Batangas Pier - Caticlan Port Sea Cruising via 2Go Ferry

5 Days Solo DIY Trip to Best White Sand Beaches near Panay Island

Planning the Panay Island Road Trip and Beachbumming Escapade

The main reason why I did this adventure was to experience the 2Go Ferry Ride going to Visayas archipelago. Fortunately, I availed a promo fare which was booked 3 weeks before the travel date, only PhP943.40 for a roundtrip on a Tourist Class (fully aircondition, free rice meal and free use of blanket/pillowcase). By the way, I don't have a credit card as the online booking required, I only used my BDO ATM Debit Card which has a MasterCard logo and the transaction processed successfully. 

To know more about 2Go Ferry destinations and promos...
http://travel.2go.com.ph/index.asp

Before, route for a land and ferry trip coming from Cubao to Caticlan (Dec. 23-24, 2011):
Cubao - Batangas - Oriental Mindoro - Aklan (traveled on peak season)
1. bus from Cubao Terminal to Batangas Pier                - 1200H - 1630H (4.5 hrs)
2. ferry from Batangas pier to Calapan Port (RO-RO)     - 1630H - 2100H (4.5 hrs)
3. bus from Calapan Port to Roxas Port                         - 2100H - 0200H (5 hrs)
4. ferry from Roxas Port to Caticlan Port (RO-RO)          - 0200H - 0900H (7 hours)
ESTIMATED TOTAL TRAVEL TIME (2011): 21 HOURS for PhP1,100 (4 transfers)

Now, route for a land and ferry trip coming from Cubao to Caticlan (Jul. 07-08, 2016):
Cubao - Batangas - Aklan (traveled on off-peak season)
1. bus from Cubao Terminal to Batangas Pier                - 1600H - 1830H (2.5 hrs)
2. ferry from Batangas Pier to Caticlan Port                 - 2100H - 0730H (10.5 hrs)
ESTIMATED TOTAL TRAVEL TIME (2016): 13 HOURS for PhP463 (2 transfers)

Batangas Pier - Caticlan Port Sea Cruising via 2Go Ferry (lobby inside ferry)

5 Days Solo DIY Trip to Best White Sand Beaches near Panay Island

Malalison Island (Antique), Gigantes Island (Iloilo), Boracay Island (Aklan) and Carabao Island (Romblon)

July 07 to 12, 2016 

My 49th solo backpacking trip, 2nd local long travel after Babuyan Islands trip last May 2016 and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself (DIY) itinerary from arrival to departure. Also, this was my 62nd (Antique) and 63rd (Romblon) provinces to visit on my quest to conquer the 81 provinces of the Philippines.

Panay Island is a triangular island in the Philippines located in the western part of the Visayas. It is about 160 kilometres across ranking the sixth largest of the islands in the country. It is divided into four provinces: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo, all in the Western Visayas Region. 

5 Days Solo DIY Trip to Best White Sand Beaches near Panay Island (Gigantes Island)

5 Days Solo DIY Trip to Best White Sand Beaches near Panay Island (route map)

Morning Trip to Taong Putik (Mud Men) Festival 2016

24-June-2016 Friday in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija, Luzon, Philippines

"Pagsa-San Juan", known also as the Pista ng Taong Putik (Mud Men Festival), is a tradition conducted every 24th of June at Barangay Bibiclat, Aliaga, Nueva Ecija. This festival is celebrated in honor of San Juan Bautista (Saint John the Baptist). Devotees apply mud and cover their body with dried banana leaves as tribute on their origin, act of penance and a symbol of humility.

There is another popular tale which tells that Japanese soldiers were about to execute all the suspected guerrillas in the town of Bibiclat because they have killed 13 Japanese soldiers. The relatives of the suspects went to the church to pray. While praying, it rained hard and the Japanese stopped the squad to set the guerrillas free. The villagers danced in joy and played in the mud for being so thankful. Residents attributed this miracle to Saint John the Baptist and vowed to pay a feast day by wearing costumes patterned after his attire but by using native materials.

