Bulacan - Bayukbok Cave

Bayukbok Cave
Sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan
Spelunking Time: 2-3 hours

One of the should-not-miss-destinations that the Biak-na-Bato National Park shelters is the Bayukbok Cave. Played a big role in history, the eight series interconnected cave called  Bayukbok Cave was one of the shelters that our Katipuneros have used during revolutionary period back at Spaniard colonization times.

Spenlunking Bayukbok cave is really quite a challenge, thus patience and determination is needed. Yours truly are not familiar with the cave difficulty ratings,  but with some readings, this may fall under the Level 3 or Moderately easy since it falls with it's description, a li'l crawl, climb and squeeze. Going there needs a little uphill trek, but during rainy day carefulness is needed as trail are slippery when wet since they are made from limestone. Limestone here are sharp and even slightly pointed making them very risky giving you no room for a slip, cause an accident will surely cause you wounded. Continuing, visitors of Bayukbok Cave will have to pass by an open passage and soon face a narrow entrance. Moving forward, the spelunkers of Bayukbok Cave have to descend via a ladder made of rope and bamboos(slippery on rainy season). Next is the crawling and squeezing part, but the crystal like at the stalactites and stalagmites will now be visible. Then the greatest challenge! Visitors have to pass a slope with a pit on the side. Looking down below will surely bring your nerve as it is deep and pointed stalagmites are waiting to any who'll fall. Soon, it's vine swinging at the exit.

There have been reports of mysteries at the Bayukbok Cave, but there are no solid proofs other than testimony of some. Fortunately, yours truly have no personal encounter with the said and still suggest the Bayukbok Cave a worthy destination to those who have brave hearts.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From Pasay or Cubao, there are buses enroute to Cabanatuan (yours truly have taken 5 star bus at Pasay at the back of Winston Hotel) were you can ask to drop you off Brgy. Camias. From there, you can ride a tricycle to Sitio Madlum.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

*Visiting Bayukbok Cave is best to be along with Mt. Manalmon, thus suggest to refer to it's itinerary.

Bulacan - Mt. Manalmon

Mt. Manalmon
Sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan
196 MASL
Difficulty: Minor 2/9
Trail Class: 1-2
Trekking Time: 45 minutes - 1 hour

Mt. Manalmon is one of chill climbs that Luzon offers. Lying at the historical park of Biak-na-Bato in the town of San Miguel, Bulacan, Mt. Manalmon serves as an eye for chill campers as it no offers not more of a hike challenge but a relaxation offered by it's river. A large group can camp at the side of the river where you can fish and hunt sum shrimps, but if you want view, you can camp at the summit.

Mt. Manalmon is also eye for cave lovers and spelunkers as the mountain covers nearby caves, such as Bayubok Cave, Madlum Cave, Victoria Cave and more. Also, a neighbor mountain can also be climbed, the Mt. Gola.

Trekking Mt. Manalmon does not requires much of a preparation since it does only require a short trek as mentioned above. The only challenge one has to face at Mt. Manalmon is crossing an up-to-knee-river with a very strong current. Also, visitors have to pass a river before reaching the registration proper which swells up during rainy season, but one can rent a wooden raft for a small price.

Guide in Mt. Manalmon is mandatory and they charges another fee if you want to climb Mt. Gola too, thus making the destination an expensive climb. Although, taking the Bayukbok Cave spelunking is a li'l cheaper compared to taking the other mountain.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From Pasay or Cubao, there are buses enroute to Cabanatuan (yours truly have taken 5 star bus at Pasay at the back of Winston Hotel) were you can ask to drop you off Brgy. Camias. From there, you can ride a tricycle to Sitio Madlum.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

08:30 ETD to Camias
10:00 ETA Camias, take tricycle
10:30 ETA Madlum, Secure guide & register, Start trek
11:00 ETA River, set camp, cook lunch
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Swimming time
17:00 Head to summit
17:30 ETA Summit
18:00 Head back to camp
18:30 Cook dinner
19:30 Dinner and socials

Day 2

06:00 Wake up call
07:00 Brakfast
08:00 Breakcamp 
08:30 Start Descent
09:00 Spelunking Bayukbok Cave
11:00 ETA Jumpoff, washout
11:30 Head to Camias
12:00 ETA Camias, Lunch
13:00 Head Home

Quezon - Mt. Banahaw

Mt. Banahaw
Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon
2158 MASL
Difficulty: Major 5/9
Trail Class: 3
Trekking Time: 6-7 hours

The Mt. Banahaw stand tall at the middle of the provinces of Laguna and Quezon. Having at total height of 2158 meters above sea level, Mt. Banahaw has the crown of the highest in Southern Tagalog region. Being the highest, it is not unusual to have testimonies of sightings of many floras and faunas such as Sampinit. Although, the sad part is Mt. Banahaw is a popular hiking destination not just for ordinary hikers and mountaineers, but also to cults and Rizalistas, thus creating a great impact and destruction to the mountain. It is the folklore and beliefs that caused Mt. Banahaw's fame. Known as the Holy mountain, devotees, pilgrims and cults often visit this mountain especially during Lenten season. This became an eye for the authorities who are concerned to the mountain's welfare, making them to decide to officially closed the mountain to ANY of the hikers, unless given special permit. This is to give way to her rehabilitation or self healing. 

