Sunday, September 7, 2014
Mount Marami-Silyang Bato (405+ MASL), Maragondon, Cavite
Mount Marami-Silyang BatoMaragondon, Cavite
Jump-off point : Brgy. Ramirez, Magallanes, Cavite
LLA : 405+ MASL
Days required/hours to summit : 1-2 days/4-6 hours
Specs : Minor climb; Difficulty : 3/9 ; Trail Class 1-3
http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/09/mt-marami-405.html
There are two ways on how to get to Magallanes from Pasay or from the Cavite/Batangas main terminal in Coastal Mall. Ride a bus going to Naic (fare around Php70), then at Naic terminal ride a jeepney going to Magallanes (jeepney fare Php37). Tell the driver that you'll be dropped at Brgy. Ramirez. Another trike ride will lead you to the jump-off (Php40/trip).
The more comfy way on how to get to Brgy. Ramirez, Magallanes is a bus ride going to Nasugbu. Tell the conductor to drop you at Brgy. Amuyong, Alfonso, Cavite (around Php70), only one municipality away from Tagaytay City. From Amuyong, a jeepney ride going to Magallanes (Php36) then a trike ride to Brgy. Ramirez. Going to Alfonso than to Naic has shorter traveling time. We just came from my hubby's hometown, Amadeo, Cavite. We're only 10 minutes jeepney ride away from Tagaytay City. We took the first option going to Magallanes thru Naic. And we took 4 long jeepney rides and a trike ride (a total of 2 long hours from Amadeo, Cavite already) going to the jump-off, wherein we could only reach Magallanes from Tagaytay in an hour. At least we took the two options for my readers' easy access to the place when they plan to get here.
At the Brgy. Hall of Ramirez, we volunteered to register our names. They said that they are no longer collecting registration fees. But for me it is definitely okay to collect fees because in here we were able to eat our lunch before taking off. They even offered their super cold drinking water. We refilled ours. We even freshened-up here and used their comfort rooms. It is here where we negotiated for a guide. The first one who offered his service is charging three times than what we got. Be wiser, don' t just accept their offers. It will be thriftier to read blogs or any information about the place so you'll always get the best deals. We even told the first guide that we were paying for some guides in major mountain climbs but not his Php2000 offer. He said it's really hot that's why the fee is that much. Good thing Alfred Diño joined the conversation, he said "Ako na lang mag guide sa inyo!". Super swerte, aside from being kind, makwento, matulungin... he knows the shortcuts. His celphone number is 0906-203-4867. Tell him you read his number in our blog for discounts.
And the super hot trek just started...
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| the sun is just unforgivable |
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| Crossing the river |
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| wishing for more shades |
I've noticed my son's face is reddening. I thought it was just the heat of the sun. I noticed that he has allergies all over his face... good thing we have a first aid kit with medicines for headache, burns, allergies, lbm, etc. After taking 2 tablets, the allergies were gone. Hayyyy salamat!
The trek going to the campsite was an exhausting 4 hours. The guide tried to do one final shortcut going to the campsite but we noticed that the there were no more trails. It has no sign that it is being used as a trail going up. We thought that maybe it is called Mount Marami (Marami means many) because it has many forks, many ligaw, many trail, many horse and cow's manure (nagkalat!) grabe! If it is your first time going to Mount Marami don't be "kuripot" in getting a trail guide, there will be a lot of time and energy lost if you will not hire a guide. Getting one is strongly recommended. Mount Marami has been known as a mountain with labyrinths of trails. You'll really get lost if you don't hire a guide. If we didn't get lost, we will be at the campsite for 3 1/2 hours. I noticed that there are few mountaineers hiking here though it is a weekend.
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| we met a lot of accommodating locals and horses here |
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| Nuestra Señora |
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| entering a private property |
After 4 hours of trekking under the scorching heat of the sun, we finally arrived at the campsite. Our 3 liters of water per person was emptied. Water source can be found via trekking going up, before reaching this campsite, we already refilled our containers but I guess it will still be not enough for us since we still have to use water for cooking and a little freshening up, kahit hanggang toothbrush lang.
