Mighty Mt. Pinatubo

Dreams do come true. :)

I can't remember the time when I saw images of Mt. Pinatubo on one blog, and instantly, I fell in love with it. Excitement grew inside me. And thankfully, the dream of seeing the beauty of Mt. Pinatubo in person for a long time has finally became a reality.

(Ako, si Chito, Dugal, Joy, Elaine at Aldin sa McDo Ortigas Jr. corner Emerald Ave.)

May 6 of this year when I and 8 more friends joined some groups for a tour to the crater of the great volcano. We left Manila 2AM in the morning and arrived 5AM at Capas, Tarlac. I'm not sure if I had enough sleep since I was all thinking about what I am about to see in the morning. 'Excited much?' Haha.

6AM the facilitators have already organized our papers and paid environmental and DOT fees so we're good to go! One of the most exciting part in Pinatubo trek is the 45mins to an hour of 4x4 ride going to the jump-off. But I found it a little more like a cradle that made me drowsy. Haha. But don't get me wrong. The bumpy ride to the 4x4 truck traveling the wonders of Mt. Pinatubo landscape is a very rewarding moment that you don't want to miss. It's like you're in the land of Lord of the Rings. Hehe.

After almost an hour of 4x4 ride, we're finally on the jump-off. My feet is as excited as my eyes to see the sorroundings of Pinatubo as it started walking the very moment I got down the vehicle. Hehe. So much of that.

(Yan ang excited magtrek magpa-picture)

From the jump-off, it would take about 2-3 hours of trek for you to get to the crater that is purely depends on how much time you expend in picture taking. Haha. As for us, it took us 3 hours. Alam na. Be sure to have enough water supply and apply sun block as you will be walking under the scorching heat of the sun with minimal shade on the trail. Buti nalang may dala akong payong. Wahahaha. (Evil Laugh)

(Oh di ba. Inggit sila! Haha.)

(See me? Syempre ako yung nakapayong. Haha.)

You will never get bored trekking in Pinatubo since all you can see is a breathtaking view of landscapes and rock formations that is as other calls it, 'out of this world'. However, I find it very tricky. I mean I can't even tell if we're ascending or we're really going to the crater since all I'm seeing is wide path of sands and a long and winding rocky stream.

When you reached the shady part of the trail where trees and bushes grows, you're almost on your destination. The trail then will lead you to a steep concrete stairway which leads to the entrance to the crater.

And gwolah! Behold the enchanting crater of Mighty Pinatubo.

You are free to swim in the lake as long as don't go in the middle as from that point currents might pull you down underneath. Nakakatakot. Hehe. You can also rent boats that may tour you to the other end and leave you there of the crater for P350 per person.

As we head back to the jump-off, heavy rain poured on our way making us all wet. Yes, I wasn't ready. Thunders and lightning striking on both side of the trail really scared us. But it somehow help us to hurry. Haha. What our guides are telling us is that the stream on the trail can be very strong due to rainfall that we may not be able to pass through it if we don't walk faster, which scared us more. (eto na nga nananakbo na!)

Luckily, we're still alive and got home the same day. Hehe. I must say Mt. Pinatubo is a great place to visit. Specially if you're looking for a different kind of nature trip. But you might want to plan a visit soon, as I've seen on the trail, trees and shrubs are already growing along the way and the landscape may no longer be the same in the future.

 (Group pic habang kami na lang ang hinihintay ng lahat. Pasaway! Haha. Sowee)

(Our poor coordinated jump shot. May sariling mundo ang bawat isa)

Notes:
1. Our group get a tour package from a group buying site for this trip which costs us P2000 each. That is inclusive of the 4x4 ride, tour guides, permit, packed lunch and transpo.
2. Wear comfortable trekking shoes. Sandals or slipper is ok but it may hurt your feet when it gets wet.
3. Bring cap, hat or umbrella (like me, haha) to cover up from heat.
4. Water, trail food, towel and sunblock.
5. Extra clothes for swimming.

Daranak Falls

This is part of our Tanay Nature Trip.

My second time to go to Daranak Falls and it still fascinates me. Daranak falls can be found at the foot of Tanay mountains in Brgy. Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal. To get there, from Tanay Market, you can either rent a jeepney or trike or if you're a little adventurous, you can ride a jeepney bound to Sampaloc and alight on the street with the signange "To Daranak Falls" at the left side of the road, and from there you can walk until you reach the end of the road where the entrance of Daranak Falls.

