Sip & Gogh

Last April we had our team's engagement activity in Sip & Gogh. At first, I never taught that I would enjoy that activity since I don't have any artistic talent in me, how wrong I was. 

Sip & Gogh is the first-of-its-kind paint and sip studio in the country which started last 2012. It is a perfect place to be with family and friends to socialize, explore hidden talent and enjoy time painting together.. 

For 1000 pesos you will be able to do an artwork while sipping wine or drink the beverage of your choice with some pica-pica cheese, grapes, and crackers. Everything that you need is provided which includes: canvas, paints, brushes, palette, easel, and apron. All you have to do is unleash your artistic side, enthusiasm and of course your creativity. You can also take home your own artwork, so better turn it into a masterpiece (If I only knew earlier, mas mganda sana ginawa ko hehe).

I thank all my teammates in Team Digital and Analytics for this great engagement, and for all the staff who were very kind and attentive in guiding me during the session.

Team Digital Marketing & Analytics

The master preparing for his masterpiece

My simple painting (Cawag Hexa)

Sample artwork that you can copy

Tapos na kmi sa aming mga artwork

For more details, feel free to check their website https://www.sipandgogh.com/ 

Mt Timbak Revisited

I have visited Mt Timbak also known as Mt Singakalsa on two occasions. My first visit was a complete disappointment due to the torrential rains that was brought about by a typhoon that gave the surrounding view a zero visibility, shrouded in fog. Then my recent visit was the exact opposite where I had the chance to witness the 360 surrounding view atop Luzon's third highest peak, something Mt Timbak can proudly offer.

This is definitely one of the easiest hikes among the top 10 highest mountains in the Philippines. It ranks as the third highest peak in Luzon and ninth overall in the country which stands at 8,914ft above sea level.

It is also one of the most accessible mountains in the Cordillera that can be accessed from the Halsema Highway which is the highest road in the Philippines via a public vehicle. But if you have a rented vehicle like our Timbak event where the whole group decided to let the van drove all the way to the school (except for me, I wanted to start from the highway). Trekking time can be lessened by at least an hour if the trek starts in Mangoto Elementary School which also translates to almost 1000ft elevation difference. From there on, one can reach the summit in almost 15 to 20mins depending upon one's pacing which is equal to 505ft altitude gain. 

The trail which leads to the summit is composed of a cemented pathway which then leads to vegetable terraces where the locals grow carrots, cabbage, potatoes, and different flowers as well. This is also considered the highest place in the country where the locals reside near the summit. Mt. Timbak offers one of the most stunning views of the sunset and it offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape which includes Pulag, Ugo, and the Halsema Highway and a chance of Sea of Clouds.

Mt Timbak as seen from the highest Hi-Way in Halsema

The blogger at summit's grotto



Team Buwang (Photo Credit: James Berwin Aluning)

Mt Pulag's Sea of Clouds



Vegetable Terraces



Halsema Highway 

How to Get There;
1. From Baguio City, ride a bus bound for Sagada or Bontoc
2. Alight in KM. 55 (tell the conductor you are going to Mt Timbak (left side, there is a big signage)
3. Once you arrived in Timbak Elementary School, just ask the locals for directions.
4. Be careful not to trample over vegetables, please be courteous when passing by, ask permission first.

***I joined an event organized by Sabin Montero and Team Buwang which is part of our Luzon 3-2 hike that includes Mt Tabayoc and the 4 Mystical Lakes of Kabayan.

Ciudad Elmina Restaurant

As a travel and food blogger, I always look for restos that are worth visiting. I have the following set of criteria that I used before it can be featured in my blog such as Ambiance, Food, Price and in some case Uniqueness. I heard about Ciudad Elmina Fishing Village when it was featured by the defunct KrisTv show several years ago. It was unique and worth visiting, so I did some researched and since my wife is from Pangasinan, we visited this resto last December 2017 when we went for a Christmas vacation together with her family.

Ciudad Elmina resto sits right in the middle of the fish farm where the fish they serve come from. It is not just a restaurant but a recreational place where one can enjoy activities like boating and fishing where you can have them cooked/grilled for you.

The whole place has 21 rooms, 3 villas, 1 conference room that could accommodate 40 people, a gazebo that can be used for meetings, several floating Nipa Huts that can accommodate 10 people each. A garden plazuela complete with its own gazebo and an open old house suited for big parties and events. Then, there is the main dining room which can accommodate up to 120 people where live acoustic music is played during dinner, the interior design is pretty unique where fishing nets and fishing tools are decorated at the ceiling to suit the fisherman’s theme. And during dinner, night lights surround the farm which gives it a romantic ambiance.

They serve the usual "lutong bahay" menus on their lists which specializes in Seafood Salo-salo or the Boodle Fight. Since I am not really a fan of "lutong bahay" I just let my wife order anything that she likes, I prefer American and Italian foods =).

Location: Al Fernandez Road, Bacayao Norte, 2400 Dagupan City, Pangasinan (from the main road you still have to walk 300 meters to reach the place).

Art In Island 3D Museum

As an artist myself, I know what looks good and not, and what is a masterpiece. So, when I learned about Art in Island, I immediately paid it a visit last April to check the jaw-dropping paintings that could turn the artistic side in you.

