MINDORO

It has been always my dream to climb a mountain. It feels like I am connecting myself to Mother Nature and I want to see those things above and feel the love of the mountains. Thus, last May 30, 2014, it is my very first attempt to climb a mountain. Since the thesis research I have come upon to study with is about Lichens well, to those people who don’t know what lichens is it is a symbiotic relationship of algae and fungi and it is usually found on the bark of trees. I have chosen Brgy. Villa Cerveza in Oriental Mindoro to conduct the study together with my thesis partners.

Before the day of our departure we had stayed at an apartment in Sampaloc, Manila where one of my thesis partners is staying. So, by tomorrow we’re able to travel together.

At exactly 2am on May 29, 2014 we had travelled from Sampaloc, Manila to Buendia and rode a bus going to Batangas Port at five in the morning. We had arrived at Batangas Port at 6 in the morning and rode a fast craft going to Calapan City. We had arrived at Calapan City at 7:30 in the morning. We’d take a tricycle and went to San Vicente to left our baggage in my mom’s friend where we gonna stay. We took some rest for a while.

 At 12 in the afternoon we’ve took a van going to Victoria and rode a tricycle going to the remote area of Brgy. Villa Cerveza.  When we had arrived at the place we’ve talked to Brgy Capt. Aaron Villareal about the sampling that we are going to undertake in his area. He said that we can start it by tomorrow. He needs to inform the Mangyans and other authority about our sampling and since it’s late already. Thus, we called it a day.

On the next day, we’ve travelled again from Calapan City to Victoria to meet our companions. At 11 in the morning we’ve arrived in Brgy. Villa Cerveza.  Brgy. Captain Aaron reminds us certain things and told us that Kuya Melandro and Kuya Dante will be our companion in climbing the mountain. We had passed along eight rivers and two mountains. We had encountered Mangyans who are practicing Kaingin and Illegal Logging for their livelihood and we had come across into some blood leeches (limatik) in the area. That was the most intense part! That creature! But they’re part of the ecological niche anyway.

 As we go along, it took us about 2 hours going near our study area where a mining site is located. We’ve collect lichens on the bark of trees and At 3:30 in the afternoon, on the same day.  We had gone down the mountains and arrived at the road side we’ve also collect lichen sample on the bark of trees.

 We had departed in the area at 4:15 in the afternoon. Since, it’s already late to be back at Calapan City. We had stayed at Villa Bautista Hotel and Resort in Victoria. We enjoyed and relaxed ourselves from the tiring day that we had experienced.

The next morning was awesome. We went back to Calapan City and stayed there for several days as we go back to Manila. The entire journey was indeed full of unforgettable memories that I'll surely treasure forever. 

Hugs and Kisses.

Grace :">