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| Those who bravely heeded the call |
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| Batu-WOW from Talami-TAMIS |
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| Just a little bit further |
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| Rollin'. Rollin'... |
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| ...Rollin' on the river |
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| Will be back soon, Love |
Talamitam: Through the Lens (and Photoshop)
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Sunday, July 5, 2015
TALAMITAMis ng Pag-Ibig
It's been a month and...I have to hike another mountain. (Not what you're thinking right now. Haha.) This time, with individuals I've met from various places I've been during different points in time.
Another Batangas hike, Mount Talamitam is just 1.5-1.75 hours from DLTB bus terminal to Barangay Bayabasan for 129 pesos via a Nasugbu-bound bus. The bus conductors know that hikers frequent the area since Batulao goers drop by Evercrest, a few kilometers away from Mount Talamitam's jump-off point at KM 83.
From the kilometer marker, you just have to walk a few meters towards a nipa hut where you have to register for 40 pesos per person. You can get a guide here, too. They don't have a 'base rate' but - according to our guide - hikers usually pay them 300-400 pesos (we paid a bit more because of our large group). Aside from my personal rule to ALWAYS get a guide, I highly advise you to get one because there are many trails leading you to the summit and on your way down, too. Moreover, they know the way to the river side trip which is worth every peso you pay them. We were lucky and very honored to have Kuya Pol as our guide. Aside from being an awesome guide, he's good with taking pictures and he's really nice to our group. He also guides hikers along the trails of Batulao and Pico.
The trail transitions from concrete road to an unpaved one to rocky in a short time. We were lucky that the rains stopped hours before we started our trek so we just had some firm mud dirtying our shoes. Early on the trail, you will cross a bamboo bridge that can support utmost 3-4 people at the same time so if you're hiking with a large group like ours, make sure to keep this in mind.
You will then enter a bit of woodland before you reach the New Zealand-esque plains of a plateau. Complete with cows and horses! From here, you have a beautiful panoramic view of Mt. Batulao (Batu-WOW for my group, no-thanks to my Batulao post haha). The plains will provide you a reprieve from the humid woodlands you just entered and prepare you for the high-angle assault you'll be trudging to reach the summit. Make sure you are well-hydrated because the lack of a tree cover exposes you to more heat = more insensible water loss. We're lucky that clouds (rain clouds, boo!) were starting to roll our way when we reached this part of the trail.
Sadly, these very rolling slopes are slowly being turned into agricultural fields by the locals to supplement their daily needs. Help them have other sources of income, i.e. as hiking guides, and be a responsible enough hiker by taking care of our mountains for the later generations to enjoy.
After resting and taking in the beautiful view offered by the rolling hills, we took in the penultimate challenge of doing the assault to reach the summit. Aside from the fact that I have a self-imposed time constraint because I was still on night duty that same day, gray clouds were starting to roll our way and it would be more difficult if the rains caught us in the steep slopes of the assault. At first, I thought it would be easy but the pleasing walk along the plains never prepared my legs for this high-angled hike. Add to that the tall cogon grasses that grow along the trail. It was just good timing that most of my hike group found safety under a shed built atop the summit before the skies had released its fury of rain and wind.
After a few minutes of rain, the skies cleared in time for us to enjoy the view from the summit and, boy, is it worth the climb! The view of the town of Nasugbu laid below bordered by Batulao is a sight to behold. Other dayhike-able Batangas mountains are also within sight, with Pico de Loro peeking behind a cover of clouds in the horizon. There's also a Mama Mary grotto that will greet you upon reaching the summit, a refreshing feeling after what you've been through.
It took us about two hours to reach the summit from the jump-off point, which is not bad enough as we took our time in the comforting slopes of Talamitam. The descent was faster (as always) but we took another trail which led us to our river side trip!
Local kids were already doing dives from a cliff (and one brave soul even jumped from a branch of a tree!) but being the non-swimmer that I am, I just enjoyed the rapids and the shallow pools formed along the river. Of course, if you can swim and want a bit of adventure, you can try cliff diving in the deeper waters of the river.
