Pangasinan - Tupig

Kakanin or delicacies made from glutinous rice is one of the popular stuff in the Filipinos' dishes. As a matter of fact, it there are lots of varieties of kakanin all over the country. Each place has different specialty, each has unique way of preparation or additional ingredients, and Tupig is one of them.

Popular in Pangasinan of the Ilocos Region and it's other neighboring provinces, and even available in Baguio City of the Cordillera Administrative Region, Tupig is one of the known kakanin with prominent name. Yes, it has name that boast from it's uniqueness among others of it's delicacy family, the way of preparation. Ordinary kakanins that are wrapped in leaves are commonly cooked via long process on boiling, making the Tupig differ as it is cooked by the help of charcoals and fan, grilling. 

Made of glutinous rice, brown sugar, coconut stripes and margarine, the sweet taste of Tupig really lasts in your mouth along with its rough texture and smoky flavor. This made Tupig special not just in it's place but also with visitors that came from other places.

Flora & Fauna - Strawberry

A flora that falls under the family of berries, more popularly grown in other countries, and can only be grown in high places in the country where weather is cold, is this red heart-shaped-fruit, the Strawberry.

The Strawberries in the Philippines mainly came from La Trinidad, Benguet of the Cordillera Administrative Region, which became a tourist attraction since visitors can personally harvest and choose the best Strawberry they can pick fresh from it's farm.

Abundant from November to May of the year, the Strawberry is widely sold in La Trinidad's nearby city which is popularly known as Summer Capital of the Country, the Baguio City. As a matter of fact, even it's by-products are widely sold in the city, to the fact that the moment you entered the city's vicinity, the first product that the locals will offer to you is the Strawberry flavored version of Taho (A soya seasoned with sweet syrup). Also, as you go around the city, many more delicacies could be found, such as Strawberry Jam, Strawberry flavored ice cream, and even the Sinigang sa Strawberry (Sinigang is a popular sour soup in the Philippines) is served by a restaurant in the said city. Not to mention that there are other delicacies that Strawberry is capable of, such as pies, cakes and shakes.

Like other berries, Strawberry tastes sour sweet, with a dissolving texture while in the mouth along with it's rough texture made by seeds. They are easily perishable, thus making it more expensive when it's sold in cities far from it's growing farm.

Bataan - Mt. Natib

Mt. Natib
Brgy. Tala, Orani, Bataan
1287 MASL
Difficulty: Major 5/9
Trail Class: 1-3
Trekking Time: 4-5.5 hours

Bataan is a province near Manila that offers good climbing destination. From the peaks of Mariveles mountain ranges such as Pantingan, Tarak and Dambana ng Kagitingan a.k.a Samat to the mountain of Orani called Mt. Natib. Slowly, these mountains are turning to be the favorites of the mountaineers in the Philippines, not just because they are easily accessible from Manila, but also because majority of them are major climbs, and not to mention that they offer rewarding experiences. And Mt. Natib is one of the two that first comes into a mountaineer's mind when the word Bataan is mentioned.

Mt. Natib is not that abused yet since it was just lately opened to the hikers due to insurgency problems. Because of the said, the biodiversity of Mt. Natib is still a little intact. As a matter of fact, the friendly little blood sucking creatures, called Limatik, is of the reported resident of Mt. Natib. Also, the wild raspberry that is said to defy cancer, called Sampinit, is abundant to this very mountain. As a matter of fact, the summit/campsite of Mt. Natib looks like a big farm place of the said berry. Also, Mt. Natib shelters a worth visiting falls called Pasulukan Falls.

Trekking the Mt. Natib will begin with a wide open trail, thus this could be very exhausting when you started your trek during noontime. After an hour, you will reach a so called Pinagbutasan (translated as "a whole" or "an opening"), where a gate should be entered by the hikers of Mt. Natib. From there, it will be denser, lessening your worries of sun exhaustion. This extends even after the water source, but ends up in the basecamp or the foot of Mt. Natib where the trails are again wide open since it is a cogonline. The basecamp is a landmark where the assault begins. The trails from here are more steep and challenging as compared to the first leg. There are also roped segments, but they may not be necessary if the trails are dry. Continuing, you will finally reach the summit that also serves as the campsite which could be very could at night.


TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

Take bus bound to Orani at Cubao or Dorotheo Jose (Bataan Transit/Genesis). Ask them to drop you off National Highway of Orani near Tala public market. Here, you can walk or either take tricycle to the jumpoff.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

04:30 ETD for Orani
08:30 ETA Orani, take jeep or tricycle
10:00 ETA Jumpoff, register, start trek
11:00 ETA Pinagbutasan
12:00 ETA watersource, take lunch
13:00 Resume trek
14:00 ETA Basecamp, start assault
15:30 ETA Summit, pictures, set camp
18:00 Dinner and socials

Day 2

05:00 Wake up call
06:00 Breakfast
06:30 Break camp
07:00 Start descent
09:00 ETA basecamp, head to falls
11:00 ETA Pasulukan falls
12:00 Lunch
13:00 head back to jumpoff
17:00 ETA Jumpoff
21:00 ETA Home

Quezon & Laguna - Mt. Cristobal (Tala Traverse)

Mt. Cristobal (Cristrav)
Entry: Sitio Sta. Lucia, Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon
Exit: Brgy. Tala, Rizal, Laguna
1,470 MASL
Difficulty: Major 6/9
Trail Class: 3-4
Trekking Time: 4-5.5 hours

Mt. Cristobal aka Devils' mountain is one of the three major destinations in the Banahaw trilogy (Mt. Banahaw, Mt, Banahaw de Lucban, and Mt. Cristobal) aimed to be conquered by Filipino mountaineers. Also, the Devils' mountain is one of the hardest minor climb, wherein a traverse elevates the level of difficulty to a Major like the majestic Mt. Makiling of Los Banos/Sto. Tomas. It is also the cleanest mountain that so far yours truly have climbed. It lies at the boundary of Laguna & Quezon, thus making many possible traverse options.

Mt. Cristobal offers many traverse options, and Tala, Rizal trail is one of trails that links to the other part. Wherein, from the highest accessible point, Jones' peak as referred by Pinoymountaineer, is not just the highest window view, but also the starting point of the mountain's challenges. It also serves as the junction for the three possible traverse to three places of Laguna (San Pablo, Nagcarlan & Rizal).

The Tala, Rizal trail is very steep and could be very slippery during rainy days, thus it is best to take it as a descending route whereas Sta.Lucia, Dolores serves as ascending route, rather than taking the vice-versa. The start of the trail could be a real steep having of approximately 70-80degrees inclined passing through a cogon line, which serves much helpful to secure your balance especially when the trail is slippery due to rain. Continuing, you'll have to surpass a trek of around 3.5-4.5 hours, where you have to pass by some roped segment and vine rapelling before you reach the Banana farm. This could be very dense, thus more caution and care in descending is required. Also, one has to be very careful in dealing/touching with the floras present in this trail as they are not just thorny but some are also noxious like the Lipa. The only good thing with this trail is well covered, giving away the worries of exhaustion due to sun exposure.

It will be just a short trek before you leave the Banana farm, wherein the sun can now greet you at a sunny day. This will be more of a cogon line, and views here are slowly emerging. Also, from here, one can view the vast of the Mt. Cristobal from the direction you came from. Approximately 30 minutes to one hour of trek will lead you to the Tayak hill. Then from Tayak hill, it will be just 5-10 minutes to reach a community where a public CR is available, but will have no water during summer.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

There are no available public transportation from here, thus suggest you arrange a rented jeep to pick you up upon descend(pls take note that signals could be weak at this point, suggest you contact your driver at the trail near Tayak hill).





SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

06:00 Take Lucena Bus at Cubao or Buendia
09:00 ETA San Pablo/Market some supplies
10:00 ETD for Jumpoff
11:00 ETA Sitio Langkaan,Sta. Lucia, Dolores/Register/Start Trek
12:00 Lunch at Montelibano
13:00 Resume trek
16:30 ETA Crater
17:00 Head to Saddle camp, pitch tent, head to Jones' Peak
17:30 ETA Jones' Peak, pictures
18:00 head back to camp
19:00 Dinner/Socials

Day 2

05:00 Wake up call
06:00 Breakfast
07:00 Breakcamp
07:30 head to Jones' Peak
08:00 ETA Jones' Peak, picture, continue descent
12:00 ETA Tayak hill, wash up, head to San Pablo
13:00 Late lunch at San Pablo
14:00 Head Home

Travel Journal 13-003: Mt. Cristobal (Dolores-Tala Traverse)

Finally the most awaited chance to have a major climb has come! It was busy work day when a friend of mine, who's working on Singapore, asked me if I would like to climb Mt. Cristobal upon her visit to the Philippines. I quickly asked her if she would like to make a traverse which I prefer, and she easily agreed. Excitedly, I text, call and PM our friends if they can join us in the said plan even that's two weeks ahead of time. Nobody has an accurate answer except for a friend who declined the invite and indicated that he is getting married, instead he asked me if I can join him at Mt. Batulao that weekend, that I agreed (see Journal 13-001).

The schedule is coming fast, and there are no confirmed attendees yet. Unfortunately, my busy days came. But, what made me more worried is that no guide and transportation deal has been closed yet.

It's only a week before the climb, I'm done with my warm up climb at Mt. Kalisungan (see Journal 13-002), no invites and no deals yet. I'm almost hopeless that the climb won't come into reality. Good thing, a trekking buddy that I'm with from the beginning of my mountaineering life has stated that he will come with the climb. Also, another friend also said that he wanted to join.

The busy days is over but the climb is one day ahead. God is good, all things went okay the night before the climb.Packing my things, I considered the weight so much as I tried to lessen all the burdens worrying that another cramps might attack me.

Morning has come, and I head fast at the meet up point to meet my trekking buddy and his younger brother. And then, we departed for San Pablo where we will meet all others.

At San Pablo, a jeepney driver approached our group saying that he is the driver that we have dealt with to pickup once we got down in Tala on Sunday. He also said that we can hitch with him with a regular fare since he is scheduled to go to Dolores. We decided to market stuffs that we will be needing such as food and drinks, since our balikbayan friend is late along with her elder sister who is a first timer. Then soon, they arrived. We head fast to jumpoff where our guide was waiting.

Upon arriving in the jumpoff, we registered and our guide wasted no time as he lead us to the cemented road. This became a big time warmup for me as the steepness of the road caused me a real challenge. For me, trekking a steep natural trail is lot easier than trekking a steep cemented road. But good thing we reached the Montelibano house in just an hour. We took our lunch, take a short rest before we resumed trekking. The trail now are steeper but more natural. As usual, the happiness of trekking (laughs along the trail) is always present.

The team had already reached the crater when the rain made on dew started to fall. The temperature became colder as we continued to the saddle camp. Within less than half an hour, the saddle camp, and the instinct of setting camp immediately to escape the rain was what we had upon arrival.

The dinner has come after an hour of cooking, so long with the socials. The other group have joined in our socials in our guide's tent since the rain seems to have no plan of stopping. We also approached the other neighboring tent whom have indicated an intention of joining our traverse for the next day.

Time to sleep and the rain still fall as long as the cold breeze of wind. Because of this, moist and flowing water under the tent have penetrated our shelter making us unable to sleep well.

Finally, the rain have stopped, but it is almost time for the wake up call. I stretched up and took my camera to take some pictures while I wait for the other teammates to wake up. Soon, they all got up and made our breakfast ready. We took it fast and fixed our stuff ready for traverse.

The sun is up, but the trees of Mt. Cristobal are too dense to be penetrated by it rays. With the other group, we headed to the summit and meet the view that Devils' mountain boast. It is another miracle, I could say as clearing are just like gifts that are given to us despite of a never ending rain the night before (Well, maybe it is already given since it is a rainforest).

After the picture taking, we started the descend on a continuous steep trail. The trails are dangerous as the slipperiness of it is another factor aside from it's steepness. Fortunately, the group managed to descend without any major incidences nor any injuries.

