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65 nuns, mountaineers conquer, reforest Aurora’s 7,000-ft high Mt Balagbag

SAN LUIS, Aurora – Sixty five nuns and mountaineers successfully scaled and reforested the peak of the 7,000-feet high Mt. Balagbag in Barangay Dimanayat in this town last week. The recent two-day historic climb atop Mt. Balagbag established two mountaineering records – the first documented successful climb and the first documented reforestation of the mountain which has also been christened Mt. England by local mountaineers.

Leonardo Usita, national president of the Noble Blue Falcons International said the twin feats were pulled off by mountaineers from the Aurora chapter of the NBFI led by its provincial chairman Christopher Usita.

Others who took part in the historic ascent were the Elite Red Falcons Climbers, Mandaragit International, the Aurora chapter of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), The Blue Masons of Peace and Environment, The Life International Christian Fellowship; Bus, Jeepney, and Tricycle Operators and Drivers of the Philippines for the Peace and the Environment, Samahan ng mga Magsasaka, Mangingisda at Manggagawa ng Pilipinas para sa Kalikasan at Kapayapaan; The Blue Native Sons-Philippines; Tanglaw ng Karunungan Movement, Kalasag ng Kapayapaan Crusade; Bughaw, Krusada para sa Kapayapaan at Kalikasan; Aurora Sierra Madre Blue Mountaineers and Usita Advocates for Good Governance and Radyo Natin-FM (RN-FM), Hotel Sogo Mountaineers (HSM), Isuzu Gencars Backpackers (IGB) which were among the sponsoring organizations.

Usita said Mt. Balagbag has caught the fancy of thrill-seeking mountaineers for its abundant mineral deposits, tropical rainforest and spring water believed to cure incurable sicknesses.

NBFI administrator Marilyn Jacla said Mt. Balagbag poses a monumental challenge for the mountaineers due to its steep elevation, enormous height, slippery hills and the presence of deadly snakes along its path. “The presence of danger to life and limb lurking in one’s path makes the conquest an unforgettable experience and one successful climber, upon reaching the top, is constrained to exclaim I’m a legend,” she said excitedly.

Professor Joseph Beatriz Usita, an internationally acclaimed historian and geographer, said the historic climb was inspired by Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo who has been actively promoting environmental preservation and conservation as one of the cornerstones of her administration.

He said the feat has evolved into a climb-for-a-cause rather than an attempt at personal glory and prestige since reforestation was made an integral part of the activity through a tree-planting project dubbed “Akyat Kalikasan” wherein narra seedlings were planted at its slopes.

“The historic trek was like hitting two birds with one stone. It enhanced the skills of Filipino environmentalists and boosted environmental awareness and promoted Aurora’s potentials as a tourism mecca.

The climb was highlighted by the donation of one brand-new computer, printer and TV set by the Noble Blue Falcons Mountaineer to the Church-run Our Lady of Consolation Learning Center in this town which teaches environmental protection to its pupils. -- MG