Entablado Cafe

Whenever you are in Los Banos, Laguna then Entablado is one of the most recommended places to dine and have a sip of coffee. Though the place is a little bit small which can only accommodate between 20-25 people at a time, but then again it has a nice ambiance and still cozy at its own right.

The must-try among their menus are their "TinaPizza" and "TunaPasta", which is richly garnished with 'Tinapa" (smoke fish) and melted cheese something that you don't see every day. And of course, their other specialties include Coffee brews from Kalinga and Dark Choco Mint Frappe.

Prices are affordable, making it a favorite "meeting place" for some students to study and hang out while enjoying a cup of coffee and listening to acoustic performers. Sometimes it's none other than Ebe Dancel of Sugarfree who performs in the "Entablado" (center stage) and also owns the place. 

Tuna Pizza and Tuna Pasta

I had sore eyes that time

Kalinga Coffee

Ebe Dancel of Sugarfree

Location: Ground Floor, Vega Center Los Banos, Laguna (beside UP Gate)

Mt. 387 (Ghost Rock)

Situated in Caranglan, Nueva Ecija; Mt 387 is part of Talavera Watershed Forest Reserve along the Caraballo mountain ranges with a land area of 387.9 hectares, thus it is where it got its name. It is also known to the locals as "Batong Amat" in the local dialect which means "Ghost Rock" because the remains of those who died during World War 2 were buried most especially the Japanese soldiers. The whole place also served as a barracks and Japanese camp and there where instances that rusted armaments can still be dug up. 

To some, Mt 387 was also known as the "Chocolate Hills of North", well honestly I don't see any resemblance at all, it looks like more of an uneven "Chocolate Hills" and the numbers of slopes are quite few to compare. My apologies but I don't agree with some bloggers or these promotional ideas. For me, it is already beautiful and awesome in its own right, no need to compare it with another landmark just to get attention whatsoever. 

The 387 hectares of the mountain range was awarded to "Kalinga sa Kalikasan ng Puncan" (KAPUNCAN) headed by Sir Roy Manuzon. Their group have agreed with DENR to protect and preserve the land area, thus each visitors (hikers and travellers) alike are requested to plant a tree each time they hike Mt. 387 which is part of the reforestation initiatives.

The initial part of the trail is forested until reaching an open grassland until it leads to a huge pile of rocks known as the "Ghost Rock" where the remains of those who died during WW2 were buried. Then another 5 minutes of trekking will lead to the famous landmark known as the "Lover's Tree", it is the only tree in the vast open grassland. According to some local legend that circulated among the outdoor community "Whoever climbs the said tree will be lovers or they will find their lover". The summit is characterized by a ridge that offers a 360-view of the Caraballo Mountain Ranges.

Dubbed as the "Chocolate Hills of the North"

Team Una: Emer, JC & Michael

Batang Amat aka Ghost Rock

Team Una @ Ghost Rock

Tree Planting

Lover's Tree

Team Una Family

Team Una Family

How to Get There:

1. Ride any bus bound to Tuguegarao.

2. Alight in Km 175 Brgy Puncan in frfont of Iglesia Ni Cristo

3. Or ride a bus bound to San Jose, Nueva Ecija.

4. Once in San Jose, you can ride a trike to the jop.

Sir Roy Manuzon (09175712152)

***I joined an event organized by Team Una

Tirad Peak

Located in the town of Gregorio del Pilar, Ilocos Sur formerly known as Conception during the time of Philippine-American time. Tirad Peak towers above the historical trail of Tirad Pass with an altitude of 4550ft above sea level for a total of 14km backtrail from the jump off to the summit. 

The trail starts from the ‘Old Spanish Trail’ characterized by pine trees set on a Benguet like setting wide enough for horses to pass through. It was named as such because during the Spanish era it was used as a major route to the Cordilleras. References and signages of the historical battle can be found along the trail. One can also find a cave right before the Tirad Pass Shrine which also serves as the campsite. From there on, one will pass the “Lonely Trail” which then leads to the “Sniper’s Knoll” where the American sniper shot del Pilar to his demise.

