A pleasant day at Mt. Cagua

No trip to Gonzaga, Cagayan could ever be completed without seeing Mt. Cagua.

“Cagua Volcano is a stratovolcano located in the Philippine province of Cagayan. It is one of the active volcanoes in the Philippines and has erupted twice in recorded history. Its last eruption was in 1907.”

My special thanks to the very helpful and friendly staff of Gonzaga Tourism Council who were prompt and on time, most especially to sir jay suba for making this climb possible.

Chasing waterfalls series : Nagsasa Falls - Third time's a charm

They say a trip to Nagsasa is not complete without visiting its waterfalls. On my third visit to Nagsasa cove after my trek from Mt. Bira Bira FINALLY i was able to visit its beautiful cascading waterfalls. I guess the third time’s a charm, as they say.

The falls is located in the forested part at the foot of Mt Balingkilat-Bira BIra trail.The water from the falls is cold and clear. It is actually a series of waterfalls that is best visited only during the rainy season.

Chasing waterfalls series: Experiencing Colorado falls

What do you think of when you think of visiting Baguio? Mines view? Burnham Park? Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad?  or The Diplomat Hotel at Dominican hill?

For those who have visited Bguio, it is relly all of that and or there is something more??

How about a visit to a waterfalls?

Well, Baguio is unusually suited for waterfalls. At 5,200 feet above sea level, Baguio enjoys low temperatures with cold weather - so when i speak of Baguio and a visit to its waterfalls - everyone thinks I'm crazy.

I was unaware of this before, but I soon found out of this waterfalls when a friend from Tuba invited me for a quick dip at its cold waters.

I love the place, it's near the city's other attractions - so it's worth it, the views are different and it's not a long walk.

How to get there?

-Ride any PUJ that passes by Kennon road.  Ask the driver to drop you off at  Camp 4 near an Elementary School.

Mt. Singakalsa Traverse - Timbak-kabayan

Mt. Singakalsa also known as Mt. Timbak is the 3rd highest mountain in Luzon as well as the 9th highest peak in the Philippines. Though this is my 3rd time to climb Timbak, it is actually my 1st time doing the kabayan traverse.

After 5 hours of travel from Manila, we reached Baguio at 3 AM - a quick breakfast at session road - then another 3 hours ride to Atok Benguet – the highest highway in the Philippines.

8 Am

We were dropped at the waiting shed of Atok, Benguet in km. 55 marker. After a 5 minutes break we already started the ascent to Mt. Timbak summit. The trail started on a cemented road, turning left on a fork, then passing by Mongoto Elementary School.

The walk up to the summit of Mt. Timbac was fast and easy. An hour and a half of knee pain walk along a cemented road makes up the first part of the trail, then after the last fork, the summit would be just 15 minutes away.

On the way to the summit, we passed by farmers' houses and vegetable plots of potatoes, carrots, and cabbages. Less than two hours of trek in total, we reached the summit. The sight around Timbak is great. From here we took our first 20 minutes break, we also waited for the clouds to clear so we could take some shots of the neighboring peaks. Unfortunately lady luck did not smile upon us that day, the whole place was covered with so much fog, still, the view is breathtaking. It was actually seemed to be a walk in the clouds.

At 1045 AM, we decided to make our descent to Kabayan. While we were all tired and wet from the drizzle, we were all pleased and feeling fulfilled.

If it took us Less than two hours of trek in total to reach the summit of Mt Timbak, the traverse is a different story. I though the walk going up was already a punishment - i was wrong. This trek was the most strenuous of all from my previous climb. Going down to Kabayan was a hurtful and knee breaking experience. Yeah, there is no doubt that a long descend will definitely make a knee-pain worst.

How to get to Mt. Timbak : 

-From Manila, take a bus bound for Baguio city. P450

-From Baguio, go to Dangwa Terminal or at the Slaughterhouse bus terminal along Magsaysay Avenue. Public van transportation departs from Dangwa terminal in as early as 6AM while bus from Slaughterhouse departs at 5:30AM and 10:00am daily P120. No more public transportation departs after lunch.

-Tell the driver to drop you off at KM 55 in Atok. 

