2021-050 | TRANGIA SPIRIT BURNER

IN OCTOBER 2014, A US-based benefactor provided me a TRANGIA Spirit Burner set for use then of my ongoing route-finding explorations of the Cebu Highlands Trail Project. This project is a long trail of a north-to-south axis that would traverse over the middle backbone of the island province of Cebu, in Central Philippines, which I finished in November 2016.

The exploration has no source of funding nor big-name sponsors and I was asking a little for blessings from friends and appreciative people. A trickle came and one of these significant donations was a TRANGIA Spirit Bunrer set. It is made of brass. It weighs 108 grams, 7.5 centimeters in diameter and 4.5 centimeters in height. It has a screw cap and another cap where you could adjust and control the flame.  

It comes with a windscreen that can be dismantled in three pieces and assembled, which has a total weight of 115 grams. The windscreen complemented well with the burner as it propped the pot above it aside from its other function as a mechanical wrench. By its size, weight and simplicity, I favored this burner set in all my outdoor activities. Fuel I used is denatured alcohol which are sold in 375-milliliter bottles.  

During my explorations of the last six segments of this project between 2015 and 2016, where weight was very essential, the TRANGIA Spirit Burner set was just perfect. Each segment was between two to seven days duration and the volume of fuel I carried was fixed at 3 bottles x 150 ml or 450 ml total. With a self-contained load, the burner set fit into the tight spaces available, to include the fuel bottles. 

Because it was very simple to set up and use, I found myself many times, boiling water for coffee or cooking instant soups by the trail. The process takes just inside of fifteen minutes and the TRANGIA Spirit Burner set had saved me many times regaining my strength where I need it most. This burner set have done well to the demands of my explorations, the terrain and the tropical climate.

Although this was an equipment designed for the individual, I have used it many times to cater to two other persons while in camp. The simmer cap regulates the flame and saved fuel consumption as well as of overcooking; but when you have used this so many times, you could already estimate the amount of fuel you need and discard the simmer cap. 

When I tested the Cebu Highlands Trail with a thruhike, naturally, the TRANGIA Spirit Burner set was part of my equipment. This thruhike was done in 29 days of January and February 2017, from the southernmost point of the island of Cebu up to its northernmost tip, covering 408+ kilometers of rugged terrain along the middle cordilleras. 

The alcohol burner worked mornings and evenings everyday; be it rainy or warm; cold or humid; and, on a few occasions, mid-afternoon coffee breaks when I arrived at my destinations very early. I have never experienced with a component failure since it has no movable parts. For as long as I could feed it with denatured alcohol, I will have my meals. Or coffee.

On other instances, like dirt-times with my bushcraft guild or travelling during training sessions, I experiment in pairing the TRANGIA Spirit Burner with a Swiss Army Wood Stove, when I still have the latter, and, lately, with a Solo Wood Stove. I would use the wood burner as an effective wind screen while increasing the heat efficiency of the alcohol burner, utilizing the construction and design of the wood stoves. 

Presently, the TRANGIA Spirit Burner totally complements my Solo Wood Stove by providing the latter the capacity to use denatured alcohol when not using wood. The alcohol burner perfectly fits inside the wood stove when packed that it transforms into one unit although each could function without the other.

The TRANGIA Spirit Burner set has seen a lot of rough handling and use. I had seen it used for more than an hour of cooking under warm tropical conditions, stopping only when it burned all the fuel down and refilled and re-lit and repeating the process a couple of times more. Once the flames turned blue, it told me that the burner achieved a stable temperature ideal for cooking. 

I had seen it fall several times with nary a dent. Saw it explode a few times when invisible flames lit fresh fuel poured in its superheated cauldron. I once saw the metal surface where the blowholes are located glow red hot. One time, spilled fuel burned all over it and I have to wait for several minutes before I could intervene and cool it down.

The TRANGIA Spirit Burner is built to last. It is old technology yet quite relevant in these present times. It is made in Sweden and probably was designed in temperate and arctic regions yet it performed well in the tropics without fear of a meltdown. So simple and no movable parts and valves. What it has are a couple of screw caps. 

