NSTP MOBILIZATION On January 21, 2012 at exactly 5:30AM we had departed TUP Manila and were on our way to Mt. Makiling for our NSTP Mobilization Program. The two hour drive from Manila to Los Baños, Laguna was actually pretty fun. The bus was full of laughter and I think everyone was excited for this program. We had arrived at our destination on 7:30AM. We first went to our designated tents to prepare our things and to rest for a bit. We then had our orientation about our assigned activities. On the first day we had team building and the dreaded obstacle course. We had team building first. We played ___________ where we had to make the ball roll continuously on a pipe and into a bucket. Of course, we had our game on and our competitive side had already shown but we still had fun while doing it. Next was the Minefield where all the team member must hold the big tarpaulin full of holes and we must keep 3 balls in it while it keep on moving in the tarpaulin without falling for a certain period of time or we must repeat again. It was actually really hard. We were so tensed and we kept on screaming every time a ball falls out. Our last game is called Helium Stick where we had a helium stick put over our index finger and we had to lower the stick without it leaving all our fingers. Sounds easy, Right? NO. It was actually really hard because the stick kept on floating on mid-air, pretty amazing yet annoying at the same time, but we made did it. Took us a while but we did it. The TEAM BUILDING activities proved that we can all work together as a team. We just need to know how to cooperate, focus and be patient. And if we put our difference aside then we can be a team. We went straight to where the obstacle is. And there was a long line of trainees waiting for their turn to pass through the obstacle. We had to wait for a long time that we got really agitated on doing the obstacles. First was the twin tunnel, I went in it and I really thought I wouldn’t fit in it. The inside was really small and it actually smells like cat poop but who’s complaining. I actually hit Jasmine Sai’s head while going out of the tunnel and I just can’t stop laughing. Then, the Island Hopping, I actually know that it was part of our obstacle until someone told me about it. I had fun hopping on the blocks of wood. Then was the Turtle tunnel, though it looks hard was actually really easy for me. While I was doing it I was actually really happy because I also fit in it. Next was the Tire swing where we really need cooperation to cross that obstacle. It was really hard and I almost did the splits but I was able to finish it thanks to my partner Jasmine Sai. Next was the spider web. It was actually fun climbing and rolling on the web-like ropes. The last obstacle was the tire tunnel and they said I should just skip it because I wouldn’t fit so I didn’t protest to go with it because I was scared that if I actually tried and got stucked there it would be so embarrassing. Then, this was actually the hardest part of the obstacle, the trekking and climbing back up to camp. I was already tired and climbing back up was really exhausting. But, because I didn’t want to stay there till dawn and I really want to have a shower that time I did my best to finish it. When night came they gave us time to relax in our tents and at 7:00PM the culture fest started and that every college had a wonderful performance that is related to nature and most contestants tried to impersonate Makiling. I think every performance was great. The next day we had our orientation about first aid, bondage and fire preventions and earthquake drills. It was really fun and actually wasn’t boring because they gave us a bondage and we can also do what they were demonstrating and I like those kind of stuff. There were actually a lot of things they discussed and I really did enjoy it and that it was all good to know because we actually need it if ever someone was injured or if there was fire or earthquake we may actually survive. We then proceed to water safety and we had to walk so far before we can go swimming. But, unfortunately some trainees, including me, weren’t able to do that activity because they told us that it was already time to leave. So we left that place with a frown on our faces. This experience was actually a memory that will not be forgotten. One, because it was actually done for us to learn not just inside the four walls of our classroom but outside where we can see the beauty of nature. Two, we spend it with friends and while we were doing the activities we were actually having fun. And three, not all of us had camping before. So it was really a great experience.