A VERY REWARDING MINOR CLIMB FOR BEGINNERS AT AN AFFORDABLE BUDGET

Location: Barangay Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal, Philippines

Jumpoff Point: Brgy. Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal
LLA (Pamitinan): 14°43′51.7′′N 121°11′29.2′′ E 426 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-3 hours
Specs: Minor, Difficulty 3/9 / Trail class 1-4
Features: Narrow rocky trails with sharp edges, limestone formations, scenic views of Sierra Madre mountain ranges

Braving the heights at Peak 3

From the DENR Office and heading to the barangay hall for registration, the next step is to head towards the jump-off point where it starts from the hanging bridge cutting through some houses of the local residents. The trail then on this part after the hanging bridge are concrete steps and at the some points are muddy when it is rainy season.

Scaling the narrow ridge of Peak 2

Compared to Mount Binacayan, its close neighbor mountain, Pamitinan has forested areas until you reach the junction. The trail going to this direction is all ascending. From the jump-off to this point is less than an hour approximately 40 minutes. Bamboo and wooden benches are inviting as you reach the junction with two store where you can buy drinks of few kinds and other variety of snacks and refreshments. Beyond the junction is the start of narrow and rocky trail but slowly as you continue to climb, majestic scenery of vast low lying plains and neighboring mountains of Binacayan, Ayaas and a few other mountains unfolds.

Peak 1: The easiest peak to climb

As to the budget, it has the same budget with that of Mount Binacayan as follows:

SN	Particulars	Amount
1.	Round Trip Van Fare from Farmer’s Cubao to Louver’s Montalban and vice versa	100.00
2.	Round Trip Tricycle fare from Louver’s to DENR Registration Site	40.00
3.	Share in guide for a maximum of 8 for a fee of P500	62.50
4.	DENR Registration Fee	2.00
5.	Donation to Barangay (Optional)	10.00
6.	Lunch in one of the Carenderias in the jump-off point	60.00
7.	Breakfast at Jollibees (Cubao Farmer’s) while waiting for the departure	95.00
8.	Budget for Trail food and Bottled Water	110.00
	TOTAL	479.50

SUGGESTED CLIMBING ITINERARY

05:00 Take van from Farmer’s Cubao (Cubao MRT Station) via Eastwood to Rodriguez, Rizal
06:30 ETA Louver’s, Montalban, take tricycle or jeepney to Brgy. Wawa
06:50 Arrival at DENR Office for Registration and in Barangay Hall at Barangay Wawa
07:30 Start trek
09:00 Peak 1
09:30 Peak 2
10:00 Peak 3
11:30 Start descent
12:30 Back at DENR Office Barangay Wawa and take lunch in nearby carenderias
01:30 Side trips at Pamitinan Cave and Wawa Dam
05:30 ETD DENR Office
07:00 Arrival at Farmer’s Cubao

It is to be noted that the distance of Peak 1 to Peak 2 is not more than 10 minutes to trek but normally trekkers spend more time for the picture taking considering that Peak 1's massive rock flatform is too narrow to accommodate a big group. Usually, in solo picture taking, it can only accommodate one person. While in Peak 2, it takes time to scale it since only one person can scale through a rope. It is more difficult to scale this peak. Peak 3, on the other hand, is just at the back of Peak 2 but it requires guts and courage to go there.

HOW TO GO THERE

If you are in a bigger group, you can arrange your van one day before on its Farmer’s Cubao Van Terminal where they will charge you for P70 one way from Farmer’s Cubao straight to DENR Office of Barangay Wawa where there is no need to take a tricycle or jeepney

You can also have an option to get the contact number of the van drivers so that they pick your group from DENR Office back straight to Farmer’s Cubao.

It is advisable that you have to book in advance for the guides because, these mountains in rodriguez like: Mounts Binacayan, Pamitinan, Ayaas and a couple others are now becoming the favorite mountains to climb more particularly during weekends and holidays.

