My Starmobile Diamond – Part 2

In this part, I would discuss why I decided to buy a Starmobile Diamond. This is partly a review but it would be very subjective. It’s based on my preferences. There are a lot of gadget reviewers out there. So I would leave you to check how they provide a more objective and detailed review of the Diamond specifications and features.

Since my Motorola L72 is almost six years and it’s already showing its age, I decided to go for a hunt that will replace my old dog. Besides my guideline, I told myself that I will really buy a gadget when I think I need digital help to become more productive and more efficient. Since I’m starting to forget things more often and I feel like I’m getting disorganized lately, I decided to finally get a smart phone.

So how does the Diamond fare with my guideline? Why not an Apple or Samsung gadget? Or why not go for Motorola?

I considered Apple iPad Mini. It feels great in my hand. Not too heavy. Pretty solid and has a slim dimension and design. I didn’t buy it because it still expensive and it’s not phone capable. I really like Motorola Droid RAZR M but the distributor here in the Philippines didn’t do anything to bring the device here even with Motorola fans clamoring about it in their Facebook page. Samsung offers good phones but it’s like none of their devices would fall squarely in my guidelines.

I first saw the Diamond last month. It was just a cardboard ad displayed in the shelf of E-Phone in SM North EDSA. I was intrigued with the DragonTrail glass feature. I inquired about the product and I was informed that it will be available by April at P9,990 and I can purchase it through credit card – three months installment with 0% interest. The first criterion is already met.

But I have to convince myself that it’s a worthy purchase to make. I have to make my research. I looked for the DragonTrail glass and I was pretty convinced with the torture test it received.

In my research, I discovered that Cherry Mobile has a competing product – the Omega HD. It has all the same specifications, except for the front facing camera. The Diamond has 3 megapixels and the Omega HD has 2 megapixels. The cost of the Omega HD is P7,999. I discovered more head-to-head comparisons. With the information from the internet, I thought that Omega HD is already a good buy. I went to the Cherry Mobile concept store in SM North EDSA but the rude staff told me that there’s no available stock. I would have been comforted if I was asked if I like to reserve a unit just in case there’s a next delivery or if I was asked for my number so that they could call just in case there’s a new batch of stocks. But none of that happened!

Then my brother told me that there’s a stock in SM Novaliches. I went to check it. I wanted to see and feel so that I can have a tangible appreciation of the phone. It really feels great in my hand. It’s pretty solid and sleek. It’s a 5” phablet.

I looked into the apps but the productivity apps I’m looking for is not yet installed. I don’t have internet in my home so downloading apps would be a hassle. In my subjective opinion, the IPS responsiveness of Omega HD is quite slow. I checked the camera. The store is well lit but I still got a grainy, soft image. The staff told me that they only offer cash or straight card payment with additional P300 on top of the unit’s price. And there are no freebies! The unit I checked is also the last piece. I would have wanted to purchase a product fresh from a sealed box. It was disappointing!

I told myself that I may consider another brand. I researched again. Omega HD is quite a heavyweight contender but there’s really no stock. Starmobile announced in their Facebook page that Diamond would be available by April 13. Then I saw Youtube reviews of Omega HD that ironically made me decide to buy the Diamond. Cherry Mobile doesn’t offer freebies but Starmobile offers a free screen protector and an 8 GB micro-SD card. The cost for the purchase of the Omega HD and accessories (don’t tell me you wouldn’t buy a micro-SD) would have been almost the same if you would just buy the Diamond with all the freebies with it.

E-Phone got a stock. My reservation was honored. I was asked if I would really buy one. I reluctantly said “Yes.” There’s no turning back. This is it! The phone was taken out from a sealed box. Sweet! Diamond has different exterior design than Omega HD but it’s fine. It’s a minor issue. The IPS responded much better and faster to my perception. The back and front camera seems better than the Omega HD. The apps I needed are pre-installed already. The screen is readable at any viewing angle. The staff also installed paid apps for free. I got my Diamond through credit card – three months installment with 0% interest.

