TREK GUIDE | Mt Kanlaon Natural Park, Mananawin-Mapot Traverse (2,435 MASL)

Mt Kanlaon Natural Park, Mananawin-Mapot Traverse (2,435 MASL)

Mountain Trek Guide

Mt Kanlaon is the most active Strato Volcano in the Visayas, having no other neighboring mountains in its base; it stands like an island with the same Topographic prominence as its height at 2,435 MASL. This volcano is one of the 6 permanently monitored volcanoes by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

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Negros Oriental | In Awe of The Margaja Valley

NEGROS ORIENTAL | In Awe of The Margaja Valley

Home Of The God Kan-Laon

A view imprinted in memory for a lifetime.  The feeling of elation, of being bereft with words while marveling at the saturation of life that envelopes us as we stand at the Caldera Rim of the Margaja Valley. The sun illuminated for us a landscape view that will never be replicated anywhere. The grass blades heavy with morning dew, the morning mist covering and giving way to assure us, 6 lucky climbers that we made it. We climbed this mountain that is referred to as the home of the God. The difficult terrain that we had to pass through was worth it, the muddy trails, and the thorns in the bush that seemed to fight back, the long despairing trail that seemed too steep and hazardous to trek, they all lined like ducks in a row but we still made it. We were overwhelmed and in awe of The Margaja Valley, Home of the God.

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Negros Occidental | The Ruins in Talisay

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL | The Ruins in Talisay
Ruins of Italianate Architecture

No ghost, but like a mausoleum of a decadent past with memories of those who created and called this Mansion home; The Ruins of The Lacson Mansion.

The Italianate Architecture with Neo-Romanesque Columns fascinated me the most. Though I wouldn't consider it an Architectural Marvel, the Haciendas of Negros are really something to behold at the time when Dons and Sugar Barons lay claim to most of these lands. We took less than an hour to explore the place and be fascinated by the History of the Ruins and the opulent family behind it. A worthy side trip if I must say when you are visiting Metro Bacolod.

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Trek 101 | 3 Things You Can Arm Yourself Against Limatiks

3 Things You Can Arm Yourself Against Limatiks
 Limatiks, Being Prepared vs Being Ready

I've been climbing Philippine mountains for almost 3 years by now, I'm someone you would consider advance when it comes to hiking, but still far from the intermediate level. I've only encountered Limatiks or Forest leeches 3 times on 3 different hiking trips. One of those trips left me a very traumatic experience; this prompted me to read more about these blood sucking parasites and be best prepared to a point of paranoia, lessons learned the hard way by experience.

Limatik will latch on to everything that passes their way, even my trek pole.

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TREK GUIDE | Mt Maculot (Maculod) Traverse (MacTrav) 947 MASL

Mt Maculot (Maculod) Traverse (MacTrav) 947 MASL
Mountain Trek Guide

Mt Maculot is a popular hiking destination near Metro Manila. It has three foremost sites; The Rockies at 706 MASL is a high volcanic rock wall that is the Highest Caldera Rim of the former Taal Crater Cone, The Mt Maculot Summit at 947 MASL and The Grotto at 510 MASL which is a pilgrim site during the Holy Week.

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TREK GUIDE | Mt Pico de Loro 664 MASL

Mt Pico de Loro 664 MASL
Mountain Trek Guide

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TREK GUIDE | Mt Arayat (Ayala - San Juan Bano Traverse) 1,026 MASL

The North Peak as seen from The South Peak of Mt Arayat.

 
Mt Arayat Ayala-Juan Bano Traverse (ArTrav) 1,026 MASL 

Mountain Trek Guide

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North Cotabato | Magpet At The Foothills of Mt Apo

NORTH COTABATO | Magpet At The Foothills of Mt Apo
Mt Apo's Elfin Woodland

Thickly forested sloping terrain with diverse Flora and Fauna, Magpet being situated at the foothills of the Talomo-Apo Mountain Range is one of the easy trails to consider when hiking Mt Apo the Philippines highest mountain.

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North Cotabato | Cold Mornings In Lake Venado

NORTH COTABATO | Cold Mornings In Lake Venado
The Enchanted 2nd Highest Lake In The Philippines

Kim and I were actually taking each other's photo, marveling at the clear reflection we have in the lake. Joanne is trying to warm up with a little walk. The saturated greens and blues of the photo were no exaggeration; I don't over enhance my photographs.

Enchanted and Beautiful, this Endorheic Lake near the summit of Mt Apo is the Philippines 2nd Highest Lake in elevation. It's not surprising since Mt Apo dubbed as "The Grandfather of Philippine Mountains" is the country's roof top. We camped here after a daylong of trekking the forested Boholanon trail of Magpet, and here's an account of what happened when we arrived and waking up near a sublime body of water with the facade of Mt Apo's many summits looming before it.

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Rizal | Sunset at Mt Daraitan

RIZAL | Sunset at Mt Daraitan
The Far Corner of Taytay Rizal

The January wind is strong, it blew away any chance of cloud formation that would have made this moment more scenic. It was a long day, traveling to this far corner of Taytay Rizal after a graveyard shift, with the midday trekking under cover of Mt Daraitan's forest, I could not wish for a more pleasant way to cap this day than Sunset watching. Mt Daraitan's rocky summit proved to be a pleasant viewpoint to watch the Sunset as we feel the light rain and strong winds pass us by.

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Benguet | Sunset At Kabayan Hills

Benguet | Sunset At Kabayan Hills
A Third In A Row, Return To Mt Timbac

I conclude that the most scenic of Sunsets are in the Highlands, people may disagree since the experience of watching the setting sun vary, and for the most part we remember them for the feeling it gives us. I'm romantic like that; I love to watch the shadows play as the sun is gradually going down in the horizon, the warm and cool colors are splayed together in one frame, the spherical shape of the sun turning dark yellow to reddish and could be framed by the passing clouds, but by being in the highlands like the Cordillera's, the pine laden hills can complete the ensemble.

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Mountain | Chased By A Typhoon In Mt Arayat

MOUNTAIN | Chased By A Typhoon in Mt Arayat
Traversing The Extinct Stratovolcano On A Stormy Weekend

Loveless. My friend Lovely is hugging this Andesite Rock Wall like a caring boyfriend under the rain.

Its an outdoor adventure with added challenges. Chased by the approaching landfall of Category 1 Typhoon Kalmaegi locally named as Tropical Storm Luis which was expected to make landfall over Cagayan Valley of Northern Luzon on the same day as our planned Mt Arayat traverse.

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Falls | The Cold Tappia (Tappiya) Falls of Batad

FALLS | The Cold Tappia (Tappiya) Falls of Batad
Batad Rice Terraces, Batad, Banaue, Ifugao


“Waterfalls are exciting because they have power, they have rainbows, they have songs, and they have boldness and craziness!”
― Mehmet Murat ildan

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