Bass Fishing at Sierra Lake (Lumot)

Sierra Lake, also known as Lumot Lake is a man-made water reservoir located in Brgy. Lumot in Cavinti, Laguna and lies in the Sierra Madre Mountain ranges. The lake was created when Lumot Dam, an embankment dam, was constructed damming the Lumot River, creating an auxiliary water reservoir for Lake Caliraya as part of the Kalayaan Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Plant

It is less known to the passersby who probably think it is still Caliraya Lake. In my opinion, it is more beautiful than Caliraya Lake. Like the latter, Sierra Lake is also surrounded by lush vegetation and tall trees. The water is also clearer and no trash can be found near the lake. 

The lake is a popular watersport and fishing competition spot. Every year the LGU team organizes the watersports tournament and also Bass fishing contest. The lake is rich with fresh water fish such as Tilapia and Large Mouth Bass.Thus, one would occasionally see a group of men fishing on banks of the lake.

The place has the same altitude as Tagaytay City, but with a much cooler breeze and stronger gush of wind making it my favorite getaway during weekend. Boats for rents are available if you want to tour the lake and the nearby islets. Islands (Sundang) with cottages can also be rented for a night.

How to Get There:

1. Ride a bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna (alight in Pagsawitan).

2. Once in Pagsawitan you can ride jeepneys bound for Lumot.

Wawa Dam and the Legendary Montalban Gorge

According to a local legend, a folk hero named Bernardo Carpio have separated the two mountains namely: Mt. Binacayan and Mt Pamitinan by his brute force in an act of self-liberation, creating Montalban Gorge, Wawa river, and the rock formations.

Wawa Dam is being fed up by the Wawa river that slithers across the gorge. The Dam was built in 1909 during the American colonial era to provide the water supply for Manila. It ceased operation in the 1960’s when the Ipo-La Mesa-Angat watershed was established. 

Now it serves as a destination for sight seers and photographers seeking a taste of nature without going far from the city. A dam creates a dramatic cascade similar to that of a waterfalls where some people swim. Small make-shift cottages and rafts are also available for rent. 

How to Get There:

1.) From Cubao, you can ride UV Express bound to Montalbon. Once in Montalbon you can flagged trikes to Brgy Wawa (jump off of Pamitinan)

2.) I joined an organized hiking event headed by Sir. Jed Marcos (09424936007) together with the Akyat Tuklas Mountaineers.

Mizpeh Korean Resto & Grocery

Recent cravings for an authentic Korean food led us to Mizpeh Korean Resto & Grocery, a One Stop Korean shop located in Los Banos composed of a restaurant and a mini mart that sells Korean products and goods.

They have a set of buffet and promo meals, but since I was still full at the time we just opted for their promo meals that includes: Kimbap + Chapchae + Mandu and the other set of meal which is composed of Donkatsu + Omu Rice + Soup and  we also tried their Chubby Burger - a burger made of rice patties. It took a while before our orders got served, because it was freshly served and not frozen. Ambiance is good, not to classy and the whole place is spacious which showcase Korean artwork and design.

A real value for money, has a generous amount of food serving. The owner was also kind enough to give us a free Melona - an ice cream stick with the taste of your favorite fruit, ice cream stick from Korea is totally different from ours, it's a must try.

Rating:

7 out of 10

Urbiztondo Beach: Surfing Paradise of the North

Located in the town of San Juan in La Union, Urbiztondo Beach is one of the closest surfing spot from Manila (6 hours). The beach may not have fine grain and white sand, but what makes it special are the powerful waves ideal for surfing. It is the entry point of surfing spots in the Ilocos region and surfers, most especially beginners loves this area which is  known for its peeling waves and short rides.

Learning to surf here is very inexpensive compared to other surf spots around the world. The town’s surfers have organized themselves into a club and have given surfing lessons to everyone who are interested to learn surfing.

How To Get There: 

1. From Manila, ride a bus bound for San Fernando, La Union.

2. Once in San Fernando, you can ride a jeep/bus bound for San Juan (Bacnotan, San Juan, Candon), tell the driver to drop you off in Urbiztondo Beach.

Umbrella Rocks of Agno

The town of Agno is located on the Western portion of Pangasinan, which is characterized by rolling terrains and ricefields on the way to the town proper. It is the home of Sabangan Beach, it may not have white sand, yet it offers a different attraction popularly known as the Umbrella Rocks. These massive rocks has a diverse marine eco-system showcasing beautiful corals, different sea creatures and is surrounded by crystal clear water facing the West Philippine Sea. Even with the recent aftermath of typhoon "Lando" one could still see the picturesque view of the place.

The dazzling beauty of the Umbrella Rocks is a work of the natural elements through a number of geological periods, some experts says that the rocks are actually corals and were formed by the incessant lapping of tidal waves against the shore through the centuries.

Aside from the famous Umbrella Rocks, Sabangan beach also has an old lighthouse wherein you can see the panoramic view of the beach. It will take less than hundred steps to the old light house.

How To Get There:

1.) Ride a bus bound to Alaminos City (Pangasinan)

2.) Once in Alaminos you can then ride a Jeep bound for Agno.

3.) Another option is to ride a bus bound for Agno (only Dagupan Bus) has direct trip to Agno and only 4 trips daily.

Mt. Hapunang Banoi

"Hapunang Banoi" which means in Tagalog dialect as "the place where the eagles dine", but due to deforestation and hunting, eagles have dwindled in number which almost came close to extinction in the area. Our guide told us that they still continue to see them in some account.

