Ikalawang Bundok: Mt. Daraitan

"Hoy taba sama ka ulit sa akyat namen ah." Ganito ko inaya ang aking kaibigan ng nag-plano kaming umakyat ulit ng aking mga ka-opisina. Itago na lang naten siya sa pangalang Mayumi. Mayumi, dahil ito ang salitang tangi kong naisip at sa tingin ko, ang pinaka-akmang salitang magagamit ko para ilarawan siya.

Maikli ang kanyang buhok na kasing itim ng hating-gabi. Ang kutis niya ay kayumanggi ngunit lalong kumikinis tulad ng isang porselana kapag nasinagan ng araw. Bibilugin ang hugis ng kanyang mukha na may matatambok na pisngi na parang kuyukot ng isang bagong panganak na bata. Ang ganda niya at ang kanyang boses ay maihahalintulad sa isang diwatang dahan dahang lumilipad at nakikipaglaro sa kakahuyan kasama ang mga kauwi niyang nimpha. Ngunit, tulad ng mga sinasabi ng mga bata sa kalye sa'min na nagkakalog ng watusi kapag noche buena o kaya nagpapaputok ng five- star at sumabog sa kanilang kamay, di araw-araw pasko. Meron din naman siyang "flaw" yun ay ang kanyang pagiging "voluptuous" o pagiging hindi balingkinitan.

Nagkakilala kami sa isang pribadong unibersidad sa Maynila. Second year un, tanda ko. Panahong umiwas ako sa ilang taong tinuring kong "tropa" at siya naman ay naghahanap ang panibagong kaibigan. Unang araw ng bagong semester at ang lintik na introduction ang naglapit sameng dalawa. Naging close at nagsimula ang bagong ugnayan. Isang pagkakaibigang akala ko matatapos kapag natapos na ang semester o pagkatapos ng nalalabing taon sa kolehiyo. Pero mali ako. Natapos na bakbakan. Nakalimot at lumipas na ang iba, pero kami'y nanatiling matatag, mas lalong tumibay.

"Ano friend, sasama ka ba? Mas mataas to kaysa sa Pico. Wala na ring monolith, hindi ka na aakyat gamit ang lubid at hindi na rin kita aasarin pramis. Kahit nagtagal tayo dun dahil sayo at kahit mukha kang baboy na nabara sa kalagitnaan ng makitid na daan." Dagdag ko sa kanya, pampalakas ng loob at para ganahan siyang sumama.

"Pota. Oo nga e. Pinag-tripan nyo nga ako nun e." Sabi nya.
"Ilan ba yung difficulty nyan? Tsaka gaano kataas?" Tanong niya saken, habang may malakas na background noise na nanggagaling sa t.v. sa kanyang linya ng telepono.
"Bali 4/9 ung difficulty at 739+ MASL daw sabi sa Pinoy Mountaineer." Sagot ko sa kanya.
"Ah. Mas mahirap. Maganda yan. Ilan tayo?" Dagdag niya.
"Bali. Ako. Ikaw. Si Renz. Si Tandang Tsunade at may dalawang siyang isasama. mga anim." Sagot ko sa kanya, hawak ng isang kamay ang telepono at ang isang kamay naman ay malaya, ang palad ay bahagyang nakasara, nakapormang parang manununtok lang, magka-iba lamang ay ang hinliit ay nakataas.
"Sige. Sige samama ako." Sagot niya.
"Ano sasama ka? Send ko na ung itinerary sa email mo." Tanong ko sa kanya ulit, hindi narinig ang kanyang pag-oo.
"Tsaka, maganda to para mas makalimutan mong panandalian si Toby." Dagdag ko.
"OO NGA PUTA KA!! ANO PAULIT ULIT!" Sagot niya. Nang-uurat.
"Sige! Maganda yan! Sorry naman! Mayumi! Ang mga magagandang nilalang na tulad ko, nabibingi din" Sagot ko sa kanya na may pang-aasar.
"Ulol! Mukha mo! Sige na!" Sagot niya.
At dun natapos ang pag-uusap namen.

Dumating ang araw ng akyat. Nagkita kita na kami sa pinag-usapang tagpuan. Maagang kaming nakaalis at habang nasa biyahe kami, marami kaming napag-usapan. Mula sa binubuong plano na magtayo ng negosyo, sa mga susunod na mga bundok na gusto naming akyatin at sa love-life niyang tanging meron siya (dahil ako wala). Kataka taka lang, sa pagkataong iyon, hindi siya ganun maingay at sumasagot katulad ng sa karaniwan. Dumating na kami ng Rizal at isang sakay na lang, para makarating ng drop-off.

