How we started...

The Metropolitan Mountaineering Society or popularly known as MMS was founded on 1994, born out of pure love of nature, the outdoors and its exploration. The group started out through the efforts of Denis Sacro. He initiated its organization through advertisements from free ads publications particularly the Buy and Sell magazine. Ed Ocampo, Long Henson, Jerick Yaya and Dennis attended the first meeting held at the latter’s residence at Murphy Cubao Quezon City. No one among them belongs to any similar organization before although most of them have informal trekking and climbing experiences. During the month of January of 1994, the initial policies of the organization were established. The first official climb which is now considered the foundation day of the organization happened on March 13 of the same year at Mt. Makiling via UPLB route, attended by now considered the eight founding members Dennis, Long, Ed, Jerick, Boying Amio, Richard Kahulugan, Joey Avila and Anne De Leon (now Anne Sacro).

The 1st  Name and Logo of the Club

The following months were a very busy month for the organization. MMS started out laying the policies, structures and the first Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC) training of the organization. The officers who were designated to handle the very first BMC training of the organization were Joey Avila as Training Officer, Ed Ocampo and Long Henson handling Logistics, Anne Sacro for Monitoring and Richard Kahulugan for Physical Fitness. The training course was basically designed by Joey Avila who was a former member of another mountaineering group. The first name of the organization was "Nature’s Camp" which was eventually changed a month after to Metropolitan Mountaineering Society through the suggestion of Jerick Yaya. The first batch, Batch 1994 conducted their BMC at Mt. Maculot (March 26-27), Mt. Romelo or Famy (April 9-10), Mt. Lucban de Banahaw (April 23-24), and Mt. Banahaw de Dolores (May 7-9).

Mt. Banahaw was to be remembered as the climb where all the 17 members of batch 94 were present. Included with the eight founding members to constitute batch 94 were Bong Ocampo, Jonjon Alegre, Nick Pacis, Bong Ramos, Pauline Carganilla,Claire de Ocampo, Malen de Guzman, Reiner Glori and Butchoy Macasaet. There were others who joined the BMC training but didn’t make it through to becoming a full pledged member by finishing the entire training course. Finally the first induction was held at Mt. Banahaw with Anne, Malen and Pauline as the first inductees of the organization. The next induction was held at Mt. Halcon on May 18-22 with Dennis, Ed, Long, Nick, Butchoy and Richard as the first "Hard Core" members. Mt. Halcon was specifically selected to be the venue of the first induction climb for male members to show that MMS was indeed serious and that MMS members can conquer the Philippines toughest mountain by climbing it on the first year of the organization.

1994: THE INITIAL YEAR

An election was conducted after the BMC training and the interim officers who were elected were Ed Ocampo as President, Dennis Sacro as VP Internal, Richard Kahulugan as VP External, Anne Sacro as Secretary, Long Henson as Treasurer and Jerick Yaya as Auditor. Few months after, Ed Ocampo resigned as president and a formal election for the fiscal year 1994 was held which resulted in the following: President-Dennis Sacro; VP-Victor Ocampo; Secretary-Anne Sacro; Treasurer-Long Henson and Auditor-Jerick Yaya. The first environmental project of the group, a tree planting activity was conducted on July 2-3 at Mt. Arayat Pampanga attended by members and some guests. The Manila Seedling Bank was the sponsor of the seedlings. The second environmental project happened on August 20-21 of the same year with a clean-up drive at Crystalino- Mt. Banahaw, which was also the induction of another member, Jonjon Alegre.

The recruitment orientation was held at Ezekel Building at Pasong Tamo in Makati through the courtesy of Bong Ocampo. The training officer of this year’s recruitment-BMC training was Long Henson. Training was held on Talamitam (Feb 18-19), Famy (Mar 4-5), Makiling (Mar 12), Cristobal (Mar 18-9) Banahaw (Mar 31-Apr 2) and Maculot (Jun 10-12). Still, more new destinations were explored this year including Mt. Mapallao on April 12-15 through the invitation of Dr. Nick Pacis and Madlum, Biak na Bato and Pinagrealan Caves on July 6-7. A fun climb was held at Mt. Arayat on September 15-16.

