My Tapulao Experience

When people talk about mountain climbing, Mt Tapulao is on everyone's topic. Discussions usually involves the long trek going to the peak, expose to sun trail and the near zero temperature at the summit. I did not go on my first hike to Tapulao until 2010. I could blame it on some facts i heard from others who experience the deadly trail.  Having never gone and tried tapulao, I didn’t see the value and always declined when asked.

Since my decision to climb Mt Tapulao came at the right time with the right people to climb with i consider myself lucky completing the climb.

With so much at stake , I was being extra dedicated , careful , not to get injured or get sick completing this climb.

I had a lot of fun on our climb with great friends. Thanks to jackie, Kenneth, Gang2 , sir Jc and sir Marlon. It is a perfect warm up for climbers wanting to go to Pulag or for someone looking for a challenging climb.

I fell in love with climbing Mt Tapulao and with the life lessons i will keep in my heart forever, the experience was exhilarating. I hope to do it again soon.

Mt. Balagbag via Licao

I first heard of Mt. Balagbag in 2010 while preparing for a Pulag climb. Back then the mountain was not really famous with mountaineers itself, and I had to ask info's to find out much about the place.

This mountain is part of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, a great destination since its near my place. The trail is easy but as you ascend uphill you are expose to the sun which for me is the hardest part of the trek.

Additional attraction of Mt. Balagbag include some waterfalls and small rivers along the way. The summit is also good for Bikers.

Thanks so much Kenneth, Rowell and Pia for joining me in this climb.

MT. BALAGBAG
Rodriguez, Rizal
First jumpoff: Sitio Karahume, Brgy. Macabud, Rodriguez
second jumpoff: Sitio Balagbag, Brgy. San Isidro, Rodriguez
LLA: 777 MASL (unverified)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 1-2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-2

I love climbing...

Hiking is one of my passions. There seems to be a point on every hike i make where fatigue sets in. Much like life, i can either turn around easily or push through the difficulty. Choosing the latter, i receive the payoff by reaching the peak and basking with our god's creation.

Why do you climb? A frequently ask question on my every climb.

Climbing draws allure and mystery of life to me. When i was growing up in North view , filinvest i went to school passing through some hills. That is where i grow up and made it. Now, those are not “mountains” when you compare them to the mountains on Sierra Madre or Benguet, but I remember hiking and passing through this hills in Filinvest for the first time in grade school and how it made a huge impact in my life. I think that is where my love for hiking and mountain has started.The sense of awe and wonder I get from being at the top of the hills has never gone away since that time.

Mountain top experiences are called just that for a reason,and  i want to prove myself that i can do anything i set myself to do.First there is the peacefulness of being at the peak of a mountain.Then there is the camaraderie of friends working up a mountain not as individuals but as a team.It also has some spiritual quality to it. I feel very blessed and close to God when I am in the mountains.And lastly, the challenge of making each step on a steep ascend knowing that a mistake could be deadly and the next step will be rewarding.

Although hiking comes with danger I think it's invigorating to do something dangerous and make it through. Also, thrill seeking may be a way to let go of one's fears, to face them and overcome them. Holding on to fear is letting something control your life. Doing dangerous stuff is letting go of that fear and I feel it lets me put things into perspective. I also enjoy confronting my fears and dealing with them rather than let them control me.

I have challenged myself to complete each climb eventhough sometimes it pushes my boundaries. What a huge difference it makes in my enjoyment of life. And, there is nothing like the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a climb. Now that I’m married with a family, i hope one day i can take my boys on a hiking adventures. I hope one day they’ll appreciate the beauty that is all around them and the satisfaction that come from experiencing God’s works.

MY CHECKLIST

PROVINCES	VISITED	BLOG ENTRY	CITIES/MUNICIPALIES VISITED
Province
Abra
Agusan Del Norte
Agusan Del Sur
Aklan
Albay
Antique
Apayao
Aurora	Y	Y
Basilan
Bataan	Y	Y
Batanes
Batangas	Y	Y
Benguet	Y	Y
Biliran
Bohol
Bukidnon
Bulacan	Y	Y
Cagayan	Y	Y
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Camiguin
Capiz
Catanduanes
Cavite	Y	Y
Cebu
Compostela Valley
Cotabato (North Cotabato)
Davao Del Norte
Davao Del Sur
Davao Oriental
Dinagat Islands
Eastern Samar
Guimaras
Ifugao	Y	Y
Ilocos Norte	Y	Y
Ilocos Sur	Y	Y
Iloilo
Isabela	Y	Y
Kalinga	Y	Y
La Union	Y	Y
Laguna	Y	Y
Lanao Del Norte
Lanao Del Sur
Leyte
Maguindanao
Marinduque
Masbate
Misamis Occidental
Misamis Oriental
Mountain Province
Negros Occidental
Negros Oriental
Northern Samar
Nueva Ecija	Y	Y
Nueva Vizcaya
Occidental Mindoro
Oriental Mindoro
Palawan
Pampanga	Y	Y
Pangasinan
Quezon	Y	Y
Quirino
Rizal
Romblon
Samar (Western Samar)
Sarangani
Siquijor
Sorsogon
South Cotabato
Southern Leyte
Sultan Kudarat
Sulu
Surigao Del Norte	Y	Y
Surigao Del Sur	Y	Y
Tarlac	Y	Y
Tawi-tawi
Zambales	Y	Y
Zamboanga Del Norte
Zamboanga Del Sur
Zamboanga Sibugay