This is an equipment that I highly recommend for the active individual engaged in leisure outdoor activities, like overnight camping, light backpacking and hiking the long trails. Its fuel, the denatured alcohol or its similar derivative can be acquired everywhere, comes very cheap and very safe to store. It does not need a special container.

The TRANGIA Spirit Burner, which is a set, is available online in Amazon, eBay and most outdoors specialized stores. The windscreen is sold separately. Closer to home, it is available online in Lazada Philippines at 1,350 Philippine peso ($27.92), to include a mini-windscreen. But watch out for imitations. Insist on the original.    

Picture Nr 1 grabbed from Trangia website.

2021-049 | THE QUEST FOR EL GRAN CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

I AM CONTENT JUST WALKING and leading pilgrims on the three Camino de Santiago in my own Cebu, Philippines. These are the Camino from Badian in the south, walked in 10 days; the Camino from Sogod in the north, walked in 5 days; and the little Camino within Compostela, which is 2 days. These three were inspirations from the Camino de Santiago in Spain. 

All three terminate at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santiago de Compostela, in Compostela, Cebu. Visiting this Jacobean parish in a pilgrimage like the Camino de Santiago, is like doing this in Spain, with the same plenary indulgences recognized by the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, through a spiritual bond of affinity.

Two of these three Camino Cebu, I helped establish for the Archdiocese of Cebu, with blessings from Fr. Scipio Deligero, formerly of the Santiago de Compostela parish. In July 2017, I did the 175-kilometer Camino from the South, removed the rough edges and refined it in 2018. Last June 2019, I delivered the Camino from the North, 65+ kilometers in length.

The question is: “Why should I have to do a Camino de Santiago in Spain?” 

The first not-so-best answer: It is a bucket list of most Filipino Catholics devoted to St. James the Apostle, which include me. Second best answer: A Swiss friend wanted to walk the Camino de Santiago and he personally asked me to accompany him. This request does not cover free travel though. I would have to finance myself to go there with him, I guess. Third mysterious answer: St. James beckoned me. 

This is the hardest part! “How should I fund myself?”    

Nevertheless, if St. James the Apostle is my backer, it is not an obstacle. If ever I wanted to do the Camino de Santiago, let that route be the longest and the hardest one. Puslan man! So be it! So I choose the Camino del Norte and the Camino Primitivo combined – which excited my friend – and that ending to Finisterre – which gave him a frown. 2021 is the jubilee year of Santiago de Compostela. 

After choosing March 15, 2021 as the start of our journey, I set about tracing my chosen route on both Google Map and Wikiloc before creating the itinerary. Each day of route finding brings with it excitement and challenges even in my armchair state. These were the usual things I did before embarking on my own successful little explorations here and my creative juices set to work overtime. 

By the way, these little explorations I talked about produced and established the 408-kilometer Cebu Highlands Trail and the two Camino de Santiago which I already mentioned. I never backed down from a challenge and I was totally engrossed on this work when the news of the lockdowns interrupted my euphoric state on March 22, 2020. I was dismayed because it is less than a year to my target.

Despite that, I was quite optimistic and refused to be distracted by this pandemic. I made a list of the things that I would bring, and began acquiring the most essential ones like small solar panels, a portable power charger and an extension cord EU-standard multi-port charger, because the Spanish Camino is a documentation-rich environment. I also bought cheap but equally essential items like web hooks, small carabiners, tent pegs, elastic undershorts and hangers. 

I am still debating with myself if I should bring a tent or a hammock-and-shelter set? The tent would be heavier and bulkier, with tent poles, and it needs a sleeping bag liner and a ground pad, at the least. The hammock would need two trees to support it, which I do not know if they have enough trees on their caravan camps, and it gave less protection from the cold. 

I had a small savings but it could have been better if only Wuhan the Virus did not escape from his laboratory. In 2020, there were many events lined up for me plus a government contract work which could have placed me in a better position to engage this in 2021. All these were scrapped or postponed to when, I do not know. The good thing was this small savings kept me and my household afloat for many months despite loss of income. I have none now. 

There are 34 days on the el gran camino de Santiago. For each day, I identified three separate places to choose from for the night’s rest. It could be an albergue, a cheap hotel, a caravan camp or a pension house (all with contact numbers). And for each day there is a list of restaurants along the way, placing emphasis on the Spanish penchant for late lunch and dinner – at between 14:00 to 22:00.