TAONG PUTIK FESTIVAL 2016 MORNING VISIT DAY-TRIP ITINERARY;
​24-June-2016 Friday
0030H ETD Home; transportation to Cubao 32
0130H ETA Five Star Bus Terminal 185
0345H ETA Cabanatuan; breakfast 82; tricycle to Brgy. Bibiclat, Aliaga 100; St. John The Baptist Church
0530H Mass 
0700H Procession
0800H walk to highway (2.5km); bus to Cabanatuan Terminal 27; breakfast at McDo 99
1030H ETD Cabanatuan 185
1400H ETA Cubao; transportation to Home 25
Budget Total: PhP 735

Morning Trip to Taong Putik Festival 2016 in Brgy. Bibiclat, Aliaga, Nueva Ecija

Afternoon Adventure to Masungi Georeserve

19-June-2016 Sunday from Antipolo to Tanay, Rizal Province, Philippines

Afternoon Adventure to Masungi Georeserve is the last part of our Rizal Province Day-Trip adventure and the highlight with a side trip which is the Morning Visit to Pinto Art Museum.

SOME POINTERS IN VISITING MASUNGI GEORESERVE;

1. It is highly recommended to visit this place with private vehicle as it is very hard to commute.

2. Book very early and must be in a group with 7 to 14 members.

3. Admission fee costs PhP1,400 with around 4 hours for the full-round visit.
4. Free 1li drinking water, use of backpack and binocular is provided during the trek and free snacks after.

How to Go to Masungi Georeserve;
Masungi Georeserve is accessed from Garden Cottages along Kilometer 45, Marcos Highway, Rizal, by the municipality of Baras’ boundary with Tanay. Garden Cottages is located at the right side of the Marcos Highway road after Foremost Farms and Palo Alto in Baras, Rizal, if coming from Metro Manila. Take note to only take Marcos Highway and avoid the Manila-East Road if coming from Metro Manila. The latter is a significantly longer route.

MASUNGI GEORESERVE WITH PINTO ART MUSEUM DIY DAY TRIP ITINERARY;

​19-June Sunday

0530H ETD Home; transportation to Shaw Boulevard 53
0700H ETA Greenfield Shaw Boulevard; hired UV Express for day trip 335

0730H ETD Shaw Boulevard
0900H Pinto Art Museum 200 (1 Sierra Madre St., Grand Heights Subdivision near Ynares Center, Antipolo) 
1100H ETD Pinto Art Museum; Lunch 80
1230H ETA Masungi Georeserve 1,400 (Garden Cottages along Km 45, Marcos Highway, Tanay)
1330H Masungi Georeserve Trek Start
1730H Masungi Georeserve Trek End; free snacks 
1800H ETD Masungi Georeserve
1900H ETA Shaw Boulevard; dinner 95; bus going home 53
Total: PhP 2,216

Afternoon Adventure to Masungi Georeserve (Sapot)

Morning Visit to Pinto Art Museum

19-June-2016 Sunday from Antipolo to Tanay, Rizal Province, Philippines

Morning Visit to Pinto Art Museum is the first part of our Rizal Province Day-Trip adventure and a side trip to the major event which is the Afternoon Trek to Masungi Georeserve.

SOME POINTERS IN VISITING PINTO ART MUSEUM;

1. Admission fee costs PhP200, PWD for 180 and 100 for Students with valid ID.
2. Opens daily from 9am to 6pm except Mondays . 
3. Full-round visit can be done on average of 2 hours (advance booking is not required). 

4. Picture-taking for personal use only, no flash photography is allowed.

How to Go to Pinto Art Museum;
From LRT Line 2 Santolan Station, take a jeepney or UV Express bound for Antipolo, Tanay or Teresa. Get off at Ynares Center. Take tricycle and ask to drop at Grand Heights Subdivision (Pinto Art Museum is not famous yet to local drivers). Address is 1 Sierra Madre St., Grand Heights, Antipolo. Phone 02-6971015 and email pintoartmuseum@yahoo.com

MASUNGI GEORESERVE WITH PINTO ART MUSEUM DIY DAY TRIP ITINERARY;

​19-June Sunday

0530H ETD Home; transportation to Shaw Boulevard 53
0700H ETA Greenfield Shaw Boulevard; hired UV Express for day trip 335

0730H ETD Shaw Boulevard
0900H Pinto Art Museum 200 (1 Sierra Madre St., Grand Heights Subdivision near Ynares Center, Antipolo)
1100H ETD Pinto Art Museum; Lunch 80
1230H ETA Masungi Georeserve 1,400 (Garden Cottages along Km 45, Marcos Highway, Tanay)
1330H Masungi Georeserve Trek Start
1730H Masungi Georeserve Trek End; free snacks 
1800H ETD Masungi Georeserve
1900H ETA Shaw Boulevard; dinner 95; bus going home 53
Total: PhP 2,216

Morning Visit to Pinto Art Museum (The Pinto Academy)

Mt. Makiling (1,090masl) Traverse Day-Hike (Sto. Tomas to Los Baños)

