EP 20: Dane & Magnet — Di Araw Araw Pasko & Taking the Small Wins

Second episode of 2026! 🔥

This week on Rock and Rice, we sit down with Manila-based power couple Dane & Magnet — self-dubbed serial projectors who’ve been quietly stacking some of the biggest sends of 2025.

From Magnet’s epic last-go send of Ben & Be (7c+/5.13a) in Igbaras… to Power & Pinesse, White Flower, and the mental chess match of projecting at your limit — this one is all about the highs, the almosts, and why “di araw araw pasko” (not every day is Christmas).

We talk:

• The psychology of projecting
• Booking climbing trips just to stay motivated
• Why only ONE person is allowed to be crazy at a crag
• Igbaras vs. Cantabaco
• And what it really means to take small wins

If you’ve ever left a trip without a send… this episode is for you.

@magnetnavales — Magnet’s Instagram

@danepolicarpio — Dane’s Instagram

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Let’s gooooo.

Transcript

0:11

Tim Hello and welcome to the Rock and Rice podcast. Kamusta! I'm your host, Tim Casasola and we're excited to have episode two. In this episode, we chat with Dane and Magnet. So Dane and Magnet are a literal power couple. They're based in Manila and they travel a lot within the Philippines to go climbing, as well as outside of the Philippines to hang out in the mountains and perhaps not go not climb as much. Tim We talk a bit about that in the episode, but Dane and Magnet are they are self dubbed serial projectors. So we talk a lot about projecting in this episode. Both of them have had a really, really awesome 2025. So, Magnet had just sent "Ben & Be" which is a 7c+/5.13a based in Igbaras. Ben & Be, named after a couple who are based in Iloilo shout outs to Ben and Be. Tim As well as, Magnet had also done "Power and Pinesse". In I believe five sessions "Power and Pinesse" an 8a/5.13b now in Danao. I've tried power and pronounce myself. It's very hard. It's very fun, it's very technical and it's very classic and Magnet had also done, "Sweet December", which is the extension to Vina Kulafu in Cantabaco. Tim Sweet December, is 512.b slash I guess b+, slash 7b+. So, Sweet December, Power and Pinesse, and Ben & Be are three of the many climbs Magnet did in 2025. For Dane in 2025, he had what he called a minimalist tick list. But this tick list is pretty massive in my opinion. It's kind of it's kind of a banger. Tim So, he also did Power and Pinesse in 2025, in Danao also again. They had like a little send train going on which we're going to hear more about in the episode. And also he did White Flower, which is a classic 8a/5.13b out in Cantabaco and White Flower is like the beginning of Jack Sparrow, which is the Philippines Tim first 5.14a which you heard about in episode one. So Dane's well on his way to doing Jack Sparrow, which would be pretty fucking awesome. So that's White Flower and Power and Pinesse on Dane's tick list for 2025. As I mentioned, they're both based in Manila. But they love to travel for projecting for climbing. Tim So we talk a lot about, just the highs and lows of projecting, as many of you all can relate to. As we talk about Magnet's epic saga on Ben & Be, and we also talk about what they like to do outside of climbing. So they love to travel and just be in different places and obsess over the mountains. Tim I'll leave it at that. The one thing I'll announce or add is that we have a discord, and people have been joining it, which has been awesome. If you haven't joined our discord, our discord is a space for listeners of the show to connect, get to know each other, and, you know, just be in community. Tim If you want to join the discord, I'll leave a link in the show notes. All right, so without further ado, here's Dane and Magnet. Tim Dane, how's the air conditioning? We turned off your fan, but how is the AC doing? Dane Yeah, it's all good. Yeah, I can hear you now. Finally. Tim Yay! Yeah! Tim Magnet. How are you? How's your Friday morning going so far? Magnet It's a bit early for me. Tim Night. Tim Night now? Tim Yes. Talaga? Tim Yeah. You two. Dane, are you. Would you say you're more of a night owl or morning person? Dane Maybe a night owl? Because I've been in mid shift work since 2019, so I'm used to, waking up. Not necessarily in the afternoon like we just came from Igbaras, So the body clock is still waking up at 9:30 or 10 a.m.. So for me it's okay. I don't know about Magnet. Tim Yeah. Dane Yeah. It's hard to be a housewife and it's like you're, Tim You're just talking earlier. Sabi ni Magnet. I've been on sabbatical for a year, and it's been nice. Tim Is that right now? Magnet Yeah, hopefully for another year. Again. Tim No. Yeah. It's my turn next year. This year and this year, actually, Tim I know. I was just telling Magnet that. So my fiancé is in sabbatical. I just started a new job four months ago, and then she. Before I started or after I started my job, she got laid off from her job, and she got it right before her trip to the to the Philippines. So, the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Tim Yeah. And before that, she was working full time. I was self-employed, so. Meaning I was climbing a lot and not really working that much. So professional climber. Tim Exactly. Tim Magnets. Professional. That's why I'm ready to get. Tim Back a break. Tim But it's great to have you guys on the podcast. Obviously, I've heard a lot about you both, and I've been following your sends on Instagram, which you guys document super super well. And, yeah, I mean, you both strike me as very, very motivated climbers, like, really, really going for stuff that is, you know, at your difficulty, if not beyond your difficulty and sort of working through that. Tim And I'm really excited to learn more about, like, what motivates you both and why you guys love to climb and why you love to travel. But I guess first, like, I want to ask how Igbaras was. So I was in Igbaras Igbaras like last December, so or this December. So not not too long ago, like a little over a month ago. Tim And, talking about being, you know, night people like the sun just, like, gets at you like it just it's just so sunny at, like, 7 a.m. when I was there, was that the case for you guys? Like, boom. Sun immediately. Dane Yeah, exactly. Magnet Yeah. Same because here at our house we have a full blackout curtains. So we're not used to the sun waking up, but in the morning. So when you're going to Igbaras it's a bit hard because at 6 or 5 a.m., the sun is super up and the chickens are also loud. Tim Yeah. Dane Part of our kit in Igbaras kit is an eye mask. Because for sure, if you don't have an eye mask exam, you're going to be awake. Tim Yeah for sure. And it's funny because Igbaras is an is a south facing, cliff. So it gets shade. I guess it gets shade. Maybe a what around like ten, eleven now? Yeah, it's more of an afternoon crack. Dane Exactly. Also the reason why we love Igbaras. Because like if you compare it with, for example, Kiokong, it's the people are always climbing up the early morning. So you wake up at seven, which is not that, easy for us. So, you know, Igbaras if you wake up by then it's still okay. Dane So you can climb around 12, usually go to the crag at around lunchtime, and we stay up until five. So it's the perfect place to climb, perfect temps and perfect way to wake up because you're not, hurrying up. You're not hurrying. You just eat breakfast, chill at the Dayhag. Dane This is why it's the best ! Tim For sure! Shout outs to the, people who run the Dayhag site. Obviously really cool to have something like that for climbers. How is your guys's trip? I want to hear about Igbaras. Dane Basically, this is my payback to Magnet because she's been supporting me to Cantabaco for three trips to do the past two years and three long trips, like, more than I want a week. So this is supposed to be her send trip for Ben & Be. So we planned on going to Igbaras, September and December. Dane So September is where we were like just, an ocular trip. We call it an ocular trip to tie and see what needs to be trained. But fortunately she sent Ben & Be. So yeah, so we just decided to go with the trip this January. Like, a New Year break vacation for me, from work. And she decided to try another project, and yeah, she can tell you that story because she's the one who sent "Valak" another. Dane hard route in Igbaras. Tim Yeah, Magnet tell us about your journey on Ben & Be. So I guess context for the listeners. That's a 7c+ which for us Filipino Americans, is a 5.12c right? I think 5.13. Tim Yeah. Oh, is it 5.13? Yeah, I think so. Tim Oh, feels like 5.13. You know, when the weather shows, you like, you know, feels it's 70. How many is Fahrenheit? 