Tramping Philippines

After viewing the majestic summit of Mt. Pulag, we hurriedly went down to freshen up and eat a sumptuous feast. Instead of cooking our own food for lunch, we instinctively went straight to the house of someone who is among the well-liked personas for climbers of Mt. Pulag; Ambangeg's very own, Maam Gina Epe.

She is the lady we consistently contact whenever we climb the highest point in Luzon. She offers affordable Jeepney services for group mountaineers. A legacy that she continues after her brother who started the business passed away.

As soon as our jeepney entered the gates of her yard, we were welcomed by her bright and sunny smile. Never wasting time, she swiftly guided us to the table where our post-climb meal was laid down.

The lunch served was humongous and I thought that it would cost us plenty but as I scooped and ate the Pinikpikang Manok, I never really cared for the cost as it was one of the best I ate so far.

After the feast I was surprised that the lunch cost was only 420 Php for 7 people. That was just 60 Php for the 3 plates of rice and multiple servings of Tinola I ate. But of course, that is Maam Gina, the ever loving caretaker of the mountaineers. She even offers a free shower for every mountaineer that will pass by her house.

We had a chat about our recent climb. Surprisingly, she even remembered our soak-filled Akiki-Ambangeg traverse 8 months ago. Fortunately, this climb was perfect as the weather was friendly all throughout the hike.

She shared stories about her clients, her dogs and the upcoming climbs organized by Pinoymountaineerand Vagabond Pinas. Indeed, next weekend would be busy for them but I was sure that they would give their best to please their customers.

In all of our climbs with Maam Gina's Jeepney, the driver was always on schedule. All of them were friendly and never did they complain about any of our requests. They certainly added up to the unforgettable experiences a Mt. Pulag climb could give.

She usually offers reasonable prices for a group of mountaineers: a trip via Ambangeg costs 8500 Php; via Akiki costs 9000 Php; via Tawangan costs 15000 Php; and for a group of 16 mountaineers, 500 Php for a 3-hour ride to DENR and an hour and a half of totally rough road to Ranger Station is already a good catch but adding the 5-hour ride back to Baguio, 500 Php inclusive of gas money is truly an amazing offer.

The jeepneys they lease are very reliable. Just by looking on its huge exterior, you'll know that the vehicle has the capacity to take you wherever you want. And sure enough, they always did. There was even a mishap once when a 4 X 4 truck in front of us flattened its tire because of the rough road, but not our vehicle.

Because of the fun talk we had, I almost forgot the sole purpose of my visit. It was to get the expensive water bottle that our group mate left at her house 8 months ago but the endless stories we had took it off my mind. It was absolutely pleasant talking with this generous lady.

After I got the bottle, we waved our goodbyes and wished that the weather would also be fine when we meet again next year. For sure, our adventurous feet would lead us again to Mt. Pulag.

With plenty of mountaineers and non-climbers wishing for a peek of the majestic sunrise at Mt. Pulag, a safe and reliable ride is surely an added benefit. With Maam Gina one contact away, she is truly a blessing for mountaineers who wish to touch the highest point in Luzon. She will provide almost all of what you need before and after an exhausting Mt. Pulag climb.

*additional information

You can contact Ma'am Gina at 09198169234 or 09999916008.

You can tell your driver if you want to visit her and they'll bring you directly at her yard. Just inform her accordingly if you would want to have lunch at her house

8 months ago, as I was standing at the coldest place in the Philippines, with thick clouds forbidding me to see its peak, I made a solemn vow that someday I would once again touch this highest point in Luzon. And by that certain time, Mount Pulag hopefully would not disappoint.

Going to Baguio, we chanced to meet members of the UP Lakay Kalikasan mountaineers. Most of them inductees doing a recon for their upcoming induction climb. An amiable group whom we were fortunately destined to hitch a ride on that momentous weekend.

After our Akiki-Ambangeg traverse 8 months ago, Agnes and I decidedly chose the easier one of the trails. We just had 2 days for our trip and no one was actually going to Akiki that said weekend. Our packs were ready, trek poles were stretched and at about 10:40 AM in the morning, we confidently started the trek.

The weather was nice at the start, but after our experience last time, we were not to be fooled by the raucous weather this mountain could suddenly give. The clouds covered the sun’s heat from time to time. As I yet feared for the worst, all of a sudden it was all grey skies up above.

It was indeed menacing at times and I think this caused the only obstacle we had on the climb. As we were experiencing the very cold weather, the searing heat of the sun would suddenly sneak upon us.

But with every step I made, my admiration for the place grew. The Ambangeg trail may be considered the easiest of them all but it has a unique quality that separates it from the rest. It is a walk in the park, not in the sense that it is an easy hike but because it is so exquisite yet so pure that it can be compared to a woman with self-nurtured beauty.

A little more stomps and the 2-hour hike to the campsite was over. At about 1:00 PM, the place was still empty of tourists. Devoid of the noise that this site always had, I relished the peaceful scenario that enveloped me as I walked on its paved ground. This was the best campsite I've ever been on.

We pitched our tents while having a view of the summit. We prepared lunch while having the sight of the whole Benguet. It was indeed the most serene camping place one can ever be. I savored the moment as it was happening. Ambangeg's camp 2 can be one of the busiest places during the climbing season and having this site deserted was such a blessing.

After the sumptuous lunch, we all took a brief rest. Since we were much ahead of schedule, we were allowed of a long and nurturing nap. We all had a 3-hour breather such that after the slumber we were all prepared for the ever-anticipated summit assault.

We hiked through its rolling hills magnificently gliding through the clouds. It was a glorious sight to behold. Like walking on a place in heaven where the clouds were beneath the ground, we were stunned by its beauty.

Little by little, we began to get close to the summit. The weather was friendly and the wind was pleasant. We were all giddy from what we were about to see. I was feeling like Aladdin flying on a magic carpet or like a drug-infused man walking atop the heavens while the clouds were gliding below our feet.

After less than an hour of assault from the campsite, I again stepped atop the highest point in Luzon, grateful to the Lord for giving me another opportunity to gaze upon the mystical views at its highest peak.

We were rewarded with its famous formation of clouds. I was already satisfied and thankful but unknowingly, the mountain still had plenty more in store for us. It was an exhilarating experience we had at the top but the very sudden temperature drop gave us a good reason to go back early. We decided to run down to camp as the day started to near its end.

As the night started, the Batch 23 of LKM offered us their dinner. We resoundingly obliged and helped with the preparation. Who wouldn't? We were about to be contented with the luncheon meat Agnes brought but being suddenly offered with a hot and steamy Sinigang na Baboy was definitely a no brainer.

Actually, I was really happy with the fact that we were destined to be with a school organization of mountaineers. We were supposed to be hitching a ride with a travel and tours’ agent but it was suddenly switched and we ended up camping with a good bunch of fellows. At least we were all responsible mountaineers, acting mature but talking like kids. It was fun and I really hope to be with those guys again in the future.

After the eating session, the cold forcefully tucked us inside our tents and sleeping bags. It was a wonderful night and I was fulfilled having touched the summit with no precipitation.

Awoken by the very low temperature, I was up by 4:00 in the morning. I went out of the tent to warm up a little but I was stunned by the sight of the stars. It was captivating but my shivering body took my mind out of the quick lucid dream and started to complain. I did a little push ups and jumps, finally I was warm and ready for the sunrise.

It took us 15 minutes to get to the peak. It was still dark and the gust of wind was so intense that Agnes and I had to hide inside a dug-up hole. But as the sun was shining, the majestic view of the place started to engulf the area. Seeing the heavenly sight, my body started to be rejuvenated.

It was the first time I saw a group of clouds hovering on top of another. The kid in me started to take control of my body as I giddily went down the slopes where the views can be seen well. I hurriedly ran down as the sun was starting to peek atop the clouds. We finally saw a spot and there, we waited for the heat to finally embrace our bodies. Literally and figuratively, it was heaven.

We stayed for an hour, ecstatic that finally, we were given a chance to see the famous view from atop. We went down back to camp with huge smiles on our faces.

Back at camp, we again had an amazing breakfast. Pancakes and an omelette were served accompanied by a boiling hot cup of coffee. It was a welcome respite after the freezing temperatures up above. We decamped and hiked down for more than hour. At last, the successful climb had come to an end.

At the start of our hike, I never really thought that I would have a very unique and unforgettable experience. I thought having climbed this mountain months ago, I already saw the beauty of the place. But as I was walking the paved trail of Ambangeg, I finally figured out why many climbers still use this path.

Yes, it may be the easiest of the bunch but it offers a different perspective of the mountain. Here, you can just hike and appreciate its grandness not caring for your pace or your strength. It is in this area where you can really focus and see the true beauty of Mt. Pulag.

It may not be a challenge of strength or a confrontation of mental ability but in this trail, you can really see what nature really has to offer. Hiking Ambangeg trail is really a chance you shouldn't miss in your lifetime.

Group Itinerary

day 0

23:00 - departure from Manila

day 1

04:30 - arrival at Baguio Victory Liner
05:30 - departure from Baguio to Pinkan Eatery
06:15 - arrival at Pinkan, breakfast
06:40 - departure from Pinkan to DENR
08:40 - arrival at DENR station, 15-minute seminar
09:00 - departure for Ambangeg Ranger Station
10:30 - arrival at Ambangeg Ranger Station, arrange guide
10:45 - start trek
11:50 - arrival camp 1, rest
12:00 - departure for camp 2
13:00 - arrival at camp 2, lunch rest
15:40 - summit assault
16:30 - arrival at summit
17:30 - get back down to campsite
18:10 - arrival back at campsite, prepare dinner
19:30 - dinner, socials
20:30 - lights out

day 2

04:00 - wake up call
04:30 - start trek to Peak
04:45 - arrival at Peak, wait for sunrise
06:00 - sunrise viewing
06:30 - trek back down to camp
07:00 - prepare breakfast
08:00 - breakfast
08:30 - break camp
09:30 - start hike back to Ranger Station
10:10 - arrival at Camp 1
10:40 - arrival at Ranger Station, tidy up
11:30 - go back to Maam Gina's place
13:30 - arrival at Maam Gina's, lunch
14:00 - go back to DENR
14:15 - arrival at DENR
16:00 - arrival at Pinkan
16:30 - departure for Baguio
17:10 - arrival at Baguio Victory liner, dinner
19:00 - departure for Manila

*will get to Manila by 01:00 AM next day

How to get to Mt. Pulag

Take a Baguio Bound Bus at Cubao, Pasay or Sampaloc Bus Stations.

Make prior arrangements with Ms. Geenia for the jeep going to the jump off. You can contact her at 09198169234. Check out my article about her here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/11/mt-pulag-visit-to-maam-ginas-place.html

Maam Gina's Jeepney

For Victory Liner Baguio Bound Buses, you can check their schedules and fares here: http://www.victoryliner.com

*we would like to thank Agnes Navales for some of the photos in this post

*we would like to thank members of the UP Lakay Kalikasan Mountaineers for the ride, food and magnificent company.
Sir Amats, Sir Iggy, Sir Inoy, Maam Allie and Maam Bernie. Until we climb again!

Having day-hiked many of Southern Luzon Mountains, I suddenly felt pity for the Merrel pair of shoes that accompanied me through many of my major climbs this year; enough reason to give it some well-deserved rest. As an alternative, I tried a pair of Reebok sandals but even for a Mt. Batulao climb, it failed miserably beyond my expectations. I had to tie it down using my emergency rope to restore the knots that kept on dismantling.

This suddenly reminded me of the tough Sandals my climb buddy, Ron, used in all of our climbs including the Akiki-Ambangeg traverse and the leech-infested Pantingan Dayhike among others. It successfully confronted other muddy trails and rock-faces thus giving me confidence that buying it would be a catch. It was the very popular and ever reliable Tribu Mangyan Sandals.

I bought the pair for only 595 pesos March this year and it was absolutely quite a bargain compared to the Nikes, Adidas and Reeboks. It may only have simple exterior design but I can assure anyone that it can surpass the capabilities of other branded sandals which are thrice its price.

For the break-in gear testing, I used it on a Mt. Natib dayhike Agnes and I did. At first I was hesitant on abusing the pair such that hiking gently through the path was the only thing on my mind but as the rock-faces became steeper, the sandals’ durability gradually surfaced out.

Compared to the previous pair I used, my Tribu sandals proved to be more flexible with its strong knots for support. My Reebok Sandals was utterly dilapidated with just one hike down the gradual slopes of Mt. Batulao, but this pair of Tribu Sandals conformed with my feet whichever directions they took.

Using this pair while running down the slopes of Mt. Pulag grassland to the campsite, I could not help but admire its performance. Our guide even used this at our Mt. Apo climb as his footwear broke down at the middle of the trek.

For the downsides however, aside from the rubber soles, it gives no other protection for your feet. Likewise, be vigilant on selecting the size that perfectly fits since it lacks adjustment for a more comfortable grip.

Additionally, when I used it without socks, it produced blisters beneath my toe and other parts of the sole. But taking everything into consideration, with the right fit and a snug pair of socks, it can definitely pass as my perfect day-hike buddy. Although, this conclusion can change from one person to another citing personal preferences. I know other climbers who can not stand using sandals during treks and instead stick to their preferred pair of shoes.

So after the dozens of hikes and travels it confronted, this pair of Tribu Mangyan Sandals can absolutely give other brands a run for their money. It may not be as good looking compared to other sandals but I would pick these bad-boys over Nikes, Adidas or Reeboks any day of the year.

