Tuesday, May 29, 2018

TACS EXPO CEBU: Defense, Security and Survival Show for Sustainable Living

CALAMITIES, ACCIDENTS, CRIMINALITY, CIVIL disturbances and simple personal problems should not get above the best of you and your loved ones. You can overcome these if you have the proper mindset, a few important tools and the knowledge. How do you learn and acquire these? Simply attend the TACTICAL SURVIVAL AND ARMS EXPO 2018, which will be held at the Cebu Trade Hall, SM City Cebu on the dates of June 15 to 18, 2018. (See poster for more details.) Admission is FREE for you so you could have that opportunity.

This would be the very first time that TACS EXPO would be held in Cebu. It was first held in the National Capital Region in 2017 under the original event name of “Tactical and Survival Expo” and it was a very successful affair which brought together from their hideouts and cells, also for the first time, several Filipino prepping communities. This time TACS EXPO 2018 have programmed a more comprehensive exhibition of survival gear, useful blades and instruments, security equipment and software, and self-defense tools, to include firearms and accessories.

Not only that, relevant topics and interactive workshops based on experiential education and against the prevailing scenarios and real threats of global warming, scarcity of food and water, overpopulation, home invasions, disasters and terrorism, would be discussed before the audience by resource persons who are the best in their specialized fields. TACS EXPO 2018 is an informative and educational event which is best appreciated by the most basic of communities: the family.


TACS EXPO is a groundbreaking concept by ARMSCOR Global Defense, Inc. organized and presented to the public to increase awareness on self-defense, self-reliance and preparedness. This event caters to all ages and gender and across all religious and political lines. For this year, it is calendared in three installments: NCR in February, Cebu in June and NCR again in November. The first one, held at SMX Aura, Taguig City last February 22-25, was a success, that a mini TACS EXPO was hastily organized last April 15-17 at Camp Crame.

Meanwhile, TACS EXPO CEBU 2018 is a very good opportunity for LGUs, state security units, private security companies, safety organizations, volunteer groups, prepping communities and individuals based in Cebu or scattered around the rest of the Visayas or down south in Mindanao to witness and attend this at a place convenient for all. Cebu is the center of maritime traffic in the Philippines and is bushcraft country where a lot of individuals are practicing bushcrafters as a leisure outdoors activity.

This author, the engine behind the resurgence and popularity of modern bushcraft in this country through the introduction of the Philippine Independence Bushcraft Camp in 2011, which became an annual affair, will be officially participating as an event blogger. TACS EXPO CEBU 2018, thus, fulfills the aspirations and hopes of the author to disseminate the idea of self-sufficiency, preparedness and self-protection to a wider sphere of audience.

Just a few more days and the TACS EXPO CEBU 2018 will open its doors to the general public. Door prizes awaits to the most fortunate as well as to those who came prepared. Your most desired gear and equipment, given at the most generous of rates, will be waiting for you displayed on the exhibition booths. For four days, come early and choose your favorite spot, then listen to the different speakers talk about different topics. Expand your mindscape. Learn new things and ideas.

Registration is already available online through the convenience of your smartphones. You may also register on site anyday during June 15 to 18 but, to avoid the rush and the long queue, online registration is best. Just click on the link below and fill in the blank spaces.




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Monday, May 21, 2018

CAMINO CEBU JOURNAL: Day One and Day Two

DAY ONE :::: IN FAITH, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE. Never have I dreamed that a Camino de Santiago would become a reality here in Cebu, Philippines in my lifetime. Yes, I have dreamed of this to happen sometime ago but it would have taken me longer, maybe never at all, under my own power. With divine intervention, this dream goes on “warp speed”, defying everything impossible. Praise be to God!


In three months, the Camino de Santiago in Cebu became a reality, after it was seriously broached by Rev. Fr. Scipio “Jojo” Deligero of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Señor Santiago Apostol of Compostela, Cebu to Bro. Cedee Neo of Doneo Host Making Community last March. The Municipality of Compostela found the undertaking a great honor to the town and would benefit the townsfolk and so lent its whole support. Even the town mayor, Hon. Joel Quiño, would come along.

 
Today, July 6, 2017, is another date with destiny. I just finished the first Thruhike of Cebu last February 14, 2017, churning around 400 kilometers in 27 days from Liloan Point, Santander to Bulalaque Point, Maya, Daanbantayan. Doing another long hike in a span of six months is mind boggling and the wife does not like it at all. The outdoors is now my bread and butter. I have sacrificed opportunities to earn before and during the Thruhike and now this, the Camino. I simply will donate my time, talent and everything for Jesus, the Mother Church and St. James.

