93
{
}
T H E B A C K P A C K E R C H A L L E N G E
Days 4 & 5
We woke up to the fifth challenge,
which turned out to be a very physical
one. We played on a giant
sungka
(
a
Filipino game of strategy and math)
against a representative of the Eco-
park. Then each of us had to walk on
stilts and relay from one end of the field
to the other.
We then traveled to our last
destination: Manila. The final challenge
was laid out like the
Amazing Race
,
with several stations that we had to
complete chronologically. We finished
the first task quickly but got stuck in
the fourth, where we had to count the
footsteps of Jose Rizal at Fort Santiago.
Team Titans won this one.
But honestly, we didn’t expect to
win. After all, the trip already gave us
so much. We saw the wonderful places
in the Philippines; we were exposed to
different cultures and went out of our
own comfort zones. We came out of
this challenge smarter, wiser and a
lot stronger.
THE FUN STARTS HERE!
The rest of the teams reveal what reached 10 in their adrenaline scale
Team KaLoFe
rode
the habal-habal around
Samal Island, Davao City.
“
The habal-habal is a
rugged way to get your
fill of the environment.
We navigated tough
roads! There’s something
about the openness of
being on a motorcycle
that we enjoyed a lot.”
Team BA
got on an
unusual ride in Davao
City — and loved it. “We
decided to hitch with open
sand-container trucks.
The excitement of the
wind smashing against
our faces and the rush we
got from holding on to the
[
truck’s] shaft for balance
was priceless.”
Team Titans
planted
mangroves and fished at
Shanipan Shoal, Samal.
“
We planted seedlings
at the Vanishing — or
lulubog-lilitaw
—
islands.
We had an immersion
with the locals, who
emphasized the
importance of protecting
these natural resources.”
Team Bukidnon
went wakeboarding at
Deca Wakeboard Park,
Mintal, Davao City. “It
was, by far, the most
extreme water sport
we’ve done. It looked so
easy but when we were
actually doing it, it was
anything but. We are
definitely going back.”
The last stop: Fort
Santiago in Manila
