by Kat Mayuga

After arriving in Batangas, I stepped out of the van feeling nervous because that day will be the day I conquer my first mountain. It was just 5 a.m., the wind was strong, and in a few minutes, I’m certain the sun will rise. The sunrise, a known symbol of hope, was the perfect encouragement that I needed. Feeling determined, I looked up to the dark silhouette of Mt. Nalayag and whispered, hoping the mountain could hear, “I’m coming for you.”

The trek started out mildly with little to no elevation, but I knew that things will just get more challenging. There was no way this mountain will let me pass unscathed, that’s for sure. Truly, the trail just got harder and harder, from having to cross rivers by jumping from one small (and sometimes shaky) rock to another to having to squeeze ourselves in between boulders just to get through. Honestly, there were a lot of times when I asked myself if I can do it.

splash

I looked back and gulped when I realized a person behind us fell into the river. Although the river was very shallow, I didn’t want my belongings to get wet, so I became extra cautious. Every stone I stepped on that was not wobbly made me heave a big sigh of relief. More than halfway through the journey, the trail continued to become steeper, up to the point where we had to pull ourselves up using the branches around us. My head was heavy, and my heart was exploding as I looked behind, slightly tempted not to push through with it anymore. Then, I realized that going back would take even more effort than continuing. We were more than halfway done. I felt a renewed dedication and decided that I will not quit, for there’s nowhere else to go but up. The increasing incline was one signal that the summit was close – that we’re close to success.

I took the last step to the top and took a look at the view. It was amazing; every step I took was worth it. Looking back, I can’t believe I have climbed all the way up here. I could see the seascape on one side and a green landscape on the other. I admit that the climb was challenging, and there were times when I felt like my body was already giving up on me, but I kept my mind and my heart strong. It’s okay to rest for a while, but keep on going once you’ve recovered. The climb will surely be one for the books. “I did it,” I whispered once again.