mt timbak kabayan benguet

March 29, 2012, 12:46 am

7:00pm we had our dinner. 7:45pm we were already on our rooms. not that we run out of things to do but it felt like it was getting colder by the minute. headache and chills. i had one of the coldest experience that night.

almost sleepless. by 5:30am we sneaked out of the house to catch a glimpse of sunrise on top of a denuded water tank. sunrise revealed a silhouette of the islands highest peak Mt. Pulag and the nearby Junior Pulag.

sun was soon out but it remained cold. best thing was that ate rose, the house caretaker, was consistent in serving us local coffee. quick rest and along with Ga-el, Emil, Darwin and Kevin, we had our gears ready for the hike up Mt. Timbak's summit.

what made this trek different from my previous treks was that ninety percent of Timbak's trail is crossing tiered vegetable farms.thus at certain time some locals would charge people crossing their areas.

hike was entirely uphill and we easily got exhausted because of lack of sleep and that we were already at a height of 2,600meters above sea level. but doing some stops was perfect as we are overlooking villages of Atok on our right and the village of Kabayan on our left.

along the way we saw locals plowing. but what i found more challenging for the farmers here was the scarcity of water at this height. Mt. Timbac does not have natural flowing water system. so they would use improvised water basins made of plastic surface to store water.

several cell sites stood at the mountain peak that made it less attractive but we were captivated by this beautiful garden which was also at the summit. here, the sun's heat started to dominate over the cold morning climate.

from the peak, the mini calvary, which was just few meters away from the summit can be seen. we took some time resting at that spot as the view of the highest point of Halsema Highway was amazing.

the third highest peak of the island of Luzon did not disappoint us. the mountain range of the Cordilleras remains one of the best in the country. this is a good side trip for a visit to the mummies of Kabayan.

Azalea Residences Baguio

April 3, 2012, 7:05 am

≫ Next: travelers abode

≪ Previous: mt timbak kabayan benguet

Baguio has been a great stop to most of my favorite spots in the Cordillera region. setting out or returning from these trips can be too tiring that one would require a stay in the city of pines. a great new add to the summer capital of the Philippines are the cozy and relaxing rooms of Azalea Residences.

set along Leonard Wood road near the entrance to the Teacher's Camp. for a person like me who likes walking around Baguio, a walk from Session Road to Azalea is just about 30minutes and a quick 10-15minute ride by taxi.

though it is still within the city area, it is set apart from the busy main roads making it a tranquil spot. luxurious rooms from deluxe, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom accommodations gives you options to maximize your stay in Baguio.

the newly opened dining area offers a breakfast buffet with sotanghon soup as one of my favorite. fried and crispy fish, fresh fruits and fruit juice completes the healthy breakfast set. lunch and dinner available with sumptuous Filipino dishes like Fried Bangus, Sinigang and Kare-kare.

overall, i particularly like best, the comfortable rotating chair, the collapsible sofa beds on all its suite rooms, the extra pillows and the free wi-fi access at the lobby and on the rooms. on our stay there, it actually made us feel like we just want to stay on our room the entire day. rooms are best for staycation. experience a holiday haven!

check out their special discounted rates this summer on the link below:

Summer Family Fun Package

Azalea Residences Baguio is fully-equipped with the following amenities:

Wi-fi Connection

Coffee Lounge

Mini-bar

Outdoor-covered area for parties and conference

All-day in-room dining

Business Center

24-hour doctor on call

In-room safe

Handicapped Accessible

Safety Deposit Box

Spa and Massage services

NDD, DDD and DID connect

Driver's lounge and sleeping dormitories

Transporation arrangements to and from Manila

Tour arrangements and vacation services

Laundry and Dry Cleaning

Azalea Residences Baguio

Leonard Wood Loop

Brgy. M. Roxas

Baguio City

www.azalea.com.ph

Manila reservations:

Tel: (632) 579-4890, (632) 579-4894

Mobile: (63917)861-1641

Baguio reservations:

Tel: (6374) 442-8888

Email:

reservations@azalea.com.ph

Profile:

Altitude: 1500 MASL
City: Baguio
Region: Cordillera
Island: Luzon

Location:
Distance from Manila: 295KMs
GPS Location:
16' 24'' 52 N
120' 36'' 25 E

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travelers abode

April 6, 2012, 11:33 pm

≫ Next: launched

≪ Previous: Azalea Residences Baguio

we know travelers love to run away out of their abode but it is interesting to see their own rooms. featuring the second batch of travelers, a climber, a mission worker in Sudan, and a photographer shows the favorite spots of their rooms. different strokes for different folks.

Dane Policarpio of Tramping Philippines

Reiza Dejito ofWander If You Must

RV Escatron ofThe Looney Planet

get to know them more through their blogs. travelers abode is Eskapo series featuring the travelers and their rooms.

previously featured:
travelers abode Nina, Marky and Eileen

↧

launched

April 17, 2012, 7:07 am

≫ Next: the mindanao series

≪ Previous: travelers abode

↧

the mindanao series

April 27, 2012, 9:20 pm

≫ Next: mindanao - a bigger picture

≪ Previous: launched

the Southern islands of the Philippines has been on the spot light for conflicts and recently natural disasters. yet a different perspective of the islands should be revealed. in this series it will feature three aspects. a journey from the Westmost province to the Eastmost province. the Mindanao Series.

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mindanao - a bigger picture

May 1, 2012, 7:12 am

≫ Next: seventeen not so secret things about basilan

≪ Previous: the mindanao series

whether you've been to or have never been to Mindanao there is always something new to discover. let's set aside all the issues and conflicts and let's give way to the better side of the country's "Land of Promise". it is best to begin the series with a good list of reason why you need to visit Mindanao this year.

[1] FESTIVALS. Filipinos are happy people and Mindanao will never lag on this aspect. most festivals like Kadayawan, Kaamulan and Kalilangan highlight the islands ethnic culture of the Lumads. Camiguin's Lanzones Festival and General Santos' Tuna Festival celebrates the abundance of Mindanao's natural resources. while on the Western tip of Mindanao island, Zamboanga city celebrates the Feast day of Our Lady of the Pillar.

[2] ADVENTURE.it is every Filipino mountaineer's dream to reach the country's highest peak and traversing Mt. Apo connects the two province of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato. the city of Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon shares a wide range of adventure spots. including ziplines, caves and its world class river rafting. beach activities is growing in the East Coast with Siargao being the top spot for surfing in the country.

