Solar ambassadors take solar technology to far-flung off-grid villages across the country.

MANILA, Philippines — Climbing mountains is an activity reserved for the adventurous and the rugged. It requires steady feet, unflappable endurance and calmness in both body and mind to scale seemingly overwhelming heights.

While the physicality of the sport is without a doubt grueling at times because of the long hours spent hiking steep slopes and navigating through dense vegetation, there is also a spiritual aspect to it that climbers seek. It may be the sanctity of a mountain, respect for the local community or just a deep appreciation of nature that draws this solemnity from within.

One thing above all else that mountaineers value whenever immersed in the great outdoors is light. It is every bit as nourishing as food and water and equally comforting as any clothing or shelter. During an ascent, climbers inch ever closer to the ultimate source of light, chasing an energy that’s both earthly and divine.

With its golden rays, the power provided by the sun bestows life-bringing heat over the earth and keeps the warmth running through our veins. Not only does this unquenchable well of power offer tangible energy, it also provides a force that reenergizes the spirit of individuals and communities alike.

Bringing these two types of energy together, the physical and the ethereal, was the plan when Stiftung Solarenergie – Solar Energy Foundation, a Swiss-based nonprofit organization, literally headed for the hills for their Hike for Light project. The endeavor aims to bring solar technology to off-grid villages in some of the remotest mountainous locations across the country. “Our mission really is to bring electricity to poor and far-flung areas. We also want to involve other people by engaging them in our outreach efforts,” Stiftung Solarenergie chairman Jim Ayala explained.

The organization partnered with the Kaya ng Pinoy Foundation to help their team reach remote villages in six locations including Mt. Dulang-Dulang, Mt. Canlaon, Mt. Majaas, Mt. Pulag, Mt. Guiting-Guiting and Mt. Apo. Responsible for the first Philippine Expedition to Mt. Everest, the individuals from the foundation, which includes mountaineering legend Fred Jamili as well as icons Leo Oracion and Janet Belarmino, also aim to build a network of advocates in the mountaineering community.

“Our group provides the technical support and we also involve local clubs to share their efforts to the cause. This is really a laudable project and what our foundation has done before are merely symbolic feats of what we as a people can do,” Kaya ng Pinoy founder Art Valdez said.

It was the fourth out of the six scheduled climbs when the organization set its sights for the summit of the highest mountain in Luzon, Mount Pulag. Located between the borders of Benguet, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya, a number of indigenous tribes like the Ibaloi, Kalanguya and the Kankana-eys call the vicinity around this sacred mountain home.

The team solicited aid from environmental NGO Cordillera Conservation Trust (CCT) as well as campus-based organization University of the Philippines Baguio Mountaineers (UPBM) to get acquainted with the local community. Both organizations’ commitment to monitor the maintenance of the device also ensures the project’s sustainability which will yield significant benefits to the community in terms of monetary savings and improved living standards. “Harnessing energy means that communication, health and the general quality of life improves. Our solar ambassadors are assisting others to move out of poverty because having access to energy is a strong form of empowerment,” Ayala said.

After a turnover ceremony held at the Babadak Ranger Station that pledged 80 solar powered lanterns and mobile phone chargers to be donated to the community, these solar ambassadors then headed out to fulfill a more profound purpose. Braving a cold spell that blanketed the mountain, the team ascended to get a glimpse of the sunrise at the summit of Mt. Pulag.

Facing a sea of clouds, the crowd marveled at the steady stream of light growing on the horizon. Despite being grounded amid the vast grasslands atop Mt. Pulag, the hearts of each individual present seemed to soar with the clouds. This is how powerful light is and this endeavor is nothing short of epic. “When you talk of light you talk about hope. By giving light to people, we provide hope,” Valdez said.