Like the Thruhike, this is something that I not let pass away. It is a rare opportunity, not for recognition but for the benefit of my soul, who would reap the spiritual rewards gained after engaging in a pilgrimage such as the Camino de Santiago. I have identified the route of the Camino, following the wishes of Fr. Jojo that it should start from the Municipality of Badian. Fr. Jojo is from there and so is another parish dedicated to St. James.

I have requested Jonathaniel Apurado as my subaltern for the Camino. He fulfilled very well that during the Thruhike and he would walk as last man while I take the point. Coming with Fr. Jojo and Mayor Joel are Jemmelyn and Roderick Montesclaros, Mizar Bacalla, Roger Montecino and Alvie Rey Ramirez, the official photographer. Our food for the pilgrimage is almost the same for the Thruhike which Jon and I carry today. Everything is set except for the night stopovers. Fr. Jojo’s wishes. I surrender that to God’s hands.

At 03:00, I picked up a pebble from my backyard and start my pilgrimage from my home in GL Lavilles Street, walking to the gateway of the South Road Properties, just right across Plaza Independencia. Jon arrive thereafter and, a few more minutes, a hired passenger van came to pick us up. Inside are Fr. Jojo and Mayor Joel and the rest of the pilgrims. This would be a great adventure for them all, walking on places where they do not know yet but it is the least of their concerns. They are all there for the Camino de Santiago.

We arrive at the St. James the Apostle Parish of Badian at 05:53 for a special pilgrim’s mass concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Marion Mejia and Fr. Jojo. This parish was established in 1825, older than the one in Compostela, which was erected in 1866. The reasons why the latter was chosen as the pilgrimage destination is because it is an archdiocesan shrine and it is located in a town which namesake is the same as that of the Camino’s destination in Spain. After the mass, we had our pilgrim’s passport stamped with the seal of the parish.

We walk across the courtyard into the ancestral home of Fr. Jojo where we were all treated a fine traditional small-town breakfast. Fr. Jojo meets his 98-year old mother and asked of her blessings for our pilgrimage. At 07:45, the spiritual journey starts. I sent a text message to the Badian Police Station informing them of our hike as we follow a road going up the hilly regions of Badian. The ascent is gentle but it would not be like that in a few hours, I believe.

I am the most worried of everyone, possibly Jon’s burden too. I do not know how they would fare in a long journey on a terrain and climate that is found on the most rugged part of Cebu? I know their medications, allergies and hereditary illness but the stress of a hard physical activity could cause changes in their mental and physical conditions. I have seen that and I am made to believe that they have prepared and worked out their bodies for this. But my attention is trained always on Fr. Jojo and that is why I walked so super slow.

Fr. Jojo has gout on each ankle. He found walking very excruciating and burdensome. He told me once that walking from the rectory to the altar and back is difficult for him but he has to fulfill his sacerdotal duties. Yet, despite that handicap, he does not back away from fulfilling another obligation, as a steward and shining example of his flock, to engage in a painful pilgrimage for his parish that was founded on the deeds of St. James the Apostle and of the Camino de Santiago.

I asked Roger to transfer most of the load inside the bag of Fr. Jojo into his bag and to Mizar’s. Fr. Jojo seemed to walk better with less weight on his brown Camelbak 35-liter bag now. I advised Roger to provide him a walking stick which could aid his balance and could also help in lessening the pains on his aching ankles and knees. A bleached scallop shell with a painted Cross of St. James hanged from the front of his Camelbak, announcing to the world that he is on a pilgrimage.   

As an experienced wilderness guide, I treat my attention to all my guests equally and fairly but there are a few exceptions. Like Fr. Jojo’s case. And then that of Mayor Joel. As a local executive and politician, you cannot be too sure with people they dealt with. He came incognito without a police escort. I used to work in VIP protection and I know. As much as possible, I want to be closer to Fr. Jojo and Mayor Joel. More like an extra tasking for me but the experience afford me a rare opportunity which is denied to most guides and would be very useful for me in future situations.

We take rests as frequently as possible for a few seconds to a few minutes while in the village of Dagatan. On the way, I pick up a fossilized scallop and carried it along. I changed my route at the last minute when I consulted with a local and regretted that decision later. My original route was to take a well-beaten path in Dagatan that connect to another road that would lead to Tigbao and the village of Santican. I decide to follow the same road instead until we reach the village of Tiguib at 10:00 and take a longer rest.

Trying to correct my earlier blunder, I consulted with locals and we have to follow a trail which would lead to a public school in the village of Sohoton. Thankfully, there are water sources where we stopped and refilled bottles when there is an opportunity. We arrive at Sohoton at 13:00 and decide to enjoy noonbreak. We are already behind schedule but I am optimistic that we would cross over that high mountain range which separates Badian from Dalaguete before dusk.

