LGFI Chairman leads 1st mountain trek for 2011

LGFI Chairman leads 1st mountain trek for 2011

One hundred forty-eight participants from the various companies of the Lopez Group trooped to Ternate, Cavite on January 29, 2011 for the Lopez Lifelong Wellness’  “Walk the Talk” series.

Pico de Loro or parrot’s beak is considered the highest point within the boundary of Cavite and Batangas at 664 meters above sea level and a total 16-kilometers to the summit and back to the jump-off point at the DENR station.

The delegation was led by the group’s ultimate wellness czar, LGFI chairman Oscar M. Lopez together with his son Jay and daughter Angela.  Dr. Arthur de Guia, First Philec head, Dr. Ted Esguerra of the Philippine Everest Expedition team and the Philippine Coast Guard and the tireless team of the Lifelong Wellness were also present during the trek.

After a short prayer and warm-up exercises, the first of three groups began their trek.  Assisted by Dr. Ted Esguerra, 1 EMT (Emergency Medical Technician),  2 local guides, 3 local law enforcers and PNRC first aiders from Cavite.

Chairman Lopez headed the 3^rd batch of trekkers, briefly resting every now and then to admire the view, pose for pictures and to munch on trail mix and rehydrate.  Along the trail, the sounds and chirps of the various species of birds brought a mental calm to the exhausted spirit. After 4 ½ hours of maneuvering steady inclines and rocky terrain the group reached the campsite, the last stop before the assault to the summit.  At the campsite, lunch was served as well as many photo-ops of the different Lopez companies with their chairman.

The trek to the summit was a short but difficult one.  Very steep and slippery because of many small loose rocks.  The approach was to crawl up using all fours (hands and feet) and cling on to anything planted and stable like twigs, roots, grass and rocks.  Upon reaching the summit, tension and exhaustion turned to awe and admiration.  A magnificent 360-degree view of Batangas and Cavite’s seascapes and lush mountain ranges as far as the eyes could see.  Ever mindful of the One who created this majestic backdrop and thankful for the opportunity to witness such beauty.  But as the saying goes…”all good things must come to an end.”

The descent from the summit posed an even greater challenge, especially for the chairman as his balance may have been slightly affected by fatigue.  With quick thinking on the part of the Lifelong Wellness team, he was to rappel down the steep slope using rope anchored onto deep rooted cogon grass.

After a brief stop back at the campsite, the chairman and his group steadily made their way back down, mindful of the time and darkness slowly creeping in.  With less rehydration stops and a faster downhill pace, the group made it back down at exactly 6:30pm.

For 80-year old Chairman Lopez, the 10-hour hike proved to many that nothing is impossible.  With sheer  determination and the will to keep going, and knowing that every little step leads you closer to your goal.