Portal of Possibilities- Mt. Loay

Everesting Mt. Loay Challenge 2020 was on. We can't sleep due to excitement. Our rest is minimal. Though we are not racers and were not part of the competition but we're still lucky to cover it.

In the middle: Mr. Romualdo "Doi"Calbes

We got up around 3:30 AM, prepared our stuff, took our fast coffee and head to Sta. Cruz from Digos at 4:15 AM. We arrived and met Mr. Julius Paner the Tourism Officer of Sta. Cruz around 4:40 AM. We don't know but we guess he sensed that we were clueless of what will happen so he suggested that we should start immediately. So behold we did start. We aimed to be the first to get into the top so we can cover the event into the finish line. Full of vigor we excitedly trek the treacherous terrain and the hilly mountainside but gain slow progress since we were playing jokes and laughing endlessly along the way even at dawn (we're crazy so be it). We were eager to see the sun coming out but it took for a while and when it did we start taking videos and photos. In the case of Mc Sarona, he is making the pilot episode for his vlog (I wish his vlog will become hit). These are the things that slowed our phase. We also indulged in the sweet earthy smell of the place. I’m sure it's because of the decomposed hays, leaves and some organic matters. It's the scent of nature. Also, a cold gentle breeze of dawn gently touched our skin and face and it’s very refreshing.

We made it into the Elementary School and found the Aid Station. We stayed for a while to drink water. Some of the people we met there suggested a shortcut and we thought it was a good idea. So we ask them to be our guide. Indeed our shortcut fell short. In the middle of our way, we were stuck. The one guiding us took the wrong turn. So we need to undo and find a closer way back from the middle again so that the participants' and our long shortcut connive. Finally, our two courses converged and we were shocked when we discovered that there were already some participants nearing the finish line. Nobody told us that the competition has already begun.

Mr. Julius Paner the Tourism Officer of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur

Along the way into our dismay, we met a familiar face. It's Mr. Julius Paner who suggested to us earlier to start immediately the trek to cover the event, but to our surprise, he consoled us by saying "just enjoy the trek and chill.” Those words comforted us. As we met some locals, we ask them if we were already close to Mt. Loay they replied: "not yet". Our despair grew more. For those uninitiated, if the people from the countryside said "we are getting close" expect that it's not closer than you think. How much more if they said, "you're far enough". Thirst adds to our suffering even more in addition to almost 60 degrees slope. We cannot escape from the truth that we failed to bring water with us. Our throat dried up giving us more difficulty to breathe. But in a twist of fate, there are lots of refreshments being sold along the way in each station. We jokingly said, "Oh! there are several 7 Elevens and Starbucks here.”. We decided to drop by for some buko juice. Better than energy drink for 20 Pesos it’s the best way to get energized the natural way. We gave up the illusion of making first to the top, as we enjoy the scenery. We cannot help but take more photos of ourselves with downtown Sta. Cruz as our background.

Photo by Mc Sarona

Mc Sarona Famous Photographer 

We encountered some participants from other places. They were friendly towards us in fact, we didn't feel the heat of the competition because they were throwing banters and jokes that gave a lighter side to the activity. In addition to that, people were greeting each other, participants and locals alike. It definitely gave ease to our load.

Sweat was all over our bodies. My shirt soaking and wet.  Every time my knees are about to give up I look back and see the Davao Gulf at the east and Mt. Matutum at the south. The view gave us more strength to do more. I said to myself and my companion “Gamay nalang bai!”.

For three hours of vertical trekking, walking, running, and hopping, at last, we made it to the Top. When we get there, we saw that it’s packed with people who crave adventure just like us. The modern-day conquerors. The Freemen of today. The cowboys of the New Wild West. They welcome us with singing, cheering and laughing. We were surprised when we receive a medal for being a 5 Kilometer finisher. I may say it’s a baptism of fire for us. A ritual of acceptance to be a full pledge adventurer.

When we are about to leave, another reality dawn on us. We think that it's better to continue what we have started. It changed the way we see our lives from a different perspective. As a starter, it gives us more freedom and possibilities to do more. It's not a hill or a mountain that we conquered but life itself. Soon we will conquer Mt. Apo.