July 29, 2006

By DYAN CASTILLEJO-GARCIA
with JACKIE CASTILLEJO

Experience the wonders of Camarines Sur. The place opened our eyes to the richness and beauty the province has to offer -- limestone forests, mountain ranges, caves, waterfalls, lakes and springs. It's absolutely Mother Nature at its best.

What makes Camarines Sur unique is that it can be rural or urban while being organic. We wanted to change pace a bit on the day’s trip so we decided to take an eco trek at Mount Isarog and engage in an adventure at the National Park's Consocep Mountain Resort.

Our hosts wanted us to enjoy a relaxing afternoon appreciating Camarines Sur's natural wonders and experiencing the peace and tranquility of the mountain.

Isarog has become a very popular destination for mountaineers from all over the country. We were instantly impressed as soon as we started our trek. We were told that more wonderful sights are to be discovered the deeper one goes into the mountain.

It was about that time when our stomachs were starting to make little noises. Sure enough and almost magically, a buffet set-up appeared out of the blue. The buffet included sumptuous Bicolano delicacies.

It was a picnic lunch tucked within a bountiful forest with a fresh water springnearby. Of course, we had to eat the authentic Filipino way, with the kamayan style and banana tree barks as plates. What could get more organic than that? We were a very happy group of campers.

After the picnic lunch, we continued our trek and you know what? It was as if our hosts especially prepped up the mountain for Sports Unlimited. We came upon a very big and beautifully built tree house. We were content just looking at it because it was so pretty. But our hosts knew that we were not known to just looking at stuffs. We, being Sports Unlimited, were immediately told that we could rappel down the tree house. Rappelling from the top of a tree house was something we've never done before. So, bring it on!

Marc Nelson showed off as usual. He never really do anything the normal way.

I tried to make my way down more exciting by pushing against one of the biggest tree barks I have ever seen while my sister, Jackie Castillejo, could have gotten an “E” for the challenge. "E" for excruciating, not effort.

Our next activity was the slide-for-life, which we have done many, many times before. But it is always fun and thrilling to do it again.

My partner Marc went first and did not get much sliding on his try. When it was myturn to go, the rope was already adjusted.

Yes, accidents do happen. I got hurt doing the challenge. Good thing the protective armor worked for me. God is so good; he didn’t allow me to get seriously injured.

A couple of deep breaths and a dip in the very cold spring water were exactly what I needed to soothe my aching back.

Isarog is a proof to this: if you take care of Mother Nature, she will gladly take care of you in return.

For many people in this province, Isarog and the rest of Camarines Sur's natural environment are a source of life. This mountain alone provides potable water, building materials, medicinal plants and irrigation to the towns encircling it. It was earlier proclaimed a protected area under the natural park category.

Camarines Sur is a great example to the rest of the country. The people here are passionate and dedicated in letting nature stay the way God made it—natural, undisturbed and beautiful.