Hikes where hiring Mountain Guides / Local Guides are not mandatory.

Hiring mountain guides are usually mandatory nowadays. As local government units / barangays promote eco-tourism, the livelihood of the locals are made to benefit as well (to the detriment and disappointment of some hardcore mountaineers who just see it as an additional expense that they ought to pay).

Just to make it clear, I am not against mountain guides / local guides (who I refuse to call tourist guides) because they are in a way sharing their domain to us. In other words, we are just visitors in their area. Nonetheless, below is a list of mountains where the hiring of guides is discretionary especially for those who have previously traipsed on the trails of the specified mountain.

1. Mt. Balagbag - There are guides, sometimes kids would offer their services, but the trail is relatively straight. Hence, as long as you know your bearing, there is no way that you will get lost until you reach its summit.

2. Mt. Tagapo - As of my last climb, mountain guides are mandatory for 1st time hikers only. Guide rate is pegged at P500.00 for every 5 hikers/climbers.

Mt. Paliparan - Traverse to Tuoy + Tungtong Falls (where the kites roam free)

"Unless we are willing to encourage our children to reconnect with and appreciate the natural world. We can't expect them to help protect and care for it."

                                                                                    - David Suzuki

The town of Tanay in the province of  Rizal is fast becoming a mountaineering/hiking hotbed. Proof of this is the emergence of new tramping grounds in the area.

The newest addition to the growing list of mountains in Tanay is Mt. Paliparan (meaning "airport" or "from where things are flown"). Situated in quaint Brgy. Cuyambay, Mt. Paliparan was christened as such since this is supposed to be the place where people belonging to the Dumagat Tribe fly kites, either for fun or for wagers. According to our guide Mang Carling, aside from bragging rights, bets in the kite fighting usually involve a sack of rice, kamote, and other agricultural products.

Mt. Paliparan...taken from the ridge leading to Tuoy

Another view of Mt. Paliparan

Mt. Paliparan...photo taken from Tuoy

Mt. Paliparan Summit

After more than an hour of travel from Quezon City, we finally arrived in Brgy. Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal. As we tried to ask a lady who just bought something from a store for directions in going to the Brgy. Hall of Cuyambay, a man suddenly appeared and inquired if we intend to climb Mt. Paliparan, The man was no other than Kuya Inso, also referred to as Sir Inso by our guide. He then conducted a brief lecture regarding what to expect during the hike, including the climbing conditions and the places of special interests along the trail.

We were greeted by this view of Mt. Batolusong

Subsequent to paying the registration and environmental fees, we waited for the arrival of Mang Carling, the guide who was assigned to us for the day. It was 0745H when we left the trailhead (Brgy. Hall) for another day of adventure.

Maynoba Circuit - Mt. Maynoba + Mt. Cayabu + 8 waterfalls

“We were not pioneers ourselves, but we journeyed over old trails that were new to us, and with hearts open. Who shall distinguish?”

                                                         ― J. Monroe Thorington, The Glittering Mountains of Canada: A Record of                                                                           Exploration and Pioneer Ascents in the Canadian Rockies, 1914-1924

A new tramping ground has recently been launched in Tanay, Rizal. Dubbed as Maynoba Circuit, it was formally opened last March 22, 2016. And this early, I am sure that the Maynoba Circuit will soon be in the bucket list of mountaineers, hikers, climbers, and weekend warriors.

Mt. Maynoba

Mt. Maynoba / Mt. Cayabu

Climbing the Maynoba Circuit would entail climbing Mt. Maynoba and Mt. Cayabu. But the added bonus of having a chance to take a dip in any, if not all of the 8 waterfalls that may be found along the trail surely makes this climb undeniably enticing to everyone.

Having overslept (because I again dozed off after acknowledging the alarm that I have set), it was already 0545H when I arrived at the McDonald’s in Marco Highway to fetch my best hiking buddy (Gani). And after buying some of our needed provisions at a convenience store in Cogeo, we went straight to finding Brgy. Cayabu (Tanay, Rizal).

It was already 0720H when we arrived at Mar-ning’s Resort, the jump-off point for the Maynoba Circuit. After paying the registration fees and securing our local guide for the day, we started hiking at 0745H. Thinking that what we are going to climb is the mountain opposite the resort, we were actually surprised when our guide led us towards the back of the resort.

Welcome to Mar-Nings Farm and Resort

Swimming pool

We initially hiked on rice paddies (one can actually survey the course of the hike here) until we reached the dirt path that eventually led to the “bamboo gate”. We then reached the bohoan at 0800H. While the initial terrain is mainly ascending, there are also some rolling parts that may serve as a breather for the harder climbs ahead.

Mt. Tangisan - Hike after the forest fire

“There are two kinds of people. Those who climb mountains and those who sit in the shadow of the mountains and critique the climbers.” 

                                                                                                                            ― Richard Paul Evans

As I only had barely two days left to use my Birthday Leave (we are only allowed to use it during our birth month), it was my first time in a long while to again climb solo, and on a weekday at that.

At first, I could barely decide where to go until a brilliant idea pique my interest and which eventually made me decide to visit some friends in my province. As such, I found myself driving towards the NLEX while eagerly anticipating the climb up Mt. Tangisan.