The screen is really okay. I don’t have difficulty reading texts in my phone in the dark and especially in very bright outdoor light. It has Android 4.1.1 Jellybean OS. The photo I’ve taken registers an aperture of f/2.4. It has a BSI sensor. It basically has the same specifications as that of the iPad Mini. That’s pretty amazing! The image I took is pretty sharp and detailed. 

My high resolution DSLR photos are also previewed very crisp in it’s high definition screen. Diamond’s processor is a 1Ghz dual core and RAM is 1GB. I believe that all my criteria were met by Diamond. I will just see if it will last long like my L72.

Some additional notes:

The user manual is not too helpful for first time Android phone user or touch screen phone user like me. But the English is good. Compared to the manuals of the other Philippine-based phone companies, the English is well written. The box is pretty solid. You will have the impression that the product you’re buying is taken seriously and it doesn’t feel cheap!

Some issues that I yet to check with the seller or the service center of Starmobile is that it takes more or less seven hours to charge the phone. The user manual says the process would usually takes three hours. The free screen protector already sustained a number of scratches.

I would have preferred the black matte finish version of Diamond but there’s none when I bough my unit. Quite disappointing because the published announcement of Starmobile says it will be available in black and white.

There’s no available flip cover or silicon jelly case for this unit yet.

My Starmobile Diamond – Part 1

It took me more than five years to buy a new mobile phone. I’m pretty good with my Motorola L72. It’s still functioning and sturdy. It was quite a benchmark phone during its release. Until now, it’s my benchmark for reliability and stability. Of course, the RAZR was a better phone but I can’t afford it that time.
 
 Smart phones have invaded the market in the recent technological history. These are devices that merged the functionality of mobile phones and PDAs. I wanted one before but I was too picky, the cost of acquiring one is beyond my financial capability or I wasn’t really convinced yet that I needed one.
 
 When I started considering buying my own smart phone early last year, I made some guiding principles for my purchase. Of course, my benchmark is still my L72. So here’s my guide:

-          First, my budget is only P10,000 and if I will go for P15,000 gadget it should be a superb phone that I won’t be changing for a couple of years. I usually buy my gadgets cash. But most stores and brands nowadays don’t give discounts even for cash purchases. Since I have my credit card, I would want to purchase my phone in an installment basis and with 0% interest. With that, I could gain points for my card.

-          With the technological advancement today, I decided to go for a phablet. 9” tablets are heavy and mostly are not phone capable. 7” is still big. 4” smart phones are quite small if I intend to use Adobe Reader and office apps. A 5” phablet is just right for me.

-          It has to be a solid device. I don’t like the feeling the I’m holding a plastic device that would seem to break or crush if you put excessive pressure on it.

-          It has to have a strong, scratch resistant display. My L72 is still without scratch even though it’s not a Corning Gorilla glass. Those that have the Gorilla are quite expensive. But then Asahi released the DragonTrail glass.

-          I would like to have one that has AMOLED screen but as long as I won’t have difficulty reading messages in my phone in dark and especially in very bright outdoor light.

-          It has to have the latest operating system. Today it’s the Android 4.1.1 Jellybean.

-          Since I’m a photographer, I would like to have phone camera that has a wide aperture for low light situations and has a minimum of 8 megapixels.

-          It has to have a minimum of 1Ghz processor and 1GB of RAM.

-          It can have an expandable memory slot.

-          Connectivity via Bluetooth, USB or Wi-Fi.

-          Freebies, of course.

With that I will discuss why I opted to buy Starmobile Diamond in my next post.

On Ranting

“So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

- James 3:5-8, ESV

“The pen is mightier than the sword.”

- Edward Bulwer-Lytton

A couple of years ago, I was so angry with someone and I was expressing my displeasure and anger to my friends through e-mail. One of the recipients somehow sympathized with my emotions but pointed out that I was just ranting. I didn’t know the word at that time so I looked for its meaning. It says, “To speak or write in an angry or violent manner.” That was a pretty straightforward definition and I found my attitude and e-mails falling in that category.

For a person with an anger problem like me, it’s so easy to find something to be angry with or to find something to complain about. Unruly drivers, inconsiderate motorcycle riders, slow service from a vendor, dog excrements on the roads, politicians politicking to get votes, traffic jams, slow internet and the list goes on. It can go endless but somehow it has to stop.

