tagabukidPH

The last time I've climbed a mountain was almost eight months ago when I braved the roof of the Philippines. I’ve been out of the country since October 2011, and how I miss the outdoors and my occasional dates with MoNa.

Singapore was no doubt an advanced country, with strict governance and rich in heritage. Despite its progress, Singapore managed to preserve parks and wild lives in respect to its past culture and as well as attractions for both locals and tourists.

When my colleagues found out that I fancy the outdoors, they told me to check out Bukit Timah Nature REserve. Busy schedules deprived me of going there (it's about an hour away from my place of residence) but found an opportunity today to go there and experience Singapore's trail offering.

Surprisingly, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve houses Singapore's highest point. It's more of a hill than a mountain, actually. Therefore I don't know if I have the right to brag that after Philippines' highest, I've climbed Singapore's highest next.

Dressed in jeans, dry-fit shirt and my reliable Merrell and TNF Recon bag, I reached Bukit Timah Nature Reserve at almost noon. Fortunately the weather is not that good so I was somehow spared from the scorching noontime sun.

Reaching the summit was, literally, a walk in the park. A steep park, that is. They have provided concrete and wooden stairs for accessibility purposes but I sure am that most of the experienced climbers will find it a pain the knee. Taking a flight of stairs causes more punishment than the natural upward trail due to repetitive actions taken by the knee. It's supposed to be trekking, not stair-climbing; then again, beggars can't be choosers.

Within less than 20minutes I was already at the summit, although during the earlier part of the trek I was trying to catch breathe since my last climb was June of 2011. However, the summit is just the beginning.

Along the summit trail are forks leading to different paths, namely: Rengan path which eventually leads to the Dairy Farm Loop; North View Path which leads to a hut that contradicts its name for it has no view at all; Seraya Loop circling the Seraya Valley; Quarry Road which is as boring as hell; Catchment Path leading to Belukar Track, a cycling trail; Rock Path which, as the name implies, requires one to traverse boulders during the trail assault; Cave Path with an eerie cave in the middle of the trail; Keruing Path which is a short path highlighted by tall Keruing trees; and Taban Loop which directly leads to the Visitor's Center at the start of the trek.

Aside from these forks are four "major" trails: Red, Yellow, Blue and Green. There also exists a Pink Trail called Kampong Trail though it stretches out of the Nature Reserve Boundary; and a Gold Trail or the Cycling Trail. But only the Red, Yellow and Green trails are headed towards the summit.

Surprisingly, at the end of the Dairy Farm Loop I chanced upon The Wallace Trail named after Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons in honor to his efforts in helping his team win the NBA 2004 title. Vegetation is much thicker and majority of the trail is not yet developed. But there are trail signs – rather, trail posts painted with purple on top – along the way to guide the trekkers properly. It was at the early part of this trail that I encountered a small Big-Eye Green Whip Snake peeking within the grass (luckily I’ve managed to spot it because it really blended with the surroundings). I hope to see more snakes but it’s the only one I saw. Within this trail I also came across a big Nephila pilipes spider with orange feet. However, wild monkeys roam abound in the Taban loop.



Overall, I've completed Bukit Timah Nature Reserve in a span of four hours. As I mentioned earlier, summiting is easy, but it was just the beginning. Nothing spooky except for the Cave Path because after I took a picture of the cave I began to hear strange noises inside then I went "dafuq?!" and quickly pushed ahead of the trail. Wild animals are more scared of you as you are to them. Nothing quite dangerous; well maybe the Rock Path can be considered. If you are an inexperienced climber but is on for this challenge, better take special precautions especially when it's raining as the rocks can become pretty much slippery (as in my case since it rained when I proceeded there).

My recent date with MoNa may not be considered as a climb, though it somehow quenched my thirst for the outdoors. It may pale in comparison with what I've experienced before but it's a rewarding experience, nonetheless, since I always find it refreshing to be disconnected from the modern, crazy world once in a while.

