Mt. Sembrano - Manggahan Falls & Pililla Windmills

After months of shelving carefully laden plans in the past, we eventually decided to summit Mt. Sembrano. Hence, I had to fetch my climb buddy (Gani) along Ortigas Ave (near Robinsons Galleria) at 0530H.

Mt. Sembrano's South Summit....taken from the North Summit

Fortunately, we were able to find our way to the Barangay Hall of Malaya, Pililla, Rizal (where we eventually parked Jaff). After signing our names in the log book and paying the mandatory registration fee, we continued towards the trailhead leading to the summit of Mt. Sembrano which is just 100 meters, more or less, from the Barangay Hall (2^nd street after the Flying V gas station). It was already 0755 when we commenced hiking.



Brgy. Hall / Registration Center

The hike began from the highway as the concrete road started to become steep, this would actually be the start of the never-ending assault until the summit (Yes, the climb is mostly uphill, maybe 85% thereof.). We made our way through the residential area until the pavement gave way to the “Rocky Road”.

It's a cloudy day in Mt. Sembrano



The Rocky Road begins where the concrete road ends.

Although there are still residential houses along the Rocky Road, it actually signified that we are nearing the edge of the forest. We then encountered the 1^st split and took the trail on the right. We likewise crossed a brook thereafter. There are trail signs along the way except at the junction where the trail on the right leads down to the river (this is actually the old trail). Here, you must take the trail on the left since the old trail has already been closed due to landslide.

Mt. Romelo - Buruwisan Falls + Lanzones Falls

 

Although considered as one of the more famous climbs for mountaineering newbies, Mt. Romelo is better known for its waterfalls, namely: Buruwisan Falls, Lanzones Falls, Sampaloc Falls, Sapang Labo Falls, Batya-Batya Falls, Old Buruwisan, and Twin Falls (some say there is an 8th, "Diwata Falls, but I failed to verify this with the locals) that continue to serve as its crowd-drawers throughout the year.

Located in quaint Siniloan, Laguna, Mt. Romelo (although some fondly refer to it as Mt. Famy in reference to the adjoining town of Famy, Laguna) is regarded as a fun climb at 240 MASL. Nevertheless, climbing it would not be that fun and challenging unless one is ready to get wet and dirty because of its muddy horse trails (yes, even during summer).

While some would recommend hiking Mt. Romelo at summertime because it would mean less mud on the trail, hiking during the rainy season  however would be ideal for those who would want to see any of its seven (7) waterfalls at their best and mightiest.

With all these in mind, my former officemates collectively known as P@Akyat together with my best climbing buddy (and his boxing trainer) went on a dayhike within the so-called Waterfalls Sanctuary of Eastern Laguna. While most in our group went to the Raymond Bus Terminal in Legarda (Sampaloc, Manila) at 0400H, three (3) of us decided to just wait for and hail the bus along Ortigas Avenue near Robinsons Galleria. Needless to say, the bus that will take us to Siniloan encountered some delays as it was already 0615H when the bus left the station. Fifteen (15) minutes later, we were lucky to be on board as the driver refused to stop at the gas station where we were waiting (because there was already a traffic enforcer at the intersection at that time). Hence, we had no choice but to jaywalk and run for the bus like crazy (in the middle of Ortigas and Meralco Avenue intersection).

It was 0850H when bus had a brief stop-over somewhere in the town of Mabitac, Laguna. The bus continued its trip after fifteen (15) minutes and we arrived at the junction after 10 minutes. We finally arrived at the jumpoff (opposite the KTri Restaurant) five minutes later (0920H).

After buying snacks and food for lunch at KTri, we proceeded towards and arrived at the Registration Area after a 5-10 minute walk from the highway. We paid the mandatory registration fees and after some pleasantries, we started hiking at 0945H.

The sign...on the left side of the highway

We passed by this mini dam at the residential area

Going to the jumpoff...there is a Dragonfruit Plantation on the left side of the road

The Registration Area

From the Registration Area, we passed through the hanging bridge and made our way through a number of houses and eventually entered the forest as the trail became steeper. We inched our way until we reached a clearing (It was one of the parts of the trail where there are no forest cover). The view of some parts of Laguna and Rizal were spectacular as the rustic scene of the countryside is really something to behold. We again entered the forest until we finally arrived at the 1st Station (Hut) at 1025H.

