The Adventures of Lakwatserong Tatay in 2010

by lakwatserong tatay

Wow.....2010 has ended...2011 comes, 2010 is been a lucky year for me, for some reasons like i was promoted on my work, my wife will be giving birth for our 3rd baby by April 2011 and its a boy again....yahooooo......I had again the opportunity to travel from some places, summitted different mountains, my passion to visit old relics, artifacts, churches and musuem that reminiscince of our history and added new hobby........BLOGGING......
Actually, im climbing mountain since 2004 and been to different places in our country because of backpacking and hiking a mountain. But 2010 gives me a new and really different hobby, Blogging, by writing and sharing my travels, backpacking trips and even food hopping....Here to share some of my adventures, The Lakwatserong Tatay Adventures of 2010.

Let's start with the month of January....It was a month of purely backpacking stories, a journey of some backpacking stories from the past year 2009 that i really like..hehehehe.....from northern and southern part of Luzon.

Sea of clouds of Mt. Mariveles (Tarak Ridge), Mariveles, Bataan

A side trip from our climb of Mt. Daguldol. Laiya,San Juan, Batangas

A traverse climb of Mt. Nagsasa & Nagsasa Cove of Zambales

A invitational climb of Mt. Kalisungan (Brgy. Lamot, Calauan, Laguna)

 After this activities, a blog is born and called the Xplorerboyz, started a group of 5, now we where really getting bigger, of course yours truly is the leader....hehehe....

Mt. Mariveles (Tarak Ridge) Mariveles, Bataan
Mt. Daguldol  (San Juan, Batangas)
Mt. Nagsasa Traverse & Nagsasa Cove (San Martin, Subic, Zambales)
Mt. Kalisungan (Erais Farm. Calauan, Laguna)

Next stop is a pre-scheduled plan of yours truly together with some of my officemates. To have a long weekend vacation in Bohol and Cebu. That happens to be my hometown, Bohol. As i remembered i was only 4 or 5 years old when i visited Bohol, and i was given a chance again to visit my hometown, i was really excited because this will be my second time to visit my hometown, because it is just a picture of ship that coast to province of Bohol was my remembrance when i visited my hometown and now it gives me the opportunity to visit it and most special thing is im travelling with my wife....

Me & my wife @ Chocolate Hills

 We had the chance to visit most of all the tourist spots you could found on our province. Actually it was really tiring experience yet it gives us so much happy memories that i have shared not only with my cotrippers and also to my readers...hehehehe.....

Virgin Island (The Puntod Island) Panglao, Bohol
Blood Compact Shrine of Tagbilaran, Bohol
Baclayon Church of Baclayon, Tagbilaran, Bohol)
Artifacts from Baclayon Ecclesiastical Museum
Meet Prony the Python of Alburquerque, Bohol
A Cruise to Loboc-Loay River of Bohol
A Resort with Simplicity & Affordability of Doljo, Panglao, Bohol
Man-made forest of Bohol
Close-up Encounter with Tarsier's
The Chocolate Hills of Carmen, Bohol

After a staying for few days in Bohol, our group next stop is a city tour around Cebu City's tourist spots.

Me & my wife @ Magellan's Cross

Our Cebu City Day Tour is composed of:

Visit to Taoist Temple of Beverly Hills, Cebu
Cebu City's Santo Niño Basilica
Magellan's Cross of Magallanes St., Cebu City
Visit to Fort San Pedro
Cebu Heritage Monument, Sikatuna St., Mandaue City
Dried Fish Market (Taboan Market) of Taboan, Carbon, Cebu
The Lapu-Lapu Monument of Mactan Island, Cebu
Cebu's Finest: Lechon Cebu

This is one of my trip that we had so much fun memories, in fact until now, we do sometime discuss what happen on that trip....hehehehe...All of the participants of that trip is really planning to go back again to Cebu & Bohol.

