Mt. Gulugod Baboy: A Hidden Wonderland

Two weeks after Boracay I was again up in my toes getting ready for another hike. This time it’s a combo hitting a mountain and the beach. Mt. Gulugod baboy is located in Anilao, Mabini, Batangas. A minor climb with a Difficulty of 2/9, 525 MASL and Trail Class 1-2 (techie techie info from pinoymountaineer) it was easier to climb than Mt Romelo although technically higher.

I was the one who suggested the place since I’ve seen a lot of info and pictures from various blogs I stumbled upon. I felt that Mt Gulugod would fire whatever sparks we have for climbing. And I was not wrong, after all it was indeed a taste of heaven near Manila.

Boracay in Dazed

Rah Rah Borahrah!

Last February my Good Friend Lotlot (not her real name hehehe) booked a flight for 5 of us to Boracay. Originally the plan was just to have a good summer outing at Sagada for four days. But since our good friend was able to sniff some info on ticket sales to Caticlan we were able to divert the plan to the beach thus instantly reducing of the number of participant from more than 12 to 5. So off we go planning for our trip. Funny how we rarely contact each other not until March, two days before the said trip lol. March 19-22, 2011

My first time riding a small plane, flying domestic I was anxious at first
and my first time travelling far with my friends. Yes too many FIRST!

First day when we arrive at the island everything seems like I’m in a hurry and strikingly calm (bipolar). I haven’t had a long vacation and my body was really aching for it. I hate the fact that vacations sometimes can put more stress and can totally change the idea of resting with no worries.  I was feeling chill all over, I mean relax and cool about what’s going to happen in next couple of days at the same time stress. Thinking can we all put together all the plans that we have since time is catching so much of our free days.  So we headed on the shore and try to capture our sunset and played with the sand on our feet. Went on happy hour and witness a Chinese man proposing to his girlfriend. And I was oh-what-the-firth-she-is-so-darn-lucky! while I was there at the side cheering and shooting my cam and cursing all the lovely things around! Har! Hahahaha! Kidding!

Now more pictures and stories...

Hike to Mt. Romelo: Lord I Gotta Keep On Moving!

Mt. Romelo Trek

Mt Romelo is located in Siniloan Laguna but often referred to as Mt. Famy. It is said that Mt. Romelo is a minor climb with just 300 MASL (meters above sea level) often a destination for first time hikers with difficulty level of 2/9.

Excited Hikers

On the way to Mt. Romelo

After our shift we hurried to fix our stuff and double check the things we will need for the trip. A little disruption came when our ride told us that they won’t be able to pick us up at Makati so we have to commute to Shell Ortigas our new meeting place. When we got there we were greeted by MC’s Friends a.k.a. our guide Richie, Ikyut and Mike and off we head to Laguna passing by the town of Rizal. We arrived at 3pm at Great Valley it’s the mountaineers stop over before and after the climb. We decided to eat first since Richie told us that it would take us a few hours to reach the campsite, he estimated our arrival time would be at around 8pm since we are all beginners. We ate at one of the carinderia that offers scrumptious homemade siopao, siomai and mami at a very cheap price.

Summer Teaser!

Oh yeah! I’m trying to assess my summer activity for 2011 as I regret my laziness last year so I would like to make it up this time. I’m shooting the moon with all the plans that I have since my work really doesn’t permit me to be out for a long time so the plan of leaving the country is out of the discussion, at least for this quarter (no Hongkong and Macau, sorry self). And here I am getting really darn agitated with all the plans that I have in mind but what the heck neck!  If I could squeeze everything just to make it possible or capture a leprechaun to trade my accessories for time, I would.

Budjie & Vanity's Red Wedding!

Vanity and Budjie’s Wedding…The much awaited event! Everything went smoothly the way it was planned. Travel was the wedding theme mainly because this couple loves travelling. It was overwhelming how my friend Vanity has planned her dream wedding starting with the invitation (passport and plane tickets to their wedding) to the color scheme to every details like the church, reception, the table assignment which was named after all the places they’ve been to— just to name a few Hongkong, Macau, Singapore, Bohol, Boracay, Palawan, Cebu and much more, their souvenirs which came from those different places and not to mention the after party!

The Super Random Roadtrip to Tagaytay!