And of course, the Ben Wallace reference is just a joke. Come on!

minsan, ang hirap mangarap...
pero minsan, yung mga pangarap lang natin ang dahilan kung bakit ginagawa natin ang mga bagay na hindi natin akalaing magagawa natin...
yun lang, sadyang di lahat ng pangarap natutupad...
kahit parang abot kamay na...
ganun talaga siguro, may mga hindi dapat mapasaatin kahit gaano pa natin ito kagusto...
basta, wag na lang titigil sa pangangarap...
wag papatalo sa kabiguan...
hangga't marunong kang mangarap, tuloy ang buhay...
tuloy ang pag-asa...

like a dry river flowing within
reflecting the pain through misty pupil
the quiet scream of silent agony
the punishment of the moment

please don't let it come
pull the inching minutes away
prevent the dreaded scene
the punishment of the moment

or please let it come
yet make it swift and fast and quick
deny me the time to think
the punishment of the moment

look into the window of my soul
have a peek of what's going on
you'll see nothing but traces of
the punishment of the moment

to my fellow eighties babies, i believe, personally, that our generation is the near, if not, perfect one. it seemed as if the world matured the same time as we...


during our elementary days, the world, like us, was young...

as a kid, we grew up with educational tv shows (batibot leading the pack) and entertaining cartoons sans the violence and hysteria that seemed to be the trademark nowadays...

we are the last generation of urban kids who experienced extreme fun out in the streets; wounded knees and stained shirts after school from playing habulan and agawan base...

no gadgets from daddy or mommy or kuya or ate to borrow, yet we've had the time of our lives in the street through real-life social networking and imaginative plays...

-----
during high school, the world around us evolved as we experienced changes within our selves...

the opm scene came alive ushered by revolutionary approach by the eraserheads, who later composed the soundtrack of our youth... from ABCs and happy birthdays, we learned to appreciate popular music...

even without the aid of technology, we know who, where and when to meet up for our occasional malling or house-hoppping trips...

from toy guns or barbie dolls or both, our attachment to games shifted to basketball; aren't we proud we lived in the era of the great michael jordan, and PBA's golden years (classroom almost torn during Alaska vs Ginebra by mocking our respective basketball idols)? ours was the time when sports were played by heart, not by hype or salary; and we, the audience, were rewarded with pure excitement and fun...

and how about gimik and tgis weekly tv boopers to accompany our puppy love/ligawan phase? even the toughest bully for sure watched an episode or two...

-----
the entry of college gave birth to a young technology which is now as common as soap and toothpaste... and come graduation time, the world seemed to have graduated from being fun as well...



as we see life clearly, things that flirted with our imaginations during our youth slowly faded in the background (breakup of the eraserheads, rise of revivals that suck, decline of people's interest in the pba, retirement of mj, recycled soap operas, too much media frenzy, etc.)...

as i see it, the world, like us, has changed... the comforts brought about by technology is good, but not suitable for all ages. i'd rather have my son grow up playing in the streets than in front of the computer. i'd rather scourge for 80s cartoon videos and let my son watch it than bloody animes and senseless reality shows. i wish my son, and our children, could experience what we've had back in those days -- the 80s that shaped whoever we are now...

change is good; i just hate how it sucks that growing up is mandatory...

ang bayan kong pilipinas
luha ang dulot ng letseng tax
pagibig at sss di pa sapat
take home pay, daan-palad

at sa kanyang media't politika
gaguhan ang syang sagana
bayan ko, paano na?
nasadlak sa dusa

itlog sa may layang lumipad
puputulin pag di tiyak
pagbabalik ni gloriang corrupt;
ang siyang sabik na makalayas

pilipinas kong minumutya
pugad ng luha at dalita
aking adhika
makita kang sakdal laya... :-(

kuwa-kuwa-kuwa-kwak (3x)

dyusko andami!
wag mo 'ko dare;
basta whatever,
wala 'kong care!

you want kwek kwek,
o may balat;
and i will never ever ever eat that yuck!

ay anong itim, parang uling!
yucky ka friend, wag mong kainin!

so there's another... look, sa tabi ng ice;
newspaper at salt na iodized!

itlog ng bibe, bibe, bibe ohh!
itlog ng bibe, bibe, bibe no!
itlog ng bibe, bibe, bibe no!
ay balot penoy yan!

oh the boxing result was awful,
and the boxers are not delightful;
since the judges didn't give a draw,
let it go!
let it go!
let it go!

it doesn't show signs of knocking,
so the crowd let the cans go flying;
the game ended with no KO,
let it go!
let it go!
let it go!

when it finally called a night,
how they want to have another round;
bob arum will stage another fight,
ah pay-per-view will be wild!

the people are still fighting,
and, oh dear, they're all debating;
a lot of thoughts will still flow,
let it go!
let it go!
let it go!