As we reached the jumpoff, the CR has no water available, giving us a challenge of washing up. The jeep came as we had managed to wash up somehow. Then, we rode the jeep that dropped us at San Pablo City, where we took our meal before heading home.

See Photos in Facebook.

BUDGET CHECK(as of February 2013)

*Fare:
-Transportation from Cubao to San Pablo: Not sure bout the price yet approx Php 150
-Transportation from and to San Pablo can be arranged by dealing with a jeep. ( We took Mang Lucio-09993903350 as our ride from Tala, Rizal to San Pablo as we are fortunate to hitch on his trip to Sitio Langkaan, Sta. Lucia, Dolores for a normal fare rate). No public transportation available from Dolores to Sta. Lucia and Tala, Rizal to San Pablo; This can be shared by group. Php 2500 for a group, meaning Php 200-400 for two way depending on the number of pax.

*Meal: as usual, this can be shared by group for around Php 100-200

*Guide: You may opt to guide, but the trail here are already established and easy to navigate, except to the later part of Tala, Rizal where there are some forks. (We took Christian-Lito's son as our guide. Contact of Christian-09104846315 and Mang Lito-09214647618). Php 1500 for a group, meaning Php 150-200

*Registration: Php 20.00

Total: Php 970.00

Flora & Fauna - Lipa

Another factor that add challenges in a hike of a Filipino mountaineer, other than Limatik, is a flora named Lipa. Known for its' notorious effect to it's victim's skin such as a burning sensation, severe itchiness and rashes that may last up to 14 days, details of Lipa is a must known for a mountaineer in the Philippines.

Reported found at Mts. Cristobal, Makiling, and Malipunyo, Lipa is a small tree or a shrub that grows up to 3-5 meters, with broad slightly oval leaves that can be 10-22 cm wide, somewhat heart-shaped at the base and shortly pointed at the tip. Lipa's leaves are green and smooth on the upper surface, while the lower one are paler and densely covered with short hair (description from Department of Agriculture as per Pinoymountaineer).

Avoiding Lipa is better than curing skin irritation it made, thus familiarity is recommended. But the question is what is the best to do incase you have been stung by it's hairs? Well, the first thing to do is clean the infected skin with either water or alcohol without rubbing to avoid spreading of hairs. Then, use a duct tape to pull out the hairs of Lipa that pierced into your skin, atleast to minimize the irritation ( Note: this should be immediately done within 10 minutes after the sting).

photo thanks to http://metro-naturalist.com/Plants

Although victims may experience discomfort, there are no reported complications associated with it sting.

There are stories that a famous city at Batangas is named after this plant. It is said that back then, Lipa City was known to be home of this very plant, thus naming after it. But, stories are just stories and will remain stories without evidences and living witness.

Travel Journal 13-002: Mt. Kalisungan Dayhike

Fearing the muscle cramps might attack me again in our forth coming major climb, I accepted an invitation from a cousin, to climb Mt. Balingkilat. Scheduled at February 2-3, the excitement to climb increases as the date comes closer. It was just the responsibility that made me backout in the climb. I have to go to work in Saturday, Feb 2, to meet the deadlines.

I immediately looked for backup to climb even just a dayhike in Sunday, Feb 3. Luckily, a friend of mine is looking for a "revenge climb", as he termed, in my chosen destination, the Mt. Kalisungan. Then through a networking site, another friend have indicated an interest to join.

It's already morning of the climb, when I have packed my things, "Camera & battery, checked! Lights & battery for backup incase we failed to go down before night, checked! Toiletries & clothes, checked! Water, checked!". I head fast to the assembly point where my two colleagues are already waiting, "Am I late?Yeah for 5 minuntes!haha". Then we took our breakfast and headed to the destination. We took a jeep going to Crossing, Calamba, then a bus going to the Masapang Junction at Victoria, Laguna.

Soon, we reached the Masapang Junction and meet the giant duck statues. We brought our lunch and head fast to the Lamot 2 Brgy. hall via tricycle.