A fee of P20 per person is charged which I think is worth since the premise is very well-maintained. Upon entering, you will cross a river by a not so hanging bridge (hehe) and from there, you will already hear the rush of the falling water and the sound of people enjoying the . There are cottages, restrooms, shower rooms and even a store inside for your convenience.

The place is pristine. Tall trees surrounds the area. And the falls is like heaven's curtain brought down on earth. It really looked like those places in fairyland or for us Filipinos the most closest comparison is the Engkantadya in 'Okay ka Fairy ko!' TV series. That's why I wouldn't be surprise if this location will be use for fantasy TV series or movies with the same theme.

It's interesting to know that Daranak come from tagalog word "dumaranak" which means flowing. But instead of dumaranak they used daranak to shortened the name.

Calinawan Cave

This is part of our Tanay Nature Trip.

Like me, many are not aware that Tanay Rizal have lots of natural wonders. One of these is Calinawan Cave that is located at Barangay Tandang, Kutyo, Tanay, Rizal. I just knew this place when my friend sent me a website link where some of the natural tourist attractions of Rizal are listed. And at that moment, we started to plan out of going to these places as soon as possible. Hindi kami atat. Haha.

From EDSA crossing (Starmall), we took the van bound for Tanay Rizal and from Tanay Market, we hire a jeepney to bring us to our destinations. It is much advisable to bring your own car when you're a group going here because there are no available public transportation to and from this point. Or you can hire a jeep or a trike from the market just like what we did. Going to Calinawan Cave will take you 15 to 30 minutes from the market. And there are few houses along the way where you may ask for the right direction getting there so you don't have to worry.

It is my first time to get into a cave and it really excites me. The moment we get off the jeepney, we started walking to where we believe the entrance of the cave is located. Then I heard these kids that offered us earlier to be our guide that we rejected asking each other, "San sila pupunta? (Where are they going?)". Not knowing that the very entrance of the cave is a small ground hole that we missed even if we walked beside it. And yes, it seems like we really need a guide. Hehe.

I like the fact that the entrance to this cave is partially hidden since from what I've learned from the internet, this cave is once a hideout of the Filipinos during the Japanese occupation. It deceived us really. So we hire one guide for the tour and the moment you get closer to the entrance, you will see this little hole that is dark inside and feel this cold humid air coming from the cave. Its kinda creepy at first. Hehe.

The rock and mineral formations inside is marvelous. It's good to have a headlamp or a flash light here because some parts of the cave are unreachable by the sunlight. There are passages in the cave where you have to walk sideways or downcast  which adds drama to your exploration. After less than 30 minutes of walking inside, we came out in this two large rocks that are around 30 feet high which is a great scene for photo ops.

Prepare P20 as registration and any amount for the guide.

Mt. Batulao

The cool breeze same as of Tagaytay plus the spectacular view of the mountain range and fields around Mt. Batulao sets her as my most favorite mountain I've climbed so far. I fell in love with this mountain the first time I saw it when I'm browsing the internet for Caleruega. Then the dream of getting there started to flow in my spirit.  And fortunately last November, I had the chance to make this dream a reality.

Though the plan of climbing Batulao has reached me shortly before the scheduled date, I did not hesitate to join. Kasi naman baka abutin na naman ng matagal na panahon bago ulit magka-schedule dito kaya sige sugod na! Haha. Anyway, I joined the second batch of our group that will trek during the night since they are occupied during the day just like me, so its kinda convenient on my part. To get there, we took the bus bound for Nasugbu, Batangas in Pasay Terminal. It costs us P110. After a 3 hours trip, the bus dropped us off to Evercrest Golf Club Resort (Jump-off). You may hire a tricycle that will take you to the end of the road. But in our case, we decided to get there on foot.

It is my first time to do a night climb, and it's really exciting. The main advantage of hiking at night I think is that you will not get tired easily and you can reach the summit in less time since you have a little photo opportunity, hehe. Not like the first three climbs I had, there was no rain that night. And the view of constellations are just magnificent to behold. The trail is very well-established but it is important that you wear long pants or tights since Mt. Batulao is mostly covered by cogon grass. Our night trek was fun and 'cool', thanks to the cool breeze of Batulao and to our newly met friends Reg, Kat and Jessa. They've also shared their night snack with us. Hehe, ang PG (Patay-gutom). We reached Camp 10 at 130AM and I think we slept at 3AM.