"it's hard to appreciate the weekend without going through the hardships of each weekday; it's the cycle of living the mid-life..."

"the only way to prevent nightmares from happening is to keep chasing your dreams..."

"in times of failure, do not dig for excuses; find motivation instead..."

"hard to let go of something if giving up is not a part of the plan..."

"it's funny how a series of disappointments could make you forget the good stuff easily... we tend to forget that in order to appreciate happiness, one must undergo a great deal of sufferings and defeats... just keep hanging on..."

"kung magresign ako dahil di ko na kaya ang pressure, pano kong kakayanin ang mas matinding pressures na darating? kung magresign ako dahil di ko matiis ang ugali nila, sigurado bang sa malilipatan ko lahat ay mababait? kung magresign ako dahil maliit ang sweldo ko, di kaya't lifestyle change ang kelangan? bakit ang ibang mas mababang sweldo sa akin ay nabubuhay naman araw-araw? kung magresign ako, magresign ako dahil..."

"in times of great bloody pressure, focus and composure are the keys..."

"a lot of people aspires to be promoted; but only a handful are really ready to take on the next step, to withstand a greater responsibility... it's not about pride, rather it's about maturity... and only a handful comprehends..."

"not every opportunity that knocks deserves an open door..."

"the secret to a couple's happiness is respecting each other's happiness..."

"nothing goes higher than the top except your dreams... no matter how many times you fail, determination overcomes limits..."

"dreams take time to accomplish; otherwise, there's nothing worth looking forward to..."

"when reality fucks you, make sure you are protected..."

"the absence of expectations brings about contentment..."

"you may be better than somebody, but another somebody is better than you... the world makes sense afterall..."

"life is pretty simple; it's mere pride that complicates it..."

"understand before you interpret, and don't let emotions rush in..."

"keep looking at the negatives and you'll be forced to go; learn to love the positives and you'll eventually grow..."

"If you promised a BigMac and can't fulfill it, at least compromise with a Quarterpounder and not just a mere Cheeseburger..."

"disappointments and frustrations come and go; tomorrow's another day..."

"specto pessimus, spero optimus..."

"having the right tool doesn't necessarily mean you have the right knowledge to use it..."

"those who try to sound impressive are prone to embarassment..."

"the best time for change is now..."

"an experience should be experienced to be considered an experience; else, it remains just a mere fact..."

"when you're expecting something, don't wait; it will only make the anticipation unbearable..."

"keep your promises simple; expectations will be minimized, disappointments will be low..."

"leaving is unnecessary as long as there is a good reason to stay..."

"dreams are not accomplished in an instant, in a manner that you planned, in the way you pictured it to be... sometimes, the essence lies in waiting... and waiting... and waiting..."

Whenever I get tired of the urban life,
There are only two places I want to be:
First and foremost is beside my wife;
Next is the outdoors, cause we're born free!

My wife, despite being the same,
Offers something new everyday;
Even her constant smile in my picture frame,
Never fails to drown a stressful day!

The trails, the views, the assault, the descent;
No matter how punishing, no matter how mild...
Every blockbuster pales to what Mother Nature presents;
I always love to answer the call of the wild!

Whenever I get tired of the mundane urban living,
There are only two places I want to be;
And I look forward to Baby Aeon's coming,
So my haven will increase to three! Weee!

......Ab
Your smile so cheesy

...Gm
It makes me dizzy

...F#
It drives me crazy

.....Fm
It's never easy


..Ab
I want to love you

..Gm
I want to kiss you

..F#
I want to hug you

..Fm
I can't go near you


.....G...................Gm
And I can't make you fall

....Em................A
So I'll just rock and roll


(Same chords: Ab-Gm-F#-Fm)
One day you asked me
Why I looked so lonely
I said don't worry
I'm only sleepy

Gotta be cool and steady
Until I'm ready
Just like Freddie
So you'll be my lady

But can I make you fall?
Or I'll just rock and roll?