After getting our swimming fix, we continued our return to the highway, which was just a 15-minute trek from the river! And to make it more awesome, we were 'welcomed' in the highway with a store selling fresh buko for 15 pesos apiece! A 5-minute walk from this part of the highway will take you back to your jump-off point where you can enjoy a 50-peso lunch while the other members of the hike group enjoy a good bath at 20-pesos in one of the houses near the area. We then took our leave back to Manila by hitching on a Pasay bus along the highway for 129 pesos.
Overall, the first hike I (kind of) organized was a success! Seeing those beaming and happy faces of the people I invited in this hike despite the rain was worth the effort to organize it (which was basically just making a FB invite and clicking the 'Invite Friends' button. Hahaha. NOT!). As for the mountain of choice, Talamitam offers the right elements of a 'chill' climb offered by its gentle slopes before challenging you to a steep assault which is rewarded by an awesome view of neighboring Batangas mountains at the summit. Add to that is the awesome side trip that, despite burning me to crisp, will complement the hike with a water-based adventure. Will be definitely back in Talamitam with my improved swimming skills *fingers crossed*.
Until the next trip!
- Paulo
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| From L-R (top) Kuya Eman and Ate April (college seniors), Bianca (HS classmate), Brain Fart, Erika (college batchmate, Eytschhh :3) (bottom) Nikki (Bianca's co-worker and also a UPM alum! :D), Jecica (Sev's-goer who is yet to perform in an open-mic :P), Mio (we were in the same hike group that conquered Pulag last April! :D) DJ (college batchmate, Eytschhh :3) Hi, hike group! :D (c) Lopez |
From the kilometer marker, you just have to walk a few meters towards a nipa hut where you have to register for 40 pesos per person. You can get a guide here, too. They don't have a 'base rate' but - according to our guide - hikers usually pay them 300-400 pesos (we paid a bit more because of our large group). Aside from my personal rule to ALWAYS get a guide, I highly advise you to get one because there are many trails leading you to the summit and on your way down, too. Moreover, they know the way to the river side trip which is worth every peso you pay them. We were lucky and very honored to have Kuya Pol as our guide. Aside from being an awesome guide, he's good with taking pictures and he's really nice to our group. He also guides hikers along the trails of Batulao and Pico.
The trail transitions from concrete road to an unpaved one to rocky in a short time. We were lucky that the rains stopped hours before we started our trek so we just had some firm mud dirtying our shoes. Early on the trail, you will cross a bamboo bridge that can support utmost 3-4 people at the same time so if you're hiking with a large group like ours, make sure to keep this in mind.
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| The bamboo bridge looks sound enough, just be careful. Oh, hi, Erika! (c) Lopez |
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| Guys looking serious as shit! Hahaha! (c) Lopez |
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| POOOOOOOONYYYYYYY! (c) Planas |
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| COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW! Oh, hi, DJ! :D |
After resting and taking in the beautiful view offered by the rolling hills, we took in the penultimate challenge of doing the assault to reach the summit. Aside from the fact that I have a self-imposed time constraint because I was still on night duty that same day, gray clouds were starting to roll our way and it would be more difficult if the rains caught us in the steep slopes of the assault. At first, I thought it would be easy but the pleasing walk along the plains never prepared my legs for this high-angled hike. Add to that the tall cogon grasses that grow along the trail. It was just good timing that most of my hike group found safety under a shed built atop the summit before the skies had released its fury of rain and wind.
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| Silent....Mountain. K. (c) Lopez |
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| Thanks for whoever made this shed at the summit. We were not drenched (just a bit) while it rained. (c) Planas |
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| We did it guys! :') (c) Lopez |
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| Side trips are ♡ (c) Coronel |
After getting our swimming fix, we continued our return to the highway, which was just a 15-minute trek from the river! And to make it more awesome, we were 'welcomed' in the highway with a store selling fresh buko for 15 pesos apiece! A 5-minute walk from this part of the highway will take you back to your jump-off point where you can enjoy a 50-peso lunch while the other members of the hike group enjoy a good bath at 20-pesos in one of the houses near the area. We then took our leave back to Manila by hitching on a Pasay bus along the highway for 129 pesos.
Overall, the first hike I (kind of) organized was a success! Seeing those beaming and happy faces of the people I invited in this hike despite the rain was worth the effort to organize it (which was basically just making a FB invite and clicking the 'Invite Friends' button. Hahaha. NOT!). As for the mountain of choice, Talamitam offers the right elements of a 'chill' climb offered by its gentle slopes before challenging you to a steep assault which is rewarded by an awesome view of neighboring Batangas mountains at the summit. Add to that is the awesome side trip that, despite burning me to crisp, will complement the hike with a water-based adventure. Will be definitely back in Talamitam with my improved swimming skills *fingers crossed*.