[3] BEACHES.a large part of Mindanao is landlocked but its peninsula and the Sulu archipelago has some of the country's unexploited beaches. from the unique pink-like sands of Sta Cruz in Zamboanga to the sandbar of Camiguin. don't be surprised, in Mindanao, even the public beaches are relatively clean.

[4] WATERFALLS.majority of the highest waterfalls in the country are in Mindanao. the island also holds the record with Aliwagwag Falls as the highest in the country and Tinuy-an Falls as the widest. Iligan and Cateel envelopes the most majestic waterfalls. not to miss out in the list, the famous Maria Cristina Falls, the largest energy generator by a waterfalls in the country.

[5] MOUNTAINS. six out of ten of the highest peaks of the Philippines is in Mindanao. Mt. Apo is the highest followed by Mt. Dulang-Dulang in Bukidnon. Mt. Kitanglad in Bukidnon like Mt. Apo are also among the largest Natural National Park of the country. Bud Bongao in Tawi-Tawi is a trekker's favorite because of the monkeys along its trail and its summit being a sacred site.

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seventeen not so secret things about basilan

May 14, 2012, 9:31 am

≫ Next: el encuentro: jerome y marky

≪ Previous: mindanao - a bigger picture

now that you already know that i spent my first seventeen years in the island province of Basilan. there's more to being photographed in front of the capitol and going to White Beach of Malamawi island. so here are seventeen of not-so-important but could be interesting things that you might want to know about my island province.

[1] heard of a beach river? it was way back when i was still 8years old when i visited it. the view of the beach captured my memory until now. i've been there only once. access to this part of Basilan is not recommended. it is located on the coast of Lantawan. if you thought Malamawi island's White Beach is the best beach in Basilan. it's not.

[2] Tilapia is rarely seen and eaten in the island province. some locals might not even recognize it as the bountiful kinds of sea fishes are available everyday in the pier. go to the pier as early as 4am to see the fishing boats unload.

[3] Lamitan used to be a town with calesas as main mode of transportation. we would even travel on a weekend just to be able to ride one around the town. so when you go there, you will be fortunate enough if you can spot one.

[4] the church of Sta Isabel in the island could be too ordinary from outside but did you know that its backdrop is a large Italian brick mural similar to those seen in St. Cyril church in Ukraine? when you're there, ask permission from the church office for you to be able to see it up close and check the details. you will be impressed.

[5] along the Isabela channel, there's a military camp and navy dock site that transforms to a resort during the weekend. it is called Fuego-Fuego which when translated to the local dialect, Chabacano, means "Fire-Fire".

[6] though Isabela City is in Basilan island, did you know that it is not under the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). it belongs to Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX) apart from the rest of the municipalities of the island. so when you travel from Isabela City to the municipality of Lamitan, you are actually crossing to another region.

[7] often missed out by tourists when they are in Isabela City it would be the Aguada River. its outlet is just in the city center and a cruise to this river will include a view of fish ponds, coconut trees and a mosque by the river. this is not a usual activity. the locals will even be surprised if a traveler would want to do this.

[8] the island of Malamawi does not have energy source to support its small communities. so if you have keen eyes, when the ferry from Zamboanga enters the Isabela channel, you will actually pass under this electric high-pole wire that connects from the main island of Basilan and Malamawi island.

[9] when i was in high school, we did boating on mangrove areas in Eslita and it was a surprise when we met sea dwelling Badjaos who wanted to trade our fruits with their fishes. the local term of the Badjao for this is "sambi" which means "exchange" or "trade". not sure if they are still doing this. you might want to find out.

[10] Basilan is the second largest island in Mindanao and the largest island in the Sulu archipelago but it is generally mountainous and hilly. so on top of a mountain range is an abandoned airstrip. now a site for motor racing. this is about 30mins away the city center only accessible by a private vehicle.

[11] natural golden pearls including blackish pearls are often sold on mini-kiosk like shops in Isabela. too bad that on my return, these shops were already out of sight. could they have found better buyers somewhere? if you see one, let me know.

[12] the house where i grew up is just behind the Grandstand which is a large open track and field area. most of the helicopters coming from Zamboanga would land on this site. from our house i would run out carrying a camera to take a shot of the helicopters landing. this site also has a great view of Malamawi island and the Isabela channel.

[13] during Holy Week, people would trek Monte Santo in Ubit in Lamitan. it has the station of the cross. the hike up includes passing under a natural tunnel-like bamboo trail.

[14] back when i was 10years old i was fortunate enough to be a junior member that won the national level of the Magnolia Youth Achievement Awards. the project was to expand the thin and slim footpaths of the Badjaos that connects houses in their community. coordinate with the city tourism to bring you to the site.

[15] being apart from the greater Mindanao island, Basilan highly depends on the floating power barge. it can be seen from the main sea port but to see it uplcose, you can either take a small power boat from the dock site to Malamawi.

[16] apart from huge rubber and coconut plantations in Basilan, on the outskirt of the city there's a huge area of oil palm trees. we would go there to get fallen seeds and used it for playing as an alternative to shell fight. you can find this area in between Isabela and Lantawan.

[17] on most province in the Philippines, the market day is on a weekend. not in Lamitan when the Yakan farmers coming from nearby municipalities would converge every Thursday bringing their crops. during our time, they would even come in their traditional clothes. i heard, they still do this.

on your next trip to Basilan. you might want to find out more.
for tourist assistance, you can directly coordinate with

Mr. Gerald Louise Tubil - Isabela City Tourism 0917-6344989

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el encuentro: jerome y marky

May 17, 2012, 6:22 am

≫ Next: something's wrong

≪ Previous: seventeen not so secret things about basilan

two good friends of mine who has consistently inspired me to explore more. jerome, whose first trip to Mindanao, joined a nine-day backpacking trip in 2008 along with nine other friends from Zamboanga to Davao. he considered it a sort of baptism to backpacking and budget traveling. while Marky considered every Mindanao trip special. one time he and a friend celebrated their birthday in Cagayan de Oro and was hosted by a family.