The first edition of the MMS Explorer, the official newsletter of the organization was also published on October of 1995 with Bong Ocampo as Publisher, Anne Sacro as Editor in Chief and Mark Salcedo as Managing Editor. The group held its second major climb of the year back to Mt. Pulag on December 27-31 with Rainer Glori of batch 94 as the inductee. In the lighter side, the first media exposure of the group happened this year through an article on a weekly magazine, Mirror, written by a former trainee of 1994. Christmas Party was again held at Bong Ocampo’s residence were election of new officers were held.

1996: TEST OF FIRE

Re-elected for the second time as president was Long Henson while the other officers elected were VP- Mark Salcedo, Secretary- Claire de Ocampo, Treasurer- Roland Javier and PRO- Jerick Yaya. Few more members went on leave during this year, including the vice president, Mark Salcedo due to injuries, which made it more difficult for the remaining officers to implement the organization’s plans and projects. It was a test of fire if the organization would last for another year but a test, which the group has passed through the diligent efforts of the remaining active members.

It was always the new recruits who gave a new lease on the life of the organization through their active participation during their first year as members. The third batch, batch 96 was successfully inducted at Mt. Guiting Guiting in Sibuyan Island, Romblon on April 3-9. Long Henson was again the training officer of this year’s training. The batch was composed of Anne Palisoc (formerly Ann Palaganas), Merci Guilas, Colet Flores and Bob Ali who was the first foreigner member of the organization (Bangladeshi). Another member of this batch, Baby Hualda was previously inducted at Mt. Banahaw. Jerick Yaya was also inducted at Guiting Guiting. The training venues were as follows: Famy (Feb 9-11), Mt. Maculot (Feb 17-18), Lucban de Banahaw (Mar 9-10) and Mt. Banahaw (Mar 22-24). It was a long induction week since a typhoon stranded the group in Sibuyan and Romblon, Romblon for an additional 2 days. The venue for the recruitment orientation was held at BETP in Buendia Makati through the courtesy of Rodel Palisoc and Edwin Serapio. Long Henson also established the club’s website- The MMS Website, during this year. It was the second local mountaineering website in the Philippines.

The MMS website ushered in a "new era" in terms of promotions and recruitment for the website gave exposure and contacts to the organization with the growing Internet users. Boying Amio was the first member to climb outside of the country at Mt. Fuji in Japan during his training there. Also this year, the Fiscal Year of the organization was changed from January to December of the same year to a July to May of the succeeding year. Long Henson took over as editor in chief of the MMS Explorer with four editions under his editorship. 1996 was also the year MMS began naming batch names from mountains with batch 94 as Halcon, 95 as Pulag and 1997 as Guiting Guiting. The group participated in an invitational climb of the Philipinas Sierra to Daraitan, Tanay on July 6-7 and the CFTF to the Twin Falls in Cavinti Laguna. Other official explorations includes Maculot (Jun 15-14), Majayjay, Halcon (Oct 30- Nov 2), Natib (Sept), Talamitam (Sept 7-8), Twin Falls (1996) and Pulag (Dec 27-30).

1997: RENAISSANCE

For the recruitment of 1997, the training officer for the third time was Long Henson. The MMS BMC curriculum was now taking shape with a distinct MMS characteristic. It was continually evolving based on previous training experiences. The MMS BMC handout was also becoming an exclusive MMS original. The training recruitment this year was again held at BETP in Buendia, Makati through the courtesy of Rodel and Edwin. But the recruitment that year only produced 2 members, Bob Gamboa and Blanca Yaya (formerly Blanca Ocampo) who were inducted at Mt. Pulag during the December major climb on December 27-30. Bob and Blanca were to compose Batch 97 or Batch Pinatubo. The other trainees didn’t finish the training course due to different personal reasons. Training venues were as follows: Batulao (Feb 15-16), Natib (Mar 1-2) and Banahaw (Mar 14-16). Batch 97 though not inducted at the place, reached new heights after conquering Mt. Pinatubo, during the time when it was not yet safe to climb its slopes. Two members Edwin and Long reached the Philippines highest, Mt. Apo during the Holy Week of the same year. Long Henson went to Japan for a work related training and in his absence, a new set of officers to constitute the Executive Committee for the fiscal year 97-98 were elected composing of President Jerick Yaya and his Executive Officers- Ed Ocampo, Jun Medrano, Mark Salcedo, Bob Ali, and Brian Timario. The new set-up of the executive structure was changed due to the few numbers of active members.

