A gift @ Mt. Pulag

The 5-day weather forecast is distracting as we prepare our Mt. Pulag weekend climb. Arriving in Benguet, we were reminded to get as much water protection as possible. “It’s raining cats and dogs up there almost every afternoon”. This perhaps is another challenging climb as the last time we climbed the mountain about 2 years ago.

Requested by our friend who’s going to bid goodbye to singlehood. Arrived weeks ago with her Aussie fiancé, we still pushed through with our plan.

Trailhead to the summit

I prepared my raincoat at the outer pocket of my backpack. Next to Ramon, our local guide, we started the long trek to the summit. I don’t have anymore rain protection other than my rain coat and my backpack’s raincover. Although previously informed of the weather condition, I chose to pack the lightest possible gear for the climb as I came from an intensive 10-day Advance Training Course of my beloved Scouting family at Mt. Makiling. Already exhausted serving as the trailblazer master for the participants’ anchor activity: the survival hike, I decided to use my 35L Jack Wolfskin’s lightpack. Tired and with little rain protection, I just crossed my fingers. “No rain, please....”

Started late and the annoying presence of late afternoon shower notices, notions constantly twiddled around my mind. I am not sure if I will ever catch Mt. Pulag’s sunset this time. And sunrise? Sana naman...meron.

We arrived at the campsite earlier than we expected. And there was not a single drizzle of shower extended to us by mother nature until we reached our destination. By night fall, it was a star studded night that I truly adored.

My colleagues prepared a feast: Seafood kare-kare, beef broccoli and iceberg beef salad. At 9 degrees and with chill factor temperature, we still enjoyed our dinner and a little cocktail celebration for the soon-to-be Mr. & Mrs. Maconahey.

Pulag’s sunrise

By 4am, we were up and begun our summit sunrise viewing. As I continuously stepped on the rocky ascending trail towards the summit, I remembered the exact feeling I had descending from them the last time I visited Pulag. All wet, with chills due to strong winds and the never ending rainshowers......the event seemed like madness. But here now, as I elevate my feet in every step I make going to the peak....... “My God, you will not let your child get disappointed this time”.

Thank you Lord for that wonderful morning. I felt I was the most blessed God’s child that time.

My Calaguas

A day after my birthday, relaxed and still enjoying the “slow down and chill out” idea of a celebration I again packed my stuff and head for another adventure....Calaguas.


At around 8:00pm Friday, when I usually end my day and retire, I instead went out with my stuff and catch the not so late bus ride to Camarines Norte.


It was my first ever trip to the region. I wanted to see what the countryside looks like but I could only see darkness from the pane of the bus’ glass window. I just closed my eyes and took a nap instead. By day break, as the sun slowly shed light, after almost eight hours of travel I looked out and checked: finally-- Daet.





















Not knowing where exactly I was, I jumped out of the bus and just took a tricycle. “Padi, sa pandawan ng Vinzons”, the driver nodded and went at once. Just as we are arriving at the port (pandawan), one boat is about to undock. “Sandali, padi! Sasakay ako” And as soon as I hopped in the boat, I asked everyone: where are my friends? With no answer heard, somebody asked me instead: “saan ka punta?” “Mahabang buhangin, padi”. Ay, mali ka! Banocboc ito, sa pistahan” “ho?!, ay bababa po ako!” as I jumped out of the boat somebody shouted: “ sa Minaogan ka, padi. Dali, aalis na ang bangka don!”


Few but long leaps away from the pandawan, I already found myself at the side of the road waving for a passing tricycle and very swiftly, with my backpack still hoisted on my shoulder, I jumped at the backrider’s seat and said: “pasakay lang padi, nagmamadali ako.” Seconds after, I touched down Minaogan and saw my friends as the skipper removes the rope of the banca from the dock. Whoah......I did it exactly on time!!!!!


Two hours of banca ride and finally we reached Calaguas. A remote, unspoiled dwell where water is as blue as the clear skies and the sand....almost as fine as talc. Truly indescribable in words, to better understand it.....one should really see it. Any word to depict the place, I guess is an understatement.

The Road To Tayak (as published March 2006)

Background

Mt. Tayak is located at Sitio Sto. Nino, Brgy. Tala, Rizal, Laguna. It stands EL. 687 m lies along the Northwestern foot of Mt. San Cristobal. It has an approximate area of 2.5 ha with steep slope of 20 to 35 degrees. On its North is Brgy Tala, Rizal, Laguna; South is Mt. San Cristobal; East is Brgy Taytay-Malaya, Nagcarlan, Laguna West is Brgy. Sta Elena, San Pablo City.



