TraveLORE: Date with Mt. Gulugod-Baboy (Feb. 14, 2016)

What could be the best way to celebrate Valentine’s Day but with nature? Weeks before the “V-Day” I have thought of planning a hike for the 14th of Feb. Just a fun tripping of who would be willing to go. Surprisingly, many of my friends heeded the call. Well, to these days there was not much thrill spending the Hearts’ Day in overcrowded restaurants and other so-called romantic places in the metro. So there, we finalized the hike para sa mga walang ganap sa Valentine’s Day. 

How to get there

I chose Mt. Gulugod because I was inspired by the photos I saw in the net. It seemed to be an easy hike but promised a rewarding spectacle. We were 13 hikers in the group (good thing it wasn’t Friday, eekkk). We assembled 4AM at the DLTB bus terminal at Buendia. The travel was fast, maybe because it was Sunday. By 5:30AM we were already there at Batangas Grand Terminal. To reach the jump-off you have the option to ride a jeep bound to Mabini. You’d get off at the tricycle terminal and ride a tric going to Philpan Dive Resort. We made it the other way though. We rented a jeep and paid PHp100 each so we could get straight to the jump-off. The travel was around 45mins long. 

The Mt. Gulugod-Baboy System

If you want to go straight to the itinerary you can skip this part. The itinerary and expenses were summarized below. I just wanted to discuss some few things here as a concerned hiker. Guide in Mt. Gulugod was not mandatory unlike with the other mountains. I didn’t see any problem with this since the trail was easy to trace. Experienced hikers could go with it even with their eyes closed (eekk again!).

In Mt. Gulugod you can hire a guide for PHP500 regardless of how many are you in the group. In other mountains, one guide is for maximum of five hikers only. However, once you reached the peak, the guide will leave you on your own. You can ask for them to stay with you until you descend but you have to add another PHP200. Again, I didn’t see the add-on as a problem if that’s the rate policy.

I just couldn’t see here the sincere effort from the local administrators to ensure the safety of the hikers. Let us disregard the fact that it was an easy trail. Shouldn't the guide not only leading the direction but also ensuring the welfare of the hikers? I just couldn’t help comparing it with the other hiking guides we had (some of the best were the guides from Mt. Maculot, Mt. Talamitam, & Mt. Manalmon). The guide we had at Mt. Gulugod was nice and helpful. It was the entire system I was concerned of. Mt. Gulugod could still better improve its protocol for everyone’s safety. 

The registration fee was PHP35. So far, it was the most expensive fee I’ve encountered in the near-the-metro mountains. Usually it was only around PHP20-PHP25. The fee would have not mattered if I didn’t see a problem with the maintenance of the mountain. Few strides from the jump-off, still on the cemented assault, you’d see a portion there where Smokey Mountain seemed to build its branch. On one side of the precipice near the jump-off there were mounts of garbage piles. Unpleasant smells were coming from the improperly disposed trashes. In few years time the place could be a new prospect for dumpsite. Hope the Mt. Gulugod administration does something about it and hope the hikers would be responsible enough to not throw their garbage there! 

Mt. Gulugod-Baboy is a beautiful mountain

Like all the works of His majesty’s hands, Mt. Gulugod-Baboy was a breathtaking masterpiece. The trail was easy and perfect for the beginners. There were few assaults and if you were not warmed up you could strain your leg’s muscles. So even if you were already an experienced hiker, don’t hesitate to take a rest when you feel that you have to. I don’t believe that hiking was a race and a competition with the others. I hike because I wanted to experience the nature – it was actually one of my story-imagining-time. I  looked forward to that feeling of focusing on your breathing while smelling the leafy scents in the air; the struggle to endure the rough trail and see the pretty scenery that awaited on the top.

There was no clearing that day. As much as I wanted to enjoy the azure water below, the fog kept on blurring my eyesight (bad foggy!). The air was refreshingly cold. Around 9AM the sun should be warming us already but the sky was as pale blue as it was earlier. There were some steep trails but it was easily manageable (I was confident with a heart). 

There were lots of resting places where you could stop over and collect more airs for your lungs. We made it at the foothill of the first peak at around 10AM and yes, it was an extremely exciting sight. You’d be torn between staying there at the foothill, watching its glory or making your way up there to experience its peak. 

I was reminded of Mt. Talamitam though their beauties were still unique in their own ways. Before you get too excited to hike the top I suggest you take some moments there at the foothill. Sometimes we get too anxious to reach the peak without savoring yet its view from downhill -– so pristine and beautiful. After taking photos we proceeded to the peak and from there we saw another astounding gift of nature. The Peak 2 of Mt. Gulugod-Baboy was as beautiful as the first peak.

It was refreshingly cold on the top of the mountain. The grasslands were a soft carpet in the mounds of soil. We laid there and enjoyed the fresh air while looking at still foggy, but nonetheless beautiful sights of the plains and seawaters below. Everywhere you see were grasslands in blends of dark green and brown. The colours were not as brightly green as in Mt. Talamitam, but perhaps it was only due to the season. 