At the morning, Mt. Batulao greeted me with her panoramic view of boulder formations as well as the plains of Cavite and Batangas. A great view plus a hot coffee in the morning is just perfect to start the day. We started our ascent to the summit at 1030AM and got there after an hour since we spent most of our time in posing for pictures. Haha. My most favorite part of the trail is the roped segment that is part of the old trail. There are also stores on some part of the trail that sells water, mountain dew soda, buko juice and even halo-halo. Kulit di ba! Hehe.

All in all, Mt. Batulao is perfect for anybody who wants a minor climb with beautiful views to see.

Mt. Maculot

Sa sobrang  lakas ng ulan nung Saturday, akala ko hindi na kami matutuloy mag-climb sa Maculot. Pero buti nalang at kasama namin sila Ron at nahiya kaming mag-cancel. Hehe. At yun na nga, kahit gano pa kalakas ang hagupit ni bagyong Mina, hindi pa rin kami napigilan. Nakarating kami ng bus terminal sa Buendia ng mga bandang 8:45AM, at sa palengke ng Cuenca alas-onse empunto. Late kami at walang-wala na sa schedule. Haha.

Sa palengke na rin kami nag lunch para bawas dalahin sa itaas. Ahi! Sa sobrang lakas pa rin ng ulan, ni ang paanan ng bundok na aakyatin namin ay hindi ko na makita. Kaya kahit mga tindera sa palengke eh nagtataka kung ano bang nakain namin at sobrang desidido kaming umakyat. Pero eto kami, dedma. Ahaha. Sumakay kami ng tricycle papuntang jump-off at nagparegister sa baranggay outpost. After several minutes, we're ready to ascent!

Nung una yabang-yabangan ako, mabilis pa ko maglakad. Pero ng nararamdaman ko na ang bigat ng bag ko, walang pang 10 minutes, hingal na hingal na ko. Yak! Ang bilis kong napagod. Wala ring saysay ang nabili naming kapote sa vente, mas makapal pa ang plastic labo. Haha. (Nagreklamo pa eh bente nga lang yun) Kaya ayun basa din ako. :(

Half way to the campsite, ramdam ko na ang panginginig ng tuhod ko. Siguro dahil narin sa ulan at basang-basa na ko. (Weh, ang totoo wala kasi akong exercsie. Ehe.) Minsan hirap na hirap din ako i-angat ang sarili ko sa matataas na part dahil sa bigat ng bag ko. May mga trail na umaagos ang tubig dahil sa ulan. Meron naman sobrang tataas ng pagitan. Ibang-iba talaga 'to sa mga unang akyat ko, bukod sa bumabagyo eh tanghali narin kasi kaming nagsimula paakyat kaya hinahabol namin ang liwanag.

The trail is very well established from the jump-off to the Rockies. Hindi ko lang alam dun sa kabilang side (Grotto). Meron ding mga stations na pwedeng pagpahingahan when you get tired along the way. I think there are about 6 of it before the campsite which is a great relief dahil sa tagal kong hindi umakyat eh ang bilis kong mapagod.

Cooking dinner has been a great challenge for our group since we only have 1 stove. Samahan mo pa ng masungit na panahon eh mapapadasal ka nalang talaga para makaluto. Pero mabuti na lang at may magaling kaming cook (at si Alvin yon, hehe) at kahit papano eh nairaos namin ang aming hapunan. Lights out!

Sunday morning has been a relief. Paambon-ambon nalang at wala ng masyadong ulan. And the best of all, wala ng fog! Yipee! Nung sabado kasi para na kaming nasa langit sa sobrang kapal ng ulap sa paligid. Hehe. At ayun, we ate our breakfast at hindi na namin pinalampas ang pagkakataon at nagpunta na kami sa Rockies! Weeee!

The Rockies. Do you see mountaineers going down the trail?

The Rockies is 5 minutes away from the campsite kaya walang kahirap-hirap ang pagpunta. (Naks! Ikaw na!) You will have to cross a narrow path and climb on the steep rocky trail going up. It's a bit challenging lalo na sa may mga takot sa heights but surely all efforts are worth it when you get to see the view on top of the Rockies. Breathtaking indeed!

