English Cutline and Article

VBA  students relaxing after climbing Kalbaryo

September 28, 2012

by John Prudente and Group 5

The 43 students of the class of 10-Venerable Brother Alfano, together with their homeroom adviser, Mrs. Rafael, went on a field trip to Mt. Banahaw. It was a long trip from Marist, so many students slept on the way there. They departed at around 5:30 am.

On arrival, there was heavy rainfall. They first warmed up and stretched their muscles, so as not to have trouble later on. They entered the Judgement Cave one at a time, while being assisted by the guides. They were told by the locals that "If you get through the entire cave without any scratches, bruises or other wounds, you have been forgiven seven (7) years of sin. It was a tight fit inside but nobody got stuck. It was lit with candles and filled with lots of twists and turns. Most of the students were able to exit the cave without injuries. They ate their lunch right after getting out.

They then proceeded to climb Kalbaryo. They were told by the guides that Kalbaryo is believed to be the same mountain that Jesus climbed while carrying the cross. The students experienced Jesus' exhaustion, pain and suffering as they hiked up to its peak. They started climbing at around 10:30 and reached the top at a few minutes past 12:00 pm. 

They rested for a while and traveled back down to look for the 300-step descent to their next destination. This was the Jordan River, believed to be the same one Jesus was baptized in. They took an ice-cold bath after an entire day of hiking under the hot sun. 

After the trip, everyone had a weary but happy expression on their face. "It was a tiring but rewarding experience," said one of the students. Another added, "We learned a lot from this trip". They arrived back at Marist at 10:00 pm due to heavy traffic.