Chemists Face Lematics: The Mt. Makiling Adventure

They say that your ELBI life wouldn't be complete without experiencing the lematics of Mt. Makiling as you reach for the summit of Peak 2. True enough, a number of friends responded when we organized a trek to the area.

Two days before the climb, we attended a briefing organized by the UPLB Mountaineers whose members also served as our guide during the actual activity. Majority of us were first-time hikers, thus, we badly needed their expertise. Thanks to UPLB Mountaineers for doing that for free :). At least we had the idea on what to expect.

Come January 30, 2012, around six o'clock in the morning, a total of 18 hikers and 3 guides gathered outside DL Umali Hall. Interestingly, hikers were chemists, chemical engineers, and food technologists. We divided our group into thee. The lead group was led by Engr. Randel Dualan, the mid group by Engr. Mark Anthony Badua, and sweepers was led by me. After fifteen minutes, we started to walk going to forestry.

UPLB Mountaineers led the way.

Back to Back Trip to BOHOL

After Cebu Trip, I had a back to back visit to Bohol. The first one was with my two siblings last September 25, 2012 and two weeks after, it was with my parents. On the first visit, we stayed at the Taver's Pension House in Tagbilaran City. The service of the hotel was good and the location is convenient because it is situated in the city center where establishments, malls, and food chains are readily available. On the second visit, we stayed at the Alona Tropical Hotel in Panglao Island. The place is very relaxing since it is nature-inspired and is on the beach front.

Alona's Tropical Hotel, Panglao Island

Giving Back: the KAPPAN Way

I’m not a medical doctor, not even in my dreams.  I can't imagine myself doing consultations, giving prescriptions, or conducting surgical operations (I hope I used the right medical terms). Even so, I always admire their profession. Despite not being in the medical field, I am blessed to be part of one of their noble activities. Held in a barangay in Pakil, Laguna, alumni (medical doctors and other professionals) and resident members of UP Kappa Phi Sigma-CDS organized its 3^rd Medical Mission with an extra. I would say extra because it wasn’t just a medical mission. We also prepared games for children and adult men and women in addition to the groceries distributed to every family. Our alumni who were successful in their respective fields were the sponsors of all the medicines, groceries, vitamins, and cash prizes.

Mini Pharmacy

The Backpackers (Cebu Trip)

Ito ang unang pagkakataon na maglalakbay ako sa isang lugar na ang layunin ay maglibang lamang, kalimutan pansamantala ang trabaho at mga aralin sa unibersidad. Nais kong ibahagi ang mga karanasan ko, sa nasabing paglalakbay.

Noong Pebrero ay nakakita ako ng "promo fare" sa Cebu Pacific patungong Cebu. Noong una ay balak kong maglakbay mag-isa ngunit naisip kong magandang pagkakaton ito upang makasama ko ang aking mga kapatid. Ito na rin ang regalo ko para sa kanilang kaarawan (ang totoo ay pamasahe lamang nila ang sagot ko haha).

Ika-24 ng Setyembre. Bandang ika-lima ng umaga ang alis ng eroplano sa NAIA 3 kung kaya't ikatlo ng umaga ay umalis na kami sa tirahan ng mga kapatid ko sa Quezon City. Upang matiyak ang kaligtasan, sumakay na lamang kami ng taxi.

Nakarating kami ng Cebu Airport bandang ikaanim ng umaga. Upang makatipid, minabuti naming sumakay sa "white-colored taxi" sapagkat mas mahal ang singil kung sa "yellow-colored taxi". Walang tatanggap na hotel ng ganoon kaaga kaya't sinimulan na namin ang paglalakbay. Ihinatid kami ng taxi sa Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, ayon sa metro ng taxi, P180.00 ang babayaran. Iniabot ko ang P200.00 at dali-daling naglabas ng P20.00 ang driver bilang sukli. Nakakatuwang isipin na mabait si Manong Driver sapagkat bibihira lamang ang driver na magbibigay ng sukli (kung sa Manila, sasabihin ng nila na wala silang panukli) subalit hindi ko na din ito tinanggap.

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral