the Novice surfers at Baler

after we hiked to the falls , there was a note when we arrived in the hotel room:

" just leave the keys in the room "

- what is that supposed to mean? two days before check-out and already we are being asked to leave---

A tsunami alert!

We took flight to the hotel keeper's sister's home in san luis and that place in its modesty may well be a king's paradise - the service is better than even the 7 stars-

Next morning, the beach was serene. but not lonely.

less tourists, almost none ---
less surfing hours but definitely still worth the trip.
and it definitely gave us something to come back for.

the trip to sabang beach in baler, aurora is a convenient 5 hour journey passing thru the scenic pantabangan river in nueva ecija.

while in baler:

>sidetrip to the oldest balete tree in asia- more than six centuries and a cave under its roots - although this title is still in contention (aurora, aurora)

>visit the ditumabo falls (san luis, aurora)

>hike to dicasalarin cove (secluded white beach owned by the de venecias)

>hike ermita hill and the vantage cross

>stroll towards the museum and say a little prayer at their historical

church

and...

SUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF...

you may miss any of those first mentioned but do not leave baler without even trying the waves. it's an experience of a lifetime being carried by those gentle ripples. and eventually the bigger ones.

make advance booking for the accomodation especially those available through the net. weekends , peak/non-peak period are always touristed and resorts usually are full. bahia and aliya are amongst the most recommended.

the waves are calling, we must go.

Zipline @ Tagaytay

subtle ride...

a new way to view the

famed taal lake>

:)))

Finally, Caramoan

the Survivor's setting.

the simple man's habitat.

the adventurer's dream.

1st Automated election- May 2010

I was listed right after my father. @ cluster58, precint 136a, he is 148 & i am 149. Only this election, he was not with me. Carried by 4 able men, in his wheelchair, my father voted last on may of 2007, 2 months before he died.

Knowing that he didn't lose hope that our country will eventually be lead by honest men, i hoped ...too.

@6:35PM, the PCOS machine registered the 552nd ballot. my vote. as inspired by my father.

Mt Pulag

My favorite mountain yet.

My favorite terrain yet.

My favorite sunrise yet.

My most chilling / freezing yet.

My most participated birthday escape yet.

simply boracay

Boracay is nature mixed w/ pleasure ;)

what we did prior to boracay:

researched,

booked a flight a month in advance for a budget airfare,

bought slippers,

bought the digicam,

bought and initiated the tripod at intramuros,

and wait til the happening...

journey:

it was an hour trip from manila to kalibo ,

two hours from kalibo to caticlan,

(however we arrived @ caticlan by 230am so we tried to sleep

on the benches lining the port. awakened by excitement and hunger,

we ate at andoks just across the port)

and 15 minutes from caticlan to boracay,

lastly a 20 minute ride to the D'Mall

arrived @530am

what we did:

day 1-

say hello to boracay:)

slept :) till 9am

bought flops- we left what we bought for this trip

walked, walked, walked throught white beach and the inner road

trying to find a tripod - we left what we bought earlier

lunched @ paluto @ d back of D'Mall

rested a bit,

hiked looking for the inner lake- didnt find it

so we explored Bulabog beach

was invited at Hotel Astoria-

enjoyed the firedance at beach bum

and relaxed at Bombom's

day 2-

created our own breakfast at forgot-the-name- beachfront diner:)

hired a boat for island hopping and snorkeling,

waves were not friendly so we had to forego the island hopping,

sad coz the caves and the better snorkeling spot was on the other side

of the island,

we beach hopped instead,

lunched at Puka beach Resto-

a fine fine fine lunch with the fairest of view..

rested a bit then strolled the beach-

got back to station 2 in time for the sunset :)

had a bite at manana's

then got my henna-

Cocomangas made the day-

a pizza and margarita, and

the famous still standing a

after 15 got the better out of us;

disco and drinks after we were rocked.

to avoid the eyes and trouble at the main road, we opted for the leisure walk home

by the beach - w/ a drunken sweet kiss - the only one by the beach

(emphasis on the "drunken") ,

we went home on separate ways (how did that happen????).

i went home w/ someone already waiting and sleeping,

5 minutes after.... what the...... :o

i spent another half hour cleaning up the mess :o

still stAnding you say ....

day 3-

Mt. Sembrano

an overnight camp.

our tent was ravished by the typhoon.

we were bathed with mud.

rewarded with a chilling falls.

and a friendly local who offered

their place for refreshment

and bath..

