MY SECOND MOUNT MANABO CLIMB

Location: Sto. Tomas, Batangas
Elevation: 760 MASL (2,493 feet)
Entry point: Sulok, Brgy. Sta Cruz, Sto. Tomas
Exit Point: Sulok, Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Sto. Tomas
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 1-3 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-2
Features: Its trail varies from coconut plantation and with identified stations (1 - 7), cogon grass most particularly when heading to the summit where a white cross was erected; and the descent was somewhat steep with rope segment and densely forested area. There is also a water stream inhabited with fish and a Grotto.

The grassy clearing that serves as the campsite

The first time I climbed this mountain was on March 9 - 10, 2002 as an overnight climb. This time, I had it as a day climb for it was intended as a workout climb for a major climb. I was with my fellow PNB Mountaineering Club members, namely: Jrich Macasero, Connie Vasquez and Jing Gumba. I noticed a lot of changes since then. The photo below will give a comparison of how the summit looked like during my first climb.

The summit as captured on my first climb here dated March 9-10, 2002

The name of "Manabu" was derived from what it was called before as "MAtaas NA BUndok" where from its summit, the mountains of Malipunyo, Maculot and Susong Dalaga can be viewed.

Since, we were in a private car, we drove to the barangay hall for registration. For barely 10 minutes, we continued driving and stopped at the jump-off point where we parked our car for a fee. There was a sari-sari store from that point and we started our trek.

Just one of the houses we passed by from the jump-off point

We were not really in a rush with our trek. We knew for a fact that it was just a fun climb. In fact, we were occupied chatting with each other and exchanging jokes on our trail.

The trail getting densely grown with trees and plants as we advance our trek

We started at Station 1 from the water tank which served as the jump-off point. A local approached us for guiding services but since we knew the trail, the four of us agreed not to hire a guide.

Taking a barako coffee and buying fruits from Dampa

Jing Gumba bought her favorite fruits

We reached Dampa which is at Station 2 which is 438 meters from Station 1 and had ample rest. Why not, there were so many fruits for sale on a cheaper price. And yes, the local coffee called "barako" was served there hot.

The creek with cold water inviting for a swim

The big boulders of rocks fronting the creek

After Dampa, we reached the creek (Station 3) which is 549.8 meters from Station 2. It has such a crystal clear cold water and you can see fish on it. The creek itself rests on a very massive rock.

Having rest at Station 4

Station 4 has a big jackfruit tree and we rested here to eat our trail food. We can see that here there are a few fogs around. This is 378.6 meters trek from Station 3.

While at Station 5 having a buco break

For a distance of 453.1 meters from Station 4, we arrived at Station 5. Here, you will see a hut selling cold drinks which include buco fruit. The bamboo bench is quite inviting for a rest.

The flat trail along the coconut plantation

Station 6: The campsite

Unlike before, the campsite is no longer well-maintained. The first time I have been here, the campsite is like a beautifully landscaped garden abundantly grown with colorful wild flowering plants and shrubs.

Mount Maculot as seen at distance from the campsite

Since there is a grass clearing at the campsite, we decided to have our lunch there. Our same group had reminisced how happily stayed here for an overnight as part of the birthday celebration of Jing Gumba.

The cogon trail heading to Station 7

There was slight shower when we were approaching Station 7. The tall cogon trees were very annoying as struggle to clear them away by our hands as we trek along it.

The mountain's peak marked by the big white cross

The start of the descent

The descent with a rope segment since the mud is slippery

The trail on the descent is a forest and this is 275.4 meters from the Station 6. By that time, the trail was wet and muddy and in it was somewhat steep. Thus, there was a rope to hold to keep the climbers on hold from the slippery mud.

Station 8: The Grotto

As we continued to trek down, we happened to drop at the image of the Grotto at Station 8. This point is 664.7 meters away from Station 7. From this point, we had a back trail to Stations 4, 3, 2 and 1.

Feasting on the special lomi of Lipeno Lomi Haus

Before we finally drove back to Manila, we dropped in Lipa to give it a try for the special lomi of the Lipeno Lomi Haus. It was the second time that we had our lunch and this time it was a heavier lunch as we ordered other dishes to supplement the lomi.