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| Aside from being a cool guide, Kuya Pol has awesome jump shot-taking skills, too! Hire him! Hire him! (c) Lopez |
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| And take decent shots, too. (c) Lopez |
Until the next trip!
- Paulo
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| *faces the North* Sierra Madre Range, you're next! (c) Lopez |
Friday, July 3, 2015
Madness, Indeed
This is going to be a short post so it has overtaken my Draft posts. Haha! Excuses, Paulo. Anyway...
PEOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM WANDERLUST! HEAR YE! HEAR YE!
The gods - that is Travel Innovators, Incorporated - have answered our prayers and they have brought us the 4th Travel Madness Expo 2015. Starting today, July 3, until Sunday, July 5, from 9AM to 7PM each day, local and international airlines and tour providers converge under one large roof to cater to our wanderlust.
So where is this blessed congregation, you may ask. Occupying Halls 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the SMX Convention Center in Pasay is the place you should be right now! The venue opens at 9 PM but I assure you, lines have been forming hours before that. Just this morning, I arrived an hour early but the line has already snaked along the perimeter of the Center down to its side. And it kept getting longer! So bring with you a bottle of water, umbrella, fan, and food to help you while waiting. Once inside, your efforts will be rewarded with cold air-conditioning and a chance to travel within your grasp.
For 50 pesos (40 pesos for our wanderlust-stricken oldies), you can feast on all the travel opportunities available in the Expo. Make sure you have your dates and your pockets ready. Queues for known airlines tend to get looooong (Hi CebPac and PAL!). And that is not an understatement. So bring in a bit of patience, too, while you're at it. One booth should surely catch your eye that will satisfy your own wanderlust.
Until my next trip!
- Paulo
PEOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM WANDERLUST! HEAR YE! HEAR YE!
The gods - that is Travel Innovators, Incorporated - have answered our prayers and they have brought us the 4th Travel Madness Expo 2015. Starting today, July 3, until Sunday, July 5, from 9AM to 7PM each day, local and international airlines and tour providers converge under one large roof to cater to our wanderlust.
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| Planning to visit the new world heritage site of Jeju Island? They have several booths on that! Deciding to spend several nights in the pristine beaches of Calaguas Island? You bet they have promo packages that are hard to turn down! |
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| A loooooot of opportunities! |
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| Mine's Skyjet ;) |
- Paulo
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Pinto Art Museum: Through the Lens (And Photoshop)
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| I hate you. I don't care. |
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| Tears for a Failed Love |
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| Nymphs Descending |
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| Of High Ceilings and High-Class Art |
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| Oh, They Do Alright |
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| Photobomber |
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| Zen |
Mayo Uno sa Pinto
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I was thinking of using "sPINTOneity" as the title but you guys might actually stop reading my blog posts altogether. Hahaha!
It was a dull, wind-deprived Labor Day morning for me this year, the heat accompanying my wait for my first night shift as a staff nurse. Then out of the blue, my good friend and (forever) apartment-mate Joey asked me if I want to go to Pinto Art Museum that morning. Just because. Of course the artsy-fancy-fart in me wanted to go but my rigid, boring self did a double-take since I would be having my first night duty later that day. Eventually, I gave in to spontaneity and off we went.
Pinto Art Museum is highly accessible with public transportation and it helped that it was a holiday when we went there. Located at Antipolo, Rizal, you have to first ride the LRT Line 1 and alight at Doroteo Jose Station (15-20 pesos, depending on what station you're coming from), walk the footbridge towards LRT Line 2 - LRT 1's cleaner brother, in my opinion - and ride the train until Santolan Station (20 pesos). Then ride an Antipolo-bound jeepney on the LRT side of the road and tell the driver to drop you off at Ynares Stadium for 25 pesos. Bear with me for all these vehicle transfers but it's all worth it, I promise. Finally, ride a tricycle and tell the driver to drop you off at Grand Heights - ours even asked, "Sa Pinto?" - for 30 pesos.