One of my next stop is called as 1st Padre Burgos Adventure, This place is part of Southern Luzon, not really known as a tourist attraction but as the Year 2010 ended, the place of Padre Burgos, Quezon Province really boost its tourism due to their wonderful islands that is shown below. Special thanks to Migz Mapalad of  Yabag Mountaineering on inviting yours truly to be part of  this adventure

The 1st Participant of Padre Burgos Adventure

Lakwatserong Tatay & Newbie Daddy Jhovan @ Mag-Asawang Bato Island

L.T. @ Dampalitan Island

Rappelling @ Borawan Island

Sneak Peak of Mt. Lipata @ Lipata Island

Here is the complete stories about our Adventure of Padre Burgos, Quezon:

1st Padre Burgos Adventure
Mag-Asawang Bato Island
Dampalitan Island
Rappelling @ Borawan Island
Mt. Lipata of Lipata Island

Next in line is a place, where many pilgrimage goes to pray for their safe voyage, known as Our Lady of Peace & Good Voyage in Antipolo.

Prusisyon in Antipolo 2010

Here are some of the events that happens last lenten season in Antipolo City, Rizal.

Alay Lakad in Antipolo 2010
Good Friday Procession
Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Antipolo Church)

This next stop is one of my team building activities that happen around Sta. Rosa, Laguna. A Fun Day Sunday @ Enchanted Kingdom, most of my teammates bring their kidz, and so do i......it was a tiring day but it was also filled of fun memories....

Me, my Wife & my Kidz

Here is some of my stories when we had a fun day at Enchanted Kingdom:
Fun Day at E.K.
Ride all you Can
Just for my Kids

Next stop is way up North of our Country, one of the coldest part of the Philippines, thw 3rd highest mountain in our country. This mountain is called Mt. Pulag, and who happens to be my 2nd time around to summit this mountain.

My 2nd Visit to Mt. Pulag
Baguio City's: SM Baguio & Victory Liner Station
Beer nights at SM Baguio

If do you have the guts...you could do this too...hehehe...

Summer time, supposed to be you will go to beach, vacation trip to some of our beautiful provinces, but due to lack of time. Yours truly together with my family, found ourselves at Antipolo's Bosay Resort.

Antipolo's Bosay Resort

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Disco Pool Area

One of my plan for 2011 is to put up a business, and there is one thing that i know i could really do well. Infact i tried it on this activity. My next stop is Puerto Galera, Oriental, Mindoro. I've been to this place for exactly 8 times, not only in White Beach but most of the shores of Oriental, Mindoro. It all started when one of my teammate on our Co. Basketball Team, and who happens to be a supervisor, looking for a summer destination for his team. So yours truly was called to be their guide for this whole trip...hehehehehe....
Puerto Galera Trip
Peter's Inn, Bar and Restaurant, White Beach Resort
Snorkeling and Underwater Activities at Puerto Galera
Puerto Galera's Night Life Activities

Lakwatserong Tatay @ White Beach Shore, Puerto Galera, Mindoro

My next stop is one of new hobby for the Year 2010, rappelling...hehehe...masarap talaga siya ulit-ulitin....
Rappelling above Balumbong River, Calauan, Laguna
Camping and River Exploriation of Balumbong River


L.T. @ Old PNR Bridge of Calauan, Laguna

My next stop was together with the Xplorerboyz, xploring the places of Albay and Sorsogon. This trip happens few months ago and the start of Ber period of 2010. This trip is really different because we were using a tricycle instead of a private car or van by touring most of the towns of Sorsogon. Wow, it was really different....hehehe
Xplorerboyz: Conquers Albay and Sorsogon Provinces

Xplorerboyz @ Lake Bulusan, Sorsogon

Here are some of the stories of our Sorsogon Adventures:

