Makilala, Cotabato — On the eve of National Heroes Day, as the country prepared to honor its patriots, the mountaineering community mourned the loss of one of its own — a man who became a hero in the most selfless way.
Adonis Andamon Guadalquiver, known affectionately as Dondon or Don Kulot among friends, lost his life on August 24, 2025, at Kamandag Falls in Barangay Old Bulatukan, Makilala, North Cotabato. He was just 34 years old.
But his death was not in vain. Guadalquiver drowned after saving his tourist nephew from being swept away by the unforgiving currents of the hidden paradise waterfall, a place known for its beauty but also its dangers. Witnesses say that without hesitation, he leaped into the rushing water when his guest struggled, ensuring another life was spared — even at the cost of his own.
A Man of the Mountains
Born on February 3, 1991, and raised in Davao City, Guadalquiver dedicated much of his life to the outdoors. As a mountain climb organizer and guide, he was well-known in the community not just for his expertise in navigating trails, but for his generosity and warmth. Fellow mountaineers recall how he inspired others to discover nature’s wonders responsibly and with respect.
Earlier this year, he guided participants during the Baktas Tamolayag and Conquer Outdoor Equipment’s Mount Apo expedition. His leadership, patience, and humor endeared him to both veteran hikers and first-timers alike.
A Farewell Filled with Love
His wake, held in Zone 3, San Antonio, Buhangin, Davao City, turned into a nightly gathering of friends, fellow climbers, and loved ones. Visitors described it as “fiesta-like,” with music, laughter, and tears — a testament to how many lives he touched. Before his burial, his comrades even organized a fundraising event, “Music for a Cause,” to support his grieving family.
In an emotional gesture, fellow mountaineers revisited Kamandag Falls after his passing, offering prayers, flowers, and food where he had made his final sacrifice.
His partner, in a heartfelt online post, bid him farewell: “Langga Don Kulot ikaw ang pinaka gwapo sa ako ha? … Rest in Paradise, My Love. Wala na mga kasakit nga imong bation. Wala na kay mga problema na hunahunaon. Ubani ko pirmi langga sama sa buhi paka nga gusto ka pirmi ta mag uban.”
Remembering a Hero
For his peers, Guadalquiver will not only be remembered as a skilled mountaineer but as a man who embodied true courage and selflessness. His decision to save another’s life at the cost of his own elevated him beyond being just a guide or organizer. He became, in the words of his fellow climbers, a hero.
On National Heroes Day, while the country looks back at those who shaped history, the story of Adonis “Don Kulot” Guadalquiver reminds us that heroes also walk — and climb — among us. They may not carry swords or wear medals, but they live in the hearts of those whose lives they saved, inspired, and loved.