Gian and Sheila
Welcoming 2013, Another Exciting Year of Love, Romance, and Adventure
Year 2012 was an excellent, adventure-filled year for both of us. We’re not just talking about mountaineering, rock climbing, and trekking. Success, happiness, and satisfaction filled our personal and professional lives.
Rappelling in Cantabaco: Getting High on Going Down
What is the fastest way to descend a 100-foot building or a cliff other than jumping? Abseiling, of course.
Abseiling, more commonly known as rappelling, refers to a technique of controlling the descent down a vertical feature via a rope. Mountaineers, canyoners, rock climbers, and other adventurers rappel down a cliff, slope, or some other feature that is too steep or dangerous to descend without using some sort of protection.
Cantabaco: A Rock Climber’s Mecca in Cebu
Do you want to be engaged in a sport where only a handful of people can actually appreciate what you’re doing? Do you want to join a sport where you literally risk life and limb to achieve a goal? Do you want to join a sport where you don’t compete with anybody but yourself? If you do, Sheila and I then welcome you to the world of rock climbing.
Mt. Napulak, A Climb in Stormy Weather
Sweethearts who go adventuring together stay together even in the midst of real and metaphorical storms. In our case, we encountered the former.
The climb to Mt. Napulak last July 27 to 30, 2012 was the first time that sweetie and I adventured together outside the Cebu island. Cebu mountaineers, Sir Ruel, Sir Ronald, Nicolo and Botchok; sweetie’s officemates, Nina and Pam; and the two adventuring sweethearts joined a contingent of mountaineers from Bacolod, Iloilo’s Higher Ground Mountaineers, and Manila to summit the mountain.
Osmeña Peak: Love at First Climb
“So, are we going to share a single tent?” she asked me.
“Yes,” I replied, “but don’t worry. I’m harmless. In mountaineering, sharing a tent is for practicality.”
“Ah, okay,” she replied with a smile.
Apparently, I realized later on that I was far from harmless. During our first mountaineering experience together at Osmeña Peak, Dalaguete, the purportedly highest point in the Cebu Island, we exchanged pre-marital vows. On May 12, 2012, 9:00 p.m., Sheila and I became official sweethearts sharing a passion for adventure.
Single Rope Technique and High Angle Rescue Workshop
As mountaineers and adventurers, it is vital to know the basics of SRT (Single Rope Technique) and rescue. So when Sir Fred Ygnacio of Innove Tower offered to teach us the basics of SRT and High Angle Rescue (HAR) last April 29, 2012, we readily agreed to participate.
White Cave: An Underground Date
Having found a warm spark after our rock climbing meet-up, Sheila and I decided to try another adventure. And, not surprisingly, it turned out into our first adventure date!
Adrenaline Romance 