Part of the itinerary are the estimated expenses for billets, meals, refreshments, ferry transports and other incidental costs for each day; sub-totaled under Camino del Norte, the Camino Primitivo and the Camino Finisterra. International travel and transfers were not part of this costing. My itinerary is a DIY effort. It is a work of art. I could even sell this but let me try it first then I could design one for you. 

Our el gran Camino de Santiago would start from an international boundary found on a bridge of the Bidassoa River, separating France and Spain and the first town would be Irun, found in the Basque Country. We would spend ten days in Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia; six days in Cantabria; nine days in Asturias; and another nine days in Galicia, which include Fin de Tierra. I reserved three days for rest. 

All expenses shall be in euros, which is about 65 pesos to a euro, and it bites into my pocket. I am in a daze of where to source the funds? There were people who were so kind to pledge certain amounts when I started to let all know of my pilgrimage but it is just a drop in a large bucket. I am also embarking on a fund-raising campaign in the form of commemorative t-shirts but it is more of the same.

Anyway, the pandemic have stopped or mired severely all international travel and, within Spain and as everywhere else in Europe, lockdowns are still severe in these last few months of 2021 which helped to my cause. The voice of hope came from Pope Francis, who extended the Jacobean jubilee year to 2022, with which year I and my friend placed all hope instead. It could be middle of spring or in early autumn, whichever. 

Currently, I am shopping for the best shoes and have Silangan Outdoor Equipment outfit us our backpacks, a tent, sleeping bag liners, hiking pants, dry bags, sports shirts and other hiking accessories. Even when it is encouraged to travel light, I would bring extra like giveaways to the kindest hosts and to the friendliest Basques we would meet along the way. I would carry a heavy load but it would be a diminishing load as the journey lengthens. 

Aside from the funding, I would need just a pre-owned but functional point-and-shoot camera, and your prayer requests. Just message me directly in Messenger and Signal. My backpack and my heart are always available to accommodate your personal intentions which I would whisper everytime I find myself in deep meditation in the route’s holiest places, and at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela where the abrazado is. 

I would be preparing for a Camino de Santiago on the colder months where the albergues would not be crowded. The virus, and the variants, would be travelling with the asymptomatic ones and we could never know for sure. I would not want to join the expected large crowds on its most favorable season. My friend is now 70 years old and he needs protection as much as I do. We would be following all health-safety protocols required.

The el gran camino de Santiago is a journey which shrouds another journey. It is about my heritage. My great-grandparents originally came from Bizkaia and I seek to stay in their lekua and breathe in the air that they breathed when they were young. To inhale the spirit and the essence of their hometown. To touch base. I designed this route which would go out of its way from the box. I intend to lose my way, for a few days, where there are no signposts. 

This would be a difficult pilgrimage for me. I have never travelled outside of the Philippines nor engage with a tour agency like most pilgrims do. I still have to apply for a Schengen visa. I would be exposed to culture-shock; the language barriers; unfamiliar terrain and vegetation; different time zones; temperate climate; maybe discrimination; and even infection from that dreaded virus. I would be completely disoriented for a few days. 

But my beacon is St. James the Apostle; my comfort is my faith as a Catholic which I shared with Spain; and my prayers, my strength. Please help me. 

St. James the Apostle, please pray for us.

St. Pedro Calungsod, please pray for us.

St. Lorenzo Ruiz, please pray for us.

Blessed Virgin Mary, please pray for us.

Jesus, have Mercy upon us.

iBuen Camino!  

Photo Nr 1 courtesy of Camino Ways.  

2021-048 | OUTDOORS SAFETY & CULTURAL SENSITIVITY

OUTDOORS COMMON SENSE TIPS: Respect our Local Communities.

First seen in Facebook

August 7, 2018 

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I AM REPOSTING VERBATIM an article by ADRENALINE ROMANCE about cultural sensitivity, which the blog attribute to expedition and wilderness emergency services physician, Dr. Ted Esguerra, and adventure guru, Ramon “Jay Z” Jorge. Read and overcome your short attention span and learn from these experienced travelers.

