Filipino driver and hiker Rommel Dalupan, who likes to be on top of the world, hopes to share his outdoor skills and experience with friends in Hong Kong, particularly among Filipino and Indonesian maids.
“Most of the domestic workers in Hong Kong do not have enough physical activities. I tell them to take the initiative and I want to show them how fun it is,” Dalupan, 40, who started woking in Hong Kong in 1996 and is now a driver employed by a retired couple.
“I mix the Indonesian and Filipino hikers into groups. We have no boundaries. We look out for each other and minimize the risk of calling 999,” Dalupan said in an interview with Asia Times. “They love to follow me and discover new adventurous places.”
Dalupan usually plans a week in advance the hiking route and announces it on social media. Supported by three to four other experienced like-minded people, he can lead up to 30 people for an extreme hike on Saturday or Sunday. The team has challenged the toughest places in Hong Kong – Ngo Lung stream and Fung Bi stream on Lantau Island.
“Most of our adventures are on Lantau Island as there is beautiful scenery,” he said. “It is the place to go if you want to experience some dangerous things that can cost your life.”
“I can show you how to succeed…When you are on top of the mountain, it feels like you are on top of the world,” he said.
“I always tell domestic helpers not to buy expensive gear. Just wear comfortable shoes, a sweat shirt and light pants, and get a backpack and some water,” he said. “If you have extra money, buy a pair of hiking shoes.”
Stay healthy for daughters
Dalupan started doing more physical activities after he developed diabetes and hypertension six years ago. He also changed his eating habits by having less rice at meals. He lost 20kg.
“I know the diseases will come back if I stop doing exercise, which is a life-long commitment,” said Dalupan, who conquered Mountain Apo, the highest in the Philippines, in 2015.
Dalupan has reached the top of Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia at 4,095 meters. He hopes to conquer Mount Everest in Nepal some day.
He said that although it was worth it if he died on Mount Everest, he now has a more important mission – save enough money for his three daughters, 16, 12 and 11, to go to college in the Philippines.
“My priority list is to earn money and help my daughters get to college and finish their studies. Then I will retire and, hopefully, have something to smile about with my YouTube videos on hiking,” he said.
Well done Rommel. Particularly like your contribution in helping maids in HK have a good time!
Well done kuya �
Can we join in your team
Thanks Man!
Salamat po.
You are welcome to join po.
Congrats po!looking forward to join in your group by April.
Hi can i join your team ?
Great Job Romel! Bravo.
can i join too!
paano magjoin po! ilovetohike!
Rommel, u r great! So proud of u! Keep up n stay healthy! Hv a happy life!
Thank you Eppie. See you at the trail
Hi Vinaa, you are welcome to join if i have event.
Thanks Ariyul!
Hi Apple, you are welcome to join po. I usually will announce at fb for upcoming hikes
I am blessed to have a wonderful people around me. Thank you and take care and be happy.
Join din ako
sir good pm po.nghihiking.po ako sa new territories mga kasama ko po mga chinese nakarating na po ako da 2nd highest hill ng hongkong 3x na.gusto ko pong sumali sa grupo ninyo at paano?saturday po off ko.salamat po
how to join your team,i join a team that founded by a chinese national that have more than 14,000 member here in hk,An amateur hikers.
Great idea kabayan.. Keep it up. I want to join but am base in Macau, i love Hiking too..
The highest mountain that i climbed ,is the Dragons Back last January.
Hi kuya romel pls gusto ko mag join sa group nyo! Pano ko po kau macontact. Thanks!
Hi kuya…pwede po bang mgjoin sa hiking nyo dito sa hongkong. Dh po ako dito. I hope na sana makasama ako sa group mo. Sunday po ang off ko. I like hiking. Thank you po and godbless you always…more power.
How to join po?
Sir how to join the group po?
Rommel Dalupan
Sir how to join your team .pls inform…thankyou po
wow.. nice to know about it.. how can I joine ?
how to join ur group
Well done I hope I can join too
Sir I would love to join in your groups.How?,thanks
sir how to join to your group…willing po ako….thanks
inform nyo po ako kong pwede po….thanks
pls sir…gusto ko talagang.sumali………pls inform kong pued pa
How to join in your time kuya…mahilig po ako maghiking
One of my hobbies po kaso saturday öff ko. Thanks ~GODBLESS
ako nag ask din kay rommel dalupan check mo na lang sya sa fb gusto ko din mag join
i want to say thank you to you kuya Rommel..kung di dahil sayo hindi ko makikilala si Jing na lagi ko nang kasama sa hiking ngayon..from the hike through South Heavens Gate last March.and i can say we hiked many hills already together,and we never get tired..hope to hoe again with you someday..
I want to join … Any contact number sir
Wow! Good job rommel dalupan hope i can join your group soonest