Ta-da! You're finally there! For 180 pesos (150 for senior citizens and PWDs with valid IDs, 100 for students with valid IDs, and FREE for kids 3 years old below), you just availed yourself a ticket to one of the coolest art museum in the Metro, if not in the whole country. You will be given a map of the area upon registration since the whole estate is composed of various villas housing the galleries scattered across 1.3 hectares. And in that wide expanse of hilly land, there is art literally almost everywhere: from a statue in a nook of a building to an installation in the lawn. There are even occasional sofas and beds outside alongside fancy chairs and table sets!
Pinto, as it is fondly called, houses contemporary art works of local artists within their Mediterranean-inspired villas, which is perfect because of the breezy location of the museum. The place flawlessly combines these artworks with the architecture and the environment, even leaving trees and large boulders unscathed, which made them appear like pieces of art in their own right.
One of the 'exhibits' you'll first come across upon entering the estate is the meditation garden built in honor of the failed love between our national hero, Jose Rizal, and (one of) his (many) lover(s), Leonor Rivera. It even has an interactive display named "Undelivered" where visitors can write anonymous letters to their own frustrated-partners-for-life and then keep these letters under lock and key in a cabinet. This was put up to relive the lovers' longing that they may had felt for one another when Leonor's mother kept Rizal's letters from her daughter. Cradled in the garden, too, is a sculpture meant to be the "tomb" of Maria Clara, Rizal's damsel-in-distress in his literary works believed to be inspired by Rivera.
Every square meter of the sprawling 1.3 hectare property is teeming with wonderful works of art: four-poster beds in the lawn, sculpture by the koi pond, and even an intricately-designed brass swing-chair under a tree shade! The villas inside this large art space serve as galleries of the museum and are more than packed with contemporary art works. Although I wasn't able to experience it, guided tours by Sir Andy are highly advised to make your Pinto visit worthwhile and more meaningful.
One of the most notable artworks in the place is "Karnabal" by a group of artists who call themselves 'Salingpusa'. "Karnabal" is a 12' x 40' acrylic painting that dominates an entire wall in one of the galleries. Much like the monstrous 'Spoliarium', 'Karnibal' has a lot of things going on it; depicting scenes from, where else, a carnival which are mere representations of the societal ills - well, according to one of my college classmates that we bumped into when we visited Pinto (Hi, Erin, again!).
Passing through a simple opening in the wall, you'd be surprised that another gallery teeming with sculptures and painting awaits you. What I love about this part of the gallery is the inclusion of a wheelchair ramp to help our PWD brethren to enjoy the rest of the museum. One of my favorite pieces in this gallery is Hilario and Alonday's collab, "Sophia"because of its undertones pertaining to the religiosity of the Philippine society.
A walkway to the left leads you to a cafe and another villa-cum-gallery while the stairs will take you to a large mansion in a sea of grass that hosts private events. Looking for more art, we opted to search through the galleries to satiate our hunger. Again, we were never disappointed. Another room full of sculptures and painting welcomed us. And another. Basically, just when you thought that the surprises are over, Pinto will keep surprising you with more hallways and rooms filled with titillating and interesting works of art that will stimulate your mind.
One of the latest addition to the growing collection of Pinto is a new gallery featuring works of art by our indigenous brothers and sisters. Currently, it showcases different forms of bulul from the different regions of Northern Luzon, and wonderful textiles from the same regions. I do hope their collection will grow and will soon include art forms from our equally artistic Moro brethen down South.
Pinto has one last surprise to calm that overwhelmed mind. Hidden at the end of corridor of the last villa is a man-made forest with dimmed lights and zen-like music which awesomely caps your visit in Pinto.
Going back to Manila is easy-peasy. The guard of the place actually asked us if we were leaving and offered to call a tricycle for us. Talk about good service! Thirty pesos seems to be the standard price for a tricycle ride since you have to enter a private subdivision. Tell the driver to drop you off at Ynares Stadium or "sa bayan na lang po" to get you back to the heart of Antipolo. From there, you can do a side-trip and visit Antipolo Cathedral known as the "National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage". The church houses the famous Birhen ng Antipolo, known to be the patroness of travelers and sailors.
After doing a quick trip (and a genuflect, too), you can take a jeepney bound for Cubao for 24 pesos (a peso cheaper!) and alight at the Santolan LRT Station. Then hop on the train and stop in whatever station you can easily access to go home for 15-20 pesos, depending on what station you're going down.