Product Details

Product: Tribu Mangyan Sandals

Place of purchase: Toby's SM Mall of Asia

Price: 595 Php

Date of Purchase: March 2011

Times Used: Approx 10 mountains and beaches.

You can see the page of the product here:

http://tobys.com/products/footwear/mens-footwear/tribu-mangyan

Being one of the most scenic places in the Philippines, comparing this El Nido trip to our '09 Coron adventure was inevitable. They are both touted as one of the most picturesque sights in our country and both attractions hail from Palawan, Philippines’ last frontier

It was quite exciting for me because my mom has always been an avid fan of El Nido such that a visit to this place would be a dream come-true for her. She ultimately came with us, so at last I had brought her somewhere outside mainland-Luzon.

We had 5 days for the trip. 5 days of relishing the beauty of this world-renown place. 5 days of relaxation to its maximum level. 5 days of comparing this trip to the wonderful adventure we had the previous year at Coron.

I know it is a bad idea to compare places but this debate is an exception. The question "Coron or El Nido" is comparable to the photographer debate "Canon or Nikon" or the boxing mystery "Pacquiao or Mayweather". All people have their own personal opinions partnered with their biased conclusions. Fortunately, having the opportunity to bask on the awesomeness of El Nido, I have the privilege of batting in my opinion on this seasoned debate.

Allotting the first day for the travel from Puerto Prinsesa to El nido, we finally boarded our pump boat at the start of the second day. Our first destination was the Small and Big Lagoon.

As I started to swim the clear waters of the Small Lagoon, the limestone cliffs of Coron's Twin Lagoon suddenly came to my mind. Likewise, with both sites having a small entrance to its main body, it was really kind of a mind-boggler that the same province has an almost identical attraction.

Nonetheless, I ended my fixation on its similarity and instead swam and glided through its mystical blue waters. The clouds hovering atop were menacing but it didn't stop me from unleashing the kid in me as I started to dive deeper and deeper down the Lagoon.

We had a nice swim but it was time to traverse the sea and go to the next destination: the Big Lagoon. Having a low tide at the time of our tour, the lagoon’s entrance was too shallow for our pump boat to pass. Having this dilemma, we decided to walk its hallway-like body of water back-dropped by huge limestone rock formations.

The big lagoon was nice but there was still this lingering sensation that our Coron trip was more relaxing than this one. This was probably caused by my addiction on comparing the two trips but still, I was having an awesome time. We took pictures of the "roxas boulvardesque" Lagoon and swiftly went to the next part of our tour.

I guess from my point of view, our lunch at Simizu Island was the turning point of the trip. I was actually not expecting a grand lunch served but lo and behold, the serving was equally as stunning as the place where we would be eating our meal.

We ordered grilled liempo and fishes like ‘mayamaya’ with the presumption that we would be eating them on our pump-boat. I had no Idea that they would serve the food atop a fully dressed table complete with utensils and condiments, along one of the whitest beach I've ever been to: complimented by the awesome and majestic limestone formations surrounding the island.

Alas, we were having lunch at one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines served by great cooks with restaurant-like presentation. It absolutely gave meaning to the word "fine" in fine-dining.

After the sumptuous lunch, I was definitely pumped-up for more, looking forward to seeing all of the attractions El Nido could give. I don't know if it was the food or the experience but I suddenly had the energy that I was longing for.

Fortunately, the next attraction was not to disappoint. We were moored to the unique Hidden Lagoon of El Nido.

We had to contort our bodies to enter the pint-size hole. Bending backwards and forwards, we were finally inside the structure and awed by the limestone's facade. There was even a formation that looked like a crocodile hanging from above. It was weird but in a good way. We again took a short dip and went to the next destination.

The next beach was known as the 7 Commando Island. Legend has it that 7 commandos were stuck on the island hence the name. Again, it was magnificent.

As it was the last destination of package A, we were given a chance to swim on its picturesque beach longer than usual. We had the blessing of time but unfortunately, the weather became abruptly intense.

It was quite unnerving as we suddenly heard the loud roar of the wind and the banging of the rain as it angrily glided towards the island. It sounded like a dinosaur chasing us from afar. A heart raising experience but it was fun.

After just a few minutes boarded atop the pump-boat, we can no longer see the whole island as the rain and clouds quickly covered and engulfed the whole area. Laughing at what could have happened if we stayed a little bit longer, we were like kids exchanging stories after a fun-filled action-packed day of adventure.

Pondering on this just concluded tour, there was still something inside my chest that gave Coron the upperhand on the first day. Maybe the time on each place was too short because of the 1-day 5-destination package nevertheless, I still had a blast.

I was still hoping that something would come up that would make this my best vacation ever. I was a Nikon user once but all that was changed when I finally bought my 7D. Maybe, the same instance would also be the outcome on this discussion. Whatever my conclusion may be, we were still psyched and absolutely keyed up for more exciting expeditions for the coming days ahead...

You can read the next article here
http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2012/01/el-nido-palawan-battle-between-two.html

You may also like to read my Mom’s blog about her El Nido experience:

El Nido Palawan: Philippines Last Frontier part I

*The 5-day 15-destination trip was too long for 1 article, thus the decision of making it a 2-part article.

*credits to Jopie Policarpio for some of the photos and Agnes Navales also, for some of the photos and for organizing the 5-day trip.

Waking up for the second day of our tour was quite unnerving. The morning downpour was so intense that the sound of the rain ended my tranquil slumber at an early time of 6:00 AM. Fortunately, the rain eventually subsided and the blue skies were up above once again.

The touch of the sun was a bit refreshing to our salt laden skins as we boarded our pump boat for our first destination which was Pangalusian Island. Once again, excitement filled the air.

It was a small private resort that has this beautiful white sand beach covered by tall-standing coconut trees. Although swimming here would be an added bonus, the island was supposedly closed for the public. Nevertheless, snorkelling from afar was an incredible alternative.

It can be compared to the open-sea snorkelling we had at Coron’s Siete Picados. We had so much fun feeding swarm of colourful fishes such that we unexpectedly swam almost a hundred meters away from our anchored pump boat.

After almost half an hour of swimming, we went directly to the next stop which was the astounding snake Island.

As the white sand bar swirled through the blue sea, it can be depicted as a snake trying to swim from one island to another until it was connected to both. Like Coron’s Bulog 1 and Bulog 2 Islands, It was absolutely a feat of nature.

We went up to the view point to capture the panorama from atop. Back-dropped by the surrounding islands from afar, an astonishing sight can be viewed from the peak of this magnificent island. We took pictures and decided to stay for a while to swim.

Our pace for this second tour was more relaxed than the first. The places were near each other thus, giving us time to enjoy every destination as much as we can. Also, the heavens gave us sunshine all throughout the day. It was a welcome relief compared to the menacing clouds of our first day. It was again starting to be the best vacation I had at the time. El Nido was certainly taking over my heart.

Cadugnon Island was definitely the most remarkable destination in my personal El nido experience. I think this was the only place where I can’t think of any comparison to that of our Coron trip.

As we were about to dock, the sight of the limestone cliffs covered by lush vegetation was reminiscent of the movie Jurassic park.

I was absolutely stunned with the sight as I imagined a dinosaur suddenly peeking through the trees. Fortunately for us, it was just my mind’s fantasy as we were destined to have our well-prepared hearty lunch at this place which was again a welcome treat.

As our boatman prepared the meal, our guide brought us inside the mini cave of the island. Even though the place was just small, it was still an amazing sight to behold of the illuminating sun rays beaming through the small holes strategically located at the ceiling of the cave.

Likewise, the unpleasant smell emitted by bat guano did not in any rate diminish my awe on its amazing limestone formations. We took pictures, went out and finally ate our lunch for the relaxed second day.

After the feast, we boarded our pump boats and drove by the limestone formation called Cathedral cave. It was a bulked up limestone formation that formed a dome-like structure. Our guide told us that it was a good spot for diving, giving us more inspiration to take up our license as early as possible.

We headed to Pinagbuyutan Island afterwards and ended our relaxing day with a leisure swim. We stayed for almost an hour at the beach but once again, the threat of rain was looming. Not to be forced out again by the downpour, we ultimately decided to head back to mainland for dinner and a good night’s rest.

The 3^rd day was the culminating tour for our vacation. It was a leisure day as we allowed the refreshing air coming from the warm seas of El Nido touch our battered bodies.

To start the third day, we first headed to a very far place named secret beach. Unfortunately, the waves from the open ocean were so intense that swimming through the small hole was dangerous for non-divers like us. Kuya Jonel, the master diver that he is, decided to go and take pictures for us to see the place. After waiting a couple of minutes, we finally went to the heart-shaped Island of Matinloc.

An eerie feeling engulfed the island as we strode and traversed the ghost-town like place. Here, a shrine was constructed by a religious visionary after discovering that the whole piece of land was shaped like a heart.

Edifice and statues surrounded the whole area strewn with dead leaves reminiscent of an abandoned cemetery. It was creepy yet inspirationally stimulating.

We had lunch at certain island near Matinloc. Although, I forgot the name of the place, it was still a nice spot to eat lunch. We all had a dip before we ate the meal but the relaxing feel of the island was so overpowering that I just decided to take a breather on one particular spot.

After the lunch, we took a brief stop-over at the limestone covered area named hidden beach. We had to wade through the waters to get inside the area as the low tide caused our pump boat to be anchored from afar.

With effacing lime stone cliffs surrounding the beach, the echoing of the strong breeze can be heard ten times louder than normal. It was like an amphitheatre of sorts. We stayed only for a few minutes and went directly to the last stop of our vacation which was the Helicopter Island.

Savoring the white-sand beach and blue waters, I felt fulfilled for having ended the best vacation I had. We made it to 15 destinations and relished the whole El Nido Experience. We were like ‘the’ tourists in our own country as a swarm of people from other countries engulfed the whole place. We ended it with a simple swim as the sun was nearing the horizon. It was the perfect finish to the week-long experience we just had.

I reckon, declaring a winner between El Nido and Coron is a bit unfair. It can certainly go both ways in terms of beauty but still, it all sums up to the experience you had while traversing both places. Coron may have the best lake in Kayangan but if the memories you had during your time in that certain place was not enjoyable then you may come up with a different conclusion compared to others.

As for me, I think the time I had in El Nido is by far the best vacation I had. The 5-day rest it gave and having my mom along were big plus factors. The places may be as beautiful as what I saw on other trips but the long breather of a vacation gave us enough time to unwind.

Nevertheless, I still have this lingering feeling that I haven't explored Coron enough. I'm still longing for that chance to once again step on its port and start a new adventure on its sea. Indeed, Coron is still requesting for a rematch on recapturing my heart after El Nido ultimately and decidedly won me over.

You can also check the first part of this article here

http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/12/el-nido-palawan-battle-between-two.html

You may also like my Mom’s part 2 El Nido blog

http://barefootroamer-barefootroamer.blogspot.com/2011/09/package-b-of-el-nido-tour.html

*credits to my mom, Jopie Policarpio and Agnes Navales for some of the photos in this post

*credits to Agnes Navales for organizing this ultra-budgeted El Nido week-long trip. Before, I thought El Nido was only for the rich but I was very wrong

Exactly 1 year from the day we first climbed Central Luzon’s highest peak, we braced ourselves to what we thought would be the most gruelling day we could ever have: we set out our sights on climbing Mt. Tapulao within a day.

Underestimation was the misstep that made our last year’s Mt. Tapulao climb an excruciating experience. We were over confident and sure of ourselves. We were ignorant. There was one essential feeling that we categorically missed during the preparation of that trek. Today, it was absolutely existent. In my heart and in my mind, I felt fear. For 1 whole week before the climb, I was afraid.

I dreaded nature brewing yet another storm that might likewise ruin this forthcoming adventure. In our previous trip, astounding travails and mistakes mounted up, compelling us to spend 11 hours just to reach the campsite. We were over our weight limit, we didn’t have enough sleep the day before and the downpour was so intense I had to squint just to see 5 meters ahead. It was like a white out.

This time, we were mentally prepared. We had enough trail food, we brought protection from the downpour and we assigned ourselves a time deadline to reach the bunker. We reached the jump-off by 04:00 AM and after 20 minutes, we started the trek.

As we reached the ascending rough road, my confidence on our plan began to rise. The pace we did was relaxed and in sync so we didn’t need much rest to recharge our batteries. The controlled pace was recharging on itself. Likewise, the packs we had were as light as it could be. Compared to last year’s almost 25 kilos, my bag only weighed 7 kilos. Undeniably, it helped us all throughout the hike.

At 06:30 AM, as the sun was just starting to rise, we reached the first water source. We took our first momentary rest while savouring the aroma of fresh air mixed with the misty mountain dew. It was just an easy hike like it should have been 1 year ago. It was peaceful and calm. The fear in my chest started to subside. I felt we could do this; that we could finish this by day’s end.

Again, on a relaxed pace, we continued with the trek. Ironic as it might sound, the slow and steady walk was making our hike a faster one. After a few minutes, the heat started to envelop the area. Thankfully, the sun was strategically up at a place where we were covered by forest and pine trees.

We reached the second water source after 3 hours and a half of hiking. The sun hidden by the canopy of trees rendered the trail a cold place to rest. We took another breather but this time it was a bit longer. The nature-gilded serenity of the atmosphere eventually lulled me to a peaceful unintentional slumber. After 30 minutes, we were back on our feet, ready to finish the trek.

It was however quite disappointing that we reached the high peaks under the scorching sun at 10:00 AM. The sun’s heat was so excruciating that we had to take cover time after time just to protect our skin from burning. We were out of the frying pan but sadly, we dropped right in the middle of the flame. But like real soldiers of our group, we pressed on confidently.