At the Brgy. hall, we register and paid an amount of Php 10.00 each (they don't say an amount, they just ask a donation), the head fast to the destination. Then trek begins so long with the stories each of the trekking buddies have. We talked much of the Mt. Ugo that one of the trekking buddies have climbed a week before our climb. Then we're almost lost! The never ending road have already passed the Field of Faith building leading us to the wrong direction. Luckily, there are lots of local farmers that are approachable and answers our query which finally lead us to correct jumpoff.

The first leg of the trail is confusing as to where you should be heading since there are lots of forks, wherein some where junctions of horse and human trails. And with the help again of local farmers, we are able to navigate which path we should take. The trail is quite easier compared to the trail near Erais farm, this trail are not as steep as the former. Unfortunately, I maybe lack of sleep and water that makes me ask for a stop as my vision is swirling. We have to stop to a nipa hut where Agot Isidro and Sir Gideon Lasco of Pinoymountaineer had their picture in their last visit in Mt. Kalisungan.

After short minutes, we continued our trek and met a group of mountaineers resting under a mango tree. They warned us to be very careful as the upcoming trail will be slippery due to mud. Evidently, their shoes wear a thick layer of mud. With this, we have set our mind to face the said, and they are correct. The trekking turned a li'l slow as we face the mud! There are also random instances where the sky have to drop some of it's water making the fogs roam around the mountain, thus blocking the possible views the mountain offers.

With continuous trek, our group reached the Talahiban and soon the summit. There some views but some are blocked by fogs, but as we spent time resting in the campsite, a miracle has come. The sky appeared and fogs had bid goodbye, enabling us to see the beauty of my mother mountain. We took our lunch and started descending after some minutes of rest.

The descent was much harder than ascent since the mud had thicken and the trail was already been damaged by groups that spent their nights at the camp. But with care and determination, the group had manage to reach the dry part of the trail without accidents. Soon the trail had gone flat, but were gone lost too. We forgot where the exit was and had to face some backtracks.


Finally, the brgy. hall! We logged out, then head fast to the Masapang Junction. We took our meal and had a little shots at an eatery on the junction before heading home.

See Photos in Facebook.

BUDGET CHECK (as of February 2013):

*Foods and Liquors : This could be a group expenses and it depends on your selection, average falls at Php 100-200 contribution.
*Bus fare Buendia to Masapang (Php 115.00) + Jeep fare Masapang to Lamot 2, Brgy.hall (Php 8.00).
*Registration fee: This is just a donation, you can pay any amount (Php 10.00).
 Total: Php 456.00

Laguna - Kinulob na Itik

Itik is a local version of duck in Philippines, brown in color and one of the famous sources of food. Itik has many food products, from its' even to it's very egg where one of it is a very famous exotic/native delicacy in the Philippines, the Balot. Almost same with chicken, the Itik indiffer with its's pungent and broth, and it is the main reason maybe why people of Victoria, Laguna have created a delicacy that get rid of it's pungent smell and taste, the Kinulob na Itik.

Deep fried for long hours, until it finally get rid the hated smell, the Kinulob na Itik is truly a worth of a try even you are one of the Itik's smell's hater. Yes, even if you hate the pungent taste as the Kinulob na Itik can taste like a native chicken. A bit tough though, but served hot along with a gravy or a sauce, Kinulob na Itik can surely fill the feasters' stomach. And, not to mention that this delicacy is a favorite beermate and viand of the mountaineers who visit Mt. Kalisungan since it is along the way through the mountain's jumpoff.

Travel Journal 13-001: Mt. Batulao

It is a lunch time at busy working day when friend of mine had sent me a message in a networking site, asking if I want to join a major climb when she comes back in the Philippines. "A major is major and no one can decline a chance to climb it", that's what's in my mind back them when I read the message. After checking the schedules, I informed her of my possibility and will revert once I have informed my girl. She agreed and asked me to gather a team to climb the targeted major, specifying I should check if guide is needed. I immediately called a friend to ask if he can join in the said climb, but he declined saying that the schedule could already be a part of busy days as he will be preparing for a major change in his life. Instead, he asked me if I could just join him to climb a cheap destination for the next day. After checking the schedules and informing my girl, the plan was immediately built, destination : Mt. Batulao!

