Thanks CE '87! Day 3: Dahilayan Forest Park/Zipline

The suite 9 sleepyheads miraculously woke up before sunrise to catch the early worms at the ZipZone. 

I heard that the lines could get crazy there, especially during the weekends, and you could spend two hours just queueing. Hah, we were the first ones there at 7:30 a.m. The cashier opened at 8:00.

The Zipline at the Dahilayan Park is claimed to be the longest in Asia at 840 meters. From a launch point at 4,700 feet above sea level, and at a possible speed of 90 kph, zooming through the lush greenery and the river below, this would be an adventure of a lifetime for any one.

We had three options: 

a) The 320+150m zipline costs Php250. It's a dual line and to tell you frankly, it's kind of bitin just to ride this one. But if one is scared of heights, then this is a good start to conquer one's acrophobia.

b) The 840-m zipline costs Php500. It's fierce, it's high, and it's scream-inducing. So this is the one we were excited to ride.

But wait, there's a weight limit for the 840-m zipline. You have to be at least 80 lbs - 220 lbs to be accepted. As they say, your flight will be aborted if your weight doesn't fall within the range. (Sorry, Jort!)

c) We decided to try both, the All Zip Ride, which cost Php600. That's a sweet deal if you ask me.

So off to the All Zip Ride we went! As usual, the vertigo-ed Hubby chose to stay on the ground to take our pictures.

All harnessed for the 320+150m!

Jort used two lines to bring him down.

For the 840-m line, we had to ride a vehicle going to the top.

Gulp! This is where we are cruising?

I was the first one, together with Jort's wife, Wina.

It felt amazing! I didn't feel any fear at all. I tried to take in everything I was seeing from above--the green trees, the river below, the smell of the mountain air. No time to shout and be scared. It was peaceful up there.

Then Issa followed. She later admitted to me that her hands got clammy before  her launch.

The instructions said that if you are near the finish line and you feel a slight tug, 

clip your hands at the side and look down.  Perfect form, Iss!!

Sol and Flor Hayag's son Sean was not far behind.

Yoohoo! Paolo did it as well! Shh, he's a little 'allergic' to anything adventurous, so this was a big step for him.

Now we could go home!!!

Not yet, said the Daughter. Last stop was the Treetop Adventure (Php 250/person). Yey, I remembered to ask for a discount, so I paid only Php200 for each of them.

After hanging like Spiderman at the Treetop Adventure, Issa and Sean ran off to the ATV station again. They rode one last time. Mga adik! Funny because the people there recognized her already and told her, "O, ikaw na naman?" Maybe they were afraid of rescuing her again! Hahaha.

Time to pack for home. This has been the most fun-filled adventure we've ever had. Again, I wish my youngest son, Carlo, were here with us. Sigh!

Thank you USC-CE '87 for this amazing weekend. Kudos to EY Espiritu for superbly handling the affair, not to forget the Icongs and the Lumagbas Families. Thank you also to all the wonderful families we met, especially to our family friends, the Hayag and Musni Families.

The Hubby saw this beautiful rainbow as we were going home. We left with big smiles on our faces.

Indeed, we felt that God was smiling at us too.

Thanks CE '87! Day 2: Dahilayan Forest Park

So we are supposed to leave the Country Village Hotel at 9:30 a.m. Logistically, it was almost close to impossible to caravan 120+ people and be on time. But we were just 30 minutes behind schedule. So far so good.

First stop for the day was the Del Monte Clubhouse for lunch. 

The golf clubhouse is known for their sumptuous steak set meal. It is said that the cows there feed on pineapples from the Del Monte farm, so the beef is soft, tasty, and sweet. 

While waiting for the steak, what else was there to do but to take more pictures.

Every one was wearing  an 'i am ce 87' shirt...25 and counting.
Designed by the Hubby. Uyy, self-promoting. Hehe.

Pao and Mom

Issa and her Dada (hmp...spoiled!)

The golf course was off-limits to non-golfers, so hanggang dito na lang kami.

38 wacky engineers 

Off to Dahilayan Forest Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

http://www.dahilayanforestpark.com/how-to-get-there

Our destination is located at the foot of Mt. Kitanglad, the fourth highest mountain in the Philippines. To get there, we had to pass by Camp Phillips and Del Monte Pineapple Plantation.

When we reached the place, the parking spaces were almost taken over by vehicles. You can go there on a day tour, if you don't want to stay overnight. Rates of the entrance fees and activities are boldly displayed at the entrance. 

In our case, we were booked in its featured rooms, so the entrance fees were waived plus we get a 10% discount on all park activities, except the Zipline.

Honestly, I wasn't expecting anything exciting like this. Come to think of it, I  never had any expectations at all. I normally research on a place before going somewhere. But this time, it totally escaped my mind to do so. That was why I was blown away by the breath-taking beauty and world-class amenities of the place.