70 Fahrenheit feels like 90 Fahrenheit. It's 7c+, but feels like 5.13a. But yeah, Magnet tell me about your experience working. Ben & Be. Magnet Yeah. So at the first time I tried it, it was the hardest, route that I've tried. So I tried it once after sending different project, and it felt doable. Hard, but doable. So I trained for it for a few months. Then, apparently I got injured, with my right hand. Yeah. So the next trip to Igbaras I can't do the hard move because it's on the right hand. So I just, I tried to connect it and learn all the other moves. Magnet Then the next trip, which is last September. Yeah, last September so it's my second trip there. I haven't tried it for a year because we went to Europe last year. So that was supposed to be an ocular climb to check if I can still do the moves, or I need to train more. So we had seven, I think eight days. Magnet So I tried every day for me for 4 to 5 times total. At first I said to myself that I don't know, this is just an ocular trip. No, I'm not trying to send, but middle of the trip. I really want to send that because it's possible. So up to the last minute, last day, I haven't sent it and I was, I was actually mad at Dane because we booked, we booked a fixed end date. It's just one week because in White Flower he booked I think a 20 day trip. Magnet I was really mad at that time because we should have a longer dates. Dane So I keep on telling her that this is just supposed to be a, ocular trip. Magnet So, yeah. Dane We planned this January to book a longer trip, like, not necessarily a month or two. But, we usually we try this once in Cantabaco right where we booked the flight going to Cebu. But we didn't book the return the plane. Right. So just you you don't have the deadline pressure on your project. So we are planning to do that by January. Dane So this trip. So I kept on telling her that this was our plan. I didn't plan on setting this up for only a week and, yeah, I keep on motivating her that you should be happy because you keep you keep on high pointing, you getting past the crux. So at least you're sure that you can stand it on January. Dane But you know, January is four months away. And she was acting out with me and George. So, the joke with me and George is, for example, because the trip was, a happy trip from the first day to the sixth day. But on the sixth day, she kept on high point, after the crux. Dane So we know that she can send anytime. Yes, from sixth day to eighth day. And she wasn't talking to any of us like George and myself. I just did it myself in the crag, talking nonsense like kids, like, because the crack always gets, rocks and, dirt. So, yeah. For example, when she's resting, she's sleeping. Dane George and I just sleeping on the rocks and talking about any other thing to keep our mind off Ben & Be. Tim And you're just, like, happy go lucky. It had a chill and vibe. Dane We were like kids talking about anything. Given that it was just the two of us and Magnet who was not talking to the both of us. Magnet Because it's easy to say that, oh, it's okay not to send, but when you're there, it's hard. It's hard not to think about that. I, I, I could, I could send this and I, so that next trip I'm doing, different thing. Dane Actually, that's the worst. Magnet That's why I was acting up. Dane Yeah, that's the worst. Dane I think that's the worst thing about projecting. I always like I keep telling this to our friends in Centro, like, we have a new climber, Martin. The one with us in the Danao with the with me. Mica. So there's this philosophy they'd have that you can send it on the next go or tenth session. Dane So you have that part in projecting where, you know, you're really, really close. But mentally you can go ten sessions with falling and falling at the same time. So I think that's the worst part in climbing. And she reached that part on the sixth day or a fifth or sixth day, because on the first four days you just working the route, working there, and then when she did, the sand goes it. Dane Was it because she kept on high point thing? That's why it's so hard to. Tim Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tim That sixth, the seventh is like yeah. That that must have felt so, like, damn. Well, I have to go for this now. And I only have, like, three more days. Yeah. Magnet Yeah, actually, when, during the last day. Because when you're trying a project, it's like you have you have in your mind that that, for example, the second try is the best try. So if you fail at that second try, you feel like, there's no more, there's nothing left. So that what that what happened? So what happened was on my second or third try, I fell to the last jug before the rest then. Magnet So I'm thinking, maybe I can't do it anymore. And it's already 4:00. But they say the last day. Yeah. Last day. Tim Oh, yeah. Dane That's 4:30 actually. Magnet So then after that, they said that maybe you can do one more try up to 5: 15 to 5:30 before you go down. So I tried my last goal. So it's the last go, best go and I sent it on that try. Tim Yo! That's awesome. Dane And she was actually asking me to take and retrieve the draws like on her last. Tim Like the second. Dane Yes, second to the last go, she was shouting or the first time I see her frustrated and shouting in the crag. Then maybe quiet for a minute. Then she told me, yeah, I'll just retrieve the draws. But George, the constant motivator, he's the best companion. Kept on shouting. No, there's still sun like, it's a bit setting already in Igbaras at around five. Dane But she, George kept on telling Magnet. No go down. No, no, George will retrieve it if she wants. And, just keep on resting, even for an hour. Tim Yeah. Wow. I know what that's like. And I'll clarify too. So 7c+ like you said, Dane and Magnet, this is actually 5.13a. I don't mean to mean that in the earlier comments you're actually saying it is 5.13a. Magnet Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tim Yes. Great. I, I remember it actually being was it, was it upgraded recently. Yeah it was. Dane It keeps on getting upgraded. This is a story for myself given that I also tried projecting Ben & Be, but it was so hard for me. So George, Magnet and Kuya Mac kept on telling me na maybe it's this style of climbing, like it's not my style, but, you know, I know a lot of people got Dane Got more trips on that than other route. So I confronted them like Gerwin, George, even George. Magnet ask them if it's really 7c+, because Kuya Mac graded it 7b+ because Kuya Mac was underestimating himself. Like he said when he FA'd, he thinks that maybe it's I'm not strong enough today. So he graded it 7b+. Dane And I asked him I think he tried it more than eight tries. For Kuya Mac that's not. Tim That's a lot. Dane So I ask you, why did you think it's a 7b or 7b+ then he just keeps, keeps on laughing. Then when when Gerwin tried it more than one trip. Joe tried it more than one trip. George more than one trip. Then when Magnet is doing it, and keeps on falling after the crux. That's the time I messaged them separately. Dane And all of them really thinks that it's more than 7c. So yeah, I'm the instigator of upgrading it. Even though, I don't have an opinion because I didn't send it, but I have I have receipts like I have receipts, I have messages. Dane From Gerwin, this. Dane Is from Joe and Message. But that message for George confirmed it personally. But they all think it's 7c+. Tim So you heard it here, guys. Dane has the receipts. Dane Yeah and and I keep on. Dane Telling them why, why, why why do not why do they why do they don't post it a 7c+. You know, it's it's I think you know the relationship chicken for the relationships. Maybe they, they just don't want to upgrade it publicly. Tim Yeah. Tim Yeah yeah yeah. Because we would be saying especially you know we would be saying agreement like we think this is like higher than the initial grade. And that's like that takes a level of bravery shout outs. Shoutout to Kuya Mackie. But you know we got to like you know speaking up is a thing. So yeah yeah that's it. Tim It takes a a level of courage to do that. But shout outs to you Dane, for being the instigator and not touching the rock. Magnet, did you feel like it was 5.13a? So I tried this route once, with the impression it was 7b and this was after I did Peanut Butter and Oreo and I was like, damn, this is hard! Tim You know, I dont think I made it to the chain actually. Dane It like Boyit it placed it. Then when he reached the anchor he told Kuya Mackie me I'm I'm going to retrieve this. Dane So just one go. Dane So Boyit, it is part of the one that wants to have a consensus upgrade. But we don't have an opinion because we don't. We didn't send it. But yeah, it was so hard for us, for the both of us. Tim You were just the facilitator. You're just the facilitator. Tim And facilitator of the upgrade. Tim But Magnet, what