CLIMB MOUNT TAGAPO FOR A DAYTRIP AS LOW AS P310

Location: Talim Island, Laguna de Bay

Major jump-off: Brgy. Janosa (Talim Island) Binangonan, Rizal
LLA 14.32° N 121.23° E, 438 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-2
(Data taken from www.pinoymountaineer.com)

The scenic backdrop of Mount Tagapo

This is so far the cheapest and the most accessible climb ever in my whole life. I had no major preparation and we were in a group of five, whom I consider as my climbing and travel buddies. How did I come up with this idea? Well, I was able to read a post of this climb in Broke Travelers blog as shared by my friend, Giovanni Alexander Pido in his Facebook post.

This is the very picture of Broke Travelers blog that enticed me to climb Mount Tagapo

Our group met in the Binangonan Jeep terminal opposite of Jose Rizal University (JRU) along Shaw Boulevard and boarded a jeepney leaving at 4:30 A.M. and since it was early then, we arrived at the Binangonan Port at 5:50 A.M. It was just timely since the second boat trip going to Talim Island is at 6:30 A.M. There were some eateries and fruit stand around and so we decided to have our breakfast. We agreed to bring with us a food container and so we also bought our pack lunch there just for P35 per meal.

What to expect of the boat transport

The boat is big that it can accommodate a hundred people in one trip. And yes, it will have so many stops because every barangay in Talim Island has its own port where loading and unloading can be done.

The vast expanse of Laguna de Bay

It was my first time to be in this place and so there was a sort of excitement on my part as I watched the vastness of Laguna de Bay where according to my online readings, it is the largest freshwater lake in the Philippines and has a surface area of 911–949 km² (352-366 sq mi), with an average depth of about 2.8 metres (9 ft 2 in) and an elevation of about 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) above sea level.

The fishpens at the Laguna de Bay

Amazingly, I saw a number of fishpens on the Bay. No wonder that in this area, bangus is cheaper as compared to the other parts of the Metro Manila.

Arriving Brgy. Janosa safely

We were lucky enough that the trip had only two stops and the third was in Barangay Janosa. Since Barangay Janosa is not the last destination of the boat, it is suggested that you asked the boatmen to reminded that you are just up to Barangay Janosa. With this, the trip only lasted for 70 minutes. It was cold in the boat and so our group was able to sleep (soundly).

The registration site

Just approximately 20 meters from the port is its registration where it also has a canteen and the meal package is also at P35. There are shower rooms for P20 and comfort rooms charge P5 per entry. I realized, I should have ordered my packed lunch here rather than had it in the Binangonan Port.

The facade of Sto. Domingo Parish Church

Barangay Janosa of Talim Island is just any other typical barangay equipped with social services and with many stores to buy basic necessities. It can access strong network signal and not really that isolated from civilization.

The interior of Sto. Domingo Parish Church

We started our trek at 8:00 A.M. and from the registration we passed by the Sto. Domingo Parish Church. I was intrigued that inside the church I saw that most of the attendees were in formal white dress with men likewise. There was a group of musical band outside. Asking a bystander, he shared that it is the way we bury a dead person and mind you, it was only a mass of a 2 -year old girl.

Beng Sia and Tess Santiago in gradual assaults

The first 40 minutes was just either a rolling trail or a number of gradual assaults. It was mostly covered with trees and so it was not really that hot. Some parts of the trail can even accommodate 3-4 persons walk side by side.

The lake viewdeck

After a 40-minute walk, we rested in a nipa hut where it serves as the lake's viewdeck. Inviting improvised bamboo chairs which can accommodate eight people can stay there to enjoy the cool breeze.

A denser forest habitat

The next trail was characterized by thickly forested area and it was slippery. Assaults needed big strides and one has to be kept on guard of his footsteps not to fall. The only consolation was that we were walking under thick trees covering the trail.

Trail almost covered with tall grasses

The last 15 minutes to the campsite was an annoying trail with grasses taller than us. One can hardly see the trail. Besides the flowers of these grasses are so itchy to the skin.

