Whitewater Rafting of Real, Quezon / A personal journal / Album // July 2, 2019

In line with the commemoration of its 446th founding anniversary, July 2, 2019, was declared as a special non-working holiday in Pasig City.  Our team went to Quezon and tried the not-so-explored water rafting of Tanauan, Real.

Photos of the Past Adventure

The rafts that are being used in rafting are made of bamboos and worn tires fastened together.  There's a greater probability of having an overturn when everything goes rough.

On our way to the river, we moved down a path of moss which is approximately 15 minutes away from the jump-off.  Adventure begins!

Compared with the grand white water rafting we experienced in CDO a year ago, the one situated in Quezon has a shorter route.  Something that can be ended within 30 minutes on a raging water current.  

There are parts where one can find the pleasure of submerging into the pristine emerald river of Quezon...

...and there are hidden waterfalls too!

The day we visited the place was not a high-time to go rafting as the current was generally calm, but the scenery and the experience itself are worth the distance.

Achievement unlocked!

Side Trips

Paete Church

Lumban Marker

San Sebastian Parish Church

Pagsanjan Arch

Actual Itinerary

4:30 AM: Departure Manila to Real, Quezon

7:45 AM: Arrival Brgy. Tanauan Real Quezon (last-minute preparation / registration / moving down to the river point)

8:45 AM: Start of water rafting/swimming/chasing waterfalls

11:00 AM: End of water rafting / moving back to the barangay hall (tricycle ride)

11:10 AM: Arrival Brgy. Hall / wash-up

11:40 AM: End of tour 

12:00: Lunchtime

1:00 onwards: Side-trips (Laguna De Bay Road trip, Saint James the Apostle Parish Church (Paete) / San Sebastian Parish Church (Lumban), Lumban Signage / Pagsanjan Arch, Shing-aling Factory)

Expenses

Water rafting: 400 Php / pax

Tricycle ride back to barangay hall: 20 Php / pax

Boatman tip: 300 Php (at your own discretion)

Food Expense: Sky is the limit (we love foods!)

Tolling Fees: 214 Php

Gas and Oil Expense: 880 Php

Other Possible Side-Trip

1. Underground Cemetery of Nagcarlan

2. Other falls in Laguna (Hulugan, Aliw, Bukal, etc.)

3. Hotsprings in Pansol Laguna

4. Church hopping

5. Museums tour

6. Pasalubong Centers

Contact

Ms. Maritess - 0926-223-7583

Note

1. The best time to do the water rafting is during the ber months.

2. The route of our Laguna de Bay road trip:

Team

Moments and Thoughts to Look Back
- The pusher Karen Landrito
- A weird fruit that tastes like guava
- Ang Panciteria ni Darwin Angcahan
- Chicken Skin
- "Pahingeng barya"
- Seafoodsssssssssssss

End

- JSC

Mt. "Matubiguhaw": Rediscovering a Long Sealed Ground

From a group of 13 to 14 people, only 8 of us decided to push through.  This was a 2-days exploratory climb via new trail during the month of Peridot, in the birthplace of an influential pen warrior in Philippine history and the land where a colorful vibrant festival happens each year.  The God of silence forbade me to reveal this mountain true name; but, I would like to call it "Mt. Matubiguhaw" due to the scarcity of water source.  At exactly 2:30 AM, armed with the desire to conquer a long-sealed ground, while the moon was still bright we started a 13 hours march.   

After an hour of walks in the darkness, we arrived at a water source.   The cold spring flows quenched our thirsts.  But who would have thought that it was the last?  We planned to prepare some meals; but, we decided to move on. We were deceived by our guide's sweet-tongued and believed that another one exists near the campground.  Few more hours, the sun began to rise and gave us light.

Mr. Clean on the move

Exploring a new trail entails several challenges.  The mountain has a thick mossy rainforest which makes most of its parts wet.   There were times when we need to unload our bags to pass through some tree branches;  added to the difficulty is the continuous assault in paths abundant in Rattan and other kinds of thorny plants.  
At the Campsite
During the holy hour after the seems endless assaults, we reached the campsite.  I asked our guide where's the water source, then he replied that we already passed it.  We ended up relying on rainwater. 

3 in 1 meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

The campsite.  A place surrounded by thick vegetation and can only accommodate a maximum of 7 tents.

Trees covered with mosses and thick fogs

At 5 pm the surroundings were getting colder.  While others were still having moments of cheers, I decided to go inside my tent and had my rest.  

Day 2 

Preparing the foods at the tarp base

Our breakfast: Beef Noodles with Rain Water Sauce

Summit Assault
We left our things at the campsite and resumed the hike at 7 am.  The summit is only an hour away.  It was during the second day when we encountered the most beautiful and rewarding parts of this hike......heading to a place which has 3 points.  

Stepping on Tree roots

A denser mossy forest 

The mother of the new generation of Ugatans at the first point.  Wala ka sa hulog!

Group picture in front of the remnant of a believed 100 years old tree

Rope segment going to another point

Group picture at the last point

Solo pose.  We had a perfect clearing 

Other photos were taken at the top and way back to the campsite

Layers of clouds

Their "Buwis Buhay" Group Pose

The other side

Truly amazing those people who found their true passion in life.  They have a sense of direction and overflowing potentials to shine.