ITINERARY (Adapted from Pinoy Mountaineer)

0600 ETD Lucena or Lipa bound bus at LRT-Buendia
0730 ETA Brgy. San Pedro, Sto. Tomas. Take trike to ‘Sulok’
0830 ETA ‘Sulok’, Brgy. Sta. Cruz
0900 Start trek
1000 Reach the first "dampa" fruit store
1100 ETA summit.
1130 start descent
1300 Back at jump-off. Proceed back to Sto. Tomas.
1330 Lunch at Rose and Grace restaurant, Sto. Tomas (famous for Bulalo)
1500 Cross the highway and wait for bus back to Manila
1700 ETA Manila

HOW TO GO THERE

By Public Transportation

1. Take a bus from JAM Liner at Buendia LRT Terminal going to Lipa and have the option to either alight at SM Lipa or Festival Mall Junction.
Alight either on SM Lipa or Festival Mall junction. 2. Ride a trike going to Sulok, Brgy. Sta Cruz.
3. Tell the driver to drop you at the barangay hall for registration of P20 per head.
4. For security reasons, the barangay staff will be asking your mobile number in case of emergency.
5. Ask for guiding services available at the barangay hall for 500 pesos day hike though it is not mandatory.

MOUNT MANABO CLIMB

In celebration for the birthday (March 8) of our fellow member in PNB Mountaineering Club, Marie Jane V. Gumba, one of my favorites, she organized the Mt. Manabo Fun Climb in Lipa, Batangas dated March 9-10, 2002. Our group of 23 participants was divided into two as to the day (first batch) and night (second batch) trekkers. I was with the first batch which left Pasay City through three separate service cars at 1:00 P.M. I hitched with Ding and Noemi’s Capunitan’s white Nissan pick-up together with Dee Molina of Allied Bank, Jenny Ferrer of Yuchengco Group of Companies and Janet Lazarte of PNB. In separate cars were: Jun Banela and Arnold Enciso of CIBI and Philnabankers: Manny Llesol, Roy Pison, Ike Abad, Anton Alcaraz and Ricky Eslao. We met in Fiesta Mall in Lipa City of Batangas at 3:20 P.M. and started our uphill trek at 4:12 P.M. where we reached the peak at 5:33 P.M. and settled there for an overnight stay in a very breathtaking and scenic campsite. Founding member of PAL Romy Antonio and sweetheart Philnabanker Je Parina arrived at almost 6:30 P.M. who initiated the socials with a drinking spree.

We already finished our dinner and was starting our socials when the night trekkers of eight arrived at almost 9:00 P.M. The ever vibrant and charming birthday celebrant, Jing Gumba paraded to our campsite equipped with food and liquors for her birthday celebration. She was chanting with excitement though she felt tired then. She was accompanied by our equally excited members, namely: Jun Lee of Colorite Photo Center of Olongapo City, Menchu Segovia of Frameworks establishment of Malolos in Bulacan, Melanie “Lani” P. Santos of BPI Savings Bank formerly from Development Bank of Singapore (DBS), Connie Vasquez of Jianshe Motorcycle Industries Philippines Corporation, Elmar Portento of Raco-Haven Automation Phils., Inc. , Alona C. Beliganio of Soundtechs Hearing Care Professionals and Jose Martin F. Duyala of Center for International Trade Exposition & Mission (CITEM). Socials continued until 2:00 dawn of March 10.

The peak was cold and we needed to have thick wears in the form of jackets and sweat shirts. The cold temperature was comparable to that of Mt. Natib in Orani, Bataan and Mt. Cristobal in Dolores, Quezon. To wake up early in the morning was really rewarding since the enchanting scenery was just as fascinating as it was. Our cameras were endlessly grinding in order to capture the best shot possible. A few of us remained in their tents to experience an extended soundly sleep. We had our breakcamp on the morning of March 10 at 7:30 A.M. while a few descended at 8:00 A.M. Our group consisting of Jing, Connie, Jenny, Ike, Dee, Anton, Janet, Martin, Mechu and Ricky was left and had our breakfast. We started the downhill trekking at almost 9:00 A.M. and was at the jump-off point at passed 10:00 A.M. We arrived in Manila at 1:00 P.M.