Mountain Range in Anilao Mabini (Mt. Panay. Gulugod Baboy)

Mt. Panay (Gulugod Baboy)

Mountain Range in Anilao Mabini

View from the top first climbed with Ching I-Wang

Gulugod Baboy in Anilao, Mabini is like a mini-mountain range sitting in the coastline of the popular resorts in this place. The range is to a certain extent like the Batangas mountains of Maculot and Talamitan, connecting ridges, forested in some portions and flat and grazing grass at the top.(It may also be referred to as Mt. Panay.)

It is a 2-3 hour easy trek to the peak of 495 M ASL from the bridge that connnects Barangay San Jose to the next Barangay Ligaya.

Summit gives you a 360 degree view of the province of Batangas:

At the West side, Nasugbu, Balayan, Balayan Bay, Calaca Plant, Lemery, Ligpo Point, Mt. Batulao.  You can see up North Maculot, Taal Lake, Mt. Malipunyo and partially Mt. Makiling. Somewhere at the South/ East are Gumaca Plant, Quezon National Park mountain range, Mt. Banoy and Mt. Lobo. Immediately in front is Maricaban Island. Far South is Mt. Talipanan of Puerto Galera and the imposing Mt. Halcon.

Campsite can accommodate hundreds of tents. The open space is very windy ideal for tunnel type and stable tents and wind jackets. At this time of the year, temperature in the afternoon is cold at 24 degrees C without the wind factor.

End your trek with a swim at the Balayan Bay, famous for windsurfing, snorkeling and diving.

A mountaineer friendly resort is Seahouse in Barangay San Jose, in front of house no. 078 (Pager 1277-88478). Rhoda and BJ can orient you on various other mountain ranges within the vicinity and guide you of course on their expertise: sea kayak, boardsail, diving, snorkeling. Owners are in their twenties managing their professions in Manila and maintaining a resort on the side. Here you can get assess to the national board sailing champions like Richard Paz and other members of the national team who are residents of the town.

Wilderness Ethics:

1. Prepare well. 2. Respect local practices. 3. Be conscious of your impact on the wilderness. 4. Camp well. 5. Carry down all garbage. 6. Practice healthy sanitation. 7. No chemicals on the river for washing yourself and dishes. 8. No fires. 9. No smoking. 10. Respect space of others. 11. Be involved.

Take nothing but pictures.  Kill nothing but time.  Leave nothing but footprints.

Itinerary Proper:

13 December Sunday Morning

13 December Sunday Afternoon

3:30 am-assemble at BLTB Pasay. 5:00 am-leave for Anilao 6:30 am-arrive at Tagaytay 7:30 am-arrive at Anilao, Mabini public market 8:15 am-arrive at Seahouse, Barangay San Jose 9:00 am-start trek towards Gulugod Baboy 9:30 am-reach Bridge to mark jump-off point 11:15 am-reach top of the mountain range 11:45 am-reach potential campsite at 475 M ASL 12:15 am-reach True Peak at 495 M ASL 12:30 am-lunch at hut

1:00 pm-start descend 1:45 pm-reach Bridge 2:00 pm-reach next Barangay for Lomi 3:00 pm hitch back to Seahouse 3:15 pm-reach Seahouse up to 8:00 pm-swim, kayak, eat, sleep, kwento, shower 8:00 pm-leave for Tagaytay 10:00pm-reach Chowking Tagaytay 11:30 pm-reach Skyway, EDSA

Requirements:

__Backpack __3 Liters Water __Packed lunch __Dinner __Breakfast __Tent __Sleeping Bag __Whistle __Earthpad

__Garbage Bags __Transpo Money __Camera/ Film __Flashlight __Batteries/ Bulb __Extra Shirts/ Pants __Eating Utensils __Lantern/ Refill __Jacket

__Rain gear __Slippers __First Aid __Gloves __Basic Toiletries __Toilet Paper __Cookset/ Stove __Personal Medicine __Matches/ Lighter

Tent Assignments:

Other Assignments:

Cooksets:

To go to Barangay San Jose, Anilao Mabini:

• Take SLEX via Lipa and turn right to Mabini before reaching Batangas City. You may also reach Mabini via Cuenca, base of Mt. Maculot.
• Take SLEX via Sta. Rosa, Tagaytay.  Turn right to Lemery, Taal, Mabini.
• On public, take a bus to Batangas, take a jeep going to Mabini.  Get off at Barangay San Jose.

