Some journeys begin long before we take the first step. Mine began with a heavy heart, carrying the quiet ache of a goodbye and a longing to feel like myself again.

In 2018, I took my first official hike to Mt. Balagbag in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, alongside my officemates and churchmates. I didn’t know then how much I needed the open trails, the fresh air, and the quiet embrace of nature. Perhaps I was searching for healing in places words could never reach, hoping that somewhere along the way, the weight I carried would become a little lighter.

Looking back, Mt. Balagbag was more than my first hike. It was a small beginning, a step toward finding peace, rediscovering myself, and learning that sometimes, healing begins when we give ourselves the courage to keep moving.