:))

cagbalete island

unexplored.
untarnished.
with fireflies in bounty during the night, it is a pristine get-away.

soon...

Mt. Romelo w/ the Good guys

Calaguas/ Caramoan in my travel list

I am going to Calaguas Island.

i am inspired now by two beautiful beach paradisoes in camarines Norte. The islands surrounding the Caramoan has long been in my list and hopefully this will soon push through. Before that happens though, i have to include in my list the island of Calaguas, also in Camarines. they certainly make a good night thought...

After visiting the beautiful Anawangin in Zambales, discovering the Island of Capones and its lighthouse, and trekking the Batulao, i suppose this will be a very adventurous year yet.

i am dreaming....








still dreaming...

Picturesque Batulao Took me Peak after Peak

this post was a week overdue since we were up this helm 28th of march.. and yet after more than a week, i can still feel the gruelling midday heat that we tried and victored on..

we took the new trail up and unlike the previous mountains that we hiked, this one took us through 10 peaks, some just couple of meters from the ascending point. but the sun at 2pm did exhaust us more than anything. and after i lost count of all the stops that we had, and when i started to feel my legs crumbling under me due to strains of ascent and descent, i was rewarded with the most scenic mountain silhouette this part of luzon.

on the peak, i could make the outline of the taal lake, taal volcano, nearby batangas mountains and the outlying towns. being on the summit without cover by 4pm was a sweating retreat. i basked under the sun, had a grab of a clubhouse sandwich we packed and took my nap.


an hour later, we decided to go down the old trail where the initial descent was steep. steep. steep. whereby on the new trail was marked by peaks, the old was marked with camps. I could say that this mountain had been taken care of well and good. each camp was marked by a rock under a talisay tree. and upon reaching the first camp, indeed it was the best-maintained and cleanest campsite i’d been to.

Much as i want to dwell and stay overnyt, this was not an option. I had work eary the next day, and for the first time i experienced a night hike. i forgot all about my aching limbs, for the moment, for the coward in me began imagining things. In the dark…
don’t be threatened by the foolish me though, this mountain is adaptable for night hike especially with full moon.

unexercised fellows like me however, got a dose of my own medicine. with the help of two tablets of alaxan, life did move on.


to get there:
from Alabang:
airconditioned van to tagaytay: 65.00 (1.5hr)
tagaytay to evercrest- batulao : 23.00 (30minutes)
evercrest to jump-off- tryke: 80.00-100.00
hiking fee new and old trail : 20.00 each
freshen up at the sarisari store in front of evercrest for 20.00
(new trail takes less time but if staying overnyt, the old trail has charming camp1)

alternate route:
take a nasugbu bound bus and alight at evercrest.

ANAWANGIN COVE (where Brokeback Mountain was partly shot)

or so it seemed.
Anawangin Cove is still part of the mainland of Zambales although the only ways to get there are either through a 30-minute boat ride from the Pundaquit Beach or a five-hour hike over the Mt. Anawangin (Mt. Pundaquit). This relative isolation weaved magic for this quaint (peculiarly odd but very pleasing) beach get-away.

Odd? the beach is lined not with palms but pine trees, in volume enough to shade more than 400M stretch of sand for camping. This rare feature had spelled this cove's instant rise to both sand-worshipper's and mountaineer's buzz. it was only this last three years that tourists had continuously been flocking here every weekend which i think began when it was introduced in the net where I, too, land on it.
But i for one would like to keep it secret. Being there, four days and three nights, felt it should remain undiscovered. Selfish? It was so beautiful and peaceful, you don't want too much convergence of people to ravish it. But on the other hand, who was i to keep this from everyone who deserves to find it?