So if you have extra time and cash to spare, why not escape the stress of the Metro and head up to Pinto Art Museum. Feel the breeze. Absorb the art feels. You are definitely doing your artsy-fancy-fart-self a big favor for dropping by the place.
P.S. Most of the pictures in this post came from my good and spontaneous friend, Joey. Check out his album of our trip to see Pinto through his trusty lens, an iPad mini.
Until the next trip!
- Paulo
It was a dull, wind-deprived Labor Day morning for me this year, the heat accompanying my wait for my first night shift as a staff nurse. Then out of the blue, my good friend and (forever) apartment-mate Joey asked me if I want to go to Pinto Art Museum that morning. Just because. Of course the artsy-fancy-fart in me wanted to go but my rigid, boring self did a double-take since I would be having my first night duty later that day. Eventually, I gave in to spontaneity and off we went.
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| Hello, love. (c) Cayton |
Ta-da! You're finally there! For 180 pesos (150 for senior citizens and PWDs with valid IDs, 100 for students with valid IDs, and FREE for kids 3 years old below), you just availed yourself a ticket to one of the coolest art museum in the Metro, if not in the whole country. You will be given a map of the area upon registration since the whole estate is composed of various villas housing the galleries scattered across 1.3 hectares. And in that wide expanse of hilly land, there is art literally almost everywhere: from a statue in a nook of a building to an installation in the lawn. There are even occasional sofas and beds outside alongside fancy chairs and table sets!
 |
| Four-poster bed under a shade of a great tree? Because why not, right! (c) Cayton |
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| Hi, Erin! Thanks for becoming a(n) (un)willing model for the boulder! (c) Cayton |
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| Keeping them undelivered. As how they should be. (c) Cayton |
Every square meter of the sprawling 1.3 hectare property is teeming with wonderful works of art: four-poster beds in the lawn, sculpture by the koi pond, and even an intricately-designed brass swing-chair under a tree shade! The villas inside this large art space serve as galleries of the museum and are more than packed with contemporary art works. Although I wasn't able to experience it, guided tours by Sir Andy are highly advised to make your Pinto visit worthwhile and more meaningful.
 |
| Brain and (what seems to be) boobs. Broobs, anyone? (c) Cayton |
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| How about a fancy shiny cow? (c) Cayton |
One of the most notable artworks in the place is "Karnabal" by a group of artists who call themselves 'Salingpusa'. "Karnabal" is a 12' x 40' acrylic painting that dominates an entire wall in one of the galleries. Much like the monstrous 'Spoliarium', 'Karnibal' has a lot of things going on it; depicting scenes from, where else, a carnival which are mere representations of the societal ills - well, according to one of my college classmates that we bumped into when we visited Pinto (Hi, Erin, again!).
 |
| Salingpusa's 'Karnabal' in all its (panoramic) glory (c) x-spotsaudiarabia.blogspot.com |
Passing through a simple opening in the wall, you'd be surprised that another gallery teeming with sculptures and painting awaits you. What I love about this part of the gallery is the inclusion of a wheelchair ramp to help our PWD brethren to enjoy the rest of the museum. One of my favorite pieces in this gallery is Hilario and Alonday's collab, "Sophia"because of its undertones pertaining to the religiosity of the Philippine society.
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| Hilario and Alonday's "Sophia" depicts a female Jehovah as a contrast to the more-known male god |
A walkway to the left leads you to a cafe and another villa-cum-gallery while the stairs will take you to a large mansion in a sea of grass that hosts private events. Looking for more art, we opted to search through the galleries to satiate our hunger. Again, we were never disappointed. Another room full of sculptures and painting welcomed us. And another. Basically, just when you thought that the surprises are over, Pinto will keep surprising you with more hallways and rooms filled with titillating and interesting works of art that will stimulate your mind.
 |
| Montemayor's 'Panalo!', a triptych showing the three disciplines of a triathlon. (c) Cayton |
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| Bulul are wooden sculptures that are believed to bring a good harvest season, hence they are placed in rice granaries to guard the harvest. (c) Cayton |
Pinto has one last surprise to calm that overwhelmed mind. Hidden at the end of corridor of the last villa is a man-made forest with dimmed lights and zen-like music which awesomely caps your visit in Pinto.