Long weekend, my cousins and I was feeling kinda bored so we planned a last minute trip. At 11pm, Sunday night we decided to head for a ride. The plan was to go somewhere *unsure* but we have to drop by at our cousin’s dorm in Carmona, Cavite. The reason (unbelievable): he forgot his cellphone charger and he wants us to bring it to him. Wow! For the time, gas and the toll fee just for a cellphone charger! But since we'll be going to Cavite we thought that we’ll just drop by at Tagaytay and eat somewhere.

The roadtrip is so freaking random. First, we tried looking for away going to Tagaytay thru Carmona and realized after few kilometers that’s its too far, end up going back. Exiting carmona and going to Sta. Rosa we only spend 4 pesos for the toll fee and finally found our way. When we arrived at Tagaytay we don’t have any exact place in mind so we went back and forth the highway looking for a place to eat. Maybe eat Bulalo or eat at one of the restos, then have coffee and laugh at Starbucks after. Unfortunately, since we left Manila at 11pm we arrived at Tagaytay at past 1am, all the restaurants were close. hahaha! but there's McDonald, the only place that is open 24hours. Arrgh!

After which, we thought that the trip was a waste but we still wanna drag ourselves and try our luck. So we started looking for a coffee shop since Starbucks is already close. Again we are wasting precious time and gas driving around Tagaytay. At 3am we quit looking for coffee and ended up taking pictures at Tagaytay Econo Hotel, hahaha! Just like your regular Duday and Dodong but since its 3am no one was there to notice our mischievous trip and we just don’t care, we’re just too happy to mind other people who are watching us!

We stop at a long line of flower vendors, my aim is to take my 365 on that area and I was welcomed by a vendor who thought I’ll be buying flowers, hehehe! So I have to think of a way to snatch pictures, I ended up inquiring for wedding flower arrangement and getting their contact infos and whatnot, *lols sorry ate!* We also stop by some fruit stands but there’s no one to assist us so we left. We had stopovers at some pitstop and gasoline stations just for the sake of stopping over. lols

We had so much fun that night and we promise to do it again. By the way, we didn't quit searching for coffee shop on our way down Tagaytay but luck is not on our side. I wonder if the coffee Gods are punishing us and we end up drinking coffee at home! hahaha! nothing beats 3-in-1 coffee! Darn!

And this is The Most Awesomeness (Random) Photo of the Day:

I took this inside the car on our way home while waiting for Nico who's buying cig at 7/11. I was amazed with the outcome, totally random nice selca. I really like this shot. I didn't even use my SLR just the regular digicam and edit the photo using Picasa, add shadow and manipulate the color and walla! A Perfect Artistic Profile Shot!

4th of July with friends @ Amana Water Park

Last July 4 my friends and I were supposed to go to Anawangin, but due to the unpredictable July weather we dropped the plan. Instead my friend Vanity and I started searching for a resort near Manila and we came across a blog about the resort in Bulacan...so off we go to Amana Water Park in Pandi Bulacan.

What's in Amana?
It has the Biggest wave pool in the Philippines 3500 sqm Wave pool, 500 sqm kiddie pool, life size character like the Dragon Ball Z character, Justice League, Hollywood Actors and Actress, Sports Icon, Movie Characters and etc. The Place is really big they have lots of Cottages suited to your budget.

We stayed in one of their VIP Rooms which is quite cheap for 2500 pesos 24hours stay, the entrance fee to the resort is 250 pesos, We had Grilled pork chop for Dinner and Hotdogs and Egg for breakfast that cost 100 pesos per set, not so bad. But you can also bring and cook you own food.

Each of us spend 1,200 pesos per head, that includes Transportation, Food, Drinks, Resort entrance and accommodation.










Amana Water Park is a nice place to stay for a quick get away. However....

My Good Riddance to the person who was assigned to take care of us during our stay, I know that the resort is new however that doesn't give you an excuse to forget all the things that you should be doing...for instance the Television that was in our room that night doesn't work, the man who was assigned on our room told us that he will be replacing it, up until the time we were about to leave the Television is still not working and take note we reminded that man to change it more than a couple of times during our stay...that's not a nice way to take care of your visitor..

Another Riddance is when the management told us that they will open the wave pool at 10am but until 12 noon the wave pool is still not working...they said that they have to wait for at least 30 people to be in the pool...hello if that's the case, if they can't follow the wave pool schedule and will have to wait for it to be filled, then might as well not advertise that you have the biggest wave pool in the Philippines...you can advertise that you have the biggest wave pool functioning only if there's 30 people swimming in the pool...DIG IT! Follow your schedule man...that's one reason why you have guest they want to experience the wave, let your guest be happy.


Opinion of the author was based from experience...