PLDTMOCI ADVENTURES

After completing all PLDT Mountaineering Club’s (PLDTMC) Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC) requirements and having accomplished all training climbs, the PLDTMC Batch III, were ready for Induction as full-pledged mountaineers. Prior to the Induction Climb, the PLDTMC trainees have scaled Mt. Banoi, Mt. Cristobal 1,500 meters above sea level (ASL) and Mt. Banahaw (2200 m. ASL). PLDTMC has selected Mt. Halcon (2586 m. ASL) as the venue for PLDTMC Batch 3’s Induction Climb, slated on November 30 to December 2, 1996.

Mt. Halcon is the Philippines’ third tallest mountain. It is widely known as "the killer mountain" or "lagpas-ulap" to the Mangyans. To the locals, the summit is called "Sialdang". There are several jump-off points, but the more popular ones are those in Barangay’s Lantuyan and Mayabig, in Baco, Oriental Mindoro.

The designated Expedition Leaders for this climb were Noel Farrales (Mkti PABX) and Ernesto Joel Santos (OSD). The trailmasters are Tony Dimatulac and Danny Sta. Cruz, both from Makati OPSIM. Overall Sweepers were Manny Caneos (StockServe), Jonjie Maranan (MetNet) and Rodel Santos (ColGovSpec).

On the dawn of November 30, 1996, after spending the night at PLDT Batangas and taking the first trip of the ferry, the PLDT Mountaineers and Inductees arrived at Calapan. Whilst breakfast was being savored, the other members were making coordinations with Halcon Mountaineering Society (HALMS).

The jeepney taking the group to Baranggay Mayabig was unable to cross the river going to the jump-off point. The contingent of PLDTMC had no other alternative but to cross "thigh-high" river. Because of the strong current flow, a human chain was formed so that everyone can safely cross the river.

At Baranggay Mayabig, everyone did last minute equipment checks and body stretchings, lead by Lito Cespedes (Mkti OPSIM). The first two hours of uphill trek was relaxed, considering that the weather was cooler than normal. At the first Mangyan village, along the trail, several mountaineers re-loaded their trail water containers. Lunch was taken at a clearing near another Mangyan village. For most of the trainees, it was their first time to encounter the famous "Limatik", a blood-sucking parasite which looks like a worm (not to be mistaken for leeches). The contingent were forewarned about these maggots, since this part of the trail is known as "limatik" country.

After lunch, everyone was set to continue trekking to "Aplaya", the campsite for the first day. It became evident that the weather was deteriorating. When the mountaineers reached the first water source, it started raining. Four hours of continuous climbing, crossing watered gulleys, ravaging rivers and flashfloods never dampened the spirits of the wet climbers.

Since this part of the trail is a rainforest, nightfall came early. Equipped with headlamps and powerful mini-maglite torches, the night trek seemed to be unending. Finally, two hours into the night trek with "Aplaya" still not reached, the PLDT Mountaineers decided to bivouac on a small ledge.

Evidently, it is the first time for the trainees to camp at a bivouac. With the unrelenting rain pouring, four tents were pitched. These two-man tents accommodated eighteen of the cold and soaked mountaineers. Groundsheets were placed as canopies to protect the camp from the elements of nature. Because each tent was cramped, very few had a decent sleep.

The following morning, still with the relentless rain pouring, everyone shared a hearty breakfast. After resting and breaking camp, the expedition leader gave accounts of the proximity of "Aplaya". It was then decided to pursue the trail leading to the campsite. After two hours of continuous ascent, the campsite was finally reached.

The first group of inductees, namely, Group Leader Onie Villapando (MetNet), Adelle Comia (FinAcctg), Vines del Rosario (CustCare), Mallix Huidem (RTD-North Pque.), Louie Lopez (Warehouse) and Tailman Zaldy Cayton (IOTServe),were the first ones to pitch their respective tents. Soon after the group led by Dong Dangel (MetNet),consisting of Molly Cordova (CustCare), Alice Pulido (GMMS-NOSD), Mannix Mariano (GMM Bus. Offc.-Diliman) and Tailman Ed Pike (IOTServe), likewise set up their camp. The day was spent resting and recuperating from the previous day’s rigorous trek, while awaiting for the weather to improve.

Due to the constraint of the weather, the PLDTMC Officers decided that the trainees be inducted in "Aplaya", and not at "Sialdang" Peak as planned. Normally a formal affair to mountaineers, the induction rites were accorded unconventionally. PLDTMC welcomed their new members under the pouring rain.

The trek from "Aplaya" to Baranggay Mayabig lasted seven hours. After the initial wash-up, the river isolating the baranggay was crossed, since the hired jeepney was waiting on the other side of the bank. The river was swollen to the extent that the dike controlling the river flow was submerged. The PLDT mountaineers, forming human chains walked atop the submerged dike. As nightfall came, the group was on their way back to Calapan Pier.

The other members who joined the Batch 3 Induction Climb are Eugene Silva, Merlin Siscar , Benito del Mundo, all from Mkti OPSIM, Virginia Wamelda (CustCare), Rowena Duran (GMMS-NOSD), Erlites Ramos (GMMN-IOSD) and Mike Salalila (QCID).