The Super Lomi of Malvar, Batangas

 

One Sunday morning, me and Jerry decided to go to Malvar, Batangas to have some lomi.
I did not know that he ordered the Super Bowl. So when the order was put on our table, I almost screamed because of the size. It's the KING of bowls!

Toppings 101: Pork; Liver; Chicharon; and Meatballs.

Try the Super Lomi at TDA's Lomi House and Kitchenette, along the national highway in Malvar, Batangas.

The Pebbly Beaches of Lobo

When Lobo was mentioned to me by Jerry, the first thing that crossed my mind was Tectona philippinensis (commonly known as the Philippine teak). I searched for additional information and found the Submarine Garden, Ulupong Falls, Mt Banoi and the pebbly beach.

The smooth pebbles at the Malabrigo shore in Lobo, Batangas.

People might tag pebbles, though smooth ones, as deprecatory; others might see white sand as overvalued.

Early Saturday morning, we embarked on a fun and comedic travel to Lobo, Batangas. We left Manila at 0430H and reached our destination around 0730H. We followed the instruction prescribed at WaypointDotPH. One of the basic problems when considering a vacation in Lobo is transportation. If you go there by commuting, you need to be extra watchful of the time because travel schedules to Lobo from Batangas City and vice-versa are limited.

I love seeing sunrise while on the road.

This is a cement factory near the Bacao-Dagatan Junction. This actually served as a landmark for us.

What a beautiful ricefield!

Jerry mentioned Punta Fuego de Malabrigo at the end of the road. It is the nearest resort to the Malabrigo Lighthouse. The staff of Punta Fuego are nice. The surroundings are clean, no plastics dancing over the pebbles. But for me, it is not really a good place to unwind because of the videoke in the middle of the cottages. VERY DISTURBING! The time when we were there, oh my hellish, the voices were awful (Note: I do not sing also well.)

If you go to the lighthouse via the beach, then you will find good places to lie under the big, big sedimentary rocks. 

Yes, I really enjoyed my naps under the rocks with the sound of the waves.

You can actually set-up tents, which is far better than renting rooms at nearby resorts.

Those are real snails on the rocks.

The Malabrigo Lighthouse.

Basilica de San Martin de Tours in Taal, Batangas

"Basilica de San Martin de Tours is a minor basilica in the town of Taal, Batangas. It is considered to be the largest church in the Philippines and in Asia, standing 96 metres (315 ft) long and 45 metres (148 ft) wide."

Traversing Mt Batulao

Mt Batulao is one of the mountains that you could be proud of. It is not as high as Mt Pulag in the Cordilleras or as biologically-diversified as its neighbouring Mt Makiling, but it gives you the much-sought enjoyment and thrill. The spectacular display of ridges and peaks is a precious sight in two different colours: brown during the summer months and green for most of the year. 

I was hesitant at first to join my friends because they planned for a night trek! My vision is impaired and I usually have difficulties doing things at night. But they assured me that the trails are slightly easy. And so at 1400H, I was inside a fastfood chain in Pasay eating burger and waiting for my friends, unknowingly at the wrong place! So after one hour, I was still on the same seat, just texting. Louie led me to the correct assembly area. Ralph and Conrad were already there. Then, Kuya Bong, Sarah, Julie and Genia arrived. We left the bus terminal for Nasugbu a bit past 1600H. It was extremely cold inside the bus (17 degrees Centigrade, as per the flashing light over the driver’s seat). 

It was already dark when we reached the jump-off point at Evercrest Golf Resort (fare is 106pesos). Sinaing na tulingan was chosen by my mind to satisfy the ramblings in my stomach. At 2030H, we started our trek. It is required, by the way, to register at the guardhouse (absolutely free!). The trail was severely decorated with mud, made more disgusting by animal fecal matters. Aside from the unpleasant nature of the wet soil, it was slippery. We lost our way amidst tall grasses and scary cows and horses. Louie tortured me by posing a trail-run challenge. It was fun but I almost drove myself to one of the shallow ravines. 

We reached the camp a little over 2200H. After pitching the tents, I felt the heat surging inside of me. I decided not to join the socials and take a rest instead.

I climbed the summit to see the sunrise with Julie, Genia and Rap. We stayed there and took pictures of the surroundings for almost two hours while Rap slept. At the summit, there are merchants who sell Mountain Dew softdrink. It was funny because they hide the bottles under the plants at night.

We went back to the campsite for our breakfast. At around 0900H, we commenced the hike up to the summit again and then went back to the jump-off point via the New Trail. Some took the Old Trail and met us in one of the halu-halo huts. 

I chose papaitan as my reward for the successful Mt Batulao traverse. After taking a bath, we took a bus back to Pasay (fare is 110pesos; for Cubao, 132pesos).

Manabu Peak in Sto Tomas, Batangas

Manabu Peak is located in Sto Tomas, Batangas. It is an easy climb and recommended for those who are seeking weekend refuge or short adventure. You do not have to worry for obstacles and challenges. You must prepare though, when you go there during the rainy season as the trails get seriously muddy. You can find your way up to the peak even if there are no guides as the trails are established and equipped with signs. Mountaineers and other people frequent the mountain on weekends. Its status as a favourite hiking destination is equated with the immense popularity of Mang Pirying and his free barako coffee.

