SMB Mountaineers Discussion

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Year 2012

- Lake Yambo, San Pablo Laguna SMILE
- Lake Pandin Overnight Camping

Year 2011

- Mount Batulao/Birthday Climb of Andrea
- Padre Burgos Outing (Borawan, Kwebang Lampas, Dampalitan)
- Pico de Loro
- Mount Marami
- SMILE!!! Medical Outreach/Birthday Climb of Mightymike and Connie/Kinabuan Falls/Mataas na Talon
- STOP and SMILE!!! - Lakbay-aral Outreach in Apia. Overnight in Doc Cecil's Camp
- Mount Natib ..........More than a Training Climb - trekked to the small falls (dahil naligaw hahaha) and back to grassland then Summit the next day.
- Mount Palay-Palay (Pico de Loro)..... Pamatid-uhaw Climb #1
- Tarak
- Mount Pulag via Amba-Amba Trail
- Mount Batulao..... Pamatid-uhaw Climb #2
- Talamitam - Year-end Climb

Year 2010

- Mount Batulao Night Trek (training for Napu at climb para kay Zhoi kasi di sya makakasama sa Napulauan  )

January 22-25, 2010
- Banaue Rice Terraces
- Hapao Rice Terraces - short trek
- Mount Napulauan Traverse
- Batad Rice Terraces - Trek to Tappiya Falls

February 27-28, 2010
- Nagsasa Trek via Bira-Bira Peak

March 13, 2010
- Mount Batulao Night-trek

April 9 - 11, 2010
- planning trip Aurora Province (stayed in Baler and San Luis)

April 24-25, 2010
- Manabu Fun Climb

May 22-23, 2010
- Daguldul Climb

June 5-6, 2010
- Pico de Loro

July 24-25, 2010
- SMILE in Calawis. Short Trek to Boso-Boso @ Doc's Camp and Camping with Zipline and Burma Bridge crossing

August 28-29, 2010
- Anniversary/Team Building at SLAC (Doc's Camp in Boso-Boso)

September 11-12, 2010
- Tapulao, Palauig Zambales

October 16-17, 2010
- Tarak Ridge, Mariveles Bataan

November 19-21, 2010
- Akiki-Pulag


Year 2009

- Mount Batulao Traverse
- Mount Cristobal
- Mount Apo via Sibulan Trail, boulders and 87 degrees
- Condura Run
- Anawangin Summer Outing
- Ilocos Trip - read the Ilocos Trip Twenty Oh Nine blog on the main page for comprehensive info of all the places we visited
- TNF100 Clark
- Basic Mountaineering Course in Tagaytay Picnic Grove
- Mount Makulot
- Mount Marami Training Climb for Mount Ugu SMILE
- Mount Ugu SMILE/TRAVERSE
- Basic Rappelling Course and Rock Climbing in Wawa Montalban Rizal
- Mount Amuyao Traverse - Barlig to Mayoyao via Pat-yay
- SMILE Outreach in Villa Maria Aeta Village Pampanga

Year 2008

- Mount Pinatubo
- Gulugod-baboy
- Tarak Ridge - first climb with Mightymike who is now a Senior Member
- Mount Pulag (akiki) - the start of a new generation of SMB members The first climb of Leo, Dorothy, MikeA, RonC who are now senior members
- Mission: Kanlungan ni Maria (SMB first-ever outreach) - the smell of SMILE can be sensed
- Mount Cristobal
- Mount Sembrano
- Mount Kinabalu (SMB first-ever climb abroad)
- Gulugod-baboy Fun/Open Climb
- Antipolo Fun Walk (from Jollibee Shaw Blvd via C5, Sta. Lucia, Marcos Hi-way, Sumulong end at Padi's Point)
- Wall Climbing at Camp Sandugo
- Sitio Target Sapang-bato Angeles City - First SMILE/Outreach/Trek/Christmas Party

Year 2007

- Manabo
- Daraitan
- Daguldol
- Batulao
- Sembrano
- Manalmon
- Mount Arayat
- Mount Cristobal
- Mount Pulag (Ambangeg-Ambangeg)

Year 2006

- Gulugod-baboy - first climb with Ronrei who is now a Senior Member
- Tarak Ridge

Year 2005 - birth of the website

- Daguldol
- Mount Makulot

Year 2004 - the Pioneers Aljie, RJ, Lala, Janice, Joan, Reggie, Len Lozano and I start to have ideas of making a group)

- Manabo
- Mount Makulot
- Mount Arayat
- Sapang-bato
- Manalmon - (SMB was conceived. STOVELESS Mountaineering Berks :lol: )
- Mount Pinatubo

Year 2003

- Manabo
- Mount Banahaw (with Bros and sis from Christus Vincit)
- Tarak Ridge (with Janice - our first climb together!!! BUMAGYO!!!)
- Mount Pinatubo (with Janice, Lala, Reggie)
- Mount Makulot

Year 2002

- Mount Banahaw  ( significant start thanks to Elmer Tubiera for bringing me to Banahaw)
- Mount Makulot (WALK group but never materialized)

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This is to recognize members (in no particular order) who have helped the group and joined the groups' activities (SMILE and climbs) since March 2008. Thank you for your support and help. You are SMB!!!

