February 1, 2011

Good Morning Makati!

View from our office's window. 6:54 am of January 26, 2011. I used my Samsung GT-S3500I 2MP cellphone's camera. Mas maganda 'to kung high tech camera sana ang ginamit ko. Namumumog ako sa bintana ng opisina tuwing umaga tapos nakita ko 'to. Ganda ng umagang 'yun.

January 26, 2011

List of Famous People Who Stutter

List of famous people who are experiencing or experienced stuttering disorder:
(source: www.wikipedia.org)
*I added Kele Okereke, Bloc Party's singer in the list.

Why people stutter?

Actors

Philanthropists

Politicians

Singers

Sports

Writers

Other people

January 7, 2011

Habagat’s Hamog 50 L Review

I bought my Hamog 50 L in Habagat Recto for Php 3,060 as Ate Jamee (Ms. Tindera) gave me a 10% discount. The original price was Php.3,400 (pero parang lahat naman yata binibigyan niya ng diskwento. Hihi!) Thank you again Ate Jamee!

My first pack was bought from an Ukay-ukay store in Tagaytay City. It was cheap and good for a noob. My back hurts after every climb and I found it hard to distribute the weight so I started hating it. I used it for almost one year and a half. After climbing Mt. Tarak Ridge, I decided to buy a new adventure pack that I’ll be using for future escapades. One time, I borrowed Andre, my fellow climber’s pack, the Sigbin 50. Consequently, I realized the importance of a pack with an internal frame for support, protection and proper weight distribution. I was planning to buy Sigbin 50 or a Margaja at Habagat but when I’m at the store, I became interested with their Hamog 50 L. It also has an internal frame and it’s much alike with Sigbin 50 excluding the suspension, front pocket (and other bag parts I haven’t observed).

The size of Hamog 50 L is 22 x 32 x 76 cm. Fabric is Kodra and or Nylon Pack cloth. Suspension is fixed and padded. It is good for backpacking, long trips, weekend trips and semi-technical climbing. I’ve used it only twice, at the Ambangeg-Ambangeg Trail at Mt. Pulag and New Trail-Old Trail at Mt. Batulao. It was very comfortable at very steep trails like at the Rockies to the peak of Mt. Batulao. It can perfectly accommodate my earth pad, tent, foods, 3 sets of clothes, stove, 3 liters of water, etc. Hamog also automatically balances my body and I feel like it embraces me every time I wear it. It impeccably fits with my back, you just have to adjust the straps and belt. The top compartment and side pockets are good. I haven’t tried the hydration hole but it seem to be like other pack’s H2(hOles). The Shoulder Harness, Chest Strap / Sternum Strap, Hip Belt, Inner and Outer Pockets Configuration, Splash Cover and Spindrift Collar, handles and other straps is perfect in my opinion. A large plastic bag inside is suggested for waterproofing. I guess it’s the most affordable, original and useful 50 L locally made pack for a semi-pro mountaineer like me.

I am satisfied with my Hamog 50 L as of now and so far, I have no negative impression with it. I also suggest that if you guys plan to buy an outdoor equipments or clothing, please patronize our local products.

January 1, 2011

Mt. Pulag Year End Climb XP 2010

“Kilig-to-the-bones” ang sarap. Now I know why they called it the playground of the gods. Enchanted by the awesomeness of the national park, I can’t help but love every second of it. New friends, new experiences and new discoveries, yes!!! I survived the highest mountain in Luzon, 3rd highest mountain in the Philippines. (hihi) Mt. Pulag is the perfect place to reminisce everything that happened in 2010 so to speak.

We took the Ambangeg Trail, which is the easiest trail. Next time I’ll try the Akiki Trail (Killer Trail). Next time… Next time… and I’m planning to climb Mt. Apo this summer. After that, Mt. Everest…. Tapos Mt. Mordor naman… yung sa Lord of the Rings.

Congratulations Inang Asukal! Kahit hirap kang huminga dahil sa nipis ng hangin, nakaya mong umakyat hangang tuktok. Whew! Naalala ko paulit-ulit na yung sinasabi ko nung mino-motivate ko siya paakyat ng Peak. Puro na lang ako “kaya mo yan, malapit na.” Lol! Naubusan na ko ng script. Dati rati pag mga climbs siya pa ang nauuna at nakikipagkarera. Pero siguro di nya kinaya yung lamig ng Mt. Pulag. Sa sobrang lamig dun, pagkakulo ng noodles… wala pang five minutes maligamgam na ulit. Pero wala pa namang record na nag-snow na sa Mt. Pulag kahit na umaabot daw ng -5° C yung temperature dun. Naghahanap ako ng Giant Bushy-Tailed Wild Rat (bowet), Philippine Deer at Long-Haired Fruit Bat pero wala akong nakita (sad). Amazed na amazed din ako sa Dwarf Bamboo at kay Aryana Foreva at Aldrine S pero hindi sila hayop or halaman a'. Marunong lang din silang mag-pollinate.

Thanks to Inang Asukal, Heva Addition, Aryana Foreva and Aldrine S for the pictures. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. Thank you din Trail Adventours!