It
already seems like ages ago when actually it was only last year that I made it
to the highland village of Kapatagan in Digos City, spending a weekend
wandering in a private estate there, including an exciting excursion in the
village’s most popular attraction, Camp Sabros. And then just like that, I was
back for another pre-summer escapade in Kapatagan this year! For me (and, I
guess, for my friends, too), they were two thrill-frilled days that I just had
to scribble and share what we had there.
It’s
my third time to make it to Camp Sabros—by far the coolest, and by that I
mean in terms of coldness and conviviality!—because I finally got to spend one
cold night in one of its cozy cabins in the company of my long-time chums—courtesy
of my uber-generous friend, Marisa, who gathered all her closest friends in
Davao City for one helluva birthday celebration up there in the highlands.
Rising
some 1,200 meters above sea level, the mountain haven where we stayed boasts of
having some of the country’s most exciting zip wires which treat intrepid
weekend warriors to a thrill ride over a dazzling canopy of verdant conifers, trees,
bushes and shrubs with the formidable Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak
looming from a distance. If only for that chilling thrill of a ride through the
wires, which I experienced about a decade ago, Camp Sabros is truly worth the
trek to that part of Davao del Sur!
Mind you, the
highland resort’s cabins also treat its guests with breathtaking views of the
lush mountains and verdant lowlands. Unfortunately, both my early forays in the
mountain resort (first in 2010 and then in 2019) were day tours that didn’t afford
me the chance to spend a chilly evening of seemingly endless stories, songs, spirits
and solidarity with my friends in Camp Sabros. Why, it was during this third
outing when I got to experience all that and then some more!
Lucky
for us, the celebrant rented the resort’s upper white house and billeted
everyone there, giving the guests a good dose of forests, fogs, food, frolic,
and fun! The two-level house where we stayed can accommodate about 16 to 20
people. On the ground level are two king-sized beds good for two to three
people plus one extra bed good for two people. Amenities include cable TV,
bathroom with toilet, hot and cold shower, kitchen counter, bar ref, indoor
dining table, and a veranda with dining table.
The attic, on the
other hand, has three queen-sized beds good for six to nine people, extra bed
good for up to four persons, bathroom with toilet, hot and cold shower, living
area, cable TV, etc. I got to sleep in one of the rooms in the attic and, mind
you, it was one helluva chilling experience, most especially the howling winds,
I can never forget!
One
of my travel buddies, Jacques, brought along his portable videoke, which has
become an essential fixture in many of
our parties. By 4 PM, the jamming started, as the “singers” took turns in
belting out their favorite tunes, indulging in what I’d consider as our
shot-and-song session. Before performing, each singer had to take either a shot
of Johnny Walker or a sip of SanMig Light, courtesy of Tommy, our official
tapster!
As the evening wore
on, the videoke session turned into some battle of belters as Joel, Jacques,
Boyet, Cheryl and the other “singers” in the group sang to their hearts’
content, as if they’re going against one another to prove who’s the better
belter, their powerful voices breaking through the stillness of the night!
Everyone
had to deal with the hullabaloo whether they like or dislike the singer, the
song or both! As always, it was Joel and Cheryl’s duets that caught my fancy.
Why, it was like listening to Martin and Pops live…and for free! The singing
went on, and on, and on, way past the resort’s 10 PM limit! Since nobody came
to stop us, the singers kept crooning until around 11 PM, I was told. I’m an
early sleeper these days so I went up the attic around 10 PM—missing the fun
downstairs!
The
day after. Around 630 AM, Jacques, Boyet, Bong and I headed to Jacque’s place downhill
to prepare our breakfast. Entering the estate minutes later we were warmly welcomed
by the resident doggos. Surprisingly, they missed us after a year of not seeing
each other! One thing I expected to see that day though was Mt. Apo, the Grandfather
of Philippine Mountains, in his naked splendor just like that eventful day in
2019 (For the rest of our escapade there, visit https://scorpio-sojourn.blogspot.com/2019/02/high-at-highlands-of-digos-city-part-1.html).
Patiently, I waited
and waited for him to show up that morning. To while away time, I played with
the dogs and took their pics. Minutes turned into an hour but, to my chagrin, the
mountain kept hiding behind the clouds! I was somewhat disappointed as I
expected to re-capture the moments I had there several months ago. Even so, I
kept shooting pics here, there, and everywhere. And we also grabbed a few selfies
and groupfies with the country’s highest peak as our backdrop.
Later, the makeshift
kitchen outside the house was abuzz with activity as Boyet, Jacques, and Bong began
preparing our brekkie that consisted mostly of a smorgasbord of leftovers from
Marisa’s bundle of birthday delights that we re-heated and re-cooked plus
slightly-boiled eggs, salted fish and other treats. As for me, I just kept
clicking my phone to capture the scenes there. Obviously, I had a great time taking
in the beauty of the great outdoors as I was in the company of the master chefs!