It shares a common trail with Mt. Pamitinan that passes through the rock climbing walls of Montalban until the junction. The leftward trail leads to Hapunang Banoi, a forested area composed mainly of Bamboo groves amidst the rocky trails, culminating in a rocky ridge of sharp limestone that is breathtaking. On a clear day one will be rewarded with a clear view of  Mt. Arayat, Mt. Balagbag, Mt. Ayaas, Mt. Banahaw, Mt. Cristobal, and more peaks located on the Sierra Madre ranges in Rizal.

Considered to be the ‘elder silbing’ of Pamitinan - Mt Hapunang Banoi is much higher by 200 ft in altitude but with a lesser rocky portion. Nonetheless one will still do rock climbing, scrambling and maneuvering  in the similar jagged limestone formations, and is arguably a notch higher in terms of difficulty.

How to Get There:

1.) From Cubao, you can ride UV Express bound to Montalbon. Once in Montalbon you can flagged trikes to Brgy Wawa (jump off of Pamitinan)

2.) I joined an organized hiking event headed by Sir. Jed Marcos (09424936007) together with the Akyat Tuklas Mountaineers.

Baan Thai: The Authentic Thai Restaurant in LB

"Baan" means house or home, so Baan Thai Restaurant when translated literally means home of Thai food. It is located in Los Banos, Laguna and boasts as the home of authentic Thai cuisine and traditional way of cooking Thai specialties at very affordable prices.

The restaurant is an old house that was turned into a diner which shows simplicity in the ambiance, but nonetheless the food they serve makes up for the minor inconveniences that truly satisfies the tummy and the taste buds.

I asked the food server about their house specials, so I ended up ordering "Pad Thai". Pad Thai has the rich taste of the rice noodles flavored with tamarind, palm sugar, chili, garlic, coriander leaves and roasted peanuts - it was unique and it satisfied my palate with the perfect blend of sour and somehow sweet taste. My wife ordered Thai Chicken with Bagoong Rice - it was topped with green mango strips, she liked it but personally Thai Bagoong is not comparable with Pinoy Bagoong which I think is quite sour. We also ordered Chicken Rice with Lemon Grass but I forgot the Thai name of the said dish, it was like the Thai version of Yang Chow Rice but with the unique taste of Lemon Grass and a little bit sweet yet spicy.

Rating:

6 out of 10

Masungi Geo Reserve (Rock Formation)

Masungi is located in a conservation area of about 1500 hectares between the towns of Tanay and Baras in Rizal province. The topography is composed of Karst formation - made up of rocks with sharp, irregular surfaces and considered as a home to various life forms (plants / animals).  According to geologists, this geological process occurred  many thousands of years that resulted in the unusual surface. The landscape was largely shaped by the dissolving action of water on carbonate bedrock (usually limestone, dolomite, or marble).

Since early 2000 the whole Geo Reserve of Masungi is operated and maintained by Garden Cottages. Reforestation and rehabilitation of the area have been employed. Trees are now growing taller; flora and fauna are now present along the geo reserve and wildlife is slowly thriving compared to what it was several decades ago when it was overridden by illegal loggers quarrying.

The trail is lined with rocks and concrete blocks making it easy to cover the whole area and can be completed in two hours (depends on one's pacing). Definitely not for the faint of heart and acrophobic, because obstacles are included in the course that let's you cross from one point to another such as: "Sapot" (Spider Web) and "Duyan" (Hanging Bridge). Proper precaution must be observed while in the said courses - it lacks some security features, one simple slip might send anyone diving to a 100 ft. ravine. Also included are: "Ditse, Patak" ,"Yungib ni Ruben" (Stalactite Cave), "Tatay" (highest viewing deck), "Nanay" (viewing deck) and "Liwasan" which are all an integral part of the trail.

How to Get There:

1. From Cubao, you can ride jeepneys bound for Cogeo.

2. Once in Cogeo you can then ride jeepneys bound for Sampaloc, tell the driver to drop you off in Garden Cottages.

3. Strictly no walk in, if you are interested to visit Masungi Rock Formation you should set an appointment through their website/email.

Puting Buhangin Beach

Located in Isla Polo, Pagbilao Quezon which is about 170 km. south of Manila, "Puting Buhangin Beach" (White Sand) has become one of the most popular yet unspoiled beach near Manila. It offers fine grain, white sand and pristine water making it one of the most beautiful beaches that is not yet commercialized. It was high tide with powerful splurges of waves caused by Monsoon Rain when I went to the place, thus I never truly enjoyed my visit - so much for the spoiler. 

Another nearby attraction is the "Kwebang Lampas" - a cave which is located in the coastline of the beach. The place is a hidden treasure itself, situated in the island of "Isla Polo" where it can be reach by boat or by land. Traveling by land offers a unique view of the countryside, where a picturesque terrain of rocky hills and the Western Philippine Sea gives a premier travel experience. Upon reaching the jump off point; one will have to trek through bushes, mangroves, rocky cliffs and muddy stream which leads to Puting Buhangin situated beside the Pagbilao Power Plant. 

How to Get There:

1.) Ride a bus bound for Lucena. Once in Lucena take a jeep bound for Pagbilao.

2.) In Pagbilao, you can then ride a jeep bound to "Polo". Tell the driver that you are going  to  Kwebang Lampas/ Puting Buhangin to drop you off in the Trike Terminal.

3.) Tell the trike driver to drop you off in the jump off point for Kwebang Lampas.

4.) In the jump off point you will have to take a boat to cross the other side of the river.

5.) Once on the otherside of the river, you can then trek your way to Puting Buhangin Beach also known to the locals as Lukang Beach.