Abm....Gm..............F#m.....................Fm
I never thought you'll open up your doors to me

Abm....Gm.................F#m....Fm
I never thought you'll be able to see

G.........F
Feelings hidden before

G............... F
Can't ask for anything more

E.................A
So please say "yes"


But

(Same chords: Ab-Gm-F#-Fm)
How can you say yes
If in the first place
I never asked you
If you love me too

Will there be any
Chance that maybe
You'll entertain me
As your sweetie?


..........G...............Gm
Ah just forget of them all
Em................A
I'll just rock and roll


.........G............Gm
I'll just wait for my call
Em................A
I'll just rock and roll

my webcam's ready, in front of my lappy
i'm sitting pretty, waiting for one hot lady
well here she comes, ready to impress
ain't she a bomb? wearing her bday dress

i entered "hi", she replied "hello,
how're you baby? ready to see me go?"
my bp shot up as she danced in front of me
flashing like an animated, dirty magazine


Chorus:
virtual satisfaction
i don't mind your reaction
side-effect of technology
a pixelated fantasy


my credit card's maxed out, as she licked her mouth
her appeal keeps me busy, as my hand headed south
the volume increases, my chair's rocking hard
and my mind's drifting through pleasure boulevard

and after we've exploded our sinful desires
she terminated the service, without saying goodbye
reality bites me, down straight to the bone
burned all my savings, yet i'm still all alone

virtual satisfaction
i don't mind your reaction
side-effect of technology
a pixelated fantasy

virtual satisfaction
senseless form of addiction
can't help it whenever i log on
wish the internet was never born

The world revolves around my thoughts
I am the actor, the host, the lord
Limits do not exist
No temptations to resist
Where your absence persists

I can't deny what's real
Random illussions feed my mind
For in my dreams I am immortal
In waking your blows are fatal

Reality exists in my slumber
Away from your wounding powers

Let my body sleep and relax
Calm me, sedate me, get on my tracks
Value serenity
Somehow near eternity
Keep your ghost from hunting me

I can't deny what's real
And I don't care what you feel
For in my dreams I am immortal
In waking your blows are fatal

Reality exists in my slumber
Away from your wounding powers

well she believes in aliens and ufos
she believes in ghosts
she believes in stories untold

that's fine with me,
i don't find her odd,
it doesn't change a thing,
no reason to be mad

well she believes in angels and demons
she believes in hell
she believes in magic spells

that's fine with me,
i don't find her odd,
it doesn't change a thing,
no reason to be mad

well she believes in fairy tales
so i gave her a ring
want to give her a happy ending

but it's not fine with her
and now she's acting odd;
in almost everything
she believes! she believes!

that's fine with me,
i don't find her odd,
i just can't clearly see
why she don't believe in me

that's fine with me
i don't find her odd
i just can't clearly see
why she don't believe in me...

don't be caught off focus
your destiny is right in your hands
don't be distracted by the stars
women ain't from venus, men ain't from mars

no matter what month you were born
you can be as lucky as a capricorn

either funny or serious
you can be an aquarius

it may be hard to find the pieces
but you can solve the puzzle as the pisces

you may not own the dodge ram series
you can be as proud as the aries

appear like an angel singing a chorus
or a bully, whatever, you can be a taurus

you don't need a twin to deny
in order to be a complete gemini

preference is either a crab or a lobster
you can bear the sign of the cancer

ketsup, mustard or mayo
roar as loud as a leo

are you still a virgin from head to toe?
no need to answer for you can be a virgo

carry a scale or hiss like a cobra
you can be as muffled as a libra

boast whatever's on your portfolio
welcome challenges like a scorpio

be forgiving or be a curse of imperius
you can be as iconic as the sagittarius

women ain't from venus, men ain't from mars
don't be distracted by the stars
your destiny is right in your hands
don't be caught off focus