I left Los Baños at 0530H, took a jeepney to the bus stop (8pesos), rode the bus to Calamba Crossing (12pesos), dropped by a 24/7 convenience store for my trail food and water and went to the Calamba Central Terminal, which is juxtaposed to the Calamba Medical Center

We took a jeepney to Lipa (via Calabarzon) for 45pesos. We got off at the highway facing the Lipa Floral Garden (cemetery) and walked towards the Fiesta Mall. At the corner of the street leading to the mall, there is a tricycle terminal that can take you to Sulok, which is the jump-off point and located at Sta Cruz, Sto Tomas, Batangas. I do not know if you can take trikes from Sto Tomas Poblacion to Sulok.

Take the left-trails to the top. The first hut is under the management of Mang Pirying’s brother. There is a second hut at the site where the grotto is.

 

There are two grassland portions of the trail. At the peak is a white cross.

We took our lunch at the portion just a short distance down from the summit. We had a great time talking to some youngsters from San Pedro, Laguna.

After lunch, the rain started to bring its soft wrath. So we walked as fast as we could to reach the hut of Mang Pirying. I was so excited to meet him. When we reached his hut, there were a lot of mountaineers sitting and chatting, maybe waiting for the rain to stop. The barako coffee was great. We were also introduced to his brother, Faustino.

We left Mang Pirying’s hut with happiness in our hearts. Finally, I met Mang Pirying! It does not matter if he will remember me after the climb or not. As long as he keeps his good heart towards mountaineers and to other people, I am glad just to see him.

I would like to thank Mommy Leony for the ride back to Manila.

Traversing Mt Maculot

I have been hearing a lot about Mt Maculot… that it is the destination of some groups for spiritual rejuvenation or a very laid-back camping experience. Towering at an altitude of a little more than 800 masl, the mountain bestows great visual delights especially at the Rockies.

Together with Rey, we stayed for the night of 17 July at Jelyn’s abode. I was not supposed to eat night meals to prevent myself from going over the line of obesity. But Jelyn tempted me with kare-kare and ginisang ampalaya na may itlog at sitsaron (now, translate it!). Let me just inform you that Perry, not a pusang gala and in no way related to Katy Perry, is adorable. We woke up, took a bath, dressed up and left Bay at 0430. Bong’s team left Manila at around the same time.

We boarded a jeepney bound for Calamba Crossing (23pesos). We should have taken another jeepney to Turbina but a trike offered a 50-peso ride for the three of us. We got off at the JAM pick-up station. While waiting for the others, we decided to eat. For 38pesos, I had a mouth-watering viand (atay, liver of… I do not know if chicken or pig). One of the bus conductors told us that there are no Lemery-bound buses plying at that route. He suggested getting off at Lipa and taking a jeepney to Lemery. Like an obedient student, we took a bus going to Batangas City Pier via the Star Tollway (44.50pesos). JAM Liner does not implement the 20% discount for students. You can tell the bus conductor to drop you at the point where you can wait for Lemery-bound jeepneys. Fare to Cuenca is 21pesos.

We bought lunch at the cafeteria (the male assistant said that it has no name yet) in front of a bakery. First grouping was done at the other end of the market near the terminal for trikes. We arranged for 4 trikes to take the group (21pax) at the jump-off point (20pesos). We decided to have a Grotto-Summit-Rockies traverse route but the leading trike took us to the jump-off point for the Rockies. The trike driver knows that mountaineers need to register at the Barangay Hall (10pesos) before proceeding. As per Gideon Lasco’s website, you can take guides here if you do not know the trail.

Emher served as the team leader with Bong, Louie, Jelyn, Camz, Elli and me as his lead-pack mates. The tail was led by Rey with the Baguio girls (Sarah, Amor and Julie with newbies Phoebe and April), Rap, Rosei, Rosei’s friend, Joseph, Erick, Thisoy and Rheinan. The Rocky Road (aka Rockies) trail is relatively easy, with lots of rest stations. The Baguio girls brought ube jam. Rosei’s sanitary pad was used to turn Bong into a Hello Kitty impersonator.

 

At 11AM, we reached the peak of the Rocky Road trail. There is a sari-sari store at this point. A soda drink (8-oz) costs 35pesos. Gatorade is for 65pesos.

At 1300, we commenced the journey to the Grotto via the summit. Out of nowhere, the group just started speaking in English with British accent and other unimaginable accents. Trails are dirty, with lots of scattered plastics and annoying materials. The summit is similar to that of Mt Makiling – no outstanding view! There are two roped segments.

After emerging from the forest, the grassland would greet you in an ecstatic manner, with the blades of the grass swaying around like rejoicing for your arrival. At the peak of the grassland portion is the Grotto.

We cleansed ourselves at the nearby Mt Maculot View Resort for 50pesos. We visited St Isidore Church.

When we were already sitting comfortably in a jeepney for Lipa, Rey realised that Erick and Rheinan were missing. They were left behind! So we turned around and drove back to get the two. For 23pesos, you can tell the driver to take you at the bus station.

After three weeks of staying in the lowlands, I was given again the chance to climb. As usual, the group is crazy and insanely happy, chatting their hearts out as if they have never seen each other for a year or two. I wonder when will they run out of stories.