GabLifestyle features the Loyola Mountaineers, a university organization bent on setting an example of environmental appreciation and preservation through a series of mountain climbing activities, and other year-round events meant to promote the society and its banner of active environmentalism.
This is one of two university organization features.
How and when was your group established?
Loyola Mountaineers was established in 1993 by four friends whose passions, though in different fields, were all about the outdoors and the environment.
Alvin Relucio and Louie Lim had joined the UP Mountaineers, and there met Sir Max Pulan, who would later become the moderator of LM. Meanwhile, Edsel “Manong Ed” Ramirez was active with the Environmental Research Division, an environmental group based in the Manila Observatory. ERD was active in its work with the Dumagat indigenous people of Gabaldon, and most of its work involved climbing mountains to conduct trainings, interviews and land verification to prove ancestral domain claim. At the same time, Alvin, Louie and Manong Ed, together with co-founder Victor Ramos, were also active with Greenpeace.
Back in 1993, no environmental organization existed. So the four friends thought of integrating their ideals to create a mountaineering organization whose passion is also on environmental work, [instead of merely] looking for a hobby. With the help of the UP Mountaineers, and after [asking] Sir Max to be their moderator, they applied for accreditation from Ateneo’s Office of Student Activities, and were granted it.
Thus LM was born, and its founders’ vision and mission, of climbing with Ateneans, spreading environmental awareness and interacting with indigenous people, have since then been continued.
How many members does your group currently have (excluding alumni members)?
There are currently 24 undergraduate members. We are a very small group… [a] survey conducted last year [revealed that we comprised] only 0.13% of the entire student population.
How does one join your group? What are the qualifications?
LM’s application period lasts the entire first semester of the organization calendar. There are several requirements, trainings and tests for applicants, not because LM is an elitist organization (as some might say) but because we want to teach and instill in our would-be members some very important skills and values. These skills and values will prove useful when in the outdoors, and are ones that we want our members to further hone through experience.
A steep downward slope on Mt. Apo
Applicants are required to attend three Basic Mountaineering Courses and a First Aid Module organized by LM’s Education Committee. These aim to brief them about the org’s operating procedures and principles, and to teach in theory basic mountaineering skills like tent-pitching, knot-tying, ropesmanship, etc. These lessons will be reviewed and applied during their 1st and 2nd Training Climbs, with the help of LM group leaders.
Aside from these, test runs and pack runs are scheduled strategically throughout the semester, not only to maintain physical fitness, but also to serve as physical training for climbs. Furthermore, since as mountaineers members give value to environmental awareness, applicants are encouraged to attend environmental talks or activities promoted by the LM Environmental Committee. The application process culminates with the Induction Climb, usually to Level 3 Mountains such as Mt. Pulag or Mt. Ugu.
Despite the long process, application is a significant part of the LM experience. Aside from the gaining knowledge and skills, it is also [helps] the applicant get to know LM and start building a relationship with the org. He gets the opportunity to bond with his batch mates, and later on with other members. And when one entrusts his safety to those people, these relationships do matter. What’s unique about LM too is that even after you’ve graduated, there are still many avenues though which you can be active in the org.
How many projects does your group pursue each year? Please describe these projects.
The LM year is highlighted by the following projects:
Adopt-a-tree Fundraiser
Usually [held] in September, this is a two-week fundraiser [during which] members of the Ateneo community can help us raise funds for buying seedlings. These will be planted in LM’s CARefor communities in Mindoro or Gabaldon. Aside from monetary donations, they can also take part in the tree-planting activity itself.
CARefor (Citizens’ Action for Rainforestation)
Following the Adopt-a-Tree weeks is CARefor. Aside from planting trees, this project also aims for volunteers to be able to interact with the indigenous people residing in those areas- the Mangyans of Mindoro and the Dumagats of Gabaldon.
Currently, LM has two CARefor communities in Mindoro and Gabaldon.
Gabaldon, 2010: Seeds of a better future
LM Open Climbs and Clean-Up Climbs
The open climbs aim to give non-LM members a feel of what climbing is all about, while stressing the importance of keeping the surroundings clean. Usually held in January, these are climbs to easy but scenic mountains, such as Mt. Daguldol in Laiya, Batangas, Mt. Pico de Loro in Ternate, Cavite and Mt. Maculot in Cuenca, Batangas.
LM Week
A weeklong event held in February, this project features leisure activities that promote LM’s advocacies. Environmental films are shown during the movie marathon, while guest speakers are invited to give talks about photography and outdoor sports. A wall is also set up on campus so students can try out wall-climbing and rappelling.
The best pictures are chosen for the photo exhibit, to showcase the beauty of the places we go to.
Carrera Loyola
Carrera Loyola is an adventure race organized by LM every year, where participants can win cash and exciting prizes.
LM Week 2010 wall climbing activity
LM Concert
The LM Week culminates with the LM concert, where alternative bands such as Leonecast, Nanay Mo, Jeepney Joyride and many more perform. It is open to the public and its proceeds go to CARefor funding.
Seniors’ Climb
Held at the end of the year, this climb is especially made for graduating seniors.
