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Mt Pulag, Benguet - After 4 years, I once more set foot on Luzon 's rooftop. Thanks to pinoymountaineer.com for organizing the friendship climb. I have always wanted to return to this 2,922 masl beauty after a not so good climb due to rain and harsh cold via akiki trail on December 2005.
Travel from Manila to the jump-off point at the Ranger’s Camp will approximately consume about 10 hours. This includes a bus ride from Cubao to Baguio and a bumpy jeepney ride from Baguio to the jump off point - Babadak Ranger Station in Bokod, Benguet.

I was expecting a picture perfect sea of clouds but I got disappointed once again. After staying for about 30 minutes on top, the temperature dropped rapidly. I trekked down towards camp 2 as fast as I could for dinner preparation and for some socials. It’s so hard to cook outdoors with 5ºC temperature but I was able to cook my spicy spaghetti in mushroom sauce and pork chops.

At the second day, we’re supposed to get up early at 0400H for the sunrise at the summit but it was just so cold to move. I opted to stay at camp 2 and sipped hot swiss-miss while preparing breakfast. At around 0720H, I decided to break camp to feel the heat of the lower altitude.

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HUNDRED ISLANDS, PANGASINAN – A perfect weekend destination at the northwest part of Luzon for busy corporate slaves.

I only knew the National Park thru my elementary text books but never had the chance to visit and to see until April 9, 2010. After a 5-hour bus ride from Manila finally I got to Lucap Wharf in Alaminos, Pangasinan. At last the hundred islands is just a boat ride away.

From the tourism office, the entrance fee to the national park cost 40/head for overnight stay, camping fee is 200/tent and motor boat rate for overnight tour is 1,800 per group of 10.

At 1300H, motor boat speeded away and started scouting for a camp site. Governor’s island was one of the options to set camp where a 360 view of the park can be seen on top and a not so comfortable rest room is available. The boat can tour you around the 124 islands of the national park.

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6 years ago – April 2004, with my school based mountaineering group DBMS, we went to scale one of Philippines toughest – Mt Guiting Guiting located in Sibuyan Island, Romblon. I'm quite familiar to the place since the early 90’s and heard some myth about the mountain. As locals have mentioned, the 2,058 meter beauty derived its name from “gunting – gunting” due to its saw tooth peak.
From Metro Manila, we went on board Mary the Queen bound for Cantingas – main dock of Sibuyan Island. A 30 minute jeepney ride took us to the next town Magdiwang where we registered, had orientation at the DENR and visit Dr. Tansiongco’s residence.

After the pre-climb requirements have been completed, we headed to the jump-off point at Manong Lee’s place where we had all day to loosen up prior the 3-day knee breaking walk towards the summit. During the afternoon, we were graced by the majestic mountain with its full beauty – a picture perfect landscape!



At 0600H the next day, we started to trek towards our first camp site – the Mayo’s peak. During our climb, we only had Bulod Spring as our water source near camp 1.


The second day of hike towards the summit was the toughest one; a sun-exposed knife edged path.
We reached the summit at around 1300H and to our dismay no spectacular view on top except bonsai plants above the clouds. No one is allowed to stay over night at the summit thus we head back after taking lunch to Mayo’s peak.

This part was a hell as the rocks where we clung on was hotter. We have to move slow and extra careful; if you’ll miss your step, that’s it!

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