For a person who doesn’t want to go down without a fight, I would try to find to retaliate. I will write a stinging letter or e-mail to reprimand whoever is my recipient. Or I will write a stinging letter or e-mail as a response if I’m the initial recipient of the reprimanding. As I’ve said, I won’t go down without a fight so I will find ways to prove that I’m not in the erring side. I would seek all plausible argument to shift all blame to the other party. After all isn’t it that the pen is mightier than the sword. Then let it be a good fight.

Before the start of the year, I just told myself that I have to stop getting irritated with the things that pisses me off. I can’t change others and the situation I’m in by getting angry. I also realized that I’m reverting back to my old angry self. I have realized that I have slid so far from the source of my real joy that’s why I’m so easily irritated. I forgot that I’m living in a fallen and crooked world. Am I being a salt and light to prevent its further decay or my attitude is just making it worst? It’s a shame that it’s the latter.

A few days ago, I was reading an article about being a servant. I was struck by one characteristic: A servant does not talk back. It felt like I was hit by a brick from above on my head when I was reading that portion. I haven’t been a servant because I talk back and I talk back through the e-mails or letters that I write. I tried to determine why I’m talking back. I just thought that I’m probably thinking, in my pride, that I’m a better person. I just thought that I was hurt so I will retaliate in response. Again, it is because I was proud. I also realized and noticed that my messages are often lengthy and I was reminded of Proverbs 10:19 that says, “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise (NIV).” And Ecclesiastes 5:2 says, “Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few (ESV).”

What now? It’s hard! On my own, it’s really hard. Even impossible! That’s why I need God to give me grace that I need to seek on a constant basis. I need to pray. I need to pray hard! I need wisdom and I can only find it from His Word. I need to learn to keep my mouth shut. I need to learn to keep my hands from typing and clicking.

I have to be circumspect with how I behave. Out there, I might jeopardize my life and safety or my love ones. In my family, it could seriously short-circuit my relationship with them. In the office, it may jeopardize my employment or damage seemingly volatile relationships.

Mt. Pulag Chronicles: Humbled

Almost a year since me and my friends were able to climb the summit of Mt. Pulag. I said in my second blog regarding our adventure that I will share how God dealt and is continually dealing with my heart issues using the climb adventure. However, because of busy schedules and since writing has been postponed several time, I got unmotivated to write.
 
This is a long overdue so I’ll give it a shot today.

It’s was an amazing experience to be on a mountain’s summit. It’s really like being on top of the world. It’s a breathtaking view. It’s a beauty to behold. Unlike any other beautiful things and sceneries I have seen, it’s a beauty that I want to stay longer. Enthralled. Mesmerized. Enamored.

But more than the captivated feeling, my heart was being humbled that chilling morning. I was wrestling with my emotions. A part of me was thankful and glorifying the Lord and another part of me wanted to glorify myself.

Because of several frustrations in my preparation that I have discussed in the first chronicle, I was telling myself up there, “You did well, Mark! Not bad for a first timer. Look the weather is perfect. Your friends are enjoying your hard work. No accident happened and everything went well. You deserve some recognition, don’t you think? You proved them wrong. Your other friends didn’t listen to you when you said the weather would turn out bad. Your group now had the perfect weather condition. Some of your friends didn’t go with you because they couldn’t entrust themselves to a climb coordinator who might end up a casualty. Look, didn’t you carry your own load? No back pains! This is your vindication.”

Then the other part of me would say, “This is God’s grace to you. Bless the Lord. Give glory to God! Your success is not possible without His blessing.”

I was like a Gollum-scenario inside of me.
Don’t you observe how much words did my selfish and proud self have said compared to what my other part have said. It says in Proverbs 10:19, “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”

I confess that I am one proud man. I don’t like being belittled. I don’t like being sidelined. I’m not happy if my ideas or thoughts are not respected or even just considered. If my preferences and expectation are not met, I get easily frustrated. It makes me irritated or angry. I have a puffed up view of myself.

My Mt. Pulag adventure was a good experience… and a necessary experience. It was necessary because I really needed humbling. I needed to have a heart check. I was looking at a beautiful and magnificent view created by God and there God is looking in my heart filled with distasteful anger, bitterness and pride.