THE DO’S 

1. Study the place, its culture, and political and economic setup where you will pass by or immerse.

2. Be courteous to anyone you meet along the trail.

3. Upon arrival, signify the intention of your visit to the chieftain, elder, tribal council, or barangay captain of the community.

4. Stay in one place where you can be seen by the majority of the community members or elders.

5. If you intend to hire porters/beasts of burden, deal only with the community coordinator.

6. Accept food offerings of the community with expressions of gratitude.

7. Ask permission to any community member when doing/asking something (e.g. ask to fetch water in a well).

8. Treat mountains, caves, rivers, etc. as sacred places. Most of the resident tribal communities consider these places as gods, havens of the gods, or holy grounds.

9. Join community gatherings, activities, and celebrations only if invited to do so.

10. If you are invited to teach, teach only what can be appreciated by the community.

11. Respond appropriately to friendly gestures.

12. Respect their beliefs and superstitions.

13. Observe silence. These folks enjoy the tranquility and peace of their environment.

THE DONT’S 

1. Don’t drink alcohol, take drugs, or make revelries in tribal areas. This is common sense, but you’ll be surprised as to how many visitors would do this.

2. Don’t expect luxuries. Accept and appreciate what they have.

3. Don’t ask for anything. The problem with social climbers/trekkers is that they ask for conveniences—their conveniences.

4. Don’t be boisterous, arrogant, vulgar, or rude. Be polite.

5. Don’t wear indecent or offensive clothes.

6. Don’t show off gadgets, cell phones, jewelry, or other items that are alien to the community.

7. Don’t do these things without asking permission first:

    ~ taking photos

    ~ approach women, children, and old people

    ~ visiting ritual sites and burial grounds

    ~ enter homes and properties

    ~ touch ornaments. They may be sacred items for the community.

8. Don’t correct or make fun of their beliefs. Each community has its own distinct and unique beliefs.

9. Don’t comment or show disapproval to some “grotesque” rituals such as breaking of chicken’s neck in a tribal dance.

10. Don’t kiss, hug, or do indecent acts in front of a community member.

11. Don’t laugh or giggle in front of the community. That’s because even if you didn’t mean anything, they might assume that you’re making fun of them.

12. Don’t leave trash behind, whether biodegradable or non-biodegradable.

13. Don’t pollute rivers, creeks, wells, and other water sources.

14. Don’t vandalize such as etching your name on artifacts or rock walls.

15. Don’t destroy traps set by community hunters. Don’t hunt!

PREVENTING CULTURAL CONTAMINATION

1. Pay the local only the amount that was agreed upon. Do not bribe or give tips. When you introduce the concept of bribing or tipping to a normally honest community, you change their idea about money. This later manifests to exorbitant rates and questionable fees, which we all complain about.

2. Don’t visit a remote community as a large group. Remember that these people are wary of single strangers, so you can imagine what they are thinking if they see a group of strangers.

3. When taking photos, be unobtrusive. Don’t ask people to pose for you. Keep a distance between you and the subject that you’re shooting.

4. Avoid teaching things or giving stuff that the community doesn’t need.

5. Avoid showing interest in buying items from the community. Never establish trade without the knowledge of the elders.

6. Don’t introduce another paradigm that is alien to the community such as playing loud disco music in a community that values their own music.

7. Never assure the community that your knowledge, medicine, food, equipment, tools, etc. are better than theirs.

8. Tribal communities are fond of communal eating. Don’t eat separately from a family or a group.

 

The most meaningful travel happens when you go down deep, listen to the stories, and immerse in the ways of life of these wonderful people. It’s incredibly inspiring to see how they value their environment and culture. 

However, you should remember that you are just a visitor. No matter how you think highly of yourself, you are the odd person out. As thus, you should leave as little trace as possible, whether it be on the environment or with the cultural practice of the people. 

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WARRIOR PILGRIMAGE BLOG, personified by this writer, is synonymous with the Outdoors, since Bushcraft and Survival is its niche. Safety and Security are its bedrock when it ventured into organizing outdoor events that involved people as in adventure/pilgrimage guideships and seminars; and explorations and expeditions. 

Through tutorship, experience, folk knowledge and good old common sense, this writer was able to collect useful information which he is currently documenting in a book titled, ETHICAL BUSHCRAFT. He shares some of this information and knowledge in his training sessions; in his social-media account; and in this blog.

