Conquering Mt. Talamitam 630+MASL

December 26, 2012

Our climb to Talamitam is actually a side trip and is unexpected. Talamitam is just about 12 kilometers away from Batulao as we were actually at Mt. Batulao in Nasugbu, Batangas for the second time and the main purpose was to give away donations to the youth of Mt. Batulao. As it happened, then December 26 became a twin day-hike climbing both Batulao and Talamitam.

Batulao Slipper Outreach a Success

December 26, 2012

Early dawn just right after Christmas, we have gone to to the streets and headed on to Mt. Batulao to give-away slippers (flipflops) for the youth and young mountain guides of this mountain at the heart of Nasugbu, Batangas that was donated by our generous subscribers, readers and friends.

Batulao is known with young hiking guides and children helping their parents bring up ingredients to their kubo stalls at different locations within the trail to give refreshment and food to mountaineers.

2013 Holidays

Malacanang Palace has already declared the holidays for 2013 so plan ahead and lets discover the Philippines!

Travel Tips for Drivers this Christmas Season

It is the longest holiday season in the country again. Many will be going out of town to get back to their families in the provinces or get to the country side away from the urban landscape. No matter how you would like to spend your holiday, here are some of the tips I would like to share to my readers.

Tips to Survive in Coron

The Calamian group of Islands is the northernmost islands of the province of Palawan and consists of 3 major islands, namely Busuanga, Coron and Culion plus multitudes of smaller islands. The area however is famous for being called as "Coron" because of the populated town of Coron which happens to be at Busuanga Island. And its major island, Coron Island, just off Busuanga features the cleanest inland lakes in the world.

Roadtrip to Historical Sites in Cavite

June 12, 2012

It is a single-day holiday and is the 114th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence from Spanish rule and declaration of the first Philippine Republic by the Magdalo faction of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. I've been reading the stories of the Philippine Independence when I was young and have only read them in history books over 2 decades ago and it is just the right time to check out these locations and rediscover my national identity.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar - a trip to the past

July 21-22, 2012

It was a rainy weekend as a typhoon is currently pounding northern Luzon when we had our stay at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. And this is at Bataan. But for architectural and historical aficionados, the stay here is worth it and a photographer's heaven as well. The whole resort is comprised of mansion replicas from the 18th century, and the theme is preserved with cobblestone roads and staff that are dressed with Filipino traditional clothing such as barong for male and baro't saya for female.

Bakasyunan Resort - Tanay

November 26-27, 2011

It was the last weekend of November, we went to Bakasyunan Resort in Tanay, Rizal which was a getaway passed Antipolo and near Daranak Falls; and is situated at the highlands of Rizal near Mt. Sembrano. The air was cool and fresh, and  an activity for the weekend awaits us.

Touring Panay Island

Touring Panay Island from Iloilo to Antique and Boracay December 26-31, 2009

Beach bum at Boracay

It is early Saturday morning just right after Christmas, and I had an extended vacation. In fact, I only booked a one-way ticket to be able to tour a stretch of Panay Island at western Visayas. It is only about an hour from Manila to Cabatuan Airport of Panay and I am excited to tour 3 provinces of this island for the first time. Starting from Iloilo, to the whole stretch of Antique and then the beaches of Boracay Island at Aklan.

Mapping page now up

I have added a new page here at my blog regarding the mapping consortium I actively contribute.

You may check out the contributions I made in improving the map of the Philippines and you can also download free and reliable routable Philippine maps for use on Garmin GPS devices on that page.

You may view the page here or via the navigation panel above.

Caliraya Lake Adventure

Caliraya Resort Club December 8-9, 2012

Caliraya lake is situated at the border of the provinces of Laguna, Rizal and Quezon, just passed the famous Pagsanjan Falls; and is at the northeastern part of Laguna de Bay (Laguna Lake). One weekend of December, our team was blessed to have our team building venue set at Caliraya Resort Club.

Outreach: Batulao Slippers for Christmas

Friends,

I am planning for a fund drive this Christmas and proceeds will go to the youth of Mt. Batulao 13 years old and below in supplying them with new slippers. Tentative date of  reaching out is on December 26. This is a self-initiated drive, however it would be great if more people would help me out so more kids can be supplied with slippers.

Conquering Pico De Loro 664+MASL

August 19-20, 2012

Pico De Loro

Another long weekend. It was 24 years ago since I last climbed a mountain. I was 8 years old back then. Having this scar on my lower left leg reminds me of my first ever climb in Mt. Banahaw and since then, my instinct has been telling me to get back to who really I am... to unite with nature and feel the grandeur of setting foot to elevations not meant for a regular man to take foot often and enjoy the peace and fresh air at this altitude. It is the right time to re-unite with the mountains and conquer Mt. Pico De Loro.

Roadtrip to Pagudpud Ilocos Norte

Unlocking the scenes of Ilocos Province December 26-28, 2011

It is a very long drive and I am prepared for it. Covering 600 kilometers of road from my home to Pagudpud, I am excited to travel for the first time to my never been explored northern Philippines. With only having an hour of sleep, we woke up at 2:00AM and started to head on to the road at 3:00AM. It is going to be a hell of a road trip!

Bohol Adventure

Beach Bumming and Travel around the islands and hills of Bohol
August 12-15, 2010

Bohol is known for its pristine white beaches, beautiful dive sites, old churches, and of course, the Chocolate Hills and the Philippine Tarsier. This destination is considered an all terrain, and water adventure haven and so we experienced it ourselves on a one long weekend of August 2010.

Taal Volcano Island (220+MASL)

Taal Volcano Island Trek (220+MASL)

October 27, 2012

Taal Volcano Island

It was late evening of 26th and I was hungry. Almost all establishments where I live is already closed by this time except for some fast food which I was not in the mood to dine at that evening. It was an unexpected road trip until we reached Tagaytay by midnight and thought of having a sip of coffee at Summit Ridge Tagaytay. It was too late though so my wife and I decided to park over at a convenience store in One Tagaytay Place and sleep over inside our vehicle. Suddenly, an idea popped in. Why not trek Taal Volcano as we were already near and besides it has been a childhood dream to go down there. So I took out my laptop and planned over for the trek to this smallest volcano in the world.

Conquering the Malepunyo Mountain Range (1002+MASL)

Malepunyo Mountain Range Climb (1002+MASL)

November 30 - December 2, 2012

The Malepenyo Mountain Range is comprised of two major mountains: The tallest in Batangas, Mt. Malipunyo, standing at a massive 1002MASL which is situated at Lipa city, Batangas and Mt. Manabu (755MASL) at Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Upon knowing that a traverse trail between the two mountains is possible however, seldom trekked. I decided to put an end to this anxiety and decided forward to trace this path.