Mt. Banahaw is not just known for it's height but also with it's mystery. It not just stand next to Mt. Cristobal, but also have lots of it's own version of mysteries and ghost stories, thus creating a prominent figure in the Philippine folklore. Stories about this very mountain that is unproved but believed are still alive, such as the story of a cave named "Husgado" translates as Judgement wherein passage will get narrow when an evil person goes inside trapping him/her in the cave. Another story is the miracle of waters found in the mountain that is said to heal every injury or diseases.

Trekking Mt. Banahaw will have to start in Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon (same as Mt. Cristobal), then choose a path to either via Cristallino Falls or Tatlong Tangke. From Cristallino falls, you will pass by Kweba ng Dyos Ama, then Kweba ng Espiritu Santo, then Finally the Unang Durungawan. From Tatlong Tangke, you will pass by Kapatagan, then the Durungawans.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From Buendia or Cubao, you may take buses bound to Lucena and ask them to drop you off San Pablo City, where there is a terminal of jeeps bound to Dolores. You may ask the driver if you can just add some amount to bring you to Brgy. Kinabuhayan or you may rent a jeep all the way to Brgy. Kinabuhayan.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

*Authorities suspended all hiking activities at Mt. Banahaw and still currently closed up to now, thus will be posting itinerary once the Mt. Banahaw opened in public in respect to the said closure.

Mountain Province - Sumaguing Cave

Sumaguing Cave
Suyo Road, Sagada, Mountain Province
Spelunking Time: 2-3 hours

Yours truly is not much familiar with the rating system of difficulty with regards to caving, potholing or spelunking, but regardless of your knowledge, one can easily determine that Sumaguing cave is one of the easiest cave to explore (except maybe for some). This could be the main reason why the Sumaguing Cave became the most popularr destination in visiting Sagada, that's aside from it's natural beauty.

Made of gold-like limestones, the Sumaguing cave can be explored for about 2-3hours walking into a sponge like texture of the limestone with waters flowing all over the place.From the entrance, the visitors of Sumaguing cave should pass a long stairs going down (ofcourse you'll have to climb it to get out the cave later). Then soon the second level where visitors are advised to take-off their footwear to avoid destructions of the limestones. The most beautiful stalactites and stalagmites formations will appear from this stage. The guide will now choose your safest and nicest path in consideration with all guests. Then, the level 3 of the cave which is optional for guests to continue, it will be a higher level of challenge going to that level. And woohla!congrats, you've conquered Sumaguing cave! :).

Sumaguing cave guides, are guests oriented, as they are familiar to entertain even foreigners. And for every limit of guest, add'l guide is required. Lamps are provided by the guides to ensure the light in spelunking the Sumaguing Cave.

There are other caves available in the Sagada and some of them are interconnected, such as this very cave and the Lumiang Cave, wherein you can ask a guide to have an interconnecting exploration for a different rate.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

Take Ohayami Bus at Corner Fajardo St., & Lacson Ave., Sampaloc, Manila going. Then from Banaue, there are vans going to Sagada. OR Take a Sagada Travel Package.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Pls take note that Sagada Travel Package is best in taking this destination as there are other nice destinations available in Sagada, thus no suggested itinerary is available since it varies on the package. Better to check if you can customize the destination included in the package for a worthy package.

Flora & Fauna - Tawilis

Tawilis is the only fish of Clupeidae family or Sardinella (Sardines) that exists in freshwater. Scientifically known as Freshwater Sardinella, the Tawilis is exclusively found in the Philippines. Found only at the 3rd largest lake of the Philippines, a lake of a volcano called Taal, the Tawilis is believed to be an evolution of a marine specie that adopts a freshwater environment. The history tells that Taal lake used to be an extension of Balayan Bay which is purely marine in nature, but a major eruption of Taal volcano in 18th century sealed the lake from the sea, trapping many species is the lake. Tawilis is suspected as one of them.

Growing up to 15cm for about 30g, the Tawilis had became common to the Filipinos especially in the CALABARZON area, thus delicacies for this very fish have now lots of varieties. From tuyo or dried fish, to paksiw (stewed/simmered in vinegar) and to deep fried, wherein it is cooked until it became very soft to the point of what do Filipinos say as kain lahat or everything is edible even the fishbone.

The only sad part is, the Tawilis is slowly becoming to be an endangered specie, as fishpens in the Taal lake that fastly increasing in number is causing a big impact on our very fish. The fishpens creates competition between the natural residence of the lake and the new comers bred for commercial purposes, not just in foods but also in air, thus creating lots of fish kill incidences. Also, the unregulated commercial trading could be a huge cause of decrease in numbers of Tawilis. Sad but true, all we can do is pray that authority will soon open their eyes and realize that they have to control and regulate the reasons of Tawilis' threat.