Habang nakasakay kami sa tricyle, nag-usap ulit kami. Sa mga panahon na 'yon, sinabi niya ang kanyang plano. Sinabi niya na mag-aaral siya sa ibang bansa at ang plano niya ay aalis na siya ilang buwan pagkatapos ng akyat. Bilang kaibigan, nakakatuwa na may magagandang plano na nakalaan sa kanya at handa niyang tuparin iyon. Pero mas nangibabaw sakin ng lungkot, sa totoo lang.

Nakalungkot kasi, sa mga tinuturing kong kaibigan, iilan na lang silang nagpasyang mamalagi sa Pinas. Ang plano namen na negosyo ay naging drawing, at sa higit sa lahat, wala na kong kasama sa halos lahat ng bagay (sa pagpunta ng gig sa UDD, sa pag-akyat ng bundok, sa panunuod ng sine, sa pagkain sa Northpark na laging naming kinayayamutan at sa pagswipe to the right sa tinder sa bahay nila.)

Nakarating na kami ng tuluyan. Tahimik kaming umalis ng sasakyan. Dapat sulitin ang mga natitirang araw. Paakyat na kami at huminto sandali para kumuha ng litrato. At bago kami makarating sa umpisa ng trek ay kinausap kami ng isa pa namen kasama.

"Guys, huling akyat ko na to'. Aalis na ko papuntang Dubai." Sabi ni Tandang Tsunade. Panibagong mawawala na naman. Kailagan talagan sulitin. At un nga ang ginawa namin. Umpisa pa lang ng akyat, Pinuno namen ang akyat na to ng tawa at hugutan. Di naman namen narating ang Tinapak River dahil sa malakas na ulan, sulit pa din. At kahit ilang sugat, balentong at ang mga una tuhod na pagdapa't paggulong pababa, masaya pa din narasan namin. Isang hindi malilimutang akyat na kahit san mang mapadpad ay hindi kailanman malilimutan.

#talikodgenic shot. #hanggangsamulitsunade 

#teamlaps. Ang pagkain ng goto kila ate ay hindi dapat palagpasin at nararapat siya'y pasalamatan.

#balsamoments. Bago ka makarating at makapagsimula ng pag-akyat, kailangan mo munang sumakay nito.

#adventuremodeon!! Simula na ang akyat!

#pahingamoments.

#lapsmoments2. May model dun sa background.

At the top. Ang ilog na tinatawag nilang #kambalpuso.

#kambalpuso

#ulan. Malakas na ulan na mauurat ka dahil nasa tuktok ka at giniginaw ka at gutom na gutom na.

#lapsmoments3. Sa wakas tumila na ang ulan at kumakain na kami.

#collage. Photo credits to @maricel advincula aka Tandang Tsunade.

Itinerary:

Mt. Daraitan + Tinipak River Dayhike 03:00AM- Time at Cubao 04:00AM- ETD to Tanay, Rizal. 06:30AM- ETA at Brgy. Daraitan, Rizal 07:00AM- ETA Barangay Hall; Register and secure guide, etc. 08:00AM Start trek up Mt. Daraitan 11:30AM- ETA summit. Explore the viewpoints / Lunch 01:00PM- Start descent to Tinipak River 03:30PM- Arrival at Tinipak River. Explore the area 05:30PM- Proceed to Brgy. Daritan via riverside trail 06:00PM- ETA at Brgy Hall. Tidy-up, shower etc. 07:00PM- Head back to Cubao.

Mt. Gola and Bayukbok Caves: Revisited

Barry Perdana Putra once said "Speed is not a priority, just enjoy your hike- Keep smile." This quote is a spot-on when you asked me to describe my recent re-visit to Sitio Madlum, Bulacan where the majestic Mt. Gola and the ever challenging Bayukbok caves are situated. This is also the home of the famous Mt. Manalmon.

May 21st, a day when me and my former colleagues set-up to re-visit again. A place we picked to create new memories and a place where we chose to happen another milestone on our journey as a professional white-collar slaves and as a seasoned hikers. To some, it was an ordinary hot Saturday, but to us and along with our "new found friends", this is the day we've been waiting for. A time of fun and adventures, a moment to share through the lenses of the camera, another story yet to be told and lastly, it is a make it or break it for us- well at least for me.