"el encuentro"

jerome baluyut blogger marky ramone go

balintataw blog nomadic experiences

beijing farthest north hong kong

yogyakarta farthest south kota kinabalu

camarines norte farthest east sorsogon

bangkok farthest west bangkok

manila to sta ana, cagayan longest road trip manila to sta ana, cagayan

manila to coron, palawan longest boat trip batangas to romblon

manila to bangkok longest plane trip manila to kuala lumpur

shanghai to beijing longest train trip roosevelt to gil puyat

mt pulag highest point mt pulag

apo reef, mindoro deepest swim kayangan lake, palawan

palaui island longest trek mt banahaw traverse

mt pinatubo hardest trek mt halcon

money, shirt and towel item/s lost in a trip jimi hendrix artwork shirt

roasary bead from a tibetan item given on a trip an intricately designed knife in kl

fried spicy worm, starfish worst food eaten frog legs in binondo

fried crickets

mindanao series questions:

dong ho: what was your best experience in Mindanao?

jerome:it would be my nine days backpacking trip in Mindanao back in 2008. i was with nine other traveler friends and most of us are first time visitors of Mindanao. it was sort of my baptism of fire on the idea of backpacking and budget traveling. we fly out from Manila to Zamboanga City, visited the pink beach of Sta Cruz island, ate the best breakfast --- Spanish sardines in Dipolog. checked out Rizal Srhine and Dakak Dapitan. passed by Iligan. did white water rafting in Cagayan de Oro. saw my first ever waterfalls in Camiguin. wave watching at Pilar. island hopping and surfing in Siargao. saw the majestic Tinuy-an Falls near Bislig city and ended the trip at Davao for some zip line adventure.

marky: All of my trips to Mindanao was something to remember. I enjoyed our trip to Cagayan de Oro because me and my friend celebrated our birthdays there and we were hosted by the family of another friend. We went river rafting, toured the countryside of Bukidnon and went to nearby Camiguin Island. When I went to Davao, it was with my then girlfriend and visited places such as Camp Sabros in Digos City and Samal Island. During the SEX Tour (Soccskargen Experience tour) I met other travelers and visited places like Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, Saranggani while staying at General Santos City.

dong ho: when you return to Mindanao, where will you go?

jerome:i have two areas in mind, first is the SOCSARGEN provinces because i want to see Lake Sebu, the beaches of Sarangani, and the Tuna capital of the Philippines and lastly Tawi-Tawi because like Batanes, it is something you can brag about.

marky: I have a flight booked in October for Zamboanga City since I've heard so many amazing stories about the place that is complete opposite of what mainstream media has been feeding me all these years and what better way to find out than seeing and experiencing the place by myself.

note:

1. farthest places reached are referenced from Manila (with Manila to Europe as West and Manila to Guam as East).

2. records here are subject to update. as we know travelers break their records from time to time. records here are updated as of this posting

previously featured:

edcel suyo and ferdz decena

chyng reyes and ga-el hilotin

allan barredo and oggie ramos

nina fuentes and upper viceo

angel juarez and james betia

lois yasay and monette fernandez

↧

something's wrong

June 3, 2012, 5:45 am

≫ Next: the road to three sixty

≪ Previous: el encuentro: jerome y marky

↧

the road to three sixty

July 22, 2012, 3:03 am

≫ Next: malamawi island

≪ Previous: something's wrong

i just returned to my room from a day around the city of Harbin in China last February when an email with a subject "Hello from 360PHL" popped from my laptop screen. a good news. it was an invitation to be a cast of an indie-travel reality based webisode.

the concept was to send eight travelers grouped into four to travel in the Philippines particularly sending each group north, south, east and west. i was chosen to be one of the cast. i immediately replied "this is a go!" clicked sent without thinking when it will be shoot.

it was my last five days with my previous company when i returned to Manila. so anything beyond that time was indefinite except for my "yes" to be part of this travel web series. days after that, i started to receive more information including the schedule of shoots of interviews and the projected travel date.

it was only days before the trip when we met the rest of the cast and the crew. the biggest shock was when the pairing was revealed because i never expected that i'll be partnered with Rob and that we will be sent to Mindanao since i am from the South. it seemed that almost everything i expected was wrong.

the most challenging aspect of being a cast was the fact that we really don't know where we were bound and what we will do. our option that time was either to have a mind set expecting the worst or best yet no expectation.

South leg with teammate Rob and the crew Agnes, Lai and Dane

but the best thing of being part of this project was that everyone in the team worked with passion. it was formed out of what each individual does best and loves the most.

looking at how everyone worked so hard, i believed that only crazy people will do this not getting paid. true. these people are simply crazy in making the country's first reality travel web series.

follow PHL360:

www.phl360.com

www.facebook.com/phl360
www.twitter.com/phl360

get to know more about the cast and crew of PHL360:

or check out cheap flight to faro

↧

malamawi island

July 25, 2012, 8:07 am

≫ Next: the cold truth

≪ Previous: the road to three sixty

the timing and the mode of getting there will be the most important factor. generally, tourists going to the island of Malamawi would always go there to visit White Beach. the island's nicest beach area for swimming. timing is important as this beach is totally different during weekdays and the weekend. on this particular trip, i had Chyng of No Spam No Virus No Kidding with me.

since i wanted her to experience how a usual local would go there, we decided to take the public boat ride (10mins) and the habal-habal ride from the Malamawi's main port to White Beach (20-30mins).

it was the best time as it was summer on a weekday. there were very few people in the area with soldiers who are regularly stationed in the area for security purpose. this was the first stop for the Eskapo Mindanao Series.

the beach
a large portion of the coast of the island are white sand beaches but it's the area called White Beach that is popular to many. the sand in White Beach can be compared to that of Boracay, the crystal clear waters is exceptional but the expanse of an almost rock-less area for beach swimming is limited to less than a kilometer. both side of the main beach stretch is rocky. making it best for beach swimming, snorkeling and shell picking.

the people
the island of Malamawi is shared by both Christians and Muslims. the coastal areas are mainly occupied by the Badjaos while mostly Christian communities are settled inland. the island has an extension of Isabela city's public school but due to accessibility some of the people in the island still prefer studying in the main island of Basilan.

the distance
it is accessible from Isabela City by a public motor boat enough to carry 20 people crossing the Isabela channel. it travels daily the entire day as most locals would travel to the city and back everyday. length of the boat trip is 10-15minutes. main mode of transportation within the island are motorbikes.

the topography
composed of two major islands connected by a large protected mangrove swamp. one side is facing the Isabela channel where the city of Isabela is visible while the other side is the Sulu sea. a hilly portion is set on the middle of the island the rest is flat and roads are mostly unpaved.

the security
it is relatively safe to go to the island but as i would always recommend, it is better to have a local join you or best yet coordinate with the city tourism. (see contact number below).

check out Chyng's post on her experience of Basilan
Dont Tell My Mother I Spent a Summer Day In Basilan

Profile:

Island: Malamawi

Barangay: Carbon

City: Isabela

Province: Zamboanga Peninsula

Region: Western Mindanao

GPS Location:

6' 43'' 20 N

121' 57" 45 E

how to get there:

from Isabela city:

option 1: take a boat trip from Isabela city's boat dock site for Malamawi bound trips. it is just a short walk away from the main dock site of ferries coming from Zamboanga. Isabela dock site to Malamawi pier (10minutes or less).

from the Malamawi pier or is locally known as Carbon pier, there are motorbike drivers who can bring you to White beach. if you've arranged in advance for a pick-up ride, they will pick you up from here for an hour or less trip to White beach.

option 2: rent a boat from Isabela city pier Malamawi bound that will bring you directly to White beach. warning: this can be risky as waves are most of the time big for this route. this less recommended.

eskapo recommends:

it is advisable to check first the situation in the island before setting a visit. i also recommend that you know of someone from the island who can guide you around.

