Malarayat Mountain Range Traverse (Mt. Malipunyo - Manabu Peak)

Holiday gives us the chance to discover places, mountains and travel around. A year ago, we hiked two mountains in just for one day and now, before 2013 ends we challenged ourselves to do a traverse. This is a challenging and exciting adventure and we felt nervous because we don’t know what will happen during the hike. But, the eagerness is there and we are fully energized that day.  

The Story
Our first traverse is Mt. Malipunyo to Mt. Manabu via Mt. Malarayat mountain range -  it is one of the major features of the Southern Tagalog scenery (also includes; Mt. Makiling, Mt. Banahaw, and Mt. Maculot). 

Mt. Malipunyo is located between the provinces of Batangas and Laguna. It has three peaks with the summit of 1005 MASL, it is sometimes spelled as Malipuño. This mountain is a forested and grassy, even in the summit. Mt. Malipunyo, Mt. Susong Dalaga, and the Manabu Peak are the interconnected destinations. Some part of the trails would be steep, but there are many trees to hold on to, but be careful of the harmful plants.

Mt. Manabu is typically cloudy that gives you an almost wistful air. It is one of the three major peaks of the Malarayat range, the named itself is the abbreviated from the word “Mataas na Bundok”. The trail is easy and is the most accessible mountain from Manila. The very beautiful surroundings and add the spectacular view of the Malipunyo mountain range. You can see the perfect scene!

After our early breakfast, our group rode a bus going to Batangas City and from the bus terminal; we headed to the Fiesta Mall and rode a trike to the jump-off. We meet Mang Mario, our guide for the day. Then, start trekking around six thirty in the morning.

struggling the slippery trail

reached the Peak 1

There are noxious plants and pruritogenic lipa trees which can cause itching. Thorns bushes are also visible in the mountain so be careful to avoid getting injury. It is important to wear clothes that can protect your skin. You can get out of the forest after hour later then passing by the grassland or also called “Talahiban”. The trail, after passing by the grassland, is not less of dangers anymore, but it’s going on a sharp edge. It's very tiring, but after all, you will realized how beautiful the world is.

Mt. Susong-Dalaga

dirty but happy feet

encountered various wild plants

reaching the Manabu Peak

Note: If you are not familiar in the trail, it is important to hire a guide to avoid getting lost here.

ITINERARY:

03:30AM - Assembly Jollibee-Buendia

04:30AM - ETD Jam Terminal (going to Batangas City) 

06:00AM - ETA Fiesta Mall (take trike to Jump off)

06:30AM - Arrival at jumpoff - Start Trek

07:30AM - Arrive at the river, first water source.

08:15AM - 2nd water source 

09:00AM - Arrive at Peak 1

09:30AM – Arrive at Peak 2

10:00AM – Arrive at Peak 3, Mt. Malipunyo Summit, take lunch

11:00AM - Start descent

11:30AM - Arrived at Balete park

12:00NN -  Start descent

12:30PM - River. Water source

01:00PM – Tri-House, rest, take coffee, snacks

02:00PM - Arrived at Biak na bundok

02:30PM - Start descend

03:30PM - Arrived at Mt Maraduhan. Rest

04:30PM - Arrived at Manabu Campsite. Rest

05:00PM - Set foot on Mt Manabu Peak

05:30PM - Start descent

05:45PM - Coffee Break at Manong Pirying

06:30PM - Arrived at Mt Manabu Jump off. Rest. Tidy up

07:30PM - Take tricycle to lipa Bus stop, Dinner

08:00PM - Arrived at Lipa Bus Stop

08:30PM - Take bus to Manila

09:30PM - ETA Manila

Expenses

Bus – 157php 

Trike – 20php

Registration Fee – 20php

Guide Fee – 200php each (we give 100php each as tip for Manong Mario for being nice and kind to us)

Food/Water - 250

Guide contact number: Mang Mario, +63-9994106990

More photos here...

Malipunyo makes my 11th conquered mountain a successful one and it was my second time to climbed Mt. Manabu! Hooray!

Happy climbing,

-Marco

Magdalena White Water River Rafting Adventure

In my previous post - Weekend Getaway | Majayjay Falls, I talked about our weekend getaway in Tanay Falls or known as Majayjay Falls. After that, our next adventure is in Magdalena, Laguna. What to do with Magdalena? Hmm, that’s what we are going to find out. Upon browsing on the World Wide Web we learned that we can do river rafting in the place.

As we all know, only Cagayan De Oro offers river rafting, but Magdalena offers also this kind of activity. 

Who would have thought that Magdalena, Laguna offers this kind of activity? Without a doubt, that’s true!


If you are on a tight budget and you can't go to CDO to experience this kind of adventure. Well, don't you worry because Magdalena has to offer and I am sure that you will also enjoy their river rafting! After doing the rafting here I am eager to go to CDO and try their the so-called wild white river rafting! Whew! I am ready to that!

Anyhow, lets talk about Magdalena first. Hehe!