1998: START OF THE GOLDEN YEAR

Year 1998 will be remembered as the rejuvenation of MMS. The investment of the group through its website has already posted results as more members are joining the group via the Internet. The organization has also gained prominence in the local mountaineering circuit due to its website, which was face-lifted this year. The training for batch 1998 will also be remembered as a milestone since it was re-structured and improved to serve the new ideals of the organization. Its direction was re-focused on developing the members holistically in terms of skills and personality. Focus was also placed on the development of teamanship and camaraderie of the group. Since then, it has served as a standard in terms of BMC training. Long Henson was assigned as Training Officer for this year. The training was a success since the officers of 1997 headed by Jerick Yaya fully supported the training activities.

Jerick also implemented the MMS T-shirt campaign with old members having black shirts and the trainees with gray-colored ones- the origins of the training shirt practice. Jerick also commissioned members to re-draft the constitution and by-laws, which they did for two days at the house of one of the trainee, Thon Tan at Quezon City. Members who have attended included Jerick Yaya, Long Henson, Mark Salcedo, Jonjon Alegre, Bong Ramos, Bob Ali and Jun Medrano. The constitution was re-drafted based on current needs of the organization. It was unanimously ratified during the induction party for batch 98. This will be known as the 1998 Constitution. A new election for the Board of Trustees ensued with Joey Avila, Jonjon Alegre and Nick Pacis to serve from 1998 to 2001 and with Long Henson, Jerick Yaya and Ed Ocampo to serve from 1998 to 2004.

In this year also was the first year the MMS Summer Games were held incorporated in the training of batch 98. The Black Team was the overall champion composing of the old members. The very first Miss MMS pageant also happened during the '98 Sportfest Beachineering Activity. More traditions were also established including the trainees’ initiation night, the induction party, which was first held at Mhon Martinez Residence at Matapang St., Quezon City and the first publication of the Training Year Book. It was the first MMS party to incorporate themes as well as costumes. This year it was "Malong Only." Composing batch 98 were Joan Aday, Jovert Bautista, Girlie Elman, Roy Flores, Jun Genoveza, Ariel Geronimo, Erwin Luz, Mhon Martinez, Kae Masangkay, Ting Ocampo, Boki Olipas, Bong Pico, Nini Salgado, Thon Tan and Queenie Tolentino. Training venue includes Sembrano (Feb 7-8), Makiling (Feb 28-Mar 1), Cristobal (Mar 7-8), Banahaw (Mar 27-29) Isarog, Itbog, Asog, Ugu (April 8-12), Talipanan (May 1-3) and Famy (May 10-11). The first members of this batch to be inducted were Ariel, Boki and Roy on Mt. Halcon (June 6-10) where the term "Warriors" was first used in replacement to the term "Hard Core" for those who have climbed Halcon.

The organizational structures were also strengthened due to the efforts of the officers. Worth mentioning were the MMS equipment renting guidelines and fees through the efforts of Merci Guilas and Bob Ali as the Property Custodian and the proper filing of the MMS documents, the publication of the STEC Updates and the creation of a new committee, the STEC or Special Training and Education Committee through the efforts of Blanca Ocampo and Mhon Martinez. Another fund raising drive was spearheaded by Jeric Yaya as member of the Special Projects Committee which was a "T-shirt selling" campaign for the benefit of the Dumagats. The Dumagat Immersion Project was one of the biggest projects of MMS, which was a consolidated effort of the entire membership, and as a batch project of batch 98. It was a medical mission, gifts giving and immersion with the Dumagats of Sierra Madre. It was conducted in partnership with a church based organization, the Galilee Foundation of Doña Remedios Trinidad in Bulacan.

