2013: A Retrospect of Lakwatserong Tatay's Adventures

by lakwatserong tatay

Once again....my 2013 ended with a blast. Visited several provinces and towns. Getting in touch again with nature. Tried several mountains together with X-plorerboyz. However, it is obvious i wasn't able to update my site a lot. However i was able to travel enough all throughout the year...^_^. I'm hoping this year i will be able again to update my site....(sana lang po....^_^). So let's me start the journey of my 2013.....

January: We had a day tour of adventure in Amansiyana Mountain Resort and Pugad Lawin Adventure Camp. We just enjoyed their infinity pool and the activities we had at Pugad Lawin Camp, like mudslide, zipline and rock climbing...^_^

Xplorerboyz @ Amansinaya Mountain Resort

Within our day tour adventure in Amansinaya, we had the chance to explore Ambon-ambon falls of Laurel, Batangas which was included on our activity that day...^_^

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Ambon-ambon Falls

Right after our Amansinaya Adventure, we followed it with a trekking sidetrip and found ourselves in Nasugbu, Batangas to do a quickie dayhike to Mt. Batulao via new trail....^_^

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Batulao summit....

February: Our group were invited to different kind of birthday celebration. My 2nd time around on this mountain, traversing from Kayapa, Nueva Viscaya to Itogon, Benguet. One of my most memorable climb for 2013. As a promise to myself, i will not set again my foot on this mountain because i'm getting bigger and it is not as easy as wayback 2008 when i had the chance to do my 1st traverse in Mt. Ugo...^_^

My 2nd time on Mt. Ugo summit....^_^

March: Summertime is fast approaching and once again i find myself in Biñan, Laguna together with my wife's teammates, my wife and my two angels (gayle & gab). Where we had a day tour of fun at Splash Island Resort.

Me with my two angels (Gayle & Gab)

March: Due to envy to our co-xplorerboyz. Me with Joel decided to do a quickie dayhike at Pililia, Rizal in Mt. Sembrano and had a sidetrip at Manggahan falls.

Lakwatserong Tatay's in adventure mode....^_^

April: Another dayhike activity plus historic sidetrip in Angono's Petroglyph site. Located near Thunderbird Resort in Angono, Rizal.

Xplorerboyz @ Angono Petroglyph's site....

Right after seeing the historic site, we proceed to our destination in Brgy. Janosa, Talim Island, Binangonan, Rizal to hike Mt. Tagapo aka Mt. Susong Dalaga.

Lakwatserong Tatay near the summit...^_^ 

April: Were getting near to transfer on our house at Angono, Rizal. While going there me and my wife decided to take a tour inside Nemiranda's Art House. This place has a galleries of paintings, different higantes festival crafts and also a restaurant just like the Balaw-Balaw Restaurant that is just one block away.

Me @ Nemiranda's Art House facade....^_^

April: Every year on my wife's family, we have a yearly summer vacation. This year we visited the province of Laguna. We started our journey by passing by the town of San Pablo and visit San Pablo Church in getting guidance to our journey to Nagcarlan.

my three adorable angels....

Right after paying a visit in San Pablo Church's, we proceeded to Nagcarlan and look for Villa Gregoria Terrace Resort in Nagcarlan, Laguna that is recommended by my sister-in-law's bf...^_^

me with gab & gayle @ Villa Gregoria

May: The heat of the sun is really on fire. Thank's again to my wife and officemates. Where off to another journey and beacheneering trip in Cagbalete Island in Mauban, Quezon Province.

me, my wife & gab

May: One thing i love in our company is having team building activities where we could choose to have it by food tripping or something like this. One day of full adventure. Our POD chooses to stay in Bakasyunan Resort in Tanay, Rizal.

Me @ Bakasyunan Resort in Tanay, Rizal

August: Two months without any activity makes excited with this another journey. We visited another two towns of Laguna. Our first stop is Mt. Ping-as in Pakil, Laguna of course together with Xplorerboyz.

Xplorerboyz @ Mt. Ping-as Summit....

Right after that quickie hike, our next stop is to seek adventure in Ambon-ambon falls of Panguil, Laguna. Located inside Panguil EcoPark.

Xplorerboyz @ Ambon-ambon falls...

September: One of my most awaited and anticipated trip in 2013. My travel project to visit 7 Provinces in 6 Days. Of course with a limited budget......^_^. 1st stop is Iloilo, where we visited several towns of Iloilo city, Jaro and Miagao.

lakwatserong tatay @ Iloilo

2nd stop: Province of Antique. Visited the towns of San Jose and had a full adventure in Tibiao.