After an hour, we continue on our journey. I cannot force a hurried pace. Our speed depends on our slowest member, Fr. Jojo. Refreshed by the rest and able to hire a local guide, everyone’s spirit goes back to square one. We walk on trails and on places where there are no more inhabitants. We pass by forests and gained good progress but exchanged it with rests and more rests. Dusk had claimed the forests and then night time came.

We longed for open spaces and we have that at around 19:30. It is good to see the stars again. The local guide led us through farm trails until we could see faint glows of light from a few solitary houses which would be very far away. We are now at Candungaw Gamay, according to our guide, and the name sounds so sweet to my ears. It means that below us would be Dalaguete and we have to go down a steep trail in darkness. Did I not tell you that Fr. Jojo is afraid of heights?

At 21:15, we are now on the edge of a cliff and there is that steep trail that would lead down to Dalaguete. Hearing the sound of a distant motorcycle from somewhere raised our zest. Fr. Jojo was having a hard time and every available hand have to help him negotiate the trail inch by inch, hobbling on his two feet when he is able or letting his butt do the walking. It would have been difficult for Fr. Jojo if it was daylight. We finally reach the bottom at 22:40 but, unknown to us, people were looking for us.

A Suzuki Multicab arrived to investigate the lights given off by our flashlights and they were smiling and feeling relieved. They were asked by Rev. Fr. Eligio Almazol Jr. of the Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Manlapay to assist in finding us. We thank our local guide and paid him more than he used to earn. Immediately, I let Fr. Jojo, Mayor Joel, Jem, Roderick, Mizar and Roger go with the vehicle while Alvie, Jon and I walk the rest of the muddy trail to a dirt road. The Suzuki came back for us and brought us to the parish. It is 23:15.

Outside the rectory, we sit on monobloc chairs and quite relieved after that very long hike. I ask forgiveness from everyone for my mistake of changing the itinerary at the last minute and promised that it would not happen again. Fr. Jojo is talking and laughing with Fr. Jun. Cold beer are offered and I took one. It is a nice feeling when cold beer slides down inside your throat. I finished it in four quick gulps and I asked for another one. The priest’s men are busy and they are cooking up something. I could offer a hand but it is better if I just sit and sip cold beer and not be in their way.

A very late dinner – a midnight meal – is placed on the table. We were left to our own world facing our own dining plate, spoon, fork, drinking glass, warm rice, steaming free-rein chicken soup, fried pork, native delicacies, ewers filled with ice and water, cold softdrinks and a bonus of bottomless coffee if it need be. These were the things and the nutrition I need before saying goodnight to the first day.

DAY TWO :::: MY BODY COMPLAINED ABOUT having to wake up at 08:00, though I was supposed to do that at 05:00, if you follow the itinerary by heart. I dismissed the alarm when it was on its first five notes, fearing that the unwanted noise would deprive the pilgrims of their much-desired sleep. Yes, my body muscles felt so tight and morose. The cold weather helped me to love the warm but soft mattress that I am laying on.

My blood seemed to be in a stupor but I have to rise up and rally them for breakfast. As I stood up, so were Alvie, Jonathan and Roger. They were watching my body language all the time and also feared to disturb my sleep. Automatically, the parish rectory became a beehive of activity. For lack of time and space, I decide not to take a bath. The cold weather would have to do with that, I guess, although I would not accept it.

When everyone has tidied up, we proceed to the Our Lady of Consolation Parish, just a few meters nearby. A Holy Mass is going to be celebrated by Fr. Jun at 09:00 and it is to be before the schoolchildren and faculty of Manlapay Elementary School. Our very own Fr. Jojo would join him at the altar. The children from six to fourteen years of age, about a hundred or more, barely filled up the six rows of pews.

The place of worship is huge and circular, or so I thought. The roof has an unusual shape. It looked more like a giant scallop! Good God! The symbol of the Camino de Santiago! St. James must have played optical tricks upon my eyes. How could that be? We are here on short notice and the church is just a year old. My skin curled at the sudden goose bumps I am experiencing but I kept to myself what I saw and understood.

After the church service, we go back to the rectory to pack our things back to our bags and to eat a full breakfast. We thanked Fr. Jun and his staff. It is not every day that they have visitors from different places, especially pilgrims doing the Pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago, which is kind of strange for them, since it is the first time they heard of such. Except, of course, Fr. Jun. He is most happy of the visit.