PAF-505th SRG Auxillary 1998 Training PAF-505th Search & Rescue Group Auxiliary Logo

Another group was created through the proposal of Long Henson, the MMS Search and Rescue Group after some members trained under the Philippine Air Force 505th Rescue Wing. The initial members were Queenie Tolentino, Bob Ali, Jun Medrano, Edwin Serapio, and Long Henson. The training was valuable for it served as the blueprint for the updated BMC curriculum that the organization will be known for- the incorporation of advance BMC modules to the standard BMC course.

Another first in the history of Philippine mountaineering was when a group of MMS members were commissioned to write the first book on Philippine mountaineering. The project was a joint effort of the entire membership, The authors were Bong Pico, Long Henson, Joan Aday, Mhon Martinez, Merci Guilas, Ariel Geronimo and Bob Ali. It was also during this year when the precursor of the MetropolitanMS Egroup was launched, the MMS E-Flash which is an e-mail news update on everything related to mountaineering and MMS. Long was the first editor of the e-group. The calendar of activities of the group was also published on a monthly magazine, the Sun Star Horizon. There were also a number of climbs during the year some of them unofficial while the official ones includes Maculot Fun Climb (Jun 13-14), Natib Animal Day Climb, Quezon National Park Open Climb, Doña Remedios Trinidad River Gliding (Jun 27-28 and Nov 29-Dec 2), Mt. Banoi in Batangas (Dec 26-27) and the Banahaw de Tayabas Exploration (Sept 12-13 & 26-27). Mhon Martinez and Nini Salgado were inducted at Mt. Apo during the same year. The year’s Christmas Party was again held at Mhon’s residence at Quezon City with a theme "Retro".

1999: NO WAY BUT UP

The year started with the first award of the MMS website, the sport website award of the night given by a foreign sports web award giving body. Training commences the first quarter of the year with Joan Aday as the Training Committee Head. The orientation was held at Max’s Restaurant at Greenbelt Makati. The training venue were are follows : Mhon’s Martinez’ farm in Novaliches Quezon City (Jan 30-31), Mt. Banoi (Feb 13-14), Mt. Banahaw (Mar 5-7), Mt. Makiling (March 13-14), Mt Ugu (Mar 30-Apr 4),  Montalban (May 29-30) for the rock climbing module and Power Up for the indoor climbing lecture. Mt. Ugu is  where batch 98 member Kae Masangkay was inducted. One of the training components was offered as a reach-out program of the group and was opened to non-members. It was an environmental seminar entitled "Mountaineering Tungo sa Makabuluhang Pag-akyat sa Bundok" held at the NEC building in UP Diliman Quezon City.

The following were the members of batch 99 (Batch Ugu) : Rovert Arevalo, Rosan Cruz, Irene Descargar, Sharelene Dimayuga, Nancy Geronimo, Rommel Jotic, Tara Lupiba, Beth Policarpio, Chie Policarpio Keith Villaruel, Myrtle Yap and Erwin Yap. The second MMS sportsfest was held at the Amoranto Staduim and then on Capones Island on May 1-2 with the Blue Team as the overall champion. The batch 98 induction party was held at Erwin & Myrtle Yap’s residence at Parañaque Metro Manila where the election of officers for the year 1999-2000 was held. The new officers were Jun Medrano as President, Bob Gamboa as VP, Rosan Cruz and Joan Aday as Secretaries, Blanca Yaya and Kae Masangkay as Treasurers and Mhon Martinez and Myrtle Yap as PROs.

The MMS Book was also published and launched by the middle of the year. It was formally launched at QC Circle on October 24. It was distributed to various mountaineering stores and lately to large bookstores.