1. Nash
2. Rona
3. Norlie
4. Roxy
5. Jon
6. Estela Cueto
7. Pebs
8. Vincent
9. Lups
10. Ryan
11. Darnoc
12. Dorothy
13. Odhie
14. Nhel
15. Sammy
16. Jhiengle
17. Ronald Rei
18. Takumi
19. Jan
20. Sab
21. Matt
22. Jomc
23. Ron
24. Julie
25. Joper
26. Janice
27. Aris
28. Cherry
29. Dinah
30. Jovy
31. Lalagu
32. Gladys
33. Eddie Cueto
34. Connie
35. Peps
36. Jin
37. Zhoi
38. Mamoy
39. Andrea
40. MikeA
41. Jim
42. RonaldC
43. Monty
44. Mightymike
45. Riz
46. Rhea
47. Leo
48. Jezer
49. Carlo
50. Omeng
51. Rhy
52. Tan
53. Ton
54. Gian
55. Jen
56. BatteryJohn
57. Ann
58. Jomi
59. Harie
60. Spitfire
61. Susan
62. Viro
63. Denden
64. Jason
65. Blanca
66. Warren
67. Gaboskimsurf
68. Melskie
69. Adolf
70. Zay
71. Billy
72. Eric
73. Doc Cecil
74. Injann
75. Paul
76. Tet
77. JM
78. Lani
79. Roshan
80. Nhan
81. JR
82. Bong
83. Juvy aka Ubyang
84. Albert
85. Gabby aka limegabsy
86. Billy Palatino
87. Tine
88. Sherry
89. Masterbetong

Please send me PM if I missed someone. Thank you.

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The year was 2002. I had my first "offcial" climbing experience when we climbed Mount Banahaw during the Holy Week. It was followed by some minor climbs. In 2003, I again climb Mount Banahaw and several climbs followed.  I got hooked to climbing!!! My friends came to know this new hobby of mine and they decided to join and they also invited their friends.

It was the year 2004 when we planned a trek to Manalmon but unfortunately  I was down with the flu so the group composed of Len Lozano, Reggie, Janice, Joanne, RJ and Aljie went on without me. Lala was not able to join because of work. I lended them my new stove. They boarded a bus to Bulacan and after alighting from the bus they accidentally left my stove. So no more stove. When they were registering, they were asked what the name of the group was. As a joke they wrote Stoveless Mountaineering Berks.  The equivalent acronym - SMB =) So we used the name in the hope that we will change it in the future. A lot of climbs followed and new friends joined us. My officemates Mike, Joel, Blanca, Warren, Ronaldrei, Viro, Susan, Jane, Mark, Ruth and Jesmer joined several climbs.

In 2005, I started to have the liking of building websites. I built an automotive mechanics website and my wife encouraged me to build one for SMB. I was hesitant ‘coz I never liked the name stoveless mountaineering berks =) We came up with Society of Mountaineering…… but what word will fit the letter B??? So I called Janice, RJ and Aljie. Len and Reggie were already in Singapore and I had a hard time calling Lala for she was busy with work (but we knew that her support was all out). We talked about the possible words that will fit the letter’s SMB. After much debating and chatting, we decided to name the group and the website SMB Mountaineers, SMB = Society of Mountaineering Berks (we decided to retain B as in Berks). I liked the name but I wanted the website to be more Filipino so I translated the name into Samahan ng mga Mountaineering Barkadas. I registered the name smbmountaineers.com, had it setup and whalla!

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SMB Mountaineers was conceptualized in 2004 by group of friends who love the great outdoors. SMB stands for Society of Mountaineering Berks (Samahan ng Mountaineering Barkadas in Filipino).

The aim of the group is to climb the different mountains of the country and abroad. While engaging ourselves with this sport, we strive to develop camaraderie amongst mountaineers who belong to other groups thus strengthening the bond of mountaineers in the country. We strongly adhere to the principles of "Leave No Trace" and adopt every possible means to protect nature and mother earth.

One of the most important goal of the group is to help our brothers and sisters living in hard to reach areas. We organize outreach activities (dubbed as SMILE - SMB Mountaineers In Live Experience) and we seek to bring them proper help as much as we can. The SMILE project has been a success and future missions are already on their way.

To date SMB is composed of individuals from all walks of life, who love the great outdoors, who are serious in delivering help to others, who are up to the challenges and  rigors of mountaineering, and aim to protect the environment.

