Kids of Sitio Keumang

ON OUR way to the jump-off point  of our climb to Mt. Matutum, these kids, pushing a bamboo contraption, passed us by. Noticing that we were taking pictures of ourselves, they also struck a pose and gestured that I take …

View from the Top

ONE REASON why I climb up mountains is to be able to see the world at a different perspective. Here are photos of the literally different perspective of looking at the world:

Mt. Matutum

 

STANDING MAJESTICALLY in the borders of South Cotabato, Sarangani Province, General Santos City, and Davao del Sur, Mt. Matutum is a lovely sight that dominates the SoCCSKSarGen landscape. Mt. Matutum stands, 2,270 meters above sea level and home to 110 plant species and 57 animal species and is declared a protected landscape. Last weekend, I was able to reach its summit in a difficult climb with my team. Every time I see the cone of Mt. Matutum as I go home every afternoon I feel a sense of accomplishment, especially considering the difficulty of the trail to its peak.

The photo above of Mt. Matutum was taken at Sitio Masasato, Alabel, Sarangani Province.

Mist

I WANTED to take a shot of Mt. Matutum on our way to assault its slopes but the mountain hid itself in a blanket of mist.

Looking at this leafless tree along the way caused my heart to skip a beat. Will be able to reach the summit amid the thick mist?

Seven-Legged Spider

I KNOW arachnids are supposed to have 8 legs. But this one I saw when we climbed up Mt. Matutum in South Cotabato province in Southern Philippines last weekend only has 7 legs. Which reminds me of David Thorne‘s famous seven-legged spider drawing he used to pay his dues with.

You might say that spider just lost one of its leg. In another location, I spotted another spider that looked exactly like the one in the photo above. And yes, it also had seven legs.

There really are seven-legged spiders.

Drift

 

I THOUGHT there was a message inside the bottle. No, I hoped there was a message in the bottle. Yes, I hoped that there was a message that would go this way:

Love and luck to the one destiny chose to find this. May you find love, joy, peace, and prosperity.

There’s no harm in wishful thinking.