So here i am sharing. 'was there last week.
we would have chosen to hike over the mountain but the supplies for the next four days were more than enough for us to carry on our backs so boat-ride it was. Manong Rodrigo's banca was fast and in 2o-minutes record time, we were welcomed by Manong Vernie and friends, the caretaker of the place. It was thursday noon and we were the only visitors. I felt transported to a foreign place. I was embraced by trees and only paces away was the serene sea. the sand was powdery-gray making love with the ashes of Mt. Pinatubo (they said that only after the eruption did the place evolve into something like this, the pines and all) so that would make white-beige on the uppermost but it turned smooth gray once wiped by the waves.

the day would clock around cooking for meals, walking, swimming and reading. what a relief it was to have handfuls of firewood and dried pine leaves nearby. Preparing food in the camp was pretty relaxed. We had adobong chicken, kinulob na pork, dried pusit, salted eggs, pasta, pancit bihon, tuna, and luncheon meat. I felt i had gained pounds whilst i was there. with such a tranquil ambiance, who wouldn't be apettized?
we spent 2nd day exploring the trail and stream of rocks 100M far back from the sea. we even saw a bird's nest nestled on the rocks along the way. what a delight! there was also a lake by the side of the southern beach where i thought the location could well be where brokeback mountian was shot, hence the title.

it's really transcending.
thursday and friday night, two groups arrived, one each day both leaving a night after. the morning of saturday was different. as early as 6am, pumpboats came and went, visitors arrived by the dozens and including those coming from the mountain. by 12 noon, there were already more than thirty tents pitched and more than 200 hundred people on the sand and it felt crowded. privacy? well, we had it for two days.

the waterpump we solely used whenever we wanted it, was being lined for. the restrooms including the two which were just finished the time we came and the ones we used did not hold it. by night of Saturday, one was dirty, and by morning of Sunday, both toilets were. it was somehow saddening but this was part of camping in a place where no cellphone signals came in, no electricity worked for comfort. I am sure, despite this, everyone was awed and enjoyed their stay. you can hear it from them. They will share this experience, they will tell their stories. they will be back bringing friends with them, proud of the place.

i am too.
Getting here:
Victory liner buses ply the route from 5am in Pasay and as early as 1am from Caloocan
Pasay - San Antonio, Zambales 266.00 -4hours
San Antonio Municipal Hall - Bgy. Pundaquit 25.00 -10minutes
Pundaquit Beach - Anawangin Cove 1000.00 - 30 minutes

Post note:
the rate of the boat is already back and forth and shared with everyone so that would mean less budget for each in a group. 1000boat rate is good for 5-6pax. Also you can request the boatman to sidetrip on your return to nearby Capones Island ( don't miss the still functioning century-old lighthouse) or Camara Island (sandbar from November to February) for a minimal additional fee. You can test your haggling skills here.

The place is fronting South China Sea. If staying the night, bring a tent. You wil be camping in a place where most of the time, you will be under the forces of nature. So take caution. The beach and the swimming area is wide but there may be underwater cliffs where current may be dangerous especially during high tides.

There are also resorts and available accomodations in Pundaquit Beach.

Random Hike - Bundok ng Mag-asawang Bato

We were having refreshments and supplies from the nearest store on the afternoon after we climbed down from Mag-asawang Bato when an ex-counselor of Tingloy approached us and introduced himself. He gathered we were the ones camping by the beach. Although the place is generally safe, he obliged himself to let us know that if need be, we can come to him for any assistance.

during the course of the conversation, he managed to share with us bits and pieces of the mountain. according to him, the last time he trekked up was when the town-council agreed to look into a proposal to put shades on the track and rehabilitate some areas. We agreed that would be a good idea granted that these shades blend into the environment otherwise it will just ruin the setting. Not everyone would be happy about that come holy week when some locals hike to adhere to a yearly pilgrimage. Also he said that there were actually three not two giant rocks coupling on the peak (which we had previously noticed when we summitted- so it's not really a mag-asawa, is it?).
What escaped us though was the giant clam shell (kima) underneath these rocks. A huge shell up about 600MASL, now that is interesting.
What happened in this town years, maybe centuries ago may likely caused this. Tsunami?

