Text and photos by Jojie Alcantara (photos of me by Rhonson Ng)

Camp Sabros is found up in the cool highlands of Kapatagan, Davao del Sur, an almost 2-hour ride from Davao City. Before the place became the buzzword nowadays, Rhonson used to hang out in the resthouse owned by the Sacdalans, when invited by his good friend Edwin Sacdalan who is also a mountaineer. The name Sabros is from a coined word meaning Sacdalan Brothers.

Now why a buzzword? Because it took around 5-6 months after Edwin envisioned a dream over their land and put up the longest zip line in the country. On December 25, the Zip Line was launched and became a favorite attraction to a growing number of enthusiasts all over the island. Edwin did not expect the surge of visitors to the camp weekly since then.

Rhonson and I went up there one early rainy morning for an engagement shoot (or you may call it prenuptial) with our good friend Epong Soliban and fiancée Aya (a flight stewardess based in Korea). It was so cold when we got there, because Kapatagan is on a 3980 feet elevation. The fog has descended over the area. What started as a normal pictorial turned into an extreme prenuptial session similar to what he did at the top of Mount Apo.

Epong and Aya wanted to try the zip line. Rhon wanted to shoot them zipping off together at close range. So how was that possible? He had himself harnessed backwards to be able to shoot the couple in front. The zip line was 380 meters long, affording a good view of Mount Apo’s peak, and the rows of pine trees jutting out like toys from below at a height of 180ft. It was an unbelievable sight, and therapy for those with fear of heights, if they dare.

As the backup photographer (and feeling giddy at that moment), I had to climb the cable car which positioned itself in the middle of the long cable, while I waited for Rhon and the couple to zip by from another end. I had to shoot them with my zoom lens in such a shaky situation. When they finally flew by with their gleeful screams, the sight was like a fantasy movie out of Superman, without capes.

Soon, Rhon went flying again solo and not backwards this time. I followed next. The experience of flying alone for less than 60 seconds of pure, adrenalin-pumping, blood-racing flight over pine trees was beyond description. It felt so good. And unlike other short zip lines which makes your heart stop because of its frightening speed, this zip line makes you SOAR. In such a cruising mode, you get the chance to admire the Mount Apo peak at close range. I swear I was living in my Darna moment. There was no screaming, just open mouthed amazement at the panorama around me.

Edwin was his usual hospitable self and gave us a hefty breakfast. Though they are still considering putting up additional amenities like food, the package rate for now is P300 per head for the zip line. Accommodations are still being prepared as cottages will be added in the future. For now, he offers his own log cabins for guests who wish to stay overnight and brace themselves for a chilly evening. In the mornings, though, the sight of Mount Apo on a clear sky will leave you breathless, more so when you view it from the cable car suspended midway in the forest. For inquiries and reservations, call Edwin at 09208750015.

*** (email jojiealcantara@gmail.com or visit her website www.witerary.com)