Masungi Georeserve: The Secret Haven

Masungi Georeserve
August 2, 2016
Tanay, Rizal




As far as I know, booking or reservation here at Masungi is for a year.

It was not a hard hike or climb like the other mountains I am used to. Instead this was just a long trail for walking and some obstacles. This place also had a lot of Hanging Bridges. I so love hanging bridges! :)

The Last Minute Decision Hike: Mount Romelo

Mount Romelo Plus Four Waterfalls

Siniloan, Laguna

July 30, 2016

We were seven in the group and even though there’s a warning of thunderstorm and heavy rain, that didn’t stop us. Our initial plan was to hike Mount Sembrano in Pililia Rizal, but at the very last minute, we shifted to Mount Romelo in Siniloan Laguna.

Our meeting place was at Edsa-Shaw then we rode a jeep going to Tanay, Rizal. And then we took another jeepney ride going to Siniloan, we took a tricycle going to the jump off of Mount Romelo.

We paid for registration fee and we also took a guide. He is Kuya Macmac.

We started the hike at past 7 a.m.

We passed through first a hanging bridge. I so love hanging bridges! So I didn’t miss the chance to take a photo in there!

In less than two hours, we reached the summit of Mount Romelo.

Photo op then we took a rest and then we’re ready to trek going to the first waterfalls, Buruwisan Falls.

It was majestic!

We also ate our lunch there.

Our second falls was at Lanzones Falls. This is almost an hour after Buruwisan.

Then we’re off to our third falls, the Old Buruwisan Falls.

After that was the Pusong Bato Falls.

Now you know why this was called Pusong Bato Falls. Haha.

Since it rained but not hard, the trek to each falls was a bit hard (almost an hour after another), but they are all worth it because all the falls that we’ve been are all so amazing.

My favorite is the Lanzones Falls. It was like a hidden getaway and sanctuary.

At past five, we then decided to go back. Actually, there is seven waterfalls but due to short time, we just gone to four falls.

At least there’s a reason to go back.

At seven we were back to reality.

My love for mountains, hiking, adventure and exploring would always run in my blood.

TWIN HIKE PLUS EIGHT WATERFALLS ACHIEVED!

Mount Maynoba, Mount Cayabu and 8 Waterfalls 

June 26, 2016

Tanay, Rizal

I was so thankful because I’ve got the chance to climb on a newly opened mountain once again. The first time was Mount Hugom in Batangas last year. 

At 1 a.m. we were already in Cubao for the meet-up. I was with team traverser for this day along with my other co-volunteers. 

We rented a van for our transpo. 

At 2 p.m. we were already on our way to Sitio Cayabu in Tanay, Rizal. We passed through Marcos Highway, Cogeo then Boso-boso, Antipolo. Sitio Cayabu is adjacent to the location of Mount Batolusong in Batangasan, Tanay, Rizal.

At three a.m. we were already in Sitio Cayabu. Registration fee is 40 pesos per head and we took two guides that cost 500 pesos each. 

We had our very early breakfast first before we started our climb. The jump off would be at Mar-Nings Farm Resort.

For me, it was just a minor climb though it is really a long walk. 

Our climb is just so timing as the sun was about to get up. Sea of clouds welcomed us with widely open arms! Mount Pulag feels! We don’t have to go farther because here in Rizal, there’s really a lot of mountains that sea of clouds are present and visible.

We then reached the summit at almost 7 a.m. 

After a break, we then headed to the eight waterfalls. 

1. The Natatagong Paraiso Falls.

2. Maykatmon Falls

3. Aynas Falls

4. May Gugulong na Bato Falls

5. Maynoba Falls

6. Lantay na Bato Falls

7. Maybangka Falls

8. Magpantay Falls

Mount Gulugod Baboy Plus Beach Swimming!

Mount Pinagbanderahan/Gulugod Baboy, Anilao Beach Batangas 

(May 29, 2016)

Actually, my original plan was to go there all by myself. But I changed my mind and decided to do this with my team – the Team Traverser.

We had the meet-up again at Cubao at 1 a.m. 

And then we reached Anilao, Batangas at past 4 a.m. 

We started the climb at 5 a.m. 

Scenic views welcomed us. 

We’ve got to see the Sombrero Island and the Tingloy Island. 

And by 7 a.m., we were already at the summit and ate our breakfast there.

I’ve got the chance to solo the summit. 

Pardon for the poor quality of my pictures. 

Sariling sikap yan.

While they were at the summit, I slept for a while.

Thank you for the mug shots, friends!

Pasensya, puyat. I wasn’t able to get some sleep on the van. 

Then we went down. 

And it’s time for a swim!

We went to Philpan Dive Resort and had our lunch there. 

By past 1 p.m., we were ready to go home. 

At 5 p.m., I was already at home. 

Thank you for this day! 

I really so lurv it!

#SEPANX: Talisayen Cove Island, Zambales

Talisayen Cove Island, Zambales (Apr. 30-May1, 2016)

This trip is very unforgettable for me because I’ve got to meet new people again that eventually became my friends!

Our meet up place was at Quezon Ave., Centris at 1 a.m. 

We then rode a van going to Pundaquit, Zambales. 

At 5 a.m., we had a stop-over at Subic to have our early breakfast. I was glad that I was with my two friends. They are my co-volunteers in Project Pearls. 

Then upon reaching Pundaquit, Brgy. San Antonio Zambales, we had a boat ride. 

We had a short stop over at Capones Island. 

Then Talisayen Cove Island welcomed us after another hour of boat ride!

This is paradise!

We built our tent and fix our things. 

Then we had our lunch. 

It was then photo op slash swimming time and bonding time with the new people we’ve got to meet.

Yes, alak!

Alak pa more!