Batangas & Laguna - Mt. Makiling (Traverse)

Mt. Makiling (Maktrav)
Entry: Brgy. San Miguel, Sto. Tomas, Batangas
Exit: College of Forestry, UPLB, College, Los Banos, Laguna
1090 MASL
Difficulty: Major 6/9
Trail Class: 3 w/ ropped segment
Trekking Time: 7-8 hours

Mt. Makiling is one of the prominent mountain found in the Southern Tagalog region. It's ranges extends from Bay, Laguna to  UPLB, Laguna and even to Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

Visitors of Mt. Makiling via UPLB trail already enjoys the biodiversity of this very mountain, but the Sto. Tomas side can be considered as it's window and backyard garded as it offers more of a view that hardly seen at UPLB trail even at the summit or Peak 2, and more Floras and Faunas such as Pitcher Plant, Sampinit and even the Limatiks here are more abundant compared to the former. Although, this side offers more of a challenge, as it requires longer trekking time, more crawling and climbing, even rope climbing, and ofcourse more patience and determination. This is the main reason why more mountaineers want to climb Mt. Makiling via Sto Tomas, not to mention that this serves as training climbs for mountaineers planning a Major climb that requires much preparations. Tomas side which they often refer as Maktrav, a shortened term for Makiling Traverse.

There are two trails existing at Sto. Tomas side, the Sipit trail and Palanggana trail. However, during early 2012, there are news that Makiling Center for Mountains Ecosystem (serves as PASU for Mt. Makiling) has designated Sipit trail as main trail, thus reinforcing its establishment and training guides via this route.

Trekking via Sto. Tomas side starts with the Brgy. hall which also collects an amount as registration. From there, various forks will be present but a right trail will lead you to an abrupt ascending trail. Then a well guided trail(fenced both side). Then, the merging point of your trail and Palanggana trail, soon the grassland. Next will be Palanggan campsite, and soon it's peak, continuing you'll soon find the Baring bato, where on top is a nice view deck with lots of Pitcher plants. Continuing will be the Melkas ridge and soon Peak 3. From Peak 3 to Peak to will be a long trails with lots of crawling and climbing plants and trees along the trail, the so called Wild Boar trail. Then, finally it will be the Peak 2.   

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From LRT-Buendia, take buses bound to Sto. Tomas where you can ask a tricycle to drop you off at what they call "Bundok".

                                                                                       SUGGESTED ITINERARY

04:30 Assembly, take bus to Sto. Tomas
06:00 ETA Sto. Tomas, take tricycle
06:30 ETA Jumpoff, Start trek
11:00 Melkas Ridge
12:00 ETA Peak 3, fast lunch
12:30 Resume Trek
14:30 ETA Peak 2, Rest and pictures
15:00 Start Descend via UPLB trail
18:00 ETA Ranger station/jumpoff
18:30 Dinner at Grove or Junction
19:30 Head Home

Flora & Fauna - Jade Vine

Blue-green-colored-flowers is quite uncommon, making them an eye catcher. This is true with regards to a flower that can be seen in the tropical forests of the Philippines, the Jade Vine.Unique not just in colors but also the way it blooms as it is vine, the Jade Vine hangs like a cluster of grapes.

Jade Vine, locally known as tayabak, is a member of Fabaceae or pea and bean family. The claw-shaped-flower that resembles to a stout-bodied butterfly with folded wings, connected in a small stem can reach up to 75 in count and stem can reach up to 18 meters long. It's flowers' color vary from blue-green to mint-green. Jade Vine is a frost tolerant and can live up to minimum temperature of 15 degrees Celsius or 59 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Jade Vine, scientifically known as Strongylodon Macrobotrys, is also known as Emerald Vine and Turquoise Vine. It's plant grows besides stream of a damp forest like the upper river of Buntot Palos Falls and the hidden lagoon at Mt. Makiling where yours truly have seen such beautiful flower.

Seeing Jade Vine in the forest is such a pleasure, thus suggest to take pictures once you see one rather than a petal which never last like the former (never to mention the respect for LNT and creed of the mountaineers).

Laguna - Taytay Falls

Taytay Falls
Gagalot, Majayjay, Laguna
Difficulty: Minor 1/9
Trail Class: 1
Trekking Time: 10-15 minutes

Another body of water that Laguna can boast is this very falls that sits at the southern part of province, the Taytay Falls. Always synonymous from it's location, when Filipinos mention Majayjay, the first thing that comes to their mind is the Taytay Falls. As a matter of fact, Filipinos usually mistake Taytay Falls as Majayjay Falls and the name Taytay Falls have gained less famed than the later.

Majayajay is home for some falls, but the Taytay has the name that sounds even in other places. Maybe it is because that the place has been almost commercialized since one of few falls that does not require much of a trek, although it is a long trip from Manila and the last trip to and from the falls leaves at 17:00.

Taytay Falls, also known as Imelda Falls, boasts it's cold water that flows from the mountain of Banahaw. Plus, the mossy trees and rocks near the swimming pool like catch basin of the falls.
 
With Taytay Falls' commercialism, the locals have thought of a way to attract more visitors and same way earn, the tent rental. Locals have invested tents that can be rented by visitors that don't have tent since it is possible to camp near the falls. There are various of sizes available wherein accommodation varies. But that's not all yet, there are lots of nearby store so campers can enjoy their activities without thinking their supplies.However, the sad part of the commercialism is that this nature's treasure suffers like many other tourist destinations with lots of visitors, the wound created by vandalism and littering.
 

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From Buendia(LRT) or Cubao, you may take buses bound to Sta. Cruz and have a trip all the way to Sta. Cruz. From there, you can see jeeps bound to Majayjay which you should take. And from Majayjay, jeeps bound to falls are already available.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

04:30 Assembly
05:00 ETD to Sta. Cruz
08:00 ETA Sta. Cruz, head to Majayjay
09:00 ETA Majayjay, head to Brgy. Gagalot
10:00 ETA Brgy. Gagalot, Register, start trek
10:15 ETA Falls, swimming time!
12:00 Lunch break
16:00 ETD for home (trip leaves every hour, last trip 17:00, suggest to take one hour earlier to avoid inconveniences such as short of seats)

*Don't forget to buy Buko Pie along the way at Los Banos, Laguna.