12-June-2016 Sunday in Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines

MT. MAKILING TRAVERSE GENERAL INFO:
Entry point: Sitio Jordan, Brgy. San Miguel, Sto. Tomas         Exit point: UP College of Forestry, Los Banos, Laguna
Elevations: Peak 1 (900masl), Peak 2 (1,090masl) and Peak 3 (1,020masl)
Hours / Days required: 5 to 8 hours (local guide is required)
Classification: major trek with difficulty level of 5/9 (roped segments)

Mt. Makiling Traverse Day-hike on wet season is my 2016's 2nd local major day-hike and my 2016's 6th local hike. This adventure is preceded by  Mt. Mariveles Range Traverse Extended Day-Hike just 2 weeks ago.

MY OBSERVATIONS DURING MT. MAKILING TRAVERSE DAY-HIKE;

(1) There are 60 stations marked through-out the course. 30 stations from DENR Station (Sto. Tomas) ascending to Mt. Makiling summit (1,090masl) then another 30 stations from this summit descending to Makiling Gate (Los Baños).
(2) Lunch time can be done in Station 15, Peak 3 (1,020masl) is in Station 18, Summit is in Station 30 and Agila Base is in Station 11.
(3) Roped segments became more challenging starting from Melka Ridge (Haring Bato) up to trail before the Station 18 (Peak 3). It's like rock rappeling and good thing it was still sunny during our ascent or else it will become more dangerous and slippery during rainy hours.
(4) Lots of "limatik" (leech-type) in rainforest area especially in Stations 15 and 30, and descend trail to Agila Base. I have encountered 5 "limatik" on my raincoat/hand which I finger-stroke immediately and 1 full blood-sucked on my right lower leg.
(5) I think there is an average of 8 hours to finish the entire traverse (60 stations) from Sto. Tomas to Los Baños. We did it by around 7.75hours with rain fell hard after we reached the summit; having a very muddy, very slippery, "limatik"-infested trail on descent to Station 1.
(6) Motorbike back ride (habal-habal) can be availed on descent from Station 11 (Agila Base) to Station 1 (Makiling Gate) at Php100 one-way, around 5km semi off-road. This will save you to trek 1.5hr with 10 stations to skip. Jeep is available too for group.
(7) There are only 2 bathroom (1 each for male/female, PhP20 fee) at the Station 1 Makiling Gate so be there as early as possible to avoid the very long queue.

Mt. Makiling (1,090masl) Traverse Day-Hike (Station 30 Peak 2 Summit) 

Mt. Mariveles (1,408masl) Traverse Day-Hike (Pantingan Peak to Tarak Ridge)

29-May-2016 Sunday in Bagac to Mariveles,Bataan, Philippines

MT. MARIVELES RANGE GENERAL INFO:
Entry point: Sitio Gabon, Bagac, Bataan         Exit point: Brgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan
Elevations: Pantingan Peak (1,408masl), El Saco Peak (1,130 masl) and Tarak Ridge (1,006masl)
Hours / Days required: 20-23 hours just in one day (local guide is required)
Classification: major trek with difficulty level of 9/9 (extended day-hike)

Mt. Mariveles Range Die-Hike (Extended Day Hike) on wet season in an almost self-guided trekking served as my 2016's first local major hike, my 2016's 5th hike and the longest trek in a day I ever did at 22 hours (following the Day4 of my Jiri to EBC Solo-Hike in Eastern Himalayas, Nepal at 9.75hrs last Dec. 2015). In addition and in my honest opinion, I consider Mt. Mariveles Range on day-hike as my most brutal, most knee-wrecking and most challenging hike because of the following (not to mention I am a last minute joiner with less than 2 hours to pack my things and leave my house);

(1) Savage mossy forest with very steep, very slippery and somewhat complex trails on soil, rocks, laid trunks and dead trees (despite having only 3hrs travel from Manila, there is strong sense of wilderness at its finest).
(2) Lots of "limatik" (blood leech) from Pantingan Peak assault to El Saco Peak descent. I had 3 "limatik" encounters on my lower leg and face that were finger-strike immediately.
(3) Wet and wild adventure; rained for 3 times since 11am, even my underwear and socks were soaking at around 14hrs hiking with lots of mud penetrating the shoes.
(4) Insufficient water source and packed food; due to very limited knowledge about the trail, my usual provision of 1 liter of water and few breads for a day-hike was undoubtedly a very short source of energy-replenishment.
(5) We had only one guide for 13 trekkers with different experience level in mountain trekking. After lunch in Pantingan Peak, 3 among 13 trekkers decided to break-away to follow the itinerary and quickly moved forward on self-guided basis until the endpoint in Mariveles (time is on utmost importance, we need to adjust on the lost time we had in the morning).
(6) I already exceeded the endurance limit of my knees (signs of aging); I cannot lift my left leg properly during descend and both legs during ascend while being too tired and sleepy on a short rest.
(7) We got lost in Papaya River; since we were on self-guided basis from Pantingan Peak descent, we wasted more than 30mins searching for trail going out to grassland. Due to exhaustion and fading head lamp lights, we did 3 return treks to Papaya River campsite until we saw the trail which is on the other side of rocky trail (proud to find it, instinct of proactive solo hiker).
(8) Longest hike in a day (killing me softly trail, die-hike adventure); 22 hours of energy fully-drained with very limited supply of drinkable water and not enough proper food intake.