I need a constant humbling. External situations may never change or they may never meet my expectations. The world I live in is a fallen world. People are not perfect and sinful. Family and friends will not always be there for me 100% of the time and there are times they will fail me. Each person has their idiosyncrasies and these peculiarities may go well with me or not. I will get hurt. But these shouldn’t stop from relating with others.

The battle with pride is not over. It didn’t end when I descended Mt. Pulag. A daily heart check is necessary and I don’t have to climb every mountain summit there is to have profound realizations that I’m proud and I need constant humbling. The Word of God is enough to see where I fall short (Psalm 24:3-5 and James 1:22-24).

Mt. Pulag Chronicles: The Climb

With all preparation done, I’m ready for Mt. Pulag. The checklist is reviewed and I’m ready to go.

My team: Kuya Jay, Fourth, Teddy, Joel Madera, Leah, Cyril, Daniel, Leo, Ricky, Rosebel (Ricky’s friend) and Gina (friend from CCC).

The ETD of our bus to Baguio is 9pm. All are already in Victory Liner Cubao Station, except for Daniel. His text message to me is he’s still in Baclaran. I started panicking. Teddy was suggesting that we all wait for Daniel but that would affect the itinerary of the whole group. I instructed Teddy to get some information from the dispatcher so that I could make an informed decision. The next schedule to Baguio is 9:30pm. I was thinking of just having him follow us and have his 9pm ticket as part of the incidental expenses because I have no idea of a trustworthy person within the station to leave his ticket. I’ll just reimburse him for his new ticket.

But Teddy and Fourth volunteered to stay behind for Daniel. So we started loading our stuffs and finding our seats. I was still negotiating with the conductor but he was so stern to leave at 9pm and he started allowing chance passengers to ride the bus.

I firmly instructed Teddy, Fourth and Daniel to get the next trip to Baguio so as not to affect the itinerary. Praise God they got the trip!

I had difficulty getting to sleep. Since I was the team leader, I was thinking about the climb. We are all first-timers and I wonder what we will experience. I was thinking about possible scenarios and how I will address and respond to them.

We arrived at around 3am in Baguio. It was cold. I was reminded of my college days in Baguio. While waiting for our jeepney and for the rest of our teammates, some of us took some refreshments and coffee.

Photo by Jayrus A

About 3:30am, Teddy’s company arrived. We left Victory Liner Baguio Station at around 4am and arrived at Ambuklao Dam at around 5:20am. We had some photo ops and then we proceed to Inidian View Deck at 6am to see the scenic view of the Cordillera mountain ranges and the Ambuklao River. It was also funny that the guys have to push the monster jeepney to jumpstart the engine before we left the dam because it was really cold.

Photo by Jayrus A

From there I decided to join the other guys on top of jeepney and we had a chilling rollercoaster ride. Along the way there are crows, mynas, probably pied bushchats and blue rock-thrushes along way. It was difficult to definitely identify the birds because of the jeep’s speed.

We arrived at the DENR-Protected Area Office in Ambangeg at 7am. We have to register in the office and have our orientation and briefing. We also have to pay our entrance and camping fees and green tax. We bought our souvenir items and applied for our climb certificates.

Photo by Jayrus A

We were quite tense during our orientation because Ma’am Emerita Albas, the park superintendent, is quite serious and strict. But she’s actually kind. She just wants to make sure that we conduct ourselves properly during our stay in Pulag. Take note my readers who will plan to climb Pulag: contact her directly or the DENR office in Baguio for proper and legal transactions, even for the ride to and from Ambangeg or to any trail to Pulag. It will help the livelihood of those depending on Pulag visitors.

After our orientation we proceed at Ate Gina’s residence for our breakfast. We arrived there at 8:30am. We had a treat of fresh vegetables, hotdog, eggs, red rice called kintoman and earthy brew of Benguet coffee. Ate Gina also prepared our lunch and dinner.

We left Ate Gina’s house at around 10:30am and arrived at drop-off point at 11:30am. The jeepney can’t proceed directly to Ranger Station because of ongoing roadwork. We have to hike to the Ranger Station under the heat of the sun. We arrived there at around 12noon. We had our lunch (fried Ambuklao giant tilapias, fresh vegetables and red rice) there and paid our guide fee and took some porters to carry some of our loads. We left for Camp 1 at around 1:15pm.