are your thoughts on the difficulty? Magnet Actually, that's what I'm saying to Dane that I can't, I can't say that I can upgrade that because before that my highest was 7b+. Then, I first sent Power and Pinesse, which is 8a. You and I haven't sent any 7c and 7c+. Magnet So. Magnet I said that I'm not in the postion to say if it's 7c/7c+ because I haven't sent any other routes that 7c/7c+.. So that's why I'm saying that I'll just follow what they said. Because to me the route is great. So, if even if they say if it's a 7b/7b+, it's a 7c/7c+. Magnet I actually don't care or I don't have to upgrade or downgraded. So, I'll just accept what the grade is because the route this really, beautiful. But, comparing it to the others routes that I have done. It's the hardest, maybe the hardest, thing that I projected. I'm not sure, because during we, during that, try to with Power and Finesse, we, we just came from Europe that time, and we train. Magnet We don't have any injuries. We train. So maybe we're just a bit, what happened at the at that time as compared to when tried Ben & Be. That's, that's the reason why we finish it earlier as compared to Ben & Be. But based on the, tries, the project being. I find Ben and be a bit harder for me. Dane So that. And. Yeah, Dane When talking about only the people that sent it, like Gerwin and George is comparing it to Django. Gerwin and George flashed Django. So it's 7c+ and they say it's significantly harder than Django and yet and and Joe compares it to "Super eight" right? Magnet which is around 7c+ also. So I have the receipts and they also have the the mindset like that comparing it to other routes. Dane So what you're Gerwin is saying either Django is not 7c+ or Ben & Be 7c+ or higher. Tim So yes, which will obviously say the latter. We're not going to say that. I said it. Dane Depends on them the senders. Tim Yeah right. Yeah. Right. Right right. Yeah I mean it's interesting right. Because so I've done Double or nothing, which is and that was my first 8a in the Philippines and I'm a boulder. So like it's it's pretty comparable to, comparable to Django in that it's a bottom crux. And then the rest of the climbing just you know, it's 11 to maybe high 11 types of climbing. Tim But the crux is at the bottom. And obviously Ben & Be like stylistically so different than than Django differently. You know what I mean? So style is style. The style. Dane The style matters Tim Probably a much more accurate descriptor of the route than the grade itself. Dane Yeah, exactly. Tim Yeah. But if I send or you send Django, it's clearly 5.13a. Dane Yeah. You I, me exactly. Tim Well nice job Magnet on Ben & Be. I also want to shout out actual Ben and Be, in Igbaras. Tim This is named. Tim After, the the couple in Igbaras. Shout outs to them are in Iloilo not Igbaras, I should say. And yeah, I guess before we talk about, like, specific climbs that you guys did over the years, you know, you both had really great years in terms of climbs that you've embarked on in the last year. And I'm excited to hear about your goals for the next. Tim But to first kind of get into your minds a bit and learn more about you, you know, how did you first get into climbing? Was it in the Philippines where you were on a trip? How did you get into it? Dane Yeah, initially we were mount, mountaineers, so not necessarily the crags. And when you're a mountaineer, you don't know what rock climbing is, actually. So you think at this at the same time and at it, you think it it's the same more or less than I know Alex Honnold already since 2008, because he free solo stuff and North Face like, you know, when you're a mountaineer, you buy North Face and you see the North Face athletes and you see Alex Honnold on YouTube. Dane So once we were browsing, when we were very, very tired as mountaineers, maybe around 2017, we were browsing, you know, random signal TV channels, and we came out every chance up on the Red Bull channel and saw Alex Honnold being interviewed. So we just kept on watching the show and there was this dude, Tommy Caldwell. So it was the Fitz Traverse, and it was the first time. Dane It was the first time I heard of rock climbing. And it's specificity. Like it's not just hiking up the highest mountain and there are ropes and you know, you free climb stuff. And then, that's the time that I got curious with who's this Tommy Caldwell. Caldwell man. Then I searched, about him and saw rock climbing. Then I just randomly invited Maagnet because Magnet Dane tried climbing in Tandang Sora, in 2009, but just one time, then, and I, I wanted to try it, too. So we were supposed to go to Tandang Sora, but I think that it was close by that time. Then we tried to go to CCM. Then when we were walking around BGC we noticed that there was a climbing wall in R.O.X. Dane So we tried it randomly that day and that's the beginning of it to get addicted after. And so it's just a random day. Random move, random is a random happenstance of watching Red bull TV, seeing the Fitz Traverse, searching about Tommy Caldwell, then climbing tomorrow, then after that, in. Tim Yeah. Magnet. Did you have a similar like were you also inspired by Tommy, or was there something else that pulled you to climbing? Magnet I actually don't remember watching that. Tim Yeah. Nice. Magnet But when we tried it in the CCM and in R.O.X, yeah, it was kind of addicting. We we me personally, I, I have it I can't do any routes by that time because, because others they can do routes on their first try. So even just doing a rainbow on one of the walls, I can't even finish the wall. Magnet So it's kind of like a challenge also. And that's why we we kept coming back. Tim You like the challenge aspect of it. Magnet Yeah, the challenge and that there is a goal that well the first goal is to finish the rainbow. For example, wall three. So was after that another goal. Another goal. Their goal. Yeah. That's why it's so addicting. Dane Nonstop. Dane Goals. Magnet Yeah. Tim Definitely. Yeah. It's it's one of the coolest things about climbing is there's, there's goals you can set and you can see your progress. It's almost like a video game, like you have a boss. Tim You know. Tim There's levels. Tim Yeah. That's them. Dane Yeah. Never ending video game. Tim Level up. Tim Yeah, yeah. Tim That's that's amazing. And I'm curious, you know, how is it? I mean, you both grew up in the Philippines. How to growing in the growing up in the Philippines shape your relationship with climbing? Like, did you did you guys travel to like, the Visayas, before being climbers, you mentioned your mountaineers. Yeah. I would love to hear, like, how, you know, if climbing brought you out to different places in the Philippines. Tim You're already just doing this already? Magnet Yeah, actually, before climbing, we used to travel a lot, so yeah. Then actually almost, mountaineering brought us to different places as well. But we also travel a lot, to visit, other places in the Philippines. And it actually stopped when you, when we started climbing. Dane Climbing stuff. Dane And everything. Yeah. Magnet Yeah. So our travels less and when we started climbing from 2017 up until pandemic, well, pandemic, we can't really travel and, travel and climb. Then after that, after the pandemic, that's when we resumed our travels. Yeah. Together with climbing. So we we can balance it now. Unlike before that, when we started climbing, we were just really addicted to climbing that we stopped traveling that much in. Magnet Yeah, in the Philippines. Dane Yeah. I think that's also the reason why it it was so, so easy for us to climb outdoors. Because the traveling we do before is not necessarily just traveling to the usual places like we do backpacking. Like six day trips, like we went to SOCCSKSARGEN and, went place by place, travel adventures like that and going to the remote, remote areas. Dane So it became easy, like living in day hag is a comfort as compared to the, the, the places that we've slept before. So, yeah, I think it also solidified, our relationship with the communities. The local communities. Yeah. Dane And and the time. Tim Oh, sorry. Dane Go ahead. Yeah. That's also the thing. I think the reason why it was easy for us to, to navigate living in the rural areas where the crags are. Tim Because of your backpacking experience, which, what was the place you mentioned that you did a six day book, did a six day backpacking trip in. Magnet It's it's in Mindanao. Dane In the Mindinao Tim Oh, it's in Mindanao. So is that a thing like that specific six day thing? Dane No. Dane Magnet just invented it.. Yeah. Magnet is crazy. Like, for example, if you. If you want to go to a beach, she goes to Google Earth and checks if there's a white sand, for example, in Luzon, then in Pangasinan and in Pangasinan, and