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| water source... finally |
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| magnificent view from the campsite |
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| we decided to camp here (30 to 40 minutes from the summit) |
And the sun rose ... Good morning Mount Marami!!!
I was able to post a status in facebook while spending the night here... lakas ng signal!!! promise! may 3G!!! hahaha =)
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| the boys... |
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| sarap ng morning with my sweetie <3 |
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| Mount Marami-Silyang Bato's color during sunrise |
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| our campsite for a night |
Ahhhh, they thought that the kids with us will slow us down... They are absolutely wrong because they are always in front of the trail... iba ang resistensya nila!!! I thought I'm stronger than them.
As we were climbing going to the summit, we feel or see that the summit is going farther than nearer.... magic ei!
At last... the summit at 405 MASL
At last... the summit at 405 MASL
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| don't underestimate them... they are faster than us |
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| Josh at the other view of the mountain |
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| that very cute rock formation, hehehe =) |
We stopped for a while... the area where we wanted to take photos is separated from where we are already standing... You either jump over the open area or the safer thing to do is to be assisted by two persons both from the other sides. One wrong step and you'll be dropped 400 meters below... OMG! Take a lot of care, trekking this area must be taken seriously...
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| daddy jumping over the cliff |
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| Alvin |
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| Daddy |
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| the boys with our guide, Alvin |
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| my first born, JP |
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| Josh |
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| Jasmin, 7 years old, was the youngest mountaineer to sit here =) |
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| Justin, Alvin's son |
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| kung takot humarap sa cliff para magpa picture, eh di tumalikod =) |
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| Bantog and Villanueva Family, mountaineers by heart <3 |
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| hope we will be complete in the future |
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| ganyan sya mag-emo, nagpapahabol |
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| syempre may moment din ako =) |
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| group pic |
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| with the love of my life |
I've done dayhikes at Mt. Tarak Ridge and Mt. Pico de Loro. Getting to Mt. Marami one way really drought me, it is more difficult than my two dayhikes though Mt. Tarak Ridge is a major hike (10 hours two ways) and Mt. Pico de Loro will take you 8 hours to hike two ways. This mountain may be classified as a minor climb for me pero nahirapan talaga ako dito. The heat of the sun contributed a lot to the difficult climb. I consumed 4 liters of water just by climbing down.
It's time for Raymart Bantog's overload!!! the coolest mountaineer you'll ever meet ... a certified bachelor... ayan mga girls magsawa kayo, hahaha =)
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| Mt. Pico de Loro as background |
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| the famous Silyang-Bato |
two days itinerary :
Day 1:
8am to 11 am - bus ride from Coastal Mall to Naic terminal
11am to 11:30 am - jeepney ride from Naic to Brgy. Ramirez, Magallanes
11:30 am to 11:45 am- trike ride going to Brgy. Hall
11:45 am to 12:30 nn - lunch at Brgy. Hall, arrange guides
12:30 nn to 4:30 pm - 4 hours trek going to campsite
4:30 pm - pitch tents
5:00 pm - refill water, cook for dinner
6:00 pm - early dinner, socials
8:00 pm - lights off!
Day 2:
5:00 to 6 am - prepare and eat breakfast
- break camp!
6am to 6:40 - campsite to summit (Silyang Bato)
6:40am to 8am - picture taking at the summit
8am to 8:30am - summit to campsite
8:30am to 12:30nn - campsite to Brgy. Hall
12:30nn to 1:30pm - lunch at Brgy. Hall, freshen-up
1:30pm to 1:45pm - trike ride going to terminal (Magallanes to Amuyong jeep)
1:45pm to 2pm - wait for the jeepney trip
(jeepney ride from Magallanes to Amuyong goes every hour)
2pm to 2:30pm - jeepney ride from Magallanes to Amuyong, Alfonso, Cavite
2:30pm to 4:30pm - bus ride from Alfonso to Coastal Mall or Pasay
(believe me this is the shorter route going to Manila)
8am to 11 am - bus ride from Coastal Mall to Naic terminal
11am to 11:30 am - jeepney ride from Naic to Brgy. Ramirez, Magallanes
11:30 am to 11:45 am- trike ride going to Brgy. Hall
11:45 am to 12:30 nn - lunch at Brgy. Hall, arrange guides
12:30 nn to 4:30 pm - 4 hours trek going to campsite
4:30 pm - pitch tents
5:00 pm - refill water, cook for dinner
6:00 pm - early dinner, socials
8:00 pm - lights off!
Day 2:
5:00 to 6 am - prepare and eat breakfast
- break camp!
6am to 6:40 - campsite to summit (Silyang Bato)
6:40am to 8am - picture taking at the summit
8am to 8:30am - summit to campsite
8:30am to 12:30nn - campsite to Brgy. Hall
12:30nn to 1:30pm - lunch at Brgy. Hall, freshen-up
1:30pm to 1:45pm - trike ride going to terminal (Magallanes to Amuyong jeep)
1:45pm to 2pm - wait for the jeepney trip
(jeepney ride from Magallanes to Amuyong goes every hour)
2pm to 2:30pm - jeepney ride from Magallanes to Amuyong, Alfonso, Cavite
2:30pm to 4:30pm - bus ride from Alfonso to Coastal Mall or Pasay
(believe me this is the shorter route going to Manila)
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Ilocos Tour
We were fortunate enough to travel as a group in Ilocos. Though everyone is on a budget about this trip, we enjoyed it anyway. Our first stop, Sta. Maria Cathedral Church.
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| about to climb the 85-steps stairs |
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| the boys ... |
Sta. Maria Church (Asunta Parish) is a national landmark that was used as a fortress during the 1896 Revolution. It is located in Ilocos Sur. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO on December 11, 1993. Its patroness is Our Lady of Assumption or Nuestra Señora. During the Spanish era, the church also functioned as a citadel.
It was built in around 1765 by the Augustinians. The church is nestled on top of a hill and may be reached by climbing 85 steps of granite rock that was imported from China. The thick buttresses on each side functions as protection from earthquakes. The architecture of the church is Baroque inspired.
Second Stop... Batac
Batac is a city in the province of Ilocos Norte. It is located in the northwest corner of the island of Luzon, about 11 kilometers (6.8 mi) from the eastern shores of the South China Sea. The municipalities of Banna, Currimao, Paoay, Pinili, Sarrat, Marcos and San Nicolas form its boundaries.
Batac is known as the "Home of Great Leaders", as it is the hometown of many significant figues in the history of the Philippines. Among them is the former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos.
The Marcos Museum and Mausoleum lies in the heart of the city. The Mausoleum is where the glass-entombed, preserved corpse of the former president can be found. The Museum holds the memorabilia of the late President, from his stint in the Armed Forces down his presidency
Our third stop ... Paoay Church
Paoay
Church (St. Augustine Church) is a historical church located in Paoay,
Ilocos Norte. During the Philippine Revolution in 1898, its coral stone
bell tower was used by the Katipuneros as an observation post. Paoay
Church is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Construction
of Paoay Church was started by the Augustinian friars in 1694. It was
completed in 1894 led by Fr. Antonio Estavillo and was re-dedicated in
1894.
http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Paoay_Church  |
| with officemates and friends =) |
In front of Paoay Church is Herencia Cafe. They are serving this very unique pizza flavor, the pinakbet (pakbet) flavor. Imagine a pizza with amapalaya, talong and sitaw.... sarappppp!!!
After Paoay, we proceeded to Laoag City...
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| ayan na ang mowdel! |
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| pa side side lang =) |
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| with dabarkadz |
Fort Ilocandia is the only 5-star hotel resort in the northern Philippines with over 77 hectares of land amidst gentle sand dunes and pine forests with a two kilometer sandy beach facing South China Sea. It is located at Laoag City and only ten-minute drive from Laoag domestic airport.
Check out their promo packages that starts with Php4,300. Click here.
Visit their official webpage at http://www.fortilocandia.com.ph.