Does the student body help or support your group? How?
It is from the Council of Organization of the Ateneo (COA) and the Health and Environmental Cluster (HEC) that the organization receives help and support. Being a very small organization, it is ideal for us to have tie-ups with other organization. The organization receives promotions and manpower from COA or HEC in certain projects. The Loyola Schools Office of Student Activities (OSA) and the OSA professionals guide the organization through the nitty-gritty paper work and guidelines set for organizations. Their aid helps organizations to refine their goals for the year and watch over the progress of each organization. It is more of guidance that LM receives since we have a solid and effective application process that needs little change.
Through hell or high water
Name some of your previous projects. Were they effective? How so?
The second semester is usually strewn with many projects since the first semester is mainly dedicated to application. Last January, we held the LM Open Climbs and Clean-Up Climb, which were very successful in terms of the number of open climbers. There were five open climbs overall: two overnight climbs, two day climbs and one clean-up climb.
[Another great turnout is the fact that] the participants have become friends [with] LM, so we are hoping to see some of them during this coming application.
Another effective project was last January’s CARefor in Gabaldon. Significant funds were raised during the Adopt-a-Tree weeks and were used to buy seedlings and food for volunteers. A number of non-LM volunteers came, [and] we were able to plant at least 500 seedlings at the site, and volunteers got to interact with the Dumagats during community night. During the next CARefor event, we hope to check on the seedlings we have planted and strengthen ties with the community.
What projects do you have lined up this year? Who will this endeavor involve?
On July 25, there will be a tree-planting activity at the La Mesa Dam Ecopark, in partnership with the Firefly Brigade and Ateneo Alumni. The seedlings will be transported through bike from the Ateneo campus to the La Mesa Dam Ecopark, and LM will be in charge of marshalling the bikers. We are currently looking for more sponsors for the said event, and if you wish to help, please contact the Ateneo Alumni Association at 4266001 loc. 4687 & 4688, and look for Jessica.
What is the message that your group wants to communicate to the campus community? Why?
Through continual training of our members, our advocacy is to uphold the good name of mountaineering as a fun and safe sport. We envision individuals who are appreciative of nature. And from this appreciation comes the desire to preserve and protect it by being aware of the effects of our actions.
Incoming search terms:
- dumagat culture
- related study about la mesa eco park
- literature of dumagat
- background of the study la mesa eco park
- study on the physical welness of dumagat
- maximino pulan
- mountaineer mission and vision sample
- loyola mountaineers
- literature about dumagat
- mountaineer mission and vision
Loyola Mountaineers: Braving the Uphill Climb for Mother Earth
0GabLifestyle features the Loyola Mountaineers, a university organization bent on setting an example of environmental appreciation and preservation through a series of mountain climbing activities, and other year-round events meant to promote the society and its banner of active environmentalism.
This is one of two university organization features.
How and when was your group established?
Loyola Mountaineers was established in 1993 by four friends whose passions, though in different fields, were all about the outdoors and the environment.
Alvin Relucio and Louie Lim had joined the UP Mountaineers, and there met Sir Max Pulan, who would later become the moderator of LM. Meanwhile, Edsel “Manong Ed” Ramirez was active with the Environmental Research Division, an environmental group based in the Manila Observatory. ERD was active in its work with the Dumagat indigenous people of Gabaldon, and most of its work involved climbing mountains to conduct trainings, interviews and land verification to prove ancestral domain claim. At the same time, Alvin, Louie and Manong Ed, together with co-founder Victor Ramos, were also active with Greenpeace.
Back in 1993, no environmental organization existed. So the four friends thought of integrating their ideals to create a mountaineering organization whose passion is also on environmental work, [instead of merely] looking for a hobby. With the help of the UP Mountaineers, and after [asking] Sir Max to be their moderator, they applied for accreditation from Ateneo’s Office of Student Activities, and were granted it.
Thus LM was born, and its founders’ vision and mission, of climbing with Ateneans, spreading environmental awareness and interacting with indigenous people, have since then been continued.
How many members does your group currently have (excluding alumni members)?
There are currently 24 undergraduate members. We are a very small group… [a] survey conducted last year [revealed that we comprised] only 0.13% of the entire student population.
How does one join your group? What are the qualifications?
LM’s application period lasts the entire first semester of the organization calendar. There are several requirements, trainings and tests for applicants, not because LM is an elitist organization (as some might say) but because we want to teach and instill in our would-be members some very important skills and values. These skills and values will prove useful when in the outdoors, and are ones that we want our members to further hone through experience.
A steep downward slope on Mt. Apo
Applicants are required to attend three Basic Mountaineering Courses and a First Aid Module organized by LM’s Education Committee. These aim to brief them about the org’s operating procedures and principles, and to teach in theory basic mountaineering skills like tent-pitching, knot-tying, ropesmanship, etc. These lessons will be reviewed and applied during their 1st and 2nd Training Climbs, with the help of LM group leaders.