Around
9 AM, we were back at Camp Sabros to feast on the food. Brekkie was served at
the balcony with the pine trees and the foothills of Mt. Apo at the background.
Everyone gobbled up everything at the
table and, in a few minutes, it was all gone with the wind! Later, we started
to pack our stuff. An hour later, we were ready to leave the resort, but not
without the obligatory poses for posterity, of course! By 10 AM, the rest of
the gang started their journey back to the lowlands. Boyet, Jacques and I,
however, lingered for a while before taking the route back to reality.
Few
friendships can last for decades. I’m fortunate I got to be in the company of
friends whose bond has stood the test of time. I guess, just like a romantic
relationship, ours thrived and survived because we took good care of it, regardless
of our social, political and economic differences. Whenever we’re together,
it’s always a time for celebration. And that’s the reason why we’re always on a high
together whether we’re at the highlands or in the islands.
So
let me wrap this up with these lines I came across recently, “Honor the
friendships that allow you to pick up from where you last left off, regardless
of how long it’s been since you connected. The friendships that survive
hiatuses, silences and space. Those are connections that never die.” Stay high
and connected with your friends! ššš
It’s
my third time to make it to Camp Sabros—by far the coolest, and by that I
mean in terms of coldness and conviviality!—because I finally got to spend one
cold night in one of its cozy cabins in the company of my long-time chums—courtesy
of my uber-generous friend, Marisa, who gathered all her closest friends in
Davao City for one helluva birthday celebration up there in the highlands.
Rising
some 1,200 meters above sea level, the mountain haven where we stayed boasts of
having some of the country’s most exciting zip wires which treat intrepid
weekend warriors to a thrill ride over a dazzling canopy of verdant conifers, trees,
bushes and shrubs with the formidable Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak
looming from a distance. If only for that chilling thrill of a ride through the
wires, which I experienced about a decade ago, Camp Sabros is truly worth the
trek to that part of Davao del Sur!
Lucky
for us, the celebrant rented the resort’s upper white house and billeted
everyone there, giving the guests a good dose of forests, fogs, food, frolic,
and fun! The two-level house where we stayed can accommodate about 16 to 20
people. On the ground level are two king-sized beds good for two to three
people plus one extra bed good for two people. Amenities include cable TV,
bathroom with toilet, hot and cold shower, kitchen counter, bar ref, indoor
dining table, and a veranda with dining table.
The attic, on the
other hand, has three queen-sized beds good for six to nine people, extra bed
good for up to four persons, bathroom with toilet, hot and cold shower, living
area, cable TV, etc. I got to sleep in one of the rooms in the attic and, mind
you, it was one helluva chilling experience, most especially the howling winds,
I can never forget! 
As the evening wore
on, the videoke session turned into some battle of belters as Joel, Jacques,
Boyet, Cheryl and the other “singers” in the group sang to their hearts’
content, as if they’re going against one another to prove who’s the better
belter, their powerful voices breaking through the stillness of the night!
The
day after. Around 630 AM, Jacques, Boyet, Bong and I headed to Jacque’s place downhill
to prepare our breakfast. Entering the estate minutes later we were warmly welcomed
by the resident doggos. Surprisingly, they missed us after a year of not seeing
each other! One thing I expected to see that day though was Mt. Apo, the Grandfather
of Philippine Mountains, in his naked splendor just like that eventful day in
2019 (For the rest of our escapade there, visit 
Patiently, I waited
and waited for him to show up that morning. To while away time, I played with
the dogs and took their pics. Minutes turned into an hour but, to my chagrin, the
mountain kept hiding behind the clouds! I was somewhat disappointed as I
expected to re-capture the moments I had there several months ago. Even so, I
kept shooting pics here, there, and everywhere. And we also grabbed a few selfies
and groupfies with the country’s highest peak as our backdrop.
Later, the makeshift
kitchen outside the house was abuzz with activity as Boyet, Jacques, and Bong began
preparing our brekkie that consisted mostly of a smorgasbord of leftovers from
Marisa’s bundle of birthday delights that we re-heated and re-cooked plus
slightly-boiled eggs, salted fish and other treats. As for me, I just kept
clicking my phone to capture the scenes there. Obviously, I had a great time taking
in the beauty of the great outdoors as I was in the company of the master chefs!
Few
friendships can last for decades. I’m fortunate I got to be in the company of
friends whose bond has stood the test of time. I guess, just like a romantic
relationship, ours thrived and survived because we took good care of it, regardless
of our social, political and economic differences. Whenever we’re together,
it’s always a time for celebration. And that’s the reason why we’re always on a high
together whether we’re at the highlands or in the islands. 
So
let me wrap this up with these lines I came across recently, “Honor the
friendships that allow you to pick up from where you last left off, regardless
of how long it’s been since you connected. The friendships that survive
hiatuses, silences and space. Those are connections that never die.” Stay high
and connected with your friends! ššš