"Yes, a make it or break it for us." It is a statement I've thought when they asked me to facilitate this trip.  It is so as this is my first time to handle a different people joining us on our hike that I need to be the coordinator, one that is making the decision, the things that I've could careless before as I'm used that someone who would these things for me. A usual thing any introverted person would do. This time things different. I was the one whose in control. Making an initiative to talk to the rest of the group while on the trip which made me getting out of my comfort zone. I have to be and which I did. The result was rewarding.

We started the trip at 3am and our meeting place was in Cubao. Me and another facilitator came up first. We've bought some things and fix something as we had a slight problem about the van we rented ( The van driver got lost along the way). Fixed. Another cam up. Two members aren't on the meeting place yet. We decided to call them. Called them. Last notice backed out (Shocking!). Fixed. We were minutes late from the itinerary and we were able to at least manage to start the trip right away and it was really exhausting. The moment I sit on my space in the van, the excitement of going back again quickly fades away as my body tells me to rest. I decided to rest.

My eyes last laid the darkness of the sky and I programmed my mind to see the sky again, when the sky is clear, sun rays starts to blind my closed eyes. But again, some programs didn't worked out as the way it was planned. I can't get myself to sleep and I hated it. I rolled my eyes side to side, back and forth to see what the others doing, they're sleeping. Damn it! I was jealous. Depressed, I tried to relax a bit. My body finally gave in and I was able to rest, a little and I was awaken not because my brain tells me to, this time, it was because of the finger that was poking my shoulder asking for the directions as the driver was lost again. That finger who happens to belong to a former colleague and also another coordinator of this trip. Moments after waking up, I started to realized that it was true. We're lost. The route was unfamiliar to me.

 The driver asked a local for the directions and the local replied to go back to the road that was heading to Barangay Sibul (as we're heading to Biak Na Bato, a different Baranggay, maybe). So the driver did and the problem was fixed by the driver. O right! Finally after half an hour being lost, the unforeseen hassles and the registration and stuff, we arrived at our destination. Our first stop, Mt. Gola.

Photo credits to @Kayeh Bacay

#walalang Rock Formation 

This is one of the first few group shots we have on this trip. En route to Mt. Gola. Time check 8:00 am (mostly). We called our team as #teamgolabels.

Madlum River, before start trekking Mt. Gola.

The Picturesque Mt. Manalmon

#feelingnaturelover. The aesthetics of the bended Bamboo trees.

Along the way.

#pahingamoments. Dito ko sinabi na "konti na lang, malapit na tayo sa tuktok." E di pa pala, paasa punyeta.

At the top. Time check. 9 am ( approximately!)

Hindi kami mga fans ng #jumpshot.

Group shot from the top. Isa ako sa mga talikodgenic.

Note: This mountain stands 190 MARL (Meters above river level as one of the tour guides, told me that was the correct way to measure these mountains (including Mt. Manalmon), by  saying "river" and not "sea" as these mountains are surrounded by the Madlum River.)

It was already past ten o'clock when we decided to trekked down and was really hot. As an organizer, I decided to ask the group if they want to continue to hike Mt. Manalmon as I feel that it will be no longer advantageous for us to go through as for me it will too late for us to hike Mt. Manalmon and as the weather forecast thunderstorms at the area around noon and we might stuck. This time, I'll let them decide. Most of them didn't want to continue further. Some of them were beat and peckish (including me). I told my planned that if we will no longer hike the other one, we'll continue to Bayukbok and do the Monkey Rope after then the remaining time will be spend swimming onto the river. They all agreed ( though I hate to break our itinerary). After minutes, they've agreed not to continue and proceed on spelunking right after lunch.

Then we decided to go to Bayukbok and the heat is still raging. When were on the way to the caves, one of the tour guides told us that the only cave that is open for the tourist to be explore is the Bayukbok Cave III and the other caves will  no longer be available exploring for the next decades as these caves, though as it will not pose any danger or risk to the tourists, the locals and the DENR decided to temporarily closed it as these caves have been taking damages from us and as well as, of course to restore the cave's natural beauty. After minutes of hiking again, we reached the entrance of Bayukyok and starting another adventure.