The nipa hut leading to the campsite

There is a nipa hut at the foot of the summit where it leads to the campsite. By that time that we climbed the mountain, the grasses were so taller than us and so the campsite at the back was not visible. We rested for 15 minutes in the nipa hut and bought some cold drinks sold the enterprising local kids.

Captured scenery midpoint leading to the summit

The summit can be climbed to an average of 15 minutes. However, the tall grasses are so annoying that it covers partly the trail. Since it is completely open, it is hot.

A close-up of the nipa hut and the campsite

As one climb higher to the summit, the more that the grasses are dwarfing the trekkers and so taking pictures is not possible. It would have been better if the grasses were not that tall so that the dramatic landscape can be totally captured. With the dominant white flowers of the grasses, my expected rich green landscape was no longer possible.

The view from atop the summit

The summit has a big and deep hole which was excavated as there were reports that wealth of gold can be found there and what was left is a hole believed to have been inhabited by snakes. Thus, the guides always give a caution to avoid this part of the summit as it is covered by thick grasses.

My couple friend, Gani Dionela and wife, Carmila Uy, descending the summit

It would have been better if the summit has a viewdeck so that a better shot can be captured considering that the grasses were so tall. It was really hot there that one will not prefer to stay for long. But I was told by the guide that sunset and sunrise can be captured here with amazing effect.

Leaving Barangay Janosa boarding a boat

We stayed for an hour at the campsite after descending from the summit. The big trees there gave so much shade and comfort. At exactly 12 noon, we descended and reached the registration office at 1:40 P.M. We rested a bit, took shower and lunch. We waited till 3:00 P.M. for the our boat departure. Unbelievably, we were only 5 boarding the boat. This time, if the boatman sees waving a hand in a certain barangay port, the boat docks and get the passenger. Mind you, we had 9 stops. Every barangay along Talim Island has concrete port which is always next to a covered court. We arrived in Binangonan Port at 4:20 P.M. We boarded a jeepney heading back to JRU where Binangonan Jeepney terminal is located. I was home at 6:45 P.M.

As to the budget, it can be broken down as follows:

SN	Particulars	Amount
1.	Round trip jeepney fare from Binangonan Jeep Terminal in opposite JRU to Binangonan Port (P45 one-way)	90
2.	Round trip boat fare from Binangonan Port to Barangay Janosa Port of Talim island (P30 one-way)	60
3.	Guide fee for a maximum of 10 pax for P300 including tip of P200	50
4.	Breakfast and Lunch in Barangay Janosa for P35 per meal	70
5.	Registration Fee	20
6.	Shower Fee in Barangay Janosa	20
	TOTAL	P310

Suggested Itinerary

04:30 ETD Binangonan Jeep Terminal opposite JRU along Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong
05:50 ETA Binangonan Port
06:30 ETD Binangonan Port for the 2nd trip where 5:30 A.M. is the first boat trip
07:40 ETA Brgy. Janosa Port (the trip may vary depending on the number of boat stops) There is an option to take breakfast
08:20 Start trek 09:00 Lake viewpoint/rest and refresh in a improvised bamboo sofa/forested and slippery trail starts with occasional assaults
10:00 Campsite to rest and regroup. It only take 15 - 20 minutes to summit
10:30 Summit
10:50 Descent to campsite and recreate at the campsite again
12:00 Start descent
13:40 Back to the Registration Hall (take lunch and shower)
15:00 ETD Brgy. Janosa
16:00 ETA Binangonan Port

Other Concerns

The barangay captain assured us that there will be no need for booking a guide because as tour guiding is a part of their sustainable community tourism income generating activity, they assign them by rotation. Every group who desire to climb Mount Tagapo can be provided with their respective guide.

BATAD RICE TERRACES

Location: Brgy. Batad, Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines

Batad is one of the 18 barangays of the Municipality of Banaue. Banaue, on the other hand, is one of the 11 municipalities of the province of Ifugao of Northern Luzon. Batad is famous for its majestic rice terraces. These rice terraces of Batad along with Bangaan (both in Banaue), Mayoyao Rice Terraces (Mayoyao Municipality), Hungduan Rice Terraces (Hungduan Rice Terraces) and Nagacadan Rice Terraces (Kiangan Municipality) were inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site under the collective name “Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras.” In 1995.