Screened shot photo and quotes, in italics, attributed to Adrenaline Romance, with permission.

2021-047 | THE PERFECT KNIFE

WISDOM TRAILS: There is no "Perfect Knife". A knife could not do all things safely even if it has a very skillful owner. You need a certain knife for a certain kind of work and vice versa.

First seen in Facebook

September 24, 2018

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I TRIED MY BEST TO HAVE the perfect knife in my whole life, the one knife that could do it all, but I simply could not hold on to it (as a teaching model) and I failed. Despite the skills learned the hard way, it was not enough. I may succeed but I may double my effort if in case I was cutting a large branch with a folding knife or lose my poise if I was carving something delicately small with a machete. 

However, I have seen local mountain kids with their bolos, longer than their femur bones, who effortlessly used these as if they were handling a small blade. I watched Tata Kasoy, the venerable elder of the Pastolan Aeta, who nonchalantly whistled and talked in broken English while deftly creating things out of bamboos with his long panabas as if it was an extension of his arm.

The skills with a blade are earned. You may achieve something but at a cost of breaking the blade somewhere along the way or ruining your project. There should be blades dedicated for brute force and blades for delicate jobs and then the blades in between. George Washington Sears have solved that by creating a system to handle different works. People later called it the “Nessmuk Triumvirate” in his honor.

Quite practical and this system ensures that you would not break your one and only blade. The system creates a redundancy favored now by modern bushcraft enthusiasts which is fail-safe. That idea of the perfect knife disappears and replaced by a perfect mental state where you have an almost unlimited option to approach each problem with a different blade. 

In Philippine bushcraft, the best big blades to use are those that are made locally. They are tested by time and the most frequent materials used against it are the wiry types of vegetation like cane grass, vines and the very deceptive bamboo. These type of blades could chop any wood found in the tropics like Tata Kasoy’s panabas. These blades are valued by their owners and most of them are heirlooms.

Nessmuk was referring about his pocket knife as the least component of his system. Quite clearly, by its build and make, it was used for light work like peeling fruits, slicing thin strips of meat, and smoothing out the rough edges of wood that his bigger blades missed. When it came to pocket knives, or folding knives, we choose the imported ones and, many, come with so many extras.   

The blade in between the big and the small, could be any make. Local and imported blades compete for the attention of our local bushcraft enthusiasts here. The real guys, those that go out regularly doing dirt-time, prefer those that were made by here or carry the cheap imported types. Why? They are not there to impress but to develop their craft.  

Since outdoors activity now are more leisurely, bushcraft here shunned the large blade and replaced it with a folding saw, thus lessening the weight you pack. We gave more teeth to the saw by increasing the size of the pocket knife with a bigger Victorinox which has a tiny saw. Compensating for the loss of the big blade are two medium-sized blades and a baton stick foraged for the occasion. 

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WARRIOR PILGRIMAGE BLOG, personified by this writer, is synonymous with the Outdoors, since Bushcraft and Survival is its niche. Safety and Security are its bedrock when it ventured into organizing outdoor events that involved people as in adventure/pilgrimage guideships and seminars; and explorations and expeditions. 

Through tutorship, experience, folk knowledge and good old common sense, this writer was able to collect useful information which he is currently documenting in a book titled, ETHICAL BUSHCRAFT. He shares some of this information and knowledge in his training sessions; in his social-media account; and in this blog.

Image Nr 1 courtesy of City Sports Club Cebu

2021-046 | THE 3RD CAMINO DE SANTIAGO OF CEBU: DAY 4 & 5

A RAINBOW GREETED ME as I enjoyed a cup of coffee on the balcony of the San Pedro Calungsod Parish rectory on the fourth day (June 21, 2019) of this Camino de Santiago from the North. The hills were still swathed in mists as an early rising sun bathed it in golden light. It was a magical feeling, almost surreal. 

Behind me was the imposing height of Mount Manghilao, a great landmark of Masaba, Danao City, as seen from anywhere. Across me, far more distant than these hills swathed in mists, was another landmark: an unnamed peak. That mountain would be my signpost later on my journey to Compostela. 