she sees a white strip of beach, she'll check check it out. And if there's, a road access to it, that's that's the that's how she checks where to go. Dane Not necessarily just on the internet. So that SOCCSKSARGEN trip was was her concoction to her mind like going from, Sarangani to General Santos to, Lake Holon and other stuff. And that's there's a certain part of Mindanao. Yeah. She's crazy and I just Dane follow. Tim Yeah. Tim That's cool. That's very, very cool. Do you guys have a, favorite place you've traveled to for climbing? Magnet For climbing? Me personally, my favorite places is Igbaras. Dane Yeah. For me it's Cantabaco, I, I, I say it before like Igbaras I think just to be cool because it's a cooler crag. But honestly, when I'm in an area, if I, I'm just at home there, so I, I don't deny it anymore. Before I try to deny it because it's the obvious choice. But you know. Tim Yeah, yeah. Dane It's great. It's small and slabby and, it does not compare to Igbaras for my mind, I think. So maybe Igbaras is one b but for me it's area five Tim Wow. And magnet. Why, bakit Igbaras? Why is that your favorite? Magnet Well, personally, I don't like tufas. So I'm scared of tufas and falling. Yeah. In a in, I like a bit of an overhang so that when you fall, it's clear. So that's, that's the first, reason why I love Igbaras. For example, in Kiokong I'm not that I'm not that used to say, even if you're 20m high, you're going to think if you're gonna, if you're going to fall, you're going to hit the tufas. Magnet So, it's just makes me more anxious when climbing. So in Igbaras I don't feel that because once you're up there, even if you fall, it's it's really clear. So I don't have to think if, if if the rope is, it's not in the right position. So less or less anxious when climbing. Tim Yeah. Magnet Yeah. And the holds and the holds are great because the footholds, it's not, slippery like in, like in Cantabaco. So yeah, that's why I like Igbaras. Tim Yeah, I like overhangs too. I have, you know, and I understand that, for me is someone who climbs less on tufas when I'm climbing vert, you know, I don't want to get short roped in, like, hit the wall. You know what? I mean? I want to trust my belayer, of course, but I also trust the overhang and the space that I fall into as well. Tim I, I think I like Igbaras a lot because it's so quiet. You know, there are roosters, but there's not as maybe there's not as many compared to, like, Cantabaco. Dane Yeah, in Cantabaco it will wake you up at 3 a.m. for sure. Magnet I hate the chickens there. Tim Yeah, and I like I love the habal-habal ride from, you know, Igbaras town center to dayhag. It's so fucking. It's beautiful. It's it's like you're just seeing, like a Kuya carrying a backpack, you know, a lot of banaue and rice terraces and carabao. It's just so, so. Tim Cool and so cool. Tim Yeah. I'm, you know, I guess I'm curious how how do you think about, like, your definition of home? You know, you both travel the world a lot, and. But you're based in Manila, and you travel for climbing, you know, has have you feel like have you felt like your idea or concept of home has evolved throughout the years? Dane Yeah, I think so. Especially with the communities. Like everywhere Magnet goes is my home. So I just follow her. And for example, in every crag that you go, there's a community that will help you like this. Not just a cliche, but the communities are great, like the, Cebu community or always is there when I project White Flower since 2023, like the and the others like when the. Dane I don't know how they know that we're going there, but maybe from Ateh Glinda or sometimes I messaged Lou and instantly they're they're supporting every weekend. I am not asking this, they're just there every time. It's it's one of the jokes Lilay and I have is that she already has thousands of photo me in White Flower because she's always there and when you go to Igbaras like Jo always comes when we Magnet and I are there. Dane So when he when Kuya Mackie most likely mentioned to her that we were we will be there. She'll she's also there as well. Projecting is not necessarily on the same sectors of the crag, but just somebody or somebody from the local community helping you out or supporting in the project. Yeah. It makes you feel easier leaving Manila. Tim Yeah. Dane And the same as when you guys are in the same in the Mindanao, like Arjun and Nik before. Tim Tim Cool. Yeah. Shout outs to Arjun and Nik in Danao. I've yet to meet them too, but I'm excited to travel there. I want to shout out Sean as well. He had. Tim Shot. Tim Yeah, he had shuttled both you, both me and my fiance and our friends. And also you. Tim Guys. Tim As well. Sean, that pogi boy that pogi boy. Dane Baby boy in Iloilo. Tim Yeah. What's going on in his mind? We don't know. Tim If we find out. We don't really know. Dane He's he's always smiling, though. Like before the first time we met Sean around 2022. He's just very serious. At least he's smiling now. We can joke about the people that has crushes on him, and he smiles before, you don't know. Tim I know he's opening up. Tim He's get it. Tim He did an episode with us. I mean, that's huge. Dane And I do an interview. Exactly. That's what it's an interview like. Yeah. Good luck. Good luck to you. Congrats to Tim having Sean talk for an hour and a half. Magnet Yes. Tim It's funny, but when we hung out with him, sa fish port, we, as in me and Kayla and, who else was there? Sean. Andre and Anna. Kayla. Sabi si Kayla, she asked Sean "Sean are you usually the you usually the tallest guy in the group? And he does this, like. Tim Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tim I was like, nice. Kayla got him in the laugh. They're just feeding that day. Okay. So, you know, I guess more, on, I guess earnest note like, you guys strike me as very, very motivated climbers, like, always posting your progress, always pushing on your projects. And I'm curious, like, what keeps you motivated throughout the days? Tim You know, you both had, like, really great years as climbers. I know when I'm in the Philippines, I come in flying with motivation. Tim And then. Tim I arrive and it's hot and I'm like. Tim Okay, I just. Tim Want to go surf and like, hang out tambay at the beach. How do you, you maybe we'll start with you Magnet first. How do you find yourself, staying motivated? Magnet Actually, it's hard to to stay motivated when you're climbing for so long. So the hardest part is the training, here in Manila, because, after the pandemic, we climb maybe eight, eight. We have eight rock trips in 2022, and that's a lot. But now we just have maybe every quarter. So 3 to 4 climbs. So, outside that, that those climbing trips, you're just in the gym. Magnet So you're training for three, four months or maybe two months and two months resting. And it's hard to keep me motivated. So, I really, book outdoor trips in advance so that I'm motivated here in Manila to train. Because if you don't have anything to look forward to, it's a bit hard. Like sometimes I'm asking, why am I? Magnet Why am I training? Tim Training? Magnet Why is this? What's this for? So I need to really book, an outdoor trip, three, four months in advance so that it really keeps me motivated to train and go to the gym and climb because I feel like climbing for seven years. You really need to find something that keeps you motivated because, yeah, it's hard. Magnet It's a bit hard. Tim Yeah. What about you, Dane? Dane I think the same. Like when she books a trip. That's the main push for training. And. Yeah, maybe you just keep, like, keeping, thinking about not going back to day one. So that is what I always keep on telling my friends. Like, the hard thing about climbing is when you start for two weeks, it's like you're about days Dane zero. So just not. Yeah, I just don't want to go back to that part again. Oh. So like for example, climbing without endurance or climbing without fingers strength then. Yes, the outdoor the outdoor trips most like, most especially those are the main motivators to train in Centro most specifically. For example, if because there are times that where we've completed almost everything in Centro and it gets monotonous. Dane So having an outdoor trip can make that easier to that commute to Centro and climbing for four hours every there every week day, three times a week. Tim Yeah. Magnet Yeah, yeah, yeah, they definitely, well, I can say that it's really more fun to climb outdoors for us, as compared to indoor. So that's really the goal. And then setting, for example, mini goals for a trip, for example, what you said, what's the goal for this year? Not specifically. You need to do it, but I have something to look forward to. Dane Exactly, exactly. Dane And this is not necessarily just sending the