Mt. Apo... highest peak, highest disappointment

mmmm...
to the left, to the left...
everything you own in the box to the left...

Who would have thought that this Beyonce hit would become a soundtrack of a shattered dream?

After months of waiting (and preparation?), I traveled south of Manila to Davao City on a 6-day journey with the Guys4Mountains team to conquer Philippines' highest peak-- Mt. Apo. The team arrived at Davao International Airport in three batches yesterday via Cebu Pacific on their piso fare. First batch has me, Ujin, Jay, Eric and Rowel who arrived just a little before 0700H. Second with Bench, Lorenz and Mariano around 1400H and last with Elf and Alvin around 2100H. Davao has greeted the first batch with an unexpected but most welcome surprise-- Noey! Yes, the superstar has traveled far and early via Philippine Air not only to surprise us but to join the climb as well.

First batch poses at the facade of Davao International Airport. (Photo courtesy: Eric M.)

After shopping for our food provisions at Gaisano along JP Laurel in front of We R Inn, our city base, we proceeded to Aldevinco for a quick shopping spree of malongs and sarongs. Then our first meal of local inihaws together as a complete team at Banoks near Davao Doctors capped the night.

Back at our hotel room, every one's busy with their packings and last minute preparation as I was busy working! Since mid October, I have been working my butt out to finish two projects on time. Knowing I will be away for a week for this trip, I have been sneaking out of the group's rendezvouses to find a quiet space and work on my projects-- at the airport, coffee shops, hotel lobby or room, name it! Thank God, Davao is abundant with generous establishments offering wi-fi-- and they're absolutely free!

Guys4Mountains first dinner at Banoks near Davao Doctors. (Photo courtesy: Alvin L.)

Just hardly 30 minutes nap, what used to be a pleasant Beyonce beat reverberated and pierced my senses:

mmmm...
to the left, to the left...
everything you own in the box to the left...

Call time at 0500H!

mmmm...
to the left, to the left...
everything you own in the box to the left...

The sharp resonance this time, brought chills to my spine as I scramble for blankets, malongs and jackets to comfort my weary and cold body. I have been suffering from terrible colds since we got here evident by my hoarse voice. Countless sleepless nights and the extreme weather may have gotten on me as well.

The hardest decision has been made: I have to withdraw from the 3-day climb. And this I announced barely an hour before we leave for the jumpoff point of Digos in Davao del Sur, about 2-hours drive from our hotel.

The jeep that will bring us close to our dream. (Photo courtesy: Alvin L.)

The team getting ready to leave Davao City for Digos. (Photo courtesy: Alvin L.)

So there I was, standing still amidst the parked vehicles on the hotel parking ground earlier this gloomy day... waving goodluck and farewell to the team. As our locally rented jeepney that would bring us closer to our dream slowly disappeared from my astigmatic vision, I cant help but feel betrayed. Time and chance conspired against me. Helpless, I retired to my new and smaller hotel room with heavy heart and spirit and went back to work! Contenting to the thoughts that Mt. Apo will always be there and that there's a vibrant city waiting for me to re-discover. But then again, I'm now down with fever...