How to get there

Sitio Sto Nino to this date is the best possible access going to Mt. Tayak (there also exists Brgy San Diego route approx. 10 km). You can reach Sitio Sto. Nino by foot via Brgy. Tala, Rizal, Laguna route with approximate distance of eight (8) km and with rather gentle slope of 3 to 8 degrees. Upon reaching Sitio Sto. Nino, the slope of highland Mt. Tayak is 20 to 35degrees steep going to its summit.



How Mt. Tayak got its name?

Local people call it “parang”, a general term for wilderness. People from neighboring town Nagcarlan call it “tilos” due to its pointed shape. San Pablenos and numerous mountaineering communities however call it Mt. Tayak, named after a local vigilante popularly called “Bueno Tayak” who set foot and hid along the area after authorities hunt him for several alleged misdemeanors during the 1960s - 70s.
The municipality of Rizal which holds the location of Mt. Tayak is approximately 70 km southeast of Manila. Transportation going to Rizal is served by South Expressway going to San Pablo City. Rizal is situated along the National Highway that connects San Pablo City and the municipality of Nagcarlan.


Prior Development Issues

Mt. Tayak is a private land owned by the heirs of Jose Lucido where the whole area consists mainly of grassland. It used to be a pasture land managed by the owners themselves. Like all other lands on the upland areas, Mt. Tayak was thought to be unsuitable for farming partly because soil erosion starts to become excessive when land above 18 degrees slopes are cultivated. Due to strong winds, forest trees also cannot be grown on the entire area.

Decades ago, the owners ceased to utilize the area. No one among their children or grand children manifested interest on the said land. The area remains idle since then and up to these present times. Upland farmers also regard Mt. Tayak as worthless for land cultivation. However, few people appreciate the area as haven for those seeking solitude and tranquility. It is a place conducive for meditation and a respite from the hustles of the metropolis.


Present Condition of the Area

Like all other popular mountains around Philippines, the advent of outdoor recreational sports as mountaineering paved the way in the introduction of Mt. Tayak to outdoor enthusiasts. Several years ago, Mt. Tayak was noticed by some mountaineers passing-by coming to and from Mt. San Cristobal. Although the difficulty level of climbing Mt. Tayak is way, way short and easy compared to other popular mountain destinations, It was then regarded as a suited venue that can cater mountaineers, backpackers, hikers or our own boyscouts, even novices and non-mountaineers and just plain nature trippers.

Recent closure of Mt Banahaw to public visitation gave even more awareness of Mt. Tayak to be an alternative destination along the Laguna-Quezon area. These slowly lead the introduction of Mt. Tayak to people coming from different places. Its proximity to Manila and accessibility to public transportation makes it more inviting to visit.

view more pictures : monteza.multiply.com

Tales of our Anawangin weekend

Aug 2-3, 2008

Ang Mahiwagang Alhambra

Hindi na ako nagsisigarilyo. Ayoko nang sunugin ang baga ko habang sinusunog ko din ang perang pinaghirapan ko (Kung libre siguro, pwede pa! He he he he). Habang nagbibilihan ang mga kasama ko sa X-odus sari-sari store sa San Marcelino, wala akong maisipang bilhin kaya napagdiskitahan ko ang isang paketeng tabako na nakalagay sa sulok malapit sa mga posporo gitara. “Magkano to?” Tanong ko sa cashier......” eight peso po.....” Talaga!!? Uuuuuuy.....at sa 30 pcs na laman ng isang kaha....panalo to!!!!!!

Binuksan ko agad, kumuha ng isa at nakisindi kay manong. Wow!!!! brown ang kulay niya! Parang cigarillo de mexico. Galeng, galeng......ayos ang laruan ko! Habang hithit-buga kong ine-enjoy ang Alhambra........bulalas ko sa lahat......”ilabas ang mga alipin at pasayawin sa harap ko!!! Ha ha ha ha ha...... mala-hari ang dating ng drama pag nagsisigarilyo ng Alhambra. Super galeng ng bago kong laruan!!