That thought can send shivers camping on the beach. not for us though. We had a nice three hours trotting up and down that mountain, and about the same time swimming. you can only guess how far we had already drifted to sleep before we could even be bothered.

on the other hand: i still think it's unfair that while i was panting during the hike, JR, 11-year old boy who was newly-circumcized- and i mean newly, was running around the bushes like he was in the park...

1st link: Camping on Masasa Beach, Tingloy

Tingloy Island - A Humble Rural Town

Christmas and two weeks holiday...
A wanderer that i am i felt i had to go, leave the city, and enjoy the year-end outdoors. But i don't have such a privilege. My work needs me when at least most of our "kababayans" are out for the holidays.. Sigh, sigh, sigh.. I have plans ahead of me but for now, i shall content myself to go back to the place worthy of one's return. Only a few seconds into the photos, i feel i was gifted to have been to one humble town where simplicity is the way of life...
Maricaban island- "where part of Marina teleserye was shot, where beautiful white sand beaches lie in wait for the nomad's soul". i'm no Marina fan but i was in search for respite and surely one unpopulated beach would have cured my then weary soul. And the mountain too was a welcome hike.

On sunday morning, we set out for the Maricaban Island. It was a gift for my birthday. The anticipation was more exciting than opening a present. All-in-all it was a five-hour ride including the stop at Balagtas, Batangas city for a quick bulalo. yumm. (the popular place is where you see two large cauldrons steaming on the road towards the town's port).

On to Lipa city, where we transferred to a puj going Anilao, Mabini. To a port where the passengers know everybody else. While waiting for the boat to fill up, we felt like intruders. Though that welcomed a different kind of fun. Adventure perhaps. Everybody had themselves picked up by locals, some walked to nearby houses.We came ready to camp but where here was the Maricaban's famous beach and the low-key mountain called MAG-ASAWANG BATO? And where under this midday sun is the restroom?

First inquiry solicited a disheartening response- "no, Maricaban is unaccessible by tricycle. two mountains or a boat will tackle such course." The second one elated us. MAg-asawang Bato jump-off can be reached through tryke.


Slowly, the town had as calmed. at times, i wondered how drivers here were able to gp past through one-way narrow streets sometimes even unpaved. We already learned that Maricaban, with the famous beach is on the other side of the island and we are in Brgy. San Juan. I felt connected here so maybe Brgy. Maricaban will have to wait.

The Bundok ng Mag-Asawang Bato like the town was a little mountain with its own story. And after trying to hike the first half- and taking lunch uphill, we decided to check-out the beach. We camped on one of the shades. the only facility near us was a fresh-water well about 200m from the shore. We met new friends, young children who frequented the shore. The kids were sun-burnt, their laughters so much warmer than the light. it was them, the twins, and their older brother RR, their young lady pals, their neighbor JR, who made camping so much more comfortable and lively. they helped us start our fire and cooked two different variety of pasta meals (one with meatloaf, the other with tuna) which we feasted on. it was a hit with them. we also cooked fresh squids and galunggong i bought from mr. fisherman. and of course, they helped me pick the prettiest of the shells..

Two days of pure delight, playfullness, endless swimming, and repose during the night. the sea was clear, the seawall behind are black as hawk, the white sand was rich with shells, i can hardly say goodbye.

it was such a joyful place. It was the Masasa Beach. in the town of Tingloy.
the locals return. who am i to say no?


1st link: Random Hike- Bundok ng Mag-asawang Bato, Tingloy

30 Minutes Up Close with Baliuag

As childish as it was, i didn't let the visit in Baliuag pass without chasing the flock of white birds in the rice paddies. I saw them while i was playing with my nephew along the road separating my ate's place from the plots tended by her in-laws. From a distance, the birds seemed to me only feathers playing with the breeze and settling finally. As it is, they were feeding on the leeches and snails on the empty frames. It was almost planting season again, and there were already farmers tending thier own with the help of their best-friends, the carabaos.
Had the rain didn't pour, i could have stayed in the plains longer.