routes like, I think this, given that we're a serial project, there's and I'm not sure if there are any, any other people with that kind of mindset in the Philippines because sending is important that I know that. But for example, even just moving on a route connecting one of your hard projects, I think that's a win for me. Dane So yeah, leaving a trip without a send like, for example, like what Micha told you on her episode with Clinton and Martin, like, they didn't send anything, but they were on the anchor. I think that's a win. You can you should consider that as a win, because if not, you're just going to go crazy. Like going on outdoor trips without sends should be you should be, common is a common occurrence. Dane I think you should set goals, and outside of just sending the route like, if you connect the route, take it as a win. When you high point out a route, take it as a win. And. Yeah, I think it's just crazy hard if you just motivate yourself by just the sends but yeah. Tim Yeah tama, I agree. I think also if you have just a sending mentality, you will never try routes that you can't. Dane Yeah exactly. Exactly. Tim And and therefore you won't be able to know what you're capable and which is really what climbing for me I that's like one of my favorite things about climbing is discovering. Dane I understand other people are not fond of projecting like the Japanese friend we have, Koji. He doesn't like to project, but he's so strong. Like he or he have onsighted 5.14. But his highest grade is. Wow. Yeah, yeah, he has the highest. His highest onsighted is 8b+. But his highest grade as I remember it's just 8c because he told Kuya Mackie and us that after five tries he just can't keep it mentally. Dane He doesn't like the projecting process. So what I told earlier I think more is for the project in climber because like for example, Kuya Maman is an onsight climber. He doesn't know what his highest grade is, but he knows his highest onsight. So if you're that type of climber, that's easy to be motivated because you just need to find the route that you want onsight. Dane But if you want to project hard on your limit, I think that's one of the main lessons that we've learned, is that not all of the routes you can send, like my my first coach is Daboy and, Daboy. Yeah. Daboy, and when we, when we go usually to trips and I don't send and he always say to us, "Hindi araw araw pasko!" Dane So that's our mentality. And we don't send we just like like for example, when they Magnet didn't send Ben & Be the last year, George keeps on telling, "Hindi araw araw pasko." So you just you just you just need to have, take small wins and, yeah, take that with you. Not necessarily just the sends. Tim Yeah, I agree, I agree. It's, for me is like a serial projector to it, there is a lot of value, actually, in having just onsight days. And I find that then, like, when I was at the Red River Gorge in November. Magnet, I also had a last day, last go moment which was incredible. Tim It was like crazy. I, I'm also a second go, best go kind of climber. So when Tim I fumbled. Tim On the second car, I was like. Tim Fuck yeah, this is my last day. This day I left my friends. Tim I like all my friends to climb with this white guy who was a great guy. But I was like, you know, let's go. We're doing this. But that first week at the Red, I had two weeks there. I decided that that first week would just be onsight or just, you know, climbing for fun with my friends. Tim And then I would project shop "pasyal, pasyal" until I found something that really I was drawn towards, that I can try to close out before the second week. So, you know, I think it's maybe you guys. I'm curious like, do you ever find yourself in phases or do you ever do volume days, onsight days, or, is it really like when you're at the crag strictly for projecting? Dane You want to answer that first or me? Magnet Yeah. Mostly we just do projects because as Dane always says, in Central in Manila we do volumes. We do training, we do a lot of routes , we so when we go out, when we go outdoors, we want a project because, we're doing a lot in Manila already. But there are times that me I want to also do volume climbs. Magnet So, when Dane was projecting in Cantabaco. I don't want to project as well. I said to Dane that maybe projecting one time, one crag, one person, one crag at the time is better. So that, only one is a crazy person. Tim Yeah. That's really interesting. Dane Yeah. Magnet Yes. So, Cantabaco is his crag so, when he's projecting there I'll just do volume climbs whenever he's not. Yeah. Whenever he's not climbing or he can belay me then. Dane In Igbaras. Magnet Yeah in Igbaras. Magnet It's for me. So in Igbaras when I project and Dane doesn't do much when he's in Igbaras. Dane So in September the time that I did quantity climbs on the lower seven grades and I. Yeah. Yeah because I don't want to get you know, I don't want to enter her mind if I project at the same time as her. It's two crazy people in one crag. So one needs, you know. Yeah, one needs to be the motivator. Dane Like, for example, when I was doing White Flower. I sort of got injured on my first try. I almost sent it literally on my first day. But after that first try, my ring finger got so swollen that I was so miserable for four days resting it. Imagine if both of us were miserable. If for four days nothing, then nothing will be done. Dane Yeah, exactly. Tim In Canta? Dane Yeah, in Cantabaco yeah. So, that's also the same reason when she was doing Ben & Be she was not talking to George and myself. But, you know, you need to keep her motivated still. So, if I'm projecting and close to sending as well, both of us won't be talking to each other and most likely won't be sending anything. Dane So yeah, we just got this new agreement that Igbaras is her crag, then Cantabaco is my crag. In Igbaras I'll just do random stuff or for example, I try to project shop as well, but not, you know, not to not invest my time in sending something to have the mentality of, you know, not motivating anymore. So yeah, just so basically it's one crazy person at that time. Tim That's funny. I you need to have one person, going pouring their heart out. Exactly. Going through all the emotions. And you need the other person to be like, "hindi araw araw pasko!" Tim Yeah. Yes. Tim Yeah. Yeah, I, I don't know of any other couples who do that. I feel like every climbing couple I've climbed with. Maybe they do implicitly, but there's no I like that you guys have a it's like an explicit norm or agreement with you two like, yes, we know that this is what works for the both of us. We know this is what helps us both have a good time. Tim But, you know, as I think about it, naturally the couples that I meet, one person is actually projecting, the other is emotionally supporting. Heckling and drinking a beer and having fun and chatting with them. So I love that, Dane And we're stuck with each other given that nobody usually comes with our long term long trips, like they come with us for two days, three days. So, if we are going like, for example, in the Cantabaco we were there for three weeks. So we should be getting along for three weeks belaying each other because a lot of couples fight for belaying, like for example, how far from time to time Magnet gets annoyed with my belaying or my beta spraying. Dane But I get I maybe I get annoyed with her, but I don't tell her to. So yeah, we keep that to a minimum. You know, arguing a lot during the projecting process. So I think that's a good solution for that one. Only one person gets to be emotional and gets to be motivated on sending, and the one is the motivator. Tim Tim I love that that that really works. Really sounds like it works for your for you guys. And being both of you being serial project. Yeah, yeah. I'm curious, you know, how has your perspective on climbing changed over time? You know, you I feel like project has it has a lot to teach you. You know, it teaches you a lot about yourself and how you manage, fear and anxiety and and growth really, I almost think of projecting is, you know, it's it's basically like a, not a war with yourself, but it's like a conversation with yourself where, okay, I'm putting myself through this thing that's incredibly difficult for no reason other. Tim Than seeing if I can do this and like my Tim Friends are here to support me and see it through. And, you know, this grade is made up like it's someone else who made it. Dane Yeah, it's arbitrary. Tim It's just a rock like a rock doesn't care. But I'm doing this, you know? How how have you thought about, like, how your relationship or your thoughts on climbing have changed over the years? Dane And I think the, the things that we mentioned to you earlier are, are the, the ones that have changed, like