MOUNT ARAYAT CLIMB PEAK 1

Location: Arayat, Pampanga, Philippines
Major jump off: Arayat National Park, Brgy. Bano, Arayat
Elevation: 1,030 MASL (3,379 feet)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 4 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 3
Distinctive features: It has spectacular view overlooking most of Central Luzon with expanse of rice fields and towns, Pampanga River, mountains of Zambales and Bataan and the Sierra Madre on the opposite side. However, in this same summit is a communication tower which blocks the full view of the other side when photographed.

The scenery from the summit of Mount Arayat Peak 1

My eighth climb under PNB Mountaineering Club was in Mount Arayat in Pampanga last November 7-8, 1998. I hate the said climb for one reason that the people who were in charge of the registration in Mount Arayat National Park in Brgy. San Juan Bano delayed us so much, they were the so called: “Opportunists” and with this, I said to myself that I will no longer visit and scale this mountain again with the kind of people manning the registration. On the other hand, the said climb was noted for having a lot a cardiac assaults in which I almost failed to reach the peak. I realized that one should not underestimate the mountains to be scaled. I learned a lesson that one should always condition oneself that climbing is not just an easy undertaking to do even in some minor climbs. We were all seventeen with 6 members, 10 initiates and a guest. The members were: (1) Norie Jacala – expidition leader; (2) Ding Capunitan – sweeper; (3) Jun Galang; (4) Chika Vite; (5) Jessica “Je” M. Parina; and (6) Brenda B. Bernabe. The initiates were: (1) Roy Pison; (2) Jenny Ferrer; (3) Chris Ballon; (4) Jun Banela; (5) Jesie Sayas; (6) Jesusa “Susie” D. Tagustos of CIBI; (7) Neil James Raymundo; (8) Jing Gumba; (9) Noemi Amador; and (10) I. The guest was Paulito “Lito” M. Capuz, Chika’s sweetheart. On the other hand, I never thought Jing Gumba would join another climb as she suffered her first climb very much. She told us, she was challenged by that difficulty and she would like to overcome it only by becoming a seasoned and regular member of PNB Mountaineering Club.

BUNDOK NG SUSONG DALAGA CLIMB

For the first time, I had a chance to set foot in Lipa City for my seventh climb under PNB Mountaineering Club which was in Bundok ng Susong Dalaga in Brgy. Talisay, Lipa, Batangas last November 2, 1998 and another workout and day climb. It was not worth remembering as there was no remarkable scenery in this place. We just did this in preparation for our major climbs. We were all fifteen with five members, nine initiates and a guest. The members were: (1) Marrita Gregore – expidition leader; (2) Jun Galang – lead man; (3) Sandy Alhambra – sweeper; (4) Norie Jacala; and (5) Susan E. Angeles of Energy Regulatory Board. The initiates were: (1) Benjamin “Benjie” G. Autencio, Jr.; (2) Roy Pison; (3) Janet Lazarte; (4) Jenny Ferrer; (5) Noemi Amador; (6) Maricris “Chris” Ballon; (7) Jesie Sayas; (8) Marie Jane “Jing” V. Gumba of Bank of Commerce and (9) I. The guest climber a who is a friend of Marrita Gregori was Judith C. Palero of China Bank and a member of U-Trek Mountaineering Club. It was the first climb of Jing Gumba and she suffered so many falls for her chubby frame increased more the degree of pull of gravity, I suppose.

CORON, CALAUIT and CALAMIAN ISLANDS GROUP TRIP.

This place is located in Northern Palawan offering such an absolutely wonderful travel experience dated March 29 to April 1, 2002. This was where I deeply appreciated kayaking and snorkel at its best where limestone islands, lagoons, white sand beaches, jungle vegetation of towering tropical trees, plants and lianas were just but a common sight. Like mountaineering, the tour package offered an accomodation of tent by the beach where we only hear the sounds of the waves and the wind.

