Northern Mindanao FAS Finals at CAMP BIVOUAC, Mountain Pines, Bukidnon

Good Morning everyone! It's been a while.. Since there is nothing to do around the office, I thought about sharing my Airsoft experience at a place considered to be one of the best airsoft sites in Mindanao. This is my hobby since 2009 joining and training to improve. I was a part of the Championship Team ARMADA who blazed and won the “Airsoft Supremacy 3rd Chapter” Northern Mindanao FAS Eliminations tournament held in Camp Bivouac, Mountain Pines, Bukidnon, Philippines last April 16-17, 2011. It was a FAS-sanctioned tournament. It means that you will be competing against the best teams the Northern Mindanao has to offer. To emerge as CHAMPIONS in that group is indeed saying something. We would go on to win the championship dropping only one game. After that we were crowned 1st runner up at the MINDANAO FINALS in CDO qualifying for NATIONALS this coming NOVEMBER in Luzon! Camp Bivouac is a place for camping, airsoft games, archery, shooting range, foods and other outdoor experience. Warning: This place is dangerous and you need to have a cool head. Everyone is carrying a GUN for crying out loud! MP-5, Carbines, AK, you name it and It's not airsoft unlike the ones we had!

In the second picture, makita ko nimo sa pinaka right most using a Marui head gear and a Sandugo kicks. It's far different from using a JT Mask or a 5.11 tactical shoes. Naa pud pagka mahal pero enough about that. Let's talk about my role and the experience I got from that event. Nagsugod tanan after work sa friday april 15. I packed up my gears and guns expecting just to compete. We were nobodies entering the tournament. And since Armada was born October 10 last year, it was a camaraderie out of town trip for all of us. Wala kaayo ko nka prepare ug maayo but it was all worth it. I traveled to Camp Philips, Bukidnon around 7pm gikan trabaho. I was with 4 of my team mates who went first to set up camp and provisions for our team mates. Ang among puy anan located sa Agusan Canyon 2KMs away from Camp Philips. To my surprise, murag naa sa twilight zone ang lugar pag abot sa 7PM! Ambot lang kung tauhan ba ang lugar or naay mga spirits, santelmo, etc. pero wala na ka makita pag 7PM, not even dogs. So we were surprised knowing that living in the city, 7PM is just too early for sleep. It was very silent. Grabe ka hilum puro ra aninipot ang imu ma dunggan even though ga tapad tapad ang mga balay. It was also very cool. Murag nag aircon! Imagine that! Ang among puy anan was owned by one of our members. It was like a rest house 4 decent bedrooms, sala, kitchen, balcony and all the nature you can watch! It was sort of therapeutic nga area. Maybe it was one of the reason why we succeed. We slept at 11PM that night waiting for our comrades to arrive early in the morning. 4AM mata na mi. There was one problem though. Lisod i kaligo kai freezing ang tubig. Nag init mi ug isa ka takuri and among gi hulom sa tubig kaliguanan pero ala gihapun epek so gi antus na lang namo ang katugnaw. Kada sablig sa tubig naay pakapin nga syagit! Hahahaha! We head to the nearest market looking for bread, eggs and Bulad (tuyo)! We ate and we packed and head to Camp Philips. Our comrades were waiting there and I left my car there to join the group. From Camp Philips, we traveled 15 KMs to Camp Bivouac. We arrived at 7:45 AM and set camp for our guns and gears. We didn't expect grandeur things. It's just that we won all our games during this day and I couldn't believe the pace we were in. The first day ended at 5PM and we went back to Agusan Canyon to rest. Everybody was celebrating. Some were drinking, gambling, talking and sleeping. Unfortunately for me, I was having an ashtma attack due to the cool weather of the area. I was without medication. All I did was meditate and I was able to go through the rest of the night. We started the second day, sluggish. We have to shake off hangovers and sleepless nights. We lose our first game but we rebounded and won everything afterwards. Based on points and no violations, we won the championship and the sportsmanship! In airsoft, the sportsmanship award is much harder to earn than the championship trophy given the nature of the game. But we won both! It was a blast experience for me to be able to put my team and my name and stamped the game!

It was satisfying even though it's very tiring. I went home tired but I own the bragging rights to being called a Champion amongst champions. Here's to the next episodes of Getting Lost with Ricky Boi Formerly, Getting Lost in the Philippines, Mabuhay!

Dahilayan Adventure

Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

Looking to experience the greatest adventure of your life? Be among the first to brave Asia's Longest Dual Zipline and fly like Superman from a launch point at 4,700 feet above sea level. With speeds of up to 90 kph, zoom through lush greenery and breathtaking views only found in the mountains of Dahilayan . Guaranteed safe and fun for every age, Zipzone has become the ultimate adventure destination for young and old alike. Since its opening in September 2009, Zipzone has been visited to over a thousand enthusiasts, including a courageous 2 year old and a 77 year old grandpa. 

