The Living Genes

20/02/2025

My First Hike Outside the Mainland Luzon

I felt proud today after tirelessly hiking across Luzon for the past 28 months. I’ve always said that the scenic Cordillera Mountain Range has become my playground as an adult. Looking back, I realize that those crazy, impulsive adventures I took were the moments when I was truly living. Today, I’m getting on a plane to fly to Davao, all in the quest to finally summit the highest mountain in the country! This will be my first hike outside mainland Luzon.

I can’t explain how I’m feeling right now. In just three days, hopefully, I’ll be able to tell my family and share with you that I made it.
For those who haven’t hiked yet, I hope I can convince you to try this kind of madness at least once in your life. There’s a unique thrill in doing it over and over again, but it’s the thrill of the first time that’s unforgettable. I want you to experience the rush I felt on my first hike—my first trail, my first summit, my first sea of clouds, my first rain in the mountains, and my first hiking buddies. I’ve been sharing these stories here for quite a while now, and I believe they resonate with many of you, thanks to your unwavering engagement. The reactions and comments you leave on my videos and reels are overwhelming. What you feel while watching my videos and reading my short stories is real, but I guarantee you, you can feel the mountains even more when you face them in person and are humbled by their immense presence.

Flying to Davao to hike outside Luzon, I’m experiencing that same "first-hike syndrome" I felt before—the only difference now is that I know the mountains more than I did before.
I’m now in my 30s, officially a tito of today. If you’re in your 20s and still figuring out life, hike the mountains. You might just find the answers to your questions. If you’re in your 40s and going through a midlife crisis, hike the mountains—it’s never too late. Got problems? Hike. Going through a crisis? Hike. Stressed from work? Hike. Depressed or anxious? Hike. Even if you’re happy and don’t have any problems, hike anyway!

I know I said I’d be on hiatus from posting here and would return in March, but the timing couldn’t be helped. I’m early for my flight, and the emotions I feel when committing to something greater than myself sometimes overwhelm me. I hope this will be one of those hikes I’ll remember for a long time. And I will do everything I can to make that happen. For you, I hope you take that first hike you’ve been wanting to do for so long.

See you in 3 days!

– Gene

15/02/2025

Hiatus mode - cause everyone needs a break.

When I started sharing on this platform, the goal is only to "Explore & Tell". As much as it is still true today, our reach has grown exponentially, and responsibilities are taking its toll. It is slowy sinking in now, that the larger the audience the more eyes are watchful of you and that creates a pressing weight on your shoulders. And slowly, I felt drowning as well with the piled up pending contents. And one thing the mountains taught me is that when everything seems to overwhelm you, take a deep breath, take a step back and rest. All you need is a break.

From here, we will take a much needed break - a meaningful one in the mountains of Mindanao. We will use the rest of the month to reconnect with my goals. See you again on March to continue our mountain journey. More stories to be shared soon.

Until then, keep checking on yourself and keep safe.

12/02/2025

"Totoo nga yung sabi sa mga memes, na kapag nagtrenta ka na, bigla-bigla ka nalang sumasali sa mga fun run, sports, hiking o kaya naman naggi-gym."

Ito yung exact words nung kaibigan kong may bahay, kotse at may panganay (siya namang inaanak ko rin) na ngayon.

Welcome nyo na ako sa tito era. Kaya pala pansin ko rin madalas na sumakit likod ko. 😅

Kitakits nalang! Sabay-sabay tayong tumakbo sa responsibilidad, este sa Bataan, sa Abril 2025🏃‍♂️

11/02/2025

"Explore & Tell"

It can't be helped, na minsan nagseself pity ako dahil wala talaga akong skills sa editing, video/photography at iba pang multimedia mediums na pwede kong maging bentahe sa pagcocontent creation. Hindi ako ganun ka competitive pagdating sa visuals na kaya gawin ng iba. So-so lang lahat ng mga naipopost ko rito pagdating sa presentation.