The tour was organized for us by Travel Impact owned and managed by Rolly Villanueva, Ding Capunitan and Ed Valenzuela. We were a total of 22 persons who boarded WG and A’s M/V Our Lady of Medjugorje on March 29, 2002 (Good Friday) at 4:00 P.M. in Pier 4, North Harbor, Manila. Rolly, Ding and Ed were with us during the whole duration of the trip. Ed’s wife and only 7-year old child were with us. There were also six Filipino tourists of different companies and nine in PNB Mountaineering Club, namely: (1) Glen R. Monterozo – an AMA Computer College graduate; (2) Dr. Genie Rosa F. Tagab of S.M. Lazo Medical Center; (3) Janet T. Lazarte of PNB GSD Accounting; (4) Jenny Ferrer; (5) Noemi Amador-Capunitan, (6) Benjie G. Autencio Jr. of PNB Training Office, (7) Elmar D. Portento of Raco-Haven Automation Philippines, Inc., (8) Manny Llesol of PNB Personnel Department, and (9) I. Glen was joined by his cousin, Joemar P. Ramos and tour cook, Totie Tubig.

Our ship arrived in Coron town at 6:00 A.M. and we proceed to Maxx and Baby Restaurant owned by Maximo and Baby Cruz for our breakfast located in Barangay 3 of Coron town. After our breakfast, we met the owner of the big motor boat we boarded in the name of Jimboy Palanca. The boat pilot was Greg Amit joined by his 16-year old son, Anthony and a certain 18-year old Nonie Abreau Cavillo to assist us during the trip. We had island hopping, snorkel, kayaking in Sangat Island, then in the Japanese ship wreck sunk by American bombers in 1944 of Lusong where corals were at its best. We visited also the fascinating and virgin Black Island where limestone and cliff rock formations were breathtakingly beautiful and an awesome piece of natural beauty. Finally, we went to Calauit Island to witness its vast wildlife of animals like giraffes, zebras, mouse deer and many others. Calauit island showcases upmarket safari camping – a vacation model famous in southern Africa and was adapted to the Philippines. We pitched our tents there to have our socials and overnight stay.

Day 2, March 31 was even more exciting when we visited the mystical limestone island of Coron. With more than 60 km around or 8,000 hectares land area and 14,000 hectares of sea area, it offers that rare combination of rugged coastline, impenetrable interior, clear aquamarine lagoons like Barracuda and Kayangan, white sandy beaches, bat and swiflet caves, coves, reefs, a stretch of undercut cliff faces and a strong, living culture. We had an ample time in Barracuda lagoon where we had our lunch and had a refreshing swim in Kayangan Lake. This lake is absolutely beautiful. Its hidden beauty and tranquility was somewhat seldom disturbed by human intruders. It offers such a haunting visual impact. The lakescape and the surrounding landscape are pared down to its barest essentials of beauty with strange allure. Tagbanua control the land and islands of their ancestors in Coron, having becoming the first Filipinos to win an äncestral domain claim from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. There is a permission required to enter Coron Island through Tagbanua Foundation and the Council of Elders of Cabugao. This includes the mystique Barracuda lagoon and the Kayangan Lake.

After Coron Island, we crossed through the dashing waves to the exceptionally picturesque island of Dibatuc where overnight stay will be more memorable but we missed it. I was really amazed on the shapes of rocks, still surprisingly sharp despite the scouring of wind and water down the centuries. Its white cliffs formation stood out against the blue of the sea and to add up the cloudscapes and the pattern of sand in its narrow coast line. Indeed, this island is a photographer’s delight. The serenity of the island offered much time for us to ponder and realize how beautiful the Philippines is. Our stay of two hours was only worth a minute because the place has put our senses to a complete halt and the only thing left was our sense of admiration. On the other hand, the location of the campsites were somewhat squeezed in the narrow corridor between the high water mark of a beautiful white sand beach and the towering limestone cliffs. Thus, not even a single hut and resort was erected. The place was wholly ours for complete and ultimate enjoyment.