Waypoint              Coordinates                          Elevation (m)       Time       Notes

Gulugod	27º27.15	N	495	16:39:10	Shoulder
	151º80.98	E
Gulugod	27º27.11	N	499	17:03:56	Peak
	151º80.82	E
LMK 003	27º18.96	N		12:09:38
	151º77.79	E
LMK 004	27º18.92	N		12:09:43	Barangay Ligaya
	151º77.73	E
Lig 2	27º17.09	N		12:12:53	Lunch
	151º74.99	E

Start of Trek at Barangay Ligaya: 27º18.92N/ 151º77.73E

Shoulder/ Campsite: 27º27.15N/ 151º80.98E.  Altitude: 495 M ASL

Peak: 27º27.11N/ 151º80.82E.  Altitude:  499 M ASL

13 December 1998

Mt. Banahaw via Tayabas 1996. One of my most memorable climbs attributed to the purity of the water and the company

Mt. Banahaw via Tayabas PALMC Induction Climb

30 November - 2 December 1996

Jump-off point is at Nawawalang Paraiso, a resort at the foot of Mt. Banahaw, Tayabas Side. Travel time is 2 1/2 to 3 hours from the Tritran Bus Terminal in EDSA/ Kamias via Lucena. From Lucena, take a jeepney for 30 minutes that leads to Tayabas. Modest trek from the jump-off point to Camp 1 that takes about 2 hours. Water source is everywhere, at the river along the trail and at the campsite. Camp 1 can accommodate hundreds of tents. But beware of limatics. Trek to Camp 2 is difficult requiring at last 6 hours of continuous trek. Camp 2 can accommodate only about 8 regular tents. Camp 2 is right above a terrific waterfalls. Trek from Camp 2 to the peak is another 4 hours of un-established trail. Starting elevation is 325 meters, Camp 1 is 615 meters, 1,600 + at Camp 2.  Peak is 2,177 meters.

Wilderness Ethics:

1. Prepare well. 2. Respect local practices. 3. Be conscious of your impact on the wilderness. 4. Camp well. 5. Carry down all garbage. 6. Practice healthy sanitation. 7. No chemicals on the river for washing yourself and dishes. 8. No fires. 9. No smoking. 10. Respect space of others. 11. Be involved.

Take nothing but pictures. Kill nothing but time. Leave nothing but footprints.

Itinerary Proper:

30 November Saturday	1 December Sunday
7:30 am-assemble at Tritran KAmias. 8:45 am-leave for Lucena 11:30 am-arrive at Lucena 11:45 am-leave Lucena for Tayabas 12:30 pm-arrive at Nawawalang Paraiso 1:45 pm-lunch 2:30 pm-leave for Camp 1 4:30 pm-arrive at Camp 1.   set-up camp 5:30 pm-prepare for dinner 6:45 pm-dinner 7:30 pm-socials 12:30 am-lights  out, rain in	6:30 am-wake up call 7:30 am-prepare for breakfast 8:30 am-breakfast.  prepare for lunch 9:30 am-break camp.  clean up 10:00 am-ascend for camp 2 12:30 pm-lunch at river 2:30 pm-break up lunch set-up 3:00 pm-continue ascend to Camp 2 4:30 pm-arrive at campsite 5:30 pm-prepare dinner 6:30 pm-retire.  socials

2 December Monday
6:00 am-wake up call 7:00 am-induction 8:00 am-breakfast 9:30 am-break camp.  prepare lunch 10:00 am-descend 12:30 pm-lunch 1:15 pm-restart trek 3:15 pm-arrive at Camp 1 4:10 pm-arrive at Nawawalang Paraiso	3:00 pm-socials at Paraiso 5:30 pm-shower 6:30 pm-leave Paraiso 6:45 pm-socials 8:00 pm-leave Paraiso 8:45 pm-reach Lucena 9:30 pm-leave for Manila 12:30 am-arrive Manila

TIME	TEMP	ALT	TIME	TEMP	ALT	TIME	TEMP	ALT
2:39pm 2:45 3:00 3:15 3:30 3:45 4:00 4:15 4:30 4:45 5:00 5:15	25.7º C 22.7 23.5 24.9 24.6 23.7 22.7 22.6 20.5 19.7 19.7 20.6	325 m 360 415 450 480 525 550 595 650 630 630 625	5:30pm 5:45 6:00 6:15 6:30 6:45 7:00 7:15 7:30 7:45 8:00	20.2ºC 19.6 20.0 20.9 20.3 20.2 19.9 20.0 20.1 19.5 1935	635 m 625 620 625 620 620 620 615 615 615 610	8:15pm 8:30 8:45 9:00 9:15 9:30 9:45 10:00 10:15 10:30	19.4º C 20.0 20.3 20.4 19.7 21.3 20.7 20.9 21.1 21.1	615 m 615 615 615 615 610 610 610 610 610

Personal Equipment Requirements:

