* Crash Site Mountaineer Poem by Rommel Mark Dominguez Marchan

come climb with me to Mt. Manunggal Phils.
commemorating the 45th death anniversary of Pres. Ramon Magsaysay in his crash site, Balamban, Cebu, March 17,2002

I escaped from the lowland
and returned to the wilderness
to the mountains, to the high world,
brightened by a wind-blown sun,
excitement replenished
enthusiasm regained!

Each heavy step offered me
hollow gasps and a throbbing heart
each weary track gave me
pain and strain on a serpentine path
but I saw through a curtain of
summer dust
investment of youthful strength
is indeed a must!

Soon, the sun hid freely behind
scattered clouds
while Mt. Kanlaon poked its jealous
head from afar
as darkness submitted itself to the
clamor night
leaving my frail hands frozen by
the wild windy air,
then the chilly breeze drowned me
in slumber
inside the tent where my life
took a road's bend!

Awakened at dawn by the moist of dew
relieved of a heavy load, I made ready to go
I drank the early wafts of mountain air
communed with the wilderness' soft whisper
brightened up again by a wind-blown sun,
this apex of earth which I regained my enthusiasm!