Other Activities

"We go climb mountains to find the beautiful,

If we don’t carry it with us,

We have not found it at all."

Aside from the traditional mountain climbing activities of SBMS, it is very vital that after the climb, the members must be able to share their experiences in the Bedan community. This is in relation to the objectives of SBMS to create environmental awareness and share the appreciation we have for the nature. Hence, certain activities within the Bedan community are conducted to achieve such objectives.

Symposium

Concern for the Health and Safety of Members

As mountaineers, there are certain risks involved in the sport of mountain climbing. However, adequate knowledge and training on first aid will eventually give confidence among the members of their ability to save lives along the trails of the mountains and even on the peak. The symposium on "First Aid" during Kampaligiran 99 conducted by the Philippine Red Cross provided an opportunity to gain knowledge on the Basics of First Aid treatment. This symposium eventually sparked a desire within the organization to have adequate and a detailed training about First Aid.

Lecture on First Aid

Towards a New Direction for a Mountain Climber

A New Beginning from what has Begun

"We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the plan for the first time."

- T. S. Eliot

If we will go back how we started the school year, the officers, especially the president had a clear vision in mind on what changes are needed for the organization to further improve and develop. These changes are vital to ensure that the activities will be meaningful. The beginning of the year ushered new visions and new horizons that will ultimately be the basis of performance.

Just like any leader, they come and they go. However, what remains is the legacy that makes the leader significant. After all, the leader is judged by the difference of his term.

Guided by this philosophy, this school year for San Beda Mountaineering Society ushered a new direction. We need to make a clear understanding that a mountain climber does things with a meaning. It was not enough for us to climb, but what we do during the climb makes our activity very significant. Aside from the objective of a training climb, each climb for this school year has an accompanying activity to give emphasis on the deeper meaning of mountain climbing.

"Every climb is an opportunity." An opportunity to be of service to the less fortunate. A climb is an opportunity to be of help to others and realize the value of others. The Aeta Community Outreach program is one opportunity for the SBMS to be of help and in return, they were able to share their knowledge and expertise in survival training.

"Nature is a volume by which God is the creator."

A climb is an opportunity to appreciate God’s gift to us. The breathtaking scenery at the peak of the mountain and the serenity of the forests we’ve been though reinforces among ourselves the responsibility to regenerate our environment. This will be our own little way of contributing to the betterment of the society. Hence, the Mt. Makiling climb emphasized the need to clean the mountains and the Mt. Maculot highlighted the tree planting activity.

The purpose of an individual to climb mountains has been redefined and clarified. If there is one legacy the leadership of SBMS for this year could be credited, it is the clarity of the intensity to climb. Why does an individual climb? Is it because of peer pressure, the fun during the socials, or perhaps a gathering of old acquaintances?

For this school year, every member’s intention to climb was put to a test. The leadership of SBMS provided an opportunity for members to seek a deeper meaning in mountain climbing. The most important reason is one’s self. There can be several reasons why an individual climbs a mountain: the challenges of being able to conquer a mountain, the fulfillment of a desire to achieve difficult tasks, experience the wonders of nature and being able to know thyself. These are some of the deeper intentions a climber has in this sport. We were able to firmly facilitate the process of redirecting the individual intentions and purpose of mountain climbing.

Photo Exibit

As adventure seeking individuals, the San Beda Mountaineering Society for this school year claims to be the first mountaineers to climb Mt. Makinew in Zambales. The trail was established by SBMS. For the last climb, SBMS was the first mountain climbers to trek the Coto Mines to the peak of Mt. High Peak.

As a guiding principle, the quality of applicants can never be compromised with the quantity. Although, there were only four applicants who survived, the quality of these new members in terms of commitment and service not to mention their competency can never be questioned.

Another landmark for this year for SBMS is our moderator’s participation and involvement in the climbing activities. It is very rare that we can find a moderator who is involved in the three phases of mountain climbing.