Chasing Happiness In Trails

Calbasa-an Camp 7, Minglanilla Cebu, 13Km from my house and the road going there is a bit of a trek. I first met Sitio Calbasa-an when Sir Tony Galon organized a 27Km trail run for a cause to CUC members, then proceeds will be given to Boljo-on typhoon victims, Pablo. I enjoy the place because I myself is a nature lover and I love to run mountain trails than highway roads. No pollution, all is green, you are at peace, great people, and you can see and hear the birds singing. And that time I fall in love and amazed with Calbasa-an, then I promise to myself that this is not my last time to visit here.

And our price joining this Trail run is “eat all you”can” sweet camoti and drink till’ you sawa buko juice.

12-9-2012 My First Step in Calbasa-an. From left to right: Me, Sir Joe, Sir Meyux, Jake and Sir Tony taking this pic.

I am barefooter and sometimes a minimalist using my KAI Sandals, I am using it after Milo Cebu Elimination Leg, October 2012. For 1 month of using my KAI, I joined the CUC race Leg2 100K. But unfortunately, declared DNF at 68K because of feet injury and wounds.

This was taken by Sir John Dominggo, we are taking our water break at 65Km. Starting here I can feel my feet is in sore, particularly the big toes.

It’s hard to accept na mag DNF, the time, money and effort was useless. But it’s a wise decision to minimized major problems in the long run and I learned something with this experience and I salute those strong finishers, that they conquer everything (CUC Leg 2 Result).

During my trails in Calbasa-an I used KAI Sandals, it’s nice to feel the stones poking your feet. It’s like a free reflexology in your feet. At first it was hell then it was heaven. It makes your feet more stronger, well developed and more grounded to mother nature.

My feet is now a happy feet with KAI Sandals.

I usually start to climb Calbasa-an 6’morning, and my gears are:

• visor cap
• running shirt
• G-shock watch
• running short
• 500ml bottle  water
• KAI sandals
• Back pack(inside are)

– cellphone
– extra Shirt
– 2 cloud9 chocolates / banana
– 1kg weights pack
– and camera

Your 13Km of uphill walk-jog is sulit if you will see this scenery.

Hills and all are green.

And they live in simplest form in life, they get water from a small spring(that I used to drink when I need to refill my water bottle), and they have no electricity here.

At the top of this hill is a “Kubo or Payag” that is abandoned after the roof was taken-off by a strong wind.

I usually met children here aging: 8-14yrs old, and they help their parents for their livelihood. Planting kamoti tops, charcoal making, and “Daro” or farming is their livelihood here. They sell their harvested Kamoti’s at Minglanilla Public Market @20 per kilo. They usually sold 80-120 kilos per harvest and wait again for 3months for next harvest.

A small barefoot child guiding this big creature carabao, where his father and farm located.

I indeed, I find the true happiness in Brgy. Calbasa-an, when we conducted “1st Give a Gift for this Christmas” for the community last Dec. 30, 2012. It just happen that quick, that I just posted a FB status:

I’m about to sleep after my night shift, then something pop-up or just for a try to post this status to my facebook. And it come-out with a positive response with my friends through fb and text.

I just first focus to Vito-Cadulawan community which is accessible for my motorcycle and easy for me to deliver the gifts, but the donations are growing great, that I decided to share this also to Brgy. Calbasa-an.

Groceries are ready to be pack.

Donated used clothings, I collected 6 sacks of this.

Candies, some school supplies and slippers ready to be delivered.

Vito – Cadulawan Community:

One of our recipient is Lolo Andres Traya.

Mam Merlina Cabatuan, her house was burned last Nov. 20, while she is at her “Uma” or farm and the only person was left is her youngest daughter, aged 6yrs old. Her daughter saved only her favorite towel, and nothing else was saved. She has 6 children.

Calbasa-an Community:

We deliver the gifts for Calbasa-an, December 30, 2012.

Families received; rice, biscuits or groceries and used clothings. Children also received, slippers, pencils, papers and foods.

This kids are patiently waiting for their turn.

This are my friends who help personally to give those gifts to Calbasa-an Community. From left to right: Jake, Bien, Stephen, Katrina, Hanz, and your servant Soybitz, taking this picture is Ojober(my brother).

Taking a break after walking for 2 hours going down-hill. We are now 3Km from the highway. “Padong nani uli”.

Let me  thank again the people behind this successful event.

• Alona Aunzo
• Danfrey Rodel Vito
• Marjohn Comendador Presbitero
• Phoebe Realiza Talibong
• Sheree Mae Batiquin
• Roxanne Tamayo
• Joshua Cañada
• Khent Campomanes
• James A. Maria
• Ruvic Chan
• Kara Mae Cañoneo
• Stephen Cañada
• Coleen Digman
• Leo James Violeta
• Danfrey Rodel Vito
• Cheryll Capangpangan
• Queenie Regalado Seguis
• Josie Mae
• Don Lyn
• Gail Culala
• Hanz Florentino
• Bien Probadora
• Katrina Cabigas
• Ojober Rebojo
• Orencio Rebojo Jr.
• Albert Rebojo
• Mam Irine Gantalao – OIC Teacher of Kalbasaan
• Rubie Gantalao
• Lola Pia Ababon
• Ate Julie Ababon
• Kalbasaan Community who warmly Welcomed Us.

THEY helped 14 Families in Vito-Cadulawan, 42 families in Kalbasaan and 75 Childrens.

Without running I won’t live like this, full of Joy, satisfied, although I have no money or wealth in life, but I have a loving family and lot of good friends. That are ready to help anytime. I found my mission in life through running, I can go to community that motorcycle is impossible to reach them, and experience how they deal their simplicity in life. I promise I will help them and comeback with another mission for them, because not everybody can help and feel what their needs are and I am just here bridging your kindness for them.

For this next Ultra event, the 1st SIQUIJOR 360 ULTRAMARATHON 75K, I hope I can finish this race injury free and will use what I trained during my trails in Calbasa-an, although it is not a trail race.

———————————————————————————-

Posted by: Vissuelo “Soybiyz” A. Rebojo.
Your contact person if you want your running event be posted in Aktib.ph
Like us on facebook Aktib.ph and you can reach me at Soybitz Facebook or send me your run event through: vissuelo@aktib.ph
#Life is boring without Running.