My estimated budget was roughly P500 for the transpo and food. Pero eto, P1,200 ang nagastos namin sa hindi malamang dahilan. Haha. But at the end of the day, this amount is worthless compared to the joy and fulfillment God has blessed us in this climb.

Mt. Maculot on the background. (Cuenca Public Market)

Notes:

Bus (JAM) from Buendia terminal to Lipa - P124
Jeep (bound to Lemery) going to Cuenca market - P20
Tricycle from market to jump-off - P20
Registration - P10

***Thanks to Shelly for my pictures. Siya ang naging tour guide ko at photographer sa taas ng Rockies. Hehe. Thanks Alvin for the dinner and breakfast. Thanks Chito sa pagpapahiram ng tent at cookset na sana sinama mo na ang stove, haha. At thank you sa iba pang nakasama ko sa pag-akyat. (Ron, Grace, Aldino, Jojo, Kuya Eboy, Monch) Until next climb!

Mayon Volcano

One thing that Mayon can be described - Majestic! Ang ganda talaga ng itsura nya! Para syang Hershey kisses na malaking-malaki! Hehe. God is so great to give us such wonder. Nakaka-tuwa syang tingnan, perfect cone talaga!

Sa pagkaka-tanda ko (Naks! Ikaw na ang henyo!), ang Mayon Volcano o Mt. Mayon ay isang active stratovolcano (nose bleed!). It is the most active of the active volcanoes in the Philippines, having erupted over 49 times in the past 400 years. The most destructive eruption of Mayon occurred on February 1, 1814 bombarding the nearby towns with volcanic rocks, killing 2,200 locals.

Don't judge the book by its cover nga daw. Or let's say, "Don't judge the volcano by its beauty"? Dahil kahit gano ka-ganda itong si Mayon, eh napaka moody naman. Madalas mag-tantrums. Haha. Nung nagpunta kami sa Cagsawa, halos nakatakip ng ulap si Mayon, hindi tuloy masyadong kita yung tuktok. Tapos nung paalis na kami, may mga mayayaman na seniors na dumating, at bigla nawala yung ulap sa tuktok ni Mayon. Bakit ganun?**

**Sabi-sabi, kapag nagpunta ka daw ng Mayon (o nakasakay ka sa airplane at dumaan yung airplane sa gilid ng Mayon) at hindi mo nakita ang core nito (dahil sa ulap) ibig sabihin daw nun eh hindi ka na daw birhen. Sa mga birhen lang daw nagpapakita ng buo si Mayon. Ibig sabihin ba non? hehe. bahala na kayo maghusga

Birthday Climb at Mt. Balagbag

Friday ng gabi nung maalala kong may climb pala kami kinabukasan. Haha. Wala manlang paghahanda. Basta gumising nalang ako ng 5AM para maligo at mag-ayos ng gamit. Bumili nalang ako ng 2 Litro ng mineral sa 7 Eleven  para pambaon. Bumili nalang din kami ni Aldino ng 1 Kilong bigas, de lata, cup noodles, at lutong ulam para pagkain hanggang kinabukasan. Walang plano-plano basta kung ano nalang ang pwede. Hehe.

7AM nung umalis kami ng Robinsons Pioneer papuntang Tungko. At pagdating don, waaaaahhh! may naramdaman akong hindi maganda...nag-aalboroto yung tyan ko! Eeeeee.. Ang hirap kaya umakyat kapag ganun ung pakiramdam. Buti nalang at palengke yung binabaan namin at may Jollibee. Alam na! Hehe. Bumili na rin ako ng gamot at ininom agad para hindi magtagal pa.

Bus papuntang Tungko, Jeep papauntang bundok, at tricycle sana papuntang jump-off. Pero mas pinili naming lakarin yung pang-tricycle sana para daw pang warm-up. Lakad....lakad....lakad....lakad... ang layo pala! Haha. Buti nalang at madaming tindahan yung madadaanan pauntang jump-off, may panday-an pa! with FULLS! *falls* Ehehehe.