There are several well-known sights in Magdalena, Laguna just like Mary Magdalene Parish Church, Mali-mali Bridge, Emilio Jacinto Shrine, The Rizal Park, Bahay Laguna, The Pintong Kabag and The Pintong Pilak.

Magdalena - the fourth class municipality in the province of Laguna is Magdalena, it has 22, 976 population according to the latest census. It is also formerly a barrio of Majayjay, Laguna. On January 18, 1820, Magdalena was proclaimed a new town by Gov. Gen. Don Mariano Fernandez de Folgueras after the petition from the residents of the barrio. It was named first as Magdalena de Ambling which derived from its patron saint Maria Magdalena.

Magdalena also held Kawayan Festival. It was a colourful festival that celebrates the native bamboo and the role in the culture and livelihood of the town to promote bamboo-based industries.

It had been the sun-drenched day when the group decided to do the extreme adventure in Magdalena, Laguna. Though, it was quite a long drive, but we are just so patience and excited because that was our first time doing a river rafting together.

We usually leave as early as we can avoid traffic if we are going to have a weekend getaway. But that day we decided to meet late in the morning because our river rafting adventure will start at 2 o’clock in the afternoon.

Our meeting place is at Buendia Bus Terminal then from there we rode a bus bound to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. It’s about two to three hours’ drive. From Sta. Cruz, we rode a jeep bound to Magdalena and drop-off at Basketball court. 

Since, we arrived early we decided to take our breakfast first and have to explore around the area. We visited St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church and The Rizal Park. They have a Walk of Fame version in the park, too! Not only the name of FPJ to Walk of Fame can be seen in Magdalena, Laguna because the blood marked one hero had also here. Who? Emilio Jacinto, his bloodstains were found on the floor of the church.

Then, went to the office to meet Sir Raf (the guide) and we’ll wait for an hour for our extreme adventure. Furthermore, before heading to the river, Sir Raf briefed us for safety. And, then, it’s already lunchtime, so we asked him if where we are able to acquire each of our foods for lunch. The good thing is that they also offer food. 

After our lunch, the adventure begins…

RIVER RAFTING PACKAGE

Fee: 550 pesos per head
Inclusions:
Transportation (From Magdalena town proper to rafting area and back)
Use of Gears & Equipment
Raft guide
Cottage at Dam area
Photos


EXPENSES

Bus Fare (Buendia - Sta. Cruz) - 140 PHP
Jeepney to Magdalena - 13-15 PHP
Rafting Package - 550 PHP
Packed Lunch + drinks - 60 PHP
Jeepney to Sta. Cruz - 13-15 PHP
Bus Fare (Sta. Cruz - Buendia) - 140 PHP
Safe budget - 1000 PHP

HOW TO GET THERE

From Buendia, take a bus bound for Sta. Cruz, Laguna (fare 140php) and travel time is 2-3 hours. 

From Sta. Cruz, take a jeepney to Magdalena, fare is 13-15 pesos and travel time is around 15-30 minutes.

For inquiries/bookings:

Contact Tito Raf - 0916-5906424

FB: facebook.com/buenojanraphael

It was really a fun and unforgettable experience. We thank to Sir Raf for the experience and for the hospitality. We love to do it again.

Weekend Getaway | Majayjay Falls

under the trees

It is the fourth class municipality in the province of Laguna, located at the foot of Mt. Banahaw.  In 1578, the Spanish colonial government made it a town and it is one of the most populated towns in the newly founded province.   

Locals use to call it Malay Barangay.

It became Majayjay because of a tired travellers sighed, HAY! After climbing a hill, after scaling a cliff, and after crossing a raging river. 

Therefore, guests referred to the place “Mahayhay” which means many sighs and Spaniard spelled it “Majayjay”. That’s how Malay Barangay got its name Majayjay. 

Majayjay Falls

Majayjay is a home to the Taytay Falls but it is also known as Majayjay Falls, is a two-storey high falls which located in isolated scenery where the forestry is plentiful. In order to go to Taytay Falls, one has to go down the pebble steps leading to a kilometre-long trail.

The group has various suggestions where to go before summer ends. From beach, mountain hiking, water rafting, surfing, road trip to food trip – these are the options of the group. But after a long day of arguments and suggesting a new nice place to go, we settled to explore Majayjay and what they can offer for a weekend traveller like us.

We left Taft Avenue at exactly 7 o’clock in the morning and the trip is about 2-3 hours’ drive.  We board in a bus bound to Sta. Cruz, Laguna and from there we rode a jeep going to Majayjay Town. We arrived at Majayjay around 2:30PM and we go ahead to registered at the Brgy. Hall and we rented a tent for our overnight stay. 