Photo thanks to Ed Avelino & Oliver Mina

Quezon - Mt. Cristobal

Mt. Cristobal
Sitio Sta. Lucia, Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon
1,470 MASL
Diffiuclty: Minor 4/9
Trail Class: 3
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours

One of the most mysterious mountain in the Philippines is the so called Mt. Cristobal or Mt. San Cristobal. Lying next to Mt. Banahaw, Mt. Cristobal together with its neighbor mountain, stands a prominent figure at local folklore, as this two mountain represents both positive and negative energy that cancel out in the end. Mt. Banahaw called the "Holy mountain", remits positive energy and attracts devotees while it's neighbor mountain, Mt. Cristobal, is called "Devils' mountain" and remits negative energy.

Mt. Cristobal is a star not just in folklore but also in legends and ghost stories, but yours truly believe its better this way as it creates fear and aloofness to those undisciplined people that recklessly climb and litters in the mountain, thus preserving Mt. Cristobal's pristine beauty.

Fear not if you are well disciplined and respects nature, as the Mt. Cristobal's forest offers a unique scenery as species of animals and plants that are rarely seen could be seen here. And, not to mention that it's dense forest is covered with lots of mosses as moist almost never leave the place since it is a rainforest, thus making Mt. Cristobal worthy to visit even-though there no much view decks in the mountain.

Trekking Mt. Cristobal could be quite challenging as the trail here are classified as class 3 as mentioned above, meaning that it needs a little experience and ofcourse much preparation before one should attempt to conquer the challenges this mountain offers. Back then, Mt. Cristobal is classified as a major climb, but with the new system of rating the mountains, it has been downgraded to minor climb.

The common entry point used by the mountaineers is the Brgy. Kinabuhayan at Dolores, Quezon. From there, visitors may secure guide if they haven't get any yet, then start trekking. Trekkers may take 30-40 minutes on-off road. This road looks flat but steps here are quite heavy, seems like an optical illusion. Then, the house of a psychic named Montelibano, the last water source. From there, trekkers will have to face continuous ascending trails until they reached the cogon line at 1,130 MASL. Then, soon will be campsite.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From Buendia or Cubao, you may take buses bound to Lucena and ask them to drop you off San Pablo City, where there is a terminal of jeeps bound to Dolores. You may ask the driver if you can just add some amount to bring you to Brgy. Kinabuhayan or you may rent a jeep all the way to Brgy. Kinabuhayan.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

07:30 Assembly
08:00 ETD to San Pablo
10:00 ETA San Pablo, take jeep to Kinabuhayan
12:00 ETA Kinabuhayan, take Lunch
13:00 Start Trek
14:00 ETA Montelibano's house
17:00 ETA Campsite, set camp, explore the crater
17:30 head back to camp, cook dinner
18:30 Dinner, Socials

Day 2

05:00 Wake up call
06:00 Breakfast
07:00 Breakcamp
07:30 Start Descend
10:30 ETA Kinabuhayan, river swimming, Lunch
14:00 Head Home

Batangas - Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine

Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine
Labac, Taal, Batangas

Another pride of the heritage town of Taal aside from Basilica de St. Martin de Tours, is the Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine. Standing at the banks of Pansipit River, the Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine bears a long story of it's name's origin. Story begins back in 1603 when a fisherman named Juan Manigcad, accidentally fished a small statue of Blessed Virgin Mary of Immaculate Concepcion. The said was then placed under the care of the town's judge's widow, named Dona Maria Espiritu who had made a special urn for it's safe keeping. It is then when the villagers had noticed and witnessed the mystery of the statue the persistently disappearing in the urn and going back to the place where it is originally found. Until one day, the statue was completely lost and was only found after 8 years by two women gathering firewood. The statue was found atop of a bush with candles lit each side and amongst a silvery bird, a kingfisher known is filipino as kasay-kasay. To honor the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the people had built the shrine at the same location it has been found. Visitors can see a summary of the story by paintings on the wall inside the chapel/shrine.

Compared to Basilica de St. Martin de Tours, the Our Lady of Caysasay shrine is much smaller and younger in years, but it's own beauty and story makes it as popular as the former. 

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From Basilica de St. Martin de Tours, visitors may take a tricycle or opt to walk going down the 125-steps-stairs called,the Sn Lorenzo Ruiz steps.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

It is advisable to visit Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine at sunday together with the Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega and Basilica de St. Martin de Tours, thus pls see Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega for itinerary.

Batangas - Tapang Taal

Tapa is a term for a cured meat, often prepared in a thin slice and preserved using salt or green lemon (calamansi). And when you say tapa, the first thing to come to Filipinos' mind is beef, as it is almost synonymous for them since the usual meat used in the the country for processing tapa is beef.

That makes a town in Batangas somewhat unique. A town known for the home of heritage site, the town of Taal.