Mt. Mariveles Range Day-Hike (Pantingan Peak to Tarak Ridge Traverse)

Family Budget DIY Day-Trip in Bolinao, Pangasinan

May 25, 2016 Thursday

My 19th family outing initiated and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. This trip also served as my 2nd tour-visit in Pangasinan, the first one was also a budget day-trip but with new-found friends in Hundred Islands, Alaminos (Jun. 2010). Please take note I did not perform any advance booking, we just simply arrived there as this day was considered as off-peak (weekday and start of rainy season). Upon reaching Bolinao on a 5hr bus travel from Cubao via Solid North Bus Terminal, we randomly selected a tricycle for a day-tour agreed for PhP1,000 until 5pm.

FAMILY BUDGET DIY DAY-TRIP IN BOLINAO, PANGASINAN ITINERARY
(composed of 1 adult, 1 senior citizen and 2 children (10-yr old and 3yr old)

May24 Tue Day0

2300H ETD House 98
2345H ETA Solid North Cubao Terminal; snacks 136
Subtotal: 234

May25 Wed Day1
0100H ETD Cubao; 367*2 + 459 = 1,193 (discount for senior citizen and student)
0600H ETA Bolinao Central town; bakery breakfast 79
0700H Bolinao Central town; hired tricycle for day-tour (randomly chosen driver)
Bolinao Falls 1 Entrance fee 50*2 + 25 (10yr old discount / free for 3yr old) = 125
Bolinao Falls 2 Entrance fee 50*2 + 25 (10yr old discount / free for 3yr old) = 125
1130H lunch 195
Wonderful Cave Entrance fee 100*2 + 50 + 20 (parking fee) = 270
Cape Bolinao lighthouse and Patar White Beach (free entrance); shower 30
1445H ETD Patar (rain fell hard)
1530H ETA Bolinao Central town; tricycle day tour 1,000; snacks 310
1630H ETD Bolinao 459*2 + 367 = 1,285 (student no discount in Victory Liner Bus)
2330H ETA Cubao bus to home 112
Subtotal: 4,724

TOTAL BUDGET: 234 + 4,724 = 4,958

Family Budget DIY Day-Trip in Bolinao, Pangasinan (Patar Cape Bolinao Lighthouse)

Camiguin-Norte Island's Solo Trek to Falls and Naguillan Beach

​7 Days Budget DIY Trip to Babuyan Group of Islands

May 11 to 19, 2016

Babuyan Island's Boat Ride View and Smith Volcano Hiking

Camiguin-Norte Island is the 2nd largest of the Babuyan Islands (Calayan, Camiguin, Dalupiri and Babuyan Island) of Calayan Municipality. On this island, there is no ATM (bring cash), no GLOBE signal (use only SMART and SUN sim card but hard to find) and no Wifi. Electricity is active only from 3pm to 11pm daily. Convenience stores usually closed 7pm to 8pm. Sunset takes place in Naguillan Beach.

How to Go to Camiguin-Norte Island;
There are daily departures at 0700H-0800H only from Aparri and irregular schedule from Sta. Ana. One-way fare costs PhP250 for a 5hr boat ride. 

1-DAY TRIP ITINERARY IN CAMIGUIN-NORTE ISLAND;
​May17 Tue Day6
0730H ETD Aparri (30mins earlier)
1200H ETA Camiguin Norte Island 250; Ate Awit Llopiz's Homestay
1245H self-guided trek to Camiguin Falls; savage, easy but challenging trail 
1615H ETA Homestay
self-guided walk to Naguillan Beach; gray to white fine sand, sunset photo-ops; snacks 63
1900H ETA Homestay; dinner and rest

Camiguin-Norte Island's Solo Trek to Falls and Naguillan Beach