“Companero.....meyameya lang ay pede na nating pag-usapan ang atin na mga negosyo, ehhhh....? At patango-tango pang kinakausap ang kasama kong si Deng.
Nakarating na kami sa beach at matapos makapag-ayos ng lahat ng kailangan.....wala nang magawa kundi magkwentuhan. Umentra na naman si Alhambra..........dyaran!!!!! Si Eric, bumili din pala???!! Hala...supsop ng tabako at para maging mayaman din kayo kahit drama lang lahat ng ito!!!! Ha ha ha ha ha...... “Uuuuuy kunan mo naman ako ng larawan...trip lang habang hinihit-hit ko tong Alhambra” Malay pa niya kung ano ito sa larawan, di ba? Me makapagsasabi ba na otso pesos lang ang halaga ng isang kaha? Wala...!!!!! So ayan.....pwede mo na ako kunan.........yehey!!!!









Alon

Wag kang aalon, wag kang aalon, pero pedeng umulan...."Nagpapasikat ba kayo bat di kayo sumabay sa AM...i" hihihihi. . .

Pagsalpok ng ikalawang alon, ayun! puno na ng tubig ang banka! abandoned ship were sinking! nyahaha si bulet panic mode! hano ka ba, ayan lang ang pangpang!!! hihihihihi.. .so lipat sa isang banka, "pag sabi kong sakay, sakay kayo lahat ha!" sigaw ni koya.

Di pa sya sumisigaw nakasakay na kami lahat mapwera kay bulet and eric anong ginagawa nyo dyan sa tubig? hihiii

Akala ko buo ang loob ni koya, nun nasa laot na kami bigla syang kumapit sa balikat ko at bumubulong "ayan na ang ga simbahang alon!" hahaha teka koya, kelangan na bang umakayat ng itlog ko sa leeg? hehehe

Ibang klaseng bangkaan experince yun man! mala perfect storm. Kakanta sana ako ng iisang banka kaso baka ma challenge yun alon. . Salamat lang talaga kay Jah at ala namang nangyaring masama except very late lunch sa gapo, parang mga sabik sa pag kain! hehe tiran nyo kami ng buto at isisigang ko pa yan! hahahaa..

(Salamat kay Deng)

Mt. Mabilog Climb Account

Umakyat ako ng Mabilog last weekend. Nabalitaan ko po kasi na may aakyat daw na mga mountaineers doon kaya immediately gumawa ako ng sariling plano para umakyat din. Manila-based guests ang balak umakyat: 40 pax, diumano. Claim ng advertisement ng ilang members nila na "bagong lugar". Open climb pala iyon para sa mga gusto ng bagong lugar.
Pumunta po ako doon para i-welcome ang mga bisita. Sinabi ko na hindi naman bago ang lugar, hindi lang kami conscious na magugustuhan nila dahil mababa lang ito (428m asl). Pangatlo na sila sa naging bisita namin doon ngayong 2008. May 360 deg view din naman ang Mt. Mabilog. Dahil nagustuhan nila ang lugar..... pwede namang puntahan ulit ito ng kahit sino. Pakiusap lang na panatilihin ang lugar kagaya ng pagkakita nila dito.

Madalas ang ulan ng mga nakaraang araw bago mag-climb. Maputik ang daan. Late na kami (with some locals) umakyat dahil wala naman kaming partikular na gagawin sa summit kung maaga kami. Pag dating namin sa summit, wala pa kahit isang bisita. 5pm na ng hapon. Pumili na kami ng lugar ng mga tents namin. Hindi kami makapili ng magandang lugar. Mahirap pumili ng lugar kapag sobrang laki ng campsite (halos 1 hectare). Pumili na lang kami ng tabi since may advance information nga po ako na madami ang mga bisita. Pagkatapos naming mag tayo ng mga tents, 5:30 siguro...dumating na ang mga bisita. 40 katao nga! Kasama ang 2 kabayo, dala ang mga water containers, cooking gadgets at mga tents na provided lahat ng outdoor addicts.

Matapos makapag-settle ng mga tao sa campsite, sinimulan na iprepare ang dinner. Nauna na kaming kumain since nakapagluto na kami ng mas maaga. Around 8pm ang socials. Dala namin ang 1 putaheng tilapia na pinahuli namin sa lake Yambo at 3 boteng gran matador na inilaan namin para sana sa sariling socials namin. Maganda ang panahon. Napagbigyan ang mga bisita ng payapa at maaliwalas na gabi para makapagsaya. Hindi na namin tinapos ang socials. Natulog na kami ng mga kasama ko nauna sa mga bisita. Alas dos daw natapos ang socials.