Mr. Gerald Louise Tubil - Isabela City Tourism 0917-6344989

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the cold truth

September 22, 2012, 10:05 pm

≫ Next: sta cruz pink sand beach

≪ Previous: malamawi island

let us together get first hand tips from the one and only Filipino who conquered the world's seven summit. Recreational Outdoor Exchange brings us climber Romi Garduce on September 27, 2012 at R.O.X. Bonifacio Global City.

this will be a two-part talk of his experience and how one could start considering Alpine climbs in the future. you can read the FAQs for this talk below, including how you can register online. see you there.

↧

sta cruz pink sand beach

October 21, 2012, 1:42 am

≫ Next: taluksangay mosque

≪ Previous: the cold truth

every time i went home to Isabela City in Basilan from Zamboanga i would often see the Great Sta Cruz island from afar but never the chance to go there. it was just this year along with Chyng that we made sure we'll drop by this island famous for its acclaimed pinkish sand beach.

believe it or not, even most of the Zamboanguenos has not been on the beach island of Sta Cruz. the main reason, the concern for safety and accessibility. the funny thing is it is safe and very accessible. on this trip in Zamboanga, we were hosted by the Soler family who also joined us to the island. like i said, it was also their first time.

the smaller Sta Cruz island is occupied and controlled by the military while the larger island or known as the Great Sta Cruz island is open to tourists. even though it looked like a large island, it is entirely flat with a large mangrove area surrounded by a beautiful beach coast.

the pink-like sand beach gives it a unique feature, combining white sand and crashed red corals which is abundant in the Zamboanga peninsula. the public beach area is wide but the length of the beach for swimming is a bit limited because of the sudden-deep beach lines.

but beyond the pinkish sand, one of the most interesting spot in the island is the Badjao cemetery. it is just a short walk away (10mins) from the main beach area on the way to the fishing community. partly hidden on one side of the coast with used cloth hanging from one tree to another.

the tomb stones come in different forms but still like most tombs, the name of the person and the date the person died is engraved. some particular tombs comes with engraved Arabic characters and a more unique feature are its wooden boat-shape outrigger seen within the cemetery, symbolic to the Badjao community.

despite the beach area having shaded cottages and good comfort rooms, still it lack food shops. so tourists needs to bring their own food. on a small corner, souvenirs are sold by locals including miniature vintas, shells and bracelets. please don't buy those made of black corals.

the beach
the entire island is surrounded by sand but only a portion, facing Zamboanga City is open for tourists. the pink-like sand is its most interesting feature. though the coast is a sudden deep beach front, the length of the coast is long enough. the entire coast facing the city has very less rocky areas but one needs to check sea conditions as this is an open sea channel.

the people
though majority of the island's population are Badjaos som Christians are already sharing a portion of the small fishing village. you can interact with some of the locals who are selling souvenirs to get to know more about the island.

the distance
one of the best thing about the Great Sta Cruz island is its proximity from the city port. though not by any public boats but by official boats accompanied by a security personnel as coordinated with the city tourism office. the entire one way boat trip is just about 20-30minutes.

the topography
the entire Great Sta Cruz island is flat and majority of the land area is swampy and filled with mangroves. the island is believed to be surrounded by rich coral reef that includes black and red corals.

the security
from the time you will be picked up by the boat guide at the Zamboanga city you will be accompanied by an armed security personnel. don't be surprised as more military visibility are expected when you reach the island. island is relatively safe. this is to assure safety of tourists from any unwanted incident.

the issue
despite the big environmental issue last year, where a large number of black corals were confiscated in Cebu, some locals wer still seen selling bracelets made out of black corals. one local still handed this piece to show what the bracelets were made of.

please don't buy items made of corals and other restricted resources.

related articles:
Inquirer:
Black Coral Vendor Charged
Huge Stash of Corals, Shells, found in Zamboanga warehouses

check out Chyng's post on Sta Cruz island "Sound and Secured Zamboanga Trip".

special thanks to Marx Velasco of Marxtermind for helping us coordinate with Zamboanga tourism office for our trip slot reservation.

Island Profile:

Island: Sta Cruz Island/The Great Sta Cruz island

City: Zamboanga

Province: Zamboanga Peninsula

Region: Western Mindanao

GPS Location:

6' 51'' 57 N

122' 3" 44 E

how to get there:

from Zamboanga City:

coordinate with Zamboanga City Department of Tourism office located in Lantaka Hotel. book in advance for a boat ride to sta Cruz island.

eskapo recommends:

do the reservation at least a day before your planned trip to the island.

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taluksangay mosque

October 26, 2012, 12:06 am

≫ Next: travelers abode

≪ Previous: sta cruz pink sand beach

the Philippines as a country geographically divided into islands and regions also embraced a diverse cultural mix. democracy strengthened the right of the people to be part of a religion and protect its traditions.

the Southwestern side of the archipelago holds some of the most significant historical structures of Islam in the Philippines. Simunul mosque stands as the oldest mosque in the country found in the Southernmost group of islands of Tawi-Tawi while the other old mosque is found in Zamboanga.

the location of two of the oldest mosque in the Philippines supports the proof that Islam was first propagated in the country through these region. both mosque located near the coast and is surrounded by a community of stilt-house villages.

