BASEY, Samar – Seventeen aspiring hikers and outdoor enthusiasts successfully completed the 2-day Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC), earning their certificates of completion on November 29 and 30, 2024.
This marks the 4th edition of the BMC hosted by the Samar Mountaineering and Outdoor Club, Inc. (SAMOC), the only mountaineering club in the province affiliated with the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines, Inc. (MFPI).
The training event, designed for rookie mountaineers, saw participants from various parts of the Visayas region, including Ormoc City, Naval Biliran, Palo Leyte, Tacloban City, Basey, Samar, Calbiga, Samar, Catbalogan City, Matuguinao, Samar, and Calbayog City.
The diverse group of participants, mostly professionals with a passion for hiking and the outdoors, learned the essential skills needed for safe and responsible mountaineering.
Accredited MFPI instructors, Darry Dugan, Raprap Ortego, and Camby Boy Hena, led the course, covering critical topics such as food preservation and preparation, proper backpack loading, outdoor gear operation, tent pitching, river crossing techniques, map and compass reading, trail sign identification, land navigation, knot-tying, and a range of survival tactics.
“The Basic Mountaineering Course is just the beginning,” said SAMOC President Ricky Bautista.
“While the skills they learned in the course are foundational, mountaineering is a continuous journey of growth. We encourage our participants to continue their education by advancing to the AMC (Advanced Mountaineering Course) and further developing their skills.”
Reflecting on the experience, participants Karen Mae Maravilla and Michael Angelo Totanes shared their excitement and newfound appreciation for the sport.
“I never expected to have so much fun and gain so many insights during the training,” said Maravilla.
“It was an eye-opening experience, and I’m already looking forward to joining the next event with SAMOC.”
Totanes echoed her sentiments, adding, “This course gave me the confidence to take on more challenging hikes, and I’ll definitely be back for more training.”
Aside from Maravilla and Totanes, other BMC completers include Vides Garjas, Mary Ann Broderick, Mark Christian Cerda, Mark Chester Ilao, Basilio Diaz Jr., Sergio Matugas Jr., Vicente Tan, Olioz Layam, Noel Nayra, Khayie Nayra, Reynaldo Pe Benito, Jemar Somino, Rassendyl LLenado, Emmanuel Calera and Marijuan Ador.
In addition to the course activities, MFPI Vice President for Visayas, Neil Mabini, attended the event and delivered a message of support to the participants.
“This is just the start of your journey as mountaineers,” Mabini said.
“I encourage all of you to keep pursuing more training opportunities. I am also excited to announce that Eastern Samar may soon host the MFPI’s National Search and Rescue Team (NSART) training on Mountain Search and Rescue (MOSAR), given the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters like typhoons and landslides. Being prepared for such emergencies is an essential part of mountaineering.”
As the event concluded, the MFPI instructors – Dugan, Ortego, and Hena – reminded the participants to consistently apply and practice the skills they learned during the course. “What you learned here in these two days should become second nature in the field,” said Dugan.
“Stay safe, stay sharp, and continue to learn.”
This year’s BMC was another resounding success, further strengthening SAMOC’s role in fostering outdoor skills and safety within the region. With the support of local enthusiasts, instructors, and the MFPI, the club looks forward to hosting more courses and events that will continue to inspire future mountaineers across the country.
Samar Mountaineering and Outdoor Club, Inc. is set to host its inaugural national event, the Visayas Mountain Festival, from August 1-3, 2025. The festival will take place across four towns in Samar—Basey, Sta. Rita, Calbiga, and Paranas—and will be attended by renowned hikers and mountaineering clubs from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
