MOUNT BATULAO CLIMB FOR THE THIRD TIME

This is my third time to scale Mount Batulao of Nasugbu in the province of Batangas. This mountain has an elevation of 811 meters above sea level or 2,660.76 feet which is categorized as a minor climb, level 2 and moderate. It has steep and open summit offering such an awesome panorama when one is on top of it.

This climb has offered me another exciting experience as I have guests with me and a fellow PNB MC Member, Rome Frias and another seasoned mountain climber from OWWA in the name of Mr. Anthony Bueza, Rome’s officemate. Our guests were: Doctor Cesar Garcia – Rome’s and my friend; Raymund Leonor (OWWA) and my colleagues (SPED teachers) in Angels Institute of Learning in the names of Ella Krizia and Emlou Vargas. It was the first time for them to experience mountain climbing. For Doc Cesar, Raymund and Ella, it was such a great milestone in their lives conquering the mountain’s summit and overcoming their fear of heights. The long legged and long-haired Emlou, on the other hand, is a daring woman without any fear of high altitude. She just find it thrilling being in this endless scaling activity.

This climb started boarding a bus in Pasay Taft Rotonda at 6:20 A.M. and we arrived in Evercrest of Batulao at 8:48 A.M. We fixed first ourselves in the nearby store in answering the call of nature and proceed with a 12-minute tricycle ride for P20 per head going to the nearest jump-off point. Melvin Brusas (Grade III pupil and a school drop out for 3 years), the cousin of Randy was our local guide then. It was my first to climb where I forgot to lead a prayer for I was as excited as my guests. The trekking started at 8:58 A.M. The skies then were open and the weather was perfect. It was not so hot and small amount of clouds accompanied us to shade us while on trek. Along the trail, the panorama was so inviting that our guests requested for an endless picture taking. After one hour and 31minutes, we have to rest and regroup in Halo-Halo Refreshment Point. It was a 17-minute break along with some other climbers having their Halo-halo moments to quench their thirst from a grueling trekking session.

We resumed our trekking at 10:27 A.M. But we have to stop shortly at a Buco Stop Point where the entry point for New Trail awaited our guests. Then we went down trailing to the direction of the Old trail. We arrived at Camp 1 of the Old Trail at 11:49 A.M. after a series of 5-minute stop and regrouping with accompanying picture taking with a registration of P20 per head. We agreed that we will spend overnight in Camp 1 to really have some rest and refreshing moment with mother nature. Besides, our guests would like to avail of the comfort room facility which costs P20 per pail of water. A water source is available in the camp for cooking. We pitched then our tents and took our lunch. We slept in our tents for almost two hours and after that the group except for Raymund and Anthony scaled towards Camp 7 to capture best shots with the backdrop of the summit. We cooked our dinner at around 5:00 P.M. and had eaten at 6:30 P.M. where socials followed, the usual wine drinking. Of course, I am a non-drinker and so I have to be contended in sharing some conversational moment with the group. Lights out was at 10:21 P.M. but I slept earlier than the rest of the group. We hand really a soundly sleep as almost all of us were snoring.

We woke up at 5:30 A.M. and cooked for breakfast. While others were cooking, Raymund, Anthony and I scaled up to Camp 6 for picture taking. We had our breakfast at 6:22 A.M. and cooked again for our pack lunch. Break camp followed at 9:35 A.M. for we opted to stay in the camp to enjoy the place. Ascending towards the summit started at 10:11 A.M. Our guests find ascending towards Camp 7, Camp 8, Camp 9 and Camp 10 (the summit) with extreme difficulty though I still initiated to take some pictures to capture the action while my group mates were ascending the summit. We were at the summit at 12:06 Noon and stayed a little bit longer. We resumed a more relaxed trekking towards the new trail passing on a narrow and breathtaking ridge. We arrived at the New Trail registration camp which cost us P20 per head at 1:49 P.M. and stayed longer for our late lunch. We arrived in the exit point of the New Trail at 2:14 P.M. and stayed longer for a buco treat costing P20 per order. An endless trekking followed up to the jump off point at 4:15 P.M. where we took a tricycle to take us to Evercrest. Anthony and Raymund left earlier due to scheduled appointment. The rest of us in the group had fixed and cleaned up ourselves in the available stores and took a 22-minute jeepney ride for P17 per head to Tagaytay City for a Special Bulalo treat at the Diner’s Restaurant. Bus rate from Tagaytay City to Pasay is P87 per head. We arrived Pasay City at 9:09 P.M.

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.