An unestablished trail similar to the Jurassic Park

Way back to the campsite

Descend
We started our descent before lunch.  I can't believe that our guide was able to fool us twice!  After the things that happened, we still relied on his statement that there's an existing water source 3 hours away from the campsite.  On my part, I became complacent and let him carried my bag containing my water bladder (Hantanga mo Jake!).  When we arrived at the so-called source, the water is stagnant and not ideal for drinking.  What a Jester!!! From the place they are calling "gitna" (half of the trail), down to the real source I think everyone was already experiencing mild dehydration.  

Moving Down

"Gitna" or "Kalahati"

Having a break

Nearby mountains

The last photo that was taken at the water source (Beef Broccoli and Beef Stew).   I already have forgiven his shortcomings.  I know our paths will cross again one day... My time will come Mr. Tour guide!

75 years from now, I will take a moment to reminisce about the highlights of my 100 years of existence - JSC (August 2017)

Actual Itinerary
Day 1 (10:00 PM): Meeting Time Greenfield Mcdo, Departure
Day 4 (3:00 AM): Home Sweet Home

Worth Remembering (Moments and Thoughts to Look Back)
- Anak ako ng hari
- Kaya kong pumatay kahit ganyang kalayo
- May isa pang water source paglagpas sa kalahati, dun nalang tayo magluto - Tourguide (*****!)
- My first leech (limatik) bite
- Ang swerte ni Paulo di sumama
- Once in my life.... I became a thief of great views lolx
- Pagdating natin sa summit itutulak ko talaga yan - Trix
- Gusto mong sumali ng Pasig Nomads?
- May tinik ah may tinik..eh nahawakan ko pa rin (aray ko po!)
- Etong halaman na ito may tubig yan.....kawayan ba yan??? .......basta may tubig yan!!! (kulet)
- Ui Jake, ang lalim ng iniisip mo...
- Yung trail nito pinaghalong Madjaas at Isarog (Wow! edi di ako pupunta ng Isarog!)
- The Sapang-Uwak trail of Mt. Pinatubo was the first mountain that I swore to never come back. This is the second one!

Photo Credits to the owners

End

-JSC

Weekend at Mt. Romelo (Famy): A personal journal / album // August 19 to 20, 2017

Based on primary sources, Mt. Romelo, commonly known as Famy, is a stronghold of old-school mountaineers (calling themselves "Famyneers").  UGAT was one of the groups who pioneered the establishment of trails.  This is the mother mountain of most senior Ugatans; they started here.  During their prime, they used to be here every weekend, each one has their own place...  establishing new trails, chasing waterfalls, and hanging out with other hikers.  According to Papa Rhey and Paulo, there were times when they are staying here for a week; upon depletion of food supplies, someone will go down to shop in Siniloan Market for replenishment.  

Moving to the registration site.  Papa Rhey and Paulo were already there waiting for us

The first time I've been here was during the outreach of UGAT last December 18, 2016.  The weather then was harsh due to a Low-Pressure Area (LPA).  Despite the continued rainfall, I decided to follow them in Siniloan, after my master class in San Beda.  I became overconfident and didn't make any research regarding the trail.  I thought that it will be a chicken...a peanut... a walk in a park.  As we assaulted the following day, I was shocked! I've encountered a slippy trail full of horse dungs and knee-level mud, far worse than my climb to Mt. Daraitan.  While descending with Wewe, at the back of my mind, I was saying to myself: I will never go back! I will never go back!... But, last August, due to a certain reason, I was cornered by them to climb this mountain once again. ~.~  
------------------------------------------------------------------
Paulo and Papa Rhey were already there waiting for us at the jump-off.  We arrived at around 11 am after we shopped in the marketplace of Siniloan.  

Registration

At about 2 pm, we were still waiting for the brother of Sir Dick to arrive, when Papa Rhey decided to go up to the campsite.  Pot, his other friends and I accompanied him; while Rommel and the others waited for them.

Papa Rhey: The King/Queen of Famy is back and kicking.  I think our last encounter was during the climb at Mt. Pulag.  He is well known to the people of Famy.  From the public market of Siniloan up to the nipa huts of Buruwisan Falls.

Open slopes

Near the campsite

Thick Mud same as before

At the campsite

Campsite.  Good thing that I didn't pitch my tent.  It was raining last night.

At the other side

Playing with Nalgene

Photo Ops

Breakfast

There are several waterfalls connected in this mountain: Batya-Batya, Lanzones Falls, Buriwasan Falls, Old Buruwisan, and many more.  I slept the whole morning at the campsite.  While others were still having fun at about 3 pm, rappelling the 100 ft. Buruwisan Falls, Papa Rhey and I descended back to the jump-off.  Together with the group of Rigor and Alfred, we went back to Manila at 5 pm.  The rear team (Rommel, Trix, Tel, Luisa, Jerico, Balong and Art) stayed at the jump-off for another night (nagwalwal sila dun). 

I'm not sure if this is the Old Buruwisan that they're calling.  The place is near Sapang Labo

One of the many falls

End

-JSC