Wednesday, April 6, 2016

MOUNT MARAMI

Location: Maragondon, Cavite, Philippines



Jump-off point: Sitio Bangkaan, Brgy. Talipusngo, Maragondon, Cavite
Alternate jumpoff: Brgy.Ramirez, Magallanes, Cavite
LLA: 405 MASL (1,328 feet)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1-2 days / 2-3 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3
Features: Rocky outcrops, scenic views of Cavite including bird's eye view of Pico de Loro or Mount Palay-Palay

Note: The Barangay Ramirez alternative jumpoff point requires 4-6 hours to summit according to Dr. Gideon of Pinoy Mountaineer.

While at the summit's Silyang Bato


It is my first time to scale Mount Marami which I did it on March 12, 2016. I have heard a lot of stories about the mountain and have seen its awesome pictures most particularly its daring "Silyang Bato" and since then, I have been dreaming. I was with Christian Seracon and the rest of 12 mountaineers who wanted to be challenged by Silyang Bato summit.

Extremely dusty road heading to Sitio Bangkaan jumpoff point


Our group started this trip when we met at the Coastal Mall at 4:00 A.M. and from there, we had a refreshing drive passing through the Cavitex where we left the Coastal Mall at 4:55 A.M. We arrived 7:40 A.M. at the Talipusngo Barangay Hall for registration which we paid P20 per head.

Sitio Bangkaan jumpoff point


After the registration, we boarded a jeepney and headed to a nearby restaurant where a few of us took our breakfast and buy for packed lunch. We need to transfer to a jeepney since, the road going to Sitio Bangkaan was really a tough one considering that it was bumpy with big boulders, extremely dusty and at some point there are sudden drops which will give a hard time for the vehicle to maneuver. The travel took barely 40 minutes. Along our way, we passed through climbers who were trekking because their vans drop them somewhere as the road is no longer passable for their vehicle type.

Mount Palay-Palay or Pico de Loro as seen from the summit


According to our guide, there are two options where we can take for our ascent to the summit coming from the jumpoff point. The first one is a short cut heading to the summit and the second one is cutting through the trail passing thru Camps 1, 2 and 3 and finally the summit. The first option is only an hour and a half while the second option will take around three hours. But since some of our companions were newbies in climbing, our guide opted to take the first option.

This is the photo of the massive summit stone wall which I captured from my guide's fb account


The alternative which we took was such an easy trail with gradual assaults cutting through a canopy of bamboos. Most of the trail were covered with bamboos and other kinds of trees. However, with the option we took, we have no chance to capture the picture above as it is only visible when one is at Camp 1.

Chasing the clouds at the summit


Being at the summit of Mount Marami is like being on top of the world where neighboring lowlands and mountains can be see and it includes Pico de Loro where like Mount Marami, it also has the massive monolith.

A closer photo at the summit's Silyang Bato


I noticed that there are so many climbers who wanted to scale Mount Marami. We were lucky to be the first to arrive at the summit since some other groups trek from the registration to the jumpoff point. Had it not for that, we might have been waiting in queue trying to have a picture in Silyang Bato.

Still a part of the summit


We have not stayed long at the summit since it was hot. Our ascent to the summit was barely 1 and a half hours and descending the mountain only took us a hour to the jumpoff point.

What was rewarding for this climb was our side trip to Pantihan (Balayungan) Water Falls

Bamboo canopies: the common sight of the trail


OTHER CONCERNS

For tour guide rates, P500 for day climb for a ratio of 1 is to 10 climbers or P1,000 for overnight with the same ratio of climbers. For the round trip jeepney rental from the barangay hall registration to Sitio Bangkaan for day cimb has a rate of P1,000 and P2,000 for overnight. Guides can be contacted at 09369682387/09065079694 for Aldrin Paiton and 09066921264 for Christian Seracon. Both of them can booked the jeepney for the guests convenience.

HOW TO GO THERE

DIY Option

Take a bus from Coastal Mall at a fare rate of P66 with travel duration of 2 hours. From Naic, take a jeepney with a signboard of Magallanes at a fare of P35 for an hour drive but tell the driver to drop you at the Barangay Hall of Talipusngo of Maragondon, Cavite for the Registration for P20.

From the Barangay Hall Registration to Sitio Bangkaan, a chartered jeepney is needed for it is quite far and vans or cars can’t get into its dusty and bad road condition.