Start of Tour de Sorsogon
Exploring of Paguriran Island, Bacon, Sorsogon
Annunciation Parish Church of Bacon, Sorsogon
Hilltop Church of Irosin, Sorsogon
Mateo's Hot and Cold Springs Resort, Monbon Irosin, Sorsogon
Palogtoc Falls of San Roque, Bulusan, Sorsogon
Bulusan Lake Experience
Bulusan's Belfry (Punta Diamante)
Oldest Church of Bicol in Barcelona, Sorsogon
Our Rizal Beach Resort Experience in Gubat, Sorsogon

Xplorerboyz @ Lignon Hill, Legazpi, Albay

Here is some our stories that i could share on our Albay Trip:

Start of our 5 days of Different Adventure
One of Bicol's Pride
San Gregorio Magno Cathedral of Legazpi, Albay
Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church of Daraga, Albay
Zipline Experience at Ligñon Hill
Entertaiment Center of Bicol Region
St. Raphael Parish Church of Legazpi

Next in line is another a backpack trip that just happen 2 months ago, in Talim Island, Binangonan, Rizal. A trekking basic and a birthday climb of three girls of our newbie members of SPIMC. Aside from that climb, of course i got the chance to visit once again a beautiful church that is been part of Binangonan's History.

Trekking Basics: Mt. Tagapo
Sta. Ursula Parish Church of Libid, Binangonan, Rizal

Summit of Mt. Tagapo

This is the 2nd to the last stop place for my year 2010. I called this as a Weekend Gateaway: Baguio City.

Here is some of the tourist spots that we visited on our 2 days stay in the City of Pines:

Baguio Cathedral Church
Getting around Philippine Military Academy, Loakan Rd., Baguio City
The Philippine Military Academy Museum
Mines View Park
Baguio's Bell Church
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto
Strolling around Baguio City Famous Parks
Lyn's Transient Homes (Camp Alley, Baguio City)

It's me @ PMA Baguio

And the last of Lakwatserong Tatay's Adventures for 2010 is a sidetrip of my Weekend Getaway of Baguio City. My 2nd visit of the Church of Our lady of Manaoag. It was quite long when i last visited this church, i think i was only at high school that time....hehehehe...kaya ecited talaga ko nung mabalik ako rito...pero it was a different trip kasi nagcommute ako from Baguio...hehehe...

Church of Our Lady of Manaoag, Pangasinan
Museo de Manaoag
Our Lady of Manaoag Rosary Garden

My 2nd post on this church, Our Lady of Manaoag, Pangasinan

Hay, at last natapos ko din gawin toh.....hehehe...So far, i've visited some of the tourist places and spots that you could found on our country...I'm really happy about that, but of course my trip and the xplorerboyz, will not stop to xplore places, summits and shares some of our stories that you could used also on your own trips. and lastly, mahirap po talaga magenglish, lalo na in writing this stories....hehehe...but im really thankful for some of the people who read and even follow this blog. Thanks for your inquiries, & comments, and because of that ill strive harder for this year to share again some of my trips...Thanks to all of you.....

By the way here is my confirmed trip for Year 2011:

7 Lakes of San Pablo, Laguna (January, 2011)
Mt. Batulao (January, 2011)
Puerto Princesa, Palawan (February, 2011)
El Nido, Palawan (February, 2011)
Caramoan (May, 2011)
Boracay (July, 2011)
Iloilo (August, 2011)

Hope you'll will take a visit of my site........once again thanks to all of you.....Happy New Year....and Happy Travelling.........

Puerto Galera: Night Life

The Sling Shot of Puerto Galera
Hiyas Bar (White Beach Resort)
By Lakwatsero

Mindoro Sling

Night life in Puerto Galera is not complete without drinking Mindoro Sling. Mindoro Sling is a popular cocktail drink that is served with slices of apple. It is a mix of rhum, orange juice, mango juice, grenadine syrup and Sprite. If you are with a small group, it is best to order one pitcher of it instead of ordering by the glass. Of course if your other friends are not into cocktails, just order a glass of it since ordering a pitcher of Mindoro Sling may cause you to be a little dizzy after drinking it. One of the most crowded bar at night is Hiyas Bar.