Taal uses pork as meat for their tapa. Yes, you read it right, pork! Even yours truly have expected that their tapa is a beef and foolishly think they have processed them perfectly making them taste like pork meat(LOL).  Marinated in a mixture of garlic, soy sauce, green lemon (calamansi) and spices, Tapang Taal is best cooked via fried or grilled. Best served with fried rice, egg and kapeng barako (traditionally brewed coffee), the Tapang Taal is favorite all time breakfast of the town's visitors.

Each bite of the Tapang Taal truly marks the memory of it's feaster as the meaty taste lasts at the tongue. So? Wanna try? One set of TAPSILOG(Tapa-Sinangag (fried rice)-Itlog(egg)) ala Taal coming up!

Batangas - Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega

Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega
Barrio Kaylaway, Nasugbu, Batangas

One of the most popular churches in the Philippines is this small church over a hill, the Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega.  Also known as Church on Hill, the Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega serves as common retreat destination of collegiate students studying at a catholic school in the country, and even graduating students of elementary and highschools as it amenities offers not just solemnity but also other activities such as camping, team building and more .

"Closer to Nature, Closer to God", this phrase can be seen written at a wooden signage if you explore more around the chapel of Caleruega. Indeed, their theme is effective, as it is a relaxing approach of getting closer to our one and only God.

Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega is just 30 minutes ride from Tagaytay and it is easy to access as public transportation is available here. Although, getting there could be bumpy as visitors have to pass some roads that is not well develop yet. But, it is all worthy to visit as being there is just like being in a park rather than a church or a chapel. Before you reached the Transfiguration Chapel, you'll have to pass a guarded gate where you have to pay registration fee for an amount of Php 30.00 per person as your truly per last update (late 2012). Then, a fountain in front of a lounge with a higher elevation. There is a way at a side leading to a long walk into the beautiful garden of the Caleruega, which includes the Koi pond, Mini falls, Campsite and Tent Chapel. Inside the lounge is a grand staircase, a souvenir shops and some exits leading to dorms, catering and the Transfiguration Chapel. Beside the Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega is a viewdeck where you can see the beautiful of it's neighboring mountain, the Mt. Batulao.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From EDSA MRT-LRT Pasay, take a bus enroute to Nasugbu via Tagaytay and ask them to drop you off at Evercrest Golfcourse or you may take Van going to Tagaytay and ride a jeep bound to Nasugbu once you are at Tagaytay Olivarez. From Evercrest Golfcourse take a Tricycle to Caleruega, you may take the driver's contact number as going back could be quite difficult for commuters as there are no terminals nor public vehicle passing by.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

05:00 ETD for Caleruega
07:00 ETA Tagaytay
07:45 ETA Caleruega, pictures
08:00 Attend Mass
09:00 End of Mass, explore Caleruega's garden
10:30 ETD for Taal
11:00 ETA Boundary
12:00 ETA Taal, Look for Store w/ Tapang Taal and Lomi
13:00 Pictures at Basilica de St. Martin de Tours / Rooftop
15:00 Explore Taal for more heritage site
16:00 Head to Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine
17:00 Head Home

*Itinerary is best during Sundays

Batangas - Basilica de St. Martin de Tours

Basilica de St. Martin de Tours
Taal, Batangas

Basilica de St. Martin de Tours is a Minor Basilica that is standing tall at the heart of Taal, Batangas. A Baroque church that has more than 100 hundred years of age as of to date. Built in 19th century, the Basilica de St. Martin de Tours have passes lots of reconstructions due to the destruction made by catastrophic even such as eruption of Taal Volcano and major earthquake. In 1954, Basilica de St. Martin de Tours gained an honor of being third Minor Basilica in the country. In 1972, the Church was declared National Shrine under the Presidential decree no. 375.

Basilica de St. Martin de Tours also known as Taal Basilica is the Largest Catholic Church in the Philippines. Standing atop tall a small hill, Basilica de St. Martin de Tours have a size of 96 meter or 315 feet long and 45 meters or 148 feet wide. There are blogs saying that the Basilica de St. Martin de Tours is the largest in Asia, but yours truly's data were insufficient to support the same, and since the Iglesia ni Cristo Central Temple is also claiming the throne,so guess that the description above is safe.

Made from coral stones and adobe, this old Basilica become quite an attraction not just for pilgrims for their Visita Iglesa, but also tourist who are amazed of the beauty of the said. One may climb the rooftop for viewing for a fee as donation to church amounting to Php 50.00 or a li'l amount more than 1 dollar.

 Also, since the Basilica de St. Martin de Tours sits in the heritage town of Taal, visiting nearby structures such as Parish of Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine, Ecuela Pia, San Lorenzo Ruiz steps and more of heritage buildings since the town of Taal is explorable by foot and places are merely walking distances. Also, the town of Taal is known for Balisong and it's delicacies Tapang Taal & Lomi.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

Take bus enroute to Nasugbu at EDSA-MRT LRT Pasay and ask them to drop you off at "Boundary", it's the boundary between Cavite and Batangas. From there, you can see a jeep terminal heading to the Taal town.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

*Itinerary includes visiting Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega and Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine. Thus, pls see Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega for the said.

TRIVIA

Many make mistakes by assuming that the Town of Taal is same with the location of the famous Taal, Volcano which is at Talisay Batangas. Well, let's have a little look at the history.

Taal Town was founded by Agustinian missionaries at the banks of a lake way back 1572 where the municipality of San Nicolas now lies. The very lake is the Taal lake, where the name of the Town came from.

