Mt. Pinatubo | A Hike for Bohol

At the wake of the 2013 Bohol Earthquake (October 15, 2013), it was morning of Tuesday and I was at home, about to leave for work. I heard over the TV, that an earthquake occurred in the Visayan islands. That time, I thought it was just a usual negligible shaking of the ground, so I left and didn't mind.

Then a day after the quake, videos and pictures of the horrifying event circulated the social media. Centuries old churches in Bohol were leveled to the ground, several structures were greatly damaged, and lives were lost. Even the famous Chocolate Hills were not spared. Only then we realized how serious it was. I was struck by the "nakapanlulumo" scenes and wanted to help. I wanted to do something for these poor fellows, but clueless how to. Until a friend invited me to join their fund raising effort. Thanks to Ian of www.limbonis.com,  the "Stroll for Bohol" effort was born. Basically, the goal of the effort was to raise funds for the disaster's victims; we arrange a tour/hike then require our participants to donate a sum of money, simple as that. I will be able to help my downed countrymen, and at the same time, enjoy nature's beauty; win win situation, isn't it?

I took part of the "Stroll for Bohol" effort by leading a group to Mt. Pinatubo via Capas trail two weeks after Visayas, particularly the province of Bohol, was rattled.

Taal Volcano | The Small but Terrible

In an attempt to summit all the six most active volcanoes in the Philippines, my feet brought me to my 5th. This time, the most significant of them all.

Taal Volcano may be small the smallest active volcano in the world, but just so you know, with at least 33 eruptions in recorded history, some were even destructive, it is the second most active volcano (Mayon being the first) in the whole Philippine archipelago. That's right, literally small but terrible! Worthy of a hike, most definitely.