After 6 hours and a half of climbing, we finally reached the bunker campsite. Seeing the metal laden bunker from afar, a magical feeling overwhelmed my whole being. Little by little, my strength started to be rejuvenated. Our successful assault of the campsite was capped by a warm greeting from Kuya Jojo, the caretaker of the place.

He waved at us and said, “diba kayo din yung umakyat noong isang taon?” With smiles on our faces, we politely answered with a resounding yes. We readied ourselves for a well-deserved hearty lunch and a long and peaceful hour of sleep.

After our meal at the bunker, a familiar face started to join our conversation. The person shared with us their fast time of 4 hours from jump-off to the campsite. Though he was not bragging, there was this mysterious feeling inside my chest that I knew the man. After minutes of familiarizing, I suddenly had an idea but still, I had to confirm. I asked his name and in a moment of silence, I was overly surprised and astoundingly star-struck. The man was no other than Mt. Everest Summiteer, Sir Regie Pablo.

Damn! He was so cool and very much humble. He told us the story of a Tapulao guide that didn’t allow him to take the traverse saying that the trek was very technical for him to try. Sir Regie summited Mt. Everest and his guide had no idea but instead of bragging his achievements, he politely agreed with the person. We had a nice chat but the fan inside me started to take over. I asked if we could have a picture and fortunately, he obliged. I wanted to continue the talk but my battered body was asking for a short slumber. I asked Mang Jojo if I could take a nap at one of the bunkers and thankfully, he agreed.

After an hour and a half of resting, we started our assault to the summit. With enough confidence in our strength to surmount the height, our great reverence for the mountain escalated. After 7 hours and a half, we finally finished the assault of Mt. Tapulao’s highest peak. The vista at the top was covered with clouds but truly, I did not care. I just wanted to redeem myself from the past mistakes I made. I returned to this mountain a changed man, a respectful mountaineer and a more responsible person.

As we hiked down to the bunker, we braced ourselves for a 45-minute long and winding downhill trek. The walk back to jump-off was however somewhat frustrating. It was not a physical challenge but more of a mental test. For 4 hours we were challenged by the rough and slippery trail path but still, we endured. By 06:30 PM, we were back at the barangay hall, looking forward to a sumptuous dinner at Iba, Zambales.

What in effect did change in surmounting the same mountain? We sliced our trek time by half. How did we do it? First: Down with the weight. We only carried essential stuff for the trek. We didn’t bring anything that wouldn’t be used during the climb and we didn’t pack anything that was heavy. In conforming to this logic, we had set a deadline time to reach the bunker. Because we lacked shelter and cooking materials, we knew we had to back-out if we couldn’t finish the trek within the supposed time we arranged. Fortunately, we made it 3 hours before our self-appointed deadline.

Another factor is by hiking on a relaxed pace. All throughout the hike to the bunker, we only had three 5-minute rests and 1 long 30-minute breather. By hiking relaxed and slower, we reached our goal faster. And last but not the least, we were mentally prepared. We were aware of the circumstances that might happen during the climb so we prepared ourselves for the worst.

That’s it! Finally, we redeemed ourselves from the mistakes we made in the past. I came here with fear lumped in my heart, but I went out unafraid carrying much more respect for nature’s gifts. It was a wild ride and to quote my fellow mountaineer and blogger, Christine Fernandez, Mt. Tapulao dayhike really is “Masakit na Masaya”.

Group Itinerary

day 0

22:30 - meet up at Sampaloc, Victory liner

23:00 - departure from Manila to Dampay Salaza

day 1

03:30 - arrival at Dampay Salaza, ride tricycle to jump-off

04:00 - arrival at barangay hall, register arranged guides (optional)

04:20 - start trek (we had our breakfast while walking, we ate pan de sal)

06:30 - arrival at first water source, rest

06:45 - continue hiking to second water source

07:50 - arrival at second water source, rest

08:20 - continue hiking to bunker

11:00 - arrival at bunker campsite, lunch, long rest (we slept for 1 hour)

12:30 - start summit assault

13:30 - arrival at summit,

14:10 - back at bunker campsite

14:30 - start hike to jump-off

16:00 - arrival at second water source

17:00 - arrival at first water source

18:30 - back at jump-off, tidy up

19:30 - tricycle to Iba terminal

20:30 - arrival at Iba, dinner

22:30 - last bus to Caloocan

*will reach Manila by 02:30 AM the next day

How to get to Mt. Tapulao.

from Manila, board any Victory liner bus bound for Sta. Cruz. Ask driver to drop you off at Palauig, Zambales or to the jump-off to high peak.

Board tricycle to jump-off. The terminal from the intersection always have tricycle drivers waiting. Just wake them up at the post.

you can visit Victory liner schedules here: http://www.victoryliner.com/

*Special thanks to Christine Fernandez, blogger of Jovial Wanderer, for inspiring us to do what they have done. Kudos!

*You can see her itinerary here. It has a subtle difference compared to ours and if you want other alternatives for the dayhike, you should check this out:

http://www.jovialwanderer.com/2011/01/mt-tapulao-day-hike-itinerary.html

*Credits to our fellow climbing buddy, the friendless (joke) Bryan Cuesta for the photos! Redemption indeed right?

Year 2011, for us, had 37 wonderful destinations. Cramming up places to see from one vacation after another, it was really a great year of traveling. We stepped on top of the highest peak in our country, touched twice the roof-top of Luzon and had 18 summits in total, all mixed up this past year alone. Check-out our summary video for 2011 and current DOT slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines”.

Out of the 53 weekends of 2011, We've been out of Manila 37 times. About 70 percent of our Saturday-Sunday combos spent on traveling/climbing. Let's have a look at some of the memorable trips we had this past year.

~

Mt. Batulao, Batangas - We've been here 4 times the past year and still, the place never gets old. One of my favorite mountains.
Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/08/mountaineers-are-high-misfortunes-1st.html

Mt. Tapulao, Zambales - The mountain I underestimated.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/09/mt-tapulao-zambales.html

Tarak Ridge, Bataan - We've been to this ridge twice in 2011. Once was during an unforgettable night trek experience.

Mt. Makiling, Laguna - One of the training climbs for our Mt. Pulag traverse. Ironically, this traverse dayhike was much harder than path of Akiki Trail.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/09/mt-makiling-traverse-dayhike.html

Mt. Samat, Bataan - I brought my family to the top of one of the mountains in Bataan. Thankfully, they never had to endure the hike up as the road leading to Mt. Samat's "Dambana" was accessible even to normal-sized automobiles.

Mt. Pulag, Benguet - The mountain that can turn any person to a mountaineer. Reached its summit twice, first via the Akiki trail and second via the one on Ambangeg
Read article here:

Akiki: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/08/mt-pulag-akiki-ambangeg-traverse.html

Ambangeg: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/11/mt-pulag-beauty-of-ambangeg-trail.html

Calaguas Island, Camarines Norte - In my humble opinion, the best beach in the Philippines.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/08/calaguas-island-camarines-norte.html

Mt. Natib, Bataan - The almost double dayhike.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/08/mt-natib-dayhike.html

Dingalan, Aurora - The province of our very own beach-home. We swam on its meter-high waves twice this year.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/08/dingalan-aurora.html

Puting Buhangin, Quezon - One of the most underestimated beaches in the Philippines. Almost all of the persons I knew that had an encounter with the island had the same first reaction as mine; caught of guard by its surprising beauty.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/08/padre-burgos-beach-camp.html

Dampalitan Island, Quezon - The island you should camp on when swimming the beaches of Padre Burgos, Quezon. I can describe it as a lower, but still beautiful, version of Calaguas.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/08/padre-burgos-beach-camp.html

Sagada, Mountain Province - One of the most awe-enticing and diverse places I've been to.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/08/sagada-mountain-province.html

Mt. Ampacao, Mountain Province - The bonus mountain of Sagada. After only an hour of hiking, you will be gifted with the magnificent top view of the province and other surrounding Cordillera mountains.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/08/sagada-mountain-province.html

Mt. Cristobal, Quezon - The dayhike of the so-called "Devil's Mountain"

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/08/mt-cristobal-dayhike.html

Malapscua Island, Cebu - The most serene and tranquil Island I've been to.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/09/malapascua-island-cebu.html

Bantayan Island, Cebu - The most famous beach in the whole of Cebu.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/09/bantayan-island-cebu.html

Calanggaman Island, Leyte - The small island getaway hidden at the open seas of Leyte.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/09/malapascua-island-cebu.html

Sipalay, Negros Occ. - Home of the brown sugar beach.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/11/negros-occidental-weekend-backpacking.html

Bacolod, Negros Occ. - The most friendly place we've been to. It is definitely the city of smiles.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/11/negros-occidental-weekend-backpacking.html

Murcia, Negros Occ. - Whether you are planning to climb the 7 waterfalls or just relax at the hotsprings, Mambukal Resort really is the place for all types of tourists.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/11/negros-occidental-weekend-backpacking.html

Talisay, Negros Occ. - Located at the heart of a sugar-cane plantation, The Ruins of Talisay is one of the places a tourist should visit when backpacking through the city of Bacolod.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/11/negros-occidental-weekend-backpacking.html

Silay, Negros Occ. - Dubbed as the "Paris of Negros" due to the towering structures of old houses that was built for the wealthy families during the Spanish times. It's also the home of Bacolod's new and improved airport.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/11/negros-occidental-weekend-backpacking.html

Mt. Palali, Nueva Viscaya - The cleanest and most serene mountain we've climbed.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/09/mt-palali.html

Pico de Loro, Cavite - Strategically placed next to my cleanest mountain, this popular peak is, in my opinion, the dirtiest mountain I ever hiked on.

Pantingan Peak, Bataan - The highest point of the Mariveles mountain range.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/10/pantingan-peak-dayhike.html

Mt. Apo, Davao del sur - Need I say more? Every Filipino mountaineer's dream. The highest mountain in our country.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/10/mt-apo-kapatagan-kidapawan-traverse.html

Davao city - The place that made me a fan of the fruit, Pomelo.

Samal Island, Davao del Norte - Our post-Mt.Apo-climb treat.

Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/10/island-garden-of-city-of-samal.html

Talicud Island, Davao del Norte - Again, one of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches I ever dipped on.
Read article here: http://trampingphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/10/island-garden-of-city-of-samal.html

Tagaytay, Cavite - The world famous place that houses the island within a lake within an island within a lake within an island.

Laur, Nueva Ecija - Home sweet home.

2011 was really a blessing and I hope 2012 would take me even higher in terms of strength, success and adventures. God speed everyone!

*Thanks to my bro Deejay Policarpio for some of the photos in this post.

Mapanghi! Maingay! Madumi! Magulo! Nasa Calaguas parin ba ako?

Naglakad ako ng 100 metro galing sa aming campsite at ang aking nakita habang nagpapasyal ay mga bote ng alak, plastic ng chichirya, plastic cups na pakalat kalat, mga upos ng sigarilyo at napakarami pang iba.

Lumipas ang isa nanamang 100 metro at naamoy ko na ang masangsang at mapanghing amoy sa gilid ng mga mobile bars. SOBRANG PANGHI.

Pagdating ko sa dagat ay nakita ko naman ang mga kumikislap kislap na aninag ng mga ilaw galing sa establishemyento. Maganda. Kakaiba. Ngunit onting hakbang lang ay naamoy ko naman ang BAHO ng GASOLINA na nanggagaling sa NAPAKAINGAY na generator na kanilang ginagamit.

"TRAGADAGDAGA TRAGADAGADAGA", sabi ng mga generator na hindi huminto hanggang alas 2:00 AM ng madaling araw.

Nakakadismaya. Nasan na ba ako?

Nakaidlip ako ng bandang 2:30 AM at nagising dahil sa ulan. Sa wakas, KATAHIMIKAN.

Kinailangan ko pang maghintay ng alas 3:00 AM ng madaling araw upang maranasan ang katahimikang hinanahanap ng mga tao sa Calaguas.

OO! Sa gabi lang mapanghi. OO! Sa gabi lang madumi. OO! Sa gabi lang amoy gasolina. OO! Malinaw parin ang tubig. Pero kelan tayo titigil? Pagka pati sa araw ay mapanghi na? Pagka pati sa araw ay amoy gasolina na? Pagka pati ang dagat ay makulimlim na? Dito lang din nagsimula ang dumi at kalat ng Puero Galera. Sa ganito lang din nagsimula ang baho at kalat sa Pasig river.

Hindi porket malinis pa ang pampang at malinaw ang dagat ay hahayaan nalang natin ang mga dumi na nakabagsak sa mga talahiban at nakatago sa likod ng mga tulugan. Hahayaan ba nating umabot ito sa ating liguan? OO! Maganda parin ang Calaguas pero hanggang kailan?

Sayang at hindi nakuha ng video camera ang amoy ng gasolinang nasusunog at panghi ng mga ihi ng mga taong nagiinuman. Sayang at natago ng kadiliman ang mga bote ng alak at upos ng sigarilyong natapakan ko. Sayang at wala tayong magawa para mapigilan ang pagsisimula ng pagkasira nito dahil lang sa palakasan sa tourism office at local government.

Mapanghi! Maingay! Madumi! Magulo! Nasa Calaguas parin ba ako?