Taking Tour Package Option

For worry-free visit to the falls, particularly to mountain climbers who wanted to have a side trip, take the "All-In Services" of the tour organizer Christian Seracon with mobile number at 09066921264 or through his Facebook account at Christian Seracon for only P800 inclusive of round trip van transport from Coastal Mall to Maragondon of Mount Marami, guide and registration fee as well as the jeep from Mount Marami's registration site to the jump-off point in Barangay Bangkaan of Brgy. Talipusngo.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

47TH PENITENTIAL WALKING

This is my third time to join this penitential walking sponsored by the Mission De Colores founded by the late Juaning Reyes. The last time I attended was on April 5, 2007, its 38th Penitential Walking then. It is usually held every Maundy Thursday.

The Basilica Menore de San Sebastian


This penitential walking has a double purpose, namely: "Visita Iglesia" the usual term used when the Philippines was under the Spanish regime as one of its colonized country for 377 years covering the period from 1521 when European explorer, Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines and ended in 1898 with with the outbreak of the Spanish–American War. The visitation of churches totals to 14 where each church visited represents as one of the Stations of the Cross. It started from 6:00 A.M. and ended at 3:30 P.M.

Station 1: San Roque De Manila Parish

Address: Rizal Avenue (near Blumentritt Street), Sta. Cruz, Manila



Facade of San Roque De Manila Parish


The interior of San Roque De Manila Parish


Station 2: Immaculate Conception Parish

Address: 287 Tayuman Street, Tondo,Manila



The facade of the Immaculate Conception Parish


The interior of Immaculate Conception Parish


Leaving the 2nd Station to the 3rd Station


A mother carrying her baby in a crib


Station 3: Archdiocesan Shrine of Espiritu Santo (Espiritu Santo Parish Church)

Address: 1912 Rizal Avenue (near Tayuman Street) 344 Zone 35, Sta Cruz, Metro Manila



The facade of Espiritu Santo Parish


The interior of Espiritu Santo Parish


Walking along Tayuman Street heading to the Fourth Station


Station 4: Santissimo Rosario Parish Church (known as UST Chapel)

Address: Ceferino Gonzales Drive, Sampaloc, Manila, Metro Manila



The facade of the UST Chapel


A closer look of the UST Chapel


The interior of the USA Chapel


Devotees leaving UST Chapel


skyscrapers at the background of the UST spacious quadrangle


Crossing the busy street of Espana heading to the 5th Station


Station 5: Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto Parish

Address: Jose Figueras (formerly Bustillos) Street, Sampaloc, Manila, Metro Manila



The facade of Our Lady of Loreto Parish


The interior of Our Lady of Loreto Parish


Devotees leaving for the 6th Station


Station 6: San Antonio de Padua Shrine

Address: Jose Figueras (formerly Bustillos) Street, Sampaloc, Manila, Metro Manila



The facade of San Antonio de Padua Shrine


The interior of San Antonio de Padua Shrine


Station 7: Basilica Minore de San Sebastian

Address: Plaza del Carmen, Abenida Claro M. Recto, Quiapo, Manila



The facade of San Sebastian Church


The interior of San Sebastian Church


Station 8: Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat (San Beda College Chapel)

Address: 638 Mendiola St., San Miguel, Manila



The facade of San Beda College Chapel


The interior of San Beda College Chapel


Peeping thru the concrete fence of Malacanang Palace


Walking along Laurel Street fronting Malacanang Palace


Passing by San Miguel Parish Church of the Malacanang Palace


Station 9: Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (canonically known as Saint John the Baptist Parish/Quiapo Church)

Address: 910 Plaza Miranda and Quezon Boulevard, Quiapo, Manila



The facade of Quiapo Church


The interior of Quiapo Church


Station 10: Sta. Cruz Church

Address: Carriedo, Sta. Cruz, Manila



The facade of Sta. Cruz Church


The interior of Sta. Cruz


Approaching Jones Bridge heading for Intramuros


Entering the gate of Intramuros


Station 11: Immaculate Conception Parish Church of San Agustin

Address: General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila



The facade of San Agustin Church


The interior of San Agustin Church


Station 12: Cathedral – Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral)

Sto. Tomas, Intramuros, Manila



The facade of the Manila Cathedral


The interior of the Manila Cathedral


Back to Binondo financial district


Station 13: Manila Minor Basilica of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz or Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish (Binondo Church)

Address: Paredes Street corner Ongpin Streets, Plaza Calderon de la Barca, Binondo, Manila



The facade of Binondo Church


The interior of Binondo Church


Passing thru the busy street of Manila China Town's Ongpin Street


Vegetable stalls along Benavidez Street of Chinatown


Fruit stalls along Benavidez Street of Chinatown


Station 14:San Jose de Trozo Parish

Address: 1340- G Masangkay Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila



Facade of San Jose de Trozo Parish Church


The interior of San Jose de Trozo Parish Church