How to Travel Safe and Light? (Our Experience)

Nature tripping is one of the best way to relax and escape from the tiring and hassles of city life. That's the reason why whenever my friends and I find some time, we definitely try to go for some adventure outside the metro. And of course, we always prioritize our safety and convenience.





TRIPOD at the shoreline of Anilao, Mabini, Batangas


At the peak of Mt. Gulugod-baboy, Batangas


GO Leslie!

Speaking of safety and convenience, backpack is one of those that provides these during your trip for obviously, this is where all your stuffs home. It is necessary for all the travelers to choose the best or the appropriate backpack to be used. I was reading some travel blogs last time and I found out that Pacsafe provides slashproof and and other anti-theft security features. VentureSafe 20L Adventure Daypack catches my attention which is perfect for our out-of-town trip this month in the becoming popular destination in Zambales, Anawangin Cove.


Check out Pacsafe’s superior features:

* eXomesh® Slashguard in front, side and bottom panels
* Slashproof adjustable shoulder straps
* Snatchproof shoulder strap allows the bag to anchor to a secure fixture
* Tamperproof zippers
* Zippered main compartment and front pocket
* Side mesh fabric water bottle pockets
* Padded adjustable shoulder straps and sternum strap
* Padded air mesh back support
* Side compression straps


Another Bag that hits my interest is the Slingsafe 200 Anti-Theft Sling Purse which is a versatile shoulder bag that is very appropriate for a short day trips that can accomodate all your important stuffs. Aside from its security features, it has a headphone port. Its perfect because aside from sight-seeing, I love listening to my playlist during the travel.


Slingsafe 200 Anti-Theft Sling Purse is a versatile and lightweight shoulder bag with 4 anti-theft features. Great for short day trips without weighing you down with excess gear. What makes it different? It has slashguard in front panel and Slashproof adjustable shoulder strap. Snatchproof shoulder strap allows the bag to anchor to a secure fixture – Tamperproof concealed safety hook secures front flap, main compartment and zippers – Main zippered compartment – Internal snug-fitting mobile phone / PDA / digital camera / mp3 player pocket – Internal back wall zippered pocket – Front zippered pocket – Rear slip pocket – Headphone port

For all the beginners, here are some of the other useful tips that might help you guys whenever you go out-of-town. These are all based from our experiences, so I guaranteed you, this would be a great help.

BEFORE THE TRIP:

Create a checklist of the things that you will need. Its hard to get one if you left something you will need the most during the trip.

Know how long the trip is for you to know how much money you will be needing and how many pairs of clothes you will be using.

Try to minimize the things that you will be bringing. Just put in your bags the most important and the most useful ones only. Try to avoid bringing so much clothes and accessories. Have a pouch bag for your toiletries so that it will not scatter in your bag.

Instead of folding your clothes, it is better to roll it before putting it in your bags. Rolling the clothes saves space.

Dont forget to bring first aid kit and other medicines.

If you think you are going to spend a night in an unfamiliar place, dont forget to bring flashlight and insect repellants. If possible, dont forget to bring jacket/jogging pants/socks to protect yourself from cold weather and insect bites.

You can also bring some plastic bags where you can put your stuffs just in case the heavy rain pours. Plastic bags can also be used to place all your trash to maintain the cleanliness of the place.

Become knowledgeable of the place. There are hundreds of blogs and experiences of some people in the internet that you can read.

Let your family or guardians know where you are going.

Bring an ID everywhere and anywhere you go. And if any, dont forget to bring your Health Card just in case of emergency.

Be updated with the weather forecast. Its important to take a weather check before going anywhere.

Its OK to be excited, but have atleast enough sleep/rest a night before your trip.

WATER FUN/BEACH ADVENTURE:

Wear on the proper attire when swimming. Dont forget to apply waterproof sunscreen atleast 20 mins before you swim.

First Time - Feet First Rule. Dont just take the plunge to avoid any accident. Dont dive into unfamiliar waters. You'll never know how deep or shallow the water is.