Zamboanga peninsula's oldest mosque in a coastal village of Taluksangay might not be as big compared to the many new mosques found around Mindanao. but it holds the title of being one of the most significant structure on the history of Islam in the country.

it was built in 1885 and survived the world war. it continued to expand until it was considered to be the center of the Islam influence in the region. on our visit there, the mosque was closed. we had to take photos from outside but the caretaker of the mosque noticed us and invited us inside.

despite Taluksangay Mosque beginning to be popular site for tourists it remains to be open to the public for free except on times when they are praying. as a respect, avoid taking photos inside during those times.

the mosque is very well maintained from the flooring to its surroundings. the upper portion was under construction when we were there but it was still at its beautiful form. standing beside a coast and a bridge to this islet.

check out Chyng's post on "Sound and Secured Zamboanga Trip".

how to get there:

Island Profile:

Island: Stilt Island/Mindanao

City: Zamboanga

Province: Zamboanga Peninsula

Region: Western Mindanao

GPS Location:

6' 57'' 3 N

122' 10" 54 E

how to get there:

from Zamboanga City:

take the jeep going to Taluksangay just near Plaza Pershing in the city central. jeepney will only leave once it's full. so at certain times it would take some time before it leaves.

eskapo recommends:

when you make your itinerary, it would be good to allot a time for the jeepney waiting time for both Zamboanga city central to Taluksangay and back.

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travelers abode

November 20, 2012, 2:46 am

≫ Next: bongao tawi tawi

≪ Previous: taluksangay mosque

we know travelers love to run away out of their abode but it is interesting to see their own favorite spots in their four-cornered homes. this time featuring three Mindanao based travel bloggers who each picked that particular spot that makes them feel at home.

Doc Wends of Journeys and Travels

Bonz of Contour Blog

Dennis of Love Mindanao

previous featured travelers:
travelers abode Dane, Reiza and RV
travelers abode Nina, Marky and Eileen

↧

bongao tawi tawi

December 2, 2012, 4:56 am

≫ Next: twenty of my most memorable trips in 2012

≪ Previous: travelers abode

flying over several thousand feet over the islands in the archipelago's southernmost group of islands was unforgettable. a kind of feeling where you would point to one island and to another and say i want to go there and there and also there.

islands came in forms of coves, lagoons, needle-shaped shoals with portions of white sand coasts. the idea of Chyng and i to seat a row apart just for us to both get a window seat was perfect. it gave us a marco perspective of the islands of Sulu and Tawi Tawi.

it was just late last year when large operating commercial airlines launched its regular flights from Zamboanga to Bongao. just imagine, that years back, one would travel either by ferry which takes 16hours or by faster seacrafts traveling for 9hours just to get there over today's 30-minute flight.

out of the 107 islands in this province, Bongao island serves as the main gateway to the islands of Simunul, Sanga-Sanga and Sibutu. though Bongao is the central governing municipality of the province, in terms of land area it is smaller than its other neighboring islands.

we had no contact person in the island. but while we were at the Zamboanga City airport waiting to board, we noticed that we will be flying along with a large group of civil engineers from the different provinces belonging to the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

one of the head noticed us and knew that we're also going to Tawi-Tawi. we had a long conversation and ended befriending with the head who promised us that we will be endorsed to the police who will then recommend us a guide to tour around the island. quite a great day for us to start!

up next, a tour around the coast of Bongao.

check out Chyng's post on our tandem trip to Tawi-Tawi "A Trip to Philippine's Southernmost Province"

Island Profile:
Island: Bongao
Municipality: Bongao
Province: Tawi-Tawi
Region: Western Mindanao

GPS Location:
5' 1'' 24 N
119' 46'' 13 E

How to get there:
By commuting:
>>From Manila, take a flight to Zamboanga City (1hour and 10mins). The main gateway to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
>>From Zamboanga City:
[1] By plane, you can take either Cebu Pacific Air or Airphil Express which flies this route 4-5 times a week (30mins)
[2] By ferry, leaving Zamboanga almost daily leaving by night time (16hours)

eskapo recommends:

1. if you take the plane, book your flight (Zamboanga to Bongao and back) ahead to assure flight availability on that day.
2. if possible, check situation in the province before proceeding.

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twenty of my most memorable trips in 2012

December 28, 2012, 12:28 am

≫ Next: to luzon's highest point

≪ Previous: bongao tawi tawi

it is a year of returning to old trails to regain memories and exploring new places that i've been longing to visit for years. the funny thing is that each time a place is explored another spot pops out to be explored. a seemingly endless journey of great experience in travel. good thing our lifetime is divided in years... so here's twenty of my most memorable trips in 2012.

[20] that flat land (Loo Valley, Benguet)

place:when i first went on a roadtrip to Sagada, this scenic valley on lowland as viewed from the central area of Abatan, got my attention. telling myself, i need to go down there one day. this year, i found myself hitching a ride down to this humble community of farmers. it was my first time to see purple cabbages. they say that it's one of the new demand due to the increasing number of Koreans residing in the Philippines.

experience:a truck was parked on the road down to Loo Valley filled with food and drinks. a man noticed me and asked where i was going and later invited me to join them instead as they were on their way down for a church feast.

bonus:a lady on my way back to Abatan offered me newly picked strawberries. she told me "try this. you'll know it's better than the ones you've tasted". indeed.

[19] is not bad at all (Nabunturan, Compostela Valley)

place: out of all the bad news about Compostela Valley, i believe that there should be something good in this province. aside from being one of the newest province it is also known for landslides but large areas are still rich in natural resources including gold. municipalities of this province can be accessed from different points. some via the road to Mati and some to Surigao Del Sur.

experience:a solo road trip is safe by bus from Tagum to Nabunturan with mountain range and valleys can be seen along the way.

bonus: i got to see the largest golden ring in the country at the provincial capitol. during my visit it was enclosed in a glass display at the lobby. the ring is sometimes relocated.

[18] rich and calm (Baler, Aurora)

place:Pacific coast with a long grey sand beach home to a growing surfing community. getting there would require a side trip to the famous historical church, a tsunami monument and a preserved marine site.

experience: no itineraries. a trip where we just wanted to relax but the calm waters of Dicasalarin was irresistible. we ended the day finding ourselves swimming even without extra clothes.

bonus: surfing lessons available almost whole year round though at times, sea can be so calm.

[17] emerging city (Tagum, Davao del Norte)

place: a city, way ahead in preparing for upcoming economic development and investments. from roadways to neoteric structures. it sets a new standard for developing cities in the country. among the most notable landmark is its city hall, a re-developed systematic cemetery and its vast banana farms.

experience: hospitality from the people who sets an exemplary standard for optimism. Tagum based blogger Leo brought me around the city. special thanks to city information office of Tagum for the warm welcome.

bonus: to witness destroying of bora-bora, motorcycle mufflers that produced noise within the city.

