story of a girl

I’d like to be able to describe to you elaborately what Mapawa made me feel. But that is just impossible. One needs to be there to experience the fear, the doubt, the excitement and of course, the proudest moment after conquering the challenges.

Unlike the roller coaster rides we courageously get ourselves into, no safety handles, metal bar locks would be in sight – just the guides (who are actually just there to lead the way and encourage you, heheJ), the life vest and your bravest self.

The park requires you to have reservations before going into the activity. They charge Php950 per head, inclusive of the life vest, about 5-6 guides (depending on your group’s number), and packed lunch (yummy binalotJ!).

Just like the rafting experience, the trekking too allows you to relive your relationship with nature as you hike the mountains, walk into the woods, jump off cliffs, bathe yourselves in the flowing water and climb the rocks.

My Mapawa experience was something I never thought I’d accomplish. It was one of those things that you wish you can do but won’t really mind not being able to because you’d rather stay safe watching from the sidelinesJ.

But now that I’ve gone through such an escapade, I dare everyone to do so too. Challenge yourselves and face your fears, it’s not as scary as it seems. It’s nothing compared to skydiving or bungee jumping but for neophytes like me, the feeling after completing the adventure was priceless.

The way to the main trek was already challenging enough, we had to endure a really bumpy ride in the tractor. A walk around the woods for about 15 minutes or so followed thereafter. The sights were unforgettable; it was nature at its best. Then the first test came into view – a 25 ft. slide into the river.

It was fear that swept into me. William was so brave to go first and it kind of gave me that “bahala na” feeling when he later gave us the ok sign upon coming back to the surface. I followed suit, it was actually less than 10 seconds from the top to the fall but it felt like the longest slide I have ever been to. Submerging into the water felt good because only after which did I have my breath backJ. It was a happy feeling having to survive that, but I found out later on that the slide was nothing in contrast to the next challenges.

When the rest have completed the task, we went walking again along the river, trying hard to avoid algae as Kuya Lolong has instructed us. We body rappelled at one point and met a mini-slide on the way. We were so enjoying everything, walking and swimming like children who were given the whole forest for a playground.

And then the challenge that I never thought would be hard for me appeared before us – we have to jump one by one, all by ourselves, from a 30 ft. cliff with water coming down strongly from a falls just beside it. It was nerve wracking! I really admired how our sort-of-team-leader WillJ just did it as fast as he could because he knew that had he not jumped first, nobody would dare do it. Well, it’s not as if the choice was ours, there was no turning back, no other way out except the jump.

It took me about 30 minutes (the longest in the group) of contemplation before actually doing it. I am not sure where the courage or pressure came from but after praying (like really praying, hehehe) I finally decided to let go. Parang ma-drama ang dating, pero ganun na ganun nga. It was as if leaving all the fears past me and, with no assurance whatsoever (amid Kuya Lolong’s 100% safety promise J haha, galing ni kuya mag-encourage), I jumped off the cliff. It was super breathtaking, in a very literal way. Plunging into the water this time around not only felt good, it was a relief to find out that I am not suspended in mid-air anymore. It was such an incredible experience and it even made me teary-eyed. I was the proudest that time, unable to explain what has just transpired, although I’m sure my friends felt the same way too during their turns.

We talked about what made us do the jump afterwards, it was kind of funny because neither sounded scared though everyone knew deep down how frightening the challenge was. Sabi nga ni Carleen, Pare kakaiba! Hehe…

And just moments after getting the air back, another cliff showed itself to us. The last challenge: the 65 ft. Waterfalls rappel. This was much easier for us, I really enjoyed the fact that I was in control of everything, although one kuya had to hold the other end to sway me away from the raging fallsJ. The rappel way down was peaceful, challenging but peaceful, haha, no scary moments unlike in the slide or in the jumpJ.

Binalot for lunch was the perfect reward for the tired trekkers (imagine that? we did all these for about 5 hours!) and I think it was also to prepare us for the hike back up to where according to Car, the civilization liesJ.

All in all, Mapawa river trekking was the best thing we did in Cagayan de Oro, at least for me. It was something different, daring and unforgettable. Kudos to my friends, Kai, Ids, Atty. Will, Brenty and Yhen! Thanks to Iggy for the wonderful job in Mapawa! More thanks to Kuya Lolong, Dodoy and the other guides who were very accommodating, encouraging and really kind!

I’m surely coming backJ.

For those interested:

Mapawa Nature Park

Contact nos: 09193161328/ 09209555978

For pictures:

Please visit

http://crashngroove.multiply.com/photos/album/89/Mapawa_Nature_Park_-_Day_4_