Kinabukasan, mas maaga din kaming nagising at nagluto ng breakfast. Dahil maaga kaming nakapagligpit, nagpaalam na din kaming mauna na sa pagbaba. May plano pa ang mga bisita na mag-swimming sa lake Yambo. Hindi ko alam kung may plano pang sumama ang mga kasama ko. Habang bumababa kami, madami kaming nakuhang mga bunga ng niyog. Bago pa kami makarating sa ibaba ay may 50 pcs na niyog ang dala namin. Ipinagbili ng kasama ko ang mga niyog sa pinakaunang pamilihan na nadaanan namin. Sa pamilihan, nagkaayaan na ubusin pa ang mga natira naming pagkain habang inumpisahang inumin ang 1 boteng gran matador na natira kagabi sa socials. Mukhang doon na din uubusin ang perang napagbilhan ng mga niyog. Iyon na siguro ang plano ng grupo ko. Bago pa maubos ang pinasasaluhang inumin, umuna na ako at nagpaalam sa kanila.

Habang papalayo, naisip ko ang iba pang bisita. Mahaba pang kasiyahan ang naghihintay sa kanila sa lake. Welcome din sila sa kubo namin sa tabi ng lawa. Pwede pa rin sila tumigil ng isang gabi sa lake campsite na ginawa namin kung gugustuhin nila. Meron ding balsa na pwedeng gamitin. Habang nagsasaing at nag-iihaw ng sariwang tilapia sa mismong balsa, pwede ring dumako sa gitna ng lawa para doon kumain. Sariwang isda, bagong pitas na buko, sariwang saging at mainit na kanin sa balsa. Sana magustuhan nila.

Jojo:09179488362

Ho Chi Minh Culinary Tour

Years ago, I noticed this Pho bac Vietnamese restaurant at Festival Mall Alabang. Remote to my taste pallete still I decided to try eating at the said restaurant. Their pho (noodles soup), cha gio (spring rolls) dipped in nuoc mam (sweet chili fish sauce) was mild, smooth and light which became my instant favorite. I told my wife then and asked her to try it too. And she agreed and gave me two thumbs up.

After our Singapore trip, I told my wife to get ready to taste more of viet food because we are coming over for a real culinary trip to Ho Chi Minh City May 2008 to celebrate my birthday. And we did!

One whole week of vietamese cooking experience. Traditional and modern preparation as one could easily find in the streets of Ly tu trong and Le thanh ton, food stalls inside and around Ben Thanh Market and basically all streets of HCMC. Very interesting to see those native food carriers at the side streets where everybody, local and foreign tourists alike enjoys eating. Delicious Pho ga (chicken noodles) and com ga (rice chicken) is everywhere. Goi cuon ( rice paper rolls with herbs, cucumber, pork, shrimp, lettuce) with peanut sauce is amazing. And yes, those tiny stools and tables set-up at most street corners were a great “free-and –easy, watch-the-world-go-by” late afternoon trip. Was really one heck of good experience! Quan An Ngon is unforgettable. There, I got to taste heaven in banh tom ho tay (shrimp cake)! Fresh coconut is available all over. And prawns..............yes prawns ( tom hap dua-tiger prawns in coco milk) are just as exciting!

I would not have a second thought of coming back to Vietnam to do it again. It just feels wonderful! dac biet!

Our own San Isidro feast

Early hour of May 15, 2008, while having breakfast with my wife at our P. Burgos residence I heard knocks on our front door------it’s "aling talia" (Natalia) saying “ihahanda na namin ang kubol”
( it’s time to prepare the altar).

Oh yes, it’s time! Our one-day San Isidro (St Isidore) celebration has to begin.

So I opened the gate of our garage as children and neighbours eagerly waits to make native “pahiyas” (decors) bringing “palaspas” (young coconut leaves) to adorn the improvised altar of San Isidro. As everyone twists, curls, cut “suman-like” shaped coco leaves and cut banana trunk to pick some fresh flowers taken from neighbors’ gardens and where else but from the municipal cemetery and central elementary school located just adjacent to our place. In about an hour, the kubol is ready so my wife and I (the annual host of the celebration) prepared snacks for everyone. This year it's chilled almond jelly with raisins and pinipig and lots of “jacobinas and paboritas” bought at a local bakery.