before. I remember starting it was just like more on quantity, like, I think I think that's it with our generation, not necessarily Kuya Mackie's or all the other's generation. In our generation, when you see climbers, usually it's like quantity climbs. Dane And, not a lot of failures, I think. So I think the main change that that happened to me after the pandemic is to accept failure, because before it's it's all about the sense that maybe it's just me or noticing other people. So the send is the main motivator before. So, I think accepting failure on routes and on trips necessarily, like not sending anything like that's the main change that happened to me accepting that it's possible, like before, in 2022, every trip we had, we had one goal to send, send this and send this and this. Dane But you know, when you keep on pushing and pushing, it's not it's not going to happen every time. So and the initial part, like we were into projecting things that are harder for us. It was so hard for me like, oh, "Why can't I send it on one trip?" Yeah. So over time, you gradually accept that you cannot send everything. Dane That's why we have I have that mentality of focusing on smaller goals. So that you don't go crazy in rock climbing, especially when you're a serial projecter like us. Tim Ikaw Magnet. Tim What would you add to that? Magnet Maybe on our recent trip, I realized na, Parang I'm thinking back, on Ben & Be and Valak. And then I was thinking that parang how did I do that? Parang but that's the that's the thing that I picked up from climbing recently. Na parang you can really push yourself even if, if, even if you, you're, you're thinking that you can't do it anymore, but, you just keep pushing. Magnet So I was thinking, how did I do that? Because if I'm thinking it right now, I am thinking that I, I can't, I can't I can't I, I can't remember how I, I'm able to handle that pressure of the last, last, last go best goes. They said that it's the best feeling, the last go, best go. Magnet But technically, I really don't want to have that if if I have that choice. But you keep on repeating that. So parang there is something that you get from every from every trip, from every attempt, na that it will just that you will just, it will help you grow the, I don't know, mentally, emotionally. So parang it's just a cycle. Magnet I felt that when, during, Ben & Be I was doing Valak and I was, not sending on the fourth day. I'm thinking, I'm here again. I'm really frustrated, but I like it, I like it, but I hate it at the same time. Dane Tim, you know the meme of Obi-Wan Kenobi? Tim Which one? Dane"You have done that yourself". So yeah. You have done that yourself. So, yeah, that's the time when Anakin Dane I was saying. All of these things that I, Obi-Wan replied with, you have done that yourself. Magnet It's hard. It's always. Dane Our mantra. Yeah. Dane Yeah, yeah. Magnet It's hard to explain that. Parang, you want to keep pushing, but you don't want to. But in the end, you parang you're glad that you push yourself. So the next time, I've learned something, but on the next try, well, I did, I learned something? Because I'm still here and I'm still thinking about it. Dane But, you know, I think the great thing about that part of rock climbing is if it's the release after your last go is so comforting. So, not necessarily just sending like. Dane For example, like with Dane The first trip Magnet took on Ben & Be during the day of her last goes. She was she was so nervous and she was so but she was, you know, she was trapped on that projecting process. But after the last try, the last possible try, I think that's around 5:30 p.m. as well. And when she fell after the crux, she said that it was like, a comforting release because you know, that you haven't sent it and yet you'll be going home already. Dane So I think that pressure just comes because you're really close to the deadline. But after the deadline, I think that's one of the things that changed between the both of us, because that's that's also what I felt for other projects is after the last that I even if you fail. But if you give everything, there's just this release of comfort. Dane Okay, okay, let's go home. And, you know. Tim I gave it all. Dane Yeah, I gave it all. Yeah. Tim Yeah. So I get the, Tim Yeah, you go ahead. Magnet And you're still happy, even if you didn't. Dane Exactly. Magnet Knowing you tried your best. Tim Tim So you're saying the you felt more, relieved after your go. Dane Yeah. Exactly Tim Where you fell after the crux. Sorry. Well, I forgot exactly where you fell but basically, like, at your high point, you felt actually relieved. Magnet Yeah. On the first, on the first trip, when I didn't send it, on the last go, after I fell, it's just a relief that. Okay, I'm not going to try it anymore. Maybe next time. Tim Oh after that first trip. Magnet On the first trip, but on the on the, on the last trip, on the, second, second to the last go. No, it's not a race. Tim Yeah. Tim Definitely not. It's not more stressed. Magnet Yeah, I'm more stressed. Actually, I, I am angry at that time. When I did what I did my last try, but, George, the one that we were with, he always says that it only happens when it doesn't matter. Well, sometimes it's, you know, well, it it really matters in your brain, but, maybe the last, the last ride, there's a, a small part in me saying that, maybe it's it's not really this trip. Magnet I'll just go next trip. Maybe that's the reason why. Sort of a release a release of a little bit of pressure. That's why. Dane It relaxes your body. Magnet Yeah, it relaxed my body during the last go, best go. Maybe it really didn't matter. Dane We have a lot of things in our group like that George it only happened... Like, for example, when Clinton was projecting Powder. We always say that, like, because he was kept on falling on the last part, like, that's what George always say., "it only happens if it doesn't matter." So basically, if you don't think about it too much. Dane Yeah, that's the time that you're gonna do it. Tim Yeah. Definitely. I, on my last go on my project, I feel like this happens to me a lot. Maybe you guys can relate. Basically, after my second go, which is like, you Magnet best go didn't go. I was, like, very nervous at the top. So thinking about it to your point, then I was overthinking it. Tim I like, took a walk, gathered, just took a breath and then, like, fully accepted the fact that or the fully accepted the possibility of flying home without a send. I was like, oh yeah, I'm like attaching way too much to having a report card where I can go back home and say to people. Dane Exactly. Tim And then I was like, what if that didn't happen? And then I was like, that's totally fine. Why? I started to feel like a lot better. And then I was just ready to go for my last go. And that's when it went. Tim Yeah. Tim And I feel like that is the experience. Like, maybe you guys have felt that similar experience doing, like, the same. Yeah. Like George is saying, it's the last. It'll happen when it doesn't matter. Yeah. And I also have that, go ahead. Magnet Sorry just to add to your question, also, maybe that's, one of the main. What do you call that main, learnings for us recently. Is that it really doesn't matter in a sense that it's just a small part of your life. So it's it's not that we're not professional climbers like to them, it's their job. Magnet They really need to have something during their trips. But to us, yeah. Tim Wait, Magnet I thought you're a professional climber. Magnet Oh, yeah. Magnet Professional. Magnet I'm a pro slash hobbyist Dane Sponsored athlete. Tim Magnet Yeah. So if parang, we realize that it's, it's just really a hobby for us. So if you don't send it, it really it's just a small part of your life. So that's the one thing that we, we learned just recently because when we're addicted to climbing, when we started just what Dane said, we were scared to go back to step one. Magnet So it's it's hard. But when we, when we, took that break, the two months break, when we went traveling, I think we really went back to square one. But it's fine because we realized that you can you can gain that back because you already have the experience, the technique. So you just need to push a little bit harder to get back that endurance. Magnet And so it's not scary for us anymore to stop climbing, stop climbing and go back after a few months because, it actually, it's actually beneficial for us. For us in the past year because, all of our injuries, got to be healed. So we were better climbers even after we stopped climbing. So that's the biggest learning for me last year actually. Dane And that's why I Dane Think you have that mentality of I just came from a break. And if you know, you don't have that