It is late now but I am consoled to the fact that we would be walking on the “Vegetable Highway”, a long stretch of familiar terrain which I have had the privilege of walking twice over the last three years, the latest of which was the Thruhike. We left at 10:30 and crossed over to Argao. I sent a text message to the Argao Police Station informing them of our presence. The day is pleasant and cloudy and the first few minutes was spent praying the rosary while walking on the road. The whole five mysteries.

At 12:15, we stop by a roadside house in the village of Linut-od to observe our noonbreak. The village head, Hon. Paz Caminse, entertained us as we boiled water for coffee and instant noodles. I have provided each pilgrim a set of energy bars as our nutrition for lunch, a practice that I have favored during the Thruhike, to control noonbreaks to an hour or less, but the pilgrims found this food strange and unpalatable. They are used to rice and warm food.

By 13:30, we proceed with our journey. The harder surface of the “Vegetable Highway” seemed to be felt on each pilgrim’s feet as everyone took frequent rests. I would not worry if we are overtaken by darkness. We are passing within habitations, although rugged and mountainous, yet the mountain road brought a sort of improvement in the people’s lives here. They could travel to the town centers easily now by motorcycles to sell their farm produce, secure their material needs and send children to schools. It is also very scenic.

At 16:00 we stop by a farm market in Bayabas, on the village of Cansuje. A patrol jeep from the Argao Police Station arrived to see how we are doing. The pilgrims decide to buy fresh meat from the market for dinner later on. The problem is, the meat would deteriorate after an hour without preservation. Someone has to bring it fast to the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Parish in the village of Colawin. Fr. Jojo has to ride a motorcycle with the meat so it could be cooked immediately. Someone would have to accompany Fr. Jojo on the principle of the buddy system. That would be Roger.

 
I am glad Fr. Jojo took that opportunity. He had suffered enough and he had already proven his steadfastness before his faith. At 16:35, we lurched forward, once more, dusk begins to overtake us. In dim light conditions, I missed the intersection going to Colawin. I proceed instead to the village of Alumbijud. A helpful local offered me a free motorcycle ride when he sensed me on the wrong way. I fully believed I was in the right direction but village peacekeepers on the lookout for us and who missed me passing by, suggested another intersection to the rest, which is why I was “lost”.

In darkness, we followed a beautiful concrete road, but consoled by the presence of policemen who would pass by in their patrol vehicle every now and then and us escorted by village peacekeepers on motorcycles, seeing to it that we are on the right track. We reach the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Parish at 20:35. Rev. Fr. Mario Villacastin welcomed us inside the parish compound. Food is ready including the meat that Fr. Jojo and Roger have so judiciously transferred in haste. It had become braised pork.
 
Each pilgrim is equipped with a hammock with a bug net and there are plenty of trees to tie to. However, the fatigue factor of two days walk on mountainous terrain has taken their toll. Unlike Jon and me, the rest are not exposed to these kinds of difficulties. They preferred the bamboo gazebos, the wooden benches, even on concrete under a covered court. Jon preferred the protection of the covered court and so am I but there is only one place for a hammock and I had taken it.

My things are arranged for quick repacking during the first hours tomorrow and my mind is mentally doing its drill that it had practiced and perfected long ago. I do not like to be in the hours where people use the bathrooms all at the same time together. I preferred the hour when the tiger is on the hunt and where people can be snatched unawares. That is the hour I would take a bath and the water all to myself.

Total Distance Walked: 38.80 kilometers.
 Highest Elevation Gained: 2,629 feet. 


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Wednesday, May 16, 2018

INSIDE THE TOP 40: The Best Third-World Country Bushcraft Blogger


WARRIOR PILGRIMAGE IS THE MOST underrated and the most misunderstood blog in the Philippines. Its chosen niche, which is bushcraft and survival, ran contrary to the wants of a typical modern Filipino male who would rather swoon on romantic fantasies, K-Pop and smartphones and sweat only when he is on a selfie tour. Cannot blame them. Climate change is just too harsh on skin with glutathione, is it not?

I do have a readership following in my own country. I did not know that until Warrior Pilgrimage made it to as far as Finalist in the Bloggys 2015 Philippine Blogging Awards and a share of the limelight during the awarding ceremony that was held at SMX Aura, Taguig City last November 2015. In fact, it even snared the People’s Choice Badge for Sports and Recreation despite it having no domain name, being on a platform provided free by Blogger.

Warrior Pilgrimage arrived there because its owner worked very hard to write and post quality contents four times a month, fifty times a year for eight years. Warrior Pilgrimage is now TEN YEARS, EIGHT MONTHS and 518 ARTICLES old as of this writing. Phenomenal is it not? I just wished I received a regular chain of checks from Google Ads for my effort but I never had one since Day One. But it is not what kept me going. I have an obligation with my readers and I only give the best.

