Manggahan Falls

Though not as high compared to other waterfalls which is only 10 ft. of cascade. It is still a great sidetrip after descending from the summit of Mt. Sembrano which is just 400 meters away from the "Manggahan" campsite that requires descending and trekking through rocks and a stream.

It was named after the Mango (Mangga) trees that are abundant in the area, thus it was named "Manggahan Falls" but it is also known as "Kabayo Falls" to some. The water that cascades from the huge boulders is clear and ideal for washing, but since the catch basin is shallow (just below knee deep), it is not ideal for swimming and can only accommodate 10 person.

How to Get There:

1. Ride a jeep bound for Tanay, Rizal.

2. Once in Tanay ride a jeep bound for Pililia and tell the driver to drop you off in Brgy. Malaya to register and secure a guide

*** I joined an event organized by Laagan Outdoors.

Mt. Tangbaw

Standing at an altitude of 7195 ft. above sea level, Mount Tangbaw is one of the summits located along the Purgatory-Mangisi traverse. The summit is a flat grassland which serves as a campsite and can accommodate several tents; it offers a breathtaking view of Northern Bokod and Benguet province plus a myriad of pines trees.  

It also serves as one of the exit point for the descent traverse. Along the trail, several Benguet mountains can be seen from afar like Mt. Ugo, Mt. Timbak, Mt. Sto Tomas, the nearby Mt. Pulag and even the city of Baguio. The descent passes through a steep yet well established pathway that even motorcycles can access.

Our guide told us that the descent usually takes 3 hours to negotiate - I think he underestimated me and my colleague; we were able to finished the descent in just 56 minutes and had a total altitude loss of almost 3800 ft. upon reaching the jump off point (our guide was surprised, we were among the fastest to descent - of course we did some trail running to speed up the pacing). 

How to Get There:
1. Ride a bus bound for Baguio via Victory Liner
2. Once in Baguio, you can take a chartered jeep to Bokod Municipal/Tourism Office

Balagbag Island

Located in the Province of Camarines Norte, Balagbag Island is situated beside Calaguas Island with it's highest peak standing at an estimated elevation of 125 feet.

According to my sister's narration, a fee of 25 pesos is collected as an entrance fee that will let you explore the hilltop. From the summit one will have a commanding view of the seemingly endless blue water of the Pacific Ocean. The coastline is composed of long stretch of beach with fine grain to pebbled white sand, and also features the stunning views of the rugged rock formation similar to that of Dingalan and Batanes which truly offers a paradise-like-setting.

Balagbag means “not correctly aligned or positioned” in Tagalog language, but since the island is in Bicol region, there might be other meaning for Balagbag. 

***My sister joined an organized tour on Calaguas and Balagbag Island.

Mt. Pack (Banskila)

Also known as Mt. Banskila and was later renamed as Mt. Pack which is one of the highest among the peaks along the Purgatory-Mangisi Traverse that stands at 7513 ft. above sea level.

From Mt. Mangagew the trek continues on a continuous ascent through an open and pine tree-forested trails that passes the Bangtinen campsite until reaching Prospect which opens the door to Mt. Pack and Purgatory. From there on hikers will be greeted with an endless mossy forest that goes all the way to Bakian. 

The cool breeze and dense forests counters the continuous ascending trail of Mt. Pack which has a total of 1772 ft. elevation gain from Mangagew. The summit is almost a plateau composed of mossy forests and green vegetation which offers a surrounding view of the towns of Benguet on one side and Nueva Viscaya on the other (mosquitoes are present, bring insect repellent).

Mossy Forest



How to Get There:

1. Ride a bus bound for Baguio via Victory Liner

2. Once in Baguio, you can take a chartered jeep to Bokod Municipal/Tourism Office

Mt. Mangagew

Situated in the Cordillera mountain ranges and is part of the Purgatory-Mangisi traverse, Mt. Mangagew is the first among the series of mountain ranges in Bokod, Benguet.

It stands at an altitude of 5741 ft. above level and has a total of 840 ft. altitude gain from the jump off point. The trail is mostly straightforward which is composed of endless pine trees and the slope is a continuous ascent with almost no flat stops.  

Upon reaching the summit, one will see a village, school, store and even a catholic chapel.  Vegetable and crop plantations can also be seen along trails which offers a picturesque view.

How to Get There:
1. Ride a bus bound for Baguio via Victory Liner
2. Once in Baguio, you can take a chartered jeep to Bokod Municipal/Tourism Office

Seoul Kitchen

Los Banos, has been a melting pot of different cuisine, among which is the Korean cuisine which has become one of the favorites among Filipinos. Tucked along F.O. Santos and Pearl St. in Umali Subd., Seoul's Kitchen is perhaps one of the best Korean restaurant in Laguna.

The ambiance is great and the food even greater which is comparable to authentic Korean cuisine. The prices are affordable and student friendly which also has a generous amount of serving, truly it is a pleasant surprise. 

My siblings ordered several menu which includes: Green Ice Tea Frappe, Maki, Tonkatsu, Bibimbop, Soy Chicken, Chapchae which indeed satisfied my Korean gastronomic cravings.

Food Rating:

8 out 10

Minalungao National Park

Situated in the municipality of General Tinio in Nueva Ecija, Minalungao National Park was established in 1967 by virtue of Repbulic Act No. 5100 and covers an area of 2,018 hectares. It is centered along the scenic Peñaranda River which is bordered on both sides by up to 16-meter high limestone walls in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range. 

It resembles both Tinipak River and Montalban Gorge which is composed of marble rock formations, thus compensating for a truly a remarkable environment that has attracted travelers and thrill seekers alike. 

The water is pristine and clear which is inviting to swimmers, but the main attraction is the "Zip Line" and other attractions for for picnics, swimming, fishing, raft riding and cliff diving have been put up to draw more visitors. 

Extreme precaution must be observed at all times especially during rainy days where rocks becomes slippery and flash floods does occur, my sister who went on a day tour shares her experience about the sudden gush of Peñaranda River which eventually made them trek through marble rocks and boulders to avoid being stranded. 

***The following write-up was based on my sister's account where she joined an event organized by Adventurous People