The majestic Batad Rice Terraces

Like any other rice terraces in Ifugao, Batad Rice Terraces was also built 2,000 years ago equipped with strong stone walls by means of primitive tools and early methods in order to maximize the use of land space.

The first rice terraces which can be viewed 5 minutes before Batad proper

“Historically speaking, the rice terraces of the Cordilleras, including that of Batad, are the only monuments in the Philippines that show no evidence of having been influenced by colonial cultures. Owing to the difficult terrain, the Cordillera tribes are among the few peoples of the Philippines who have successfully resisted any foreign domination and have preserved their authentic tribal culture. The history of the terraces is intertwined with that of its people, their culture, and their traditional practices.”(Wikipedia)

A closer look of the tribal village in the middle of Batad Rice Terraces

Indeed, visiting Batad is such a prized event as it is regarded as the most beautiful rice terraces not only in the Philippines but also with those of Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand not to mention its unique culture and being endowed with such a cool climate all year round.

The expansive Batad rice terraces scenery from Hillside Inn Restaurant (Model: Cynthia Manalad)

Being based in Metropolitan Manila, I traveled by airconditioned bus for a distance of 355 kilometers or a minimum of 7 hours with the Ohayami Bus Liner as my choice of transport from its Sampaloc terminal on its last trip at 11:00 P.M. for a one-way fare of P450 (As of this posting).

While at the second highest terraces viewpoint

The following day, at around 6:00 A.M., I arrived in Banaue to have our breakfast at Halfway Lodge and Restaurant. Food is affordable at a minimum meal of P85. It was also there that we contracted a jeepney to be chartered at P150 per head for one-way. We were given our tour guide (which requires one guide for every 8 persons) in the person of an accommodating and honest Joenel Dumar with +6399973467275. By contacting him, he can arrange for your transportation going to Batad. He was our tour guide for 2 days from Banaue to Batad and vice versa for an amount of P1,000.

Still at the second highest viewpoint of the terraces

We had a 50-minute jeepney ride from Banaue to the junction of Batad. From the junction, we had a downhill trek of 30 minutes going to the saddle and another 40 minutes from the saddle to Batad proper. Five minutes before Batad proper, we happened to drop by at a shanty store with a background of rice terraces and an erected marker of Batad which revealed that the Batad Amphitheater Rice Terraces is at 1,100 meters above sea level. We bought some cold drinks there to quench our thirst. Fresh buco fruit was also available at P35 per piece.

A wider angle of the rice terraces amphitheatre

Upon arrival in Batad, our tour guide directed us to pay for an environmental fee of P50 per head and we registered our names there with some personal information in their logbook. Then, just a few meters away, we trailed down concrete stairs of 25 steps if I can still recall to Hillside Inn where we were booked earlier. We paid thru Fredelyn Addug Sanchez in her BDO Account No. 3940677609 where we communicated thru the inn's email address at hillside_inn@yahoo.com. We are charged for P250 per head per day. Our accommodation were simple rooms with two single beds with no amenities to enjoy. No TV and the comfort rooms are common which can be found separate from the main building. There is one comfort room and bathroom with automatic hot shower. We were at the second floor while the restaurant was on the third floor and there are still accommodation at the fourth floor.

The rice terraces in more rich green color

Batad generally has no signal connection with all networks though there is electricity. However, there are no outlets in the guests' rooms. Charging the cellphones and other gadgets are done in the restaurant's counter where each gadget costs P25 for charging.

A closer shot of the rice terraces

As to food, there can be good choice of menu to choose from even at the Hillside Inn. But you can also go to Simons for their great-tasting pizza. Meals starts from P120 and above. Hot water during breakfast charges P5 per glass or cup. Visiting Simon’s View Point Inn and Pizza Restaurant, we learned that they also charge P250 per head for their accommodation with an option to have a double-bed or a single room. There is a large outside verandah with great views over Batad from which to enjoy your meals or drinks. The verandah feels a bit like a construction site which is the only negative. Their menu is extensive and the food and service are good. All bathrooms are common. Electricity is also 24 hours. To place a reservation for accommodation, you can contact its proprietor, Ezereel Illag Immotna at +639305077467 and +09192176986.