Get the thrill of your life with Zipzone's 840m scream inducing ride! Bond with families and friends amidst Dahilayan's cool and foggy weather. This is one amazing adventure you will never forget!  - Yeah Right!

Mao na ang ads sa Dahilayan Adventure Park... But for my experience, this is what I have to say. Dahilayan Adventure Park is one of the most popular tourist spots near CDO since the wake of the White Water Rafting. Geographically, it is not part of Cagayan de Oro City since it is a part of Bukidnon's Manolo Fortich areas. It is a 45 KM ride from GUSA (Akong location). You have to travel a 30+ KMs to reach Camp Philips and another 10+ KMs of stressful lubak-lubak. Kai Musolod man jud ka sa plantation deep into hell's cove. It seems the ride is forever to accomplish kai grabe jud ka libaong! Matingala na lang ka pag abot sa unahan kai mura na ka ug mawala. There is not enough signage to guarantee your geographical location. I for one bit, almost reached Agusan Canyon if not for the courage to ask questions. I started the travel at around 8:30AM and that was the mistake! I reached that damn site at about 10:30 and there were already hundreds of people and cars already parked. And ako, mura kog kahilakon sa akong nakita. Since it was a PEAK day kai bagong tuig bya. Grabe jud ka daghan tao. Nakita pa nako akong mga ka berks sa highschool ug mga crush ug mga barkada sa akong ex, mga taga Butuan, Taga Cebu, Davao, etc. Sobra na sad! Nag line dayun intawn ko kai para mka sayo ug sakay sa 840m Zipline at 500 bucks. Naa pud silay All Rides for 600PHP which includes the 840m. 320m, and the 150m Ziplines. Tag 400 pud ilang ATV (all terrain vehicle). Kanang motor nga upat kabook ligid, 100 PHP dayun ang horsy horsy, and not to omit the mahal foods. If you want to save, do not buy foods at the site and bring your own. Imagine a hotdog bun for 45PHP and a corn on a cob for 35PHP? Mahal ra kaayo! Not unless you have money to spare. Sa park pud sa sulod, no foods allowed so mapugos ka ug palit foods inside. The entrance fee for the park ranges from 20 to 40. Mag agas jud ang imung kwarta pero who cares if you wanted to experience something different? May man sad ug permiminti, dili man.

The temperature of the place ranges from 14 degrees to 20 degrees Celsius. Bugnaw jud sya as compared to the heat within the city nga mura na kag naa sa sulod sa psych ward, mabuang pud ka ug apil. Naa pud gi construct na restaurant as of writing sa sulod. Ang location kai kanang area sa tumoy sa 840m nga Zip line. I am very sure nga mahal pud na kai mka demand jud sila ug price due to the isolated nature of the business. Walay convenience store sa gawas, puro ra tae sa kabayo! Ahahaha! 

Enough about the place, let's talk about the Zip line. After I lined, I paid the cashier and she gave that pink ticket nga imung ibracelet para mura ka ug eskapo sa ospital. Tima ilhan nga naka bayad ka ug unsa nga ride imung gi apilan. I didn't choose the All Rides, Just the 840m Zip line. Kai kabalo na man ko unsa ma expect sa mga gagmay nga Zip lines. I already experienced that in Davao. So I was given a ticket and to my amazement, it was numbered 51. PASTILAN! It was already 11AM and the numbers called to ride the van up to the 840m starting drops were still at 17, 18, and 19. Each number were grouped by three. Nakaingun ko na magabhian jud ko ani!! Maypag nagsayo ko! And that's the right thing to do. If you want to Ride the 840m Zip Line dapat as early as 5 or 6AM mag byahe na ka padulong dadto. Luckily, naay mga tourists nga wala ka dungog sa ilang mga numbers so ning singit ko! Gi persuade jud nako tong babae nga dugay pa mangabot ang 19 nga number kai naniudto pa bisag dili to true. Hahahahah! She granted me the ride. I said YES!! WOOO!! number 51 ko and naka singit hahahah! Pag abot sa taas. Every one was scared to go first so nag volunteer ko mu una! Isug baya ko. Plus gitabangan pa jud ko ug upat ka tao para ma sangit sa Zip line kai dili sila ka daug! Bwahahahahah! It was showery. Ga ulan. Grabe jud to nga antos. Bayad paka 500 para lang ka makulbaan ug masakit. Yahaya jud ning mga Paras dah. Pagstart sa Zip, I wanted to go as fast as 140 kph! Bahala nang 90 KPH nga gi mention nila. I wasn't scared kai sa una ra ko nakulbaan anang Zipline. It's a matter of banging the end point with a blast. Gusto nako gubaon nang safety brackets sa tumoy. Hahahahahaha. So I clipped my hands for ward like a ship and stretched it backwards clipping it below my tummy to prevent drag from my aerodynamics. And I did go fast. Nakahuman na ko sa Zip and naa pa sa tunga akong kauban. Tanan gud sila na kulbaan sa akoa pati ang mga spectators. Only I was there laughing! Hahahahahaha. You will never be scared as long as you knew what to expect. Kung first time ka. Please try the 340 and 150m rides. Don't go to 840m directly. Feel the rush first before you go to speed. About 2PM, the number called was still at 27 to 31. I said to myself. the next time I would come back here I would travel at 5AM. Para makauli ka after lunch. That's the ideal time. Thank you for visiting, sa sunod na episodes of Getting Lost in the Philippines, Mabuhay!