Chasing Waterfalls Series : Timangguyob Falls - Hidden and Underrated

I'm sure you've heard that the heat index in Metro Manila is getting higher - Extreme Summer heat , the best way to describe it . Therefore it's a must to find a better solution how to fight the heat.

There’s nothing quite like a cold bath to ease the extreme summer heat. 

And, relaxing at an Ice-cold waterfalls helps spread refreshing feeling all over the body. 

I'm presenting Timangguyob Falls of Tarlac. 

Timangguyob Falls is located in Sitio Dueg Barangay Maasin,  in the municipality of San Clemente, Tarlac. The hike to the waterfall is an 11 km trail through a vegatation,bamboo,shrubs and grassy trail. The hike to the waterfalls can be steep and muddy, so wear a proper footwear in the rainy season. It’s recommended to bring a guide.

Chasing Waterfalls Series : Hidden wonders of Tarlac

Chasing waterfalls are the things I’m starting my 2017 — I call it my 2017 Starter. 

MT. DAMAS - DAYHIKE ITINERARY:

0100 - ETD Cubao to Brgy Papaac, Camiling Tarlac

0500 - ETA Brgy Papaac; Jump-off, secure guide, registration.

0600 - Start Trek

0830 - Resume treak, start river trekking/rope segments

0920 - End of river trek, Mt. Damas foot

0930 - Start trek to Mt. Damas summit

1030 - Mt. Damas summit

1100 - Start Descend

1130 - ETA Mt. Damas foot, lunch 

1230 - Resume trek to Ubod falls

0100 - ETA Ubod Falls

0200 - ETA Ubod Falls; Cardiac Trail

0300 - End of cardiac trail

0430 - ETA jump off, wash up

0530 - ETD jump off

0900 - ETA Cubao

You may contact Sir. Garry at 0929-258-2106 - my Guide during my stay.

I cannot wait to chase more waterfalls this 2017. Here’s to making as many memories as possible!!!

64 waterfalls of Narra, Palawan

Palawan’s beautiful spots aren’t limited to its beaches. Head inland, and you’ll find yourself with mountains and waterfalls. Depending on how adventurous you are, there are more waterfalls in the area to visit.

Estrella Falls is located in the Municipality of Narra which is 91 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa City and 6 km. away from the highway of Malatgao in Narra.

The falls is a good place to spend leisure time. It has two waterfalls with fresh, cool waters coming from Mt. Victoria Peak. Rare species of flora and fauna such as orchids and ferns surround the falls enhancing the charm and beauty of the place. The cool climate makes the area conducive to wildlife habitat. The clear water cascades to three natural pools of varying depths. Swimming in its basin is a refreshing activity.

If you’re into chasing waterfalls, this 20-ft. high Estrella Falls is definitely the place to be. But don’t be fooled; not just because Estrella Falls is on top of my list, that doesn’t mean it is the only waterfalls that there is in Narra. According to the Tourism officer, Narra,Palawan offers 64 waterfalls! And Estrella Falls is the most accessible of all the waterfalls. If you plan to do a daytour of the EStrella Falls you'll get to see 14 falls, a 2 day tour includes 21 falls, and for the more adventurous peeps you can try the 3 day tour on all 64 waterfalls.

How to Get to Estrella Falls

*From Manila–Puerto Princessa

Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Airasia have travel routes from Manila to Puerto Princessa (capital of Palawan).

*From Puerto Prinsesa-Malatgao

Travel time to the falls from Puerto Princesa City is about 2.5 hours.The Shuttle Fair is 150 php/person one way.

*From Malatgao-Estrella Falls

Once in Malatgao asked around where to hire a tricycle to Estrella Falls. P250 Php

 

Revisiting Arayat

January 2016 I posted my top 7 destinations that have magical impact on me, and that I would love to go back again. I note down these destinations where I’d love to come back, sooner or later. June of 2016 i revisited my favorite mountain.. How about you? I would love to hear which places you’d love to visit again…

Before I put away my hiking shoes for good i'm going back to where it all started..Climbing Mt Arayat back in 2003 was about realizing a dream and proving to myself that I could do it. I got into the best shape of my life after completing your summit. I made a lot of new friends. I found countless hours to reflect at your summit. And I learned valuable lessons i will never forget. Mt. Arayat Thank you for all the lessons in life