Aside from these, test runs and pack runs are scheduled strategically throughout the semester, not only to maintain physical fitness, but also to serve as physical training for climbs. Furthermore, since as mountaineers members give value to environmental awareness, applicants are encouraged to attend environmental talks or activities promoted by the LM Environmental Committee. The application process culminates with the Induction Climb, usually to Level 3 Mountains such as Mt. Pulag or Mt. Ugu.
Despite the long process, application is a significant part of the LM experience. Aside from the gaining knowledge and skills, it is also [helps] the applicant get to know LM and start building a relationship with the org. He gets the opportunity to bond with his batch mates, and later on with other members. And when one entrusts his safety to those people, these relationships do matter. What’s unique about LM too is that even after you’ve graduated, there are still many avenues though which you can be active in the org.
How many projects does your group pursue each year? Please describe these projects.
The LM year is highlighted by the following projects:
Adopt-a-tree Fundraiser
Usually [held] in September, this is a two-week fundraiser [during which] members of the Ateneo community can help us raise funds for buying seedlings. These will be planted in LM’s CARefor communities in Mindoro or Gabaldon. Aside from monetary donations, they can also take part in the tree-planting activity itself.
CARefor (Citizens’ Action for Rainforestation)
Following the Adopt-a-Tree weeks is CARefor. Aside from planting trees, this project also aims for volunteers to be able to interact with the indigenous people residing in those areas- the Mangyans of Mindoro and the Dumagats of Gabaldon.
Currently, LM has two CARefor communities in Mindoro and Gabaldon.
Gabaldon, 2010: Seeds of a better future
LM Open Climbs and Clean-Up Climbs
The open climbs aim to give non-LM members a feel of what climbing is all about, while stressing the importance of keeping the surroundings clean. Usually held in January, these are climbs to easy but scenic mountains, such as Mt. Daguldol in Laiya, Batangas, Mt. Pico de Loro in Ternate, Cavite and Mt. Maculot in Cuenca, Batangas.
LM Week
A weeklong event held in February, this project features leisure activities that promote LM’s advocacies. Environmental films are shown during the movie marathon, while guest speakers are invited to give talks about photography and outdoor sports. A wall is also set up on campus so students can try out wall-climbing and rappelling.
The best pictures are chosen for the photo exhibit, to showcase the beauty of the places we go to.
Carrera Loyola
Carrera Loyola is an adventure race organized by LM every year, where participants can win cash and exciting prizes.
LM Week 2010 wall climbing activity
LM Concert
The LM Week culminates with the LM concert, where alternative bands such as Leonecast, Nanay Mo, Jeepney Joyride and many more perform. It is open to the public and its proceeds go to CARefor funding.
Seniors’ Climb
Held at the end of the year, this climb is especially made for graduating seniors.
Does the student body help or support your group? How?
It is from the Council of Organization of the Ateneo (COA) and the Health and Environmental Cluster (HEC) that the organization receives help and support. Being a very small organization, it is ideal for us to have tie-ups with other organization. The organization receives promotions and manpower from COA or HEC in certain projects. The Loyola Schools Office of Student Activities (OSA) and the OSA professionals guide the organization through the nitty-gritty paper work and guidelines set for organizations. Their aid helps organizations to refine their goals for the year and watch over the progress of each organization. It is more of guidance that LM receives since we have a solid and effective application process that needs little change.
Through hell or high water
Name some of your previous projects. Were they effective? How so?
The second semester is usually strewn with many projects since the first semester is mainly dedicated to application. Last January, we held the LM Open Climbs and Clean-Up Climb, which were very successful in terms of the number of open climbers. There were five open climbs overall: two overnight climbs, two day climbs and one clean-up climb.
[Another great turnout is the fact that] the participants have become friends [with] LM, so we are hoping to see some of them during this coming application.
Another effective project was last January’s CARefor in Gabaldon. Significant funds were raised during the Adopt-a-Tree weeks and were used to buy seedlings and food for volunteers. A number of non-LM volunteers came, [and] we were able to plant at least 500 seedlings at the site, and volunteers got to interact with the Dumagats during community night. During the next CARefor event, we hope to check on the seedlings we have planted and strengthen ties with the community.
What projects do you have lined up this year? Who will this endeavor involve?
On July 25, there will be a tree-planting activity at the La Mesa Dam Ecopark, in partnership with the Firefly Brigade and Ateneo Alumni. The seedlings will be transported through bike from the Ateneo campus to the La Mesa Dam Ecopark, and LM will be in charge of marshalling the bikers. We are currently looking for more sponsors for the said event, and if you wish to help, please contact the Ateneo Alumni Association at 4266001 loc. 4687 & 4688, and look for Jessica.
What is the message that your group wants to communicate to the campus community? Why?
Through continual training of our members, our advocacy is to uphold the good name of mountaineering as a fun and safe sport. We envision individuals who are appreciative of nature. And from this appreciation comes the desire to preserve and protect it by being aware of the effects of our actions.
Incoming search terms:
About the Author
Keith Cortez is a fictionist who loves to travel both on the road and on the pages of a book. He loves sunshine and meat equally. He doesn’t want people to know that he’s a member of Green Peace and that he’s from Pampanga. He believes that real vampires don’t sparkle.
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