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SMB PIONEERS (members since August 18, 2004 - SMB's Birthday)

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- Aljie Garcia
- Jimmar Lagazo
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- Janice Cablaida
- Lala Bargas
- Reginald Tan
- Len Lozano
- RJ Esplana
- Joan Pascual
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SMB Senior Members - some members are already inactive

- Joseph Tamondong
- Leonel Yepez
- Dorothy Agustin Yepez
- Michael Odiongan
- Mike Agustin
- Ronald Caceres
- Vincent Guttierez
- Jennifer Bagadiong
- Marinelle Malubag
- Melody Villanueva
- Ronald Rei Declarador
- Jovy Karl Acueza
- Ronaldo Sulapas
- Gladys Freznosa
- Carlo Ducut
- Zab Ergo
- Andrea Reyes
- Rizalie Mallari
- Eddie Cueto
- Adrian Reyes

Coordinators:

SMILE

1. Odhie Villanueva
2. Jovy Carl Acueza
3. Gladys Fresnosa

Website Owner and Administrator -

1. Jimmar

Co-administrators

1. Rizalie Mallari (alternate contact for website problems)
2. Aljie Garcia
3. Leo/Dorothy Yepez

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Hi everyone. I just came to realize that when Sir Jovy discussed this in our BMC hindi yata natin narinig lahat ng maayos at parang di naisama ito sa handouts. I'm posting part of the document for the benefit of everyone. Thank you! God bless!


1. How can I become a member?

•   Register in our website http://smbmountaineers.com. You should agree to the condiitions presented upon registration.
•   Participate in our forum (give suggestions, feedback, propose new activities and upcoming climbs, etc.). Participation will also unlock certain features of the forum.
•   Attend the meetings (schedules are announced in the website).
•   Join the activities

2. How can I join climbs and other activities?

You must have the basic gear (trek shoes, trek clothes, backpack and if possible a tent) and must be physically fit (we don’t require a medical certificate but take note that the group will not be responsible if you don’t tell us the truth about your physical condition). You will be required to sign a waiver before joining the activities.

3. Who is the leader in SMB?

"There is no leader in our group". This is quite confusing to some but read on. We have a website administrator, website moderators, pioneer members, senior members, coordinators and activity organizers.

The website administrator looks over activities in the website and has absolute control overall. The website moderators help in keeping the website clean and orderly and they take over the control of the website in case the website administrator is not available.

Pioneer Members are the founders of the group. They look over the welfare of the whole group meaning they are the stewards of the group and they make sure that SMB lives up to what it is supposed to be. They can organize climbs and activities as well.

Senior Members are members who are experienced in the world of mountaineering and outdoor activities. They can organize climbs and activities and they act as guides during climbs, etc. Like the Pioneer Members they look over the welfare of the whole group. They are stewards of the group and make sure that SMB lives up to what it is supposed to be.

Coordinators and Activity Organizers are members who organize (what else hehehe) activities such as climbs, treks, expeditions, trainings, outreach activities, etc. and they are the leaders of the activity being done. It may sound confusing, you might say how can one organize and lead at the same time but looking at it closely you will find out that it’s easier to organize an activity if you lead the group in what to do during the activity you are organizing. This concept also gives opportunity to all members (pioneer, senior or bona-fide member) to become leaders during an event.

So who is the leader in SMB? We all are leaders in our appointed time.

4. How can I organize an activity such as a climb, outing or an outreach?

It’s quite easy to organize an activity. You just propose an activity in our website, set a meeting with the group and plan with the group. You can ask help from a fellow member to organize the activity to make it easier.

5. Whom shall I ask if I have questions about the group?

You can ask the web admin, the pioneer members, the senior members and your fellow members or post it in our forum so that everyone can see it and give feedback.

6. In critical situations, such as an emergency in a climb, trek, event involving the whole group, who takes responsibility and who decides?

As mentioned in item number 3, the Organizer/s of the climb is/are the appointed leader(s) during the time of the climb, trek, event, etc. He/she is the one who takes responsibility and does the decision making. Usually the decision is based on the majority decision of the group but in emergency situations (risky and compromises the safety of the whole group), the Organizer/s has/have the privilege to decide for the whole group.

7. Do I really need to sign a waiver before an activity?

YES. Mountaineering or any event that is organized by the group should have a corresponding waiver form. This ensures that members are properly informed about the risks involved in such activities. Joining an activity is a voluntary decision and the individual takes full responsibility of his/her actions. The group will not be responsible for any outcome from risks that may arise before, during and after an event. Registration in this website and attendance of meetings also imply that you agree to this (in case a waiver form was unavailable or you did not sign).

8. Am I eligible to join a MAJOR Climb???

If you are a bonafide member, have completed the requirements set by the organizer and attended all pre-requisite training climbs and meetings then you are eligible (PLUS you have the necessary gears for a major climb). If for some reason you fail to meet these requirements (for example you missed a meeting or training climb due to an emergency) the organizer and senior members of the group will decide if you can still join.

Those who do not agree with the above guidelines may and can delete their accounts in this forum and will not be considered to join any activities of the group nor will we consider them as members of SMB Mountaineers.

Thank you.