Trekking down the terraces leading to the tribal village

Accommodations in Batad is called homestay with no amenities to enjoy. Aside from the Hillside Inn and Simon's View Point Inn, there are also: Batad Pension and Guesthouse, Rita’s Mountain View Inn and Restaurant, Ramon Homestay, Gilbert Homestay, Foreigner's Inn, Cristina’s Main Village Inn and Restaurant, Waterfallside Lodge, Samson Inn and Batad Kadangyan Lodges. For more information, you can search the link of Batad Accommodation Guide.

Joenel Dumar - a native of Batad and our very honest guide

Guides are a big help to the guests as the former can help save time in locating places with accuracy considering that you need to trek uphill and downhill in very narrow rice paddies of the rice terraces. Falling from stone wall paddies may not be a good experience as they have an average of 3 meters high and rice fields are wet and the clay is sticky. Who would get you down and pull you up from the dirty clay with sucking leeches abound. To save time, you better have a guide for non-athletic people may find it difficult to be trekking long due to being lost to their desired destination. Guides can even tell you which foot of yours to step first to avoid being out of balance.

An invitation to the hanging bridge

On the first day of our tour, our guide toured us to the second highest viewpoint of the terraces. The weather was perfect and the paddies were dry as their was no rain, the fact that it was summer time. At around 4:00 P.M., my companions wanted to go back to our accommodation at Hillside Inn for they got exhausted trekking through the terraces with downhill and uphill variation. So, I decided to have a different route alone since I really wanted to go the tribal village in the middle of the terraces. It was a good experience to see them and the way they live and their culture as well.

The hanging bridge

As I am about to go back to Hillside Inn, I saw a directional board going to the hanging bridge and I was so excited to see the place. I asked a couple of villagers around where I can find the place and I assumed that one kilometer was really just the distance I have to trek down. As I went along, I realized it was not really one kilometer because as per Mathematical distance computation, there are 1,000 meters in a kilometer but my calculation has exceeded far from that distance. I trekked through the long and deep trail going down to the river. The sound of a rushing water which I knew was of a river has even stirred up my adrenalin. I almost ran down and just to find out that the place was really hidden. It was far really far and there was nobody to address my query. Anyway, I was then determined to reach the place and I did it. Well, as the whole placed unfolded to my eyes, I realized my effort was really worth it. As I took pictures, a native suddenly appeared from nowhere and I asked him to take me a couple of shots and he just disappeared in the thick bushes then. As I climbed back the almost steep trail, I was running like a marathon gasping for my lost breath for it was getting dark and as I kept on counting the elevated concrete stairs leading to my accommodation where it was like at 792 not to include the flat surfaces which I have to take by my long strides of steps.

The cultural down at Mang Ramon's Homestay: the dancing guests with the native dancers

After our dinner at Simon's Viewpoint Pizza Restaurant, our group proceed to Mang Ramon's place to watch a cultural show where it was organized provided the guests can raise P3,500 which will be paid to Mang Ramon. The show has two parts, the first one is the introduction of dancers and their traditional costume: who wears it as in a social class, the name of the costume and its materials and followed by their cultural dance around a bonfire. The second part is the guests will dance along the native dancers and the donation box will be passed for the guests to donate. Earlier, however, the audience guests were able to raise P2,100 just for the show to push through.

Taken at Hillside Inn restaurant balcony while having breakfast (Model: Teresa Santiago)

The best thing I like staying at Hillside Inn is when I am dining on its restaurant for a meal since the total picture of Batad rice terraces will really be yours. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best time of the day to view the rice terraces as it is on its most greenest color. It really feels good experiencing such.

Just about to cross the terraces leading to Tappiya Water Falls

Heading to Tappiya Water Falls was really a challenge as one has to cross the entire expanse of Batad terraces from end to end and down to a very deep gorge. Really so deep that going up is a tenfold challenge. But experiencing the said water falls is a priceless experience that one should have in his lifetime. It has its own charm as compared to other water falls of the Philippines and Uganda where I was able to visit already.

