? At sana kapiling ko ang pamilya ko.

BISEKLETA

Sa bisekleta, bilang isa sa mga transportasyon ng mga Hapones, nasusubok ang aking katatagan. Anumang gawain, saanmang lakaran, pamamasyal o pamamalengke, ito ang aking kaabay. Sa bawat pag-ikot ng kanyang gulong ang siya naman ikot ng aking buhay, mapababa o mapataas. Hangga’t may lakas tayong patakbuhin ang ating bisekleta, makakarating tayo sa ating patutunguhan gaano man kabilis o kahina ito. At sa panahon na kailangan nating huminto, gawin natin upang sa ating muling pagpapatakbo nito ang ating bilis ay hindi matatawaran kahit anuman ang hadlang. Minsan sa aming paglalakbay, nasira ang aking bisekleta sa gitna ng maburol na lugar ng Matsunaga. Malimit sa tao ang daanan nila kaya wala ako mahingian ng tulong. Mabuti na lang may mga kaibigan ako na itinuturing kong pamilya. Binalikan nila ako para tulungan. Sa gitna ng bawat pagsubok, sana maging mas matatag ako at may masasandalan. At sana kapiling ko ang pamilya ko.

BOTE

Sa aking bagong tahanan nabuo ang pagkakaibigan at samahang maikukumpara sa isang bote ng alak. Lahat may iba’t ibang timpla. Minsan sobrang pait. Ang mahalaga kaya natin baguhin ang ating timpla para sa pagkakaibigan at pagkakaunawaan. Gaano man kapait ito, lahat ng alak ay sumasarap sa tagal ng panahon. Ang pagkakaibigan sa harap ng tagayan ay lubos na nasusubok sa pang-araw araw na buhay. Lubos kong nauunawaan si kaibigang Maymay kung bakit kailangan ang umpukan. Dito naipapalabas natin ang ating mga nararamdaman kahit ito ay hindi natin diretsahang ipinaaalam. Hanggat may tagay, patuloy ang buhay. Nariyan ang barkadang aalalay sa oras ng kasiyahan o kalungkutan. At sa panahong tumamis ang ating timpla, isang tagay sa tagumpay kasama ang mga kaibigang tunay. At sa muling pag-ikot ng tagayan, basagin man ang bote ng anumang dagok ng buhay, ang samahang hinabi sa hibla ng damayan ay mananatili kailanman. Sa panahong ding iyon, sana kapiling ko ang pamilya ko.

KAHON (BALIKBAYAN)

Kamakailan lang, natapos ko nang balutin ang mga regalo para sa aking pamilya. Habang binabalut ko ang mga ito at inilagay sa malaking kahon, nawari ko sana’y ang isang taong pamamalagi  sa ibayong dagat masuklian kahit papanu ng mga regalong iyon.  Naway madama nila ang aking pangungulila at pagmamahal. At sa tuwing isinusulat ko ang kanilang mga pangalan, mukha ng lubos na pagsinta ang nagmamarka dahil malapit ko nang makapiling ang pamilya ko.

Saan man tayo dalhin ng ating mga mapagpunyaging paa, ang lenguwahe ng pagmamahal ang siyang magiging kalasag natin sa bagyo ng buhay. Pamilya ang dahilan ng pangingibayang bayan upang tuparin ang ating mga pangarap sa kanila. Mula sa aking mga karanasan, paglalakbay, pagtitipon, sa iba’t ibang klima, sa mga tagayan at umpukan, hanggang sa kahong balikbayan, ilang araw na lang at makakapiling ko na rin ang pamilya ko sa araw ng kapaskuhan. Tuwing sasapit ang Pasko ang tanging hiling ng aking magulang ay ang aking pag-uwi. Hindi ko maunawaan iyon subalit ngayon na ako ay nawalay ng malayo sa kanila, ang kahulugan ng pag-uwi ay lubos kong napagbubulay-bulayan.

Habang isinusulat ko ito, napag-isipan kong tanungin ang aking mga kaibigan kung anu nga ba sa kanila ang Pasko. Ika nga ni Nole at XV, dati ito ay isang mahabang bakasyon, paglalagay ng dekorasyon, pamimili, paglalaro, kainan at inuman. Subalit naglaon ang Pasko ay ang pagkalinga, kapayapaan, at pagmamahalan. Panahon ito ng paglimot. Pagpapatawad. Pagbibigayan. Pasasalamat. At higit sa lahat paglalaan ng oras para sa pamilya. Sinasang-ayunan ko ang huli..........ang pamilya.