Climbs conducted during 1999 includes Biak na Bato Caving Exploration, Mt. Malipuño Climb (Jun 26-27), an induction climb at Mt. Halcon where Edwin Serapio of batch 95 was inducted, Mt. Pulag Induction Climb (Oct 31-Nov 1) of Myrtle Yap, Erwin Yap, Irene Descargar, and Rommel Jotic, Mt. Halcon induction climb of Robert Arevalo, Matulid Exlporation (Oct 8-12) of Rommel, Robert, Edwin, Irene, Myrtle and Tara, Mt. Apo climb with Tara Lupiba as inductee, and minor explorations on Sembrano, Buntot Palos, Pico de Loro, Mt. Sto Tomas (Oct 27), Batulao (Aug 7-8) and Talamitam (Dec 29-30).

2000: STABILITY IN THE NEW MILLENIUM

By the year 2000, everything has pretty much stabilized; culture and traditions has been deeply set and policies and procedures as well as the calendar cycle of the organization have been working efficiently and effectively. Edmund Martinez was elected as the president for 2000-2001. The other members of the Executive Committee includes- Edwin Serapio as VP, Ann Castro as Secretary, Tonie Santos as Assistant Secretary, Kae Masangkay as Treasurer, Chie Policarpio as Assistant Treasurer, Edwin Esguerra as PRO and Tina Arevalo and Pete Quilala as Assistant PROs. The year started with an exploration climb to Mt. Pinatubo (Jan 23-24).

Batch 2000 or B2K will be remembered as one of the biggest number of trainees MMS ever had. Composing Batch 2000 are Tina Arevalo, Peter Barrios, Rommel Bisda, Ann Castro, Carl Chua, Jodel Coates, Amy Curammeng, Edwin Esguerra, Tricia Felicida, Naidz Fontelera, Josel Joaquin, EJ Jose, Jerry Jose, Kel Magdaleno, Ronald Malimata, Yeabah Manalo, Oyie Margallo, Lenin Mojares, Arman Olano, David Oquias, Allan Palomares, Mitz Picardal, Pete Quilala, Maane Santiago, Tonie Santos, Mark Santos, Edward Valencia and Manny Zacarias. They were named as Batch Napulauan after their batch first ascent to Napulauan. Myrtle Yap acted as the Training Committee Chairwoman. Orientation was held at Triple V MegaMall (Jan 15), while the BMC was held at the Policarpio Farm (Jan 29-30). The training climbs include Mt. Sembrano, Mt Makiling-UPLB (where Rommel, Edwin and Long did a traverse from Sto. Tomas to meet the members at UPLB, Mar 11-12), Mt. Banahaw (April 7-9), Montalban, Mt Napulauan (Robert and Long did a survey climb of Napulauan a week before the official climb), and a beachineering at Iba, Zambales. Other climbs includes Taytay Falls, Amuyao (June 10-12), Tapulao, Talamitam (Jul 15-16), Mt. Pinatubo (Aug 5-6) and Mt. Makiling via Sto. Tomas.

Edmund organized a climb to Mt Kanlaon on March 22-24. This was also the year Team MMS was established.  It was created after its first adventure race participation with Yoko Ito, Mark Santos, Long Henson and a non-MMS member, Joey Perez joined the first Mt. Pinatubo Eco-Challenge on Nov 9-11. Their initial participation was a success finishing 10th out of 40+ participants.

Batch 2000 also undertook a major project- the first MMS Kiddie Camp held at Mt. Makiling. The Kiddie Camp was for the benefit of the Don Bosco Youth Group. Participants to the Kiddie Camp were the less privileged children from the Don Bosco Community.

2001: THE CONTROVERSIAL YEAR

The Presidents of the Organization as of this Date:

Ding Prudencio - 2009 - Present

Cary Regaspi - 2008 - 2009

Lino Desembrana     - 2006 - 2008
Edwin Serapio     - 2003 - 2005
Ann Castro     - 2002 - 2003
Rommel Jotic     - 2001 - 2002
Dr. Edmund Martinez     - 2000 - 2001
Jun Medrano     - 1999 - 2000
Mark Salcedo     - 1998 - 1999
Jerick Yaya     - 1997 - 1998
Long Henson     - 1996 - 1997
Long Henson     - 1995 - 1996
Dennis Sacro     - 1994 - 1995
Ed Ocampo     - 1994