GUIDES' CONTACT NUMBERS

Jerry Zata- 09101978417
JericDamas– 09108674990

A SUMMIT WHICH SHOWCASES THE BEAUTY OF NEIGHBORING MOUNTAINS

Location: Brgy. Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal, Philippines

Major jumpoff: Brgy. Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal
Elevation: 424 MASL (1,391 feet)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-3 hours
Specs: Minor, Difficulty 3/9 / Trail class 1-4
Distinctive features: Limestone formations, scenic views of Sierra Madre and Rizal province. Rocks are sharp that when you seat on it, it will pierce your skin.

Wide angle shot while at the summit

Mount Binacayan at 424 meters high is one of the best alternatives for mountain climbers to hike which is only more than an hour drive away from Cubao, Quezon City with an estimated budget of not more than P500 for a day hike. its 360-degree panoramic view on its summit is very rewarding.

Main entrance to Wawa Dam and Mount Binacayan

Just below the summit overlooking the river and vast forest

Another picture at the summit

For a regular climber, it only takes more than an hour to scale the mountain from its jump-off point. However, the trail is so rocky and they have sharp edges in which a climber is required to wear hand gloves but not the knitted one or else it will stuck to the rock edges.

After descending the mountain with the backdrop of Mount Pamitinan and Mount Ayaas

Climbing this mountain requires a short interval of time that most often for season climbers, it can be done for three summits in a day including the Mount Pamitinan and Mount Ayaas. This is not to mention that on its vicinity, pamitinan cave can also be visited and the picturesque wawa dam.

My expenses for this climb is summarized as follows:

SN	Particulars	Amount
1.	Round Trip Van Fare from Farmer’s Cubao to Louver’s Montalban and vice versa	100.00
2.	Round Trip Tricycle fare from Louver’s to DENR Registration Site	40.00
3.	Share in guide for a maximum of 8 for a fee of P500	62.50
4.	DENR Registration Fee	2.00
5.	Donation to Barangay (Optional)	10.00
6.	Lunch in one of the Carenderias in the jump-off point	60.00
7.	Breakfast at Jollibees (Cubao Farmer’s) while waiting for the departure	95.00
8.	Budget for Trail food and Bottled Water	110.00
	TOTAL	479.50

Scaling Mount Binacayan is more technical due to its sharp rocky terrain. It is not forested and so climbers have to expect that the terrain is open and there are no shades to cover with. The jump off point starts with few houses of the locals and as you climb further, an agricultural terrain becomes visible followed by the same rock and bamboo ascent. The final leg is through a ridgeline with thick foliage, requiring long steps and reaches from one limestone formation to another.

As for its rocky terrain, one has to closely watch his footwork to avoid accident. Any false step may lead to skin cut or of being out of balance may lead to leg or arm fracture.

SUGGESTED CLIMBING ITINERARY

05:00 Take van from Farmer’s Cubao (Cubao MRT Station) via Eastwood to Rodriguez, Rizal
06:30 ETA Louver’s, Montalban, take tricycle or jeepney to Brgy. Wawa
06:50 Arrival at DENR Office for Registration and in Barangay Hall at Barangay Wawa
07:30 Start trek
09:00 Summit
10:00Start descent
11:30 Back at DENR Office Barangay Wawa and take lunch in nearby carenderias
12:30 Side trips at Pamitinan Cave and Wawa Dam
04:30 ETD DENR Office
06:00 Arrival at Farmer’s Cubao

HOW TO GO THERE

If you are in a bigger group, you can arrange your van one day before on its Farmer’s Cubao Van Terminal where they will charge you for P70 one way from Farmer’s Cubao straight to DENR Office of Barangay Wawa where there is no need to take a tricycle or jeepney

You can also have an option to get the contact number of the van drivers so that they pick your group from DENR Office back straight to Farmer’s Cubao.

It is advisable that you have to book in advance for the guides because, these mountains in Rodriguez like: Mounts Binacayan, Pamitinan, Ayaas and a couple others are now becoming the favorite mountains to climb more particularly during weekends and holidays.