Cavite - Pico de Loro

Pico de Loro
DENR, Magnetic Hill, Ternate, Cavite
664 MASL
Difficulty: Minor 3/9
Trail Class: 1-3
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours

Another famous mountain that lies within CALABARZON or Philippines' Region IV-A is the Pico de Loro. Famed for it's beauty, Pico de Loro have all the name, leaving nothing to it's ranges, the Palay-Palay Mountain ranges. Pico de Loro got it's name from Spaniards on a galleon passing by the nearby sea and saw the rock formation that looks like a parrot's beak, the mountain's rock tower that lies near it's summit.

Taking Pico de Loro as a destination could be a long trip and even have challenges in public transportation, but a worthy one as it offers a scenic view, viewing it's neighboring beaches, the Caylabne, Puerto Azul, and a Marine Basecamp also known as Bora de Cavite. Also, the tower of Parrot's beak is perfect for challenge seekers as lots of guts is required in conquering its very tower. The jumpoff starts at the DENR, which also serves as the registration proper. Getting there, Pico de Loro's visitors have to pass by a long forested roads which fame for it's mystery, the Magnetic Hill.

There are two trails existing, the Nasugbu and Ternate trail. Although however, mountaineers taking Nasugbu trail have been gradually declining, maybe due to the reports of closure issue that created by commercialism due to the future establishment of a mall on the end of the trail.

Trekking Pico de Loro could be technically easy especially for those who are experienced as the first leg of the trek is more of a rolling trek and even a descend. Continuing, trekkers will end up on a decision whether to go left or right. Left leads to its falls, which could be a disappointment during summer as it dries up and even die. Right leads to the next leg of the trek, which is more of ascends. From here, bamboos will be present along the trails. Pushing forward, trekkers will soon reach the campsite, and soon the summit. From the summit, it will be 5-10 minutes getting to the Parrot's beak's tower. The trail connecting to Nasugbu lies in here, a left trail slightly descending at the base of the tower right after the summit.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

There are buses bound to Ternate at Park & Ride or Lawton which you should take all the way to Ternate or you may take a long route by having van going to SM Dasmarinas, Cavite then jeep to Trece Martires, the jeep to Ternate. From ternate, you may rent tricycle or jeep to DENR.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

08:00 Board Saulog bus bound to Ternate
11:00 ETA Ternate, head to DENR
12:00 ETA at DENR, Lunch
13:00 Start Trek
16:00 ETA Falls, explore and pictures
16:30 head to campsite
17:30 ETA Campsite, set camp, explore summit & pictures
18:00 head back to campsite, prepare dinner
19:00 Dinner socials
 
Day 2

06:00 Wake up call
07:00 Breakfast
08:00 Scale the tower
09:00 Breakcamp
09:30 Start Descend
13:00 ETA Jumpoff, Late Lunch
14:00 Head home

Photo thanks to Marvin Magpantay

Laguna - Buntot Palos Falls

Buntot Palos Falls
Balian, Pangil, Laguna
Difficulty: Minor 2/9
Trail Class: 1-3
Trekking Time: 2-3 hours

Laguna is home of lots of natural formations especially bodies of water. It starts with the Laguna de Bay that extends to its neighboring province and even to some parts of greater Manila area, up to the famous falls of Pagsanjan, the Imelda Falls, and even up to unsung falls that lies within the southern part of the province. Buntot Palos Falls is one of them, an awesome reward after 2-3 hours of trek from the Brgy. hall of Brgy. Balian. Trekking to its Buntot Palos Falls' campsite is technically as you will basically trek at a rolling trail, basically flat. However, since horses and carabaoes passes through same trail as human, trail could be very muddy during rainy season that they have to battle lots of mud, literally lots!

Buntot Palos Falls is also known as hidden falls, and even in generic name for the locals the resides nearby, the "Talon". But for the mountaineers, they prefer it's original name which translates as Eel's tail.

Buntot Palos Falls offfers more of scenic view as the water of it's main falls, drop straight from high atop for around 80 meter. It has a large catch basin that swimmers would love to take plunge.

Last time yours truly visited Buntot Palos Falls, we have explored its upper river witnessing the beauty of a Jade Vine and discovering two mini falls that is possible to see during summer where the deepness of the river declines. There have been reports that there are other falls that are seen by some. However, this testimony have not been verified yet, and yours truly tried to explore them by following their direction, but failed since the path is very risky as the trail is so thin and very slippery. Although however, yours truly have discovered one, but it is not accessible as it drops very deep and the river lies deeply under a trail near the main falls.



TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

There are two options going to this destination. Since Buntot Palos Falls lies at the southern part of Laguna, one can opt to go via Rizal and Siniloan or take the route that passes through  SLEX and Alabang. If you want to take Rizal's route, you can ride jeeps bound to Tanay at Crossing Corner EDSA Shaw, and ride jeeps bound to Siniloan at Tanay, then finally at Siniloan Public Market, take a jeep enroute to Sta. Cruz, Laguna and ask them to drop you off Balian Brgy. hall.

Taking the SLEX route, take bus bound to Sta. Cruz, Laguna at Buendia(Greenstar) or Cubao(HM), then take a jeep bound to Siniloan at Sta. Cruz, Laguna and ask them to drop you off at Balian Brgy. hall.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

09:45 ETA Brgy hall Brgy Balian, secure guide, start trek
12:00 ETA Campsite, Lunch
12:30 Explore the falls, swim and picture
17:00 Start Descend
18:30 ETA Jumpoff

*Note that the itinerary starts with ETA at jumpoff as there are two options of  taking this destination. You can adjust same depending on your chosen route. Also, it is a dayhike for the sake of trekkers' security (see special concerns).