 

It was a grueling hike because of the heat and the heavy backpack but our tiredness was blown away by the majestic view of the mountains, the pine forest and the vegetable terraces of the Igorots. We all arrived at Camp 1 at around 2:15pm to have a good rest for the next stretch of hike. We already have a view of the summit so we are motivated again, plus we want to see the sunset on top of the summit. So we left at around 2:30pm.

There are times that I have to hike ahead of the team or be at the tail because I have to check the situation of the team members. I change my pace not just for the video and photo documentation but for the sake of the safety and security of the entire team.

We trekked the mossy forest. There’s a lot wild flowers, ferns, moss, pitcher plant and other plants along the way. Mom said that some of them are actually rare orchids. The second stretch of the hike is more arduous. I really thought that the trail is easy. The fog also descended at around 3:20pm. Along the way there are springs. The water is sweet and cold. Drinking them is so refreshing. Dad said that it’s beneficial to drink mountain spring water because it is high on oxygen and minerals that is good for the body.

I believe that I even saw a cloud rat during the trek between Camp 1 and Camp 2. It was just a brief encounter. It was hopping in the trail and then it disappeared.

We reached Camp 2 at around 4pm. We setup our tents. Kuya Jay, Daniel and Joel were left at the campsite and the rest of us climbed the junior summit. The hike is a good 20 minutes climb. We didn’t see the sunset because the fog was so thick already. We just had a glimpse of the thick cloud parting and sun rays trying to pierce through. I was reminded of Luke 3:21-22, were the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended to Jesus in a form of a dove.

My team and another group were the only group up in the mountain. So basically the mountain is ours.

We descended and had our chicken adobo dinner. Of course, we still have fresh vegetables and red rice. We decided to rest because we were all tired and the fog is thick. Teddy and Fourth were left outside and they were having some sharing time while boiling potatoes.

At around 8:15pm, Kuya Jay and I were awakened by Fourth’s remark that there were so many stars. We immediately setup our cameras to do our target photographs. Kuya Jay wanted to do a star trail. I wanted to capture the Milky Way Galaxy. But it was so cold and our gears are gathering moist. Our shots are even blurred so we decided to sleep. I even saw a comet in the northern sky before I slept.

At around 11pm, I was awakened by the extreme cold temperature. It was extreme for me because it’s my first time experience such cold temperature. We have no way of measuring the temperature that time. I found an article of another group who went a day prior to our climb and it is indicated there that the temperature range is from 3 to 14° Celsius. So it’s really cold! If our temperature experience is 3° Celsius that night, then it almost freezing point. Daniel was also awakened.

Kuya Jay, Leo and I were alone on our respective tents. Those who were together are Daniel and Joel, Ricky and Rosebel, Teddy and Fourth and Leah, Cyril and Gina. It was so cold I have to wear my second jacket, second bonnet and second pair of socks. What I don’t have is a second pair of pants. I was already coiling myself like a fetus but it was still cold. The moist is also penetrating my tent too. I guess my experience is representative of the entire group.

Good thing that I had a long hair then. It added insulation and protection from facial and nape sunburns.

At 3:30am, we have to wake up and prepare to assault the summit and see the sunrise and the sea of clouds. We had our headlamps prepared. I had a chance to capture the magnificent Milky Way before we left the camp. I was just having a lot of blurred shot. It was difficult because I’m time constrained and I can’t see the stars through my viewfinder. I just have to make estimates and some twist and turns with my kit lens. I have to make a lot of trial and error to achieve one or two keepers.

We left the camp at 4am and reached the summit at 5:15am. By God’s grace I was the one who first reached the summit. Kuya Jay and Joel got lost but they were able to reach the real summit as well.

From the campsite to the summit, the terrain is now covered with dwarf bamboos. This part of the mountain is called grassland. It’s funny that I’m now taller than the bamboos.