To minimize the cost for the guide which is P500 per day, it is advisable that an organized climb here should be at a maximum of eight sot that its cost of P500 can be distributed among the eight participants.

GUIDES' CONTACT NUMBERS

Jerry Zata- 09101978417
JericDamas– 09108674990

THE LIGHTHOUSE MARINA RESORT HOTEL: A FEEL OF SUBIC LIFESTYLE

Location: Subic Free Port Zone, Zambales, Philippines

The 3-Storey 34-Room Lighthouse Marina Resort

This hotel is a lavish and luxurious boutique hotel in Subic Bay Freeport Zone capped in a 20-meter light tower. This is around 3 hours road travel coming from Metropolitan Manila.

CEBU CITY AS AN ALTERNATIVE TRIP FROM LIMASAWA TO MANILA

Location: Limasawa Island, Cebu City and Manila (Philippines)

Mactan Bridge

Note: This is a part of my May 2 - 8, 2015 Samar-Leyte-Biliran-Mactan-Cebu Trip which includes: Capul Island, San Antonio Island, Dalutan Island, Sambawan Island, The Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Shrine, Ciriaco Hotel, Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Other Calbayog tours, San Juanico Bridge, MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park, Limasawa Island, dakdak beach resort

As a suggestion, if you organized a trip which covers like the one above, you can also include the following: Bangon Water Falls, Tarangban Waterfalls, and Tabokno Water Falls

Travelling from Limasawa Island to Manila is such a long trip where I started a boat ride from Dakdak Beach Resort of Limasawa Island to Padre Burgos Seaport of Southern Leyte mainland for an hour at P100 per head. From Padre Burgos to Maasin City of Southern Leyte is a jeepney travel for 75 minutes at P50 per head.

From Maasin City, there is a shuttle bus for P35 to Hilongos Port for a land travel of an hour. A ship takes you from Hilongos, Southern Leyte to Cebu City for four hours. The ship arrives at Cebu Port and for a walking distance take another short ferry ride from that Pier going to Mactan Island. Two jeepney rides or a taxi going to Cebu-Mactan International Airport for the flight to Manila for 1 hour and 10 minutes.

BEACH RESORTS APPROACHING PADRE BURGOS OF SOUTHERN LEYTE

LOCATION: Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte, Philippines



Note: This is a part of my May 2 - 8, 2015 Samar-Leyte-Biliran-Mactan-Cebu Trip which includes: Capul Island, San Antonio Island, Dalutan Island, Sambawan Island, The Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Shrine, Ciriaco Hotel, Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Other Calbayog tours, San Juanico Bridge, MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park, Limasawa Island, dakdak beach resort

I thought when I left Limasawa Island that the sight of inviting beaches will be over. I was wrong because as I was approaching Padre Burgos seaport, a number of beach resorts had caught my sight by a surprise. And yes!!! the deep seabed is almost transparent as seen in an aquamarine seawater.



I requested the boatman to drop by but I learned from him that these are private beach resorts and their gates are along the highway which cuts from Padre Burgos town going to Maasin City.





















After feasting on those private beach resorts, our boat ride continued and at the far backdrop can be seen the island of Limasawa where we stayed for three days. At this point, the boat ride was alsost 50 minutes coming from Dakdak Beach Resort



At last, after almost an hour boat trip, we landed at the Padre Burgos Seaport or Wharf which is already a part of Southern Leyte mainland. From the municipality of Padre Burgos is more than an hour road travel to Maasin City, also a part of Southern Leyte.

THE BEST ALTERNATIVE RESORT WHILE IN LIMASAWA ISLAND

Location: Brgy. Lugsongan, Island Municipality of Limasawa, Southern Leyte, Philippines

The enticing beach front of Dak Dak Beach Resort

Note: This is a part of my May 2 - 8, 2015 Samar-Leyte-Biliran-Mactan-Cebu Trip which includes: Capul Island, San Antonio Island, Dalutan Island, Sambawan Island, The Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Shrine, Ciriaco Hotel, Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Other Calbayog tours, San Juanico Bridge, MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park, Limasawa Island

My grand vacation in Limasawa Island last May 6 - 8, 2015 was such great because Dak Dak Beach Resort made a difference. The beach itself is so clean. The whole place is nestled at the foot of a densely forested area which describes best what a tropical paradise is. This resort is owned by a US-based Norman Lambot but is managed by her very enterprising mother, Nucresia Olojan Lambot.

