Spectrum Linear Park

It is a special time of the year in Filinvest City, Alabang where Christmas season is felt in the air. The whole park is filled with music, singing, giant Christmas tree and musical light shows where it is transformed into a mini Christmas wonderland that includes the Tunnel of Light making it the main highlight of Spectrum Linear Park. According to some spectators, there were 3d mapping during the light shows last year, so it might still be the same today or much better. (soft opening nman ksi ako nagpunta kya hindi pa full operation hehe).

The Spectrum Midway Linear Park is a foliage-canopied walkway that spans across the north and south ends of the Filinvest City which offers a cozy and serene ambiance away from the noise and crowd of the buzzing city eventhough it is located in Alabang.

There are are also night market (Banchetto) which sells foods and dry goods.

How to Get There:

1.) From Edsa, ride an Alabang-bound bus. Alight in South Station or Alabang market and ride any jeep or bus passing by Zapote or Southmall. 

2.) Alight in the intersection of Alabang-Zapote Road and Filinvest Road. Walk to the corner of Acacia Hotel, and turn left at Commerce Avenue.

The easiest way is to walk passing through Festival Mall which exits at Commerce Ave., that's it. 

Mt Nagsasa (Bira-Bira)

Mt. Nagsasa is also known as Mt. Bira-Bira among the locals which is actually the smallest among the mountains in Zambales coastal mountain ranges and coves which stands at an altitude of 1470 ft. above sea level. It is usually hiked together with Mt Balingkilat for a complete Cawag Penta or Hexa traverse, or one can choose a much easier trail which is a traverse to Nagsasa Cove for a complete summit to sea experience.

The easy trail is an open grassland with a gradual ascent equivalent to 1020ft altitude gain from the jump-off point. But if it is a traverse coming from Mt. Balingkilat difficulty level becomes insanely a notch higher which involves technical climbing and scrambling. In fact, one must descend a total of 1950ft that passes steep ridges and rocky knife-edge trails that somehow resembles G2. It then becomes a rolling terrain until reaching a final 300ft ascend to reach the summit. The summit offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountain range of Zambales which includes Balingkilat, Dayungan, Cinco Picos and of course the picturesque view of Anawangin and Nagsasa Cove.

The only picture I have  with my hike buddies sa Mt Nagsasa, bawi ako s Cawag

How to Get There:

1. Ride a bus bound to Iba, Zambales (Victory Liner) and tell the conductor to drop you off in PNP Station of Subic. You also need to prepare a letter of intent before you can start your hike which will be submitted to PNP Subic.

2. Then ride tricycle going to Sitio Cawag, Mt. Nagsasa's jump off point.

*I joined an event organized by Jaime Dequinon of Akyat Tanaw Mountaineers

**I recommend Kuya Joel Soria as a local guide for Cawag mountains (Balingkilat, Nagsasa, Cinco Picos).

Black and Brew

Located in Vega Center at Los Banos beside UP Gate, Black and Brew is a small cafe which serves breakfast meals all day. According to my friends, they serve one of the best tasting locally brewed "Kapeng Barako" in town with the strong bitter taste to kick-start your day. 

Since I am not a fan of hot coffee, I ordered Iced Machiatto teamed up with their famous Cheesy Mushroom Omelette which insanely tastes good. It was filled with the cheesy goodness of melted cheese for that creamy taste that stays in your mouth. I also had a combo meal consists of Tuna Sandwich and All-Meat Pasta but it just tastes like the usual but it was definitely a great value for its price because of the generous serving. Then for dessert, I tried their Matcha Cheesecake which I had for haft the price because it was nearing its expiration date but nonetheless, it still tastes great.

The place is small and simple yet they serve one of the best value meals suited for your budget. Thus, it has become a favorite hang out among students who looks for a quiet place to study and at the same time enjoy the rich goodness of coffee and other house specialties like Tuna Alfredo and Cheesy Omelette.

Cheesy Mushroom Omelette w/ Embutido slice

Pasta and Sandwich Combo

Matcha Cheesecake

Iced Machiatto

Location: 2F Vega Center, Los Banos, Laguna

Mt Irid

Situated in the Sierra Madre mountain ranges which borders Tanay, Rizal and Gen. Nakar of Quezon province. Mt Irid stands as the highest peak in the province of Rizal and was opened to the hikers last 2013. It has an altitude of 4790 ft above sea level and has a total of 31 km. through the backtrail (15.5km to reach the summit), but local says its 38km backtrail, I'll just stick with my own data recording as I usually do.

This was a indeed memorable hike because my trekking shoes was forced into retirement on the actual hike which gave me a hard time. I just tied the shoelace around it, so that I can continue with the ascent to the summit and descend back. And of course, this is one of those dayhikes where we had "socials" on one of the most enchanting waterfalls (Kinabuan Falls) and even an unexpected "engagement proposal".

The trek starts from Sta. Ines Brgy Hall which initially passes a established trail passing 11 river crossings and several nameless mountain base passes until reaching Sitio Kinabuan where the enchanting Kinabuan Falls is located. From there on, a further hike will lead to Sitio Sadlac where one has gradually ascended a total elevation of 1610ft. from the jump-off. This is usually where hikers who go on an overnight hike set up their camp where bunkhouses, campsites and even a store can be found characterized by open grassland surrounded by the neighboring Mt Tukduang Banoi and Mt. Parukpok.

The real challenge of the trek starts with Mt Irid's base where one enters a very forested trail which commences the pure ascend of 2005ft altitude gain to reach the summit for a total of 3615ft altitude from the jump off to the summit. The trail is characterized by limestone formations and roots which can be found along the trail that requires some technical climbing, rock scrambling and even body contortions, something that resembles Mt Makiling and Mt Daraitan combined, except that Mt Irid is longer and higher with the teepness of 60-70degrees on some part. Like most virgin forests several flora and fauna can be found like Rafflesia and of course Limatiks which abundantly abound in its trails making it my personal choice as the toughest mountain in the province of Rizal (as mentioned earlier it forced my trekking shoes into retirement on the actual hike).

The summit of Mt Irid is characterized by numerous limestone formation often referred to as it's own version of "Rockies". There is also an encryption written by the Dumagat Tribe which tells about their commitment to protect Mt. Irid. On a clear day, it offers a picturesque view of the southern ranges of Sierra Madre including Mt. Tukduan Banoi which is located adjacent to Irid, making the formidable Sta Ines Trilogy that also includes Mt Parukpok.

Team Una @ Mt Irid

Photo Credit: Eric Copon (Team RSJ)

A slight clearing

Mossy forest

Photo Credits: MB Ram of Lenteng Gala

Photo Credits: MB Ram of Lenteng Gala

One of the river crossing

How to Get There:

1. From EDSA Star Mall, ride a UV Express bound for Tanay and alight in Tanay Market.

2. You can then ride a jeep bound for Sta Ines.

***I joined an event organized by Eric Franz Copon

Before hiking Mt Irid, it is very important that you have submitted a letter of intent and secured a permit from the Municipal Office of Tanay.

Contact the following numbers:

Kagawad Toto: +639302355562

Pitoy: +639263652353