It's a Groomy day at Waterfront

August 21, 2010. It's a bright and blue afternoon in Davao City! A guy named Ree Kee Yoh invades the peace of Waterfront, Insular Hotel, Lanang, Davao City.

We get married once depending on our views and decisions. I got married because I know deep in my deepest darkest vowels of my sanity, there was a void that needs to be filled. That longing for a person, not just any person, must be fulfilled. You need to search deep in you what kind of person compliments you of who you really are and not what you think you are. I chose my wife not because I can't control her, I chose her because she can control me.
I am a very manipulative person. It's not a thing that I am proud of even if I can change the whole surrounding to my liking. I can command presence and I can goof around like nuts all the time. It's who I choose to portray but deep inside I know it's not me. I know that If I am going to be myself to everyone, no one would understand or even give a crap about me. You need to be politically correct and publicly admirable if you want to survive in our society. Let's face it, you need to have politics and a strong support system to succeed. You can't be great on your own. That's why I need to get along with almost everybody so that I will know what they are thinking and move on from there! Somebody from the works of life captured me for who I and that is it. It started from there. Believe me, relationships are not born, they are bred. The moment you enter, both partners must be committed to enhancing if not improving their individual growth. It must be nurtured and maintained. It must be set aside if it is not properly working!

This is my cousin Cayce Jones Pates Besada. He is one of my closest cousins ranking second only to his brother Alfred. Existing in this world without a sibling, they are the nearest if not the closest thing of a brother to me. Their family is the closest to my family too and I hope it stays that way given our most recent family feuds. Jonas stayed with us here in CDO and garnered Cum Laude at Xavier University due to his hectic study ethics. Katung ga toon sya, ako natulog na! We shared mostly highs and lows in our journey of life. It's a good thing for me since it solidifies my stand to family and since my mom and dad doesn't share values all the time until you commit any mistakes. Sheesh! Pero.. What a journey it has been. Dili na to ma utro pero I know that when I die, they will be my brothers in arms. Katawanan nang ubos nga picture, the camera people thought uncle Boots and tita Penny were my parents! hahahahahah!! Si Jonas dayun akung manghud! hahahahah! ga buot buot! Haahahahahah!

More Photos:

Panglao Island Resort at Easter of 2009

I do not know if it was for purposes of penitence or the vacation out of it. I recalled last 2009 Easter, that we were visiting a lot of churches at the most remote areas of Bohol. That includes the Tagbilaran Cathedral and the Baclayon Church to name a few. It was a therapeutic since it was miles away from work and of course, you get to view places which were virgins to your eyes! It was a Holy Thursday that started the usual catholic tradition of church visitation and the fasting of meat and the list goes on. It was a typical Filipino christian tradition. Since I was at Bohol during the time, I was expected to follow strict compliance in the advocacy of it all. You have, to say the least, be blindfolded and follow the tradition of these conservative community. It was full of anxiety yet it was rewarding. The reward? Hmm, you get to dine at the famous Resort Clubs of the Island! Now, comply I must! Damn! The only downside here is that, you are not allowed to swim at these majestic Beach. It's not allowed during a Holy Thursday. I do not know where in the Catholic Doctrine is it not allowed. But we will never argue the wisdom and the enlightenment coming from our old folks, won't we? As a rule, never! So comply comply comply! Even if it makes you sick at times. Let's just put it this way. Do everything in accordance to the will of God. If you put it that way, you will be at ease!

Th last 3 Pics were taken at Tagbilaran Cathedral, Baclayon Church adn Inside Baclayon Church respectively.














































11-19-10
11:10am
dti-10 ro

Bohol Beach Club 2009

Kung naa ka cam, this is the most important shot upon entering BBC! No one would disagree! I was with my wife and family during the Easter 2009 Bohol Tour. 300+ php is the entrance fee which I think is consumable!

