Hiyas Bar

@ another angle

Here’s one of the many Mindoro Sling recipes out there (parrot head stirrer not included). Just mix all the ingredients in a pitcher and enjoy.

1 lapad of Tanduay rhum
1 can of Gina’s Mango Nectar juice
1-1/2 jigger of Sunny Orange syrup
1-1/2 jigger calamansi concentrate
1 jigger Grenadine
1 can Sprite
fresh apple and orange slices
lots of ice


Below are some shots of Hiyas Bar fire dance show. Luckily for our group we got a chance to have a photo opps with one of the fire dance performers. Yehey...

the main star of Fire Dance show that night.

And of course, to enjoy the Mindoro Sling, it would be great to have some grilled goodies or some chips with it. Great “pulutan” treats would be Liempo, Chicken Kabob, Chicken Barbeque and grilled hotdogs.And for the “washing”, you could just have a bottle of beer.

tower of beer...yes!!!!!

Team Escaran on the loose.....

i was really amazed with this dance....

After having all that liquors, maybe one of the most effects of that liquors is shown below...hehehehe...

ricky is really laughing...hehehe

do u still remember this dave.

and the winner is......bebe....hehehe

of course i have the opportunity too...

Of course, i will not miss the chance to have picture the sponsor of Mindoro Sling, Tanduay mascots? Do they look mascots? hehehehe.....including shomen noodles...sad to say they don't have free taste for their products...

yours truly with the roving mascots? hehehehe...

Group pic with Team Shomen

To end our night, we were all drunk in short...hehe...what do you think? So by the next time you drink this kind of liquors, just drink it moderately.

However, if you don't have the chance to go to Puerto Galera, what I’m going to give you now are the several Mindoro Sling recipes as given to me by my friends. If you have your own Mindoro Sling concoction, do share them below.

Version 1:

1 Can of Dole Four Seasons Juice
1 Bottle of Ginebra GSM

Version 2:

1 Bottle of vodka
1 jigger Grenadine
1 cup of triple sec
1 Big can of pineapple-orange juice
1/2 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice

Just mix everything and add lots of ice and top with fresh apple and orange slices. Another reminder Please drink moderately....hehehe...enjoy!!!!!!!

Disclaimer: Regarding with the picture that are not in correct date it come from my xplorer buddy jeson...pasaway eh..hindi nagset ng maayos ng camera. and some picture for my Puerto Galera entry were edited.

Puerto Galera: Snorkeling and Underwater Cave Activities

What to do when your in Puerto Galera?

By Lakwatsero

It was a hot 2nd day at White Beach that day. After the Team Escaran nightlife last night, most of them was a bit tired and most of us were hungry too. The group dine in for breakfast at Peter's Inn Bar & Restaurant. While the group having the breakfast, they haave some discussion what to do that day, some our just want to stay along the beach, playing beach volleyball, some want to stay right on their rooms, but most of the group decided to had an island hopping activity. So after having breakfast, we look for some of the bangkero's that offering this activity, and after with little talking and discussion what will be the activity to the bangkero, the group finally departed around 10am, it was a little bit late because the real plan of this activity was to have an island hoping together snorkeling & underwater cave experience. But due to some misunderstanding and miscalculation on who will be gonna joining this activities, we sum up to 11 persons and the bangkero's is arguing that the middleman said that we had coordinated said that we're all 15 island hoppers (200 each), after riding the big bangca, they just saw us 11 persons, they're now reasoning that they gonna loose with our no. of persons, so the group decided that will just gonna give them P2000 and changed of activity. We just have to do the snorkeling and underwater cave experience.

photo opps while waiting...hehehe

some of the trippers that did not join the activities

group photo opps of some of the spelunkers and snorklers...hehehe

It was almost 10 am when we departed White Beach Resort, and go ahead to our destination Coral Garden and the Underwater Cave. In fact i've been going back 'n fort in this place, and i've done some of the activities here like trekking, going to falls, and island hopping, and this is the 1st time ill visit this underwater cave....hehehe..

