Habagat Outdoor's 20 years of adventure
Sigbin 50 backpack
* With P4,500, an old Singer sewing machine and pack designs informed by their own experiences as mountaineers, Habagat Outdoor Equipment was born
Twenty years ago, filled with new possibilities brought by the "People Power" revolution, three friends decided to embark on a high adventure. Bound by a common passion -- the great outdoors, they set up a company that designed and manufactured outdoor equipment that was at par with imported gear because there was simply wasn't anything locally available then.
Noel Hechanova, city environment and
natural resources officer
With P4,500, an old Singer sewing machine and pack designs informed by their own experiences as mountaineers, Habagat Outdoor Equipment was born. In no time, the country's growing mountaineering community was won over as the initial packs were introduced in climbs of the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines (MFPI), climbs of other mountaineering groups and in other outdoor activities.
From then on, Habagat steadily expanded their manufacturing capabilities, introduced innovated products and established dealerships throughout the Visayas and Mindanao. With the opening of SM Megamall in 1997, Habagat truly became a national brand.
Hector Alejano, executive assistant to
the Mayor
Hand in hand with these, Habagat continued to be involved in outdoor activities, hosting them or supporting individual teams that join them. These include being part of the pioneering efforts in promoting mountain biking, caving, kayaking, rock and sports climbing -- at one point setting up the first sports climbing wall outside Metro Manila -- and, of late, multi-discipline adventure racing -- the Carrera Habagat. This year, the race will take place mid-October and application forms for Ilonggos are available at Tribu Outdoor, SM City Iloilo.
Now on its 6th edition, this yearly race brings together the country's top outdoor athletes in a multi-day race that serves as a live laboratory where designated Habagat packs undergo a grueling test of design effectiveness and durability.
Nadine, Board of Directors Randy Su III, Dindo
Sugatan and Efren Muaņa, General Manager Jenar
Sison and Tribu Outdoor Manager Nonong Solis
To celebrate its 20th year, Habagat held a roadshow and Iloilo City was included.
According to Mayor Jerry Treñas, who was represented by Hector Alejano, executive assistant to the Mayor, the City Government admires the Habagat family for advocating an environment-friendly way of life. "You just don't aggressively market your products but you go the extra mile, through activities such as the Carrera Habagat to inform and educate all members of the society that the environment is our responsibility," he said.
He enjoined Habagat and the public to continue working together in preserving the environment. "Everyone must do their share in making sure that issues and concerns about the environment are immediately looked into and resolved."