IT WAS a night of fun, great music, food, renewed friendship and citation, as Mountaineering Federation of Southern Mindanao (MFSM) recently had its annual membership gathering at Punta del Sol Resort at Samal Island last January 13 to 14 this year.
"Every two years, natatapos yung term sa napiling president, so bago mag-end yung term, we give recognition to the members and officers," said Danilo Bacus, project director of the group.
What is MFSM
The group was founded 2003, with 12 mountaineering groups.
Through the years, the group now has 32 members that came from different parts of Mindanao.
"Southern Mindanao lang sana, kaso may ibang groups outside SouthMin na gustong sumali. Dahil dumami kami, nag-decide ang DOT (Department of Tourism) na i-level up yung name ng group to Mindanao Mountaineering Community," Bacus said.
He added that their group aims to teach mountaineering groups about responsible mountaineering, the basics of trekking, and surviving the mountains.
Awardees
During the get-together, few individuals were given citations as best tour guide, leader, support group and many others.
Bacus lamented that it is also the first time that they gave the Most Outstanding Mountain Guide Award (2015-2017).
"Sa una kasi submission, pero iilan lang ang nag-susubmit. So kami na officers yung nanguna to check the activities ng tour guides natin na members. For this year, the recipients of the said citations are Engr. Albert Gabriel, Anjo Dorado, Michael Jabines, ArmanPagaran, Eric Garcia, Ronnie Torlao, Terrence Galindo and Arnold Mendoza," he said.
Bacus also cited the importance of an accredited mountain guides.
"We strengthen talaga the campaign na legit yung mountain guides. Sa Facebook, we can see ang daming travel and tours offering trekking sa bukid, but their guides are not accredited. The accredited mountain guides knows how to handle the safety ng participants and they are well-trained on that," he said.
Aside from giving trainings, MFSM also holds tree planting activities, coastal and mountain clean-up, community services to far flung areas.
Here are the other awardees:
Most Outstanding officer
George L. Garcia (Care Group)
Rowena Pacaldo (Care Group)
Epifanio M. Ellica (Care Group)
John Jay C. Cuizon (Logsac)
Jonas Florencondia (Logsac)
Danrev Broñola (Logsac)
Renante Adalim (Amecc)
Nolan Lloyd Laporca (Amecc)
Niel Crave (Amecc)
Walter Escoltor (Gabon)
Renerendo R. Cervantes (Gabon)
Frankie Hubahib (Mosaca)
James Pamillar (Mosaca)
Ebab Rainbow Ravina (Lapuk)
Joselito Mira (Lapuk)
Kaloy Pabatao (Son)
Mark Jim Elloraba (Hamocs)
Most Outstanding Technical
George L. Garcia (Care Group)
Rowena Pacaldo (Care Group)
Marly Montibon (Care Group)
Cris Pastor (Care Group)
Jivanesh Garcia (Care Group)
Joeven Obeso (Care Group)
Jarhid Bellela (Hadams)
Rovick Jane Anoba (Hadams)
Jubert Ubas (Hadams)
Michael Jabines (Trimmoc)
Glen Butaslac (Trimmoc)
Gerry Pancho (Trimmoc)
Alfredo Diaz (Trimmoc)
Most Outstanding Club President
Dr. Narciso Tomas MD (Care Group)
Pattthy F. Piaoan (Gabon)
Voltaire Lopez (Trimmoc)
Prudencio Rivera Jr. (Hadams)
Cocae Manlulu (Lapuk)
Eleazar Malipay (Hamocs)
Inah Narosa (Talahib)
Andrew Suarez (Mosaca)
Ryan Adalimz (Amecc)
Most Outstanding Member
* Talahib
Raphael Pasaporte
Vincent Tambanillo
Jonathan Sulit
Tatay Virgilio Tonogbanua
* Mosaca
Neil Patrick Separa
Jomar Baligia
Raymond Tanilon
Rogely Bulacan
Rico Arances Jr.
* Care Group
Cherish Belle Calub
Toni Mariel Cayanan
Ralph Pastias
Ava Lenore Gomez
Noel Calub
* Trimmoc
Llalaine Grace Pancho
Rose Jean Verosa
Janet Macabit
Williza D. Mendoza
Ma. Conception Wenceslao
* Lapuk
Kier Kent Kaschka Morimonte
Reggae Abarquez
Mario Doydora
Amiel Joseph Getutua
Reymond T. Cubero
* Hadams
Rolando Aligway Jr.
Estela Butac
Alicia A. Arnaldo
Ma. Theresa Cajegas
Eric Micgael Arnado
* Gabon
Arnel Genilza
Marian Pajigal
Karl Ivan Russel Duque
Alley Tapia
Shery Sabaldan
* Logsac
Doreen Joy Bauya
Nilo Cubillas
Nelson Geralde
Irvin Joy Alcoriza
Hector John Bacaling
* Hamocs
Chuckie Moldez
Larry Mazo
* Amecc
Kevin Montezo
Meggie Jay Tabudlong
Deonard Abaricio
AArune Sanchez
Al Villarosa
Philippine Eagle Lifetime Achievement Awardee
Dr. Roy G. Ponce (OCF-DO)
Roderick C. Parcon (DSPECS)
Prudencio Rivera Jr. (Hadams)
Ryan Adalim (Amecc)
Antonio L. Edquila (Hamocs)
Lito G. Roque (Trimmoc/Savers)
The awards night was also attended by some guests, such as Dr. Roy Ponce of OCF-DO, Nonoy Roderick C. Parcon and Edna Parcon of DsPecs, Argie Ryan Asaria of Dreamweavers Lake Sebu, PDRRMO Team Davao del Sur headed by Christopher Tan, Prezee De of Tourism Comval, Julius R. Paner of Tourism Sta. Cruz, Sirikit Fab of Event Blast n' Styling, Lilibeth Deiparine of UPDG and MRRD, and Jonallier Mana-ay Perez.
With the success of their recent activity, Bacus would like to extend his gratitude to all the mountaineering groups who consider MFSM as their second home and to those individuals and groups who supported financially and logistics for the meaningful MFSM Mindanao Congress.
Their sponsors are Libby Boatman Gabutero and Kuya Arnel, Sir Jim Llames of PRA, Johnnie Ray Alcantara of Rocksite Outdoor Gear, Bebot Villas of Bothammock, Loreto Bolo Jr. of Forest Outdoors, Mark Aucan of Descender, Joerge Ty of Higher Ground, Emma Policarpio and Sir Oyet of Oyet Awards Craft, The Boatman, House of Lord Anthony, Rocksite Outdoors, Trail Outdoors, Forest Outdoors, Dota, Mountain Gear & Amihan, Mulatto Apparel, Boulders 87, Suntek Enterprises, MOB Productions Ads, Philippine Retirement Authority, Ripwave Outdoors, Wahig Outdoors, Camp Apo Outdoors, Deboho Davao, Reponte's Meat Specialties, Descender Davao, ESD30 , Higher Ground Gear & Apparel, Lady Joana Toreno of Malmoc, Richard Dilla of Trimmoc, Joy Bocanegra& Family, SunStar Davao, Onyol Prints, Blast Events & Styling, Black Tribes Trekkers.
During the celebration, the guests were also entertained by local bands, like D' Holy Weed, Tortang Talong and Music Mix Duo.
Congrats awardees!