Recently, Warrior Pilgrimage is in another spotlight. This time, it is listed as one of the TOP 40 BUSHCRAFT BLOGS in the world, compiled by Feedspot, a content reader and compiler that helps you keep track of all your favorite blogs, news sites, YouTube channels and RSS feeds. You can even submit your personal blog or one that is endeared to you and Feedspot would automatically sort it out for you according to its niche.

Someone must have submitted my blog URL long ago and, whoever you are, THANK YOU! I am at No. 31 which is fair enough. The Top 40 is dominated by blogs and websites which originate from the United Kingdom, the USA and Australia, countries where bushcraft and survival are very popular. Perhaps, I made it to the list because I used the English language as my medium of presentation. Or perhaps not at all.

The list shows the name of the blogs, countries of origin, short descriptions, the websites, posting consistency, year started, Facebook fans and Twitter followers. I am honored to be in this list considering that I am the only Filipino, the only Asian and the only one from a third-world country to be grouped with such heavyweights like Ray Mears Woodlore Bushcraft, Bushcraft USA and the Jack Mountain Bushcraft School. I cannot help it but exult in my selection in the Top 40.

This recognition came at a time after Warrior Pilgrimage celebrated its 10th year as a blog which – THIS – is its crowning glory. Nevertheless, it also came in a time where my passion for writing is threatened by limited opportunity due to my outdoor pursuits, which need more of my time, as well as another diversion: writing three books simultaneously. Such recognition do not come every day and my countrymen are happy with the list and they appreciate my blog even more. Thank you Feedspot.

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Sunday, May 6, 2018

PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE BUSHCRAFT CAMP 2017


AFTER THREE YEARS, the PIBC returned to the place of its birth: Camp Damazo. It started there in 2011 until it experimented in holding it at Sibonga in 2014. In 2015 and 2016, it was held in Liloan. During that period of six years, it had hosted 97 participants who learned basic tropical bushcraft skills. This year, another set of 26 registrants would flock to the jungles and enhance their knowledge about the outdoors.


The PIBC had become an institution in itself, exceeding its expectations when it was held for the very first time in 2011. By 2012, it had accepted the first participants from outside Cebu and by 2015, the first foreigner. The format used had changed and improved through the years and used as basis for trainings that this writer conduct in other places and for organizations like MCAP, CLIMBER, Archdiocese of Capiz, PECOJON, Liloan DRRMO, 5th CMAG, Bukal Outdoor Club and Bluewater Resorts.

The PIBC officially starts every June 10th and culminates on June 12th, which happen to be, you guessed it, Philippine Independence Day. It follows the dates faithfully, whether it fall on weekends or weekdays. PIBC is a patriotic activity which rekindle each Filipino’s love of flag, country and freedom. It also is a venue for outdoors learning and education, as well as a campsite for camaraderie, kindred and friendship.

Warrior Pilgrimage and the Camp Red Bushcraft and Survival Guild collaborated through hard work and dedication for many years to bring again this seventh episode. Assembly area is the parking lot of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish on the first day (June 10). Participants, instruction presentors, camp staff and volunteers start to arrive. Among them were four from Luzon, one from Leyte, one from Palawan, one based in the USA, one from Switzerland and three minors.

The famous Duke Bus of the Municipality of Liloan, our main transport for the last three episodes, came again to ferry all to the trailhead in Baksan. From there, the participants are engaged to walk in a Discovery Hike to introduce them and increase their outdoors awareness. It follow Lensa Trail, crossing streams, following a ridge on a combination of forest and jungle, and finally arriving at Camp Damazo at 10:00.

After a short briefing about camp rules, locations of latrines and campfire and the camp staff, the participants proceed to erect their shelters. Most have tents but some have hammocks. Jhurds Neo (PIBC 2012), camp ramrod, assigned an area for participants and another one for volunteers. Humidity is high and, as with previous experience, rain is expected to fall. Meals for lunch are prepared and eaten as the minutes ticked to officially start the activities. After forsaking siesta, all gathered under a wide tarp canopy at 13:00, and all ears now for the lectures at hand.

This author, discusses the first chapter: Introduction to Bushcraft. It tackles the meanings and the jargons used in bushcraft, its environment, the psychology of an enthusiast, its methodologies and its difference from survival and from mainstream activities. Comes next is Ethical Bushcraft. The best practices of leisure bushcraft, using its own principles of Blend, Adapt and Improvise. It covers trail travel, campsite location and safety, fire management and camp hygiene.

