By ARIS R. ILAGAN
When Isuzu Philippines Corporation conceptualized the Mt. Apo climb some two years ago, they thought that only about six motoring journalists and a few IPC officials would join. Known for its cruel terrain, trekking Mt. Apo did not look like a popular adventure.
The idea was an off-shoot of the successful test drive of the Isuzu D-Max 4x4 at Mt. Pulag, which was followed by the unforgettable climb of the country’s second highest peak, another adventure to promote Isuzu’s "Go Farther" slogan.
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IPC VP for corporate business division Art
Balmadrid (left) with North Cotabato Governor
Manny Piñol at the summit | | Aside from Mt. Pulag, Isuzu had also conducted test drives and treks to other challenging peaks like Mt. Pinatubo and Mayon Volcano and even the picturesque Batad terraces in Banawe.
So why not bring the Isuzu vehicles and the motoring journalists to the country’s highest peak – Mt. Apo? As word spread about the planned trip, the number of participants grew to 26.
Last June 22, I was with the group on Isuzu Alterra 4x4 SUVs and D-Max 4x4 pickups which we drove from Davao City to Kidapawan City – the gateway to Mt. Apo, to make a courtesy call to Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco and Tourism officer Marie Fe Panig. With their warm welcome came some strict guidelines to safeguard the environment of Mt. Apo which was closed for a few years because of man’s abuse and indifference.
"Take nothing but good memories. Leave nothing but foot prints," Ms. Panig repeatedly told us.
From there, we drove toward the PNOC site for the 3 p.m. jump off to Mt. Apo.
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IPC PR manager Timmy Naval above the
clouds. | | At the PNOC near Lake Agco resort, each was assigned one porter to carry our back packs. I brought my own tent, sleeping bag, mat and earth pad which I asked my porter "Dodong" – a Manobo tribesman – to carry. I had my back pack of extra clothes, sandals, camera, camel back, flashlights and extra batteries that weigh about 20 pounds.
Since there was varying degree of difficulty on the trails to be taken, participants of the "Isuzu Mt. Apo 4x4 Drive" were divided into Group A (experienced climbers) and Group B (beginners).
Meanwhile, Gerry Ramos, a member of the Guardians of Lake Venado headed by North Cotabato Governor Manny Piñol, reminded us on the importance of keeping a comfortable pace when trekking. "Don’t rush. This is not a race to the peak. Just enjoy the view," the 31-year-old trail guide said.
After almost two hours of struggling through the muddy route of "Site G," we entered MACADAC camp site at past 5 p.m. Exhausted, covered with mud, cold, we pegged our tents and prepared our dinner in that foggy camp.
Governor Piñol joined the group, his legs showing the cuts and bruises of falling along the trail at least seven times. The 53-year-old former media man had just descended from the summit.
"It was my eighth time to see the peak," said the "Number One Salesman" of Mt. Apo. "This mountain does not cease to amaze me."
Since the next day would be a three-hour trek to the summit for both groups, everyone tried to sleep early amid the intermittent rain. Shortly before midnight, the temperature dropped to eight or 10 degrees.
On Day 2, everyone was up at 5:30, all looking forward to the final assault to the peak. At 7:30, we started our trek and after two hours and many unforgiving slopes, we reached the summit of Mt. Apo. From there, we viewed the PNOC Geothermal Plant which was occasionally covered by clouds.
I turned emotional as I viewed the unequaled natural beauty of Mt. Apo and its environs. While my legs wobbled with exhaustion, I could only smile as I looked at the fantastic view of the thick forest.
The rest of the determined participants attacked the summit and before 11 a.m., majority of the group reached the summit amid clear weather and beautiful skies. Everyone rejoiced for the momentous achievement, some with shouts, laughter and even tears! We were exchanging high fives at 10,311 feet above sea level!
But the story did not end there. On the descent, Group A took the cruel route to Lake Venado, while Group B opted for the easier trail back to MACADAC on their way back to the PNOC site.
The two-hour trek down to Lake Venado was like rushing down a "giant slide" for the nine of us in Group A.
At Lake Venado we passed the night in tents, fighting the cold and the flood which entered some of our tents after a heavy downpour. What a night to prepare for the five-hour trek back to Lake Agco Resort the next day.
A porter arrived at Lake Venado to inform us that 62-year-old Milton Liu (chairman of Southern Motors of Davao, Inc. who had undergone quadruple heart bypass) opted to sleep at Mt. Apo’s Summit with his wife Debbie. Wearing metal-spiked golf shoes, the always-cheerful Milton survived the trail despite being behind some two hours from the main pack.
All soaked in mud and rain, and suffering severe body aches, the Isuzu Mt. Apo 4x4 Drive participants had only one thing to say after the trek: "It was all worth it!"
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