The B and C Orchids Exhibit

Along the way, we stopped over at Razon's Halo-halo Baliuag Branch, but what caught my attention was the colorful orchids displayed 5 paces away. My papa and mama during my teen years have collected some rare and beautiful species of this flower and the whole family was fascinated with their vibrance and variety. Even now, we are still awed by the silent sophistication of this beautiful flora.

Happy Birthday Ate Ghalie!!!

we had a great time this weekend in my sister's place in Baliuag, Bulacan. she will be celebrating her birthday today and since most of the family are working during weekdays, we agreed for a saturday trip. fortunately for me this time, i was allowed a weekend day-off to tag along.

It was supposed to be a surprise visit but hey when there is something exciting coming up, there will always be someone giving the leaks, hehe. My sister just had a liver operation and the family was really very thankful that she bravely got over the process and recuperating just as strongly. It was a heartwarmingly celebratory day and the Gamboas welcomed us heartily and prepared delicious meal for us, especially ginatang alimango with just enough spice- really yummy.

My mom hardly ever travels now, but this time she ignored her own sickness to be with her daughter. i am myself a sentimental and had i not compose myself , i could be crying just seeing the family get together again. but hey, aside from drama sessions, this family had shared enough hilarious and unorthodox humor, making fun of each other and indeed the day was filled with contagious laughters.

another get together is being planned, and we are looking forward to that another whacky day!

Finally: The SUMMIT (Mt Kalisungan II)

to say that i was overjoyed was an understatement. it felt like taming the wildest of them all. this mountain certainly has "more bite than its bark".


Months after the failed attempt to the summit of this mountain, i was once again getting ready to trek on the slopes of Mt. Kalisungan. This time, again a blinding hope to reach the peak despite the typhoon that was brewing on the south luzon.

do not blame me for the daredevil that i was, the trip was long planned, since the first climb and the schedule was plotted a fortnight before. Even the typhoon was an unexpected adversary. Had this trip failed though, had there been troubles after, i had no excuse but my own obsession to meet the challenge. Though i am already humbled once by the forces surrounding this mountain, i came here for the second time with only one goal-to heal the constant ache alluring me to its summit.

I was nervous. There was no mountain to welcome us, it was completely covered by the fog and the drizzles were obstructing my line of sight. Little by little, i was feeling the pull of my nerves. I had no windbreakers, and the rain steadily pursued us. Not long after we started, the dampness covered us from head to foot.

The only push that motivated me was the familiarity now with trails. They seemed more friendly and pronounced now. We took cover from the fruit trees and released the muds we accumulated thru twigs and leaves. At times cutting off the amorsekos which deliberately clinged on us.

Midway through the climb, we were already addressing the mountains' resolute stand. And two hours after we jumped off, we came to the same hut where we lunched the first time. It was a couple of "we've been here before". Certainly. But instead of resting now, this ignited our desire to follow the trails we had overlooked before.

Had we trailed west as advised by the local we met on the first climb, it was sure that we made it the first time. Had we not confused steepness with direction, we could have made it the first time. Lessons were learned, and this was another time. the object of the day was to keep ourselves from slipping trough the muddy trails and to ensure safety for everyone.

Indeed we were close. The dalandan farm we trekked before was directly below the trail towards the peak. Inching up, the trail whirled through another grassland. We needed not to make our own paths now, it was all evidently tracked. But believe me now, climbing trough the wet and sharp grasslands, and muddy-packed soil was not at all enthusiastic. And even if we wanted to get inspiration from the vista we might see from that viewpoint, that was completely obscured by the thickness of fog that clouded us.

I was not complaining, huh, i had only developed total respect for this mountain. Thirty minutes after the hut,i honestly felt that we were almost there. I was waiting for the cross on the peak to emerge over the waving cogon tips and every time i didn't i felt i was cheated by the trails.

