Postcards from Mt. Ulap

Every day is the best day to climb Mt. Ulap, they say. But for me, the perfect months to climb is from November to February. Yup, Mt. Ulap is more fun from November to February. Here are a few of my reasonable reasons why: 1. There's less rain. Less rain means the pathways are easier to climb. You are less likely to slip. You can sit on the grasses when you want a few walking breaks.  Mt. Ulap trail (Image from Google) 2. There's less clouds. Well, it won't be called Mt. Ulap if not for its clouds, but, hey, More clouds means you won't be able to enjoy the views around you. There's one part where you can see the Sto. Tomas Ridge. There's another part where you can overlook Pangasinan and part of San Roque Dam. One can also view from there, Pangasinan/La Union coast and Kennon Area below. There's also an open view of the Philex Mine Site.  Overlooking Ampucao (Image from Google) 3. The skies are bluer. Believe me. I grew up here. La

The number of homeschooling families in the Philippines is growing fast. It is no doubt that Filipino families value their homes as crucial part in the learning process of their children. Not only does it promote core values of the child, but it also helps in nation building (it starts at home). The following are Homeschool providers that are DepEd accredited.: 1. Catholic Filipino Academy (CFA) • Founded by author, entrepreneur and preacher Bo Sanchez • Follows the DepEd school calendar (June-March) • Offers classes and activities for kids (open to non-CFA enrollees, too) • Mainly uses local textbooks, but also offers Singapore Math and curriculum selections from Catholic Heritage Curricula • Fees range from P23,000 to 25,000, plus books depending on grade level • Located at Obispado de Cubao, 41 Lantana Street, Cubao, Quezon City. Call (02) 721-1088 for details 2. Homeschool Global (TMA Homeschool) • Has activity co-ops or groups that your kids can join • Allows for

What is Homeschooling? Homeschooling is the traditional way of teaching your children. I say it is traditional, because, kids literally learn basic skills at home. When you teach your child to clean up his mess after playing, that is basic education. When you tell your child to respect the elders, that is homeschooling. Kids usually learn how to count at home. They learn good grooming in their early years at home. It is homeschooling. image from Google What is "Independent Homeschooling"? Independent homeschoolers provide their own curriculum for the child. They usually base the list of books from DepEd. The parents teach the child. How will the child know its grade level? There is an annual assessment by the DepEd. It is called PEPT (Philippine Educational Placement Test). It is a testing done to the child under the equivalency and accreditation program. DepEd validates the knowledge and skills of the child through informal knowledge, which is- independent home

  Image from Google   [INTRO] G [VERSE] G Em I found a love for me C D Darling just dive right in, and follow my lead G Em Well I found a girl beautiful and sweet C D I never knew you were the someone waiting for me [PRE-CHORUS] G Cause we were just kids when we fell in love Em C G D Not knowing what it was, I will not give you up this ti-ime G Em But darling just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own C D And in your eyes you’re holding mine [CHORUS] Em C G D Em Baby, I’m dancing in the dark, with you between my arms C G D Em Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song C

  Image from Google   [Verse 1] C Well maybe I came on too strong Am F G Maybe I waited too long C Maybe I played my cards wrong, oh just a little bit wrong Am F Baby I --- apologize for it [Pre-Chorus 1] F I could fall, or I could fly Am Here in your aeroplane Em And I could live, I could die F Hanging on the words you say F And I’ve been known to give my all Am And jumping in harder than G Ten thousand rocks on the lake [Chorus 1] C So don’t call me baby Am F Unless you mean it G C And don’t tell me you need me Am If you don’t believe it F G So let me know the truth Am G Em C Before I dive right into you [Verse 2] C You’re a mystery Am F

Here is my doll I chose to name "Ulap". She is one of the Cordilleran dolls, Ate Jac started to put up for her studio. She has different dolls that would suit your personality. Her dolls are both for the young and the young at heart (like me). My Ulap had several adventures already (but mostly within Cordillera- as this is the place where I work).  In these pictures, my husband took Ulap for me (he's soooo kind to take my doll. Really). They took a hike up the real Mt. Ulap and took pictures of her. Ulap with Auntie Lola  with the wacky pose (we didn't get Lola's name)  Going up Sta. Fe Route Ulap overlooking La Union/ Pangasinan Ulap enjoying her hike  Ulap on the way home If you want to have your own Dolldalita, you can go to  https://www.dolldalita.com Buy Pinoy! Buy Local!