We are all excited because it is our first time to visit the Majayjay Falls and stay there over the weekend. It’s a walking distance from Brgy. Hall to Majayjay falls. And from the entrance we already heard the drift of the water falls and it was cold.  It's freezing cold!

our tent

We look up a place where to build our tent and then, Manong assist us to fix our tent. Our location is nearby the river and a bit far from the crowd. During that time, there are many tourist stay there overnight. It’s really a long drive from the metro to Majayjay that is why we ate dinner after fixing our tent. We’re all thanks to our guide for helping us to build up our tent. 

Expenses:

Fare: 500php

Tent: 350php (good for 4-6 people, 70php per person)

Registration: 20php

Food: 250php

Total Cost: 840php

Safe budget: 1100php

Itinerary
Day 1
0630 Meet up in Buendia LRT
0700 Board bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna
1000 ETA Sta Cruz, Laguna; Board jeepney to Majayjay Town
1100 ETA Majayjay, Ride jeepney to Taytay Falls
1130 ETA Brgy. Hall
1200 Lunch (at Brgy. Hall)

1330 fixing tent

1400 Rest

1500 Early dinner

1600 swimming time

Day 2
1400 Tidy up
1530 Ride Jeepney back to Majayjay
1630 Ride jeepney to Sta. Cruz, Laguna
1800 Ride bus back to Manila
2100 ETA Manila

More photos here...

Mt. Kalisungan, 760+ (Dayhike)

After the unforgettable island adventure (see previous post), the group planned for another weekend getaway and settled to climb a mountain. Where we heading? 

There are lots of choices but the group agreed to climb Mt. Kalisungan – is the one of the smaller mountains in the Southern Tagalog region however, it is also one of the mountains that border the Banahaw Trilogy. It is located in Calauan, Laguna.

There are fruit trees all the way to Mt. Kalisungan – from rambutan, kaimito to sunkest, and buko which offer trail food but of course, don’t forget to ask permission before picking up the fruits. 

Also, there are coconut trees, banana plantations, and huge grasslands going to the peak of the mountain.

The view to the North side of the mountain is the Talim Island which Mt. Tagapo has been seen. To the east, the view of the highlands of Caliraya appears. Of course, the seven lakes of San Pablo verge by the two mountains Mt. Cristobal and Mt. Banahaw. To the west of the mountain, Mt. Makiling has been seen.

I met Jepoy and Badong at the HM Transport bus Cubao station and board a bus going to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. We dropped at the Duck Junction but guys make sure that you told Manong Conductor to drop you at the Victoria, Laguna (Duck Junction) so you don’t get lost. From there, we met Roy (our friend) and took a jeep bound to San Pablo and dropped at Brgy. Lamot 2 then, registered at Brgy. Hall and look for Mang Bino or his wife. This time, his wife is our guide (Ate Mercy, I am not sure of the name. I really forgot her name. Sorry!)

There are two locals offered to us a fresh buko while we’re on the trail and yes, we didn’t refuse the offer because we are also craving to it. Then, after few minutes we start trekking again. It’s sunny day during our hike and the heat of the sun burn your skin. We, also, brought plenty of water because as per review there are no water sources along the way and the heat makes you dehydrated.

We’re on the summit of Mt. Kalisungan at exactly 12 o’clock in the afternoon and feeling blessed because the clouds are so clear. We took pictures and make chitchat with the guide. Then, we go back to the downward slope. After the hike, we ate our late lunch at the nearest market.

ITINERARY

5:30AM – Assembly at HM Transport Bus Station, Cubao.

6:00AM – Board HM Transport bus bound to Sta. Cruz, Laguna (117.25php).

8:00AM – Get off at Victoria, Laguna (at the Duck Junction to be exact). You can take breakfast or buy food here. Take a jeep going to San Pablo and get off to Brgy. Lamot 2 (12-15php).

8:30AM – Register at Brgy. Hall, and look for a guide (10php-registration fee and 400php for the guide).

9:00AM – start trekking

12:00NN – SUMMIT

12:30PM – Lunch, Rest, Take photos….

1:30PM – descent

3:00PM – back to Manila

EXPENSES: 700php
How to get there:

•   Take HM Transport bus bound to Sta. Cruz, Laguna, EDSA-Cubao. Ask the Manong Conductor to drop you off at Duck Junction in Victoria, Laguna.
• From Duck Junction, take a jeep bound to San Pablo and drop off at Brgy. Lamot 2. Then, register at the Brgy. Hall and look for a guide. Contact number of Mang Bino is (+63-909-297-1437.

gAnd I officially declared that Mt. Kalisungan is my 8th conquered mountain. Hooray!

HHappy climbing,

Marco

g

Boys Night Out at Sun City, Laguna

Hello there! What’s up? Weekend (Saturday and Sunday), for me, is the best day of the week because you can do whatever you want to do and you can go wherever you want to go.

Its nice feeling that once in awhile you and your friends gather together and escaped outside the City. Yes, me and my friends escaping Metro Manila and went to South. It’s a weekend getaway. The places is just an hour away from Manila to South Luzon.  We were heading to Sun City Resort, a place that you can enjoy the amenities. Its affordable, too!