Slowly i struggled until there was no way up. I was battered by strong winds from all directions and i was stil painfully looking for the landmark cross. I looked beyond to where i thought was the town but saw nothing, we were completely covered. Madness.

I felt the mountain was making fun of me until i saw this piece of rock, a crevice in the middle. The Cross wasn't there anymore. Typhoons had claimed it. Inspite of myself, i decidedly posed atop it. With or without the Cross there is always faith, and yes i couldn't have done it without my Help. Going down, i felt the mountain finally smiling on me and in one split moment, it gave me a second to glimpse right down to the town and the surrounding farms.

Linked Post:
> Understanding Gravity - Mt. Kalisungan Part 1

North Pandan Island: My Sister's Island Escape

Puerto Galera is the prime tourist destination in the island of Mindoro especially because it is so much closer to Manila and boasts of a number of diving destinations. So who would have thought that going beyond this border, following an off-the-beaten track, there lies a tropical paradise waiting to be explored?



My sister and her co-employee friends were on to a beautiful island they had only known from an officemate. A relative of whom is a local of Sablayan town (the biggest in South-east Asia). The teaser was this remote island 20 minutes from their town, a wide range of activities to choose from, and certainly beyond reach of the city that control their busy days most of the year.

Their exciting trip began when the plane left the group. One of them took the time checking out the closet for the best swimwear (hehe) and ended up paying for eight people's land and sea transfers (huhu, that was pricey). What could have been an hour of unincidental plane ride towards the island, turned out to be a tiring yet fun, awakening and at the end exciting land and sea transfers thru Batangas city, Abra de Ilog, and Sablayan-a welcome sight after the long journey through rural and at times untamed roads.

From the rustic and scenic port of Sablayan, it was all for them a escape to paradise. Tucked in the sea surrounding this bay is an island where curvaceous sand and tropical forests converged, where easy trails fenced the boundariesa and the luscious paradise perfectly complemented with the dive spots scattered around and doubled up by the nearby Apo Reef National Park.

They all stayed in cottages separated only by palms from the sea where she and her husband played around the huge hermit crabs, and sang along with the crickets at night. She even played me the music of the morning waves of the sea as they greeted her when she went around a bend and discovered for herself a powdery white-sand cove, a contrast to the coarse sand from where they were staying. Indeed, one can never have enough to explore around but in the end it is the laidback simplicity that drives its visitors up to a paradise they never have known before. And ultimately, all these are so much worth of all the hours and humps of travel.

Getting there:
Bus to Manila -Batangas City Pier(175.00) - 3hours
Batangas City Pier - Abra de Ilog (192.00) - 2hours
Abra de Ilog - Sablayan (250.00)- 3hours
Sablayan - Pandan Island (100) - 20 minutes
Alternatively, the resort can arrange plane transfers.

Accomodation:
on the island: Pandan Island Resort (700-1500)
in Sablayan: Albert's Place, Emily Hotel, LandManz Hotel

Special Interests:
Libauo Lake
Mt. Iglit-Baco National Park
Sablayan Prison Farm

What Remained Of All Saint's Day

On a sad nOte:
While Halooweens and All Saint's Day are attoned to family gatherings, it also is a sad recollection to the discipline that we sometimes bury with them...

Here's the aftermath:




I am already mourning for the neglect our environment is suffering...

In Memory Of Our Loved Ones

In memory of our father, our old folks, our little angels...



All land, sea, air transport peaked at this time of the year. As a tradition, Filipinos travel all the way from Manila to the northernmost or southernmost part of the country to remember their departed loved ones. In remembrance of them, millions flock to the cemeteries,both lavish and public to visit the families they missed. They brought all characters and designs and shapes of candles, all sorts of flowers, bouquet, or picked out from the gardens they tend, some prayed and held special masses.

Yes, the way we remember our beloved families may vary, but the life they shared with us when they lived will always transpire in our hearts, a beating memory and one pulsing hymn for their journey beyond this world.