Sa pag-akyat namin papuntang summit *helipad*, may mga nadadaan sa amin na mga bikers papunta rin sa taas. Medyo kaiba ang trail nito sa Kalisungan kasi yung dinaanan namin paakyat eh kayang daanan ng 4x4. Maluwag. Ang kagandahan dito, kahit wala ka pa sa taas eh kitang-kita mo na ang kalawakan ng kapatagan (wow kapatagan! Eh di ikaw na ang magaling sa heograpiya!, hehe) Mas nakaka-aliw pa kasi kita mo ang buong skyline ng Metro Manila. Yung mga buildings sa Libis, Ortigas, Makati, Manila at Quezon City parang maliliit na kahon na nakatayo. Hehe, ang kukyut!

Tanghalian, nagpahinga muna kami sa taas at kumain. Habang tinitingnan ko ang buong paligid at sinisipat kung nasan ang PBCom building sa mga nakatayong kahon sa malayo (yes naman! tali-talinuhan), naisip ko, bakit kaya nagsisiksikan ang mga tao sa maynila, eh pagka-laki-laki-laki-laki-laki ng space sa paligid??? Ang luwag space sa paligid ng maynila!

Anyways, after lunch, bumaba naman kami sa kabilang panig ni Balagbag para pumunta sa mahiwagang ilog. Sa totoo lang, hindi sya mahiwaga, joke lang yon. Hehe. Matagal-tagal din ang trek pababa. 4:30PM na yata kami nakarating dun kaya dun narin kami nag-camp. At dahil sa gilid kami ng ilog nag-camp, asahan na ang samu't-saring mga insekto sa paligid. Nakakatuwa lang yung mga alitaptap sa gilid ng ilog, yung ibang insekto hindi na nakakatuwa. Hehe.

Kinabukasan 8AM narin yata nung nagsimula kaming umakyat ulit pabalik. Halos ubos na din yung mga dala nami tubig. Dahil din siguro sa tagal naming nagtrek nung unang araw, tuloy masyado kaming maraming nainom at kinapos yung dala namin. Buti nalang at may batis (wow batis!) sa dinaanan namin na pwedeng inumin yung tubig. O wag ka muna magreak, hindi yun yak! Sa totoo lang yung lasa nung tubig galing don eh walang pinagkaiba sa lasa ng mineral na dala namin. Tsaka alangan namang mag-inarte pa kami eh wala na nga kaming tubig. Hehe.

Marami rin kaming nadaanan na bangin, siguro mga anim (naks! bilang na bilang, haha). Yun bang mga isang metro lang yung tatapakan mo tapos bangin na. Iba-iba din ang mukang ipinakita samin ni Balagbag, may sobrang mapuno, matalahib, may maputik, may sobrang tarik, may patag lang, may damuhan, may mga agos ng tubig atbp. Nakakalungkot lang kasi talamak sa lugar ang illegal logging at pag-uuling. Hindi naman syempre kami makapagsalita dahil baka hindi na kami maka-uwi ng buhay. Hehe. May part din sa bundok na nakakatakot. Yung parang sa mga horror movie na may mga cannibal. O kaya yung may matandang mangkukulam na sumusubaybay samin. Ahahaha. Kung ano-ano naiisip.

Iba talaga yung pakiramdam kapag namumundok. Ewan ko. It gives me a feeling of excitement na yun lang ang nakakapag-bigay. After a climb, para syang achievement. No! It IS an achievement. It IS a fulfillment. And you will really admire God's creation. Parang sinasabi nya, "This is for you.", "I made it all for you.". Ang sarap ng pakiramdam. Habang naglalakad ako sa mountainside... seeing those endless mountains... and seeing these friends with me... I felt so blessed. Dati pangarap ko lang ma-experience maging mountaineer... and now I'm living those dreams.

Majayjay Falls

Habang nakasakay kami sa jeep papuntang Antipolo at dinarama ang kalagkitan at kainitan ng hangin sa syudad ng Pasig, bigla nalang nag-aya itong si Djem na magpunta daw kami sa Taytay Falls bago magpasukan sa June. Medyo na-excite naman ako pero sa loob loob ko hindi naman yun matutuloy. Ahaha. Kaya ayun umoo nalang ako para naman hindi masyadong sumama ang loob nitong si Djem. Hehe. 'Di na kasi bago sakin yung idea na yun. Dati pa din kasi namin pinaplano na magpunta dun nila Monch, at ayun, ni hinagap ng Taytay Falls eh hindi manlang namin naramdaman.

