Showing posts with label Bulacan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bulacan. Show all posts

Monday, June 3, 2013

Dayhike Trip: Mt. Manalmon

by lakwatserong tatay

One of my favorite hiking destination that is near the Metro, and could also give your group a complete outdoor adventures from Trekking, Spelunking/Caving, River Exploration and called a Monkey Bridge where you have to cross above Madlum river using two mounted cable wires from each end. Its been few years back seen i've been on this mountain. Nestled in Brgy. Madlum, San Miguel, Bulacan. That's why this mountain is famous of its different adventures, so because of that, i've just set the date for this one day of complete outdoor adventures with Xplorerboyz and new found friends....^_^

Mt. Manalmon's peak
Getting there is just easy as 1-2-3, the travel around time would just took almost 2 hours however it may depends to traffic...^_^. This mountain is located in the town of San Miguel, Bulacan. So if you're coming from Manila, take any Cabanatuan bound bus from Baliwag Transit, ES Transport or Five Star Transport in Pasay or Cubao (php114). Just inform the conductor to drop you and your group to Brgy. Kamias. From Brgy. Camias, you would still need to ride a tricycle going to Brgy. Madlum (php250/5 pax). As you reach Sitio Madlum, there a checkpoint aka 1st registration (php5) and as you reach the Madlum river, you have to choose from two ways to cross the river, 1st is used of bamboo raft (php5) or 2nd is the used of two cable wires  to cross, also known as the monkey bridge (free) to reach the jump off point of Mt. Manalmon. We decided to do rafting since we have our carry on things and we don't want to have misfortunes to get wet while crossing through the cable wires (but we did experience it after the climb and caving adventures). As soon as you get to the otherside, another registration should be taken (php5) and a mandatory guide would also occur (php300-500), it would depends with your outdoor adventure package...^_^

ok,,let's start....

the bamboo raft ride....
With a little prep, we're off to trek to Mt. Manalmon, it's peak reaches at 196 MASL. Considered as a minor climb where could be trekked from 2-3 hours (back and forth, including photo opps...^_^).

the xplorerboyz with our other climbers...
Even though the trek would be short, this mountain requires a mandatory guide, i remember the first time i've been to this mountain, guides are visible but not as mandatory like now, you will just have to talk with locals within the Mt. Manalmon jump off if there are available to guide us or your group together with the caving experience.

A chapel near Mt. Manalmon jumpoff
The trek to summit starts with passing through Madlum cave (some may called it as Manalmon cave). One of its main attraction is the presence of the bats, so better to prepare your headlamps or maybe prepare to bat spoofs, that could be dropped to your head...^_^.

off to Madlum cave

one of the trails...
From there, one of the trails of Mt. Manalmon is the river crossing, my first visit to this place was kind a misfortune, on our way up the river was just knee deep however the following day it rains, causing the river to reach up to chest deep and we need to cross it using ropes with harness and holding your bag with your two hands up....so that why one of a kind experience i have with this river. However, this time it was really different, the river water was just few inches below my knee and under the striking heat of the sun.

one the river bed's

some of the rocks across the river.

of course, we have photo opps , me w/ xplorerboyz..^_^
Then the rest of the trek will be the normal hiking trails. What i mean is the start of quite uphill trek, where the view of the normal mountain trail will be visible. Walking underneath the shades of the trees and of course getting near the rock solid summit of Mt. Manalmon. Below our some of our photos while starting the real trek to its summit.

the view of Mt. Manalmon's peak

Mt. Gola (leftside) and Mt. Manalmon (rightside)

one of our quick breaks.....

where getting near....

it's the summit up there...

that's the place where i take the picture above...^_^

our guide..Kuya Bong...

Madlum River..

lush green scenery of coldillera mountain ranges...

view of the shy mt. arayat...

Kuya Bong, our Madlum guide...makwento & kwela yan toh

Peak of Mt. Gola, pagbalik ko ulit dito, two peaks nah!

Me, with two of our guest trippers...^_^

Mam April's and Mareng Elnie

D' xplorerboyz...(l) joel, melvin, carlo, me, jhovan & shanwar

xplorerboyz with our other guest trippers...

wag gagayahin...babala...^_^

Me @ Summit of Mt. Manalmon fronting Mt. Gola
Our trek up almost took us 1.5 hrs including photo opps along the way and we stayed above the for almost an hour, obvious naman sa dami ko pictures sa taas, actually an dami talaga nyan...konti pa yan... Our descend just only lasted an hour because most of us were really hungry, some of us alreadt ordered paluto before starting our trek, so most of them were really excited....^_^.

