One day, I was looking for Mt. Pulag event and I’ve seen few groups that offered Luzon 321 tour but one group caught my attention. They do humanitarian activities in the community, spreads awareness and as well as shows environmental concern. Meet the Purpose Driven Adventures, a group of mountaineers with great advocacy towards indigenous people on the mountains. Most of their events have an outreach program. Purpose Driven Adventures was founded by Miss Liz Tiongson last 2017, a great and strong woman who influenced many climbers to hike with a cause without expecting in return.
Luzon 321 was supposed to be my first hike with Purpose Driven Adventures, but circumstances arise, I wasn’t able to join. I joined their Humanitarian event in Mt. Kalatungan then traversed to Mt. Lumpanag. My first ascent in Mt. Kalatungan and Mt. Lumpanag, also known as Mt. Wiji was last February 2018.
The event was a humanitarian mission to the Talaandig-Manobo tribal communities at the foot of the fifth highest peak in the country which is Mt. Kalatungan with a theme “Kahayag alang sa mga kaigsuonang Lumad”. Mountaineers from Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon gathered to join the humanitarian mission. The event also wouldn’t be possible without the people who donated school supplies, solar lamps, hygiene kits, food, bibles, medicines, clothes and many more.
Humanitarian Mission in Day 1
The outreach program was held in Mendis Elementary School in Pangantucan Bukidnon. Upon arrival, we packed the school supplies and hygiene kit while the food committee was busy preparing the food. At 8:00 AM, the program started officially with the presence of school principal, teachers and also with Datu Erio Inahan.
School Supplies and Hygiene Kit Distribution
We gathered all kids in Mendis Elementary School from Grade 1 to Grade 6 estimated more than 200 students and distributed the school supplies and hygiene kits. I was assigned in the documentation. It’s a warm feeling seeing the kids happy upon receiving the packs.
Washing of the Hands Dance Presentation
In order to teach the kids on the proper hand washing, the group decided to make dance as a medium for them to have fun while learning.
Feeding Program
Right after the activities, we do a feeding program for all the kids. Great job to the food committee. We had a sumptuous boodle fight lunch together with the group, teachers and with Mayor Miguel Silva.
Psycho-Social Activity for Children
I and my fellow mountaineer named Thor became a Grade 3 teachers for a few minutes and conducted a psycho-social activity. The goal is to understand the psychological reactions of the children towards their community, to know their childhood experiences, dreams and goals in life, to encourage children and to show empathy to those who experienced cruelty. So far, the result was good. The kids were very cooperative and it seems they were all happy living with their families.
Magna Carta for Women
The second portion of the activities was held in Barangay Mendis covered court. Women locals gathered to join the lecture and forum on Violence against women and children, RA 9262 conducted by Liezel Tiongson-Melanio, law student Marvin C. Hernandez and Mendis Barangay council headed by Brgy. Captain Victor Clerigo.
Distribution of Solar Lamps, Bibles and Used Clothes
Solar lamps, bibles, and used clothes were distributed to all locals who gathered in Barangay Mendis Gym led by Miss Liezel Tiongson-Melanio and law student Marvin C. Hernandez.
Medical Mission
On the other corner, our Medical Team were busy giving over the counter medicines such as pain reliever, medicine for a cough and flu, vitamins and taking blood pressures.
The humanitarian event ended successfully and again, it wouldn’t be made possible without the help of certain people, Sutherland, Daisy Foundation, Makati Airsoft Group, MNE Toledo Construction Services, The 5S Box Indian Restaurant, Jahrel Printing Shop, Alex Rey T. Kintanar, JC Legaspino, Rey Mejares, Dorothy Dumalahay, David Helwig, Maligmat Hardware, Pangantucan Tourism Office , Mayor Miguel Silva and to all participants on the humanitarian climb event.
We had a victory dinner hosted by Purpose Driven Adventures right after the event. We encourage all mountaineers to do the same. Explore and Serve.
Mt. Kalatungan Traverse Mt. Lumpanag
Mt. Kalatungan is the fifth highest mountain in the Philippines with an elevation of 2,880 meters above sea level. It is a major climb with difficulty level of 8 out of 9, trail class 3-4 and features tribal domain, mossy forest, and endangered species.
We got a chance to witness the ritual before starting the trek, led by Datu Erio Inahan. The ritual’s purpose is to keep us safe on the trail. This is their rule before you can hike Mt. Kalatungan. We started the trek early in the morning. The first day hike was tedious because we need to reach the junction before 5:00 PM and camp in there. The junction is located near Mt. Kalatungan’s peak and it’s is an 8 to 9 hours hike from the starting point.
The Junction
The group reached the junction on time. Pitch tents, cook dinner, socials then lights off due to heavy rains. The temperature goes down to 5-degree Celsius. It was freezingly cold. Thick sleeping bag and emergency blankets must be considered. Then early in the morning, we hike to Mt. Kalatungan’s Peak. Good thing I came back because we never pushed through on the peak before due to heavy rains and no clearing.
Mt. Lumpanag Summit
It took us 6 hours or less to reach the summit from the junction in Mt. Kalatungan. The trail was more of assault, difficult especially in Buku-Buko sa Anay. You’ll encounter huge tree trunks on the trail and need to climb up. We reached Muleta Falls but no clearing. Heavy rains started again giving us more body chills. Upon arrival on the summit, a few photo ops, pitched tents, cooked dinner and no time to socialize due to heavy rains. At night it became very cold due to strong wind. The summit was an open place thus wind blows directly to our tents.
We woke up early in the morning to catch the sunrise. The weather was still very cold and the wind seems to blow us away. There was also a nice set of sea of clouds. An amazing view nice to share with amazing people. We depart around 9:00 AM and reached Mendis Court at 3:00 PM.
Things to Bring
* Tent that can withstand strong wind and cold weather condition
* Sleeping bag
* Comfortable trekking shoes with good grip
* Backpack with rain cover / Assault bag
* Warm clothing /fleece socks/gloves
* Trail Foods / Energy Foods (jelly ace, dried nuts, chocolates)
* Water Bottle / Sports Drink
* Plastic Bag / Trash Bag
* Personal Medications / First Aid Kit
* Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, lip balm etc.)
* Lightweight towel
* Sun Protection / Armsleeves / Insect Repellant
* Mess Kit / Drinking Cup / Spork
* Rain Gear / Rain Jacket / Poncho
* Headlamp / flashlight with extra batteries
* Fleece Jacket / Windbreaker jacket/rain jacket
* Extra Outdoor Clothes
* Mobile Phone
* Camera & Batteries
* Trekking Pole/s (optional)
* Whistle
* Sandals / Slippers
* Cap / Beanie / Scarf
* Extra pocket money
* Identification Card
Sample Budget Per Person
Davao-Maramag Bus 230.00
Motorcycle to Mendis Gym 200.00
Food Budget 3D2N 1000
PDA Event Fee (Cert and Drifit Shirts) 2000
Motorcycle from Mendis Gym to Maramag Bus Terminal 200.00
Maramag-Davao Bus 230.00
Total 3860
Note: This is an updated post that was originally posted last July 31, 2018.