We spent the night at Cabugao. The best known place to stay in this place is the Cabugao Beach Resort. For room rates check their official website at http://cabugaobeachresort.weebly.com/rates.html
Before going home, we visited The Heritage at Vigan, Ilocos Sur...
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| inside the Vigan Cathedral |
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| with ninang Pau |
On December 2, 1999, the City of Vigan, the capital city of Ilocos Sur, was inscribed in the prestigious UNESCO's World Heritage List of Sites and Monuments of 630 cultural and natural properties of exceptional universal value. UNESCO described the city as "a best preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia with its architectural reflecting the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines and from China with those of Europe to create a unique culture and townscapre without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.
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| my one and only princess, Janelle |
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| Souvenir Shop in Vigan |
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Vigan City :Baluarte ni Chavit Singson
Baluarte is located in Vigan, 408 kilometers north of Manila. It is only 10 minutes drive from the Heritage. It is a 80-hectare rolling terrains, hills and mountain sides and the most famous zoo in North Luzon.
The best thing about Baluarte is that the ADMISSION and RIDES are absolutely FREE!!! It is owned by Governor Chavit Singson and sometimes called as his "Fortress". He actually built the place as a gift to the people of Vigan. Bringing food and using the picnic areas within the area are allowed. There are also enough comfort rooms located at the entrance of the zoo. It opens at 7 AM and closes at 6 PM everyday
The best thing about Baluarte is that the ADMISSION and RIDES are absolutely FREE!!! It is owned by Governor Chavit Singson and sometimes called as his "Fortress". He actually built the place as a gift to the people of Vigan. Bringing food and using the picnic areas within the area are allowed. There are also enough comfort rooms located at the entrance of the zoo. It opens at 7 AM and closes at 6 PM everyday
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| the greeters of the zoo |
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| ostrich within your reach |
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| little ponies |
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| a free trip around Baluarte |
Baluarte started off as a rest house in 1991 with celebrity friends like
Fernando Poe Jr. as regular visitor spending long weekends. The place
has already considerable numbers of domestic animals like monkeys,
chickens, large lizards (bayawak) and rare bird species, right inside
the Baluarte forest, these rare bird species are found only in there.
Governor Chavit, loves nature and exhibits passion for animals. Baluarte
setting is that place where he can enjoy peace and quiet and away from
the demands of a busy life and urban living. As a political leader of
Ilocos Sur, people searched for him continuously.
So the rest house cannot anymore accommodate people and friends who also enjoy the place, that was, when he decided to slowly construct Baluarte. He first constructed the main house and seeing the beauty of the next, he abandoned the old main house, made it the guest house, and constructed a multi level house on a hilltop that magnifies the fantastic view of Vigan City that stretches all the way to the South China Sea.
So the rest house cannot anymore accommodate people and friends who also enjoy the place, that was, when he decided to slowly construct Baluarte. He first constructed the main house and seeing the beauty of the next, he abandoned the old main house, made it the guest house, and constructed a multi level house on a hilltop that magnifies the fantastic view of Vigan City that stretches all the way to the South China Sea.
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| Janelle's crying because her slipper slipped... not because of the tigers =) |
There are a total of 9 tigers in Baluarte with shows everyday. We were not able to see them because we are in a hurry going home. Gov. Chavit must be very very rich thinking how huge the place is, how plenty the animals he owns and maintains, how plenty the buildings are.... and they are offering everything for free!!! He really is rich.
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| with dabarkadz |
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| the cute camel photobomber, hahaha =) |
Baluarte is in the state of further improving their facilities for both the animals and the visitors. They are planning to implement the open zoo concept wherein animals will be kept in a more sizable enclosures to give them more space to roam around.
Don't forget to visit the place while it is still free... I guess it will forever be free =)
Visit Baluarte's official webpage at http://www.chavitsingson.net/baluarte/general-info.html
Don't forget to visit the place while it is still free... I guess it will forever be free =)
Visit Baluarte's official webpage at http://www.chavitsingson.net/baluarte/general-info.html