Shameful Beach Body! Bwahahahahah! Dapat toned ka para confident maglakaw lakaw sa beach. Or you could try not eating for 4 meals! Bwahahaha! This is BBC at noon. Cloudy lang s'ya at the time which is better! Damn, I can't find my Pool Shot!

















I love clean beaches! I am a self proclaimed environmentalist!

















Lois & Peter Griffin / Marge & Homer Simpson

















BBC late at 4pm!


















BBC at night! Live band and bar will be set up! Acoustic to Jazz ang ambience! Margarita, tequila and lots of booze enough to make your world spin!

















Thanks for the views! Sa uulitin! Until the next episodes of my past and present and future and sometimes fantasy travels within the Phils!!

11-19-10
dti-10 ro
10:21am

Sagbayan Peak Bohol

Good morning again mga peepol!

I have here another place that you might consider on going when you reach Bohol. I had great deal of man hours touring the place at the expense of my family! Hahahahah! Enjoyable kai grabe ka bugnaw and stress reliever pud sya.

It is from here nimo ma notice ang beauty sa Famous Hills sa Bohol and kai dili nimo ma appreciate ang mga hills sa Chocolate Hills area mismo kai na tubuan na ug mga punuan. If you are going to ask me wether to go to Sagbayan Peak or Chocolate Hills, I choose Sagbayan Peak. Just check the view and see the difference. Naka adto man sad ko sa chocolate hills pero icompare nalang ang difference. You can not see perfectly shaped hills any more. Trust me and that's saying a lot.

This tour was Circa 2009 Easter. Pates family once again toured their homeland! Hahahaha.. Ayus pud ang Kiddie Town. Gi tagaan gyud ug higayun sa mga developers ang lugar para makahatag ug appeal sa mga bata ug mga bata sa kasingkasing. Naa pud sila'y resto, refreshment stands, insect museum ug uban pa. Naa lay pagka dollars ang mga drinks ug mga snacks pero who cares?? Kung daghan ka kwarta, y not?

Naa pud sila camera haus. Camera haus in the sense nga gapamaligya sila ug cam, cam accessories, batteries ug photobooth. I think Kodak man siguro to. I'll check my photo files for evidence. Pero I have a strong gut feeling Kodak mini shop to.

Ayus ghapun ang mga statues sa Kiddie Town. Replica Guards.

Payts! Well, Thanks for viewing my getting into the wilderness of the Philippines!

Sa sunod nga mga laag. Hopefully naa pa ko budge para mka libot libot sa Luzon soon.


11-19-10
dti-10 ro cdo
9:24am

Hinagdanan Cave Bohol

Maayong Hapun mga higala!

Mag rants rants na sad ko bahin sa akong Bohol Tour last Easter of 2009. The tour lasted for two days and it include visits to the prominent tour stops of Bohol. One of them was this place. Famously known as the Hinagdanan Cave.

Legend has it that the late Fernando Poe Jr. had sex within this caves. Nah! Joke ra na. Naka shoot si FPJ here on one of his action films. I'm sure nga naa na sad si Paquito Diaz nga gi bun og! Wahahahaha! Love those films. I visited this place along with my family. It was late 4PM and naga ambon pa jud. Naka limot na ko kung pila ang entrance fee but there were a lot of souvenir shops nearby. When I was a kid, mingaw pa kaayo ni pero karun daghan na kaayong sakay sa panahon!

I can consider myself familiar with Bohol since my mom was born here. And we have a house here too. I have a lot of cousins here. Kasagara kai mga wala nako nailhan pero kaila sila sa akoa. Which is weird actually. They would say, anak ka ni Ana? (My mom's name is Ana). And I was like, WTF?? How the F*** did you know?? Of course I didn't say that. I only blurted it deep in my thoughts. But it kinda surprises you that a lot of people in the remote areas of Sambog would even know a city boi far from Bohol! hahaha! It's nice though. It's not that you would love attention kai aloof man kaayo ko specially if I do not know the crowd. Kalog ko kung kaila nako ang crowd but if not then consider me sleeping somewhere or sipping a pale pilsen or a Tuba!

I think my wife were posing here somewhere. Asa kaha to?? Anyways.. Rants rants rants and more rats!! Rats!! God, I missed this shorts. Asa na kaha ni gi taguan sa amung labandera. Grabe ra ba nako ug hago ug pangukay ani sa cogon tapus tablahun ra.. Animas! Well, abangan ang susunod na laag and adbentyurs of Getting Lost in the Philippines, Mabuhay!


11-18-10
2:00PM
dti-10 ro cdo