[16] not just another beach trip (Mati, Davao Oriental)

place:quickly becoming a popular beach destination for surfers and skim boarders is this humble Dalahican beach of Mati. also known for being a haven to a number of manatees or dugongs for its rich sea grass coast.

experience: i thought it would be just another ordinary beach trip not until i met kuya Jun's Team Amihan. Kuya Jun (real name George Plaza) has diverted some of the street kids in Davao from doing nothing to doing the right thing. he encouraged them to study, live a good life and motivated them to surf and skim. not anyone would do this getting nothing. but kuya Jun did. a real inspiration.

bonus:a nice view of the sleeping dinosaur while on the hilly coastal highway approaching Mati.

[15] road to water gate (Bokod, Benguet)

place: we know how gigantic dams are and how fascinating it is to see it from the road. but our visit to Ambuklao dam lead us to stop over this scenic spot of Agno river. it has huge white rocks which looked like ice caps. a kind of place where i can actually stay the entire day relaxing.

experience: while on the road with other travel bloggers, everyone started chanting PHL360 voice over. laughter everywhere. running over a hanging bridge made us forget that we were actually stuck in the middle of the highway when the van had a machine trouble.

bonus: aside from the road trip to the dam, we also trekked Sto Tomas peak the day before. the photo shoot for Azalea Residences with the other travel bloggers was memorable.

[14] think pink (Sta Cruz island, Zamboanga)

place:among the few pink-like sand beaches in the Philippines, this could be among the nicest. accessible in 15minutes by boat from the city and an area secured by military. next to a nice beach, it's a chance to visit a badjao cemetery which is just a short walk away from the main beach dock site.

experience: if not fortunate, Chyng and i were extra blessed to have the Soler family accompanying us on this trip. who for years being in the city was also their first time to explore the island. thanks to Marx for helping out in coordinating with the boat agency.

bonus:from this trip, we had the chance to include a visit to Taluksangay mosque. among the most important landmark of Islam in the country.

[13] old trail new friends (Mt Pinatubo, Pampanga)

place:one of the places that i visit every year. i've seen how the place evolved in two aspect, natural and structural. though now it is more touristy, its majestic crater lake remains as grand as it was.

experience: this time traveling with 29 other travel bloggers and the chance to co-lead Rob. it was fun all the way including 4x4 rides getting stuck, meeting other travel bloggers for the first time and a dinner overhearing "taksyapo".

bonus: the skyway route is closed due to typhoon. so it is by this time that we took the old trail which meant longer trek but more beautiful views.

[12] wit wet and wild (San Felipe, Zambales)

place:one of the newest surfing coastal village is barangay Liwliwa in San Felipe. it is quite usual that a growing surfing community gives a unique aspect to a place. in this particular spot is a wooden stay-in named Circle Hostel. one can stay by day and share a space with other travelers on top of an elevated wooden cottage or overnight on hammocks and dorm-type rooms.

experience: who would attend a party without knowing the celebrant? laughs at self when recalling to this trip dedicated to someone who i haven't met. thanks to cool friends Gay and Tine who invited me to this trip which later became one of the coolest day trip filled with wit, smashed by the waves and going home almost blind for loosing my newly bought eyeglasses.

bonus:Joey, the celebrant becoming one of the coolest new friend.

[11] beach camp out (Tondol, Pangasinan)

place: for me, i consider it the best beach in Pangasinan for fine white sand and wide swimming area. though not easily accessible, a six-hour road trip there is worth it. it is located in the largest island of Pangasinan it is connected with a bridge to the main Luzon island. a short boat or even a walk away (during low tide) is the island of Tanduyong.

experience:most of the time water is calm in Tondol. on my visit along with my travel buddies, we had a fun time despite the rains and the van getting stuck on a mud road.

bonus: some resorts allow beach camping giving it a plus for those who wants to camp out by the beach. i recommend JCT Beach Resort for a great camping area and they can also cook food for you.

[10] waterfalls kingdom (Mt Tarak, Bataan)

place:Tarak is one of the most popular mountain for climbers for its beautiful trail and double summit views. a number of mini waterfalls along the trail are formed during the rainy days which adds an exciting view of the trail.

experience:it was raining majority of the time that we were there that we had to abort summit and stayed in Banana river camp site. this gave us the chance to explore the many waterfalls surrounding the camp site. including secluded ones.

bonus: the chance to find Firefox wood within the camp site and if quite fortunate some rare wild rats.

[9] sleepless and mystic (Infanta, Quezon)

place:far east of the Luzon coast facing the Pacific. not so attractive to tourist as coasts are mostly rocky and is a typhoon route. but it offers fresh fish catch and is also considered a surfers spot.

experience: it was a sudden decision to join when travel friends Mike, Erick and Rocel decided to go on a road trip to witness the unique tradition of flagellants in Infanta. drove our way sleepless since it happens by dawn. fortunate enough to capture the unusual decorative flagellants walking as penitence.

bonus: side trip to Balagbag Falls which is a public waterfalls so expect picnic people during weekend but the waterfalls is really majestic.

[8] foggy trails (Imugan, Nueva Vizcaya)

place: a humble community located outskirt from the main towns of Nueva Vizcaya but has an area of beautiful pine forests, waterfalls and a growing strawberry farm. an ancestral land rich in natural resources protected by its residents. for those who loves insects, this is one of the best spot.

experience:this was a reunion trip with some of my travel buddies Allan, Oggie, Ferdz, Erick, Oman and this time with Rocel. we went to this place before but not as a group. it was only this time that we had all together in Imugan. a groups favorite abode.

bonus: a short trek to the forests will lead to a nice waterfalls.

[7] hitch trail (Tadian, Mountain Province)

place: an off-the-beaten spot for travelers. though just two towns away from Sagada, it remains almost unknown. it has one of the nicest topography i've seen including a towering waterfalls and the beautiful Mt. Mogao which can be seen from almost every spot in the road to Tadian. Tine has been recommending me this place and i would often say "maybe next time" everytime she recommends me this place. it was this year, when i was in Baguio on a long weekend decided to give it a chance. no regret. it is a top spot.

experience: my stay there was too short for me to catch the regular trips to the jump off point to trek Mt. Mogao. on the second day there, i decided to trek it alone instead of waiting for the public ride. big thanks Tine!

bonus: explored the town's old church and a trek to the view point where one can actually see the highway to Ilocos. unfortunately it was all fog when we reached the viewpoint.

[6] a royal experience (Timbac, Benguet)

place: accessible in two trails via Kabayan and via Halsema Highway. there are two reasons why travelers go here. one is to trek Mt. Timbac and second is to visit the Fire mummies of Kabayan.

experience: to see the preserved bodies of the royal ancestors of Kabayan was something i highly recommend. now considered as a national treasure. i also had one of the coldest experience in Cordillera like one would experience in Mt. Pulag but the fun time with fellow travel bloggers Ga-el, Emil, Darwin, and Francis made it a funny and unforgettable trip of a laugh time.

bonus: a view of Mt. Pulag from the Kabayan trail and the Halsema Highway from the Mt. Timbac summit.

