The Advent of Hiking Lifestyle in Nagcarlan

The past 12 months since the birth of AHON were prelude to a recreational idea. This idea if appreciated hopes to become a routine that will give us personal benefits, help us become conscious of our natural environment and will also eventually result in promoting tourism at the same time, livelihood opportunities to Nagcarlan local communities.

We have a hiking meet-up group that we know now as AHON, Ana Kalang's Hikers of Nature.  The first hiking meet-up group ever to organize in the Philippines. 

Ang pagpunta sa kabukiran ay hindi na bago sa ating mga taga Nagcarlan. Ito’y isang gawaing namulatan na natin dahil  ang bayan natin  ay nasa malawak na lupain katabi ng mga kabundukan. “Pagsaka” ang tawag natin kung tayo pupunta sa bukid.  ; Paggala sa bukid o “Pamumute” ng mga bungang kahoy, pananagad, pamamalaka.  Pangingilaw. Sa mga bata…pamimingabing,  pambabalbat, panlilisan at marami pang gawaing ating pakay sa kabukiran.

 

 

Ang paglalakad o pagtahak mula marahil sa ating tahanan patungo sa lugar na pakay para sa mga nabanggit na mga gawain, mga kababayan ang tinatawag na “hiking”.  Marahil hindi nga bago sa ating mga taga probinsiya.  Sa ibang lugar…sa mga nakararangyang bansa, ang hiking ay may higit na halaga at pagkilala.  Ang hiking ay isang pamumuhay o kabihasnan na kailangan ng bawat isa para sa kanyang kalusugan at kaisipan.   Hking became a lifestyle. Dahil dito, nagkaron ng ibang itsura at pagkilala ang hIking. Ginamitan ng pag-aaral at siyensiya upang mas lalong kapakipakinabang sa sinumang nagnanais gumawa nito.

Outside the Philippines, mostly in developed countries hiking is a popular outdoor activity for everyone. There has been proven studies that hiking has health benefits. Through the years they have developed standards/ethics/aids for hiking to become more safe, favorable and enjoyable to all. 

And this is what we need to know to better understand and be ready for a lifestyle which we are up to. Opening windows for all of us to see.  So the next time that we go hiking….we already understands what it is and what it is all about.

AHON 1st Year Anniversary

A.H.O.N.

Ana Kalang's Hikers of Nature

Hiking Meet-Up Group

Nagcarlan, Laguna

Philippines

Video of past hikes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-9UBtOSvqk&list=PLCwV4r6eXREtkIJKE5WEPGSg4Ac7iLMsJ

AHON tayo sa Nagcarlan!

Explore: Labuyo Twin Peaks

Situated at the heart of Mt. Nagcarlan-Mt. Mabilog-Mt. Atimla complex, Labuyo Twin Peaks has never been explored for mountaineering or hiking activity.  Its thick vegetation setting somehow hold back even local people to rove and check its hinterland.

Because of its opaque flora, the vicinity of LabuyoTwin Peaks  is home to numerous wildlife as monkeys and junglefowls.  Red junglefowls dwell  in the area. “Labuyo” as what locals call junglefowls are flighty and robust. Labuyos’ characteristics make it difficult for anyone to catch them.  The flanks of the twin peaks are their perfect dwelling place.

While densed vegetation fill its slopes, beautiful “talahib” grasses astoundingly populate the entire  peaks. The area is a perfect venue for overnight camping with a 360 degrees view of San Pablo 7 Lakes and brilliant backdrops of Mt. Atimla, Mt. Nagcarlan, Mt. Mabilog, Mt. San Cristobal and the majestic Mt. Banahaw.  

Standing about 549 masl, Labuyo Twin Peaks is a great sunset viewing place and superb cityscape watching site.  Its spotless greenery will truly satisfy any outdoorsman’s delight with a closer to nature feeling of sobriety and freedom.  Be the first ones to scale the area. Explore Labuyo twin peaks.

Sunflower Basket Remembered

21 years ago, a young boy who loves to roam in his town’s countryside dreamt of turning agricultural farm leftovers into revenue and livelihood.  With a liberal and artistic inclination he created a design and corroborated with local craftsmen to finally transform coconut husks and some indigenous materials into a work of art.  They called it sunflower basket.

Playful and bullish in his dream, he then brought the sunflower basket to higher ground.  A local Jaycee member, he then pushed sunflower basket as a Jaycee project which will provide jobs for his corroborators and potential local industry for the people of Nagcarlan. 

Sourcing for some market appreciation, the Sunflower basket landed on Manila FAME at the CITEM’s National exposition of products.  Sunflower basket was adopted by an exporting firm, Adorica International and included in their product collection hopeful to gain some international market reception. 

Amazingly, American and European markets adored the Sunflower basket.  A breakthrough for its uniqueness and exotic identity, Sunflower basket become a winner at Manila FAME Katha Award and grabbed the major award at 1992 Golden Shell Award of Excellence.  Sunflower basket was launched into instant stardom.

With 30,000 sets initial orders coming from Europe and America, the Sunflower basket truly gave more than enough opportunities to the town folks of Nagcarlan.  Succeeding months proved to be more favorable with more international orders which the town folks eventually cannot accommodate anymore.

To cope with flooding orders coming from abroad, Adorica International extended production source from nearby provinces of Quezon, Rizal, Batangas and Mindoro. This young boy has signed up in the company as Product Developer and taught techniques in making Sunflower baskets.

And the rest was history…..Sunflower basket was a big hit and has given income opportunities to its people. 

The boy, the sunflower basket and the livelihood it brought to the town of Nagcarlan.

Orders of the Sunflower baskets finally ended 1997.

  

F.A.M.E.    -           Fashion and Accessories Market Exposition

CITEM       -           Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions