IN long-gone times, our
ancestors, the Malay settlers and the Ati, revered the mountains of Panay. They
looked up at the towering peaks of Madjaas, Napulak and Baloy, marvelling how
they grazed the clouds and touched the sky.
There are even legends claiming that
Panay’s endless mountain ranges are the dwellings of the ancient gods, sacred
ground for the supreme bathala Bulalakaw. Old locals mostly feared these
soaring columns of stone and green, warning that those who attempt to embark on
journeys climbing them may never come back. The tales of caution vary from
being kidnapped by engkantos and led astray by tikbalang to hidden crevices and
mystic rivers swallowing people whole.
In these folktales, it is often only
the heroes who conquer these storied mounts and live to tell the tale. I
suppose overcoming steep ascents does require a lot of strength and power.
Matthew Quidato and Mary Francille Igtanloc
The duo has been at the helm of the
University of San Agustin Mountaineering Society (USAMS), a campus-based
organization for climbers and adventure seekers with a common vision ¬– to building camaraderie and
fellowship through mountaineering expeditions, all the while following set
regulations, valuing the environment and giving back to the local communities.
Now on its 21st year, USAMS lives by
the Mountaineer’s Creed – “Take nothing but pictures, leaving nothing but footprints,
kill nothing but time.”
Francille joined in 2012, with Mount
Napulak in Igbaras as her first ever climb as an USAMS applicant. She shares
that she was almost discouraged after that first excursion, her body severely
beaten by the tough mount. Add the fact that she wore inappropriate footwear
for the slippery hiking trails – Converse sneakers – made the experience even
more discouraging.
But she managed to rally back after the
daunting first climb, and now she’s had nearly 4 years of experience in
mountaineering and rock climbing, being one of the most capable adventurers in
the region.
Matthew, on the other hand, joined
spontaneously a year after, dragged by Francille to one of USAMS’ Basic
Mountaineering Course seminars and he’s been hooked every since.
One of the few youth mountaineering clubs in the region, USAMS doesn’t just live for the thrill and adventure, they also make a point to help out and give back to the communities they encounter during their climbs. Recently, the organization was recognized in their University for their efforts conducting book drives for far-flung communities in Antique and donating Solar lights villages without electricity in Maasin.
USAMS’ members and alumni had to
literally cross streaming rivers to deliver the assistance these remote
communities needed. The funds they used some from donations, mostly coming out
of their own pockets.
“Kami
ang nakakita sing sitwasyon nila, biskan ang mga LGU gani mismo admit nga hindi
nila malab-ot ang mga malayo nga communities nga ini, as a way of giving back
man to the hospitality they’ve given us during our climbs, we’ve done our best
nga mabuligan man namun sila,” shares Francille.
Francille, Matthew and USAMS together have faced storms, close lightning strikes and deafening thunderclaps, tiger leeches, vipers and large magkal, every hardship you can imagine, but through it they’ve grown stronger.
“Kami
as a group mahambal ko nga daw mag-utod na kami. Sing akon na-experience nga
mabudlayan ging-buligan ko nila, kung sila naman kilanlan buligan ara man ko
para mag-offer a helpinghand, gabulos-bulos lng kami,” said Francille.
Panay Island is blessed with mountainous terrain, numerous peaks snaking up and down our skyline. There’s Mount Napulak of Igbaras with its curious peak, the verdant Mount Manaphag in Concepcion’s Pan de Azucar Island and the towering Mount Madjaas, Panay’s highest summit.
Recently there’s been a resurgence of
interest for thrilling outdoor activities, hiking and camping becoming popular
recreational sports. With Panay Island’s many virgin forests and unexplored
mountains welcoming more adventure enthusiasts, why not up the ante and try a
more immersive experience – the new frontiers of mountaineering.
Matthew Quidato and Mary Francille Igtanloc are members of the University San Agustin Mountaineering Society (USAMS), and though they enjoy the adrenaline and excitement of mountain climbing they keep in mind the importance of the mountaineer’s creed – “Take nothing but pictures, leaving nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time.”
Between Francille and Matthew, they’ve
conquered over 30 peaks here in Panay Island and in Negros, with USAMS, as much
as possible, embarking ascents every month.
“Attitude
is an important part of mountaineering,” shares Francille. “Hindi lang nga
gina-enjoy mo ang climb, at all times you should follow the rules, keeping in
mind nga responsible kamo for each other’s lives, and you also need to learn to
respect your surroundings”
Meanwhile, Matthew shares mountaineering taught him the value of camaraderie. “During climbs you learn not to be selfish, hindi lang nga self mo lang ulikdan mo. Kung ano man matabo bululigay gid, dapat wala gd bay-anay,” ha shares
But most important of all, the duo and
USAMS urge adventurers to value the environment. “We really live by the
mountaineer’s creed. If wala ka respect for nature, we can’t consider you one
of us,” said Francille.
USAMS conducts Basic Mountaineering
Course seminars during the start of every school year in their university. If
you are not an Agustinian student, but still interested in undertaking the
activity, Francille and Matthew encourage you to join the Iloilo Mountaineering
Club, the organization which USAMS falls under.
Like USAMS on Facebook and follow them
Photos from the Official USAMS page
