Rising 2954 MASL, it straddles between the cities of Davao, Digos and Kidapawan, Mt. Apo is a potentially active volcano and a favorite among mountaineers. Declared as a National Park by Proclamation No. 59 in May 9, 1936 by President Manuel L. Quezon, it was submitted by DENR for inclusion as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mt. Apo is host to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including many species of birds, foremost of which is the mystical Philippine Eagle. The mountain is also a source of geothermal power, supplying no less than 106MW to the island of Mindanao.

Compare to the previous hike, we had a large team of participants for Mt. Apo that filled a full bus. The official kick-off was in Digos City, about an hour away from the City of Davao; wherein the team made a courtesy call to the mayor and the required medical check-up for each member. From Digos, chartered vans took us to Brgy. Kapatagan for the first turnover of solar lamps, after which a dump truck took us across rugged roads up to Sitio Mainit.

The ride along this uneven terrain was already an adventure itself. For about an hour, we swayed like grass being blown by the wind, it was all funnies during the start, but after a while, laughter gave way to silence as everyone hold on to dear life for fear of being thrown overboard.

The trek to Sitio Sabwag took a little over two hours in mostly farm lands laden with cabbage, pepper and carrots. Prior to the trek, we were told that there is a covered court in the village where we can spend the night so most of us left our tents and carry only sleeping bags and some clothing. So imagine our surprises upon arrival at the site to be greeted with a makeshift court with the only cover above are clouds!

The community was kind enough to offer their homes to us and we slept side to side on whatever empty space on the floor. It was full moon that night and the light cast the landscape in an eerie soft glow.

By morning the following day, the team headed back to Brgy. Kapatagan for breakfast then proceeded to Digos City to a waiting bus that toke us to Kidapawan City.

We arrived at EDC’s geothermal plant at about 3PM and after a short briefing, their vans dropped us at the trek site.

The two-hour trek to the campsite via the executive trail was almost a walk-in-the-park. We spent the first night at the tree nursery of Energy Development Corporation’s reforestation project with makeshift cushion beds, a roof on our heads, working toilets and a fireplace – a 5-star accommodation for a mountain setting.

Our last day in Davao was spent at the Malagos Philippine Eagle Sanctuary, one of the beneficiaries of the solar lanterns.

With the H4L project finally up for a close, for sure our new found love for mountaineering will continue, even now, climbs are being planned and we shall soon be sleeping again under a blanket of stars.

All VRs taken from February 11-13, 2012. The author can be reached at: fung.yu@gmail.com

With over 250 hands-on interactive exhibits spread across 12,500 sqm of space, a visit is almost guaranteed of one mind-ful experience.

Comprising of 5 main galleries:

Atom – the minuscule unseen world of the elemental forces that governs our daily lives.
Life – displays 4.6 billion years of the living things that have walked this planet, including a 40-foot skeletal representation of a T-Rex!
Universe – knowledge of the vast cosmos from planets to stars and man’s quest for space exploration.
Earth – forces that shape our planet’s natural history and its evolution.
Tech – innovations that highlight human achievements and technologies that change our lives.

And finally an outdoor science park that visitors can play and a souvenir shop where fun and curious merchandise can be bring home.

The museum opens from Tuesday to Sunday, 9AM to 9PM. Entrance fee for adults in 600.00, private school students at 450.00, public school students at 150.00 and teachers at 150.00 as well.

Here’s virtual tour of the museum.

VRs taken on March 2011. The author can be reached at: fung@firefly.ph

“…a multimedia tour of 14 Philippine Catholic churches in a virtual Visita Iglesia that brings together visuals, music, and 1-minute Bible readings to give the faithful time to pause in today’s fast-moving, stressful times. The passages are read by Paterno Esmaquel II. The virtual package allows those wishing and willing, but unable to for different reasons…”

“Technology and faith can mix.”