Para makita ang lumang Calaguas na naalala ko. Ikumpara dito
http://www.trampingphilippines.com/2011/08/calaguas-island-camarines-norte.html

After accompanying me to most of our climbs and travels, my North Face backpack hasn't yet lost its touch. It still gives comfort to my back even when it is stuffed to its full capacity and its tough exterior hasn't been damaged after the torture of more than 20 mountains.

However, there's still a lingering feeling in my chest that the decision of buying this quite expensive pack was a mistake. With this in mind, I am revisiting and reviewing the ups and downs of my most used pack: The North Face Terra 35.

First and foremost, I bought this pack at the SM Megamall North Face boutique for 8500 Php. Expensive as it was, I knew it would cause a dent on my pocket. But as I tested the bag on my back, I came to a firm decision that buying it would be the right choice. Of course, I knew a Deuter bag was a lot cheaper but as erroneous as I was back then, I kinda liked the thought that I would be using North Face gear. So for a certain amount of time, it was absolutely a catch. I think back then, it was the perfect backpack for my body as it hugged me comfortably even when it was bulging to its limit. It was with me during our major climbs, day hikes and even on our week-long trips.

Because of the Verticool System, it is quite cool on your back even during humid climbs. Yes, you will still perspire hard but come on, this is inevitable with any backpacks during hard treks. Using the waist strap for added lifting support is a bit special. The pad used on the bag is so soft and nice that tightening the straps would not hurt a bit. I think this is the one component that gives it an advantage compared to my brother's Deuter Futura. His bag's waist strap is quite stiff and it strains a certain part of my hip when carrying it in full capacity.

Terra 35’s adjustment straps can be used with ease. Unlike other packs I used, this bag's adjustment system is easy to maneuver. The straps lock securely when the lever is not pulled and loosen easily making adjustments a breeze.

For a specific amount of time, the only concern I had was the lack of daisy chain straps for other gear placements. I thought it was perfect and I had no good reasons to buy another pack but it unexpectedly changed when we started to plan our group's first multi-day climb. I started to test if it can fit all of our stuff for the event but it was not enough. Sharing other gear would be a great solution but having Agnes, a petite girl, as my climbing partner, I was forced to bring most of our heavy gear as having her to carry an enormous pack was rude.

I tried to tie our tent at the lower part of my pack so I could stuff more inside. I exceeded the maximum pack-weight which was 20 kilos; with the bag unable to support the heavy load, I had to suffer for 2 days as the pack was sliding down my waist. After that climb, my shoulders became unbearably sore and my whole body ached for days. I ultimately decided to buy a Deuter AirContact pro 60 + 15 for the succeeding multi-day climb and up to now, it remains to be the pack I use for longer and harder treks: I will expound on that later.

In the end, I found a fault on this "perfect backpack" of mine and it was definitely a turning point in my climbing life. Instead of buying another pack to use for 2-3 day climbs, I forced myself to pack the lightest things and adjusted my organizing habits to what the bag can only support.

This was quite a challenge for the first few climbs but I gradually adjusted and conformed to my bag’s limitation. It was nice to learn the basics of minimalist packing and at last, I'm now accustomed to using my 35-liter bag for our 2 - 3 day climbs or even week-long vacations.

I'm not saying that a Terra 35 is a bad bag. It certainly is great to use specially for backpackers as the bag can store many of your clothes yet can still be hand-carried at airports. It also has a very comfortable back padding and waist support such that carrying it around all the time will not be a burden.

As for climbing, I recommend you buy a bigger type of Terra bag like the Terra 45 - 60 instead of this one. It is just too big for a day hike bag and too small for a multi-day pack. But, if you're the type of hiker that has a minimalistic approach of packing your gear, this bag would suffice.

So in conclusion, the North Face Terra 35 is a great bag for backpacking enthusiasts but a bit too small for climbers. It is one of the most comfortable bags I used and up to now, it still holds the title as my favorite during climbs and backpacking trips. Is it worth the 8500 Php price tag? For some annoying reason, it kinda is. But if you're on a tight budget, a Dueter, Habagat or Conquer bag, among others, can do the trick.

Product Details

Product: The North Face Terra 35 Pack

Place of purchase: The North Face, SM Megamall

Price: 8500 Php

Date of Purchase: June 2010

Times Used: Approx 20 mountains and beaches.

You can see the page of the product here:

http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/terra-35-pack.html

This Guest Post is by Luis Azcona
Author of Bandtips.net

Vocalist of Maude

This is my second guest post at Tramping Philippines since I told my unfortunate & literal ups and downs in Mt. Batulao.

This time, im posting about a music video that was shot on land, and not up there, where carrying yourself alone is hard enough, let alone a full-band setup.

Yet carrying a full-band setup to the 5th floor of UST's Beato Angelico building wasn't easy either.

At 400 years old, University of Santo Tomas, or UST is Philippine's oldest school, where I and Mr. Tramping Philippines, Dane Policarpio graduated.

UST is situated at Manila's Bull's Eye. Aside from its geographical accuracy, I call it Bull's Eye because anywhere that is near my house is a good place to walk to, which is very much not a mountain peak.

We managed to keep Dane from climbing somewhere far to shoot this music video, and since this video included clips that were intended to show-off UST's signature spots, I find it prudent to share this to Tramping Philippines readers. By far, this is the best of our multi-media hardworks, featuring one of the grandest universities in the Philippines.

Thanks Dane! I'll leave with some more noteables for your readers:

- That building with a huge cross on its tip is not a church. Now you know. I had to study there to know it.

- Philippines' national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal studied in UST. He didn't like it. You know. Old-school issues.

- UST is a university, church, and hospital in one. So living near UST is good for your body, soul, and brain.

- Your dear author is our drummer. Enjoy Maude's music video!

Yes. Yes. Yes, I am not a food blogger but why am I writing an article about Wai Ying if this is so? Disclaimer: this write-up may delve on sumptuous viands and delicious meals like the ever famous Wai Ying siomai but still, this is not a food article.

Although writing about the invigorating dishes would be an added bonus, this is not about sharing my opinion that Wai Ying is the best Chinese food restaurant ever. What I’ll be telling you though is the story of how the ultra-delicious selection of Chinese delicacies this certain fast-food place offers affected my life. Yeah! This is not a food article.

Years back during our 2^nd year in College, Agnes and I found our perfect partner in crime. His name: Tyron Ty.

He is the Chinese-Filipino dude in our class popular for his random jokes that would constantly elicit laughter because of those facial expressions he would complement them with. Tyron became one of my best friends and it was only later that I discovered an added perk; he turned out to be the son of the manager of Wai Ying fast food, Cecil Ty.

I remember being accused as the bad influence of our trio because before long, I started influencing these two geeks to consistently cut classes just to find some place to sit and do nothing on. Tyron eventually got tired of just sitting around and initiated the thought of bringing us to the restaurant his mother was managing.

We walked from UST to Recto just to experience the supposedly godly Chinese delicacies he was always talking about but as I entered the building, I was not pleased. The restaurant was just too small and too crowded. It was air-conditioned, yes, but still, it did not cater to my taste.

I let Tyron order my meal as I was not really into Chinese food back then. He ordered me a Beef Mami and a dish of their siomai while I was nagging him about some of the complaints I have about the place. I was still mumbling incessantly when the waitress arrived handing me 4 big pieces of siomai simmering hot within a bamboo dish.

I stopped and looked. It was humongous as compared to other siomais I had eaten before yet, I didn’t feel the craving I was supposed to have. Tyron ceremoniously prepared the toyo-calamansi sauce lacing it with chilli. I dipped the dumpling and took a small bite. In a matter of milli-seconds, with the sauced siomai just starting to melt in my mouth, literally and figuratively, I almost tasted heaven.

I never expected that dumpling to be so sumptuous. All the cosmetic complaints I had about the place suddenly became irrelevant to what I was unexpectedly experiencing. I was being touched by God through food.

I consumed the 4 pieces in a record time of 2 minutes. All of a sudden, I was a Chinese food lover. I ate the beef mami, asked for another bowl and ordered an additional meal of curry beef rice. It was such an astonishing experience that I impulsively ordered anything that looked delicious.

With another order of siomai downed and a full meal of curry beef rice finished, I was finally stuffed. I was overly surprised by how much I have eaten: 8 pieces of siomai, 2 bowls of beef mami, a full meal of curry beef rice and 2 glasses of milk tea. It was definitely a huge feast.

Finally, we did find a waterhole to while away from our boring classes of English 201 and business management 201. Twice a week, we would walk from UST to Recto to consistently experience heaven through Wai Ying.

This was also the start of our hiking lives. After our meal, coming from Wai Ying, we walked through the paved roads of Binondo, Santa Cruz, and Carriedo finally having our last stop at the round table of Intramuros to ride a jeepney back to UST.

The stupidity of coming up with the decision to walk that distance was quite mind-boggling. We could have saved a lot of time by just boarding a jeepney in the nearby roads of Recto but we purposely chose the 1-hour walk to intramuros without any good reason why.

Maybe the invigorating meals of Wai Ying rendered us completely insane. Nonetheless, it started one of the best companionships I ever had. I would never trade a short 5-minute walk to Recto for the lifetime of stories and experiences I shared with 2 of the most important nincompoops in my life during our ridiculous hikes through Binondo. It became our weekly thing and ultimately made our friendship stronger.

After 6 years, Wai Ying, with its great food and excellent service, is still the restaurant in our minds when discussing where to conduct our post-climb meal. I vigorously tried tasting all of the other supposedly best siomais in town yet none of them came close to the exploding sumptuousness I get from the famous Wai Ying dumpling.

When the three of us climbed the highest mountain in the Philippines, the statement “Wai Ying tayo after neto!” was still uttered by one of us readily seconded by the remaining two with “SIGE! GAME! TARA! SIOMAI WUHUUUUUUU!!”, notwithstanding the fact that we were in Davao, hundreds of kilometres away from the place.

*Wai Ying has 2 branches, both located at Benavidez St. but situated on other sides of the street. The one we usually go to is the Binondo Branch which boast of happier personnel as compared to the one in Tondo.

After 3 days of backpacking through Occidental Mindoro, the grand finale of our trip was unquestionably just around the corner. During these past few days, I thought I had fully indulged myself with whatever spectacular splendour this paradise island of Mindoro could ever offer, not knowing that Apo Reef was secretly planning to blow our minds a little bit more. Spoiler Alert: It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever visited in my entire life.

The 3-hour journey to the reef starts at the Sablayan Eco-tourism office. For a more straightforward itinerary to this majestic place, Sablayan Eco-tourism office would be very much willing to facilitate a comfortable journey for you. As per my experience, this is one of the best tourism offices in the Philippines. It boasts of very accommodating personnel with free Wi-Fi as well!

As for our sojourn, we were accompanied by Ate Helen, one of the tourism officials of the place. Being just a company of 2, we were supposed to pay a hefty price for the boat. I think it was not by mere strike of luck or coincidence that on that most opportune time, the governor of North Cotabato decided to dive down this world famous reef. It was indeed God’s design that these two lowly backpackers, be in the company of a group with whom they could hitch a boat ride. Finally, the journey to my 2nd and Agnes' 3rd of the 3 Apos of the Philippines began.

The trip ominously started with grey skies floating above our heads. It was quite intimidating at times but as we inched closer and closer to the reef, the hint of blue started to overpower the dark clouds above.

As if a grand way of welcoming us, the elusive sun rays pointed directly at the small island. My mouth was almost open the whole time we were docking. After sailing on bleak waters for 3 hours, like the 3 kings in search of the manger, we looked in awe as we touched the white sands of the virgin beach of Apo Reef. Standing firmly and staring blankly at the deep blue waters, I was so moved yet so speechless for 5 minutes.

I was in total shock. I never expected the place to be this beautiful. Fortunately, the heat of the sands burning under my feet took me away from my lucid dream just in time for us to register.

We readily pitched our tent beside the camp of the Governor. We were lucky enough to have them as company. But fortune really moves in mysterious ways: Ate Helen gave us additional food from the Governor’s camp. What a pleasant treat to start a wonderful adventure!

After the invigorating meal, we decided to roam around the beach. Although we were aware of the fact that nothing would be able to replicate the grandeur of the place, we nonetheless took all the pictures we could, taking shots from all the angles we perceived could ably capture its real charm. The reef was definitely mesmerizing beyond words.

We took a dip on its clear waters enveloped by the blue skies above. Weather forecasts predicted a cloudy afternoon but Apo Reef took a different route. With luck always following us, the sun never went out of sight until the horizon covered its rays.

Before sundown however, Ate Helen brought us to the towering lighthouse of the island. I never really thought anything about the structure but as I was climbing the steep staircase of the edifice, I was for the nth time caught off guard by the majestic view that instantly flooded my sight.

If truth be told, I have this secret fear of heights since I was a child; the very reason why I started climbing was just to conquer it. I’ve been on top of Mt. Apo and other high peaks but after what seemed to be a lifetime, this was the first time that I once again felt butterflies in my stomach as I looked down from above with visibly trembling feet. It was a frightening experience indeed but after 10 minutes of getting used to climbing the unusually steep staircase, I was back to my old inapprehensive self. I was again enjoying the ascent.

This was the first time I climbed atop a “parola” and what a first time it was. I climbed on top of multiple mountains in the Philippines but seeing this island from atop was a uniquely diverse experience.

The sun was setting as we reached the top of the platform. I was superbly stunned by the mantle of beauty wrapping up the whole area. On top of this island, I was blown by how elegant nature really is.

Circling around the viewpoint, the entire vicinity was visible: the sight of the reef and the blue-green waters of the sea, the fresh-water lagoon encircled by Mangrove forests, the spectacular limestone formations that surround the island. This eagle’s eye vista truly gave us a different perspective of the whole place.