Lakwatserong Tatay's in Antique

3rd stop: The famous place in the Province of Aklan. My 2nd visit in Boracay Island.

Me, Caloy and Eric @ Boracay....

4th stop: Overnight staying in Capiz. Visited the famous church that has the Biggest Church Bell in Asia. Known as the Sta. Monica Parish in Panay, Capiz.

Xplrerboyz @ Sta. Monica Parish, Panay, Capiz

Right after visiting the town of Panay. It's time to visit the city proper. We strolled around the city center of Capiz, known as Roxas City and had our dinner at the famous Baybay Beach Seaside Restaurant's  that is known in Roxas City, Capiz.

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Roxas City, Capiz

5th stop: After travelling from Capiz, we proceeded our journey to the Province of Guimaras, known to be the Mango Capital of the Philippines. We had one day of full packed adventures in visiting the towns of Jordan and Nueva Valencia. We did a day hike to  Mt. Balaan Bukid, staying for a while in Ambakan Falls, have several stopovers in Smallest Plaza, Guimaras Provincial Capitol and Pasalubong Center and Trappist Monastery, visit the Guisi Lighthouse and its beach, and stayed overnight in Raymen Beach Resort.

Xlorerboyz @ Guimaras

6th stop: After spending a day in Guimaras. Next stop for our 6th province in the list. We stop again for a day of adventure in towns of Bacolod City and Murcia, Negros Occidental.We strolled around in Bacolod City. Eat, Dine and Buy out in Manukan Country, and Bongbongs. Several stopovers in Bacolod's Church and Bacolod Provincial Capitol and had a halfday tour in Mambukal Resort and trek the 7 Waterfalls of Mambukal and dip for a while on their Ishiwata Bath House.

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Negros Occidental

7th and last stop: The last province on our list, we set our foots in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. We opted not to pursue our Siquijor trip and just spent our whole day in Dumaguete, stroll around and visited several spots in Dumaguete. Just like the famous school known as Silliman University. Next was Dumaguete's Church and tried one of the restaurants near Silliman University, strolled around in Robinson's Dumaguete and of course we did not forget to buy Sans Rival.

***thanks to Carlo for all of the photos for our 7P6D projects***

Lakwatserong Tatay loves Dumaguete, Negros Oriental

October: Our 2nd to the last mountain trekked for 2013. Mt. Balagbag plus Otso-otso Falls in Rodriguez, Rizal.

Xplorerboyz @ Mt. Balagbag plus Otso-otso falls

November: My last trek and activity of the year together lakwatserong tatay's Jhovan, JP. A duohike in a day. After setting our itinerary, were off and found ourselves in Nasugbu, Batangas again. 1st mountain stop is Mt. Talamitam. Meet again few of my mountaineering friends, Migz & Agot of Yabag Mountaineering and the rest of the group....^_^

Lakwatserong Tatay's Duohike: 1st stop: Mt. Talamitam

2nd mountain stop is one of the famous mountain in Nasugbu known as Mt. Batulao (old to new trail). My 2nd visit in 2013, however by this time, we did a traverse trail. Two of most surprising thing while were traversing this mountain, is we meet two of the coolest family with their sibling. First was Baby Maktrav that we had the chance to have photo opps (see photo below) and the other one is not quite amusing because he was just 2 months old baby (hindi ko gagawin toh kung ako ng tatay nun!!! hindi rin namin nagawang magpaphoto opps kasi medyo nastress kame sa tatay nun bata na proud na proud pa..how wish the baby could stand the wind that time...and hope the baby will be fine...^_^)

2nd stop with JP, Jhovan @ Mt. Batulao

So that's it, i had again a full blast of adventures in 2013. All in all i've set my foot in different towns and provinces again in our country. Most of them are first time and some of them where i've revisited. Seen different historical churches, galleries and museum, trek some of our mountains, tried to swim on different waterfalls and of course tried to do local interactions with the different provinces i've visited.

So once again.....thanks 2013!!!! hello 2014....Hope to have more DIY travels, tipid trips like i always do. More mountains to conquer even if im not as like before....(huhuhuhu). Again like i always do....   I grab this opportunity to thanks all of my travel companions. It was such an honor to travel with you guys...you know who you are....i just hope and whising to travel to you again and again. More trips with my fellow lakwatserong tatay's and of course my so called group, known as XPLORERBOYZ....Jhovan, Joel, Carlo, Melvin, Coy, Shanwar and Ekoy.