__Backpack __3 Liters Water __2 Dinner __2 Breakfast __Tent __Sleeping Bag __Whistle __Earthpad

__Garbage Bags __Transpo Money __Camera/ Film __Flashlight __Batteries/ Bulb __Extra Shirts/ Pants __Eating Utensils __Jacket

__Rain gear __Slippers __First Aid __Basic Toiletries __Toilet Paper __Personal Medicine __Matches/ Lighter

Tent Assignments: Photo Coverage:

Lantern: Scribe:

Cooksets: Stoves:

Banahaw Through Tayabas Climb

What drives people to confirm to a Banahaw climb via Tayabas only at the last moment? They say it’s a tough climb-only for the true mayabang and the macho. It’s led by Lex Gerald, that should give you an idea of what the socials are like. Lots of booze if provided and lots of third degree probing.

No one is in shape in this Christmas month. Series of parties and drinking by a number of people I know. The unpredictable, rainy, stormy season. Not too inviting for a place known for limatics.

And who’s the T.L.? Vincent, notorious for the association with climbs that never make it to the peak-Halfcon, Guiting-guiting, Ugu, Sembrano (no waterfalls).

A 3-day climb that can extend to Tuesday just in case descending needs more time. And it comes right after a long APEC holiday. There goes another sick leave.

We don’t even know the inductees-Juliet Gonzales, Rhoda Ramos, Mitch Soria, Darwin Farin. Except for Darwin, their sponsors abandoned them all.

But what they didn’t say were:

Banahaw is a fantastic place. Dark hovering clouds, cool winds, clean waters, big trees, hypnotic waterfalls and refreshing rain guided us all the way to the top and down. Banahaw is both mythical and mystical-thanks to the stories of Pastor, Barry, Vincent and Lex. Banahaw guided us through a safe journey, from down to up and down.

The company is great. Lex as always is helpful and friendly to all. A mellowed version according to Pastor and according to Lex’s own admission.

• Vincent was himself. No hang-ups, no calling attention. Simply the real Vincent who wants to relate to people.
• Barry as always was industrious, accommodating and not a burden. Most especially to . . . those who needed help.
• Mayan was there for us and for whom? Perhaps for all of us even if she didn’t bring anything except her wallet. That is important.
• Juliet wanted to get pregnant and didn’t get it. Banahaw did not allow. But she was strong enough to make it through. Stronger was Rhoda - helpful in cooking and in entertaining our E.L. And in providing light moments with us.
• Manolet provided strength - to the leader and to himself. But strong men retire early.
• Amard provided silence. Only to be talkative to Mayan at the Nawawalang Paraiso bar. Some precious lines - ”pagod na ako, mauna ka na!”
• Darwin was always with Lex. Couldn’t read whether he was enjoying or complaining. At times too loud and noisy and sometimes so quiet.
• Mitch is the inductee’s champion. Carried all the stuff, lots of food and water, cooked for all, cleaned for all and joked for all. Revealed several female personalities who are madaldal, mabait, masipag, maunderstanding. magaling kumanta.
• Joel is a new friend. A champion rock climber who doesn’t even know why he is in the company of non-performers. Eventually Banahaw gave him the answer. Through his medium Pastor and San Miguel Beer.

And as for me, it is enough that I make a small contribution, appreciate the company and nature. Thank you E.L. for the climb and the inspiring prayer. Everything you asked for in the prayer for you and for us were granted.

Banahaw gave us a feeling of Christmas. But it felts like it was taken away when we arrived back at the city. Banahaw will make it come back. Longer . . .  Merry Christmas!

Humility, One important virtue of a true mountaineer

My compilation of  emails on the 1998 Guiting Guiting climb.  Humility cited by Rey D.

Fortitude

Texture of elements in a tropical island South of Luzon

Grass > Flower > Curtain
Forest Cover > Mangrove > Hill

A tropical island is exposed to the elements of earth, wind, water and fire. As such, its surfaces have variety. 

Sand > Stone > Wood
Sea > Leaves > Nipa

Tinagas possesses several types of visual surfaces: hard surface formed by rocks, ground grown with grass, ornamental plants and tertiary trees, soil washed away by the incessant flow of sea water, sand mixed with corrals, river system lined up with mangroves, naturals mixed with man-made substances as plastic and cement.

Volcanic Rock > Laing and Kinilaw > Well
Bato > Laing at Kinilaw > Balon

From an aesthetic perspective, surfaces are described as texture. Texture is defined as the visual or tactile surface characteristics and appearance of something. Texture defines the character of the place.

Lynda Lehmann, an artist, photographer and a nature lover says "Texture is the most enduring and ubiquitous (widespread) underpinning of form ...certainly a calming, meditative and appealing world for both the eye and mind."