[5] the other side (Southern Palawan, Palawan)

place:one of the spots that i've been wanting to visit for years now. not many has explored the southern side of Palawan because of the malaria warning and some news about the place being dangerous. this side of Palawan has communities of stilt houses, a busy mining site and beautiful mountain topography.

experience: joined by Josiah, a travel blogger now based in Palawan, made a perfect tandem to explore South. we trekked Bakbakan Falls, missed the boat to Balabac island, missed the chance to see the cockatoos at Rasa island, and biked over a hanging bridge.

bonus: climbed the old lighthouse in Brooke's Point.

[4] southmost philippines (Bongao, Tawi-Tawi)

place: islands on the southmost area of the Philippines covers the islands of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi which are all beautiful from above. but the view of Bongao's peak or more known as Bud Bongao captured my attention the most. this rocky hill becomes the symbol of Bongao's majestic mix of nature and culture. being a sacred mountain, it is believed that one is blessed after reaching the summit.

experience:contradicting to the notion of a very unsafe island, Bongao has friendly people who are even taking pride in bringing you around. Chyng and i would attest to this through the people we met there.

bonus: sunset in one of the coast in Bongao is as nice as the one seen in Manila bay. with fresh air.

[3] getting lost (Beijing, China)

place: Beijing being the capital of the People's Republic of China holds among the country's most significant and historical structures. including among the world's largest structures the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall of China. the urban side includes the unusual CCTV tower and the Olympic Park.

experience: i get lost almost everyday when i was roaming around Beijing but it was all part of a Beijing experience. it would not have been as memorable without all those experience. the cold weather made it fun to walk from hutong to hutong and food trip without knowing the ingredient.

bonus:the train system is efficient and extensive that you can actually go to famous tourist spots within the city by train at a really cheap fare.

[2] a full circle (Iligan, Lanao del Norte)

place:home to many waterfalls including the famous Maria Cristina Falls and the majestic Tinago Falls. parks and ziplines boost the adventure spirit when going around the city including a zipline by the beach.

experience: aside from the experience of traveling with Robx for the South leg, it was when we had our chance to stay over the tent city from the typhoon Sendong victims that gave us a full circle of project PHL360. each day of the experience was both tiring but fulfilling.

bonus: the friendship formed from this project. from the fellow casts, the crew and the people we encountered during the trip. kudos to the PHL360 crew who gave the best out of the little that they have.

[1] a northern surprise (Harbin, China)

place:being the northernmost province of China meant a very cold climate. Harbin in particular is known for its snow festival, Russian and Jewish influence structures including St Sophia church.

experience: i was there for two things. to see St Sophia church and to experience snow. but like Beijing, i found myself getting lost but would always find something interesting along the way. my most unforgettable experience was the chance to sleepover in a Jewish structure, walk over a frozen lake and a long bullet train ride.

bonus: the long train trip from Beijing to Harbin gave me a perspective of an even growing China. from urban to rural views, i was amazed.

these and all the other day to day experience, i shall forever be grateful. without my God, family, company and friends... it would have been a year filled with blessings but missed to see it. thank you for following and supporting eskapo. cheers to another year in travel.

the years in travel blogging

Most Memorable Trips of 2011
Most Memorable Trips of 2010
Most Memorable Trips of 2009
Most Memorable Trips of 2008

This is my entry to the PTB Blog Carnival with the theme: "2012: THIS YEAR IN TRAVEL" hosted by Pinay Travel Junkie and Between Coordinates

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to luzon's highest point

January 1, 2013, 5:41 am

≫ Next: conquering mt pulag part one

≪ Previous: twenty of my most memorable trips in 2012

opening the year with an adventure tandem with the country's most innovated adventure tour group Travel Factor and the efficient and reliable Victory Liner. this time to trek Luzon's highest peak Mt. Pulag on the coldest month. it's just three days before we leave and this has been one of my most anticipated trek this quarter.

returning to old trails doesn't matter much as the experience will always be something different. like last year, i started the year trekking Mt.Timbac Luzon's third highest point. so for 2013, this will be my travel kick-off for 2013.

what i look forward to:
- new friends on trail
- camping out at Luzon's highest summit
- the thrill of the trail
- to celebrate my fifth year in travel blogging via eskapo

something new:
just last month, i noticed that Travel Factor has released an IOS app and i immediately downloaded it. the app will serve travelers to access tour packages and important information which includes Byaheng Victory trips. one can download it for free over Apple App Store. two thumbs up to Travel Factor!

Byaheng Victory is a series of group adventures showcasing some of the most awe-inspiring North Luzon destination reached by Victory Liner, the Philippines' premiere bus transportation company.

Through a partnership with Travel Factor, the country's leading adventure travel company, Byaheng Victory brings to life trips that combine the excitement of exploring North Luzon treasures and the highest level of comfort and safety that comes with every Victory Liner bus ride. For the oncoming travel season (November - May), they will be doing tours to Mt. Pulag, Mt. Pinatubo, Sagada, Kalinga, Pangasinan and Zambales. They will also be doing special trips like food tours and Visita Iglesia in Pampanga.

this trip is sponsored by Travel Factor in collaboration with Victory Liner for Byaheng Victory. for more information you check out Byaheng Victory website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

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conquering mt pulag part one

January 23, 2013, 3:37 am

≫ Next: mt pulag summit part two

≪ Previous: to luzon's highest point

there were several adventure trips listed under Victory Liner and Travel Factor's partnership but it was an easy choice to pick Conquer Pulag. to see the grassland of Luzon's highest mountain would be enough reason why one should return. the sea of clouds was just a bonus.

a good rest from Manila to Baguio and a full meal breakfast at Sab-atan restaurant in Baguio made us all set and ready for the trek. the trip from Baguio to Kabayan along the Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya road gave us the opportunity to meet fellow trekkers. on our group included three friends Chris, Bang and Vange, the Poco family with their friends, and Rhoel, editor of Choose Philippines.

all the way to DENR, where the orientation was conducted, weather was really good. when we reached the ranger station, fog started to cover the mountains with the drizzle that came with it. had our last pack check and a quick lunch before we started trekking.

i brought with me Red Nook, my 45+10L Act Lite Deuter backpack. majority of the space was composed of a thick blanket, one big jacket, one hoodie, an earth pad plus the essential trekking gears and gadgets. brought a liter of water and extra liter for community water. tents were provided by Travel Factor.

