Inspiring Saypung

Visit www.pinaymangatkatay.blogspot.com He said he is happy to have found an article on this passion for mountaineering which I penned last year entitled "Siren song of Sagarmathaji's heights" for this column which he said has inspired their climbs thereafter, and in fact has given birth to "Saypung" (which means "summit" in Waray), a group composed of high school students who share with me this passion for mountain climbing. Mr. Hidalgo, a high school teacher, helped in the formation of the climbing team and is the current adviser of Saypung. Mr. Hidalgo wrote: "Saypung would like to extend our thanks to you pinay_mangatkatay for being our guiding star during our two-day successful ascent to the highest peak of Tacloban-Babatngon mountains last November 4 to 5. Meet my students Omar and Ian who are very thankful for all the information you provided us through your column which proved to be very helpful. Meanwhile, Mr. Hidalgo's essay read: "the cold wind swept over our skin, our flesh, our shadows as the sun followed its course to dip beyond mountain ranges. Under tree canopies, we marveled at the seascape down Mount Kanlanti as we cheered and rejoiced at the beauty this side of Leyte from up there. My soul began to thirst for immortality as I fixed my gaze on that torquoise lake lying below. Daylight began to hide from behind cotton clouds. Dusk came but promised to chart a new beginning. As twilight gobbled up the mountains and swallowed the greeneries, I played in my thoughts the friendship I am sharing with my students. This friendship was tested during the trek. I felt a flood of peace awash my soul as these boys I call brothers took their journey into slumber tired from the day's climb. I was there awake the whole night keeping watch as their faithful guard. I was glad to see them cloaked with tranquility while the sounds of crickets and roosting birds echoed in the stillness of the night. From the summit of Mount Kanlanti, I feasted on fascinating lights from fishermen's boats at the mouth of the bay that stretches toward the northeastern side of Tacloban where these lights seemed to serve as lighthouses. The cold breeze whiffed through every single fiber of my flesh. Beforehand, the mist along the road to the summit pushed my eagerness to experience life on the summit despite the exasperating trek. We were Kasaka back then, Waray term for "climbers". We adopted a new name Saypung, per advice from pinay_mangatkatay and had undergone transformation from there on with the way we look at mountain climbing as a shared passion. Though we are amateurs yet when it comes to backpacking, hiking, and or trekking, we are starting to become more mature mountaineers as we face the challenges that go with our responsibilities toward nature."

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Thank you very much Sir Nick for this contribution and thanks for making me, also an amateur "mangatkatay", your inspiration.

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TEXTPRESS URSELF! "I read ur write up abwt alibata, nice job! Do u always feature local musicians? - Armor (www.songplanet.com/armor, www.fiestamundo.com/armor_experimental) 16-Jan-2006 13:12:26.."Ive read ur review of that bandgroup identified with Earth music ds morning. It's nice 2 know der r stil writers like you who talk about culture. - Tseko143 13-Jan-2006 19:16:01

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For your comments, reactions, suggestions, contributions crank up my email addy: [email protected] or for feature requests text me at 09215323616. For previous articles, visit www.pinaymangatkatay.blogspot.com. Thanks!