Most of the trippers were 1st timer on Puerto Galera and also 1st time on this such this activities. Upon departing, we pass by a island, i just have to take some photo opps, because of lack of time for our trip, we did not have the chance to dock on it...huhuhuhu...

what island is this?

rock formation on end part of this island...i hope i could hike this...hehehe

Upon sailing, we pass by some islands, and take some photos of that, also while we where sailing we were accompanied by the small bangca's that we will gonna used to go to underwater cave and snorkeling around Coral Garden area, because big bangca's is prohibited to dock in Coral Garden area for the preservations of its coral reefs. Each small bangka's can accomodate 2-3 persons for P200. (2 activities to underwater cave & snorkeling), actually it is quite expensive that time maybe due to jampack weekend that day.

lakwatserong tatay's photo opps...

some of the trippers together with us "xplorerboys"

small bangka's racing for us.

go...go...go...go....

we pass some of the tourist got into first to do this acitivities

Upon docking to Coral Garden area, i forgot to say to bring some breads that we will gonna used to attract some of the fishes to come for us....huhuhuhu...sad to say they will gonna experience that. Maybe by the next time we will gonna do this. I will gonna give them this information. Our first stop is to go to underwater cave.

Coral garden's docking station

time to go to underwater cave....

some of the trippers on their small bangca's..

Upon sailing with this small bangca's we pass by this small island. Personally i really like it because if your looking for some privacy and a quite and serene place (below), i think i could really suggest this one.

cute island...What island is this again?

a rock formation on the island end part.

photo opp's with our bangkero...hehehe..

At last, after few minutes we have finally cited the island that holds the underwater cave. The place was jampack again with tourist, so before you could reach the entrance of the cave you have to wait for your group opportunity to enter the underwater cave. Upon seeing this place, i felt i was not satisfied because it is not like the other caves that i have been too like sagada, and marinduque. I hope it will changed my feeling when i finally got inside.

Some precautions: Please any sandals or flip flops upon walking with this rocks because it has really sharp ends that could get you easily cut just for one wrong step and be ready to get wet upon going to the rock, because you to swim or walk few meters from the shore.

a jampack cave...

group pic before we enter the cave. si kuya ayaw talga umalis eh...

ill try to place to jump after i get inside the cave...hehehe

Just like what i have said earlier, i was not satisfied what i have seen inside the cave. It just like a normal cave that got a hole maybe through years and sea water is just entering inside, that's why is it called a "underwater cave", but our bangkero said, that it is nice to visit this cave when it is not high tide because you could actually stay inside and sit upon some of the rocks, and stay for a while, photo opps of course, not like on our trip, if your ready to have some stitches to your head and a choice to be drowned because that time i think it almost 10m deep. together with a rock sealing above you and add some little wave that will get inside the cave get ready to head bang your head to the rocks...hehehe...So the group just stay inside for a meantime, take some pictures.

photo opps: eagle, laktwaserong tatay & ricky

the rock sealing...are you ready for this?

of course my photo opps....

some of the group pics inside the cave...

last photo opps before leaving the rocky area of this cave...

After staying on this island for more than an hour. It is time to depart and proceed for our last activity, one of my favorite. Snorkeling....We have to go back to Coral Garden.

photo opps again...hehehe

Upon arriving to Coral Garden, i just put on my goggles, and photo opps before going to a dip...yehey.....Thank you kuya bangkero for our photo opps while we were in water. Hope to see you again.

it's me....it's time to wet again...

ok...let's breath 1st...

ang sarap!!!!!!

Actually while doing the snorkeling, i was not actually swimming im just holding the rope between the "bangka and katig", and just float our self while the bangka is on sail. Actually i find it really nice...hehehe...Definitely ill try it again.

Again, thanks to Team Escaran, for inviting us, Xplorerboyz, "lakwatserong tatay & eagle" for hosting their team building activity. Hope you will invite us again to your next trip.