It was simply breathtaking up there. The sun is slowly breaking through the horizon and slowly, dramatically bursting forth warm rays on the sea of clouds. The crescent moon is also rising up and slowly disappearing in the overwhelming light of the sun. At 2,922 meters above sea level, the view is simply awesome and majestic. The only words I kept on saying are, “Praise God!” The only appropriate response for such favor from the Lord is worship! Since Pulag is the highest summit, we could see the other summits in the sea of clouds.

We also have a blessed time of devotion led by Kuya Jay up in the summit. It was really a blessing!

I’m so proud of my team! We endured and our dreams were fulfilled. My toils of anxious preparation are paid with smiles filled with joy. These things will never be taken away from me.

We descended the summit at around 7am. The descent is one hour. Upon reaching the campsite, they ate the potatoes boiled by Teddy and Fourth and the food items brought by Teddy. Rosebel heated them up for the team.

It was only then that I learned that Daniel didn’t have a sleeping bag. We are thankful that God sustained him through the night. He only had a sleeping mat and blanket. I told him that he should have informed me so that I could have borrowed one before we left Manila or we could have rented one in the Ranger Station.

We left the camp at 9am and reached the Ranger Station at 12noon. We settled our porter fees and went to Ate Gina’s house for our pinikpikan and grilled Ambuklao tilapia lunch.

I paid the food prepared for us and we left Ate Gina’s house by 3pm. We have to go back at the DENR-PAO to logout and to get our climb certificates. Ma’am Emerita signed them so it means we met the standards of proper conduct. Our certificate of achievement says,

“In recognition of his/her daring trek to Mt. Pulag Sacred Ground, the highest mountain in Luzon and the second in the Philippines from April 16-17, 2012 using the Ambangeg-Ambangeg Route.

He deserves commendation for observing the Cultural Code of Conduct in the area and the Mountaineer’s Credo. He/she is now included in the Mt. Pulag National Park’s book of honorary climbers.

Only the brave and the daring survive!”

As the certificates were being distributed, I could really see the big smiles on my teammates’ faces. I promised them that I will treat them for a Magnum ice cream because they deserve it and majority of the members, including me, have not tasted it yet. However, there was no stock of Magnum in the 7-Eleven store near Victory Liner Baguio Station. So I still owe them a Magnum treat.

Photo by Jayrus A

What more can I say. We are so blessed! Perfect weather condition, all my target photos are taken, fellowshipping and bonding with brethren is achieved, good food, safe travel, no injuries, no sickness, we had fun, dreams were fulfilled, prayers were answered, servant and male leadership is exercised, character is refined and God is glorified!



Here's a video compilation of our adventure: Mt. Pulag National Park (April 16-17, 2012)

Here's a the final edited video and photo compilation of our adventure: Mt. Pulag (April 16-17, 2012) - LR

In my next post, I will share how God dealt and is continually dealing with my heart issues using the climb adventure.

Mt. Pulag Chronicles: Dream and Preparation

It was my dream since college to climb the second highest mountain in the Philippines. There were groups I knew then who go there but I wasn’t really comfortable climbing with them. I was hoping to climb with members of my old church then but nothing serious came up from the discussions.

2011

A decade after, my college organization planned a reunion with a Mt. Pulag climb expedition. Honestly, I was more interested with the climb than that of the reunion. I tried to prepare for the climb but I was at lost as to how I would properly prepare physically and how I will gear up. Since there were no instructions from the reunion coordinators, I tried to research on my own. The schedule of the climb is almost near and the weather up north is not really okay. I started getting apprehensive to join since I was targeting to take photos. I wouldn’t want to spoil my photography.

I tried to give feedbacks to the coordinators but my posts were deleted in Facebook. I was really dismayed and wondering why would they do that. I decided not to join. It wasn’t an easy decision for I have to wrestle with the Lord with some heart issues that arisen against the coordinators.

I was frustrated and angry because I felt that the concerns I raised about the climb was just ditched. In my heart I was saying, “You are so proud! Let’s see if you will get to enjoy the climb with no proper preparation and bad weather.” I was blinded by my anger that I wasn’t able to see that my heart is also proud.

2012

I shared this story with Kuya Jay, a pastor friend, during our church prayer retreat and he said that it was also his dream to climb Pulag. He encouraged me to gather church members and see if we can form a group who will join the adventure. I took a survey of the single adults of HRCC and found more than ten people who were interested.