Art In Island Museum is located in 15th Ave. Cubao, Quezon City. It is a 3D museum where guests and visitors are invited to interact and “BE PART OF ART”.  It is actually the largest 3D interactive museum in Asia, with several hundred hand-painted attractions distributed into several themed-zones where guests can take photos as much as they want.

• Aquatic Adventures (underwater zone)
• Journey to the Jungle (animal zone)
• Winter Wonderland (Christmas zone)
• Religious (religious zone)
• Ancient Times Dungeon (central hall)
• Mysterious Walls (fantasy zone)

According to the museum staff, Art In Island was founded by Yun Jae Kyoung together with a team of several Korean painters who were called to do the project. The museum had more than 200 masterpieces which include bridges, mountains, animals, Egyptian ruins, Garden of Eden, Time Magazine and even a depiction of the North Pole all of which are 3D paintings. The paintings creates an illusion of depths and liveness which is perfect for Filipinos’ penchant with taking selfies and sharing them on Social media just like me.

There is also a 3D mapping presentation which depicts "The biblical creation, the great flood, Christianity up to the time period of missionaries and conquistadors which is the main highlight of the museum.

Some of the house rules that one must follow:
1. No shoes allowed
2. You can take pictures, but flash is not allowed

Hirap tlaga pag solo ka, hanggang selfie ka nlang.

Random kids that I took pictures of

How to Get There:

1. Go to Cubao, this is actually at the back of Araneta Center.

2. 175 15th Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines 1109

Mt Tenglawan

Ever since I started blogging, Bakun Trio particularly Mt Tenglawan has always been on my bucket lists because of it's iconic "Carrot Peak" and the awesome view that it offers. As a working and dedicated dad, I have a hard time finding a fitting hike schedule that my wife would approve. I was so thankful that Reigner Castro invited me to join their group which was organized by Emil Gannod of Laqbai, and since it was approved by my wife, to no avail, I immediately said yes.

I considered Mt Tenglawan among my top 5 favorite mountains that I've hiked, for the following reason that the summit offers a 360-degree view and of course it is not crowded with Social Climbers, so that you can truly enjoy your hike.

The blogger at the Carrot Peak of Mt Tenglawan

Among the mountains of the Bakun Trio, Mt Tenglawan is considered as the toughest. It has the longest trail with a total distance of 24.5km through the backtrail from Bakun Poblacion all the way to the summit characterized by a steeply inclined peak often described as "Carrot Peak" because it resembles a Carrot from afar. It has a total elevation gain of 4500ft through the backtrail (pabalik ng poblacion you have to ascend 1000ft, pauwi n yun ha).

We hiked Mt Tenglawan on the second day of our Bakun Trio itinerary. The trail starts from Poblacion which descends a 1020ft until reaching a river gorge. Then upon further trekking one will reach the hanging bridge which commences the start of the ascent which has a total of 3500ft altitude gain to reach the summit. I am so glad that I have hiked with 2 of the most "harkor hikers" that I've met namely: Kiko San Luis and Ron Dubois - who celebrated his birthday last December 4, Happy Birthday Lodi. Of all the strong hikers I've hiked with on the lead group, they are at par with the strongest laging pang 3rd lng ako s sequence namin tatlo, anyway balik ulit s blog write-up ko hehehe.

The trail gradually ascends through an open trail with some pine trees along the way even passing a giant cable lift used for transporting vegetable goods across the two mountains. Then another haft hour of trekking, our group reached a community where we refilled our water bottles. From the community, the trail is characterized by a rolling terrain until reaching a mossy forest infested by limatiks some of which are airborne (bgla nlang bumabagsak s ulo galing puno and one limatik fell directly at Kiko's head), from the hanging bridge until the mossy forest there is an equivalent ascent to 1600ft. From there on the trail passes rocky portions until reaching a very steep uphill assault which resembles the steepness of Mt Pulag's Akiki trail for a total of 2000ft elevation gain going to the summit. The summit is characterized by an open plateau which can accommodate at least 4-6 tents surrounded by ravines on all sides, but I am not sure if pitching tent is allowed. Just nearby the summit is the famed "Carrot peak" where one has to descend 30ft in order to reach the peak with an approximate height of 60ft where a cross is erected unto it's top. Safety railings were held in place to aid those who wish to scale the peak which is inclined at 70degrees.

The summit offers a 360-degree panoramic view of  Bakun and the surrounding Cordillera mountains. On the far North Mt Namadiraan and its different peaks can also be seen from afar, on the West is Tagudin, Ilocos Sur and La Union and on the Eastern portion, one can see Sagada and Mt Province.

The final 2000ft ascend similar to Akiki trail

Mt Namandiraan as seen from the summit

Bangar, Ilocos Sur as viewed from afar

At the top of the boulder, beside the Carrot Peak

Gwapo Be Like

Reigner, Erwin, Ten, Kiko, Bing, Emer & Ron (photo credit)

Team Una ng LAQBAI: Ron, Erwin, Ten, Emer & Kiko

Photo credits: Kiko, Emil, Bing, Ron, Ten, Emer & Erwin

Hike date: Dec 15, 2017
***Special thanks sa mga nakasama ko sa hike na ito: Sir Emil, Mam Rita, Ate Bing, Mommy Daisy, Ten-Ten, Erwin, Reigner, Kiko and Ron Dubois and the rest of LAQBAI.