We stayed a little bit longer than usual at the viewpoint: taking photos and savouring the exquisite splendour unfolded before us. I was really elated having climbed my first lighthouse at a very beautiful place. Now I know why Ivan, author of Batang Lakwatsero, has a “Parola” series in his blog. It really is an awesome structure that gives you majestic views from a different vantage point.

As the sun was waving its goodbye, we started our descent. We were about to prepare our meal but Ate Helen once more took care of the cooking. We were treated like honorable guests vacationing in one luxurious island. They served our dinner at the center of the reception hall, back dropped by the sun setting down the horizon complimented by the multi-colored sky. It was the best dinner one can ever have.

We thought it proper to share the sumptuous dinner with the locals who were responsible for giving us this feast. We stayed at the beach gazing at the stars. Weather forecast foretold clouds hovering around for the next few days. Erroneous as they used to be, this night had the most star studded sky I had ever gazed upon.

After an hour, the pull of our tent was too much to ignore, thus we decided to end our adventurous 1^st day at this alluring and stunning piece of God’s work. Apo reef bid goodnight in a very peaceful manner.

At the first hint of daylight, I went out of our tent expecting cloud cover. But as I unzipped the flap of our temporary abode, the color blue dominated the sun lit virgin white sand beach. The sun was searing hot but it was such a blessing. After praying hard for a good weather, I was actually ecstatic how the way things turned out.

We ate fruits for breakfast and once again roamed around the beach for other interesting photo opportunities at the other side of the island. I saw different kinds of limestone formations constantly pounded by the rock-battering waves of the open sea.

After the fruitilicous meal, Ate Helen toured us through the mangrove-covered fresh water lagoon of the island. The hike was a somewhat precarious considering that the bamboo foot-bridge was rather worn out by either age or countless traverse on it or both but the enticing sight of the lake was reason enough to endure the 5-minute balancing act.

The lake was a revelation. It was so calm that it mirrors everything that sits on top of it. Having a blue sky was a bonus as the calm freshwater mirrored the color. It was reminiscent of Mt. Apo’s lake Venado.

We went back to our camp primed to return to Sablayan mainland but ate Helen convinced us to come with other groups for snorkelling. We extended our stay for 3 hours and had an awesome time swimming with the different kinds of marine life Apo reef offered.

I saw schools of fish swimming in circles for the first time in my life. One of the boatmen even told me to dive closer but as I was about 15 feet submerged, I sensed my lungs giving up and I had to swim back to sea level. I consider it as the deepest I’ve ever free dived.

The divers in the group saw plenty of creatures including sea turtles, schools of fish and even a reef shark. We were very much envious but woefully, the budget we had was not enough even for an intro dive.

We ended the reef tour and went back to our place. We broke camp and swiftly went on a 3-hour boat ride back to Sablayan mainland. It was a bittersweet departure from one of the best places I’ve visited. We waved goodbye to Apo Reef promising to come back before 2012 ends, hoping by that time, we would finally experience the underwater majesty it has.

What I experienced in this Occidental Mindoro backpacking trip were shock and awe. I never really underestimated the beauty of the place but the expectation I had was much lower than what it had actually offered. It was ultimately a nice 5-day backpacking trip through one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines peopled by the friendliest locals we have ever met, courtesy of the best tourism office a town could ever have. If I consider Palawan as my number 1 destination, Occidental Mindoro definitely must be my number 1A.

*because I love Apo Reef so much, I'll be posting additional photos for all of you to gaze upon.

virgin white sand beach

lighthouse from below

frightening view from atop

dominant color blue

mangrove forest

clearest waters I've ever seen

calm blue lake

shells scattered all around

view from registration office

cloudy start

yactch on a vacation

First part of the Occidental Mindoro Series
San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

Group Itinerary

day 3 (Occidental Mindoro Backpacking trip)

10:00 - departure from Pandan Grande Island

10:30 - arrival at Sablayan Market, buy fresh meat

11:00 - arrival at Sablayan Tourism Office

12:00 - departure for Apo Reef

15:00 - arrival at Apo Reef, register, set up camp

15:30 - roam the island, swim

18:00 - departure for lighthouse

18:05 - arrival at lighthouse, sight seeing

18:30 - departure from lighthouse

18:40 - arrival at campsite, prepare dinner

19:00 - dinner

20:00 - roam beaches

21:30 - lights out

day 4 (Occidental Mindoro Backpacking trip)

08:00 - wake up, breakfast

09:00 - hike to lagoon

09:20 - arrival at lagoon, take pictures, ride balsa if available

10:00 - arrival at camp, prepare for snorkeling

10:30 - arrival at dive site, either dive or snorkel

13:00 - back at Apo Reef Island, late lunch

14:00 - breakcamp

15:00 - departure from Apo Reef

18:00 - arrival at Sablayan Mainland

19:30 - departure from Sablayan to San Jose

22:30 - arrival at San Jose,

23:00 - arrival at Transient, dinner

day 5 (Occidental Mindoro Backpacking trip)

00:00 - lights out

04:30 - wake up, departure for Airport

05:30 - arrival at Airport

06:30 - departure from San Jose to Manila

07:20 - Arrival at Manila

~~Post-travel depression ensues…~~

How to get to Apo Reef.

by Air

Daily flights from Manila to San Jose are serviced by Cebu Pacific, Air Phil Express and Zest Air. From San Jose, board a tricycle to take you to Dimple Express Terminal for Air-conditioned Buses. A two to three hour long travel will take you to Sablayan. You can also hire a van from San Jose to Sablayan.

When at Sablayan, board a tricycle to take you the Sablayan Eco-Tourism Office and they will take care of EVERYTHING except for food and water.

You can contact them beforehand at: +639284659585, Email: amazingsablayan@yahoo.com

Tip: Tricycle costs 10 pesos per person only. Don't ask, just pay. They will charge you 100 pesos if you did.

by Sea

A two and a half hour Ro-Ro cruise from Batangas Port to Abra de Ilog Port and then a three hour land travel will take you to Sablayan

From Metro Manila, an air-conditioned bus to Sablayan (via Ro-Ro ferries) takes a comfortable eight hours.

From Visayas, daily six-hour boat trips from Libertad, Antique to San Jose are available, followed by a two to three hour land trip to Sablayan

*We would like to thank Ate Helen of the Sablayan Eco-tourism office for guiding us and touring us all throughout our stay at Apo Reef. Thank you so much for the magnificent company you gave us.

Months after my graduation in 2008, with no idea on what the “real world” was, I unexpectedly found myself entangled into the web of corporate life. I began longing for a short breather. In what seemed to be a most opportune time, my cousin requested our presence in his forthcoming wedding in Badoc, Ilocos Sur which was coincidentally scheduled on Ninoy Aquino Day. Alas! The vacation was set and a 3-day road trip was planned.

A visit at the bailiwick of Ferdinand E. Marcos on a holiday celebrated in memory of Ninoy Aquino’s death? Ironic it may seem but, what do I know about them? Born exactly one year and a day after the first EDSA revolution, I was left with only history to reckon with. I had this certain respect for both men but the enigma of President Marcos was more beckoning to me than that of Ninoy’s. Maybe it was because at that time, while so much had been said about Ninoy, my only recollection of Ferdinand E. Marcos was vaguely associated with what they called martial law.

On our way to the wedding, we chose to drive through the road less travelled. We passed by the provinces and municipalities of Tarlac, Lingayen and Dagupan, had a glimpse of the mountain silhouettes of the Cordillera region and visited numerous old churches constructed by the Spaniards. After 10 long hours of driving through paved asphalt, we finally reached our main destination: Ilocos Region, the province known to many as home to one of the most powerful families in the Philippines

Waking up for the second day was quite exhilarating. We agreed to go directly to Pagudpud but my mom fortunately decided to make stopovers on almost all the famous landmarks of the province. The old church of Badoc was not that memorable as for my experience but the visit we had at the house of Juan Luna was one of a kind.

Like a kid in a toy store, I was awed by its magnificent façade. With meter-wide brick walls and carefully placed wooden floors, having a house exactly like this suddenly became a fantasy of mine. Even without air-conditioning, the interior of the mansion was cool and comfortable. It may be attributed to its stone-walled structure blocking the sun’s heat from outside. It was truly astounding.

We had a short tour of the place walking through every nook and cranny we could find. Having a chapel, a deep well, great staircases and a spacious azotea, this house is absolutely an embodiment of a well-to-do living during the Spanish times.

After recounting and reliving Juan Luna’s history, we set out to traverse one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. With its gigantic exterior and astonishing history, one can always be overwhelmed by the sight of the St. Augustine church of Paoay.

We strolled through its historic garden and walked in awe beside the church walls. Dwarfed by its huge structure, taking photos beside it was quite challenging. Nevertheless, we had an enjoyable time trying to fit the huge structure of the church as backdrop to our pictures.

After the multiple photo opportunities, we finally boarded my brother’s car and headed to the destination I was really looking forward to. Driving for just a brief moment, we finally entered one of the most famous mansions of the region.

Built as a fortress for the Marcoses, in the middle of which was an edifice that houses the fallen body of the once most powerful person in our country. Awaiting permission to be buried at the “Libingan ng mga Bayani”, Ferdinand Marcos’ wife decided to have his corpse preserved and displayed on a refrigerated glass coffin.

As soon I entered the darkly lit chamber with the illuminated glass box deftly positioned at the centre, I did experience goose bump. Aptly serenaded by “March” music complimented by the cold gust of wind coming from inside the room, it really had an eerie and almost freaky atmosphere. However, once I saw the body of the former president, all of that feeling suddenly disappeared, replaced by questions bursting out of my head. Was it really him? How come such a powerful man succumbed to this kind of defeat? Did he really do all of the things he was accused of? As I had stated, I was born exactly one year from his downfall that’s why the confusion in my head was so severe.

We stayed for a while and walked through the insides of the establishment. Displayed atop tables and glass cabinets were the different kinds of equipments and paraphernalia used and notes handwritten before, during and after the 2 decades of his overwhelming administration. It was really astonishing seeing all them stacked up for more than 20 years.

At noon however, we opted to have our lunch at a restaurant situated near the Windmills of Bangui. We were supposed to trek to the Kapurpurawan rock formations but having a sedan as our mode of transportation, we ultimately decided to skip the rough road to keep the car as fixed as possible.

While eating lunch we were astounded. Not only were we served with delicious Ilocano meals, we were also given the majestic view of the 21 monstrous edifices.

After the hearty lunch, one by one, we demonstrated how we were being dwarfed by the humongous fans that powered the municipality. It was definitely a splendid experience.

Before sundown, after all the stopovers, we were truly ecstatic having reached Pagudpud. Dipping in its cool sea water and playing with its white sands, it was a nice end to long day of road adventure.

Saud beach resort had a swimming curfew of 6 in the afternoon so after dinner, we were all lying on our beds, thanking God for giving us strength to reach all the destinations we had touched.

We all woke up early in the morning to catch up for the wedding and at 9:00 AM, we were all back at Badoc just in time for the ceremonies. Mouth-watering food served from humongous plates was hovering right in front of my face. One by one, I got a taste of the sumptuous and delicious Ilocano delicacies.

After the reception, we waved goodbye to our cousin and his new family, thankful for the warm hospitality they showed us during our stay in their province. However, the vacation was not completely done. Vigan was supposedly the first destination we planned to visit in Ilocos but the downpour that happened 2 nights ago made us decide to skip it.

Now, with sunshine all throughout the day and rain clouds not in sight, we enthusiastically continued with our planned visit to the world heritage site of Calle Crisologo.

We walked through its scenic street, being constantly reminded of the olden days were the Calesas were considered the king of the road. Nostalgic and old-fashioned were 2 words that described what I was feeling as I hiked through its brick laden path. Old houses and Spanish architecture were scattered all throughout the road.

We stayed for a while as we savoured the atmosphere of the well-preserved road. We relished and admired the stunning beauty of the place. It was a bitter-sweet experience as we were about to finish the 3-day adventurous road trip we just had. Capping off our wonderful sojourn, Vigan really caught our hearts off-guard.

After about 2 hours tramping “Calle Crisologo”, we waved goodbye to the proud province of the north, promising that one day, we will come back for a longer and more fruitful adventure. Ilocos may only be reached by a gruelling 10 hour drive, but it is all worth the suffering once you enter the plush and proud province of the Marcoses and the resilient Ilocanos.

You may also like my mom’s blog about this trip:

http://barefootroamer-barefootroamer.blogspot.com/2011/08/cross-country-drive-manila-to-pagudpud.html

*Credits to Deejay Policarpio and Jopie Policarpio for most of the photos in this post

When Filipinos hear of Puerto Galera, the first thing that pops into their mind is the picture of an over-crowded white beach. Being easily accessible with quite affordable accommodations on top of the party atmosphere, the place is popular to college students and young professionals looking for a weekend getaway.

Unknown to many however, there is one place here where peace-seeking travellers can find a relaxed and tranquil serenity. Away from the noise and the havoc Puerta Galera is known for, one can appreciate its lush waters better at the lesser known beach of Talipanan.

More than ever, Talipanan beach can be really quiet during off-season. With only 5 resorts, it is absolutely a catch for a tourist looking forward to a relaxing weekend. Of the few places we could spend the night in, we chose to stay at the Bamboo House Beach Lodge and Restaurant.

Arriving early at the area, we were taken aback by the utmost serenity of the place. It was summer season yet the beach was devoid of tourists and other people. We could only hear the crashing of the waves and the gentle whishing of the ocean breeze.

