Kid of the Trip: Jeff

Since it was our first time in Mt. Batulao, we opted to get a guide to make sure we reach the summit safely. We were already walking for a good 30 minutes and contrary to the blogs I checked that once you get down the bus, adults and kids alike will hoard you and offer you to be their guides. But I guess we were a tad too early that's why nobody was bothering us. Jeff said that he just finished his breakfast when he saw us pass by. He shouted and asked if we wanted a guide for P300. I said that we will only pay P200. He even haggled to P250 but I was firm and said we can only pay P200. He smiled and said okay and off we went. Just like that. He didn't prepare anything for himself, no trail food, water, protective clothing etc.

Along our way, I was talking to Jeff about how long he's been guiding climbers in the slopes of Batulao. He said that he's been doing it for almost a year now. He learned it from his father who is one of the guides that caters to big groups. Jeff is the eldest in a brood of 3. His mother is working in abroad and his 5 year old  sister -  JMA (he doesn't know the meaning too) lives with his grandmother in another town. That made the Boss and me decide that we will just give our little gift to Jeff thinking that she will enjoy it. Jeff didn't go to school that day. He said that this is more important so he could give his father a good sum of money for their dinner. He added that his teacher already understood.

Jeff is a very fast walker. On steep areas, he even runs. He's a little shy and only talks to us when we ask him something. Whenever we reach a certain camp, he shouts "camp 8 na!" making us feel that we are slowly making it. We offered him water but he kept on declining but he accepted our bread and some nuts.

resting in one of the stop overs

at the summit, showing him how to take photos using my phone

When we descended and about to have lunch, we bought coconut juice for him. Which he happily drank and devoured after. I can tell that he was very thirsty and hungry but just kept mum about it. On our last leg, we gave him the envelope and told him to share it with his sister.

Jeff was quiet while I was explaining our cause. His smile was timid but enough to make us happy. :)

Hasta luego!