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| "Calm yo tits!" said the bamboo forest (c) biyaherongbarat.com |
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| Graaaaaand, man. (c) servantsofcharity.wordpress.com |
So if you have extra time and cash to spare, why not escape the stress of the Metro and head up to Pinto Art Museum. Feel the breeze. Absorb the art feels. You are definitely doing your artsy-fancy-fart-self a big favor for dropping by the place.
P.S. Most of the pictures in this post came from my good and spontaneous friend, Joey. Check out his album of our trip to see Pinto through his trusty lens, an iPad mini.
Until the next trip!
- Paulo
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| Yes, I am STILL a kid. (c) Cayton |
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Batulao: Through the Lens (and Photoshop)
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| What summer? |
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| The Three Mountaineers |
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| 4/10 |
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| Of Peaks and More Peaks |
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| Made it |
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| Picturesque peaks that pique your interest |
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| Down we go |
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Batu-WOW!
I know, I know. My blog post titles are becoming more and more...irksome, for lack of a better word.
After a dearth of trips since I got hired in a hospital as a staff nurse, I knew I have to grab every opportunity in a day-off and make every minute of it count. So after planning every detail of a day-hike, not even a sudden sixteen hour shift would deter me to climb a mountain the next day. Nope, it won't get in my way.
With barely three hours of sleep, my good friend (and still apartment-mate), Joey, and I found ourselves preparing to conquer Mount Batulao in Batangas. Because of its popularity to hikers, newbies and experienced alike, operators of Nasugbu-bound buses already know where to drop you off. But just in case your bus operator and conductor are not in the know-how, tell them to drop you off at Evercrest Hotel in Nasugbu, Batangas.
We went to the Pasay Terminal of DLTB and rode a Nasugbu-bound bus for 88 pesos *bring your student ID, people* where we caught up on our much-needed sleep during the almost-two-and-a-half-hour bus ride. Worth noting for coffee(shop)-lovers is that the bus passes along the Bag of Beans branch and the new Starbucks branch, which are both along the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road.
Once you get near the archway entrance to the town of Nasugbu, it's only a matter of minutes before the bus conductor calls out "Evercrest! O yung mga magba-Batulao dyan!" which is your hint to go down. You'd be surprised, as we were, that most of the passengers in the bus that have large hiking bags would alight at the same stop-over. From this stop-over, you have two options: (a) walk for around 45 minutes to reach the jump-off point which is FREE or (b) ride a tricycle to reach the jump-off point in around 15 minutes for 30 pesos per person. You can also rent your guide from this stopover who would charge you from 300 to 400 pesos, depending on the number of members of your hiking team. Ever since I got lost at Pico de Loro, I always have a knowledgeable guide with me during my hikes (and that includes you, Dena, my friend for our OPeak hike).
While waiting for Michi, a high school friend who would complete our trio for this day-hike, Joey and I contemplated about our choice of clothing because of the morning fog (see pictures below).
About twenty chilling minutes later, Michi arrived and we decided to take the faster route since we have to be back in Manila in time for Joey's half-PM duty. This proved to be a good decision especially if you're one of the early hikers of the day because you get to enjoy the cool morning breeze along the trail...and while there is 'still a trail' to trek on. More of that later.
Several minutes of walking along a rocky trail from the jump-off point, you will be welcomed by the beautiful landscape-cum-challenge ahead of you. The several peaks that you have to conquer are laid down before your eyes to be marveled upon and to inspire your inner spirit. The cool morning winds also help to invigorate your will to reach the summit. From there, the challenge begins.
Batulao has a total of 10 peaks, the tenth one serving as its summit. Keep your eyes peeled because some of the peaks have markers where you can take a picture to mark your progress, which we did of course being the camwhores that we are. Hahaha!
After Peak 4, you will come upon a house which - according to Pinoy Mountaineer - sells buko juice for 25 each. Sadly, this house and several stalls along the trail were closed because the day we hiked was the feast day of Saint Martin and most of the people who manage the stalls were in their own homes, preparing for the fiesta. Again, this proved to be an advantage for us and I'll tell you more about it later.
A few minutes of walking from this house will take you to the fork where you have the choice between trekking the New Trail or the Old Trail. Given our restricted schedule, we took the New Trail by taking the right-middle path which would take us along the peaks. This trail will take you up and down the peaks of Batulao which is a very breathtaking experience.