Our lunch had to wait as we chilled out by the beachside taking pleasure on the whiff of crystal clear sea water. We started to put the stress of our daily life in Manila behind. It was indeed a great place to unwind.

After the sumptuous lunch, we braced ourselves for the adventure that lied ahead.

First off, we went snorkelling at the Coral Garden. Subjected to an unorthodox way of showcasing sea life, I somehow didn’t like being dragged by a small boat to the fish sanctuaries. Nevertheless, the beauty of the place was still overwhelming that the pain felt by my knees began to subside.

After taking photos of the sand bar, we decided to go back to our resort but as we were on our way, our group stumbled upon a stretch of secluded virgin beach. We politely asked the boatman if we could stay there for a while and fortunately, he obliged cheerfully.

Being toppled by meter high waves, the Pacific Ocean beach of Dingalan suddenly came to mind. It was in fact astounding and as an added bonus, the place was once again free of other tourists.

As we returned to Talipanan, we were given a parting gift by the skies as it exhibited a scenic view of the sun approximating the horizon. It was a magnificent end to an incredible day.

Back at the resort, we humbly requested that we partake our dinner outside the restaurant where we would be serenaded by the symphony of humming crickets and the ocean waves. They graciously agreed, quickly moving the table and other utensils to a hut near the beach; it was an exquisite phase to start a peaceful and quiet night.

After the invigorating dinner, we loafed at the beach front for a while. We gazed at the stars while sharing stories from our past endeavors. It was a very comfortable place to bond such that we were almost lulled to complete slumber.

After hours of bonding in the sand, we finally surrendered to our beds, ready to recharge our bodies after a day at the open seas.

At the first sight of the sun, we decided to swim at the resort’s beach front. We swam for hours and enjoyed the tranquil almost empty beach. We savoured the moment until it was time to check-out. The weekend tour was closing to its end.

We all went home having the “bitin feeling”. Two days at the island was definitely a short time to explore the whole place but at least we still had plenty of good reasons to come back to that serene piece of land.

Nonetheless, we were so pleased to be given time to take away the stress from our daily upbeat life. It was a welcome respite after months of captivity from the city of Manila. After being battered and bruised by the never ending tapestry of people and events at the metro, Talipanan beach is definitely the place where we can have relaxation and tranquillity almost at its finest.

Group Itinerary

day 1

03:30 - Meet up at Cubao Jam Liner

04:00 - Departure to Batangas Pier

07:00 - Arrival at Batangas Pier

07:15 - Departure to White Beach

09:30 - Arrival at White Beach / Take trycycle to Talipanan

10:00 - Arrival at Talipanan Beach

11:00 - Lunch

13:00 - Island Hopping (coral garden / sandbar / secluded beach)

17:00 - Return to resort

19:00 - Dinner

21:00 - Lights out

day 2

07:00 - Breakfast

08:00 - Swimming / Beach bumming

12:00 - Checkout resort

12:30 - Arrival at White Beach / Lunch

13:30 - Departure to Batangas Pier

15:30 - Arrival at Batangas Pier / Board bus to Manila

18:30 - Arrival at Manila

** Sometimes there are boats that go straight to Talipanan.

How to get to Talipanan Beach

Board a Batangas Pier bound bus. The travel takes about 3 hours. Upon arrival at Batangas Pier, purchase ferry tikcets to Talipanan Beach / White Beach. Ferry usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.

If drop off is at White Beach, take tricycle to Talipanan Beach.

For ferry schedule, you can checkout this site:

http://puertogaleraferry.net/trips.html

Bamboo House Beach Resort:

http://www.bamboohousebeach.com/index.htm

It was cloudy and gloomy as I gazed out of our jeepney. I was hugging myself to douse off the shiver induced by cold winds sifting into our vehicle. Silhouettes of undulating mountain peaks and sea of clouds formation dominated the view. “Definitely Cordilleras”, I said to myself followed by a soft and subtle smile.

I checked the time; it was 07:00 AM in the morning. After more than 7 hours of travelling, we finally started our trek up. From the cemented path lined by houses on both sides, our feet gradually trod on raw soils: after 30 minutes, I was reacquainted with the mountains I was longing for.

The first part of the trail was a steady ascent atop the ridges. It was a bit steep at some parts but scrambling up was not needed. It could be compared to the first part of an Akiki climb, nevertheless no matter how boring the trail could get, the view awarded to us was one of a kind.

I looked everywhere as I walked along the well established path. Soon after, we were gifted with a garden-like place. As our group halted for a rest, I stopped and mused. It was so magical that I sat speechless in one corner.

Gazing on the pine forest down the ridgeline, I was in total awe. I prayed and thanked God for the perfect weather that he gave us. The wind gently caressed my head as the chirping birds serenaded our breathing place. “Definitely Cordilleras”, I said to myself followed by a soft and subtle smile.

We continued with the trek taking short breaks from time to time. The mountain definitely had a certain aura that made the climb easy. Although every ounce of strength and attention should be devoted to the hike, our eyes couldn’t help but stare at the beauty that undeniably was so astounding.

2 and half hours into the climb, we were pleasingly welcomed by the blooming flowers and warm grass at the mountain village of Indupit. “Later we will see Mt. Pulag”, Kuya Bernard uttered as I gazed upon the peaks. I stood at the edge of the ridge savoring the cool breeze that was gently touching my face. At last, I was again one with the mountains.

After resting for 30 minutes, we continued with the hike. Crossing the flat ridge known as Mt. Samiento, we took our time taking photos of the picturesque pine forest down below. The sceneries reminded me of the views at the Akiki trail but the path we took here was as easy as that of Ambangeg. Mt. Ugo finally bragged of its beauty.

With every step I took, I imbibed the elegant display of nature unfolding down below. Rolling slopes and heaving pines were all I could see. The clouds ran past us as the sun began to rise. “Definitely Cordilleras”, I said to myself followed by a soft and subtle smile.

After another 2 hours of hiking, we reached the waiting shed near Dumolpos. The summit of Mt. Ugo was now within eye’s reach. We decided to partake our lunch with the sight of the monstrous peak looking down on us. “Hello Mt. Ugo”, I said to myself “Finally, we meet”.

With stomachs full and bodies recharged, we started the assault to the summit after the 1 hour breather. Kuya Bernard allotted a time of 2 hours and a half to reach the highest peak. I braced myself for a hot and steamy trek.

The trail from Dumolpos started with a gradual descent through the village. Kuya Bernard ultimately decided to skip the school to save another 30 minutes of hiking. We continued downwards until we reached the last water source. It was the start of a steep 1 hour hike to the top.

Inch by inch, the summit of Mt. Ugo began to come near. My skin was burning as the heat of the sun started to engulf the place. With every breath I took, I mustered all my strength just to get close to our goal. It may be the only challenge a climber would face here but the sceneries would always take your mind off the exhaustion.

After almost 2 hours and 40 minutes, I reached the top. I patiently waited for the group to show up but I was struck by the sight of Mt. Pulag, Mt. Tabayoc and Mt. Timbak from afar. “Definitely Cordilleras”, I said to myself followed by a soft and subtle smile.

At the summit, we took things to a halt. Being there at an early time of 3:40 PM, time was definitely not a problem. We took photos of the surrounding mountains and posed for portraits that will someday serve as memorabilia of this very unforgettable climb. Ron, who was sick months ago, was finally healthy enough to witness his first sea of clouds formation.

At the sight of the sun almost setting at the other peaks, we pitched our tents and readied our dinner. “Sinigang na Baboy” was unanimously voted as most appropriate for the expected cold temperature. We ate, relaxed and at the sight of the stars, decided to close our flaps to end a very memorable climb to the top of Mt. Ugo not knowing that the mountain still had more in store for us.

At 9:00 AM the next morning, we started our traverse to Itogon. Unaware that the trail was this beautiful at sunrise, I was dumbfounded but pleasantly surprised.

Distant views of various mountains could be seen from the path: Mt. Pulag, Mt. Sto Tomas, Mt. Cabuyao, Mt. Kabunian and even the city of Baguio. We took our time going down the slopes as the backdrop was so alluring. We took photos of every conceivable angle we could find.

Mt. Pulag's brown grassland summit

Mt. Kibungan

Mt. Sto. Tomas and Mt. Cabuyao

Crowded peak of Baguio

Walking down the ridge trail to Lusod, I saw a revelation. It can be considered as one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to having the most dazzling view I’ve seen. I thought only one mountain range in the country could give me this splendid beauty. “Definitely Cordilleras”, I said to myself followed by a soft and subtle smile.

This trek down became one of the slowest I’ve done on a hike. Before this climb, we would consistently run on every downhill mountain path we took but now, having this gorgeous piece of land right in front of us, we could never help but stop and admire the place.

We walked on an incomparably much slower pace. Mt. Ugo definitely has something that would make a hiker stop and halt just to look around.

After the nature gazing, we finally reached the small village of Lusod. We prepared our lunch, ate the sumptuous meal and took a well-deserved rest.

After 1 hour, we continued with the trek. Kuya Bernard asked if we could run down to Kawayan Village so we could be at Itogon at a much earlier time. Without any hesitations, we agreed and ran down as fast as we could.

We tried really hard to follow his pace but to no avail. Although our's was fast, we could never equal his trail running skills. After 1 hour and a half from Lusod, we reached Kawayan Village.

The temperature became very high as our altitude suddenly dropped to a low 500 MASL causing our group to gulp a combined 4.5 liters of Coke, Sprite and Royal in just a matter of minutes.

The 10-minute walk to reach the hanging bridge and additional 5-minute hike to reach the bang house ended a very memorable and fun 2-day traverse of one of the most beautiful mountains I’ve climbed. As I tramped the last steps of this adventure, I looked back and saw the amazing peaks we've just passed. In a very bitter-sweet moment, I waved goodbye to one of the best places I've hiked.

I sat at the back of the van gazing at Mt. Ugo with a smirk on my face. We finished this traverse bringing with us much fun and unforgettable memories of the mountain etched in our hearts. On our way back to Baguio, I asked myself what I consider the most beautiful place I’ve been to. “Definitely Cordilleras”, I said to myself followed by a soft and subtle smile.

*Additional photos of Mt. Ugo. So many beautiful photos of the place couldn't fit in one article. We'll be posting the whole album on our FB page

Waiting for the group

Rice terraces

Acrophobic shot

Sea of Clouds

Pine forest

Photo Opportunities

Follow Kuya Bernard

Ivan's first Benguet climb

*Mayor's request prayer to mountaineers

Group Itinerary

day 0

10:00 - meet up at Sampaloc Victory Liner
10:30 - departure to Aritao Nueva Vizcaya

day 1

05:00 - arrival at CCQ stop-over Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, board rented jeepney
05:30 - departure to Kayapa
06:45 - arrival at Kayapa, register at PNP
07:00 - start trek
07:45 - start of pine forest
09:30 - arrival at Indupit Village, rest/breakfast
10:00 - continue trek to Dumolpos
11:00 - arrival at Mt. Samiento
12:00 - arrival at Waiting shed near Dumolpos Lunch
13:00 - continue trek to summit
14:00 - arrival at last water source
15:40 - arrival at summit, rest, relax
17:00 - prepare dinner
18:30 - dinner socials
22:00 - lights out

day 2

06:00 - wake up, sunrise viewing
07:00 - prepare breakfast
08:00 - breakfast/breakcamp
09:00 - start trek to Lusod
12:00 - arrival at Lusod, lunch
13:00 - Continue trek to Kawayan
14:30 - arrival at Kawayan Village, rest
15:00 - arrival at Foot Bridge
15:10 - arrival at Bang house,
15:20 - arrival at Brgy hall of Tinongdan, logout tidy up
16:30 - departure to Baguio
17:00 - arrival at Baguio, dinner
21:20 - departure from Baguio to Manila

*will arrive at Manila 03:00 AM the next morning

How to get to Mt. Ugo

If planning a traverse to Kayapa. Board a Victory Liner bus bound for Tuguegarrao and alight at the stop-over at Aritao. From Aritao, board rented jeep that will take you straight to the jump-off. You can contact Kuya Edwin at 09204697713 for jeepney arrangements.

Visit bus schedule here: http://www.victoryliner.com/

From Tinongdan at the other side, you can arrange a jeep back to Baguio from Kuya Bernard or passenger vans that travel from Solano to Baguio.

You can contact 09292335956 for van rentals from Itogon to Baguio. You can also contact Ma'am Jerda at 09184876097 for jeepney rentals.

For guides, you can contact Kuya Alex at 09219840254 and he will gladly arrange guides and porters for your climb.

Additional contact: You can contact Ma'am Liza from Itogon City Hall for other inquiries at 09105482678 .

*We would like to thank Ivan Cultura, blogger of Batang Lakwatsero, for joining us in our climb. Congrats to climbing your first Benguet mountain

*Credits to Bryan and Ron for accompanying us during this Traverse. Sa wakas naka kita na ng sea of clouds si Ron!!!

Since the first day I saw Mt. Arayat from a distance, I had this wonderful delusion of someday stepping atop its majestic summit. Upon entering NLEX, my dad would always ask me if I had completed the mountain but sadly, my awkward answer would always be in the negative side. Nonetheless, the fantasy of climbing its subtle peak was beginning to near. Finally, we were about to embark on an adventure traverse atop the realm of Maria Sinukuan, Mt. Arayat.

