BISLIG, Surigao del Sur (MindaNews/23 April) – Ever since we joined the Wild Bird Club over five years ago, we have always been advised to visit Bislig forests before they finally disappear from the face of the earth and soon. There were gory tales of trees capriciously cut down by settlers and loggers, of kids as old as 10 wielding chainsaws, of murders and killings of those who got in the way of these malefactors.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/20 Jan) – A government geologist on Thursday warned residents living in upland areas of Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao to brace for the possible occurrence of landslides in the wake of the sporadic heavy rains in
4 A.M. alarms went off in the usual way but it was only Nicky who seemed to have stirred. Much later, it was Felix then Adri and Trinket and Carmela. I did not want to get up and laid perfectly still hoping not to be noticed. “I’m afraid I shall have to forgo the trek today” I heard Ixi say. “I am still very tired and have not recovered from yesterday’s trek.”
Birders were stirring before the wake-up time of 4 a.m. Head lights were donned and switched on as people began their morning ablutions and dressing up. I found out to my dismay that I had not brought a headlight and
This day started early. 3:00 A.M. There was a flurry of silent but vigorous activity of repacking luggage that had been unpacked for the night, putting them in plastic bags and into jute sacks for loading onto the pack horses. The birders were not as neat in repacking as the horsemen but that would have to do.
I still cannot write my report on this trip. I cannot seem to be able to allow myself to filter into words the magic we experienced on Mount Kitanglad. Pictures should be a better presentation of our experiences there, but I have no camera. The only pictures I have are those very vivid in my mind. The Kitanglad mountains in Bukidnon is a long ridge constituting the 2nd Highest peak in Mindanao at about 2,900 meters. Mt. Apo being the highest stands at 3,300 meters.