At 15:00, Knife Care and Safety gets discussed by Aljew Frasco (PIBC 2013). This chapter changes back the perspective of the knife into a useful tool. The Philippine law on the knife – Batas Pambansa Bilang 6 – are explained thoroughly and clearly as well as ethics and safety, care and sharpening, blade shapes, parts and grinds, and the Nessmuk Trio. At 16:30, this author take over once more to demonstrate Survival Tool-Making. This chapter is a practical exercise in knife dexterity and safety. Dr. Guille Zialcita (PIBC 2016) discussed the part that touched on fishing applications.

When dusk came, all activities ceased and the participants focused on the preparation of their meals. By 19:30, the campfire is lit and the place begun to be populated by participants and camp staff and volunteers. A social event, Campfire Yarns and Storytelling, is an integral component in camp life. Tales and stories caught everyone’s attention and their humor as the small company gets fueled by a moderate round of alcoholic drinks. The social activity ended at 23:30 but a set of night watch starts their task until such time they are relieved after one hour and so on until daybreak.
  
The second day (June 11) starts with breakfast but after that, all will deny food the rest of the day, not until they have accomplished foraging their own food which comes later in the night. The first chapter is Foraging and Plant Identification. This author discusses about traps and snares, luring methods and trap lines, and foraging food and non-food. It also identifies which plants are edible, harmful and poisonous. The participants are then shown the different traps and snares that are set up in camp.

Next at 10:00, is Common Wilderness Treatments, discussed by Eli Bryn Tambiga (PIBC 2013). It tackles common injuries in the woods like open wounds and bleeding, fractures, hypothermia, heat strokes, hypoglycemia and the methods to contain it as well as a practical in using a triangular clothe as bandage and sling. At 13:00, Dominik Sepe (PIBC 2012) discusses about Notches and Lashings. After a half hour of demonstration, the participants proceeded with the business of working with knife and baton on a stick and produce five different notches.

When everybody is about to settle down at 15:00, Outdoor Cooking and Food Preservation came next. This author talked about the ways how meat, fish, vegetable and fruits are preserved. Getting equal discussion are the different kinds of fireplaces. After the lectures, author shows how the Trailhawk System of cooking rice in bamboo is done. Five groups came to possess five different bamboo poles to process into cooking vessels. A fire is prepared and rice are cooked inside it.

After the first group have cooked their rice, they commenced to Nocturnal Hunting. The jungle and streams of Camp Damazo host small edible creatures and have sustained participants of the PIBC during the early years and now, after an absence of three years, these creatures are good enough in numbers for the taking. Ernie Salomon (PIBC 2011), the camp fixer, would ensure that the foraged creatures become a gastronomic treat for the participants and volunteers alike.

For one-and-a-half hours, the five groups filled their respective catch bins and ensured their meal, ending a day-long fast. Dinner is most sweet when you personally toiled and foraged your own food, offering an empty stomach a way out of its hunger pains. All dined together, the rice inside the bamboo pots exude a sweet aroma which made the food more desired. Everyone were happy and exchanged jolly conversations in between swallows.

The second Campfire Yarns and Storytelling started at 20:30 and almost everyone felt relaxed that all had already overcame their ordeals of drowsiness, hunger, thirst, humidity and other stress-causing conditions and it becomes second nature for all to gift self with toasts of success. A few took the pleasure of an early rest, easing on the thought that tomorrow would be the last day and they had proven themselves for the last two days. Alcoholic drinks, cached underneath the ground for a week made its regular rounds again to stoke interesting conversations until midnight.

Last day (June 12), the Blade Porn, a traditional bushcraft camp activity wherein knives and hatchets are laid on a blanket to elicit good conversations, began. The number of blades far outnumber the owners three to one but this author believed most of the campers carried more than six with them. Then came the Patriotic Time. Jingaling Campomanes (PIBC 2015) led the singing of the Lupang Hinirang and the reciting of the Panatang Makabayan.

After a late breakfast, we broke camp and cleaned up Camp Damazo. To see to it that we do not leave trace, a task group led by Jonathaniel Apurado (PIBC 2015), left behind to pick up rubbish that may have been missed out, dismantle camp furnitures and snares, and see to it that the campfire and firepit embers are completely extinguished. Because of the unexpected late participation of additional volunteers, a lot of ground had to be cleared. As per assessment, it is recommended that the PIBC would have to be held somewhere other than here for the next two years.

The exit route is shorter than the ones we took two days ago but it is steep on the last part. It goes out to the Baksan-Pamutan Road. A trail across goes down to Lanipao Rainforest Natural Spring Park and it is there where we would go. The fresh-water pools are perfect for bathing and to cool our bodies down. Aside that, cool refreshments would be provided; raffles and giveaways, blanket trading, and the distribution of training certificates would also be done there. 