Our Itinerary (Dayhike with Activities):
0600 ETD Cubao Five Star Station near MRT station
0815 ETA Brgy. Kamias, San Miguel, Bulacan
0845 ETA jump off Sitio Madlum
0900 Start trek
1030 ETA summit
1130 Start descend
1230 ETA back to jump off (lunch)
1330 Spelunking adventure (Bayukbok Cave)
1600 Crossing monkey bridge experience and chillaxation time at Madlum River
1730 ETD Sitio Madlum
1800 ETA Brgy. Kamias junction (wait for buses bound to Cubao/Pasay)
2000 ETA Cubao/Pasay
2100 Home sweet home....back to Tatay mode..^_^

Our Expenses (Individual & Group):
Php 228 (Manila - Bulacan - Manila)
Php 100 Tricycle to and from Sitio Madlum (php200/tricycle, one way)
Php 300 Guide fee (divided to participants)
Php 10   Two registrations (brgy. checkpoint and jump off point)
Php 5     Balsa crossing
Php 20   Bayukbok Guide fee
Php 115 Preordered lunch (sinigang and tilapia with rice - optional)
Php 100 Zipline activity
Php 10   Toilet use
Php 50   Table rent

My total expense is Php 403 (did not get preordered lunch, zipline activity and trek fee and table rent is divided to all participants, not included my transportation to and from Antipolo). So the safe budget may occur from Php500-700 or safest would be Php1000...^_^

Contact Details:

Cecille Donceras (0909-7779667)
Carlito Carpio (0919-5746470) former president of Mt. Manalmon guides

Next story is all about the other activities we had at Sitio Madlum, from Spelunking/Caving experience at Bayukbok Cave, Test the fear of my cotrippers at Monkey Bridge crossing and Chillaxation/Swimming time at Madlum River. Sad to say we missed to explore more Madlum river, see more of the rock formations and trek to Mt. Gola. But there's always be a next time and i promised myself to do the activities i've missed on this One Day of Fullpacked Adventure.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

2012: A Retrospect of Lakwatserong Tatay's Adventures

by lakwatserong tatay




I know this is quite late to have a year ender story....Its been a quite busy year for me in Year 2012...I was not able to share the stories of all my adventures for Year 2012. But i would like to thanks...All of my readers, followers, sponsors that i have and to many more for still believing in me and still goes thru this blogsite of mine....^_^....I just hope i could update my site one step at a time and be back on my current stories and adventures as LAKWATSERONG TATAY......^_^


But first of all...i would to say Goodbye 2012.....Thanks for giving me another fruitful year of travels..together with my family, friends, college, co-bloggers and many more.....Of course my ever trusted travel buddies, the X-PLORERBOYZ (New Edition)....2012 has ended, but the memories, places and travels is been part of my life. Another jam packed year for me, inspite of nonstop OT's at work, different travel opportunities and food trippin events. It is nice to look back on all of those things....Travelling via plane, bus, jeep, tricycle, habal-habal and small boats transfer. Visit different historic churches of our country, Chasing different Waterfalls and Summitted few mountains. Revisited some provinces and added new towns, cities and provinces on my List of Xplored Places...Encourage another group of travelers to make their own blogs to share their own experiences in traveling and backpacking......^_^


2012 is indeed a great year for me, most of my wishes comes true, except for one, owning a laptop where i could bring anywhere i want and maybe i would be able to update my blog from time to time.....^_^. But who knows maybe this year i could own a unit....^_^. Here are the three most significant things that i will not forget in Year 2012. First, i was able to buy some of toys.....additional nikon lenses, because i became quite addicted with photography in Year 2012. Second, my very own dream house is ready, by end of January we will be transferring to my very own brand new house.....wow...sarap ng pakiramdam...promise...!!!!! and Last, another lakwatsero was born, another angel was given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. My babyboy GIO REINAENSON....ang hirap noh...sorry nak si nanay may gusto niyan.....this is will be our last angel...ang hirap na eh...4 na angels ko....magastos po...sa school palang ng two kids paano pa ko makakagala niyan.....^_^


Once again.....Thank You 2012 !!!!!............Welcome 2013 and hope to have more DIY travels and more camping and trekking activities this year!!!! I would like to take this chance to show my appreciation to all of my travel companions, new and olds ones.....It was a great experience traveling together with you, just hope to travel more together with you guys....meet other travel blogger on the road and maybe join a free organize trip for travel bloggers...HOW I WISH TO BE PART OF THIS ACTIVITY...^_^.... Thanks for entrusting me to be your travel buddy and of course to be your friend. I do promise that we will have more escapades and non stop adventures.....