But unfortunately, the unpredictable weather made Ron, our climbing buddy, worry about the fact that we were about to scale slippery high cliffs thus changing our plans to an almost equal alternative. Minutes after the deliberation began, a mountain situated in Bataan suddenly came into our minds. Finally, we were about to embark on an adventure dayhike atop one of the famous mountains of Central Luzon, Mt. Natib.

But unfortunately, I was reserving Mt. Natib for a weekend double dayhike as part of our training climbs for Mt. Kanlaon. We ultimately scrapped the idea and entered on a new discussion of climbing one of the most famous mountains in Southern Luzon. Finally, we were about to embark on an adventure assault atop the beak of the famous mountain in Cavite, Pico de Loro.

But unfortunately, after all the mumbo-jumbo I said, we just ended up doing a swift and fast dayhike atop Mt. Batulao. The Bus conductor dropped us at the wrong side of Cavite hence; the sudden change of plans.

We patiently waited for a Ternate bus but sadly, only Dasma, Lian, Tuy and Nasugbu buses passed the said road. It was like nature playing an April fool’s joke on a bunch of giddy climbers. We waited patiently and vigorously but after a long hour standing at the side walk, we ultimately decided to Board a Nasugbu bus to climb Mt. Batulao.

Even though not as challenging as the Arayat traverse we planned, the aforementioned climb was still fun. At least I had the chance to climb one of the mountains I love for the first time this 2012. It was nice to see our old friend Wilson finally grown up. The first time I saw him, he was just above my waist.

We started the trek by 8 AM and just after 11:40 in the morning, we were inside the showers, tidying up for a quick side trip at Tagaytay.

It was also surprising to see Tagaytay in full view. You could see mountains like Maculot, Makiling, Batulao, Malipunyo and Banahaw. We finished our lunch and decided to end our day lounging at the very serene Lourdes Church, pondering and chatting about our just concluded trip.

Mt. Maculot at the back of the island

Malipunyo Mountain Range

Cloud covered Mt. Makiling

The photo famous sub-crater of Taal

Nature may have had played us during the said events but however the end result may be, I would always accept it wholeheartedly. May it be a challenging traverse up north or a very relaxed dayhike down south, climbing up mountains will always brighten up my day.

Group Itinerary

03:30 - meet up at Lawton

04:00 - board bus to Dasmarinas (erroneous choice)

04:30 - arrival at Dasmarinas (wait wait wait)

05:30 - board Nasugbu bus

07:00 - arrival at Evercrest, breakfast

08:00 - start trek

09:00 - arrival at camp 1

10:10 - arrival at summit

11:00 - arrival at new trail camp

11:40 - arrival at jump-off board tricycle

12:00 - arrival at Evercrest, tidy up

12:30 - departure for Tagaytay

13:30 - arrival at Tagaytay, lunch

12:40 - arrival at Lourdes Church

16:00 - departure for Manila

17:30 - arrival at Manila (Lawton)

How to get to Mt. Batulao

Board a Nasugbu, Lian or Tuy Bus at Pasay bus terminal and alight at Evercrest jump-off

You may choose to ride a tricycle or walk from evercrest to the foot of the town.

*credits to Ivan, blogger of Batang Lakwatsero, and Ron for accompanying us during the climb

Recollecting our recent Mt. Tapulao dayhike experience, this Tarak Ridge adventure became another testing ground for applying some of the wisdom we learned. We are currently on the planning stage of a dayhike traverse on one of the most famous mountains of the Cordilleras thus another training climb would obviously be of much needed help.

We were destined to climb with a fellow travel blogger, Ivan Cultura, the kid author of the blog, Batang Lakwatsero, who was on the verge of climbing his 4th straight mountain in 4 weeks (Currently has climbed 14 summits in 14 weeks under his belt! correct me if I'm wrong Ivan). Being suddenly hit by the climbing bug, he was the first person in our mind when we arranged this 1-day trek.

We arrived at Bataan at an early time of 04:00 AM. We registered at the outpost and had a sumptuous breakfast at a nearby eatery beside the jump-off. After an hour and a half, we confidently started the hike.

Having climbed this mountain many times in the past, I already have an almost accurate memory of the trail. Agnes would usually ask the distance from a certain checkpoint and I could give an estimated time of arrival, but this dayhike was somewhat different. Instead of the 30-minute walk from the highway to Aling Kurding’s house, we only did it in 20 minutes. We were somewhat faster than before, yet we really did not try to hike that hard.

We were so busy exchanging stories that we unexpectedly bumped into the old lady’s house without even noticing the time. It may be due to the light packs we were carrying but definitely, having a good conversation during the trek did make time fly that fast.

We skipped a breather at Aling Kurding’s and decided to continue with the trek. The pace we were having was a bit relaxed that I thought we would reach the Ridge a little later than expected but surprisingly, we again arrived at the first view point faster than usual.

We again agreed to continue with the hike instead of having a long break as our bodies were still capable of climbing the uphill path. After 2 hours of hiking, we finally reached the clear waters of Papaya River.

We stayed at the river for 10 minutes.

I had an estimated 4.5-hour trek time to reach the ridge to give Ivan some little time to have brief rests but surprisingly, he solidly endured the pace: in my opinion, there was never an instance that he really needed one. He was becoming a strengthened mountaineer in just a month of climbing.

The hike up the ridge had the usual scrambling and root-clinging. It was a welcome treat from the never-ending uphill walk that Agnes and I did on our Mt. Tapulao dayhike. As I’ve attested many times before, I would always pick a 70 to 90-degree steep assault over a 30-degree gradual ascent any day.

Step by step, we inched closer and closer to the ridge. Knowing the path to the campsite, I anticipated a magical sensation as the canopy of trees covering the trail would suddenly cease, giving way to the majestic views of Bataan. This clearing would signal that we would only be minutes away from touching the wind-battered lands of the ridge-campsite.

Sure enough, 10 minutes of scrambling through its rock-laden path gave us one of the best views in the whole of Central Luzon. After 3.5 hours of climbing, we finally reached the campsite and we were welcomed by strong winds gushing from the open sea.

We ate lunch, savoured the gusts of wind and had a long nurturing nap. Sadly, the blowing wind gradually pushed us to the brink of hypothermia making us transfer to the sun-scorched open fields of the ridge. It was much preferable to be burned by the sun’s heat than be frozen to death by the gale. We had a good hour of sleeping atop the piles of dried up grass.

At Exactly 11:11 AM, we started the trek back to Papaya River. Agnes, having injured her right thigh, decided to make our pace much slower than usual.

After an hour of downhill trek, we reached the river-campsite. Arriving at an early time of 12:12 PM, we were 2 hours early compared to my planned time of arrival giving us reason to stay at Papaya a little longer than our usual breaks. After 30 minutes of respite, we continued with our sojourn.

At 03:00 PM in the afternoon, we were back at the jump-off, happy for Ivan for having finished his first major climb. Finally, he had experienced one of the most famous 2-day climbs in Central Luzon in a note-worthy 1-day hike.

It’s actually nice that we are finally done with this certain trek. We initially planned this to succeed our Mt. Natib dayhike last year but the severe headache I experienced made the climb impossible. Maybe, the double-dayhike would be a nice climb this year but a certain mountain situated at the Cordilleras would still be first in the list. That would-be dayhike traverse would make all these other 1-day climbs seem like a walk in the park. Intimidating as it can be, it’s another challenge our group is willing to take.

Group Itinerary

01:00 – Meet up at Genesis Cubao

01:30 – Take Bus bound for Mariveles

04:30 – Arrival at Alas-asin, register, breakfast

05:45 – Start trek

06:00 – Arrival at Aling Kurding’s house

07:50 – Arrival at Papaya River, rest

08:00 – Start assault to Ridge-Campsite

09:20 – Arrival at Tarak Ridge, eat early lunch, rest

11:10 – Trek Down to Papaya River

12:10 – Arrival at Papaya river, rest

12:40 – Trek Back to Jump-off

15:00 – Back at Jump-off, tidy up

16:00 – Board Avenida Bound Bus

19:00 – Arrival at Manila

How to go to Tarak Ridge

Board Genesis Bus or Bataan Transit bound for Mariveles then alight at the intersection near the Baranggay hall of Alas-asin. The conductor knows the right place for you to drop off

You could also board a Balanga bound bus from the liners I mentioned. From Balanga, board a mini-bus bound for Mariveles. Drop at the Baranggay hall of Alas-asin.

From The Baranggay hall, the jump-off entrance is just a 100-meter walk.

*Other photos used in this article are of past climbs up Tarak Ridge. Some were taken at the Tarak Peak and some at El Saco Peak.

A hefty price of 15,000 to 17,000 PhP may render a climber think that buying an MSR Hubba-hubba tent would be ridiculously extravagant. Is it really worth all that money? With a resounding answer, I would always shout the word “YES”, followed by the phrase “It is very much worth it”. This article will show you why.

First and foremost, let’s talk about the weight. According to Cascade designs (Distributor), the whole tent when packed weighs about 4 lbs./1.9 kgs. Yes, they say that it is only a 2-person tent but living in a country where people above 5’9” is considered tall, this tent will comfortably fit 3 normal sized Filipinos. Let’s assume that 3 of you will be sharing the tent, most probably you’ll be dividing it into 3. That’s only about 0.63 kgs of weight for each. For a climber, trekking a mountain in a span of 3 or more days, this weight reduction will definitely give a huge allowance for extra lift.

Secondly, it has a very tight and reliable rain proofing. Our tent encountered a battering storm atop the highest mountain in the country. While other abodes were leaking and drenched, ours was dry up to the end of the expedition. Even when our groundsheet was washed by the pool of water seeped by the soil, still, we didn’t feel any moisture or dripping from inside the tent. The mesh body may become a problem when the cold and almost freezing temperature comes at the campsite but all the same, I will always pick a cold but dry tent over a dripping one.

If you would say that the drenching experienced by others was just because of wrong way of pitching, please think again. The storm we experienced atop Mt. Apo was one of a kind: it was like a typhoon with thunders erupting every 3 seconds at minimum accompanied by strong gale pushing us back and forth. Almost all the tents of the other groups were victimized by the downpour and gale; but our Hubba Hubba kept us dry and comfortable.

An added advantage is the easy-to-stand structure of the poles. It may cause a bit of confusion on first try but when you get used to it, you can pitch it easily by yourself in only a matter of minutes. Also, the tent poles and pegs where manufactured by DAC, one of the most trusted makers of poles all over the world.

The interior of the tent is much bigger than what it looks outside. This is made possible by the pole structure: the side of the tent offers a 90 degree angled wall instead of the usual inclining body of a dome type. The first time I entered our newly bought MSR, I was amazed. I wasn’t expecting such huge room as I was used to fit inside a small 2-person tadpole. It can even fit multiple bags as the tent has 2 well-sized vestibules. I can proudly say that it is big if you compare it to the overall weight of the whole package.

Last but not the least; MSR has one of the best customer services a company could offer. I’ll tell you the story of fellow mountaineer/blogger, Kaiz Belga. She and her boyfriend bought the same type of tent years ago. They used it for every hike they did until the time where the fly sheet of the tent was rendered unusable. Not knowing where to buy a replacement, they emailed Cascade designs to ask where they could buy only the rain fly for the hubba hubba, as the body of the tent was still in good condition. They were simply asked to send in their used and dilapidated rain fly so it can be replaced by a new one free of charge. Talk about customer service! You can scour the internet for other stories concerning how MSR responds to their buyers and you’ll see multiple persons having the same story of their product being replaced by a new one free of charge.

So is it worth it? In my humble opinion, yes, it most certainly is worth it. It may hurt your pocket once you decide to buy it but I’m confident that it will be a good investment for a person, who for the coming years ahead, sees mountain climbing and traveling as a part of himself/herself.

Product Details

Product: MSR Hubba Hubba 2-Person Tent

Place of purchase: T3ckoutdoors, Pasig City (http://www.t3ckoutdoor.com/)

Price: 17,000 Php

Date of Purchase: September 2011

Times Used: Approx 10 mountains and beaches.

You can see the page of the product here:

http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/tents/experience-series/hubba-hubba/product

“Why am I doing this?” I asked myself, “Why are we here?” I continued. I was desperately groping for answers as these questions lingered in my mind while I was treading the slopes of Mt. Kabunian. “Why am I doing this?” I asked myself halfway through our Bakun Trio climb.

The scent of morning breeze found its way into my lungs as I sipped a cup of Baguio-made strawberry taho. Fine weather seemed to envelope our jeepney as it glided through the sloping road of Halsema en route to the laid back town of Bakun. “Thank God” I said, unsuspecting that those gloomy clouds were charting its dubious plan.

By 09:00 AM, the town of Dada welcomed us with its blue sky and rolling slopes but as we started the hike, slithering darkness threatened to engulf the whole place.

Every step I made took me to higher ground until lo and behold, I was staring down the clouds below as the sun up above was kissing my wind-chilled skin. I tramped the mountain’s wide rock-laden path anticipating a glimpse of Mt. Lobo’s triangular peak...and it did not frustrate me. “Hello” I uttered inside my mind. “Nice to meet you” I silently whispered.

It took us a total of 2 hours to ultimately step on top of our first Bakun summit: 2 hours of battle against the moody weather and the unpredictable temperature. I stood quietly as I stared at the blue sky, unaware of the fact that it would be the last time I’d see it for the whole 3-day climb.

I was still savouring the moment when the clouds began its torment. Gradually, the rain became stronger as we started the trek down to Bakun poblacion. In just a few minutes, we were soaked to our bones. It was the start of an ordeal that would continue for days.