The following participants finished the 3-day Basic Tropical Bushcraft Course:

      Ronilyn Ambal                 Frederick Ygnacio III
      Eulalio Conrado Salazar        Raul Andre Jose Ben
      Ronniel Abellar                Vladimir Lumbab
      Mark Brylle Moniva             Aileen Estoquia
      Katrina Mie Javier              Jayson Binamira
      Buen Josef Andrade           Joan Binamira
      Rodillo Arnejo                 Sweet Honey Acenas
      Martin Ibañez II                Bonabella Canga
      Honey Vina Alquizola           April Joy Delantar
      Shelley Kim Binghay            Floramae Dellosa
      Luzviminda Viray              Felipe Arturo Enriquez
      Dave Judson Sy               Alvin John Osmeña
      Frederick Ygnacio Jr           Markus Immer

The giveaways were provided by Derek Manuel (PIBC 2016) of Derek’s Classic Blade Exchange; John Robert (PIBC 2016) of the KnifeMaker; Paracord Manila; Silangan Outdoor Equipment; Titay’s Liloan Rosquillos and Native Delicacies; Tingguian Tribe Outdoors; Zue Fashion; and the Camp Red Buscraft and Survival Guild. Transportation provided free by the Municipality of Liloan. Warrior Pilgrimage is the media partner for PIBC MMXVII.


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Tuesday, May 1, 2018

BUSHCRAFT BUHISAN XLIV: Return to Camp Damazo


THE PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE BUSHCRAFT CAMP is less than a week away. Today, June 4, 2017, is a day reserved for preparing the campsite. The last time I visited Camp Damazo was five months ago during my psyching up for the Thruhike. It had been jungle when I discovered it many years ago and still was jungle when I last saw it. I believed it would stay that way for as long as you kept it a secret to the mainstream crowd.

I come today with the right people. My kind of people and all belonged to the Camp Red Bushcraft and Survival Guild. Most of these guys who are present today cut their teeth here like Ernie Salomon in PIBC 2011, Jhurds Neo in PIBC 2012 and Richie Quijano during the Bonifacio Day Bushcraft Camp in 2015. The rest like Jingaling Campomanes, Mirasol Lepon, Jonathaniel Apurado, Glyn Formentera and Jhops Burbe either took the PIBC 2015 or in 2016 at Liloan.

 
These guys can work on their own without so much supervision. Before we left Guadalupe, each guy had been briefed of what we will all do and all are prepared for the tasks at hand. We all have some of our blades with us and the opportunity for another dirt time in a jungle is sheer joy. Nobody could beat that anytime. I am doing the point and my outdoor awareness level are again at its max. I expect reptiles lurking, especially that it rained hard last night and in the early morning.

The ground is wet, leaves dripping with dew. We move slowly among this man-made forest of Burma teak, its wide leaves that fell to the ground do not make pop-corn sounds anymore like it used to during the warm summer days. The trail follow a low ridge which is sandwiched between two small streams. We follow the bigger one (Creek Alpha) downstream. The water is clear and flowing, the stones among them glossy and shiny. Rubber works on most wet rocks but it is much safer if you go it slow.

The vegetation changed from a single species into a diverse chain of indigenous shrubs and vines that line the stream banks. Here, the birds and insects are much alive. The cacophony of sounds are just amazing. That is what rain can do to a parched land in so short a time. The stream is tricky on some point but I know these parts very well. I caught sight of the trail and we are walking on ground once more. This is a mixed forest of teak, mahogany, gmelina and thick undergrowth dominated by rattan, rhododendron, wild ginger and wild yams.

 
This is part of Lensa Trail which actually crisscross each other through the vast Buhisan Watershed Area. We keep to the high ground from then on until we cross another small stream (Creek Bravo) to proceed to another trail across. The path led me to a ridge which transforms into a beautiful forest of mixed indigenous and exotic species. For a moment, I seem to be in another world but it ended as wild vegetation claimed ground what was once theirs.

We are now at Camp Damazo, pure jungle environment and, soon, home-to-be to the PIBC once more. As we were approaching it, I did my usual trail maintenance work, clearing the path of obstacles and debris, bringing dry twigs and branches with me. The rest of the guys carry dry bundles of twigs collected along the way. We would need dry firewood for our cooking later on and these are few after a downpour. There would be a lot of work but the promise of a good meal would put more heart to our combined effort.

