Mt. Binicayan, Montalban Rizal - November 2015

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Mt. Mangatarem - Mangatarem, Pangasinan - May 2013

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2nd annual Mt. Mangatarem Tree for Juan (3-4-1)organized by TUCO, KABAN and Hunyango.

We were always warmly welcomed by the locals of Barangay Pacalat, Mangatarem Pangasinan. They love us and greatly appreciate our return for another Outreach, Tree planting - but unfortunately, No Medical Mission this time. We were welcomed by Kap to his Mango filled backyard, allowed to eat its bounties and let-in his home, all 40+ of our group.
This years climb is more chill than the initial, due to some turn of events that required less of our time doing trailworks and more time naturally bitching about the trail difficulty.

Mt. Cristobal-Kabanahaw Cleanup Crusade - Kinabuhayan, Dolores Quezon - April 2013

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Re-routed.
Although it was last minute, Sir Egay rerouting the climb from Major to Minor is a blast of lung held air- a definite relief to a foreboding fear concerning my knee injury- the same handicap I keep blabbering about in all of my hiking posts.

The Banahaw moratorium is still in effect, but the group Kaban and Tuco were able to get the DENR's permit to exempt us and allow to visit the long-time closed mountain in hopes to facilitate a cleanup crusade side by side with the climb. But there are hushes and qualms about our exemptions' why's and how's so to avoid controversies and the sorts, in respect to the standing agreement, opted us to take our fix on to the nearby mountain instead.

Mt. Balagbag - San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal - February 2013

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“If we know exactly where we're going, exactly how to get there, and exactly what we'll see along the way, we won't learn anything. ”  ― M. Scott Peck

Mt. Balabag is a mountain not too far from the city. The Helipad at 780MASL is what people refer to as its summit. It provides a view of Malabon, Manila's Port area, Ortigas and Makati's cityline and stretches as far as Manila's Baywalk, Paranaque and Cavite. Mountaineers, Mountain bikers as well as Motocrossers make this a frequent weekend escape to full fill their fixes. The trail is very established, heck-One can even take a 4x4 up until the summit.

Sitio Balabags trail, although closer to Quezon City via commute, is located in Barangay San Isidro and is family to Rodriguez Rizal.

Mt. Talamitam - Nasugbu, Batangas - January 2013

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About 15minutes further down Mt. Batulao's Evercrest jump-off, is the Sitio Bayabasan jump-off of Mt. Talamitam. Seeing both mountains from Calaruega this early January, sets me off to day dream about when I will be able to break the hiatus and once again punish myself by hiking trails. Although I irk at the political squabbles going on as read from posts from Sir Nick-Talamitams initial caretaker, I forcedfully shrugged it off and joined TUCO (The United Climbers Organization) when our same-day Batolusong climb got bumped out. 

LV Outreach - Taking the children to Manila Ocean Park - November 2012

We promised to return for 3 of the childrens birthdays when we first visited the foundation last September. Make it somehow extra special. Maybe some food, prizes, games and a photobooth. But we never anticipated that asking for sponsorship from friends and families will allow us to make it even more special for all the children. And after a few weeks of planning with friends who dedicated time to help, it was final, we will be taking them to Manila Ocean Park!

Sagada, Mt. Province - December 2012

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There will always be something in Sagada worth returning to. The sweet mountain chill, the smell of pines in the morning, the un-even terrains, picturesque landscapes, sunrises that makes you take off your fleece and sunsets that invite the cold back, cheap veggies, brown rice, and if you're lucky- a wedding or a local festival.
I have fallen in love with this place ever since we came here last 2009 and even when the distance sums up to a clear 12hours+ of travel, the laid back life in a cool, stress free environment makes it all worth it.

Mt. Daraitan Traverse - Tanay Rizal/Gen. Nakar Quezon - December 2012

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My day started at noon on the 7th of December, with an eat all you can lunch team building at Ortigas, followed by a collegue visit at the Lung center, then a 9hr shift that ended at 2am on the 8th. Heavy shit. Hardly any rest. And a lot in mind. I had less than two hours to finalize and limit my pack to 15kilos as I had to leave at 4am to meet with the rest of TUCO (The United Climbers Organization), same guys I frequently join and adopt myself into- supporting their climbs and causes. This time, its a climb to Tanay Rizal, starting at Barangay Daraitan crossing General Nakar Quezon and back.

Mt. Daguldol - San Juan, Batangas - October 2012

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It was final. Push, even if it rains. Push, even when its just the three of us.

We were initially opting to do a 2-hit climb. Mt. Maculot, then Mt. Manabu.But we were all looking for one that we have not yet tried. So even when Pinoy Mountaineer claims that it is a 5hour 670MASL climb, (it's usually longer when us, normal people pace) we head on out to San Juan Batangas and climbed Mt. Daguldol.

Visiting a Childrens Foundation - September 2012

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Me and my wife were excited to have been invited by Chie to be part of her team. As her yearly birthday celebration (and as one of her many), she always makes it a point to help out in the community. This time, at a children's foundation in Quezon City. 

For reasons of misrepresentations and avoiding scam, the foundation, although known and recognized by the DSWD- appreciates that their information is not spread through social media-reason they restrict being named.

We divided the children into 3 groups (Team Spirit, Team Sam and the Cuties, and Team SpongeBob) and went on with the day, a game at a time. The children also had a lot up their sleeves- presentations showcasing their well rehearsed dances and songs.

Boracay Island, Malay - September 2012

Date of Travel : 23-25 September 2012

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There's not much left new to say and explore in Boracay that has not been written, but as we have previously intended, we have returned to this island in Malay for some unfinished business. This time, with less crowd, less hype and as a domino effect, this is followed by cheaper rates, stress free strolls and the beach all to ourselves, almost. We went Para sailing, enjoyed Puka beach, spent less on food(well, we tried), and watched the sun set at White beach.