Nasaksihan ko mismo mula sa aking mga kaibigan kung papaano nila pinaghahandaan ang aming pag-uwi sa kapaskuhan. Si Jo (EJSN), Nole at Elma, abala sa pagpaplano ng kani-kanilang mga kasal. Si XV, Jaye, G. Densio, Sir Jojo at Sir Rudy, sa isang espesyal na bakasyun kasama ang mga mahal sa buhay. Si Mami Corin, sa pagsilang ng isang panibagong anghel sa kanilang pamilya. Si Bb. Chocho, sa kanilang pagkikita ni Toggz matapos ang matagumpay na operasyon at ganun din si G. Maki sa pagkikitang muli ng  kanyang ama. At ang aking pinaghahandaang bakasyon ng aming pamilya. Hindi ko man masambit lahat ng kanilang mga plano, alam kong ito ay gawa ng isang mapagkalingang kamay at isipan. Lahat ng ito ay ang tunay na diwa ng kapaskuhan na siyang namumutawi saanman. Higit pa sa mamahaling regalo, higit pa sa masasarap na pagkain, higit pa sa makukulay na ilaw at dekorasyun at higit pa sa kasayahang dulot ng laro at sayawan, makasama lamang ang pamilya, may noche buena man o wala, ay nakakabusog na.

Sabi nga, walang ibang permanente sa mundong ito kundi pagbabago. Sa kabila ng ating mga pagpupursige, sa kabila ng ating kalungkutan at pangungulila, lahat ay kayang lampasan para sa tinig ng pagmamahal para sa ating pamilya... at bubuuing pamilya. Pag-ingatan natin sila dahil ang anumang karangyaan at tagumpay mayroon tayo ngayun ay balewala kung wala sila. Malapit man o malayo, ang pag-uwi sa ating pamilya ang siyang pinakamahalagang regalo na ating maibibigay sa kanila. Tulad ng pagkakabuo ng Banal na Pamilya, kumpletuhin natin ang kanilang Pasko. Sapagkat, para sa akin, walang ibang permanente sa mundong ito kung hindi……....... ang ating PAMILYA.

Kabayan, Pasko na! Asan ka?

Tokyo Metropolis

Tokyo..

Trip to Tokyo Disneyland

TOKYO DISNEYLAND

PINOY at MT. FUJI: Surmounting the Summit

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PINOY at MT. FUJI: Surmounting the Summit

From books to actual view, one will be stunned the magnificent beauty of Mt. Fuji. Its geography is more than the books can express. Furthermore, climbing Japan's highest (3776 m) and most prominent mountain can make a lifetime memoirs. Yearly, of about 300,000 people climbed Mt. Fuji and we have included ourselves to the list of 30-40% as foreign hikers. The group was comprised of the unexpected turned-to-be representatives of Philippines’ main lands; yours truly, a Bicolano (Luzon), Romualdo Lex Garcia and Jason Tesaluna, both Cebuanos (Visayas),  Christian Valor Monsanto and Ryan Suba-an, an Iliganon and Surigaonon (Mindanao), respectively. The Obon vacation was perfect for the trip from Fukuyama. We headed to the mountain on August 10, 2010 after our 2 days exploration and visit to Tokyo Metropolis.

As dreaming soon-to-be certified hiker and being a resourceful Filipinos, we have gathered the pertinent and vital information about the climb: gears, equipment, clothing, fares, travels, schedules and the rules. Anticipating the accountability and peril of our upcoming activity, things were set months prior the climb. Leaving Tokyo with checklist was made it more thrilling. We took a train from Akihabara Tokyo to Kawaguchiko Station then a Fujikyu bus from Kawaguchiko Station to  Gogome (5th Station). Round trip ticket (2000 yen) makes it cheaper than the usual fare. At gogome, we spent a little time surveying the place and took some pictures. These were also good allowing our body to regulate to the altitude for at least 30 minutes before starting our mount. We bought Fujisan walking stick (1100 yen) as our support, aid and friendly buddy.

Kawaguchiko-guchi Route at 5^th Station was our start off with an altitude of 2,305m. Estimated climbing time to this route is about 6-7 hours up to the 9^th and 10^th station. Following this trail will meet Yoshida-guchi route at the 6^th  station. This is the most popular route and tends to be very crowded. It's one of the longest routes and recommended for beginners.