Never swim alone. As much as possible, swim in a group. So that there is someone to help you if you get into difficulty. Remember that "even good swimmers drown."

Make sure you always have enough energy to swim back shore.

Beware of fog. Its easy to lose sight of the shore and get lost in the dense fog.

If a lightning storm is starting, DONT SWIM. Its an electrifying experience you want to avoid. Stop swimming at the first indication of a bad weather.

Be careful of being entangled in seaweeds when swimming. Try not to kick when in seaweeds as it tends to wrap around your legs.

If its your first time in the place, do not swim faraway from the shore, know never know what might happen next. It is important to wear a life vest for your safety.

Never turn your back to the ocean/sea. You may be swept off by strong waves that come without warning.

Dont swim when you are already drunk.

Learn atleast the basic of giving CPR.

TREKKING/MOUNTAIN CLIMBING:

Be polite and show respect to the people you will meet along the way especially the locals.

If possible take a tour guide with you. So that you will not get lost. You wouldnt want to end up walking whole day circling the areas that are virtually uninhabited.

Let other people or especially the authorities know your going up the mountain. There are some places that requires registration before you go mountain climbing. Dont take it for granted, its for your safety.

Firts time hikers must be wary most of dehydration and heatstroke. Drink and bring atleast plenty of water.

Wear sneakers or hiking sandals instead of rubber slippers. Some parts may be slippery and the proper footwear will give you more convenience and safety.

Opt to wear light cotton shirts instead of heavy fabrics. For some its better to wear shorts, but cargo pants or jogging pants are better suited for areas that have higher weed growth and mosquito infestation.

Respect the place. Maintain the cleanliness and natural beauty, avoid vandalism and burning.

Here are some other important things you shoudnt miss to bring:

enough water
Snacks
Sunscreen/insect repellant
Hat/visors
Shades
flashlights
sweater
knife/bolo
first aid kit/medicines
tent (if you want to stay overnight)
plastic bags (for your trash)


Have a safe trip. Enjoy!

My Super One

If you are a father, you have one of the most respected and demanding titles ever given to a man. It's not always easy to be a father; there are certainly moments of struggle. But hearing the word "Tatay", "Papa", "Dad" or whatever it is makes the entire journey blessed and wonderful.It would even leave a smile on your face because hearing these words is music to every father's ears.

But let's face it. We tend to overlook dads. Sure, those who can afford buy them a requisite tie on Father's Day or birthday. But by and large, fathers are down a few links on the family or friends or love-ones chain. First come mothers. Mothers whom we always seek for help, whom we shared our school experiences, new found friends, assignments, achievements, secrets and heartbreaks. Every laughter and tears of your life. After all, for our generation, fathers are generally the ones who meted out discipline and justice. We tend not to have warm, fuzzy feelings about the person who is about to punish us. When was the last time you mouth the words "I love you Dad?". Its always, Mom, I love you! Have you ever seen a guy having a tattoo spelled out F-A-T-H-E-R? Not likely.

*This picture was taken last January 2, during my father's 50th birthday. In the picture is my father, myself and my youngest sister.

That is the reason why I am giving this special space in my blog for the unsung hero of my life, my father, Mr. Dario Cayetano, my SUPER ONE.

At my very young age, I was thought how challenging life is. I was not born with all the wellness in life. My father was a former factory-turned-construction-worker. Even if I am not that fortunate, my father taught me how to be patient and strong to cope with what life has to offer. He was able to send me for a higher education, something he wasn't experience, an opportunity he never had. My father is a talented man who can sketch artistically. The one who often do all my drawings and lettering assignments and projects. In the kitchen, he is the master chef. He cooks better than my mother, especially when he prepares his specialty, my favorite "pinakbet". He also loves music as I do, something which I think I get from him. He is a man full of laughter and humors.

But life is not always like a blue sky with colorful rainbow in it. I never thought about the time I would have to step into my own father's shoes. He was always there to fill them. Then suddenly, he wasn't. And now I have had to step into them. I didn't feel prepared for the role, but I have to. Now I clearly understand how it is to be the father. What it takes to be the head of the family. It is all about self-sacrifice. Sacrifice for the people you value and love the most.