Since I got a good number, I started researching and preparing. I scoured the internet to find helpful information regarding the climb. I searched for itineraries of previous Pulag climbers and their expenditures. I also looked for the items that they normally bring for an overnight stay up in the mountain. I searched also for key persons to contact.

Discouragements still came during the preparation. First blow: there were those who were invited who backed out because they learned I was the climb coordinator. Their main reason is my health condition. They know that I have a disk bulge and they wouldn’t risk climbing with someone like me that might end being carried using a stretcher. Other friends, who were not invited but know my plan, were also hesitant to give their approval. I got hurt and offended but I remained adamant with my position.

So I gathered those who were interested and set the guidelines for preparation. We agreed that we will prepare physically, mentally, financially and spiritually. We agreed that we will exercise. We agreed that we will give installment deposits for the climb fee. And in the event that one cannot join, his/her deposit will be reimbursed. And we agreed that we will pray.

Second blow of discouragement: the finalized schedule coincides with the wedding of church friends and Kuya Jay is also the videographer of the wedding. It was difficult to decide on another date. We have agreed that we will not climb on days that there are important church activities, namely, Sunday worship gatherings, camps, retreats and conferences. I’m thankful for my team who upholds our commitment to our church so moving the schedule became easier.

Third blow: one by one, those who signified attendance are posting “Maybe” in Facebook or are totally backing out because of conflicting schedule, wife being pregnant or leaves not approved. If my team composition would go down from ten it means more expenses. I could only encourage those who have conflicts with schedule to pray and have a positive outlook. I couldn’t coerce them not to back out, of course. Good thing that there are some Christian friends outside the church who were really ready to climb and I willingly accommodated them.

Fourth blow: the weather condition during March became unpredictable. Sometimes it’s so sunny, sometimes it’s raining continuously. I really feared that our climb would be spoiled by the rain.

Fifth blow: my disk bulge pain recurred. Bad timing! Good thing that my office applied for an HMO and our card was delivered on time for me to start on my physical therapy. Praise God! Since the rehab center is just near our house and the BGH Rehab Center therapists are very good and strict to me, my recovery is quite fast. Praise God!

Sixth blow: the North Korea rocket launch was scheduled during our climb. Kuya Jay advised me to wait. I was already supposed to buy our bus ticket to Baguio when he texted me to consider the situation. One of the news sources said that there is a Luzon-wide evacuation plan because of the dang

er that would be caused by the rocket launch.

Worst case scenario: Evacuation in Luzon

I was thinking, “What if Kuya Jay says that we call it off? Hmmm. I will still climb Mt. Pulag!” Look at my proud heart. So I prayed to the Lord. I mustered all the faith I have and asked that He intervenes. The day North Korea was supposed to launch the rocket was suspended due to bad weather condition. The following day they proceed with the launch but it was a failure.

North Korea launches long-range missile; launch fails

Seventh blow: Mom acted weird two days before our climb and some friends told me that it’s a possible mild stroke. How can I leave for Pulag when Mom is not okay? So I had her checked up and go through lab tests to determine her health condition. Praise God! Her amnesia incident didn’t recur and all her tests went okay and no remarkable thing to worry about.

In my next post I will share the Pulag adventure of twelve brave and daring souls.

Young and Restless: My Adopted Baby… Bird

I didn’t imagine taking care of a young wild bird. First, I think I will be reprimanded by the government or by my club. Two, I’m not equipped and it might end up dead in my custody. And three, I don’t want to be hassled.

But last March 23, when we were about to eat dinner, Mom called me from our front door. She saw something inside a pail. I hurried to the door and tried to see what it is. We initially thought that it was a frog but I concluded that it’s a young pied fantail. Good thing that the pail is empty because normally it is filled with water.

Mom told me that there’s a spider on the side of the pail. I readily felt something crawling on my fingers so I dropped the pale. Yes? You’re right. The bird is still inside in the pail. The bird managed to survive the drop. I didn’t want to hold the bird for fear that its parents won’t return to it. But I had no choice. I wanted the bird to survive.

