MMS - Metropolitan Mountaineering Society

Biak na Bato Experience

By Jun Cama

We started the day with the anticipation of the big task ahead of us. Thirty plus hopeful MMS trainees, all of them were green to rappelling and spelunking. The trip to Biak na Bato National Park in San Miguel, Bulacan was uneventful. The day was started by some stretching and calisthenics and a run within the area. Properly warmed-up, we proceeded to the hanging bridge inside the park where lecture about rappelling and the different systems used for such activity was given by Mark Tristan Santos, a 505 Rescue Team member. The lunch was served minutes past noon and since we started the day early, all of the aspiring trainees were famished. The tinolang manok, inihaw na tilapia and rice wrapped in banana leaves were sumptuous. If served with any food, the trainees will still have the same appetite and gusto because of their rumbling stomachs.

There were lots of thoughts and apprehensions being voiced out about the next activity, the actual rappelling exercise. Some of them bordered on being funny and gross, but all the same, it’s just our way of making things lighter especially with the big challenge just ahead of us.

Because of our big number, we were grouped into 4, with sets of male & female for each group taking turns on the four rappelling ropes rigged on the hanging bridge. We started with the standard style of rappelling. This was just the preparation for the more difficult styles that followed such as the Lizard

and the Australian rappel, ascent using the prussik method and the spider rappel were done also. At first, there was doubt at the back of our minds and fear regarding the safety of the rope, the system and the whole process of doing it. Our hearts beat faster as our turn to jump drew nearer. But with the presence of the jumpmasters and the belayers from last year’s batch, our reservations somewhat lessened. It was an exciting and exhilarating activity after all. Some members find it hard to conquer their fear of heights but after doing the actual exercise, smiles can be seen from their faces. It was a smile borne from accomplishment and pride and knowing that they have finished the task given them and will no longer have to do it again. But for the more adventurous bunch of trainees, it was a start of something fun and exciting. The whole afternoon was not enough for the activity. The jumpmasters decided to discontinue the activity when dusk fell for it is no longer safe to rappel.

We proceeded to the resort and had our dinner prepared by the local folks. We washed up and tidied ourselves in preparation for the highlight event that night, which is the program for the 14th Anniversary of the Metropolitan Mountaineering Society. Another highlight for that evening was the much awaited traditional annual drafting of trainees for the four MMS tribes, the Badjao, Aeta, Tasaday and the Mangyans. A lively dance presentation was made by the Batch ’08 trainees, costumes were based on what we all have learned from bandaging and ropemanship and everyone had fun. History of MMS, its significant events and the growth of the organization were presented by the founder, Long Henson and the current MMS president, Cary Regaspi.

And then, the much awaited drafting began, the Mangyan tribe taking the first draw for they were last in last year’s sportsfest competition followed by Tasaday, Badjao and the defending champion, Aeta. Mangyan’s first draft picked was Lito Asaldo, a hunk of a trainee with a moniker of “ugat” because of his prominent veins and muscles that didn’t escape the scrutinies of some female trainees. To say that the drafting process was fun was an understatement. Before it even began, there were lots of campaigning made by each tribe showing their advantages and privileges just to entice the new trainees to join them. Jeers and taunts were made even before the drafting begun and it never ceased until the end of the draft pick. To say the least, it was very competitive. The Badjao tribe having most of its members as incumbent officers and members of the Board of Trustees had the advantage in the verbal jousts and arguments that ensued during the selection of tribe members. Not to say that the emcee for said event, having the monopoly of the microphone, was a Badjao member. The Badjao tribe’s slogan is “Pag Bad ka, Badjao ka!” reflective of the image they projected. The Tasaday’s were somewhat reserved while the Mangyans are a mix of traits. The Aetas always boast on their athletic prowess, being champion in the MMS sportsfest for four consecutive years. The whole process instilled the spirit of camaraderie in both the members and recruits alike. Four Tribes, one identity, one MMS family. Once an MMS, forever an MMS!

That evening, the trainees as well as members enjoyed the exemption to the rule of “NO drinking and smoking” because of the 14th year anniversary celebration of MMS. It was a time for merriment. Drinks were overflowing and there was even a videoke singing until the wee hours of the morning. The festivity was the culmination of the bonding process between the new recruits and the members.

On the second day, we have spelunking. Accompanied by the local guides, we were able to explore three caves, Yungib I, II & III. Various historical snippets regarding the Spanish revolution during the time of General Aguinaldo was cited by the guide. And much to our amusement, the guide performed some ritual in one of the caves. Requesting us to hold hands, be in a circlular formation and with our head lamps off, total darkness engulfed us and the only sound we heard was the chanting by the local guide which according to him was part of the tradition they performed for non locals who are visiting their caves. It sounded eerie at first, but after several weird sounding stanzas, we decipher its meaning as “HAY NA LOKO KAMI”. It was a good prank and we have a good laugh from it.