Mt. Binicayan, Montalban Rizal - November 2015

---

So its been a while since I blogged, but that's is mostly cause I am too lazy, I mean too busy to do stuff.

3 peaks for the day-hike hardcore, or that 7hour trek to Mt. Ayaas.
We were supposed to day-hike Mt. Pamitinan and Binicayan (yep day-hike) but IT for this specific hike should have started way early. As in 6am early. A trilogy including Hapunang Banoy is also suggested for those looking for some lovin-pain. No chance of spending the night on those two, though I reserve about Hapunang Banoy's summit, if it can accommodate tents. (too lazy to research, oh teh PUN)

As far as Pamitinan and Binicayan, NO. Jagged rocks with hardly any flat spots. Hiking, well more of scrambling these peaks require that you wear gloves for better grip and hand protection against sharp rocks. It is also essential to load up on water and sun protection as the trails for both peaks are almost entirely sun-exposed. Reason as well why an early morning hike is recommended to cover both peaks.

Camiguin, Northern Mindanao - September 2014

---

Smaller than its neighboring sibling-island, Siquijor, Camiguin is also similarly given reference to Fire and is called, Island made of fire because of its volcanic ancestor and creator- one that brought wrath and one that which further shaped the island to what it is today.

Calatagan, Batangas - May 2014

SM's Burot Beach always come to mind with Calatagan in the search for words related to Quick Getaways. A target missed, (for now) but none the less, a valid sacrifice to what had been a very relaxing weekend trip with friends. A little over 3hours from the city, feasible commutes, and people-less beaches makes up for a viable choice to bring guests over, heck even escape the grid if time is a constraint.
Albeit Sunrise Cove is far at the edge of the peninsula, last of the beaches in the entire stretch, it holds marvels I would personally say, I could have -not gone to Siquijor for its beaches, had I known Calatagan.

Basco,Sabtang, Batanes - March 2014

---

Batanes. One of the most dreamed of vacation destinations of Filipinos. It is not New Zealand, nor has the best beaches, but its vast hills mixed with angry waves and winds continuously bashing its lands and shores is an irony of peace to a city stressed state of mind. People are kind and honest and gives you the nod at most times even waves at you when afar and Oh, you don't get to find any MickyD’s nor Jolly Bees here. A torture to the commercially reliant and somehow, a relief to ones disgusted with what has been done to Boracay.

An easy reality to the determined deep pocketed and a toss coin of chance for us religiously awaiting for rare seat sales. But then again, having heard that tickets sold at the travel expo this February (and come September) 2014 cost 2k less, makes the 7k/head-back and fort tickets we got sound extravagant. </Hint>. “Still better than paying 14k and up”, we told ourselves in consolation.

In all fairness, SKYJET planes are not propeller types, like those from Airphil, and they serve Cafe France bread, bottled water and offers sparkling wine. They even have a small pack tic-tac handed after the light meal.
*For Sunrise view, take DEF seats.

Mt. Batolusong - Tanay Rizal - February 2014

---

The name has always resounded in my head. Revenge, before I have even attempted to climb the mountain and experience its penitence. Politics surrounding this outdoor spot has been thick and not without cringe. From 2-week permit approval, to toss of appropriate people releasing the permits, (I was handed off from phone line to phone line, and asked to email the wrong people), to supposed background checks and nitty-fuckitys and the sorts. 
MENRO (DENRs locality of sort) have their reasons though. Security maintained in the said mountain has been said to be compromised. Rebels and encounters have been actively threatening lax for mountaineers to hike the mountain.
Through TUCOs efforts, I was able to join this climb, free of the above hassles.

Mt. Gulugod Baboy - Mabini, Batangas - January 2014

Yeah so this is one of those old posts I still found effort to un-scrap and redeem off the blabber list. Everybodys got a point in time where inspiration, time and all em life hassles restrain you from this here.

So Gulugod Baboy.

This Mountain will always be one where I can go back to with less worry to anticipate and less preparedness to man up to. Not to say easy, but trails that trigger just enough heart-rate raise and sweat to note a worthy accomplishment to marvel a hand painted sun set, retire to a windy night, wake up to an awesome view and go down dip feet in sea after.

Dumageuete-Siquijor, Negros Oriental - December 2013

---

The prior trip to Siquijor back in 2010 is but a short and abrupt day tour, being a minor part of the Dumaguete vacation. This led us to go back for reasons above Dumaguetes tricycle infested but laid back city feel and Siquijors fine beaches and tourist spots.. A visit of places we have yet to step on and re-visit of those we have.

Mt. Pack, Mt. Purgatory, Mt. Komkompol - Bokod, Benguet - September 2013

---

I've always been intrigued with the name. Mt. Purgatory. But some participants dread the association that TUCO changed the event name to Mt. Pack-Mt. Komkompol Traverse. This hike is actually a trilogy of landmark mountains summitting Mt. Pack, Mt. Purgatory, then Mt Komkompol.
Been having reservations participating in major climbs, much more a major traverse but I was feeling lucky and determined even when this is my supposed first Major climb.

Hong Kong, China - August 2013

First time to go out of the country, is always a mix of excitement and fear. Stuff heard from horror stories from immigration, customs, government red tapes, crimes against tourists and the sorts. But a year of anticipation, having bought from one of Cebu Pacifics' seat sales pushes us determined to save up, be excited and prepare for the trip. Living in Urban Metro Manila doesnt really give you much to anticipate about a City Vacation, but hell I was wrong about Hong Kong.

Mt. Batulao - Nasugbu, Batangas - June 2013

---

New to Old trail, Night Trek.
So 6 of us guys flipping out for a climb, initiated our own backyard activity ending up in Mt. Batulao. Duval had once planned to retaliate to do a New to Old trail hike and as simple as that, we hike.