Upon reaching Peak 8, there is a campsite good for overnight hikers. Situated here is the registration center for the New Trail where you have to pay 30 pesos for environmental fees. From hereon, the trek became more difficult as the sun started to beat down on us. Even upon entering a forested area, the sparse vegetation provided too little shade from the heat. Remember the 'still a trail' I talked about earlier? Batulao's trails, especially during the dry summer months, are composed of loose sandy soil, so imagine doing assaults and taking the rear. Yep, you are literally eating dust. Not to mention it's dangerous because you might slip on loos soil when lifting yourself. So better use the guide ropes to assist you in these parts. Moreover, because of its increasing popularity to hikers, the remaining compact soil are eroded leaving more loose soils along the trails. Imagine our relief when we had to walk along the jagged sides of a peak where the trail was rocky and we were behind the cool shadow of the 'Peak of Deception' which is a challenging sidetrip for adrenaline junkies.
Few slides along the trail and innumerable inhaled dust particles later, we reached the summit! Being the precise-things-loving person that I am, I rushed the last assault to clock in exactly two hours for my Batulao hike. The view from the summit is just wonderful. And that is even an understatement! Our very good guide, Kuya Allan, pointed out the other peaks in Batangas which can be seen from up there: Pico de Loro, Maculot, and Talamitam (the latest being next on my list of mountains to hike).
Since it was Michi and I's birthday hike, we had a hearty lunch of canned tuna, crackers, and spaghetti (which later became tuna pasta once the crackers were gone). It was a simple celebration in such an extraordinary place. After taking in the view, we started our descent since the sun was already becoming more and more unforgiving even at an 'early' hour of 10 AM. The descent was faster although it was dustier because of the eroded trail as more and more hikers were making their way to the summit that morning. This only proves that hiking early was a good decision to make (take note of that).
As we were nearing the jump-off point and the residential area of the trail, we were welcomed by the warm greetings of the locals and their invitations to their homes as it was the feast day of their patron saint. Who are we to say no to these invitations (and free lunch, too! :))), right? If we only had the liberty of time to stay a bit longer to celebrate the feast day with the people (and agreed to dine with everyone who invited us into their homes, which was practically every house we passed), we would stay because it was so festive with every house booming with karaoke songs, party music, and happy conversations.
After a dearth of trips since I got hired in a hospital as a staff nurse, I knew I have to grab every opportunity in a day-off and make every minute of it count. So after planning every detail of a day-hike, not even a sudden sixteen hour shift would deter me to climb a mountain the next day. Nope, it won't get in my way.
With barely three hours of sleep, my good friend (and still apartment-mate), Joey, and I found ourselves preparing to conquer Mount Batulao in Batangas. Because of its popularity to hikers, newbies and experienced alike, operators of Nasugbu-bound buses already know where to drop you off. But just in case your bus operator and conductor are not in the know-how, tell them to drop you off at Evercrest Hotel in Nasugbu, Batangas.
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| No silly sixteen-hour shift can stop me from conquering you, love. (c) Cayton |
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| DLTB Pasay Bus Terminal is conveniently located beside the Gil Puyat (Buendia) Station of LRT Line 1. And they also have great air-conditioning for their buses. And 'electronic' ticketing system (because it's not entirely paperless)! (c) wikipedia.com |
Once you get near the archway entrance to the town of Nasugbu, it's only a matter of minutes before the bus conductor calls out "Evercrest! O yung mga magba-Batulao dyan!" which is your hint to go down. You'd be surprised, as we were, that most of the passengers in the bus that have large hiking bags would alight at the same stop-over. From this stop-over, you have two options: (a) walk for around 45 minutes to reach the jump-off point which is FREE or (b) ride a tricycle to reach the jump-off point in around 15 minutes for 30 pesos per person. You can also rent your guide from this stopover who would charge you from 300 to 400 pesos, depending on the number of members of your hiking team. Ever since I got lost at Pico de Loro, I always have a knowledgeable guide with me during my hikes (and that includes you, Dena, my friend for our OPeak hike).
While waiting for Michi, a high school friend who would complete our trio for this day-hike, Joey and I contemplated about our choice of clothing because of the morning fog (see pictures below).