After an hour of taking pictures, we decided to start our descent. It was a fast way down. By lunchtime we were already at the jump-off. We cancelled the plan for Sombrero Island and just rented a cottage at Philpan Dive Resort for PHP500 plus the entrance fee of PHP100 each. We enjoyed the clear water and had some “Valentine’s drinks” to cap off the day. 

Photo credits to Vin Butchayo

Mt. Gulugod-Baboy is one of the treasures of Anilao, Batangas. We hikers should not exploit it. As hikers let us all be responsible in all mountains that we visited. Many mountains and other tourist sites are closing to public now; let’s not add Mt. Gulugod-Baboy to the growing list.

Itinerary & Expenses:
3:30 AM: BUENDIA LRT-TAFT - Take Batangas/pier bound bus (DLTB, Jam, Jac Liner, ALPS). (php140+)
4:00 AM: ETD to Anilao Batangas
6:00 AM: ETA: Batangas City Grand Terminal in Balagtas, Batangas City / Bauan Diversion Take Anilao/Mabini-bound jeepney and tell the driver that you're going to Philpan Dive Resort – (php35) You’ll be dropped off to tricycle terminal, take tric going to Philpan Dive Resort (PHP100) per tric (OTHER OPTION: RENT A JEEP TO TAKE YOUR GROUP STRAIGHT TO PHILPAN DIVER RESORT - we did this and paid PHP100 each )
6:30 AM Jump-off, Registration (php35) Guide (php500)
10:00 AM: Summit
11:00 AM: Start Descent
1:00 PM: ETA: Jump off, – Lunch PHP100
12:00PM: Swimming at Philpan Dive Resort – entrance php100, cottage PHP500
4:00 PM: ETA – Jump off, wash up
6:00 PM: ETD – Manila
8:30 PM – ETA – Manila

Estimated budget: PHP700-PHP1000

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TraveLORE: Tagaytay Day Trip 2016

01/25/16

Summer was on our heels. Thus before we finally soaked in sweat-inspiring summer days, we set off to a cooler place to relax ourselves. Tagaytay was just few hours from Manila. People frequented this place so it becomes the least option for escapade. But Tagaytay had many good things to offer. We were just right in time when we went here; that day was recorded as the coolest temperature so far, for 2016! I wasn’t completely prepared because I went there in shorts and I was freezing cold.

It would be more convenient if you have a car but it was a lot fun commuting from one place to another. We almost memorized the places. I asked my friend Benj for places that were worth visiting. He suggested the following: Pink Sisters, Bag of Beans, Caleruega, Mahogany Market, Picnic Grove, People’s Park, and Skyranch. Here was an account on how we traveled from one place to another (just in case you wanted to go backpacking too – try it, it would be fun!). My mother, cousin, and I went to MRT Taft Bus terminal and rode bus bound to Nasugbu via Tagaytay. The bus set off at 6:30AM – we knew then that we will be late for our itinerary. At 9AM we reached our first stop: The Pink Sisters.

The Pink Sisters of Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (9AM-10AM)

A place for prayer, we confessed though that our first intention here was to look for nuns in their pink holy habits. We wanted to see the pink sisters but we never see one. The place was quite and relaxing. It was so peaceful that we were talking in a hush voice. We didn’t want to disturb the serenity of the place – it was shameful to be the source of any noises there. You could feel the holiness and sacredness of the place, it reflected the life being lived by the Pink Sisters.  We prayed and contemplated in silence then we wrote a prayer request and dropped it to the prayer request box. Hope we could attend the mass next time and experience the famous delicious cookies that people talked about.

How to go here: Ask the bus conductor to drop you on the street going to Pink Sisters. It’s near the Olivarez terminal. 

Caleruega Church (11AM-12:30PM)

A peaceful place to go – Caleruega was a serene spot for retreat and a romantic venue for wedding events. Not only quiet but also beautiful, Caleruega was love; this rustic place breathed the air of nostalgia. There was an entrance fee of PHP30/head, but that’s just a small amount for the sceneries that were worth more bucks. We were awed by the shabby-chic but polished structures of the Transfiguration Chapel, Fountain Compass, Hanging Bridge, Gazebo, and lots of other must-see sights. We were given a pamphlet to guide us through our tour. We strolled and savored the breathtaking views while enjoying the chilling temperature. From Caleruega you'd see the stunning sight of Mt. Batulao from afar. These beautiful mountain ranges towered over the stretch of fields below it.







We walked around while taking picture. Our last stop was in the Koi pond and the Hanging Bridge. There were still many places to go but we got an itinerary to follow. Our stomach was already grumbling in hunger.

