"Nature is often hidden, sometimes overcome, seldom extinguished" - Francis Bacon
Last April 2010, I was just a VERY new employee to our company (13 days to be exact) when we had our 2010 Summer Team-Building. While I was still adjusting to the new environment and to the new people that surrounds me, an activity that will help me build relationship with my future co-workers were facilitated by HR. As the days were approaching, HR personnel gave us a "waiver" stating that the company does not hold any responsibilities just in case there will be a "rope" accident since by signing on the waiver means we are also waiving their responsibilities to us. Why there is a "rope activity"? And the thought crossed my mind "papatayin ba nila kami? Initiation ba to sa mga bago?" After a few times to think, I signed the waiver.
And then, the big day came. It was a long tiring 7 hours trip. Thanks to Eugene Domingo who made us laugh for 2 hours with her movie Kimi Dora, and the rest is history, haha, I mean.. boredom..Masinloc Zambales is the 2nd town after Zambales capital town of Iba. Road from Manila to Masinloc is very good (about 4 hours by car), but road from Masinloc to Coto is a different story. It's another 1hr vehicle torture test.
When we reach the team building site, it made us even more fatigue since we arrived there at around 7pm, the beauty of the site is no longer in sight.. It's dark already. We had our dinner and then proceed with the house rules, groupings and briefing of the activities in line for us for the next days. Then the whole employees had their beauty rest.. You got it right, even boys have their beauty rest. hehe.
The fortunate people known as "mararangya" were lucky enough to stay in the air-conditioned rooms with beds and mattresses.
And the rest preferred to stay in the AIRCON-WARI tents which were already pitched. Fortunate enough, I am with the "mararangya" people and slept on the rooms though I would also love to stay on the tents.Then here comes Day 2, early wake up for an early call time. It's made me feel indifferent since during that time of the year, I am not a morning person. But what amazed me more is when I opened my eyes and the door of our room, I saw the beauty of nature nobody can't resist. A crystal clear water, 25 ft. deep, rocks surrounding the river, falls from the top of the mountain flowing thru the river and the trees and mountains surrounding the whole area. I am a nature lover. And at that very moment, I loved the nature even more.
Masinloc, unlike the infamous Subic, is a not so explored area in Zambales. Maybe because it is far and the road to Camp Coto is not yet developed. However, this area is a good venue for those people who loves extreme adventures. Rapelling , water rafting (depends on the intensity of the water flow) and other extreme activities are possible here. Actually, one of the activities in our team-building is to do rapelling. It was my first time to do it. I only had a few briefing and actual rapelling was conducted with the help of the experts. In this kind of activity, it can really be the longest nerve-wracking moment of your life, yet it can also be one of the most exciting part of your adventure as a human. You just have to trust the equipments and the people in charge. I overcomed and I conquered my fear. Actually, the experience is a blast and the feeling while you're in 75 ft. above the ground is amazing.
Another rope activity done was when I was in harness, wearing my life vest, go float in 25 ft. deep river and let your group pull the rope for me to elevate a few meters to sign my name and signature to the tarpaulin being put on the bridge.
Indeed, the "rope activities" indicated in the waiver that made my heart beats faster is the activity that i enjoyed too much. And I have reached a not so explored area in Zambales that is truly majestic. Mother Nature really sometimes hide her best features so that when someone saw the hidden beauty, he/she will definitely appreciate and love it.
And the bonus, I had the chance and opportunity to build my relationship with my colleagues through this activity. This Team-building is really a good start.
-enajenna-
Photo Credits:
Colleagues
Till next adventure :)
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