After I arrived at home, late at night, I immediately packed my things and took my rest. Soon the morning came, my friend had informed me that he will be quite late so I shouldn't haste. I followed his advise and took my breakfast as normal weekend. I also checked my pack and noticed that I missed lots of things, so part 2 of packing came(Oh no, I'm not used to it anymore haha)! Finally, all things set. I prepared to depart and soon headed to the assembly point, Tagaytay.

I'm already riding a van bound to Tagaytay when my friend called me saying "Dude, I can't find the bus terminal, it transferred to another location". "Oh no!I'm already just 30min away to Tagaytay", is at the back of my mind. I thought of a way to break my boredom while waiting for him, and I ended up buying our supplies and strolling around making a way to meet a group of first time climbers.

After 4 hours of waiting, finally he arrived! We headed fast to the Mt. Batulao together with the said group I met. Soon the Evercrest Golfcourse, we decided to walk fast leaving the group of first time climbers who decided to take their dinner before heading to the climb. It was almost dark when we arrived at the end of the road. Walking fast, I thought of a thing, "I really miss mountaineering". Soon, the campsite and it is already 9th of the night when we arrived. Wasting no time, we immediately set the camp and cook while taking some pictures. Done cooking, the supplies was too much for the two of us, but still Bon appetit! :)

After the dinner, the usual thing came, the socials. We have some serious discussion about the changes in his life and we shared what are our plans, mine was still a li'l too far for today, but his was closed enough. After some time of discussion, a small group arrived at the midnight. As a usual etiquette of a mountaineer, we offered them to join and they unhesitatingly agreed. The conversation became more of a fun creating laughs until the "lights out".

The sun is up and mi amigo is still in the dreamland. I got up and took some pictures of the sunrise, then get back to him to wake him up. Then again, it's cooking time.

Soon, the breakFAST, as in fast. We took the breakfast in haste and  immediately packed our things, destination: Summit! Then it's trekking time. It is a lot harder than the last night as we were very exposed to the sun, plus the traffic at the trail. Yes, you're not reading it wrong. There are lots of hikers who were on the assault that time, first timers, professionals, and even trail runners preparing for their upcoming competition next month. Many had filled in the trails, and fortunately, the first timers always give way to us saying "mauna na po kayo, mabagal ako". Soon, the summit! We took some rest and some pictures before we headed down to the other trail, making us to mandatory descent at a roped segment. After the roped segment, the sun hid at the clouds and we took our time resting.

After the sun had released his powers again, we continued descending under the heat, making us a little slower. But we were so determined to reach fast the jumpoff so we kept on pushing, until finally, the junction.

We had our break at the junction taking a halo-halo and a softdrink differently. After some minutes, we decided to continue descending, and the worst part came, muscle cramps attacking a total of 5 parts of my two legs that I fell a sit on the ground. My friend was already way ahead too far for me to shout for help, so I relaxed a bit and take a little time before I pushed my self to the limits. Lifting my legs by means of pulling my shorts to keep pushing is what I did. But I can't move too far, I have to sit again and relax every 50 steps. I'm almost at the jumpoff, when I really have to take a rest. It is then when a local resident riding a horse pass by that made me stand up and face a rock wall beside me to give way. Then I decided not to sit anymore and push myself to the limits. Finally, the jumpoff! I thought trekking is done here hoping there's a nearby tricycle waiting, but I'm disappointed. We have to walk more and again endure the pain in my legs. Soon the challenge is over, a tricycle! We headed to the jumpoff and took a refreshing bath & lunch.

Going back home, I assessed what are my lapses why I got muscle cramps and I ended up for three reasons, first is lack of practice, second is too much diet with water(I barely drink water during my whole trek for two days), and lastly, admittedly, I gained much weight.

See Photos in Facebook.

 BUDGET CHECK (as of January 2013):

*Foods and Liquors : This could be a group expenses and it depends on your selection, average falls at Php 100-200 contribution.
*Fare: Cubao to Tagaytay + Tagaytay to Evercrest (Php 104+28) OR straight Cubao to Evercrest (Php 122)
*Registration Fee: Php 20 for each trail, so it's Php 40.00 for traverse.
Total: Php 484.00