At 4 p.m. we decided to have a short nap after we swam. 

And that short nap lasted for two hours. 

Please understand that we didn’t have a good sleep the night before. 

So we woke up at six p.m. and it was almost sunset. 

Our original plan was to hike the nearby mountain but we chose to sleep. Haha!

Dinner time, bonding time, alak time!

Then as the mid night risen, it was bon fire time!

I actually passed out. 

Sadnu.

Special thanks to all the different liquors that I drank. 

When I woke up, the sun was already up and I was there lying on the sand. 

Hayyy.

We went back to our tent to continue our sleep there. 

Sayang ang props.

At 8 am, they called us to eat for breakfast. 

After eating, we took a bath, fix our things, fix down our tent and waited for our boat. 

While waiting, we had some photo ops. 

And then we’re back to reality. 

Thank you for the great weekend, Talisayen new found friends!

ISLA PUTING BUHANGIN QUEZON: THE UNPLANNED OVERNIGHT TRIP

Isla Puting Buhangin, Quezon Province (April 2-3, 2016)

For the birthday celebration of my college friend,  we went to Quezon Province. 

At 4 a.m., we had the meet up at LRT Buendia. 

After eating breakfast at Jollibee. We then rode a bus going to Lucena Grand Terminal. 

Then from Lucena, we rode a jeep going to…

From there, we rode a tricycle going to Isla Puting Buhangin at Kwebang Lampas. 

We rode a boat and finally we reached the island. 

We put on our tent and start exploring the beach, the cave and the sea. 

Of course, we won’t miss our pictorial session! 

We decided to have an overnight instead of just a day tour since it was very long travel. 

The night was filled with fun, drinks and foods!

Lights out at 12 midnight.

Happy birthday Jhonah!

We woke up at 6 and started to pack our things. 

We had our breakfast at Lucena Grand Terminal Chowkingbefore riding a bus going back to Manila. 

SAGADA: NOT A PLACE TO MOVE ON BUT TO SEE THE WORLD ON A BETTER PERSPECTIVE

My Sagada Trip 

(Mar. 24-26, 2016)

Because of the local and indi movie, "THAT THING CALLED TADHANA" Sagada has been a well known destination to broken-hearted people and to those who wants to finally move on. 

Kiltepan Peak was then became the prime destination wherein they can shout to the world all their heartaches, grievances and problems with their life. 

Well, this is what I thought.But when I got there, everything changes.

DAY 0:

For our holy week this year, we decided to spend it in Sagada. Together with my cousin and hiking buddies, on a Wednesday night, we were all ready for a very long road trip. 

We got a travel package at ROAD WAVES tour. We paid three thousand pesos each for the tour that includes the van/ transportation, lodge and other fees. 

Sleeping on a van is really inconvenient for me so I really didn't have a good sleep. We had two stopovers and all I did during those stops was to eat and to use the comfort room.

DAY 1:

After 8 hours, the sun was already up and we reached Banaue. The famous Rice Terraces welcomed us.

We took our breakfast at Banaue and we also took our very first photo for the day.

The food cost us 100 pesos per head. 

After four hours of another road trip, we finally reached our destination. Hello, Sagada! Welcome to us!

The first thing we did was to check in at our lodge. The house has three floors and we occupied the last floor.

It was simple and homey. Looking through my room's window, I was quite amazed! How I wish that I have the same view in Manila because it was so refreshing. Good vibes all the way.

We then had our lunch. We looked for place to eat. Dishes in Sagada's restaurants are a bit pricey so I strongly suggest to have a home made meals. We can actually cook on our lodge but we chose not to. You know, laziness overload. 

After our lunch, we had a tour to Sumaguing Cave.

I was amazed with the cave because it is so huge! Feels like a kingdom was in there. Be ready to get wet inside and for an adventurous person like me, be brave to pass through all the obstacles no matter how hard it is. 

We saw different stone formations and we swam into different super cold water ponds.Everyone must be cautious and of course safety first. 

"Huwag nang ipilit kung hindi mo kaya kasi ikaw lang dn ang masasaktan."

  

 After that, we were back to transient.

We took our dinner at a Bulalohan house and then for the rest of the night,  we took the chance to have a

night tour at downtown. 

We got to have the activity of pasalubong buying (first batch).

We also tried yogurt. 

And then we were back to lodge for a good, cool sleep.

DAY 2:

The next day, woke up at 7 a.m. and our first destination for the day was at Bomok-od Falls. 

But before that, I had a side trip to a nearby church on my own.

Trip to Bomok-od Falls was a four hour walk and hike. 

View was majestic! Mountains and rice terraces welcomed us so I personally didn't feel the tiredness and difficulty of the trek. It was also our advantage because we are used to long walks because of our past mountaineering activities. 

When we finished the trek via traverse, we had the chance to top load on a jeepney.

We were then back to town and had our lunch.

After our lunch, we visited Sagada Church,Public Cemetery and then the Echo Valley where the famous hanging coffins are located.

Thanks to our tour guide that we learned a lot about the history and some of the cultures and practices of Sagada people.

 I will write next time what are the things I've discovered and learned. 

Our next tour was at the Pottery and then at the Weaving house.

Our scheduled trip for that day finished at past five p.m. so we took the chance to have a  side trip at Gaia Café. In this place, a scene in the movie I mentioned above was shot in here. 

Then here comes dinner!

DAY 3: 

The next day, we woke up at 4 a.m.  and we were off to Kiltepan Peak to see the sunrise.

Breakfast. Pasalubong buying.

Off to Baguio. 

Side trip at Philippine’s Highest Peak of highway.

Reached La Trinidad Benguet for lunch,  pasalubong buying, strawberry picking.

Back to Manila. Home sweet home!