My father was diagnosed with liver cancer last year. And from then on, I can see how his health is rapidly declining. I feel guilty for not sending him to the best doctors for more check-ups and tests, for we do not know where to get the money to sustain his medication. Until the time came, where he, himself refused to continue his check-ups. He surrendered, he was losing hope. It is hard to pretend your OK while seeing the one you love aching. My heart not just feel broken but crushed. I cant help but cry most of the time. Right now, our faith is our only refuge. I'm still holding on to it for I know it is the strongest. Every second of each day is important. I try as much as possible to provide all my father's wish and needs, as long as I can. If I can't, there's no reason for me to give up and stop.

And if there is one thing I would tell the Lord, its for my father's fast recovery. If a miracle is too much to ask, then please let him extend his stay with us. Give us enough time to show how much we care for him. Allow us to fill all the emptiness and give him all the love that we taken for granted, things that we never much showed. Please give us enough confidence and faith to do it. Let us be his hand to hold when he's losing hope.

Last Father's Day, I sent my Nanay a message for my "Daduds", as how I call my father. The message still remains in my phone's Sent Item. I don't know why I haven't deleted it, maybe it is there for a reason. The message goes like this...

Nay, good morning,
pksbe kay DADUDS,
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY.
I LOVE YOU! Ingat kau lagi...

Sometimes my father listened without expression. There was no sentimentality or emotion, just frank acceptance of the inevitable, something I would say the character I inherit to him.

Daduds,(as i call him) I don't know how to say this to you personally. But I know someday, at the right time I will have the confidence to tell you this...

I am grateful to have been raised by a man who is so kindly predisposed to the wacky and the unexpected. You are a testament to the great values of kindness, hardwork and taking care of us. I will never forget the image of you among the crowd as I go up the stage to receive my awards in school, my first day in high school where you accompanied me in my first classroom, the happy moments we've shared near the lake and fishing, those days that we need to go up the mountain to get some guavas which I will sell in the school to have "baon", the times you took care of me when I was suffering from bronco pneumonia and holding my dextrose patiently as I play around when I was a kid. Thank you for encouraging me without being cloying and as a result, I felt supported but never pushed. Thank you Tay, for taking me in a real life adventure, where I learned the greatest lessons and experienced a different kind of excitement and fun.

I'm so sorry for the moment that we had a bad conversation a few years ago. We both had the point to fight for and I kept insisting my own. I was trying to be deaf yet still hearing how our voice both raised. In the end I realized, its me you are protecting. We were both in tears and couldn't speak anymore. That was the first time i ever see you crying. And there is no way to test a man's pain than too see tears welling from your eyes. I know saying I was sorry just didn't feel like enough. I'm sorry because it is too late for me to understand all of those. I'm sorry. I love you...

I guess the hardest part of one's life is seeing the most important to you suffering, yet you cannot do anything. Right now, my father is struggling to recover. I don't know how long we are going to stay together, but one thing is for sure, everyday, all the best that I can do is dedicated for him. His happiness is the main priority of my existence. Without his best guidance and inspirations to me, I would not be where I am now. I ought him every steps in the ladder of success and the achievements that I have.

Someday, even if we do not have tons of picture together to reminisce, I would ask the Lord to retain my memories of you, so that I can play back certain scenes in my head, moments that define you as my father and by extension, me.

Even if I am away from our family, even if I am having trouble hearing your voice in my head the way I used to, even if your voice is getting fainter as time goes on, maybe this blog will keep the memories alive and is a way to keep his voice loud and clear. I want to pump up the volume more.


We lost all our pictures when our country was hit by the strong typhoon Rosing last 1995. So I tried so hard making a simple drawing of me and my father.

Thank you GLOBE for letting me share my wonderful story about my Super One.This blog entry may somehow help to immortalize how great and wonderful my father is.

What about you?

Who is your Super One and Why? Share yours now.

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