How to go here: From Olivarez terminal, we rode a jeep bound to Nasugbu. Fare is PHP25. Traveling time is 45 minutes. Ask the driver to drop you off at Evercrest. There’s a tricycle terminal there. Fare is PHP20. You can arrange for the tricycle driver to fetch you later because there’s no tricycle that passes regularly in Caleruega.

Mahogany Market (1:30PM to 2:30PM)

Since we missed our breakfast, just imagine how hungry we were by this time. Mama wanted to buy meats and I wanted her also to try their special bulalohan. Mahogany Market was famous for its bulalohan. We chose an eatery and ordered bulalo good for 4 persons. It costs PHP350 with unlimited bananas. We devoured 2 cups of rice each while enduring the strong winds that brought an icy chill. The bulalo soup got cold quickly; it was really a freezing day for me (blaming my shorts and light top garb).

How to go here: From Evercrest in Nasugbu, we rode a bus bound to Pasay. We were dropped off at the Mahogany Market. Fare is PHP25.

People’s Park/Palace in the Sky (3:15PM-4:30PM)

It used to be called “Palace in the Sky”. We paid an entrance fee of PHP30/head. We were warned that it was super cold up there and for the first time that day I had goose bumps – real goose bumps. As we walked up there I’ve considered backing out. It was deadly cold! The view up there was beautiful, a consoling reward. You'd have a glimpse of the Taal Lake and of the scenic views of Tagaytay and Batangas plains. There was a horse parked there named Alden. Just like in Baguio you could ride Alden for a picture taking. It costs PHP20. Before we reached the topmost part of the park, we saw the mists slowly creeping like a smoke. 








The clouds were getting upon us, surrounding us. In just few minutes we were covered by the white backdrops. When we got on the topmost part, the strong wind lapped on us with drizzles of rain. When we were about to go down, there was a sudden clearing so we stayed a bit longer to take photos.

How to go here: From Mahogany Market, we rode a jeep going to Olivarez. Fare is PHP13/head. From Olivarez Terminal we rode a jeep bound to People’s Park. Fare is PHp17/head.

Sky Ranch (5:15PM-6:15PM)

By this time we were already feeling a bit under the weather – perhaps due to the colds. As we went down, the chill was lessened. The afternoon sun showed but it was nearing to set off. We were planning to ride the bus bound to Pasay but as we traveled our way back to Olivarez terminal, we felt better again. So we pushed with the plan to visit Sky Ranch. I was really looking forward to this place because I wanted to take a photo of the Sky Eye. I wanted to try it but my two companions didn’t want to. Anyway, we paid an entrance fee of PHP50/head for the Sky Ranch (it was PHP80 on weekends).  









We just stayed in the covered hall because it was drizzling in the open area. I loved the carnival feels of the Sky Ranch, the rides were just few but they were a colorful sights to behold. It was nice seeing the sunset while hearing the screams of the people from the Drop Tower ride. Kids would surely enjoy this place while the adults would treat this as a dreamland of their inner child.

How to go here: From People’s Park we rode a jeep bound to Olivarez Terminal. We got off at Olivarez Plaza and rode a jeep bound to Mahogany. Before reaching the market you will see Sky Ranch (I suggest you go to Sky Ranch first before you go to People’s Park).

Sky Ranch was our last stop. From there we rode a jeep bound to Olivarez terminal, then got off at the plaza. You'd see a bus lined up there, near 7 eleven. We rode the one bound to Pasay Baclaran. There were still other places to go to but we were out of time. You could add to your list the Picnic Grove and Starbucks Twin Lake (the view there are said to be breathtaking).

Tagaytay Day Trip Itinerary & Summary Expenses:

6:30AM – MRT Taft Bus Terminal, ETD – bus bound to Nasugbu via Tagaytay, Fare                             PHP86/head

9AM – ETA Olivarez Terminal, Walked to Pink Sisters

10AM – Rode jeep bound to Nasugbu, Fare PHP25,

10:45AM – ETA Ever Crest, rode Tricycle to Caleruega, Fare PHP20/head

11AM – Caleruega Church, Entrance Fee PHP30

12:30AM – rode tricycle bound to Evercrest, Fare PHP20

12:45AM – Evercrest, rode Bus to Mahogany Market, Fare PHP25/head

1:30PM – Mahogany Market, Lunch Budget: PHP200/head

2:30PM – rode jeep to Olivarez Terminal, Fare PHP13/head

2:45PM – Olivarez Terminal, rode jeep to People’s Park, Fare PHP17/head

3:15PM- People’s Park, Entrance Fee PHP30

4:30PM – rode jeep back to Olivarez terminal, Fare PHP17/head

5PM – Olivarez Terminal, rode Jeep to Sky Ranch, Fare PHP8/head

5:15PM – Sky Ranch, Entrance Fee PHP50

6:15PM – rode jeep to Olivarez Terminal, Fare PHP8/head

6:30PM – Olivarez Plaza, rode Bus bound to Pasay, Fare PHP86/head

TOTAL: PHP635/head

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