Revisiting Mt. Arayat with a storm..

Let the storms begin! Mad for mud, winds, rains, slippery roots, sleepy snakes in their holes, wild cats, and isolated rock traversing. Few pictures, could not risk Panasonic in the rains...

Mount Arayat. My first love.

Lost count how many times I've been up to Mt. Arayat, and the last time i summit Mt arayat is during a stormy weather.  Im not scared of a little downpour, I actually kind of enjoy it.

But not just a bad weather, Pampanga that time is down to signal number 2.  With Mami Ei and Miles and my go signal from Rochelle our plan to trek Arayat with storm signal number 2 still pushes through. I dont have any reason why do we need to cancel or reschedule the climb, all i know is i want to climb that time.

I guess it’s a good idea to spend a few quiet days in the mountains with rains and thunder. After all, I always like to be in a mountain, its my most favorite place. Being in a mountain, I feel peaceful, its so quiet, since not many people want to climb on a rainy day.

Trail is easier and more forested than it appears from highway. This was much more beautiful than I expected. Much more forested than you would expect when you look at the mountain from below, and that contrasted with the boulder made for a very interesting hike.

Amazing views but could have been better at the summit if it weren't for the cloud cover.

Well, no matter the reason, always remember where you are. You are in the mountain. You cannot control the weather. You are dealing with an unpredictable phenomena, remain humble and be heedful .If you prepare yourself with the right gear and the right attitude, you can expect anything right coming your way.

Cagbalete : My infinite love

beautiful white sands, these things are all over cagbalete.

Cagbalete is such a paradise. Incredibly beautiful with stunning scenery.

I didn’t know how much my team mates loved water until we went to Cagbalete. Cagbalete is  one of the most incredible places I have ever been - picture postcard incredible-as i always say.

Cagbalete is a typical island which doesn't have plenty of restaurants, so be ready with canned goods or packed lunch.

Budget trip to cagbalete is just beginning for now, so it is a good time to go, as there are still not many tourists or resorts available. It was really an eye-opening finding out that it is entirely possible to spend a week or two at the island with minimal budget. 

Moreover, in the morning, fishermen would dock and sell off some of their catches. You can easily haggle for some fresh fish for reasonable prices and then throw it on the grill. 

Everyone hide in the shade during the hottest time of the day, then late that afternoon the group went on a walk across the sandbar, then we swam out to the other end of the Island in crystal clear waters and fine white sands. 

Hopefully I get to see many more beaches with the group in the future.

It was such a great week. I had been looking forward to this all week.  It was such an amazing experience. Thank you guys for the memories.

Clear water, beautiful place, and lots of great memories.

Our last night in Cagbalete was a winner.

Waiting for Sunset..

What a great spot to watch God's hand at work. It is so beautiful.

The majority of our time at this island was spent right here.

The sun is a big big factor. Everyone applied a lot of sunscreen, but all of us got burned at some point or another.

It was so cool eating awesome foods prepared by all of us.

My Travelogue to amazing lighthouse edition 1 : Capones Lighthouse

Capones Lighthouse

Capones Island is one of the tourist destinations in the province of Zambales, it has captured many travellers because of its white beach, picturesque view and the island’s historical light house.   

Going to the island is not a problem as it is just a 20 minute boat ride from the jump-off point which is Brgy. Pundaquit in San Antonio.

Exploring Capones lighthouse reward tourists with stunning views and some interesting rock formations. Snorkeling is also one of the things that you can do at the island. Better gear up for snorkelling and enjoy the island’s reefs and natural beauty. 

It's such a breathtaking island with so much to see and do.

Have a lovely day!

Fast facts that may help you on the trip:

1.To get to Capones Island, rent a boat in Pundaquit San Antonio, Zambales. 

2.There are two options going to capones lighthouse, via a long hike or a short hike

3.The hike would take 45 minutes on a long hike from the east side of the island if the west side shoreline is unaccessible due to big waves.