My wish for this year, is to meet and join a sponsored trip activities together with famous travel blogger (hoping that would be free and could happen this year....). Have more sponsored post where i could earn some and get some freebies...^_^

So that's it!!! I would end this post of mine..... by saying we will not stop exploring our country and hoping this year, "2014" we will have another year of "NONSTOP GALAAN"....travel escapades from North to South....Meet and Greet different person. Have more fun and memorable pictures. Hoping that i could bumped in your travel escapades.

And the most important thing and wish that i have this year is... to my hon...nay...hope you would still allow me to continue and do all of this activities and travel journey's.....^_^.

Thanks hon...!!! This travel stories is all for you and for our kids (gian, gayle, gab & gio)....^_^

Cheers and more travels to you all this 2014!!!!!!!!

DIY Trip: St. James the Apostle Church of Paete

by lakwatserong tatay

Hello there, it's been a busy year for me and i'm having a hard time to share my stories...sorry for that...^_^. Hope you would still love to visit and share your random comments...be entice with my stories and adventures...even though i have tons of draft posts on my bucket, i will definitely do all of that, share it one by one in an ample time....all itineraries, trip summary & details, tips and of course, the places to be visited....

So here's another church that is been part of draft posts on one my daytrips in Tanay and Paete. It was quite late when we got back in town due to a quikie hike to "Mt. Humarap" locally known as "Tatlong Krus" and a sidetrip in a named as "Matabungka Falls". I did not have the luxury to take lots of shots that time because of an ongoing mass that time. Even the chance to get up on its belfry, we missed it out also, i promised to myself i'll definitely go back to this church and hope to get to its old belfry.

Paete Church: St. James the Apostle Church

Being a traveler, visited different places, towns and tourist spots. Church is one of the most important place for me, where i'm offering a prayer for our safe trip on the places we've been, the activities will be indulging and one of the most important....i really love seeing old structures.....old churches, old houses, buildings or antiques and even museums. It makes me feel i'm back in old days, where you will see how the changes began, from old structures of brick, now most of the buildings and houses are made of steel beams....Thinking how this structures been tested through the years.....

on going mass that day...

So...the church is built in 1646, gone through different reconstructions because of calamities, as of now this church is part of historical churches in Laguna that is granted by Philippines Historical Committee. I wish to have a lots of photo but as i've said there is on going mass that time when we visited....so i together with my cotrippers just roamed around. The church altar was surrounded with different statues of saints.

Paete Church is known to its distinct arts and murals inside on its walls, displayed on its both sides. A reason why this church makes kind a creepy one because of this large art paintings and murals that been also part of time, created by a Paete-born artist.

So instead of waiting to end the mass that day to have time to take pictures of those large paintings. I've choose to go outside and taken lot of photos of its courtyard. Seeing all of those sculptures into adobe makes me wonder how artistic they are.

I had the chance to chat with a local within the vicinity, that we could go up to the belfry and had the chance to see the town of Paete, nearly Laguna Lake and the glimpse of Mt. Humarap. But sad to say we did not find the caretaker that would allow us to go up in narrow staircase that we will have the chance to see church's structure inside and the said wooden stairs and flooring to go up to its roof deck. However it was great to hear all of that, i felt i was also there...but doesn't have a photo souvenirs....^_^

Me @ Paete Church

To end the adventure, we also walk thru its street where wood sculptures are available, one unique product of Paete. Maybe that's the reason why this town called as "Paete".

Tropang Tits & Pips @ Paete.....

Wow.....at last i was able to finish this story behind this one day of activity......3 Waterfalls....Daranak Falls, Batlag Falls, Matabungka Falls......2 Churches....Church of Tanay and Church of Paete.....and 1 Mountain...Mt. Humarap.....^_^

Next stop:  Mt. Talamitam of Nasugbu, Batangas and Old Heritage Houses of Taal, Batangas and Biggest Catholic Church in Asia known as Taal Basilica of Taal, Batangas.

DIY Trip: Simply Matabungka Falls

by lakwatserong tatay

Trekking on the same path going to Mt. Humarap aka Tatlong Krus. This waterfalls make your trek a very inviting sidetrip. Sad to say to our group due to time constraint, we just able to take some shots of its cascading and cold waters.....

