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6.21.2012

Of Peaks and Pals

It was a year ago when I picked up again the pieces of my passion for mountaineering. Putting a verse of my earthly existence in sync with what I think I should be doing, I decided to finally retrace my paces to high up there in the mountains. That monolithic Pico de Loro was like the best appetiser in any great feast of rocky roads and tantrum-titled trails. 
Do I need to elaborate more on the delightful desserts – captivating corollas, fascinating floral fragrances, amazing animals, pleasantly perplexing paths, and of course, that much-sought sea of clouds? Just in case you need more for you to feel the king of your own world, search for the place where the raindrops end… and witness how seven colours beautifully form an arch.

It was in Mount Makiling where I met a group of mountaineers for the first time. Since the majestic mountain literally and figuratively formed my career, I was more than enthusiastic to see its enchantment beyond exposition. Prior to setting my foot over its earth, I was given a guide to its trail components – mossy branches and trunks, slippery passageways, roped routes and that rather friendly extended exit walk. The organisers did not invite me. I invited myself through a friend, whom I thought also invited herself to the event through one of the friends of the organisers. In short terms, I joined with a limited knowledge on the event itself. The hike went well and my mountaineering realm started to get peopled. 

But I felt a bit of discomfort from the way they addressed each other – Sir and Ma’am – which is completely and logically incomprehensible from my point of view. I think of such endearments as signs that there are hierarchies or castes – that I translate as manifestations of oppression.

Hiking rendered me weak to the calls of sunrise and sunset. Many times, I failed to repel the temptation of natural spectacles. To which I do not regret until now. With these aesthetic cravings I caved into, I can still reminisce how my eyes flickered with the bright night lights around Mount Arayat. 

Three is never a crowd as the Bakun Trio provided me picture-perfect panoramas. It was at this journey that I came to know about the trading trail in Mount Tenglawan between Benguet and Ilocos Sur, with a portion passing through pines near an ancient burial site.
 
I even did not mind the pouring rain and strong winds over the Tarak Ridge of Mount Mariveles amidst the strike of typhoon Falcon. This, by the way, yielded me a scene of strengthened Papaya River and seasoned waterfalls along the way. 

Tagged as sacred by some Filipinos, Mount Banahaw remains to be one of the popular hiking destinations in the country. Its lush landscapes never fail to surprise guests. Trekking through loose rocks and boulders, maddeningly slippery trails and strong water currents in the middle of a typhoon (again!) made me realise that life indeed is worth living for. 

Mount Batulao, from my own experience of green peaks adorned with white panicles, is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque places I have ever seen.

With all the climbs I did, disappointment never visited my heart even at the slightest tick of time. I offer not a single remorse over the five hypothermic experiences I had with the possibility that any of those could have warmed me under six feet of clayey soil. With all the happy faces I saw under the scorching beams of the sun and, sometimes, soaked in rainwater, I did never expect that the tale of the Roman Empire coming to its end could unfold right before my eyes. Everything is so blurry now. There are moments that I clamour for a ray of light flashing all the happy memories. I even commenced connecting my carabineers to other hooks just to fill the growing desire to see the view from up there.

The paucity of bond between us is precious. Let us make mountains the harbours of our camaraderie beyond imaginable intensity.

6.04.2012

Buktot: Boracay's Alter-Ego

The moment I set my footprints on the white sand of Buktot, all I could express was "Pu....-na-gala!" The place is awesome. I could not even think of the right words to describe its charm. And yes, this place is yet to be included in everyone's list. And I am telling you, this place is 100% better than Puerto Galera. Yes! This is Boracay's alter-ego!
The powdery white sand of Buktot. Go away, Boracay!



Cottage rental is 100pesos. There is an additional cost of 10pesos per head.




 

How to get to Buktot?
1. From Alabang, you can take a bus to Batangas Pier via the Star Tollway to avoid the heavy traffic jams in Tanauan and Lipa City. Fare is 137pesos. Travel time is 2-3 hours.

2. There are lots of option for boat to Calapan City. We arrived a bit over 2100H at Batangas Pier, so we opted for the 2200H boat (Montenegro Lines). There are also boats to Pinamalayan and Roxas (municipalities of Oriental Mindoro). Fare is 192pesos. Travel time is 2hours, but since there was a storm at the edge of the Philippine Area of Responsibility when we went there, the boat took 3hours.

3. From the Port of Calapan, you can ride a van up to Roxas. Fare is 140pesos. We bought Yellow Van tickets at the Batangas Pier. It is not advisable to do this especially if you are travelling in a small group because the vans wait to be filled-up. If the group is composed of 14pax, then it is good to do this, because you are assured to have a van when you reach Calapan. It is also good to do this during peak seasons or holidays.

4. If the van is only up to Roxas, then you can ask the locals on how to get to Mansalay. There are no jeepneys or buses in Oriental Mindoro. Mode of transportation is either tricycle or van. For us, we hired a vehicle for 1,700pesos from Bansud to Buktot (63-km distance).