pressure to send given that yeah, that's compared to I have a I have trained already for two years, but it's still so hard for me. Maybe that mental pressure releasing because you just took a two month break, then then not knowing, you know, just not pressuring yourself to send anything, makes it happen again. Tim Yeah, yeah. That's amazing. I think that makes a lot of sense. And we, we definitely kind of burn ourselves out. Tim Like. Tim It's maybe, like, you guys are the same. Like, I very much will do the thing to get to the goal. And I won't, like, actually take a break. And until it's forced. And so when you take time off, you actually, like, forced yourself not to climb, and then you find yourself doing it and realizing, actually, I didn't really lose much. Tim I still have the skills. It's really easy to build back endurance. And, I feel psyched, like I feel motivated. Dane Exactly. Tim Mentally clear. Do you find yourself. I guess I'm curious to that end. Like, what do you what do you guys like to do outside of climbing? What what are some other things that allow you to come back to it? Feeling refreshed? Dane The traveling. Magnet Part. Yeah, it's traveling because there's, when we do travel, we don't. There's zero climbing, actually, except when we're in Tokyo, because. Dane There's BPUMP Magnet The gyms. But I yeah, aside from that, when we're traveling, to other countries or even here in, the Philippines, we don't feel climb. So it's a different part. Dane Of our lives. Magnet Yeah, of our lives that really just what you said refreshed you to climbing. So, for me, it's it's it's it's, generally traveling outside pleasure. Dane And like, a lot of people kept on messaging us, like, for example, when we were in Switzerland or in Italy. Where they are, you know, suggesting places that you could climb here, you can climb here. You suddenly think, now, is that the priority? Like, for example, the main reasons why we didn't climb on that two month trip is what if we get injured? Dane And we were we were still have the trip and there's a lot of hikes on that trip. Like if you get, for example, if you lead climb and you break your ankle and falling, just a random climbing accident, you're not going to hike to the, rolling hills of Patagonia, which is I think is the priority back then. Dane And. Yeah, yeah. So that's the time that we realize that. Okay, climbing did really take a lot of our time and, you know, stop everything that we were doing before it. And going back traveling made us realize that that is not the main priority, actually. So, like sightseeing and going to stuff, going to, you know, going to the usual destinations is more important than just climbing and, and, and the days that you spend, like, for example, you're going to spend a lot of time and money in Switzerland just to go to a crag for three days like that, that three days could be spent on other stuff, like because it's our first time in Dane Switzerland and yeah, that will be the priority. Like instead of just climbing. And I think that also took a good toll in our brains, in our mental capacity, that it wasn't that serious and it wasn't that important, really in the, in our lives. And maybe that help as well, to relieve you of the pressure of just doing, like doing and setting the goals for climbing. Tim Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tim That's clear. Tim No no no that's clear. I'm hearing you say that, actually when you're traveling, you prioritize being in the place as opposed to. Dane Exactly. Yeah. Exactly. Tim When, for example, like I'm in Switzerland for the first time, is there a, you know, you guys have traveled to a lot of countries. Was there a specific place you've been to that surprised you? Not for the climbing, but for the people or the food or the the vibe or the community that you've, you got to meet. Tim What's the one place that, like, really pleasantly surprised you that you've been to? Dane Who me? Tim I'm, Sorry. Tim I mean, okay. Magnet I'll go first. Yeah. Me? Oh, the. I think my favorite part, last year, is going to Peru because, the the culture and the, the culture there is just different from, it's it's like different and same. It's same and different at the same time. It's like that. It's like it's it's all the different parts of the world. Magnet They have different cultures, but it's a bit same. There's like same thing but different. It's same because there are things that the same with the Philippines that you're thinking it's on the other part of the world, but it's same. Tim Yeah, totally. Magnet They have sari-sari. Yeah. They have sari-sari store because in other countries like in Europe you don't have the sari-sari store where they hang Magnet The "tingin-tingin" you hang the shampoos and stuff. When we're there it's like the Philippines. Magnet Yes! Dane There's signages in the back on the vans. It's basically like Recto. Magnet Yeah it's it's the Jeep the Jeepneys that it's like the same. But their culture is different but it looks the same. So it's just interesting to me to see that time that that country so different but at the same time feels the very same to me. Tim Did people recognize you as Filipinos like in South America? I find that I, that people actually don't. It's not that first guess like, oh. Magnet Yeah. Yeah. Tim Are you Thai are Chinese or you know what I mean? Magnet Yeah, yeah. And they always said that, oh, there is not a lot of Filipinos going here. So it's not their first, first. Yes. And yeah, first guess when they're, when they're guessing. But maybe we look a bit like, we look a bit like them, but they are. They can't guess it that we're Filipinos. Tim Yeah. Dane Usually tayo kami lang. Tim Do we, do we not travel there because it's same same but different, different? Magnet I think they don't travel there Magnet There because it's far. Dane Yeah, I think it's just far. Magnet Because the flight is expensive Dane Like it's very expensive. Dane If you're coming from the Philippines. Tim Yeah. It gets. I thought you would say like, it's because it's not like Europe, but. No, it's just because of the flights long. That makes sense. Wow. Well, it's great that you you both travel a lot, and try to have a balanced life outside of climbing. You know, you're both living in Manila, but also traveling for climbing and setting goals for the year. Tim What are some of your goals for for this 2026? Dane Maybe just, as what Magnet always says, be consistent climbers 5.13 climbers, basically. So given that this is our first go on the 5.13 grade. I mean, the first sense actually, because we have been trying 5.13 since 2023. So just to be consistent and not take two years or one year and doing harder stuff. Dane Yeah. Dane And yeah, we I be personally I have routes that I want to send in the future. But for 2026 just basically be consistent on the 5.13 grade. Yeah. How about you? Magnet Same just to be consistent and lesser attempts Dane Lesser days and attempts Magnet On all those grades. Tim Yes. Magnet So I, I'm, I'm thinking if, for example, I want to push a harder grade than the last send, but maybe not this year. So just be consistent. Tim Yeah, yeah. Like being able to send at your hardest in less sessions. Tim Yeah. My first 13. So in the Philippines, I mentioned to you, "Double or Nothing", I just did in two sessions is my first 8a, obviously my, my, my mayabang ass was like, yeah, I can send 5.13b. So, I come back to the states. We go to my local, give me the hardest thing at the crag. Tim Like, I got this. I go to my local crack in LA, and, the 13b there took me 18 sessions and I was like, I it taught me so much about, like, how do you eat, how to actually session efficiently, you know, how to get the most out of it when you're sport projecting. And, you know, now I'm excited to have the same mentality that you have of like, you know, probably not probably trying to do 5.13b but trying to do a 13a or even 12d, 12c and in like less sessions. Tim So I think that's such a, that's such a great goal to have. You know, I guess thinking about like the listeners and other, Filipinos both we're both, back home and also diaspora who are super motivated to, to push their grades. What advice or words of wisdom would you give to other motivated Filipino climbers? Dane Yeah, I think the same like create goals not just the sends because as a as what I always say that, the, the best part in project is unlocking the moves. So if you don't take that as a goal, then you won't take anything home with you. So, for example, I tried Engagement. That's my main goal this January, just to connect it, just toconnect. Some people connecting Dane It's not it's not sufficient. Like I got teased a lot because because I connected a route and I was so happy and somebody teased