After the kubol, it’s also time to set up the “tungko and tulyasi” (big wok) at the side of the street. Bedside the tungko is a table for all the ingredients, some chopping board and kitchen knives to be used in the preparation of this year’s handa: 10 kilos of macaroni shells for sopas and its traditional ingredients: chicken, hibe (dried shrimps), cabbage, potatoes, carrots, milk, some peppers and patis (fish sauce). Meanwhile, back at our house, some of our neighbours are busy preparing another set of food for the afternoon’s handaan: 4 kilos of native sticky rice with beans, corn, tapioca and coconut milk. We call it “tutong”. Another traditional delight is the suman to be served for the elders after the prayers.

As everyboy enjoys preparing, three of our neighbours help me set up another highlight of the celebration: the “hampas palayok” (hit-the-pot) traditional Filipino game. Rope ends were tied at the electrical post infront of our house and the other at the handrail of our veranda. I asked kids to buy 6 pieces of palayok at our palengke (market). Later, the palayoks will then be filled with coins, candies and some flour to have it ready for the game.

Weeks before the celebration, my wife and I have to prepare for the main highlight of the annual feast: “The paagaw”. Several thousand peso worth of coins and a few thousand peso worth of twenty peso bills. Aside from money, we also prepared goodies like old toys, clothes and old personal collections (rag dolls, bags, jackets) we already decided to give-away. For the past three years, my wife’s stuffed toys collection was the special treat for everyone. This year is my baseball cap collection that I finally opted to give in the name fun and sharing. Understanding the joy of the celebration, our relatives residing outside the country contributes goodies by sending us balikbayan boxes once in a while.

Interesting idea we devised to include bills in the “paagaw”. We placed a folded bill inside a knotted plastic (small icecandy-size). Then put the knotted plastic (with a bill) into a bigger plastic filled with water then sealed again with a knot. These are one of the several special treats for the paagaw. The effect of the water filled plastic when thrown is to break on impact leaving the catcher wet but not assured if he gets the bill inside (lol). It’s so interesting that everyone seems to like it and love to get wet. It’s summertime, remember. And getting wet is very refreshing.

At about three o’clock in the afternoon, the neighbourhood elders then begin prayers for San Isidro. “Dalit” and songs for the patron saint were then delivered. It is interesting to note that some young adults and kids are showing interest in learning the prayers reciting the dalit and songs together with the elders. Good thing though that the interest will then be transferred to the next generation to continue this simple tradition.

Next to prayers and adoration is the much awaited "handaan". After some “paputok” or firecrackers prepared by a neighbour who happened to be celebrating his birthday, both the sopas and sticky rice kakanin is served. First, to the elders, then to everyone in the area. So if you happened to pass by at our neighbourhood around the time of our handaan...you will be delighted that everyone would accommodate you and care to give you food.

After about 30 minutes of handaan, more paputoks will then be fired to signal the start of the “hampas-palayok”. The first palayok will then be readied.

We prepared 6 palayoks in different categories: we have 2 palayok for senior citizen (for lolos and lolas), 2 palayoks for Adults (for tatay and nanays including dalagas and binatas) and the remaining 2 for kids (inengs and utoys). The game hampas-palayok merges with the paagaw highlight. The cue to start the paagaw is when somebody hits the palayok. The fun and excitement is indescribable when someone is about to hit the pot (Imagine the yells and shouts and what not!) This year’s prizes for the lucky palayok hitters are: Stanley cooler, bath and body works toiletries, Kipling travel pouch, Paul Mitchell Shampoo and Conditioner, a battery operated toothbrush, and John Parker body spray plus fifty pesos more for each of them. All senior citizens who joined the game were given additional metal key chain which my wife bought from our last trip to Singapore.

At the verge of fun on the paagaw, interesting to see that our neighbours also prepared water filled plastics (though empty of twenty pesos bill!) that were also thrown while everyone is crazy scrambling for the paagaw. Water is thrown from all directions too, using planggana and plastic balde from someone elses’s bathroom. I let my nephew take charge of the water hose being pointed at the crowd while we were throwing goodies from our veranda. It was really a blast!

The celebration ends around 6:00 pm. After which, very noticeably you can immediately expect everyone to clean the area while the Patron San Isidro will be staying with us for the rest of night. Early hour next day, we will be bringing the patron back to our barangay chapel and thank him for another year of joyful celebration.