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| Not shown: Really short hiking shorts and vigorous chilling (c) Cayton |
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| What summer? |
Several minutes of walking along a rocky trail from the jump-off point, you will be welcomed by the beautiful landscape-cum-challenge ahead of you. The several peaks that you have to conquer are laid down before your eyes to be marveled upon and to inspire your inner spirit. The cool morning winds also help to invigorate your will to reach the summit. From there, the challenge begins.
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| When the winds were cooler and we were stronger (before Peak 1). DAT PEAKS THOUGH! (c) Cayton |
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| Peak One, y'all! (c) Cayton |
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| Sadly, markers for Peaks 2 and 3 are gone so the next marker is at Peak 4. (My pictures literally pales in comparison to Joey's hahaha!) |
Having to walk along the peaks, both sides of the trail slope downward and are covered by tall grasses that appear willowy and 'graceful' when the winds rush through them. I'm literally out of words to describe them so I'll let the pictures do the talking.
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| *silence* THE HILLS ARE ALIIIIIIVE WITH THE SOOOOOUND OF MUUUUUUSIIIIC (c) ricaparelejo.ph |
A few minutes of walking from this house will take you to the fork where you have the choice between trekking the New Trail or the Old Trail. Given our restricted schedule, we took the New Trail by taking the right-middle path which would take us along the peaks. This trail will take you up and down the peaks of Batulao which is a very breathtaking experience.
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| Good thing, a stall was open for business! Although I didn't try their halo-halo, they said it tasted so much better up there. (c) Cayton |
Few slides along the trail and innumerable inhaled dust particles later, we reached the summit! Being the precise-things-loving person that I am, I rushed the last assault to clock in exactly two hours for my Batulao hike. The view from the summit is just wonderful. And that is even an understatement! Our very good guide, Kuya Allan, pointed out the other peaks in Batangas which can be seen from up there: Pico de Loro, Maculot, and Talamitam (the latest being next on my list of mountains to hike).
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| Happy faces at the summit! (c) Cayton |
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| Jeje pose for mah hommies! (c) Cayton |
Since it was Michi and I's birthday hike, we had a hearty lunch of canned tuna, crackers, and spaghetti (which later became tuna pasta once the crackers were gone). It was a simple celebration in such an extraordinary place. After taking in the view, we started our descent since the sun was already becoming more and more unforgiving even at an 'early' hour of 10 AM. The descent was faster although it was dustier because of the eroded trail as more and more hikers were making their way to the summit that morning. This only proves that hiking early was a good decision to make (take note of that).
As we were nearing the jump-off point and the residential area of the trail, we were welcomed by the warm greetings of the locals and their invitations to their homes as it was the feast day of their patron saint. Who are we to say no to these invitations (and free lunch, too! :))), right? If we only had the liberty of time to stay a bit longer to celebrate the feast day with the people (and agreed to dine with everyone who invited us into their homes, which was practically every house we passed), we would stay because it was so festive with every house booming with karaoke songs, party music, and happy conversations.
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Thanks Tita Lita for the food! People, buy fresh buko juice from her
for 30 pesos apiece! Definitely a must whenever you found yourself hiking Batulao.
(c) Cayton
An hour and forty-five minutes later (this included our hearty stop-over at Tita Lita's for lunch), we're back on the jump-off point. We took a tricycle back to the highway for 30 pesos per person. For those who want to clean up before catching a bus ride home, several houses right in front of the Evercrest entrance offer their homes (20 pesos for a bucket of water and free use of their restroom). Manila-bound buses for 88 pesos traverse the very same highway so you can just hitch a ride back to the Metro just by waiting, albeit under the blazing midday sun.
Batulao provides a unique hiking experience, as every mountain does for that matter, especially for beginners because of its easy but amazingly beautiful grassy trail and its numerous peaks - each a testimony of your strength as you push yourself towards the summit. The panoramic view from up the summit will also spur the hiker within you because other "dayhike-able" mountains are within sight - Pico de Loro, Talamitam, and Maculot. Now, Talamitam is on my list and a twin dayhike is in the (possible) works. Any takers? :D P.S. Again and again, check out Pinoy Mountaineer's take on Batulao for more hiking tips and itineraries. Until the next trip! - Paulo 
Honor and excellence at Batulao's Peak 10
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