Mt. Humarap

Coming from the peak we walk downwards again up to the junction below where a waiting shed is located. If you your going up the falls is straight ahead and going to this cemented stairs is to Mt. Humarap. However on our case this shot is going downwards which is the trail going to Matabungka falls is on the left.

the trail leading to Matabungka Falls

We just have a quick stop on this junction and their is actually a very cold stream where climbers and locals alike could drink a very fresh and nature water....^_^

After few minutes, we headed to view and be mesmerize with this simple waterfalls. The falls really looks amazing and its so high but the water coming from its drop is just shallow. However if your tired and really want to revive and relieve your tiring body, i may suggest you may swim on its cold waters....

We just took some photos and mesmerize for a while, admire its beauty and thinking we should go back and try to swim underneath its water drops......

The Trippers

After staying for a while we said goodbye and hurriedly go back to town to have one last stop. We have to catch up the last trip of jeepney going to Tanay.......^_^

Me @ Matabungka Falls

**** next stop: Church of Paete ****

DIY Trip: Trek to Mt. Humarap - Tatlong Krus

by lakwatserong tatay

After a quick trip in chasing waterfalls of Tanay and Church of Tanay. Our next destination was the town of Paete. We had a quite long ride from town of Tanay, bypassing the towns of Siniloan and few towns of Laguna to get off in Brgy. Ilaya of Paete. Although we've been rewarded with such views and landscape of nature through our jeepney rides.

With pack of excitement we hurriedly ask directions how to go to Mt. Humarap, most of the locals around the area doesn't know "Mt. Humarap", however thanks to my co-tripper upon saying "Tatlong Krus", they definitely knew where are we going. Aside from that we also ask how to get to "Matabungka Falls", however they just replied as "ah yun talon...dun lang din yun bago kayo umakyat patatlong krus, pakaliwa yun paakyat sa tatlong krus yun talon dun malapit sa may inuman ng tubig"......^_^...So after asking for some directions we're off. We choose to walk from the highway instead of riding a tricycle up to actual jumpoff. All in all we had the treak for almost 1 hours from the highway traversing to town proper, passed by the Church of Paete and of course the stores of woodcraft, which Paete is famous of. And then at last we will start the uphill walk to cemented ground of residential area. Here are some of my pictures from its trail and it surroundings....^_^

After walking through cemented path of residential area, the trail become a usual trail when you climbing a mountain, most of the path are shaded by trees so don't be afraid to get sunburned.....^_^. There where some streams and bamboo resting area that maybe used by locals who logged for their wood works and also maybe farming because as we ascend this hill we encountered some locals carrying big sacks and some logs also.

So after almost an hour of walking upwards, me together with tropang tits and pips reach the peak of the hill. The peaks has some huts and comfort room area, great used for picnics and Tatlong Krus is a place used as a pilgrimage for Holy Week.

picnic huts...

comfort room area

Tatlong Krus aka Mt. Huamrap

The three crosses signifies your own the peak of its hill. This crosses faces the town of Paete beneath. Other signifant mountains that are visible within Mt. Humarap are Mt. Sembrano and Mt. Tagapo and of course Laguna de Bay.

Tropang Tits and Pips @ Mt. Humarap

Aside from the trek we had, we had a few minutes stop on its falls known as "Matabungka Falls", by locals it just called as "Talon", and we had also a quick stop by Wood Crafts stores and of course offered a prayer in one of historical churches of our country known as St. James the Apostle Church of Paete.

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Mt. Humarap

How to get to Mt. Humarap aka Tatlong Krus:

From EDSA Crossing:

Coming from EDSA/Crossing, take a jeepney bound to Tanay(php53) or GTExpress vans (Starmall)  bound  to Tanay(php70), alight at Tanay Market, ride a jeepney going to Siniloan(php43) and upon reaching the market of Siniloan look for bound Paete(php20) and ask the driver to drop off to town proper of Paete (Gitnang Bayan). You have two options to walk or take a tricycle up to start of jumpoff which is a residential area of Brgy. Ilaya Norte.

From Buendia/Gil Puyat Bus Stations:

Take a bus bound to Sta. Cruz (php140), alight in Sta. Cruz, take another jeepney ride bound for Siniloan/Paete(php27) and ask the driver to drop you off to town proper of Paete (Gitnang Bayan). You have two options to walk or take a tricycle from highway up to jumpoff which is a residential area of Brgy. Ilaya Norte.

****next stop: Matabungka Falls....^_^