The BP Participates: ABC+ Benefit Gig

ABC+ is a humanistic gesture and a collaborative effort of PLUS, MCAP, Monkeyneering, KaEskwela and The BACKPACKERS aimed at raising funds, this time, for the flip flops of more than 270 schoolkids of Balagbag Elem. School, Rodriguez, Rizal, and for Hyacinth N. Cadiz of Silliman University, who has just had a kidney transplant worth P1.5Million courtesy of family and friends and still needs medication for her fast recovery. The event will be an art exhibit, benefit gig, and christmas party rolled into one in Bali Hai Garden Restaurant at 37 Visayas Ave., Bgy. Vasra, Quezon City, on December 9, 2012, Sunday, featuring visual arts, music of varied genres, dance, poetry, prose, etc. Half of the proceeds will go to the KaEskwela funds in case any of the KaE partners takes care of the flip flops of the schoolkids of Balagbag; the other half will be deposited to the bank account of Hya's brother or any of her immediate family.

Morong, Bataan & Subic

The Beach & Pawikan in Morong, Bataan 
and the Zoobic Safari in Subic

By: Marion Erika Macapagal 

Long weekends have been and will always be a much anticipated time of the year for working people who are lucky enough to enjoy their day-offs longer than usual. "Lucky enough" because for 3 straight years, I didn't have that privilege! Working on a holiday might give you that double or triple pay, but doing that repeatedly for years will eventually get you stressed out and drained. Oh, I so love long weekends! ❤

Mt. Samat and Dunsulan Falls

Destination = BATAAN

By: Mark Nickson P. Garcia

Bataan is one of the places I have always wanted to visit, but somehow it was only this long weekend that I decided to pursue this destination. Compared to other nearby places in Manila, Bataan takes only about two  to three hours to travel from Manila, which makes it more convenient for everyone to spend a day exploring it. 

Bonifacio Day Long Weekend

So where were you this long weekend?

BP Jovy attended a wedding this long weekend

The BACKPACKERS had no slated event for the long weekend covering Bonifacio Day but it did not mean that it will stop them from individually enjoying the holiday. Ever since the President started altering holiday celebrations in the Philippines so that it can be moved close to a Saturday or Sunday, long weekend holidays became a thing everyone's excited for. But since Bonifacio Day fell exactly on a Friday, we did not need to wait for any long weekend announcements to start planning on an adventure.

So where did The BACKPACKERS go this most recent long weekend?

Mt. Tapulao

It was a climb that tested us in varied aspects - physical strength, mental alertness, and our virtues. But as a Group we were able to emerge from the challenges that came along our "trail". And once again, we were able to prove that while knowing the technicalities of a particular target climb prior to the attempt is very important, still, it is how the group utilizes that knowledge and the group's approach to difficulties that promises an achievement. 

Because of "The BACKPACKERS' way", five mountain climbers were welcomed as new members of the Group in a successful climb to the highest peak in Central Luzon.

The BACKPACKERS Fifth Induction Climb

Conquering Mount Tapulao

By Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.