A quarter of Heaven, a piece of Home

A quarter of Heaven, a piece of Home

Guest writer: Lea Galimba
July 2016

My brain must have gotten tired of warning me that both my feet are swollen and they are beginning to ache, for I could no longer feel the pain, only the numbness. I cannot concentrate on the fact that soon enough, I can fill a bucket with my sweat. I looked at my arms and I can see the insect bites starting to leave ugly marks; I can sense an itchy reaction coming up.

Still, I did not stop. I cannot bring myself to. 

I can only listen to what my heart was telling me; when to take some time and catch my breath, when to take one of my feet in front of the other and continue what I was there to do. 

Stops and Starts | by Lea G.

Stops and Starts | by Lea G.

Guest Writer: Lea Galimba

October 5, 2015

My dearest friend,

How have you been? I miss you, you know. I miss making your coffee and sitting with you and just talk and do nothing at all. I hope that you’re happy right now.

Remember that thing you told me before about me having layers? And that you hope someone would stop and stay and try to discover them just like what you did? Well, guess what, I have been climbing mountains lately.  I never knew something so physically draining could have an addicting effect on me. I know you won’t believe me when I say this but, I love every single second of every climb. But I guess you already know that because we both know you can read me that easily, so easy that sometimes, it’s scary. (I can see you smiling now.)

When your heart breaks, who fixes it? | by Lea G.

When your heart breaks, who fixes it?

Guest writer: Lea Galimba

September 2015

He left.

It’s funny how much time I wasted getting control of everything in my life, how sometimes I hold back words for fear of exposing myself too well.  And when you’re exposed, all those fault lines you were trying to hide will show and that only means trouble and pain. In a split second, everything changed, so fast, that I did not even have time to blink.

He left.

And just like that, my whole world turned upside down, inside out.

You can tell me right now that it’s not the end of the world and that there are a lot of fishes in the sea but, let me be the one to tell you this: there is so much more to say about the one who’s left behind, the one who will pick up the pieces while nursing a broken heart.

My life has never been the same | by Elaine O.

My life has never been the same

Guest writer: Elaine Florencio-Ongpauco

August 2015

My first climb was in Mount Pulag.  I had no idea what I was getting into.  I was invited to join the adventure without having any prior climbing experience.  I relied on friends' comments on what to expect and suggestions on what gear and clothing to bring in addition to the list we were given.  

I remember feeling nauseated during the first hour of the climb.  I was so out of shape.  It was so cold and damp at night.  And the early climb to the peak was almost unbearable because of the temperature at five degrees Celsius.  I told myself never to believe a friend who says, "Don’t worry, you can handle it, it is not too difficult", ever again :). 

Why do I climb mountains? | by Steph B.

Why do I climb mountains?

Guest writer: Steph Borje

July 2015

The line struck me and so I ask myself "Why do I really climb mountains?!"  Honestly, I don’t know how to start this article since I’m not really a writer but I guess the best way is to tell you my story.

Ever since I saw a friend’s pictures of Mt. Pulag sunrise with an amazing sea of clouds, i have always dreamt of climbing it. They called it the Playground of the Gods and one of the beautiful mountains in our country.