me. "So connecting is an achievement?" Dane Yeah. For me. Tim Yeah. Yeah it is. Tim Yeah. So totally. Dane Even if you go bolt to bolt or just connecting section by sections and having the this goal is like. For example, the first part thing Engagement that's why I'm so happy with this trip. The first part of engagement I couldn't do that three years ago. Like all of the moves from that second bolt to the third bolt I can't do any move. Dane So my main goal is to check if I even improved. And on my initial goal, I didn't improve that much. So it was so heartbreaking. But at the same time, when I allotted a full try just on that section and I was able to unlock it. I was so happy, like, the happiness that I felt was so much more than just sending the, the usual quantity routes. Dane So having those kinds of small wins and small objectives will help you push your grade, I think. So, I think like that. Tim Yeah. You know, before I go to you Magnet, I, I also want to shout out that you posting that Dane the connect on Engagement. That's really cool to celebrate. When I made the, when I made a meaningful link on Power and Pinesse, I posted it on Instagram and I'm like, yeah, we should normalize. Yeah. Posting links on Instagram. Tim You know, because that, that just that, just that just normalizes the fact that like, it's not just to send. Dane A small win. Tim A meaningful link, you know, a sequence like that's also awesome. Dane But not like every progress. Like, for example, even just counting your falls. Like, for example, after you're connected and you tried to progress on the route like connecting at four tries for at four falls, three falls to first one hang is is so much, so, so much fun for me. Like, I'm not sure if if other people are like that as well because for example, there's a route that you know, you won't be sending on this trip, so you have to count every progress. Dane You have to count every progress that you do, like every high point. And, like I, I'm not sure if other people also count the falls like the fall progress. I think that's very important for me. Like, for example, for when I was projecting White Flower on 2023, I didn't think that I was. I will be that close on sending that thing before because I was falling like six, six times on the first day. Dane But, you know, it gets lesser and lesser and lesser as you try. Dane And. Dane People usually disregard that. I'm not sure. I'm not sure actually. But for me that that's a main motivator for myself that the small progress, the small wins. Tim Yeah, definitely. I think, a lot of I do think a lot of sport climbers I've met who do who do take this seriously like they definitely count the hangs. Dane Yeah, yeah, Tim Like from 4 to 3 to 2 to 1 or even for top crux sport climbs. You know, there's one I'm working on in in Las Vegas, for example, called The Gift. Tim And most people will try to do the crux is at the top. Most people will actually try to low point it. So you know, after being able to do the crux from the highest draw, can you do it from the fourth draw, then the third draw, then the second? That's also an effective approach to not only seeing your own progress, but to actually putting together a route quickly with a top crux. Tim But Magnet, I'm curious, you know, what words would you say to any motivated Filipino climbers? Magnet Yeah. Maybe, to find enjoyment in the little things and projecting and the find the finding the soft spot, the right spot of putting enough pressure on climbing. Because you really do need to pressure yourself to, to, to push, to push your grades, to push hard, but not too much pressure that you will crazy or you'll be sad in climbing because as I've said, we're really just hobbyist. Magnet So the main, the main reason why we did climbing is because it's fun. So we need to remind ourselves that it's we're doing this to have fun. But if it's not fun for you anymore to to do this project, maybe you need to just step, to step back, do something else so that it will be fun again. Because it's it's hard to do. Magnet It's hard to climb if you're not really having fun. So you need to. Tim Yeah. Magnet Know that that certain spot, to put in enough pressure that it's still fun, but you're going to still push hard. So, it's hard to say that also on how to do that for other climbers because you really need to experience it. So yeah, just maybe having an open mind when projecting and remembering those things so that it's it will still be fun for you. Magnet So maybe that's. Yeah. Tim Yeah, I love that. So finding joy in the in the process and in the small. Tim Tim Yeah that's great. So I have one last thing for you guys and then, we can call it a wrap. I have like five quick questions that I want to ask you. And don't overthink it. Just just answer the question. And, it'll be fun. And then. And then the last question I have for you is, who would you know? Tim Who do you want to shout out? That'll be the last question. But I have five quickfire questions. Are you guys ready? Dane Yeah. Who's gonna ask first? Dane Magnet you go first. Tim Magnet. Answer first. Yeah, if you want. Or who wants to answer first? Dane Magnetic Magnet. Tim Okay, okay. All right. So question number one what's your favorite food at the crag? Magnet Oh no I don't eat at the crag. Tim Nothing okay. Magnet Nothing. Dane Yeah. Maybe the egg. Yeah. You eat okay. Boiled eggs I think that boiled. Yeah. Well, then. Tim But okay. One gear item thing you can't travel without? Magnet Dane Yeah. The Edelrid Ohm. Tim Oh The Ohm? Dane It balances our weight. Dane Yeah, yeah, it makes sure that I can climb. Magnet I'm not comfortable belaying Dane if there's no Ohm in it. Magnet I'm not a good belayer. Dane Yeah Dane Yeah, yeah, that's also the reason why. Because The Ohm balances are weight, and I make sure I always make sure that it's in our pack that I even forgot my Grigri last trip. Dane But the ohm is in our pack. Tim Oh my god Dane it's only in Igbaras Dane That I realize, oh fuck, I forgot the Grigri at home, but not the ohm. Tim What? Tim What's worse, when you're projecting, maingay roosters or a Tita singing karaoke off tune? Magnet Roosters. Tim Loud Roosters. Roosters are worse. Okay. Dane Oh, for me it's singing. Tim Singing? Dane Singing, because we experienced that in Igbaras the budots at 12:30AM. Tim Wait, really? Yeah, I never heard budots in Igbaras. Dane Yeah, yeah, yeah. So somewhere far Magnet Because it's after New Year. Dane Yeah it's after New Year's. So we give them a pass. Tim Dang it. Okay. Tim What climb you regret trying? Dane Regret trying. Magnet Good question. I can't think of any. Tim Or a climb you didn't love. Sorry, Kuya Mackie if it's one of yours, but yeah. Dane I have one. Tim Let's hear it. Dane Yung Pinoy Libre in Igbaras. Tim Uyy yeah? Yeah. Dane Kuya Mackie doesn't like this as well. He doesn't suggest this route because it was. It is a one literal two move wonder. 6a one move, then 6a and the belay area is so bad. The belay area are the slanted area and it is on the walkway. It's under traverse area of Igbaras It's not really that good of a route for me. Tim Nice. Pinoy Libre. Dane But you know that's not an excuse. Excuse not to try it now. Tim For sure, for sure. Try everything. Magnet Yeah, I can't think of any. Magnet Maybe slabs. I don't like slabs. Tim Slabs? Magnet Yeah. Tim Any slabs. One non. I mean besides travel a non-climbing passion you wish people knew about? Magnet Well for Dane it's music. Dane I forgot that. Dane Music, yeah. Tim Cool Dane Music for you. Pickleball? Magnet That's for you. That's not for me. Tim Oh my God. Magnet I don't know. I just do traveling. Dane Yeah, that's her first passion. Magnet Maybe. Magnet Maybe ano ,murder mystery crimes. Tim Ooh, that's a good one Magnet Documentary Magnet Tim That's a good one. That's a good one. My, my fiance will love that answer. Those are our five questions. Last question to you is, who do you want to shout out before we wrap up this episode? Magnet Shout out to George, our favorite crag companion. Dane And George, Clinton, Martin, TJ. Tim The the the usual suspects. Dane Clinton. Clinton wants to be shouted out Clinton good luck. You do you know that Clinton, has a big bet on Sandman like someone placed a big bet. If you send Sandman, like 50,000 pesos. Dane So good luck on that Clinton. Magnet Yeah shoutout to him this year. Sandman is a route in Uling Montalban a 7b. Tim Yeah. Awesome. Well, Clinton well, the bets are on, so you better fucking send it. Tim Tim Great. Well, Dane and Magnet, it was really good to meet you virtually. Hope to meet you sometime in the Philippines or here. If you ever travel to the States, let me know if you ever come to California, I'd love to climb. But thank you so much for spending time with us.