I arrived here yesterday at the San Pedro Calungsod Parish together with fellow pilgrims Renita Reynes, Erl Durano and Grace Lina. Fr. Junly Cortes, the parish priest, had welcomed us and took care of our comforts and needs. We had taken baths in the early morning and were now seated with Fr. Junly at the breakfast table.

This Camino de Santiago from the North was the last of the three Camino de Santiago established in Cebu, at the behest of the former parish priest of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santiago de Compostela, Fr. Scipio Deligero. We started from the St. James the Apostle Parish in Sogod four days ago and this exploratory Camino Cebu has brought us here in very good hands. 

We have stamped our credenciales with the parish seals of St. James in Sogod; the San Guillermo de Aquitania in Catmon; the St. Joseph the Worker in Binongkalan, Catmon; the Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Cantumog, Carmen; even that of the St. Benedict Monastery in Corte, Carmen. We have also secured one from Fr. Junly’s parish. 

This was a journey that had turned out well despite it being exploratory in nature. I was commissioned by Fr. Scipio to find and identify the routes but I decided to involve the three ladies instead, who really were all veterans of another but much longer Camino de Santiago from the South which they walked in January 2019.

Fr. Junly, who is an adventure racer, knows the hinterlands of Danao City for this was his training ground. He showed me a path and mentioned all the places that we needed to pass in order to reach the next parish: Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Ibo, Danao City. This time, the Camino Cebu would pass long stretches of trails and unpaved roads. 

We left Fr. Junly and his parish at 07:30, following a low ridge which goes amongst farms and homesteads. The appeal of trails on this fourth day for the Camino de Santiago was a different experience. The soft ground that crunch underneath your shoes was most welcome for any feet but it brought with it a certain caution when you experienced the usual skids.

These part of the Camino Cebu was unexpected and was never thought of in my itinerary. I literally created another itinerary based on this and shall be permanent. We were walking over ridgelines, among meadows, within pocket forests and small communities where residents helped us with our journey. 

We crossed a small stream and went over another trail that led to an unpaved road where there was a chapel which then led to a paved one in the village of Mantija, Danao City. We arrived at 08:30. After fifteen minutes of rest, we resumed our journey. Then it passed by sparsely-populated areas, farms and more pocket forests.

The weather cooperated and we really enjoyed this part. We just walked without so much strain. We were just killing time. I even forgot the mandatory rests of fifteen minutes after each hour of walk. This casual-like walk led us to a steel foot bridge. Below us was the Danao River. Across us was the village of Ibo, Danao City which we came upon at 10:15. 

While I was walking searching for their parish, I mistakenly presumed a local wearing a palm hat and an open-carried bolo as a farmer until he identified himself as Fr. Porferio Mahinay Jr., the parish priest of the Our Mother of Perpetual Help. What humility! I even learned later that he was a licensed civil engineer! 

He welcomed us into his rectory. His parish is kind of busy since their village fiesta was approaching. On the dining table were fruits and vegetables brought by his parishioners as offerings and donations. There were no concrete structures yet for the church. Fr. Jun utilized a chapel as their temporary house of worship. 

Fr. Jun was very much happy to receive us but he has no word of our coming since his locality has no cellular phone signal yet, much less, the internet. It was cool inside and we were served cold juice which helped to our cause. After 30 minutes of rest, it was time to leave again for the Camino de Santiago.

Taking the hint from Fr. Jun, we followed an unpaved road bound for the village of Togonon, Danao City. Midway, the road became paved and the air became warm. This familiar landmark of a mountain that had left me marveling in the past was now in my midst. It has bare karst formations which are used by local rock climbers. 

We stayed under the shade of a small store by a road junction to spend our noonbreak. The lady storekeeper was most happy to serve us instant noodles and, later, just coffee for me. After an hour, after asking directions from her, we took the road on the left which goes up to the higher elevations of this unnamed peak. 

At 13:00, we huffed and puffed on an ascending road but, once we were on a level terrain, the road became unpaved and showed its true character. It was very shady, due to presence of a second-growth forest and there were no houses along the route. Another enchanting road that gave you the creeps. 

This was a rather long stretch and I liked it that way. I could see valleys below and the mountains that shaped this new landscape that I have seen for the first time. Beyond, far away, are familiar trysting grounds. Then the enchantment gave way to a small community and more of it as the gravelly road became concrete again and goes downhill. 