Mt. Parawagan (Traverse) - A mountain in Wawa that deserves a second look

Since the Wawa Dam area became a significant tramping ground of mountaineers and occasional hikers, it is now very easy to see pictures of the twin mountains Mt. Binacayan and Mt. Pamitinan, including their so-called big brother, Mt. Haponang Banoi, and the more distant Mt. Ayaas.

Without much of a surprise, left in the shadows of these mountaineering gems is Mt. Parawagan, the mountain on the southwestern portion of the Wawa Dam. Because of the established dirt road that meander on its slopes, it does not really attract a lot of hikers and mountaineers to summit it. Nevertheless, it has remained a favorite for mountain bikers and trail runners.

 

Mt. Parawagan....photo taken while in Mt. Binacayan

Mt. Parawagan....view from Mt. Pamitinan

In the same fashion as Sir Edmund Hillary had declared upon scaling Mt. Everest, we decided to go and climb Mt. Parawagan just because "it is there".

At the jump-off in Wawa, we paid the mandatory registration fee of P2.00. Although the trail is actually an established dirt road, we were still required to secure the services of a local guide. Hence, we had no choice but to comply.

Mt. Apo - MANP-PAMB issues new Trekking Policy

Climbing Mt. Apo has been in the bucket list of every Filipino Mountaineer. Mountaineers and outdoor enthusiasts, especially those coming from Luzon, would literally need months to organize a climb in Mt. Apo. Most would likewise tighten their belts in a bid to finance this so-called climb of a lifetime.

Just recently, climbers and mountaineers went abuzz in popular social media sites, decrying the drastic increase of Entrance/Exit and Guide Fees. The main object of their distaste is Resolution No. 2015-01 that was promulgated and issued by the Mt. Apo Natural Park - Protected Area Management Bureau (MANP-PAMB).

This is issue on fees that hikers are being made to pay is already nothing new. This has been a perennial problem by mountaineers, but I must admit that the PAMB in Mt. Apo has really taken this issue to unprecedented levels. Imagine a climber/hiker who is from Luzon like me would need to shell at least PhP7,000.00 up to P10,000.00 just to be able to climb the Philippines' highest point (...of course this includes airfare already and other transportation expenses...and meals...).

For example, a sample computation of expenses (based on my crude estimate) by a hiker from Luzon is provided below:

Promo Airfare = PhP1,500.00
Guide = PhP1,000.00 per day X 3days = PhP3,000.00 / 5 pax = PhP600.00
Porter = PhP500 per day X 3days = PhP1,500.00
Entrance Fee = PhP1,000.00
Exit Fee = PhP1,000.00
Transportation = PhP500.00
Food = PhP1,000.00

Total (Estimate) = P7,100.00


Other important matters that hikers/climbers ought to remember include the following:

1. Walk-in Trekkers are strictly prohibited. Pre-booking with the applicable Local Government Unit (LGU)s

2. Cooking shall be done only through portable burners. Use of firewood is prohibited.

3. Smoking is strictly prohibited.

4. All trails are closed during the dry season and when there is an absence of rain for the past two (2) months.

5. There are also other prohibited practices such as vandalism, collection of flora and fauna, bringing knives more than 3 inches in length, and indecent practices. Penalty is PhP2,000.00, and possible blacklisting of the offender.

For more information, you may refer to the pictures below.


***Credit goes to the owner of the pictures used below as these were shared by different people in Facebook.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

There are a number of trails to choose from in climbing Mt. Apo. And should you wish to climb via the Sta. Cruz Trail,  you can visit the Tourism Office of Sta. Cruz (Davao del Sur) or contact the personnel in-charge through telephone number 082-2720741 or mobile number 09208567991.

 

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Mt. Apo Climb Rules and Regulations

Mt. Pulag - Weather Advisory (Typhoon Ineng)

In view of the impending effects of Typhoon Ineng in Northern Luzon this coming long-weekend (August 21-23), the Office of the Mount Pulag National Park Superintendent has issued an advisory dissuading all trekkers from pushing through their scheduled climbs on the abovementioned dates.

Please be advised accordingly.

 

For more updated information, you may access the Facebook Account of the Mt. Pulag National Park / Mt-Pulag-National-Park-Bulletin or call Sir Roy at +63 929 166 8864

 

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Typhoon Ineng - Northern Luzon

Mt. Manalmon + Bayukbok Cave - Hiking and Spelunking on a rainy day!

