Postcards from Mt. Ulap

[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...