Kaya naman idinadaan ko nalang talaga sa narration at story telling. Pero sa mundong puno ng clout-chaser at click baits, hindi tayo makikisabay diyan. 😅. Nawa'y naging masaya kayo sa pagsubaybay sa ating mga kwento - dahil dito nag-grow at nakilala ang The Living Genes.

Kaya naman when in doubt, listen to the people who believe in you. Their affirmation and your determination will make it happen.

Salamat sa suporta at sa pagtangkilik, 40,000!

10/02/2025

A new found favorite trail. This is Mount Pulag via Akiki Trail.

I've hiked Mount Pulag via Ambangeg Trail twice - both may clearing sa summit at sea of clouds. So I am less keen on the summit experience this time. That gives me the chance to focus on the trail. The timing was so on point, kaya pala dapat magfocus sa trail dahil sobrang nakakapagod ang mga ahon. Gasgas na sabihin but the saying "It is about the journey, not the destination" makes sense here.

My eyes were never been this satisfied since my hike in Kibungan Cross Country. Ang ganda mo Akiki Trail!

Thank you for organizing this event, Sir Jervinson Vasquez of Travel Buddies PH21! I'm trying to contain it in me, but I was really starstrucked to meet fellow creators.

Excited to create new video about this hike.

10/02/2025

This is to remind you that you can find your passion in the most strangest places, in my case, its in the mountains. And that you don't need to start at a young to pursue one - I was 30 when I realized that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. And that with your every effort to make a difference, you are marking your space in the community you choose to belong.
-Gene

08/02/2025

They say take a rest. I say take a hike. 🤭

08/02/2025

Kibungan is one of the many, if not my most memorable hiking experience. To be fully out in the wilderness for 3days and 2nights, it was an experience of a lifetime. Here, I experienced things that I have not encountered in other mountains, in life in general. Kibungan is more than its crying mountain - every corner of this place tells us a story of both modern and olden eras.

Here is the full documentary of the part 2 of our Kibungan Cross Country adventure.

A Short Kibungan Cross Country Story (Part 2 of 3). Ito ay ang kwento ng aming ikalawang araw sa Kibungan. Samahan niyo kaming masaksihan ang ganda ng Kibung...

08/02/2025

Kakahike mo, 'di mo na napansin na puro pala panghiking na yung laman ng cabinet mo sa apartment. Tapos may aattenan ka palang birthday party ngayon sa syudad. Kaya ayun, makikibirthday party tayo nang naka drifit shirt, hiking shoes at hiking bag. Bonus na may trekking pole din kase syempre aakyat na naman tayo pagkatapos.

Kaya pagnakita nyo ko sa ganitong outfit sa kapatagan, please understand. 🤣

Kita-kits, Mount Pulag.

08/02/2025

A Short Kibungan Story - Part 2: Ang Crying Mountain at ang Buwis-Buhay na Litalit Trail.

Samahan nyo ulit akong balikan ang mga kaganapan namin sa Kibungan Cross Country (Day 2). Full video to be uploaded today on YouTube: https://youtube.com/?si=OMckl7p5aYxFqFAS

Thank you sa footage Content By Tiffie.

07/02/2025

Okay lang kahit malimatik. Okay lang din kahit masukal. 🤣

06/02/2025

Dito sa Purgatory Traverse tayo unang nag voice-over. Tanda ko pa noon, nasa 900 followers lang tayo. Look how far we've reached, ang dami na nating umaahon! Salamat 38k!

06/02/2025

Sitio Wawa during peaceful times.

Sa news ko lang kasi naririnig ang lugar na ito, lalo na kapag may malakas na bagyo at nangangabayo sa lakas ang ilog rito.

05/02/2025

a letter from a young hiker

a letter from a young hiker

I look up to those who conquered the mountains before me.

The hikers of the past generation brought down unimaginable (at least for me) mountain stories. For me, they are legend. If you are one of them, I want you to know you are a legend to me. Your stories of victory against dangerous trails and how you mapped the first mountain trails are inspirations for me to explore the Great Outdoors. Your stories made me feel I am ready to experience a real adventure for the first time.