SPECIAL CONCERNS

There have been reports of cases of hold-ups thus, suggest you to follow the recommendation of local government, which is to secure a guide.

Rizal - Mt. Balagbag

Mt. Balagbag
Licao-Licao, Rodriguez, Rizal
777 MASL
Difficulty: Minor, 3/9
Trail Class: 1-2
Trekking Time: 2-3 hours

One of the closest mountain destination at the heart of Manila is mountain that lies between the boundaries of Rizal and Bulacan, the so called Mt. Balagbag. She lies within the ranges of Sierra Madre at Rodriguez, Rizal.

Abundant with water, Mt. Balagbag's greatest asset is it's long river lines that descends from the top creating lots of falls especially during rainy season. But, Mt. Balagbag's features does not end with falls. It's summit offers a wide angle of views as the view of the other parts of Sierra Madre combined with twisted colors of the sun during sunset and sunrise, plus the view of lights of neighboring city at night that looks burning at your cam. Called helipad, it's summit is an open campsite that helicopters can literally land which, as per some, became landing pad for military personnel that are deployed for it's operation against NPA.

Mt. Balagbag have lots of trail which has different jumpoffs yet ends with the same campsite. It has from Bulacan's side and even in Rizal's side, which yours truly is more familiar of. Trail from Licao-licao is a long trail that passes through residentials of the local, you'll even have to pass through a "talipapa" of mini market.

Residentials will end once you've reach the so called "kubo" or the registration place. Trekkers have to enter a gate as the whole place ( registration-summit) is a private property. Continuing, the trails will enter the grassland along it's nice view. Soon, the summit.

Overall, the trails of Mt. Balagbag is not that complicated. As a matter of fact, it is very wide that even mountain bikers love to visit our Mt. The only challenge you might encounter with this destination is that it's trail is well exposed to the sun during sunny day thus, suggest you visit same during rainy day wherein the falls has a better view.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From Cubao, you may ride buses bound to Tungko and ask them to drop you off Jollibee-Tungko. From Jollibee, there is a terminal of jeep bound to Licao-licao just across the street, behind the market.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

05:00 Take bus bound to Tungko
06:00 ETA Jollibee Tungko, head to Licao-licao
06:30 ETA Licao-licao, start trek
09:00 ETA Summit, rest
10:00 Start descent to Kaytiitinga falls
11:00 ETA Kaytitinga falls, cook lunch
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Enjoy the falls
17:00 head back to jumpoff
17:30 ETA jumpoff

SPECIAL CONCERNS

Last thing yours truly heard, the summit has been closed due to NPA and military encounters atop. But last February 2013, a friend of mine managed to dayhike up to the so called helipad, thus confusing with the status of the summit as were not sure yet if camping is the only forbidden or owner has reopened said.

Batangas - Mt. Daguldol

Mt. Daguldol
Brgy. Hugom, San Juan, Batangas
670 MASL
Difficulty: Minor, 3/9
Trail Class: 1-3
Trekking Time: 5-6 hours

Lying next to the beach of Laiya, San Juan, Batangas is one of the mountaineers' favorite destination for "beacheneering" (term for a climb where beachl bumming consumes more time than climb; see Glossary of terms) is the so called Mt. Daguldol.

Mt. Daguldol's jumpoff lies at Brgy. Hugom where an association of tourist guides were formed, the HEGA or Hugom Environmental Guides Association. It is mandatory that you register here and secure a guide for a whole group before climbing the Mt. Daguldol. There's a pros and cons here, as your truly like the way they maintain the and establish station where climbers can have a rest. However, on the other hand, this can have an impact to the mountain as they encourage more of commercialism of their tourism in the mountain.

Mt. Daguldol's name came from the word "Dagundong" which means like a sound of thunder. Some say it is because during some season, the night at the top of Mt. Daguldol is polluted by the sound of rolling thunders.

Mt. Daguldol is one of the minor mountains in the CALABARZON region yet, it offers of a challenge especially for those beginners in the world of mountaineering as it's trails is well exposed to the sun during sunny day and muddy during rainy season plus the inclination angle of trail which is a continuous ascend.

Taking this very mountain will need 5-6 hours of trekking time before reaching the summit. From HEGA, you have to pass by the beach and some resorts walking at the sands, then a rocky part of the beach, then sands again before reaching a residential. This may already be a challenge especially if you started your trek at the mid of the day. Then moving on, will be what yours truly called "zigzag ascend" as it will be an abrupt ascend in a zigzag, so you better be warmed up before continuing. Next is a long  li'l shaddy trail where station 1 and the junction going down to the Naambon falls lie. Next landmark will be a house with its own satellite. Here you can refill your water at their water source near the small creek. Continuing the trek, you will reach a chapel after 10-15 mins from the house. Then you'll have to descend to reach a trail with lots of rocks and coconut trees. Then atlast, shaddy trails which extends up to the intersection between two neighboring campsites.

