MOUNT BATULAO FOR THE SECOND TIME

This climb in Mount Batulao in Nasugbu Batangas is dated August 30, 2010 with Jrich Macasero, a very good friend from Philippine National Bank Mountaineering Club. It has an elevation of 811 meters above sea level or an equivalent of 2,660.08 feet. We had contracted a young boy who served to be our guide in the name of Randy Brusas. Actually, we do not need a guide but as part of helping the kids there, we took him as our guide. Jrich, Randy and I started our climb from the Evercrest jump-off point at 7:54 A.M. and we were in the summit at 11:09 A.M. We had a lot of stopover for the picture taking including the halo-halo refreshments along our trail. We cooked and had our lunch in the summit. We were actually using the old trail and in descending, we trailed towards the new trail. We were in the jump-off point at 2:55 P.M. It was a fantastic climb for the second time where my first time was wayback 1998 as an of the initiates of PNB Mountaineering Club. By that time, the sun was not so hot and there was no rain. There was a perfect weather then. Thanks God and thanks also to Jrich who volunteered to be my photographer and also to Randy who was with us telling us so many stories about the mountain and his family.

MY FIRST ZIPLINE EXPERIENCE IN DAHILAYAN ADVENTURE PARK

Barangay Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Philippines

This is a part of my Cagayan de Oro City – Bukidnon Trip dated October 15 to 17, 2010 in Dahilayan Adventure Park, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. The trip package consists of an all-ride zipline ranging with three 150 meters, 320 meters and 840 meters stretch. The starting point is a 320 meter zipline, then the 150 meters zipline and the 840 meters zipline which is considered to be Asia’s Longest Dual Zipline where one is launched at point at an elevation of 4,700 feet above sea level which speeds up to 90 kilometers per hour through lush greenery, foliage of trees and breathtaking views in a cool and foggy weather. Those who are done from the 150 and 320 meters zipline will wait in the Viewdeck and will have an exciting 4 x 4 Army Vehicle cutting through picturesque sprawling hills scaling to the highest point where the 840-meter zipline has its launch pad. The whole park is a part of Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park.

Part of the Park is a Forest Park where people can have a picnic thickly grown with cool pine trees and with life size replicas of almost 70 wild animals ranging from lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, zebras, crocodiles, snakes and others. Other rides and amenities to enjoy with are the exciting ATM trail, the Zorbits, Clubhouse, Botanica Café and Garden, Cowboy’s Grill, Horse back riding, Obstacle Power Play with Rock Climbing and Bungee Bounce for kids. The theme park has various kiddie rides where children can enjoy all throughout their stay. We brought a sumptuous lunch and unlimited food supply for the day trip without any need for paying corkage.

Our group is consist of our host and friend, Rome Frias, Jrich Macasero and Doctor Cesar Garcia along with the Rome’s brother, Enrique or Dodong and wife, Gina with four kids and another three relatives.

How to go there: From Cagayan de Oro, take the Davao-Bukidnon Highway, right on tha Alae Junction, proceed 25 kilometers to Barangay Dahilayan, past Camp Phillips and the pineapple field via Mampayag. This is more than two hours drive from Cagayan de Oro City.