After the "Old Spanish Trail" one would enter a very forested woodland which are at times winding but still established enough characterized by moderate to steep assault at some portions. Some parts have loosed soils and rocks until reaching an open grassland which leads to another forested part just before the foot of Tirad Peak for a total distance of 5km (from the campsite) and 7km (from cemented road jump off point) with a total elevation gain of 2400ft.

The final assault to Tirad Peak is characterized by a very steep inclination at almost 80 degrees which requires bouldering on rocky portion and some loose rocks on other parts, thus a rope was set in place to aid hikers during ascent and most especially descend since one wrong move could mean life and death. From the standpoint, it is a continuous downward plunge to a ravine just beneath, it was one of those summit peaks where my knees literally became feeble as if refusing to move.

The summit has become smaller in recent years due to landslide caused by loose soil and rock that can only accommodate 5 people at a time. It is characterized by ravines on all side set on an unstable ground thus, extreme precaution is advised at all times. Dangerous as it is, the summit offers a 360degree view of Ilocos Sur, Abra, and Benguet with surging wind speeds comparable to 60-70kph.

As viewed from the summit

Tirad Peak

Team Deuter

Team Deuter: Mary, John Paul & Lyod (photo credits: JP Pring)

Obligatory pic, grabe nkakatakot

Cemented pathway at the start of the trail. Uwian na.

How to Get There:

1. From Manila ride a bus bound to Candon, Ilocos Sur

2. Ride a jeep bound to Gregorio del Pilar (register at the Police station). It is much better if you take a rented that will take your team to the jump-off site. 

***I joined an event organized by Mary FG Styles of Team Deuter

Mt Gozaisho

Standing at 3,969ft above sea level, Mount Gozaisho is the highest peak in the Suzuka Mountain ranges which is an hour travel from Nagoya, Japan. There are two options to reach the summit. The first one is by trekking up along the mountain by following the established trail which can be reached in two or three hours depending on one's pacing. And the other option is via a cable car known as the Gozaisho Ropeway which is Japan's longest ropeway which only takes 12 minutes to arrive at the summit.

Each route offers a distinct experience and view in itself. The walking trail passes through a forested part with moderate assault that requires the use of bamboo ladders, ropes and chains to help one cross ravines and passed by jagged rocks with sheer drops on some portions. On the otherhand, the cable car travels over the treetops which offers a birds-eye view of cliffs, crags and rock formations.

On a clear day, Mt Gozaisho's summit offers a commanding view of Yokkaichi, Ise Bay and the Japan Alps, the Lake Biwa and, even the faint Mount Fuji which is nearly 300 km away. The summit also marks the border between Mie Prefecture and Shiga and the center of the Suzuka Quasi National Park. 

Depending on the season, during winter the view is mostly white and silver shining frost covered trees with snow-laden ski grounds. During spring it is filled with fresh cherry blossom and bright pink azaleas. While during summer the whole place is filled with lush green vegetation and the autumn season offers a stunning red, yellow and gold of the fallen leaves. Whatever season, Gozaisho offers a different experience all year round.

How to Get There:

1. From Osaka, take the Kintetsu Ltd Exp (usually the Urban Liner from Osaka Namba, Uehonmachi, or Tsuruhashi) to Yokkaichi, then change to another Kintetsu train to Yunoyama Onsen.

2. Once you get there, you can take a long walk (4km), take a taxi, or bus to the Ropeway (there are two options via trekking or ropeway).

Tickets can be bought at ticketing offices and stations. Go to Osaka Namba, Uehonmachi, or Tsuruhashi, or you can also buy from ticket vending machines.

Try to visit their website: http://www.gozaisho.co.jp/en/access/#train

***This blog article was based on the pictures and narration shared by my brother-in-law (Rommel Garcia) that made this write-up possible.

