Moment of Truth

The adventures of a mountaineer wannabe

Our first training climb is fast approaching (less than two days away!). Last night after our final pre-climb meeting, I thought, "I can't do this! What the hell was I thinking?!?!" I don't know how I'll carry my heavy back pack up the mountain for eight hours (10 if we're slow!). I'm also the only first-time climber in my group, and though my groupmates are great and I know they won't leave me behind, I don't want to be "the weakest link." I don't want to be the reason the group slows down and I don't want to start crying in the middle of the trail. My friend Ruth told me that on her first trek, she started crying when they finally reached the summit and she wished for nothing but a helicopter to whisk her away. Though her words are hardly comforting, I am reassured by the fact that she made it back in one piece, and that she said this will really increase my confidence and independence!

Thanks to friends and family who have been very supportive and encouraging, my fears have somewhat abated. But fears are good too, I think. I remember the weeks leading to my departure for Singapore last year. I was terrified! After all, it was the first time I was going to be living away from home—in another country no less! But I lived through the experience. I didn't go home unscathed, but I did go home with the best memories and I gained the best friends.

So as I scale Mt. Tapulao, at Iba, Zambales this weekend, I will begin with the end in mind. I told myself I would go through with this course and go through with it I will. As our group leader Angie told us, "Just like Harry Potter, the underdog who beats Lord Voldemort each time, you too can beat the odds in TC1 as long as you possess the courage to face them. May your feet take flight with the wings of courage. WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA!!!" (Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince comes out tomorrow. Yay!)

But of course, I still need your prayers, friends! And as my age-old mantra goes, "I AM BRAVE, I AM STRONG, KUYA JESS IS BY MY SIDE!"

10 Reasons Why Working in Candy Rocks!

1. I make a difference in the lives of thousands of teens.

2. The Candy girls are beautiful—both inside and out!

The Candy Staff.
From L-R: Mimi, Mia, Mel, Ines, Cindy, Ria, and me.

3. I meet the most interesting people: models, photographers, makeup artists, fellow journalists, and—my favorite—Candy cuties!

4. Not only do I meet beautiful models, I get to act like one too!

The next Candy cover girl? ;-)

5. I rub elbows with the hottest celebs!

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's Design Doctor Thom Filicia and
Grooming Guru Kyan Douglas at a press conference in Makati Shang.

With K-Zone ed assistant Lio and Marion Raven of M2M fame.

6. I see my work (and my name!) published in the magazine.

Check out our July ish!

7. I get to write for Candy's sister mags, Seventeen and Total Girl.

8. I get to interact with teens and I get to read letters from our readers telling us how much Candy has touched their lives.

This letter is taller than me!

How can you not be inspired by letters like these?

9. I get to share my knowledge about teens with others. (Ines and I gave a talk to Unilever's regional brand managers last week. There were people from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand... it was like the fellowship all over again!)

Candy girls with Yumiko and Crystal of Unilever after Teen Talk.

10. I still have enough time to bond with my friends and pursue my other interests, like mountaineering!

All Systems Go!

The adventures of a mountaineer wannabe

I went to the Medical City last Saturday to get my BMC waiver form signed by a cardiologist. I took an ECG and a stress test, where tubes were stuck to my chest to monitor my heart rate and blood pressure while I jogged on a treadmill. Looks like my heart is absolutely healthy! The cardiologist gave me the go signal to participate in the mountaineering course, saying, "Careerin mo yan! It's a good activity to do while you're young. I would do it too if I were more physically fit."

We had a good training session yesterday at the Makati Parks and Gardens (which I easily found without getting lost by the way!). We jogged 5 km around the Fort Bonifacio area, climbed up and down several flights of stairs while carrying a 3-liter load, and did the usual stretching, push-ups, and abs exercises. (It was actually not that difficult, especially with our enthusiastic and hyper classmate DJ Crystal shouting "Go BMC 2005!" every so often.) Then we had a quiz, which I probably failed since I was absent last Sunday, and a looong lecture about strength and endurance, backpacking, gear, and equipment. It was quite interesting actually and it made me feel like I was back in school, taking notes, and having exams! Though our classroom was a small gazebo in the middle of the park and our visual aids were Manila papers taped to a tarp, the lectures were very informative and were conducted quite professionally. We also had a "practical" lecture where we learned how to pitch a tent—my group did it in under five minutes!—and operate a stove. This Wednesday, we'll run 6.2 kilometers and have our first pre-climb meeting. Can't wait! :-)