The resort's main building

Nanay Nucresia has really a heart for her guests as she personally attends to them. She would ask what food they prefer to eat for a meal which are normally seafoods accompanied with meat and vegetables. Viands are served into three kinds, unlimited rice with dessert where all these package only costs P150 per meal per person. Not bad. In dining, they are given the liberty to have it either in the main building dining hall or right beside the cottages along the beach front.

The Diving Board with a pull-on raft: My favorite hangout

With my 3-day stay in this beach resort, I really had completely recharged. But mind you, I was not just there to rest and relax. In fact, I did swim from time to time and I love to stay on its diving board with a pull-on raft. My companions as we were all nine in the group vary in age from 16 to 54 years old and we all enjoyed hanging out in this diving board and raft.

How to reach the diving board through the pull-on raft

Heading to the diving board is highly physical through the pull-on raft as you have to pull yourself through a rope. But it did not matter as the prize of being there and to enjoy diving is quite rewarding. We did this from early in the morning, before lunch, late afternoon and even early in the evening.

The 16-year old Daniel Manalad heading to the diving board

Using the pull-on raft heading to the diving board was our routine for the 3-day stay we had in the resort. There was one time that we had our breakfast in the diving board because it was on its maximum high tide level. Our feet were refreshingly soaked to the sea water while we were eating.

Cynthia Manalad, Daniel's mom in her turn for the raft ride

Since the resort is located in an isolated place, it is not crowded with the locals. This is the reason why the guests can enjoy a sort of exclusivity while enjoying their stay. When there are groups of guests who visit the place for a day swim, Nay Nucresia would notify us so that we will be aware that there are other guests around.

The refreshing porch of the resort's main building

The porch in the main building is such inviting for the guests as it is overlooking the beach front where they can view the dramatic sunset. On the other hand, it is also a place where guests stay to do the texting or call through their mobile phone. By the way, the whole island provides a good signal for all networks like Globe and Smart Communications.

The P1,300 airconditioned room

The resort's main building has two big rooms where one is an air-conditioned one at P1,300 overnight with a maximum capacity of 3 persons. The other one is just the same in size but just with a fan at P1,000 with the same capacity. An excess of one is allowed for a family of four but with a minimal charge.

The dining hall of the resort's main building

Dinner can also be served in this Filipinized ambiance dining area. Guests feel at home dining here as Nanay Nucresia and her staff enthusiastically serve them with delightful meals.

The spacious living room of the resort's main building

The living room is the place where guests spend their time to watch TV as they have a cable connection and charge their gadgets. The whole island has a supply of electricity from 1:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. With good network connection and presence of electricity, staying in the isolated island of Limasawa will not literally mean guests are isolated as they can still be connected to the internet.

Where cleanliness is the resort's doctrine

Noticeably, cleanliness is maintained in the resort whether in the rooms, cottages or the beach front, too. I just noticed that the staff has continuously been cleaning the beach front to be free from floating leaves and other seaweeds. Thus, it is not at all itchy when you stay long for a swim. The well-maintained grass for instance which is a part of the greening landscaping are always freed from dry falling leaves of the trees. The whole place is such just an absolutely clean haven of relaxation.

The adjacent living room and the porch

The cool and tropical interior design of the resort is just as inviting for a great relaxation and to unwind from a such a hustle-bustle life from the city. The guests' stay become more worthwhile with the hospitality that Nanay Nucresia and her husband Elias extend to them. One thing more that I like in this resort is the unlimited supply of water. You don't have to pay P20 per pail for your water consumption. I for one, was enticed to wash my clothes there. What the guest will pay is only P20 for one day which includes the entrance fee, use of facilities, charge gadgets and use limited supply of water. Of course, the accommodation and the food have their corresponding charge, too.

