25/05/2026
π»ππ πΊππππππ, πΆππ π΄πππππππ, πΊπππ πΎπππ
ππ β°οΈ
Exactly a year ago, I stood at the summit of Mount Apo with nothing but thick fog surrounding me. There was no clearing, no sea of clouds, and no golden sunrise stretching across the mountains. The cold wind covered the entire peak, and all I could see was white emptiness. At first, I felt a little disappointed because I had dreamed of witnessing the famous view from the highest mountain in the Philippines. Yet, as I stood there catching my breath after the difficult climb, I realized that Mt. Apo was still beautiful even without revealing its full scenery. The silence, the freezing air, and the mystery hidden within the fog created a different kind of magic. It felt peaceful, humbling, and unforgettable.
This year, I returned to Mt. Apo once again, hoping for another chance to witness what I missed before. This time, the mountain welcomed me with a perfect clearing. The skies opened beautifully, revealing endless mountain ranges, glowing sunlight, and clouds floating beneath the summit. The view was breathtaking, and for a moment, everything felt unreal. I finally saw the majestic beauty that many hikers talk about. Standing there made me feel victorious, grateful, and deeply connected to nature. The clearing did not just reveal the landscapeβit also revealed how far I had come from my first climb.
Despite the difference between the two experiences, I realized that my feelings at the summit were somehow the same. Whether there was a clearing or not, Mt. Apo still gave me peace, happiness, and a sense of fulfillment. The mountain taught me that beauty does not only depend on perfect weather or clear skies. Sometimes, beauty is found in the struggle of the climb, the friendships built along the trail, and the courage to keep going despite uncertainty. Last yearβs fog showed me the mysterious side of Mt. Apo, while this yearβs clearing showed me its grandeur. Both experiences were equally meaningful.
Mt. Apo remains beautiful no matter what the weather is. With or without a clearing, the mountain continues to inspire awe and respect. It reminds me that nature does not need to adjust itself to become worthy of admiration. Every version of Mt. Apo has its own charmβstormy, foggy, sunny, or clear. What truly matters is the experience of standing at the summit, realizing how small we are compared to the greatness of nature, and appreciating the journey that brought us there.
ππ π·πΆπ½
in short, nindot si Mt. Apo even all mountains may clearing man o wala