Pero dahil gusto ko din naman talagang pumunta don at medyo tag-araw pa naman (last week), nag-set na kami ng sked kung kelan kami pwede at nilatag na rin lahat ng kelangan. Actually, wala nga palang kailangan. Haha. Damit at pera lang. May bahay kasi sila Monch dun, (alam nyo naman 'tong si Monch kalat sa buong bansa ang pamilya) kaya hindi na namin problema ang tutuluyan.

4PM ng Saturday kami umalis ng Manila at gabi na kami nakarating sa bahay nila sa Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Grabe, akala ko matagal na ang 2hrs na byahe yun pala 2:30 to 4hrs! Ang layo pala! Si Monch kasi parang libangan ang pag-uwi don dati kaya ang akala ko tuloy sandali lang ang byahe. Anyway, pinlano namin na dun na nga lang kila Monch matulog ng Saturday night para Sunday ng umaga kami pupunta ng Majayjay.

6AM wake up time at syempre 6:30 ako nagising. Haha. (Sori naman, maaga pa nga yon eh!) Ayun, hindi na rin naman ako naligo dahil yun din naman ang gagawin namin sa Majayjay kaya kung maliligo pa ko at maliligo din ako sa Majayjay eh redundant na masyado! Haha. Hindi ako nagdadahilan, ganun talaga yon. (Bakit ba ko nagpapaliwanag???) Sumakay kami ng tricycle papuntang bayan then jeep papauntang Majayjay then jeep ulit papuntang Taytay. Nabilang nyo ba?? Hehe, basta tatlong sakay lang yon.

Pagdating sa Taytay, ibaba kayo mismo sa Baranggay Hall. Tapos dun, magpaparegister at magbabayad ng P20 para daw sa pondo ng maintenance ng lugar. Ok lang naman, sa maliit na halaga nkapag-nature trippings ka na, nakapag-swimming ka na, nakatulong ka pa sa pag-aayos nung lugar. (Sana lang sa pag-aayos talaga napupunta yan ah) Galing sa baranggay hall medyo maglalakad pa ng mga 1 kilometro papunta sa mismong falls. Sa paglalakad palang matutuwa ka na dahil sa dami ng makikita sa bundok. (Nakakita din kami ng ahas sa mismong dinaanan namin, pero maliit lang naman, pero ahas pa din yon! hehe.)

Ang Taytay falls at Majayjay falls eh iisa. It flows from the famous Mt. Banahaw sa Brgy. Taytay, Majayjay, Laguna. Ayun. Nasabi ko lang kasi nalilito din ako dati. Hehe. Kahit ano pa man, pareho lang yon. Hindi sya ganung ka-garbo o kaganda katulad ng ibang falls na bumibida sa mga turista, pero sobrang linaw at sobrang linis talaga ng tubig! Pati sobrang lammeeeeggg. Naaalala ko pa nga lang ngayon nagiginaw na ko. Haha. Sa sobrang lamig, dun na kami nagpapalamig ng mga inumin. Oh nai-imagine nyo na kung gano kalamig yon??? Pero ang kagandahan dito, kahit sobrang lamig sya, kapag nilubog mo na yung katawan mo, hindi ka na manginginig sa ginaw. Pati kapag umahon ka sa tubig hindi mo na rin mararamdaman na maginaw pala. Hindi katulad kapag nasa swimming pool ka, nanginginig ka pa rin kahit nakalubog ka na sa tubig at mas lalamigin ka kapag umahon ka na.

It was a really a fun nature tripping at sa sobrang pag-eenjoy namin eh ang akala namin 5PM na eh alas dos palang pala! Haha. Kahit ang oras nadaya kami sa sobrang pagka-aliw namin sa lugar. Sa lahat ng mga naging gala ko dito sa Manila, medyo kakaiba 'to. Kasi for the first time, nakasama ko sila Ate Cecil na kasama sila Bebe na kasama si Aldino na kasama si Dave at the same time. Whew! Housemates + SFC's + Pelatis. Cute! Sobrang masaya ko kasi bihira lang mangyari yon. I know everyone had a great time at sobrang nag-enjoy talaga. I'm already excited for the next trip! (^^,)