Jungle Survival

I was looking at a video of Hayden Christensen’s family’s participation in the 2002 Fiji Eco-Challenge. I just admire a man who does not mind roughing it out in the outdoors; and with his family too. The jungle scene reminded me of my weekend stay in the Subic jungle. Who can forget the largest mosquitoes in the Philippines? I almost forget they’re all females but the wild boars in the area make more tasty morsel than my 50-kg frame for the blood suckers. I looked forward to lean porkchops for dinner!

(Extracted from an essay written September 2006)

…yearning a break from a city lifestyle for the weekend?…planning to stay healthy and make new friends? Perhaps the JUNGLE ENVIRONMENTAL SURVIVAL TRAINING CAMP is your answer! This is a Subic experience you will never forget. I know I won’t for reasons only my fellow mountaineers would know…

Last weekend, 15 Members of the AMCI Mountaineering Club, Inc. gathered at the Victory Liner Cubao Terminal at 5.00am on a typical Saturday morning. We were to take the 3-hour bus ride to Olongapo City. It was my first time taking public transportation to Subic where I normally went for low-key shopping, driving around in one of our cars, restaurant hopping, playing frisbee by the beach, or appreciating the house we rented for the weekend. The house typically had 3 bedrooms with ample garden space for our barbeques and beer sessions that would take us late into the night without neighbours disturbing our party.

That was my average Subic weekend. J.E.S.T. (JUNGLE ENVIRONMENTAL SURVIVAL TRAINING) was another matter only because I thought that while it was going to be more physical in activities, it would at least be on level terrain. Little did I know…The bus left Cubao at 6.20am arriving in Olongapo City by 9.30am. Breakfast was at Chow King before we hopped on a jeepney that took us to the entrance of SUBIC BAY FREEPORT ZONE less than 15 minutes away. A friendly security guard then directed us to a shuttle bus service that would take us to the camp and it only costs us less than 200 pesos to get our destination! At JEST camp, military-looking personnel waited for us to begin with bamboo lessons. We each needed bolos or machetes to practice crafting eating utensils out of this versatile plant. Its strength, light weight, structural design, various sizes and lengths; its freedom from any pronounced taste or smell, great abundance, and the rapidity of its growth are all qualities that render the simple bamboo useful for a hundred different purposes

For us mountaineers, the biggest challenge was making a fire, which is going to take many more trips to get it right! …so we learnt to build alternative pots and pans, start a fire, and cook food with only a type of grass. Where were we going to get water if there was no river or spring available?…but of course from the Water tree! Also known as “Six-to-Six” to the Americans for its ability to produce water in that period, it supplies anyone with up to 4 liters of water per day if Kuya Ed, our guide, is to be believed. The stems of the fish tail palm, when sharpened, act as needles or fasteners when making hats out of large leaves; recommended for those who can’t take the mid-day heat.

Imamali leaves help to stop bleeding in case of a cut or deep wound. The outdoor pharmacy is just around the corner if you know what you’re looking but with all the local names Kuya Ed kept mouthing, I could hardly keep up with what they were all good for since I was having such a hard time remembering their names! At least, I hope to remember how they look should the occasion arise to use them.

Calibetbet sap is also used for minor cuts.

According to Philippine history, the wild potato was a source of nourishment during World War II but the Japanese had forgotten to do one thing before digesting it – soak the peeled tuber in water for 48 hours. Otherwise, it caused them dizzy spells that inevitably led to their loss.

Bauk-uk or vinegar leaf tastes like guava and makes for great hot sour soups!

The leaves of the Tutugpulo stick the clothing, which makes it useful for camouflage. It is also known as the Velcro and water vine.

I can’t remember what BANGABA is for. This is not BANABA.

Small shrimps and snails abound in the river, making delicious combinations with taro leaves boiled in water seasoned with just salt. Ah, the aroma of wild cuisine! You couldn’t ask for more and the best thing is…it is not fatty!

If you want a more full stomach, try setting traps to catch wild boar. This, however, takes several days of patience without a guarantee of catching even one. The elusive creatures are plentiful in Subic along with some wild cats, monkeys, egrets etc. Setting bamboo traps are allowed in the area but hunting rifles are banned.

Did I forget to mention the bamboo bat? The world’s smallest bat is the size of a thumb that lives in the hollows of the bamboo vine. Personally, this is the only bat I’ll ever allow myself to get close to!

In our exploration of the Philippine mountains, never had we faced such aggressive giant mosquitoes that feasted on us throughout the night. Fortunately, there have never been any ma It was one night I regretted not bringing my long trekking pants because I was forced to remain in my tent while the others engaged in lively chatter around the campfire.

This article only serves to give an idea of what to expect at J.E.S.T. As mountaineers, we are better equipped with more wildlife experience, which city living cannot provide. At least, I learnt to balance an impractical travel bag during an enduring 2-hour trek over undulating terrain to the campsite! I had not expected a mountain but we did climb Mt. Boton, which is more a hill. …so when you go to J.E.S.T. and you’re planning to stay overnight in the jungle, bring a decent backpack containing a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, sun block lotion, and insect repellant! Food and water are essentially provided for as long as you are not too picky. Bathe in the river. This weekend option is definitely not recommended for my “high-living” friends J I know I will go back!