After an hour and a half down-climbing Lobo, we arrived at the quiet town of Bakun. Each one of us muttered “1 down 2 to go”. Definitely, the phrase was a fact but I did not know then how different the 2 remaining mountains were. I never had an idea how it would change me as a climber and as a person.

We all surrendered to a peaceful slumber by 10:00 in the evening.

“Good morning, good morning” our team leader shouted as the sudden burst of light jolted us from our tranquil sleep. It was only 5:00 AM when breakfast was served. The whole room was bustling. Finally, it was the start of the real challenge we were all looking forward to.

The menacing dark sky accosted us as we stood outside the hall saying our initial prayers. I never really expected a psycho-test of a climb but this gloomy atmosphere jumpstarted a haunting yet extraordinary adventure that would forever be etched in my mind.

I started the climb with a heavy heart. I set off with doubt pervading my spirit.

For more than 30 minutes, we were down-climbing the plateau. It frustrated my energized body as it was expecting the climb to be more uphill. The slippery surface of the cemented steps added to the burden. “When will this go up?” again, I asked myself while the mental torture was rising.

We reached the hanging bridge that signaled the start of the uphill assault. It was the one I was longing for but unfortunately, the frustration inside started to build up. More so, tiny droplets of rain water made its way through my face, adding yet another obstacle to the challenge.

As we continued with the trek, my mind was almost blacking out. There were no views to see, no blue skies from atop. I had neither inspiration nor had any goals. Trapped at the bottom of the pack, I was rendered speechless. It was monotonous.

I wanted to pass by the others but the rock-face prevented me from doing so. I was suddenly panting for air. Everything became so messed up. My mind scrambled to clear my thoughts and started to process the questions “Why am I here?”, “Why am I doing this?” I was beginning to question my sanity.

I halted and stood for a moment to catch my breath. Agnes, obviously worried, asked why I was acting weird. With no view in sight and no blue skies from afar, everything added up to my anguish. With rain drops falling, dead leaves scattered around, nothingness filling the air as I said, “Parang di na ako masaya sa pagakyat”immediately seconded by“Parang di ko na alam kung bakit ko ginagawa to”.

I was confused. I was tired. I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to stop but thankfully, my pride prevailed over my mind.

Agnes advised me to walk on my own pace rather than being stuck at the tail of the group. I was still over-thinking but at least now, the hard panting stopped. My body was beginning to rejuvenate. Maybe, I was just scared that my body wasn’t responding.

I sipped water from my reservoir and gradually regained my usual pace. At last, I was back but still devoid of enthusiasm. Then out of the blue, nature showed me the reason why I was climbing. Like a faraway mirage, a clearing displayed a sheer rock-face outlined by low clouds delicately gliding through the slopes. It literally took my breath away.

Again, I grinded to a halt and had some rest. Finally, a smirk involuntarily rolled up on my face. “This is it” I thought, “this exhilarating feeling” I murmured. I had been longing for this feeling of excitement that emanates from challenging experiences. I felt butterflies in my stomach but it was good. My heart was pumping. I felt alive.

The trail started to get steep as my adrenal glands pumped out chemicals that made me giddy. At last, I felt fear and excitement. I was afraid but again, it was good. I was so apprehensive thus I felt so alive.

As I stood in front of an almost 70 degree rock-face, my heart pounded incessantly. The non-stop downpour made the path slippery but we did not care. We were all ready for the challenge. Little by little, the rock-face displayed its strength. One by one, we carefully glided up.

After 4 hours of climbing the very beautiful Mt. Kabunian, we touched our 2^nd Bakun summit with pride, fulfilled having stepped on the high peak in spite of obstacles strewn around. I stood and smiled. I was happy. But then at that moment, I realized that happiness after all was not the sole answer to my questions.

I once asked myself the question “Why do I climb?”

Now, after this very memorable Kabunian day hike, I say that it is when I fear that I feel most alive, it is when I hold on for dear life that I feel most alive, it is when I climb that I feel most alive. I don’t know when I’ll stop but when that opportune time comes, at least I have this feeling of fulfillment having done something I wouldn’t have thought I’ll do in a lifetime.

After an hour at the summit, we went back to base as everyone uttered “2 down 1 to go”

Read the second part of our Bakun Trio adventure here
http://www.trampingphilippines.com/2012/08/mt-tenglawan-bakun-trio-part-2.html

view of Bakun, Poblacion from half way trail to Kabunian

Group Itinerary (Bakun Trio)

day 0

20:00 - meet up at Victory liner Pasay
21:00 - departure from Manila To Baguio

day 1

03:00 - arrival at Baguio, Board rented jeepney to Bakun
06:00 - breakfast at stopover
09:00 - arrival at Dada, arrange guides
10:00 - start traverse trek to Bakun Poblacion
12:00 - arrival at Mt. Lobo summit, rest
12:30 - continue trek down
14:00 - arrival at Brgy Hall, late lunch, rest
17:00 - prepare dinner
19:00 - dinner, socials
22:00 - lights out

day 2

04:00 - wake up, prepare breakfast
05:00 - breakfast, prepare for hike
07:00 - start trek to Mt. Kabunian
07:30 - arrival at Hanging Bridge
08:00 - arrival at 2nd Hanging Bridge (Mt. Kabunian signage)
09:00 - arrival at first waiting shed
10:00 - arrival at ridge view point
10:45 - arrival at old Burial tomb
11:00 - arrival at Mt. Kabunian summit, lunch
12:00 - start trek down to Bakun Poblacion
14:30 - back at Brgy. hall, tidy up, rest
17:00 - prepare dinner
19:00 - dinner, socials
22:00 - lights out

day 3 to be continued in part 2

How to get to Bakun, Benguet

Take a Baguio Bound Bus at Cubao, Pasay or Sampaloc Bus Stations. From Baguio, you can rent a jeepney straight to Bakun from Maam Geenia Epe.

Maam Gina's Jeepney

For Victory Liner Baguio Bound Buses, you can check their schedules and fares here: http://www.victoryliner.com

*Special thanks to Kuya Lear, Kuya Gem, Kuya Val and the whole PACM company!! One of the best and most memorables trips we've had, big thanks to our group!!

Anybody who had never touched the sands of Occidental Mindoro would not expect that something in here could figuratively blow one’s mind. We were supposed to climb Mt. Iglit but what we thought to be an unfortunate unavailability of our groupmates turned out to be an unexpected blessing that came in full disguise. With only Agnes and I left to continue the trip, we decided to go on a 5-day backpacking escapade around the province of Occidental Mindoro with our first stop at the surprisingly beautiful town of San Jose.

We arrived at the town’s airport early in the morning with no concrete plan on where to stay or where to begin. We had a thought of booking a room at the better-known Grace Island Resort but for whatever reason, the place was not answering our call. In desperation, we asked one of the terminal officials for help and thankfully, he suggested the newly built Bluewater Beach Resort situated at the beautiful Island of Ambulong.

The resort was a revelation. I wasn’t expecting much from the place but the stunning sight of limestone cliffs standing firmly on clear and calm blue waters immediately made me a sure-fire believer.

As our boat was starting to dock at the beachside of the resort, I was in total awe. My only wish was that the resort was decent enough for our short stay; but what we unexpectedly had was an extremely beautiful haven. I was indeed surprised and overly stunned.

As soon as I alighted from the boat, I quickly removed my Tribu Sandals to feel the magical sands of the beach. Step by step, I felt the soft and powdery sands gently massaging my feet. The sun was scorching hot but I didn’t really care.

I dragged my limped body to the hammock hanged by the beach-front and there, I stared at the glorious sight that gazed upon me. We were supposed to go island hopping through the different beaches surrounding Ambulong but the ambiance of the resort was peaceful enough to make us delay our sojourn for about an hour.

We ate lunch by the beach, rested for a while and had a serene time imbibing the open waters of the secluded resort. I was even so tempted to postpone the island hopping but the opportunity to explore the whole place was exciting enough to drag me off my suddenly lazy butt. We first headed to the Island of General LLanada.

We docked by the beachside of the beautiful secluded island. Of course, there was fine white sand and clear blue sea water but the real attraction of the place was the cottage that the General built for himself. The hut is strategically placed on top of a limestone cliff that can be reached by a 5-minute walk through a cement-paved path. It can be a tiring ascent but the rewarding sight it would give is worth the sweat.

While in the cottage, we had the magnificent view of Grace Island resort floating on top of the seawater, the towering limestone formations on the periphery of Ambulong Island and the white sand beaches on the other side of Ilin island.

It was really amazing seeing all those wonderful places from atop. No wonder that the General wants to spend his retirement days in this spectacular place.

The next stop contains the finest sands I have touched. Situated at Ilin Island, the sands of Inasakan beach resort was truly the most powder-like of them all.

almost powder

Although the place has an entrance fee of 20 Php per person, the small amount would entitle you to a day of dipping and swimming on the surreal clear waters of the beach.

Situated inside a cove, the place was seemingly guarded from the huge waves of the open sea thus rendering the beach perfectly calm to swim on. We stayed here for a while, enjoying the heat of the sun while playing around the sapphire blue ocean.

After 30 minutes, we headed off to the fisherman village of the Island itself. We trekked through the small community to reach one of San Jose’s tourist attractions, the deep limestone caves of Ambulong.

Contorting our bodies and bending our heads, moving inside the deep cave was quite challenging. We only brought two flashlights for the trek making the hike down tougher than usual.

We carefully descended through foot holds and slowly hunched our backs to feel the ground. In about 20 minutes, we finally reached the end of the cave. I tried to enter the smaller holes but the frightening thought of being stuck inside made me think otherwise.

Even inside the cave I was surprised. I was only expecting a small dome like that of El Nido’s but the deep underground route reminded me of the caves of Sagada. The hike was quite tricky but after seeing the shining stalagmites and stalactites, the effort was worth it.

After having been surprised by the beauty of the small island, we went back to the resort, cooked our meal for about an hour and had our dinner by the beachside backdropped by the orange-tinged horizon silhouetted by tapestry of clouds shimmering with dazzling lights reflected by the setting sun. It was an amazing end to a truly wonderful day of unexpected beauty and majesty.

spaghetti for dinner

The next morning, we packed our bags, went back to the mainland and prepared for a 3-hour journey to Sablayan to experience the wonderful beach and virgin surroundings of Pandan Grande Island and Apo Reef.

I think I can say that San Jose can be described as the Mini-Philippines. Having a beach with fine white sands like the ones in Boracay, Limestone formations that can be compared to that of Palawan’s and deep underground caves reminiscent of Sagada, one can really find something to do because of the diversity of the place.

I may not have expected anything from this province before but after experiencing the grandeur of this otherworldly place, San Jose suddenly became one of the best places I had ever visited. It was a truly an amazing way to start our 5-day backpacking trip.

Next part of the Occidental Mindoro Series
Apo Reef, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro

Group Itinerary

day 1 (Occidental Mindoro Backpacking trip)

04:00 - departure from Manila to San Jose

05:00 - arrival at San Jose, make arrangements with locals

06:00 - buy food and supplies (the resort we stayed in was still under construction)

08:00 - departure from San Jose mainland to Ambulong

10:00 - arrival at Ambulong Blue Waters resort, rest, lunch

12:00 - start of island hopping

12:20 - arrival at General Llanada island, explore

13:30 - departure for Inasakan beach

14:00 - arrival at Inasakan beach

15:00 - departure for Ambulong fisherman's village,

15:30 - arrival at Ambulong caves, explore cave

16:30 - back at cave entrance, go back to Ambulong Blue Waters resort

17:00 - arrival at resort, prepare dinner

18:30 - dinner, socials

20:00 - lights out

How to go to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

By Air, daily flights from Manila to San Jose are serviced by Cebu Pacific, Air Phil Express and Zest Air.

By Sea, a two and a half hour Ro-Ro cruise from Batangas Port to Abra de Ilog Port and then a five hour land travel will take you to San Jose

The Resort we stayed in was still under construction but boasts great personnel and management. They were still building the restaurant for the resort that's why we had to buy our own food for our trip.

Excellent beach front rooms situated at a serene and quiet place for a family to spend their days in.

You can contact them at (043) 491-4143; 491-2391 mobile: 0908-8845611. Look for Jonathan Sevilla.

If he asks where you got the info of the resort just tell them from the 2 hitchhiking backpackers that stayed at them for 1 night last February. If he doesn't remember tell him that we were the ones who got his calling card at his hardware store. Tell him we will definitely be coming back!!!

Mt. Pulag | A Visit to Ma'am Gina's Place

Mt. Pulag | The Beauty of Ambangeg Trail

Gear Review | Tribu Mangyan Sandals

El Nido, Palawan | Battle Between Two Giants (part 1)

El Nido, Palawan | Battle Between Two Giants (part 2)

Mt. Tapulao | Dayhike to Redemption

2011 In Review | It's More Fun In The Philippines

Nasa Calaguas Parin Ba Ako?

Gear Review | The North Face Terra 35 Pack

UST | Filming At The Beato Angelico's 5th Floor

Binondo | The Hike Jump-off Named Wai Ying

Occidental Mindoro | The Amazing Apo Reef

Ilocos Region | 3-day Road Trip Up North

Oriental Mindoro | The Serene Beach Of Talipanan

Mt. Ugo | 2-Day Kayapa-Itogon Traverse

Mt. Batulao-Tagaytay | The April Fools Climb

Tarak Ridge | Dayhiking The West Face Of Mariveles

Gear Review | MSR Hubba Hubba 2-Person Tent

Mt. Lobo - Mt. Kabunian | Bakun Trio part 1

Occidental Mindoro | The Surprising San Jose