i decided to do speed-trek or as one would call ratrat thus i joined the coordinators. along the trail i met fellow travel blogger Kara of Travel Up who trekked a day ahead of us and was already on her way back. almost the entire trail was muddy as rain poured the day before.

though Mt. Pulag is considered as the highest mountain in Luzon, Ambangeg trail is still considered as a minor climb. reason is the trail's jump-off altitude is already at 2,500MASL (estimate). so the trek from there to camp 2 is roughly just 200meters (estimate) and to the summit by 422meters (estimate). that's even lower than the trekking height of Gulugod Baboy (525meters) in Mabini Batangas.

trail slowly ascends with very minimal parts of assault which most trekkers might not even consider as assault. but because Mt. Pulag is already at high altitude, one would easily be exhausted even on an almost plain trail. note: high altitude begins at 2,400MASL.

we reached camp 2, the coordinators immediately set camp while there were already other groups at the site. rain started to pour so i settled down my bag and took a sleep. after an hour i woke up and it was still drizzling. my camera easily got moist by the cold took few shots and took a nap again.

after some time, i was awaken by the noise of a number of people which came from a nearby hill at the back of our tent. i noticed that the sky was now clear. people were actually rushing on that hill as a rainbow was formed.

that was the closest rainbow that i have seen. it was just below the hill near camp 2. so near and small that one can actually go from end to end. for a certain time it actually looked like a welcome arc to trekkers who were still arriving.

weather on that day was really erratic. few minutes after the clear sky, fog started to cover the camp site again. it was a great experience of being in Pulag on such condition. we were able to see its different facet.

among its most notable feature are its wide hilly grassland. what makes it even more unique were the dwarf bamboo which covers majority of the area. from afar, one would actually think that these were just cogon grass.

by around 5:00pm, the coordinators already served an early dinner. this was because the foggy environment would make the area darker in an hour. this was a really good move. everyone lined up and enjoyed eating camping style.

it was already approaching sunset, sky turned reddish. this added more drama to the place including the latrines on one end of the camp site, which instantly became a favorite subject as a silhouette.

night ended with a mini social activity joined by few guests as majority decided to stay on their tents as it was getting colder. slept by around 9:30pm. just on time for an early trek the next day.

morning trek to summit coming on the next post...

something cool:

on this trip, i was joined by Rhoel Fernandez, editor of Choose Philippines. he is among the people behind the successful campaign of ABS-CBN to support the Department of Tourism. it was his first time to trek Pulag and enjoyed the trek despite the challenges of trekking the muddy trails. among his most memorable experience is his trek to peak 2 and meeting other people on this trek.

upcoming Byaheng Victory Conquer Mt. Pulag trip:
Feb 9-10, 2013
Mar 2-3, 2013
Mar 16-17, 2013
Apr 13-14, 2013
Apr 27-28, 2013
May 11-12, 2013
for details, check out Conquer Pulag trip packages

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mt pulag summit part two

February 17, 2013, 1:53 pm

≫ Next: hot air balloon 2013

≪ Previous: conquering mt pulag part one

woke up by my phone's alarm. set at 3:30am. i then checked with my tent mate Rhoel while i was preparing the gears for the trek. "i am staying" he replied. i was not surprised because who wouldn't want to stay and have a longer sleeping time with the temperature still at around 8C.

went out the tent and saw people starting to assemble. Travel Factor coordinators gave the final briefing and did head count. just minutes before we started trekking, i saw Rhoel coming out of the tent in full gear. he was joining us.

it looked like we journeyed to middle earth. in almost total darkness, we only saw lights that formed the trail to Mt. Pulag's summit. trail was not steep but it was muddy and slippery. at some point, we had to signal the person following us which areas to avoid on the trail.

two hours of walk and stop as we had to make sure that others won't loose trail. the thrill of doing night treks might not allow one to take photos of the trail and won't see much of the view but it entails a different trekking experience. one that i would recommend when you're with a guide.

on the final ascend to summit, Pulag's infamous sea of clouds came into view. whether it appeared or not, the 360 panoramic view of the landscape from Luzon's highest point will always be the best reward for me.

at times though, there will be just fog from any perspective but still the experience will be unforgettable. on this trek, we had a really good clearing with Mt. Timbak seen on one side along Halsema Highway.

when people would ask why we love trekking despite the exhaustive treks and risky climbs, the view and the experience of reaching the summit will always be the top reason. the photos would only attest to a portion of the amazing view. it is definitely different to be there.

but if it's just the view that one would be after when trekking, then one can easily be discouraged. mountains have unpredictable weather condition. but the camaraderie of being together and sleeping overnight on top of the mountain compensates the sometimes unprecedented experience.

it felt less tiring for everyone to trek back to the camp site since the sun revealed the large area of its amazing grassland and the other hills. in just an hour we reached the camp site just in time for breakfast.

my other favorite hilly summits would include Mt. Gulugod Baboy in Batangas, Mt. Tagapo in Talim island, Tinago hills in Calaguas island, Laur Hills in Nueva Vizcaya, Bugalon Hills in Pangasinan and Dingalan Hills in Aurora.

photo above shows our posterity shot with Conquer Team Travel Factor and the last batch to descend.

something interesting:

coming from a father's desire to accomplish one of his bucket list. the Poco family and the some friends decided to trek Mt. Pulag through Byaheng Victory.

the idea of trekking to Luzon's highest peak came from Tito Rolly's daughter Tricia Poco after their unforgettable trip in Coron Palawan. the entire clan went there and despite the bad weather, they had more time to bond.

from this trip, Tito Rolly appreciated God more after reaching the summit while Tita Anna considered her experience of going through it as the most memorable part of the trek. with a "just go" mind set.

Daughter Tricia and her husband Paolo would most of the time initiate the family's trip.

Son Louie and his girlfriend Ann makes time to join the family's trip despite Louie's gigs. Louie is vocalist and bassist of the band Bloomfields.

family friends who joined the Poco family includes Aya, Mia and Renan.

also on the same jeepney were long time friends Chris, Bang and Vange. they used to work on the same company but they still get to travel once in a while to bond.

on this trek, Chris and Vange considered reaching the summit as their best experience while Bang on the idea of going through it.

upcoming Byaheng Victory Conquer Mt. Pulag trip:
Mar 2-3, 2013
Mar 16-17, 2013
Apr 13-14, 2013
Apr 27-28, 2013
May 11-12, 2013
for details, check out Conquer Pulag trip packages

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