Christmas in October #GiveLove

CHRISTMAS IN OCTOBER

(TheBACKPACKERS #GiveLove in Ifugao 2014)

By: Nickson Garcia

It was exactly a year ago when majority of TheBackpackers and some very close friends made one of the most heartwarming adventure of 2013 in Ifugao Province. In coordination with the KaEswela, they have spread happiness by giving school supplies and sports equipments to students throughout some schools located at the remote but beautiful Mt. Humalophop. 

Every aspect of it was memorable. From the preparation of donations to climbing Mt. Humalophop up until the distribution of the donations to the schools were definitely an event to remember in the hearts of all those who participated. 

Conducting an outreach program is not new with TheBackpackers. In fact, we conducted several outreach events spearheaded by different BP members such as BP Marion, BP Chons and BP Ivan. During that time we refer to it as an outreach but as time passed by it evolved into the term "GiveLove" meaning conducting an outreach. This GiveLove usually happens in the month of October.

Mt. Mabilog, Bunga Falls and Underground Cemetery

FIRST TIME - DAY HIKE

(Hirit Sa Tag-Ulan)

By: Nickson Garcia

It was supposed to be an overnight climb for TheBackpackers event in September but due to the recent typhoon “Mario” that struck the metro which caused fear and concern to the participants, we decided to cancel the overnight event and changed it to a dayhike event. Luckily, the event can be achieved in one day.

According to our President, BP Heinz, this was the first time in our almost four years of existence to conduct a dayhike event. I must say, although cheaper and convenient, I still prefer overnight event whenever I am with TheBackpackers and here is the story on why.

Mt. Daraitan and Tinipak River

The BACKPACKERS: 

Return to the Mountains
(Unang Hirit sa Tag-Ulan)

(By Nickson Garcia)

It has been seven (7) months since TheBackpackers had their official climb and it was the induction climb at Mt. Damas last January 2014. From February to July, we have visited different provinces not to climb but to explore their well-known beaches. However, we all know that despite those beautiful beaches and relaxing experiences, we will still go back to our first love and that is the pain of ascending, the slippery and muddy trails, small crawling inserts, leg breaking descents…in short, we miss body pains!

But on a serious note, we will always go back because of the experiences, the breath-taking views, the different stories shared, meeting new people and most importantly, the people within TheBackpackers. This is our home, this is where it all started and this is where our family will always go back.

SURVIVOR PANGASINAN EPISODE 3

Episode 3: Their Legs Are Longer

Previously on Survivor Pangasinan:

The tribes were given a catalog where they had to choose two out of ten items as reward. Malabobo's Rexie and Resty wanted the Lucky Strike cigarettes so bad but Marion and Liz shut them down. Joyjoy grabbed victory for the Amorong Tribe when she won in a showdown against Resty of Malabobo. Amorong Tribe won bread & jam and cold Sprite. Rexie tried to recruit Resty in his alliance (with Leah and DeePee) but Resty's door seemed close for any negotiation. In the Immunity Challenge, poor performances from the Malabobo Tribe may have shifted the momentum in favor of Amorong. And once again, Joyjoy managed to grab a win for her tribe when she won against Chons in the fifth round of the challenge. Back at Malabobo Tribe, almost everyone was gunning for Leah except her three person alliance. But when Marion decided to give way, The Backpackers promised to stick together before ousting her. Marion became the second person voted out of the game. Fourteen are left. TWO PEOPLE will go home this episode.

MALABOBO'S PROMISE TO MARION

The afternoon after Marion got voted out, the remaining Malabobo Tribe members were relieved. "I appreciate the fact that Marion gave way for us, and that she made us swear to look after each other in this game," mentioned Heinz.

SURVIVOR PANGASINAN EPISODE 2

Episode 2: Just One Stick of Lucky Strike

LAST WEEK on Survivor Pangasinan

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Sixteen castaways were divided into two tribes, the Backpackers became the Malabobo Tribe and their Loved Ones became the Amorong Tribe. Amorong Tribe won the first Reward Challenge and a chance for individual immunity. Erwin of Amorong Tribe won immunity necklace and in a surprising twist, he won a second one for his Loved One, Rexie of Malabobo Tribe. These Immunity Necklaces can only be used in the first tribal council participated by their respective tribes. At Malabobo Tribe, Leah formed an alliance with DeePee and Rexie. Malabobo Tribe won the first Immunity Challenge making Amorong puzzle solvers Sheryl, Chino and Ryan vulnerable of being voted out first because of their weak performance in the challenge. Sheryl pitched in to the group to vote out the youngest people in the tribe first. The tribe seemed to follow Sheryl's lead, and in the first Tribal Council, JOSH SALTIVAN was ousted in a 5-3 vote against Joyjoy. He is the first person voted out of the game. Fifteen are left, who will be voted out next?

..........

GOODBYE JOSH

After Josh's exit, the Amorong tribe were called just outside the tribal council area for the season's second reward challenge. Joyjoy narrowly escaped tribal council. In an interview, she confessed, "I was very nervous when my name was mentioned at tribal council. It was a very scary feeling. I did not want to be the first one out. Luckily, it was Josh and not me."