MAGALAWA ISLAND MAY 2010 ESCAPADE

Magalawa Island is a part of the municipality of Palauig, Zambales. It has fine white sand beaches. I have been to this island twice. The first time I have been there was dated May 8 - 10, 2010 with my PNU MA SPED Classmate, Teresa Santiago Corpuz along with her two sons (John James and John David), two nieces (Elisha Santiago Bulo and Eunice Ann Santiago Bulo), three nephews (Victor Joseph Santiago Bulo, Daniel Eleazar Mina Santiago and Joseph Benjamin Santiago Cruz), and her school's Property Custodian Officer - Oliver Santos Gallardo.

The second time I went there was dated May 21 - 23, 2010 with six companions, namely: Benedick Manalang, Alan Valenzuela, Dr. Cesar Garcia, Rome Frias, Jordan Fernandez and Erwin Rivera. In my second visit, we tried to have underwater shots.

THRILLING NIGHT IN CAPONES ISLAND

This is a part of my Anawangin Cove-Capones Island March 19-22, 2008 Holy Week Outing. The tour is just an overnight covering March 21-22, 2008. Capones is just a 25-minute boat travel from Anawangin Cove or 30-minute boat travel from Pundakit Beach of San Antonio mainland, Zambales. How can I forget my Capones Island overnight stay when I was so scared that only Rome Frias and I had camped in the island. We thought then that a lot of backpackers stay there for an overnight as a lot of the campers in Anawangin Cove had most of us desired to cross to the island to enjoy its scenery. Our boat dropped us on the other side of the island at 10:40 A.M. and had to trek for more then 30 minutes along the rocky beach line leading to the scenic Capones Lighthouse. We instructed our chartered boat man to pick us up the following day the same time and he did not tell us that nobody really stay there for an overnight. It was full moon then and the air was so crisp and chilling. The huge full moon was over us and bats were so noisy as if signaling us that witches were very much around. Rome and I had to pray the Holy Rosary aloud. However, the most rewarding was when we experienced both the sunset and sunrise just in the site where we camped and we had a sumptuous dinner. That night, I thought, ghosts and monsters would come to devour us. In fact, I sent text messages to all my family and friends telling them that I was in danger and told them I was camping in the island with only Rome Frias was my companion and any moment our lives would be in danger. The following day, when we asked our boatman, he told us that nobody dares to stay overnight in the island since some of the first to try had experienced haunting nights.

MY FIRST CARAMOAN GETAWAY: A BITTER EXPERIENCE

Municipality of Caramoan, Camarines Sur, Bicol Region, Philippines

I have read a lot of good reviews of Caramoan islands and so, two of my friends and I had planned to visit it. The date was for the period April 9-12, 2009. It materialized. But it turned out to be a disgusting experience that I will not forget in my whole life.

View of Lahos island taken from its rugged tall cliffs

It was a DIY and so we boarded a bus from Cubao to Naga City for 16 hours when ordinarily, it will only be 12.5 hours. From Naga City, we boarded another mini bus going to Sabang Port for a travel time of almost 2 hours costing P90. From Sabang Port, we took a big passenger boat going to Guijalo Port for 2 hours costing P110 per head. The boat operator required each passenger to register his name to the passengers' manifest. Upon entry to Guijalo Port, each one was charged to pay for P30 for the Environmental Fee. It was not the end yet because we have to take another a tricycle going to Caramoan town proper for 30 minutes. A special trip costs P300 but since it has a capacity of 6 then, each passenger in a non-chartered basis is only P50. As we were only three, we waited for another three, so that we will not pay for the other vacant 3 seats. We did not have an accommodation booking and we instructed the tricycle driver to bring us to Bikal port where boats for island hopping are available.

Approaching Lahos island at almost 11:30 A.M.

We were referred to a boat operator who is at her past 60's and haggled for the boat package at P1,800 for an overnight since it was already 10:30 A.M. We further negotiated that they can tour us around 2 islands and stay overnight for the third island. And from there, they can service other guests while they already dropped us to the last island destination. However, the old woman boat operator insisted that it is not there policy because they do not want to leave the guests unaccompanied by the boatmen. However, they insisted that the P1,800 rental is only good for one day which runs till 6:00 P.M. and they have to transport us back to the mainland. And so the deal was finalized.

Frolicking under the heat of the sun

The three of us, Rome Frias, Teresa Corpuz and I, happily boarded the boat and with high spirits we headed to Lahos island. The boat man assured us that they will stay closely with us and never leave us. We were even assured not to take our bags with food supplies from the boat because they are accessible anytime we need them.

