Friday, December 21, 2012
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
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.
Check out my friends' blog regarding this adventure!
A STORMY TRIP TO CAGAYAN VALLEY
Despite the typhoon hitting the Cagayan valley I pushed
through with my plans of travelling the north. I was in the middle of traffic
jam along EDSA boarding a bus going to Victory Liner terminal in Kamuning QC
when my officemate texted me what she heard in the news. I replied to her to
pray for my safety and my bahala na si
Batman attitude rules.
It was raining when I left Manila that evening. After 8 hours
of traveling I safely reached Santiago City in Isabela. I eat in one of the
fast-food there to fill my stomach for the rest of the day adventure. I strolls
the city even if it’s raining. I don’t want to waste a single minute of my
time.
Places I visited:
- Balay Santiago
- Magat Dam
- Callao Cave
- Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral
- Lady of Piat Church
- Buntun Bridge
- Cagayan River
Food I eat:
- Pancit patil-patung
- Pawa
- Chicharabao
I stayed at Hotel
Candice.
My original plan is to navigate the northern Luzon loop, from
Isabela to Cagayan down to Ilocos Norte and back to Manila. But due to the
typhoon some of the bridges that connecting Cagayan valley and Ilocos region
were damaged so I have no choice but to go back to Manila boarding a bus from
Tuguegarao.
Spending two days in Cagayan Valley is a memorable trip that
I will try again soon. Hopefully the weather would cooperate with me the next
time! :)
HIGANTES FESTIVAL
Finally the long wait is over. It’s been a year that I’d been waiting Higantes Festival. I was in Ilocos last year that is why I was not able to witness this gigantic fiesta. I invited my good friend Miko to join me to attend and have fun in Higantes.
Higantes Festival highlights the annual celebration of the people of Angono, Rizal. This festival features a larger than life paper-mache. It is also pays tribute in honor of San Clemente, the patron saint of the fishermen. Those higantes depicts image of famous personalities and some local farmers and fishermen. The streets of Angono are filled with locals and tourists waiting for the grand parade of the higantes, majorettes, bands and floats. The higantes were wearing a colorful costumes and dance gracefully in sync with the drum beats of the musicians that following them. After the parade there is a cultural presentation by different schools of Angono.
Angono Rizal is also the hometown of the two great national artists Carlos “Botong” Francisco and Professor Lucio San Pedro. Francisco is a famous painter while San Pedro is music genius. Along the Dona Aurora St. in Baranggay Poblacion Itaas displays an array of mural/sculptured walls depicting the famous paintings of Francisco. Most of the murals are pictures of rural life. The walls show the creativity and love for the arts of the townspeople.
The town of Angono is dubbed as the art capital of the Philippines.
How to get there:
From MRT Shaw Boulevard / EDSA Central ride a jeep bound for Angono or Binangonan. Fare is P30.00.
Know more about Angono, Rizal by visiting there website angono.gov.ph.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
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