Truly an enticing white sand beach front stretch

Who can tell that prior to its operation on September 18, 2010, this part of the island was just a dirty stretch of coast line grown with unfriendly cogon and talahib grasses. It was only when Norman Lambot, Nanay Nucresia's son, purchased this piece of real estate property that they turned this into a haven of vacationers as they cleaned up the whole area and constructed cottages and other resort facilities.

The closed-type cottage for overnight guests

There are two kinds of cottages, namely: the closed-door type cottage for overnight stay at P500 and the open type at P250 for those who wanted to stay for a day in bigger groups like 10 to 15.

The resort's convenience store

Since the resort has an isolated location, it opened a convenience store where basic necessities can be bought like rice, canned goods, spices, seasonings, shampoo, bath and laundry soap, downy, assorted candies, junk foods, wine/liquors, canned juices and even bottled water. But mineral water can be bought from Padre Burgos on its 6-gallon container at P35 for the water refill but the container has to be bought at P150. This is cheaper than buying a 500ML bottled water.

Another visual proof how clean the place is

ideal for a morning and afternoon walk or jog

During high tide, the water level is just inches away

With me in the photo is the Lambot Family(from left to right): Gay, Me, Nanay Nucresia, Tatay Elias and Jona

In a Filipino parlance, the term "Nanay" means mother while "Tatay" is father. Gay, is one of the daughters of Nanay Nucresia and Tatay Elias while Jona is their youngest offspring, a barangay councilor in Barangay Lugsongan.

The following are farewell shots while our boat was leaving the resort:

At approximately 15 meters away . . .

At approximately 50 meters away . . .

At approximately more than 2 kilometers away . . .

For booking, you may contact Nanay Nucresia Olojan Lambot, being the Operations Manager at +639155203660.

HOW TO GET THERE:

There are four options going to this place, namely:

FROM MANILA TO PADRE BURGOS MUNICIPALITY OF SOUTHERN LEYTE

By Air from Manila to Tacloban City Airport. Then by land from Tacloban to Padre Burgos for 158 kilometers or 2 hours and 30 minutes travel. However, the above is just an approximation. Road conditions, diversions, weather conditions, traffic, etc. will affect driving distance and also the total travel time.

By Air from Manila to Ormoc City Airport. Then by land from Ormoc to Padre Burgos via Maasin, Leyte for 136 kilometers and 20 minutes. However, the above is just an approximation. Road conditions, diversions, weather conditions, traffic, etc. will affect driving distance and also the total travel time.

By Air from Manila to Cebu-Mactan Airport. Then take a ferry ship from Pier 4 of Cebu City to Hilongos Port of Southern Leyte for 6.5 hours. From Hilongos, take a service bus provided by the ferry ship for an hour to Maasin City. From Maasin City, take a jeepney to Padre Burgos Port for more than an hour. However, the above is just an approximation. Road conditions, diversions, weather conditions, traffic, etc. will affect driving distance and also the total travel time.

By Land, take a bus from Manila to Maasin, Southern Leyte for 928 kilometers which includes a ferry boat crossing from Matnog, Sorsogon of the Bicol Peninsula to Allen, Northern Samar through the sometimes rough and turbulent seas of San Bernardino Strait. The availability of the ferry may depend on the number of vehicles boarding the ferry boat. During the peak season, buses and vehicles can fall into a line as long as 1 kilometer or more delaying the buses to cross to Samar island. Then, with the same bus, it will cross the majestic San Juanico Bridge connecting the islands of Samar and Leyte. Then, from Tacloban, the travel continues to Padre Burgos municipality. With this, the road travel may reach until more than 1 and a half days.

FROM PADRE BURGOS PORT TO LIMASAWA ISLAND

Take a chartered boat from Padre Burgos Port to Dak Dak Beach Resort for almost an hour. Non-chartered boats will not take you directly to Dak Dak Beach Resort as it will take you to the different barangay ports of the island of Limasawa.