In celebration of the country’s Independence Day, Boholano mountaineers and outdoor enthusiasts joined in a simultaneous climb on over 109 mountain peaks nationwide, to raise the Philippine Flag at each mountain’s summit. Organized by the Alliance of Filipino Mountaineers (FIMO Inc.), the 109 mountain peaks were in 46 provinces that included 87 municipalities and cities. The event aimed to promote mountain and forest trekking, and popularize eco-adventure as a tourism draw highlighting the country’s remaining wilderness expanse. Side activities included tree planting which targeted over 100 thousand trees nationwide. To document the occasion, the Guiness Book of World record was invited with the hope that a new record be set of a simultaneous climb on multiple peaks. A new record was actually set of more than 6,000 (auditing of actual count still on-going) climbers reaching the summits. A new category is still being negotiated of a simultaneous flag raising on multiple peaks. The Guiness World Record attempt was registered with GWR I.D. No. 339189. In Bohol, the event was organized by the Divine Word Outdoors Club (DWOC), ably assisted by Bohol Xtreme Outdoors, Bugsai Sea Kayakers, Daganistas and other freelance outdoor enthusiasts. The Bohol contingent climbed Bilar’s Peak and camped at the Magsaysay Park. Over 70 registered participants joined, most brought along several more friends who though unregistered joined the activities.

A day before the actual climb; participants trekked through the forests of the RSPL, passing by Logarita Springs, the DENR Bio-Diversity Center, then through Tarictic Trail and ending at the Magsaysay Camp where, they pitched their tents. Due to a heavy downpour, lessons on Single Rope Techniques (SRT) was cancelled and instead a lecture on the principles of Leave No Trace and Wilderness Survival Techniques was conducted. A socials and fellowship followed in the evening. On Independence day June 12, and after the flag raising at the summit of Bilar’s Peak, participants formed a human flag on the grounds of Magsaysay Camp, a tree planting activity then followed at the Bohol Bio-Diversity Center in coordination with the Bohol Environmental Management Office (BEMO). All who joined went home fulfilled, having accomplished something for nature, for global warming, for Bohol and for the country. Special thanks should go to the Provincial Government through BEMO and the Bohol Bio-Diversity Center, the Municipality of Bilar for the police escorts provided, the DENR and the Special Forces.