We have started our hike at around 6:20 PM. The headlight illuminated the trail but there was a supplementary burden because of the rain. We have an ample time to hike at our own pace but we planned to be at the summit before the sunrise. Apparently, though the mount to the summit does not pose any difficulties about climbing expertise, the terrain is tricky steep and rocky. Nonetheless, the challenge of the hike was the arduousness and the air gets notably thinner as you reach higher level. With the aid of oxygen tablet and bottle, we have recovered our tiredness. Moving to another station eats about less than an hour of trek and a food made us relax somehow. The cityscape was just perfect with our tripod in 7^th station. Every station we took some pictures while our walking stick being stamped. This memento costs 200~300 yen per stamped. We made it certain that every station our stick will be engraved, thus making it a little pricey.

The constant pacing we had was then altered and took longer because of multitude hikers ahead of us. Some of them continued the hike after their stay at the hut which costs 5000~8000 yen per night.  The trail was convened where you can see groups from all walks of life with evenly minded individual. Looking the hikers at the rear queue, the trail was lighted by the headlights making it a parade of fireflies going to a feast. It was a remarkably alluring to the eye even though it was very exhausting but the given setting was paid-off. The comradeship was ubiquitous. The hike was pleasurable since there were dissimilar nationalities we saw resting across every station. Incidents such as sudden sliding, leaving the tripod then getting it back, taking picture impetuously, finding strange stuffs along the way like a bag with camera and cellphone, will never be forgotten. Looking the owner that time was quite impossible so I just carried the bag all the way to the summit.

From Hachigome (8^th station) the walk began steep and in Kyugome (Station 9) the track is stony that it will feel like you are rock climbing. You will thank Spiderman since his tricks are a lot applicable when you are about to reach the tori (gate). Caution is imperative because one false step then you will plunge in the depth of the steep or worse your fall might affect all the hikers behind you. At times, there was an instance that you will give-up because that straight hike without sleeping definitely caused us much exhaustion. But tenacity was holding us. I just sung “Bahay Kubo”, repeatedly. But for many repetitions I sung the song, still it’s far away from the peak. I realized reaching the top will make those vegetables in “Bahay Kubo” replanted over and over again before you reach the peak. That was how long I assumed it to be. However we soldiered-on up to the large Tori, which is a symbolic Shinto gate. It marked your accomplishment as having climbed up the mountain.

The expected 6-7 hours hike turned to 10 hours struggle. But the moment I patted my hands to the tori and my feet to the crater, I took a profound breathe and realized, “ Sadyang masarap langhapin ang tagumpay kung pinaghihirapan. Kung gaano man kataas ang ating narating, ito ay dahil nagsumikap tayo na abutin ang ating kinatatayuan. Ang daan hindi naging madali subalit kung matatag ang ating paniniwala at paninindigan, sumasarap ang tugatog ng tagumpay dahil na rin sa mga balakid na iyon. “ And a couple of minutes resting on summit, God likely spoke to me to the silhouette of the horizon and stunning sunlight I had ever seen in my life. A smiling sun between the clouds and sky. How marvellously God painted that moment as a token of our perseverance. A portrait crafted with genuine colour, a light of revitalizing view and a gift of priceless memento. I was elated and astonished. While the sun was shining and greeted us so brilliantly, I prayed thanksgivingly. I felt GOD was very near to me that He will answer the prayer I made that day. I experienced the sacredness of the mountain, as what the Japanese considered it to be. And what else we could do, was tied the Philippine flag to our walking stick then raised it proudly. Every shoot of the camera was a golden period, capturing every move amidst the freezing temperature of the crater. Then laudable remarks was made by everyone when the sun fully blown from its hiding place, “SUGOI!” with clapping hands. Candid, it was a great time. The emotion　felt was unexplainable. And one thing was being recognized: on the zenith above the changing hue and white clouds, self-stem and confidence were being assembled.

Our estimated 3 hours descend has been doubled even with the presence of scree in the trails because bumpy was met in descending. Doing it slowly to make it to the ground was again sacrificial. The pain was nothing, for surmounting the summit of Fujisan compares none other.

Climbing Mt Fuji is indeed a unique experience. And an old saying, "If you never climb Mt Fuji you are a fool, and if you climb it more than once you are a fool" is an immense contemplation. Before we head home, we went to General Information Centre of Mt. Fuji to surrender the found bag with camera and cellphone. Though the owner already requested us to meet him personally, we decided to let the police officer do the returning of the items. We are honest because we are Filipino, weren’t we?

Vacation in Tokyo was certainly enjoyable. Kudos to the group: Lex- our travel coordinator, XV- our tour manager, Sonj- our schedule director, Ry- our official photographer and yours truly – the accommodation arranger. Undeniably planning and travelling with our dear friends make the travel a lifetime achievement. Should you wish to hike Fujisan, plan ahead while winter isn’t commencing and don’t forget to bring our flag- the Philippine Flag.