Mt. Tangisan

Mt. Tangisan as seen from Monasterio de Tarlac

For starters, Mt. Tangisan is one of the mountains located in Western Tarlac (particularly in the town of San Jose), thus the popular term "San Jose Circuit". As I have already done the Circuit Climb twice, I know how humid the climb up the mountains of San Jose can be. Yes, while the mountains in San Jose are not really that tall, the climbing conditions (especially the heat/humidity) can take its toll on a climber / hiker.

San Jose Circuit - Tramping Advisory (Permit to Climb)

Mountaineers/Climbers/Hikers wishing to climb the mountains in the town of San Jose, Tarlac (San Jose Circuit) are now required to secure a permit from the Municipal Tourism Office. This policy has been enforced due to the untoward incident that happened last 2015 to a group of hikers that went on an Outreach Mission in Sitio Baag.

Mt. Tangisan

Mt. Matalaubaba

For more details, you may contact Engr. Ramil E. De Vera, the Municipal Tourism Officer / Municipal Engineer of San Jose at +63 908 881 9789. You may likewise send an email to him at redevera33@gmail.com


Should you wish to personally drop by the Municipal Tourism Office, it is located at the Municipal Hall Complex in Brgy. Villa Aglipay, San Jose, Tarlac.

Climbing Mt. Kawayan

Skookum Jump....with Mt. Ngile and the San Pedro River Valley in the background

***As I decided to go back to the San Jose Circuit for a dayhike up Mt. Tangisan last March 30, I was informed at the Registration Area that climbers / hikers are now mandated to secure a permit from the Municipal Tourism Office. Hence, I rushed back to the Municipal Hall and was so fortunate to have been permitted to climb despite the short notice. But I would recommend that you secure the permit or at least coordinate with the Municipal Tourism Office prior to the actual date of the climb.




Tramping Advisory 014

003.030.016

San Jose Circuit / San Jose Tarlac (Climbing Permit)

Pico de Loro / Mt. Palay-Palay - Tramping Advisory (Temporary closure of the Monolith)

***Please note that there are claims (still unverified) that the Monolith is still open since it is supposedly outside the jurisdiction of Cavite, and that one only needs to sign a waiver in case a hiker/climber wishes to scale the Monolith (as of March 23, 2016).




Pico de Loro is one of the most popular climbs in the entire Philippines. Aside from the challenging trails and magnificent views at the summit, it's Monolith is really one of a kind attraction. As such, climbing the Monolith has become a personal rite of passage to the daring.

The Monolith on the left....the Summit on the Right.

On the other hand, this popularity has likewise become Pico de Loro's curse. As the number of climbers scaling it has dramatically increased in recent years, considerable changes along the trail leading to its Summit, much less, the trail leading to the Monolith became more and more obvious.

The Monolith taken from the Summit

In this regard, the DENR-PENRO in Cavite issued an order temporarily barring mountaineers / hikers / climbers from climbing the Pico de Loro's Monolith starting March 15, 2016. The DENR-PENRo Cavite cited the supposed erosion of land and loss of vegetation at the base of the Monolith in issuing the directive.


Mountaineers / hikers / climbers, please be advised accordingly. Let us help the mountain heal itself.

***credits to the owner of this photo that I got from the net

Tramping Advisory 013

003.016.016

Pico de Loro / Mt. Palay-Palay (Temporary Closure of Monolith)

Manabu Peak - Mataas na Bundok

"He that plants trees loves others besides himself."
- Thomas Fuller -

Manabu Peak is one of the more popular minor climbs that is relevantly close to Metro Manila. Most enjoy its dense forest cover, the interesting flora and fauna within its range, and the wonderful views that it offers. Of course, who would ever forget the free civet coffee of Mang Tino and Mang Pirying. There are really a lot of reasons that climbers continue to flock and climb Manabu.


Arriving at the trail head, we changed gears and prepared to climb. Holding the seedling that we purchased at the registration area in one, we were so eager to trailblaze again.

Engr's seedling

The initial part of the trail is similar to the approach in Mt. Sembrano and Mt. Romelo. Subsequent to the preliminary plunge and ascent, we passed by agricultural  crops and some orchards as we slowly went deeper into the forest and reach the Stations of the Manabu Loop (Yes, the trail is a loop that is comprised by a number of Stations).

The rolling terrain went on until we finally arrived at Station 3 where we briefly stopped for some photo ops. Here, we also had to cross the brook. As the forest in the Malipunyo Range (where Manabu is located) is really one of the more impressive ones in the entire Philippines, it is not surprising that the flora and fauna in the area is really remarkable.

At the Station 3

Onwards, we passed by farmlands and even had to stoop down at one point in order to get pass by steel wires that resemble a clothesline, which I supposed is being used by the locals as a trellis for their vegetable crops.We decided to have our first rest stop at Station 4. This is where the loop trail merges. The trail on the left leads directly to the Grotto (Station 8) and is relatively an easier ascent towards the summit. On the other hand, while the conventional trail on the right is the steeper assault, it nonetheless leads to Station 5, where Mang Tino and Mang Pirying shall gamely offer a free taste of civet coffee to hikers.