Fly in Heat > Sand > Rock

In my roaming around the Tinagas island of Barangay Vinzons, town of Daet province of Camarines Norte in the region of Bicol, I documented a number.

Some are common with lowlands, some unique to the island and others endemic to the region. See if you can identify and associate some with your experiences. Check your emotional reaction if its texture is calming, meditative, appealing or agitating.

Chito Razon 4 May 2014

Spirit of an Island in South Luzon

View from the top accessed from the back leading to the Barrio.
Leads provided by Mang Manny Austria of MA Camp

One bus ride, one tricycle ride, one boat ride in 12 hours from Metro Manila lead you to hills similar to the Naidi Hill of Batanes. The difference is in the magnitude of scale. The span in Barrio Mangkawayan in Vinzons Camarines Norte can sufficiently trigger a similar awe in this place  popularly identified as Calaguas.

1st level saddle from the North side of the beachfront

At the beachfront, you are blinded by the pearl white sand deflecting more heat in the air making daytime summer hotter.

Unspoilt but development is rapidly progressing. A number of cottages built out of nipa and wood are already powered by electricity through small gensets which just years ago was unheard of. A few have tapped solar energy for supply. Cellphone signals of other providers are intermittent if not non-existent. Eco system is threatened by lack of waste and garbage disposal program.

Three operators of the outrigger boat (banca)
for the 1.5 hour ride back to Vinzons

Where lies the spirit of the island is not at the beachfront but in the community at the foot of the hills, about 15 minute walk from the shoreline.

Halo halo at Barrio Mangkawayan. About 15 minutes
from Mahabang Buhangin

The Artadis of San Juan and Hilongos 

This is where families live, make a living through fishing and operating outrigger boats day in day out so they can eat and sleep and send their children to school. Education is valued that  students cross islands to complete their degree: elementary at Mangkawayan, high school at Paracale and college in either Daet, Naga, Legaspi or Manila.

This observation alone is more than enough for me to appreciate the place Vinzons. I was grateful for the formal education that I received and have been continuing to receive particularly from the folks at Barrio Mangkawayan. To quote Henry David Thoreau, “Only the travelling is good which reveals to me the value of home and enables me to enjoy it better."

Postscript:

• Cost of trip to Calaguas is only 25% of the cost to Basco for 2 Nights and 3 Days. Air travel time to Basco is 1.75 hours compared to surface travel of 12 hours.
• At the shared comfort room manned by a high schooler charging P10 per pail, I asked him if he goes to school.  Jomar said yes in Paracale but he had difficulty with Mathematics particularly division. With the help of his mother, we computed how much he would earn if he carried 20 pails in a day which he readily answered, P200. However when asked how many guests will he serve for him to earn P240 a day, he already tapped all his fingers and toes and still did not provide an answer. I reversed the multiplication process and jumbled the numbers and still he was confused (P10 x 24 is ___,  240 divided by 10 is ___). I wish that my short session with him and his mother made him appreciate the principles and relationship of numbers.
• Flor, Manny Austria's partner is proud of her eldest who graduated valedictorian of an HRM course. He now is posted in an overseas job.
• The pamangkin who mixes halo-halo at the sari-sari store fronting MA Camp is a college student at Daet.
• The boy who mans the island across Mahabang Buhangin is in high school at Paracale.
• Our gratitude to the organizers, the Artadis of San Juan Metro Manila and Hilongos Leyte for extending the invitation to the place.

Empty Tomb and Resurrection applied to us today

Easter affirms to us that the promise of redemption is fulfilled. Empty tomb signifies our faith, believing even without a proof. As man empty tomb is our struggle we face day-to-day. The resurrection is our rising with Christ. Inhuman as we are, we continue with our lives made possible because of the fulfillment of the promise of redemption. Fr. J. Gascon shared three anecdotes on how people we know are exemplifying the empty tombs and resurrection in their lives.

• An ex-seminarian now working recently lost his parents to Yolanda. His parents recently migrated to Tacloban to retire until the tidal wave. Having not found their bodies, they were assumed to be dead. The son now continues to work moving on with his life.
• A retired couple enjoying a quality life suddenly had a change of fate. The wife was diagnosed with cancer and did not go through chemotherapy. Yet she accepted her condition and continued to do good deeds even to gas station boys, parking attendants and to those she does not know.
• A psychology graduate lives with a schizophrenic sister feeling helpless her degree did not help. She accepted that her mere presence with her is more than enough.

The fulfillment of the promise redeems us from further suffering as we experience our own resurrection shared with Christ because of the events on Easter Sunday.

Happy Easter!
 -Paraphrased from the homily of Fr. J. Gascon at the Easter Vigil mass at the convent of the Cenacle Sisters