The summit of Mt. Daguldol offers a scenic view which shows it's neighbor mountains, Mt. Lobo & Mt. Banoi. It could be cold at night at the top especially during Ber months up to February.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

You may take bus enroute to Lipa and take the trip all the way to Lipa where you can ride a Van going to San Juan. From San Juan, take a jeep bound to Hugom which trips leaves of either full load or  1 hour interval from the last trip that left the terminal.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

06:30 Assembly time
07:00 ETD for Lipa
09:30 ETA Lipa, ride Van to San Juan
10:30 ETA San Juan
11:30 ETA Hugom, register and start trek
12:30 ETA Station 1, take lunch.
13:30 Resume trek
17:30 ETA Summit, pictures, set camp, cook dinner
19:00 Dinner and Socials

 Day 2

06:00 Wake up call
07:00 Breakfast
08:00 Breakcamp
08:30 Start Descent
11:30 ETA Beach, secure resort, buy lunch & cook
12:30 Lunch, Beach time!!!!

*Note that itinerary is more focused on the climb, you can schedule a day hike and spend a night at the beach (we have tried same by arranging with the resort where we left majority of our things for faster pace). Or you can extend up to day 3. It's up to you, itinerary is open ended. And don't forget the Lomi and Bulalo.

Batangas - Lomi

Another pride of Batangas comes in a  form of noodle. A thick and creamy noodle called, Lomi. Alongside with Bulalo, its province name is almost synonymous with this very noodles. Although, there have been varities of Lomi within other places of the Philippines, still the original recipe can be found in the said Southern tagalog province at it's eastern parts.

Lomi is best served hot and best eaten before it gets cold thus, could be a challenge to your tongue!

Filipinos love to eat Lomi by spicing up with a mixture of soysauce, calamansi(green lemon), chopped red onions and crushed chili peppers. This is to add taste to this very noodle.

Lomi didn't earned it's fame just because of it's toppings of either hard boiled eggs or chicharon or even both, but because of it's richness in stuff, from it's creamy gravy-like thick sauce, to it's flat thick noodles, and even to it's meaty stuff such as fishballs & kikiams, meatballs, and pork liver. With the blendings of the ingredients' taste plus the creaminess of this noodle soup, the taste could really be very satisfying and worth it to try. So are your ready to challenge your tongue with a hot feast? C'mon! Let's have a bowl of Lomi!!

Batangas - Mt. Marami

Mt. Marami
Brgy. Ramirez, Magallanes, Cavite
405 MASL
Difficulty: Minor 3/9
Trail Class: 1-3
Trekking Time: 4-6 hours

Mt. Marami is famed from it's confusing trails for the mountaineers, as the finding it's summit might be a big challenge especially if it is your first time to take this destination thus, a guide is advisable. Unless ofcourse, if you are frequent visitor of Mt. Marami. Even yours truly have encountered lost in it's trail in both of his two visits, and even failed to reach summit on the second. We already have created a joke attaching to it's name as "Maraming ligaw".

Aside from it's confusing challenge, there are more hindrances you have to face in this destination, Mt. Marami's trail is well exposed during sunny day that becomes muddy during rainy season and river crossing during days of heavy rain. But although, there is much of a challenge, Mt. Marami, this destination still offers a rewarding view, from it's famed "Silyang bato" to its rock formations that can be seen at its last leg up to it's summit.

Taking Mt. Marami will have to pass by Magallanes Police station for registration then to head to Brgy. Ramirez where the water tank symbolizes as the mark of the jump-off point. The start of the trek of Mt. Marami is smooth and moderate but is well exposed and the challenge mentioned above can start immediately here. Moving forward, you will soon find the Ilog Kayrayag which can be knee-deep during fair weather but can swell up to the point that you have to cross above a mango tree via a bamboo bridge (but I think this bridge durability is questionable as we tried to crossed them, fear have stopped us). Once you have crossed the river, the forks starts to appear, although some are saying that these trails are just interconnected, you will all agree that taking the correct path will conserve time and energy.

There are two known trails at Mt. Marami, the Nuestra Senora dela Paz trail and the Talahiban trail. However, unfortunately, yours truly haven't personally tried the talahiban trail with passes through so called "Saddle Peak".

Taking the Nuestra trail of Mt. Marami, you will have to pass a local residence called Nuestra Senora dela Paz, then you'll have to pass by a  river called Bangkaan River, and even trek along side with it. Then soon, the ascent part. However, with last visit of yours truly, this part are already been fenced and we failed to navigate which part should we take to the summit. Locals told us that there is a better trail which passes through the church near the Nuestra.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

You may take Saulog bus bound to Naic, Cavite at Park & Ride, Lawton, Manila, then take jeeps bound to Magallanes. From there, you can register to the PNP station then take tricycle to the "Tangke"

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

06:00 Take bus bound to Naic
08:00 ETA Naic, take jeep to Magallanes
09:00 ETA Magallanes, register at PNP then head to Tangke
10:00 ETA Jumpoff, start trek
11:00 ETA Ilog Kayrayag, Early Lunch
12:00 Resume trek
15:00 ETA Nuestra Senora dela Paz
17:00 ETA campsite at summit base, explore
17:30 Head back to campsite
18:00 Prepare dinner, set camp
19:00 Dinner & Socials

Day 2

05:30 Wake up call
06:30 Breakfast
07:30 Breakcamp
08:00 Start descend
12:30 ETA Jumpoff, lunch
13:30 Head back home