Descending the terraces and heading to the Waterfalls Jump-off Point

It is advisable to visit Tappiya Water Falls early in the morning as it is so hot crossing the open fields of the terraces. To avoid being dehydrated, it is advisable to carry with you enough water. Anyway, the tour guide can carry your food and water as part of their service. And would you believe that we passed through a water source where it can be safe for drinking. It has been tested to contain very high percentage of alkaline. In fact, I have been getting my drinking water from this source the Day 1 we arrived in Batad.

The terraces taken near the Waterfallside Lodge (Model: Ana Christina Sison)

Batad Rice Terraces can be taken from different angles. And I endlessly experimented which can be the best angle shot that I can get. The photo above was taken at 2:30 P.M. just as we had a long rest after ascending the deep long gorge coming from Tappiya Water Falls. The pictures of Tappiya Water Falls is featured in another post in this blog.

Last glimpse of Batad Rice Terraces

I wish Batad is just one short ride from my residence so that I will always have the opportunity to unwind where just by mere looking on its amazing features, you become refresh and all emotional residues are relieved. By next time that I return, I will scale to its highest point where I can take a total picture of the terraces without any structural barriers.

While Batad has its own charm, I suggest that you also consider Sagada-Banaue-Bontoc-Benguet Tour which will definitely be another vibrant and exciting travel experience.

The following is the summary of my expenses in Philippine Peso. One US Dollar to Peso has an average foreign exchange of P42:

SN	Particulars	Amount
1.	Round Trip Ohayami Airconditioned bus fare from Manila to Banaue at P450 for one-way (Contact Number for Reservation - +639276493055)	900
2.	Accommodation for 2 days at Hillside Inn at P250 per day	500
3.	Round Trip jeepney fare from Banaue to Batad Saddle at P150 one-way. This is a per head computation since the entire jeepney was chartered by our group with 14 of us	300
4.	Environmental Fee - Batad	50
5.	Two meals in Banaue at Lunch at Day 1 and Dinner at Day 3 at P85 per meal	170
6.	Meals in Batad: Dinner at Day 1, Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner at Day 2 and Breakfast at Day 3 for P120 each meal. Extra rice which is organic brown rice is P25 per order. With this, I did not order extra rice anymore	600
7.	Hot water for Hot chocolate for Breakfast in Hillside Inn for two at P5 each	10
8.	Mobile phone charging fee at Hillside Inn for two times at P25 each	50
9.	Buco Fruit at resting stops for two stops for P35 each	70
10.	Share for the tour guiding services which availed from Day 1 to Day 3 where we were in a group of 14 though the agreed price was only P1,000 and the excess was given as tip. Guests has the option to ask the guide to render porter services for one backpack at P150 for one way only	100
11.	Share in Mang Ramon's Cultural show	100
12.	Various grocery items for snacks, mineral water and other necessities	650
13.	Comfort room usage fee during bus stops on board for Banaue and going back to Manila for P5 each	10
14.	Lunch while at Hapao Trip with extra rice	80
	TOTAL	3,590

Tour Guide Contact Number

JOENEL DUMAR Mobile Number: +6399973467275

Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/laprise.dumar

HOW TO GO THERE

Although there are some tour packages for Batad, this one will be in case if you are in DIY

Board an Ohayami Bus Liner from its Sampaloc terminal on its last trip at 11:00 P.M. for 355 kilometers or 7 – 8 hours travel just timely to reach Banaue at 6:00 or 7:00 A.M. for P450 one-way trip fare.

From Banaue, look for the jeepney terminal of Batad. If you are in a group, you can charter the trip but the fare per person is P150 for one-way which will take you an hour travel. You need to walk from the jump-off point. Better to get before hand a tour guide, so he can arrange for your transportation and accommodation.

OTHER TOUR OPTIONS

If you are in Batad, don't settle just with it. There are other options where you can enjoy. Take the Banaue-Bontoc-Sagada-Benguet package tour. From Sagada, you can take a Baguio trip. Enjoying all these tourist destinations can be in a minimum of 8 days.

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.