We now crossed into the village of Dapdap, Compostela. In a very spacious community shelter, we found rest at 14:30. I have never been in this part of Compostela. After 15 minutes, we proceed passing by a junction which led to the village center of Dapdap on the right and to another village, Mulao, Compostela, on the left. I took the left.

The road goes downhill, crossed a stream, goes a little up and goes down again and we were in another junction: the right goes to village center of Mulao while on the left to the village of Basak, Compostela. I know this part very well and what to expect. Just like yesterday, we climbed a hill in the morning and another in the afternoon. This time it was at lesser proportions and I know where I was going. 

We finally arrived at our resting place for the night at 16:00. It was not a parish that we were so privileged to rest for three nights but a humble home that a family had dedicated to welcoming pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago. This was the third time that Frank and Minnie Catampatan hosted me and my pilgrims and I could not find the happiest second home but here.

Woke up to the crowing of the cocks for this fifth and final day (June 22) of this Camino de Santiago from the North, we were treated to a good breakfast again. We were that pampered, thanks to Santiago de Compostela, who provided, from out of nothing, comfort, kindness, empathy, protection, nutrition, charity and piety. At 08:00, we left our kind hosts and proceed to finish this exploration and pilgrimage today. 

It was getting warm by the time we left Basak although the path was very shady. We were approaching the great highlight of all the three Camino de Santiago: the “Cross of Triumph”. This cross was erected in 2016 on top of a hill and is a hundred feet high, the biggest in the island of Cebu. Upon this cross, pilgrims leave their pebbles carried since Day One of their spiritual journeys. 

We arrived on the great cross in Bagalnga, Compostela at 09:15. I left another pebble. Renita, Erl and Grace did, likewise. Aside from pebbles, which actually represents our old self, we said our personal prayers here as well as prayer petitions from relatives, friends, classmates and neighbors, hoping for small miracles in their lives. These prayer petitions came in verbal requests or written on papers.

The morning was just so perfect. There was no pressure and we just enjoyed the view and prayed the five decades of the holy rosary facing the lowlands and the Camotes Sea. By 10:00, we went down the hill and followed a narrow concrete road down to a much busy road in Guila-guila and sate our thirst with cold soda drinks inside a small store at 10:45. 

After 15 minutes of my standard rest time, we walked again this busy thoroughfare, muddied and hosting puddles of turbid liquid after a hard rain last night. We turned right on a much better road but lacking in shades. It was now very warm and the road rose up but I know where it would take me. This was the last obstacle. 

We arrived at last at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santiago de Compostela at 11:40. Bells herald our coming and the welcoming committee was most happy of our arrival for we had accomplished our mission: that of establishing and completing the third route of the Camino de Santiago for Cebu. Fr. Scipio Deligero had delivered his promise before ending his stint in this parish come August where another priest would assume his post.

Renita, Erl and Grace had the distinction of the only other pilgrims who walked this Camino de Santiago from the North, as well as that rare feat of walking both this northern passage and that of its much longer route from the south. All three have grasped the full meaning of being a pilgrim and so have found a different avenue of spirituality. However, Renita, most of all, had achieved a most rare deed: that of walking the three different routes of the Camino Cebu.   

On my part, the opportunity to work with the Roman Universal Catholic Church, notably with the Archdiocese of Cebu, and to my close devotion to St. James the Apostle, had transformed me into someone that I have not had dreamed of before. It was a calling and I answered it. I am in a unique situation after I helped establish the two longest routes of the Camino de Santiago here. 

This special relation granted me certain spiritual privileges, or indulgences, if you may, which I could never achieve with my sinful ways, past and present. This was more than monetary compensation, titles and prestige. My church is kind enough to give me certain earthly privileges as well to work as an independent guide. While it may have a certain air of prestige but, do not be misled, it is a very demanding work. 

Cebu now has three Camino de Santiago routes. The first one was the one from the south, starting from Badian, 175+ kilometers long and walked in ten days. It was established in 2017 and is now the premier route. The second is the one walked around Compostela and Liloan, which is 28+ kilometers and walked in two days. This was first walked in 2018 and is the most popular. Then we had the one from the north, walked in five days at 65+ kilometers.

iBuen Camino!