I followed your trail, one mountain after another. I experienced victory on conquering towering summits, as well as defeat on the most difficult ones. You told me to explore more and suggest more mountains, some of which I may never conquer. But nonetheless, I continue to dream of those summits. Like you, I was convinced that this vast world we live in offers me a hundred options to pursue them. It eventually becomes a way of life and not a mere hobby anymore.

I developed a passion. Perhaps, a slightly different passion from what you had. I remember you told me that the mountains were your playgrounds. I wanted to think the same. I feel free running above the clouds like a child. Now that I am used to the feeling, I realized that mountains are more than just playgrounds to me – they are haven, an escape from the mad world. The kind of place only few brave souls would dare to go to. And I am happy for thriving that soul in me.

I remember growing up as a weak, small guy succumbing to asthma when triggered by exhaustion, by the weather and/or by pollution. Hiking was never designed for my body to do. However, when I became a young adult, I tried the ancient therapy called nature, as you said. I followed your advice and sought nature to cleanse my intoxicated and hardworking soul, exhausted to make a living. I started hiking to challenge my limits. And this boosted not only my physical capacity but my mental will, as well.

You were once again right when you told me the trails are full of life lessons. From self-discovery to lifelong learnings about the world. It humbles me how tiny I am in front of these giants. Tiny but free It constantly reminds there is more to learn and explore.

And honestly, you made our life easier, if not less convenient for adventure, by establishing the trails we take on. You treated nature with much respect, and you turned your hobby into science by providing us with ready-made courses to learn the basics of mountaineering. This has become the core of modern mountaineering. And I am immensely proud of you for taking the extra mile for such a noble act of transferring knowledge to our generation.

However, like how the dusk slowly brightens the dark sky, a new generation shall continue the works of yesterday.

I must admit that the world is changing. You and I might have taken the same trails, but those trails have changed over time. Hikers and tourists combined are more connected and the mountains are more accessible than ever.

Slowly, you complain of our unacceptable ways. You cried for your sacred playgrounds are being disrespected. You cried more when you learned we are slowly destroying what you took care of for so long. You told me that all I did was all for the clout. Organizers and tourism offices commercialized many of your favorite spots. Never giving back in return. Mountains are now less holy and more crowded.

LNT and BMC are no longer principles but just capital letters. Honestly, I am a bit ashamed for these acts.

But whether you believe it or not, your spirit is alive in many mountaineers. Probably not with everyone, but the current mountaineering community is thriving.

Should we speak a little louder, we will. Should you join us shouting, please do. We need more voices to raise awareness - that plastics do not belong to the mountains; that chemicals shall not mix with rivers; that wild plants must not be taken from their natural habitat; that mountains do not welcome loud noises; that mountaineering is a respected community.

Perhaps this letter is not for the hikers of past generations. This is a call for my generation to preserve our playgrounds for future generations.

Please join me on my cause by sharing this post.

04/02/2025

Naway lahat!

03/02/2025

Dahil 'di lang para sa mga couple ang Buwan ng mga Puso ❤️.
What a fulfilling hike, Sitio Wawa!

02/02/2025

Sharing with you a full documentary of our hike at Kibungan Cross Country. I'm taking our storytelling to a new level. Hope you support my Youtube Channel, the way you support my stories here on Facebook. Salamat po.

Thank you Content By Tiffie, for letting me use some of your clips :)

A Short Kibungan Cross Country Story (Part 1 of 3). Ito ay ang kwento ng aming unang araw sa pagtahak sa KXC. Samahan niyo kaming lakbayin ang mga naggaganda...

02/02/2025

One (1) down this February. Three (3) more to go.

Mt. Pamintinan ✔️
Mt. Pulag (via Akiki-Ambangeg Trail)
Mt. Apo (via Santa Cruz Circuit)
Mt. Kitanglad

Lord, guide me all the way on this mad conquest.