Issa shrieked like a little girl when she saw the model animals that abound the place. 

Ain't she the funniest!

She became more ecstatic when she saw the vast playground. I was kind of doubting at that point whether she was really turning 18 years old. Haha.

Sean, you are too tall for this!

It wasn't only the kids who were hyper. Adults were not exempted from being awed at the place.

Raffy Musni couldn't help dancing!

Finally, we were able to get the key to our room. The kids and I were assigned in a suite room (Php5,000) together with a family friend/batch '87 Flor Hayag and her 2 kids.  

An awesome view from the front porch.

The suite room was spacious, ultra clean. And the bathroom was one of the best hotel baths I've seen!

Our suite was the corner one, so we had two side balconies to ourselves. Paolo enjoyed staying there. 

Sooo relaxing. Right, girls?

Back view from our balcony. Any outdoors junkie would flip out here!

Our hubbies were assigned in the Barkadahan Room (Php400/pax, minimum of 10). 

Taken from USC CE 87's FB account

And this was why they wanted to sleep together--para makarami!!!

The kids were excited to go for the All-Terrain Vehicles and Buggy rides. Issa has always had this crazy dream of owning a motorcycle and going to school on it. Fat chance, right? So the ATV was the closest thing to a motorbike she could experience riding on. (ATV=Php500/pax, Buggy=Php800 for two). I forgot to ask for that 10% discount. Sobrang excited kasi!

Getting ready with Emmy

Helmet? Check!
Knee pads? Check!
Adrenaline? Double check!!!

Take note: You have to be at least 18 years old to ride the ATV.  You also have to sign a waiver to ride the ATV and Buggy. But if you are this giddy, who cares, right?

Ahhm..Sean..How old are you again? 

Grinning ear to ear!

Paolo and I opted for the Buggy. I know, I know, it's kind of lame, especially for someone who is an adult driver like me. But I need to watch over these kids. Oh, okay, I also want to have fun!!!

Dang! My legs are too short! Good thing I had Emmy's bag to support my back. Haha.

All geared up too!

And we're off!

The ride was slow at first...

...but yes, the view was awesome!

Ooops..going up! Eyes on the road.

There were Stations of the Cross along the way.
Do you mean they ride the ATV while praying the Station of the Cross? Just kidding!

Paolo was my passenger and he complained of getting dust in his eyes (and mouth, I suppose!) I was wearing sunglasses, so it was all right with me. I offered to give him my shades but he refused to wear fuchsia girlie Raybans. Hehe.

Cough! Cough! We were actually at the tail of the pack so we literally ate all the dust!

Dust or no dust, it was so freakin' exciting for the kids!

Full stop! The difficult trail began here. We were given instructions to slow it down going downhill and fall in one line only. Remember, safety first! Got it, kiddos?

 But wait! What happened here? Emmy's ATV went a little off road.

Oh no! Her bike overturned. Everyone had to stop for Emmy's sake...

Emmy's fine!

Take a short rest first, Emmy!

"I'm okay, but I'm a little dizzy."

Being rescued to a less dangerous stop.

Issa, ikaw rin, ni-rescue?

Every one's okay? Let's go!!!

The trail's getting trickier--lots of curves and uphill track. Be careful!

Issa, ATV on the road! This is not a bump car!! That does it. No motorcycles for you, young lady. And that's final!! Hahahaha!!!

Bumping Sean from behind!

It was my turn to be noticed. I had a flat!

I had to wait for a rescue buggy to arrive...

Then a blue buggy came along. Yey!

After about twenty minutes, we saw the end of the trail.

We saw a new batch from the group coming towards us.

Good luck, guys! Have an awesome ride!

Edward, pwede pala ang tatlo? 

The kids couldn't have enough. So this time, they decided to try the Buggy. Another Php800. Buti na lang, Tita Flor treated Issa and Paolo. Tita Flor remembered to ask for a discount. Good thing that the staff deducted 20% from us this time, to compensate for the discount we missed. Thanks, Tita Flor!

Iss, you'd eat all the dust if you drove with your tongue out!

Hwattt?!! Another 'accident'? Issa bumped Sean and Emmy's buggy rear. And they were near a cliff! Hay, naku Issa!!!

Emmy seemed to be enjoying the accidental stop

Don't fall off the cliff!! Call 911!!!!

Thanks, Manong Rescuers!

We are okay!! Look, Mommy Flor! No hands!!!

Hay salamat. End of the trail for my princess driver.

After that hour-long adventure, the Kiddos were hungry. We went to the resto to grab some snacks. We had pizza, cheese burger, and coffee. Tita Flor treated us again. I'm not a coffee drinker, but in Dahilayan, coffee is a must drink. Sooo cooold herrrrreeee!!