Nonstop na galaan muli ang ating gagawin....umulan man o umaraw tuloy parin ang ating biyahe...Tipid trips, Day at Overnight hike trips at syempre hindi mawawala ang ating Major Escapades para sa ngayon 2013...
Cheers and more tipid travels to us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So may i proceed.....here to share my adventures, travels, climbs, events and happenings in 2012:


JANUARY:
Towns and Cities: Nasugbu and Taal
Province: Batangas
DIY Trip: One Day of Full Pack in Adventures, Day Hike to Mt. Talamitam, A Visit to Taal's Heritage Houses and First Glance with Taal Basilica, Asia's Largest Catholic Church


JANUARY:

City: Antipolo
Province: Rizal
Trip: My Very First Sight of Hinulugang Taktak


FEBRUARY:
City: Mandaluyong
Splurging Trip: Advance Family Valentine Treat to my wife and kids at Lancaster Suites
Food trips: Happy Lemon and President's Tea House


FEBRUARY:
Town: San Miguel
Province: Bulacan
Trip: 1st Organize Trip: Trek to Mt. Manalmon, Spelunking in Madlum Cave, River Exploration in Madlum River and Monkey Bridge Crossing Activity


FEBRUARY:
City: Sta.Cruz, Metro Manila and Makati
Trip: Festival Trip in Makati's CARACOL 2012, Food Trip in Chinatown, Ongpin and Visited Two of Historical Churches: Church of Sta.Cruz and Ongpin.


MARCH:
City: Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Trip: Blogger's Food Tasting Event at Floring's


MARCH:
Town: Capas
Province: Tarlac
Trip: 2nd Organize Trip: Day Hike Trip to Mt. Pinatubo


MARCH:
Town: Angono and Binangonan
Province: Rizal
Trip: Historical Trip to Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs


APRIL:
City: Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Trip: Teleserv's Bloggers Breakfast Event


APRIL:
City: Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Trip: My 1st Ever Photoshoot Event and the rest is history.... As of now, i had been invited into a prenuptial, wedding, baptismal and model's picture portfolio photoshoots....^_^


APRIL:
Town: Baras
Rizal: Rizal
Trip: Ocular Day Trip at Punta De Fabian Resort


APRIL:
Towns and Cities: Tacloban, San Isidro and Calubian
Province: Leyte
Trip: Family Trip to Leyte, Visit to my Grand Parents Place in San Isidro, City Tour in Tacloban and Beacheenering in Punod Beach Resort in Calubian


MAY:
City: Lawton, Metro Manila
Trip: Historical Trip by Filipinas Stamp Collectors Club: Philippine Postal Corporation and Manila Metropolitan Theater


JUNE:
City: St. Rivera St., Quezon City
Trip: Meet and Greet with Sir Jimmy Madarang: Owner of Wow Toy Museum



JUNE:
City: Makati
Trip: Family Splurging Trip in BSA Tower
Food Trips: David's Tea House Restaurant and Super Bowl of China



JULY:
Town: Kawit
Province: Cavite
Trip: Historical Trip at Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine, Visited the Church of Kawit
Food Trip: Hidden Tapsihan ng Kawit


AUGUST:
Town: Mabini
Province: Batangas
Trip: Day Hike Trip at Mt. Gulugod Baboy


SEPTEMBER:
Town: Maragondon
Province: Cavite
Trip: Rainy Day Hike Trip to Mt. Buntis and Visited the Church of Maragondon and Town Municipal of Maragondon


OCTOBER:
Town: Los BaƱos
Province: Laguna
Trip: Overnight Swimming at Ate Dhel's Hot Spring Private Pool Resort



OCTOBER:
Town: Cuenca
Province: Batangas
Trip: Day Hike Trip at Mt. Maculot


OCTOBER:
Town: Famy
Province: Laguna
Trip: Rainy Day Hike Trip at Mt. Romelo and Chasing Waterfalls: Buruwisan Falls


OCTOBER:
City: Pasay
Trip: Family Trip at Crocodile Park Manila



NOVEMBER:
Towns: Tuguegarao and Santa Ana
Province: Cagayan Valley
Trip: Spelunking at Callao Cave, Visited the Church of Tuguegarao, First Glance of Longest River Water Bridge, Island Hopping in Santa Ana, Cagayan and Traverse Trek to Cafe Engano


DECEMBER:
City: Intramuros, Metro Manila
Trip: Quicky Photowalk Trip at Manila's Walled City: Intramuros

My Granted Wishes from 2012:

First was to buy additional lenses, 2012 was a really great year for me. I became an avid fan of photography. Once given a chance to have a photoshoot for online business portfolio which to be used by an makeup artist. Gladly our client and our model was happy with the result, and as the year ended, i've attended several free seminars and training conducted on our company, because i was part of a company group of photographers....my tsamba tsambahan shots actually cited some awards in our company, few of my shots are can be seen on relaxation room...^_^. Aside from that achievement i was able to shoot some pre-nuptial, invited to take photos in a wedding and baptismal event and some picture portfolio's for not so known models...^_^. I really happy for what i have done although its quite pricey as a habit, i find it really interesting from time to time and hope this 2013 i would excel more in photography, by having proper guidance from professional photographers out there...^_^


Second is one of my dream, to own a new house and lot unit, which is part of my achievements from 2011. That time me and my wife was able to choose and decide from different house and lot offered to us. A dream house located in Angono which is now ready for occupancy. And by the last week of January this year we would be transferring to my own so called dream house...so ako na ang may Dream House...^_^
Here it is...kulang pa po ng garage...medyo kelangan ng malaki budget..^_^



Lastly, one of the most signifant gifts for me in 2012, is another lakwatsero is born, my wife gave birth of a bouncing baby boy named as "Gio Reinaenson", youngest of my four adorable kids. Me and my son Gio has the same birthdate which is December 14, a one lucky boy....walang aangal....^_^. I just hope i could give all the best for my baby and of course to my three other angels, the proper nurture, care and guidance that a father could give.......


Once again, i would like to take this chance to give THANKS TO ALL YOU.........who is behind why am i called the Lakwatserong Tatay now......my ever travel/hiking buddies (X-plorerboyz), thanks to all funny memories and activities we've shared on 2012 and hope to travel with you more this 2013.

To all my kabundekeros.....SPIMC and YABAG MC....i really missed you guys.....its been quite a while since i've seen you, i wasn't able to join all of your mountaineering activities last year 2012. Even though i've been back on trails doing dayhike treks in different mountains, a total of 8 summitted mountains in 2012 is another achievement to me even though with different persons and added new trekking buddies and more additional fb friends...^_^. Hope this year 2013, would be another trekking year for me and maybe this year i could join you again on your scheduled mountaineering trips.....^_^

To all of my online friends, especially the Pinoy Travel Blogger community, and other filipino travel bloggers online group, that is always there when it comes in sharing different travel information, tips and helpful guides in everytime one of the member needed a TRIP GUIDE, im one of the proud member of this online community that shares the same passion for traveling, however i was not able to update my blogsite this past year due to busy work schedule and other priorities....^_^. I just hope this year would e different and i would be able to do all of my backlogs stories...^_^

To the readers and followers...as of now a total of 115 followers on my site and 135 on my FB page...Thanks you so much for making me more comfortable sharing my travel trips and showing appreciation by simply saying that i helped some of your trips, getting you more reliable contacts and maybe plan your weekend getaway. I promise to update my site....sana po magawa ko...hehehehe...Thanks for the visit, shares, likes, tweets and to your comments. Hope that someday we could meet and be together in weekend or backpack travels.

Finally, to my family and friends, who is always supporting me and keeps me comfortable doing all of this trips and adventures. To all of my travel/hiking buddies that is always ready and on the go when i planedd an unexpected trip....^_^....to my tatay, at mga kapatid, who is always reminding me, always show respect to others, be courteous to greet each everyone, specially when im it out of town. To my loving and very understanding wife, even though sometime she gets mad with me sa dami ba naman ng narecord ko na gala at akyat ng bundok...^_^..Thanks you so much Hon....sana ngayon bagong taon...payagan mo ulit ako at lam mo naman meron tayong major na gala this coming Sept. 2013 - A 6 Days with 7 Provinces Backpack Trip.....and lastly to my four adorable angels, Kuya Gian, Ate Gayle, Kuya Gab and Baby Gio, all of this travels and passion of mine in sharing my stories behind all of those travels is for them, that maybe someday when they know how to read, write and understand things, they will be proud of me....and maybe follow my footstep in exploring our countries beauty and share it to the World, our unique sights, colorful festivities, sumptuous food festivals and of course being part of the Philippines, a proud filipino......once again
Thanks you so much to all of you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I hope this year 2013 will be more fruitful again. A jam packed trips, summitted mountains and adventures again for me. And lastly, i wish that maybe or someday we could meet and bump it together on a weekend or backpack adventures.

Cheers.......and more travels to you all this 2012!!!!!

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