Mt. Balagbag

This write up was long overdue, we went to Mt Balagbag last December 2017 when "Garfield" the cute and floppy cat was still around who tirelessly entertained hikers and visitors alike.

Mt. Balagbag is a great hiking destination within the proximity of Manila which is located in San Jose Delmonte in Bulacan. Balagbag means “not correctly aligned or positioned” maybe that's how it got its name since it is located between the boundaries of Rodriguez, Rizal and SJD, Bulacan.

Because of its moderate slope, wide and established trail, it has become a favourite training ground for those who are beginning in their journey as a trail runner. Moreover, it is also one of the all-time favourites for those who are introduced into hiking since this is very accessible for commuters and can be hiked at one's convenience.  

The start of the trek commences from Licao-Licao (one has the option to ride a trike which can cut the trekking time by 40 minutes). The trail passes a cemented pavement with gradual ascent until reaching the first registration point, from there on the trail leads into a pathway comprised of dirt and rocks ideal for mountain bikers which then leads into an open grassland with established trail ideal for runners, bikers and sightseers with a total distance of 5.8km all the way to the summit and an elevation gain of 1500ft. The summit offers a commanding view of Sierra Madre mountain ranges, Mt Oriod and even Metro Manila can be seen in the horizon. During that time we were welcomed by the cute and cuddly "Garfield the Cat", we were sad to learn that he is no longer around today.

Shooting place for "Goyo ang Batang Heneral"

With the Team Una

Campsite

Gwapo be like

Garfield the Cat

Wazzupp Nigga?

How to Get There:

1. From Cubao, ride a bus bound for Tungko (alight in Jollibee).

2. From Jollibee Tungko, ride a jeep bound for Licao-Licao

3. You can ride trikes towards Mt Balagbag or you can take a walk (we walk of course).

Mt Natib

Mount Natib is the highest peak in the entire Natib Caldera System situated in the Bataan Natural Park which stands at 4222ft above sea level located in the town of Orani. The mountain together with the adjacent surrounding is a protected area which was first declared as Bataan National Park in 1945.

The trail of Mt. Natib starts in the outpost in Brgy Tala which also serves as the registration for hikers. The hike commences through a cemented trail which is about 3km till reaching the viewing deck. From there on, one would enter a grassland and a very established woodland which is about 2km until reaching the fork that leads to Pasukulan Falls. The trail is continuously a forested woodland with moderate ascent for another 1.8km until reaching the foot of Mt Natib where the real challenge begins. 

The final assault is characterized by a steep trail which requires technical climbing on some part with a distance of 2.1km and a 1300ft elevation gain for a total of 2300ft elevation gain and a total distance of 8.9km to reach the summit from the jump-off point. It also includes a series of 10 separate rope segments through vertical walls. Since there was a surge of Typhoon Usman when we hiked Mt Natib, the rocks were all slippery making the difficulty level a notch higher with Limatik fests everywhere, almost freezing temperature and of course zero visibility at the summit which is covered by a small patch of grassland. There are also are boulders with inscribed names of American expeditionary forces who climbed the peak way back the 1930s.

On a clear day, the summit offers a commanding view of the entire Bataan Natural Park, part of the province’s eastern and western coast, Subic Bay Freeport Zone on the northwest and a view of the entire northerly slope of Mariveles Caldera System. 

Mt Natib's summit on a clear day (Photo Credit: Rocky Casera)

1 of 10 rope segments

At the summit

Walang clearing sa summit

The fork to Pasukulan falls

Photo credit: Christian Vergara

Photo Credit: Ms. Jhing

Viewing deck

How to Get There:

1. Ride a bus bound for Orani, Bataan

2. Tell the driver to drop you off at Orani Crossing.

3. Ride a trike bound to Brgy. Tala (Registration)

*** I joined an event organized by Rocky Casera of Rocky Outdoor