By Patricia Lanzagarita
MA. Angelica Torres, a visually impaired or blind woman, successfully hiked the Philippines’s highest mountain–Mt. Apo from October 24 to 26.
Angelica took the Sta. Cruz, Davao Del Sur circumferential trail that starts from the Desander trail which heads to the boulder face, the summit, Lake Venado, and Century Tree which leads back to the trail ahead.
“Miss Ma. Angelica F. Torres became the first blind woman to complete a trek using the circumferential trail of Sta. Cruz,” the Sta. Cruz Tourism said.
The influential climb of Angelica Torres was also an initiative of Parent Advocates for Visually Impaired Children, Inc. (PAVIC) to prove that nothing is impossible in doing adventure activities.
According to Sta. Cruz Tourism, Torres was guided by Arnie Macaneras and Julie Ann Morales, who are seasoned trail runners and mountain guides.
The organization of Sta. Cruz Tourism awarded the Sta. Cruz Trailblazer Award to Angelica along with a special citation certificate.
Source: Sta. Cruz Tourism (https://bit.ly/3FJ9BFU)
(ai/mnm)