It was still an hour and a half before the party started, so we went around, and look at what we found!

The 18-hole mini-golf was Php250 per person. Don't forget to ask for a 10% discount if you are a hotel guest. We forgot to ask one for us;-(

There was a training session for us, newbies, on their practice green.

Yeah, yeah. Issa won. Tiger, I am not.

Cowboy Party Time!

Paw and Maw Cacnioww!

Others came prepared for a shootout too.

From the county of Baybay, Leyte, the Tang Family! (Sarap ng morhon!)

Howdy, Pardner Gemma's?

Giddy up, cowboy Emmanuel Bajarias! Your wife is purty, sir!

Where's your lasso, Cowboy Tadeo?

The Imbings prepare their holsters!

Sheriff EY Espiritu and his cohorts straight from Toy Story Land!
Are they all cute or what?

Flor Hayag and daughter, Emmy

 Rhinestone cowboys ready to rodeo!!!

Kenneth Macatol-Enriquez started the affair with a prayer.

The prayer leader and her archangels. Ano kayang binabanatayan nila?

Eating time!

These cowboys couldn't wait to roundup with good ol' Johnie Walker! Kain muna, Sol!

The Prez, EY Espiritu, and his two backup cowboys, Jong Lumagbas and Lope Icong, welcomed everyone with a song, "Magandang Gabi!" 

Uyy, hindi halatang may kodigo sa harap, promise!

What's a cowboy party without games? The kids took a shot at their acting and modelling ability. They were grouped into two and were asked to dramatize a situation.


First round: Construction site

It was a tie!

Round 2: Rock Concert

Group 1 wins the second round. Their rock star was a cutie!

Round 3: Emergency Room

Group 1 wins the third round. They made a make-shift bed using their backs.

And the winner is Group 1!!

Member pala nila si Prez EY? Hehehe.

And it's the parents' turn to win a prize. Couples were asked to make an apple travel from their chest to their mouths. The first one who could bite the apple would win.

The best biters: the Imbing couple!

Who says CE '87 can't produce a genius? They tested their mettle playing Pinoy Henyo.

Olats! One point lang. Hahaha!!!

Everybody went berserk over cowboy dancing! Yeehaw!

The Cebu County Cowboys put out their dancing boots with Achy Breaky Heart!

The Mindanao Cowlasses showed 'em how line dancing is done. 5, 6, 7, 8!!

The host families: Espiritu, Lumagbas, and Icong also performed a cowboy dance.

Those who made an extra effort in dressing up for the cowboy theme were recognized.

The nominees for the Family Category are:

EY Espiritu and Family

Eric and Adora Prado and Family

Us, the Cacnios? I can't bilibit!

And from the CDO ranch, the Lumagbas!

And the winner is: Wala'y pabor, pabor, Ma'am Aida? The Espiritu Family!!!

Grabe ang happiness ng Papa Bear!

The nominees for the Best Cowboy Costume-Male Category are:

Roel Gingoyon, Lope Icong, TadeoRuiz, and Sol Hayag

And the winner is : Tadeo Ruiz!

The nominees for the Female Category are:

Lane Zozobrado-Policarpio, Gemma Gatumbato, Grace Permites-Ponla, and Flor Hayag

Before the winner was declared, a fashion show was requested from the nominees, and they gamely obliged.

Raffy Musni showed them how it's done. But Gemma was already a step ahead of him.

Sus, nahiya pa si Grace!

Go, Flor! That's the true spirit of a cowgirl!

The Australian lass Lane knew how to use her gun!

And the winner is...sa pants pa lang panalo na... Gemma Gatumbato!

Raffle prizes were a-plenty for those who were lucky.

Helen Musni

Leonila Tariman

Oscar Jude

Jort Marcial

Speaking of lucky, Peter was trying his luck to woo Joanne, so he gave her his prize. Uyyy!!!

 A few game cowboys and cowgirls shared their talent with the clan.

Jong Lumagbas and daughter sang the Greatest Love of All...

...while his daughter Jangjang was on the keyboard.

Grace Permites-Ponla singing impromptu

Guitar hero, Toto Ibrahim

Cutie Daniela Prado singing a Taylor Swift Song.

Arnel Tan dedicated an instrumental to ...kanino nga?

Before the party wrapped up, the Thai contingents requested for the floor and gave a surprise gift for everyone. 

Thanks, cowboys from Thailand!

The program ended, but not the party. The cowboys got wild after. I am not at liberty to show what transpired behind the scenes. R-rated yata! Hahaha!

Rumor has it that the cowboys finally retired at 2:00 a.m. More wholesome fun tomorrow. 

To be continued...