My amazement of the beauty of Lahos Island never subsided even the searing heat of the sun was highly evident

I think we were given by our boatmen a maximum of 30 minutes to enjoy the island. In fact, I was able to climb the tall cliff limestone just to capture it on top.

I was almost in spell enjoying the beauty of the island

After 30 minutes, the boatmen reminded us to go on board the boat because we are going to the next island, which means that we can really hop into three islands as we had agreed.

An entry to the rocky and coral-filled Hunongan Cove

Upon entry to the cove at around 12:30 noon, which I am sure not part of the itinerary, the boat men informed us that we need to wait because they have to take something from Lahos which is just across. We were even told to disembark from the boat at the middle of open shore dotted with sharp corals and we could hardly walk.

The cove has no white sand to bask with and swim

Since they told us to wait for just a while, we did not bother to get our food. We waited in vain. But no boat had come for our rescue and so we consumed our time playing with the handful of starfish we picked from the shore. It was low tide and so there was nowhere to swim.

Enjoying the company of starfish on the shady part of the cove

We were hungry already but the cove has no locals where food supplies from makeshift stores can be bought. We did not have choice but to wait in vain. There was no sight of our boat from a distance.

Playing with the live starfish though we put them back to the water

Boredom and hunger had struck us three at the cove but we did not have choice but to wait and wait. High tide was starting to invade the beach line and slowly the corals were already covered with water.

Pictorials at the middle of extreme hunger where no drinking water is even available

At last! at around 6:00 P.M. our boat arrived just to pick us up. And the boat were loaded with some guests. The boatmen told us that they were the first to get the rental services and we were only accommodated. I was shouting on top of my voice even when we already boarded the boat heading to Bikal Port. The other passengers were just silent. I have forgotten that I was so hungry then and I got silent for the rest of the boat ride to reach Bikal port.

My hungry companions while approaching Bikal Port

Just when I got out of the boat at the port, I rushed to the store of the old woman who was the operator and on top of my voice, I burst out all my anger. But she only said to me, "Have you paid any centavo for the boat rental services? Then, why are you angry? But I answered her in a very strong voice, "You! You!!!!!! you ruined our well planned vacation which we planned for a year!" I created a commotion at Bikal Port and a crowd was starting to grow. My two companions were giving bodily and eye signals to me to stop but I was unstoppable and I decided to bring our case for a police blotter as some people there advised me to do this move. It was Good Friday then. A local brought us to a certain house to stay with for overnight since all accommodations were fully booked.

Caramoan Municipal Hall

At around 7:00 P.M., a police came to our accommodation to bring us to the police station. The whole clan of the boat operator were present in the police station and one of her children even introduced to us as a public school teacher. She further said that her mom was a former public teacher, too. I asked myself then, "Then, what kind of public servants are these people?" On the other hand, the drunk Chief of Police handled the negotiation was obviously not on our side, but I told his assistant that if he will not leave the room, I will file a complaint against him being drunk on duty. So, he was advised to just leave us and the negotiation started. The boat operator only have question repeatedly, "Did you pay us? Why are you putting us to extreme embarrassment?" I repeatedly told them, "Where in the Philippines will you pay a boat man in advance, I am a seasoned traveler and a travel blogger and I am used to this arrangement, service first before paying." I uttered those words not to brag but with the intention of letting them feel my message that "Hey! you can not just fool me! I know tour operations run." Finally, the police officers, settled the negotiation by asking us how much damage we want to charge the boat operator, but I said, not paying their poor and lousy services is enough.

The shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Queen of Peace

We woke up the following day early and were happy that our host was very kind to us and they did not charge us anything for our overnight stay. We were not even charge with the sumptuous dinner. But in return, we gave them all our food stuff that we have intended for a 3-day trip. That day, our only destination was the shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.

The scene when we alighted from the passenger boat at the Sabang Port

We used the same transportation mode in travelling back to Manila. Surprisingly, I was amazed when we alighted at Sabang Port since it was lowtide and our boat cannot dock at the port and so, all of us were carried like goods going to the port.

HOW TO GET THERE

If you opt not to avail of a travel package, the following are your options considering that you are coming from Manila:

1. Several bus companies are plying from Manila to Naga City which will take 12-14 hours. Then, have another transport from Naga City to Sabang Port. From Sabang Port to Guijalo Port will be by boat. Then, another land transport from Guijalo Port to Caramoan town.
2. Fly to Naga thru Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. From Naga City is land transport to Sabang Port and then take a 2-hour boat to Guijalo Port and another land transport to Caramoan town.
3. Fly to Virac booking online at Trip.Com and take a 1-hour boat.
4. 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Legazpi City to Naga or Pili and take the same route like that of Options 1 and 2.