Photo credits to +Czarina Mae Lajara

En route to Bayukbok Cave III.

#teamgolabels

kailangan meron kang acrobatic skills para maka survive dito.

Tulad nito,

Stalagmite tama ba?!

No Dirt, No Glory.

Still fresh after caving.

Trekking down after caving. Luck for us, the weather became worst after spelunking.

Monkey Rope. Unfortunately, only two of them were able to do this challenge.

#nagmaganda. Tuloy pa din ang monkey rope challenge kahit bumabagyo.

Since the weather got worst, #teamgolabels weren't able to finished all the itineraries we planned for them. As we would love them to proceed, it is not advisable to push through (nakakabitin sa totoo lang.) for any safety purposes and I'm glad these guys are amazingly understanding :) Though I know the feeling of being "nabitin", The nostalgia of being able to going back to the place and do things and were able to share the experience for me is not a task but a pleasure. Pleasure, as you can encounter new faces, the feelings of being at home and exchanging stories from them as you set your phase to their phase is surely best way to enjoy your hike, just like Barry quoted, the way I enjoyed mine.

Itinerary:

03:00 AM Assembly Cubao Farmers
04:00 AM ETD Sitio Madlum Jump Off Point
08:00 AM ETA at Sitio Madlum, Prepping
09:00 AM Start Trek (Mt. Gola)
10:00 AM Start decent; Start Trek Mt. Manalmon
11:00 AM ETA Summit (Mt. Manalmon)
12:00 PM Decent
12:30 PM Lunch at Jump-off
01:30 PM Caving
02:30 PM Monkey Rope Challenge
04:30 PM Swim/ Tidy
06:30 ETD To Manila
09:00 ETA To Manila

Travel Blog: 7th & 8th Mountain

It was a scorching and a pre-valentines day celebration (to us singles!!) when me and my friends decided to go on and take a hike. Unlike most of our hike that were likely unplanned, the decision of climbing these mountains, really thrilled me as it is the perfect place to escape the ever busy streets of Manila, to unwind yourself, to forget the hassle of your daily work life, to celebrate Valentines day in a very different way and lastly, to find a flawless excuse to rest and not to go out the next day (we're all tired actually!!)

Situated in San Miguel Bulacan, Mt. Manalmon and Mt. Gola is a great getaway for us budding adventurers and for seasoned hikers. These mountains have an elevation of 196 masl and 160 masl perspectively and are a part of the historical Biak-Na-Bato National Park, which is where Emilio Aguinaldo established the Biak-Na-Bato Republic – formally known as the first Republic of the Philippines. It was also became a part of the set of GMA7's hit primetime fantaserye Mulawin which starred by Angel Locsin and Richard Guiterrez.

Aside from hiking, there are some activities that you can definitely enjoy and your friends. One of it was exploring the Bayukyok Caves which can be challenging and the ever nerve-racking Monkey Rope which you will experience right after spelunking. You can also go skinny dipping into the river too, right after the doing the Monkey Rope challenge as a reward for your tired body (which I enjoyed the most!!)

Mt. Manalmon/ Mt. Gola, Bayukyok Caves & Monkey Rope Itinerary:
Day 1
03:00 AM Assembly Cubao Farmers (Jollibee)
04:00 AM ETD Sitio Madlum JumpOff point
06:30 AM ETA at Sitio Madlum. Prepare things/Orientation
07:00 AM Start trek.
09:00 AM ETA Summit (Mt. Gola)
10:00 AM Start decent; Start Trek Mt. Manalmon
12:00 NN ETA Summit (Mt. Manalmon)
12:30 PM Decent
02:30 Lunch at JumpOff
03:00 Caving (Bayukbok caves)
04:30 Monkey bridge/swim at Madlum river.
07:30 Tidy up
08:00 ETD to MNL
10:30 ETA to MNL
Things to bring:
- 1-1.5L of water for hiking
- Trail snacks (jelly ace, chocolate, etc)
- Plastic bag for your trash
- Shoes/Sandals
- Extra clothes
- Headlamp/Small flashlight
- First aid kid (emergency medicines)
- Sunblock


Photo credits to https://makleinadventurer.wordpress.com/

Picture before hike!

En Route


Field Shot

At the Top

At the top while resting!


We love taking jump shots!

The other side of the Mountain



At the Bayukyok Caves!


Monkey Rope!!


Blurred Underwater Groupie!