Batangas, Laguna Getting Too Crowded and Dense?

Foto grabbed from Larry Honoridez' FB post

Explore the Masinag-Cogeo-Bosoboso, Antipolo-Baras-Tanay loop on the east side of Rizal. Someone coined it as Marilaque Road (for Manila-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon). My loop is a 100 km route that starts from Katipunan passing through Marcos Highway, goes up to Masinag, Cogeo, Bosoboso until the descent at the Sampaloc-Infanta, Daranak-Tanay junction. The road takes you gradually from the foot of the mountain to its ridge at a height of about 2,900 feet ASL and a return back to civilization at Morong and Baras Rizal. The ride over concrete road all the way (except for a 3 km gap) exposes you to greenery and bald mountain ridges. Noted landmarks are the Paenaan Camping Farm in Antipolo, Habitat for Humanity and Foremost Farm in Barangay Pinugay Baras, Manila Seedling Bank tree farm, Mt. Kanumay (also the Susong Dalaga), Rizal Provincial Drug Rehabilitation Center in Palayang Bayan, Barangay Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal, Sierra Madre Resort, Camp Mateo Capinpin on Barangay Sampaloc Tanay and Daranak Falls.
On a motored vehicle, you can cover the loop in 2 ½ hours, a full day on a pedaled bicycle. Completing the circuit, it makes me ask, why am I locked up in a crowded and densely populated city when there is this vast open space just an hour away. Need I answer?

Explore it by day to avoid the potential security dangers. From the account of columnist Mr. Neal Cruz www.inq7.net/opi/2003/dec/04/opi_nhcruz-1.htm a lot of violations in the area have been committed in developing the area. Not to mention the set up of reconnaissance military camp towards the Tanay side. Just take the necessary precautions. At times, one takes risks to get the most out of life. See you on the road!

-Chito
30 August 2004

Mesau’s Climb www.geocities.com/mesau1982/kanumay.htm

Life in Katipunan

Subject: Life in Katipunan
1997/06/19

My Katipunan used to be a quiet street that connects U.P to Aurora Blvd. Now it connects Bulacan to Laguna. It has become like an EDSA. Worse it is now EDSA with the LRT construction constricting travel in the major thoroughfare. Crossing the overpass that links Loyola Heights to Blue Ridge used to be a feast for the eyes. The Sierra Madre on the Marikina side steals the attention from the windshield.

On a clear day, Mt. Makiling in Laguna is also visible. We have now been denied this, censored by a high wall that almost says, "You are not entitled to this appreciation." Thank you to whomever initiated this project.

Katipunan-C-5's traffic is well managed by MMDA traffic aides, religiously. Even with the volume of vehicles, traffic flows. Innovations like counter flows, closing P. Tuazon crossings; no U-turns are regular occurrences. To a certain extent they yield faster flows. At least you know you'll get to Corinthian without much stress.

But what's irritating is:
When some big shots stop traffic, violate traffic flows using uniformed men in big motorcycles to push them upfront. Our poor MMDA aides just have to give in to their bullying, while we have to wait. When the pacing is too slow that a blind beggars queuing up for your window also builds up.
When the aides in rare occasions are not in their post unpredictably. Could it be it's their payday? Or some politicians used them for other purposes? Or they simply just gave up? I couldn't see the pattern.

Patient as we are, we just have to surrender to progress. Wait for the news trees planted at Ateneo to grow and provide the shade in future summers to come. And guess where C-5 will lead us at the Sta. Maria Della Strada end and at the White Plains end to ease the long stretch of bottleneck.

Bisperas

Bisperas ng bagong taon! 

Spot the moon 

Green View, Cool Weather, Full Blue Moon, Quiet Moments at Tirad Pass on the Eve of 2002

A mouthful for a title but that's how it was tracking the path of Tirad Pass on the last day of 2001. When the rains have watered the mountains at the 3rd and 4th quarter of the year, the flora shows off its lush greenery at this time of the year giving a refreshing green view. Also at this time of the year, the Siberian cold front from the North East blows its way to the island slamming at high altitude resources as the Cordilleras. You'll need your technical clothing and equipment to keep you warm.

The full moon shone brightly the whole evening, the second time on the same month. Weather bureau calls it the blue moon occurring once every two and a half years. You can read the ingredients of your favorite corned beef risotto under the naked sky without the aid of a flashlight.

This eve of the New Year is an unlikely time to expect a quiet moment. But not at Del Pilar according to the residents. New years are quiet. There was hardly any man-induced sound in this small town even on that day. True enough while camped at the ridge of less than 1,000 m ASL, there was no sound of chain saw, motorized two and four-wheel vehicles, explosions nor people talking. Not even dogs barking. Only the sounds of crickets and other unidentifiable insects and the wind gently sliding at the solid mountain creating a rustling sound with the leaves and twigs.

Deep in the night inside a secure tent in the company of friends, it sets you up to ask the important introspective question for the moment, "What's in store for me in 2002?" "No expectation," if you are in Manila. "Nothing drastic I hope," if you've been reading the papers and watching the late afternoon TV news coverage.

But in this setting in Tirad Pass, it counters all the apathy and cynicism of the city to prod "if deeply rooted in the earth, there's a lot still to live for." If only we can firmly imprint this always so we can also be hopeful of our future.

Before 9 PM Monday 31 December 2001, we were down in Manila after several interconnecting and adventurous bus and jeepney rides to welcome the New Year ready to face what's in store for us. Chito Razon with Jonnell Tan, Chris Platten, Gigi Rodriquez

Chito Razon 31 Dec 2001