 
First things first, is to make fire and keep the smoke thick to keep daytime mosquitoes, hornets, ants and creepy crawlies away. In jungle environments, these insects are pesky and thick and they are attracted to human presence. It could be your carbon dioxide exhausts from your breath and perspiration or it could be your artificial odor on your clothes. Sometimes, it is just the wrong kind of shirt and bag color but we keep that annoyance to a minimum by using fabric with natural-toned colors.

Ernie will do the cooking and he is supplied with a generous amount of dry firewood that we collected along the way. Jingaling and Mirasol will assist him in his airy kitchen. Jhurds, Jon, Jhops and Glyn will work on a firepit and the kitchen furniture and stock it with more firewood. Me and Richie will dig a latrine for male and female. We just have to retrace our route and look for those perfect spots to commune with nature. Richie has his small pick-axe while I have with me a US-surplus folding shovel, given by Hawaii resident Remy Ababa a few months ago.

The work on the latrines were easy due to modern tools and we were able to finish it earlier than we expected it to be. We go back to the camp and Ernie and girls are in the middle of preparing the food while a cooking fire is doing its work on two blackened pots which, most likely, contain rice. Jhurds and his crew are busy with their blades splitting firewood picked up from the ground. Richie joined them while I go check the water source. It is located 150 meters away. The bamboo trough is now missing and it needs replacement with a new one. Time to look for bamboo poles.

 
In this jungle, only a few groves of bamboo grow. Most of those that grew are the hardy type which are protected by a screen of thorns. I saw one in a nearby stream (Creek Charlie) and I unleashed my big AJF Gahum knife to forage one pole. I am able to clear the thorns away, work which is quite painstaking and time-consuming, so I could have access to a pole. The sound of chopping reverberated in the silence of the place, disturbing the bird calls and the chirp of cicadas and other insects. All sorts of ants fell from the foliage and dropped on my person and it made this work more difficult. I should have smoked it before I commenced.

I cut the pole but it hanged forever above me, its foliage and branches completely intertwined with its own kind. Forcing it with all my strength only budged it just a few inches down. My footing is only limited to two narrow boulders and there is not much I can do except pulling it with a rope from the streambed which is eight feet below. The more I pulled, the more ants falling over me. Some bit and some leave substance that stung. It crawled over my hair to my face and it caused me eye irritations. The pole moved just a foot. I tried to force the pole down by grabbing it and jumping down to the stream like Tarzan which is very dangerous and it budged just a little.

 
Leaving it hanging, I go back to Camp Damazo. I would just hire a local to bring it down to earth in time for the PIBC. I need two green bamboo poles though for survival tool-making and for knife dexterity exercises for the participants and another short piece of dry bamboo for friction fire-making. Anyway, I got a piece of the green bamboo and go first to the water source and insert this to replace the missing trough. The kitchen fire pit is already done when I returned and two iron bars are placed over it. These will hold the pots and pans when it is operational during the PIBC.

I sipped my cup of coffee and enjoyed the sight of the kitchen furniture frame already standing. Soon a platform of round sticks will be laid across the two wooden beams. Meantime, I have to help in collecting firewood and identify more ground for tents and ground sheets. I brought two 4 feet x 10 feet laminated nylon sheets for the latrines but it would be best if this is installed on the day of the event and so I have to cache it securely where its unnatural color of blue and orange would be an obvious sight in a jungle environment.

I looked around the hidden beauty of the jungle even the sinister presence of stinging plants gave off its enchanting allure to butterflies and bees. The “giraffe tree” is now threatened by man. Its surroundings gets cleared as a hunter’s blind is erected near it. Hunting of jungle fowls, ground pigeons, palm civets, leopard cats, monitor lizards and pythons are frequent here and the government do not have the manpower nor the resources to enforce laws in this protected area.

 
The camp preparation work and the walk in a humid environment left me sweaty, thirsty and hungry and a shout from Ernie says that food is now ready along with a rapping of spoon on metal cup. Food are fried mixed vegetables, lo-me (local noodles), seaweeds in vinegar, grilled pork and cupcakes baked in Dutch oven. Truly, this meal is a meal fit for kings considering it is just a day activity. In the Camp Red Bushcraft and Survival Guild, this is regular. Someday, I might entertain of elevating it into bushcraft glamping.

Well fed and invigorated by coffee, camp prep work continue to the rest of the day until we have what we need: firewood placed on a platform above ground, latrines, fire pit for the kitchen, kitchen furniture and trough for the natural spring. The bamboo poles could contracted to locals which I would do when we get out of the jungle on the way to Lanipao. The return of the PIBC to Camp Damazo is very well-considered as participation increased from last time and so are volunteers. But I trust in my people to practice Ethical Bushcraft when they are in pristine environment. I taught them how.

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