I took a rug and placed the bird on it because it’s sopping wet. I suspected that the bird was attacked by big red ants and it fell because there were ants still biting it. I thought of making an improvised nest so I used a sombrero. I put some dried leaves and placed the bird on it.

It is already skittish. It flew from the sombrero several times so I placed another sombrero (salakot) on top of it to keep inside. I was happy that it’s lively for I thought that it will have more chances to survive. I also consulted my books if there some information about young pied fantails and I also texted my birdwatcher friend Jops.

I have it placed beside my bed for fear that rodents will attack it.

March 24, I planned to stay long on my bed but I have an “adopted baby” to take care for. Talk about the hassle! I placed the sombrero outside Mom’s garden. The young bird flew. It went to a small papaya tree. I was glad that its parents went to feed it. What a relief! I really feared that its parents will not return to it because I held it several times.

I have to intervene again because the papaya tree is located in a shaded area. I wanted the young bird to receive the energy from the sun. Yeah, I’m thinking about Superman. I also transferred the young bird because the papaya tree is near where the cats hang around. The parents have been busy warding the cats away and they can’t concentrate on feeding their young.

I placed the young pied fantail back to the sombrero and placed the sombrero on top of Mom’s orchids, which is much nearer the original nest. However, the young bird is really restless. It flew again. It went to the star apple tree and then it flew to our wall about 10 feet high. Its claws managed to hold on to the rough wall but it fell! To my dismay! How can I leave this young bird if this is its behaviour?

It fell at the bottom of Mom’s plants. I have to hold the bird again to catch it. I put it back inside the sombrero and placed the sombrero on top of the orchids. Thankfully it stayed there for several hours. The parents were able to feed it and I was able to document the activity.

I thought I could now let go of the young bird. But it rained so hard in the afternoon! I took the improvised nest and placed it on top of Mom’s plants by our front door. The parents still fed and protected the young bird.

I was already confident that nothing bad will happen with the young bird. I was already busy doing my own thing. It was almost evening when I checked the young bird and to my horror I saw the bird drowned in a pail of water. I quickly scooped the bird with my hand. It reacted to my touch so I was hopeful to revive it. My brother Paul and I hurried to dry the feathers with a blower. It became active again after its feathers dried up. To my relief! I placed the bird beside the exhaust of my CPU because it is warm. But it flew to the floor. I almost stepped on it! Grrrr!

This time, Mom suggested placing the bird inside a bird cage. I complied with a heavy heart. I hope my wild bird watching club and photography group will extend their forgiveness to me for caging a wild bird. I just wanted the bird to survive. I was thinking that I could at least extend the bird’s life by keeping it from falling and drowning.

March 25, I wasn’t able to go to church. I had a terrible slipped disk pain attack again. Before having the bird placed outside to be fed by its parents, I have its right eye gently wiped with a damped cotton swab because it closed due to some irritation due to the drowning incident.

With the help of my Mom and my brother Paul, the cage was hung on the atis tree’s branch. We left the cage’s door open. The pied fantail parents still fed and defended their young. They even attacked us several times. Talk about gratitude!

I just stayed inside our house. The slipped disk pain is quite unbearable. But I managed to take some shots to document my unusual experience. But something happened to my photography gear this day. Something heartbreaking! That’s another story perhaps.

The young bird fell again! Maybe I should let it die for its restless adventurism. I deemed that there’s already so much human intervention for it to survive. Taking care of the bird may cost me another thing or two. But I secured the safety of the bird by caging it again. I can’t help it. I was quite certain that its parents will provide it with food even if it’s caged.

Why am I hassling myself for fairly common bird? It’s not even an endangered species. I could let the young pied fantail be and whatever happens to it would seem negligible. I would wake up the next morning and able to see another of its kind. I’ve been wondering too how can taking care of a young wild bird be a God-glorifying activity (1 Corinthians 10:31)?

In Genesis 1:28-30, God commanded man to have dominion over His creation. Dominion means God has allowed man to be a servant or steward of His creation so that it will be replenished. Birds were particularly mentioned, by the way. In this day and age, people are dominating God’s creation in a way that leads to its destruction and not its replenishment. Perhaps even with one bird I could make a difference. Perhaps my simple act would encourage my relatives and my neighbours to be mindful of God’s creation.