5 DAYS BACKPACKING NEGROS+SIQUIJOR

Im dreaming of visiting all the 80 provinces of the Philippines. September last year when a budget airline Cebu Pacific Air offers a 1 peso fare for all their domestic destinations. Without hesitations I grab the opportunity. I booked a flight from Manila bound to Bacolod then Dumaguete to Manila. This 5 days trip would cover the 3 provinces- Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

The Ruins in Talisay, Negros Occidental

Day 1

• arrived at the Bacolod-Silay Airport
• explore the heritage city of Silay
• dine  at El Ideal Bakery
• glimsed of yesteryear at The Ruins in Talisay
• tasted the famous Bacolod chicken inasal
• checked-in at Bacolod Pension House
• roamed around the City of Smile-Bacolod City

Day 2

•  jogged at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol grounds
•  hop a mini-bus bound for Mambukal in Murcia
•  explore the waterfalls of Mambukal Resort
•  checked-in at Ong Bun Pension House

San Isidro Labrador Church in Lazi,Siquijor

Day 3

• travelling from Bacolod to Dumaguete
• arrived at Dumaguete City seaport
• boarded a ferry boat to Siquijor
• arrived at the Island of Fire- Siquijor
• eat lunch at the Diamond de Siquijor Beach House restaurant
• rested from the long hours of travelling

Day 4

• explore the whole island of Siquior

Siliman University in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental

Day 5

• jog with the locals at the Rizal Boulevard in Dumaguete
• roam around the City of Gentle People-Dumaguete
• from sweets to streets foodtrip

THY WOMB

Shaleha Sarail(Nora Aunor),a Badjao midwife hails from a coastal village in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi. The province is a seaweed-producing spot in the southernmost part of the Philippines all the way down the Malaysian and Indonesian archipelagos. Aging and still smarting from three miscarriages in the past, Shaleha agonizes over her failure to bear a child. Though an adoptive parent to her nephew, she still feels that her husband Bangas-An (Bembol Roco) desires to be a father. She struggles to cope with the irony of her own infertility amidst the deprivation of her community.

To fulfill her husband’s only wish and to be blessed by Allah—in her belief that having a child is a tangible proof of divine grace—Shaleha resolves to find a new partner for her husband. Night and day, she and her husband sail away from their floating village and to nearby island communities in search of a fertile woman. As if by providence, Shaleha finds the girl through friends' recommendations. But on the eve of her husband’s second marriage to Mersila (Lovi Poe), jealousy gnaws and consumes Shaleha. .

A saga of island life stuck between the devil of passion and the deep blue sea of tradition.

MT. PICO DE LORO

ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK

MOUNT PULAG

Mount Pulag is the highest peak in Luzon. This mountain is considered as a sacred ground to the Ibaloi and Kalanguya. Mt. Pulag National Park anchors the Cordillera’s largest national park.

This trip started from an invitation from my new found friend Weng (ByahengJologs) and Mina (Adventures of ManongUnyol). It’s been a month of preparation. Thanks guys for the efforts. Were supposed to go on this DIY (do-it-yourself) trip the three of us! I created a group page on FB for easy exchanging of thoughts and ideas and also inviting some of ours friends.

As the date of climb near approaching more and more were interested in joining us. From 3 we ended up into 15 in the group. Most of the joiners were members of The United Climber Organization (TUCO).

DAY 0

9:00 PM ~ Meeting place is in Victory Liner in Cubao. Long lines of passengers were queued. Its long weekend and we don’t anticipate the heavy crowed of travelers. Most of the trips going to Baguio City were fully-booked. We don’t have a reservation that is why our group decided to check the Genesis bus station. After some hours of waiting finally all our group members arrived.

11:00 PM ~ We boarded Genesis bus bound for Baguio City.

DAY 1

5:00 AM ~ We arrived at the city of pines Baguio City! From there we boarded the monsters jeep going to Kabayan, Benguet. A four hours top-load ride passing thru the scenic mountainscape of Cordillera. The jump-off point for our climb.

ready to topload

10:00 AM ~ DENR office for registration, payment of fees and orientation. Buy a souvenir shirt.

group picture with TUCO, Cecile,Racky, Weng, Freddie and Mina

climbers of mt. pulag

1:00 PM ~ Lunch at the Ranger station. Start of the trek Mt. Pulag via the Ambageg trail. Along the trail are the different kinds of flora and fauna that is endemic.

4:00 PM ~ After 4 hours of trek we reach the Grassland Campsite! We set-up our tent and fix our things.

grassland campsite

5:00 PM ~ we witnessed the breathtaking Sunset and embracing the Sea of Clouds.

sunset

sea of clouds

DAY 2

3:00 am ~ Wake up call to prepare for the Sunrise viewing at the Summit. I can’t resist the very cold weather that I decided to stay on our tent.

10:00 AM ~ the start of the trek going down.

12:00 NN ~ Finished the trek. Surviving the Mt. Pulag!

2:00 PM ~ boarded the monster jeep going back to Baguio City.

I’ve meet a bunch of good friends, awesome company and maybe some travel buddies in my future travel/adventure.

This adventure is one of the most memorable trips of my life. A journey that I will cherished forever!


Check out my friends' blog regarding this adventure!

• BYAHENG JOLOGS
• ADVENTURES OF MANONG UNYOL