Situated within the Biak-na-Bato National Park, Mt. Manalmon is a famous haven for mountaineers and weekend warriors. Last year, it has hugged the limelight due to the unfortunate incident that resulted to the untimely demise of some students of the Bulacan State University. As a result, the LGU, DENR, including the local guides, have decided to strictly enforce a no river-crossing policy as soon as the waters of the mysterious Madlum River becomes knee-high. As an added precaution, hikers are now required to secure permits either from the LGU of San Miguel, Bulacan or of Barangay Sibul. Hence, it is best to coordinate with the guides / coordinators in Sitio Madlum. Hikers are likewise required to sign a waiver at the registration center.

We left Cubao Quezon City at around 0600H and arrived at the jumpoff two hours later. Surprisingly, we saw a lot of mountaineers / hikers preparing their gears. We then crossed the hanging bridge (Thank God we never had to cross the river using the Monkey Bridge) and had to register on the other side of the river.

At the junction...take the rough road on the right.

Hanging Bridge

Looks like the Wawa Gorge

Registration

After paying the mandatory registration fees (Php5.00 per person), we immediately secured a guide and queried whether we can do a twinhike of Mt. Manalmon and Mt. Gola. Unfortunately, our guide (Jek) informed us that they do not allow river crossings at the Madlum River at that time because of the swollen waters of the river.

Climbing in Tanay, Rizal? - Read This....

The Tanay Tourism Office recently issued a list of guidelines that climbers / hikers / mountaineers should comply. This was posted on the Facebook page of Tanay Tourism and has caused a stir because of the controversial requirement of submitting a medical certificate as proof of one's physical fitness.

Mt. Batolusong's Rangyas Peak and Mapatag Plateau

As copied verbatim from the post in Tanay Tourism Facebook page, the mandatory requirements before climbing include:

"REQUIREMENTS FOR MOUNTAIN CLIMBING/MOUNTAINEERS:
1. Permit/clearance to climb from the municipality of Tanay (and the concerned barangay);

 2. Email your request to climb to jeffpino@gmail.com and/or jeffpino@yahoo.com (please address your letter to Hon. Rafael A. Tanjuatco, attention to Engr. Carlos E. Inofre, Environment Officer, and Mr. Jeffrey M. Pino, Tourism Officer ;

 3. List of persons participating the climb, with complete address and contact numbers and copy of ID's s...hould be provided/attached to the letter;

4. Itinerary of the activity should be attached to the letter/email;

5. Climbing gear and paraphernalia must be provided by the mountaineer;

6. Medical certificate from a competent physician, certifying that the mountaineer is physically fit and medically fit to do such activity must be presented to Tanay Tourism or Barangay Chairman before the mountain climbing activity. No medical certificate – no climb. Medical certificate may also be secured from the Rural Health Unit of Tanay or Barangay Sampaloc;

7. Must register at Barangay Hall, attend a short briefing and orientation, pay required fees, and tour guide assignment;

8. Must comply with the municipality’s ordinance on plastic/styro ban;

9. No alcoholic beverage is to be consumed during the mountain climbing activity;

10. Local tour guide is a MUST;

For further info/inquiry please contact 0917.5229024 / 0936.2284173 / 7361059 or 0998.9881590"


While I believe that the local tourism office only has the best of interests in setting the aforementioned mandatory requirements, submitting a medical certificate as proof of physical fitness will make a lot of mountaineers shy away from climbing in Tanay, Rizal. Among the popular climbs in the area are Mt. Irid, Mt. Batolusong, and Mt. Daraitan.

Filipinos are known for their aversion of going to the doctor since many view it as an added and unnecessary expense. Also most mountaineers are actually trying to enjoy the outdoors while  possibly having the least spending. And whatever happened to the good old waiver? Isn't the waiver also a declaration that one is fit enough to climb mountains? And I remember, we had to sign a waiver when we climbed Mt. Batolusong twice earlier this year. Just my two cents though.

In view of the foregoing, mountaineers and occasional hikers should be aware of the rules that are being implemented in Tanay and coordinate with the authorities prior to their scheduled climb.

*There are claims that hikers without medical certificates are allowed to proceed as long as they sign a waiver at the jumpoff

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Medical Certificate - Tanay, Rizal