[Verse 1] Bright sunny day don't cost nothing Light summer breeze don't cost nothing What do I do with all this money? When the only thing I want is you [Verse 2] Palling around don't cost nothing Singing a song don't cost nothing How do I spend all this money? I'd rather just spend time with you [Verse 3] You could buy a house and a car I guess that I can but I've already got a van I could put you through college But I'm with the Gems all the time Or I could buy you all the finest courses online What if we took a trip? [Bridge] Do you think? Yeah I do! We could take a vacation We could go somewhere new [Reprise] Tailor-made suits, those cost something Room with a view, those cost something Dancing with you Don't cost nothing Why'd we even come, we could've done this at home Singing a song don't cost nothing Or was it palling around, don't cost nothing Getting it wrong Don't cost nothing I tried

3 NPA rebels charged for arson at Benguet.  More of the news by Herald Express on the link below. http://baguioheraldexpressonline.com/3-npa-rebels-charged-for-arson-in-benguet-2/ Philex Volvo (Flickr)

FINAL UPDATE! FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BARANGAY COUNCIL: Due to the advisory from the authorities (PNP), all Mt. Ulap Eco-Trail activities will be temporarily suspended effective, February 12, 2017.  Activities will resume on February 18, 2017. Please disregard our previous advisory dated Feb. 10, 2017. We express our sincere apologies to our clients for the short notice. For your information and guidance. (from the Ampucao local Government) Para sa mga may common sense at disiplinadong climbers. Photo by Leo Mendoza (Facebook)

http://www.bomboradyo.com/bilang-dagiti-pimmusay-iti-engkwentro-sadiay-tuba-makumkumpirmar/ A number of people killed or injured are slowly being confirmed by the local government. More news on the link. Photos from Leo Mendoza / Reynaldo Tullao

http://www.bomboradyo.com/update-hot-pursuit-operation-vs-npa-members-nanguram-iti-trucks-ti-mining-company-sadiay-benguet-agtultuloy/ God bless the Philippines.  The NPAs are having a simultaneous frenzy over heavy equipments in the Philippines.  Philex is another victim.. The Ilocano of Bombo Radyo is really deep.. Most words we couldn't understand. But the gist is that the Military and the Police are doing their best to capture the suspects. The investigation and pursuit are going on.  Photos courtesy of Reynaldo Marzan Tullao (facebook)

http://www.cordilleransun.com/2017/02/after-attack-on-mining-trucks-in-itogon.html http://www.bomboradyo.com/2-truck-ti-mining-company-sadiay-benguet-inuram-dagiti-maatap-kameng-ti-npa/ You have probably heard by now that there are suspended hike schedules at MT. Ulap.  Some are making fun of it. Some got mad.  But please, it's for your safety.  Photos courtesy of Leo Mendoza from facebook Be safe. Don't hike unless the local government releases an advisory. 

Bes, may mga postcards kami.   In case napadpad ka na sa Mt. Ulap ngunit wala kang type na souvenir, meron kaming postcards na pwede naming i-snailmail sa iyo. Yup, ipapadala namin sa post office papunta sa iyo.  Old fashioned? Tama. Pero ang cute di ba? O kaya, may picture ka, sabay hugot na rin, maaari mo itong i-send sa amin, para magawan namin ng postcards at ipapadala rin namin sa inyo o sa taong gusto niyong pagbigyan nito. Cool, tama? Ito, sample ng aking litrato. Libre lait mga bes :) Quote Sir Edmund Hillary (modified)

Aakyat ka ba ng Mt. Ulap Bes? FYI, mayroong inilabas na memo ang lokal ng Ampucao na hiking schedule will only be limited to 150 pax per weekday and 500 pax on weekends. Ito ay para maiwasan ang sobrang dami ng hikers na nangyari noong unang week ng January 2017. Jusme, pati mga van na nakapila sa kalsada, hindi magkandaugaga sa tabi.. Napakakipot na nga lang ng kalsada, naging one way pa dahil sa kanila. Source: Alex Marquez of Team Ulikba Eto pa, pagkatapos magshower, manatili sa sidewalk at nang hindi masagasaan. Juicecolored, hindi ito extension ng inyong banyo. Moving forward, sana i-observe natin ang kalinisan. Una, sa may barangay hall, pangalawa, sa trail paakyat, pangatlo, sa tuktok ng Ulap, sa pagbaba at sa Sta. Fe (oo, dun sa may tulay kung saan pwedeng magshower). Sana hindi matulad sa Mt. Pulag itong si Mt. Ulap na kinailangan pang isara para ma-rehab. Alagaan natin ang Mt. Ulap. Pleeeeeeeeaaaase.

We know many of you have already trekked the heights of the lovely Mt. Ulap. We, too, have been there.. back when only a few people knew of it.. back when it was harder to climb because the pathways were almost virgin of human shoe steps. The first few ascend was really tiring (because we are really not in to climbing- we can say we had no choice because it was a group activity in the office which we had to attend). And yes, we were not enjoying the first views along the way, because it was almost similar to what we had back home. Samples of our Original Postcards But yeah, when we were getting there, I admit, I was going a little bit sentimental... wishing I was with my husband there, hold my hands, help me up, and have selfies together. Yes, the view was so awesome, it makes you go senti. This is why "Postcards from Mt. Ulap" came to reality... well, digital reality, that is. Of the thousands who already got to Mt. Ulap's summit, we are pre