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U/TREK
History
It was started in 1990 by a group of fun-loving, adventure-seeking
COCOLIFE people like Eric Salmon, Francis Nob, Bey Jimenez-Valera,
Danny Ongchangco, Joyce de Leon, Sonny Ortiz, Jane Tabaquin
and Jun Dizon.
Eric approached a very good friend Fraxie Cabaccang, a PALMC
member, to introduce them to the beauty and excitement of
mountaineering.
Chichay Mateo and Rem de Leon, both of PALMC and Philip Atanacio,
from USTMC, also guided them in knowing the basics of the
sport.
Then in 1991, they formally formed COCOLIFE Mountaineering
Club with Francis Nob as the President and had their first
induction climb in Mt. Banahaw. There they met Peter Valera
of 42kers, an all male mountaineering group composed primarily
of marathoners, and he made a lecture on photography in one
of their climbs on Batulao. In 1992, enter Jojo Isip, a professional
photographer who's taken interest in the beauty of creation
from the mountain's angle.
Together with Fraxie, Chichay, Rem, Philip, Peter and Jojo,
they all became "adopted members of the club" ("adoption"
has been abolished effective January 1996).
At that time, the major positions for officers of the club
(President, Vice-President and Treasurer) had to be occupied
by COCOLIFE employees. Also, when they felt it was time to
register the organization to the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC), COCOLIFE however, declined the use of their corporate
name prompting the members to come with an original name and
Jun Dizon uttered the magic words: UNITED TREKKERS CLUB.
In 1993, they had opened their membership to other interested
souls (non-COCOLIFE affiliates) who would like to be part
of U/TREK. And in 1994, U/TREK was officially registered in
SEC.
U/TREK also engaged in other environmental projects like "Clean Up
the BAY" which started in 1993 as its organizing committee.
This is part of the annual celebration of "Clean Up the
World" event every September in Australia. We also participated
in "Bantay Banahaw" movement every Holy Week, organized
by PALMC. Plant seedlings in the mountains, event charity
works (like medical missions on some remote barangays and
islands).
There had been Basic Mountaineering Courses (BMC), which includes
backpacking, land navigation, first aid, the basics of rappelling
and rock climbing, ropemanship, team building workshop, assisting
the disabled, even painting lessons and basic photography,
that makes the members, truly a well-rounded individual.
From U/TREK's humble beginnings in COCOLIFE, from its founders
to the present batch of officers and members, U/TREK indeed
had gone a long way. Enriching not only one's mountaineering
prowess but also enhancing one's well being.
But more importantly, knowing U/TREK is not just knowing the
climbs they had, or other activities they kept themselves
busy in but rather, it is the people of U/TREK that makes
the difference. The warm smile, a friendly nod, a kind gesture
from the day one alone or during the orientation, you'll be
intrigue to join the group and know for yourselves how these
from-all-walks-of-life professionals come together and make
things happen. Allowing each other to grow and learn as responsible
mountaineers, protecting the environment, and knowing in their
hearts that they are children of God truly blessed.
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